Despite the Suns' struggles, Steve Nash has yet to express an interest in being traded, league sources said. But the organization will try to accommodate Nash's wishes if the 37-year-old foundation of the franchise decides he'd like a chance to compete for a championship with a contender. "It's really on him in terms of what he wants to do or not do," a person with knowledge of the situation said. Nash, who turns 38 next week, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Perhaps this is the first step in Steve Nash leaving the sad-sack Phoenix Suns before becoming a free agent at season’s end.

After all, the two-time MVP, perennial All-Star, and sure-fire Hall of Famer is deserving of so much better than playing for Robert Sarver’s thrifty team.

Sarver’s alligator arms have forced the Suns to give away draft picks, pass on free agents, and roll out the exit map for stars Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Bottom line: what was once one of the NBA’s premier teams is now irrelevant. And Nash has wasted some productive years toiling on that irrelevant team.

Of course, he knows this.

However, Nash is reluctant to request a trade, rightfully believing such a move would  wreck his legacy with the city of Phoenix and Suns-nation.

It would be different if the club traded Nash prior to the deadline, and attributed such a trade to needing an asset for their rebuilding project.

Hopefully, Nash is freed from Phoenix. His situation has become sad. And he needs to play meaningful basketball before it’s too late.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

Our position has been the same all along, which is I've told him that he has earned the right to stay with our franchise as long as he wants provided that he believes in what we're doing, and provided that he's all in and wants to do that," Babby told SI.com. It's that last part that offers the slightest bit of wiggle room. For as much as Nash reveres his intimate relationship with the Suns' fan base, it's not as if he didn't notice the departure of players like forward Amar'e Stoudemire en route to Phoenix's decline from Western Conference finals participant in 2010 to a 40-42 record and playoff-less existence last season. He has an interesting habit in that regard, too, a frequent comment he makes that is his attempt to state the obvious: He needs more help."We're not a very talented group," he said Saturday, in his familiar refrain.

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Amid all the NBA noise, there is conspicuous silence emanating from the Arizona desert. That sound you don’t hear is Steve Nash, not asking for a trade.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: We already knew this.

We already knew Steve Nash wouldn’t compromise his values and ask the Phoenix Suns to deal him to a contender before the trade deadline.

Nash believes such a request would amount to quitting on teammates, coaches, and the organization, so he’ll keep quiet and continue playing for the Suns.

Of course, the team has a say in this, too. Nash is a free agent in July and there’s little chance he signs the last contract of his career with the sad-sack Suns.

The Suns have a choice: let Nash leave for nothing in July or move him for an asset they can rebuild around.

Make no mistake about it, the Suns will have to rebuild. And moving Nash would make the process easier.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

"It's up to the team," Nash said. "I'm happy where I am. I'm not happy with our record. I feel like I made a commitment to the fans and my teammates. But at the same time, I'd understand if the team wanted to make a move, so I'm completely open. To be honest, I just occupy myself with trying to prepare to play and play as well as I can."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Phoenix Suns want to trade Steve Nash. And Steve Nash wants to the Phoenix Suns to trade him.

Sadly, team and player can’t admit as much publicly because they fear a backlash from fans.

Right now, the Suns are struggling. Soon, they’ll begin a long, painful rebuilding process, in part, because owner Robert Sarver lacks the resources to pay top talent.

Under Sarver’s watch the Suns have said goodbye to All-Stars Joe Johnson and Robert Sarver, and traded away first round picks Rudy Fernandez and Rajon Rondo.

The reason: Sarver must watch his pocketbook because the financial meltdown crippled his banking and real estate empire.

Nash is loyal to the city of Phoenix and Suns-nation. He knows asking for a trade would ruin his relationship with the city and fans. So the two-time MVP is saying all the right things.

However, the best thing for all involved is a trade. The Suns would get an asset to begin their inevitable rebuilding process, while Nash, a free agent at season’s end, would perhaps get an opportunity at a championship.

Somebody must blink. Team or player must make the first move to dissolve this partnership.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Beijing Ducks, led by former NBA star Stephon Marbury who notched game-high 41 points on Friday night, clinched their first-ever title of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league. Edging defending champions Guangdong Hongyuan 124-121 at home, Beijing Ducks, who entered the finals for the first time, won 4-1 on aggregate in the best-of-seven series. Guangdong had been crowned seven times in the past eight seasons.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I have a confession. I never thought Stephon Marbury would be a champion in any league or at anything.

After all, Marbury had toxic traits -wearing out his welcome in Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Phoenix, and the entire NBA.

Things often got weird, too. There was his bizarre interview where he referred to his wife has his better ‘ho’. There was his preacher-like sermon when the Knicks acquired Zach Randolph. There was his role in Isiah Thomas’ sexual harassment case. There was his banishment from the New York Knicks and some bizarre youtube clips.

Too Marbury’s credit, he has moved on. The past is the past. In China, he won a championship, sold sneakers, and even served as a go-between when J.R. Smith got into trouble with his Chinese club a few months ago.

