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TSN Basketball Analyst

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FIVE QUICK HOOPS THOUGHTS

1. KEVIN LOVE (Cavs): Tough break for a team playing really well right now. Can they still win the East? I say yes. When you have LeBron James and a more mature/polished Kyrie Irving you'll always have a shot. It's not like the Bulls and Hawks look unbeatable right now. I expect to see LeBron at the four-spot a little more. Tristan Thompson is going to have to play big for them as well.

2. RAJON RONDO (Mavs): Buyer Beware. Difficult personality to deal with on a daily basis for a coaching staff. Hasn't looked like the same player since coming back from knee surgery. His perimeter shooting is sub-par. Love his competitive spirit and toughness. Worth the risk on a short-term deal for some teams. Onus is on him to prove that he can still contribute at a high level. Probably a good time to get him but on your terms.

3. JASON KIDD (Bucks): I'm SO impressed with the job he has done with this team and his overall growth as a coach the past two years. His team defends, competes, accepts their roles and plays like a team in every sense.  Have given the much more talented Bulls more than anyone expected.

4. PAUL PIERCE (Wizards): Bottom line - if the Raptors have him they likely advance. That's how little veteran player leadership they had. Shows the clear void that exists. Coach Dwane Casey will catch lots of flack and I understand the anger. At the same time be sure to understand that when Pierce spoke about 'It' prior to the series he was so right. When you lack player leadership it's pretty obvious that the Raptors didn't get 'It' from the All-Star break onwards. You think you can put it in cruise control, not pay the price and things will take care of themselves when you turn the 'switch' back on. Doesn't work that way. You mess with the Basketball Gods - you pay dearly for it. Not like Casey wasn't sounding those alarms on a daily basis from late February and on. Pierce has the attention and respect of all his teammates and he's helped Coach Randy Wittman finally get the group to properly see the light. Not easy to find a guy like this but clearly they need someone in the room as a fellow player to enlighten guys on 'what it takes' way above the points a coach makes.

5. CHANDLER PARSONS (Mavs): Rough season for him with injuries. Facing significant knee surgery. This thing has really blown up on Mark Cuban with the Rondo mess and this injury to a guy they've given nice money and term to. Trevor Ariza was an excellent replacement for Parsons in Houston and they really don't miss him much. I still like Parsons' game a ton. Very good offensive player who complements his teammates beautifully. Fingers crossed that this setback doesn't impact his long-term contributions. He's being counted on in Dallas to be a major piece over the long haul.