Sam Smith Monday NBA column

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By Sam Smith | 4.13.2015 | 7:10 a.m. CT

As it turned out, figuring out the Western Conference (at least regular season) winner was not that difficult with the Golden State Warriors October to April runaway. What’s become the race no one can truly guess is for Most Valuable Player. There have been few like this in a season in which there could be as many as five good choices, but two almost indistinguishable. So here’s my post season award ballot starting with the one of my few votes in the last 30 years in which I won’t be that disappointed if I didn’t select the winner.

Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Not that he doesn’t deserve it. He does. But so does James Harden, perhaps even more so having basically had the Houston Rockets second or third all season with so many injuries and players in and out of the lineup all season. I’ve leaned toward Harden much of the season for the way he’s carried the Rockets. But the MVP award has a tiebreaker. Even if none is stated. Actually, the league gives zero advice or recommendation on standards, but it basically always comes out right. Like the famous Supreme Court comment on pornography, you know it when you see it. You know an MVP when you see one. Curry and Harden really lead the pack even though you can probably make a case for LeBron James as the league’s best talent and the way he’s turned around the Cavs. Plus, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul have had excellent seasons, if not quite MVP worthy. That’s because the award always has been an award about winning if there is a doubt. The closest it’s been was when Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain traded it back and forth in the 60s and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 80s. Russell won out for the success of the Celtics before Chamberlain did while Bird’s and Magic’s teams generally led their conferences. So either was justified. But the win tiebreaker enabled voters to be democratic and not give it to Michael Jordan every year or James. Charles Barkley won in 1993 when the Bulls didn’t finish first and in 1997 Karl Malone won. The Bulls were first, but did have fewer wins than the year before. There’s nothing wrong with honoring others. Media are such sentimentalists. The Cavs did finish second, and so if you’d still list LeBron ahead of Curry and Harden, he slips this season. As Curry and Harden are as close to even as possible, Curry gets the vote because of the historic winning season of the Warriors. It’s the unwritten formula for the award and tiebreaker: Best player on the best team having the best season. Still, I hate not voting for Harden. But if Harden wins I’ll say it was deserving. After Harden, I go with LeBron, Westbrook and Paul.

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

This will be sort of one of those sweep years like the Bulls had in 1995-96 when they were so dominant they just had to get most of the awards, and probably should have gotten more. Kerr as a rookie coach with zero coaching experience other than when teammates told him to duck when Jordan is throwing a punch has been as close to the Phil Jackson model as I’ve seen without the Zen. Is honest and open with his players, trusts them enough not to scream at them all game from the bench, has made bold moves of moving All-Stars to the bench seamlessly and has a team that never stops competing and leads the league in offense and defense. It’s the only way the Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer loses with a team that it’s going to be difficult to find anyone to even list top three in any award category. The Hawks’ domination of the Eastern Conference—hey, LeBron is there—has been as complete as it’s been shocking. They probably don’t have an all-league player, but have been consistently impressive with teamwork and sacrifice. For No. 3 (only MVP requires a vote for five) is the Bucks’ Jason Kidd. C’mon, just look at that roster. Yes, it’s the East and they’re not quite .500. But this was the league’s worst team last season with essentially the same roster. And they were trying. And still finished behind the 76ers. They’ve done it with small ball, switching defense and more from Kidd as a coach than we imagined. Boston’s Brad Stevens just misses out in a tough field.

Most Improved Player: Jimmy Butler, Bulls

This one was pretty ordained from the beginning in what’s actually a pretty impressive field. Butler didn’t exactly come out of nowhere, but he fits the profile of what this award should be. It generally draws the most players getting first place votes—unlike MVP—because it lacks historical standards. Sometimes it goes to a high lottery pick who for whatever reason comes on later in his career. It shouldn’t. Sometimes it goes to a great player who becomes even greater. So you’ll see votes for Anthony Davis this season. There used to be a Comeback Player award. But it was going too often to players coming back from drug suspensions, so it evolved into Most Improved. Which is better. But it should be about improvement. If you were a high lottery pick, you were supposed to be good. Not so much the 30th pick, like Butler. Yet, in the overall computer MVP ratings, he’s still in the top 10 in a terrific season and still the Bulls leading scorer. Butler was so deserving he even knocked out a Warriors Draymond Green, a second round player and reserve who has become a vital starter on one of the winningest teams in NBA history. And if not for them, it would be Hassan Whiteside, who’s been kicking around overseas and the D-league without an NBA start and averaging about a point in parts of two seasons. Whiteside may be the poster kid for the award as he’s averaging a double/double since signing with Miami earlier in the season and becoming one of the league’s better centers. And there were other good come from nowhere candidates, like the Bucks’ Khris Middleton and the Jazz’ Rudy Gobert. It’s just that Butler and Green were so good.

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

If only to give a defensive award to a Warriors player. Don Nelson would be horrified. For decades, even when they had some success, they were an offensive team. But the Warriors have been the league’s best defensive team, best in opponent field goal and even top three on defensive three-point shooting as they shoot so many. Their overall efficiency defensive ratings are the best and Green has been in the middle of it all the way they play, switching and playing small lineups with Green defending every position on the floor even more than they say LeBron does. There’s been considerable sentiment, especially from the Clippers, regarding DeAndre Jordan. Sure, Jordan is tough at the rim and gets a lot of rebounds and blocks, which are defensive statistics. But overall the Clippers aren’t a very good defensive team even with Chris Paul, who is supposed to be. Though he’s really not as he mostly plays the lanes for steals. For big guys, I’d prefer Anthony Davis. There’s a longtime debate on this award as well of whether the best defense is big guys who protect the rim and change the driving or perimeter guys who move their feet and defend individually. The history of the award has been big guys with Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Dwight Howard the principal multiple winners. I tend to prefer individuals who take on the challenge, switching pick and rolls and defending other positions. It’s why Joakim Noah was so deserving last season. I have the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard second even with missing 18 games. Leonard may be the best individual defender in the league and just barely behind Green for all Green has done this season. There are other good candidates like Avery Bradley, Andre Bogut, fast developing Rudy Gobert and, of course, LeBron, who if you needed one stop you’d probably take him. But I’ll go the third spot for Memphis specialist Tony Allen.

Rookie of the Year: Nikola Mirotic, Bulls

This comes with a philosophical debate: We take into consideration winning for every other award. So why not Rookie of the Year? The obvious reason is most rookies end up with losing teams in the NBA’s appropriate spread the wealth model that works so well for the NFL. And if the NFL isn’t all-American, than what is? This has been one of the weaker rookie classes because there were so many season long and otherwise injuries of basically half the top 10. No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins was traded to Minnesota and put up by far the best statistics, but with one of the league’s losingest teams and playing more than 36 minutes per game, among the league’s top 10. And there’s always that saying about scoring for a losing team: Somebody has to. Mirotic, once he did crack the rotation, became a mainstay for the Bulls and in one of the more remarkable statistics of the season led all NBA players in fourth quarter scoring since March 1. Now that is amazing. Maybe not unbelievable, which announcers classify as everything else. This case comes up from time to time and maybe the best result was 2000 when Elton Brand and Steve Francis tied. Though the Rockets weren’t a playoff team, either. And I do think winning matters as I was one of the few who voted for Jason Williams for Rookie of the Year in 1999 over Vince Carter because the Kings made the playoff for the first time in about 20 years and Williams’ play with Chris Webber was instrumental. It’s a long way to say Niko. Second would be Wiggins, who is going to be really good and then Elfrid Payton ahead of some rookies who have emerged, like Jordan Clarkson, Nerlens Noel, Marcus Smart and Zach LaVine.

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors

Well, there is a rule for this award. You can’t start. Well, at least not more than half your team’s games. One of the larger issues these days with the award with depth becoming so important is who is the sixth man? Rotations change based on matchups, though the spirit of the award is the scorer coming in to provide a spark. The Celtics basically invented it before it was an award with their unselfish style of title play, though it’s more scorers than defenders or playmakers. Williams takes some wild shots and isn’t hesitant. Jamal Crawford perhaps exemplifies this award as much as anyone in this era, but he’s already won twice and probably would be a top contender this season if he hadn’t just missed about a month. There are always many good choices. Rodney Stuckey with Indiana qualifies but probably has started too much. Houston’s Corey Brewer, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson, Oklahoma City’s Anthony Morrow and Phoenix/Boston’s Isaiah Thomas have contributed to teams playing for playoff spots. Take your choice with the Warriors as Marreese Speights was an early contender. Probably go with Andre Iguodala for his play on both sides of the ball and taking the hit for the team going to the bench. I’ll say Crawford second and Iguodala third.

First Team: Guards Stephen Curry and James Harden; Forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis; Center Pau Gasol.

Second Team: Guards Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, Forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan; Center Marc Gasol.

Third Team: Guards John Wall and Klay Thompson, Forwards, Kyle Korver and Kawhi Leonard. Center DeAndre Jordan.

I had to find a space for someone from the Hawks somewhere. After all, 60 wins. It’s a well balanced team, but Korver has such a huge impact with those threes. And the guard position is so deep it’s tough to find room for Jeff Teague even leaving off Damian Lillard. I also left off Blake Griffin, but I could not go with three Clippers with them in the middle of the pack in the West, which, of course, means near the top or bottom. The first team is easy as it’s essentially the MVP ballot, which doesn’t have many centers. And Pau did lead the league in double/doubles. Sorry, I could not go with a popular center choice of DeMarcus Cousins given all the losing. And his so called supporting cast isn’t that bad. He’s a big part of the problem with his undisciplined and selfish play. As for Tim Duncan, he does classify as unbelievable and even getting better as playoffs apporoach.

First Team: Guards Tony Allen and Kawhi Leonard, Forwards Draymond Green and Anthony Davis, Center Tim Duncan.

Second Team: Guards Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley. Forwards LeBron James and Paul Millsap. Center DeAndre Jordan

It’s perhaps the most arbitrary of choices as the best defensive teams play team defense with help and recover. There aren’t many great individual defenders, and sometimes those who are tend to be overrated, like Chris Paul. He gets a lot of steals, but that’s because he’s out of position, letting his man go because Jordan is back there. Kobe did a lot of that as did Michael. But they had backing like Shaq or Horace Grant, Rodman and Bill Cartwright. Of course, if you wanted one guy defended for one possession, I’d pick Jordan. Michael, that is. But all of those guys are hard playing and will take on the best players.

First team: Nikola Mirotic, Andrew Wiggins, Elfrid Payton, Jordan Clarkson, Marcus Smart.

Second team: Nerlens Noel, Zach LaVine, Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant, Spencer Dinwiddie.

If Dinwiddie played only against the Bulls, he’d be first team. Same with Payton. Oh, Payton was. It wasn’t a great class with all the injuries and Jabari Parker surely would have been in there. Those immature bodies have a tough time.

who-are-this-seasons-award-winners

Who are this season's award winners?

The NCAA plays for its champion Monday, and the NBA is worried. One and done may be dooming the NBA.

Well, perhaps not the outright destruction of the league. But the appeal of the NBA is becoming very much in question, it would seem, because of the influx of so many young kids into the NBA. The problem is the NBA is losing its stars because a person’s body simply is not prepared for the physical exertion required of an 82-game NBA schedule playing against experienced men.

