Monday to Friday, The Basketball Jones look at the big games and story lines from the night before with a mix of in-depth analysis and irreverent humor. As always, questions and comments are appreciated.

On today's show, Skeets and Tas get to the bottom of the T-Mac saga in Houston. Is he actually ready to play? Is Morey looking to make a trade? Are the Rockets better off without him? All that, plus Michael Redd(notes) returns in Milwaukee, "The Red Rocket" lights it up in San Ant and The Jones are red faced over past mistakes.

The tape never lies!

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Listen up. File this away. Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett(notes) is tired of answering questions about his lingering knee issues ... so fall back like you lost your balance, bloggers and reporters.

"They're getting old," Garnett told Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald when a question about his pregame knee treatment was raised in the media scrum.

"OK? Y'all know what I'm dealing with here. I said (Sunday) that no one in this league at this point ... is 100 percent. Hell, I get worked on even when I didn't have surgery. It's just rituals and stuff like that. I always get treatment before games. If you see Paul [Pierce] and [Rajon] Rondo, I think they get massages before games. My ritual is no different from that."

You got that? Good. And while you're at it, stop asking about his pregame meal. It's a lion. Big deal.

NBA Off-Season 2009 asks: "Our generation's Bird, Parrish, and McHale?" The answer: Yes. Give it time. Best caption/imaginary conversation wins some tea and crumpets. Good luck.

After the jump, Durant takes a seat.

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I love the scream at the end.

So, Lakers forward Ron Artest(notes) was a guest on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" program Monday night. In his underwear. With Kimmel's name shaved into the back of his head. In his underw— wait, I already said that. "Shout out to David Stern!" I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! Revel in the madness, people.

In part two of the interview, Artest tells a story about Kobe, a shower and steam. Seriously.

Cheers, Ziller.

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your yin yang yolk.

Mike Bresnahan, L.A. Times: "Andrew Bynum, forgotten man? Amid all the attention heaped upon the return of Pau Gasol, the Lakers' 22-year-old center served notice that, um, he's still playing too. Bynum had 25 points on nine-for-11 shooting in the Lakers' 101-85 victory Sunday over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also had nine rebounds and made all seven of his free throws in almost 29 minutes. Toronto forward-center Chris Bosh is the only player in the league averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, though Bynum is close to being there too. He is now averaging 19.9 points and 11.2 rebounds. Are the All-Star voters paying attention? 'I hope to make it,' Bynum said. 'That's really a goal I had coming into this season. I think I'm playing at the level I need to be playing. All I can do is get votes now. I've got to keep it up.'"

RealGM: "Things have gone from bad to worse in Washington after Gilbert Arenas pointed the finger at Caron Butler for the team's struggles. Arenas said on Saturday that many of the team's players have 'hidden agendas.' The star guard continued his critical comments on Monday, singling out Butler. 'For the most part, we all get along,' Arenas said. 'There are, what, 15 players on the team? Fourteen do. ... At the end of the day, if 15 players don't want to go and it's only 14, you've seen 'Remember the Titans.' It's the same thing. We've just got to play.' When asked who was responsible for ending the in-fighting, Arenas said, 'Me and Antawn [Jamison]. That's our jobs [as captains].' He conveniently left Butler, the third co-captain, out. Butler wasn't as direct as Arenas and said that a few wins might cure everything in Washington."

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Milwaukee at San Antonio

OK, this does move around a bit, so let's try to keep up.

Tim Duncan(notes)? In. Andrew Bogut(notes)? Out. Michael Redd(notes)? Out. Manu Ginobili(notes)? Out. Tony Parker(notes)? In. Luc Mbah a Moute? Out, possibly. Richard Jefferson(notes)? In, with the Spurs.

Brandon Jennings(notes)? So, so in.

This could be a pretty solid matchup. The Spurs haven't been up to their usual stuff defensively this year, but they have been able to put points on the board. The Bucks have been stellar defensively since the outset, and though losing Bogut will hurt them in that area, replacement pivots Dan Gadzuric(notes) and Kurt Thomas(notes) are hardly slouches in that area.

Just four games tonight, including a trip to Portland for the Bulls, and a pair of lesser pairings (Kings and Grizzlies, Clippers and Timberwolves) that are bound to put NBA basketball back at least a decade. Which would be fine by me, because I'd be in better shape, and I didn't mind using a 28.8k connection.

Comment away, cats.

Milwaukee Bucks: 8-3, 94.3 possessions per game (11^th-most in the NBA), 104.9 points scored per 100 possessions (19^th), 99.2 points allowed per 100 possessions (second).

San Antonio Spurs: 5-6, 90.3 possessions per game (27^th), 109.5 points scored per 100 possessions (fifth), 106.9 points allowed per 100 possessions (17^th).

All statistics courtesy basketball-reference.com.

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.

C: NBA FanHouse. Should Rashard Lewis(notes) have been suspended during the playoffs?
PF: STF. NBA stars of our youth have fathered sons who are starting to make their college debuts.
SF: Nets Are Scorching. A statistical look at Sean Williams(notes) and why he should play more.
SG: Philadelphia Daily News. When was the last time you were at a Sixers game, Philly?
PG: NQTC. Some statistical analysis of Derrick Rose's(notes) shot selection.
6th: KevinDurant35.com. Durantula be bloggin'.
7th: Strotty's Blog. In case you weren't convinced, Brandon Jennings(notes) is looking like the real deal.
8th: CelticsHub. A video breakdown looking at all the factors that go into a massive run.
9th: Third Quarter Collapse. Who needs Jameer Nelson(notes) when you have Jason Williams(notes)?
10th: Basketball-Reference.com Blog. How good would Len Bias have been?

Got a tip or link for Ball Don't Lie? Hit me up at jeskeets [at] yahoo.ca or follow me on Twitter.

Good news, Hornets fans: Superstar point guard Chris Paul(notes) is no longer walking with the aid of a plastic boot on his injured right ankle. Word has it he also ditched Kuribo's Shoe after completing World 5.

Paul attended his team's shoot-around Saturday morning at the New Orleans Arena, and was seen wearing a tennis shoe or two at Saturday and Sunday night's games.

He severely sprained his ankle 10 days ago against the Blazers.

"I still don't know," Paul said of a timetable for his return, which has been left open-ended since the team announced results of an MRI exam that was performed on the ankle Nov. 14. "(Saturday) was my first day without the boot. As long as I'm walking, I'm good."

That said, Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune reports there is still a slight limp in CP3's gait, so Hornets fans are encouraged to mail in all the 1-Up Mushrooms and invincibility stars they can.

Thunder star Kevin Durant says "hi" to the cameras/celebrities during Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in California. Best caption wins some frozen green peas. Good luck.

After the jump, Jrue, the comedian.

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