By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

CRAZY POSTSEASON

I write that the Detroit Pistons will finish sixth in the Central Division, and they win it.

Then I write that the Pistons will advance to the NBA Finals, and they're on the verge of losing to eighth-seeded Orlando in the first round.

As reader Dwight Seton e-mailed, "JUST STOP WRITING ABOUT THE PISTONS!"

Or how about this from reader Tony Wilcox: "Dear Sam, I'm beginning to think the best thing about your NBA newsletter is getting the opportunity to make fun of you."

Thanks, Tony. Thanks a lot.

Actually, with as wild and whacky as this postseason has been, you can hardly make fun of my predictions. Well, you can, but it's not like anyone really knew that Boston and Orlando would play so well, or that Philadelphia and Dallas looked like they could sweep, only to find themselves involved in a long series.

And what about the Portland Trail Blazers? I know, Rasheed Wallace sounded like Rain Man when he continuously muttered, "Both teams played hard." But I'm not sure I believe Rasheed. I'm not sure the Blazers DO play hard -- at least, not all the time. And effort is supposed to be a given in the playoffs.

That's not intended to pick on the Blazers, because I have no evidence that they're lazy. But after watching the way they lost to Dallas in the first three games ... then seeing how they won the next two ... well, it's just a hunch.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Then again, so far the playoffs have been a jumbled mess of unpredictability, making it terribly difficult to put together any kind of organized thoughts.

Here is my best effort:

TALKIN' T-WOLVES

Yes, Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett is about to become the first player in NBA history to lose in the first round seven straight times.

But I have a feeling that statistic will only motivate Garnett. If the Wolves can add another star - a guy who excels on both ends of the floor, not just one - then Garnett should finally lead them to realistic championship contention.

After all, one thing the T-Wolves proved in their series against the Lakers is that they're only slightly worse than the three-time world champs.

Prior to the series, I wrote that Troy Hudson and Wally Szczerbiak would be the keys for Minnesota (considering we already knew there was no stopping Garnett). Well, Hudson has been remarkable, but Wally's been awful. Szczerbiak has looked lost on defense and terrified on offense.

Also, what's happened to forward Joe Smith? Is he really that bad? Remember when Smith was the No. 1 pick in the draft? Remember when the T-Wolves' front office lost draft picks for conducting shady negotiations with Smith and his agent? Has any of it been worth it? I'd have to say no, as Smith has played limited minutes off Minnesota's bench, looking like a guy who's searching for his lost quarter under the bleachers when he does play.

But you have to love the physical style of backup big men Marc Jackson and Gary Trent, and the solid leadership of Rod Strickland and Kendall Gill off the bench.

Meanwhile, with his crafty ballhandling skills, deadeye shooting and fearless drives, Hudson reminds me very much of former Cleveland guard Mark Price.

The bottom line is the Timberwolves have nothing to be ashamed of, as they've proven to be a wonderfully exciting team that can play with the best. Still, they may want to make a deal involving Szczerbiak or Anthony Peeler during the offseason, with the idea of landing someone to get them out of the first round.

END OF THE SONG?

As I write this, the Sacramento-Utah series is the only one that's over, the Kings winning in five games.

And while I love Karl Malone and John Stockton as much as the next guy, it's time for the Jazz to shake their hands and say, "Thanks for the 18 years of wonderful service, fellas. Now best of luck to ya."

Malone can still be a starter, but he needs to be the third or fourth option -- something he'd never be able to do in Utah. But could you imagine Malone standing next to Shaquille O'Neal in the Lakers' lineup, or next to Tim Duncan in San Antonio? He'd average 12-to-15 points and help lift either or those teams to a title.

As for Stockton, it wouldn't hurt for the Jazz to bring him back at the absolute minimum veteran salary, especially as a backup to a good free-agent signee like Andre Miller.

There have also been rumors that Stockton will sign a cheap one-year deal with someone like Seattle or Cleveland, where he'll play 10 minutes a game and help groom a young point guard. I have a hard time believing that, as Stockton is a creature of stability, and reportedly has no desire to get into coaching.

As for the rest of the Jazz, I don't see any reason to keep backup point guard Mark Jackson or starting shooting guard Calbert Cheaney, both of whom could be out of the NBA next season. I do love what I've seen from Matt Harpring, Andrei Kirilenko, and especially, DeShawn Stevenson. I know that Stevenson has had his problems with coach Jerry Sloan, but I love the young guard's athleticism and hustle.

Even with Malone and Stockton, the Jazz probably won't make the playoffs next season. As much as it hurts for Utah fans to hear this, now is the time to rebuild.

MORE ON STOCKTON

The most likely scenario involving Stockton is that he will retire this summer, and you don't need me to tell you that he will be missed.

