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Today is the first day of fall, which means we’re getting closer!  With training camps set to open just seven days from now, preseason tipping off in less than two weeks, and the real deal only a month away, the new NBA season is so close that you can almost hear the sneakers squeaking and the whistles blowing.

Last weekend, I presented you with a short list of things I hope to see this season.  This weekend, I give to you another wish list… and being that it’s my birthday, I think the basketball gods ought to deliver at least one of the following:

John Wall’s Breakout Season

Following his up-and-down rookie season, many (including myself) expected a healthy John Wall to elevate his game quite a bit.  Throughout the lockout, Wall remained one of the NBA’s most visible players, seemingly participating (and often dominating) in just about every pickup game he could find.  His constant presence and high level of performance certainly helped to build some hype, and a breakout appeared to be just around the corner.  Unfortunately, instead of that special season, Wizards fans were served with a reminder that the ability to create spectacular highlights in pickup games doesn’t equate to great success on the highest level of organized basketball.

The good news is that John Wall still has time.  Entering into his third year in the league, Wall will finally be running alongside a professional or two.  Having just turned 22, Wall will be about the same age that Derrick Rose was in his third season, when the former MVP improved his three-point percentage by nearly 6 points, lifted his PPG from 21 to 25, and helped to add 21 wins to Chicago’s record.  Hopefully Wall has been working on his jumper the same way Rose did, because 7.1% from three-point range isn’t going to open up any driving lanes.

Likelihood: Personally, I’m still holding out plenty of hope for young John Wall.  He’s got so much ability, and so much potential to be one of the most exciting players in the game today.  Maybe this is a bit of wishful thinking, but I’m saying John Wall can do it.

Amare Stoudemire’s Return To Form

To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t really care less about the fate of the Knicks, Stoudemire’s defense, or his statistics.  I would, however, be thrilled to see Amare in all of his athletic glory once again.  While I understand that #32 isn’t walking through that door, #1 was pretty damn explosive in his own right…  at least until he decided to experiment with some added bulk.  Come October, I hope to see a sleek and slender Amare capable of leaving the floor more quickly than any other man his size.  STAT was powerful enough in his Phoenix frame; there was never a need to add the muscle that ended up serving as an anchor.

Likelihood: I think there’s a pretty good chance that we get the old Amare back this season.  He’s only 29, and I think the ’11/12 campaign will end up standing out as an anomaly amongst the prime years of his career.

An Increased Effort To Stop Flopping

Unfortunately, flopping has become an epidemic.  It’s gotten to the point where notorious floppers like Manu Ginobili fail to even stand out as floppers anymore, ’cause f@cking everybody is flopping.  Flopping will continue to plague the game until it’s no longer rewarded, so the only real solution here is to stop rewarding it.  Officials simply have to do a better job of determining what is a flop and what is legitimate contact.  The NBA ought to institute some sort of mandate that forces referees to study up on the matter.

Likelihood: Get ready to see the same old refs making the same old calls (overall, I actually feel that the refs do a pretty good job… but when it comes to the flop—particularly when a superstar is involved—not so much).

James White In The Dunk Contest

Back in July, James “Flight” White signed a one-year deal with the Knicks.  The deal is of the guaranteed variety.  This means White should be on New York’s roster come All-Star Weekend, which would make him eligible to compete in the 2013 Slam Dunk Contest.  Need I say more?

Likelihood: The Dunk Contest has been in desperate need of a guy like White (all ups, no gimmicks) for quite some time now, and I can’t imagine the powers that be allowing this obvious opportunity to resurrect the event to slip through the cracks.  I mean, there’s no f@cking way James White can be an NBA player come All-Star Weekend and not be in the Dunk Contest, right?

Kobe Bryant NOT On The All-Defensive Team

With all due respect to The Bean, let’s be real here… Kobe Bryant should not be sniffing an All-Defensive nod in the year 2013.  He will, though, because in order to make the All-Defensive team you pretty much have to be good on offense.  Here’s a novel idea, voters: give the f@cking selection to one of the players whose job it is to guard Kobe Bryant, not to Kobe Bryant.  Kobe doesn’t guard his damn self, nor does he spend the majority of his time guarding any other scorers of his caliber.  That’s what that World Peace fella’s for, people.

