10 Feet High

How impressive has Oklahoma City been thus far? Kevin Durant is a legitimate top 12 NBA player, but the talent of this team runs far deeper. Jeff Green is emerging as one of the premier young wings in the league, and Russell Westbrook is an explosive point guard and definite future All-Star who has learned rather fast how to harness his game and run a team. Nick Collison is in the perfect role, cleaning up the glass and defending other bigs. Watch out for the Thunder – its on the way up.

I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand how Jonny Flynn is starting over Ramon Sessions. Minnesota is terrible so perhaps it wants to develop its young lead guard for the future. But in Sessions, the Wolves have another young point that is, simply put, a better player than the rookie, Flynn. Bring the kid off the bench and let him learn the game before throwing him into the fire like this. He’s not Brandon Jennings. He is still a huge work in progress, not a starting NBA point guard.

Staying on the topic of young floor generals, keep a keen eye out for Dallas’ Rodrigue Beaubois. This kid is going to be very special. The Frenchman has blazing end-to-end speed and quickness – not unlike Westbrook – and is learning from one of the best in Jason Kidd. Beaubois is a guy who jumps out at you immediately. He darts into the lane with the type of jolt that makes you say, “wow.” Only 21, he’s still learning the ins and outs of the game – in particular both running and defending the pick and roll - but the rookie has a chance to be a very effective NBA player.

I have to give a shout-out to my man Dahntay Jones. The former Dukie – and Rutgers Scarlet Knight (he transferred) – is turning into a quality NBA player. He can defend three positions and is a super athlete, but we always knew that. What’s most impressive to me is when we’re actually fortunate enough to witness the growth of a young player. This is precisely the case with Jones, a former second-round pick. The biggest knock on him had been the lack of a pure shooting stroke and overall ability to score. He has a good first step and can get into the lane to use his solid frame to finish, but now that he consistently hits from 18 feet and in, the entire floor has opened up for him. Always a great joy to see a guy make it the right way. Much respect to Dahntay Jones.

In other news, apparently Bryon Russell is serious about playing Michael Jordan one-on-one after MJ’s notorious HOF speech in September. In case you missed it, here is an excerpt:

"I was in Chicago in 1994 ... and at this time I had no thoughts of coming back and playing the game of basketball. Bryon Russell came over to me and said, 'Why’d you quit? You know I could guard you. If I ever see you in a pair of shorts ...'

"When I did come back in 1995 and we played Utah in ‘96, I’m at the center circle and Bryon Russell is standing next to me. I said, 'You remember the [comments] you made in 1994 about, ‘I think I can guard you, I can shut you down, I would love to play against you? Well, you’re about to get your chance.''”

Aside from the fact that “His Airness” completely embarrassed himself with his classless speech, I have to ask one question: “B-Russ, are you on crack?” Note to Russell: Seriously bro, give it up. We’ve all heard the stories of how Michael would stay hours after practice challenging teammates to games of horse and pig, only to keep them in the gym until he finished on a win. Bryon, you’ve had enough public ridicule for your horrid attempt at defense during the 1998 NBA Finals. I honestly don’t think you would get a bucket on MJ if you played today. Some people – myself included – still believe that Mike could play in the league. We know that if the game was set up, MJ would come in great shape, ready to make you look bad, like really bad, like worse-than-we-all-remember bad. I doubt you’d make a “B” team in Slovakia if you tried out right now. For your sake, I hope you back off and realize the insanity of your notion. As they say, listen to your head, not your heart.

Changing topics … why do I get the distinct feeling that the entire PGA Tour is thrilled to see what Tiger is going through right now? It’s long been known the jealousy and envy on tour regarding Woods, but I’ve always felt sorry for the other pros who deal with the public infatuation with Woods every single day. I’m not sure our generation has ever seen a more polarizing athlete (MJ maybe?)

The media have obviously made their feelings about this matter abundantly clear, and although thus far no golfers other than Jesper Parnevik have really said anything, I sense a tremendous vindication from them. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. We’ve seen other big-name athletes overcome controversy – Kobe the most glaring – but as I’ve said since day one of this frenzy, I think a lot more information has yet to surface. His sponsors have stood by him – and it's not like they have to - but I don’t think this is something Tiger gets away from, at least for a long time. Usually with stories like this, six months later everyone has moved on. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think that’s the case here.

On a completely separate, albeit just as important note, it appears that Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will indeed square off to fight in March. I’ve been dreaming about this for quite some time now. I’ll note that Pacquiao will have to come up in weight to fight. I don’t know enough about boxing to understand the significance of this, but maybe you do. No matter how you look at it, this is going to be one helluva fight. What will the line for this fight be? I think Pac-Man is a slight favorite, but I have to go with Floyd. Man I’m juiced for this …

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