There isn’t a scientific study on the subject, though it seems obvious there have been more injuries now than anytime in NBA history. Perhaps that’s just because we see them now, teams rest players more than ever and players from previous eras chose not to sit out as much because of security and guaranteed money wasn’t as great.

But what seems apparent is the NBA is losing its stars.

I remember asking NBA officials when Kevin Garnett began the prep-to-pros jump in the mid-1990s and then the one and done became official a decade ago the effects it might have. The view was—with exceptions like LeBron James, of course—All-Stars would not become Hall of Famers and good players would not reach All-Star status as frequently. Basically that players would not reach their potential.

Instead, it seems to be producing a more insidious result. The greatest talents in the game, the stars the NBA and most leagues rely upon though especially the NBA, are fading too quickly.

Look at the roster of star players sustaining serious injuries to the point their career arcs likely will be changed: Derrick Rose with three knee operations; Kevin Durant with three foot operations; Russell Westbrook with three knee operations; Anthony Davis missing about 20 games every season with various injuries, Jabari Parker already with an ACL, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid missing their first seasons, Bradley Beal with multiple stress injuries. Look at the drafts. Last year’s already has seven of the top 11 with surgeries or long periods out; 2013 had five of the top 10 with severe injuries like Anthony Bennett, Otto Porter, Alex Len, Noel and C.J. McCollum; in 2012 there was Davis, Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson all missing substantial time; in 2011 there was Kyrie Irving missing some 50 games his first two seasons and others variously hurt like Enes Kanter with shoulder surgery; in 2010 John Wall sat out substantially his first two seasons and before him Blake Griffin out as a rookie from 2009 along with injuries to Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry, the latter who has recovered from questions three years ago of whether he’d even have a career, and before them Eric Gordon.

Curry’s rise to an MVP candidate is a hopeful development. But he was a more mature player after three years in college. It seems obvious at least with the empirical evidence that these kids’ bodies at 19 and 20 years old are not ready for the NBA grind and are breaking down too quickly. Perhaps they’ll have NBA careers, but the question for the NBA is whether they’ll have the stars to go around. We’ll see Rose and Durant again. But will we ever see them as they were, generational players who seemed to be expanding the limits of not only the sport but the human body? Perhaps the body just cannot be pushed that far. Though it also seems obvious it cannot at such a young age.

It was a bit different with the kids who went directly from high school to the pros from the mid-1990s to early 2000s because the majority weren’t asked to play as much right away, even players like Garnett and Kobe Bryant. The NBA wasn’t sure what those players could do and had its doubts. Players who did develop like Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Monta Ellis did so after several years and team moves and not asked to do as much immediately. Now high lottery picks are expected to be the anchors of their teams. Andrew Wiggins, for example, is even among the league leaders in minutes played. Parker likely would have been as well.

One of the reasons the U.S. said it had to change the international format was U.S. college players could not compete against experienced men in Olympics and world championships. So why should they be asked to in the NBA? And what will be the result? The evidence suggests the NBA and fans are going to be asking where have all the stars gone.

Quietly one of the biggest trades at the February deadline was Kevin Garnett to the Timberwolves… because the Nets got rid of him. Garnett likely will retire after this season to join Timberwolves ownership or management; he hasn’t played in a month. Meanwhile, the Nets have won 10 of 13 as Young has averaged 15 points in that stretch, Suddenly, not only do the Nets look like a playoff team, which is important for them, but they could even move up to sixth in the conference. The Bucks likely will hold onto the spot. The Hawks, meanwhile, play the Nets again later this week for the second time in a week with the right to swap first round picks with the Nets from the Joe Johnson deal. So the Nets clearly have interest in making the playoffs and avoiding giving up a lottery pick. With the veteran Young and Deron Williams playing the best he has in years the last few games and Brook Lopez looking good again, suddenly the Nets could be a heck of a first round opponent. The Bulls face the Nets in Brooklyn next week in the Bulls’ penultimate game of the regular season.

The Pelicans appear to have the more difficult schedule than the Thunder in that “battle” for the last West playoff spot, which should mean, anyway, a quick first round ouster from the Warriors. The Warriors will enter the playoffs title favorites and could get MVP, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. New Orleans with future MVP contender Anthony Davis (he or Russell Westbrook should be top five this season but not both as you can’t be in the MVP conversation if you are not in the playoffs) has to begin to make a move in the Western Conference to keep Davis’ interest. So who falls out of the playoffs? The Jazz is coming as well and have been one of the West’s best teams since settling their rotation by moving Rudy Gobert in as starting center. If the Pelicans and Jazz are moving into the top eight, who is falling out? The Spurs if Tim Duncan retires? But why would he? The Mavs? Mark Cuban isn’t that patient. And what about the Kings with DeMarcus Cousins putting up amazing statistics? Going into Sunday, Cousins had back to back triple doubles averaging 24 points, 20.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists. His three previous games he averaged 32 points and 16 rebounds. The Kings, though, lost three of the five and will certainly keep their pick this season as the Bulls have it only if it’s outside the top 10. With those Western teams how do the Kings advance? And if they cannot, how much of the fault lies with Cousins? Cousins had 26 points and 12 rebounds but with eight turnovers Sunday. Though Cousins is a great talent, many executives around the NBA believe you can’t make the playoffs with him the way he dominates the ball, takes wild shots and won’t defend. Many believe he needs to be a defense first player like he was with USA Basketball under a strong figure like Mike Krzyzewski. The Kings appear committed to keeping Cousins despite rumors of trades. It may be too big a task even for George Karl.

Dallas seems to be lining up a first round series with the Rockets, who won in Dallas last week to win the season series. Though the Mavs pointed out all four games for them were on the second of back to backs. Of course, successful teams rarely point out such things. Of course, the way the West is all the teams two through six can still change places. Though all four games were close and the Mavs are hoping for the Rockets matchup compared to playing Memphis, which has overwhelmed Dallas. Missing Patrick Beverly gives the Mavs a backcourt chance even with James Harden. There have been all sorts of whispers this season in Dallas of the difficulty of getting along with Monta Ellis as well as Rajon Rondo. Quite the backcourt. But Ellis does embody the competitor. He stopped a streak of 237 straight played with a calf injury that might have kept others out weeks. He missed one game. Then came back and played 37 and 38 minutes the next two.

Time to worry in Memphis? In what’s seemed like their first season when they could truly consider themselves contenders, the Grizzlies are 11-11 in their last 22 after losing at home to Washington Saturday. Teams continue to exploit them with range shooting power forwards without Zach Randolph posting big numbers. Now Jeff Green is out with back spasms, Vince Carter can’t seem to get it going and Mike Conley has had hand injuries which affect his shooting; maybe it is time to sing the blues.

Josh Smith took a lot of abuse after the Pistons played well after his trade. But with that trade Smith remains on schedule to play 83 games this season. Good for him. And with Dwight Howard out so much, Smith has been a key and overlooked addition for the Rockets’ strong season.

It’s not just DeAndre. Andre Drummond gets fouled a lot and the Mavs did so to Joey Dorsey, who shot a pair of free throw air balls last week during intentional fouling. You hate to bail out these guys with new rules, but it is awful to watch.

Terrific to see Paul George back after that awful broken leg injury with USA Basketball last July. Nice that USA coach Mike Krzyzewski in Indianapolis for the Final Four could be there as well. With five games left the Pacers are a game out of the playoffs, tied with Miami with the tiebreaker for Indiana in a two-team tie with the Heat.

Heck of a blowout win Sunday for the Spurs, now with 17 of their last 20, over the hot Warriors, who lost in San Antonio for the 32nd straight time, basically before Tim Duncan came to the Spurs. The Spurs currently are sixth in the West, though a half game behind the Clippers. You know the Warriors would hate to see the Spurs get to fifth and in their bracket for a possible second round matchup.

Another great shootout Sunday with Russell Westbrook and James Harden both going for at least 40 (Westbrook with another triple double) in the Rockets win in Oklahoma City Sunday. The Thunder is tied in the loss column with the Pelicans for eighth, though the Pelicans have a brutal close with Golden State, Memphis, Phoenix, Houston and San Antonio. Heck of a run the last three for Enes Kanter averaging 27 points and 16.5 rebounds for the Thunder, though they have lost five of six.

With the Rockets in second in the West and the Grizzlies sliding, Harden makes as strong a case as Stephen Curry for the MVP. It could be one of the closest votes ever.

Good for the Pistons’ Reggie Jackson, who maybe is earning that job. He apparently was moaning about fatigue after the Pistons’ Friday loss in Chicago. Coach Stan Van Gundy said he told Jackson, "You want the opportunity to be the guy. Well, the guy can't be tired. Those guys play 36, 38 minutes every night and have the ball in their hands every play. And they got to make every play. They got to take the responsibility." Jackson responded with a huge fourth quarter Saturday to stun the Heat, who lost a 15-point fourth quarter lead and maybe a playoff spot. Jackson echoed Jimmy Butler, who doesn’t complain about his league leading minutes. “This is something (starring in the NBA) I’ve been asking for my entire life,” Jackson said.

The Hawks have the right to swap picks from the Joe Johnson trade and could still face Johnson and the Nets in the first round. The Hawks don’t have the role players from that trade, but it could produce a lottery pick, gave them financial flexibility to change their team, Saturday night tied the franchise record for wins and gave them a trade exception for room to sign Kyle Korver. The Hawks obviously had their eye on that potential lottery pick as after resting players regularly the last few weeks they played everyone in the blowout win over Brooklyn. However, Paul Millsap did hurt his shoulder. But you can’t be afraid to play. Injuries happen.

The Wizards have their eyes on a home court to open the playoffs as Toronto slips with Kyle Lowry having continuing back problems. The Raptors will get a top four seed by virtue of winning the division. But home court still goes to the team with the better record. Former most every team Drew Gooden has surprisingly continued to play well for the Wizards as they rest Nene. They’re 5-1 when Gooden starts.

Perhaps it was coincidence, but Michael Carter-Williams had his best run with the Bucks last week after Nerlens Noel said of his point guard, Ish Smith, "I love Ish. He's honestly, [in] my whole life, the first true point guard I ever played with." This is the 76ers’ future? The 76ers are Smith’s eighth team since undrafted in 2010 ... And they start dropping. It looks like the Suns are out in the West and the Hornets out in the East with Al Jefferson likely out for the season for Charlotte with knee problems ... You’d feel a bit sorry for Cavs coach David Blatt with the latest kerfuffle of LeBron James saying he calls plays. Perhaps James might have kept that to himself as he does that Blatt parks his car for him. Sorry about that. Couldn’t resist. The play call story came out from ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, so no blame for James. And Blatt does keep reminding everyone he’s a championship coach, which championship coaches usually don’t need to do. Anyway, it’s a good thing. James used the comparison with Payton Manning, which I liked. Players should act more like real point guards. They should play. Coaches should act more like John Wooden and coach in practice. The games are for players. If it’s a players’ league, like we’re always told, they should call the plays with advice from the coach, if not consent ... You don’t see that much as the Rockets’ Terrence Jones was back playing after a collapsed lung, though not cleared to fly in an airplane. So he was driven to the game in Dallas last week ... Warriors/Clippers also would be a good one (Clippers won last season in the first round) as it sounds like it would be Phil Jackson and Pat Riley again as when the teams met last week as the Warriors rallied late to win, Clippers coach Doc Rivers chided, "That was pretty predictable. They didn't want to take the risk of going 2-2 [in the season series] with their regular guys. You could pretty much predict they weren't going to play everybody." "Oh, is that right?" Kerr answered. "Either that or we have a nine-game lead and a couple guys banged up. Somewhere in there." The Warriors came back from 17 down to win with Curry’s highlight ankle breaker on Chris Paul. Can’t wait for those Western Conference playoffs.

nba-news-and-notes

NBA news and notes

As the University of Kentucky rolls to perhaps another championship and a perfect season, there’s speculation that John Calipari might feel he’s done enough and it’s time to take another shot at the NBA, where he failed with the Nets. Similarly, there have been rumors in Florida Billy Donovan, who once took the Magic job for a few hours before changing his mind and opening the way for Stan Van Gundy, might have the pro itch once again. There also has been ongoing speculation that onetime Bull Fred Hoiberg might be ready to make a move to the pros, though those close to him believe he prefers to continue the legacy of Johnny Orr at Iowa State. Plus, college coaching has become as lucrative as Chris Mullin may be headed back to coach at his alma mater, St. John’s.