Likelihood: Kobe Bryant says he’ll probably retire at age 35.  Whether he retires or not, he’ll make Second Team All-Defense at age 36.  And 37.

At the 2012 Kentucky Alumni Game, there were no fours.  So Antoine Walker was still shooting threes.  Some things never change.

Walker tip-toed the line an unspecified number of times, but based on the following video it appears that he successfully dialed long distance on six occasions… from almost the exact same spot.  The description of said video says ‘Toine shot 50 percent from range, so I suppose he must’ve taken 12 three-pointers (yes, he did take more in an NBA game… multiple times).

Surprisingly (and disappointingly), six deep connections on 50-percent accuracy failed to yield a single shimmy.  However, DeMarcus Cousins did borrow Walker’s signature move after knocking down a three-pointer of his own.  Cousins led the white team to victory with 42 points, and Anthony Davis pitched in 40.  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist gave the blue team 32 in a losing effort.

Good ol’ ‘Toine… still allergic to the paint, and tomatoes.

In a move that probably won’t make much of an impact on the court, the Boston Celtics have lost backup point guard Keyon Dooling and added perennial underachiever Darko Milicic.

Dooling, a 12-year veteran, was officially waived this afternoon, but not because the Celtics were no longer interested in his services.  According to reports, Dooling has chosen to call it a career, citing a desire to pursue other ventures and spend more time with his family.  He’ll be remembered fondly by fans like me for his scrappy defense, impressive leaping ability, and this crossover on Vladimir Radmanovic.

Milicic, on the other hand, has elected to give it another go with his sixth team in eight years.  According to SI.com, the Cs will be signing the Serbian big man to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum.  While I do feel it necessary to question the thought process of anyone who continues to hold out hope for Milicic, I suppose the Cs are simply looking at this as a cost-effective method of adding seven more feet to their frontcourt (for the next two seasons Darko will continue to be paid substantially, but by the Timberwolves).  Seems sensible enough… but I’m still not sold on this acquisition.

Like I said, this whole 12th-man swap won’t likely have a big effect on the product the Celtics put out on the floor this coming season.  However, I’d argue that it could certainly alter the team’s locker-room dynamics.  I mean, Keyon Dooling and Darko Millicic are both career six-to-seven point scorers… but one is (or was) a Vice President on the NBAPA’s Executive Committee, and the other is… well, Darko Milicic.  With all due respect to Darko, I don’t think he possesses the leadership qualities of a Keyon Dooling, nor am I convinced that he’ll mesh well with the intense, abrasive character that is Kevin Garnett.

Given that Darko has been unable to produce much of anything under the guidance of anyone, I’m wary that the Celtics won’t receive much of a return on this particular investment.  Being that the investment is such a small one, I suppose this isn’t the end of the world.  What worries me a little bit is Darko’s history of indifference, which clashes with the collective attitude in Boston.  In all honesty, I don’t see how this can possibly end well, and I’m going to predict that this will be the season that finally drives Milicic back overseas.

On November first, the San Antonio Spurs will see the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time since being bounced from the Western Conference Finals.  They’ll also debut a new alternate uniform, which is grey… among other things.

As you can see, this new Spurs uniform is like no other uniform in the NBA… mostly because it doesn’t feature any lettering on the front, and also because it displays a small number where the aforementioned lettering would typically be found.  Take a look at a few more photos of this unusual outfit by clicking the thumbnails below…

So… are we 100% sure these aren’t the new practice duds?  We’re 100% sure?  Okay, then… I guess I’ll simply assume that the Spurs don’t want people to know who they are, or where they come from.  Or maybe they wanted to open up more frontal real estate for the NBA’s impending jersey ads.  I don’t know.  Whatever the case may be, aside from the the throwback colors, I don’t think I like these.  As an avid jersey hound, the overly-simplified, replica-like appearance instantly alienated me.

Note: According to NBA.COM, this is the first EVER jersey logo not to feature any sort of writing.  Based on the way this particular uni came out, I’m kind of hoping it’s the last.

