The Orlando Magic announced Tuesday they have named Adonal Foyle the team's director of player development, replacing Morlon Wiley. Foyle's responsibilities will include providing support for the overall development of players, acting as a conduit between players and management and assisting the Basketball Operations staff.

Orlando Magic Daily is the premier online destination to get your daily fill of all things Magic. Now overshadowed by our Florida foe the Heat , we think we're not too shabby ourselves and that the future is bright for the Magic.

Visit Orlando Magic Daily

Just about everyone who follows the Magic were hoping they would find some way to keep Foyle around and figured the job vacated by Morlon Wiley -- who by all accounts did a very good job in this post -- was going to be the place Foyle found his fit.

In a way, Foyle has been doing this job already too.

He did not play at all -- and I mean at all -- last year and was more or less on the roster as an extra body in practice and as a mentor to some of the younger players and, especially, Dwight Howard. Even after Orlando traded him in 2009 to Memphis in the Rafer Alston deal, the team found a way to bring him back. Despite his limited amount of skills on the court, Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith both called re-signing Foyle to be the easiest decision in the summer of 2009.

As the team's representative to the NBA Players Union and the union's vice president, he also has ample experience representing players problems to management. So, in a way, he has been grooming himself for this position for a few years now.

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who would not want Foyle as part of their organization.

So a big Orlando Magic Daily congratulations to Adonal Foyle. We are very glad to have him still in the family!

The Slanch Report loves baseball dearly and will report a lot on it. We shall also strive to bring you the best possible coverage of all the other sports out there , bringing you the best plays, the weirdest stories , the cases of idiocy and of course , the hot women that intersect therein. We believe in class and etiquette but rarely muster the effort ourselves. We do applaud it., and more.

Visit Slanch Report

Unfortunately, politics seemed to have stepped in and put a delay in the plan. Apparently the mayor was less than psyched about a slew of goods with the message behind them "Hey, we don't want this crap, please take it." Because the homeless are a) so discerning, b) receiving a non-stop slew of brand-new designer clothes?

The clothing has yet to be distributed as these issues get sorted out. A mayoral spokesman said that His Honor is actually NOT opposed, despite the reports saying otherwise, to the plan, and also intends on donating 200 t-shirts from his previous campaign to the homeless around town. Smart move. Not only does it mean you don't actually have to do anything to fix the problem and also hey, free advertising! Win-win.

I will say this, if you're going to be homeless, doing it in Miami seems like a GREAT idea; I'm taking it under advisement for my (rapidly approaching) future.

Carmelo's standoff - a game of chicken into the abyss?

As a free agent Carmelo Anthony will have to peer into an abyss in the upcoming offseason

"The sweet wouldn't be as sweet without the sour." (Vanilla Sky 2001)

[knicksfanaticsblog ]Due to a player option which can be exercised or bypassed next off season, Anthony's situation presents the more imminent challenge for his current franchise. In the wake of Anthony's decision not to resign the contract extension offered to him by Denver, various teams have been listed as possible trading partners with Denver. Several were mentioned as preferred trade partners (Nets and Clippers) with the Nuggets due to the organizations insistence that a they get back young talent and draft picks in any trade scenario. The Bobcats, Warriors and Rockets were also mentioned as possible trade partners, with rumors out there that Anthony may prefer landing in Houston over the oft mentioned union with Stoudemire in New York. While some suggest that a pairing with Kobe and Gasol in Los Angeles may also be a possibility. The Nuggets may want Carmelo to accede to a sign and trade to a team that presents Denver the best package of young players and draft picks. But the teams listed all raise questions as to whether they will be ideal landing spots for Anthony or whether they'll provide sufficient value in a trade with the Nugget's for Anthony's services.

Would Anthony be best served by joining relatively young teams in the Clippers or Nets without another mature marquee talent in place to help shoulder the burden of expectations and leadership? Would Anthony want to play in Kobe's shadow for Los Angeles' other team? A youthful Warriors team, could pair Anthony with David Lee and rising star Stephen Curry (if their trade package precludes those two). Then again if you think D'Antoni is skittish, moody and plain out whack what have you with Don Nelson? The Rockets could present the Nuggets an interesting mix of players in return. But wouldn't concerns over the long term durability of Star Yao Ming, give Melo pause for concern? A package of players from the Lakers would likely include Andrew Bynum who has had a history of injury to his right knee in the past several years. The Lakers like the Mavericks, Bobcats and Magic (who could also offer an intriguing package of mostly veteran players) would have to obtain Anthony's services via trade since all three franchises are currently over the salary cap and are projected to be likewise the next offseason. Whereas the Clippers, Nets, Warriors, Rockets and Knicks should have a reserve of cap space to make a bid for Anthony next offseason (but the Rockets would have to choose between Ming or Anthony).

