With the NBA Playoffs going on right now, I’ve been camped out in front of the tube for weeks, and intend to continue for the next few weeks. But while watching the Heat and Nets today, I began to ask myself the question of “If I were an NBA GM, and had a new team, what one player would I take over all others to build my team around?” Would I go for age and experience, or youth and potential? A guard or a center? A scoring machine or a defensive specialist? I’m gonna list the few that I considered below, but YOU tell me who YOU would take and why.

1. Kevin Garnett: A true warrior. Has never had the opportunity to play with a great supporting cast, and probably deserves to do so. Never finds himself in trouble off the court and, at least in public, never knocks someone else to make himself look better. Plays as hard as he can EVERY night, and produces. You need points, he brings them. You need rebounds, he cleans the glass. Solid in every aspect of the game. He has been in the league for a long time, but he came in as a high schooler, so age shouldn’t be a problem yet.
2. Kobe Bryant: I hate to say it, because I don’t really care for him, but the guy can carry a team. This is where, as a GM, I’d have to try and separate business objectives from personal feelings. Can score, and as we saw in the playoffs, can takeover a game and win it all by himself more often than not. With all those things, he has had problems being a teammate. Well, when you can control a game by yourself at will, do you really need to be a good teammate? Yep, just as Shaq. Those guys would still be winning championships in LA if Kobe could have been easier to get along with. And if you’re willing to get rid of several championships so you can get all the credit, you ain’t playing on my team.
3. Steve Nash: Nash controls the tempo of the game better than any other point guard in the game right now. He can score if he needs to, but prefers to get the rest of his team involved. He is a master at getting them the ball in the best spot to get a score. And best of all he is durable, having only missed 14 games in the last 3 years. Finally, unlike Kobe, he is a super teammate and oozes team chemistry.
4. Dwayne Wade: Young, hungry, and talented, the deadly combination. Speaking from the standpoint as a GM/Owner, the marketability of a Wade is off the charts. His public image is impeccable and clean cut. But his game is even better. Can generate excitement on the court with his acrobatic displays and scoring. Plays hard on both ends of the floor and from all appearances is a key ingredient in the Heat’s team chemistry.
5. LeBron James: It would be hard to find many arguments against starting a team with James. He scores, gives it up, rebounds, and energizes the fanbase. He demonstrated his worth yet again yesterday with his 2nd triple double in the 2006 playoffs. Only Magic Johnson had more triple doubles his first time through the playoffs. The only thing you could question is James’ age, but that isn’t that big a deal with him.

Ok, as if you couldn’t tell from my quick blurbs on each player, Dwayne Wade or LeBron James would be my choice. If you were twisting my arm, and I had to pick right now, I’d go with Wade. He hasn’t had the NBA handed to him on a silver platter (and I’m not saying James didn’t deserve it), but he may have a little more to prove. Now, tell me why I’m wrong, and who it should be.

Yeah, the Cavs won and that at least gets them off the mat. But the bigger story here is the fact that Larry Hughes, a SIGNIFICANT contributor to Clevelands team was not in attendance. He was with his family following the passing of his younger brother. I was terribly upset to learn about this sad situation. Larry’s brother, Justin, had a history of medical conditions in his 20 years, including a heart transplant 10 years ago. As a matter of fact, this was probably the biggest factor influencing his older brother to make the jump to the NBA when most scouts thought he needed more time to develop his game. But his family needed money in the worst way, and he did what he had to do. Thankfully, it worked out for him, until just recently. I commend Larry Hughes for the way he has handled himself, and the way he has provided for his family, but one thing comes to mind. I’m sure all of you have heard the old saying “Money can’t buy happiness”. I’d be willing to bet the Hughes family would agree today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

What the heck is it with athletes these days? We have already discussed, probably too much, the tale of Ricky Williams, who was busted during the offseason. But how about a dummy who can’t keep himself clean during the freaking PLAYOFFS?!?!?! Cliff Robinson, who I swear is old enough to know better, got caught violating the NBA substance abuse policy. So instead of helping his team defend Shaq and the Miami Heat, he will guarding against the munchies at 3am. Way to go! If anyone has a logical explanation, other than “Dude, he’s like, free to do whatever he wants maaaaan…”, I’d love to hear it!

