Q: Why has Andrea Bargnani played so horribly this season? Before his play this season I did not think it was possible for a No. 1 overall draft pick to regress and underachieve so badly. Did he not spend time working on his game in the offseason? Do you think he will become career bust just like Darko Milicic?
— Sam, Toronto

A: I think Bargnani became the victim of the philosophical differences there between coach Sam Mitchell and general manager Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo sees the team in a more European style with big men shooting and spreading the floor. Mitchell is more the old school, power game coach. Mitchell played Bargnani at the end at small forward, where he is ill suited. When Bargnani got minutes, he played reasonably well, though his shooting seemed to suffer with the inconsistent play. He's no Darko.

Q: When will the MVP be announced?
— Brian, Irvine, Calif.

A: The MVP once was announced in the conference finals, though that changed in recent years as MVP's were getting bounced before the conference finals. MVP's once could be guaranteed to go at least to the conference finals. No more. It's been in the second round of late, usually in the middle so it wouldn't be presented if the MVP's team was still playing and was behind in the series, which could be a distraction. It seems certain Kobe Bryant will win it this season, by early word.

Q: I would like to know how you think the West will shaping-up over the next five years with teams like the Spurs aging and young teams like the Hornets and Blazers coming on.
— Wick, Milwaukie, Ore.

A: We'll see with Portland as a lot depends on Greg Oden, who hasn't played yet. If he can be healthy, Portland can get in the mix. The Lakers with the return of Andrew Bynum next season look like the class of the West for the next several years. I wouldn't consider the Spurs too old yet with Parker and Ginobili. And the Hornets obviously are for real, though Peja is also a 30-year-old. And I wouldn't count out the Suns quite yet with Stoudemire and Nash likely to be effective for two more seasons. It should be a deep conference for the next few years.

Q: It seems like it was yet another disappointment for the Rockets this year. With a two All-Stars, a good supporting cast and a good coach, what can they do next season?
— Desmond, Hong Kong

A: Wait for Yao. They're not quite done yet and have done well in this series with the Jazz despite Yao being out. They should also be in the mix for the next few years if the health of Yao and McGrady holds up as they've shown with their role players they are a very good defensive team and Luis Scola is a terrific addition.

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