Points in the Paint

» September 8, 2009 6:52 PM | By Brandon Hoffman

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald: “Heat president Pat Riley said Tuesday he has not been shaken by Michael Beasley’s missteps this summer and that he expects Beasley will be at the start of training camp Sept. 28 and will play a ‘bigger role’ this season. Meanwhile, Riley said he does not expect Dwyane Wade to sign a contract extension this summer and the issue likely will not be resolved until next July, when Wade can become a free agent. Though Riley was not permitted to acknowledge Beasley’s ongoing stay in a Houston rehab center, he conceded that the forward’s absence from the Heat facility in recent weeks “probably would set him back a little bit” in working on his small forward skills. But Riley said ‘we’re in contact with [Beasley] every day” and that the Heat is permitted to send staffers to work with him on the court. ‘He is being coached every day on conditioning and skill development,’ Riley said.”

Third Quarter Collapse makes the case that Jameer Nelson is the key to Orlando’s season: “Nelson isn’t the Magic’s best player–that’d be Dwight Howard–but he’s their most important. He’s the key to their success, the straw that turns the drink, the engine that makes them go, and so on. Some people would have you believe that Hedo Turkoglu played that role for Orlando last year. Blame it on the recency effect: Nelson played poorly in the NBA Finals after several months off due to shoulder surgery, while Turkoglu led them in scoring. Fact is, Nelson became an All-Star last season, and was among the leading candidates for the Most Improved Player award before shutting it down after just 42 games due to a torn labrum. Turkoglu, meanwhile, saw a drastic drop-off in both production and efficiency from his Most Improved campaign in 2008. And since the Magic obliged Turkoglu by moving him via a sign-and-trade deal to the Toronto Raptors, he’s not really relevant to this discussion. In Nelson’s 42 starts prior to the shoulder injury, the Magic went 32-10, with a per-game point differential of +8.09, which would have challenged the Cleveland Cavaliers for the league’s highest had they maintained that level of play.”

Jim Litke of The Associated Press: “It’s become an article of faith in sports that sooner or later, the ‘next one’ will come along; if not in this generation, then the next, or certainly the one after that. But there will never be another Michael Jordan. Bill Russell, whose likeness is already inside, won more NBA championships — 11 to Jordan’s six. Two other men, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar (in) and Karl Malone (a cinch for the 2010 class), scored more points over the course of a pro career. Wilt Chamberlain scored more on a single night. Oscar Robertson put up 153 more triple-doubles. Larry Bird was a better pure shooter. Magic Johnson was a better passer. Kobe Bryant might retire as the most complete offensive player ever. LeBron James has time on his side, 22nd-Century skills already, and a RoboCop physique to boot. His accomplishments might one day dwarf all of theirs. But ask yourself: If your team is down by a point with 0:01 left and the fate of the universe is hanging in the balance, whose number are you gonna call? The original 23. The same guy who bailed out the planet the last time.”

Teddy Greenstein at the Chicago Tribune penned a neat little story about Jordan’s golf habits: “David Kaplan, host of ‘Sports Central’ on WGN-AM 720 and ‘ Chicago Tribune Live’ on Comcast SportsNet, played 36 memorable holes with Jordan last September at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan. He described Jordan as ‘the nicest guy … but he talks the entire round, giving people [the business].’ Jordan hit the green on the par-3 sixth hole but was left with what Kaplan described as ‘an impossible, snaking, 25-foot putt. He turns to me and says, ‘Hey, Kap: 50 bucks I make the putt.’ I said: ‘Dude, I’m not the Jazz and this isn’t a basketball court. I’ll take the bet.’ Then he drills it. ‘We play another 18. On the 18th he hits it on but has a good 35 feet for birdie. Another ridiculous putt. He says, ‘Double or nothing on your $50?’ ‘I say: ‘You’re not making this one. You’re on.’ He drills it again and says: ‘The Lakers couldn’t beat me. The Blazers couldn’t beat me. The Suns couldn’t beat me. The Sonics couldn’t beat me. The Jazz had two shots and couldn’t beat me. You, you’ll never [bleeping] beat me.’ ‘”

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “Michael Jordan selection of David Thompson to present him for his Hall of Fame enshrinement brings a beautiful strand of symmetry to the proceedings. As much as he changed the game, Jordan realized that he was a product of those who came before him. Thompson will serve as a living, breathing origin of the high-flying signature that Jordan picked up in mid-stroke and finished with a flourish. But as impressed as I am with Jordan’s presenter, I’m a little worried about the others. With Charles Barkley presenting Jerry Sloan, Larry Brown presenting David Robinson and Isiah Thomas presenting John Stockton, the enshrinement ceremony in Springfield, Mass., on Friday night runs the risk of turning into something it shouldn’t be. In Barkley’s case, it could become amateur night at the comedy club. In the case of Larry and Isiah, lawyers might have to be present to negotiate seating assignments and bathroom breaks. Has a Hall of Fame in any sport ever had two presenters who hated each other more? All I can say is, thank God for No. 23. Because without Jordan’s mountainous presence looming over the evening, I’m afraid the wattage generated by Charles, Larry and Isiah would be inappropriately bright. Even with M.J. in the house, the Axis of Ego might find a way to make it about them.”