Well I'm back, rested and ready to go...

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the shooting at Duquesne…well, the most critical of the wounded is Canadian Sam Ashalou, who remains in critical condition at Mercy Hospital with two bullets in his head, one fragmented, the other intact. Ashalou showed some responsiveness by opening his eyes, and with movement in his extremities Tuesday, but the next few days will be critical to his survival, according to a source. Ashaolu is Hakeem Olajuwon’s cousin….our thoughts and prayers are with him…

Bonzi watch: probable destinations right now are Denver, Houston and Miami with the Rockets in the lead…if Houston gets Wells, all of a sudden they have scoring insurance if (well, really when) Tracy McGrady’s back goes wonky…

The Pacers are set to give coach Rick Carlisle a contract extension by the end of September…for doing what exactly? Right, nothing….

My pick for breakout player this year is Bobcats PG Raymond Felton who averaged 17.2 PPG and 9.8 APG in April…

A Richard Jefferson sighting in New York followed by his arrival at the Nets training facility in East Rutherford NJ has confirmed that Jefferson has been pushing some steel in the off season….Jefferson is reportedly put on 10 -15 pounds of muscle…cue the hamstring pull…

Santa Clara University retired Steve Nash's jersey when the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 1996 graduate spoke at the school's convocation ceremony Monday. A banner honoring the Phoenix Suns guard was hung in the rafters at the Leavey Center, and Nash's No. 11 jersey was raised on the opposite end of the gym. Nash is the first Santa Clara athlete whose jersey has been raised. "This is obviously very exciting for me," Nash said. "I don't get a chance to come back to school often, so for me to be here is just great, and coupled with the huge honor it is to be able to be acknowledged for my career, is amazing and very humbling." Nash was recruited by coach Dick Davey, who still heads the Santa Clara program, and arrived at the Bay Area school from Canada in 1992. He led the Broncos to three berths in the NCAA tournament and two regular-season titles in the West Coast Conference, winning the league's Player of the Year award in 1995 and 1996. "I owe so much to my experience here," Nash told the students assembled for convocation. "All of you guys really need to take advantage of this and make the most of your opportunity here. I urge you to really get involved, to be balanced, to do well in school, and make as many friends as possible."

Just something to think about…during the 05-06 season, LeBron James averaged more points than any two of his teammates combined, had 2.4 more assists per game than the starting point guard and led the Cavs in steals per game and defensive rebounds…

1) Kelly Dwyer of Si.com thinks Toni deserves some props:

