TheNextBestThing

Do you remember your attitude when I mentioned this before Obama was elected? Something to the effect of, "People are dying, Jeremy, we have to pull the troops now." I really can't tell what you think he should do. You've made a logical case for both sides.

Of course, if they had Vince Carter and Jason Kidd, they wouldn't be sinking like this.

LeBron over Duncan? For basketball IQ? This is sad.

I don't understand the point of this count. What are you saying?

Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa do Facebook. Barbosa is quiet, but Nash writes quite a bit.

So is Avery Johnson. Anyway, smart move. I mean, the Nets have Bobby Simmons, Trenton Hassell, and Josh Boone. He should have led them to at least 14-2.

I'm glad you mentioned Pryzbilla. He gets far too little respect. But...Anderson Varejao? The most I can say for him is that he tries his best. He doesn't have great strength, his timing is lousy, and he can get out of control. You would seriously consider Anderson Varejao a better interior defender than Tim Duncan?

I hope they don't kill me dead in the process.

Yeah, it's because of the stigma of having no wins at all. If the Nets were 1-14 and the T'Wolves were 2-13, nobody would be especially mocking the Nets.

I misspoke. I meant to say: Why would he have needed a post game up until now? My point was that he never worked on his post game in high school and college because he didn't need it against smaller, less gifted athletes. I think he'll pick it up when he realizes that he's not in Kansas anymore.

Would you count forced shots as turnover? Officially they aren't, but would you say they have the same effect?

I really hope so.

Now, I never said that Gilbert didn't pass. He does a fair job of avoiding turnovers, especially considering how often he has the ball. All I said was that he doesn't pass to push an offense. He passes when his other angles are cut. And yes, that does result in points for role players, because they often are ignored by the defense. But it also limits how effective his team can possibly be.

I'm inferring that you think Spencer Hawes is better than Jason Thompson. Am I misreading? If not, I have to disagree. You did mention that Hawes "plays below the rim, doesn’t move or jump quickly, and isn’t overly strong." If anything, that's an understatement. As athleticism goes, Hawes is tragic. Thompson does lack a back-to-the-basket game. But think: he's 6'11", very solid athletically, and played for a small school. Why would he need a refined post game to be successful? I would theorize that he's weak in the pivot just because he hasn't had a need to develop there, not because he doesn't have the natural ability. Thompson is (or, at least, will very soon be) significantly better than Spencer Hawes.

Caron rebounds, defends, and runs the floor. He has his fingerprints all over the game. Gilbert is interested in scoring. He doesn't mind wild shots. He only passes the ball when there's no other choice. And you're arguing for Gilbert Arenas. It might be wise to leave durability out of the equation.

Josh Smith is a very efficient player, but Johnson is too good at scoring (especially going 1-on-1) and setting up teammates to be second most valuable. It's easy to be efficient at what you do when what you do is limited. Arenas' attitude had nothing to do with my leaving him off the top spot. It's the fact that he shoots less than 40% from the field, but still insists on being the first option. Butler is a solid scorer and a strong defender. And, let's face it, he's less of a distraction.

What's worse is that everybody who read that just started thinking, "As a Republican/Democrat, what should I think about this?"

No, he's not. Stoudemire is a fine player, and I like having him. But Steve Nash (and the Suns' system) make him look a lot better. Dirk, Bosh, Duncan, Garnett, and Gasol make up my top 5. I would postulate that if Amare were traded for any of those guys, their productions would pass Amare's decisively.

Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris New York Knicks: David Lee Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala Washington Wizards: Caron Butler Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony Houston Rockets: Trevor Ariza Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferson San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan Utah Jazz: Deron Williams Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis Los Angeles Clippers: Baron Davis Los Angeles Lakers: DJ Mbenga Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash Portland Trailblazers: Brandon Roy Sacramento Kings: Kevin Martin Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant You might want to change the "Charlotte Hornets" to "New Orleans." Also, if anyone says Amare for Suns' MVP, I will hunt you down and confiscate your computer.

What operating system are they running?

Today. A zone defense is good for stifling an inside game. You're practically begging your opponent to shoot wide open 3's. Whenever they want. Add that to the fact that a foul in those days meant drawing blood from Michael Jordan. A foul today means hurting Dwyane Wade's feelings. Joe Dumars, the man who had the unenviable job of defending Michael Jordan in the famed Bulls-Pistons games, said that Michael would be impossible to defend today. Jamal Crawford, Stephen Jackson, and Mike James would not have been 20-point average scorers in the 90's.

"Smith: "He's the first Iranian to play in the NBA." (Smith pronounced Iranian as "Eye-ranian," a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)" I feel like killing the "viewer."

"This is a private video. Do you have permission to watch this video? If you do please log in to Vimeo to watch this video." I'd like to watch it, but I'm not setting up an account. Is there a reason that you didn't upload it to Youtube?

For what it's worth, I don't think LeBron's mind is capable of a hidden agenda.

Having watched 2 Heat games this year, I would say Jermaine O'Neal.