The entire episode reminds me of the redemption flick Mr. Baseball, where Tom Selleck finds his way in Japan after bottoming out with the New York Yankees. 

So, wll Marbury stay in China or return to America if he scored an offer from an NBA side? Whatever happens, it will be interesting. Things always are with Marbury.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

When asked by Patrick about possibly linking with LeBron, Nash said he’d definitely listen if the Heat came-a-courtin’.Surely he’s aware they’re capsized and luxury-payers for 2012-13.Of course, you’ve got to believe someone who has earned monster money over the course of his career could make do on a mid-exception salary ($5M) for a year or two.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Will Steve Nash become that player?

Will the two-time MVP and future member of the basketball Hall of Fame change his legacy by signing with a loaded contender at a discounted rate this summer?

Will he follow in the footsteps of Gary Payton and Jason Kidd to get his ring as a supporting piece or, in the case of Mitch Richmond, as a bench-warmer?

Well, it’s a possibility according to reports out of New York this week.

It seems the Miami Heat are interested in making Nash their point guard. Here’s the catch: he’ll have to take the Heat’s Mid Level Exception of $5 million, which represents a $6 million pay cut from his current salary of $11 million.

Of course, Nash’s legacy would change if he heads east to South Beach. The lovable, skateboarding, youtube-joking table-setter would be part of the big, bad Heat. He’d be the villain, the enemy.

However, if it’s about winning then this would be best for Nash. After all, he’s 38-years old and can’t keep beating Father Time with his gluten free diet and hippie Canadian ways.

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

And he let everyone know it by celebrating his last 3-pointer of the game — an overtime game-winner he rattled in from 25 feet out to beat the NBA”s winningest team — by spinning around and screaming, “This is my house!” “Yeah, I did say that,” (Carmelo) Anthony admitted with a laugh. “It was just that they were talking some trash out there, in the moment.” If this is a preview of what a first-round playoff showdown between the Knicks and Bulls and Anthony versus Rose, is going to be like, then bring it on.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New York is finally starting to accept and love Carmelo Anthony.

For a year or so, Knick fans were questioning the acquisition of Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. After all, the trade was the doing of owner James Dolan, while former lead executive Donnie Walsh was opposed to breaking up a promising squad for the All-Star forward.

Initially, the results were mixed. Very mixed.

Anthony couldn’t click with fellow star Amar’e Stoudemire and coach Mike D‘Antoni. His shot selection was questionable. And the Knicks were losing more than they were winning.

Enter Mike Woodson.

The former Atlanta Hawks sideline boss started the year as an assistant but replaced D’Antoni after the former Phoenix Suns coach resigned in March.

Woodson immediately empowered Anthony, telling him he’d get more touches on offense and, in turn, would be held accountable. The results have been overwhelmingly positive -as the Knicks are winning more and Anthony has greater balance to his game.

Not surprisingly, the fans have responded to him.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.


 

Eric Gordon is a fan of New Orleans, which should come as welcome news to, well, New Orleans fans. He loves the food, the laid-back vibe and the folks who support the last-place Hornets despite being given so many reasons to stay away. Bring up the coach (that's second-year man Monty Williams for you non-loyalists), and the 23-year-old shooting guard who will be a restricted free agent this summer makes it sound as if he never wants to leave.

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Broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns, John Bloom, tweeted: ``Jamal Crawford just told EJ on press row and Alvin Gentry on the sidelines that he needs to be here in Phoenix with  Blazer teammates nearby.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Talk about awkward.

Jamal Crawford has a team, contract, and role for 2012. He’s a combo guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. Sometimes he starts, sometimes he comes off the bench.

This minor detail didn’t prevent the Seattle native from marketing his services for 2013. Apparently, Crawford thinks he’d fit with the Phoenix Suns and told their coach, Alvin Gentry, as much.

Here’s the problem: the Blazers were playing the Suns when this happened.

In the middle of the game, Crawford, in front of his Blazer teammates and coaches, tried to sell himself to the Suns’ coach as a potential off-season signing.

Crawford, who signed with the Blazers this off-season, apparently will exercise his option on 2013, leave $5 million on the table, and become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Of course, players who sell themselves to one team while (literally) playing for another team typically come with a buyer’s beware tag.

Crawford may find being assertive has hurt his market value.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Lakers’ Metta World Peace has been suspended for seven games without pay for striking the Thunder’s James Harden in the head with his elbow, the NBA announced today. [...] “The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the head area,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for players with a history of on-court altercations.”

The suspension will begin with the Lakers’ next game at Sacramento on April 26. The remaining games of the suspension will be served over the next six games in which the player is eligible and physically able to play, including this season’s playoffs.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Justice wasn’t merciful.

Today, the NBA dropped the hammer on Metta World Peace by suspending the Los Angeles Lakers forward seven games for his lethal elbow to the head of Oklahoma City Thunder swing James Harden.