Toni reward - With retirement looming, Kukoc deserves some praise

Toni Kukoc is still waiting to see if either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Chicago Bulls want to make him a late roster addition, but the 6-foot-11 forward has made it clear he plans to call it quits soon enough. This would hardly be a blow to teams hoping to secure his services -- the soon-to-be 38-year-old averaged only 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 15.7 minutes per game with the Bucks last year -- but it would close the book on one of the more remarkable careers we've seen over the last 20 years. Kukoc wasn't the first European player of significance to make the jump to the NBA. Sarunas Marciulionis, Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac had each plied their trade Stateside for several years before Kukoc's 1993 debut. And Kukoc was hardly the best European import we've seen; MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki has them all beat in that regard. What Kukoc was able to accomplish, a trait that may have set him apart from the rest, was his ability to translate his international-style play into a skill set perfect for NBA ball. Kukoc succeeded in showcasing European basketball on the NBA stage, keeping his teammates and coaches happy (most of the time, at least) without betraying his own sense of style and abilities. This isn't to say there weren't numerous roadblocks and near-pratfalls along the way that rivaled even his most satisfying accomplishments. Tipped off by his European scout Ivica Dukan, Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause made securing Kukoc's rights a significant priority after selecting him in the second round of the 1990 draft. The Bulls had yet to win a championship at that point, and Krause's near-obsessive courting of a player whom international scouts compared to Magic Johnson rubbed current Bulls such as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen the wrong way. Already resentful of Krause's role on the team, Pippen and Jordan made a point to make life miserable for Kukoc in their matchup with Croatia during the gold-medal game at the 1992 Olympics, hounding their future teammate defensively even with the U.S. win assured. Things didn't get any easier upon Kukoc's introduction to Chicago in October 1993. His arrival came just days before Jordan's initial retirement from basketball, and the rookie-to-be could be spied weeping quietly off to the side of the podium where Jordan made his announcement. Starting only eight games in his rookie year, Kukoc was still a revelation. He easily outran most of his power-forward counterparts and seemed to see the court better than most of the game's veteran point guards. Even as coach Phil Jackson harped on his every move, Kukoc feigned translation issues and continued apace, averaging 10.9 points, four rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing 24.1 minutes a game. Even without Jordan, Chicago still won 55 games, two off the pace of the championship season a year earlier.
Though his minutes dwindled a bit in the playoffs, Kukoc still made noise by winning Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals with an arching 20-footer as time expired. The shot is best known for the chaos that led up to it: Pippen, exasperated by a lunkheaded play Kukoc had made during an offensive possession just seconds before, sat out the final 1.8 seconds in protest after Jackson called the final shot for Kukoc. Chicago eventually lost to the Knicks in seven games. Jordan and his massive strike zone were still down in the minor leagues for the next season, but a starting power forward slot opened up for Kukoc, and he averaged just under 16 points and a combined 10 rebounds and assists in 31.7 minutes per game. Yet his defense remained porous, and Kukoc was still acclimating to the NBA lifestyle -- which meant altering his pregame routine of eating seven-course meals including salad, pasta, steak and watered-down glasses of wine. Chicago trainer Chip Schaefer later told author David Halberstam that Kukoc's meals ventured into the territory of 4,000 calories, though the Bulls were later able to steer him in a healthier direction.
More distressing was Chicago's play, with a recently unretired Jordan, in the conference semifinals against Orlando in 1995. Jackson had chosen to double-team Shaquille O'Neal at all costs, which meant the entire defense had to recover in time to check shooters Anfernee Hardaway, Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott, leaving Horace Grant open for elbow-extended 18-footers. It was a shot Grant was entirely capable of making, but it was also a low-percentage try, and much more preferable to an O'Neal throwdown or open three-pointer. Still, Grant nailed his fair share, and the sight of Kukoc struggling to rotate toward the open ex-Bull was enough for Chicago to trade for the defensive-minded Dennis Rodman in the upcoming offseason. Kukoc was not happy with his banishment to the bench, but though his per-game statistics dipped, his overall efficiency improved, netting him the 1995-96 Sixth Man Award. To Kukoc it was a dubious honor, made worse during that year's playoffs when a back injury robbed him of a chance to showcase his considerable talents on a larger stage. Though the Bulls won the championship that year and the next, a nagging foot injury also hampered Kukoc's 1997 playoff run. By 1998, however, he was healthy -- and his clutch performance in a Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers vaulted Chicago into the Finals. From there, Kukoc's star dimmed a bit. He enjoyed the best statistical year of his career in 1999 (19 points, seven boards, five assists), but it was during the truncated lockout season, and on a Bulls team -- sans Jackson, Jordan, Pippen and Rodman -- that won just 13 games. He offered more of the same the next season but was sent to Philadelphia in a three-team deal that netted Chicago a lottery pick. Stuck on the bench again, Kukoc struggled on a team dominated by defense and Allen Iverson, and was shipped to Atlanta before the Sixers made their Finals run. There Kukoc enjoyed his finest NBA stretch to close out the 2000-01 season, running an effortless pick-and-roll with Jason Terry for an also-ran Hawks team, but injuries and step-slow teammates hindered his efforts during the next season. This was to become a theme. Though injuries often hindered his touch from the outside and his ability to drive, Kukoc boasted a basketball IQ that was often greater than the sum of the four teammates on the floor with him. His expression vacillated between bemusement and frustration as the cutters never cut, the give-and-gos never went and ball movement was quashed in the face of one-on-one play. Kukoc's final great season was for a Bucks team that underachieved horribly in 2002-03, leading to the trade of its best player (Ray Allen) and the dismissal of coach George Karl. Even with all the impediments, Kukoc was a joy to watch. He was a loping, lengthy player who seemed able to orchestrate with the best of them, yet chose to pick his spots among NBA types who never seemed on the same page. When Kukoc did force the action, his play stood out -- always going left, always with a pained expression on his face, always in control, a mix of elegance and function. It probably ends here, which seems natural; Kukoc doesn't seem interested in the game as much if the circumstances (a Midwest locale, especially) aren't ideal, but it was interesting while it lasted. Kukoc proved to a generation that international-style play could thrive within NBA confines, an achievement that will someday outshine the three championship rings he earned. For international NBA imports, he is due myriad thanks. And to Stateside NBA observers, he is due just as many plaudits for turning everyone on to an entirely different style of play.

2) Mike Kahn of Foxsports.com ranks the PG’s with you know who first:

