The Fans Speak Out

I hate to be a bit nitpicky, but I couldn't help but notice that your November 2000 cover has a lapse in logic. You guys pick the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA Finals, and have a tasty photo of Shaq and Kobe on your cover, and then state that the Lakers "will be the last team voted off the NBA island next June?" Hello? I assume that you were caught up in the excitement of "Survivor" as the rest of America rightly was--otherwise you wouldn't have referenced the Show on your cover. However, any fan of the program could tell you that the "last team voted off the NBA island" would be the league's second-place team--not the champion. You don't vote off the winner!

Brad Jewell Kansas City, Mo.

Mulling Mullin

I feel Chris Mullin has the credentials to be a Hall of Fame enshrinee once he retires. What is your opinion? Does he need a few more years? Can you please also print Mullin's career statistics.

Dean Jacobsen Hurley, S.D.

Dean, we believe Mullin does indeed deserve a place in the Hall. We'll be doing a complete story on which Players should and should not be in the Hall of Fame in an upcoming issue.

Marbury row

This letter is in response to Prince Wallace's letter "Brooklyn's Finest" in your Summer 2000 issue. Wallace obviously has no basketball intellect what so ever. To even suggest that Stephon Marbury is a better point guard-than Jason Kidd has got to be more ignorant than labeling Jason Williams as the next Pete Maravich or giving Harold Miner the nickname "Baby Jordan."

Stephon Marbury is a poor man's Allen Iverson (who is now a shooting guard). Maybe Prince should look up the definition of "point" guard. Wallace claims the media deem Marbury selfish, but he "can" pass. Well doesn't the fact that he can pass, but rarely does, make him that much more selfish?

Kidd is a three time All-Star, has garnered two consecutive All-NBA First Team nods, and has a legitimate shot to break the all time triple-double record (the ultimate sign of unselfishness). Kidd has already proved his name should be mentioned along with some of the best points ever, and if he gets a ring he'll be in the class of Isiah, Magic, and Cousy.

The fact that Marbury left the Timberwolves and possible championship contention to go the Nets just so he could play close to home, further proves his selfishness.

Cody Ren Sedona, Ariz.

Give Cuban a cigar

As a long-suffering Dallas Mavericks fan. I want to applaud you for your insightful interview with Mark Cuban [November]. Many of the NBA's old guard have criticized Cuban's enthusiastic ownership, but one thing is clear--the man wants to win. The NBA, and other leagues, could benefit from more owners like Cuban, who are actual fans of their teams and the game, not just faceless corporations interested in the bottom line. Even though you didn't pick Dallas to make the playoffs, I think you and the basketball world will be shocked this spring when the Mavs return to the postseason for the first time since W's father was the president

Andy Barzunne Colorado Springs

Mac Attack

I'm glad to see Bob McAdoo finally get his due ["Game I'll Never Forget," November]. It is an outrage that he was left off the NBA's list of the top 50 players of all time. Now that he is in the Hall of Fame, hopefully this former MVP will finally get the respect he deserves.

Joseph Kantor Pensacola, Fla.

Shaq fooey

Excuse me, but last I checked there were 29 teams in the NBA with active rosters of 12 players apiece. That means there are 347 other players you could put on your cover besides Shaquille O'Neal. By my count--and I keep track of such things--the Lakers behemoth has graced your cover three of the last five issues. Enough is enough. I don't want to read about Shaq again until he at least wins as many rings as Jason Caffey.

Howard Wellington via e-mail

Point well taken, Howard, but do us a favor and don't turn to page 50.

Chris Mullin's Career Statistics (through 1999-2000)

                  G     FG%    3FG%    FT%

Regular season   966   .510    .385   .866
Playoffs         105   .502    .399   .858
All-Star Games     4   .500   1.000   .875

                 RPG   APG    SPG    BPG    PPG

Regular season   4.1   3.6   1.57   0.56   18.4
Playoffs         3.2   2.2   1.03   0.63   14.4
All-Star Games   2.0   2.0   1.00   0.25    8.3

BASKETBALL DIGEST welcomes letters from readers. Name, city, and state must be included. Mail to: The Fans Speak Out, BASKETBALL DIGEST, 990 Grove Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201-4370. E-mail to: bkt@centurysports.net