ESPN NBA Insider 6-2: a little Rockets news

ESPN NBA Insider 6-2: workouts,Carsilie, no GP in milwalkee
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Absentees Are the Story


What if the NBA held the Chicago pre-draft camp this week and nobody came?


That's the dilemma the organizers are facing less than a day before the camp begins Tuesday night. Like every year, the cream of the crop will skip the chance to ply their wares in front of every league executive and coach, opting instead for private workouts.

But the number of second-tier players deciding to skip Chicago is alarming. If you do the math, many of these kids are taking a major risk with their draft status by not playing.

Insider talked to agents along with several league sources to get a breakdown of who won't be playing on Tuesday.

Here are the "safe" lottery to mid-first-round candidates who'll skip the event:

LeBron James
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
T. J. Ford
Chris Kaman
Kirk Hinrich
Luke Ridnour
Reece Gaines
Dwyane Wade
Nick Collison
Michael Sweetney
Jarvis Hayes

There are also a number of top international candidates who will skip the event because their agents feel that their stock is high enough, or the player is still overseas playing for his current team:

Maciej Lampe
Mickael Pietrus
Boris Diaw
Leandrinho Barbosa
Alexsandar Pavlovic
Viktor Khryapa
Pavel Podkolzine
Carlos Delfino
Anderson Varejao
Sofaklis Schortanitis
Zaur Pachulia
Zarko Carbarkapa
Zoran Planinic
Malick Badiane
Slakvo Vranes
Kristaps Volters

That's a total of 12 "safe" Americans and 17 international players who won't be in Chicago this week. Whatever your persuasion on the international players, at the very least six to eight of them will go in the first round. It could be as high as 12.

Split the difference at seven and you're looking at only 10 spots left for everyone else. Go all the way to 12 international players, and there are only five spots left in the first round.

You can understand a little bit while college seniors like Brian Cook, Josh Howard, David West and Marcus Banks don't want to play. After four years of college, NBA scouts have scouted them to death. I know teams would like to see West play small forward and they'd like to make sure Cook is as tough as he looked his senior season, but all in all, there really isn't much for them to gain by showing up in Chicago.

The underclassmen, however, are much more puzzling.

Why are Mario Austin, Rick Rickert, Chris Thomas, Maurice Williams, Travis Outlaw, Charlie Villanueva, Kendrick Perkins and James Lang skipping Chicago?

All of them are in danger of slipping out of the first round and all have major question marks that could be answered in Chicago. How is Austin's perimeter game? Is Rickert tough enough to play inside? Is Thomas a good enough defender? Does Mo have the maturity? Are Outlaw, Villanueva, Perkins or Lang ready for the league?

We'll never know.

The good news is that there are some intriguing players who are expected to play in Chicago this year. Each of these players could really help his stock with a big performance in Chicago.

Washington State 6-foot-6 point guard Marcus Moore plans to be there. So does Duke's Dahntay Jones, BYU's Travis Hansen, LSU's Ronald Dupree, Boston College's Troy Bell, St. John's Marcus Hatten, St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson, N.C. State's Josh Powell, Hawaii's Carl English, Oklahoma's Hollis Price, Maryland's Steve Blake, Creighton's Kyle Korver, Arizona's Luke Walton, Tennessee's Ron Slay, Ball State's Brandon Hunter, North Dakota's Jerome Beasley and Slovenia's Alexander Vujacic.

Even with all those names, the NBA is hungry for more. It recently told the agents of several top international players that their clients wouldn't be invited to the NBA physical unless they played in Chicago.

Of all of the top international players in the draft, only Darko will be invited to go through the combine.

"It has nothing to do with their draft stock," one league source told Insider. "Teams want to see more talent at these events. They've seen Nick Collison a hundred times but hardly anyone has seen Lampe or Sofaklis. So we're applying a little leverage."

Will they come?

"I doubt it," the source said. "But that isn't stopping us from trying."