As former NBA player and current TNT analyst Kenny Smith said, in this day of And1 mix tapes and crossover dribbles, the 41-year old Stockton is one of the few remaining point guards who has absolutely no flash to his game -- but is still a joy to watch.

"He always figured out a way to get the ball to the middle of the floor, and he never had to dribble behind his back or between his legs to get there," Smith said. "As a New York City point guard, I find that amazing and probably appreciate it more than anyone."

I agree with Smith, as my favorite type of point guard is the kind that hails from NYC -- the kind that is tough, plays with tons of confidence, and has moves that will bring you to your feet. Yet I liked watching Stockton as much as any of those guys.

I hope he plays one more season, accepting a limited role with either the Jazz or another team. I'm not sure why -- maybe it's just because I want to see a 42-year old point guard in the NBA. More than that, though, it's probably because the NBA needs more guys like Stockton.

OTHER RANDOM THOUGHTS

-- Speaking of New York point guards, Phoenix's Stephon Marbury gets my vote for Best Point Guard of the First Round. Marbury has made San Antonio's Tony Parker look like he'd much rather be sitting on the bench. And that's not necessarily a knock on Parker, as NOBODY could contend with Marbury right now. He's just too quick, too strong, and too fundamentally-sound. Marbury is also displaying maturity and acting like the perfect teammate. The Suns may be finished by the time you read this, but with a little more experience, they could be one of the top four teams in the West next season.

-- Hold those e-mails asking what I have against the crossover dribble. The answer is absolutely nothing, as Philadelphia's Allen Iverson is among my absolute favorite players of all-time. In other words, I like exciting, breathtaking play as much as anybody. I'm just trying to point out how the greatest players stay true to their personalities, and don't try to be something they're not. I mean, could you imagine how ineffective Indiana's Ron Artest would be if he acted like a nice guy?

-- Did anyone else have a feeling that the Pacers would suffer a meltdown in the playoffs? I love these guys, and I really thought they would be the East's dominant team when they made the trade for Artest and Brad Miller a year and a half ago. I have no idea what's wrong, though. If you do, e-mail me and I'll print your response. Maybe coach Isaiah Thomas or team president Donny Walsh will read and figure out a way to fix things.

-- Or maybe Thomas won't even be back.

-- As for the Pistons, well, I know ... I should just shut up right now. But I can't help myself. Even if they come back to beat Orlando, the Pistons aren't going to make it to the Finals. As every sportswriter in America has already told you, the Pistons have no one to turn to in the clutch. They're a very good defensive team with no real threats on offense. And while defense wins championships in football, the name of this game is putting the ball through the hoop. Still, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and a rejuvenated Chauncey Billups are a good place to start for next season.

-- Having written all of that, watch for the Pistons to come back and beat Orlando, then sweep their way to the title.

-- I'm still not sure Sacramento can beat the Lakers. Obviously, the Kings were bored in their series with Utah, but I'm wondering if Peja Stojakovic and Jimmy Jackson will be able to just camp out behind the 3-point line and throw up wide-open shots. Remember, the Lakers are quite a bit more athletic than the Jazz, and they have a tendency not to give up easy perimeter shots. And drilling perimeter shots at an astounding rate is exactly why the Kings beat the Jazz.

-- How could I finish the newsletter without at least mentioning Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics? Pierce has been amazing, putting on a Jordan-esque performance and making a very average team look great.

-- One nameless, faceless scout told Sports Illustrated that there's no way Carmelo Anthony will be the No. 1 pick over LeBron James. "Anyone who says Carmelo has a chance to be the top pick pick is either stupid or lying," the scout told SI. "Carmelo's a tremendous player, but LeBron is the whole package. If LeBron had been playing for Syracuse, they probably would have won the title more easily."

-- Whoever said them called Michael Jordan "stupid," because it was Jordan who suggested some teams may consider taking Anthony with the first pick.

-- Thanks for reading, keep those comments coming, and don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, or any other team I didn't mention that is sure to result in angry e-mails. Enjoy the playoffs!

IMPROVING THE NBA

This week's installment on how to improve the NBA comes from Sharman Willis of Philadelphia:

"I love the NBA, but some things that annoy me:

"1) Offensive goaltending/basket interference. This is the lamest rule I can think of! Why should it matter when your own teammate puts the ball in the basket when it might have gone in anyway? It's too tough of a call to make, and isn't helping your teammate what the game is supposed to be about?

"2) The officials. When an official makes a bad call and is supposedly disciplined, I want to hear about it -- especially when it affects my team. Bad referees need to be exposed."

Thanks, Sharman. Great thoughts.

If you have an idea on how to improve the NBA, e-mail me at amicoreport@hotmail.com.

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HAVE A GREAT DAY!


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