Matt Barnes (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 13.6 Pts, 7.3 Rbds, 3.7/2.2 Ast-TO ratio, 42.3% FG, 34.3% 3Pt

Upside: Decent scoring off bench, versatile, match-up problems as a guard, solid rebounding as a guard

Downside: Not a good defender, career inefficiency (career 12.4 PER, when average is about 15.0), mediocre passer

Verdict: For $2 million tops and one year, this might work out well, but, if we're truly going for a team oriented around defense, this isn't the guy we need.

Rashad McCants (SG)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 18.1 Pts, 3.6 Rbds, 2.2/2.1 Ast-TO ratio, 39.3% FG, 33.3% 3Pt

Upside: Dependable scoring off the bench, athletic, usually not such a poor shooter (43.1% career FG%)

Downside: Poor shooting last year, career inefficiency (career 12.9 PER), poor Ast-TO ratio, will likely make $3 million or more next season

Verdict: Better scorer than Barnes, but a poorer shooter with less versatility, and, ultimately, not worth the money he'll command on the FA market.

Marquis Daniels (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 15.5 Pts, 5.3 Rbds, 2.4/2.0 Ast-TO ratio, 45.1% FG, 20.0% 3Pt

Upside: Good scorer, versatile, can log big minutes

Downside: Average defender, fairly one-dimensional, likely to be expensive (almost $7 million last year)

Verdict: He seems like a poor man's John Salmons, but he's probably going to be paid as much as Salmons, so he's not worth it.

Anthony Parker (SG)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 11.7 Pts, 4.3 Rbds, 3.7/1.6 Ast-TO ratio, 42.6% FG, 39.0% 3Pt

Upside: Low turnover rate, good leader, high basketball IQ, good range (career 45.8 FG% and 41.4 3PT%)

Downside: Well past his prime, slowing on both ends (particularly on D), 34 years old

Verdict: If he commands anywhere near the salary he made this past season, which was over $4.5 million, then I say hell no. If he settles for less than $2 million, I would be happy to have him for a year.

Rodney Carney (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 14.4 Pts, 3.8 Rbds, 0.8/1.3 Ast-TO ratio, 41.6% FG, 35.0% 3Pt

Upside: Versatile, decent scorer off the bench, low turnover rate, bargain price (likely less than $2 million)

Downside: Lack of experience, mediocre shooter, fairly one-dimensional player

Verdict: The price isn't too bad, but we can likely do better.

Keith Bogans (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 10.3 Pts, 5.7 Rbds, 1.8/1.2 Ast-TO ratio, 36.7% FG, 33.9% 3Pt

Upside: Above average defensively for a backup, versatile

Downside: Low FG%, limited abilities

Verdict: We should be able to do better.

Luther Head (PG-SG)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 10.8 Pts, 3.8 Rbds, 4.2/1.8 Ast-TO rate, 38.2% FG, 37.0% 3Pt

Upside: Good range, can play both guard spots, decent Ast-TO ratio

Downside: Poor shooting year in 08-09, mediocre defender, small for a SG

Verdict: For less than $1 million I would say go for it, but he wouldn't offer much to the team.

Von Wafer (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 17.9 Pts, 3.3 Rbds, 2.1/1.7 Ast-TO ratio, 44.7% FG, 39.0% 3Pt

Upside: Good bench scorer, impressive range, showed solid improvement last season, respectable on defense

Downside: Undersized at SF, limited passing and rebounding

Verdict: Was paid under $1 million last year, but will command more on the FA market. If he's cheap, he would be a great asset to add to the team. Look for multiple teams to go after him.

Gerald Green (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 19.1 Pts, 5.2 Rbds, 1.4/3.2 Ast-TO ratio, 43.9% FG, 30.4% 3Pt

Upside: Freakishly athletic, big as a guard, versatile

Downside: Hasn't played big minutes in recent years, high TO rate, limited as a SG, range needs to improve

Verdict: His athleticism is exciting, but he's much more of a SF than a SG, so he's probably not a good fit for the Bulls.

Wally Szczerbiak (G-F)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 12.2 Pts, 5.5 Rbds, 1.9/1.3 Ast-TO ratio, 45.0% FG, 41.1% 3Pt

Upside: Very good 3Pt shooter, shoots for high percentage, versatile, experienced in playoffs, above-average efficiency (career 16.0 PER)

Downside: One-dimensional, grossly overpaid last season (nearly $14 million)

Verdict: He'll certainly be taking a huge pay cut wherever he ends up, but not enough to make him a financially sound investment for the Bulls.

