Pistons will only go as far as 'Sheed takes them

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Q: What does Utah need to become the team to beat? A finisher? It just seems like they won't be able to compete with the elite teams, at least in a series.
— John, Syracuse, N.Y.

A: They have one endemic problem in Carlos Boozer. As good as he is, he's small for his position and Mehmet Okur likes to play on the perimeter, though they've gotten him to rebound more of late. Their biggest issue is the lack of a big-time shooting guard. Though Ronnie Brewer does a decent job, he's not the classic scoring guard the Jazz need and isn't that much of an offensive threat. Shooting guards generally blitz the Jazz and they continue to look for an upgrade there.

Q: Now that the Bucks have a general manager and a proven coach, what do you think they should do next? Blow up the team and start over? Or are they just a player or two away?
— Jim Whitt, Cumberland, Wis.

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A: I don't think they're that far away. That is if you mean being in the playoffs and being competitive. They don't have any great players, but they have several very nice pieces and with an upgrade at coach with Scott Skiles they should compete better. I expect them to try to make several moves to also try to shake the roster up a bit and I don't believe anyone is untouchable. Their main need is probably a point guard who can run a team and an offense, and a physical power forward. But they have the pieces to make some decent moves.

Q: I would like to know, why doesn't Kobe get his "just due" as being the best player in the game? Players say it all the time, coaches and some reports. But a lot of people hate this guy. Why is that?
— Terry, Los Angeles

A: Well, he just got the MVP. Do you think he should get the presidential medal of honor or a Nobel prize? He just received the highest individual award the NBA can give, and it was voted overwhelmingly by the media. That issue is over except for the uneducated whining.

Q: I read that Patrick Ewing would like to become a head coach. Along with that, I read that the NBA doesn't usually have "big men" as coaches. Why is this? Kareem has wanted to coach, Ewing, I would think people would love to have these types of guys as coaches. Just curious. What is the bias, and why?
— Brian Gorton, Portland, Ore.

A: I have asked this question many times myself and never get a very good answer. The general consensus seems to be, like in baseball with so many infielders becoming managers. The notion in the NBA is guards think the game more and are the decision makers so are more suited to be a head coach. But Phil Jackson was a big man when he played and he is as good as there ever has been. Many around the NBA also feel many big men play the game because they are big and not because they love the game. It's true in some cases, but basically nonsense. There is the image of the big lug, but there's no good reason why centers cannot be great coaches.

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