As always with coaching, change is the constant. There have been wild rumors and erratic speculation all season regarding the Bulls and coaching. But as the NBA regular season draws to a close there are questions in many other places as well about the tenure of leadership. Already this season, three NBA coaches (four if you count two in Sacramento) have been fired with George Karl now on a long term deal with the Kings and the Magic and Nuggets expected to move beyond their interim coaches and make new hires this summer. Will they come from the college ranks with winners like Calipari? Is Tom Izzo finally ready at 60 after what many regard as one of his best ever coaching seasons going to the Final Four again and after turning down pro jobs in the past? He can’t wait much longer. After all, there is some stench on you as long as you coach in college where the NCAA rules make a mockery of the concept of fairness and concern for kids. So where else other than Orlando and Denver could the help wanted ads be? And I’m leaving out the Bulls because it’s been discussed so much this season (check about six editions of the Ask Sam mailbag) and I believe everything will depend on the playoffs, as it generally does.

Washington: They’ve faded badly and perhaps in a much noticed symbolic statement last week coach Randy Wittman was walking off the court before the game ended. Wittman, who to his credit isn’t covering for poor play, again Sunday wondered aloud what his team was doing, which really isn’t that good for him, either. The Wizards seem basically locked into the fifth spot in the East to open on the road in Chicago or Toronto. Of course as with every situation, a long or good playoff run changes everything and even can lead to extensions. Other than John Wall, they seem overwhelmed.

New Orleans: Sure, they’ve had a lot of injuries, but with Anthony Davis and Omer Asik that should have been maybe the best front line in the game. Plus, you can’t have the guy everyone agrees to be the next great star not even making the playoffs for his first three seasons. They have a chance to make the playoffs over the Oklahoma City Thunder, though they trail by two and a half games. But they have the tiebreaker. They’ve got slightly easier opponents, but six of nine on the road to close. If they make the playoffs, Monty Williams probably is safe. But that’s still a lot of talent to be outside again amidst rumors of a bigtime shakeup after the season if they are out again.

Los Angeles Lakers: Yes, Byron Scott just got the job, but they can go through coaches quickly as Mike Brown knows. There’s a desperation there for improvement with Jim Buss’ job seemingly on the line as well in the new family setup. When there is that pressure anything can happen, and if there’s a big name the Lakers like that kind of stuff. Their fan base isn’t accustomed to this sort of losing with little hope, though Scott didn’t put together the roster. Of course, that rarely matters.

Brooklyn/New York: Again, both are new coaches. Derek Fisher is guiding them to their lottery destiny and Lionel Hollins in Brooklyn seems to be getting out of them as much as anyone can, and the Nets still could/should make the playoffs. But like in Los Angeles, stuff happens because money and contracts don’t mean much. Though you’d have to guess both are safe for at least one more season.

Oklahoma City: Again, a lot, lot, lot of injuries with the biggest of all Kevin Durant lost until next season. And they should make the playoffs. It’s not an organization prone to outrageous actions with the ownership-inspired James Harden trade the exception. But this is six years for Scott Brooks and if they were to fail to make the playoffs with Russell Westbrook playing like he is, who knows. Still, you’d expect Brooks to return.

Minnesota: Flip Saunders is general manager and will fire himself at some point. Will it be next season or does he want to take one more shot with the kids? It’s a Flip. This is where many rumors point to for Hoiberg were he to leave Iowa State. Hoiberg is a former Timberwolves executive and remains close with ownership. The area is in close proximity to his family and said to be an area of comfort with him with a chance to grow with young talent more familiar to him coming out of college coaching. Still, most say Hoiberg has it so good at Iowa State they’d be surprised if he left.

How Wednesday's game in Milwaukee gives us a glimpse of the NBA's future

The Bulls this week have their possible first round playoff preview Wednesday with the Bucks. Milwaukee has taken a tumble since the trade for Michael Carter-Williams, though Brandon Knight has been injured in Phoenix as the Suns in losing to the Thunder Sunday—and losing the tie breaker—are most likely out of the playoffs for this season. But Carter-Williams is part of a larger plan that is sweeping the NBA and redefining defense in this era. You see it with the Warriors, who obviously have had success, though it’s not brand new. It was the less obvious reason for the success of the championship Bulls. Michael Jordan was the obvious one, but especially from 1996-1998 it was a lineup with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman that could switch on every pick and roll to negate the most popular NBA play. It’s been a big reason for the defensive success of the current Bulls the way Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson can defend smaller players. I remember a pretty good executive, Billy Knight in Atlanta, talking about it when he selected Marvin Williams in the 2005 draft ahead of Deron Williams and Chris Paul. The idea was good, if not in that draft. But with so few post big men anymore in the NBA, the emphasis is on versatile forwards and big guards and it has quietly been revolutionizing defense. You can see it in the Bucks planning with Carter-Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. And though they are not there yet, the idea makes sense. “The build is different (today). They're longer. They jump higher,” noted Bucks coach Jason Kidd recently to reporters. “Everyone has one or two (long, athletic big men) now on their team. You look at Oklahoma City; they were probably one of the first to have that makeup of having long (players). It helps you defensively and it also helps when you have guys who can (score) the ball on the perimeter and don't have to rely on the three to be successful." It’s one reason why pro scouts like Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky with the versatility to play multiple positions on defense.  And why a player like the Bulls Nikola Mirotic finds the time is right for him in the NBA.

The NBA Saturday issued a statement regarding the hateful law signed by the Indiana governor that likely would discriminate against gays and lesbians. “The game of basketball is grounded in long established principles of inclusion and mutual respect.  We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere,” the NBA wrote and the Pacers owner followed with a similar statement. Statements of concern are good, but a progressive league like the NBA must do more. Pacers executives Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh are two of the most inclusive and fair minded people in sports. So it would be unfortunate to punish them as well. But when states go to these lengths contrary to the beliefs of the founders of our nation, the NBA should at least start with denying any future All-Star game, draft or NBA sponsored event to Indiana. The Bulls aren’t likely to meet the Pacers in the playoffs, but I couldn’t see going to that series given the attitude of bias and discrimination in the state. This reminded me of reading about Jackie Robinson, who was a boyhood hero when I grew up in Brooklyn. We didn’t know as kids about discrimination or even much about race. But I wondered if I were of age then would I have just stood by and first accepted all-white sports? Then the bias Robinson endured of not even being able to eat or sleep at the same places as teammates? All of this changed thanks to great people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s. It wasn’t that people in the 1950s condoned it, but it was the way it was, right? It’s easy to accept things that don’t affect you; the great people challenge them. I’m not one of those great people. But the NBA is a great league and it must not accept one of its franchises being in a state that endorses that sort of discrimination. The league needs to take action.

The 2010 NBA free agency was the big story of the season because of LeBron James. But it also tells you something about free agency and long term contracts, similar to the issues in baseball. James was the big free agent and the Heat went to four straight Finals and now he’s headed there again. Obviously, get the best one. Chris Bosh came along and shared those four. He stayed in Miami and was a questionable playoff participant even before he was lost for the season with a blood clot. But consider the other maximum salary guys from that supposedly greatest of all free agencies in the final seasons of their deals: Amar’e Stoudemire accepted a buyout from the Knicks and is a little used reserve with the Mavericks; Carlos Boozer received amnesty from the Bulls and has mostly been a reserve for the Lakers with the league’s fourth poorest record; David Lee is out of the rotation for top seeded Golden State and was DNP-CD three games recently and played mostly when regulars were given time off; Joe Johnson was traded to the Nets and could be out of the playoffs. Boozer was the only one to play in a conference finals game. Lesson: Free agency may not be so great unless you get LeBron.

Has Evan Turner finally found a home? The No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft (mom, don’t let your babies grow up to be No. 2 picks in the NBA draft) has a pair of triple doubles in the last month and has been close regularly, averaging 13.4 points, 6.7 assists and five rebounds the last 10 games as the Celtics make an unlikely run at a playoff spot.

It doesn’t sound like Reggie Jackson thinks Brandon Jennings is returning.  "We (he and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) want to be one of the best backcourts in the league. We know we've got a long way to go. But we are young and we've got a chance to do so."

Rest your players? We’ve heard that one before. The Bulls have a potential game for second in the East Sunday in Cleveland as Cavs coach Blatt talks about making sure to get that second spot amidst some fatigue among the players—Kevin Love hurting his back again Sunday as the Cavs slipped by the 76ers at home—and talk about rest for LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, both in the top four in the league in average minutes. "We have to manage it in the right way so as to grow coming into the playoffs, to rest guys when and if we can but at the same time not allow us to lose our shape and our focus," Blatt told Cleveland media. James, by the way, said he expects some games off to rest for the playoffs. Love, meanwhile, said he hasn’t received a get well card from James yet regarding his latest back injury.

How could there not have been a community uproar? Paul George, working out with the team for weeks and supposedly dunking fiercely, told the Indianapolis Star last week he needs to be 100 percent before returning from his surgery. "We want to make sure I'm as close to 100 [percent] as possible," George said. "It's not coming down to you know, 'Paul's feeling good, let's get him out there.' It's about making sure everything's where I'm comfortable, where the medical staff is comfortable, where the front office is comfortable."  Early last week, Larry Bird said, "I think he's cleared by the doctors to play, but obviously he's not in shape (to play despite the Star reporting doctors said the bone was healed a month ago). Just because he's cleared to play doesn't mean he's in shape to play. I don't want Paul to go out there until he feels comfortable with his conditioning and the way he's practicing.” Chicago media, however, was in paroxysms of rage ... Derrick Rose, meanwhile, is scheduled to begin his contact phase of his rehabilitation when the Bulls return to practice this week ... The Orlando Sentinel reported Dewayne Dedmon missed Friday's game because of renewed soreness in his sprained left ankle, leaving him to tell no tales. Somebody stop me!

It’s been a steady decline for Paul Pierce, failing to score in double figures despite averaging more than 20 minutes the last six games and averaging a career low this season.

The Rockets with more guys going out (lately Donatas Montiejunas) moved into second in the West with Memphis stumbling and it will be difficult to see anyone but James Harden and Stephen Curry getting first place MVP votes. Either would be a good choice.