Harden is listed as day-to-day with a concussion and could return tomorrow or miss several months. There’s no set timetable for such an injury.

Peace, to his credit, immediately apologized to Harden and the Thunder, but tried to say the incident was an ‘unintentional’ outpouring of emotion after a dunk.

Say what?

The NBA, specifically Vice President Stu Jackson, deserves criticism for past rulings -just ask Phoenix Suns fans about the bitter taste from the Amar’e Stoudemire suspension so many years ago. This, however, is not one of them.

Peace’s elbow, intentional or not, has taken out the Thunder’s third best player and designated game-changer off the bench. Their chances at a championship aren’t the same.

The only fair punishment is to have Peace sit for a lengthy period. One or two games wouldn’t be 'stern' enough, especially if Peace returned to the court while Harden recovered.

So the NBA got this one right. Sadly, two of the league’s top teams, the Lakers and Thunder, won’t be at their best when the playoffs begin.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

On the chances of him staying in Phoenix: "Honestly, I have no clue. I couldn’t predict. I don’t know what the future holds at this point. And I’m actually OK with that. I think now’s the time to maybe get some distance from it and try to find a clear perspective on where I am. Until I do that, I couldn’t put a number on it or take a guess on what the chances are on whether I’ll be back or not."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is the end of the line for Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns.

Although fit and productive, Nash is in his late thirties and the window to win a championship is quickly closing. In fact, that window is shut if he re-ups with the Suns -as Robert Sarver’s club is starting to rebuild.

So expect the two-time MVP and first ballot Hall of Fame table-setter to head elsewhere for the Mid Level Exception in July when he hits free agency.

A few possibilities:

• The Miami Heat could use a veteran point guard; however, Nash would, at times, have to play off the ball if he wanted to successfully partner with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
• Mike D’Antoni, the architect of Seven Seconds or Less, is gone, but the New York Knicks could use help even if Jeremy Lin makes a full recovery and re-signs in 2013.
• The Raptors need some sort of shtick to sell tickets and keep fans interested. Nash, a patriotic Canadian, could be open to heading north of the border despite Toronto being thousands of miles from his home of Victoria, British Columbia.

There’s an argument that Nash will re-sign with the Suns because his three children live with his ex-wife in Phoenix, Arizona. Of course, family matters. But Nash is, and always has been, highly competitive. His drive took him from being an unheralded Canadian prospect to one of the faces of the NBA.

And his drive will force him to leave Phoenix and most likely sign with a competitive squad next season.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Chicago Bulls are making moves to try and acquire either Steve Nash or Jason Kidd this summer.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Not a bad move since Rose won't be around.

Sources are now reporting that the Chicago Bulls are making inquiries to the Suns and Mavs looking to acquire either Steve Nash or Jason Kidd. This indicates that Rose will almost definitely miss all of next year, but it also indicates the Bulls are confident that if they acquire a solid point guard they can still make a run at a championship in 2013. 

In just over 24 hours, the Phoenix Suns have completely overhauled their roster.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: If you're a Suns fan, you have to be happy with the overall aggressiveness and the direction.

A feud between Steve Nash and Jason Richardson makes Lakers pass on Richardson.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It pays to get along even in the NBA. Shocking!

It's over Scott; pack your shit and move on with your life.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Who will Milwaukee blame next when they continue to suck after this?

The Los Angeles Lakers blew a 13-point fourth quarter lead Wednesday night and lost to the Phoenix Suns 92-86.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  It's hard to be a believer in this Lakers team.

17 and 18 years ago today, Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon joined the exclusive 10,000 rebound club.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Weren't those Rockets uniforms terrible at that time?

The only thing worse was the huge rocket they had at half court, that covered literally, about  half of the court.

Barkley's 10,000th rebound came during his last season in Phoenix in the first quarter of a victory over the Grizzlies on February 19th, 1996. Having already scored 20,000 points in his career, he became just the 10th NBA player to accumulate 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. Barkley finished his career with the 18th most rebounds in NBA history, with 12,546. Amazingly for his career, Barkley never averaged less than double digit rebounds per season, ever. He truly was "The Round Mound Of Rebound." Throw in his assist totals and Barkley is one of just four players with 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists, with Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone being the other three.

Olajuwon finished 11th all-time with a total of 13,748. He accomplished the feat a year earlier, during a nine rebound performance over the Knicks on February 19th, 1995 and it made him the ninth player in NBA history to crack the 20,000 point/10,000 rebound plateau.

