Have ball, will travel

Watching games every night, I'm struck by the number of obvious traveling violations that go uncalled in the NBA.

Let me preface my complaint by saying that NBA referees do an outstanding job and that they have a thankless job. I don't think there's a game that is more difficult to officiate, and the league's referees are the best in the world.

But for some reason over the years, players have been given more and more leeway to move pivot feet in the NBA. Plays that would automatically be called traveling at any other level are now routinely let go, and it's hurting the game.

On Sunday night in Dallas, Minnesota's Troy Hudson took at least three steps – and maybe four – as he sauntered into the lane for a layup. While 18,000 Mavericks fans screamed for a traveling call, none was made. (In fact, Hudson's defender was called for a foul and Hudson completed a three-point play). It is a scene that is repeated about three times per game, by my count.

The NBA has the best players in the world. But allowing them to travel is an affront to the integrity of the game.

It's time for a change. If a player travels, call it!

• Yao Ming will miss several weeks with a toe injury, so once again the Houston Rockets have to find a way to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race without one of their stars. Still, the Rockets should be much more equipped to handle Yao's absence than Tracy McGrady's.

While Yao provides a low-post force in half-court sets, the Rockets' offense really runs through McGrady. As long as he is healthy, Houston can generate enough points to win games, particularly if Dikembe Mutombo can continue to anchor the defense. Stromile Swift and Juwan Howard also must contribute during Yao's absence to solidify the Rockets' frontcourt.

• Houston's rise in the West has clearly been fueled by the return of McGrady, who missed five games in late November with a strained back. The Rockets have also received a huge lift from rookie Luther Head.

Inserted into the starting lineup when veteran Derek Anderson went down with a strained right calf muscle, Head has infused Houston's offense with energy, ball handling, quickness and perimeter shooting. Jeff Van Gundy lamented his team's lack of speed and hustle early in the season, but Head has provided so much of both that he may have earned a starting spot even when Anderson returns.

And with Bob Sura likely to be sidelined for most – if not all of the season – Head's presence in the Rockets' backcourt is even more important.

• Dallas guard Darrell Armstrong was asked to address the home crowd before the Mavericks' game against Minnesota on Sunday. After Armstrong thanked the fans for coming and wished them a happy holidays, he yelled into the mike, "How 'bout them Redskins?" (Earlier in the day, Armstrong's favorite NFL team had blasted Dallas' beloved Cowboys 35-7).

Knowing who butters his bread, Mavs coach Avery Johnson fined Armstrong $1,000 for the comment – all in good fun, presumably. Still, if I'm Armstrong, I'm hiring a bodyguard for the month.

• Denver Nuggets coach George Karl believes that every NBA rookie should have to spend a season in the developmental league, if only to experience life on the road as a minor leaguer. Karl feels – as many people in the NBA do – that rookies who enter the league are spoiled by the charter planes, the five-star hotels and the per diem. His theory is that a season of bus rides, motel stays and minor-league arenas would do a world of good for players in terms of their appreciation for the NBA, the life experience gained and, of course, their basketball development.

"They do it in baseball," Karl said. "How many baseball players go straight from high school to the pros?"

It's a wonderful thought, but it's not going to happen. The NBA players union wouldn't allow it. Not many clubs have sent rookies or second-year men to the D league for game experience this season, which they are allowed to do. Most teams feel the need to keep their players around for their own practices, and it seems they're not comfortable yet with sending players to their minor-league affiliates.

• With his Cleveland Cavaliers back on the right track after wins over Denver, Miami and Utah, coach Mike Brown hopes his players begin to understand the formula for winning in the NBA.

In their victories this season, the Cavaliers are averaging 108 points; in their losses, they score just 93 points a game. Brown wants his club to learn to win on the nights it is not making shots – a quality that truly separates the good clubs from the bad ones. As soon as Cleveland learns to grind out victories by making stops and executing in the half court down the stretch, it will be in business.

• One reason the Indiana Pacers want to part ways with Ron Artest is that they feel his heir apparent is already on the roster in rookie Danny Granger. Like Artest, Granger is a versatile defender who combines brute strength with great quickness, allowing him to guard multiple defenders. Granger's offensive game isn't anywhere near Artest's, but in time it could be.

With Artest gone – in theory anyway – the Pacers expect Granger to develop into a solid contributor this season. And with much less baggage.