Pure speculation

Hornets aren't likely to go for Wells-Campbell deal

There is a rumor around town that if the Blazers don't make it past the second round of the playoffs they will sign and trade Bonzi Wells to the New Orleans Hornets for Elden Campbell. Is there any truth to it at all? -- Jimmy, Portland

Right now, any talk of a Wells-Campbell trade is pure speculation. It's no secret the Blazers might seek to do a sign-and-trade with Bonzi in the offseason, especially since they already have Derek Anderson and, now, Damon Stoudamire, playing off the ball. It's also likely they would have interest in Campbell, a true 7-footer who knows Shaquille O'Neal well from their days together with the Lakers. However, it's doubtful the Hornets would trade big for small, especially when they've already got a shooting guard in David Wesley.

Is the NBA ever going do what it says and start cracking down on the "dislodging" moves of some of the league's big men (read: Shaq), or is this just a classic case of the NBA operating as more of a business than a sport, where it doesn't want to severely hinder one of its main products? -- Jon, Springfield, Ill.

I agree, Jon, that the NBA has not followed up on its promise to call the "dislodging" foul. However, I don't think it's because the league is trying to protect or promote any individual star, even Shaq. I think it's just that with all the banging, pushing and shoving that goes on under the basket, it's hard for the refs sometimes to tell the difference. Clearly, Shaq Diesel gets away with backing into his defender a lot. But, in fairness, he also gets a lot more touches in the low post, where defenders often lean on him and bang him without being whistled for a foul. In the end, it usually all comes out in the wash.

Regarding your item on John Stockton in a recent column, I'm dying to know about the other nine players to play after age 40. Kareem and Robert Parish would be two. One of the guards would have to be Bob Cousy during his disastrous stint in Kansas City as a player/coach. Who are the others? -- Adam Currey, Nanaimo, B.C.

The list of the 10 men who have played in the NBA over age 40 are: Nat Hickey, Parish, Abdul-Jabbar, Cousy, James Edwards, John Long, Charles Jones, Herb Williams, Rick Mahorn and Stockton. Amazingly, Stockton, Cousy and Long are the only ones who played guard. And Cousy and Long lasted for just a handful of games. In that regard, Stockton is truly one of a kind.

Do the Bulls have any chance to sign a big-time free agent like Rashard Lewis or Bonzi Wells? I think that if they sign a player like this they'd probably be in the playoffs next year. -- Vasco Curado, Linda-a-Velha, Portugal

Playoffs? The Bulls? Sorry, but it's been a while since we've seen those words in the same sentence. Unfortunately for Bulls fans, it's going to be a while longer, too. The Bulls will have the cap room to sign a prime time free agent like Lewis or Wells this offseason, but they probably won't. Chicago already has $17.7 million combined committed next season to perimeter players Jalen Rose and Eddie Robinson, and Chicago management has in recent years been loath to carry a fat payroll. The Bulls might make a run at Clippers center Michael Olowokandi, but even that's a stretch given their penny-pinching history.

I hear that Ben Wallace is under consideration for a spot on the U.S. team in this summer's World Basketball Championships. Wallace is everything that's great about sports; the unheralded player, who comes in and works his butt off to become a major team player who loves doing all the dirty work and doesn't gripe about scoring. That will be needed on a team of superstar players. And I'm sure he already has his red, white and blue headbands ready. Can we please get a campaign going to get this guy on the squad? -- Albeon Jackson, Houston, Texas

Right now, there is no plan to add Wallace to the U.S. roster, Albeon, but you make a good case. Surely the folks at USA Basketball are aware of Big Ben's emergence this season as a defensive force and will keep him in mind in case the need arises to add a substitute player. As you point out, he already has the patriotic headbands. Of course, given the way the amazing Pistons are playing right now, Wallace might be too tired from a long postseason run to want to lace 'em up against international foes in August.

In the 1995 SI Almanac, there is a "They Said It" featuring a quote by Derrick Coleman regarding his then-Nets teammate Jayson Williams, whose invitation to go hunting DC had turned down "because they played the same position." Is DC always such a smart man? -- Hugh Reid, Nashville, Tenn.

Not always, Hugh. I can think of many questionable things Coleman has done and said over the years, such as that "Whoop-de-dam-do!" crack he made a few years ago after missing practice. As we recall, that intemperate remark landed him on the cover of SI for a story about "Petulant Prima Donnas." However, D.C. does deserve props for that line about Williams. In fact, it's one of the best lines (including those in the box score) he's produced in a while.

Scottie Pippen has been putting up some very good numbers since coming back from injury. He's also been a solid leader for the resurgent Trail Blazers. What are his chances to take home "comeback player of the year" honors? -- Roger, Montreal

Not very good -- but not because he doesn't deserve it. It's just that it's Major League Baseball, not the NBA, that gives out a Comeback Player of the Year award. The NBA has a Most Improved award.

What is your take on the NBA having a minor league system, like baseball? Would the players' union ever go for such a thing? I think the NBA is missing out on an excellent way to improve the quality of its product. I see players being motivated by the fact that they may get sent down if they don't pick up their game. I also think high school kids would be more inclined to go to college if they think they may spend the year (or more) in the minors. Am I just dreaming? -- Gregg, Colorado Springs, Colo.

The NBA already has a minor league system. It's called big-time college basketball. And the best part of it is, it doesn't cost the NBA a dime. Seriously, David Stern & Co. would never go for a full minor league system because of the expense. Likewise, the players' association doesn't want teams to be able to send players up and down -- witness their opposition to allowing it for the NBA's new developmental league. You might be right about the benefits of such a system, but it's not going to happen.

Wouldn't you agree that if the Hornets move to New Orleans, they should reclaim the Jazz nickname, while Utah's team should get a name with regional significance? How about the Snowboarders, Tabernaclers, or Missionaries? Somehow, I don't think Karl Malone would like "the Choirboys." -- Sam, Seattle

Perhaps the Hornets could make a three-way deal with Utah and the L.A. Lakers. After all, as SI writer John Walters once wrote, the Jazz should really be called the Lakers because of Salt Lake, while L.A. (which is located on an ocean, not a lake, but features a lively music scene) should be called the Jazz. We'll leave it to your imagination to come up with a new nickname that reflects New Orleans.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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