It’s only been about three months since Miami defeated Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals, but a lot has changed in the Western Conference.  By a lot, I mean the Los Angeles Lakers.  As you know, the Purple & Gold have added a bushel of current and former All-Stars.  These additions go by the names of Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, and Dwight Howard, and many figure that they’ll help Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol make a triumphant return to championship contention.  As a matter of fact, I think a lot of folks have already narrowed it down to Lakers vs Heat… even though training camps won’t commence for another two weeks or so.

There are, however, those who don’t see it this way.  After all, the Thunder are the reigning Western Conference champs.  The Lakers, on the other hand, have experienced consecutive second-round exits.  By any line of thinking based solely on the status quo, one would have the Lakers chasing the Thunder, and the Thunder chasing the Heat.  Not surprisingly, Kendrick Perkins happens to be someone who believes in this status quo.  Via NewsOK.com…

“We are the Western Conference champs, so at the end of the day, we’re not chasing nobody except for the ring. We’re chasing Miami to get a championship. It’s no guarantee who is going to be where. But we earned the Western champs so we’re not chasing the Lakers, we’re chasing a championship and that’s what it’s about.”

Conveniently, the same ideology applies to his starting center position.  Via SBNation…

“We’re all teammates, but at the end of the day, the center position over here is mine and that’s the way we’re going to keep it. Any other way, backup minutes or whatever they want to go about, that’s their problem. Once I hit the court, I’m going to make it known – and it’s going to be known – that that’s mine.”

“It’s no beef, but at the end of the day, that’s what it is.”

My first thought?  Sounds a little funny coming from the mouth of a man who could be cut loose to make room for James Harden’s impending pay day.  My next thought?  This is why they play the games—to sort this sh!t out on the court.  My final thought?  Kendrick Perkins’ overconfidence remains one of the most unintentionally funny things in NBA basketball.

It’s the first exceptionally-chilly morning here in Maine, which means it’s almost that time of year!  With training camps set to open the weekend after next, the 2012/13 NBA season is nearly upon us.  As we patiently wait for the end of October, I’d like to share with you some things that I hope to see between now and next June.  In order to show that I’m not completely insane, I’ll discuss the likelihood of each event.  In this particular batch, the range is “quite possible” to “not completely out of the realm of possibility.”

Jamal Crawford’s fourth 50-point game

Only four players have ever managed to record a 50-point game for three different NBA teams; their names are Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King, Moses Malone, and Jamal Crawford.  If Crawford were to go off for 50 as a member of the Clippers, he’d distinguish himself as the only player ever to reach that milestone with four different teams.  Already the career leader in four-point plays, I’d love to see Crawford carve out another interesting niche for himself in basketball history.

Likelihood: Not likely.  Crawford will be probably be the Clippers’ third or fourth offensive option, and he’s moved on to a stage in his career where he doesn’t care if he scores 5 or 55—he just wants to win.  That being said, he’s obviously capable of catching fire, and Chris Paul has always been willing to feed the hot hand.  Stranger things have happened.

A Healthy Eric Gordon

Due to the suckiness of the Hornets, few people realize just how remarkable Eric Gordon was late last season… nor do they realize that New Orleans went 5-2 in the seven games Gordon played in April of 2012.  Fresh off the inactive list, EJ led the Bees to victories over San Antonio, Utah, and Houston as he scored 31, 25, and 27 points.  I know, I know, three games… but Gordon really does have what it takes to be the best player on a playoff team.  He can shoot, score, make plays, and defend.  Personally, I think he’s a level above James Harden.  Hopefully he’ll get a chance to prove it.

Likelihood: Gordon hasn’t been able to play 65 games since his rookie season.  He’s missed more games than he did the previous season each year since.  It’d be a damn shame if this trend continues, but only time will tell.