The advantage of Control in the face of Uncertainty:

In a tug of war between the Nuggets and their franchise player, Anthony's advantage is only tangible if he is willing to accept the risk (of injury or that of an adversely refashioned CBA) that comes with preserving his right to test free agency. Unlike James or Bosh before him, Anthony will not have the benefit of the current CBA or the certainty of knowing whether it will be drafted in a manner favorable to star players such as Paul and him (though I believe it likely will). James and Bosh, found themselves in a desert barren of championships with their respective teams knowing that the opening in 2010 presented them an oasis with a dynasty beckoning. Carmelo on the other hand will have to play a game of chicken with his current franchise, fully knowing that he may be jumping into an abyss of uncertainty.

But on the other side of the abyss Carmelo may enjoy a measure of control. Carmelo's plight is one that presents him with a decision between a premium on certainty or control. Carmelo can enjoy the certainty of an extended contract under the terms of the current CBA (with or without a trade out of Denver). On the other hand, Carmelo can take a dive into the abyss understanding that next summer he will have control. The control to determine which suitor seeking his service is in best position to advance Carmelo's championship aspirations and player legacy.

Back to Lebron James destiny as the 'Chosen One.' Lebron's decision in the wake of the summer of 2010 set an example of how free agency may be used as an opening to excercise free will and control. An opening for players to exercise a measure of control over their fates/legacies. An opening that may be significantly altered of closed depending on the outcome of power politics in the NBA (I doubt that it will happen so readily). Lebron may still be basektball's chosen one whose decision opened a path for other marquee players, with possible league altering repercussions on the horizon.

With the ball in Carmelo Anthony's court, will he bide his time in his standoff with the Nuggets, knowing full well that his option to test free agency leaves him in control? Will Anthony's rumored insistence on joining Stoudemire in Gotham as his only sign and trade preference advance New York slow to ripen but sweet as caramel dreams of a championship caliber super team?

When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh formally introduced themselves to Miami Heat fans as the Three Kings, the crowd began chanting, “Beat L.A.!” And make no mistake, all eyes will be on Miami when the Heat visits the Los Angeles Lakers Dec. 25, but can this team defeat the Lakers in a seven-game series?

Leaving it All on the Court provides comprehensive commentary and analysis of the Miami Heat. We believe the glory days are now with D wade although the days of Riley , Zo , and Hardaway weren't too shabby at all.

Visit Leaving It All On the Court

Miami's two biggest challengers to the throne, the Boston Celtics and the Lakers, pose different challenges to the Heat. Boston has one of the best point guards in the League in Rajon Rondo, and he can easily break down a team's defense; the Lakers do not. Los Angeles' lack of a very good point guard should work in Miami's favor. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra won't have to ask Wade or James to chase around a speedy point guard, and Miami can survive if it has any of its point guards on the court. Derek Fisher can hit timely shots, but he is not a star.

Kobe Bryant is the Lakers' focal point offensively, and neutralizing him should be a priority for the Heat coaching staff. He is 32 years old, but his jump-shot is still deadly. Spoelstra should use a combination of Wade and James to defend Bryant, with the player not defending the five-time champion instead guarding Ron Artest. Miami's two All-Defensive Team players need to stay disciplined and contest all of Bryant's jump-shots.

The Lakers' all-time leading scorer shot just 6-for-24 from the field in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, but Los Angeles still won the game. The Lakers won the battle of the boards 53-40, though, and Pau Gasol added 19 points. Chris Bosh is one of the best power forwards in the League, and he and Gasol cancel out. Before Gasol was traded to the Lakers, he played on the Memphis Grizzlies and never even won a playoff game. Bosh has not made it past the first round, and he even averaged better statistics with the Toronto Raptors than Gasol did with Memphis. Bosh has career averages of 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds while Gasol's career numbers with the Grizzlies were 18.9 points and 8.6 boards per game.

When discussing a potential Heat vs. Lakers Finals, some sportswriters have labeled Andrew Bynum as the X-factor of the series. Bynum is still largely an enigmatic player; he has shown promise, but has suffered injuries in each of the past three seasons. All the injuries he suffered damaged his knees, which is not a good sign for a young player. He still has not healthily played through the grind of the season and playoffs, so he still has a lot to prove. Bynum has put up 42 points and 15 rebounds in a regular season game, but the same Laker fans who use that performance to extol Bynum as the second-best center in the League dismiss LeBron James' accomplishments during the regular season. The 285-pound center out of Saint Joseph's High School in New Jersey is an imposing physical force, and Joel Anthony may not be able to guard him effectively. Spoelstra may call on Jamaal Magloire to use his body against Bynum.

