Chris Sheridan

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon from the outskirts of Orlando, where the Magic just finished up practice. One item of note: Jameer Nelson practiced today after sitting out sick yesterday. Stan Van Gundy said Jameer ate some "bad shrimp." Michael Pietrus did not practice after spraining his ankle last night. He is questionable for Game 1 against Atlanta. Let's roll ...

Jeff (Pasco, WA)

What do the Hawks need to do to stay competitive with the Magic?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:03 PM)

The key thing, in my opinion, is to frustrate Dwight Howard any way they can. They need to foul him, flop against him, put him in foul trouble again. And perhaps most importantly, they need Al Horford to pull him away from the basket by knocking down his first couple of 15- to 18-foot jump shots.

Chris (San Antonio TX)

Chris,must the Spurs get a Split in order to beat the Suns or do you think they can go on a run later and still win the series?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:04 PM)

Aside from the Cavs, I feel they are the team most capable of winning on someone else's court at any particular time, which is why I picked them in 7 against Phoenix, meaning they'd have to win that last game on the road.

Lance (Pdx )

Hey Chris, Does H-town really have a chance at Bosh? Seems like Chicago, Miami, and OKC have the best chance if he doesn't re-sign with the Raps (wink-wink)???

Chris Sheridan

  (3:11 PM)

When we did our staff survey on Bosh's future (it ran about a week ago), I mentioned that the Washington Wizards should not be ignored. Chris has a young daughter in the D.C. area that he doesn't get to see much, and that factor is a stronger pull than a lot of folks realize. But aside from that possibility, I think Miami, NY and Chicago are the three frontrunners, and NY would have an edge because they could do a sign-and-trade with David Lee. Chicago would have to sign him outright, and Miami would either have to do the same or try to do a Beasley-Bosh sign-and-trade, and I don't see the Raptors biting on Beasley.

Edwin (Miami)

Hey Chris big fan, Who do you think the 2 signees along with Dwayne Wade will be this offseason. I know that there are alot of available options, i just wanted to know who do u think will be the most likely to end up here.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:14 PM)

As I have said before, I believe people are underestimating how hard Pat Riley will go after LeBron. Also, if the Heat can clear Beasley, Daequan Cook and James Jones' money, either before the draft or in a deal that wouldn't be official until July 8, they can go after a third max guy besides Wade and LBJ.

Big Moe (Charlotte NC)

WOW, is it possible besides Lamar Odom the Lakers have the worst bench in the post season? Any moves this summer you think they can do to fix that? Also, what big name point guard free agents will be free this summer that you think the Lakers can get?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:17 PM)

Among the remaining teams, it might be a tie between Lakers and Hawks. As for L.A.'s offseason, if they flame out before the finals I could see them going after Chris Bosh in a sign-and-trade, offering Bynum.

Tim (Columbia, MO)

Will my Bulls get a decent inside player this off-season? Can they possibly get Bosh, Amare, or Boozer?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:19 PM)

I think they can get one of those three, which is why they were willing to make that lopsided trade with Milaukee that got John Hammond the Exec of the Year award. Remember, not only did they give up Salmons, they also gave the Bucks the right to swap first-round picks. I don't think the Bulls would have done that unless they were fairly certain they could land a big fish.

Dave (Tustin, Ca.)

Hey Chris,Don't get me wrong, Beasley has issues, but, the guys is still only 21 years old and we have seen some flashes of brilliance from the guy.The fact of the matter is the guy doesnt get the opportunity to learn from his mistakes on the basketball court like many of the other young players get. He simply hasnt been handed the keys to the franchise. I think the Heat will regret it if they give this guy away for nothing.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:21 PM)

From spending some time with the Heat in the first round of the playoffs, I can tell you with authority that the franchise is quite exasperated with him. They tried very hard to move him before the deadline, and now they are in a position where his cap space is worth more to him than he himself is, which is why I think they'll move him for practically nothing.

Chris (Hacienda Heights, CA)

Everyone talks about how great this season's free agent class is, but if you're a team like Miami, aren't you a little disappointed that there are any great Cs and PGs at all?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:24 PM)

I think that is an aspect of the free agent market that is more troublesome to New York than Miami. The Knicks need help at both those positions, whereas Wade is sort of a de facto PG for the Heat most of the time anyway. That being said, LBJ would be a de facto point in NY if he went there, but if he stays in Cleveland or goes to Miami there won't be a lot left on the shelves when they go shopping in those departments.

