That's what the Cavaliers' win over the New York Knicks felt like on Friday. An attention-drawing exercise to its core, bent on pumping up the "will-he-or-won't-he?" question regarding LeBron James'(notes) impending 2010 free agency, and a Knick team that would dearly love to sign him with its also impending 2010 cap space.

Cleveland's win? It hardly mattered. The team did well to rebound fully from a tough loss to Chicago the night before, as coach Mike Brown seemed willing to tinker with new starting lineups (Anderson Varejao(notes) out, J.J. Hickson(notes) in), while the defense and offensive spacing improved.

The story was James, though. And, to a far lesser extent, a Knicks club that seems more and more dispirited by the day. Sure, these Knicks were never any good to begin with. But they've lost that sense of joie de vivre that marked the team's turnaround campaign last season. They've stopped running, stopped working and appear to have stopped caring.

These Knicks should be expected to provide maximum effort. They are professionals, after all, playing in front of some of the most expensive tickets in sports.

But human nature is a hard cloud to steer your way out of, especially when things are dark and gloomy amongst the haze. And with no Knick knowing if they'll be back next year -- next month, next week -- it's hard to shake the feeling that you're a piece of impermanent property, meant to be flipped and turned for profit once July of 2010 hits.

LeBron James could not care less about the hurt feelings of his opponents. He was jawing with fans, chatting with Yankees sitting courtside and shaking hands with spectators from the beginning. Smiling from the outset, enjoying the hell out of all the attention this spectacle brought, and destroying the Knicks from the opening tip.

With jump shots, mind you. Low-percentage looks for any player, much less James, who still is an iffy outside shooter despite very noticeable fundamental changes in the way he tosses it up.

He's so damn good that he can get away with rubbing it in during the first quarter, essentially telling the Knicks that "not only are these fans wearing my jersey and chanting my name in your house, but I'm going to destroy you with the least-effective weapon in my arsenal. My worst is still better than your best. Way better. And Jay-Z answers on the third ring every time I call. I don't even call him that much."

This isn't to slam LeBron. Even at his relative young age (24), this is all he's known for years. But he does have an ego that even this town couldn't hope to house, and if he did sign with New York this summer, it would be because James is tackier and more gauche than we once gave him credit for.

And we think he can be pretty tacky.

We also think he's the best player in the game, and it's not even close.

He totaled 33 points, seven assists, nine rebounds, three steals, a would-be block that was termed a goal-tend by the referees and seven turnovers. And though it's annoying to hear every time he pinpoints a bounce pass in the right direction, James does look for his teammates out of instinct. Not because -- in order to appease any detractors -- he feels as if he has to mix it up.

Jeff Van Gundy tried to tell us during the game that he thinks it's obvious that James already knows where he's going, that he's just being coy about his intentions. I can't see how that can be the case for any right-thinking human. And James is a right-thinking human.

The Cavs could win 70 games this season. The Cavs could peter out at .500. The Knicks could find a taker for Eddy Curry(notes) and/or Jared Jeffries(notes), and almost completely clear their cap space. Or, as presently constructed, they could roll into the offseason with about $27 million on the books next year, probably without about $25 million in cap space, most of which James would immediately eat up, with half a roster left to fill.

Point is, James can't possibly know in November what he's doing next July. There are too many variables and -- not sure if you've noticed -- several teams with loads and loads of cap space, Cleveland included. Some of them have much more cap space. One of them is owned, in part, by Jay-Z.

And as calculating and aware of his station as James is, let's give the man some credit, and assume that he hasn't assumed anything.

All those assumptions, after all, are important him. It drives up the attention, something he just can't stop helping himself to these days.

Cross-promotion helps, sometimes, but you still need to be bashed over the head with it sometimes. Sometimes you forget the motivation, even when it should be completely and utterly obvious.

Like last night, when TNT reminded us that ESPN was showcasing a Cavaliers-Knicks game on Friday night, I just assumed it was a ratings grab. A championship contender versus a team that draws in the entire tri-state area. Makes sense in November.

Then, a day later, someone reminds you of the real reason. Ah, shirt. We're back to this again? James to the Knicks?

It's the only time this season James visits New York City, so we're supposed to assume that this is some sort of on-court pitch job. LeBron's Yankees have a championship parade on Friday, the Madison Square Garden rims are supposed to be as inviting as ever and the Knicks will have 48 minutes to inform LBJ that there are, indeed, two "L's" in "Gallinari."