In all the years of NBA action, only 16 players have collected 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds (active players in bold):

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 38,387 points & 17,440 rebounds
2. Karl Malone - 36,928 points & 14,698 rebounds
3. Wilt Chamberlain - 31,419 points & 23,924 rebounds
4. Shaquille O'Neal - 28,255 points & 12,921 rebounds
5. Moses Malone - 27,409 points & 16,212 rebounds
6. Elvin Hayes - 27,313 points & 16,279 rebounds
7. Hakeem Olajuwon - 26,946 points & 13,748 rebounds
8. Patrick Ewing - 24,815 points & 11,607 rebounds
9. Charles Barkley - 23,757 points & 12,546 rebounds
10. Robert Parish - 23,334 points & 14,715 rebounds
11. Elgin Baylor - 23,149 points & 11,463 rebounds
12. Kevin Garnett - 22,267 points & 12,188 rebounds
13. Walt Bellamy - 20,941 points & 14,241 rebounds
14. Bob Pettit - 20,880 points & 12,849 rebounds
15. David Robinson - 20,790 points & 10,497 rebounds
16. Tim Duncan - 20,641 points & 11,335 rebounds

Chuck and Hakeem joined some esteemed company 17 and 18 years ago today.

Sadly, the above quote is not fiction; I witnessed it first hand at a friend’s house yesterday while watching the NCAA tournament.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: The younger generations are screwed.

18 years ago today, Mario Elie and the Houston Rockets capped off a ridiculous comeback.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Phoenix dominated the regular season for two years, only to be eliminated in the playoffs by the streaking Rockets both times.

From NBA.com:

Houston’s Mario Elie sank a three-pointer from the corner with 7.1 seconds left in the game, lifting the visiting Rockets to a 115-114 win over Phoenix in Game 7 of their Western Conference Semifinal Round series at America West Arena. With the win, the Rockets became the first NBA team in 13 years (since the ‘82 Sixers against Boston) to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-7 playoff series. Houston’s victory also broke a string of 20 consecutive wins by the home team in the deciding Game 7 of a playoff series. Just 24 hours later, Indiana repeated that feat by the road team after downing host New York 97-95 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Round series.

Check out the video here:

For Elie, it was the beginning of what would be a pivotal role during the Rockets run to the 1995 NBA title. After being a bench player all season, Elie was inserted into the starting lineup for the Finals and played the best basketball of his career. Elie averaged 16.3 points per game, almost double his regular season average, while shooting a 64% from the field. He was also 8 for 14 (.571) from the three-point line, hitting 7 of 10 three-pointers in Games 3 and 4.

The Rockets were already a ridiculously deep squad, so when Elie stepped up and started producing, the Orlando Magic had no answer as the Rockets romped to a 4-0 series sweep.

The shot Elie hit to seal the series victory over the Suns was particularly deflating to Suns fans. Not only because it ended their '95 season, but the previous year in the playoffs the Rockets also defeated the Suns in a seven game series after the Suns opened up a 3-1 series lead.

Ouch.

Derrick Rose recently said that the current NBA lockout is “not our fault.” That makes sense. He is a player. He is a part of the Player’s Union. Captain Obvious is obvious. Why would he state something that does not need to be said? It’s not just Rose, but for the rest of the players. This generic statement is an easy statement to make. We understand the need to put blame on someone. Someone has to go down. Upon further examination, is the blame truly on the owners? 

Every year, a few teams are capable of knocking off a contender. They are often slept-on and overlooked. Throw in a condensed, do-or-die seven game series and these Cinderella candidates need signs saying ‘proceed with caution’.

For most, the weekend is about rest, relaxation, and reflection. Well, not here at Breaking Down The NBA. While you’re chilling, we’re droppping a little venom called the Weekend Rant …

-Guess who is back?

After months of looking washed up, over the hill, and slow afoot, Manu Ginobili has found his old form for the San Antonio Spurs. Love him or hate him, the Argentine swing is again driving opponents crazy with his scoring prowess and trademark flops.

I just watched a Youtube clip featuring Vince Carter slipping on a banana peel against the Charlotte Bobcats during a cross over move. I do not know what to make of it. He could have stepped on a wet spot. Yep, that’s what it was; a wet spot. Got it. I’m also taking it as a sign to think about his career. The high flying explosive Vince Carter disappeared after 2008 and currently does not live here. 

The Knicks just need to look at the other bench tonight to see what their offense is supposed to look like. Nash, who ran D’Antoni’s system to perfection, was averaging an NBA-high 10.1 assists before last night’s 118-97 loss to the Bulls, even though he will turn 38 next month. That’s why The Post has reported the Knicks plan to target Nash (along with Jameer Nelson and Raymond Felton) with this summer’s $5 million mid-level exception.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Nothing new here.

The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, and will try to sign the sure-fire Hall of Famer this summer when he becomes a free agent. 

After all, the Knicks are coached by Mike D'Antoni, Nash's old coach and mentor. And they need a reliable table-setter to deliver the ball to scorers Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. And Nash lives in New York during the summer, so the transition would be easy.

In fact, the only surprise is the Knicks waiting until summer. Why not pursue Nash now and enhance their chances of playoff run?

Well, the Suns and their two-time MVP are playing chess. Both sides know a parting of the ways is inevitable, but neither wants to make the first move.

Sun fans would never forgive owner Robert Sarver for dealing Nash. And they'd never see Nash in the same light if he requested a trade.