Jordan (Toronto)

What is the main thing Bryan Colangelo needs to get back in a sign and trade with Bosh? Salary relief, draft picks or young talent? I personally think Utah is the sleeper team, offering up Kirilenko and multiple 1st rounders similar to the Joe Johnson sign and trade Colangelo did in Phoenix. A big reason why is because Colangelo is all about getting the headlines and signing HIS guy, he doesn't wanna inherit someone elses big signing, he wants to be the man.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:27 PM)

I'm not so sure Utah would do Kirilenko and the Knicks' pick for Bosh, much less multiple picks. I think Colangelo will try to get back the best total overall package, but I don't think anybody will offer him anything like what he got from Atlanta in the Joe Johnson deal.

Jim (Phoenix)

I think you're selling the Suns a little too short. The Mavs may have had the best road record this year and didn't get one in San Antonio, but I think Dallas was overrated/lucky this year to get 55 wins. However, I feel Game 1 is more key to their success in this series than it was against Portland. Protecting home court against the Spurs is very important.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:31 PM)

I'm not selling them short. I just think the series will go the distance, and the Spurs will find a way to win that last one on the road. They have been playing like a team possessed, and their supporting guys (Hill, McDyess) will outshine Phoenix's in a winner-take-all game.

Oliver (NY)

Here is a Bosh trade that works. A re-signed Bosh, Hedo and Calderon, for Collison, Okafor, Mo'Pete and Posey

Chris Sheridan

  (3:32 PM)

Bryan Colangelo's border crossing privleges would be revoked if he did that deal.

MIke (Peoria)

The Bucks appear to want John Salmons back next year. Looking at teams that have cap space, I don't see any destinations for him due to his age, maybe Miami, Ny, or the Clippers.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:34 PM)

He has a player option and is expected to opt out, and then it becames an issue of what his price tag will be. Milwaukee has a lot of dead money on its cap in Redd, Gazduric and Bell for '10-11, and with the luxury tax threshold going down I don't see them overpaying to keep Salmons. Their big free agency year will be the summer of '11.

Mike (Chicago)

Does Colangelo really have any leverage in a Bosh deal? I mean no GM is dumb enough to deny a player a 6th year. If Bosh chooses to sign with Miami, Colangelo will have no choice to work out a deal, even if the Heat just offered a 2nd round pick.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:39 PM)

Colangelo's leverage in the example you cite is that he can just say 'no' if the team signing Bosh isn't offering anything of value in return. Then it's on Chris to decide whether he wants to sacrifice the additional $30 million he'd get from doing a sign-and-trade and getting that sixth year, plus the 10.5 percent annual raises, rather than a five-year deal with 8 percent raises that would be the most he could get if there is no sign-and-trade. The way I see it, that $30 million difference is a pretty substantial piece of leverage.

joel (cleveland)

Hey Chris, what percentage of you feels LBJ stays in Cleveland if they lose in the conference finals to Orlando ? ( Obviously providing that scenario plays out )

Chris Sheridan

  (3:40 PM)

We did a survey on this a few weeks back, too, and my answer then is the same as it is now: 40 percent.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

What do you think the Spurs will do with Jefferson next year? His salary is big enough to be part of a sign-and-trade for Bosh, but obviously his actual performance doesn't match his salary. Can the Spurs improve with him as a trade piece? Thanks.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:44 PM)

They are stuck with him and his $15 million salary. Peter Holt will have to sell a lot of tractors to pay the luxury tax bill next year, but it'll be worth it if they come out of the West this year. That's why they took on RJ in the first place.

Joe (Miami)

how much of a hit does LBJ's legacy take a hit if he doesnt win a 2nd year when people expected him too ?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:45 PM)

LBJ's legacy won't be known until 12-15 years from now. One decade at a time, plz.

Rhett (Toronto)

But if the Raps have "substantial" leverage, why do you say they won't get as much back for Bosh as PHX got for Joe Johnson?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:49 PM)

Because the JJ trade was a once-in-a-blue-moon type of deal that actually fractured the Hawks ownership group permanently and made a lot of money for a lot of attorneys. We'll see in this round, against Orlando, if it pays the dividends that the Hawks owners expected when they got him, because there's a big chance they lose him for nothing this summer (although I am told Joe has very little interest in playing for the Knicks, for those of you in NY who may be wondering).

Steve (Columbus)

Don't the Cavs have a pretty attractive S/T piece with JJ Hickson?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:49 PM)

Hickson is a keeper. Didn't he prove that in March and early April?

David (Brooklyn)

As a Hornets fan, can Oliver in NY take over the Toronto GM position? Please?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:50 PM)

Good one, David.

Ian (Toronto)

Can you tell the Raptors fans are paranoid about getting a pile of garbage for Bosh, similiar to what we got for Carter.

Chris Sheridan

  (3:51 PM)

Colangelo will not do that type of a deal. He'll either get something he wants (D.Lee, Bynum), or he'll let Bosh walk.