One NBA agent finds the league's stance pretty hypocritical.

"I was told GMs were the ones pressuring the league to keep these kids out of the physicals if they don't play," the agent told Insider. "But it's those same GMs who are telling us to keep the kids out of Chicago. If they discover a gem in workouts, it isn't in their best interest to have him audition for the entire NBA. We get a lot of mixed messages."

Coaching carousel slowing down
The 22 coaches still employed in the NBA all slept a little easier Sunday night. With word coming that Larry Brown and Paul Silas are set to accept the head coaching gigs in Detroit and Cleveland, respectively, it looks like the coaching carnage is about to end.

Both the Pistons and Cavs got it right. Will the rest of the GMs in the league follow suit?

Rick Carlisle got the Pistons as far as he was going to get them. His motivation techniques squeezed every ounce out of his players. But the constant squeezing ultimately alienated them as well. By the Eastern Conference Finals it was clear that he had lost several of his players. According to one league source, the player exit interviews with Dumars were scathing toward Carlisle. His poor relationship with the front office, especially owner Bill Davidson, was the final straw. In what is otherwise a very harmonious front office, Carlisle's surly nature stuck out like a sore thumb. And with the team bringing in a potential young superstar in Darko Milicic, Joe Dumars and company couldn't afford to screw this up. Davidson and Dumars felt like the team might regress next season. Now, with Brown in place doing what he does best, coaching, the Pistons should be able to take another step forward next season.

The Cavs also hit the jackpot with Silas. Jeff Van Gundy had the bigger name, but he also has the bigger ego. There isn't room in Cleveland for any more egos now that LeBron is rolling into town. The New York Post reported a story about a nasty exchange he had with GM Jim Paxson when Paxson asked Van Gundy if he'd commit to giving LeBron a certain amount of minutes next season. Van Gundy balked and so did the Cavs. Van Gundy denied that the exchange took place.

"I have no idea where that came from," Van Gundy told the Newark Star Ledger. "There was no difference of opinion on anything at all. All those things that were written are just not accurate. (James' minutes) never came up. I really don't know what happened, (owner) Gordon Gund and Jim Paxson are really great people, and I enjoyed speaking with them."

Even if the story wasn't true, it was believable enough. In New York it was always Van Gundy's way or the highway. The last thing Paxson needed was an ego war going on all season. As big is Van Gundy is in the coaching world, LeBron's selling the tickets, not VG. Silas will be more nuturing and more diplomatic. He'll figure out a way to motivate this team without alienating LeBron. That's all Paxson can ask for at this point.

Van Gundy has suddenly lost much of his negotiating power now. He's either got to go ahead and accept the Rockets' offer, or try to hold out in case the Blazers job comes open. Van Gundy has been eyeing Portland since he left New York. With the word now out that the Blazers will give permission to the 76ers to interview Maurice Cheeks (both sides deny it), coaching in Portland seems to be Van Gundy's only other real possibility. If Van Gundy waits too long, the Rockets will go ahead and give the job to Mike Dunleavy.

If Van Gundy does get the job in Houston, expect Dunleavy to take a job in Atlanta. He's close friends with soon-to-be new owner David McDavid. As good as the Houston job is, they still have to play in the Western Conference. In Atlanta, Dunleavy should have no problem sneaking the Hawks into the playoffs.

As we reported last week, the Raptors are set to hire Pistons assistant Kevin O'Neill. Former Cavs and Hawks czar Mike Fratello denies that he's close to an agreement with the Hornets. However, the same league source continues to insist that Fratello is the guy.

The Sixers received permission to talk with Nets assistant Eddie Jordan this weekend. If Philly can't get their hands on Maurice Cheeks, Jordan would be a great alternative. His ability to relate to players (read Allen Iverson) will give him a leg up over other candidates like Carlisle. If Cheeks does get the job in Philly, look for Jordan to still get some love in the Wizards and Clippers coaching search.