The Knicks like to run, the team is fifth in the NBA in possessions per game, so they have a chance against the Cavaliers -- a team that played and lost last night.

Beyond that, this is going to be annoying. So annoying. Get ready for three hours of "analysis" from people who have absolutely no clue when it comes to salary-cap space, endorsements, LeBron's motivations (because nobody, at this point, has any clue) or Cleveland's own impending cap freedom.

You know how they tell you that the odd glass of red wine can actually be healthy for you? This might be the night to get really, really "healthy."

Comment away during the game below and check back after the contest for continued analysis and reaction to James' lone trip to NYC.

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: Hooped Up. If you don't follow Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi(notes) on Twitter, you're missing out.
PF: CelticsHub. The Lakers starters have played more minutes than the C's starters in one fewer game.
SF: OS. Third Quarter Collapse has been nominated for the best sports blog in Orlando, so, vote already.
SG: NQTC. Norm thought you might like this picture of Kirk Hinrich(notes) with blood pouring out of his chin.
PG: Silver Screen and Roll. Andrew Bynum(notes) is wisely avoiding playing against the Grizzlies.
6th: The Blowtorch. And the winner of today's Internet is ... Trey and his Millard Fillmore throat tattoo.
7th: Bullets Forever. Five possible ways to get Caron Butler's(notes) game going. (Note: We see you, Caron!)
8th: KnickerBlogger. An open letter to LeBron James(notes) ...
9th: Sactown Royalty. Hilarious fake headline: "Kings officially NBA's most screwed franchise."
10th: Basketball-Reference.com Blog. New NBA MVP Award Tracker, anyone?

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

Based on my experience with trick shot videos, I know that this clip of 76ers forward Andre Iguodala(notes) swishing a ball off the practice gym wall will elicit five types of comments: 1) "Sick shot!" 2) "Fake!" 3) "That's not that hard to do if you try it enough times." 4) "Who cares? He should be practicing his jumper!" and 5) "You can meet hundreds of thousands of nice single girls and guys in your city and find the beauty of life at W e a l t h y C h a t . C O M." Which one are you going to go with today?

After the jump, Amar'e feels the burn.

Winner, jakew:
Launching t-shirts just wasn't enough for the Suns!

Co-runner-up, Gabriel Rockman:
"I'm trying to simulate the gravitational pull effect that Shaquille O'Neal(notes) used to give when he was here."

Co-runner-up, Stickus Maximus:
Amar'e: "Um, are you sure this is how we're supposed to play defense?"
Spurs Assistant Coach: "I'm wearing a Suns shirt, aren't I? Sure it is! You have to stay as FAR away from Duncan as possible, or else you'll foul him! And Coach yells when you foul, right?"
Amar'e: "Um ... yeah, he does ... and then I have to sit, so I can't score! Stretch it more!"

In an effort to take his game to the next level over the summer, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes) solicited help from of one of the greatest players of all time — and personal favorite — Hakeem Olajuwon.

A week before training camp in September, the master of "The Dream Shake" gave Bryant a two-hour lesson on everything from head fakes and ball fakes to spin moves and jab steps. And judging by the looks of Kobe's moves during Wednesday's win over the Rockets, the star pupil was paying close attention in class.

Jeff Eisenberg of The Press-Enterprise:

Each time he backed down Houston's Shane Battier(notes) in the post and then deftly spun around him for a layup Wednesday night, Bryant jogged up court staring into the same pocket of fans seated courtside across from the scorer's table.

The man who met his gaze knew exactly the message Bryant was trying to convey.

"He looked at me to confirm, 'I'm using what you taught me,'" Olajuwon said. "That was the greatest gift for me. It was wonderful."

Here's something to think about (courtesy of SLAM): After 14 successful years in the league, Kobe can — and still wants to — learn from The Dream, yet Andrew Bynum is done with Kareem Abdul Jabbar after just a few injury-plagued seasons. File under reason number 6,947 why Kobe Bryant is a beast.

On today's show, Skeets and Tas lift anchor and set sail for the uncharted waters of TNT's Thursday night schedule. Can Shaq and Big Z co-exist in Cleveland? Are the Jazz already playing must-win games? Was LeBron robbed of a late-game foul call? All that, plus Yacht Rock Crossfire, the case for Anthony Randolph(notes) and Wanker of the Week.

