By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

JOY IN JERSEY

Think writing a newsletter about the NBA is always fun?

Just listen in.

"Whatever you are smoking must be illegal and mind-altering!" reader David Johle wrote about my prediction that the New Jersey Nets will win the Finals.

Or how about this e-mail from Tim Sparks: "I'm not sure what's in the water you're drinking, but you better have it checked. The Nets may get to the Finals, but you're nuts if you think they'll win."

Finally, reader Jay Breem had this to say: "I've always enjoyed reading the Amico Report, but your selection of the Nets makes me lose respect for you as a basketball writer."

Well, Jay, if it's any consolation, I don't respect me as a basketball writer, either.

But I do know a very good team when I see one -- and I don't care if the Nets were playing the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers. I'd STILL pick the Nets.

At the very least, I'd say these Nets have a good chance against anybody, anywhere, in any era.

Why?

Because they are more than just athletic and deep and have one of the world's best true point guards in Jason Kidd. The Nets are also playing as a TEAM. They're passing, cutting, hustling, sweating, and finding ways to put the ball in the basket when it matters most.

Am I saying these Nets are one of the greatest teams of all time? Of course not. But they are the hottest team in the playoffs. They are playing their best at the best time. Mostly, they are playing better than anybody who remains in the NBA's Final Four.

I know, I know. The Nets are in the Eastern Conference, which isn't nearly as strong as the West. And I realize the Nets only had to go through the Bucks and the Celtics to get where they are today. Meanwhile, San Antonio had to beat the Lakers, Dallas had to beat Sacramento, and Detroit had to fight off Philadelphia.

But all you can do is beat who you play. The Nets have been doing that -- and then some.

Obviously, Kidd's unselfishness, aggressiveness, and all-around intelligence are what makes the Nets go. But as Sports Illustrated pointed out last week, the Nets have also received improved play from youngsters such as forwards Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson, each of whom is displaying tons of maturity (not to mention some out-of-this-world agility).

Or how about second-year center Jason Collins? He doesn't put up big numbers or make many headlines, but Collins is a perfect example of why the Nets are successful. He just wants to win, period. And while Dikembe Mutombo is something like 712 years old, it's the play of Collins that's keeping Mutombo glued to the bench.

Also, for whatever reason, I've always loved Aaron Williams' game. He and Rodney Rogers have provided huge lifts off the bench by just working hard and never forcing things.

As I write this, the Nets lead their series against Detroit two-games-to-none. Considering both wins took place on the Pistons' home court, I expect the Nets to sweep. Then I think they'll win the Finals.

So say what you will, but you can't change my mind on this one. Even if it means having as little respect for my analysis as ... well, as I usually do.

A TRUE DEFENDER

I've written this before, but the more I see Dallas forward Eduardo Najera, the more I am reminded of Indiana's Ron Artest. At least, Najera is as physical and smart as Artest is on the defensive end. Like Artest, Najera is always around the ball and can annoy the composure out of the steadiest of opponents.

As we've seen so far in the Mavericks-Spurs series, Najera will frustrate anyone from quick guards like Emanuel Ginobili to sturdy post players like Tim Duncan.

When it comes to Dallas, scorers like Dirk Nowitzki, Nick Van Exel, and Steve Nash get all of the credit, but trust me when I say Najera is extremely valuable to this team.

SPURS-LAKERS REVISITED

Going back to the West semifinals, if I had to pick one key play of the Spurs-Lakers series, it would be Duncan's lob pass to David Robinson in the final moments of Game 5. As you recall, the Lakers were in the midst of a major run and looked like they were about to take a 3-2 lead heading back to L.A.

But Duncan stood at the top of the key with the ball, patiently waiting for Robinson to get open underneath. Robinson did just that with a beautiful move, spinning away from his defender and leaping toward the basket. Duncan threw a pinpoint pass, and Robinson grabbed it with one hand and simply dropped it in.

Obviously, Robert Horry's missed 3-pointer was what ended the game, but in my mind, the play between Duncan and Robinson drained the life out of L.A. In my mind, no less than old pro Robinson hit the most important shot of the series.

STRONG CASE FOR STRONG MAN

Speaking of old guys, I thought 40-year old backup Spurs center Kevin Willis guarded Shaquille O'Neal better than anyone I've seen this entire season, maybe even the season before that. Honest. Willis was very physical and held his ground, refusing to play the flopping or grabbing game all the other centers resort to when trying to guard Shaq.

Granted, Willis probably wouldn't have been so effective if he had to guard Shaq for more than 20-25 minutes per night, but I know some Spurs fans who were thrilled when Willis entered the game, and extremely disappointed when he returned to the bench. And remember, Willis used to be considered the NBA's strongest man. I'd say he's still up there in terms of conditioning.

STEVE KERR'S NOT-SO-SHINING MOMENT

Every time I see guard Steve Kerr on the Spurs bench, I have to laugh. I'm not laughing at Kerr as much as I am the memory of when he and I were teammates in a game of 3-on-3 -- and LOST.

Let me clarify that -- Kerr and I were teammates in a game of 3-on-3 against a bunch of my out-of-shape buddies, and lost. In other words, Kerr was the only guy involved in the game who was a star in high school, and the only guy who was taller than 5-foot-11. The rest of us were members of the media.

