Golden State traded Jackson along with Acie Law to Charlotte for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic Monday afternoon.

You happy now?

Captain Jack’s wish was finally granted this morning, however this may be a case of ‘beggers can’t be choosers’. His agent insists that Jackson is thrilled with the trade but considering Jackson’s demand, the Bobcats seem like an odd fit.

Jackson hoped to be traded to Cleveland, New York or any of the Texas teams. Hmm. Jackson also wanted to be traded to a contender. Uhh.

One thing that will be in Jackson’s favor in Charlotte is that he should have free reign to shoot as often as he pleases. Gerald Wallace is the teams leading scorer at only 13.7 ppg.

Bobcats perspective:

The Bobcats average the fewest points per game in the league at 82.4. The ‘Cats are so inept at scoring, that they’ve failed to go over 80 FIVE times this season. As a reference, only two other teams average below 90 ppg: Chicago and New Jersey. Even more astonishing is the fact that six teams average 20 more ppg than Charlotte.

Okay, so it’s very clear that the Bobcats need some help offensively but the move is still puzzling on a few fronts. Let me make this clear, I think Jackson will be greatly beneficial for this upcoming season. With that said, Jack is 31 and coming off back-to-back seasons where he averaged a hair under 40 minutes per game. He also is on the books for the next four seasons at around $7 million per year. At 31, he earns every penny of his salary. At 35? I’m not convinced.

With that salary, Jackson pretty much shuts the door on any possibility of the Bobcats making a run at a free agent in the coming summers. Were they ever serious contenders to land a big-name free agent? I don’t know. I do know that the Emeka Okafor for Tyson Chandler debocle (for both teams) was a trade that was largely salary motivated. Which begs the question, why is a team that was so eager to drop one of their best players in salary dump motivated to make a trade like this? Did Michael Jordan the executive strike again? Is this a preemptive “my bad” for the Gerald Henderson pick last June? Wouldn’t it have been easier, cheaper and less risky for them to have just signed Allen Iverson this summer? He respects Larry Brown, they would’ve kept Raja Bell (dumping Radmanovic was a win, no doubt) and Iverson surely wouldn’t have been on the books for as long or as much money as Captain Jack will be.

However, I will tune into a ‘Cats game in the near future. A small lineup of D.J. Augustin, Raymond Felton, Jack, Wallace and Chandler is intriguing indeed.

Warriors perspective:

Well, they had to do it. Right? Captain Jacks complaints were getting loud enough that teammates were anonymously complaining about him to members of the media. Never a good sign. So I agree, they had to trade him. Was this the best possible package, though?

For all of Jack’s shortcomings as a leader, teammate what-have-you, he was a hell of a player for the Warriors these past two seasons. His production will surely be missed. Luckily, the Warriors are extraordinarily deep with young gunners on the wing. I would be more confindent in their ability to fill Jack’s void had Kelenna Azubuike not been carried off the court this weekend.

Raja Bell should really help the team defensively. The Warriors allow the most ppg in the NBA (113.7) and allowed the leagues Boy Wonder, Brandon Jennings to drop a 55 spot on them. As deadly as the Steph Curry-Monta Ellis back court is offensively, it’s twice as bad defensively. I trust that Curry will learn a thing or two from Bell.

The main problem with the trade is the Vladimir Radmanovic factor. I wonder how long it will be until Don Nelson takes more minutes away from Anthony Randolph and gives them to Radmanovic. Nelson seems to have a thing for tall dudes that shoot threes and don’t defend. Rad WILL be better in this offense than he was in Charlotte but he still is on the hook for around $6.5 million the next two seasons. Yikes.

Those anonymous players I alluded to earlier in the column claimed that the team would be better off when they were free of Jack’s distraction. We’ll see.

It is not often that a first round quarterback with a winning record is benched. However, this was the case for Vince Young. Dating back to 2007, Vince Young has won six consecutive games, yet some consider him a bust. If it weren’t for an extremely peculiar offseason in 2008, Vince Young may have never lost his job last year to Kerry Collins.

It started after a not so hot week one performance in 2008 in which Young injured his knee and was booed by fans. After the game, people close to Young including his mother said he was in a bad state of mind. Young’s therapist told the Titans that young had mentioned suicide a couple times. After Young left his house the following Monday without his cell phone and a gun, fisher contacted the police. Although he allegedly was at a friend’s house watching football, the situation scared many.

After Young lost his job, Kerry Collins led the Tennessee Titans to a 13-3 record and a home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Despite losing a heartbreaker in the final minute of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Titans had an optimistic future ahead of them.

