The Top 50

#10 Carmelo Anthony

Coming in a good 200 spots higher than the guy Detroit snubbed him for in the '03 Draft is Mr. Anthony, the oft-maligned but often outstanding face of the Denver Nuggets. What exactly Joe Dumars thought he saw in Donnie Darko we'll never know, but his selection came at the expense of a guy who was already a better player than the Serb could've hoped to become. As pure a scorer as you'll find at the 3, Melo consistently drops 25+, probably 30 if not for his proximity to offensive black hole Allen Iverson. His game's well-rounded; not prolifically dynamic like that kid from Akron, but Anthony's a solid rebounder, passer and defender, his talents much more stable than his time in the NBA spotlight. His career's been a constant battle between the basketball superstar and the delinquent idiot that live inside Carmelo Anthony.

After he punctuated one of the most dominant freshman years ever with a title at Syracuse, Melo took the league by storm with a rookie campaign that led the previously pitiful Nuggets to the playoffs and left him toe-to-toe with Lebron for ROY honors. After he spent the next season stuck in neutral on the court and stuck in negative headlines nationwide (everything from an "accidental" marijuana arrest to a cameo in a gang-related mixtape video), things fell back in order, the basketball superstar was winning out again. His scoring and shooting percentages rose like cement, he got hitched; things were legit... Until December '06 when a (for lack of a better description) pansy-assed sucker-punch on New York's Mardy Collins left him suspended for a month and again the subject of a racially-charged, hip-hop generation targeting national debate on the character of sports superstars. This past season wasn't without its own blemish: Melo was caught booze-cruising on the eve of his team's most important game (one in which he, for the record, dropped 11 on 3-14), which was promptly followed by a frustrating playoff exit by the broom of the Lakers. The idiot was gaining the upper hand again.

The thing about Carmelo's that even when the idiot is rearing his ugly head, he's still one of the best players in the league; one who's been a leader in both Denver and Beijing (even though the former hasn't really gotten anywhere). When his maturity finally catches up with his skills, and if he develops that killer instinct that separates the great from the good, Denver might finally get out of the first round. Lord knows if that, or anything, will be enough to put the idiot to rest for good, but it would serve the superstar well to check himself before it becomes a permanent stain on what could be a legendary career.

The Top 50

#11 - Tracy McGrady

...somebody had to bubble the Top 10. Despite his remarkable play in leading Houston to a historic run of victories last season, T-Mac, like Yao before him, finds himself in a position that under-appreciates his talent because of his inability to stay on the court. There's no he's question he's among the league's best pure players and greatest athletes, but his eternal quest for playoff mediocrity, while his aching back slowly buckles under the increasing pressure, has been painful to watch, let alone play through.

McGrady's a truly awesome physical specimen. A long 6'8", he swoops through the air with a smoothness reminiscent of the Iceman. He's too quick for bigger players, too big for quicker players; able to get his rocks off on any defender. His league-leading scoring(32/game in '03) has subsided, along with some of his explosiveness, but Mac's become more of a playmaker on a team that until Rafer's emancipation last year, didn't really have one. He handles the ball more than any 3 in the League besides Lebron, and still does better than 2:1 assists/turnovers as, after Yao's injury, the only legit scoring threat the Rockets boasted. His length also helps him on defense, as he gets over a steal and a block/game and if tough for smaller players to beat off the dribble.

But while equipped with some of the finest tools, McGrady's never accomplished anything outstanding with them. He's been an outstanding playoff performer; his numbers speak for themselves, but despite them he's yet to move beyond the first round after seven futile attempts. It would be too stern to say it's all his fault; he's been on some questionable teams and played hurt more than most, but his legacy mirrors that of Kevin Garnett's early career, only it's highly doubtful that McGrady's competitive fire rages nearly as hard as KG's. Tracy's been one to defer blame and front like a 3-1 series lead's untouchable, while his desire to be in the spotlight and out Vince's shadow broke up a promising young tandem, one that could've accomplished things he's only been grasping at ever since.

Things appear to be falling into place in Houston: after Mcgrady (playing some of the best ball of his career) led them to a surprise playoff appearance without Yao last season, the Rockets acquired Ron Artest for 10 cents on the dollar and now bost one of the most fearsome three-headed monsters league-wide. Having a this scoring presence will make it that much harder for defenses to cue in on the Big Mac and allow him to exert himself less when his back's bothering him. Hopefully it'll lead to him staying healthy and finally snapping that playoff curse; he's good enough to re-write his legacy and finally looks to have the right team to do it with.

