‘Still the Money Man?’ ( NBAE/Getty Images)

As I listened to the radio today, I turned to a local sports program. Broadcaster, Alema Harrington expressed his concerns about Memo not being the 3-point shooter of last year that earned him the nickname “money-man.” In the second half of last season and during this preseason; his shooting has earned him the nickname (hopefully for a short-time only), of the “short-change man.” This is not a name I heard on the radio, it came from me. Let me tell you, I’ve gone through the same shooting slump in my own basketball games, so while it’s not on the same level by any means; I’m feeling his pain when it comes to losing that feeling when you shoot the outside shot.

For awhile there, I was “money” too. In fact; some of the women I played with would jokingly say money or Memo when I would shoot. Now they just say: “I’m open.” Strangely, the course of my shooting wealth and poverty has followed a similar path as Okur’s. I don’t know why. Well, I do know why I’m not doing well now; I don’t practice, but that’s another story.

Anyway, some of the other concerns that were mentioned on the radio were the lack of depth at point guard. Who’ll be the one to earn the back-up pg? Last year Derek Fisher could take the role. Do we have that type of player this year?

The guys on the radio also talked about leadership on the team. I think it was Alema who suggested Carlos Boozer is or will develop into the “Godfather” of the team. Picture it; Carlos with his cheeks stuffed with cotton (he kind of already has the jaw-line), scratching his chin, “never go against the family Andrei.” I can totally see that. Anyway if Carlos is the Godfather, who is Michael, Sonny, Tommy, Fredo, Rocco, and Frankie Five Angels? I’m no expert on the “Godfather,” but I know there are lots of you sports fans who can quote these things verbatim, so lets hear your suggestions.