Ranking the top NBA point guards

Until the 2005-06 NBA season, Magic Johnson was the only point guard in NBA history to win multiple Most Valuable Player awards. Until 2005-06, the emergence of Amare Stoudemire appeared to be the reason the Phoenix Suns came out of nowhere to reach the Western Conference finals the year before. But when the Suns repeated as conference finalists for the first time in franchise history last spring — without Stoudemire (sidelined for virtually the entire season from knee surgery) — we found out the basis for all of the above: Steve Nash. And that's why the 32-year-old point guard unequivocally became recognized as the best point guard in the game as the Suns rolled and he was named MVP for the second consecutive year. Once again, previously unsung players emerged with career-best seasons — and the common denominator through it all was the mop-headed, full blast Nash. Sure, a lot of the credit has to go to coach Mike D'Antoni for carving out the freedom and the cast — but were it not for Nash, none of it would work. He is the prototype point guard, pushing the ball up the floor and doling out slick passes with either hand, or burying jumpers with unerring precision. All of that makes the choice of Nash an easy one as FOXSports.com begins it's six-part series on the best players in the NBA with the top-10 point guards. "He does a great job of taking care of himself; that's the first thing," D'Antoni said. "We've asked an awful lot of him, to extend himself to win games because he had to do so much more offensively with Amare out. He never wore down. People thought he was worn down last year, and then he was just ridiculous in the playoffs. If he was worn out, that was a heck of a second wind." Last season was a tougher call with Allen Iverson not only winning his fourth scoring title but also handing out a career-high 7.9 assists as he was moved back to point guard slot. So we went with Iverson. This year was no contest because of not only Nash's 18.8 points and league-best 10.5 assists and .921 free throw percentage, but how this time around he lifted little known Boris Diaw into the league's Most Improved Player. Essentially, that's the definition of a great point guard. It's the manner in which he plays the game, something that Jason Kidd still does at a high level, just not quite at the level he was in his 20s. So he has slipped in the rankings from top drawer down to seventh. And even with some players not "pure point guards," young Chris Paul proved it is not an antiquated concept. The Wake Forest All-American walked in and won the Rookie of the Year honors as he nearly lifted a very poor New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets team into the playoffs. Nonetheless, guys like Chauncey Billups and Gilbert Arenas actually learned how to become point guards around their extraordinary shooting ability. Young Tony Parker, with the extraordinary ability to get into the lane and score, continues to build on his ability to involve other people in the offense through his own creativity and unselfishness. But some of that just can't be learned. With Nash, as with Magic Johnson, it is inherent. "That's why (Nash is) so much fun to watch," Johnson said. "He makes everybody better. That is what the point guard is supposed to do." This is the first of a six-part series. Next week: shooting guards.

1. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns, 32, 6-3, 195 Nash averaged 18.8 points,10.5 assists, .77 steals and shot an incredible .921 from the free-throw line. And yet, the numbers just don't tell the story of how this guy raised his level of play to Hall of Fame-caliber after he turned 30. It just proves what happens when brains and talent meet.

2. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers, 31, 6-0, 165 A.I. averaged 33.0 points, 7.4 assists, 1.94 steals and sank .814 of his free throws, again top notch numbers. But the Sixers failed to make the playoffs, and the concept of moving him away from the point guard spot seems inevitable again. It explains that just because a guy drives and dishes, it doesn't make him a point guard.

3. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, 29, 6-3, 202 Billups averaged 18.5 points, 8.6 assists (both career-highs), with .88 steals and .894 free throw shooting. More than anything, he's ice in the clutch. But Billups, seemingly like the rest of the Pistons, just wore down last season. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back, but he remains one of the most underrated players in the game.

4. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards, 24, 6-4, 210 Arenas averaged 29.3 points, 6.1 assists, 2.01 steals and sank .820 of his free throws as he became an All-Star and was superb in the playoffs. Arenas is another pure scorer learning the craft of helping his teammates. The key to him is that he tries so hard and is so popular with his teammates; his ascension is inevitable among the elite.

5. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 24, 6-2, 180 Parker averaged a career-best 18.9 points, along with 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals and sank a less-than-ideal .707 of his free throws. People forget how young he is because he was a starter at 19, but the questions still remain why he hasn't been able to sustain top-drawer play in the postseason. Physically and mentally, he's still growing, so it appears to be just a matter of time.

6. Chris Paul, New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets, 21, 6-0, 175 Paul came out of the blocks beyond what anyone thought, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists, 2.24 steals and sank .847 of his free throws. More than anything else, his leadership and ability to help the Hornets win blew everybody away. A latter-day Phil Ford, his development and the improvement of the team transformed the Hornets from tragic to a feel-good story.

7. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets, 33, 6-4, 210 Kidd averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 assists, 1.88 steals and he made .795 of his free throws, as the Nets were incredibly erratic last season. In many ways, it was reflective of Kidd's fading scoring ability to keep defenses honest. Nonetheless, he's still an extraordinary playmaker, eminently capable of taking over the tempo of any game and plays tough defense.

8. Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors, 27, 6-3, 215 Davis averaged 17.9 points, 8.9 assists, 1.65 steals and made just .675, while essentially losing the elite status he had gained by the end of the 2004-05 season by raising the Warriors' level of play. His talent is without question, but a weight problem has made him injury-prone and his attitude is always in question. But with Don Nelson, he could be the second coming of Tim Hardaway.

9. Mike Bibby, Sacramento Kings, 28, 6-1, 190 Bibby averaged a career-best 21.1 points, but he lost nearly 1.5 assists to negate that with just 5.4 per contest, 1.0 steals and sank an impressive .849 from the free throw line. But he was all about streaks. He would have a string of 35-point plus games, then go 2-for-16 — particularly in the playoffs. Without the great passing big men of past teams, he's exposed as a limited point guard.

10. Sam Cassell, Los Angeles Clippers, 36, 6-3, 185 Cassell averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 assists, .80 assists and shot .840 from the free throw line. But more importantly, he led the woebegone Clippers to their best run in franchise history. His confidence raised the level of play for everybody in the organization; and regardless of how much fuel he has left in the tank, he earned his status and new contract.

Also receiving consideration were: Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks; Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls; T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors; Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks; Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers; Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets; Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats.