Kahn: 10 things we learned about the NBA this week

[Kori Ellis]

Mike Kahn / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 3 hours ago

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3496192

So the San Antonio Spurs have lost Tim Duncan the remainder of the regular season to a badly sprained ankle and it seems as if everybody is predicting that their desire for the top seed in the Western Conference nothing more than a fading memory, right?

Don't tell the Houston Rockets that.

With a small lineup around center Rasho Nesterovic, the Spurs ran away from the Rockets Sunday afternoon with a 13-point win — their 15th in a row over the Rockets in San Antonio dating back eight years.

As for the best record, well, the 52-18 Spurs are just one-half game behind the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat for the best record in both conferences.

1. Item: Trailing the Rockets by six points early in the fourth quarter, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich put the group of Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry on the floor with Nesterovic to offset the damage Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady were causing.

What this really means: Led by Ginobili's brilliant play at both ends of the floor, the Spurs went on a 21-2 tear to run the Rockets off the floor. While the still young and developing Parker remains inconsistent in the absence of Duncan, Ginobili is clearly a bonafide star and one of the best all-around guards in the league. Defensively, he kept McGrady off-balance with his strength and quick hands; then on the offensive end, he continuously got to the rim or found the sweet-shooting Barry for open jumpers. The essence of the Spurs is still defense and the exceptional power game of Duncan, but the emergence of Ginobili as a star and Barry's growing comfort in the offense makes them all the more dangerous come playoff time presuming Duncan returns healthy.

2. Item: Not a week goes by when something either dramatic, traumatic or both happens to the Indiana Pacers, circa 2004-05. This week, for example, Reggie Miller became the 13th player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points Wednesday night when he scored 21 points to lead the Pacers to a 100-93 win over the Spurs and figures to pass Jerry West for the 12th spot. Then Friday night, in their first appearance in the Palace of Auburn Hills since the infamous November brawl, there were four bomb threats (including one claiming an explosive was in the Pacers' locker room) that delayed the game 90 minutes.

What this really means: The Pacers won the game by 13 points, caught grief for refusing to come out of the locker room until they were convinced the bomb threat wasn't real, and, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Johnson and David Harrison all were fingerprinted on the trip as a precursor to their April 8 court date regarding the brawl. If anyone is to believe Nietzsche's theory that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, the Pacers may yet be a factor in the postseason, even without O'Neal and Ron Artest. It's beginning to look like they'll secure the seventh seed, and just making the playoffs is a huge accomplishment under these cir stances. And you would think considering all of this, the league would reconsider Artest's availability for the playoffs.

3. Item: Although the Cleveland Cavaliers did defeat the defending champion Detroit Pistons Tuesday night, their first game coached by Brendan Malone in the aftermath of Paul Silas' abrupt firing, the Cavs are still reeling.

What this really means: The Cavs are a flawed team around superstar LeBron James and All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas primarily because Silas let the discipline slide once he became paranoid of new ownership. It was their fault for not supporting him more staunchly during the transition, and his fault for not retaining his professional focus. It's hardly an ideal roster, which is why president Jim Paxson's job security is iffy, but it's still the group that played so well early in the year. They play poor transition defense, don't execute their offense well, have lost 10 road games in a row and 11 of their last 15 games overall.

Malone will be the interim coach for the remainder of the season, then the big change begins. Expect Flip Saunders, Phil Jackson, Eric Musselman, Bill Laimbeer and possibly Michigan State coach Tom Izzo to be the top candidates. Should Paxson go, Pistons general manager John Hammond, Laimbeer and owner Dan Gilbert's old buddy from Michigan State - Sam Vincent - are the names being tossed around.

4. Item: Andrei Kirilenko broke his left wrist Thursday night, ending his season after just 41 games with the Utah Jazz, and that followed a serious knee injury and a sprained foot. Pau Gasol returned to the Memphis Grizzlies with a tender foot that has allowed him to play in just 42 games so far. And finally, Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph ended his season two weeks ago after 46 games due to knee surgery.