This, however, won't stop the Knicks from pursuing Nash. Not now, and not six months from now if he gets to free agency.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

The Quick Hit: In the cut-throat, win-now, 24-7 news cycle world of professional basketball, NBA teams face intense pressure from fans to tinker, tweak, and, occasionally, blow-up the roster.

For instance, the Phoenix Suns, partly because of fan outcry, had been flip-flopping on whether to move Amar'e Stoudemire. Hours before the February 18th trade deadline, the club told their superstar he wouldn’t be changing areas codes. Then, at the last minute, the Houston Rockets made an offer: Shane Battier, Luis Scola and draft picks for Stoudemire.

Very excited about Michael Redd joining the team. Great offensive weapon. He will be a welcome addition.

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Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the signing of Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire as the cover athlete for the NBA '08 franchise, due to hit stores October 2007.

Unrestricted free agent and former Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown will sign a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN the Magazine's Chris Broussard on Thursday.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Oh, the highlights will be plentiful.

Just imagine: Steve Nash gets the outlet and starts the break; Shannon Brown bolts down court filling the lane; Brown takes the pass in mid-air and crams an alley-oop of epic proportions.

Expect this scenario. Again and again.

Brown signing a one-year deal with the Suns will be a boon for Youtube; hoop heads will scour over his highlight reel jams off Nash dimes.

Entertainment aside, this will do little for the Suns. They need real, tangible changes. And Brown -a nice but hardly spectacular signing – doesn't provide a long-term direction.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

A recent Shaquille O’Neal rumor has him close to signing a deal with the Boston Celtics to go on another adventure of ring chasing. It’s sad to see the old man like this chasing these things when he already has four. He is also a shell of his former self. The new generation of fans will probably only remember Shaq within the past 4 years. The long time fans barely remember O’Neal during his Orlando Magic days. Please don’t forget – Shaq was the most physically dominant center in the last 30 years.

With just about two weeks left before the NBA All Star Game the highlights of Vince Carter dominating the 2000 Slam Dunk contest are beginning to circulate in ever increasing frequency. Carter literally introduced the world to dunks most people had never seen before and did it with a fire and passion that has never been matched by any subsequent dunk contest contestant.
 

The Phoenix Suns will move forward without Vince Carter on their roster. Carter’s full $18 million salary for this season would have been guaranteed if not released within 72 hours of the official start of free agency.

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"I think that the Bulls should be very busy, they should look at Rip Hamilton who may be released from Detroit," Gill said. "Vince Carter is an older player, but still has a lot left in the tank. The Bulls need an upgrade at 2-guard, which Vince Carter can fill."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Memo to the Chicago Bulls. Don’t sign Vince Carter -even if he’s available at a low wage.

Yes, the Chicago Bulls need a scorer to take pressure off 2011 MVP Derrick Rose, however, Carter is not the answer.

The former Slam Dunk Champ’ and All-Star is no longer Half-Man, Half Amazing. The days of Kenny Smith screaming ‘it’s ova’ have passed.

Remember, Carter flopped with Orlando, and lost his starting job to the solid-but-hardly spectacular Jared Dudely in Phoenix.

So, what could Carter offer Chicago?

Well, not much. The once athletic swing is too much of a perimeter player, often refusing to attack the basket and settling for low percentage fade-aways.

The Bulls would be better off pouncing on Rip Hamilton once he’s waived by the Detroit Pistons as part of the amnesty provision in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Hamilton, provided he's happy, can score and is an upgrade over Carter on defense.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Before his broadcasting days and before he took over as GM of the Phoenix Suns, Steve Kerr was the sharpshooter who played next to Michael Jordan. 

Here’s a video of Kerr describing his first impressions of Jordan. As usual, watch the video and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe is proud to welcome Marija Kero, better known to many of you as The Knicks Chick, to the team. Marija will be checking in with videoblogs covering everything from her beloved Knicks to Ron Artest's latest hair-related mishap. In her first piece, Marija shares her thoughts on Boston's bad temper, the surging Mavs and the ghosts of NYK past appearing in the postseason. 

We know they’re chasing the big cash, but are they worth the dollars they are looking for? Forget the regular season. The playoffs are the true indicators of their worth.

A young kid entered war full of determination, grit, and gung ho. He doesn’t know much about anything since he sports the usual traits of youth – ignorance, naïveté, and innocence. Once this kid endures battle after battle, the fighting spirit gets worn down somewhere. The kid loses yet gets wiser with each step. He makes many mistakes. Some soldiers leave and disappear. The squadron is rebuilt with new warriors who mirror the kid before war. Some of them might be better and some will not.

I start taking a couple of steps towards Pat. Udonis Haslem steps in and I shove him out of the way. Then Zo tries to grab me. I threw him aside like he was a rag doll.Now it's me and Riley face-to-face, jaw to jaw. I'm poking him in the chest and he keeps slapping my finger away and it's getting nasty. Noisy, too. He's yelling "F--- you!" and I'm yelling back, "No, f--- you!" Zo is trying to calm us both down and he has this kind of singsong panic in his voice. He keeps saying, "Big fella, no big fella, big fella!" I finally turn around and tell him, "Don't worry. I'm not going to hit the man. Do you think I'm crazy?"

