Right now, my friend is in the bathroom releasing his lunch in the toilet. His ailment is simple: he heard Kwame Brown, the human curse, might re-sign with his beloved Los Angeles Lakers.

Eight months after getting exiled to Memphis in the Pau Gasol trade, reports indicate the post could re-sign with the purple-and-gold as a free agent.

Simply put, Brown wrecks careers. Drafting the seven-footer first overall in 2001 destroyed Michael Jordan’s reputation as an executive, while Mitch Kupchak only recently recovered from trading Caron Butler for Brown.

Why would L.A. want him back? Coach Phil Jackson still likes Brown’s athleticism, size, and body. Always has. And Zen-Master believes he could eventually become a defensive force, a poor man’s Horace Grant minus the money goggles.

Jackson is right. Brown hasn’t lost his physical gifts, but he never developed them either. He remains that raw high school senior without polish to his game.

Only now -seven years later- he has issues. There was a DUI case, dropped sexual assault charges, and a bizarre cake-tossing incident outside a nightclub.

On-court, Brown often looks unconfident and unsure of his role. For example, he admitted the Staples Center boos altered his confidence on the offensive end. Problem is, Brown isn’t a scorer. And he shouldn’t care about shooting. He should instead watch videos of Ben Wallace in Detroit and get points via hustle plays, tip-ins, and put-backs. Nothing more.

The Lakers have a hole with Ronny Turiaf’s departure. But Brown isn’t the answer and my friend’s stomach couldn’t handle a Kwame sequel.

Should the Lakers re-sign Brown? Get at us in the comment box below and come abck to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA analysis. Photo courtesy of Vaguely Artistic’s on-line portfolio.

Option 1: work less, earn more, pay no tax, pay no living expenses, and live in a beautiful country loaded with history.

Option 2: work more, earn less, pay taxes, pay for a house and car, and work for an incompetent organization that never values employees.

It’s an easy choice and by a ‘big country’ mile. You’d take option one. I’d take option one. And we’d both take it quicker than you can say option one.

So why can’t Josh Childress take option one? Why can’t the swingman take Olympiakos’ 20 million dollar contract over the Hawks’ mid-level exception?

That’s what it came to for the young swingman. NBA or not, Greece is option one and Atlanta is option two. With Olympiakos, he’ll work less, get a higher salary, pay no tax on his higher salary, spend nothing on a house or car, and, to top it off, reside in an interesting country.

Why the Childress backlash? Keep in mind the sixth man isn’t a typical NBA baller. He went to Stanford for four years, so playing in a different continent isn’t a big deal.

You can’t blame Childress for heading overseas to count and guard Euros. You can, however, blame the NBA’s biggest laughingstock, the Hawks, for encouraging his departure.

For decades, The ATL has been the NBA’s Siberia, an outpost for millionaire hoopsters. And the oddball franchise only made national news when Jon Koncak got his ‘contract’ or when J.R. Rider got arrested.

Recently, the on-court product improved. However, off-court operations were still a mess. In the last two years alone, owners have sued each other, blocked trade offers for superstar Amare Stoudemire, and encouraged management to draft players strictly for marketing.

This year, executive Billy Knight wasn’t allowed to fire his coach. And, after pushing the world champion Celtics to seven games in their first playoff appearance since before the Titanic, the club has now failed to keep their young core together. Childress is gone. Josh Smith could easily be next.

One step forward, several steps back for dysfunctional Atlanta. Yeah, I’d say option one was an easy choice for Childress.

Agree or disagree with Childress’ decision? Are the Hawks to blame? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of wmirek’s on-line portfolio.

Part of scribing for HoopsVibe The Blog is responding to reader comments and questions. Recently, we’ve started a new feature addressing your queries in the opinion box below.

So read our work and get at us with your thoughts on all things NBA. That’s what the opinion box is for. And we’ll always respond.

Comment: “LeBron doesn’t have to move to New York to make more money - whereas if he does move - he cuts his potential future earnings by an average of about 5 mil a year by the end of his career. Do the math - successive max contracts are based on the value of the previous contract, and LeBron would have to take significantly less money than the max that CLE (Cleveland) can offer.” –Dan on why LeBron James could stay in Cleveland.

Answer: Hi Dan. Thanks for the comment. You are absolutely right; no need to do the math. The Cavaliers, in adherence to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, can pay James a greater salary than the Knicks and Nets.