Really, no one believes the officiating was fair to them. So why is it a story with Mark Cuban complaining for a change? This is new? Though it was a big game for Chandler Parsons Sunday as the Mavs lost to the Pacers with Monta Ellis out injured, the Mavs have privately questioned Parsons’ ability to make plays, a disappointment for the big offseason free agent. The Mavs look locked into seventh and a short stay in the playoffs.

Kevin Durant played a league leading 3,122 minutes last season, the second most of his career and the third time in five seasons he paced all players in minutes played. Durant is now done until next season with his third foot surgery.

This week is two years since Danilo Gallinari tore his ACL and still isn’t close to previous form. He’s averaging a six-year scoring low on his poorest ever shooting and second poorest season in rebounding and three-point shooting.

The next Phil Jackson may well be Steve Kerr, and not only because he sits down all game while coaching. Imagine that. Or maybe the next John Wooden. Not only are the Warriors out in front of everyone this season from Day 1, but Kerr seems to actually be enjoying it, unlike most other NBA coaches. Earlier this month after post game questions concluded, Kerr stopped reporters and said they’d missed an historic milestone in NBA history, “You guys probably don’t know this, but it was a very special night. The rare trifecta for Alvin Gentry was reached tonight. I believe it’s never been done in NBA history. He just beat the three teams he was fired from as a head coach consecutively: Clippers, Phoenix and Detroit. It’s never happened in the history of the league. We’re just going to call it ‘The Gentry.’ It’s the ‘Gentry Trifecta.’” Gentry coached Detroit from 1998-2000, the Clippers from 2001-03 and Phoenix from 2009-13.  Then last week after the Warriors dominated the Grizzlies, Kerr was asked about MVP. “For the record, I would vote for Russell Westbrook.” There was an awkward silence. Not catching on, Kerr then had to add:  “Didn’t somebody else just say that?” Oh, right Kevin Love. “Just kidding,” said Kerr. “Make sure the sarcasm is noted.” C’mon Morty, how can anyone not like him?

a-glimpse-at-the-nbas-future

A glimpse at the NBA's future?

The big story in the NBA last week was the seemingly obvious news that Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant will be out for the rest of the season with foot problems. The Thunder came as close to saying so as possible, but it really seems certain because of Tim Duncan. Because the future of the Thunder franchise hinges in large part on the ability to retain Durant when he can become a free agent after next season. The Thunder have the edge to make the playoffs this season with New Orleans fading and Russell Westbrook still starring. Though the Thunder has a big game coming up Sunday with the ninth place Suns. But the Thunder isn’t going any farther against the Golden State Warriors without Durant if they do get in. Still, that’s minor now.

It’s not dissimilar to the scenario that played out for the San Antonio Spurs in 2000 when they were defending NBA champions. Duncan suffered a meniscus tear about two weeks before the end of the regular season. Given it’s a four to six week recovery period, Duncan was determined to play in the playoffs considering the Spurs were defending champions. Duncan put off surgery so he could play and was working out actively within days of the injury.

Fortunately, Duncan had Gregg Popovich as coach and effectively general manager. Though Duncan didn’t think so at the time. He wanted to play, wanted to be there with David Robinson as the team was going for the repeat. But Popovich said no. He told Duncan his future was too important and he wasn’t going to play. And consider this risk for the Spurs: Duncan was a free agent. And he wanted to play. And he was mad. And Duncan was seriously considering an amazing plan to join Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady in Orlando.

Eventually, Robinson flew back from vacation in Hawaii to help persuade Duncan to stay. But Spurs’ officials have long believed Popovich’s concern for Duncan’s long term health and well being was instrumental in Duncan deciding to remain with the Spurs. And we knew what that has meant. Just joining the Spurs staff at the time was an Emerson College basketball player and pre-law student named Sam Presti, who now happens to be Thunder general manager. And who practices well the Spurs ways.

Perhaps Durant will appreciate the Thunder organization has his best interests at heart. But what if he had other ideas?

It’s kind of a different Durant in the last year or so, and some around the NBA suggest it coincides with his agent switch to the Jay-Z agency. Durant has taken a harder edge with media, began to draw many more technical fouls for engagements with officials and has been caught on camera many times seemingly trash talking to himself about his own excellence. Perhaps it’s not the Dennis Rodman Madonna-inspired make over as Durant hasn’t been changing hair colors. But perhaps Durant wants a bigger audience no matter what the Thunder do.

If that’s the case, as ESPN analyst Tom Penn postulated a few weeks back, the Thunder might have to trade Durant. As difficult as that would be, it would be even tougher for the Thunder given the traded James Harden, who might win league MVP this season. Presti dismissed the speculation as ridiculous. Trading back to back MVPs? Even if you thought about it how could you get value? Or live with it.

But you never say never in the NBA. We know there has been an uneasiness around the Clippers for some time. Most say it stems from an awkward situation between Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Nothing fatal. But what if the Clippers lose in the first round of the playoffs? Which is certainly possible in the wild west. Or second round? There’s a $2 billion investment there from a guy who seems impatient. Griffin is an Oklahoma City native who went to the University of Oklahoma. He’s a star. After all, if you are going to lose Durant maybe it’s different if you can add a star. Maybe the Clippers throw in a Crawford or a Hawes. Durant might also like to play with a point guard who actually passes. And Russell Westbrook, a free agent in 2017, might realize he outlasted everyone and maybe it does make sense to stay in Oklahoma City. Perhaps the bigger news is yet to come.

And then there’s the future MVP, Anthony Davis. No great young player—no Kevin Love he—basically has been unable to make the playoffs his first three years in the NBA, which seems the fate for Davis.  But as much as the Thunder’s future may hinge on Durant, it’s perhaps more so for the Pelicans and Davis. The Pelicans have no No. 2. Davis, who almost had a quadruple double last week, and is becoming one of the most amazing unfulfilled talents in the history of the game. He’s up for a contract extension after this season, but with the new TV contract money coming in after next season there’s likely no chance he takes an extension. Then he’s a restricted free agent, and obviously the Pelicans would match any offer. And Davis is saying all the right things, last week telling the New Orleans Times Picayune in winning a community assist award, "I feel like this is my safe haven, New Orleans. They have been nothing but nice to me. They have treated me with the upmost respect. The people of the city, no matter what I do, they are there to support me and the Pelicans. They are fond of the team and me. I feel like it's my job to give back." So maybe he’s happy and comfortable and will take the money after next season. Frankly, given as many injuries as he has—seemingly another teenager whose body was not ready for the NBA—it makes sense to take the money from the Pelicans before the risk of injury playing a fifth year without a long term deal. Worry about being a free agent once your bank account is assured. But the Pelicans aren’t going to be able to be overconfident. One of the things you hear around the NBA is they may try to bring in someone like Louisiana native and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars to have a major role in the organization and help persuade Davis.

It’s a view of many that the Bulls could have won eight straight titles if Michael Jordan hadn’t retired in 1993. Not Vernon Maxwell, and it would have been interesting to watch. The Rockets had a 20th anniversary title celebration last week, titles some said had asterisks because Jordan wasn’t playing. But in that era, no team played the Bulls tougher. The Rockets swept the Bulls in the Bulls’ 1991 and 1993 title seasons (Jordan played in all the games) and split with them in 1991-92. In Jordan’s nine seasons through 1992-93, the Bulls were 1-8 in Houston and 6-12 overall against the Rockets, Jordan’s poorest record against any NBA opponent. One reason was the erratic Maxwell, who played Jordan like no one else, often screaming in his face and challenging him to fights. At last week’s reunion, Maxwell told the Houston Chronicle he longed for a playoff with the Bulls:  “I wanted to fight him. Michael Jordan saying we wouldn’t have won the championships the time he was out and tried to play baseball. I say just Google the times we played them. They couldn’t beat us. Like we couldn’t beat Seattle. If we could’ve beat Seattle, we’d have got a championship against Chicago because they couldn’t match up against us. I wish I could have got in a seven-game series. That would have been a dream to me. I loved playing against Michael. People back in my era didn’t want to play against Mike. He used to talk to me all the time during games. ‘Max, this is what the media wants to see. Let’s not do this. You don’t have to do this. Why you doing this?’ I know I got under his skin.”

He was no Isiah Thomas, who was a ball dominant point guard. Nor Jerry West or Nate Archibald. There have been many great point guards who carried teams. So Steve Nash, who officially retired last week though he’s basically been unable to play the last two years, didn’t exactly revolutionize the point guard position, as it has been suggested in the many recent tributes. He’ll be in the Hall of Fame the first time he’s eligible in five years; there shouldn’t be any dispute about that. His story was one of those classics in sport, little guy from Canada with no scholarship interest and slow to catch on in the NBA finally begins to develop in Dallas. But then going to his third team in nine seasons (not exactly your untouchable) and united with Mike D’Antoni and an offense which basically has changed the NBA, Nash became a two time MVP for the most entertaining offense in the game. He’ll be noted for a lack of a title, which he probably should have had if not for David Stern’s worst decision ever in effectively rewarding Robert Horry for assaulting Nash when teammates Amar’e Stoudemire and Boris Diaw left the bench to go to Nash’s aid out of bounds. They were suspended and the Spurs came back to win the series and the NBA title. Perhaps Nash’s greatest achievement was getting more multimillion contracts for teammates than anyone in NBA history with his unselfish, speed game. Among those were Tim Thomas, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson, Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell and Channing Frye. All those points and open scoring opportunities made them seem like productive players. Not unlike the Bulls players from the 90s who won titles with Michael Jordan and went to disappointment elsewhere. Nash was a special player, who was a hero to many of today’s top point guards. Steve Kerr called it the “snake dribble,” Nash’s famous drive into the paint and out again, always head up and searching out shooters and last resort taking the shot even though he probably was the team’s best shooter. He was chided as the worst defensive MVP ever, though it’s not like Barkley, Iverson or Magic were lock down types. Sports is filled with stories of the overlooked who make you take a second and third look and admit your mistake. Nash was one of those and one of the best of his era. It was a joy to watch him play basketball.

It’s now a six-way race in the Eastern Conference for being the reason why the NBA is under pressure to change the playoff format. The Bucks remain in free fall and face playoff rivals Miami and Indiana this week. Really, how are the national networks not picking up this drama? The feeling in Boston is they’ve been able to work their way back in because they moved Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green, two stars who really aren’t, thus allowing coach Brad Stevens to connect with a motivated group. Boston’s run is at least making Josh Smith feel good.

It’s either going to drive him out of there or help make him a better playoff player, but LeBron James has been seen more frequently pointing out Kevin Love’s defensive mistakes to him during games. With Love about to go to the playoffs for the first time, there’s little he can say.

Here come the Spurs, now two games out of third in the Western Conference after blowing out the Hawks in Atlanta Sunday. The Spurs have won 10 of 12.

The Hawks are experiencing their vulnerability time. They are 6-5 in March, but in winning four of their last nine the wins have come against all losing teams while the Hawks have been blown out by the Spurs and Warriors.  It’s the issue doubters have raised all season, which applies to the playoffs: When things get tough who carries you through the rough patches? Can you be San Antonio East without Tony Parker or Duncan? Who’s that for you? Al Horford? Jeff Teague?

LeBron James/Dwyane Wade playoff reunion?

