If there was one single theme to this off-season for NBA it was ‘change’ not only was there quite a bit of significant player movement, but league itself underwent a makeover of sorts, finally expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six divisions of five teams each. Of course biggest headlines this off-season surrounded ongoing saga that has become Los Angeles Lakers. Basically Lakers surrendered to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for – namely exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson. Shadowed by Shaq move to Miami was what could end up being an even bigger deal with Tracy Mcgrady going from Orlando to Houston for Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Many speculate that tandem of Mcgrady and Yao Ming will be new Shaq-Kobe, but what is being overlooked is potential for Steve Francis to re-establish himself as “the franchise”. Other moves of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting a whole new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale changes after losing out on Nash in open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn Jamison and Antione Walker, and replaced Nash with Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and replaced 6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. One very interesting move that went relatively unheralded was trade of Al Harrington from Indiana to Atlanta for Stephen Jackson. Both players and teams should benefit greatly from this trade, especially Indiana, as it now allows Reggie Miller to come of bench. Then of course there are defending world champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications should be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace for a whole season, as well as adding Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both of whom would probably start for some teams) plus if they get anything at all out of last years lottery pick Darko Milicic it would be a bonus. When all is said and done this season all of shuffling will have gotten a lot of teams closer, and it might have closed some gaps, but come next summer final four should be very similar to what it has been recently, Detroit is still team to beat in East, and Indiana is only team with a chance to do so. In West San Antonio will once again be a force, and Minnesota should continue its recent success behind perennial MVP candidate Kevin Garnett.

RODS Most steelheaders use at least a seven weight rod. And in fact that is my recommendation. There that would be end of it, except for one thing. We, fly fishermen have a perpetual habit of complicating things. Choosing rods is no different. A seven weight, in my opinion is an ideal all around steelhead rod, that will work for any steelhead conditions. However if one is fishing out west in big water, under windy conditions, fighting bigger than average fish, then you will be cursing your seven weight rod in no time, as being too light. Therefore before you buy, think about fishing you most plan to do. If your favorite river is large and fish are big and current is strong then seven weight will not be big enough, if stream is smaller and fish are in six pound range than seven weight will be plenty. And some thrill seeking fly fisher’s will use six.