However, James’ sponsors, like Nike and Sprite, don’t follow a CBA or salary cap. And these fortune five hundred companies would likely make up the difference in salary (and then some) if James agreed to leave Cleveland for New York or New Jersey.

Sponsorship dollars could force the hulking forward to leave Ohio for the NYC area.

Comment: “The Nuggets are clearly cutting salary with the Camby deal. I really believe Iverson is next to go.” – John.

Answer: Hi John. Thanks for the email. The Nuggets have four options with Iverson, who is heading into the final year of his 20 million dollar per season contract.

First, Denver can keep Iverson for the coming season and ink him to a long-term extension. This is unlikely because the organization believes The Answer-‘Melo duo won’t win come playoff time.

Second, Denver can keep Iverson for the coming season, allow his contract to expire, and acquire new players via trades or free agency.

Third, Denver can trade Iverson and rebuild –under this option, they’ll seek expiring contracts, draft picks, prospects, and emerging stars.

Fourth, Denver can trade Iverson for an established star. The Nuggets will swap their tiny guard for another co-star to play with Carmelo Anthony.

It’s unclear what the Mile High City will do. The club is apparently exploring all options. Whatever they decide, Denver must consider Anthony’s reaction to an Iverson trade and any rebuilding project.

Comment : “Backed by da Spurs, you’re ridiculous to say Nash isn’t in the top 5 point guards: CP (Chris Paul), Nash, Jason Kidd, Tony Parker, and maybe D-Will (Deron Williams).” – MC.

Answer: I agree MC. Two MVPs. Highlight dimes. Leadership. And class. Yes, Nash is most certainly a top table-setter. Forget hometown bias, the Suns’ point guard is still at the top of his game.

For the record, here is my current top ten point guards. After reading my list, you can get at me with hate mail, death threats, and your top ten in the opinion box below.

1. Chris Paul: Easily the game’s best point guard and quickly becoming one of the NBA’s best players. Last year, CP3 dominated on offence and had a surprisingly good campaign on defence, too. Expect big things for the coming season.

2. Steve Nash: An amazing talent who can score, pass, and serves as an on-court coach. However, Kid Canada will never become a top defender and, at 34, could be on the decline.

3. Deron Williams: The next Jason Kidd, only with a better jump shot, will lead the Jazz long-term after inking a multi-year extension. 

4. Chauncey Billups: Mr. Big Shot still dominates both ends of the floor. Billups’ all-around game has helped Detroit stay competitive for several seasons.

5. Tony Parker: Parker is a winner and I love how he keeps getting better. For example, Mr. Longoria’s improved shot keeps defences honest, which creates space for his trademark drives. Oh yeah, he also has plenty of Championship bling and an NBA Finals MVP. 

6. Baron Davis: Heaps of talent and charisma. Fair or not, injuries, conditioning, and controversy have held him back. 

7. Jason Kidd: The future Hall of Famer is still great, but struggled in Dallas with the point guard heavy Western Conference. 

8. Gilbert Arenas: Injuries and chemistry concerns have cooled The Hibachi from achieving a top five ranking. 

9. Jose Calderon: Number nine with a bullet. This Euro is finally Toronto’s undisputed starter, so expect big things in the future. 

10.  Derek Fisher: A steady veteran, Fisher’s professionalism helped Utah and Los Angeles mature and turn-the-corner into contenders. 

Honourable Mention (in alphabetical order): Mike Bibby, T.J. Ford, Devin Harris, Kirk Hinrich, Mo Williams, and Beno Udrih.

Please note: Iverson spent last season at off-guard and was deemed ineligible for this list.

Will James end up in the NYC? What will Denver do with Iverson? How good is Nash? Get at us in the opinion box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of IBHMC’s on-line portfolio.

One point guard is in. Another is out. A day after acquiring reserve table-setter Kenyon Dooling through a sign-and-trade, New Jersey sent former blue-chip prospect Marcus Williams to Golden State for a future first round draft pick in 2011.

Why New Jersey made this move:

Three years ago, the Nets drafted Williams to serve as Jason Kidd’s understudy and eventual replacement. The left-hander had some nice moments, but mostly struggled with conditioning.

