“Local name, national Perspective” © Copyright 2003, The Houston Roundball Review, All Rights Reserved. July 2003 July 30, 2003 BASKETBALL FOR THOUGHT by Kris Gardner, e-mail: [email protected] the league is in trouble. It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad NBA world The Minnesota Timberwolves served notice love basketball! both teams placed the will to the league, too. T-wolves’ (That should “positi produce GM Kevin McHale has not come as any ve solid, and acquired guards Sam Cassell sort of surprise spin” on and Latrell Sprewell via to anyone on it in occasion, trades and signed free agent because why else would I order spectacula center Michael Olowokandi. continue trying to grind out to r numbers If Minnesota fails to advance a living with The Houston satisfy this past the first round in ‘03-04, Roundball Review.) I love the season. big time changes will take the NBA, too; but, in all fans. Trust me. place next summer! honesty, for whatever Thoug Heck, The San Antonio Spurs, reason, I lost the desire to h LeBron’s the defending NBA champs, cover the NBA over the last Bremer rookie improved its team by year or so. Fortunately, the is a © season acquiring sharpshooting last few weeks of news and Clevela may be forward Hedo Turkoglu and activity in the NBA swingman Ron Mercer in a involving trades, draft picks, If Shaq is in shape, the rest of the league is in trouble. trade and all the Spurs gave free agent signings, etc. has up was Danny Ferry. Of rekindled the flame and I nd area product, besides his one of the few reasons any course, the Spurs biggest am once again looking friends and family, not media outlets pay attention move this summer was re- forward to covering NBA many other Cavs’ fans will to the NBA’s Eastern signing the league’s best basketball in the next few pay attention to this deal. Conference since practically player: Tim Duncan. months. (I didn’t say I was Why? One answer: every member of the media The Sacramento Kings looking forward to covering LeBron James. refers to the NBA’s East as pulled off a last minute coup the Houston Rockets. I said By selecting LeBron the ‘Least” or even worse. and acquired center Brad NBA basketball. The with the 2003 number one The top teams play in Miller from the Indiana Rockets players have to draft pick, the Cavs returned the West; and, each team Pacers in a three-team deal. prove something to me as to the NBA’s media scrutiny (except for the Dallas The biggest surprise thus well as their fans, the media, with one simple move. I Mavericks) made far has been the spending of and, most importantly, know LeBron is skipping acquisitions to improve: the noted spendthrift Donald themselves this season.) college; and, I know he will Lakers amazed everyone by Sterling, owner of the LA Lets get the small thing face many challenges on the signing future Hall of Clippers. Sterling matched a out of the way first: new court (and off the court); Famers Karl Malone and 6-year, $82 M offer to keep Boston Celtics President of but, he has all the skills to Gary Payton for a total of forward Elton Brand 2 Basketball Operations become a truly special NBA $6.4 M this season! weeks ago and then he Danny Ainge, just acquired player in his career. Will he Clearly, Kobe Bryant’s legal matched a 6-year, $42 M a player he truly wanted — live up to the hype in his troubles are a concern for offer to keep Corey Maggette. forward Jumaine Jones, rookie season? Nope. The the Lakers; but, LA’s major When Donald Sterling spends from the Cleveland only way LeBron could live question remains quite money, you know the NBA is Cavaliers, in exchange for up to all of the hype is if he simple: what kind of shape a mad, mad, mad, mad point guard J. R. Bremer led the Cavs to the NBA will Shaquille O’Neal be in world! and center Bruno Sundov. championship; and, we at the start of the season? If Oh, I almost forgot: the The deal is not much more know that is not going to Shaq is in shape, the rest of Knicks got Keith Van Horn. than a yawner; but, as usual, happen! However, LeBron The Houston Roundball Review 3105 Arlington Houston, TX 77018-7725 832-630-1176 www.TheHRR.com.