Let me get this straight…you take an NBA team to EIGHT straight playoff appearances and you want the man gone. WHY? Do you really think you can perform much better in Sacramento then you have since he came aboard? I sure as H#$L don’t and this will only backfire in your face. I am getting really tired of coaches in the pros or in college who do not get the credit they derserve because their fans are so greedy. Five consecutive 50 win seasons until this year when they basically had a brand new team other than Mike Bibby and Brad Miller, but they made the playoffs again and actually ruffled the feathers of the Spurs until running out of gas. Kiss this success goodbye Sac Town!!!

Ben Wallace was announced the Defensive Player of the Year again today.  He becomes the first player ever to win the award four times in a five year span.  Wallace also won the award last year, 2003 and 2002.  Big Ben was fourth in the NBA in rebounds at 11.3, ninth in blocks with 2.2 and tenth in steals at 1.78 making him the only player to be in the top 10 in all categories.  I truly enjoy watching Ben Wallace play the game and I couldn’t agree more that he deserves this award due to his outstanding effort night in night out.

Steve Nash is once again the MVP of the National Basketball Association.  Nash pretty much ran away with his second consecutive MVP with Lebron James finishing a distant second.  Nash set career highs this year avergaging 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, .512 field goal percentage and .921 free throw percentage.  Steve also lead the NBA in assists at 10.5 a game and was in the top 10 with three point percentage at 43.9.  Maybe the biggest feat was winning 54 games this year and another Pacific Division title without All-Star Amare Stoudemire plus Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson who left Phoenix after last season.

I know it’s a little early to tell, but I feel the question needs to be brought up.  It seems every year recently Dallas is talked about as a true Western Conference contender yet they find a way to squander away important games which ultimately sends them on summer vacation.  I really feel like today was one of those games against the San Antonio Spurs because Dallas lost 87-85.  First and foremost, the Mavericks almost had been off for an entire week when San Antonio was basically on 36 hours rest.  Secondly, Dallas was ahead at the end of every single quarter except the final one.  This was a game they desparately needed to gain confidence against the favorite, but instead it appears to me they are still a pretender.  I hope I’m wrong, but most of the time I’m not.

With the exception of the Memphis debacle, this has been one of the best first rounds in the playoffs that I can remember. And the best series so far has been the Wizards and Cavs. Tonights game has been no different. Between Arenas and James, we get to see the future of the NBA. But more than that, we get to see two clutch players battling it out to the very end. It is a shame that someone has to lose this series. As it stands right now, Arenas just hit a DEEP three to tie the game and send it to OT in game 6. See ya in the extra period!

Update:  Wizards Bounced From Playoffs.  Gotta feel for Arenas, as he missed 2 key free throws down the stretch, and he has been near automatic from the line this year.  Congrats to the Cavs.

Tim Thomas scored 21 including a HUGE three pointer with 6.3 seconds in regulation to force overtime last night in the Suns/Lakers playoff battle.  In overtime the Suns salted the game away and won 126-118.  The Suns put forth a huge team effort with Nash scoring 32, Barbosa 22, Thomas 21, Marion 20 and Boris Diaw with 19.  Kobe Bryant was the big star of the night in the loss with 50 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.  I think you can pretty much say this series is now over and Phoenix will win at home in game seven after the Lakers were up at one point 3-1.  Sorry LA!

You know what, I think Kobe should toughen up a little. That is, toughen up on the court. The locker room “I’m too big to even think about someone like him” crap his just that….CRAP. And while the NBA is busy making an example of Bell for fouling “The Chosen One”, how about the fact that Reggie Evans didn’t get a single thing for jingling Chris Kaman’s bells.
Suns guard Bell suspended 1 game