Sometimes you need Mother Nature to step in and help you make a tough decision. Sometimes you can only make the smart decision when all other possibilities have been stripped away. Sometimes you're so close to the situation that only through extreme circumstances can you see the error of your ways . . .and take steps to correct them.This is the case in two NBA cities, where injuries have forced changes that were drastically needed, but not yet made.
Case #1: The Houston Rockets
When the Houston Rockets acquired Ron Artest, you read in this space that he was brought in as a replacement for Tracy McGrady, not as a complementary piece. I wrote that at the time because I believed that Artest was the perfect fit for the Rick Adelman system - a fit that McGrady could never be. Adelman knew that, he communicated it, and GM Daryl Morey made it happen. Unfortunately, it took a while for the reality about McGrady to sink in. Ask any NBA fan in Toronto, Orlando, or Houston about McGrady and you'll hear a variation on theme.
"He's an amazing basketball player, but I wonder why he isn't amazing more often."
Sure, he's had some injuries, but welcome to professional sports. The difference between players who are able to log 75+ games each season and players who miss lots of games all comes down to work ethic. The guys who stay in top shape over the summer are healthier longer. Tracy has never been one to work too hard during the offseason, and it holds him back when the season starts - especially as he's gotten older (nearly 34 in NBA years). What the Rockets have gotten from Tracy is inconsistent effort on the defensive end and streaky play on the offensive end.
Since Tracy's been out, Houston has won seven-of-eight games and climbed into the fourth seed in the West. Over that stretch they're holding opponents to 87.6 points per game, improved from the just under 95 points per game they gave up prior. Adelman has his passing big man, his aggressive, hustling point guard rotation, and his defensively dominant duo in Artest and Shane Battier. The only weak spot was McGrady, and now that he's gone the Rockets are the best they've been in over a decade.
Case #2: The Detroit Pistons
The trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons was a cost-cutting move. There is no other explanation. The team sent out an MVP-caliber player who took the team to heights not achieved since GM Joe Dumars was still in shorts, and returned a player who has never been known as a great complementary piece. He had one great run with the Sixers while he was The Man, but Iverson has never been a good Answer to Denver's or now Detroit's issues.
While Chauncey Billups is leading Denver to home court advantage in the West, the team he left behind is struggling. Before Iverson went down with an injury it looked like they might fall out of the playoff picture altogether.
As in Houston, Fate had a role to play in helping Pistons head coach Michael Curry make the decision that had to be made. Rip Hamilton was playing good soldier, coming off the bench to be a good teammate, but as the team spiraled downward Hamilton became vocal about his desire to start. Now that he's back in the starting lineup the Pistons are respectable again.
The Pistons are 2-0 since a back injury took Iverson out of the rotation, and those two wins came over two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference: Orlando and Boston. Hamilton recorded 31 points (11-18FG) and six assists against Orlando, followed by 25 points, nine assists, and six rebounds against Boston. The chemistry that's been missing is back, and it's no coincidence that it's returned as Iverson sits.
In both cases, the removal of a player who has a negative impact on their respective teams has resulted in the team playing better overall. Sometimes it's not a trade that's needed to turn things around, just a little intervention on the part of Mother Nature.
Gooden, Smith Set To Decide
According to various reports we should have decisions from highly-regarded free agents Drew Gooden and Joe Smith some time this evening. The word is that each player is mulling options from the cast of title hopefuls, with the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers rumored to be willing to go multi-year to acquire their services.
The Dallas Mavericks made pitches to both players, having seen more and more instances when they could use a seven-footer with more versatility than Erick Dampier, but with teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers all interested, the Mavs aren't considered favorites to land either player.
Rumor has it that the Phoenix Suns are also shopping, with Stromile Swift supposedly being their target. HOOPSWORLD reached out to Suns GM Steve Kerr for confirmation of the rumor, but we have not heard back as of this writing. It seems odd that the Suns would be looking at Swift, who has been a non-entity in New Jersey and really hasn't impressed anyone for several years. Even Robert Horry would seem to be a more logical choice, especially given his past relationship with Kerr.
