Strange brew

Canada's team mixes well without Carter

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum will answer your NBA questions every week during the season. Click here to send him a question.

If the Raptors make the playoffs, it looks as if they'll match up with the Nets. I know Jason Kidd is a great player, but in terms of talent, even without Vince Carter, Toronto seems to have a good chance to take a series. If they continue to play the way they have, can the Raptors beat the Nets without Carter?
—Ange, Toronto

The Raptors are on fire without Vince in the lineup (6-0 in their last six games). Do you think the team dynamic makes them more potent, or is this what the team is really capable of? Once Vince is back, might they be more dangerous?
—Vincent Castillo, Toronto

Well, Ange and Vincent, you ask some tough questions. First, the Raptors absolutely can match up with the Nets. The Nets may lead the East, but they ain't exactly the Celtics of the '80s. Anyone can beat anyone in that conference. Bringing a player back to a red-hot team is, no doubt about it, risky. I've done my share of trashing Vince in minor ways this season, but I do think his problems were rooted in his injuries. The key is knowing whether he is 100 percent healthy. If he isn't, they should leave him out. But if he is, Lenny Wilkens would be nuts not to use him. To bow out without using a healthy Carter would be a disastrous blow to that franchise.

Does Dallas' resurgence over the past two seasons suggest that they have all the components necessary to win a championship within the next few years? With Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki leading on the floor, Nellie's creativity and Mark Cuban's bottomless pocketbook, do you think the Mavs have the potential to become a dynasty?
—Brad Williamson, Lubbock, Texas

Jeez, Brad, a dynasty? Let 'em win one first. I've said it from the beginning of the season: Dallas is one of four -- and I think only four -- teams with a chance to win it all. The Mavs, Sacramento, San Antonio and, of course, L.A. This is a crucial postseason. We will see if the runnin' and gunnin' done by both Sacramento and Dallas can overcome Kobe and Shaq.

The Kings are my favorite team and Peja Stojakovic is by far my favorite player, which means I find it very hard to be critical of him in any way. However, I want your opinion on whether the Kings are a better defensive team without him. In the last seven games they've been conceding an average of 86 points while scoring an average of 102. Is it simply that the Kings are playing better D, or is it that Peja is a bad defender?
—John, Sydney, Australia

I wouldn't say Peja is a bad defender. But it's not his strength, and your observation is spot-on. He gets dominated by physical players, even on offense when you think about it, because he rarely posts up and gets it inside. The Kings may have to use a slightly more muscular lineup and reduce Peja's minutes (slightly) in the postseason.

Every week, there seems to be a new "hot" team in the West. Right now it's the Spurs. Do you think they are peaking at the perfect time, or is there still enough time for them to fall back to earth while another West contender heats up and gives us the illusion that someone will dethrone the Lakers?
—George, Canton, Ohio

The Spurs seemed to be peaking, but, ultimately, I don't think it matters. The only thing that matters is when the Lakers will peak and whether they'll be 100 percent healthy. If they are, they will win. Period. If they aren't, they are vulnerable, and the Spurs are among the candidates to get them.

Since the All-Star break, no one has been better than T-Mac. Do you believe that Tracy McGrady has a shot at MVP this year? If the award goes to the player that is most valuable to his team, there is no question McGrady is the biggest reason the Magic are even in the playoff race in the East.
—Adam, Orlando, Fla.

You're right about the latter, Adam. But I don't think McGrady has much of a chance. Kidd, Tim Duncan, Kobe and Shaq are all ahead of him in the MVP race, in my opinion. I do think that one of the most interesting NBA questions is this: Who would you rather have as an out-on-the-court player? T-Mac or Kobe? Next season I'm going to explore that.

I was just wondering what the latest is on Andre Miller and the Cavs? Do the Cavs really want to trade him or does Miller just want out (I can't say I would blame him)? If the Cavs do trade Miller, will they do so during the draft or after? Also, which teams have the most interest?
—Lex Kramarz, Toronto

Somebody from Toronto who's not interested in the Raptors? Or maybe, Lex, you think the Raptors want Andre. In truth, almost everyone is interested in Andre -- with the exception of the Nets, Mavs, Hornets, and maybe a few others who feel their point-guard position is set for a few years. Of course Miller wants out, even though I think, at root, he likes John Lucas. The losing is just too much to handle. No team likes to lose its best player, but sometimes it has to go after someone else. I would think that they have to use Miller as a piece to play with around draft time. Interesting question: Would a team take Miller and surrender the draft rights to Jason Williams?

Jack, can you tell me if there is anything prompting Michael Olowokandi's recent surge in productivity, other than his soon-to-be-free-agent status? Also, last week I saw a list of Eastern Conference contenders that didn't include the Nets. What gives?
—Robin Deal, Whakatane, New Zealand

The Nets surely belong on that list, but I have said all along that I don't think they're favorites. As sleepers, I like Charlotte. As a team that's been there, I like Philly if Iverson is healthy. And as a team with one great player, I like Orlando because of T-Mac. As for your first question, I'm not inside Olowokandi's head. But free agents-to-be often do seem to find a new source of enthusiasm. Let's put it that way. Olo wants to say in Clipper Land if he gets a good deal, one that signals the franchise is serious about keeping this team together.

Why did you find it necessary to badmouth New Orleans in your column on the Charlotte Hornets? What do you really know about New Orleans as a basketball town? We had an NBA team for five years -- one that never made the playoffs or had a winning record. The team was also here during the NBA's "dark days." Yet the average attendance for New Orleans' home games was at or above the NBA average for the five seasons the team was in the city. I'm sure there is little to no chance that you will respond to this, but I sure hope that before you write your next column involving New Orleans and its basketball roots you will do a little research.
—Eddie, New Orleans

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. Why wouldn't I respond? I happen to think New Orleans just doesn't seem like a good fit for this team and that Charlotte, right there in the basketball belt, does. And while I confess to knowing more about the roots of New Orleans jazz than I do about the roots of N.O. hoops, I wonder why the city has not clamored for a team since the Jazz left. Having said this, if the Hornets are there, I look forward to touring some of the city's better restaurants and music clubs.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum will answer your NBA questions every week during the season. Click here to send him a question.

 

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