More broadly, Miami will try to push the tempo against the Lakers. Los Angeles isn't a particularly old team, but all of its rotation players aside from Bynum, Shannon Brown and Sasha Vujacic are on the wrong side of 30. The Heat's possible starting lineup of Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh and Anthony features Wade as the oldest player, who is 28. Miami can rack up blocks and steals to wear down the Lakers; moreover, the Heat's use of a fast-break style offense will mitigate its weakness in the middle.

Spoelstra can exploit his team's quickness advantage with LeBron James. He will be the de facto point guard of the team and brings a lot of unique qualities to the table: he is one of the strongest players in the League, but also one of the fastest. Artest cannot keep up with James' speed, and Los Angeles' help defense will open up shots for players like Mike Miller and Eddie House. Matt Barnes is a little quicker than Artest, and he may receive a lot of minutes off the bench. However, James is still a running locomotive in the open court and that would be the best way to use him.

Assuming that neither team makes any more moves, these two teams should have a highly competitive series if they meet in the Finals. Wade and Bosh largely cancel out Bryant and Gasol, and I know some people will disagree with me about Wade canceling out Bryant. Bryant is great, but so is Wade, and they have been on an even keel for the past two seasons. It appears as though James and Bynum are the two players the Lakers and Heat don't really have an answer for, though. If the series comes down to those two players performances, James is the clear choice. I know Artest and Bryant are two of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, but James' athleticism and court vision are superb. The best hope for other teams is to contain him; during the Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff series with the Boston Celtics, James averaged 26.8 points on 45 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

The Heat is fully capable of beating the Lakers in a seven-game series, which is why the goal is not to just make it to the Finals. The goal is to win a championship, and anything less would be a disappointment.

The World Championships are pumping along just nicely, with the second day of action now under way.

Basketball news and views from the NBA, to the Australian NBL, to FIBA international ball. If it's interesting and it's basketball, you'll find it here. You've been warned!

Visit A Stern Warning

Day one in Kayseri saw a mixed bag of results. Firstly the Aussies gave their fans near heart-attacks with their last gasp win over lowly-ranked Jordan. Andrew Vlahov was in the stands to cheer the Boomers on. Defence was the main deficiency for the Aussies as they let the Jordanians waltz in for numerous uncontested baskets. The only Aussie performances of note came from David Andersen and Aleks Maric. In fact, Maric's performance was so dominant that I had German girls in my hotel asking what NBA team he played for. He was the cog inside that the boomers definitely needed with Andrew Bogut's absence. Meanwhile, Patty Mills didn't show enough on either end to justify my usual man-love for him.

Next up we saw Serbia tear African champions Angola to pieces. They were simply too big for Angola and came away as 50 point winners.

The marquee matchup of the day saw an always tough Argentina take on a youthful Germany. The crowd participation in this one was integral, as the Argies showed off their chants against the Deutsch drummers. The game was tight during the first half, with Germany leading marginally most of the way, until Argentina pulled away in the third. Germany took advantage of their opponents' seemingly napping in the fourth to pull thee game right back to level, behind some stellar play by guards Steffen Hamann and Demond Greene. However the experienced Argentinians managed to hold out for a tight victory.

Day two sees Australia attempt to withstand the might of Argentina, a potential nail-biter between Germany and Serbia and another potential tight one between Angola and Jordan.

Whilst updates to A Stern Warning usually have to wait til I return to my hotel at night, twitter updates @ASternWarning come thick and fast during the games, so make sure following...

If you watched Saturday's World Basketball Championship rout of Croatia by the United States, you might wonder: "Hmm, maybe Team USA did not need Dwight Howard." Rest assured though, even with Spain's loss in the team's first game to France, the American's roster deficiency will appear at some time.

Orlando Magic Daily is the premier online destination to get your daily fill of all things Magic. Now overshadowed by our Florida foe the Heat , we think we're not too shabby ourselves and that the future is bright for the Magic.

Visit Orlando Magic Daily

It is not a deficiency of talent for sure. With Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, there is plenty of talent to lead the team in scoring and employ the team's signature press defense.

It is a deficiency of experience and quality big men. Lamar Odom and Tyson Chandler are the only players on the team with international experience at the national team level. And Tyson Chandler is the only pure center on the roster -- and Odom is starting in the middle.

It is not like everyone did not know this problem was coming. David Lee got hurt in training camp and Amar'e Stoudemire could not get his contract insured in time to participate. That means there is only one person to blame for the National Team's lack of post presence and maybe the Achilles heel that keeps the country from winning its first World Championship since 1994.

The national media's favorite whipping boy: Dwight Howard.