Keep it nautical, basketball brethren, and have a smooth weekend.

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Two words: Watch Chuck get confused while taping a promo for "NBA on TNT."

Two more words: "I'm on a diet, no more bull penis."

In an interview with ESPN the Magazine, Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis said he wants to play in the NFL — but not before he becomes an elite NBA player.

Elite, eh? That may take a little while.

"I will try it," said Davis, who's on the injured list for six weeks with a broken right thumb sustained in a good ol' fashioned car fight. "When I become an All-Star in the NBA, when I become a great player in the NBA, then I'll try football. One of my dreams has always been to play football."

The 6-foot-9, 290-pound "Baby" was reportedly a terrific two-way football player at University Laboratory High School in Baton Rouge, LA, starring at defensive end, defensive tackle and tailback. (Yes, tailback. And you thought Jerome Bettis was a bus!) Davis chose to hang up his cleats when he accepted a scholarship to play hoops at LSU. Good choice.

"I definitely could have made it to the NFL," Davis said.

As crazy as that might sound, Jill White, the athletic director at Davis' university, recalls watching him dominate the gridiron during his early years of high school. "Glen was a beast. He could do anything he wanted on the field. I can remember one game, he had people hanging all over him, maybe four different guys trying to take him down and he was just dragging them all along."

Below is some footage of Davis playing pigskin during his sophomore year in high school.

What do you think, scouts?

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
• Unbelievably tall football player battles against prejudices
• MLB pitching ace busted for marijuana possession
• Jordan’s son’s shoes could cost school $3 million

Frank Isola, New York Daily News: "LeBron James, the most famous Yankees fan living in Ohio, says he will not be attending Friday's victory parade in lower Manhattan. 'No, my parade starts at eight at night,' LeBron told Cleveland reporters, referring to Friday's game with the Knicks. James makes his one and only visit to New York on Friday (of course, his official visit is July 1st when he is scheduled to become a free agent.) 'I've thought about playing everywhere,' James said prior to Thursday's game with Chicago. 'At one point in my life, I've thought about playing every team in the NBA.' James did admit that the league would be better off if the Knicks were a contending team. [...] 'I think the league is doing just fine, but with the Knicks being good, the Celtics being good, the Lakers being good, it makes the league that much better. I'm talking as a fan now, please understand.'"

Ailene Voisin, Sac Bee: "Kevin Martin leaned against the wall in the Kings' practice facility Thursday afternoon, still very much in shock, his damaged left wrist dangling at his side. Hours earlier, an MRI revealed that the league's third-leading scorer — and the Kings' best player — sustained a hairline fracture Monday night in a collision with the Memphis Grizzlies' Allen Iverson(notes). Martin was presented with three options, all of them terrible: He can wear a soft cast and attempt to play, risking further injury and possibly a complete break. He can undergo surgery and have a screw inserted to stabilize the bone, with recovery projected at six to eight weeks. Or he can have the arm casted and hope that the wrist heals itself during a comparable six- to eight-week rehabilitation period."

Kevin Ding, OC Register: "[Ron] Artest said his former Rockets teammates were 'definitely trying to get me ejected' by throwing elbows at him, and he acknowledged he might've indulged the notion if not for a little NBA commissioner/angel appearing on his shoulder. A jolt from Ariza just minutes into the game — after Artest said Luis Scola(notes) already threw one — nearly sent Artest, suspended 72 games by Stern in 2004, back into arrest. 'I wanted to (choke Ariza) because he hit me with the elbow,' Artest said. 'But then I thought about David Stern, and I thought I wasn't going to do this. I got hit with three or four elbows. It's just not fair. I don't want to fight.' Did I clearly articulate that Artest did think about it, though? Let me clarify: He mentioned that he thought in the moment how certain he was that he was stronger than Ariza and contemplated his interest in making someone his 'punching bag.' Yet with Kobe Bryant(notes) interceding and shepherding Artest away, the match didn't light - and Artest was able to joke (I think he was joking) about it all."

