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By Sam Amico

CAVS’ MILES OF FUN

Random thoughts from the Cavaliers-Sonics game Jan. 13 in Seattle:

-- I can’t help it, I love watching Cleveland forward Darius Miles. As a disclaimer, I only like Miles when he plays with tons of energy, as he did against the Sonics. As a second disclaimer, I also realize Miles is about as fundamentally-sound as my refrigerator. As a third disclaimer, I know that there are too many nights when Miles acts like he‘d rather be doing anything BUT playing basketball.

-- So why do I like Miles? Because when motivated, he is supremely athletic, soaring through the air to block shots and dunk with the greatest of ease. That’s what happened in Seattle, as Miles was everything you could hope for in a finisher of the fast break. He beat everyone down the floor, received good passes from the likes of LeBron James, and it was “Wham, with the right hand!” as longtime Cavs radio play-by-play announcer Joe Tait likes to say.

-- Still, while Miles spent a lot of time working on his shot during the off season, Cavs coach Paul Silas has to cringe every time he shoots from beyond 12 feet. Besides rookie forward Jason Kapono (a defensive liability), Cleveland has no consistent perimeter shooters -- and I mean NONE. Basically, the Cavs still need to make major changes if they hope to get to the playoffs anytime soon. The bottom line for this team is James needs a reliable running mate. There have been persistent rumors of a Cleveland-Dallas trade that would send center Zydrunas Ilgauskus to the Mavericks for forward Antawn Jamison. My thought: Do it, Cavs!

-- It wouldn’t hurt for Cleveland to try to find a true starting point guard -- something even Silas has dreamed about publicly. Kevin Ollie is a nice player, but he is what he is. A backup. Other than LeBron, and occasionally Ilgauskus, no one on this team can create their own offense.

-- Cavaliers forward Carlos Boozer continues to be a second-round steal in his second season, but opponents are starting to figure him out. In other words, Boozer is getting double-teamed whenever the ball is in the air, as few players in the league crash the boards with the intensity of Boozer. But if he can’t get to the glass, he can’t score.

-- Like most of the Cavaliers, James has really struggled on defense. Some of it has to do with James constantly being matched up with smaller, quicker point guards -- but more of it has to do with him have little concept of what it takes to play man-to-man. He rarely bends his knees and shuffles his feet, or even crouches down in the defensive stance. Instead, James tends to stand straight up and reach for steals. Most of the time, his man drives right past.

-- Having said that, LeBron is already very good at weak-side help defense, often anticipating where the ball will go next and stepping in the passing lane for easy steals.

-- I’ve written it before, but I can’t stress it enough: Silas is the perfect coach for this team. The thing I like best about Silas is he’s made it clear that Cavalier basketball isn’t a democracy, sticking anyone who refuses to abide by his rules on the bench. And I mean anyone. Credit also goes to owner Gordon Gund and general manager Jim Paxson for never second-guessing their coach.

-- I don’t care how the Cavaliers try to spin it, drafting backup center DeSagana Diop with the No. 8 pick three summers ago was a mistake. Yes, Diop will block some shots, but he’s out of position too often and a poor rebounder for someone so tall and wide. I have a strong feeling Diop will never be anything more than an average backup with decent defensive skills. Not bad, but is that really all you want from the eighth overall pick?

-- The Cavaliers started the third quarter with James and second-year man Dajuan Wagner in the backcourt, and I like this combination. Both can handle the ball well enough to bring it up the floor under pressure, and both can get open for shots when the other is running things. Neither is a true point guard -- but it’s worked so far.

-- I hope Cleveland continues to give Wagner a chance to gain a permanent spot in the rotation, rather than dangle him as trade bait. He‘s another kid who has the potential to put up a lot of points in a matter of minutes. But what impressed me most in the Seattle game was that Wagner was always around the ball and making hustle plays. He’s proving to be more than just a scorer.

-- Prior to visiting Seattle, the Cavaliers were in Los Angeles to play the Lakers. True to form, few of the L.A.-based reporters asked Miles about his game. Instead, they badgered him with questions about his starring role in the soon-to-be-released movie, “A Perfect Score.” Miles plays a high school basketball player who, along with a group of students, tries to steal the answers to an SAT test. Think I’ll be waiting for this one to come out on DVD.

-- Finally, George Robins (Ashland, Ohio) e-mailed this intriguing question: “Do you think LeBron James would contribute as much as he is this season if he played with the 1992 Cleveland team -- which featured Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Larry Nance and John ‘Hot Rod’ Williams?”