If that really is Dwyane Wade, averaging 25.4 in 10 games in March even with Sunday’s 12 points in the loss to Oklahoma City, you’re rooting for them to get to seventh and face the Cavs, who likely are going to get the No. 2 spot in the East the way the Bulls, Raptors and Wizards have played. Wade is even among the league leaders in fourth quarter scoring. With the terrific in season acquisitions of Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic, the Heat should make it interesting. You know LeBron still has his doubts with Love and Kyrie Irving going into their first playoffs. It’s why he keeps pushing as he has.

The Wizards may not be laughing with two more beatings after a five-game winning streak. But Marcin Gortat continues to be engaging and even engaged in a Twitter exchange last week with fans who posted on Twitter he was soft and condemning he and partner Nene. You’d think NBA players had better stuff to do—or that anyone did—but a sampling of Gortat’s responses after a league flopping fine were: “So if im soft What r u??; u have to win at least street-ball tournament or something before u get to play pro!; dude u cant even pick right pic for ur profile!!; and worst english speaking front ct? true!!! And they both make 10kk+!! Crazy right!! How about u??”  He needs a hobby.

Rajon Rondo would have been much better off being with a losing team in Boston. The trade to Dallas could end up costing him tens of millions of dollars. The Mavs Sunday again collapsed and lost the lead and the game to the Suns once Rondo returned to replace an effective Ray Felton and the Mavs offense shut down. Go figure that one. Had Rondo stayed, teams may have believed he was just ineffective now being with a bad team. In 36 games since being traded to Dallas, Rondo has double figure assists four times. In his last 30 games, he has attempted a total of 19 free throws. As a point guard. It may be tough to go recruit him as a premier free agent.

Talk about your organizational confusion. Ownership in Sacramento now has brought in former Kings player Vlade Divac, with mostly ambassador type involvement for European teams, apparently to run basketball operations as they work on their third coach of the season.

Good for one of the better guys, Lou Amundson, who has been getting a nice look with the woebegone Knicks and made the big baskets and 12 points and 17 rebounds when the Knicks beat the Spurs last week. Amundson had brief and unhappy stops with the Bulls when he played two minutes in 2012-13 and one minute in 2013-14. He told the Arizona Republic as a college English major and now playing for Phil Jackson he should write his own journey to counter 11 Rings: “12 Different Places.”

durant-and-duncan-historical-tie

Durant and Duncan, historical tie?

So how would Dwight Howard look with Carmelo Anthony next season? How about DeMarcus Cousins? Could the Knicks be back?

Don’t dismiss it all so quickly given Phil Jackson’s comments last week with the Knicks in Los Angeles. Jackson said, “We know what the first round pick is going to mean for us, but we also know we're going to build our team with free agents; 190 players or so are going to be free agents. Like a third of the [league]. So that's where our priority stands."

The draft sounds exciting and fans love the promise, but even maybe the best player of the next decade, Anthony Davis, in his third season still probably won’t be in a playoff game. Jackson also added you don’t turn teams around in the draft these days unless you get LeBron James. I checked. He’s not in this draft. And you are not waiting three years when you just paid 30-year-old Carmelo Anthony. That’s the big ‘melo in the room for the Knicks. You are not about to go on a three-to-five years building plan (check the Jazz, that’s at least how long it takes) with that sort of investment in Anthony.

"When you have 19 and 20-year-old players that are coming in the league, which is what the majority of the draft picks coming into the league right now, it's really hard to project what that player is going to be in three years," Jackson told reporters. "Once in a while you get a player like a LeBron or (Kevin) Durant, but that's few and far between. There are a lot of kids that don't make it that have to go back and struggle."

Jackson knows what makes champions. He’s seen enough. And as Jackson always counseled Jerry Krause and Tex Winter when they raved about this draft pick or that, “You win with men.”

No matter the vitriol that’s been aimed at Anthony, he’s a star scorer in the NBA and one of the best players. What Jackson needs is a big man. Remember, it was Jackson lobbying with Doug Collins to persuade Krause and Michael Jordan the team needed center Bill Cartwright to succeed and to trade Jordan and Krause favorite Charles Oakley. Why did Jackson go to the Lakers in 1999? Shaq. Remember, the Bulls bringing in center after center over the years, a never ending succession of three headed monsters? So the speculation about the Knicks, naturally, has been big men free agents, like Marc Gasol. It seems unlikely he’d leave a winning team in Memphis. There’s LaMarcus Aldridge, also not likely to leave Portland, and Greg Monroe, the latter two not true big men centers, anyway. But Howard and Cousins are, and it wouldn’t be that big a surprise to see some changes this summer.

Howard obviously is a risk turning 30 this year with who knows how many injuries as he’s missed most of the season. But a few years back Jackson was asked which player he’d select to start a team. Jackson named Howard at a time LeBron was playing. If the Rockets flop in the playoffs again, there’ll be changes there. And we know general manager Darryl Morey most loves draft picks and churning his roster.

Would you trade the No. 1 pick if it were Duke big man Jahlil Okafor? Risky. But Jackson isn’t into five-year plans. If it’s not No. 1, you’re surely not building a team for this decade with Karl Towns, D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay.

And then there’s Cousins, who puts up fabulous numbers but always in losses. Now that George Karl is in place with a long term deal and ownership recommending an uptempo game like Karl espouses, it’s questionable even whether Cousins fits. Centers like Cousins have never fit Karl’s basketball eye. The Kings have a lot of talent, and maybe you would trade No. 1 for an experienced, if erratic, big man like Cousins. Who perhaps just needs some Zen sessions. It’s hardly like the Kings yet again in the league’s bottom 10 can have any untouchables. Like Branch Rickey famously said when his home run champion Ralph Kiner for his last place Pirates wanted a big raise, “We can finish last without you also.” Jackson clearly indicated his building plan doesn’t include babies, which is pretty much all you find in the draft. It’s going to be another intriguing summer.

It’s too bad no one is watching out for the best interests of the fans, the latest being those in Washington, D.C., who paid a lot, of course, many of whom waiting for their one chance of the season Thursday to see the Memphis Grizzlies. Coach Dave Joerger chose to sit basically his entire starting lineup, most to rest, which essentially produced a variation of a D-league roster against the Wizards, who won easily. This is nothing new as Gregg Popovich has done it regularly and years back Pat Riley tried it. The difference previously was commissioner David Stern, having the backs of fans, fined those organizations for acting contrary to the best interests of the game. It doesn’t make you popular with players and even your owners. Guardians don’t always win popularity contests. I understand the team and player rationale. The Grizzlies were in a slump, it was the fourth in five days. The Spurs have won titles doing it. So I don’t fault the teams and coaches as much as the league. Steve Kerr pulled it with his Warriors in Denver last week and said he answered some fans who angrily wrote. Kerr said he understood, but he was about his team only. Fine, but there’s a higher power and responsibility, the good of the game. It transcends any team. Where would they all be without the game? Someone has to watch out for the paying fans now that the players and coaches don’t much care anymore. You never saw that with Jordan and Dominique and Magic. Notice teams never sit their guys at home. Owners don’t like that. Sit them on the road where they don’t collect revenues. How are your players are only tired on the road? Players like Jordan and Dominique, especially when they were in a city once a season, understood fans paid to see them and waited all year. They didn’t want to disappoint. But more so they understood, endorsed and appreciated it was important for the league and the game. It was not about yourself; there was something bigger. Washington is a unique city because of its transient nature with administrations and congresses coming and going, thus so many out of towners. Many waited all year to see the Grizzlies’ stars, and they did, though in suits. Play 10 minutes; it won’t hurt you. The confrontational nature of the players’ association suggests the idea of a partnership that Jordan, Bird and Magic embraced for the good of the league and fans isn’t what it was. That will be negotiated, apparently. But someone needs to protect the fans. Rest a player. Sure. But not everyone. At least try to be competitive every game. It’s interesting Kerr never noticed Jordan from 1995-1998 never missed a game. How much is that really to ask 82 times over six months? Though Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau sometimes gets questioned about methods, credit him for respecting the game and not employing the days off scam. Today’s players enjoy comforts never imagined by Jordan, Dominique, Bird and Magic. Some don’t appreciate them. Fine. That doesn’t make them unique in society. But the league needs to take a stand for its fans. No player or team is more important than the league, and no league should take its paying fans for granted.

The door may finally be open for longtime NBA star Mark Aguirre to return to DePaul and the hope is DePaul doesn’t mess it up again. Aguirre, perhaps not the most famous DePaul player ever though he probably could beat George Mikan one–on-one in their respective primes, carries the legacy of the great Ray Meyer with him everywhere. You talk to Aguirre and you hear Ray Meyer axioms like you hear about John Wooden from Bill Walton. Aguirre has been interested in returning to DePaul to coach. DePaul last told Aguirre he needed to complete his degree, which is why he began taking online courses to finish a degree in sports management. OK, I can accept needing a degree to work in college. But I never get why colleges trying to gain credibility for their programs keep hiring these retread college coaches that yell a lot and no kid has ever heard of. Instead of a guy like Aguirre, who has been where all these kids want to be and knows that life and, by the way, really knows basketball. If you want to learn post moves and footwork, there may be nobody better in the world. Now that Oliver Purnell has resigned, the way should be clear for Aguirre, who helped out the basketball program last season as a student assistant. And how better to raise the profile and interest in your program than bringing in a guy who has succeeded at the highest level in the sport. And is a Chicago native from the toughest neighborhoods. Who relates better? They always say these former NBA guys don’t want to recruit, which is the way all these college guys protect their phony baloney jobs, as Mel Brooks would say. Another local guy who’ll be a great choice is Darrell Walker, the Corliss grad and longtime NBA player and pro coach who now wants to go the college route and has had some interviews. Are you more likely to want to play for guys who have played at the highest level for the best coaches in NBA history? Or some guy who lost to Mike Krzyzewski twice a year? DePaul’s had an amazing run of basically bad coaches since 1997, though Dave Leitao seemed OK. Still, they’re all the same guy, overachievers who bounced around the college world instead of men who have been there and know that.

It’s labor/union/bargaining/management stuff. So that talk last week about not “smoothing” in the upcoming TV financial bonanza for the league was mostly a shrug from fans. It’s not until 2016 anyway. You know, a pox on both their houses. And it is. The players voted for the money to come in with a lump sum in 2016, likely pushing the salary cap from around $65 million to about $90 million. The NBA wanted gradual increases so teams could plan. The money would be the same. The practical effect of the lump sum addition is 2016 becomes spectator sport with basically now every team having free agent money. Although the effects can only be speculated upon, it’s going to be a wild summer with free agents that could include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Mike Conley, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, DeMar DeRozan and who knows how many others who may take short term deals. But with Paul and James the leaders of the union, it sure sounds like a power play for the top stars of the game. Of course, many say why not as they should make the most. The way the salary cap works, a top free agent can get a maximum deal with more seniority up to 35 percent of the cap. Thus the larger the cap, the larger the salary for the top players. Though the salary cap is rising dramatically, it seems likely a big part of the increase will be skimmed off by the top players. Of course, the definition of a “max” player has been liberalized since there are so few players deserving that title but so many teams needing one. So you pay your best guy the same as the best guy on the other team, who is James or Durant. The rich will get richer, and you certainly can make the case for James. As in society, the income gap is only likely to increases between rich and “poor.” But, hey, there’s at least one more full season before we have to listen to all that really boring stuff.

