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A handful of e-mails will be flagged every week for group discussion. Be sure to include your first and last names and city of residence if you want your question to be answered. Seriously, friends. Announce yourself to the masses.
Peter Morel Duffel Antwerp, Belgium A: It's like this, Peter. If Kidd really did make the leap back to the West, he and Duncan better be that good together -- because the West obviously isn't just Shaq and Kobe. Lots of folks are assuming now that Dikembe Mutombo's slow start, compounded by Deke's long-term wrist injury, will drive Kidd to the Alamo City, but Kidd knows that the path to the Finals is still tougher in the other conference. As covered here recently, the East is looking deeper by the day -- but the West is still more top-heavy. Sacramento and Dallas aren't going away any time soon, no matter how many more years Shaq plays. But I wouldn't draw a direct parallel anyway, because Stockton and Malone share a wavelength that might never be matched. Those guys have been on a string for almost two decades. Kidd and Duncan would be an outstanding tag team, don't get me wrong, but different.
Q: I'm curious how Gary Payton is viewed nationally. Is he widely considered a Hall of Famer? Why is he never listed as the best point guard in the NBA, which he has been for eight years -- assuming Jason Kidd's scoring average this year is temporary, which it may not be. A: GP's tantrums get old, and that has hurt him over the years. But I don't think you'd find anybody who would exclude Gary from the upper crust of a Top Point Guards list. Personally I'd rather have Kidd or Steve Nash, especially from an age standpoint, but Payton has been a top-three guy at worst for about a decade. Remember that with Magic and Stockton around for much of Payton's career, there was always plenty of competition for No. 1. Hall of Fame? Yeah, he'll get in.
John Shuford Eugene, Ore. A: The Blazers have been a monumental disappointment, but Oregon continues to supply interesting questions here. Good research. Leaving aside the too-easy openings to trash Trader Bob for the umpteenth time, and looking past the numbers, Wallace should be a better player than Cliffy at his peak. Skill-wise, 'Sheed has more to offer. But he's the wrong guy to build around no matter how they compare statistically because 'Sheed doesn't want to be a franchise guy. He has the mindset of a No. 2 or No. 3 piece and he'd probably be a damn good one if he wasn't thrust into such a prominent role in Portland. He's clearly uncomfortable in that role and you see the results, but it's also accurate to point out that so much is expected out of 'Sheed now because many other Blazers haven't come through, either. For of all Cliffy's supposed warts, by the way, he has become quite the elder statesman late in his career. He's the spiritual leader of a solid Detroit team, and it's hard to picture Rasheed in that kind of role when he's 35, isn't it?
Q: I actually have an older question and I was hoping you could help settle a bet. Has any No. 8 seed ever gone on to win the NBA Finals? A: Those lovable Knicks, in the lockout-shortened 1999 season, were the closest, losing to San Antonio in the Finals in five games.
Q: I still don't get what team rebounds are. Can you please explain? A: Here's an example. Howard Eisley uncorks a jumper that hits the rim and goes straight out of bounds after clanging off the rim. The defensive team is awarded a team rebound. Why? Because every missed shot, the rules say, must have a rebound credited to play or a team. If it can't go to a player, the team has to get it. Got it? Every missed shot must have a corresponding board. Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. |
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