|  | | Tim Duncan deserves to win his second straight MVP. |
Here's what Tim Duncan has done for an encore to his 2002 MVP performance: Merely lead San Antonio to the league's best record, that's all. That's why Duncan tops the list of MVP candidates on Marc Stein's ballot for the NBA's 2002-03 award winners.Chat wrap: Senior NBA writer Marc SteinQ&A with The Commish | Juwan's payday
| COAST TO COAST |
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| Tomjanovich |
Fast as Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has managed to settle on John Paxson as Jerry Krause's replacement, as if he knew exactly who he'd hire were Jerry Krause to ever leave, it only lends more credence to the theory that Krause was forced out -- and that the deteriorating health Krause cited was the easiest way to make the parting seem mutual. Monday's press conference to introduce Paxson comes just one week after Krause resigned suddenly. Don't expect that kind of pace in Houston, where the Rockets are only just beginning to absorb the sting of Sunday's playoff elimination. It is still too early to know for sure if Rudy Tomjanovich will be back to coach the Rockets next season, but we can tell you this -- there will be no force out there, no matter what you've heard. Health concerns would be the only factor that prevents Rudy T. from returning to the bench. Whether Tomjanovich was ever really at risk for dismissal is debatable. Steve Francis, however, has heard sufficient whispers and was moved in recent days to offer multiple unprompted statements backing Rudy T. It's nonetheless hard to imagine Rockets owner Les Alexander firing Tomjanovich in any circumstance, after Rudy's 33 years with the franchise, and it's wholly implausible now, given the sensitive health situation. ... Click for more on Eric Musselman's summer plans for the Warriors and the next All-Star to be named to Team USA.
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| SLAMS AND DUNKS |
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| Jordan |
Perhaps you've heard Michael Jordan's biting statements recently about LeBron James. The line about how LeBron is "talented for 18 years old." How MJ downplayed LBJ's dominance in front of ESPN cameras, and everywhere else, because "he's played against high school kids who probably are under 6 feet and have the talent of sportswriters." Good quips, and we can't really argue with that last one, but don't believe that they really mean much. Jordan is an unabashed LeBron fan who, knowing Jordan, is simply saying this stuff to try (in vain) to keep the kid level-headed. MJ just made similar public critiques of Antoine Walker, another one of his favorites, and don't forget that LeBron was invited to the legend's private Chicago pickup games last summer. One big reason why Darko Milicic and Carmelo Anthony have no shot to displace James from the No. 1 spot in the June draft is how well James played in those games. As one Western Conference executive told us last month: "As good as Darko is, he hasn't played with NBA players and left them standing speechless like LeBron." Jordan's true feelings for LeBron were on display again in a Gund Arena hallway Tuesday night after MJ played his last game in Cleveland. Jordan approached the youngster, gave him a hearty hug and then whispered some advice. Jordan then backed off and loudly announced: "I can't be talking to you. I don't want to be tampering." Memo to Mike: It's not tampering until you're a GM again. ... Click for more on who'll coach the Cavaliers (if they get LeBron), which hot team will likely steal Gilbert Arenas, why the 76ers may seek Maurice Cheeks' services and who the Sonics absolutely cannot trade.
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Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, send Stein a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
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| STEIN SIDELINES |
MALE OF THE WEEK
 Stephon Marbury
Marbury helped the Suns to a 3-1 seasonal edge over San Antonio and thrust Phoenix into the playoffs with 23 points and 10 assists in Sunday's 92-85 victory over the Spurs. Marbury averaged 32.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.3 boards in the teams' four meetings, so even the West's top seed will be dealing with first-round night sweats.
E-MAIL OF THE WEEK
 "Being a Juneau-ite as well, I'm disappointed that Carlos Boozer hasn't received much national pub for his strong play, even though it's with a bad Cleveland team. He signed a guaranteed contract with the Cavs, and I was wondering how common it is for second-rounders to get contracts like that?"
Niko Hoskins
Juneau, AlaskaSTEIN: If you're a projected first-round pick who slips into the second round, as Boozer was, it's not uncommon to receive a two-year guaranteed contract. The best second-round picks usually get a two-year deal, or at least one year guaranteed with a club option on the second year. What's unusual is that Boozer got a three-year deal; Golden State's Gilbert Arenas and San Antonio's Manu Ginobili are prime of examples of second-round studs who only have two-year deals ... although Ginobili's contract is well above minimum wage at nearly $3 million over the two seasons.
Send Stein a question
SPEAK OF THE WEEK
 "I thought I saw him hitchhiking on the 405 (freeway) ... but then I said, 'Nah, couldn't be.' "
— The Lakers' Kobe Bryant, referring to Shaquille O'Neal's reported flat tire that caused him to miss practice Wednesday.
STAT OF THE WEEK
15-1
That's San Antonio's record the past two Aprils, after Sunday's loss at Phoenix. The Spurs can't match the Mavericks' 14-0 start with a 14-0 finish after falling to the Suns, but they are playing their best ball going into the playoffs, something Dallas wishes it could say. At present, the Spurs are on a 30-5 run reminiscent of their 31-5 finish in the lockout-shortened championship season of 1999.
STAT OF THE WEAK
170-250
That's the East's record against the West, for a winning percentage of .405, with no games left between the conferences. Only three teams from the East -- Detroit, New Jersey and New Orleans -- finished with winning records against the West at 15-13. New York went 14-14.
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