Guest Columnist of the Week: Alex Fiore

It is in Kimmy and I’s contract that we have to give a guest spot every week to someone who thinks they can write with the big boys. I mean how many kids can say they are almost into the J-school at Mizzou? A few thousand? Yea, we are in rare company. Fiore, apparently, is also almost into the J-school also. So, we showed him some pity and gave him a guest spot. His article is about these things called point guards out West. Are you sure you aren’t referring to cowboys? Whatever. Enjoy.


Dishing Out Dimes So Latrell Sprewell Can Feed His Kids
By Alex Fiore


As if I needed another reason to watch the NBA playoffs. If recent trade talks end up leading the Dallas Mavericks’ to acquire point guard Jason Kidd from the Nets, it will create a mess of elite point guards in the Western Conference. Assuming the teams stay where they are in the standings, (which they almost certainly won’t) the playoff point guard matchups would shape up like this: Chris Paul (NOH) vs. Allen Iverson (DEN), Steve Nash (PHO) vs. Baron Davis (GS), Jason Kidd (DAL) vs. Tony Parker (SA), and Deron Williams (UTH) vs. Derek Fisher (LAL). That’s quite a list. Growing up watching the likes of Mark Price, Gary Payton, Anfernee and Tim Hardaway, John Stockton, and Kevin Johnson, I’ve been drooling over point guard battles since I knew what NBA stood for (Mookie Blaylock for MVP!). Anyways, here’s a breakdown of these one-spot wonders.

(1) Chris Paul vs. (8) Allen Iverson
Possibly the two quickest point guards off the dribble, this backcourt battle will have more crosses than John Kitna’s living room. Paul is the poster child for young point guards, with quick hands and exceptional court vision. Iverson is aging, yet still possesses the speed that made him so deadly coming out of Georgetown what seems like forever ago (which it was). Iverson is the leading scorer for point guards in the Western Conference, but history shows that he cannot carry a team by himself (L 1-4 in his only Finals appearance in 2001).
Edge: Paul

(2) Steve Nash vs. (7) Baron Davis
Points anyone? These guards run two of the most explosive offenses in the league. Nash finally has his man in the middle after the Suns landed hip-hop megastar Shaquille O’Neal. Baron Davis is a dangerous scoring threat, and is no stranger to the upset, after taking down the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks as the eight seed last season. Nash is the clear choice here, with consecutive MVP awards and the best offense in the league. At least Baron von Davis still has the Duane Allman lookalike contest going for him.
Edge: Nash

(3) Jason Kidd vs. (6) Tony Parker
Welcome back to the ranch. Kidd’s return to the team that drafted him in 1994 signifies the last ditch efforts, both by Kidd and Dallas, to win a championship with a high-octane offense. Kidd’s age has slowed him down, but he still has some of the best court vision and awareness of anyone in the NBA. Tony Parker is a defending NBA champion, playing with the best forward/center of our generation in Tim Duncan, and has a better supporting cast (sorry, Juwan Howard). Kidd may be great, but you never pick against the defending champs.
Edge: Parker

(4) Deron Williams vs. (5) Derek Fisher
Chris Paul’s running mate for point guard of the future, Williams has been a star since he bolted from the Illini in 2006. He is an all-around point guard, and has a knack for playing well in big games (the best four minutes of basketball I’ve ever seen). Derek Fisher is a heartwarming story, but in the Lakers’ offense, Kobe hasn’t had this many touches this side of Eagle County. Williams has the speed and the stats (19 PPG, 10 APG), while Fisher has the honor of being drafted behind Stephon Marbury. I’d take the Lakers in the series, but not because of Fisher.
Edge: Williams