By Willie Ellison

It’s been a month since the NBA free agency began and although all the big name super stars have been snatched up already there are still a few role players out there on the open market looking for work, and maybe one or two difference makers still left out there as well.

Before we get into the teams, players and NBA action, let’s take a minute to recognize the tragic death of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found dead in the woods near his suburban Memphis home. Wright was reported missing by his family on July 18; he was recently found dead, his body riddled with gunshot wounds.

Wright had a solid NBA career that lasted 12 years, playing with a few different teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Bobcats and the Memphis Grizzlies, among others. He was considered a home town hero in Memphis where he grew up and also played college basketball at the University of Memphis. Early reports said Wright’s body was found with 12 gunshot wounds, but no foul play was suspected. A reporter mentioned his ex-wife could be a person of interest, and people close to Wright mentioned she should be looked at as a possible suspect. A report that came out much later ruled his death a possible suicide, which was followed up by two additional reports that mentioned he was last seen with three unsavory questionable characters and later that his ex-wife was wanted for questioning behind his disappearance and death, which has been ruled a homicide.

The authorities who are in charge of the investigation need to do a better job on disseminating the information. In three days four different reports were released with uncertain information regarding this man’s tragic and unnecessary death. What is certain is that a young man and former NBA player is dead, a mother and father lost their son, children lost their father and his siblings lost their brother. If the investigators keep that in mind they might be a little more sensitive with the handling of the information and not rush to a conclusion. Nevertheless, our hearts go out to the Wright family for their loss.

Back to basketball business. The defending NBA champions, Los Angeles Lakers, just finished putting together a contender to defend their current back-to-back titles. With the new additions to the team, and Phil Jackson back at the helm, the Lakers are in the driver’s seat despite what the Las Vegas odds makers say. Regardless of what the others teams did to bolster their rosters the road to the NBA championship goes straight through downtown LA. Jackson recently signed his contract making his return to the Lakers official. The rest of the staff has been completed as well, with the signing of his trusted assistants Brian Shaw, Fred Hamblen, Jim Clemens and Chuck Person.

The only piece that has yet to be added is back-up guard Shannon Brown, who opted out of his contract for more money. With the squad the Lakers’ top brass put together Brown wouldn’t be considered a missing piece, but more like an extra piece, a just-in-case insurance policy. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak would like to bring Brown back into the fold, and feels confident they can get the deal done; they just have to work out a couple of kinks. However, if things don’t go well Brown won’t be left out in the cold. He has a few suitors back in the Eastern Conference. Brown could join his former back court teammate Jordan Famar, who recently signed a four-year contract with the New Jersey Nets for $12 million, or he can go to the bright lights and big city in New York, the place referred to as the basketball Mecca, the concrete jungle where dreams are made. The New York Knicks made it plain that they would love for Brown to come and compete for a starting job at the point guard position, or get more time as back-up. More than he would get as a Laker. Playing in New York will get him more minutes and more money, but it won’t get him a ring.

Speaking of being left out in the cold, three former big name players and one who was up and coming are still out of work. All would be great role players and difference makers for any organization, but bad attitudes, bad locker room chemistry and bad knees are keeping them from getting a job in the league.

It’s a disappointing sight to see superstars out stay their welcome in any sport, and the three big names who are still unemployed are nearing that point in their careers. Shaquille O’Neal, a 15-time All-Star, 4-time NBA champion, 2-time league MVP and 3-time finals MVP, is still looking for work in the NBA. He, along with Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady, has yet to get picked up. Rashan McCants is a young up-and-coming player still looking for work. Rumor has it that McCants has a workout  scheduled with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is a young shooting guard who can help improve any team, but his bad attitude, they say, is what placed him on the mythical NBA black list. However, O’Neal, McGrady and Iverson still have some gas in the tank, but their demands are too high.

Their egos won’t let them accept the job as a role player. They are still under the impression that the offense can run through them. The Chicago Bulls expressed interest in McGrady as a role player, but he wants to be the man. It was also suggested that he meet with a psychiatrist because of how adamant he is about being the go-to guy.

No one has reached out to Iverson for the same reason. Atlanta has expressed interest in Shaq, but not at his current price. Cleveland hasn’t expressed any interest in re-signing him, and although he offered his services to the San Antonio Spurs at a cut rate they weren’t interested. Shaq was recently on a late night talk show lobbying for the Boston Celtics, but they recently signed Jermain O’Neal, no relation, to fill in at the center position until their starter Kendrick Perkins returns from knee surgery.

Shaq feels he has two good years left in him, and he’s probably right. But he has two years as a role player in him, not two as the man. He recently mentioned he is not opposed to playing overseas if he could get his asking price of $10 million. When the mighty fall from grace, it is a long hard fall. Although Shaq is to blame for all of his bad baggage, as a fan of the game I for one hate seeing him in this position of not just chasing rings, but chasing teams as well.

The 2010-11 season is gearing up to be one of the most anticipated seasons in recent years with all the movement that recently took place during the first month of free agency. The movement in Miami is the biggest reason for the anticipation of all the fans except for those of us on the West Coast.

Offense fills the arena seats, but defense wins championships. The Lakers’ top brass put together a defensive unit that NFL Dallas Cowboys Dooms Day defense would envy. By adding Matt Barnes and Theo Radliff to the Lakers’ core group only made it tougher for the rest of the league.

Most fans are hoping for a Lakers/Heat finals, but real fans are betting on anotherLakers/Celtics finals.

The Heat will open the season on October 26 in Boston, the team and the site that ended LeBron James’ run in Cleveland. Let’s hope for LeBron’s sake things go better for him and his new team when they open in Boston. That is also the site that ended Dwayne Wade’s season in back-to-back years.