Ronald "Flip" Murray (PG-SG)

08-09 Per 36 Min. Stats: 17.8 Pts, 3.1 Rbds, 2.9/2.3 Ast-TO ratio, 44.7% FG, 36.0% 3Pt

Upside: Good bench scorer, decent defense, can play either guard spot

Downside: Limited as a PG, small for a SG, mostly one-dimensional

Verdict: He made $1.5 million last season, and, if he were willing to play one year as a Bull for that salary, I would give him a chance.

Final Verdict: While none of these options impresses me, I would choose between Von Wafer and Flip Murray, as all of the other options are likely to be either too expensive, poor fits, or just lack enough talent to warrant serious interest. The price, to me, has to be absolutely no higher than about $2.25 million a year, otherwise we may as well go after someone worthy of the starting role. The Bulls have been rumored to have some interest in Allen Iverson, although he has reportedly indicated a desire to play for the Memphis Grizzlies and received interest from the Miami Heat. I personally think he would cost too much, and I'm not sure our offense would develop with his shoot-first attitude in the mix. Another possibility is to look into trading for Phoenix Suns SG Jason RIchardson, who could be on the trade block. He could replace most of Gordon's offense and provide a bit more defense than Gordon did, but he stands to make well over $13 million the next two seasons, so I would balk at that price. At any rate, it's time to explore the shooting guard market.

Mike Bibby

Atlanta Hawks point guard was given some rumors that he may go to Philadelphia to play for the Sixers.

But Sixers fans, you might want to stop cheering and put your hands down. The Sixers aren't interested in Bibby, according to the Inquirer.

But heck, it would be real nice for Philly to get him. But as for right now, he's chilling in Atlanta.

He is also looking to bring the Hawks to the playoffs again and hopefully passing the second round and not getting killed by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

My bad, Atlanta. Sorry for bringing back bad memories.

Ricky Rubio

Jeez Ricky!

I really don't understand what's the point of him coming to the NBA after reading this about him going back to Spainto play proffessionaly for two more years!

But it won't matter because if he wants to return to the NBA, the Timberwolves still hold the rights to him. So Ricky, it really doesn't matter if you don't want to play for Minny, just try to make the best of it, okay?

Nah, he won't.

Hedo Turkoglu

Hedo Turkoglu, he recently opted out of his contract with the Orlando Magic, shouldn't be really happy right now.

The Toronto Raptors were about to give him a $60M contract but they decided not to, according to The Star.

We'll see what happens, maybe Toronto be decide to again. And teams going for a bid?

As of right now, not many. Sorry, Hedo. Want to go back to Orlando? Nah, I really think he doesn't. Let him wait, he'll get the deal and the team he wants.

New Orleans Hornets

The Times-Picayune reports that the New Orleans Hornets are deciding to acquire the following free agents:

• Mikki Moore (right)
• Maceo Boston
• Jake Voskuhl

ESPN.com reports that the Hornets are also taking a look at former-Hornet, Brandon Bass.

Let's see who they pick because all of the players look interesting to me. Moore might fit well.

I don't know who to pick, it'll be a tough decision. But hey, why not , sign them all. But nah, it'll probably be a not-so-smart idea.

Josh Childress

The Journal Times reports that the Milwaukee Bucks are trying out Josh Childress, who the last NBA team he played with was the Atlanta Hawks after moving to the Olympioacos.

Childress has been called by many NBA teams, and he does look like he can fit nicely with the team after that trade that sent Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs.

Here is the biggest news of the day! Now that I have made a new website called MemphisBlueBears.com, a site about the Memphis Grizzlies (I am a bigger Indiana Pacers fan, though, of course), I know have to write some Grizzlies news.

Well, Allen Iverson announced that he wanted to play for the Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN reports. Here's what Iverson said on his Twitter:

"I'm a free agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team. My only preference will be [is] to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night! Someone who best knows how to utilize my skills to make our team the very best it can be. For those of you who thought I was done, think again."

Whew, A.I. had a lot to say there to all of his fans on Twitter (more than 16,000 to be exact, dang!). Let's see how everything turns out.

He looks good with the Grizzlies as a new "Big Three" may approach with him, Rudy Gay, and O.J. Mayo. Now that would be nice. We'll see how it turns out, as of right now, Iverson is probably chilling (and why wouldn't he?).