-- My answer is no, as that team (regarded by many Clevelanders to be the best in Cavaliers history) wouldn’t need LeBron to do as much. He might have started, although then-coach Lenny Wilkens was never big on playing rookies -- especially ones with James’ defensive deficiencies. James probably would’ve been the seventh or eighth man and averaged about nine points while playing 10-to-15 minutes per game. What makes James so special today is his willingness to share the ball, and the fact that he’s such a good passer. But there was a time not long ago where the NBA was full of good passers, and EVERYONE was willing to share the ball. But even then, people would be able to see that James will be one of the all-time greats.

SONICS STUFF

-- Let me start by saying the Sonics are everything that’s right with professional sports. This is a first-class organization that does things the right way -- from supporting the coach, to finding the right players, to providing the community with plenty of reasons to feel proud. Nate McMillan is one of the league’s most underrated coaches, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him someday make a run at Utah’s Jerry Sloan as the guy who’s spent the most time on the same team‘s sidelines.

-- Seattle has to be pleased with the steady play of offseason free-agent signee and point guard Antonio Daniels. He has been an underrated reason for the Sonics’ solid start. I mostly like Daniels because he’s one of the few guys in the league who isn’t always looking to jack up a 3-pointer -- and one of the few guys who can make a mid-range jump shot on a regular basis.

-- Meanwhile, Ray Allen is the best pure shooter in the league, period. Just thought I‘d throw that in.

-- As much as I enjoy watching New York’s Allen Houston and Sacramento’s Peja Stojakovic when they get hot, it seems like Allen NEVER has an off night. I also like Allen because unlike so many automatic perimeter shooters, he doesn’t force anything.

-- The Sonics are wearing their bright yellow retro uniforms, which were sported regularly before even my time. Still, I was reminded of when I first started watching pro basketball, which was the same season Seattle won the NBA championship. That was 1979, when the Sonics’ lineup consisted of marvels such as Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma, John Johnson, Gus Williams, and current Cleveland coach Paul Silas -- and the Finals were tape-delayed and broadcast after the 11 o’clock news. I know. I’m old.

-- These Sonics, however, are refusing to put a body on anyone and keep the Cavaliers off the boards. They look sluggish, like they can’t wait for the game to be over.

-- Of course, they did do a much better job of rebounding after switching to a zone in the second quarter and forcing Cleveland to shoot long jump shots -- a major weakness for the young Cavaliers. Then the Cavs called timeout, and Seattle immediately went back to man-to-man. I don’t get it.

-- When it comes to centers, the Sonics could do worse than Jerome James. I like James because he’s extremely physical and is a legitimate 7-footer who can take up space on defense and throw it down on offense. Not only that, but he went to Florida A&M. Don’t ask me why I think that’s neat. I just do.

-- You have to wonder where the Sonics dug up shooting guard and 3-point machine Richie Frahm. And isn’t interesting how Frahm has become a more valuable pro than Atlanta guard Dan Dickau, another former Gonzaga Zag? But in defense of Dickau, one scout reminded me, “Remember, Steve Nash was a stiff his first few seasons (with Phoenix), too.”

-- Point guard is definitely an intriguing position, as a lot of seemingly good ones at the college level are lucky to become backups in the pros. Antoine Joubert of Michigan is the first one that comes to mind. Or how about Notre Dame’s David Rivers? Also, Mateen Cleaves was awesome at Michigan State, had a solid rookie season with Detroit -- and is now out of the league, and playing in the NBDL.

MORE RANDOM STUFF

-- I agree with TNT analyst Charles Barkley, who said, “Kobe Bryant had better re-sign with the Lakers, or he’ll be just another great player on a losing team, like Orlando’s Tracy McGrady. Shaquille O’Neal is the reason Kobe is considered a championship-level player.” Without Shaq, Kobe might just become another Penny Hardaway.

-- Or as one scout told me, “As long as Kobe is taking the majority of the shots, and not Shaq, the Lakers are very beatable. It’s the reason they lost in the playoffs last season.”

-- Hold those angry e-mails, Kobe fans. Yes, I think Kobe is a little bit overrated -- but I also think he’s the best all-around guard in the game. Few play with more passion, and no great scorer defends as well as Kobe.

