Amico Report

Nate the Trail Blazer Great?

For Seattle fans, hearing Nate McMillan left to coach Portland must be like watching Ronald McDonald bite into a Whopper.

That's not to call McMillan a clown. Far from it. Like a lot of former NBA point guards, this is a man who knows how to run a team. With his cool demeanor and strong stance on team play, McMillan reminds me of a young Lenny Wilkens. Interestingly, Wilkens also spent the early years of his coaching career with Seattle and Portland.

At the same time, McMillan's move was about money -- period. Seattle is a much better situation, having just re-signed Ray Allen after an impressive regular-season and playoff run. The Sonics are truly one good big man away from great things.

Meanwhile, the Blazers are considerably less stable. I love Sebastian Telfair, the second-year point guard who surprised me with his confidence and passing after making the leap from high school. But I'm not so sure about other preps-to-pros Portland players, like Travis Outlaw and this year's top draft pick, Martell Webster.

In other words, McMillan left a team that's on the brink of something special for one that needs a lot of work. Not that there's anything wrong with that. People leave jobs for higher-paying, more challenging positions all the time.

Still, it does seem odd. Especially since McMillan spent his entire professional career -- first as a player, then assistant, then head coach -- with Seattle.

I'm old enough to remember when the Sonics drafted McMillan as a tall point guard out of North Carolina State. He wasn't considered anything special -- just a guy who cared more about distributing the ball than shooting it, and someone who loved to defend. He's definitely the last person you'd ever expect to become Mr. Sonic.

If the Blazers give McMillan a chance to grow with this young team (and not fire him after another two seasons of missing the playoffs), they could be pretty good. Power forward Zach Randolph and Telfair are two great starting points -- but right now, there isn't much else to brag about. Especially since forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim probably won't be back.

As for the Sonics

I've heard reports that Seattle likes Michigan State's Tom Izzo. Nothing against Izzo, but this team needs a veteran NBA guy. Obviously, Flip Saunders would be a great choice, if he's interested. If not, I'd go hard after former Hornets and Cavaliers coach Paul Silas. Silas is also a former Sonic.

Silas has gotten a bum deal in two different cities (well, three if you're counting New Orleans), but has taken the high road each time. He's a no-nonsense coach and quality person whose teams typically overachieve. Just look at what happened to the Hornets and Cavs after he left.

As I've written many times before, I'm also a big fan of ex-Golden State coach and current Memphis assistant Eric Musselman. In fact, I've promoted the guy so much that I plan to request 10 percent of his salary once he finally does land a head coaching job.

Again, whoever gets the Seattle job has the chance to look like a genius. Key players such as Allen and forward Rashard Lewis have become excellent leaders and teammates, and youngsters like point guard Luke Ridnour and forward Nick Collison have continuously showed lots of promise. Plus, the Sonics proved that they already know how to win.

Pro Basketball News Reminder

Yes, it's time to break for a moment so I can shamelessly plug the Web site, Pro Basketball News.com -- which is set to launch Monday, July 25.

Since the launch date is so close, I've reneged on my idea of offering a sneak peek. But I do appreciate the requests from readers such as Hammad Khan, Matt Schroeder, and of course, Craig Wright, my most loyal Australian backer.

Anyway, I'll send out a special reminder about Pro Basketball News a few moments after it launches. If nothing else, be sure to check it out at www.probasketballnews.com on July 25.

International Irritability

There's a reason the Clippers are in the lottery every year. The latest example was their drafting of someone called Yaroslav Korolev with the No. 12 pick. This kid (and I do mean kid) hasn't even shown any potential in Europe. He's not especially quick, he can't shoot particularly well, he has a reputation of being a horrible defender, and most scouts question his passion.

There. And you thought I never wrote anything negative. But don't get me wrong, the fact Korolev got drafted wasn't his fault. The blame falls entirely on the Clippers. They passed over proven commodities such as North Carolina's Sean May and Rashad McCants, and selected someone who has no chance of helping them within the next three, maybe five, years.

This was just another example of NBA types trying to be crafty -- and act like they know something about a foreign player that no one else does.

Yes, there are plenty of non-American all-stars in the NBA. Yes, they understand the true meaning of team basketball overseas. And yes, foreigners rarely squabble over contracts. But this trend of drafting a kid just because he hasn't set foot on American soil is starting to become downright ridiculous.

Obviously, a lot of teams draft guys who will never play so they can save money and avoid giving anyone a guaranteed contract. That has to be thinking behind San Antonio's selection of France's Ian Mahinmi, who I don't expect to see in an NBA uniform. But the Spurs have an excuse. Namely, they're world champs. The Clippers, meanwhile, are just cheap.

Or how about Martynas Andriuskevicius getting drafted in the second round (by Orlando, before getting traded to Cleveland)? Andriuskevicius is 7-foot-3 -- and averaged an embarrassing 1.4 points per game in Euroleague play last season. You read that right. He couldn't even make two shots a game!

You mean to tell me that Andriskevicius has more NBA potential than Oklahoma State's John Lucas, Vermont's Taylor Coppenrath, or Maryland's John Gilchrist (all of whom were undrafted)?

So please, tell me why this guy was drafted. And don't use height as a reason. Haven't we learned anything from the days of Manute Bol or Gheorge Mureson?

Actually, NBA scouting does seem to have regressed in the 20-plus years I've followed the league. I'm not saying anyone is a sure bet, and that includes American college seniors who average 23 points per game. But wouldn't you rather select someone who has at least played WELL at the lower levels, be it college, high school, or internationally?

