News And Views

Minnesota introduced new coach Rick Adelman on Wednesday.

Congratulations.

No team in the NBA was more poorly coached and in more desperate need of a good coach than Minnesota.

And David Kahn did a wonderful job of bringing in a guy who has everything it takes to turn the franchise around.

You never know with these coaching hires.

And I can't say for sure that Adelman will succeed in Minnesota, but there is absolutely no doubt that Kahn did his job by putting Minnesota in the best position to win.

There is nothing more you can ask of him than that.

Credit must also be given to owner Glen Taylor for doing what it took financially to get the deal done.

I want to introduce some new terminology.

When people talk about shooting guards and small forwards, they refer to them as "wings." And when they refer to power forwards and centers, they call them "bigs."

I've never liked the terms wings and bigs.

So when I write about what people call wings, I'll refer to them as 23s because shooting guards are also called "twos" and small forwards "threes."

And when I write about bigs I'll call them 45s because power forwards are called "fours" and centers "fives."

Point guards will be labeled 1s.

So when you see me writing about 1s, 23s and 45s, you'll know what I mean.

This Stephen Jackson trade is starting to grow on me.

It's why it is sometimes best to not do an instant reaction when a trade goes down.

I was extremely high on Milwaukee last year. Injuries totally derailed their season.

When they picked up Jackson in a three-team trade back in June, at first I thought they were throwing in the towel, a small-market team that took its shot and gave up too soon to save money when it didn't work out.

But the more I look at this team, the more I like it. I like the combinations they have at almost all positions.

The one hole I see is at small forward.

Carlos Delfino is a good player, but I don't think he's good enough to be a starter on this team if they want to be a legitimate contender.

A higher-caliber, starting small forward who can push Delfino to the bench would make Milwaukee a serious threat.

That is assuming Scott Skiles is up to the task.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutsider@yahoo.com

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Kevin Love: 2010-11 Season Highlights

Minnesota had a rough season.

One of the few bright spots was forward Kevin Love.

Love had a breakout season and established himself as a rising star in the NBA.

Included in these highlights are some very high compliments from some of the guys Love competed against, including Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutiser@yahoo.com
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Amar'e Stoudemire: An Open Letter To NYC

When Amar'e Stoudemire signed with New York last summer it was the first step toward what the team hoped would be championship contention.

Carmelo Anthony soon followed, and the team now has the start of a core which may be able to take them all the way.

Stoudemire boldly stated, "The Knicks are back."

And New York made the playoffs and brought true excitement to the Garden for the first time in years.

Balling to the Beastie Boys and "An Open Letter to NYC," take a look at Stoudemire's highlights from his first season in New York.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutsider@yahoo.com
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Josh Smith: This Is War

The Atlanta Hawks shocked everyone by nearly making it to the Eastern Conference finals last season.

And versatile forward Josh Smith was a big reason why.

Smith, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and the rest of the Hawks were ready for battle.

30 Seconds to Mars and Josh Smith highlights, "This is War."

It's a brave new world.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutsider@yahoo.com
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Devin Harris: Smooth Operator

The Utah Jazz trade of Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets is swinging in Utah's favor more and more every day.

Not only did Utah get Derrick Favors and two first-round picks, they also netted a starting point guard who is right outside the group of top point guards and still in his prime.

Devin Harris is a smooth operator.

And these are his Jazz highlights to Rage Against the Machine's version of Eric B and Rakim's "Microphone Fiend."

Silly rabbits.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutsider@yahoo.com
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Shaun Livingston 2010-11 Season Highlights

This is a feel-good highlight reel.

Shaun Livingston suffered a major setback early in his career. I always liked his game, but I thought he would never make it back this far.

And I just feel like his accomplishment and his perseverance should be celebrated.

"The play" is not included in the highlights.

Comment or e-mail: thenbaoutsider@yahoo.com
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