The future

Brandon Jennings bitch....get familiar

The Top 50

#12 - Yao Ming

What seems like ages ago (ok six seasons), the Houston Rockets struck lottery gold in the form of a curiously large man from Shanghai; a giant in both size and international stature he was an important addition on many levels. Their Franchise player already established, the Rockets front office felt their new star would be true to his namesake and another dynasty would reign in Houston. Somewhere along the way though, the wheels fell off (including Yao's more than a few times), and while Steve Francis was dealt in timely fashion before his disgraceful implosion, the Ming era has been far from prosperous.

It's often hard to see Yao for the player he is. Few athletes have ever been surrounded by as much hype as him; been as closely scrutinized or had more weight on their shoulders. The first legit basketball superstar from the World's most populous country, he was looked on as more than a saviour for a troubled franchise but a global ambassador of a game hose international appeal was booming. He juggled his newfound celebrity and the challenges of being an NBA rookie admirably, keeping a smile for the ominous media and Houston in the playoff race until the season's final games. It was a promising beginning, but even though his game has grown strong enough to fit his 7'6" frame, said frame hasn't held up its end of the deal.

Yao's played no more than 57 games in any of the past three seasons; a troubling track record that makes you almost forget he's the best true center in the league. Year after year, the Rockets seem poised to contend in the West, only to fall short when Yao inevitably falls down. Years of balancing commitments to the NBA and China's national team are taking their toll and the big guy might have to slow his roll, lest evolve into an Asian Patrick Ewing by his 30th birthday.

He's lucky in the sense that his game is fairly laid-back; he's not called on to run the floor a whole lot, doesn't play an overly physical game in the post and is naturally long enough that he doesn't need to exert himself as much as other players to rebound and block shots. Another bonus will the newfound presence of Ron Artest, which will ease the burden on Yao's legs (and T-Mac's back) by providing defensive enforcement and 20/game if needed. The team should be good enough to stay near the top of the West even if Yao's coasting in neutral from time to time, which might be their best course of action, because another serious injury could spell the end of their season, and seriously endanger Yao's career.

The Top 50

#13 - Steve Nash

He looks a little out of place for sure; the tiny white soccer player who dominates the hardwood like the tall, athletic African-Americans who are truly considered the best in the NBA. But while his physique certainly doesn't intimidate, his uncanny ability to run circles around any defense terrifies everybody he faces. Equally proficient in turning impossible angles into easy opportunities for both himself and his teammates, Nash can burn people any way he wants and make it look way to easy for a skinny white kid from Canada.

The Basketball Gods created a truly unique specimen; a glorious union of Stockton and Pistol Pete who'd be among the league's leading scorers if he didn't have so many able teammates to create shots for...and wasn't so fucking good at it. It's remarkable watching him play because he gives up so much in size and athleticism against almost every opponent, yet he has so much on them in pure basketball ability. Nash has a feel for the game few have ever possessed; he sees things other don't, makes moves others wouldn't think to and looks smoother than the warm butter he turns defenses into. His constant movements keep defenses alert and because he's the league's best passer and one of its deadliest shooters, he sucks in coverage like a black hole anywhere inside 30 feet and gives the likes of Amare and Shaq that much more room to operate.  

With such praises raining down on him, you might wonder why he's isn't a little higher. I tried convincing myself I'd rather have Nash on my squad than some of the guys just ahead of him, but if any player this high on the list has truly seen his best years, it's him. Already a late bloomer by NBA standards, he's milked his prime longer than Mark Cuban and everyone else believe he could. By the time last year's playoffs rolled around, Steve was visibly strained; a step slow with and without the ball while Tony Parker dominated him worse than he is by Eva. Nash was never one to really, you know, play defense, but last season he was just a straight up liability. With D'Antoni gone and presumably more of an emphasis on D in Phoenix, this will put more of an onus on him than ever before...and probably won't work out so well. Though a player like Steve who relies on skills rather than athleticism tends to age well, it might not be enough for the Suns, who suddenly look very old; like they're almost setting, and more out of place among the West playoff teams than Nash looks this high on the list.

