A perfect fit

Bird belongs with the Pacers ... does Isiah?

Back home again in Indiana, Larry Bird is the perfect front man for the Pacers. He should help the team’s image with fans and serve as an attractive drawing card to free agents. Along with CEO Donnie Walsh, a shrewd talent evaluator, Bird gives the Pacers a potent two-man game in the front office.

With Bird now in control of day-to-day operations, however, coach Isiah Thomas will only feel more heat. Bird didn’t hire Zeke, so he will feel no obligation to keep him around if things don’t go well this season.

If that happens, Larry Legend could turn to Rick Carlisle -- his former assistant -- or maybe even decide to return to the bench himself.

Now onto the ‘bag:

What have you heard about the Heat freeing up about $4 million because Anthony Carter did not opt out of his contract? What sort of impact do you think the Heat could make in the free agent market?
-- Andy, Miami

It’s true. Because of a clerical error by his agent, Carter failed to exercise his option on next year’s $4 million contract and thus became a free agent on July 1. With his salary now off Miami’s books, the Heat’s available cap space ballooned from roughly $7 to $11 million.

Gilbert Arenas, Michael Olowokandi, Brad Miller, Lamar Odom (restricted) and Elton Brand (restricted) are just a few of the names the Heat now can pursue. Miami also could decide to hold off on using the money now and save it for next season.

Why don't we hear anything about the Nets having any interest in Alonzo Mourning? Assuming he's healthy, he'd be perfect for them in terms of having a legit post presence to at least keep Tim Duncan or Shaq honest.
-- Marc N., Long Island

Rod Thorn apparently is thinking the same way. The Nets boss is making a serious bid for Mourning, hoping he will join his good friends Jason Kidd and Dikembe Mutombo in the Swamp next season. ‘Zo says he’s interested in New Jersey, especially since his kidney doctors are located in nearby New York City, but he is also weighing offers from the Mavs, Spurs and a couple other teams. With Kidd staying and if the Nets match Dallas’ reported four-year offer -- Mourning would have to seriously consider it.

On the matter of Gary Payton and Karl Malone joining the Lakers -- Is the locker room -- the COURT! -- big enough for all of that ego? If Shaq and Kobe had to work out the "Who gets the ball?" and "Whose team is it?" questions, how can these two major leaguers fit into the puzzle?
-- Mary, La Habra, Calif.

That’s the big question now. But I truly don’t think it’ll be a problem. The fact that Payton and Malone both took less money to play in L.A. shows they really want to win a ring. Also, Phil Jackson has a proven track record at handling egos and keeping players on the same page. The bottom line is great players usually love to play with other great players. I don’t recall Payton or Malone being selfish on any of their Dream Teams, for example. Yes, there is only one ball. But in this case I think all four stars will be highly motivated to sacrifice for the common goal of winning the NBA title.

How much will Yao Ming benefit from working with new Rockets assistant coach Patrick Ewing, being the legendary center he once was?
-- Jimmy Bhakta, Corpus Christi, Texas

Veteran NBA assistant Bob Salmi, who worked with Ewing last year on the Wizards staff, told me during the Finals he thought Ewing would be a great mentor for Yao. Salmi said Ewing, despite his reputation with the media for being aloof, was very well-liked by the Wizards players. If Ewing can teach Yao some of the little tricks he learned during his Hall of Fame career (like how to get away with that extra step on those moves in the lane) it could be a big help to Yao.

Does it look like any free agents would be interested in playing for Memphis? I think The Logo is building something pretty good, but does anyone else see it and want to come play?
-- Daniel McCrosky, Memphis

The Logo, aka Jerry West, is trying hard to lure a center, but the Grizzlies are over the salary cap so they can only offer the mid-level exception. Rasho Nesterovic, Brad Miller and Michael Olowokandi can get more elsewhere, so it appears for now that the best the Grizz can hope for is a second-tier guy like Vladimir Stepania or Elden Campbell. Look for West also to explore sign-and-trade possibilities, with Wes Person and/or Brevin Knight as trade bait. Since both players are in the final year of their deals, there could be interest from other teams seeking to clear space next summer.

Are the refs going to call charging fouls on LeBron James next year? In other words: How important is it to the NBA that he "live up" to the hype? If he goes to the free throw line 10 times a game, he might be able to build up a nice scoring average a la, oh, let's say Adrian Dantley. [Of course, Dantley could also shoot.]
-- Todd Grimson, Portland

Of course King James is going to get the star treatment eventually. But early on, with all those people watching, a lot of refs might go out of their way not to show him any preferential treatment. As for the comparisons to AD, you’re right. Dantley could shoot it. Also, AD had that big rear end to use to bull his way to the line.

Is it likely that the Bucks will attempt to land Andre Miller now that Gary Payton has said he won’t return? Don’t they need a PG to play alongside first-round-pick T.J. Ford?
-- Simon Astrup, Arhus, Denmark

The Bucks need a point guard, but they’re not going to sign Andre Miller. With the organization in cost-saving mode, Milwaukee isn’t likely to sign any big-money free agents for awhile. Look for new GM Larry Harris instead to seek a quality veteran off the scrap heap. Some of the better names include Speedy Claxton, Kenny Anderson, Jason Terry, Travis Best, Jacque Vaughn, Tyronn Lue and former Bucks guard Kevin Ollie.

I guess I don't believe in curses, but it sure seems that the Bulls have been cursed since they sent Michael and the gang packing. If you were the GM, what would you do to turn things around? Do you think there is any chance of a top level free agent like KG coming their way in the next couple of years?
-- Curt, Momence, Ill.

The Bulls aren’t cursed. Yes, the Jay Williams injury was a bad break. But the bottom line is they chose to break up the dynasty. (Forget that noise about Phil Jackson being the one to blame. They forced him out by not taking care of him and Scottie Pippen sooner). In the first few years after the dynasty, the Bulls went with a bargain basement payroll and got what they paid for. The good news is the Bulls do have some decent young talent now, and new GM John Paxson seems qualified. If owner Jerry Reinsdorf is willing to spend the money to surround Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler with some more good players, the Bulls eventually can get back to respectability.

The Magic have taken it on the chin, capwise, because of Grant Hill's recurring problems. Has the league decided on the medical exemption amount they are going to give Orlando this year? Nobody's asking me but the Magicians deserve a bunch.
-- Jeff Robertson, DeBary, Fla.

The Magic are still waiting on word from the NBA whether they will get the $4.8 million medical exception. But since they already have their mid-level exception (around $4.8 million), it probably won’t matter too much. They have targeted free agents Juwan Howard, P.J. Brown, Antonio Daniels and Speedy Claxton, and for now they’re keeping their fingers crossed that at least one will agree to come help Tracy McGrady next season in Orlando.

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

 

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