Do the Spurs still need Kidd?
Tony Parker knows that he's in for a flood of Jason Kidd-to-the-Spurs questions again. This time he's much more comfortable with them. When the questions first came up in December, no one believed that the Spurs would be in the NBA Finals. Now that Parker has the Spurs on the cusp of a championship, why exactly, do they need Kidd?

"For me it's a great honor," Parker told the San Antonio Express News. "He's the best point guard in the NBA. It's not like they choose somebody from Yugoslavia and he's nobody. He's Jason Kidd."

So does he believe his job is in jeopardy?

"Even if you have a good season, you never know," Parker said. "They can still make some trades. You're never sure in this business. Even if you're established, they can do something. Sometimes people just aren't happy."

But if Parker was general manager?

"If I was general manager?" Parker said, smiling. "I'd keep me."

They probably will. Luring Kidd away from the Nets will be harder than ever, especially if they win a championship. Besides, the Spurs will have more pressing needs next year. They'd love to move Duncan to center and bring in a top-notch power forward like Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand. If they can't land either of those guys, they're still probably better off splitting all of their cap room between someone like Michael Olowokandi and Lamar Odom.

Around the league

Gary Payton is telling folks that he won't be back in Milwaukee next season. His first choice is to land with the Lakers. If that doesn't work out he's eyeing free-agent money in San Antonio and Portland. Minnesota will also be in the running.

No wonder the Bucks are bringing in every point guard under the sun for individual draft workouts.

Central Michigan center Chris Kaman is off to a slow start in workouts. According to several team sources who have seen him work out, he doesn't appear to have the quickness or toughness they thought he had. If he continues to work out poorly, there's a chance he could slip to the Knicks at No. 9.

N.C. State sophomore Josh Powell won't be returning to school, a source close to Powell told Insider. Powell has decided to forego his college eligibility and keep his name in the draft. Several strong workouts, especially one in San Antonio, have convinced Powell to keep his name in the draft.

The 6-foot-9 forward understands that he's on the bubble for the first round, but he's feeling big-time pressure to go pro now. His mother is disabled and his family needs the money. Powell has been working on his perimeter game down in Florida the last few weeks and is trying to convince teams that he's really a long, athletic power forward. His vertical jump is off the charts and his perimeter shooting has improved dramatically.

Can he sneak into the first round? A strong performance in Chicago could get him there.

Coaching is about Relationships

Well, as the finals approach, much of the attention heading up to Game 1 has been focused on the coaching carousel that continues to go round and round.

Rick Carlisle led the Pistons to consecutive 50-win seasons, but something was missing.
Rick Carlisle became the latest in a long list of qualified and successful coaches who have either been relieved of their duties or are trying to go elsewhere. It seems Paul Silas is headed to Cleveland, Maurice Cheeks will end up in Philadelphia, Larry Brown will head to Detroit, Carlisle possibly to Portland, Jeff Van Gundy has yet to make a decision and heck, there are still several other jobs that are open.

Why Carlisle now? He's a successful young coach who, from the outside looking in, you would think was as safe as the heads of state at the G-8 summit in Geneva. His problem wasn't his inability to coach, but his inability to just get along and not rub his bosses, players, and assistant coaches the wrong way. If you look at it from Detroit's perspective, the time had to be now. They had a chance to get one of the truly great basketball coaches (if he fulfills the commitment he has made) who is the biggest marquee name out there. The credibility a coach of his stature commands makes it a lot harder for people to question the tough decisions about playing time and X and O strategy. It also gives management someone they feel they can trust to develop the young talent in Darko Milicic, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton and Mehmet Okur.

Also, they in a lot of ways did Carlisle a big favor. This is the year to be fired if you're a quality head coach, because of all the openings. With the money top coaches are getting, that $2 million Carlisle is owed becomes a non-issue. He'll have any number of other opportunities if the Trail Blazers job falls through. Carlisle isn't disgruntled, because he's not going to be unemployed for very long.