Q-Rich and I at Season Ticket Holders event, circa 2003

Dear Diary,

Zach Randolph's contract(33.3M over 2 years) was deemed immovable. Who would want this guy? Granted he's an automatic 20/10, his reputation still precedes him. So, let's just forget about this pipe dream, right? WELL, NOT SO FAST.

Come to find out, Lady Luck spent last night in the Clippers' hotel room and voila - out came Quentin Richardson. You heard right. The LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to swap players, and can officially do so after the moratorium on July 8th. It was a week ago when this same Memphis team came knocking on the Clippers' door with a Marko Jaric/Greg Buckner for Z-Bo proposal which was ultimately nixed by the dirtbag, Donald T. Sterling. That left the majority of Clipper Nation fuming, pondering why Sterling would turn down a deal to SAVE MONEY. I'll admit, I was angry at the entire front office for not making it happen, and hearing Dunleavy say a deal wasn't even so close to being made and Neil Olshey state, "you don't trade 20/10 guys." Frustation was an understatement. Now, overjoyed is an understatement.

That said, Q-Rich is past his prime. Once a rising star, he cashed in with the Phoenix Suns as a restricted free agent and I thought the guy was a potential All-Star. But then...he was traded to the Knicks. Multiple back surgeries later, Q is a shell of his former self. I don't know how he feels about coming back to LA, but one would assume after all he's been through, his perspective on his career and life in general has changed and he's just happy to still be able to play in the NBA. In terms of on-court contribution, anything we can get out of him would be a bonus, and considering he's in a contract year, that may be extra motivation. Plus the headknock, headbang, or whatever you call it, is back.

More importantly for the Clippers is the financial situation. Q is set to make 9.4M(according to HoopsHype) in his contract year and the trade has allowed the Clips to obtain a 7.3M trade exception. If we let him, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, and Steve Novak expire...you're talking about over 20M in cap space. Just in time for the 2010 Free Agent Bonanza. This is the real coup of this deal. Technically speaking, we could throw an offer to D-Wade, Joe Johnson, or dare I say...LeBron James?!? Bottom line, the Clippers have set themselves up nicely for the future in 1)Blake Griffin dominating the post all he wants and 2)luring a top notch free agent to play alongside a talented youth corp in the beautiful City of Angels.

Sincerely,

Illastrate

P.S. I'll miss you Z-Bo, and will be cheering for you when you come back to LA.

Forward Anderson Varejao did not exercise the final year of his contract on Tuesday, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer, a source close to the player told ESPN.com's Chad Ford.

The Memphis Grizzlies exercised all three of the picks with which they entered the 2009 NBA draft-nos. 2, 27, and 36, selecting Hasheem Thabeet, Demarre Carroll, and Sam Young. Sure, when the year 2020 comes around, the potential for this year's draft crop to be viewed as one of the best ever is pretty low-but as the title states, the draft might give you lemons...and sometimes the lemonade takes a bit longer to make and isn't quite as good as Grandma's on a 90-degree day, but it should still be pretty tasty.

What Michael Heisley has stated many times is that he wants to field a more defensive-oriented team (a philosophy with which I heartily agree), and this draft bears his mark in bold ink. Thabeet, Carroll, and Young are all known as defensive standouts at their respective positions, and each showed that he deserved that recognition at a high level in college. The lower picks, particularly, just absolutely reek (in a good way) of players that Heisley and Hollins (and we hope Wallace) will just love-energy, wingspan, tenacity, and leaveitonthefloorism. All three picks represent a talent upgrade for a team desperately in need of such, and it could be said that the players they will replace (Darko Milicic, Quinton Ross, Greg Buckner, Darius Miles...wow what a list, huh??) were/are not exactly known as "winners wherever they may roam" in the NBA. The optimal outcome of this draft will be that these three fresh acquisitions will have a much greater hunger to make a lasting mark on the NBA through hard work, dedication, and, we hope, much success in a Grizzlies uniform.

In 31 games with the Wolfpack, Hickson achieved double-figure scoring 25 times and reached 20 points on seven occasions. Hickson also notched 10 double-doubles.

All that...as a freshman.

Which is why you should be excited.

This pick was all about building on a core group of young players for the future. Leave the "LeBron/Jay-Z" rumors to the clowns who have nothing better to do with their lives. The Cavs can't live in constant fear of LeBron, and they have to make the best pick for today as well as tomorrow. And based on the kind of player Hickson can become within the next five years, they certainly did that on Thursday night.

10:25 Cleveland locks up the [1st] round with Christian Eyenga? This is an insane pick. Eyenga put his name into this draft hoping not to get picked period, and now he goes in the first round? Over DeJuan Blair and Sam Young? Wow. It looks like Eyenga's plan to avoid the first round salary scale definitely backfired.

