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A: While Chicago came out of the gates with an impressive victory over the Spurs, I understand your concerns. The Bulls certainly could have used Gordon's scoring in their second game against the Celtics.
Gordon was the Bulls' definitive go-to player last season, particularly in those playoff showdowns against the Celtics. With Derek Rose possessing such a shaky shot, there is legitimate concern about whether Chicago has a closer.
This might have to be when Luol Deng finally steps forward. Ensemble teams are wonderful to watch for the first 45 minutes of games, and Chicago certainly has an encouraging depth of talent. But, as in baseball, you can only go so far without a closer.
As for your Cavaliers question, I would say yes, if Delonte West can make it all the way back from his offseason issues.
Otherwise, after filling their need for length on the wing with Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, the Cavaliers could find themselves lacking when it comes to playmaking and ballhandling. Don't understate West's significance to Cleveland's title hopes.
A: If Cleveland wins a championship, it will be because of LeBron and then because of the boost provided by the perimeter length of Parker and Moon.
But what Shaquille O'Neal can provide is a "moment," perhaps adding an extra playoff win or two for Cleveland. Considering where the Cavaliers stood last season, that could be enough to put them over the top.
A: While plenty has been made about the chemistry issues regarding Artest, the reality is he is a more talented player than Trevor Ariza. So it ultimately comes down to how coach Phil Jackson manages the situation. And is there a better situation-manager in the game today than Jackson?
Last season, the questions with the Lakers were about Lamar Odom accepting a shift to the bench. Jackson massaged that move all the way to his 10th NBA title.
The greater issue is age and ailments. How much longer can Derek Fisher be the same player? Will all the wear on Kobe Bryant eventually show? Can Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum stay injury free?
When Artest wants to make something work, he makes it work, although the loss to the Mavericks in the season's second game certainly was disheartening.
A: Fine, but ask the 30 NBA general managers which player they would take if they could have only one.
Even putting aside age, the view is LeBron can do more.
Big-game experience and productivity? That's a different story. That's a Kobe story.
For a season, or to build around? I'm convinced LeBron would be the choice.
A: The one lesson the league has learned over the past decade is you can never sleep on Chauncey Billups, who has made his teams fixtures in the conference finals.
While Denver's luxury-tax position cost it Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza in the offseason, there still is plenty of talent in place when counting Carmelo Anthony, Nene, Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen, J.R. Smith and, now, Ty Lawson.
If coach George Karl can hold it together for another season, the Nuggets could well wind up crashing the Spurs' and Lakers' party.
A: The problem for Atlanta is there is an Elite Three in the East and the Hawks simply don't measure up. Based on the way this same Atlanta core looked in last season's playoffs against Cleveland, it is difficult to make a case for the Hawks.
As was the case last season, the best outcome for the Hawks likely would be a fourth-place finish in the East, and therefore homecourt advantage in the first round, which they needed to eliminate the Heat in seven games last season.
As for the East, its top three is better than the West's top three. But the West probably still has better middle-of-the-pack potential.
A: Because Josh is the ultimate tease.
When he plays at the rim, utilizes his athleticism on both ends of the court, Josh is a special talent.
But he's also as likely to be found on the perimeter, foolishly launching 3-point shots.
When he eventually plays solely to his strengths, he will take that next step when it comes to respect. For now, he is as much sideshow as star.
A: No, the NBA monitors such negations carefully, and there cannot be bonuses or perks that circumvent the salary cap.
What you are referring to is the NBA's "home team" advantage. When it comes to free agents, a player's current team is allowed to offer a six-year contract, while outside teams can offer a maximum of five years. Also, a player's current team can offer 2 percent more in annual raises than an outside team.
In the end, it means a team can extend about $30 million more in a maximum offer than an outside team. It all is part of the league's preference to somewhat limit the movement of its star talent.
A: The plan is to maintain enough salary-cap space for next summer that Riley can go to Wade and ask, "OK, what two players would you like to see me add?"
Should Riley spend any of next summer's cap cash on 2009-10 additions, it could compromise that plan.
As for the current plan, the party line is about internal growth from young players such as Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook, as well as a return to pre-injury form by Jermaine O'Neal.
A: First, at least on paper, all three appear better than the Magic this season.
The reality is Orlando found the worst time to get its act together, when the East actually doesn't stink.
A few years back, this Magic roster would have ranked as a clear conference front-runner. Now, the East is even more top-heavy than the Western Conference.
That said, it would be absolutely foolish to sleep on a team that possesses the league's most dominant big man.
I guess the issue comes down to Vince Carter, who hasn't led his teams to anywhere of significance.
If Carter can show that he can be the finisher on a contender, then the view of Orlando changes and places it right up there with Boston and Cleveland.
A: At 37, it is a legitimate question with Grant. Yet the perception is that he truly enjoys playing the game and that he wants to make up for the time lost because of injury.
It could come down to the Suns' success and Grant's ability to contribute.
With Phoenix committing to Steve Nash's future with this summer's extension, it's not as if a youth movement exactly is under way in Phoenix.
A: The issue with the Jazz is that it does not want to take on any future salary, which severely limits its options. Since Boozer's contract is expiring, a deal likely would have to involve a trade partner agreeing to take on extra, future salary.
That is why while Detroit has both Ben Gordon and Richard Hamilton at shooting guard, a make-sense move with the Pistons actually doesn't make sense at all for Utah, unless the Jazz changes its position on the cap and the tax.