-- Sometimes, a team can make too many moves. That’s what I thought when I heard New York GM Isiah Thomas was going to fire Don Chaney, and replace him with Mike Fratello. But as disappointed as I am that Chaney didn‘t get a real shot with the new-look Knicks, I‘m thrilled that Thomas hired my all-time favorite NBA guy, Lenny Wilkens. It’s sort of like what Jerry West did in Memphis -- hire an old guy who is a TEACHER of the game. Knock ’em dead, Lenny.

-- A few readers took issue with my leaving New Orleans’ Baron Davis off the list of the league’s top five point guards. Calm down, everyone, It was just an oversight. I’d rank Davis ahead of Steve Nash and Sam Cassell, and maybe even Marbury, but behind Jason Kidd and Gary Payton.

-- Point guards traded by Phoenix over the past 30 years: Stephon Marbury, Jason Kidd, Gail Goodrich, Steve Nash, Sam Cassell, and Dennis Johnson. Make of that what you will.

-- I plan to write extensively about Houston center Yao Ming in an upcoming newsletter, but allow me to get the ball rolling with this: I don’t think he’ll ever be any better than he is today. That’s not a knock on Yao, as he is capable of some remarkable nights. But overall, he lacks the aggressiveness to rank up there with the Hakeem Olajuwons, Patrick Ewings, and David Robinsons of the world. Yao needs to develop a tough streak, but unfortunately for the Rockets, I just don’t think he has it in him. He’s too doggone nice.

-- After spending about five minutes watching Minnesota, I’m convinced this is the season that the Timberwolves get out of the first round of the playoffs. Forward Kevin Garnett is one of about five players in today’s game who I think would be a superstar in any era. He’s an absolute joy to watch, as Garnett LOVES to play the game. No matter how much money he makes, Garnett never treats basketball like it’s a business. In that respect, he’s a lot like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, etc.

-- Garnett is one of just two T-Wolves from last season’s team on the active roster. Can you name the other? Answer in a minute.

-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson doesn’t think teen-agers should be allowed to play in the NBA. For more, click this link: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/basketball/nba/cleveland_cavaliers/7689758.htm

-- The only other Minnesota player on the active roster who played for the T-Wolves last season is Gary Trent (Wally Szczerbiak and Troy Hudson are injured).

-- Are NBA players “out of control?” Some people sure seem to think so. Check out this report in the Indianapolis Star: http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/108928-6331-039.html

READER FEEDBACK

From Matt Turner (Kenosha, Wis.)

Q: Don’t you feel obligated to write at least a little something about the Milwaukee Bucks?

A: Dear Matt, yes. I’m just not sure what to write. How about this: Terry Porter HAS to be in the running for Coach of the Year honors. The Bucks are playing as a team in the truest sense, and I can’t get enough of seeing guard Michael Redd develop into an All-Star. I also enjoy watching Desmond Mason, Toni Kukoc, and even rookie point guard T.J. Ford, who’s really coming around. By the way, Matt, tell the Happy Days gang I said hello.

From Derek Mehl (Danbury, Conn.)

Q: I know you’ve been asked this question before, but any update on who is your pick for the NBA’s most underrated player?

A: Dear Derek, my pick is Miami Heaters guard Eddie Jones. He is the perfect example of why everyone wants to play in a major market. When he was with the Lakers, Jones was considered an All-Star, but everyone seems to have forgotten about him now that he’s in Miami. Funny thing is, Jones is better now than he ever was in L.A. He’s averaging a team-best 18.1 points and remains one of the game’s best defenders.

CBA ALL-STAR ROSTERS

Americans: Roberto Bergersen (Idaho); Josh Davis (Idaho); DeSean Hadley (Idaho); David Jackson (Sioux Falls); Immanuel McElroy (Gary); Jermeil Rich (Gary); Leon Smith (Gary); Roy Tarpley (Sioux Falls); Leonard White (Sioux Falls); Galen Young (Gary). Coach: Larry Krstkowiak (Idaho).

Nationals: Anthony Bonner (Great Lakes); Torraye Braggs (Yakima); Kaniel Dickens (Dakota); Ben Ebong (Dakota); Ronnie Fields (Rockford); Eddie Gill (Dakota); Jimmy Hunter (Rockford); Anthony Miller (Yakima); Ray Weathers (Dakota); Anthony Goldwire (Yakima)*. Coach: Dave Joerger (Yakima).

* -- currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves

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HAVE A GREAT DAY!