Surely Dwight Howard, he of the two-time Defensive Player of the Year Awards, two conference finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance, is the missing ingredient for Team USA. And surely Team USA, with whom Howard won a bronze at the 2006 World Championships, is exactly what Howard needed to reach that next step and become the league's most dominating force (not that he isn't already).

To the chagrin of Magic fans, the national media does not yet seem to be on Howard's side. There is definitely a perception about Dwight Howard in the national media especially that will not seem to go away. the latest contention is that Howard needed the reps as the best player in big games with Team USA. So being the best player on the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals the last two years is not good enough?

Ultimately the criticisms come down to Howard's demeanor on the court. A lot of national commentators complain about Howard's bubbly smile on the court and wish he had a Shaquille O'Neal-like glare as he dunked over you. It led to Sports Illustrated writing an article to preview the 2009 Playoffs with the headline: "Too Much Fun: Can the Magic's Dunk Machine Get Serious for a Moment?"

This, you could argue, was the same complaint they had about the staid expression of Tim Duncan. He is only arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history. His titles have also quieted much of the criticism.

So until Howard wins that first title, he will continue to face these criticisms. Howard gets admittedly frustrated by all the criticism thrown his way, especially since what he is good at goes largely unappreciated.

But the one criticism that could wrankle Magic fans most is the argument that Howard is not an "Alpha Dog" and needed the reps as Team USA's best player to take back to the Magic. Fans have been divided on this issue throughout the summer.

It might be nice to have Howard be "the man" on Team USA until you remember he was not really much of a factor on offense during the 2008 Olympic run. Even when he got post up attempts, other teams were able to swarm him. And while he was still very effective on defense, it was limited because so many European big men are able to step out and hit from the international 3-point line. While Howard, Durant and Rose would make an unstoppable team, Team USA is not what Howard needs now.

Playing for Team USA would not help Howard develop offensively. The rules in FIBA basketball are too different for big men and it is debatable by how much Howard needs to improve his post games. Most Magic fans, I think, would argue Howard is a much better offensive player than the national media give him credit for. Although Howard still has plenty of room for improvement -- especially at the free throw line.

The Alpha Dog theory has gained momentum as everyone wonders who is "The Man" in Miami -- Dwyane Wade, by the way. The question for Howard is: Does he have the will to carry a team across the finish line?

He has shown flashes of it.

The impressive triple double he had in Oklahoma City two years ago and his constant presence defensively change games in a way no player can. His performance in Game Six of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals where he out-LeBron'ed LeBron James and dominated the post like every Magic fan expected him too. It is there.

But his performance in the 2009 NBA Finals, where the Lakers threw big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol at him to slow him down, and the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, where Howard played well but obviously did not win.

Howard simply does not have the demeanor of the typical Alpha Dog. He is not wildly pumping his fists like Kobe Bryant or methodically breaking down his opponents like Tim Duncan. Basketball is his passion, but for him it is fun. That is no knock on Howard. You cannot begrudge him simple joys and his way of expressing it. Some guys just don't have that killer instinct gene inside of them -- *cough* LeBron James.

That does not make him any worse of a player and that does not preclude him from being in the top five best players in the league. What matters is what he does when the chips are down. And right now the results are mixed and he has not shown the ability to convert on free throws enough to carry his team across the finish line in close games.

I think we all agree that is the only part the Magic really want to see change. What we all want to see Howard do is come into a big game and know he is going to have a huge game offensively and defensively.

So far, we know he is going to be incredible on defense. It is half of the game, but does not generate the stats that casual fans like to see -- although Howard produces some staggering defensive numbers. Offensively, yes Howard has a ways to go to get to the 20-25 point per game mark fans expect from their "Alpha Dogs" of the league. But that distance is cut in half if he can figure out how to shoot free throws consistently. Who needs a refined post game when still the only way to defend Howard is to foul him?

So does Howard need to be playing with Team USA to get "Alpha Dog" reps? Absolutely not. He may not have the barking Alpha Dog mentality of a guy like Kobe Bryant, but he has his place on the team as the leader by example (it is Jameer Nelson who gets in everyone's ear and teammates listen to).

And surely after last year's early playoff exit, he is preparing to step his game to an entirely different level.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Dwyane Wade's Miami Heat and LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers en route to a trip to the NBA Finals, but now Wade and James have joined forces in South Beach to create the biggest threat to Boston's hold on the Eastern Conference championship. Meanwhile, the Celtics added two former Heat players this off-season, but can this bolstered Heat team beat the aging Boston team in a seven-game series?

Leaving it All on the Court provides comprehensive commentary and analysis of the Miami Heat. We believe the glory days are now with D wade although the days of Riley , Zo , and Hardaway weren't too shabby at all.