Jeff McDonald, S.A. Express-News: "If the new, more collapsible rims introduced before the start of the season are really creating more so-called 'shooter's rolls,' the Spurs haven't noticed. Quietly, the NBA switched manufacturers to bring about the most significant change in that piece of equipment since the advent of breakaway rims in 1981. The new basket system, made by Spalding and called the 'Arena Pro 180 Goal,' collapse from both the front and sides. In the past, breakaway rims have collapsed only from the front. Some shooters report the change has made the rims more forgiving for shooters, deadening shots that used to bounce out. And scoring is up early across the league. Asked about the change before Thursday's game at Utah, coach Gregg Popovich has he hadn't heard anything about it. Neither had many of his players. 'I didn't know,' Roger Mason(notes) Jr. said. 'I really have noticed anything different.'"

Michael Wallace, Miami Herald: "Might I suggest three words to those who have clearly drawn lines and are firmly on one side or the other in this Michael Beasley(notes)/Udonis Haslem debate. Pipe down. Please. Don't get me wrong. Passion this time of year, just two weeks into the NBA season? Perfect. But outright rage in some corners after just five games? Ridiculous. Here the Heat sits, off to a solid 4-1 start entering Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets. And here many in Heat nation stand, picking apart who sits in crunch time at the end of games. While coach Erik Spoelstra's rotation decisions cost him in Tuesday's loss to Phoenix, there was no price to be paid Wednesday in Washington."

Chris Dempsey, Denver Post: "Everyone who watched Ty Lawson(notes) blow by defenders, sprint the ball upcourt and hit 3-pointers that New Jersey's defense conceded in order to keep him out of the lane came away impressed. And a scene that is sure to be repeated this season followed the Nuggets' Wednesday night blowout victory. Denver coach George Karl was peppered with questions about his rookie point guard from a media contingent that seemed shocked at what it witnessed. Odd, because Lawson led North Carolina to the NCAA title a year ago. But Lawson figures to turn heads all season long in his NBA debut, including that of his coach, who detests the reputation he has for not playing rookies, although three weeks ago he defended his right not to play Lawson. 'Just remember, there's not a lot of rookies that have helped teams win 55-60 games,' Karl said then. 'Our job is probably to win 55-60 games this year. There's a difference between being good and being a player that produces winning. There are players that are good but don't know how to win in the NBA, and rookies are usually a lot of those guys.'"

Marc Stein, ESPN: "It's been about a week since we had any certifiable chatter to pass along on the Stephen Jackson(notes) trade front. That's not because the Warriors have slowed the search for trade partners — to the contrary — but because the most interested parties (Cleveland and Denver) are generally high-payroll teams that can't easily absorb Jackson's long-term contract. The Cavs and the Nuggets, furthermore, just aren't teeming with tradeable (and available) assets to hook Golden State. What we can confirm, though, is that Charlotte has to be mentioned more prominently on the list of interested suitors. We've briefly noted the Bobcats' interest in a couple of previous entries, but further checking reveals that the Bobs have seriously explored the prospect of trading for Jackson, apparently undaunted by the fact that they weren't mentioned when Jackson announced late in the summer that he wanted to be dealt to Cleveland, New York or one of the three Texas teams."

John Canzano, The Oregonian: "Blazers front office executives talk positively about their mandatory team-building experience. And maybe they're slapping backs and working more efficiently because they went on desert hikes, climbed walls and sat around afterward talking about what it was like to overcome obstacles together. There's real value in bringing people together. We all know that. And the Blazers understand that better than most professional sports organizations that haven't navigated the field of broken glass that lies behind this franchise. Sure, fans are concerned about the 2-3 start. The Spurs are next. And we're coming to the realization that the expectations for the team weren't out of whack, but the circumstances certainly were. If Miller and Roy are still struggling to play together in December, you can start talking trade of the new guy. And if McMillan continues to dabble in a way that prevents the Blazers from finding comfort, we can begin the dialogue about whether he's the right coach to lead the team into the future. But all that talk today is insanely premature. It makes you want to climb a pole and jump off it."

Jeff Rabjohns, The Indianapolis Star: "Ten years after Conseco Fieldhouse opened its doors, this shrine to Indiana basketball — part museum, part arena — remains one of the most revered basketball venues in the nation and has altered the idea of what an NBA arena should be. The retro-styled home of the Indiana Pacers — a modern venue soaked in history — has influenced other teams to rethink nondescript multipurpose buildings and embrace designs tied to basketball's past. Charlotte, Dallas, Memphis and San Antonio are among franchises that modeled specific elements of their new arenas after what they saw at Conseco. New Jersey, which has a new arena in the works, also is aiming in that direction."