Bron takes a rare L

The Top 50

#14 - Deron Williams
He’s not Chris Paul. The comparisons have stuck like duct tape ever since the Jazz snagged Williams with the third pick in the 2005 Draft, right ahead of the Wake Forest phenom. Despite his own dominance, Deron just can’t seem to shake the unfair and illogical parallels that are constantly drawn between the two classmates. He may never be as good as Paul, but looking at Williams’ ability in his shadow is a tragic undermining of one of the best players in the game.

Standing a solid 6’3”, Williams has the body physically dominate most point guards he faces. While he isn’t nearly as quick as the top-tier 1’s he joined the ranks of last season, he’s very good at using his size to shoot over and muscle through smaller defenders. Thus, he dropped 19/game and shot more efficiently than any other point last season, besting Paul and even Steve Nash with a .507 shooting clip. His 19/10/.500 last season put him in the exclusive company of the Johnsons (Magic and Kevin), something even Chris Paul can’t claim.

Equally adept at scoring and distributing, Williams seamlessly slid between roles and led Utah near the top of the West, but was still slept on by ignorant coaches who left him off the All-Star squad. He proceeded to annihilate the Skills Competition and went on a second-half tear that saw him dish more assists in March than any player not named John Stockton has in a single month and light up the Lakers for 22/12/5 in a second-round loss. His place among the game’s best was questioned; his response left no room for debate.

Deron’s ridiculous end to last season and ensuing triumph in Beijing bode well for a Utah team looking to make waves in the West. One of the few teams with a legitimate shot at winning a conference that somehow might be even tougher than last season, they’ve found a true leader in Williams. All of 24, he’s improved his game every year and has time on his side; the tandem he forms with Carlos Boozer already drawing some legitimate (though premature) comparisons to Stockton and Malone. But enough of the comparisons. They’re demeaning to the skills of one of the league’s brightest young stars. He’s not Chris Paul, but almost every other point guard in the league isn’t Deron Williams.

The Top 50

#15 - Allen Iverson

It's nothing short of a miracle that AI's survived long enough to see his name on this list. Let's ignore the fact that he's one of the league's most prolific scorers ever and focus on the simple reality that he's generously listed at six feet and has taken more abuse over the past decade than any player who never released an album called Shaq Fu. Night after night, for years, he's dominated the game as a dwarf amongst giants; and the past couple of seasons, against all conventional wisdom, has shown no signs of aging. Last season was a disappointment in Denver, but AI's 26/7/2 steals (and the fewest turnovers of his career) were nothing for the 32 year-old to be ashamed of. It's a miracle that he's still playing; that he's still playing this well is beyond adjectives.

There isn't much to say about Iverson's nastiness that hasn't already been beaten to death. He's World-class is so many regards, from his retarded handle to his dizzying quickness with the ball and on D, and ability to finish amidst much larger bodies. One of the few players who can destroy an opposing team by himself, Iverson sits third in career scoring average behind two dudes named Wilt and Michael. When you remember that he's 6 feet tall, he could be called the greatest scorer ever.

At this point though, you've gotta question his ability to lead a winning team. Iverson, (who dropped the gem "how the hell can I make my teammates better by going to practice?" at the end of his infamous "Practice" rant) has gone through almost as many wingmen as injuries. Carmelo Anthony, Keith Van Horn (during his brief stint as a legit NBA starter), Derrick Coleman, Jerry Stackhouse and Chris Webber have all failed in attempts to play second-fiddle alongside AI. The '01 squad he somehow dragged to the Finals was a rounded team whose second-best player was Dikembe, and AI's heroics were only thing preventing some broom action in that series. The rest of his career's been plagued by early exits and lottery visits, a fate he's almost certain to repeat in Denver this season. As insane as his career's been, he's never been called a winner, and with each passing season his body will take more of a pounding and he'll (probably) slow down soon. 

He's currently committed to a franchise that's salary-cap shackled and dumping talent for nothing to get under it, and far from a lock for the playoff next year. As many incredible things as he's done in his career, if he can lead this wayward Nuggets team to a title before Father Time finally catches up on D, it might top them all. 

The Top 50

#16 – Gilbert Arenas
Agent Zero talks a big one. He’s among the most visible of all athletes (and some would argue the most arrogant) already an award-winning blogger and YouTube regular in addition to his basketball superstardom. He gives himself hilarious nicknames, calls out other players and speaks his mind on (literally) any topic; all while carrying a swag that keeps everybody laughing and the Commish on edge. He’d be the league’s class clown if he weren’t also one of its deadliest players.