The one name that seems to be automatically assumed to be part of any deal for the #2 pick is Rajon Rondo. To Celtics fans, if we are trading Rondo for #2, we're selecting Ricky Rubio. For a team looking to win titles with the window of opportunity one or two years away from slamming shut, giving away a great (and on the verge of elite) point guard in the league is preposterous. As the league knows, Rondo is a jump shot away from becoming just about unguardable. And to trade him for an unproven commodity at the most important position on the court could be detrimental to the team's championship aspirations.

Looking at the deal from just a talent standpoint, this is an awful deal for a Boston team that will only be content with winning the NBA title. But when you put your GM hat on and see the fiscal burden Rajon Rondo will undoubtedly bring to the payroll in the 2010-2011 season, maybe moving Rondo will keep the Celtics roster more flexible in the near future. If Rubio is as good as advertised, perhaps he can play some serious minutes right away. He'll be on the floor with three future Hall of Famers, so that should ease his transition to the NBA game. But one thing he won't have is the chemistry that Rondo has developed with the entire roster.

Do I really think the Celtics will trade up for the #2 pick in this year's draft? No, not really. If we do, do I want to see Rondo on the move? Absolutely not. But if Danny thinks that this is the best way to continue to build the franchise, who am I to argue against it? Personally, I think there is a much better chance that Danny grabs a foreign player at #58 that will be a contributor in two years than the Celtics trading for the #2 pick.

Original Publication Source

2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 2.0

Tim Thomas Starts List of Interested FAs

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With Ricky Rubio off the board and Hasheem Thabeet still on the board, the Sacramento Kings now have a puzzling situation in front of them. Do they take the perceived best player on the board with an absolute monster of a man who blocks shots and clears the glass? Or do they tell themselves that Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are the big men of the future for this franchise and address their glaring and debilitating hole at the point guard position? Do they believe in Donte Greene and Francisco Garcia on the wings to play alongside Kevin Martin? Hell, do they believe that Kevin Martin is ACTUALLY their franchise-building guy?

Well, let's assume that they believe in Kevin Martin, Donte Greene and Francisco Garcia. They have multiple years and roughly $60 million+ locked up in those guys and still have Andres Nocioni for the next three years as well. This isn't a team that can currently afford to add a bevy of wing players with so much money locked in to the guys they already have. So now it comes down to grabbing the most intriguing and sought-after big man left in the draft or putting someone immediately in front of Beno Udrih who was one of, if not THE worst long-term contract signing in team history. Well, the pick can't be Hasheem Thabeet because it would endanger the growth of their big men and you can't bank on the fact that you might be able to trade him for assets or answers at point guard later on in the summer.

DAVID ALDRIDGE NBA Blogger Q&A

In preparation for the NBA Finals coverage on NBA.com, veteran NBA journalist and television analyst/reporter David Aldridge conducted an NBA Blogger Q&A session where he addressed the upcoming NBA Finals, key match-ups between the Lakers and Magic, pending NBA Draft and off-season, as well as colleagues at TNT and NBA.com. David has served as the TNT and NBA.com Insider for the network's NBA coverage since 2004, appearing both in the studio as well as on the sidelines. Prior to his time at TNT, he spent eight years at ESPN reporting on the NBA and writing for ESPN.com. He has also written for the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Q: What are your thoughts overall on the NBA Playoffs this year and what is your key match up for the Finals? (Rey-Rey from TheNoLookPass)

DA: "Well, I think the playoffs have been terrific, especially with Chicago and Boston. We've seen some incredible team performances, some incredible games with great last-minute shots, and a lot of dramatic series'. The Houston/LA series, which I don't think anybody thought was going to be very competitive with Yao [Ming] out, was spectacular. Obviously, Denver and LA was very competitive and Orlando beating Cleveland; which I don't think anyone really thought was going to happen. The playoffs have been terrific so far.

For the NBA Finals and match-ups, the keys are the obvious ones: [Pau] Gasol vs. Rashard Lewis, I think that is going to be a big match up; the two of them have their obvious strengths in terms of their individual games. Pau is going to have trouble guarding Rashard and vice versa. I think [Trevor] Ariza vs. [Hedo] Turkoglu is going to be a big, big match-up because Orlando has so much of a half-court offense with Turkoglu down the stretch.  If Ariza can keep Hedo from being a distributor and get the ball to the other two good shooters; that will be a very important match-up." (NBA.com breakdown of Howard vs. Bynum here.)