Seemingly - that is to say, "just some of the time, despite the hyperbole that follows" - after every ugly Cavalier loss we'll hear either Mike Brown or some random Cavalier musing about how it was the defense that did them in. When, in fact, it was the offense that was stagnant and well-below par. And even when everyone knows it. Even when Charles Barkley knows it.

And yet, after tonight's loss to the Bulls, we actually heard LeBron James(notes) musing about how the offense was poor. Finally. And it was poor - just over 93 points per 100 possessions.

So, of course, I'm going to complain about Cleveland's defense to start. Because I always have to have something to complain about.

Chicago's offense was just one point better than a Cleveland offense I called "poor." But the team had makeable shots, all night. Derrick Rose(notes), Jannero Pargo(notes), Taj Gibson(notes), Brad Miller(notes) and (especially) Luol Deng(notes) all had good looks at the basket on their favorite shots, and still clanged one miss after another.

If the Bulls knock in their usual percentage of open looks, these shots typical to each player, the Bulls score over a hundred points in what was a pretty slow (91 possessions) game. And this isn't a case of Shaquille O'Neal(notes) or Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) failing to get out on screen and roll. This was across the board. In fact, Shaq was pretty sterling tonight, defensively, and not just because of his five blocks.

Maybe we're just used to the Cavalier offense stinking so much, so the defensive lapses seem like a surprise. Make no mistake, offense was still a huge problem.

We've been blaming Mike Brown for years, but last I checked, the players are allowed to break plays. The players are allowed to push the ball. The players are allowed to run, and they don't. Especially LeBron. I can rip the coaching staff all season, but it's not going to change anything if the Cavaliers don't stop making offense so hard on themselves. They just make things tougher than they have to be.

The Bulls missed 52 shots on Thursday. 52. You're telling me you can't find a way to run on these things? With all these long rebounds, after missed jumpers?

After a while, because we get so used to the lackluster performances in one area, we just can't help but look to another. As it is with offense, then focusing on defense. As it was Mike Brown ... and now the Cavaliers themselves. I don't care if the coaching staff is holding up a stop sign every time you corral a defensive board. Push the ball. Look for easy scores.

Don't look to lose at home against a Bulls team that shoots its way out of half the games it plays in.

Just six turnovers for Chicago tonight. The team's coaching staff did a good job of keeping things simple, and as noted earlier, had Chicago actually deigned to hit those good looks, they would have enjoyed a comfortable road win.

Utah 113, San Antonio 99

The Utah Jazz are just two seasons removed from leading the NBA in offensive efficiency, so this sort of outburst (127 points per 100 possessions) can't really be termed "surprising," no? This is a very good offensive team.

And the Spurs? They haven't played in a while, they seemed dispirited by some calls that went the wrong way (non-calls, really) early on, and just didn't seem to want to bang with Utah. Kind of strange to be burned out after so much time off, but the heart wants what it wants.

There are some legitimate health problems with this team. Tim Duncan(notes) can still put up the points in certain matchups, as he showed us against Chicago last week, but that added gear (yes, fundamental big men that look slower than they actually are have extra gears) just isn't there. He doesn't have that extra half-foot, that extra step, that needed advantage to dominate.

Manu Ginobili(notes) doesn't appear to have any gears going at all. He looks, at once, out of shape and lacking lower body strength. I can say this despite not having seen him in person this season, while owning a 19-inch TV, and with no medical background of any kind.

You can say it, too. He sways on shots, his step-back moves aren't back yet, and his footwork is off. He might need another month. Maybe more.

The Jazz set the tone early with physical play, and decided not to let up. The Mavericks game from earlier this week, with Dirk Nowitzki(notes) going off for 29 fourth quarter points, was obviously in their head. And even though this was a pretty even game after the first quarter (the Jazz were up 12 after the first 12 minutes, and won the game by 14), it takes a certain toughness to play ahead and stay ahead.

To me, commenting with any certainty on the Spurs seems like a wasted exercise, and not worth your time. It's almost like discussing the exhibition season. These aren't the Spurs, and they may not really be the Spurs until winter really takes hold.

