The NBA in a nutshell

By Eric Maus Sports Central Columnist

The NBA desperately needs a superstar. Sure, there are some great players such as Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, and Paul Pierce. But, what the NBA is seriously lacking is someone with Michael Jordan-esque characteristics -- the complete game, the look, the face recognition, the swagger, and the attitude -- the whole package. Someone the game can market.

Remember when everyone wanted to "Be Like Mike?" Who do youngsters have to identify with now?

Hopefully, that person is Tracy McGrady. Arguably the best player in the game, McGrady receives less publicity than LeBron James -- a freakin' high school player -- a kid who was learning to shave in between playing with Pokemon cards two years ago.

I know people who call themselves casual basketball fans who haven't even heard of McGrady. If you did a survey on the streets, I'd bet my soul the average Joe, Tom, Nancy, or Rodrigo would recognize a picture of Jesse Camp before the NBA all-star.

How is the game supposed to flourish when one of, it not its brightest stars, remain foreign to NBA outsiders?

It can't.

Jordan realizes this, and following a 112-95 Magic victory, gave the league's leading score (31.7 per game) ample time to start filling the shoes of the NBA's all-time greatest player who will retire at season's end.

The torch has been passed. People, wake up. McGrady is the future of the NBA. Recognize him. Support him. He's ready to take the game to new heights.

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What makes you cry the most: is it "Old Yeller"? The picture of the ex-girlfriend? The picture of yourself thinking you were pretty damn cool wearing those Z. Cavaricci pants? Or perhaps the play of has-beens Shawn Kemp and Vin Baker?

For any basketball fan, the answer, of course, is the latter.

Remember when Kemp would deliver those alley-oops with such authority? I swear, we are constantly shown to highlights of him soaring through the air as a member of the SuperSonics just to be reminded, "Yes, folks -- this is the same guy who now averages 8 points a game and has no athletic ability." Shame. (Note to self: Resist ... urge ... to ... make ... joke ... about ... illegitimate ... children.)

And Vin Baker ... well, as a Celtics fans, I feel it's money well spent giving a guy $13 million a season to average 5.7 points per game. Heck, O.J. Mayo could average 5.7 points a game in this watered-down NBA.

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Admit it, you had your doubts: okay, you thought he'd be a total bust. Manute Bol incarnate. But, you were wrong. Yao Ming can play. Averaging 13.1 points a game, 7.6 rebounds, and a .567 field goal percentage; he's certainly making his case for Rookie of the Year along with Amare Stoudemire and Caron Butler. But, let's not get carried away. Ming still has a long way to go before he'll become an elite player.

Until next time ... keep praying for the Lakers' further demise and have a Happy New Year.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.