Apparently it wasn’t such a happy place in Boston for and with Jeff Green, who walked away from local media without speaking after the Grizzlies lost in Boston last week and Boston players talked about such a better atmosphere since the Rajon Rondo and Green deals. The Celtics started 12-23. They went 16-13 since trading Green and surprisingly have remained in position to compete for that final East playoff spot.

The Nets with their veteran group, somewhat surprisingly, are the ones sinking, though with Deron Williams you never are that surprised.

After losing in Portland Friday, the Pistons were 1-9 since starting Reggie Jackson, who forced his way out of Oklahoma City because he wants to start and get a maximum salary contract. It’s early and an adjustment, of course, so it takes time. Jackson is averaging 14.7 points on 37 percent shooting—24 percent on threes—and he does shoot a lot. Jackson then got yanked out of Saturday’s 10th straight Pistons loss for not hustling. Josh Smith must feel better as the Pistons are again losing as much as when he was there.

Difficult to say it means much as who knows who’ll still be out injured for the Bulls. But the Bulls Wednesday host the Indiana Pacers, who have been one of the league’s best teams the last six weeks. Their margin of victory is second best the last month and they are 2-1 this season over the Bulls with the Bulls only win by two points and when the Pacers were still without most of their regulars. And there’s still a chance for a first round playoff meeting as the hot Pacers could get to sixth and face the Bulls if the Bulls get to third. Though Paul George now seems to be having second thoughts about a return.

There’s been talk about Kyle Korver’s slump, but his magical season continues as he’s still in position for the first ever 50-50-90 season in field goals, threes and free throws. After failing to shoot 50 percent on threes for seven straight games (everyone else’s mark is 40 percent), Korver was given a game off. And in the next three games, Korver, likely the top name on every Hawks opponent scouting report, was 14 of 19 on threes. Korver, who turns 34 this week, has missed two games this season. You wish the young stars wanted to play as much.

Don’t mess with Texas, eh? The Dallas Morning News writer about the Mavericks after the 33- point loss to the Cavs wrote: “The word gutless comes to mind.” The Mavs have played .500 ball pretty much a few weeks since acquiring Rajon Rondo.

Look who’s not horrible anymore. Eric Gordon is shooting 46 percent on threes this season, second to Korver. And to be fair it’s about finally being healthy, though he’s still missed about 20 games. He’s just 26, but he is still owed $15 million next season with an opt out it seems unlikely he’d exercise.

The Jazz have defeated the Rockets, Grizzlies, Spurs and Trail Blazers since All-Star break, winning 12 of their last 15 and yielding about 85 points per game, one of the best defensive stretches in franchise history with big man Rudy Gobert averaging 11 points and 17 rebounds in March.

The Thunder before playing the Bulls Sunday was 13-10 in games when Russell Westbrook played without Kevin Durant. Last season when Durant played without the injured Westbrook, the Thunder was 24-11. Thunder general manager Sam Presti, generally pretty invisible, had to come out to condemn media speculation they might trade Durant. It was merely based on reasonable speculation the Thunder could lose Durant as a free agent after next season. But if they had to decide it’s fairly obvious they’d want to retain Durant over Westbrook, though they might not have the choice as Durant can be an unrestricted free agents in 2016 and Westbrook in 2017.

Pretty nice seeing a picture of Wesley Matthews in his Trail Blazers jersey in the hospital after his Achilles surgery when the team played its next game. It seems clear fellow international players are pressuring one another to play for their countries as Nicolas Batum, who admitted to fatigue this summer after playing in last summer’s World Cup of Basketball, reversed course and said he’d play again for France this summer. The federation reportedly also has been pressuring Joakim Noah to do the same.  For the first time since 1999, the championship rounds of the tournament this summer will take place in France. Next season is Noah’s last on his Bulls contract.

Maybe the most impressive thing about Kyrie Irving’s 57 points in last Thursday’s Cavs overtime win over the Spurs was Irving scored 57 points with LeBron James on the court. Irving had 55 earlier this season with LeBron out. Irving had 15 points all on threes and three-point plays from the last 52 seconds of regulation to 2:34 left, 15 points in just over three minutes. Also from that terrific game, you wonder if Kawhi Leonard will develop Nick Andersonitis. The Magic guard was never the same after missing four free throws in the opening Finals game in 1995 when one would have clinched a win. The Magic was then swept.  Leonard missed a vital free throw that could have clinched the 2013 Game 6 that would have won the title. And he missed both free throws Thursday when one would have probably ended the game and not allowed Irving’s epic finish. Kevin Love, by the way, again sat out the fourth quarter and didn’t attempt a shot in the overtime. And he’s in Cleveland. As Tony Parker noted, however, if that’s what it takes to beat the Spurs they’re in pretty good shape. So, yes, don’t count them out quite yet. Or at all. With the Cavs close to getting a hold on the No. 2 spot in the East, James said he’s considering another significant rest period. Watch out ABC with the Bulls in Cleveland Easter Sunday, April 5.

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What is the right team building model?

The NBA begins its closing kick this week with all the teams heading into their final 20-game stretch. Spring is here in most of the U.S. with Daylight Savings Time—Mosquito Day in the Midwest, meaning six or eight more weeks of winter until the mosquitos return and you can’t go out, anyway—the days getting brighter and the coaches’ frowns longer.

There’s still plenty of ongoing debates, like for MVP and next coach to be fired. Apparently, Randy Wittman survived when Miami made up only 34 points of a 35-point deficit. There’s the stomach churning race for seventh and eighth in the Eastern Conference, perhaps a bit less excitement about eighth in the Western Conference. But wait until Kevin Durant gets back and finds out Russell Westbrook has become Kobe Bryant. And likes it. There’s not much mystery surrounding the regular season conference winners, except for Paul Millsap changing his first name to LeBron. Though concern in Philadelphia that Joel Embiid might actually be ready to play so they’re looking to trade him for the rights to Greg Oden.

Going back to last October, some of us (Me! Me! pick me) had the Warriors winning the West in the regular season, but no one had the Hawks. I thought they’d moved to Kansas City. I did think the Knicks could make the playoffs and wasn’t sure if Memphis would. So here’s another list: The last regular season look at the best and the worst with it weighted for the teams with the best chance to make the Finals.

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Who has the best (and worst) shot at a title?

About who will win the Central Division? The Eastern Conference winner is basically wrapped up with the Atlanta Hawks having a 10-game lead, 12 in the loss column over the supposedly most threatening Cleveland Cavaliers, who are now on the road just about all of March. The Golden State Warriors have the league’s best record and finish their last long road trip of the season Monday in Brooklyn. They have the league’s best home record and have the most home games left of the top Western Conference contenders. And the playoff lineup, if not precise matchups, probably is set in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City has eased ahead of New Orleans and Phoenix for eighth, and unless Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are out for weeks it seems unlikely, especially with Anthony Davis also out, that the Thunder with their trading deadline haul won’t at least make the playoffs. And the struggling defending champion Spurs along with the Thunder have the next most home games to Golden State.

So where is the drama? How about that Eastern Conference tussle for eighth and trying not to be maybe the worst ever team to be in the playoffs. Well, it won’t be that bad because the NBA in its early days let basically everyone into the playoffs. Heck, Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 Bulls (when he was injured most of the season) got in at 30-52.

But how about this for excitement: There are now seven Eastern Conference teams within three games of one another in the seventh through 12th places in the conference. Two will make it with Miami the current leader eight games below .500. Miami and Indiana now are the last two teams with Brooklyn and Charlotte essentially tied and percentage points behind Miami. Yes, be still my heart.

The most likely to be selling playoff t-shirts and baseball caps?

Indiana Pacers: Currently eighth, but with a nice week coming up with the 76ers, and then the Knicks twice, which should make them smile. Paul George may return this month and they’ve got a pretty good bench for a team this far under .500. They should get to seven and maybe even six with a Bucks team that has started to stagger.

Brooklyn Nets: Give them the last spot, a veteran club that’s healthier than it’s been most of the season. Thaddeus Young was a good reserve addition as they’ve played well of late without the concomitant reward.

Miami Heat: Within hours of the terrific move to land Goran Dragic and the potential dream first round matchup with LeBron and the Cavs, Chris Bosh has to go out ill for the season. Bosh does so much without LeBron he’s tough to replace, though with the other excellent addition in Hassan Whiteside they’ll be right there to the end.

Charlotte Hornets: There’s just so much you can grind out. And they’ve got the toughest close with 11 of their last 18 on the road. But they are a tough group and Mo Williams’ addition gives them some hope once Kemba Walker can return. Still can’t count them out completely.

Boston Celtics: Danny Ainge did what he could other than the addition of Isaiah Thomas to undercut them enough that they’ll get another draft pick. But it’s a hard playing group and good coach who don’t give in. But with their big men hurt it’s probably too much.

Detroit Pistons: Probably should be out this week with a brutal Western Conference road trip and seven of their next nine on the road.

Those head-to-head games mean a lot with MVP voters even if they probably shouldn’t. So James Harden Sunday with the Rockets’ overtime win and LeBron James missing potential game winning free throws probably knocked LeBron out of an unlikely, anyway, MVP this season after James began talking last week about why he wasn’t being mentioned. Plus, the Cavs still are fourth in the East with nine of their next 13 on the road. Make Harden the leader for now along with Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook if he doesn’t miss too much time. Maybe LeBron ahead of Westbrook. But how about Kevin McHale, rarely much mentioned in coaching votes, as a Coach of the Year possibility? He’s been even keel in keeping things together with injuries and his GM usually spending the first 50 games of the season trying to trade everyone.

So what would you do if you were Brook Lopez and the Nets? Lopez can opt out of $16.7 million next season and become a free agent and try for a long term deal. The assumption has been he won’t given a history of foot problems. But he’s played well and been healthy much of this season. But if he would try to get a longer deal with his team, as many players do as they have Bird rights and can pay more, would the Nets even do so because it would mean luxury tax for the fourth straight season and the more penal repeater tax? And with the franchise for sale? But then basically losing your best big man player for nothing? Tough being the Nets. For many reasons.

Could the Knicks have worked this season?

It’s easy to demean Phil Jackson’s preseason belief the Knicks would be a playoff team. But they were on paper. Just not on the court. Though most New Yorkers are famous for their lack of basketball perspective in favor of instant gratification, it’s clear Andrea Bargnani (averaging 14 since back healthy) would fit ideally in the sort of system Derek Fisher was promoting. Playing with Carmelo Anthony, a good shooting point guard like Jose Calderon and J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, who have decided now to compete in Cleveland, that certainly is playoff talent in the Eastern Conference. Sometimes it doesn’t come together and you go to Plan B. But it hardly was a misread of talent. Some guys sometimes just decide to give up and you can’t predict until they do. It was not unlike the 2007-08 Bulls coming off a 49-win season with the same team and everyone healthy who gave up for some reason. That 33-win season enabled them to draft Derrick Rose.

The Raptors fell into a tie for second in the East with the Bulls after their Saturday night loss to the Knicks, their fifth straight. Toronto shooting endless threes and not working much inside looks like another East pretender along with the badly slumping Wizards, who hung on to beat Detroit at home Saturday. The Bulls have plenty of injury issues, obviously, but someone who should not be in the conference finals in the East may well be.