In February, he became expendable when Kidd was dealt to Dallas for up-and-coming star Devin Harris. The speedy Harris wasn’t leaving the swamps of Jersey with his five-year, 42 million dollar contract extension beginning in October of 2008.

So Williams was expendable. And the Nets got a pick for a disposable, underachieving player.

Why Golden State made this move:

Is New Jersey’s junk Golden State’s treasure? Nobody knows if Williams will ever develop because his first two seasons were so inconsistent.

Here is what we know: Baron Davis has left and restricted free agent Monta Ellis remains unsigned. The Warriors needed a point guard and Williams’ potential is cheap insurance.

Did the Nets give up too soon on Williams? How will he fare with the Warriors? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of your pal Matt.

Right now, most NBA GMs are scouring free agent lists in search of a bargain. They’re consumed with signing that cheap veteran or finding a diamond-in-the-rough rookie. Recently, the suits took a break from discount shopping to call Sacramento GM Geoff Petrie and inquire about the controversial Ron Artest.

Artest, of course, has more baggage than LAX and JFK combined. And recently he decided against opting-out the final year of his 8 million dollar contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent, even though he’d earn more money and be free to pick his future team.

The forward soon realized he misjudged the free agent market and, out of frustration, complained to reporters about his decision. This created the Artest sweepstakes, where several teams blitzed the Kings with trade proposals.

Complicating things is Sacramento’s demand that Kenny Thomas’ nine million dollar per season contract be part of any Artest trade. Sorting through the rumors, it seems the Lakers, Heat, and Mavericks have the most interest in the lockdown defender and are front-runners for his services.

A few weeks back, Los Angeles offered Lamar Odom for Artest straight (the details were covered brilliantly by my HoopsVibe colleague Chris Sells). But according to Sam Amico of probasketballnews.com, the Lakers are no longer keen on assuming Thomas’ contract, while the Kings want more than Odom in return.

Out east, Miami, specifically oil-slick Riley, has been linked to the forward. Word is the Heat offered Shawn Marion’s expiring deal, but the Sacramento Bee reported that the club balked at assuming Thomas’ big-ticket contract.

Then there is Team Cuban. Would Dallas part with a younger Josh Howard for Artest? Howard, after his Cheech-and-Chong confessions, is available and new Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle got results from Artest in Indiana until the infamous Malice in The Palace incident.

The summer sweepstakes will continue. Like everything else with Artest, unravelling his most
recent situation won’t be easy.

Where will Artest end up? The Lakers? The Heat? Or the Mavericks? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts and click here to read HoopsVibe The Blog. Photo courtesy of El J Guapo.

Most of you know I’m a proud Canadian and love to support my country. This includes Canada Basketball-even though we’re the perpetual underdog, overmatched against world super powers like Team USA on Friday.

Three years ago I wrote this feature on Carl English for a Canadian Basketball publication, Ballerz Magazine. Back then, English was a three-point gunner on the verge of landing an NBA contract.

Interviewing English was a pleasure. He was classy, accommodating, and provided thoughtful answers. Since writing this feature, English unfortunately remains on the outside, plying his trade for European clubs and hoping for another shot at The Association.

This story is worth reading for two reasons. First, Team USA fans should learn a little about Friday’s opponent. Second, Canada Basketball has had a tough few weeks. We didn’t qualify for the Olympics and our program got some negative publicity when Coach Leo Rautins kicked Philadelphia post Sam Dalembert off the team.

These two have continued to address their situation through the media, which is surprising because they both seem like decent people. English, however, is a true ambassador for my country.

One final note: Team USA is the obvious favorite on Friday and in China. As a Canadian I respect, appreciate, and admire stars and stripes’ talent. I have to. You guys will kick our ass! But the story of my countrymen, English, is worth respecting, too. It’s about so much more than basketball.

Thanks for reading. Your thoughts are welcome in the comment box below.

Oly.

April 2005-Will the NBA Ever Speak English?

It was the 2003 NBA Draft and Carl English had invited his family to a downtown Toronto restaurant. After an amazing career at the University of Hawaii, the sharpshooter was supposed to be a late first round pick. Everyone was waiting for David Stern to walk up to the podium and announce that an NBA team had selected English. Then, the celebration could begin.

That moment never happened. The entire NBA took a pass. Twice. No team picked Carl English in the first or second round.

