SIR CHARLES AS SUNS GM?

Don’t look now but Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic reported today that TNT studio analyst for NBA games and the man popular known as “The Round Mound of Rebound” Charles Barkley has expressed his thoughts in the possibility of becoming the  General Manager of the Phoenix Suns next season.

Forever outspoken, “Sir Charles” candidly says that:

"I don't think it's a good job right now. But I would listen to the Suns because I love Phoenix. I would listen to Robert (Sarver) out of respect for working in Phoenix. But I'll be honest: I would not re-sign Amar'e Stoudemire.

I wouldn't do it for three reasons. One, his knees; two, his eyes; and three, he wants a maximum deal. Now, he's a terrific player. Don't get me wrong. But at this stage of his career, he's never been the best player on his team. That's not a max player.

"I look at it differently. I want that challenge (of being a general manager). Steve (Kerr) takes everything personally. I've been a star before. Steve has never really been a star. And the one thing you learn as a star is, you can't take everything personally.

Listen, if you win, they love you. If you don't, they criticize you. It's not right or wrong. It's just how it goes. I think Steve took it personally.

I'd bring in my own guys. Let's not kid ourselves: Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you know anything about basketball. I don't think (Sarver) made his money in basketball. He made his money in banking. We don't get stimulus packages in the NBA.

I know that I'm ready. I've been very patient. I've been doing this for 10 years, and what television has given me is objectivity. When you're a player, you think that the player is always right. You think that the media and fans are full of (bleep). When you're on TV, you see things differently. You have to be objective.

No. 1, a team has to have a style. I would probably build my team like the Spurs, based on defense and rebounding. But you have to have an identity as a team. If you go back and look, Mike D'Antoni had a style. It was a sorry style. But at least it was a style.

At some point, Steve Nash is going to hit the wall, and when they hit the wall in the NBA, it happens quickly. You know what they say: Vegas casinos and Father Time are the only two things that are undefeated."

ON LEBRON AND ECONOMIC BOOM

At past noontime tomorrow (Manila time), the LeBron James  sweepstakes officially takes off. Various internet reports say that the King is leaning towards the Chicago Bulls as his next NBA destination. But other teams remain hopeful that they will land basketball’s most precious property. Aside from the Bulls, other teams likely to get a crack at the Akron, Ohio native includes the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.

Whatever team James chooses for the coming season and beyond will not only benefit from his cage exploits but the whole City itself will reap dividends economic wise. There are reports that a cash windfall of at least $ 2 billion awaits the city of Chicago if ever James becomes a Bull.

The LeBron James bonanza will surely go down as the most anticipated and biggest free agent lottery in NBA history.

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The Ginebra Gin Kings will parade new import Chris Daniels of Kentucky when it goes up against the Rain Or Shine squad in tomorrow’s playoff game for the second quarterfinal berth in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Daniels replaces Denham Brown and will be the Ginebra’s fourth import in this conference alone. So far, half of the ten-team league had already changed import during the course of the confab. Alaska’s Diamon Simpson, San Miguel’s Gabe Freeman, TNT’s Shawn Daniels, Sta. Lucia’s Anthony Johnson and Barako’s Sammy Monroe were the only reinforcements who survived the 18-game elimination campaign of their respective ballclubs.

As per PBA rules, teams are allowed to replace imports until the end of the semi-finals.

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Boston Celtics great and former Minnesota Timberwolves GM and coach Kevin McHale might make a comeback to Beantown. With Glen (Doc ) Rivers still undecided if he wants to continue coaching the Celtics, McHale’s name has been floated as the possible top choice for Rivers’ post.

During the recent NBA finals, McHale was asked of his reaction regarding the possibility of a coaching vacancy in Boston that may happen during this summer and says:

"That's way down the road, we'll see where it goes."

RETURN OF RETRO LOGOS

It seems like the trend in the NBA nowadays is reverting back to old or retro team logos. The Philadelphia 76ers started it all last season while the Utah Jazz and the GoldenState Warriors has launched their own during the past few weeks leading off to the 2010-11 season.

The new generation of hoop fans may not fully appreciate these moves but for longtime followers, it brings back memories of the teams’ glory days of yesteryears. Who could forget the Sixers championship run in 1983 starring Julius “Doctor J” Erving, Moses Malone, Bobby Jones and Andrew Toney. The retro logo of the Jazz can’t help but make their fans reminisce of the years when the stars of the team were Adrian Dantley, Mark Eaton, Karl Malone and John Stockton among others. The Warriors new look takes their diehards to 1975 when the Bay Area outfit led by Rick Barry, Keith (later Jamaal) Wilkes, Phil Smith and Cliff Ray swept the Washington Bullets in the NBA finals.

Part of the official press release in the unveiling of the new logo in the Warriors official website (www.warriors.com) says:

“The Golden State Warriors unveiled a new logo, color scheme and branding elements today, all of which bring together the past and future of one of the National Basketball Association’s longest tenured franchises.

The Warriors’ new primary logo salutes the team’s Bay Area past and links to the exciting prospects of the organization’s future. A silhouette of the yet-to-be-completed Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge  is the focal point of the design and a direct spin-off of “The City” logo, one of the most popular emblems in the history of professional sports.”

ON MARCUS DOUTHIT

The Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas finally found a candidate for naturalization in the 6-11 Marcus Douthit. Douthit, fresh from leading Smart Gilas to the three-nation MVP Manila Invitational Championship, was signed to a one-year contract by the SBP.

The former Providence College Friar is set to lead the Nationals to the William Jones Cup tilt in Taipeh next month. Douthit is the fourth import to see action for Smart Gilas and coach Rajko Toroman hopes that the Syracuse native will have the proper attitude and game suited to his system.

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There might be two Millers in the Boston Celtics line-up next season. Free agents Brad Miller of the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards hotshot Mike Miller are reportedly in the radar of the Beantown outfit.

Brad is a possible replacement for the now-retired Rasheed Wallace while Mike will be an able back-up shooter for Ray Allen.

The Celtics are still licking the wounds from their heart-breaking defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers in the recently-concluded NBA finals. With the possible signing of the two Millers, the old tradition of having white players for the team will be back. Last season, Brian Scalabrine was the sole white player in the roster of the Celtics.

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With the drafting of number one pick over-all John Wall, the expected return of troubled star Gilbert Arenas and the trade acquisition of Kirk Hinrich from the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards has suddenly become over-loaded in the guard position. Not to mention that they still have Randy Foye and Shaun Livingston in the team’s roster.

With the expected limited playing time, either Foye and Livingston may not return to the Wizards next season.