By Paul Gotham

‘Skywalker’ to Present MJ

This Friday, when Michael Jordan takes his rightful place in the NBA Hall of Fame, David Thompson will present his Airness. Jordan’s decision to choose Thompson might raise a few eyebrows. After all, one would expect Dean Smith, Phil Jackson, or maybe even James Worthy to do the honors. Instead, MJ went with the North Carolina State star he emulated as a boy.

Thompson’s shot in double overtime helped the Wolfpack end the seven-year reign of the UCLA Bruins and propelled NC State to its first national title in 1974. ‘Skywalker’ won back-to-back AP Player-Of The Year awards along with the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Over a nine-year career in the NBA, Thompson averaged 22 ppg.

David Robinson, Jerry Sloan, and John Stockton will also get their spots in Springfield this weekend.

Memphis Gets ‘The Answer’

We can leave all the tweets behind. Allen Iverson has agreed to terms with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bar-b-que, Beale Street, Blues, and AI – we’ll see how that goes over in west Tennessee.

The deal is for $3.5 million, but incentives are there to be had. It will be interesting to see how this plays out considering Michael Conley and OJ Mayo played considerable time in the Memphis backcourt last season.  Memphis coach, Lionel Hollins, will be left to construct a feasible substitution pattern.

Iverson joins a Memphis team that boasts 11 players on its roster with three years or less of NBA experience. Only Steven Hunter (7), Marko Jaric (7), and Zach Randolph (8) have more than three seasons in the league.

Iverson expended considerable energy over the past month communicating his status through Twitter.

Hey Charlie: Do My Job!

Props to the Milwaukee Bucks’ Charlie Bell who took on the Discovery Channel’s – “Do My Job” idea. Check out Bell as he farms, works as a mailman, does his time as a Wendy’s manager, and a couple other tasks.

Scab Refs?

NBA.com reported that talks between the league and its officials broke down. The current contract ended September 1. Replacement officials were last used during 1995-96.

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Courtesy of NBA.com

By Paul Gotham

The mysterious Chicago Bulls

Two years ago the Chicago Bulls seemed ready to make a run at the Eastern Conference crown. Third-year coach, Scott Skiles (he took over during the 03-04campaign) guided the Bulls to their first playoff series win in nine seasons. Led by young guns Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich the Baby Bulls swept the reigning champs, Miami, before falling to Detroit 4-2 in a hard-fought series.

The future seemed  to favor Chicago. Gordon, Hinrich, Deng along with Andres Nocioni and Ben Wallace prepared for the 07-08 season.

Then, discontent between Wallace and Skiles surfaced. The Baby Bulls started slowly, 9-16. Management showed Skiles the door, and Chicago earned a ping pong ball for the draft lottery.

Despite injuries to Deng and Nocioni the Bulls finished 08-09 at .500. Rookie Derrick Rose led an upstart crew against a hobbled Boston Celtics in an epic first-round series. Few professionals find solace in moral victories. Taking the reigning champs to overtime in four of seven contests lends hope to the future of the United Center denizens.

Chicago added James Johnson (Wake Forest) and Taj Gibson (USC) through the draft. Gone is Gordon. Long gone is Wallace (if he was ever truly there). The East is getting stronger. Where will the Bulls fit?

Anybody have room for a 16 / 10 guy?

The Utah Jazz matched Portland’s offer for Paul Millsap. Are the Jazz ready to part ways with Carlos Boozer? Two years ago Boozer and Deron Williams seemed like the perfect pick-and-roll successors to John Stockton and Karl Malone.

Courtesy of NBA.com

Now the Jazz appear ready to window shop.

Miami looks like the best suitor. Dwyane Wade has expressed concerns over floundering through the upcoming season without another viable option in the lineup. Boozer averaged 16 points and 10 boards for the Jazz last season. Can the Alaskan native handle the near tropics?

Talkin’ ’bout PRACtice?

It’s August. The NBA season opens in two and half months. For the first time in 14 years, Allen Iverson is unsure which uniform he will put on this season.

The Clippers, Heat, and Grizzlies have all shown interest. Yet, Iverson still hasn’t found a dotted line to autograph. At 34 years old and #16 on the all-time scoring list, will Iverson consider playing in Europe?

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