Sure, he hasn’t been healthy in a while, but Arenas is still young enough to bounce back to the Hibachi days, when it wasn’t a matter of if he would burn your team, but how severely. Just a year removed from 28/5/6 and 2 steals; impressive even without the slew of scoring outbursts in the wake of Olympic snub (60 on Kobe and the Lakers for good measure) and some of the sickest game-winners ever. He’s among the gutsiest players ever, never afraid to take big shots and place the onus on himself.

His style of commanding the ball may not be ideal on a team with two other guys doing 20/game, but if Arenas can handle having his ego on the backburner, it’ll open up more looks for Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to build upon their excellent ’08 seasons. Gilbert’s also gonna have to work on putting faith in his younger teammates, as Washington’s supporting cast could easily blossom under his guidance or be crippled by his criticism. For better or worse, he might be the most vocal guy on any team, and channelling positive feedback to the Wizards’ bench mob will help them strengthen the team beyond its feared threesome.

Arenas’ return to the lineup this season will be the ultimate catalyst; the ignition sparking a fire that will blow the Wizards up one way or another. Having lost the Lebron Show in the opening round of the playoffs the last three years, patience is no doubt wearing thin. If the wizards can’t win more with Gilbert healthy this season then it might be time to remodel the roster. Either way, with him involved again, it’ll be worth tuning in for.

The Top 50

#17 - Dirk Nowitzki
I hope this isn’t too low. Dirk’s my least favourite player in the league by a wide margin, so I’ve never been one to praise him. But still. He was MVP* just a year ago. He’s among the rare elite that have reserved All-Star jerseys. He’s the best-shooting 7-footer ever; the guy who started that obscure Euro-fad that accosted the Draft. Whatever. I can’t bring myself to put Nowitzki any higher.

I’ll give him credit where it’s due: his offensive game is extremely effective, he’s a nightmare matchup who can shoot over almost anyone and beat slower defenders off the dribble. He runs the floor and passes extremely well for a big man, doesn’t cough the rock up much and at times can be just plain dominant (recall the ’06 Western Finals). He’s even been remarkably durable, playing in over 70 for the last nine seasons. Bottom line: he’s still one of the nicest offensive players in the league. Nowitzki is up at 17 don’t forget, ahead of some dudes who no GM would trade straight up for him.

...But on the flipside, Dirk’s a chump. He never plays tough defense, perennially underachieves in the playoffs and disappears in the crunch of his most important games. He’s been given some excellent coaching, surrounded by excesses of talent, and still hasn’t copped that ring Mark Cuban’s chasing after like Gollum. Dirk’s questionable legacy will forever be inflated by his Podoloff, even though his face was still swollen from the brisk swipe of Baron Davis’ backhand when he received it. But those glory days appear to have passed; his numbers are down across the board from several years ago and he’s lost some explosiveness in his attacks to the hoop.

I’m forced to see him for what he is: a former over-rated MVP who’s on the decline and further from title contention than he’s been since he was a rookie. He’s never been a good leader, clutch finisher or source of inspiration for his teammates, so I’m sceptical of his, or his team’s, ability to make the dramatic turnaround they need to contend again.

The Top 50

#18 - Baron Davis
It was a tough year in Golden State. The team was riding high after their stunning run into the West playoffs, looking to continue burning teams that now had their guard up against their frenetic attack.

But things got off to a rocky start when emotional lynchpin Stephen Jackson was suspended for the first seven games – all Ls. They bounced back into the playoff picture in an insanely tough conference, led by the inspired play of Davis, one of the toughest guards in the league himself. He had conquered an MVP and a 67-win team, rained triple-doubles when Tracy McGrady’s playoff ambition got a little premature, and wouldn’t let Golden State stay in the basement. They stormed through the season’s middle stages, making up lost ground behind Davis’ 22/5/8, adding 2 ½ steals/game against West point guards, no easy feat. The team seemed poised for return to the playoffs, and the race went down to the season’s final games, but the wheels came off down the stretch, just as the season had started, and the
Warriors found themselves outside the bracket.

The strain of the season had worn on the whole team, most visibly Davis, who spent the second half of the team’s final game parked on the bench, holding several pounds of Don Nelson’s smoked beef. His upcoming free agency was no doubt on his mind, and probably should’ve been on Nelson’s. Baron bolted to the Clippers, who will be joining Golden State in the desperate race for the West’s final playoff spots. Without their best player (and with their new point guard battling a serious injury), the Warriors are going to be hard-pressed to play on the same level. They’ll miss his shooting, his crossover, his fearless takes to the hoop, his clutch playmaking, crowd-hyping hysterics and, of course, the beard. Things are going to be much tougher without him.