Q: Media wise: Do you have a problem with Jeff Van Gundy covering Stan Van Gundy? What about Magic Johnson covering the Lakers? (Justin at SportsCracklePop)

DA: "Obviously, I'm sure it's difficult for anyone to cover something that his siblings are involved in. I'm sure it's tough for Jeff, but he is a professional and I think he's going to be fair. He's done a very good job of calling it like he sees it and I have no doubt he will continue to do that. With Magic [Johnson], we have watched him over the years and he does not hesitate to criticize the Lakers when they play poorly and I have no doubt that if they play poorly he won't hesitate to do it again. I believe both guys give a fair assessment as they should."

Q: Earlier this week, we posted a piece about Adam Morrison and JJ Redick facing off in these finals. Can you remember another situation like this is NBA history, when two relative busts, linked so closely together, ended up being non-contributors during the league's premier showcase? (Justin at SportsCracklePop)

DA: "I think those two guys are not where they want to be in their NBA careers, but I would say that J.J. Redick did play very well for the Magic this season and helped the team win games, especially in the Orlando/Boston series guarding Ray Allen. The shots just weren't falling for him then. He's coming along and helping them in some ways. Adam Morrison is not going to play in this series, and that just might be that he's not in the right position right now. I am hesitant to call players busts, though, overall."

Q: Obviously, next summer is the big free agent bonanza. Who will be the biggest signing of this off-season? Will it be Allen Iverson reuniting with Larry Brown in Charlotte? Ben Gordon coming home to New York? (Justin at SportsCracklePop)

DA: "I think Detroit is going to be really active this off-season whether it's with Carlos Boozer or Paul Milsap, maybe David Lee. I think they are going to do something this off-season that puts them back into contention in the Eastern Conference. Think about some of the free agents: look at Lamar Odom who I think is going to have a lot of suitors this off-season because of the way he has played in these playoffs. I think Trevor Ariza is going to get a lot of attention as well, maybe from a team like Memphis that is going to have a lot of cap room to take a look at an Ariza. To get the players they want, they're going to have to be aggressive and spend I think Boozer will have a lot of attention this summer. It seems like there are some things going on there and he may be on the move.

Q: How is it to work with Charles and company - would you ever wear any of Craig's suits? Would he ever wear the outfits Craig Sager wears? (Lizz at Lizz's Lockeroom)

DA: "[laughs] You know what? I think one night it would be great if we did a bizarro TNT night where he would were a charcoal tie and a black three-piece suit, and I come out in three-piece pink suit. I wouldn't mind trying that once. Working with the Turner guys is so great in every aspect of the job from production to content to working with people like Marv [Albert] , Reggie [Miller] and Kevin Harlan. It's such a treat. They do a great job and really like working there. I've come along way with them, they bring incredible amounts of intelligence and knowledge to the broadcast.  I mean the proof is in the pudding with that show, you look at the Emmy Awards the studio show gets with Ernie [Johnson], Charles [Barkley] and Kenny [Smith]. They are the best in the business and wonderful to work with. 

Q: What is the best NBA Finals you've covered in your career? (Lizz at Lizz's Lockeroom)

DA: Great question. I guess for me it might have been last year's because when I came to the NBA we had the whole Boston/LA rivalry so I've always had that. For me to jump back into the history of that rivalry 20 years later that was a lot of fun.  It was really terrific to see Boston and LA competing for a championship, and with the history, that was a lot of fun. Watching the Bulls dominate those six championships.  The Phoenix series in '92 was a great series. I really felt that series should have gone 7 games."

Q: If Kobe captures his 4th NBA title, where does he stand amongst the League's all-time greats? Can we start making a case for KB24 to "one day" surpass MJ as the G.O.A.T.? (Peter at PRC Hoops)

DA: "I don't think right now you can put Kobe in the same category as Michael Jordan. If you look at Kobe's years in the league, which is 12 or 13 years, that is incredible. But he has three titles and MJ has six, and I don't think you can compare right now. I think Kobe is certainly the best player of his generation - no question. Like Bill Parcell says, its all about the [titles] and you know Mr. Russelll has 11 so no one is catching him and Michael has six, so I think those two guys have to be considered as No.1 and No.2 in greatest players ever."