Visit Leaving It All On the Court

Rajon Rondo shone throughout the playoffs, and Miami did not upgrade defensively at the point guard spot. He plays on the Team USA team right now, and he should only continue to flourish into one of the League's best point guards. He will be a handful for any opposing coach to defend, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra could defend him more effectively than he did last year.

Kobe Bryant defended Rondo very well in the Finals, giving him a lot of room to get off a jump-shot, but closing off driving lanes to the basket. Sure, it gives Rondo nice looks for entry passes into the post, but Rondo doesn't have a respectable jump-shot and isn't going to it this summer with Team USA. Spoelstra should have Wade defend Rondo and give him a lot of space. Mario Chalmers would then defend Ray Allen, the 35-year-old guard.

In my playoff preview post, I said that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also pose problems for the Heat. Miami's additions of James and Chris Bosh come into play here. During Boston's defeat of Cleveland in the conference semifinals, Pierce shot just 34.5 percent from the field against James, a two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection. James has the athleticism to defend Pierce, and with less of a scoring load, James should devote more effort to defense. And while James will be a small forward on defense, he will be a point guard on offense. He is much quicker than Pierce and will demand of some of the other Celtic defenders' attention. Mike Miller's and Eddie House's shooting will become a factor here, and Wade and Bosh will also get open looks from James' creation of offense.

As I have always said, the way to make the Miami Thrice click is to have James as the point guard with the ball in his hands, Wade as the off-ball scorer he was during the Olympics and Bosh as the high-post option. Heat President Pat Riley signed Bosh because he needed a player who could be very effective around the rim. Unlike Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem, Bosh has the length to contest Kevin Garnett's shots. At this point in KG's career, I'd take a 26-year-old Bosh over a 34-year-old Garnett. Like Bosh, KG is still an efficient high-post scorer, but he's lost some of his explosiveness.

Miami's crunch-time five should be James, Wade, Miller, Bosh and Haslem. Wade would guard Rondo, Miller would be on Allen, James would check Pierce, Bosh would guard Garnett and Haslem would defend Jermaine O'Neal or Kendrick Perkins (Shaquille O'Neal's woes at the free-throw line will keep him on the bench to close games). But although Shaq will be on the bench to close games, he could come into the season very motivated.

In my previous post, I said that Shaq would need to adjust to playing without the ball with Boston. He needs to get used to being the fifth option offensively, but he will probably buy into Celtics coach Doc Rivers' system. Shaq was energetic in 2008-09, playing in 75 games while averaging 18 points and eight rebounds and earning a Third-Team All-NBA Selection. More importantly, Shaq didn't unceremoniously leave Phoenix or Cleveland like how he left Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami. Neither his personality nor his skill set would fit in with the Heat, but Shaq knows that these next two years will be his last two in the NBA. He will write the last chapter of his legacy during these next two years.

Shaq wants more rings than Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, the two other future Hall-of-Fame players who have dominated the League after Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls in 1998. He will be fine with his role with the Celtics and will be a tough match-up against Joel Anthony for the 20 minutes he's on the floor. Boston may even exploit that match-up and feed the ball to Shaq a few consecutive times down the court. Spoelstra may have to double-team Shaq, and I'd send James as the second defender. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he has enough size to interfere with Shaq's vision of the passing lanes. He also has the speed to recover to a perimeter player if Shaq passes out.

Keep in mind that Shaq will only play 20 minutes per game, though, and if Boston does re-post him after James recovers to Pierce, then I'd live with Shaq getting the attempt. He can dominate a quarter or maybe even a half, but his season high last year was 22 points.

The Celtics also lost Tony Allen, who was the team's designated perimeter stopper, this off-season. Rivers hopes he can get the same out of Marquis Daniels, but Wade should dominate Allen, Pierce or whoever the Celtics throw at him. As Wade continues to improve his game – particularly his outside jump-shot – he will become increasingly difficult to defend. Heat fans could see a lot of zone this season.

With Miami's added offensive firepower and defensive tools, such as James' athleticism and Bosh's length, the Heat should beat Boston in a seven-game series. However, the Celtics will be motivated to win another championship and the Big Four and company should win at least two games.

Following on from my previous post about who's in with a shot of being named MVP, I've decided that the rookie of the year award also deserves some blog space. Even by browsing through this summer's draft, there are a host of first season guys entering the league who will, from day one, start and make their respective teams better. Before I get into who I think will be in with a shot of winning the award, here are my requirements for all candidates.

The Slanch Report loves baseball dearly and will report a lot on it. We shall also strive to bring you the best possible coverage of all the other sports out there , bringing you the best plays, the weirdest stories , the cases of idiocy and of course , the hot women that intersect therein. We believe in class and etiquette but rarely muster the effort ourselves. We do applaud it., and more.

