First Round Observations

I couldn't be happier to see the Mavs gone. i have been saying for two years that for all his bravado, Cuban has assembled a losing team that starts with Nowitski.

The Kidd trade was a monumental folly that was immediately recognized as such by my fellow NYTimes forumsters out at Elba. A Kidd for Marbury swap seems inevitable as a two-way risk worth taking. Marbury may light it up in Dallas on his bubble year and Kidd simply isn't Marbury in NY as NY tanks another season.

As for Avery Johnson - he deserved better.

I feel a slight remorse for Phoenix. Another monumentally stupid trade in getting Shaq. Shaq is done as is Phoenix.

If Mike D'Antoni is available then New York should jump at the opportunity. Signing D'Antoni as coach would mean bye-bye to Curry and, dear Lord, that will be a happy day in mudsville.

If Cuban doesn't retool Dallas, he's a fool. Phoenix too has a fork in 'em.

In the East, Philly and Atlanta are making me proud. I am hoping Boston gets punked by Atlanta. My, my that would be sweet.

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Chip Stern, meanwhile has sent me some fine jazz that I greatly appreciate and enjoy painting to. How he records the drums in a cab with his band I will never understand.

And Cleveland is giving Lebron every excuse to leave. Carry on, Cleveland, carry on.

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Finally, good luck to Larry Brown in Charlotte.