Two years later, he’s just finished his season with the Florida Flame of the NBDL. There were no Sunday games on ABC just long bus rides, half-empty stadiums and meager paychecks. But things have never been easy for Carl English.

When he was five, English lost his parents in a house fire. He went to live with his Uncle Junior and Aunt Betty in tiny Patrick’s Cove, Newfoundland. Basketball became an outlet and English would spend hours shooting on an outdoor hoop that backed onto a remote highway. “There wasn’t much else around,” laughs English. “Basketball has been my way out. My peaceful place and my life revolved around it”.

Nothing could stop basketball. Snow would be removed from the court with a shovel; the rain wasn’t an issue either. During the summer, he would ignore the heat and stay out on the road perfecting his moves.

His dedication and talent went mostly unnoticed until 1999. That summer, English toured the with a Canadian All-Star team and caught the eye of a few Division 1 schools. Baylor, Notre Dame and Hawaii were all impressed by what they saw: a six-foot five-inch athlete with crazy range on his jump shot. Hawaii won the bidding war and English traded the island community of Patrick’s Cove for the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean.

With his bags packed for Hawaii, English had to overcome another family tragedy. Uncle Junior passed away on a fishing trip. A few months later, English injured his left ankle and was given a medical redshirt for his first year at the University of Hawaii. For once, basketball couldn’t be his outlet.

Over the next three years, Carl English put in work and became a college basketball star. Dick Vitale loved the Canadian’s game and his Hawaii Rainmakers got their shine on in the 2001 and 2002 NCAA tournament. ESPN Magazine and USA Today both ran feature stories on English. After his junior year, the kid from rural Newfoundland declared himself eligible for the 2003 NBA Draft. English finished his collegiate career as the University of Hawaii’s seventh all-time leading scorer.

 The next few months in Carl English’s basketball life make very little sense. Combo guards who can shoot usually end up being selected somewhere in the first round. Throw in his leadership skills and most thought he could have a solid NBA career. So what went wrong? How did guards like Marcus Banks, Reece Gaines and Troy Bell get picked in the first round instead of English? How could NBA teams take European and American teenagers over a mature player such as English? Why would the Toronto Raptors pass on a Canadian with the fifty-second pick to take prospect Remon Van de Hare?

The problems started at the Chicago pre-draft workouts. English slipped out of the first round because NBA GMs thought he was too slow to play the “1” spot and too small to line-up at off-guard. Without a true position, his accomplishments at Hawaii were quickly forgotten. Banks, Gaines and Bell passed English in the draft rankings and were all selected in the mid-to-late first round. These guards have all collected NBA paychecks to sit on their club’s bench.

 Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki have changed the way NBA teams draft players. These three players entered the league as teenagers and quickly became superstars. Teams now had to take high school kids and international players based on their potential over established NCAA stars. In English’s 2003 draft year, five high school players and 15 Europeans were selected. With the exception of first overall pick LeBron James, none of them have made any real impact in the NBA. 

In June of 2003, the Toronto Raptors had bigger issues than Carl English. They had just missed the playoffs for the first time in three years. The front office was taking heat for giving Michael “Yogi” Stewart millions of dollars and funding the first few years of Hakeem Olajuwon’s retirement. Coach Lenny Wilkens had just been fired. Vince Carter was struggling with injuries. Former Raptors’ GM Glen Grunwald was trying to keep the dinosaurs from going extinct and missed what a talented Canadian could bring to the club.

Two years after the 2003 draft, English can’t explain what happened. However, he insists that it’s behind him.

“I try not to think about. I mean it was the draft. I thought I was going to go and didn’t. But there’s no use looking back on decisions I’ve made. I got to go forward and try to get into the NBA. I mean, I can’t look and say things I should have done. What if? What if this? What if that? So, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. I did when it happened. I’m over it now.” 

The Indiana Pacers had scouted English and invited the guard to their 2003-2004 training camp. At his first pro camp, the kid from tiny Patrick’s Cove showed that he could ball with the best players in the world. Superstar Reggie Miller even took English under his wing. Unfortunately, his NBA dream came down to numbers. The Pacers already had 16 guaranteed contracts and stuck with second round pick James Jones instead of English.

Last September, Seattle asked English to attend their training camp. The club was loaded with perimeter players and he got cut. However, game can always recognize game and English remembers a conversation he had with Sonics’ star Ray Allen.