Visit Slanch Report

1.      Be a starter, goes without saying really

2.      Improve your team's fortunes from the previous season

3.      Have at least 2-5 games this season where people are going to come away saying, "My God, he's going to be an absolute star in three years time"

4.      Be the best player at your position of all rookies

As with the MVP column, we're going to take a look at the past decade's winners to use as comparison and to compare requirements also.

2000/2001 - Mike Miller - only rookie to play in all 82 games, shot 40% from three, averaged 12 points per game, to be fair though that Draft sucked

2001/2002 - Pau Gasol - 82 games played, 17 points and 9 boards through the season,

2002/2003 - Amare Stoudemire - 82 games played, 13 points 9 boards through the season, first prep-to-pro ever to win ROY,

2003/2004 - LeBron James - 79 games played, 20 points, 5 boards 5 assists average, improved win total by 18 for team, youngest player to ever score 40 in a game during his rookie season

2004/2005 - Emeka Okafor - 73 games played, 19 straight double-doubles, 15 points 11 boards through the season

2005/2006 - Chris Paul - 16 points, 8 assists and 5 boards through the season, led all rookies in points, assists, steals and minutes, won rookie of the month every month in the West

2006/2007 - Brandon Roy - 17 points, 4 boards and 4 assists through the season, got 127 out of 128 first place votes, played in only 57 games

2007/2008 - Kevin Durant - 80 games played, 20 points per game average, highest scoring rookie in franchise history

2008/2009 - Derrick Rose - 81 games played, led all rookies in assists per game, 17 points per game average, equalled Kareem's record for most points in a playoff game by a rookie with 36, second player in NBA history to register at least 35 and 10 on playoff debut, joining Chris Paul on that very short list

2009/2010 - Tyreke Evans - 72 games played, won MVP of Rookie All Star game and shared it with DeJuan Blair, outscored the Bulls on his own in the fourth quarter in a game where the Kings rallied from 35 down, joined the Oscar-Jordan-James rookie club by averaging 20-5-5

Now I'll be the first to admit that some of those guys didn't even reach my criteria, for instance, Durant's SuperSonics won only 20 games his debut season. Mike Miller never had those "Wow" games, and Gasol also failed to improve his teams record.  Out of all those guys, perhaps only Okafor remains the only iffy selection, unless you're a Steph Curry lover or Ron Boone, the former Jazz analyst who was the only guy not to vote Chris Paul ROY, instead choosing Deron Williams. This year there are six guys who will lead the way in search for winning Rookie of the Year, and without further hesitation here they are.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers.

Pros; monster on the boards with serious low post moves, should be given plenty of touches offensively for the Clippers, extremely gifted athlete with very good hands

Cons; it's the Clippers, how healthy is his knee, will Baron Davis facilitate the rookie who is the face of the franchise?

John Wall, Washington Wizards.

Pros; unstoppable in the open court, incredible speed/athleticism, cannot be stopped going to the rim where he's a good finisher, should average over 35 minutes a game so will have lots of time to show his talent, could be an elite on ball defender

Cons; Gilbert Arenas, turnover prone when playing recklessly, questionable shooting, expectation will be enormous

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacaramento Kings.

Pros; very skilled for a rookie big man, monster rebounder, good touch, can move well is on a team where option one down low is always going to be him

Cons; possible headcase/lunatic in the making, needs to learn to control his emotions, how will he handle not being the biggest guy on the floor compared to college where he could bully his opponent

Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers.

Pros; extremely polished, great decision maker, versatile in that he can slot in comfortably at three positions, big game player

Cons; Andre Iguodala, not exactly the most explosive guy you'll come across in the backcourt, shooting could do with some improvement

Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pros; shoots the three well, very skilled, freak athlete, will get a lot of looks for Minny from day one, serious potential as a defender

Cons; he's already 46 years old, not the biggest or strongest guy around, plays for the Timberwolves, how much better will he get?

Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets.

Pros; great rebounder, serious athleticism that sets him apart, string finisher, shot-blocking machine, quickness for his spot, upside is huge

Cons; jump shot, very raw offensively when forced to put the ball on the floor in college, the new Shaq with regards to free throws

So there you have it - my six guys in with what I consider the best chance to win ROY. Being honest, there aren't many other guys out there who will be good enough to challenge, nor in a situation as favourable as the guys above. Gordon Hayward's best shot is if they allow all teenage girls in Salt Lake to vote on the winner, although he is fixing to be pretty good this year. Other rookies worth monitoring;

Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics

Ed Davis, Toronto Raptors

Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Willie Warren, Los Angeles Clippers

