For the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, no one has been quite sure what LeBron James was doing, shooting or passing. It has been the same with USA Basketball.
During the season James said he was “50-50” about playing this summer. But there was a recent item in a Cleveland-area paper that said James, with a second child due in June, is planning a long vacation with his old high school pals and isn’t likely to play for the U.S. this summer in Olympic qualifying.
Team Chairman Jerry Colangelo has been emphasizing a three-year commitment for all players, but eased up somewhat in announcing additions to the roster last week that included former Bull Tyson Chandler and former Illini Deron Williams.
But the feeling inside and around the U.S. team is that no one — except for his sponsor, Nike — would be too unhappy if James doesn’t compete this summer, or even in the 2008 Olympics. His game hasn’t been a good fit for international competition or with the U.S. team, and it might be better off without him.
No one wants to say it publicly, and no one disputes that James is a transcendent talent, but there wouldn’t be any great sadness if James decides to stay home in 2008.
There were some minor attitude issues, and one famous scene last summer in which Bruce Bowen, who is dropping out of contention for the team, openly lectured James about treating administrative staff members with respect.
James, team insiders said, had a habit of ordering people around without ever learning their names.
The bigger issue for the USA Basketball staff is James’ fit as a player. He doesn’t shoot particularly well, but he liked to keep the ball glued to his hand in last year’s world championships. He is a willing passer and really was at his best when playing point guard toward the end of the tournament.
But Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd will play this summer, and both are far better floor leaders than James. With a terrific playoff run, Williams is dribbling his way into that crowd. They all are better than James at running a team.
Also, coaches worried about James’ ego and view of himself within the team. They found too often when he wasn’t getting his points, he’d try hard late in games to get numbers, apparently so he wouldn’t have to answer questions about poor statistical games.
There also was some discomfort about internal jealousies, so James, along with Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, was named a team captain to avoid that issue. But now Kobe Bryant joins the team, and his game is more suited to international play because he is a better shooter and defender than James despite James’ immense talent.
“We’re not sure how all this will work out,” one team insider said.
Because of injuries, Wade, Lamar Odom, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul, Joe Johnson and Brad Miller will not compete this summer, necessitating additions, including Mike Miller, Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, as well as Chandler and Williams.
Oden and Durant are generally considered futures for the team and likely won’t make the final 12-player roster for the tournament beginning Aug. 22 in Las Vegas. Adam Morrison and J.J. Redick, brought in last year on similar speculation, can participate but have been told they won’t be considered for a final spot. Brad Miller likely will drop out at some point along with Antawn Jamison. Bowen is out and Boozer has some family issues. Marcus Camby also had to turn down an invitation.
The Bulls’ Kirk Hinrich and Houston’s Shane Battier have excellent chances to stick as super role players, especially by playing all three summers. Attendance does count. Amare Stoudemire is committed this summer after being hurt last year, and insiders say the staff was very impressed with Anthony, who initially was a questionable addition because of personal issues.
Which leaves James the 800-pound elephant in the room. He clearly is ambivalent, especially with a tough playoff run, and it appears he doesn’t want to play this summer. Nike is pushing hard for him to play as the centerpiece of a 2008 advertising campaign in China. The fear there is by walking away this summer with so many players pushing to be on the team, James might not make the final cut for the Olympics in Beijing.
James is a great talent, but because he is an indifferent defender and not a good shooter, especially on free throws, there is little overriding need for him to be on the team — it has better playmakers.
This time it’s about winning, not egos and image.
Colangelo said at last week’s news conference he expects James at the July 20 mini-camp. If a healthy James blows off this summer, that would seem to open the door for USA Basketball to drop him for 2008. And it’s not like James made all that much difference for the 2007 silver-medal team.
Rumor time
Although the off-season speculation about the Bulls will focus on big men and post players such as Zach Randolph, Jermaine O’Neal, Stoudemire and Kevin Garnett, there still is that big-guard issue hanging over the team and the fate of Ben Gordon.
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In his postseason wrap-up, GM John Paxson talked about size in the backcourt and uncertainty about contract extensions. He seemed to be referring to Gordon, who views himself as a starter and was the Bulls’ leading scorer. But his size deficit often compromised the backcourt. Hinrich had to defend the bigger shooting guards, which probably affected his play.
