ESPN NBA Insider 9/12/05: NBA track meet

※ 본문 요약 @ track meet은 육상 경기를 말하며 지난 시즌 선즈가 보여줬던 run-and-gun 게임을 벅스가 따라하려고 준비한다는 내용입니다. @ 디트로이트가 거친 수비로 우승을 차지하고, 팻 라일리는 여기에 비난을 가하기도 했지만 결국 자신도 그러한 스타일을 뉴욕과 마이애미에도 도입했으며, 불스, 레이커스, 스퍼스가 두 명의 수퍼스타에 다양한 롤 플레이어들을 조합하여 우승을 차지하여 이것이 공식화 되고 있다는 점에서 NBA는 모방(copycat)의 리그라 부를 수 있다 합니다. @ 여기에 선즈가 이룩한 지난 시즌의 모습을 벅스도 따라하려 한다는군요. T.J. 포드의 귀환으로 이것이 가속화 될 것이랍니다. @ 벅스의 메이슨은 자신이 스타터로서 다음 시즌 올스타가 목적이라 합니다. @ 필자는 메이슨이 올스타는 아니어도 덩크 컨테스트에 나가 스미쓰와 맞짱을 뜨리라 합니다. @ 루머 센트럴에서는 닉스의 홈구장인 메디슨 스퀘어 가든의 이동 가능성, 디카우에 관심있는 셀틱스, 그 외 아직 확정되지 않은 계약 루머에 있는 선수들에 대한 소식이 있습니다. NBA track meet by CHRIS BROUSSARD The NBA has long been called a copycat league, and with good reason. After Chuck Daly's employment of brawlball led Detroit to two titles, rugged, hardcore, mug-happy defense became all the rage. Even Pat Riley, architect of the glamorous Showtime and one-time critic of the Bad Boys' roughhousing, adopted the style in New York and Miami. Then, after Chicago's dynamic duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen began winning rings, the formula for success became two superstars and a bunch of one-dimensional role players. San Antonio won it with Tim Duncan, David Robinson and a cast of mediocrity; Los Angeles won it with Shaq, Kobe and the same. We've become so used to that pattern that we no longer believe a team with more than two All-Star types can play together. That may be why there are questions about Miami's ability to develop chemistry with Shaq, Dwyane Wade and Antoine Walker. I'm generalizing a bit, but you get the picture. Now, after Phoenix made hoopin' fun again last season, some teams are vowing to loosen the reins and run. The latest is Milwaukee, where new coach Terry Stotts is telling players to prepare for a track meet. With point guard T.J. Ford back from a back injury, Michael Redd back from a flirtation with Cleveland, high-flying Desmond Mason, the newly acquired Bobby Simmons on the wings and Joe Smith at the four, the Bucks want to emulate the Suns. "Everybody on our team can run,'' Mason, who averaged a career-high 17.2 points last season, told me recently. "We're built for that.'' If Ford is back to his pre-injury level, the Bucks might be able to get it done. He's one of the quickest guys in the league, Mason can penetrate and finish with the best of them, Redd can stretch the defense and trail for 3s on the break, and top draft pick Andrew Bogut should be able to grab a few boards. Mason believes the Bucks should definitely make the Eastern Conference playoffs, and after starting full-time for the first time last season, he is aiming for his first All-Star berth. "Coach Stotts and I talked about how I've been hovering in the same area for awhile,'' Mason said. "I'd been a sixth man for a long time because either the guy in front of me was making more money and couldn't be benched or somebody was more popular in the city and couldn't be benched. Last season, I got to show what I could do as a starter, so this season, I'm hoping to take that next step and make the All-Star Game. These next two seasons will be the most important of my career.'' Whether he makes the All-Star game or not, Mason hopes to be in Houston that weekend, at least for the Slam Dunk contest. After winning it as a rookie in 2001, the 28-year-old wants to challenge reigning champ Josh Smith. "I'd be the old man,'' Mason said. "But I still got it.'' Mason actually would like to see what most dunk fans dream about: all the big names in the contest -- Vince Carter, LeBron James, Jason Richardson, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Smith and himself. "That would be a great thing,'' Mason said. "But a lot of guys want to take that time off to rest and get healed up.'' Speaking of copycat, it would be awesome to see the big-name flyers copy Mason and take on Smith in the Slam Dunk. posted: September 12, 2005 10:15:37 AM PDT | Feedback ------------------------ NBA Rumor Central: New home for Knicks? New York New home for Knicks? Sep 12 - While the Knicks are hoping to move north in the standings, they may also be moving west in the near future, the New York Times reports. The owners of Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks, are in talks with two developers about building a fifth incarnation a block west of where they currently reside. If the project moves forward, the new Garden would feature wide concourses with stores and restaurants, luxury boxes with better sight lines, a museum and a hall of fame. The current Garden would be demolished and replaced by skyscrapers containing luxury apartments, office space and stores. However, with any decision to relocate, there is money and politics involved. Any plans to move the Garden and redevelop its current site would require city approval. That's why the Garden's owners are not taking any chances and continue to pursue plans for renovating the current Garden. Jazz? McLeod's music Sep 12 - According to the Canton Repository, restricted free agent Keith McLeod is headed back to the Jazz, who extended a one-year, $937,500 qualifying offer to the 6-foot-2 point guard earlier this summer. The Raptors are also interested in McLeod. "We did have an interest in bringing Keith here, but our feeling is that there isn't any real chance," Toronto Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock recently told The Repository. "For what I can gather, Utah would match any offer made for Keith." Sunday, September 11 Celtics? Celtics pursue Dickau Sep 11 - The Dan Dickau deal is on hold, the Boston Globe reports, but it is still expected to be completed. ''He's still coming," said president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. ''But we haven't gotten it finalized. (The Hornets) understandably have a lot of more important things on their minds." The Celtics and Hornets reached agreement on a sign-and-trade for Dickau just before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. In 67 games for the Hornets last season, Dickau started 46 and averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 assists in 31.0 minutes. WHO INTERESTED Marcus Fizer Bucks Where does Fizer fit? Sep 11 - The Magic are interested in adding Marcus Fizer to their roster, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. The 27-year-old forward played for the Bucks last season. Friday, September 9 WHO INTERESTED Dwyane Wade Heat Dwyane's duty Sep 9 - If the Heat can't find a backup point guard for Jason Williams, Pat Riley said Dwyane Wade could see some minutes at the position, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. Wade ran the point some last season when Damon Jones played off the ball as an undersized shooting guard. WHO INTERESTED Alan Henderson Mavericks Cavaliers? Cleveland shops Sep 9 - The Cavs aren't done shopping yet. The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the team is targeting Alan Henderson, who played with the Mavericks last season. Getting a big man is important for the Cavs now that forward Anderson Varejao might be out until February after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. Henderson averaged 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 52 games last season. WHO INTERESTED Greg Buckner Nuggets Wizards? Pistons? Nuggets? Rockets? Buckner's back ... almost Sep 9 - Greg Buckner wants to be back in Denver. And the Nuggets want him back, too. However, according to the Rocky Mountain News, the free-agent guard indicated his return is not a foregone conclusion. The Nuggets have their $1.67 million exception available to offer the defensive specialist. WHO INTERESTED Eddie House Kings Nuggets? Heat? House Hunting Sep 9 - With Damon Jones signing with the Cavs, the Heat may be taking a longer look at signing former Heat guard Eddie House, says the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. House, a free agent who played with the Kings last season, also reportedly received interest from the Nuggets. WHO INTERESTED Felipe Lopez Mavericks Magic? SuperSonics? Back in the league? Sep 9 - Former Timberwolves guard Felipe Lopez has received a contract offer from the Magic, El Nuevo Herald reports. However, the contract would not be guaranteed. Said Lopez: "We are looking at Orlando's offer. But there are other teams interested like the Seattle SuperSonics." Lopez last played in the league during the 2001-02 season.