Q: There's only room for one Superman on Twitter. Looking solely at content, whose Twitter game is superior: Shaq or Dwight Howard? (Peter at PRC Hoops)

DA: "I'm going to plead the fifth on this because I'm not a Twitter guy and Facebook is more than enough for me right now. I like to see the stuff that Shaq does here and there, like the meet-ups so I guess I'll have to give it to Shaq. But, I'm old school and not on Twitter enough to make a good call."

Q: Your Facebook profile indicates that you went to DeMatha High School. Did you play ball for Morgan Wootten? If so, what was that experience like? How does he compare to the elite NBA coaches? (Peter at PRC Hoops)

DA: "I did go to DeMatha, but I did not play for DeMatha. My game was not there [laughs].  But I do know Morgan Wootten well. He is as decent a human being as I've ever met, and he is a tremendous guy who is a very humble person. Even though I never played for him, I learned from him how to win with class and I've been fortunate to know him. I see him as one of the more successful high school coaches and he does it in a way that doesn't call attention to himself. He is a class act through and through. I've gotten to know him in school, and after school, and am very lucky to know him. "

Q: What moves would you make if you were the Wizards in their situation?

DA: "Well, I think they have to do two things: they have to get a point guard - not because Gilbert [Arenas] can't play PG, but they have to start thinking about playing Gilbert off the ball because that's his strength - and I think a solid PG will do well somebody they can give the ball to - and somebody they can throw the ball to inside. They really struggle to score inside, and you can't be a jump-shooting team and win in the playoffs at some point - and even Orlando is an example, but they have a guy you can throw the ball to. You have to have someone inside to get the ball. They have talent, but they need to strike a balance. Those are the two moves I would make.

I would look to trading that pick, I think they might be able to get something out of it but I'm not sure cause there are different views on how this draft is I think this draft is about as good as most but it's not a great but it's not horrible you can get good players out of this draft. I know they don't want to trade one of those big three guys but maybe they have to get someone they like such as Amar'e Stoudemire - they have to look at that."

Q: The Magic seem to have a more balanced attack while the Lakers are all about Kobe. What team do you see having the edge? Do you think it's more important in the finals to have an insane scorer like Kobe Bryant or a low post presence like Dwight Howard? (Richie from MVN)

DA: "I think Kobe has tried very hard this year to add balance to that team. I think the Lakers are much more balanced than a couple years ago. I think he trusts Pau and needs Pau to do and play well. He needs Ariza and Lamar Odom to play well. In that sense, I think the Lakers are a very balanced team. They are a team that can score and their defense creates offense for them as well. I think LA has the edge; same reason LA has had the edge in every series thus far. Their size up front is so difficult for other teams to match up with. You have two seven-footers in Gasol and [Andrew] Bynum, and throw in Ariza at six-eight and Odom and six-ten. It gives Phil [Jackson] some real flexibility with lineups and who's going to go in stretch of games. That's why I think they have the advantage. Their interior defense is better than everyone else. Their guards and their bigs can single cover - playing help defense makes it difficult to score against.

Q:  What are your thoughts on Obama picking the Lakers in Six?

DA: "I did see that and I concur. Actually, I said that before so Mr. President took my pick as Lakers in six games."

Q:  In the NBA Finals press conference today, you asked Dwight about the officiating - are you working on a story for it and what is your angle and/or thoughts?

DA: "I am working on a piece on NBA officiating, but I'm not sure when it will run or exactly figured out what I'm going to say and how I'm going to say it. It will definitely run during the NBA Finals, but it's definitely a topic that everyone is talking about and I want to take a serious look at the officials because I did write a column on the NBA conspiracy theories and it will be along those same lines. I got a lot of response from that, and a lot of people have strong views on officiating in the league. I really want to address those things in a very serious column and that's what I'm going to try to do."

"Coming up on NBA.com, I'm going to have my picks tomorrow (Lakers in six). I think everyone at NBA.com is going to have their picks up tomorrow for the finals so you will see some of the other writers' picks, too. Obviously, for the NBA Finals for NBA TV, we'll be with Ahmad [Rashad], CWebb [Chris Webber], and [Gary] Payton for pre-game coverage at the Staples Center here in LA. After the game, me and Rick Kamla will be breaking stuff down and covering the pressers. Then, we'll be on again with Ahmad, CWebb and Gary for post-game.  

"When we go to Orlando for Game 3, we're going to be having a lot of fun. We'll have the NBA TV crew, plus Ernie, Chuck and Kenny so we'll have so much new content on NBA.com and some great TV coverage both online and on NBA TV. It should be a fantastic series."

I'd like to thank Kyle Scriven for helping me get involved in this Q&A. For more Finals coverage, go to NBA.Com.