Mike (Akron)

Do you think the the media member that put LBJ third on their ballot should lose it? Sportsguy tweeted something about this and said that media members that are employed by a team shouldn't have a vote to make it fair. Do you agree?

Chris Sheridan

  (3:59 PM)

I disagree. Team broadcasters are sometimes team employees (depends on the team) and have front row seats for 82 games, so they see every player in the league up close. There are always going to be voters with a bias for the guy they see the most often, which is why D.Howard pulled a couple first-place votes out of the Orlando media, and I don't have a problem with that as long as the NBA continues to keep the pool of voters as large as it is now (123 votes). Now, if there was a case where a team pressured an employee with a vote to cast that vote a certain way, I'd have a problem with that. But I have never heard a specific instance of that happening.

Chris Sheridan

  (4:01 PM)

By the way, my MVP ballot was 1. LBJ; 2. Durant; 3. Kobe; 4. 'Melo. 5. Dwight. I also voted Skiles ahead of Brooks and Curry ahead of Evans, and I was the lone guy to throw a third-place vote to Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in the Defensive Player of the Year balloting.

Bill (Boston)

I'll try again; will the Celtics buy out Rasheed this summer? He's not going to get any better and he sucks the life out of this team. Will Danny Ainge just suck it up and cry out mea culpa?

Chris Sheridan

  (4:04 PM)

I believe he will try to trade him, Bill. And if LB stays in Charlotte or lands in Philly or with the Clippers, there will be a buyer out there.

Seth (Dallas)

Are the Mavs going to be players in free agency? They have a whopper of an expiring contract in Dampier, but you don't hear them as a destination (except as bit players)

Chris Sheridan

  (4:06 PM)

Dampier is actually a team option, and I don't expect it to be picked up. He can be used in a sign-and-trade, but I don't see much of a market for him. Then again, I never foresaw the Diop contract when he went on the market, so u never know.

Tim (Phoenix)

There is a difference between logical bias and illogical bias. You logically thought Mbah a Moute deserved DPOY consideration. There is no logical reason to say LBJ was not MVP. Votes should be taken away from voters who are not logical in their choices

Chris Sheridan

  (4:10 PM)

Again, as long as the pool of voters remains as large as it is, I have no problem with voters making a different choice than what would seem to be the logical choice. If it is an illogical choice, there are people at the NBA who make sure that person does not get a ballot in the future.

Jason (Orlando)

I think that it is bad enough that you had Dwight relegated to 5th on your ballot but what made you put Dwight on your official ballot when you had D-Wade on your ESPN ballot at the 5 spot?

Chris Sheridan

  (4:13 PM)

When ESPN polled us about a week before the end of the season, I had D.Wade fifth instead of D.Howard. When I sent my official ballot to the NBA on the last night of the season, I decided to put Dwight on there instead of D.Wade.

Elias (Cleveland, OH)

Do you think the rest will help or hurt Orlando in game one? Who do you think the Cavs would rather face in round 3, Magic or Hawks?

Chris Sheridan

  (4:17 PM)

Ah, finally a question regarding the series I'm about to start covering. :)Stan Van Gundy made the point today that when cleveland played Orlando in Game 1, the Cavs were coming off a ton of rest after sweeping the Hawks and showed no rust at all, jumping out to a double digit lead in the first quarter. Stan used the word "blitzed." So to answer your question, I think the rest will be beneficial to Orlando, because these eight days off have allowed Dwight to get rid of some of the frustration that he was feeling after the first round. To your second question, Elias, c'mon! Are you serious? Cavs would much prefer Hawks to a very deep, very talented Magic team.

Adam (NY)

Most underrated playoff story: Patrick Ewing finally beats Michael Jordan in the playoffs!!

Chris Sheridan

  (4:19 PM)

Good one, Adam. And speaking of old former Knicks, I ran into Charles Oakley at Game 2 of the Orl-Cha series, and we were talking about Garnett's elbow to Quentin Richardson, and Oakley said Garnett is a phony tough guy.

James Kim (Santa Clara, Ca)

Is Rajon Rondo one of the top 3 point guards in the nba right now?

Chris Sheridan

  (4:23 PM)

Given how much he does for his team, I'd have to say yes. I would rank Deron Williams and Derrick Rose ahead of him, and that'll probably upset some Steve Nash and Chris Paul fans, but so be it.

Joe (Chi-town)

When was the last time New York got a big-time free agent? Time to put it to rest.

Chris Sheridan

  (4:25 PM)

I blv it was Lonnie Shelton, unless you want to call Allan Houston big-time.

Chris Sheridan

  (4:27 PM)

That's a wrap for today folks. Enjoy the games tonight. Should be two good ones.