Nikola Pekovic: All-Star

Those who read this blog last season know very well that I’m a big fan of the Balkan Bulldozer.  Despite a nagging foot injury, Pekovic was one of the league’s most improved players last season.  Even playing next to Kevin Love, he really emerged as a premier offensive rebounder.  He also produced buckets on the low block with remarkable proficiency (56.4% from the floor) and excelled in the pick-and-roll.  Coming into this season lean and healthy, can Pek make the jump to All-Star in the Western Conference?  The arrivals of Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut won’t make it any easier, but…

Likelihood: …it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.  Marc Gasol made it last season, and his numbers weren’t that much better than Pek’s.  If Pek can get his minutes (26) on par with Marc’s (36), he could realistically achieve superior statistics in the scoring and rebounding categories.  Still, the T-Wolves would probably have to be a playoff team at the break, and the West consists of at least nine other teams capable of occupying one of the eight slots.

Josh Smith “Get It”

I like Josh Smith, but I don’t think he “gets it.”  Many will disagree with the point I’m about to make, but it is my firm belief that Josh Smith remains a better talent than player.  Talk about his versatility, his athleticism, and his defense all you want, but as long as he’s shooting more 16-23 footers than any power forward not named LaMarcus Aldridge… he’s not doing it right (unless he’s spent the entire summer shooting 16-23 footers, and I’m not even convinced that that could fix his busted J).

Likelihood: Not likely.  Why would Smith, who will be playing in his 9th NBA season (and his first as the best player on his team), rein it in now?  With his field goal percentage trending downwards over the past couple season, I haven’t seen any indication of a change (or, more importantly, the desire to make one).

A Vicious Kenyon Martin Poster

Somehow, at 35 years old, Kenyon Martin remains one of the league’s most athletic power forwards.  Despite his extra-truncated ’11/12 season (which saw him play just 42 games), K-Mart still managed to record 29 slam dunks.  Not bad.  However, it did seem that the majority of those dunks were of the uncontested variety.  That’s not to say that some of ‘em weren’t nasty, ’cause some of ‘em certainly were nasty… but I just need to witness one last Jermaine O’Neal (or even Rob Kurz) incident before Kenyon hangs up his Nikes.  The man is a legend, and he needs a proper sendoff.

Likelihood: Quite possible.  Martin still leaps plenty well to tack some stiff on your little brother’s bedroom wall.

A Stromile Swift Comeback

…to the Chinese Basketball Association, preferably.  Man, Stro was a beast over there!  At age 32, he’s still too young to be finished.

Likelihood: Barring me coming into billions of dollars and purchasing a basketball team, not likely.

With training camp just weeks away, all the big names are long gone.  Not only that, but most anybody that you’ll see on an NBA roster come November has already signed a contract.  That being said, there are still a few notable stragglers who, for whatever reason, have allowed their search for a new home to press on into the latter stages of the offseason.  These players are different—some are grizzled veterans with playoff experience, and others are younger talents looking to prove their worth—but they all have one thing in common: according to me, they can contribute on the highest level (given that they end up in the right situation).

Here are my top 10 free agents who could actually matter this coming season (not saying they will, or even that it’s likely, or even that it’s not highly UNlikely; only that it’s within the realm of possibility).

#10: James Singleton: Having played the majority of his professional basketball either overseas or for the Washington Wizards, James Singleton isn’t exactly a household name.  I’ve always felt that he’s a decent player, though.  I mean, he’s one of those guys that has a nose for the ball.  He isn’t overly skilled, but he’s active.  When James Singleton plays, James Singleton’s presence is felt.  It’s just that he’s been playing for the Wizards… that makes it kinda tough to get noticed.

#9: Anthony Tolliver: Is Anthony Tolliver the 12-PPG scorer that Don Nelson’s Golden State Warriors made him fresh out of the D-League?  I think not.  Is he a decent stretch four capable of producing a bucket or two off the bench?  Sure, I think so.  Remember, up until his major slump of 2012, Tolliver had been a 35% career three-point shooter.  That’s not so bad… and he’s fairly athletic, too.

#8: Chris Andersen: Having taken the scenic route to the league, Birdman is getting a little long in the beak (34).  Still, he was able to block over a shot per game in just 15 minutes a night last season (granted, this only happened over 32 games).  I could see Bird proving a defensive boost off of someone’s bench provided that he’s healthy enough to play.

#7: Mehmet Okur: Okur was more than serviceable at the starting center spot just three seasons ago, but that was before his back started acting up.  It’s a shame that his body’s breaking down, ’cause there’s a market for seven-footers that can shoot 37.5% from distance.  Hopefully he’ll be able to fight through the pain a little longer, similar to how Peja Stojakovic did over the last few years of his career.