Jarvis Varnado, Miami Heat

Daniel Orton, Orlando Magic

James Anderson, San Antonio Spurs

Thoughts on Melo

So Carmelo Anthony has apparently but the brakes on a new deal with the Nuggets, and rumours circulating is that he won't sign one anytime soon. Now, what do you do if you're Denver? Do you keep him; hope for one more great season and a bit of good luck leading to success thus showing Anthony he's at a place where he can win? Or do you call him out, see what his intentions are and react on that? For instance, if he gave the impression he was leaving, do you then try engineer a trade to get something in return? Do you phone Portland and ask them what they can offer? You could try tempt Houston into giving you a few of their guys. Or hit up some other team willing to give you assets in exchange for a one-year fling with a premier NBA talent? One thing's for sure; Anthony has a huge year ahead of him. With the new CBA coming in, him making Joe Johnson type money may not happen. I personally feel that he knows he has no future in Denver, so he should do the right thing and ask to be traded, so Denver in fact get something back rather than losing him for nothing in 12 months time. Plenty of teams will offer the Nuggets what they want - young players, draft picks - for Anthony's services. Ultimately he'll end up in New York and form the deadliest scoring forward line in the NBA with Amare, but right now he needs to sit down and sort this mess out with the organisation, before things turn ugly.

Before I Go...

Check this out. Y'all remember how Scarface ended right? He had nobody left to back him up because everyone turned on him, or died, due to him double-crossing guys left right and centre, stepping on toes and not giving a crap. Well, here's hoping those three fizzle out and end up being overturned by the others out there. Just not as violently as poor old Tony was, of course...

Contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the Stepien Rules mailbag, Twitter @DOL17 or Facebook.

I was looking through ESPN.com's listing of NBA players today because I was wondering how many guys are listed under 6 feet tall.  See,  NBA players understand the inherent life rule that says that height equals manliness,  And because of this basic law of nature you don't even know what you have to do to be listed as below 6 feet by the league.  I was only able to find a select few guys and those who do list themselves under 6 feet are all basically midgets who just can't fudge 6 feet even if they stand atop a phone book.  So instead of using ESPN.com as my reference, I went to the pre-draft measurements that are found at draftexpress.com.  They do the measurements every year and post them on their page.  Year after year of data can be checked relatively quickly, it's a pretty cool site.

Do you like to spend hours engaged in intense conversations on a myriad of sports topics with random dudes? If so Thoughts from Jockstrap is the place for you!

Visit Thoughts From The Jockstrap

So while there I checked out the player's realheights, without shoes.  Because let's face it little ones, your shoes are not part of your body. They are a mirage the little man uses to boost his little ego. Look, I'm sorry, Napoleon Jr., I really am.  So I'm just going to go ahead and take the reigns from Mother Nature and apologizing to you for your small stature.  I mean, I'm 6-2 and sometimes I lie awake and  wonder how I ever even made it at 6-1.  Luckily for me, my manliness was manifest during puberty when I proved I could grow a full beard and stand erect at a height worthy of a male of the species.  So again, sorry short stuffs.  I'm sure you make up for your vertical challenges with ultra-aggressive behavior like the Badger.   Don't worry though, no one can see through that facade, wink wink.

After reading through 20 years of draft history, I got to thinking about how damn incredible you have to be to play in the NBA under 6 feet.  I mean, not only did you battle the daily dilemmas that face the short, i.e. getting onto amusement park rides, jealousy of tall people, and having to stand behind 7-4 Mark Eaton at a Paul McCartney concert (let's be honest, that one would even suck for Shaquille O'neal), you also made it in a league that has not just tall people, but giant freaks of genetics.  So I wanted to honor the Lilliputian Heroes of the Hardwood today.  Without further ado, my list of the top 6 players under 6 feet in the NBA today.

6. Ty Lawson 5'11&1/4
Lawson burst into the NBA with a bang last year and was a very important contributor on a contending playoff team.  He was able to shoot the ball well from the field and from deep and provided instant offense off the bench for Denver last year.  I'd bet my bottom dollar that the T-Wolves would like to have the trade back and that they would send Jonny Flynn to the Nuggets if they knew then what they know now, but alas, David Kahn is their GM.  Lawson has been a winner since college and it looks like he will continue to do nicely for himself as a pro.

5.  Nate Robinson 5'7&3/4
Somebody explain to me how a man this close to the ground can average 12 points for his NBA career.  Oh, I remember, because he is a freak of nature that can probably jump as high as anyone in the league when average by vertical jump.  At the pre-draft camp he jumped 43.5 inches vertically, which is just insane.  We all know about the Slam Dunk championships, including the last one he won by default in what had to be the worst slam dunk contest in the history of the event.  In fact I would wager there were better Dunk Contests staged in the back yards of white kids with adjustable hoops the very day of that failed event.   What many don't know is that Nate is also a very solid outside shooter, a decent defender, especially when height is taken into account, and can be one of the more streaky and explosive players in the league when given regular playing time.