“I remember Ray saying to me before I left there. He said to me that he wasn’t sure what this situation could give me. He said no matter what that I was good enough to play at this level. No one can take that away. A lot of it is getting in the right situation at the right time.” 

That right situation hasn’t come. There have only been rumors. During the 2004 season, the Raptors were apparently looking to sign English, but went with Jannero Pargo and veteran Rod Strickland. He’s also been linked to New York, where former Pacers’ coach Isiah Thomas is working as the Knicks’ GM. Frustration has started to set in for English and he recently fired his agent for not returning phone calls.

Right now, there’s no Air Canada Centre or Madison Square Gardens for Carl English. Last season, the NBA dream took him through Roanoke, Virginia. Other nights, his Florida Flame played in rural Alabama. Hopefully, an NBA scout or GM will notice the 14 points per game scoring average and 46% shooting from beyond the arc. It may never happen. Then again, things have never been easy for Carl English.

Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts on English’s story. Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog. Photo courtesy of Laura English’s on-line portfolio.

Help Wanted: a back-up point guard, capable of playing fifteen minutes per night, running half-court sets, and filling-in when the starter is hurt. 

The Phoenix Suns must have considered placing the above ad in newspapers and Craig’s List. Since luring Steve Nash back to the desert in July of 2004, the team has failed to find a decent second-string table-setter.

Leandro Barbosa is a scorer. Eddie House is a shooter, so he moved on to New Jersey before winning an NBA Title with Boston. And Marcus Banks sat for two seasons and then got dealt to Miami.

Of course, Boris Diaw and Grant Hill can play point guard in an emergency. But the Suns – if they want to preserve their star and make another playoff run – have to find a backup for Nash.

Thankfully, a Help Wanted ad may be unnecessary. According to The Arizona Republic, Phoenix is looking to add depth at the one-spot by signing a veteran and taking a chance on a former can’t-miss prospect.

Phoenix will pursue Sam Cassell, Damon Stoudamire or Jason Williams to be its backup point and Carlos Arroyo if he fell to minimum-contract status. Shaun Livingston, a 22-year-old former No. 4 pick, could be brought in if he checks out with the medical staff.

Bringing-in former Clippers Cassell and Livingston is a great idea. Last year, I covered the Steve Nash Charity Classic in Vancouver, where Cassell played on Nash’s team. These two had obvious on-court chemistry, which goes back to their time together in Phoenix.

Cassell could play fifteen minutes per night at point guard and also line-up next to Nash at off-guard. The Suns’ veterans would ensure Gollum keeps his emotions, and mouth, in check, too.

However, Livingston is the wild card. This kid had blue-chip superstar written all over him. Unfortunately, the Clippers rushed him and he suffered a terrible knee injury.

With Phoenix, there’d be no pressure for him to play next year. He could watch Nash and rehab with the club’s famous training staff. In two years, who knows? Livingston’s potential is worth a minimum contract.

Nash needs a veteran backup. Finding a point guard for the future wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Who should Phoenix sign? Cassell? Stoudamire? Williams? Arroyo? Livingston? Let us know in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog fore more info. Image courtesy of tragicx01’s on-line portfolio.

One season. One Championship. And then, like Kaiser Soze in The Usual Suspects, James Posey was gone, leaving the Boston Celtics to sign a four-year, 21 million dollar contract with the New Orleans Hornets.

Reports indicate the Celtics and their glue-forward couldn’t agree on term. Word is the green-and-white wouldn’t offer anything beyond three years, forcing Posey to opt for the security of New Orleans’ longer pact.

This, however, is old news. Here’s the real question: who can replace Posey in Doc Rivers’ rotation? Well, a few free agents offer Posey’s defence, three-point range, veteran savvy, and cult-hero status. Of course, complicating matters is the Celts’ sticky cap predicament, so potential replacements must come cheap.

Option 1: Matt Barnes.   

In 06-07, The Mohawk defined We Believe. After making like Rudy and walking on with the Warriors during training camp, Barnes had a solid season, and drove the Mavericks mad in the playoffs (below is a reminder, music by The Beastie Boys and Nas).