What this really means: All three players were first-round draft picks in 2001 and eligible for restricted free agency this summer. But instead of waiting until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed this summer or matching what ever else was offered in the marketplace, all three teams signed their young frontcourt players to maximum contracts worth nearly $86 million. The question then was simply: "What's the rush?" The question now is: "Did you overpay needlessly for guys who now are damaged goods?"

Injuries happen. That's a huge part of sports and the gamble owners take with every guaranteed contract. But in the case of these guys, there was no reason to commit to six years when the new deal may be four or five with smaller percentage increases. For all the whining and posturing owners take over the length and breadth of the guaranteed deals, you'd think they'd be more prudent before handing them out. All things being equal, it was at least arguable that this trio could be justified as maximum salaried players. But not entering their restricted free agent summers. Now we're looking at injury-laden seasons coming out of the chute. Oh well, at least it's not our money.


After getting off to a good start, Antoine Walker's return to Boston has hit a few rough spots. (Duane Burleson / AP)

5. Item: After leading the Boston Celtics to a brilliant 11-1 run upon being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks, Antoine Walker has shot .323 from the field, .222 from 3-point range and 50 percent from the free throw line the past week as the Celtics dropped three in a row.

What this really means: It's still way too early to count the Celtics as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Yes, they have the best-conceived roster in the Atlantic Division and should hold off the Philadelphia 76ers to win the division, but it isn't a lock. Walker is maturing and so is Paul Pierce, but there's an awful lot of baggage for coach Doc Rivers to clear with the two players to be totally confident with where they are headed. And there is also the no small matter of Gary Payton, who has been holding everything together all season. Now 13 years into a disc problem in his lower back, it has been getting progressively worse the past month for the 36-year-old point guard.

In other words, it would behoove everyone if Walker remembers not to launch 3-point bricks and either drive or post up. They've got plenty of other shooters, and his newly found respect around the league heading into free agency is still tenuous at best.

6. Item: There was more to Avery Johnson taking over as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks than the 64-year-old Don Nelson coming to the realization that he'd had enough.

What this really means: When Mavericks owner Mark Cuban signed Nelson to a three-year, $15 million extension prior to last season, Cuban made it clear he wasn't about to let Nellie drift off to sip margaritas in Maui with millions left on his deal. But that's essentially what happened last week when they agreed it was time for him to move on.

Since the Spurs are more vulnerable with Duncan's uncertain ankle, and the Mavericks traditionally lapse defensively in the playoffs, Cuban smartly concluded the Mavericks would be much better off with the defensive-oriented Johnson running the show. Granted, the Mavs are not as consistent offensively this season with Steve Nash gone to Phoenix as a free agent, but the additions of center Erick Dampier, Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Van Horn — plus the emergence of swingman Josh Howard — the Mavericks will be much more fearsome in the playoffs with Johnson harping defense. The lack of coaching experience notwithstanding, Johnson was a terrific leader on the floor for 16 seasons, is loaded with confidence and knowledge that should quickly and effectively translate into success for the Mavericks in this postseason. Maybe they won't win the West ... then again, maybe they will.

7. Item: George Karl wore a 1975-76 Denver Nuggets throwback jersey over a white turtleneck, sweatpants and basketball shoes during the Nuggets' 127-98 win over the Washington Wizards Tuesday night. There has been no release of the fine Karl and/or the Nuggets will absorb for the inappropriate attire because league rules include slacks and a sports jacket for head coaches.

What this really means: Karl has completely bonded with his team since taking over as coach on Jan. 27. They are a startling 21-5 since then to transform a woefully disappointing 17-25 group into a 38-30 team now eyeing the seventh seed in the West. It's the best record in Denver after 68 games in 17 years, Carmelo Anthony has overcome a terrible start with dominant performances the past few weeks, and the entire team is brimming with confidence. And this move by the Nuggets furthers the legacy of Karl as one of the great quick-fix coaches during the past 20 years. He transformed a .500 Seattle team into a .700 team in January of 1992 and got them into the conference semifinals. In 1999 he took a Milwaukee team into the postseason after an eight-year drought, and, and now the Nuggets. Indeed, there is a special quality he and Larry Brown have. Ya think their college coach Dean Smith has something to do with that?