More Draft Talk

Two teams whose drafts I loved: Charlotte and Memphis. Everyone should draft like the Bobcats by trying to select local college players who have experienced lots of success. If you're a Bobcats fan, you must be very excited about the future -- with May, Raymond Felton, and second-year forward Emeka Okafor as your building blocks.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have had a history of nabbing big-name college players under general manager Jerry West. Hakim Warrick (Syracuse) and second-rounder Lawrence Roberts (Mississippi State) are the latest examples. I'm guessing it's a big reason why this team has risen from basketball's ashes to make the playoffs in each of the last two seasons -- and why teams like the Clippers never get any better.

You have to like Atlanta's draft, too. Marvin Williams (North Carolina) is an amazing talent and a class act. He's the rare pre-20-year old who should make an immediate impact. Also, Salim Stoudemire (Arizona) is my second choice to become this year's second-round steal.

My first pick for second-round steal : Golden State's Chris Taft (Pittsburgh).

As you know, I've picked a second-round steal in each of the four years I've been writing the newsletter. Previous winners: Royal Ivey (2004), Keith Bogans (2003), Carlos Boozer (2002), and Terence Morris (2001).

Other second-rounders who I really like: Daniel Ewing (Duke, Clippers), Bracey Wright (Indiana, Timberwolves), Ryan Gomes (Providence, Celtics), and especially, Ronny Turiaf (Gonzaga) and Von Wafer (Florida State), both with the Lakers.

Tons of Summer League Stuff

• Turiaf scored 26 points for the Lakers in his first game in the L.A. Summer Pro League. Warrick scored 18 for the Grizzlies, and Toronto first-rounder Joey Graham (Oklahoma State) scored 22.
• Old-timers Olden Polynice and Rick Mahorn are also playing in the L.A. Summer League (on the same team, no less). And, as usual, so is Phoenix veteran Bo Outlaw.
• In Las Vegas, New Orlean's Chris Paul, New York's Nate Robinson, and Detroit's Jason Maxiell have all played very well. Surprisingly, the 5-8 Robinson may be outperforming everyone.
• Second-year Boston forward Justin Reed has also looked good -- as has this year's first-rounder, Gerald Green.
• Fittingly, undrafted forward Taylor Coppenrath (Vermont) is playing for the Celtics' summer team.
• The Bulls are reportedly high on another player who went undrafted this summer -- sharpshooting guard Eddie Basden out of Charlotte.
• Names you may know on Cleveland's summer roster: Lucas; Gilchrist; Blake Steppe (Gonzaga), a second-round pick of Minnesota in '04; and Derrick Tarver, the former Mid-American Conference scoring leader from nearby Akron.
• Gee (Son of George) Gervin is playing for Dallas' summer team, as is Felipe Lopez -- who was considered The Next Michael Jordan when coming out of high school in 1994.
• Tyus Edney (UCLA), Desmon Farmer (USC), and Marcus Haislip (Tennessee) are all trying to revive their NBA careers as members of Denver's summer team.
• Ever heard of Rodney Billups? Me neither. Just know that he's a point guard out of the University of Denver, Chauncey Billups' brother, and is on Detroit's summer roster.
• Ricky Paulding (Missouri), John Allen (Seton Hall), and my personal favorite, Bryant Matthews (Virginia Tech) are also playing for the Pistons.
• Another notable North Carolina player, Jawad Williams, is on Golden State's summer team.
• Smush Parker, the energetic point guard who has bounced around the NBA and various minor leagues, is trying out for the Lakers.
• Undrafted Florida point guard Anthony Roberson is on Memphis' summer roster. This guy really impressed me during his freshman season, but never seemed to get any better.
• Continental Basketball Association MVP Sam Clancy (USC) is playing for New Jersey, as is Derrick Zimmerman (Mississippi State), a second-round pick by Golden State in '04.
• Former Memphis hopeful Troy Bell (Boston College) is currently on New Orleans' summer team.
• For the past two weeks, I've repeatedly been asking my wife, "Honey, what's become of Ruben Boumtje-Bountje?" Finally, we know. He's playing for Orlando. So is one of my personal favorites, former North Dakota forward Jerome Beasley, who spent his rookie season with Miami.
• I really like Lynn Greer, the former Temple point guard who is trying out for Phoenix. Greer reminds me very much of NBA veteran Howard Eisley -- and has played very well in Europe the past couple of years.
• One of my favorite all-time names, Cookie Belcher (Nebraska), is trying to hook on with Sacramento. Of course, so is Percy Miller (a.k.a. Master P).
• Another guy I enjoyed watching play college ball: Tre Simmons, who was a teammate of Nate Robinson's at Washington last season. Simmons went undrafted and is on the Kings' summer roster.
• Yes, believe it or not, I occasionally watch college basketball.
• NBDL stars Randy Holcomb (San Diego State) and Hiram Fuller (Fresno State) are on Washington's summer roster. The Wizards are also taking a long look at another former Tar Heel, point guard Ed Cota. Cota has been sensational in Europe.
• By the way, the Minnesota summer league and Rocky Mountain Revue (Utah) both run from July 15-22.

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About the Amico Report

The Amico Report is a pro basketball newsletter from Sam Amico, and has more than 25,000 readers each week from all over the world. Sam has written about pro basketball for various magazines and Web sites since 1991.

Previous Editions

• Mock My Draft » - June 28, 2005
• Talkin' NBA Age Limit » - June 20, 2005