Carlos Boozer(notes) had four of his shots blocked, but otherwise made 12 of 16 shots and looks to be gaining strength. Deron Williams(notes) - 27 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, constant movement - was pretty fantastic. The man runs a great game.

Hell yes, we're back at this. I'm sorry, but who doesn't sport a bit of nostalgia for Dr. Dunkenstein (Darrell Griffith)? Certainly not this guy. Every chance we get, we're going vintage with the photos.

The Spurs have a goofy schedule. They've been off for five days, they'll have a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, and then they'll be off for five more days. Then they'll get another back to back.

Obviously, David Stern's just messing with Gregg Popovich at this point. Gregg Popovich doesn't care. You could waterboard Coach Pop, and he'd come out whistling some jaunty tune about Tim Duncan(notes) going glass.

The Jazz have lost three of their first four games, but this is still a playoff team. Carlos Boozer's(notes) bound to get his licks back, Deron Williams(notes) will soon start to take over games once he realizes the truth about his supporting cast, and the schedule will even out. The coaching will stay sound, too. You could waterboard Jerry Sloan, and he'd come out whistling some jaunty tune about Tim Duncan going glass. Weird how that happens.

Just two games tonight, this is paired with the Bulls visiting Cleveland, so comment away below.

New Yorc — Today, the NBA announced the launch of its third annual Dyslexic Heritage Month, a program that recognizes the NBA's dyslexic fans and players (Bibby, Graham, Kaman, etc.). Dyslexic Heritage Month will take place in six NBA markets this season (up from eight in 2008-09): Loss Angales, Torontoe, Feeeeeenix, Minnesoda, Houstin and New Yorc.

"The NBA has one of the largest and fastest-growing dyslexic fan bases in U.S. professional sports, and we want to continue building their interest in the game through participation, programming and killer jerseys," said Robert Nordoff, the name of a guy I just made up.

Dyslexic Heritage Month, first launched during the 2003-04 season, will feature celebratory uniforms developed in conjunction with Jay Leno, to display the team name as spoken and written by dumb NBA bloggers suffering with the learning disability. (The Miame Heet, for example. Or the Charlit Bobkats.)

The festivities tip off on Tuesday, Dec 1, when the Loss Angales Lekers host the New Orleanz Hornetz.

Dyslexic jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts and headwear will be available at the NBA Store on 5th Avenue, NBAStore.com, and in-arena stores for participating teams.

Cheers, TheNoLookPass.

(Yes, that was vampire joke.)

In an effort to bring peace between San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili(notes), the southern U.S. bat population and, presumably, those crazy kooks at PETA, one creative San Antonio-based brewery is offering free beer for the people.

Yep, you heard me, free beer!

The Freetail Brewing Company says every time the Spurs win a game, and no Mexican Free-tailed Bats are caught by that Ozzy Osbourne-wannabee pictured right, everyone at the brewery will receive a free pint of lager. In addition, the brewery will donate $1 on thepatron's behalf to Bat Conservation International.

Ginobili punked a bat that got loose inside the AT&T Center on Halloween night, delaying the Spurs' game against the Sacramento Kings. Once down for the count, Manu picked up the bat and handed it to an usher as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Something tells me they won't be so kind with a free beer or two riding on the line.

(I can't believe the Utah Flash didn't think of this first.)

Cheers, WOAI and Dime.

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: GQ. Golden State Warriors rookie Stephen Curry(notes) talks/blogs about his NBA debut.
PF: With Malice. Sam Smith is crazy if he thinks LBJ-to-LA works whilst Kobe's still there.
SF: SRI. Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace discusses the complaints by Allen Iverson(notes) after just one game.
SG: Tax Watchdog. Report: NBA legend and Raps assistant coach Alex English owes the tax man $127k.
PG: TrueHoop. According to sources, DeJuan Blair(notes) was 10 seconds away from being a Cavalier.
6th: Supersonicsoul. Graph: Eventual NBA champions' first 10 games.
7th: 3030FM. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird trade barbs on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."
8th: Dime. Five player rivalries some would like to see start this year or in the immediate future.
9th: The Painted Area. Is Vince Carter's(notes) Hall of Fame legacy on the line?
10th: Empty The Bench. Should NBA TV analyst Rick Kamla be suspended for his flippant Yi remarks?