Could it be executive of the year for Jackson with the Knicks’ lineup with Langston Galloway, Lou Amundson, Bargnani and Cleanthony Early winning back to back over the Pistons and Raptors? Probably not. OK, the Cavaliers fell into LeBron James. But midseason adding Smith, Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov has to have Cavs GM David Griffin among the leaders. Of course, if Andrew Wiggins is MVP in five years maybe it doesn’t look as good with the Kevin Love deal. Michael Carter-Williams sent the message to the rest of the NBA to be wary about Philadelphia and if you get drafted there start looking toward free agency. The traded reigning rookie of the year told Milwaukee media: “As far as I heard I was involved in the long term plan, especially me, Joel (Embiid) and Nerlens (Noel). It was the three of us that was the core group and were told we were going to be there a pretty long time and we really want to build around you.” There were reports at the trade deadline the 76ers were asking about interest in Embiid, who has yet to play, and they’ve long been open to moving Noel. Friends around the league say coach Brett Brown, who has been shockingly loyal, remains hopeful of riding it out and retaining his reputation enough to get another job elsewhere.

The Suns signing of Isaiah Thomas was so disruptive, eventually leading to the trade of Goran Dragic, the word there was the three point guards were barely speaking ... The Spurs finished their annual “bonding” rodeo trip upbeat with a blowout win over the setting Suns, but with a losing record at 4-5. Said Danny Green: "We're all getting on each other, Pop's getting on us. It's hard to play basketball when we're not the happy fun team we were last year." The Spurs always called that trip a vital kickoff for their stretch runs into the playoffs. Because they won. Now it’s not because they lost. Oh, that’s it. It’s a good trip if they win. At least Tony Parker having his worst season since his rookie year and getting poorer averaging 6.8 points on 26 percent shooting the last five games has perspective. “You just have to keep pushing and stay positive. It’s hard for me to complain,” Parker told reporters. “Look at Derrick Rose. You always have worse around you. I wish I felt better, but it’s like that.” Parker’s legendary ability to get into the lane—he actually once led everyone in points in the paint—has diminished badly, also resulting in fewer free throws and a staggered Spurs offense ... Forget being cautious for rookie Wiggins. He’s really good. He’s developed a strong post game with his long arms and athletic ability, is a tough defender already and looks on the verge with another season or two of becoming a true star. He’s a lock for Rookie of the Year. The 76ers say they’d trade him.

I know all the reporters are mad about the new players’ association director using expletives in an ESPN interview to say reporters are basically perverts wanting to watch naked men dressing and suggesting reporters stay out of locker rooms. If only. I won’t get into another self serving response, but it’s the players and the league who basically want the publicity to elevate them for their “brands” and commercial opportunities. This kind of representation makes you root for Scott Walker ... So much for the bonding as the Wizards’ entire team went to a Brazilian steak house (you hope Nene got them a discount) after their 10th loss in 12 games and then lost to the 76ers. They blew a big lead, were tied and then barely beat the Pistons Saturday to break their fall. Title talk suddenly has tempered as John Wall told reporters: “I wouldn’t say rock bottom. It’s a tough stretch. We’re still above .500.”

I know Chris Paul is really good, but is the real issue he’s the guy who gets you only to the brink and not one to carry you to the mountain? It is difficult if you are a small guard not named Isiah Thomas. Paul again blew a late game situation losing the ball and the game to the Grizzlies last week like that playoff loss last season to the Thunder. Everyone makes mistakes. No big deal. And Paul makes big shots to keep his team in games. But down the stretch Paul has a long record of frustration. It doesn’t demean him as a player but perhaps best explains why he’s never been beyond the second round of the playoffs. It just may be he’s a secondary level star talent who just isn’t good enough to carry a team when they need someone. It’s no shame; few are ... They love Doc Rivers as coach in Los Angeles and they should. Most teams would love to have him. But can he do both jobs? It’s really almost impossible The Los Angeles Times last week blistered Rivers’ personnel moves of trading Eric Bledsoe, then giving up a draft pick to get the Bucks to take Jared Dudley, drafting Reggie Bullock and C.J. Wilcox and bringing in Jordan Farmar, Ekpe Udoh and Hedo Turkoglu for a team with a weak bench. Stan Van Gundy is the latest to try and thus far he’s helped, but coaches rarely have the long, sensible view about personnel.

I get Toronto resting Kyle Lowry against the Knicks Saturday, though it backfired as the Knicks won. But really, do the best athletes in the world really need rest playing three or four games a week? And a week after taking an extra week off for All-Star break? Kyrie Irving is out, so the Cavs rest LeBron James in Indiana. Maybe you excuse LeBron a bit. After all, following three times in the Finals, Jordan retired twice. But how soft are these guys becoming as taking games off now is De rigueur, Really, this is getting embarrassing. Personally, I blame it on apparent work stoppage rules sought by their union. Then the Hawks rested both Jeff Teague and Al Horford Saturday. And won. Which probably says something about Miami. I’ll plug my new Jordan book here, There Is No Next. One of my favorite stories is from Doug Collins when he was coaching Jordan in Washington. The Wizards were getting beaten badly and then next game was Jordan’s first trip back to Chicago. So Collins decided to take Jordan out of the game early, but Jordan wouldn’t allow it. It was about playing and trying to win because that’s what you owed the game, your team, yourself and the fans. And, remember, the guy was almost 40 then. Yes, that’s why it’s not the same.

It might not make up for trading Harden—consider with Westbrook’s season along with Harden and Kevin Durant that could be three league MVPs on one team—but the Thunder suddenly has one of the top front courts with the trade addition of Enes Kanter, who had the first 20/10 game in Thunder history for a center (no wonder with Kendrick Perkins), rugged Steven Adams and Michigan’s Mitch McGary, who has been another terrific big man backup as a low first round pick.

At least the Knicks and 76ers players look like they are trying. Then there’s the Nuggets. Talk about your players packing it in. But it seems different this time as they look like they’ll fire the players and keep the coach, who doesn’t look all that great benching Kenneth Faried, who usually looks like the only guy trying. They benched Faried Friday for someone named Joffrey Lauvergne, whose plus/minus of -36 was one of the league’s worst of the season. Faried was back starting Sunday in their loss to New Orleans without Davis, Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday. Faried at least only had the second worst plus/minus of the starters of  minus 7.

Here come….the Jazz? Not that Kanter was the problem, but they sorted out their front line moving in shot blocking, dirty work Rudy Gobert to complement Derrick Favors. They’ve won six of eight with wins over the Pelicans, Spurs, Trail Blazers and Bucks Saturday. "We went through all that last year, all that tanking talk, how we need to lose games here and there,” Favors told the Salt Lake Tribune. "We've improved a lot. We're not going out there trying to lose games. We're trying to go out there and just build on what we got and keep improving every year to get back in the playoffs.” It’s the issue with the youth/draft build. OK, now. What have you got? Is it enough? This is the Jazz’ fourth year of the youth experiment. There rarely are stars anymore at 19. Anthony Davis is, but this is his third season, likely not a playoff season and his body with so much pounding in the pros so young it’s no surprise he breaks down every season. By the time he’s a free agent, the Pelicans still may not be a playoff team.

Coach Byron Scott and then Kobe Bryant on the Jimmy Kimmel show—enough already; here’s a guy who you could barely get a word out of for years who now won’t stop talking—condemned Lakers’ players Nick Young (who else?), Jordan Hill and Carlos Boozer (Holdat!) for being too happy, clowning around a bit in a post game interview after they beat the Celtics. C’mon, are they serious? I mean Scott and Bryant. It’s entertainment; basketball should be fun when you win. Enjoy it. Management didn’t put together a competitive team. If anyone needs to be sad all the time it’s Mitch Kupchak. You should enjoy winning no matter the losses. It’s one game at a time, right? Have some fun. It’s OK. This may be the larger problem with the Lakers, that they may be listening to Bryant and Scott.

Maybe the Timberwolves didn’t want to give him up at the trade deadline, but for about $7 million in this era’s salaries, it’s surprising someone didn’t take a shot at Kevin Martin with his streak scoring ability.

One of the league’s best big basket makers remains the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley and it’s amazing the coaches can’t notice as he keeps getting left off All-Star teams.

Interesting dilemma for the Cavs, who would like some bench upgrades, especially at point guard. Though the most vulnerable would seem favorites of LeBron James, Mike Miller and James Jones. Would they dare upset the king? Would the king give up some of his personal gold for the good of the people? Always better to have the king, but it comes with complications.

This is the end for Shawn Marion when he does return from injury as he’s admitted to insiders he likely cannot play another season.

Kendrick Perkins told Cleveland media he was deciding between the Clippers and Cavs after being released. On a roll since joining the Cavs, Perkins had two points in 16 minutes with eight fouls in three games. Having gotten a basket in three games there’s some media sentiment he should be the league’s Most Improved. Having apparently seen enough, Perkins was benched for Sunday’s overtime game in Houston.

Has Rajon Rondo been exposed? Difficult to deal with, sure. He was that way with a title team goes the response. But in a smaller role with three future Hall of Famers. Other than Rondo’s fit and suspension, the larger issue they say behind the scenes in Dallas is Rondo’s relentless dribbling getting everyone standing around and then no one guarding Rondo because he can’t shoot.  Or is he just not the same after the ACL surgery? And this was not a highly skilled offensive player at his healthiest. If Rondo would have stayed in Boston, the assumption might have been he needed contention to take the game seriously again. Now that he’s been with a contender and they’ve done poorer with him and are much unhappier because of him, who exactly is going to pay big money to the free agent to make him one of the faces of your franchise? By the way, you had to love Rondo’s explanation for why he went off on Carlisle. "Coach and I, when I first got here, we were talking a lot and watching film a lot after every game,’’ Rondo told Dallas media of he and Carlisle. "He’s backed off a little bit with the addition of Amar’e (Stoudemire) and trying to help him and get him up to speed. Our communication was great at first. It’s just that we weren’t communicating enough for me, I don’t think.” No one’s paying attention to me. Whaaaaaaaa.

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So where’s the drama?

It was Academy Award night Sunday, and in case you didn’t make it to the end, here’s a few awards you may have missed:

The award for Production and Wardrobe goes to… Russell Westbrook. You’ve got to add him to the MVP discussion, which for the most part has been between Stephen Curry and James Harden. Especially if the Thunder continue to make a run with Kevin Durant now going out at least a few weeks, which is very worrisome for the Thunder despite what they say. As for Westbrook, for all the lack of being a real point guard, as if there are many anyway, and basically being oblivious to where his teammates are when he wants to shoot, no one plays with the fury he does. It’s something to watch. No one dresses like he does off the court with what the fashion industry, if not exactly everyone, considers style. He’s one of those rare, so called guys you’d pay to watch.

The award for Foreign Language goes to… Dirk Nowitzki. There have been a lot of international pioneers, like Sarunas Marciulionis, Drazen Petrovic, Arvydas Sabonis, Vlade Divac, Toni Kukoc, Yao Ming and onto those who played college ball in the U.S., like Hakeem Olajwuon. Some already are in the Hall of Fame. But no one truly opened the door to international respectability like Nowitzki, who has become a champion, perennial All-Star and one of the great shooters in the history of the game and even in a lesser role is still scoring close to 20 points per game in his 17th season.