4.  Raymond Felton 5'11&1/2
Raymond is probably the worst athlete on this list, but he has made a career out of being a solid, if unspectacular point guard.  He is a solid defender who uses his short, sturdy body to keep offensive players out of the paint.  He is a pretty good play maker and generally unselfish, despite his bad teammates.  We'll so how his stats jump due to D'Inflation (nod to Bill Simmons' concept that Mike D'Antoni's system inflates players stats), but either way, he has had a nice little, no pun intended, career that may blossom in the Big Apple.

3. Jameer Nelson 5'11
To me Jameer radiates  Short Man Syndrome as well as anyone in the league.  He always seems like if you crossed him, he might be willing to pull out a shiv and stick it in your bladder.  I'm sure he's nice as hell, but boy does he look mean.  Nelson has proven his college critics wrong time and again, being an integral part of the Magic's recent run of success.  He's a little more 2 guard than pure point, but he's such an effective shooter and screen-roll player that he fits in really well into the Magic offense.  Also, his mid range jumper seems to me to be one of the best in the game.

2.  Aaroon Brooks 5'10&1/2
Brooks is another guy who pro scouts had a lot of doubts about on drafty day, but he has also proven them wrong.  Brooks is an excellent outside shooter and overall scorer.  Like Jameer Nelson, his play making skills are somewhat lacking, but he more than makes up for it with his scoring punch.  He is also a pesky little gnat on defense, like any short man should be.  Additionally, he just has great hair and looks like a 10 year old with a goatee, which makes me like him and want to pet him.

1.  Chris Paul 5'11&3/4
You may have fooled the others Chris Paul, but you don't fool me.  You ain't 6 feet.  What you are though, is one of the best 10 players and, when healthy, bar none the best point guard in the league.  I'm not going to bore you with a bunch of stats to back that up, so I'm just going to tell you to watch the games.  Paul is simply amazing and is a joy to watch, unless he is showing you an explosion of Napoleon Complex by punching you in the crotch like he did to Julius Hodge whilst in college.  And yes, that is a picture of the crotch punching incident.

So continue fighting the good fight little men of the world.  These are your heroes.

PS.  I took that photo of Mark Eaton at the Paul McCartney concernt.  Pretty good, huh?

The big story in the NBA -- not having to do with LeBron James at least -- is reports coming out of Denver that Carmelo Anthony feels he does not have future in the Mile High City. This split is more like the Chris Bosh-Toronto split than the Cleveland-LeBron split. There are no secrets (well, there are) and there is total frankness.

Orlando Magic Daily is the premier online destination to get your daily fill of all things Magic. Now overshadowed by our Florida foe the Heat , we think we're not too shabby ourselves and that the future is bright for the Magic.

Visit Orlando Magic Daily

Anthony apparently wants to escape to a bigger market where he can get the notoriety that James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh should get in Miami. And Denver has vowed not be held hostage by Anthony's impending free agency like James held Cleveland hostage. Anthony has been linked to New York for much of the summer.

But a new name has surfaced and, you guessed it, Orlando is apparently a hotbed for trade rumors.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports the Magic are near the top of Anthony's list if the Nuggets are going to make a deal involving him. Carmelo is hoping to get a deal done before the season begins and is willing to sign an extension and commit to whatever team he is traded to.

So Magic fans, start your freaking out and obsessing over every word written about Anthony right...now.

The Chris Paul rumors from earlier this summer drove Orlando fans nuts even though Otis Smith said very little and they turned out to be nothing. But this is a much different rumor. Unlike Paul, who, while an All Star and one of the league's superstars, re-enforces a strength the Magic already had, Anthony would fill a need Orlando has had for a long time.

Anthony, and his 28.2 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 54.8% True Shooting Percentage, would give the Magic the big-time perimeter scorer they have not had since Tracy McGrady left. And it would be pretty easy to insert him into a lineup alongside Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Quentin Richardson. Take this moment to stop salivating and come back to your senses a little.

It is tough to say at this stage how serious these rumors are. Otis Smith said Orlando has not had any contact with Denver concerning Anthony. But with Smith, that could mean he just got off the phone with Leon Rose (Anthony's agent) or the Nuggets.

There is still a month and a half before training camp opens, and this could be the realistic and (very) splashy move Orlando fans have wanted the team to make to match Miami's acquisitions. We will see in the coming weeks how much momentum this picks up.

And just think, I was going to write about the Magic potentially trying to re-acquire Courtney Lee.