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Shaquille O’Neal’s tell-all tour continues. No player, coach, man, or woman will be spared.

The future Hall of Fame center has a spill-the-beans book coming out, so he and his people have leaked excerpts to create a buzz.

Like O’Neal’s World Wars with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Like O`Neal`s take on LeBron James ignoring Coach Mike Brown in Cleveland. Like O`Neal`s lack of a relationship with iconic center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The latest: O’Neal nearly fought Pat Riley, also known as the oil slick, during practice with Miami. Of course, O’Neal says he was heroically sticking up for teammate Jason Williams.

This may or may not be true. There’s no disputing O’Neal has had problems with coaches.

There was the fallout with Riley. There were problems with Phil Jackson, another all-time great on the sideline. And he undermined Terry Porter in Phoenix.

So before blaming others, O’Neal should perhaps look inward first. This, however, is unlikely.

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Amar'e Stoudemire believes he knows where to place the blame for the NBA's aggressive stance against the players' union: the owner of his former team, the Phoenix Suns. "[Robert] Sarver, for sure," Stoudemire said. "He's probably the main guy that's pushing for this lockout."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I didn’t think Robert Sarver, the owner of the Phoenix Suns, could look much worse.

After all, he single-handedly decimated the Suns, refusing to re-sign Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire and selling first round draft picks like action figures on E-Bay.

Well, I was wrong.

Fair or not, Sarver is seen as the hardline owner who held up the two sides agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement a few weeks back.

And his comments about wanting to take the mid level exception home in a handbag to his wife and sitting out the entire year were asinine and stupid.

The players are taking note. Starting with the Suns' former star in Stoudemire, who saw first hand how Sarver's nickel and dimming destroyed his chances of winning  a championship in Arizona.

It’s not that Sarver doesn’t have a right to speak his mind. It’s that he lacks the credibility for anyone to listen.

The lockout has made that point even clearer.

-O.Sandor.

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As a veteran, Nash said an NBA championship ring was still a strong lure for him, but he said he would not change teams to achieve that goal.

"Every player wants the ring. We were very close to it many times. Changing teams may be a way. But I don't think I will join another team; I prefer to stay in Phoenix. Hopefully, we can go further next season," said Nash.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Steve, hope is not a strategy for you or your Phoenix Suns.

While visiting China on behalf of his sponsors, Nash told the assembled media his preference was to close his eyes, cross his fingers, and ’hope’ his Phoenix Suns achieve better results.

Lets be clear: what else can Nash do?

He’s too classy to publicly call out Robert Sarver, the Suns’ thrifty owner who refuses to spend on the necessary talent to contend, let alone win a championship.

He’s too classy to publicly call out GM Lon Babby, who first acquired Hedo Turkoglu and then sent the Turkish swing to Orlando for another underachiever in Vince Carter.

And he’s too classy to publicly call out his teammates, who seem a little too interested in taking shots at each other via the media.

Right now, Nash can only grin and bear the Suns. Of course, he can hope. Sadly, this is what the future Hall of Fame point guard has been reduced to.

--Oly Sandor.

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Marcin said that on his first day in Phoenix he asked Robin if practice started on the court or with a video session. Robin told Marcin that he didn't know so Gortat went to the gym while Lopez went to watch video. According to Gortat, a coach came to get him and asked why he was late and Marcin said that he had asked Robin and was told he didn't know where practice was starting. The coach said everyone knew where they were supposed to be. Marcin took that as a sign of where things stood between himself and Lopez.

Gortat went on to talk about the opportunity that Lopez had to earn and keep the starting job.

"This guy (Lopez) had such a big chance, such a big opportunity, to play in the best league. When I was Orlando, playing behind Dwight (Howard), I was praying to get a chance to play and he (Lopez) has had this chance for two years and he didn't take.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Sport is competitive.

Every night teams compete, and every night teammates compete for playing time, touches, and shots, which determines the zeros on their contracts.

The tiff between Phoenix Suns teammates Marcin Gortat and Robin Lopez is about as surprising as the current pissing match between Commissioner David Stern and Union Head Billy Hunter.

The Suns weren’t winning, so Lopez and Gortat focused on the starting center position. And it got petty -fast.

Gortat publicly accused Lopez of sabotaging his first day with the Suns by intentionally telling him practice began in the video room when it began on-court.

However, the Polish post was just warming up. He then mocked Lopez for not taking advantage of the opportunity given to him by the Suns.

On the one hand, Gortat is about as wrong as you can get. He can’t call Lopez out to the media for what`s likely a miscommunication.

On the other hand, Gortat is right: Lopez, for whatever reason, hasn’t seized the moment and performed near expectations.

Of course, Gortat vs. Lopez isn’t going anywhere. Both want to start. Both are intense. Neither will back down. 