Heading into the 2009 season, the Titans were early favorites to contend and make the playoffs. Kerry Collins was to remain the quarterback, in spite of Vince Young proclaiming he would be the next black quarterback inducted into the Hall of Fame. After seven weeks though, the Titans found themselves 0-6 although they had a talented defense with one of the best running backs in the game.

Finally, Jeff Fisher made the decision to bench Collins and reinstate Vince Young as the starter. It is unacceptable for a team with Chris Johnson at running back, and an above average defense to lose six straight games. Even though Kerry Collins was playing ok football, Fisher needed to pull the plug to, at the very least, wake up the rest of the team.

Now the Titans have won two straight with Young at the helm.  He is a combined 27 of 37 for 297 with a touchdown in his wins against Jacksonville and San Francisco. He also has 17 rushes for 44 yards and a score on the ground. Although not overwhelming statistics, Young is playing mistake free football and more importantly, continuing his winning streak.

The Titans needed to see what they had in Young before the end of the season, so they made a great decision in playing him. After watching him lead Texas to a national championship over USC, he is indeed a supreme athlete with the capability of turning into a great quarterback.

If Young continues the rest of the season like he is playing now, it will save the Titans another draft pick on a quarterback, and give them a chance to be right back competing for a super bowl as early as next year.

In the end, the Titans fans need to be thanking their owner Bud Adams for all but forcing the decision upon Fisher. Saying that, Jeff Fisher is still an excellent coach who deserves at least one more season as the coach in Tennessee. Who knows, maybe even Vince Young will save Fisher’s job, go on to an illustrious career, and ultimately be the next black quarterback elected into the Hall of Fame.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

The defending champs take the top spot in our inaugural rankings. The Lakers’ lone loss comes to the impressive Dallas Mavericks. They are 5-0 this month scoring over 100 points in every game and they’re doing it without their second best player, Pau Gasol. The Lakers have a tough week with Phoenix and Houston coming to L.A. and a trip to Denver on deck.

2. Boston Celtics

Despite losing at home to the Suns, the Celtics still look like one of the top 3 teams in the league. Everybody is healthy, for now, Rondo got his extension and their offseason moves have paid dividends thus far. They aren’t scoring at the rate I expected, but the defense is suffocating teams only surrendering over 100 points once. The Celtics play Utah, Atlanta and Indiana this week.

3. Orlando Magic

A week ago, columnists were crowning the Magic kings of the NBA. They came out of the gate hot winning their first 5 games despite injuries and Rashard Lewis’ suspension. They’ve lost 2 of their last 4 including taking a 28-point beat down from OKC. I wouldn’t worry too much, the Magic still look elite and will be pushing for the top spot the entire season. This week, Orlando plays New Jersey and Cleveland. They also get Charlotte twice.

4. Denver Nuggets

Yes, they’ve lost two straight but that doesn’t change the fact that the Nuggets have looked damn impressive this season. Thus far, Carmelo Anthony is looking like the superstar we all thought he could be, Billups has been his normal, steady self and Ty Lawson has been a revelation off the bench. Melo’s play cannot be understated. He has put himself on the short list of MVP candidates. The Nugs go on the road to play Chicago and Milwaukee before coming back home to play the Lakers.

5. Phoenix Suns

Who thought the Suns would come out looking this hot? I’m eating a whole lot of crow on this one. With Alvin Gentry running the show, Steve Nash looks an awful lot like the guy that won back-to-back league MVPs. Jason Richardson looks rejuvenated and Channing Frye (no typo) is off to a good start. Can they keep it up? They still lack depth and don’t play elite defense, but they can score with anybody. We should see who for real they are this week when they take on New Orleans, Toronto and the Lakers.

6. Dallas Mavericks

I’ve been skeptical of the Mavs the past few seasons. I hated the Devin Harris trade (then and now) and I’m still not in love with the Shawn Marion signing. With that said, they are getting the job done. Dirk and Jet are scoring points in bunches and the bench has been surprisingly deep. Now that Josh Howard is back, things should only get better. They play Houston at home tonight before going on a brutally long 4 game road stand against San Antonio, Minnesota, Detroit and Milwaukee.

7. Miami Heat

Miami’s lone loss came to Phoenix but they’ve been as impressive as any team in the league through this early part of the year. Dwyane Wade still isn’t getting as much help as he should but Jermaine O’Neal hasn’t been worthless (I’m surprised) and Michael Beasley has shown signs of great scoring ability. Washington, Cleveland and New Jersey are all coming to South Beach this week.

8. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are 5-2 and had an impressive 25-point win over Denver over the weekend. Jamal Crawford is in a perfect situation, coming off the bench and shooting as much as he pleases. The Hawks are deep and balanced but they won’t be sneaking up on anyone anymore. They face New York, Boston and New Orleans this week.