8. Item: A.I. met A.I. Wednesday night, and the Philadelphia 76ers became a special team at the expense of the world champion Pistons. Andre Iguodala recorded the first rookie triple-double of the season with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to augment the 39 points and 10 assists from Allen Iverson to produce a surprising easy 107-84 win over the Pistons. Then Sunday, Iguodala scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half to balance out Iverson's 20 points and 15 assists to beat the Lakers in Los Angeles.

What this really means: When you watch Iguodala, at 6-7, 210 and all arms and lets, it's impossible not to think about Scottie Pippen as a rookie. Iguodala is a special defender, handles the ball and passes comfortably and is a great leaper. You put the package together and he's a terrific sidekick to Iverson and Chris Webber. Having said that, there is a good young shot-blocker/rebounder in Samuel Dalembert and young Kyle Korver, and they really do have the makings of the best team in the Atlantic Division — pulling within 2½ games of the Celtics, while moving into a tie with the Pacers for the seventh seed.

But they're still struggling to stay over .500 and that's precisely why coach Jim O'Brien is feeling heat. Some of it is mishandling Webber immediately, but they now have time to get it right and make the playoffs. With Iverson playing at top form, Webber finally gaining some semblance of understanding and Iguodala improving every week, they'd better make the playoffs. If they don't, owner Ed Snider may be contemplating eating even more contracts than he's already paying for ... and that could include Mssrs. O'Brien and King.

9. Item: Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis was suspended three games for kicking a photographer last week, then best sixth man candidate Hedo Turkoglu broke his wrist Monday night driving to the basket in a five-point loss at Charlotte. Francis returned Saturday night and the Magic conceded a tough two-point decision to the Phoenix Suns.

What this really means: The Magic enters this week sporting a three-game losing streak, sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference, and very much on the outside looking in at the playoff picture after a great start this season. It began with the trading of Cuttino Mobley for Doug Christie, and they've been 14-19 ever since. All eyes are on general manager John Weisbrod, whose commentary about Tracy McGrady after trading him for Francis was way out of line and embarrassing for the organization. He fired coach Johnny Davis and replaced him with inexperienced interim Chris Jent.

The city is not warming to the need for a renovated TD Waterhouse Centre (if not a new building) and were it not for the return of Grant Hill and the promise of rookie Dwight Howard, the entire situation would be hideous. Instead, Weisbrod has created an unsightly situation that could result in not only another trip to the lottery; the buzz continues that the franchise may move to Kansas City.

10. Item: Peja Stojakovic poured in a season-high 38 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a seven-point win over the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night, but went into Denver Saturday where the Nuggets blew them away in the fourth quarter on the way to a 14-point win.

What this really means: The Kings just can't quite get over the top into the homecourt race in the West, now trailing the Mavericks by four games (five in the loss column). Much of their erratic play has been steeped in the inability of Stojakovic to play at the same superior level as in previous seasons. He is scoring 4.3 fewer points per game, due to 4 percent drop in field goal percentage and 3.6 percent drop in 3-point percentage. He's also down 2.0 rebounds per game. Already under fire for horribly erratic play in the postseason, the Kings are bound to think long and hard about loading up Stojakovic with a huge contract extension, or trading him for more pieces to the puzzle as they did with Webber.

[SuBZer0]

"Led by Ginobili's brilliant play at both ends of the floor, the Spurs went on a 21-2 tear to run the Rockets off the floor. While the still young and developing Parker remains inconsistent in the absence of Duncan, Ginobili is clearly a bonafide star and one of the best all-around guards in the league. Defensively, he kept McGrady off-balance with his strength and quick hands; then on the offensive end, he continuously got to the rim or found the sweet-shooting Barry for open jumpers. The essence of the Spurs is still defense and the exceptional power game of Duncan, but the emergence of Ginobili as a star.. "

[Ozzy]

Looks like Walker finally found his shooting touch...

[maxpower]

I'm not sure what Duncan's injury has to do with Nellie's bruhaha...as he quit on his team/forced cuban's hand well before Duncan went down.