For Larry Brown, that elusive championship is a legitimate possibility in Detroit. With a little luck and a lot of Milicic, this team has a real chance -- with one or two more additions -- to do just that.

Paul Silas heading to Cleveland is a perfect fit for Lebron's development, because you need a coach who can ease the transition period for the kid as well as keep the other players on their toes. Silas is fair but a no nonsense type. He will not take anything less than a great effort, and he knows what it takes to win, all while making you feel good about yourself.

And that's a great example for Carlisle, who almost certainly can use this experience to help him brush up on his people skills. He'll surely need them in Portland, if that is his next destination. No one questions Carlisle's basketball IQ, but in today's environment you also have to deal with egos, and not just the players either -- believe it or not, management has 'em too. It's as much apart of the game as anything. You don't have to be liked by your team, but you have to be tolerated by it, and sometimes that means swallowing your ego for the good of the organization.

One thing about coaching is that while you don't treat all players the same, you have to make them feel you are approachable and fair and that you care about them as human beings. No, that doesn't mean you have to take them to dinner or attend Sunday brunch at their house, but subtle gestures that show you understand them and care about them as people go a long way in getting the most out them. That's also how you earn their respect. Then they will go to war, not just for a contract, but for you, as well. It's a rapport that takes a sincere effort on the coach's part. Obviously it comes easier for some than for others, but it's a necessary skill, nonetheless.

All the great ones have it. It allows you to be critical without the player taking it personally, because he feels you're in it with him. When you get that understanding between player and coach (or GM and coach, or coach and owner) then potential can be fulfilled. It's a quality Phil Jackson has and Greg Popovich has displayed, and it has to be sincere, because its such a fine line between success and failure in this business that often it is what a player feels for his coach that allows him to achieve greatness. Let's hope that if Rick Carlisle does end up in Portland that little lesson is learned.

Peep Show:

Philadelphia 76ers: With high-profile Larry Brown gone and the popular Maurice Cheeks still tangled up in Portland, the Sixers are eyeing Nets assistant Eddie Jordan. "My gut feeling is I think he'll get a job offer," New Jersey GM Rod Thorn said in the NY Post. "Eddie has done a fine job, I think he's well regarded and I think it's coming. It's just a matter of when." Jordan has already interviewed once with Philly and has also drawn consideration from Washington and Toronto.


Still wondering how the Philadelphia 76ers could give Larry Brown a free ticket out of town? Ronald Thillery of the Memphis Commercial has the reason: "He is basketball's equivalent of an adulterer, having regularly cheated on his employers and players, most recently those with the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown asked out of his Sixers contract with two years left claiming he'd taken the Sixers as far as he could. The truth is he didn't, having never won a ring, and then bailed when the team regressed. The Sixers' rise and fall underscores the point that Brown is mostly great in the beginning but then self-destructs before reaching a satisfactory end."

Houston Rockets: By process of elimination, Houston is now down to candidates, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Dunleavy, with Brown and Paul Silas taking jobs elsewhere. "We don't plan to talk to anyone else, though that can always change," Rocket GM Carroll Dawson said in the Houston Chronicle. "We were happy with the people we interviewed all week. We'll move on to the next part of the process soon." Rumor had it that the Rockets would have preferred Brown or Silas but with two teams eliminated from the negotiation process, than can now possibly leverage these two remaining candidates into cheaper deals.

Detroit Pistons: Still wondering how the Eastern Conference champs could fire the same guy who won Coach of the Year honors just a year before? Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press has the reason: "There were many reasons for this mutual separation, but the bottom line is that Carlisle alienated far too many people within this organization with his frequently churlish behavior and obstinate coaching approach. He ticked off the wrong people, starting with owner Bill Davidson, to whom Carlisle hadn't spoken one word for the past couple of months."

 

i think when most people think about Dunleavy knee jerk reaction is, "not being able to "finish" in the playoffs", but now that Mo Cheeks has had that same result, maybe it's safe to blame that more on Portlands players.