And now finances could become an issue as well. Gordon is rumored to be making an agent change to former super-agent David Falk. With Falk getting back in the business, you can be sure he’d want to make a big hit to help recruit more clients. The Bulls hardly can make Gordon a huge, eight-figure contract offer — he might not even be a starter in their thinking.
And what about the big guards and All-Star swingmen who could come on the market because of issues with their teams? There’s Ray Allen with the uncertain Seattle situation, Paul Pierce with Boston apparently going young and Jason Richardson if financial issues force changes at Golden State. And add to that the intrigue of Michael Jordan in Charlotte.
Bobcats part-owner Jordan has long been a big fan of Gordon’s, though it’s hardly likely he would part with Emeka Okafor given Charlotte’s issues in the frontcourt. But Gerald Wallace could be an intriguing name. Yes, he plays small forward, but his shooting is improving and he’d bring great defense and size to the to the shooting-guard position. Wallace is opting out of his contract, so perhaps there’s a sign-and-trade possibility.
The latest on KG
There’s always talk about Garnett, and the latest apparently unfounded speculation has him going to Phoenix in a fantasy-sounding multi-team deal that has Stoudemire going to the Bulls and the Timberwolves getting little, apparently because everyone seems to believe they’ll always make a bad deal. Picking No. 7 in the draft, they have to think about doing something. Most team insiders believe the T’wolves will play it out and keep Garnett, but there was a big “what if?” when the Timberwolves landed at No. 7. They lost the postseason tiebreaker drawing for lottery position No. 6 or No. 7 with Portland after both finished 32-50.
The Bulls could have been in that drawing if not for Eddy Curry’s tip-in with a half-second left to beat Charlotte in the last game of the season. Minnesota never once has moved up in a lottery drawing. It’s the curse of Joe Smith.
Remember me?
A forgotten free agent is Harvey’s Melvin Ely, a fixture on the Spurs’ inactive list in the playoffs since his midseason acquisition from Charlotte. The rumor was the Spurs made the deal to keep Ely from the Suns, with whom he almost signed as a restricted free agent last summer. “I should have done it [come to Phoenix] instead of going back to Charlotte,” Ely told San Antonio reporters. “I’m kind of kicking myself in the butt for that one.”
Playoff patter
Robert Horry on Utah teammates Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams: “If [John] Stockton and [Karl] Malone were 100 percent, I think they’re like 90 percent. Boozer is so strong and so agile. The one thing Boozer has over Karl is he can use both hands very well. Williams is a little bit quicker and faster and stronger than Stockton. It’s going to take some time for them to learn how to play together, but in a couple of years, they’re going to be better than Stockton and Malone in my eyes.” … Williams is becoming one of the playoffs’ big stars. He’s averaging 30.3 points and nine assists against the Spurs and came back with strong defense in the Game 3 win after Tony Parker blitzed him in the first two games.
He certainly remains annoying, but the best player in the first two games of the Pistons-Cavs series was Rasheed Wallace with seven blocks in Game 1 and 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2. What’s worse, I find myself agreeing with Wallace, who chastised the pathetic flopping of Anderson Varajeo. … The Nets say Vince Carter is headed to free agency despite a reported offer of about $45 million for three seasons. Carter is said to want $60 million. Hard to believe they won’t let him go in a sign-and-trade; Carter had knee problems in the last two losses to the Cavs.
Brains in the backcourt
The smartest college backcourt ever? Perhaps one can make a case now with Sam Vincent hired by Jordan to coach the Bobcats and former Michigan State running mate Scott Skiles running the Bulls. They both took the long way to the NBA with Skiles coaching in Greece and Vincent in Greece, the Netherlands, South Africa, Nigeria and the D-league and assisting in Dallas before getting his shot.
The former Bulls backcourt mate of Jordan under Doug Collins said he’d be “discouraged and disappointed” if the Bobcats didn’t make the playoffs next season. Vincent could add longtime college and pro coach Lee Rose to his staff
Layups
Orlando finally pulled the plug on Brian Hill and is pushing for Billy Donovan, who appears to be playing the Magic to improve his status at the University of Florida. Marc Iavaroni, Stan Van Gundy and P.J. Carlesimo are emerging as Orlando candidates. … A Mavericks Web site quotes assistant coach Del Harris as saying he’ll leave the bench and be a consultant for the team. … Manu Ginobili to reporters after he dropped his wedding ring during Game 3 postgame interviews: “One more turnover, eh?”
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