#6: Michael Redd: As the Suns fought tooth and nail for the eighth spot in the West, Michael Redd actually came on pretty damn strong late last season.  Beginning with an April 3rd victory over Sacramento, Redd ran off five straight games of 13 points or more.  He ended up averaging over 11 points in that month of April… a respectable tally when you consider the fact that he played fewer than 20 minutes a night.  Impressively, Redd shot 40% from three during that same time frame.  At age 33, there just may be a little bit of tread left on the tires. 

#5: Josh Howard: The problem?  He hasn’t played 60 games since 2008.  The reason he makes this list?  He’s a former All-Star born in the 1980s.  When healthy—even 2012 healthy—Josh Howard is better than your average backup three.  It’s just that he’s never healthy.  He’s still too young to be completely written off, though.

#4: Terrence Williams: It’s a damn shame that Terrence Williams hasn’t panned out, because he truly does have the ability to be one of the more dynamic players in all of basketball.  With his size, strength, athleticism, and court vision, it seems that Williams should be something of a mini LeBron James.  Instead, he’s struggling to find employment.  Still, I believe that there’s hope yet.  As a member of the Kings, Williams put his natural talent on display during the latter part of last season.  Even more importantly, he managed to stay out of trouble for a couple months’ time.  I’m almost certain he’s going to get at least one more shot, and if he can just accept the fact that he’s going to have to work his way up the ladder he could still make a real player of himself.

#3: Ivan Johnson [Restricted]: He’s rough, he’s tough, and he rocks a gold grill… during the game.  Ivan Johnson is more than just an image, though.  The dude can play, straight up.   To be honest, I’m more than a little surprised that contending teams aren’t knocking his front door down.  The Hawks have extended him a qualifying offer, but he’s yet to accept or sign an offer sheet from another team.

#2: Mickael Pietrus: “Air France” took part in just 42 of 66 regular-season games for the Celtics last season, but his ability to defend and hit the open three-point shot (along with his amicable personality/funny accent) quickly made him a fan favorite during his brief tenure.  Unfortunately, Boston’s lasting memories of Pietrus will include more LeBron James pump fakes than three-point field goals… but that says more about LeBron James than it does Mickael Pietrus.  At the end of the day, MP is a very good defender who’s going to stretch the floor and provide an occasional offensive boost.  He’s a great player to bring off the bench, and he could also play the Thabo Sefolosha role.

#1: Kenyon Martin: The biggest knock on K-Mart is that he’ll soon turn 35 years old.  With multiple microfracture surgeries and 12 NBA seasons under his belt, how much longer will his body hold up?  Unfortunately, the answer isn’t forever.  That being said, Martin has shown no real sign of an athletic decline.  He still gets up with the best of them, and he’s still got incredibly quick feet and hands.  It’s that quickness that’s made him one of the best defenders at his position for years now, and until it escapes him he ought to be a coveted player by contending teams.

Okay, so was I reaching a little bit with James Singleton?  Yeah… but I had to round out a top 10.  Plus I like James Singleton.  The dude once posted a 20-20 for my fantasy team, and I feel like I still owe him for that.

This just in: Joey Dorsey is a large, large man.  Probably even larger than Paul Davis, and apparently large enough to shatter a backboard.  In the day and age of the break-away rim, this is a special feat indeed.

No, Dorsey didn’t obliterate the glass like Darryl Dawkins, nor did he make it rain shards like Darvin Ham.  Still, what he did do is pretty impressive, and I’m sure no man appreciated the powerful finish more than the guard who set the whole thing up with the beautiful wrap-around pass.  After all, there’s absolutely nothing more frustrating than to play Jason Williams and watch your big man pull a Raef Lafrentz.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this won’t be the only backboard Dorsey breaks during his tenure with Olympiacos.  Those Greek League baskets have been taking a beating in the form of 375-pound Sofoklis Schortsanitis for about a decade now, and I think a lot of ‘em are probably about ready to give way.  Dorsey’s forceful dunks are gonna be the straws that break lots of camels’ backs.