The award for Short Subject goes to... D.J. Augustin. Sure, the former Bull, Bobcat, Pacer, Raptor has bounced around and now is in Oklahoma City. So he steps right in for the streaking Thunder and averaged 10 points on four of eight threes in his first two games in the door. Players under six feet are a special category in the NBA. They’re not sought, but often valuable and special in what they do. The Bulls have one now in Aaron Brooks. Perhaps Isaiah Thomas is the most productive currently as he’s moved on to Boston. They are thought to be eminently replaceable, though valuable. Nate Robinson probably is the most famous unless you count Chris Paul, who calls himself six foot. Good luck with that. Same with Isiah Thomas (the true one). Calvin Murphy is in the Hall of Fame and Robinson and Spud Webb won dunk contests. Muggsy Bogues came up to your knee and played in the NBA. But Augustin saves teams, like he was doing for the Pistons when Brandon Jennings was injured and for the Bulls last season. He was a lottery pick, so he was no fluke. But he stepped in and proven valuable whenever needed and given a chance. That should win something.

The award for Visual Effects goes to… LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Who really are starting to roll, not that a Sunday win over the Knicks means much. James has moved up to third in scoring and the top 10 in assists. The bench isn’t that great, but they’ve got the league’s best winning percentage the last six weeks, second in the league in scoring at almost 110 per game, first in point differential at more than 12 per game, which translates to a 60-plus win season, and fourth in defensive field goal percentage in that span. They’re coming fast with a show time sort of approach. There aren’t many great defensive teams any more to be a major issue.

And the special award for Lifetime Achievement goes to… Tim Duncan. Really, the guy has been going since 1997 and just had 30 and 11 in 33 minutes against the Clippers last week. And that’s with DeAndre Jordan playing defense. The Spurs franchise has been one of the best ever, and well before Duncan. They were a fun ABA team with an almost 60 percent winning percentage and then eight seasons of at least 50 wins before Duncan arrived. But since that season the worst the Spurs were in any full season was 50-32 with five titles and six Finals and always Duncan in the middle. And still averaging just about a double/double in fewer than 30 minutes per game. He’s what you call a difference maker.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was famously among several Western Conference coaches to complain in 2008 when the Lakers seemed to steal Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies. It subsequently worked out for the Grizzlies, who quietly received the rights to the unheralded Marc Gasol in the deal. So maybe everyone will withhold judgment on the Jazz handing Enes Kanter to the Thunder for basically salary cap flexibility—not generally a big deal in Utah which is not exactly a free agent destination—and a protected first round pick. Kanter got his second double/double Sunday in two games for the Thunder and 16th of the season, a rare young big man with offensive skills who runs the court. The Jazz now in less than two years have basically given away Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, both All-Stars, and now Kanter, who is good enough to become an All-Star. The Thunder’s fate, obviously, rests with Durant, who underwent another foot procedure. So we’ll see if he is able to be at full health for a playoff run. Perhaps for Oklahoma City it’s not quite making up for moving James Harden, but it was a heck of an acquisition.

Deron Williams with a rare productive effort after the All-Star break with 12 points and 15 assists against the Lakers, starting for injured Jarrett Jack. But as hard as the Nets tried to acquire Reggie Jackson, you know they’re done with Williams. Buyout candidate? Similarly, the Pistons seem all in acquiring Jackson given Jackson has made it clear turning down $12 million he’s not coming cheaply. Since Stan Van Gundy is also the Pistons president it probably means the end for Brandon Jennings in Detroit, who had a good post-Josh Smith run until tearing his Achilles and going out for the season. ABC-TV dropped its weekly Sunday NBA game and ran an Oscar preview show rather than show the Knicks against the Cavs. The Knicks-Lakers game on Super Bowl Sunday was replaced by bowling and the last 10 Knicks games were dropped by national TV. They do have 10 wins, so the all-time worse record is safe with Carmelo Anthony opting for surgery and Amar’e Stoudemire bought out and signing with Dallas. The Knicks essentially ended hopes of retiring Stoudemire’s No. 1 by giving it to newcomer Alexey Shved. The latest it took Phil Jackson to reach 10 wins coaching the Bulls was Dec. 13 in the 1994-95 season before Michael Jordan returned in March. That was Jackson’s poorest Bulls season with 47 wins.

Players can’t much understand the 76ers, either, as former Sixer Evan Turner told the Boston Herald about trading Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams for future possibilities: “I don’t know what they’re doing over there, to tell you the truth. Michael is going to benefit from going to Milwaukee. They have a great young core on top of the fact that Jason Kidd is a point guard coach and it will help him grow. They traded Jrue Holiday, who was a 22-year-old All-Star, class act kid, and then they got rid of him (for the ability to draft Carter-Williams). Maybe they see something. Most people don’t. It’s a sad situation.”

Interesting take by Raptors coach Dwane Casey, who said with the big TV deal about to go into effect basically no franchises will be having financial issues and combined with more severe penalties for being in the luxury tax it will be much more difficult to accumulate multiple stars or find them being dropped.  Said Casey: "Their (Atlanta) team is a model of teams of the future. With the new collective bargaining agreement, there are very few teams that are going to have a team full of superstars. They have a team full of very good players, a lot like us, that have bought in. I think the league is coming to that, which is a good thing. I think the days of the super superstars, conglomerate teams, with the new CBA is moving towards team first. We're that way and I think a lot of teams are going to be that way. I think Atlanta, Golden State, ourselves are good examples of not having a superstar, but what you can do if you play together and play committed and you buy in to what you're doing. You can get some things done."

So also the likelihood of acquiring draft picks to land a star from a franchise unable to pay salaries may be less. The 76ers acquired the Lakers top five protected pick for this June, which the Lakers probably will keep as they currently have the fourth poorest record. It becomes top three protected after this year, though the Lakers insist they will be much better after free agency. With yet another free agent seemingly off the market with Goran Dragic going to Miami, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge unlikely to move and Kevin Love insisting he wants no part of L.A., maybe the 76ers will get value with the Lakers’ pick. So watch out for them in 2020? But one thing the 76ers have done successfully is blunt a once cynical Philadelphia media, which mostly has bought into the 76ers’ plan. Yes, the city of Wilt, Dr. J., Moses, Billy C, Iverson and the great rivalry with the Celtics seems to have accepted Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and more 19-year-olds. Pretty impressive P.R.

John Wall called last week’s game with the Cavs given the standings and stretch run a must win for the Wizards, who then went out and lost by 38. If there’s one top team in free fall coming out of the break, it’s the Wizards. They are 11-14 since Jan. 1 and have come out of the break to lose by 38 and Sunday by 17 to the Pistons. There’s also been a bubbling from the locker room, where Marcin Gortat has said he didn’t like sitting fourth quarters and added after the Cavs loss the team gets flummoxed with over help on defense. Paul Pierce said without great individual defenders the help was essential and said he didn’t know what Gortat was talking about. Said coach Randy Wittman to local media: “I have guys [complaining] about playing time all the time. Well, here it is. What are you going to do with it? Show me you deserve to play.” One basketball issue has been a reduction in three pointers with losing Trevor Ariza and injury to Bradley Beal. Thus a less spaced court and a slower game, issues the Bulls have dealt with as well.

The Spurs, 34-21, have 21 losses the earliest since 2010. On the way to a championship last season, the Spurs lost 20 games the whole regular season. Can you come out of the bottom four of the West, as the Spurs are now seventh, and win a title without home court? The Rockets did in 1995. But that was after adding Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler in an in season trade. You never count out the Spurs, but the years and so many playoff games and titles, while the goal, also wear you out. After all, after three straight Finals appearances, Michael Jordan retired twice. The Spurs and basically this group have been to the Finals five of the last 12 seasons.

Watch out for the Grizzlies. They won their fifth in the last six times Sunday in Portland. Sure, LaMarcus Aldridge was out, but the Grizzlies are perhaps the only team in the league now who’ll beat you with defense. The Grizzlies don’t attempt many threes, contrary to current NBA dictates. But teamwide no one defends as consistently as they do. Working on their best season in franchise history they are a Western Conference cofavorite with Golden State.

Yes, Goran Dragic probably didn’t need to express his dislike for the Suns to force that trade to Miami. It was clear to just about everyone in the NBA after they added Isaiah Thomas for no apparent reason and then paid Eric Bledsoe and made Dragic a shooting guard that the free agent wasn’t sticking around. But many around the league were surprised to hear the overly defensive reaction from Suns management in crowing how they really got the best player in the deal. Dan Gilbert reportedly told them to write the Heat that they’d win a title first.

There are some interesting works in the new Players Tribune, started by Derek Jeter to enable players to write their own stories, which is basically a long version of Twitter. The always thoughtful Tyson Chandler gave his take on his top big men. He named Anthony Davis, Zach Randolph, DeMarcus Cousins, Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol and had this to say about Gasol: “In terms of pure technical skill for a big, Pau might be the best in the game. And that’s no offense to Tim Duncan. It’s just that Pau is years younger. On the block, Pau can beat you with his right or left, with the face up jump shot. He’s super long—one of those guys who’s taller than you think. He’s able to palm the ball and shoot hook shots that are impossible to get to. Pau takes advantage of the fact that officials limit the contact you can have in the post. So he’s able to face you up and then take his dribble to the middle, and then turn back to the baseline for the finish. A skinnier guy like Pau—if the officials see any contact, he’s going to the line. Any time you lean on him, he’s going to show it to the ref. So it’s a fine line guarding him because you have to be strong but you can’t be overly aggressive.”

No one is saying buyers’ remorse yet, though the Mavericks continue to be less than impressive with Rajon Rondo, who was absolutely torched by Russell Westbrook last week. Though that happens to a lot of guards. The Mavs’ offense has bogged down with Rondo’s ball control and you don’t hear the Mavs talking max deal so much. Kobe Bryant long has been close with Rondo and the speculation is Bryant will try to talk the Lakers into signing free agent Rondo. It will be interesting to see if the Mavs try to match

Getting his first DNP-Coach Decision last week, you wonder if this is the signal of the beginning of the end of Carlos Boozer’s career. Boozer doesn’t seem like the sort of player to stick around on a veteran’s minimum next season if he cannot get a contract after 13 years. Boozer was back playing Sunday.

The knock on Andrew Wiggins has been a lack of emotion to be a star. If Kevin Garnett cannot wake him up, then we’ll know. Garnett is expected to eventually move into Timberwolves management and perhaps a stake in ownership and Sam Mitchell, who was close with Garnett as a teammate, to eventually replace Flip Saunders as coach.

The debate last week in the NBA was the latest hack-a-bad shooting center with the Spurs’ Popovich sending DeAndre Jordan to the free throw line 28 times. The Bulls even tried it briefly with Andre Drummond. It’s a conundrum since it’s not new. Teams did it to Wilt and onto Shaq. You don’t want to change the rules to benefit a few players who cannot shoot free throws. They should practice. And not be scared or embarrassed. But the league also went to a 24-second clock, a jump ball after late free throws to reduce fouls and three free throws make two, all to reduce the ugly elements of the game. Intentional fouling away from the ball is as well. It’s easy enough to clean up as a center running away from a player trying to foul him sure would qualify as an intentional foul not involved in the play. One shot and possession. When people try to take advantage of loopholes and hurt the product you have to close the loopholes for the good of the game even if it may help a few teams and help those who cannot help themselves by making a darned free throw.

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And the award goes to...

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