The Top 50

#19 – Chris Bosh
Over the past year, with the fading of Mats Sundin and Vernon Wells, Chris Bosh has had to assume a new role: no longer just the face of his own franchise, he’s the best pro athlete in Toronto. He runs the city, and as the dude leading the NBA’s last link to Canada, he faces some heavy expectations for his skinny frame to shoulder. So far however, he’s been outstanding, and All-Star and Olympian who leads by example both on and off the court; one of the NBA’s class acts and brightest young stars.

A product of the revered Class of ‘03, Bosh has lived up to his billing as the top big man in the draft, even thrust into the spotlight at such a young age. He was a 19 year-old with just his freshman season at Georgia Tech and 20-some-odd NBA games under his belt when the Raptors traded Vince Carter and he became the future of basketball north of the border. A entire country would be watching. No biggie. He remained cool under pressure, steadily improved his game every year and bulked up, becoming somewhat of a physical presence on a team that sorely missed the likes of Antonio Davis and Charles Oakley. He hit game winners, challenged his teammates and became active in charity work, giving back to the city that had put so much on him; he was everything Toronto could’ve asked for in a franchise player.

Bosh enters ’08-’09 with new company flanking him in the Raps’ starting lineup. JO’s the first All-Star caliber player Bosh will have shared a jersey with (…Vince’s final season with Toronto was hardly “All-Star caliber”), and if he stays healthy will give him much more room to operate in the mid-range game he loves to exploit. Also helping their cause will be the increased role of Jose Calderon and the continuing development of Jamario Moon and (Lord willin’) Andrea Bargnani. O’Neal’s health is the big question mark but this team has the potential to contend in the East if everything falls into place. Their ever-adoring fans in Canada, surely anxious for this team to succeed, will have those same heavy expectations. One thing they can count on for sure is Bosh; fresh off a gold medal in Beijing, he’s not in the losing spirit, and if what he’s done in the face of expectations is any indication, he’ll deliver.

The Top 50

#20 – Emmanuel Ginobili
While reading what follows, try and remember we’re talking about a bench player here. This guy would be welcomed into any starting backcourt in the L, but graciously accepts a backseat to balance San Antonio’s attack. The fact that he hardly played 30 minutes/game last year didn’t stop him from dropping barely under 20/5/5, as his versatility proved almost as impressive as his relentlessly passionate play.

Manu leaves it all on the floor; he arguably plays harder than anyone else in the league, maybe even the World. He’s fearless; never shying away from a bigger opponent, he drives to the hoop with determination that would seem reckless if he didn’t do it so easily. It’s no different story on defense, where he’s constantly instigating; poking at dribbles, diving for loose balls, creating offensive fouls at every opportunity. He chases the rock like it’s a fucking leprechaun. While there’s no doubt his heart and hustle are what fuels his excellence, don’t think Ginobili isn’t insanely talented. His range extends to 3-point range and he’s becoming as dangerous a jumpshooter as he is a slasher. His handle’s sleek, his vision vast and his passes on point. There aren’t any glaring flaws in his game, he’s truly one of the league’s best all-around players.


Now try and remember: we’re talking about a bench player here. The privilege of starting the game on the floor, a divisive issue for several players on many teams, is of no consequence to a guy who can hold weight this high on any top 50 list. Manu has more important things on his mind, like winning; already having hoisted the Larry O (thrice) and stood atop the Olympic podium. He’ll both lead and follow, filling whatever role helps get the W. A rare breed in modern basketball, Ginobili personifies what it means to love the game, so it’s hard to show him anything else in return.

The Top 50

#21 – Elton Brand

Elton recently spurned a longtime shoe deal with a much larger company to sign with Converse, where he’ll establish a signature line. The first installment’s a discreet design, like a sedated pair of Nike Forces, which will exclusively retail for a modest 90 bucks at a department store chain. It’ll be a shoe without the ego and flashy ad campaign; one that simply gets the job done. Kind of appropriate since that’s what Elton’s been doing his whole career.

