NBA notes Feb. 27, 2008

MIAMI HEAT

The Heat broke an 11-game losing streak last yesterday with a 107-86 win over the Kings. The math is quite simple in this one. Marcus Haslem, the team captain, returned from injury and scored 17 points. Haslem has an exceptional mid-range game, the kind expected from a prototypical power forward. With Haslem back, Shawn Marion moved to the small forward spot, where he didn’t play in Phoenix, but should have been. That move forced the previous small forward Dorrell Wright to the bench. Wright had been averaging 8.1 points per game. By moving Marion and inserting Marcus Haslem into the lineup, last night there was an 11-point production difference in the new lineup. The Heat have lost 25 of its last 26 games. Fifteen were decided by less than 11 points. Even if they win all 15 of those games, they’re still not in the playoffs, but the postseason is at least in the conversation.


DALLAS MAVERICKS
Watching a guy that passes a lot can be contagious because it is human nature to think ‘whatever you can do, I can do better.’ Seeing Kidd do what he does might rub off on Dirk. But today Sefko’s article is trying to relate them to the Nash-Dirk relationship, which offensively was unstoppable. At this point Kidd might be an even better fit for the Mavericks than Nash was simply because Kidd will play better defense and he’s one of the best rebounding guards in the league. With that all said the Mavericks are 3-1 with Kidd and are winners of their last three straight. But that one loss was to New Orleans and the three wins come against Chicago, Minnesota and Memphis, which are playing out the string.

DETROIT PISTONS

There was a story today on Juan Dixon. Not sure how he’s going to fit into the Pistons’ plans. They have a couple of young backup guards that they’re working with almost exclusively during the regular season. So exclusively, in fact, that Lindsey Hunter hasn’t been dressing. Hunter’s days are definitely numbered and Dixon must be one to be considered to fill that roll as a veteran that can come in off the bench at guard. But something like that wouldn’t take place until next season. This year I don’t believe they’ll be much use for Dixon unless one of the rookies get too scared in the playoffs or Hunter has no intentions on returning. But if it’s the latter, then why did he play so much in the early part of the season.

NEW YORK KNICKS
The Daily News has already hired Kiki Vandeweghe to replace Isaiah at seasons end as president of the Knicks. I really have little interest in who they hire. Anybody with a fresh plan seems like a better option right now than Thomas. The coach that has to take over this rag-tag bunch of malcontents will have his hands full. Larry Brown couldn’t work with this group and I would be surprised if Jeff Van Gundy, Doug Collins or Rick Carlisle would fare any better. All three will bring in big egos have having done it before with some success and having coached some of the legendary players in the NBA.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
With Brendan Wright getting the start last night the Warriors struggled until they dusted off 10-year veteran Austin Croshere. He played effectively and Don Nelson can breath a sigh of releif knowing he doesn’t have to rely on a rookie for the next two weeks if he doesn’t have too. He can go with a Croshere/Webber combination if he wants to. That’s only a stopgap though. Croshere has the mentality of a small forward in a power forwards body. That will probably work well in Nelson’s system. It makes me wonder how long it will take him to consider starter Croshere. He was a consistent play for a year or two in Indiana and then just disappeared -- until yesterday.

CHICAGO BULLS
Just two weeks ago Chris Duhon had over 30 points in a game, now he can’t even get on the floor. Duhon is gone next season, no question. He was rumored to be going to the Cavaliers and that’s probably wasn’t the only team interested. But now that the trade deadline has passed and the Bulls couldn’t unload the player that will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, he’s been relegated to sitting on the bench, having not played for two consecutive game. This is even more evidence the Bulls are in the evaluation process, even though they are just two games out of the final playoff spot.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS
There was a story today touting the Lakers’ bench after Jordan Farmar scored 21 points last night to help the Lakers to a come from behind win over the Trailblazers, who didn’t have their best player. I don’t know too much about the Lakers bench but it will be something to watch over the next few weeks because everyone knows what the starters can do. They might be the best in the west, they might not be. It’s hard to go against that group in Dallas and Phoenix, or even Utah. The Lakers bench will get better once Bynum returns. That will move Walton and Radmanovic to the bench. With those two in reserve, that looks to be a nice reserve unit.