Stay tuned to HOOPSWORLD this evening, as we'll be following these situations closely and updating all night.
UPDATE: Joe Smith has signed with the Cavaliers, while Drew Gooden will soon be inked by the Spurs.
First Look At Tonight's Action
Phoenix Suns @ Orlando Magic: The Main Event, ladies and gentlemen! Old-school Superman takes on new-school Superman in a battle of bigs and two teams that love to run. Phoenix edged Orlando 113-112 in December, but that game was a no-go for Shaq and the Suns got 21 and 14 from Amar'e Stoudemire. Orlando was without Mikael Pietrus, who has in many ways been a litmus test for the Magic this season. When he plays well, they win. The Suns are flying high after a win over the Lakers and could move within a game of the Mavericks for the West's final playoff spot with a win. It will help that Steve Nash is expected to return tonight.
COURTSIDE BLOG!
Chicago Bulls @ Charlotte Bobcats: Just two games separate the Bobcats and Bulls in the standings, with Chicago tied in the loss column with the eighth-place Milwaukee Bucks. Charlotte has been waking up again as Gerald Wallace gets back into shape, and they're even starting to win close games now. Charlotte has won three straight and is looking to make a big push for postseason play. The Bulls are still seeking an identity after the trade deadline shook up their squad. Luol Deng and Emeka Okafor suffered minor injuries recently, but both are listed as "probable" tonight.
Denver Nuggets @ Detroit Pistons: Carmelo Anthony will serve a one-game suspention tonight, meaning Detroit is already set up to win their third straight game without Allen Iverson. Rip Hamilton led the Pistons to wins over the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics and they're back at .500 after ending a miserable seven-game losing streak. A loss could drop Denver one spot in the West, as hard-charging Houston takes on the Raptors tonight and is one game behind Denver for the third seed.
New Jersey Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks: It wasn't that long ago that the Nets were in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but now they've fallen to the middle of the pack of bubble teams. Milwaukee needs a win to stay in eighth, and they've been riding the brilliant play of Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions to stay alive despite major injuries. The Nets have been up and down, needing roughly half of their points to come from Devin Harris and Vince Carter to even be in a game.
Golden State Warriors @ Minnesota Timberwolves: In the ho-hum game of the night, the Timberwolves face off with the Warriors. Minny was actually starting to look pretty good before they lost Al Jefferson for the year, but have now lost six in a row. The Warriors aren't much better, with Don Nelson basically looking to play the young guys with an eye on the future. Minnesota will also be without Sebastian Telfair (groin). The Warriors could be without Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette and Roni Turiaf (flu), depending on who Nellie decides should get PT tonight.
Toronto Raptors @ Houston Rockets: The Rockets continue to climb in the standings now that they have a consistent rotation, while the Raptors are trying to implement a whole new style of play since acquiring Shawn Marion. Houston needs a win to stay a half-game ahead of the New Orleans Hornets, who have gotten hot, and could even pick up a game on Denver tonight. The Raptors are second-to-last in the East, but feel confident they can make a push for the playoffs. There's no time to waste for them in that effort.
Indiana Pacers @ Sacramento Kings: Like so many other teams in the East, the Pacers have legitimate hopes of making the playoffs. Currently three games out of eighth, the Pacers can potentially gain on both Chicago and New Jersey tonight, depending on how they fare in their games. The Kings are just riding out the season, waiting for free agency to make them legitimate again.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are smarting from their recent loss in the desert, but look for them to bounce back in a big way as the Gasol brothers square off. Kobe and Pau were brilliant against the Suns, but got little help from their friends. The supporting cast needs to step up if they're to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. The Grizz have lost seven straight, and like the Kings are just counting the days until free agency.
COURTSIDE BLOG!