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

After the jump, LeBron, on bended knee.

Winner, memberofthepack4:
LeBron: "Crap! I don't have a ring!"
Powe: "Ay, man, don't worry, you can borrow mine."

Co-runner-up, Zack:
Varejao's jealousy is as obvious as Moon's over-acting ...

Co-runner-up, Ol' Leather Pumpkin:
Melas (off camera): "You guys are the worst Boys II Men cover band ever."

And here I was thinking Ball Don't Lie was special ...

Like my good friends to the south (SLAM Online, FreeDarko, The Sporting News' Baseline), we, too, have been given the power to give away one free NBA League Pass Broadband account.

To win this semi-exclusive prize, all you have to do is remit your answer, in the comments section below or via Twitter, to the following compound question: What 2009-10 NBA regular season game can you absolutely, positively, undeniably not go without watching on LP ... and why?

The winner will be selected by an elite panel of BDL judges. Entrants will be judged on creativity, effectiveness (statement of objective) and writing style/quality. Begging will not be considered.

Good luck.

Nationally and locally televised games are subject to blackout and are therefore not available via NBA LEAGUE PASS BROADBAND (regardless of whether team is home or away). This contest is for US participants only. (Sorry, Tas.)

By entering the sweepstakes you agree to release Sponsor, the NBA Entities, Ball Don't Lie and their respective affiliates and agencies from any and all liabilities for injuries, damages or losses of any kind to in connection with the sweepstakes, prize or any prize-related activity.

On today's show, Skeets and Tas discuss how far the Rockets can go with Ariza as their go-to scorer. Tas heads to the ACC to clap for Oak while Skeets instructs Tyler Hansbrough on the finer points of acting. All that, plus Detroit trade rumors, killer Kobe and CP3's stat sheet domination.

All the world is a stage; and all the men and women merely players.

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I'm with the model on this one, because this Charles Barkley shirt from Beasted Clothing is TBS Very Funny. Go buy it from Karmaloop.com, then come back here and we'll talk about this shirt.

Welcome back, we missed you.

But let's talk about this shirt. I like it. The color that makes it look like prison garb, funny. The portrait, funny. The location of the portrait, funny. The way the company name (Beasted) perfectly describes the look on Chuck's face, funny.

All in all, this shirt gets the Trey Kerby seal of approval:

Ball Don't Lie's Swag Rating: Three Muggsy Bogues ...

I really loved watching this game. Such fun. Such flow.

Yao Ming(notes) and Pau Gasol(notes) are two of my favorite players, absolute favorite players, and they couldn't take part. The Lakers played the night before, and played 53 minutes the night before, so they weren't working at peak efficiency. The Rockets want some shots back, maybe some calls back. It wasn't perfect.

But, damn ... I watched 12 hours of basketball on Sunday, six on Monday night, six on Tuesday night, and six on Wednesday night. That's not even getting into the afternoon watching, just me as a fan, with nothing to write about. Nearing the end of a ten-game Wednesday run, even in the first week? This is burnout time.

These two teams, though? Perfection. Absolute perfection. Staved off burnout. Staved off ennui.

It wasn't the perfect back and forth. Shots didn't go in, rotations were missed, poor decisions were made, tongues were dragging, 7-footers were missing. Didn't matter. It just didn't matter.

I don't know if I can offer much on this game, as an analyst. It was exactly what you'd expect. The Lakers probably dug themselves too deep a hole by going away from Kobe Bryant(notes) as much as they did on offense. Trevor Ariza(notes) (5-21 shooting) sort of came back to earth, his attempt at working as the Next Great Wing Sensation died when he flew too close to the sun. While being guarded by Ron Artest(notes).

Ron-Ron? He could have been a lot worse, but he also reined it in somewhat. Before the last, clutch, three-pointer he hit; Ron was ready to end the night needing 13 shots to score 12 points. But it could have been worse. I've seen it turn out worse, on that court.

Everything else? Loved it.

Kobe Bryant was so picturesque perfect in this game, and I don't mind telling you that this is just about as good as I've ever seen him.

He's, literally, scored nearly twice as much as he did tonight (41 points). He's done brighter, flashier things on bigger stages, with more to lose, with more going on. Doesn't matter.