When the season begins, Coach Alvin Gentry should encourage competition, but can’t let his centers become a distraction like Brenadan Haywood and Etan Thomas with the Washington Wizards.

--Oly Sandor.

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Vince Carter may realize that his time in Phoenix is pretty much up – how short it was – but he still wants to play ball. Not overseas.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s no slam dunk that the former Slam Dunk Champion can average 12-15 points per night for a contender.

Right now, Vince Carter is an unrestricted free agent. Some feel ‘Half-Man, Half-Amazing’ can re-invent himself as a second-unit, game-changer for a contender.

I’m not so sure, though.

On a contender, everybody defends. No exceptions. Any contender would have reservations about adding a one-way scorer, like Carter, who resembles a statue in his own end.

Those who don’t defend on contenders –again, like Carter – find themselves on the bench. They stay on that bench for the season. They only play in a blowout or a pinch.

If Carter can’t get on the floor for meaningful minutes, how can he average 12-15 points per night for a contender?

Let’s suppose, for a minute, Carter gets a chance to prove his worth at training camp. He struggled to score with the up-and-down Phoenix Suns, even though defense was optional and Steve Nash, the league’s great playmaker, was setting-the-table.

With a contender, he won’t be a first, second, or third option. And Carter, in recent years, has stopped attacking the hoop, settling for fall-away shots, weak drives, and long-range jumpers.

The coaching staffs of contending teams know this. Or they’ll quickly discover this. So do the league’s best players. They’ll all tire of him quickly.

For Carter, it may be a one year deal for the minimum with a small market or nothing. Yes, nothing. The NBA’s great enigma will continue fading to black.

--Oly Sandor.

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As a free agent, J-Rich has reached a critical point in his career: Does he sign with a team that can pay him the most money or take less to play with a contender?

Obviously, he would love to have the best of both worlds. He might be able to find that with the Chicago Bulls, who are in need of a quality starting shooting guard.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is Jason Richardson the difference between the Chicago Bulls winning and losing the Eastern Conference?

The answer: at best, a maybe. Sure, Richardson is talented. Sure, he has range. Sure, he’s arguably the top free agent shooting-guard. And sure, the Bulls need a scorer.

Richardson is 31-years old, though. While still solid, he was deemed expendable by the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Phoenix Suns. His latest club, the Orlando Magic, have little interest in extending him.

A large part of this had to do with money. Charlotte and Phoenix, two smaller markets, had trouble swallowing Richardson’s big-ticket. For financial reasons, they cut ties.

A large part of this had to with skill. More and more, Richardson stopped using his athleticism to attack and defend, and seemed content on shooting three-pointers.

Who knows what role the off-court stuff played? Richardson was charged with Driving Under the Influence and reckless driving. Of course, there was also this.

Richardson is a risk. His value on the open market will be hard to gauge because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Chicago should ask Richardson for a contender discount. If he refuses, they should look elsewhere for their difference-maker.

--Oly Sandor.

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He watched Jason Kidd, a fellow rookie of the year, win his first title last month, and is willing to keep striving for an opportunity to play in the Finals. Hill's career has gone from one of promise, to misfortune, to longevity, and he is willing to wait out a potentially long lockout.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: To pull a ‘J-Kidd’, he can't re-sign with the Phoenix Suns.

The end is near for the 38-year old Grant Hill. The former Duke legend and NBA All-Star doesn't believe the end is now, though.

Instead, he’ll wait for the lockout to end and, inspired by Dallas Mavericks legend Jason Kidd, try for a championship.

Here’s the thing: Hill won’t win with the Phoenix Suns. Heck, Hill might not see the playoffs if he stays in Arizona.

This falls on Suns owner Robert Sarver. He doesn’t have the resources to sign and/or keep talent. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement won't do enough for Sarver, even if there's a hard cap with flexibility.

So Hill will have to leave as a free agent. He will have to part with pal Steve Nash. He will have to risk injury by forging a relationship with new trainers.

This seems scary, but Hill has survived numerous ankle surgeries, a life saving procedure in Orlando, failures at the pro‘ level, and unfortunate comments in a documentary by former rival Jalen Rose.

Free agency won’t phase him. Hill will weigh his options and do what's best. In a year, like Kidd, he could also be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy. 

--Oly Sandor.

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"There have been renewed whispers the Knicks have inquired about Suns point guard Steve Nash, who lives in SoHo in the offseason. The Knicks have talked internally about trading Chauncey Billups for Nash as both have expiring contracts. But there does not appear any reason for Suns owner Robert Sarver to make a move and give Mike D'Antoni a chance to reunite with his favorite son."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The whispers won’t die. Steve Nash continues to be connected to the New York Knicks.

Here’s the latest Nash-to-New York tidbit: the Knicks want to send veteran Chauncey Billups to the Phoenix Suns for the charismatic Canadian.

This rumor works for two reasons. First, Billups and Nash both have expiring deals. They make similar money. So the contracts match.