It happened on a practice court in Cleveland, when Kerr was playing for the Cavaliers. After practice, we got a game going, and Steve stuck around. And we lost.

Afterward, my friend on the opposing team shouted, "How can you have Steve Kerr on your team, but YOU end up taking all of the shots?!" Steve just laughed and shook his head. He knew what my friend said was true. But Steve is the type of guy who wouldn't get mad about me hogging the ball. And that, folks, is why I did it.

OTHER NEWS, NOTES, AND THOUGHTS

-- The Chicago Tribune reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves may be willing to trade All-Star forward Kevin Garnett. The Tribune also reports that the team most likely to receive Garnett in a trade is the Chicago Bulls. I'm thinking the Bulls would have to give up at least Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler to make it happen, but that's just pure speculation.

-- There are whispers in Sacramento that Jeff Van Gundy could replace Rick Adelman as Kings coach, although I find that hard to believe. According to the Sacramento Bee, Kings general manager Geoff Petrie doesn't see the need for a change is a staunch supporter of Adelman. But the Maloof brothers, who own the team, really like Van Gundy. Actually, right now, a lot of teams like Van Gundy.

-- The Cavaliers are also big on Van Gundy, as well as Paul Silas. But it looks like both could end up elsewhere, as Silas is said to be the leading candidate in Atlanta.

-- Juwan Howard's agent told the Los Angeles Times that Howard may be willing to take a $16 million pay cut to sign with the Lakers. I don't think I need to tell you that would be huge for L.A. -- even if it meant losing Robert Horry. Whatever happens, it doesn't appear that Howard will re-sign with the Denver Nuggets.

-- Don't forget, the NBA pre-draft camp will be held June 3-6 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. For whatever reason, I just love following these pre-draft stories, even if only about five rookies actually contribute each season.

--The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly interested in having Chris Wallace fill their vacant GM post. Wallace is pretty much done as the GM in Boston, especially now that Danny Ainge has been hired as the Celtics' director of basketball operations. But Wallace deserves to be working somewhere, as he helped the Celtics crawl out of what appeared to be a long stretch of losing seasons. Like Jerry West, Wallace is native of West Virginia. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

-- In other Blazers news, forward Scottie Pippen told the Portland Tribune that he is leaning toward retirement. "I think I'm going to quit playing, really," Pippen told the newspaper. "It might be better for me to walk away now than in a year or two."

-- The Utah Jazz will hold a retirement ceremony for John Stockton at the Delta Center June 7. My guess is the Jazz will do something to honor Stockton during next season, too.

READER FEEDBACK

From Austin Cannon

Q: Last week you wrote that there's no way the Cavaliers will win the lottery. You're right -- they'll be lucky to get the fifth choice. I don't know what it is about them, but they sure seem to be jinxed.

A: Dear Austin, amen. The funny thing is, most Cavs fans agree with you. But don't be surprised if the Cavs try to trade their entire team (and top draft choice) in an effort to draft LeBron James if they don't win Thursday's lottery. By the way, to read more about the Cavs and the lottery, check out Cleveland Plain Dealer Bud Shaw's wonderful column at www.cleveland.com.

From Ryan Smiley

Q: Sam, I read your articles all the time and enjoy them very much. But don't bet against the Lakers. They are going to win their series against the Spurs.

A: Dear Ryan, thank you for the kind words. But I wish I HAD bet against the Lakers. All in fun, of course.

From Kyle Hill

Q: I am one ticked off Pistons fan. They lost a game tonight that gave the Nets a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, which is headed back to New Jersey, and a lot of it had to do with the horrible officiating at the end of the game. How NBA commissioner David Stern can allow these type of referees to call such a meaningful game is beyond me. I agree that I'm partial, but even impartial fans have told me that the Pistons are getting the short end of the deal. It hasn't been just this game, either. It's been the entire playoffs. The refs are simply controlling who wins. Why does the NBA even seed teams if the refs are just going to determine the outcome?

A. Dear Kyle, your opinion has been noted. I agree that the referees can be maddening at times -- but in the end, it's the players who determine the outcome. Even if it doesn't always seem like it. But believe me, I feel your pain, as I often like to blame the refs for everything from the national deficit to my sore throat.

NEWSLETTER NOTES

-- If you're reading this newsletter on a Web site and it seems outdated, there's an easy way to solve that problem. Just send me your e-mail address and I'll have the Amico Report delivered directly to your inbox. Send all e-mails to amicoreport@hotmail.com. You can sign up below, too.

-- The newsletter is free and always will be (which pretty much explains why the only thing I in my refrigerator is an empty jar of mayonnaise). I'll try to get it to you every week, including the summer. Although I do take a couple of extended vacations from time to time.

-- If you have a hotmail account and do not receive the newsletter during a given week, it's probably because your account is full. If that happens, there's a chance you could fall off the list. So make sure to clean out that inbox regularly.

-- I welcome all comments, questions and criticisms. For more on that, see my rubber-stamped "Sign Up For The Amico Report" segment below. In the meantime, enjoy the playoffs -- and if you're lucky enough, the lottery.

SIGN UP FOR THE AMICO REPORT

If you or someone you know would like to have the Amico Report delivered directly to your inbox, just send an e-mail address to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. The newsletter is free, and always will be. Questions and comments can also be sent to that address.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!


InsideHoops.com is the online leader in pro basketball coverage.