9. Cleveland Cavilers

I don’t like having the Cavs this low, but it’s hard to ignore the 3 losses. Before the first week of November was over, the Cavs had as many home losses as they did all of last season. I’ve been as critical of Lebron’s supporting cast as anyone but it’s still Lebron. As long as he stays healthy, this should be as low as Cleveland is in the rankings all season. Cleveland is on the road against Orlando and Miami before coming back home to face Utah.

10. San Antonio Spurs

Like the Cavs, the Spurs won’t be in this spot much longer. They sit at .500 but to be fair, they have played a tough schedule. Like most years, the Spurs will be in hibernation until after the All-Star break where they will turn in on and make a run at a top 2 seed in the West. This is an elite team with the additions of Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair. The Spurs get Dallas and Oklahoma City this week.

11. Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers have had an up and down start but there have been some bright spots. When he’s stayed out of foul trouble (I know it has been rare), Greg Oden has looked really solid. They are ridiculously deep but I sometimes question whether their slow tempo is the best fit for their roster. They are at their best when they are forcing turnovers and they let their wings run free.  The Blazers begin a 5-game road stand this week against Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans and Charlotte.

12. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are off to a hot start largely due to the reemergence of Luol Deng. Finally healthy, Deng leads the team in scoring. The Bulls are a scrappy bunch but even with the fast start, it’s obvious that they will miss Ben Gordon’s scoring. Who will step up and be that guy? The Bulls face Toronto and Philadelphia this week.

13. Houston Rockets

I’ll be damned if there is a harder working bunch of players than the Rockets. Honestly, without T-Mac and Yao, they are one of the least talented teams in the league. Where they lack in raw talent, they make up for it with intangibles. They give 100 percent every night. Can they keep it up, though? At some point will the lack of a go-to scoring catch up? They have a huge test tonight against Dallas before taking on Memphis and Sacramento to finish the week.

14. Toronto Raptors

I’m not sure what to make of the Raptors. On paper, I really like what they have and they should be able to score with just about anybody. They currently have the NBA’s worst defense, giving up over 111 ppg. Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile frontcourt in the NBA. If their defense gets moderately better, they should pretty good. The Raptors play Chicago and the Clippers this week.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

I imagine that this is how most of the season will go for OKC. On some nights they look like a revelation, scoring at will and shutting teams down. On others, they look thoroughly beatable. This comes with the territory of being one of the league’s youngest team. Note to other sports writers: a team isn’t considered a sleeper if they are everybody else’s sleeper team. Plus, beating Orlando by nearly thirty has to count for something. They play Sacramento and San Antonio this week. They also get the Clippers twice. More than two losses and they’ll plummet in our rankings.

16. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers should be better than they’ve been to start the year. Elton Brand is still in no-mans land and honestly Marreese Speights is already looking like a better option. How long do you give it until Speights becomes everybody’s favorite “underrated player”? He is putting up great numbers. 14 and 7 in little over 20 mins a game is ridiculously efficient. Philly plays New Jersey, Utah and Chicago this week.

17. Detroit Pistons

I can’t say that I’m all that surprised by Detroit’s up and down start. The team really lacks direction. Are they rebuilding or are they still trying to compete? They spent a boatload of money this offseason. Fans are already wondering why they didn’t save it for next offseason. I expect them to be better but not much. The Pistons face Charlotte, Washington and Dallas this week.

18. New Orleans Hornets

This ranking might be a little generous for them. They’ve been disappointing this season and folks are starting to wonder how long it’ll be until Chris Paul says something. True, they beat Dallas but they lost to the Knicks. Guess where they are ranked? Things won’t get any easier this week as they face Phoenix, Portland and Atlanta. Expect a big move up or down in next weeks rankings.

19. Utah Jazz

The Jazz continue to be a team that makes me scratch my head and say, “huh?” They should be a lot better. I expect things to pick up, they are way too talented not to. Still, losing to the Kings at home isn’t going to help their case. The Jazz have a brutal road trip this week against Boston, Philadelphia and Cleveland.

20. Los Angeles Clippers

This team has to be cursed, right? Nothing else could explain Blake Griffin busting his knee on a play where he wasn’t touched. And why is the suddenly skinny Baron Davis playing like last year’s out of shape model? How can they be this bad when Chris Kaman is going 20 and 10? Think I’m being too harsh on a team that’s won 3 games? They’ve beat Memphis, Minnesota and Golden State. They play OKC twice and Toronto this week.

21. Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats have managed to go .500 despite have the leagues most woeful offense. How bad are the Bobcats offensively? Well, the Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 8 more points per game. Even if they continue to play some of the stingiest defense in the league, 85 ppg ‘ain’t gonna cut it’. Things don’t look good for the ‘Cats as they play Orlando, Detroit and Portland this week.

22. Washington Wizards

There hasn’t been a more disappointing team this season than the Wizards, in my opinion. Zero is finally healthy, Flip Saunders became the head coach and they traded the 5^th pick for vets (for the record it was a bad trade. How do I know? I watched at least 70 Wolves games last year; I know how good Mike Miller and Randy Foye are). Things should pick up, though. Andray Blatche looks like he is finally breaking out and frankly, they are too talented to be ranked this low. The Wiz face Miami and Detroit this week.

23. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks caught a tough break with the injury to Michael Redd but the truth of the matter is that they aren’t very talented. How good has Brandon Jennings been, though? I stood up for him and his decision to go to Rome and it looks like the cocky kid matured a little bit. Milwaukee plays Denver and Golden State at home this week.

24. Sacramento Kings

The Kings scored an impressive win over the Jazz last week and have overall been a surprise at 3-4. Tyreke Evans has been on a tear the last few games and Kevin Martin is reminding us all that he is one of the most efficient scorers in the game. I’m proud of the Kings for their good start but I don’t expect it to last. The Kings face OKC and Houston this week.

25. Indiana Pacers

I don’t think Indiana is quite this bad but they’ve had a less than stellar start. There have been bright spots, however. Second year Center Roy Hibbert has played well in extended minutes averaging a double double and nearly 3 blocks. I expect to see the Pacers much higher in the rankings in the coming weeks. The Pacers face Golden State and Boston at home this week.

26. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have failed to score over 100 points only once this season. Last night, they dropped 146 on the Timberwolves (I know, the Wolves, but still). The problem is that they can’t really defend anybody. They still managed to give up 105 points to the Timberwolves (yes, the Wolves). The management of the team is puzzling to me. Mikki Moore getting minutes over Anthony Randolph? I love a good Husker success story but this is ridiculous. The Warriors have a chance to move up with games against New York, Indiana and Milwaukee this week.

27. Memphis Grizzlies

Not unlike the NFL, the bottom tier of the NBA is really bad. God-awful. Matt Millen awful. It looks like the Allen Iverson experiment could come to an abrupt end. I suggested in a column last week that they should cut him but I didn’t think it was remotely possibly that it could happen and especially not this soon. AI is another tragic example of an athlete whose ego is stuck at least 5 years in the past. Also, is it too early to start calling Hasheem Thabeet, Hasheem Thabust? I know he was raw coming in (which is why I wanted nothing to do with him as a Wolves homer) but it’s not like the Grizz have a problem playing young players. Sam Young and DaMarre Carroll are both getting extended minutes. Memphis plays Houston, Portland and Minnesota this week.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves

After last night’s game it’s hard to justify having the Wolves ranked this high in a D-League poll. They beat the Nets, however and the Knicks are still the Knicks. The Timberwolves are clearly one of the most under talented teams in the league and they need to get Kevin Love in the most desperate sort of way. They have three frontcourt players getting any sort of significant minutes and two of them were essentially told to take a hike by Dallas. Things shouldn’t get any better as the Wolves play Portland, Dallas and Memphis this week.

29. New York Knicks

How awesome is it going to be when all of the top tier free agents spurn the Knicks and sign elsewhere this summer? All right, so I’m not entirely convinced that it’s going to happen either. If they weren’t all multi-millionaires, I would feel bad for the Knick players. They all know they are expendable. Also, how bad of a pick was Jordan Hill? We’re talking about arguably the worst team in the league and their first round pick (8^th overall too) can’t even crack the 9-man. Can you imagine how amazing Brandon Jennings would’ve been with Mike D’Antoni’s offense? His wizardry with the ball and Danilo Gallinari’s sweet stroke would be enough to land one top tier free agent. The Knicks play Atlanta and Golden State this week.

30. New Jersey Nets

They have been far and away the worst team in the league this season. They are in a league of their own in two separate, but equally awful ways. One, they are the only team in the NBA without a win. And two, they are the only team in the NBA to lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The future is bright, however. Barring freak injury, I see no way that Brooke Lopez isn’t an All Star for the next decade, give or take a few years. Devin Harris is still exciting in the open court, they have a ton of cap space this offseason, they might finally be moving to Brooklyn and Jay-Z is a minority owner. See what I’m getting at? The Nets hope to get their first win this week, going up against Philadelphia, Miami and Orlando.