By Sam Amico

READY TO LAUNCH IN HOUSTON

If you're an opponent of the Houston Rockets, there are a few things you need to ask yourself.

Namely, what if Yao Ming is as good as the Rockets think he is? What if he's more than The Next Ralph Sampson? What if he's a 7-foot-5 center who can really play?

Not scared yet? OK. How about this -- what if all-star guard Steve Francis stays healthy? And what if forward Maurice Taylor comes back from the knee injury that kept him out all of last season?

There's more.

What if Rocket guards like Cuttino Mobley and Moochie Norris keep improving?

Or how about two of my favorite young players, Eddie Griffin and Terence Morris? Both are forwards, both are entering their second season, and both showed loads of potential last year. That is especially true of Griffin, who came on strong around the All-Star break. Meanwhile, Morris proved to be a second-round steal (the one prediction that this scribe actually got right last summer).

And what about Glen Rice? What if he still has a little zip left on that always-deadly jump shot? What if he sticks around long enough to teach rookie Bostjan Nachbar?

And what if guys like Kelvin Cato and Kenny Thomas suddenly go from being starters to regulars off the bench?

Throw in the fact that the Rockets are coached by Rudy Tomjanovich, a man who obviously knows what he's doing -- as evidenced by his two NBA titles. He is also a player's coach, owning a special gift when the idea is to keep professional athletes content with their time on the court.

So while the last thing the Western Conference needs is another power, it may get one in the Rockets.

Look, I'll be the first to admit that all of these things may not happen during the upcoming season. It may take some time for Houston to let old wounds heal, and for the team to gel into a cohesive unit.

But what if all of the above does come true right away? What if the Rockets truly are the perfect mix of athleticism, youth, and experience?

What will the Western Conference do then?

ROCKET ROOKIE

I don't know much about European basketball (and there are plenty of you who contend that I don't know much American, either). But my pick for the best European player to come out of this year's draft is Bostjan Nachbar, who was taken by the Rockets with their second first-round pick.

Nachbar is 6-9 and reportedly has a nice touch around the basket and from the perimeter. He also is said to be able to handle the ball well for a player his size.

Best of all, Nachbar appears to have an upbeat personality and a deep love for the game.

MORE SUMMER LEAGUE FUN

I wanted to make one point before jumping into this week's summer league stuff. The point is, I've found that I'm just as crazy about the NBA in the summer as I am during the season. That is why I won't be offended if you pass along anything from the offseason that I haven't mentioned -- just for the simple fact that I can read and enjoy it. OK, on to the summer scribbles in my notebook:

-- Former Arizona star Miles Simon is on the Atlanta Hawks' summer league roster. Simon, a spectacular college player, has become a star in the minor leagues. But the 6-5 swingman is exactly what the scouts mean when they use the word "tweener" (too small to play forward, too slow to play guard).

-- Maybe the Washington Wizards are thinking about changing their team colors. After all, they have three guys on their summer roster with the last name of Brown (Kwame, Brian, and Devin). I especially like Brian Brown, a big guard out of Ohio State who could be this year's Joe Crispin -- a guy who never got drafted but belongs in the NBA. Crispin, by the way, is currently with the Phoenix Suns.

-- First-round pick Juan Dixon was the lone Wizard to score in double figures in the team's opening summer game. But even Dixon had just 11 points (on 3-of-14 shooting). That, of course, is a meaningless stat, and you have to like what Washington has done this offseason.

-- Former West Virginia standout Marcus Goree has looked very good while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks' summer entry. Goree was awesome last summer with Memphis, but was victimized by the numbers game. That may not be the case in Milwaukee, as the Bucks are considering signing the 6-8 Goree to a one-year deal.

-- Old friend William Avery led the Orlando summer league in scoring (18.0 ppg). After three wasted years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Avery is trying to hook up with the Miami Heat. As his former coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke once said, Avery simply was not ready for the NBA after his sophomore season -- but that is exactly when Avery entered the draft. Still, he's a nice kid and hopefully, he's ready now.

-- Other top performers in Orlando included Milwaukee rookie forward Marcus Haislip (second in scoring), Orlando rookie free-agent guard Smush Parker, Miami second-round swingman Rasual Butler, Miami free-agent guard Luke Recker, and Indiana first-round pick and guard Fred Jones. Parker, by the way, is one of my favorites. As a NYC point guard, he has to be, right?

-- It's good to see Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf playing in the Los Angeles summer league. You may remember Abdul-Rauf as the high-scoring former Denver Nuggets guard with the ultra-quick release (when he was still known as Chris Jackson). You may also remember Abdul-Rauf as someone who didn't allow Tourette's syndrome to keep him from playing in the NBA. Finally, many of you will remember him as the guy who refused to honor the national anthem before a game. Anyway, Abdul-Rauf is trying to make a comeback, and a few teams could use him.

-- Golden State second-year forward Troy Murphy scored 30 points on 11-of-12 shooting in a recent summer game. Say what you will about the Warriors, but I look at a roster that features Murphy, Gilbert Arenas, Mike Dunleavy, Jiri Welsh, and especially, Jason Richardson, and I like the team's future. I like it a lot!

-- Rookie forward Drew Gooden is tearing it up for the Memphis Grizzlies. I mean, the guy has just looked awesome in summer league play. If you're a Grizzlies fan, you're excited.

-- With the departure of free-agents Chauncey Billups and William Avery -- and Terrell Brandon's aging knees -- Timberwolves rookie point guard Marcus Taylor may have a good shot to run the team. Not bad for a second-round pick who never lived up to expectations in college.

