tons of rumors!

BANDWAGONING

So who’s ready for a Nets/Spurs NBA Finals? Clearly not the networks, but great basketball will be found in that matchup. I don’t mean to dismiss the chances of the Mavs coming back and winning this Western title,
and the odds the Piston’s are finished are pretty slim, they’ll likely pull out a game. But at the end of the day, the Spurs and Nets look like they have a date in June. There have been a couple of surprises in the ride to the Finals, in San Antonio Bruce Bowen and Stephen Jackson have been outstanding. Bowen has astounded fans with his amazing 3-point range and horrid free throw shooting. He’s played tough defense on some very good players. Stephen Jackson has earned himself a monster pay raise, and his shooting in the clutch has been key to a lot of the Spurs success. The constantly short changed Tim Duncan has lived up to his MVP billing, and Tony Parker has shown why the Spurs should stick with what they have and spend their money on adding to the frontcourt not the backcourt. In New Jersey,
Kenyon Martin has been amazing, it took him some time to find his NBA game, but he has been a monster all over the floor for the Nets and his connection with Jason Kidd will likely be the reason Kidd stays in Jersey. Its funny recalling all the hate mail I got when I heralded Richard Jefferson as a high draft pick, and a future NBA star, to watch the bandwagoning going on now is amusing. He’s still got some polishing to do but Jefferson-Martin-Kidd make a wicked trio, they add another youthful scoring option this summer and the Nets may be title contenders for a few more years to come.

WHAT I’M HEARING

With the rumor mill starting to rev up, here are some of the random tidbits being circulated…
6 Million Dollar Van: Rumor has it Jeff Van Gundy is seeking over $6 million a season from would be suitors, the Cavs are not opposed to that number, and word is after the lottery Gordon Gund told NBA staffers that he was close to a deal with Van Gundy, something that that would happen after the Western Conference playoffs as Van Gundy has obligations to Turner sports. Van himself told TNT viewers that he hadn’t been given an offer, but was talking with them… Nuggets may pass the pick: Word is Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe may be interested in dealing the number 3 overall selection in this year’s draft rather than using it. Memphis is the prime suitor for a top 3 selection as they have eyes for Carmelo Anthony according to league sources. On Lottery night, Stan Kroenke admitted to media that Denver would be happy selecting Carmelo Anthony at number 3, but word is the Nuggets staff believe they can get a proven veteran and a first rounder out of Anthony, a virtual lock to go number 3… Doug Collins: Despite pleas through the media, Wizard’s sources say Doug Collins will be out of a job soon. The current thinking is the new incoming general manager will make the final and ultimate decision, which may be Nets head of scouting Ed Stefanski. A league source said they had heard Collins and the Wizards were negotiating a buyout of his contract… Paul Silas heads the pack: While to Rockets fans, it was not much of a shock that Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down as head coach, what may surprise many in the Rockets community is Paul Silas may be the lead candidate to replace him, although there is growing speculation that Larry Brown may leave the 76ers, which could be interesting in terms of what the Rockets would have to offer the 76ers to let him come to Houston…
Who’s the best point in the draft?: While most mock drafts have TJ Ford as the top overall point guard in the class. After a nice workout with the Warriors, Leandrinho Barbosa, the 6-2 195 pound point from Sao Paulo, Brazil is starting to get some buzz. While TJ Ford is the high profile player it does look like Barbosa and possibly Boston College’s Troy Bell are going to get strong looks from around the league as teams search for backcourt help…

MILICIC WILL BE A PISTON

ESPN’s David Aldridge
is not the only one who saw the writing on the wall when Detroit landed the number 2 overall selection in this year’s draft. The morning of the draft lottery, the Piston’s held an impromptu 45 minute workout for Darko Milicic and not only came away impressed, they came away saying he’s the perfect fit for their roster. The Piston’s have been talking about acquiring some youthful help for Ben Wallace and a scoring threat in the low post. A true 7-footer, Milicic brings offense and toughness to a Piston’s frontcourt known for toughness, and lacking offense. If Darko hits the weights with teammate Ben Wallace and embraces Wallace’s work ethic off the court, the Piston’s may have the scariest frontcourt in basketball, clearly the scariest in the East.

SOME SHOTS
Here are some of the random stories from the week…

BULLS WILLING TO TALK:
The number 7 overall draft pick is for sale according to the Chicago Bulls. Basically stocked to the gills with young guys, the Bulls don’t see enough promise in the draft to bank on the #7 being their answer and have made it known they would entertain offers for the 7th pick, they are targeting a proven veteran to help advance the team. The Bulls will continue to evaluate players, but it seems more likely that the Bulls will deal, and early word is Orlando has interest in the #7 as do the Knicks.


BOSH TO RAPTORS?: Unless something radical happens in workouts or
trade discussions Toronto Raptors GM Glen Grunwald has basically said if the draft goes as planned (James-Milicic-Anthony), his club would likely select Chris Bosh at #4. The Raptors have thoroughly scouted Bosh and believe him to be a viable solution in the Great White North. This leaves the Miami Heat is an interesting position as they hold the #5 and a lot of uncertainty. Heat president and head coach Pat Riley did not dismiss the idea of trading the #5 for a proven veteran, but said his club would do a lot of work on deciding who they take or what they do with the pick.