FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. CHAUNCEY BILLUPS (Pistons): Yes they got Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings in the off-season and Andre Drummond is a beast (teams are kicking themselves for passing on him - he rebounds and block shots every game - thats two more discernable and significant skills than most guys in his draft class), but dont for a second discount the impact of having a savvy veteran like Billups on your team. He can play both guard spots and plays within himself and can shoot the three-ball exceptionally well but most importantly he is a respected elder statesman who gets it and can still play. Hes a huge asset to coach Maurice Cheeks getting this young/talented team to buy in" and make the sacrifices necessary to be successful. A good under the radar pickup by GM Joe Dumars after a messy departure a few years back. 2. NIKOLA VUCEVIC (Magic): Check out these numbers (14.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg and shooting 56 per cent) and I think you can see this guy is no fluke. Loved watching him get extended minutes last season and its paying off. Hes relentless on the offensive boards and has that nose for the ball that good rebounders have. Hes getting the opportunity and is one of the bright spots for a young team that is flying high after knocking off the Brooklyn Nets. 3. LANDRY FIELDS (Raptors): None of us have any control over the bloated contract he received yet we do have control over our pure objectivity in assessing a guys game and overall contribution to a team with money left totally aside. I like what I see. Would he be a guy Id want as a teammate? Yes, definitely. Would he be a guy Id like to coach? It would be an honour. He gets it. Hes all about team and sacrifice. Smart and tough. Does he have limitations? Yes, but hes a solid rotation player who you can count on and trust to try to do the right things and be in the right places. He wont always be successful but you know the intent is precisely what the script calls for. As a former coach, you reach a point where you get tired of waiting for guys and youd rather deal with someone who is dependable. Fields fills that void for a number of minutes each game to allow for others to grow/prosper. I talk to lots of coaches, executives and scouts and in spite of a contract thats overpriced (no fault of Fields) to a man - hes a respected player who fits the bill as a role player with winning habits. Hes healthy and were seeing a guy regaining his confidence and earning the trust of his coaches and teammates as a guy who will be in that nine-man rotation. Guys like this are hard to keep off the floor. Its a team game. 4. MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS (Sixers): Who saw this coming? The 76ers are 3-0 and the Suns are 2-1 (they played pretty well in their loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday night and lost Goran Dragic). Carter-Williams has been awesome in their upsets. Hes averaging an amazing 20 ppg and 7 assists and is shooting 47 per cent from long distance. He guards and sets the tone for Brett Browns team defensively with his excellent lateral quicks and his ball pressure. Honestly didnt think hed be this good this early with a team that has limitations to say the least. He strikes me as a guy that will be one of those players who will be a better pro than he was in college at Syracuse. The pace and rules of the NBA game favour his game and also look at him as a guy who is still figuring out how to run a team. Has lots of ability and hes really jumped out at me. 5. XAVIER HENRY (Lakers): Style of play is a major benefit to this guy playing for Mike DAntoni. He parks himself behind the three-point arc (14.3 ppg and 45 per cent on threes) and lets loose. Watched a few of the Lakers games already and this system fits his game perfectly. Run to a spot and fire away on the catch. 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Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record.Ryan Miller signs w/ Vancouver Canucks Ryan Miller? Vancouver? Sorry but I had to: pic.twitter.com/juR2wqTMdd — Sean OLeary (@SeanOLeary26) July 1, 2014 Of course Ryan Miller is a Canuck. Jim Benning scouted and drafted him in Buffalo. — Katie Brown (@katie_brown47) July 1, 2014 @eddielack Time to steal the #1 job. Its the Vancouver way — Taj (@taj1944) July 1, 2014 @eddielack @RyanMiller3039 dont fall for it..... ITS A TRAP!!!! — Strombone (@strombone1) July 1, 2014 Brian Gionta signs w/ Buffalo Sabres The Sabres came into today looking for two veteran leaders. They got Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges from Montreal in less than 90 minutes. — John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) July 1, 2014 CONGRATS to fellow @BCAlumni Brian Gionta on his new gig with the @BuffaloSabres !!! Exciting day for Buffalo! @Giostyle21 #@BCHockeyNews — Olga Khmylev (@OlgaKhmylev) July 1, 2014 If @PKSubban1 was named captain of the #Canadiens, it would have a positive impact on pop-culture, and for many young kids. #Habs — Moe Khan (@MoeKhan19) July 1, 2014 Josh Gorges traded to Buffalo Sabres I want to thank all the amazing people in Mtl for helping make this a special place to be for the past years for me!! — josh gorges (@jgorges26) July 1, 2014 I will never forget my time here and will always hold a special place in my heart!! — josh gorges (@jgorges26) July 1, 2014 According to @amymoritz, Josh Gorges accepted trade to Buffalo because he heard his friend Brian Gionta is also very interested in Sabres. — John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) July 1, 2014 Dave Bolland signs w/Florida Panthers It was an honor to play for the Leafs in front of some of the best fans in hockey. Thank you Toronto. Im excited about my future in Florida &mddash; Dave Bolland (@DaveBolland) July 1, 2014 Five year, $5.dddddddddddd5-million for Bolland, per Uncle Bob. This is not how good teams work, but good luck with it. — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 1, 2014 Paul Stastny signs w/ St. Louis Blues Dinners on you tonight @PaulyWalnuts26 #boom #congrats — Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) July 1, 2014 Welcome home, @PaulyWalnuts26! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/cvpRT6cIne — St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) July 1, 2014 Best of luck to @PaulyWalnuts26 in STL. Sad to see you go bud, proud to call you one of my best friends. Take it easy on us eh! — Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) July 1, 2014 Bruce Orpik signs w/ Washington Capitals Welcome to the @washcaps Brooksy!! #Orpik — Brooks Laich (@brookslaich) July 1, 2014 Oh my god the Brooks Orpik contract. Its like a car crash in slow motion. — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 1, 2014 Mason Raymond signs w/ Calgary Flames Welcome to the #CofRed, MayRay! #AlbertaBoy pic.twitter.com/X6lhyDHKxZ — Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 1, 2014 A beauty of a backhand! Check out what Mason Raymond brings to the fold (VIDEO) ~ http://t.co/VOzpd8OThL — Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 1, 2014 Thomas Vanek signs w/ Minnesota Wild Reunited in the #StateofHockey #mnwild #Parise #Suter #Vanek pic.twitter.com/7XjvCmsaM4 — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 1, 2014 Vanek returns to the #StateOfHockey with a 3-year contract. More: http://t.co/A8WIUE5R2Q #mnwild pic.twitter.com/xbMGkxs5LJ — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 1, 2014 TSN Stat of the Day 13 deals already - over $152 million in salaries. 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