Rumours of Nash's Demise Greatly Exaggerated

By Michael Grange

Like a lot of folks of a certain age, Steve Nash has been having trouble with his hip.

But a little rest in the dry desert heat can do wonders for a point guard of his vintage, apparently.

Nash proved that rumours of his playoff demise - stemming as much from his limpy outing in the Phoenix Suns' ouster of the injury depleted Portland Trail Blazers in the first round as from the Suns' second-round meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, the team that has eliminated Nash and the Suns in three of their last four postseason appearances - have been greatly exaggerated.

With three days of rest between series, Nash looked like a floppy-haired pup as he bounded through the Spurs' defence to post 33 points and 10 assists in leading Phoenix to a 111-102 win and a 1-0 lead in their second-round series on Monday night, with Game 2 set for Wednesday night in Phoenix.

"I was fortunate to get some opportunities early to be aggressive and try to put some life into the building," Nash said. "You never know what the game is going to present."

The only thing basketball was supposed to be presenting Nash at this stage was a gold watch and an armchair.

Even his believers doubted Nash would be dictating the flow of a playoff game at age 36. In a league full of players badly overpaid based on what they might achieve, Nash has always been paid as if he had an expiration date.

AP Source: Hornets Interview Fratello

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

A person familiar with the meeting says the New Orleans Hornets have interviewed Mike Fratello, the third candidate to meet with the club about its vacant head coaching job.

Hornets executives met with Fratello in Cleveland on Wednesday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club has not officially announced interviewing Fratello.

Fratello has coached the equivalent of about 15 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. His last coaching stint was in Memphis from 2004 to 2006.

On Tuesday, Hornets executives were in Texas interviewing former Dallas coach Avery Johnson and current Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey.

Playoff Game #2: Hawks at Cavs

Really, do the Hawks stand a chance? In this series, all you need to say is LeBron. Still, it is time to evaluate the Hawks to see if they can pull one win in this series.

Hawks won 19 games less than the Cavs during the regular season. They are without their top rebounder from the regular season, which, if they are to upset the Cavs on any level, it would take a step up on defense and key offensive awareness. Joe Johnson is the teams leading scorer and also leads the team with 5.8 assists in the regular season. Josh Smith will have to step up his rebounding if the Hawks are going to complete.

Case in point, the Hawks just aren't going to match up against the Cavs.

Forecast: It would simply be foolish to pick the Hawks in any game in this series, unless they start showing up gumph and gusto. Cavs win this one, 112-81.

Home Court

Picks to Sunday

Friday, November 4th

NBA
Spurs (1-0) vs. Cavaliers (1-0)
Spurs are awesome. The Cavaliers manhandled the Hornets. Spurs are home. Spurs have Duncan, Finley, Nick at Night, and everybody else who can just do right in the world of basketball. So, the story goes… James will not be enough for the Cavaliers to win. Pure and simple, Spurs are going to take this one. Score: 107-101.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Blackhawk’s (4-9-0)
Well, Chicago is just stinking up the ice… If it wasn’t for Vorobiev, would they have any wins at all? If the Stars contain him, they walk away with a win easy. If they don’t, well they still win, it just won’t be as easy. The question I am thinking of this early into the season is will they make the playoffs? Too early to tell, but if Chicago takes them out, then the most likely answer would be ‘NO.’ Dallas over Chicago – Score: 5-2.

Saturday, November 5th

NBA
Mavs (1-1) vs. Spurs (1-0)
The Mavs had some time off, but will rest be enough for the homecoming of Finley? Man, if only the Mavs had Fin and Nick at Night, I would think we could make a strong run again. Not that 50+ wins is something to be ashamed about, but when you are in the same division as the Spurs, what can you do but just lie down and die. I do think they will come out to play and that this game is going to be close, but I have a reality check telling me the Mavs will start 1-2 this season and the Spurs 3-0. Score: 99-97.

Rockets (1-0) vs. Hornets (1-1)
Ming around the rosés, pocket full of poses, ashes – ashes, we all fall down… And so do the Hornets… but, the relocation experiment may do them well. First in Charlotte. Next in New Orleans, and now shacking up in the OK country. But this is not going to be played at “home,” wherever that may be… it’s in a place that is one place closer to you. Houston will win this one, simply because of home court, and the Hornets have impressed me, but let’s be honest. I’m fickle. The Hornets did beat the Rockets by 1 in pre-season, but that was at their house. In Houston, things are different. Score: 92-89.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Avalanche (7-4-1)
Denver… a real beautiful area, but hockey players are not known for their looks, are they. Colorado is 5-2-1 at home, and the Stars are 3-1 on the road. But we hate the Avalanche (professionally, not personally). Sour grapes all around. These two teams are going to beat each other senseless. I will take the Avalanche on this one, simply because of home-ice as they call it (and they have won their last 4 games, all at home). Score: 5-4.

Sunday, November 6th

NFL
Panthers (5-2) vs. Buccaneers (5-2)
Are you ready for some football? Me neither. When’s baseball season start again? Cowboys are off… but aren’t they always? Anyway, the mighty-mighty-boss-cats take the stage on Sunday, which will be a great game. Two juggernauts facing off… man, am I using stock lines? Shame on me. Bucs vs. the Cats, should be fun to watch. After a 1-2 start, the Cats have won their last 4, and with the exception of Minnesota, they were close games (4 or less points of victory). They have held opponents under 20 points only twice thus far (New England and Minnesota) and in my opinion, hasn’t really had any victories to truly boast about. I am starting to wonder if the record is more by chance than skill. Tampa Bay on the other hand is a defensive genius. But here is the real concern with them. They were beaten by San Francisco. And right now, that is just outright embarrassment. My 83 year old grandma can beat the 49ers. My six month old can sack their quarterback. The 49ers rank last in 3rd down conversions at 25.9%. In comparison, the Colts, who are a strong favorite to go Supe, have a 51.9%. That’s more than twice as many based on the same chances. I think this may be a close one, the Panthers are better in my mind (they rank second on third downs, behind the Colts). Score: 20-17.

Bears (4-3) vs. Saints (2-6)
Well, I guess I have to look at this one… Saints suck. But let’s look at a few things. Saints have a better offense, statistically, but score less points on average. They have scored over 20 points only twice, and are 1-1 when that happens. They are 0-3 when they score 10 points or less. Green Bay beat them in the embarrass bowl 52-3 on 10/9. Embarrassing the Saints is a common theme this year. I think they should be thinking draft the rest of the way… put defensive linemen who are on crutches into the game and focus off-season. I think Quincy Carter is free right now… Now, the Bears. After starting 1-3, they have won the last 3 and moved into first place in their division. They get less yards than their opponents, but score more points. Do they give them a false sense of security or something? Look for Jones to rush for a million yards (actually, I would say more like 110) and Orton to pass another 200. Bears dominate because Saints don’t show up (again). Score: 21-7.