Second, it’s 2012 or bust for Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. ‘Mr. Seven Seconds or Less’ must exceed expectations to earn another contract from owner James Dolan.

Enter Nash.

The two-time MVP is the best point guard to run D’Antoni’s system. Nash’s passing and creativity would help former Phoenix teammate Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony post career numbers.

The Knicks would entertain. Madison Square Gardens would be fun. And they’d probably win, which means D’Antoni gets his extension.

There's a complication: Phoenix owner Robert Sarver won’t trade Nash. This may be posturing, though.

Sarver would part ways with any asset if given enough of a financial incentive. The outspoken owner was particularly hard hit by the financial downturn.

Perhaps Nash finally joins the Knicks. Perhaps it’s as simple as meeting Sarver’s price.

--Oly Sandor.

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One player said Chauncey Billups, especially after he got injured, did far more coaching on the bench and in the huddle during the playoffs than (Mike) D'Antoni, and "made a helluva lot more sense." In private, the Suns veterans -- excluding Steve Nash, perhaps -- similarly degrade D'Antoni.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Two non-playoff teams provided a classic ankle breaker.

Last night, Michael Beasley crossed up Jared Dudley with time running out in a meaningless but entertaining game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns.

Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts on Beas’ embarassing Dudley in the comment box below.   

--Oly Sandor.

"That's the whole goal now," Stoudemire said. "I always play better in the postseason. I want to be 100 percent healthy to keep that trend going. The good news is it's getting better by the second. I'll play sooner than later."

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Suns coach Alvin Gentry inserted center Marcin Gortat and swingman Jared Dudley into the starting lineup, putting Gortat into the spot of Robin Lopez, who had been groomed as a future franchise center, and Dudley in place of guard Vince Carter, who likely won't be with the Suns next season.

Gortat, 27, has received minutes and produced the numbers as if he were a starter and embraces the idea of a bigger role in the future. Sunday was his first start as a Suns center after receiving one previous start at power forward alongside Lopez.

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The New Orleans Hornets gutted out a 121-117 overtime victory over Utah here Thursday night, but in the process may have lost power forward David West for an extended period of time with a left knee injury.

West sustained what is being termed as “left knee trauma” on a driving slam dunk with 22.5 to go in regulation. West landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled under him. Team medical staff came out and he was eventually taken off the floor in a wheelchair.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Who would’ve thought Thursday’s clash between the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz would have everything?

There were buzzer-beaters, graceful flip-shots from ungraceful power forwards, and injuries.

Unfortunately, Emeka Okafor’s game-tying prayer off the glass and Paul Millsap’s underhand scoop were overshadowed by David West’s season ending knee injury.

West, who was 9-for-16 with 20 points, went down hard after missing a dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter. Today, reports indicate he has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season and playoffs.

Fortunately, the Hornets acquired Carl Landry at the trade deadline. In the short term, the undersized Landry should replace West’s points and rebounds, and keep the club in the playoff race.

(The Hornets currently sit at seventh in the Western Conference. They have a three game edge over the ninth place Houston Rockets, with the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz hot on their trail.)

An interesting thought: has West played his last game for the Hornets?

He was expected to opt-out of his contract and hit free agency July 1st. Perhaps the uncertainty surrounding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and an injury changes West’s plans.

The Hornets have had an ‘interesting’ year: there was Chris Paul’s off-season trade demand; the team got off to a blazing start under rookie coach Monty Williams; then there were the mid-season speed bumps; the NBA, of course, stepped in and bought the team, prompting rumors about their future in The Big Easy.

Now West, their second leading scorer, is done. What else can happen?

--Oly Sandor.

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‘That’s probably been the biggest mystery for our team,’ coach Alvin Gentry said when asked why Lopez’s progression has stopped. ‘In actuality, we really thought that he would probably be the second-most-important guy on our team, especially if he took a big leap. I’m not real sure if it’s the injury or what, but he hasn’t been able to give us the consistent play that we thought we’d be able to get from him. We could use it. It’s something that has hurt us a bit. We haven’t really had much inside play. Gortat gives us some. Other than that, we’ve been pretty much resigned to the fact that we’re a perimeter team. That hurts you when you’re going to rely on jump shots night in and night out, even as good of a shooting team as we are.’”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Robin Lopez, for the most part, has been an enigma for the Phoenix Suns.

He has the skill-set to be a solid player; however, his emotions and lack of confidence continue to hold him back.

Coach Alvin Gentry’s recent comments show that the Suns are finally running out of patience. Fortunately, they have a solution on the roster in Marcin Gortat.

The Polish post, acquired from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson, does the things Lopez either can’t or won’t.

Gortat is active, physical, and productive. If this continues, he’ll replace Lopez in the Suns’ starting line-up.

And it can’t be soon enough. After all, the Suns, who sit at 10th in the Western Conference, are on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

So everybody must play their best. The Suns have no time for an enigma.

--Oly Sandor.

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