He burst onto the scene in ‘99-00, sharing ROY honors with some dude named Steve Francis. He dropped the 20 and 10 he’s consistently put up ever since, establishing himself as a monster on both sides of the ball who’s also swatted 2 shots/game over his career. He’s never developed his game much because he frankly didn’t have much need to; he came into the league as ready as anyone could’ve been. You hardly ever hear about the guy because he’s played on some absolutely horrendous teams over the years, but he’s shown up, given his all and never complained to the media, demanded trades or hardly raised an eyebrow, just waited for an out.

That out finally came this summer when Brand became an unrestricted free agent and the prize catch of an otherwise shallow offseason. Rather than re-up with the Clippers, even after their acquisition of Baron Davis, Elton crossed the country to Philadelphia, where he’ll address the team’s desperate need for a low-post scoring threat and (likely) instantly vault them into the Conference’s elite tier. The promise shown by the young team he’ll lead exceeds anything ever exhibited by his surroundings in LA and Chicago. Brand could, for the first time his career, have a legitimate shot at the Finals; his chance to perform under the bright lights on the NBA’s biggest stage. And after struggling on so many sub-par teams all these years, just like when he came out of college, no one’s more ready than he is.

The Top 50

#22 – Carlos Boozer

Here’s another dude I find it really hard to be objective towards. I’m a devout Lebron James fan, and with that has come a natural adoration of the Cavs. So it’s impossible for me not to be just slightly bitter towards a dude who spurned a verbal contract with the team’s owner, a blind man no less, to sign with the Jazz for more money….leaving Drew Gooden in his wake. But like Vince before him on this list (and several to follow), his play still amazes me, despite what I’ll say about his character. I’ll hate the player, not the game. The anchor of a devastating one-two punch that leads one of the West’s best teams, he’s an undersized 4, but one of the best in the business.

Boozer’s a straight up bull; an extremely physical bruiser who lurks in the mid-low post amongst bigger bodies and still dominates. He’s not extremely athletic or quick, but his strength and excellent fundamentals (4 years with Coach K will rub off on a guy) have made him a true force. He waxes glass better than any player his height in the L; 10/game last year after almost 12 the season before. ’08 also saw him average 20 on .547 from the floor and a decent 74% from the stripe. Boozer rounded out his efficient attack with a positive assist/turnover ratio, impressive for a player on a team with few shooters who isn’t known as a passer.

Utah will have their work cut out for them next year, with Houston likely leaping ahead of them into the West’s elite echelon. The Lakers and Hornets are primed for repeats of their huge seasons and the Spurs can never be counted out. Throw in wild cards like Phoenix, Portland, Dallas and whoever else decides to make waves in the West, and things should be getting crowded atop the standings again. No one should be entirely enthralled about the Jazz’s prospects of coming out on top, but Carlos Boozer’s been here before. Written off as too small for big leagues, he sunk to the second round, coming out of nowhere to prove he more than belongs. Maybe he can defy the odds again…but bet the house I’ll be rooting against him.

The Top 50

#23 – Ron Artest

Ron’s got some issues. Sure, all of us do to some extent, but the guy’s just plain nuckin’ futs. Domestic disputes. Absence requests to promote rap albums. Igniting the most infamous brawl in North American sports history. His rap sheet goes on, such that most guys whose names attached to it would’ve been out of the league years ago. Artest though, much like his fan-fighting former partner in crime Stephen Jackson, makes crazy look too damn good.

Ron is what he is; probably the most intense guy in the league. Raw and unchained, he’s a beast on both ends of the court, his excellence birthed from equal parts basketball skill and utter insanity. Compounding the danger of this fragile mind is the body that houses it; that rare Lebron-ish combination of strength and agility. His imposing 6’8” frame can muscle up with bigger players and just plain bully everybody else, whether he’s making moves to the hoop or getting in the way of someone else’s. Many would argue he’s the best defender in the league and absolutely nobody would tell him otherwise to his face. On the other hand, Artest is also an adept scorer with a streaky shot and indomitable will to get at the basket. He handles and passes extremely well for a player his size, though some would, all too naturally, question his decision making from time to time.

Artest will be arriving in Houston amid much apprehension. His play will be of great value to a team like the Rockets that prides itself on defense and could use another gun when T-Mac or Yao invariably gets injured. But then there’s the always –present worry about his frame of mind. Is he still the same guy who applied for a part-time job at Circuit City to cash in on employee discounts, or are we to believe him when he says he’s matured and will help bring a title back to Texas. One thing’s for sure, it’ll be entertaining in any regard, but hopefully this time for the right reasons.