-- I'm happy to report that point guard Omar Cook is looking good as a member of the Boston Celtics. Cook is teaming with Joseph Forte in Boston's backcourt, and both have been effective. Sad thing is, probably only one of them will get to play next season.

NICE JOB, NUGGETS

The Denver Nuggets recently held an open tryout for their summer league roster. I've complained in the past that the Nuggets don't do enough to create interest in the team -- but this was a great idea. Obviously, as 262 players from all over the country drove to Denver to try out. Four made it, including former Michigan standout and member of the Fab Five, Jimmy King.

All of this leads me to just one question -- hey, Nuggets, where was my invitation?

CAVALIER COMMENTS

In the previous newsletter, I blasted Sports Illustrated for an article about the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are some reader responses:

From Langdon Daugherty
I agree with your assessment that Andre Miller is the Cavs' best player, but the difference between him and a healthy Zydrunas Ilgauskas is not that great. Just ask Randy Wittman, who might still be coaching the Cavs had Z not gotten hurt. The Cavs were the surprise team of the NBA until he fractured his foot two seasons ago. But he did injure his foot, and the Cavs went straight into the tank.

Dear Langdon, you make some great points. It's easy to forget how good the Cavs are with a healthy Ilgauskas. But until he's healthy, you can never refer to him as the Cavs best player -- which is exactly what SI did.

From Stan Astertin
Sam, just a couple of weeks ago you basically said that the Cavs can be just as bad without giving Miller the maximum contract. I think you're right. Let's face it, this team hasn't made a sound business decision in years.

Dear Stan, again, the Cavs don't have a problem with giving Miller the max. It's just that they don't want to if they don't have to. In other words, if nobody else is planning to give Miller the max, why should they? But if Miller tests the market and someone offers him a great deal, the Cavs are prepared to say fine, we'll match it. And that sounds like a pretty sound business decision to me.

From John Clark
In your most recent newsletter, you wrote, "I love the Cavs and think they have a bright future." I too share your fondness for the team, but cannot see the future you envision. Far too much of the Cavs' salary cap is devoted to oft-injured players and heartless malcontents. And the future of the team is further clouded by the ill-advised decisions of general manager Jim Paxson. I see them doing nothing more than continuing a string of mediocrity.

Dear John, one thing to remember is that success in the NBA comes and goes. I mean, whoever thought the Chicago Bulls would be as bad as they were two seasons ago -- or that the Sacramento Kings would be playing for a conference title? So the Cavs are going through a "down" period right now. But I think they have a solid nucleus (Andre Miller, DaJuan Wagner, Ilgauskas). They just need two or three more guys to fill the gaps.

From Tyron Brown
Hey, Sam, I think Sports Illustrated stole its idea for the Cavs story from your book about the NBA draft!

Dear Tyron, thanks for the plug! And somebody has to make some money off my book, right? Actually, SI probably came up with the Cavs idea on its own. But you can read more about my book later in this newsletter.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM TAYLOR GUINN
Q: I know it's down the road, but how likely will it be to see Tim Duncan playing for the Orlando Magic in 2003-04?

A: Dear Taylor, my guess is that Duncan will retire with the Spurs. He's comfortable in San Antonio, and because of the current collective bargaining agreement, the Spurs will be able to pay him more than anyone. With Duncan in uniform, the Spurs will always have a shot at a championship.

FROM AMY ARMSTRONG
Q: Can you tell me where Pete Mickeal and Mark Sanford are playing this summer?

A: Dear Amy, Mickeal is on the New York Knicks' summer roster. As for Sanford ... if anybody knows, please e-mail.

FROM TED MORRIS
Q: Sam, what do you know about the Allen Iverson situation?

A: Dear Ted, I know you won't read about it in this newsletter.

SAM'S SUMMER SLAMS

Jason Hart and Stephen Jackson are two names you may recognize on San Antonio's summer roster. ... Almost 40 players from the United States Basketball League are playing in NBA summer leagues. Now we know why the USBL has been around for 17 years. ... Phoenix rookie Casey Jacobsen scored 35 points in a recent summer game. The Suns' other first-round pick, Amare Stoudemire, has also been better-than-solid. ... Yes, Detroit rookie forward Tayshaun Prince has looked more like a pauper during the Pistons' summer games, but I still think he'll turn into a nice NBA player. ... Jerome Moiso finally seems to have found a home in New Orleans, as he has played very well this summer. But forward Dennis Mims, a sleeper out of Division II Indiana, Pa., hasn't done so well. The Hornets let him go last week.

THE AR MAGAZINE IS COMING!

You read that right. Coming in October, I will be publishing The Amico Report 2002-03 Pro Basketball Preview.

The 40-page printer-friendly magazine will come directly to your e-mail inbox in PDF format -- and consist of NBA team-by-team previews, photos, trivia, draft information, a special report on the minor leagues, and my analysis of the upcoming season. There will also be a page on which readers will give their own thoughts and predictions.

The magazine is only $3.50 and will be delivered to you two weeks before the season begins. How's that for a bargain?

Ordering information coming soon!

BUY MY BOOK ON AMAZON.COM

My book, "A Basketball Summer," is now available on the Amazon.com Web site. It's also available at your local Barnes & Noble bookstore (or at www.barnesandnoble.com). To find it on either site, simply perform a search for my name. As I've explained probably way too much, the book is about how NBA general managers spend their offseason, and is told mostly in the words of the GMs themselves.

SIGN UP A FRIEND

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CONTACT ME

E-mail questions and comments to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I will try to answer questions in the newsletter, but you must include your full name.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!