Last year was very different. Barnes spent the 07 off-season working out a one-year, three million-dollar contract to stay with Golden State. For whatever reason, the somewhat tense negotiations carried over to the 07-08 season. Not surprisingly, Barnes’ minutes, points, and rebounds decreased.

Signing with Boston would kick-start his career. The UCLA grad, when focused, provides energy and football-player toughness. But with the Celtics capped-out, Barnes would have to take a short-term deal at below market value.

Option 2: Devean George.

Before his Dallas days and the infamous J-Kidd trade veto, George was a useful cog on some talented Laker sides. The lanky wing still defends, creates space with his outside range, and has valuable experience.

Option 3: Robert Horry.

Big Shot Bob Horry has the resume. But does the seventeen-year veteran have anything left? There is no risk and all reward with Boston offering a one-year pact for the minimum. However, family might limit Horry’s choices to the Texas triangle of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Option 4: Devin Brown.

San Antonio. Utah. Cleveland. There are several reasons these three contenders have signed Brown to come off their bench. Here are four: he’s professional, plays all perimeter positions, can score, and doesn’t cost much.

Who should Boston sign to replace James Posey? Matt Barnes? Devean George? Robert Horry? Devin Brown? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of photographer dpawson‘s on-line portfolio.   

No Elton Brand. No problem. Reports have the Los Angeles Clippers bouncing back from the Brand fiasco by acquiring Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future second round pick.

What the Clippers get:

L.A. is getting a deal; they’ve taken full advantage of a capped-out Denver squad and landed an all-world defender for next to nothing.

The Clippers now boast a twin towers frontcourt in Camby and the rapidly improving Chris Kaman. Their blocks, rebounds, and interior defense should open-up the fast break for the athletic Al Thornton and newly signed Baron Davis.

Best of all, Camby only has two years remaining on his contract at a below market rate of nine million dollars per season. Translation: big time player without the big ticket contract.

What the Nuggets get:

A future second round pick. Denver had to make this move because they overpaid power forwards Kenyon Martin (16 million dollars per season) and Nene (10 million dollars per season).

The Nuggets had 76 million dollars on the books for next season, so dealing Camby was the only way to improve their cap situation. They now have 10 million dollars less in salary, which essentially forms a one season trade exception that can be used for a year.

Denver could use this flexibility to pursue free agents or sit tight with their current roster and reassess in June 2009 when Iverson’s 22 million dollar salary expires.

Winner: Los Angeles, for now. They gave up nothing and reeled-in a top-five center with a cheap contract. And, for the moment, nobody is talking about how they lost Brand. Of course, Denver could make use of the cap space, so we will have to wait and see what unfolds.

L.A. or Denver? Who won the Camby trade? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA analysis. Image courtesy of photographer Aswizer’s on-line portfolio.

Twenty-four months ago, Miami celebrated the Heat’s 2006 championship. Coach Pat Riley danced and Shaquille O’Neal rapped. Quietly, superstar Dwyane Wade enjoyed the party, knowing his playoff was the stuff of a basketball god.

Two years later, Riley is done coaching. Shaq is still rapping, only now he’s asking Kobe Bryant to sample his buttocks. And Wade is still quiet, except the league he once dominated is talking about him being mortal.

Some believe ‘Flash’ is no longer a superstar like Kobe, LeBron or even CP3. Sure, injuries took a toll, but critics focused on his poor fitness. Of course, in 2007, the Bulls swept the Heat and things bottomed-out last year when his squad was lottery-bound by January.  

However, the chatter about Wade slipping is premature. Things are looking up in South Beach.

Injuries ended Wade’s 2007-08 season five weeks early, giving him extra rest. It looks like he has taken advantage of the time off. At a recent charity game, the guard electrified the crowd by converting several lobs into athletic jams.

Playing for Team USA will help. Each day, he’ll practice with eleven other mega-stars and then suit up against the world’s best in China. And the coaching staff will likely preserve Wade for Miami’s regular season by using him as a sixth man.

He’s also got new teammates. Marion, if he’s not traded for cap space, should provide athleticism. James Jones is a deep threat, capable of spreading the floor and punishing double-teams, while Michael Beasley has impressed in summer league.

Look for Wade, if healthy, to enoy a rebirth. A second NBA Title is unlikely, but talk of him falling off is flat wrong.

Is Wade still a bonafide superstar? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA news. Photo courtesy of photographer Killbucky’s on-line portfolio.