Against Shane Battier(notes), who knows exactly what to do, Kobe did something he's never done against Shane - take it to the post.

Take it to the post, to that triple-threat, and drive the Rockets mad. Make them his absolute creature. Just run things. If this is latter-day Kobe Bryant, then latter-day Kobe Bryant will be dominant. Completely and utterly dominant. Jordan-esque, dominant, in a way that Kobe just wasn't even when he was dropping 40 by hitting contested jumpers from 21-feet away.

Just the perfect game. As I mentioned before - he's faced scarier circumstances. But the game's most dogged competitor put dogged those instincts aside tonight, in favor of a brain that ranks amongst the game's elite. The game's all-time elite.

I know it's the first week of the season, I know you think I'm fawning, and I don't care. This wasn't just another 41-point game for Kobe Bryant. This was basketball, at its best.

Where to transition to? Derek Fisher(notes) had the rare zero-point, zero-rebound, zero-assist game. But he played ... well. OK. Good D. Got away with some hand-checks, maybe, but he pushed Aaron Brooks(notes) into places he didn't want to go. Didn't shut Brooks down, but Fisher made Phil Jackson happy much in the same way that Ron Harper made Phil Jackson happy. And Ron Harper always makes me happy.

The Rockets? They're just a joy.

Chuck Hayes(notes) is a 6-6 Kevin Garnett(notes). His footwork belongs on Mt. Rushmore. His hands belong in the Smithsonian. He had two steals tonight, and caused as many jump balls. He's a center that's in the top five in steals, per game, in barely half a game. His defense is unbelievable. And now (7-9 shooting, no hesitation around the hoop) you have to pay attention to him when someone drives and dishes.

Carl Landry(notes) (20 and eight rebounds) is back with us. Aaron Brooks tried. Shane Battier lost 15 pounds in 47 minutes of play. Ariza shook off frustration to send the game to overtime. I love this team.

I love these Lakers, too. I root for Goliath, when Goliath is great.

Scratch that. I root for Goliath, when I see greatness in Goliath, and Goliath feels like following through on his way toward greatness.

And this team is great. This team, without Pau Gasol, just played two overtime games in as many days on the road, and came out victorious in both.

What a fantastic contest. Thanks for that.

***

Toronto 110, Detroit 99

Because we know absolutely nothing about the way pro basketball works, the Detroit Pistons entered Wednesday working as the exact opposite of where we thought they would be in John Kuester's first season as coach - 24^th in offensive efficiency, sixth in defensive efficiency.

They then proceeded to give up 123.6 points per 100 possessions to the Raptors. A-HA! Clap hands.

The Raptors earned 47 (!) trips to the line in a slow, 89-possession game, making 36 freebies overall. Throw in just six turnovers, and you have a primo offensive outing. Detroit wasn't half bad itself, Ben Gordon(notes) scored 30 points on only 19 shots and new starter Ben Wallace(notes) actually helped more on offense than he hurt. The team missed eight of 25 free throw attempts, and Rodney Stuckey(notes) needed 18 shots to score 13 points.

Andrea Bargnani(notes) finished with 22 points, two blocks, and 12 boards; earning his eighth double-double in 225 career games. Nice floor game from Hedo Turkoglu(notes), who tossed around 16 points, seven boards, six assists and zero turnovers.

Detroit seemed to run out of gas late, possibly a holdover from Tuesday night's tough win over the Orlando Magic. Or, they're not that good. We'll know by May.

***

Orlando 122, Phoenix 100

Orlando walked all over the Suns, managing nearly 126 points per 100 possessions (that's ... a lot), destroying the previously undefeated Suns just a day after losing their much-lauded undefeated status. What the week it was, it was. The week. That undefeated week. That was.

Dwight Howard(notes) just went straight through whoever Phoenix tried to place in front of him, Matt Barnes(notes) helped put his former team away (especially in the second half) with 13 points, five assists, and 11 boards. And Ryan Anderson(notes) is rather beastly at this point.

20 and 10 for Anderson, in 25 minutes. He gave the Magic a steal and an assist and didn't turn the ball over once. It was a sterling night out for a man with a goatee.

Grant Hill(notes) and Jason Richardson(notes) combined to miss all nine of their attempts from the floor, Channing Frye(notes) never got going due to early foul trouble, Steve Nash(notes) missed a series of shots he should really make, though Amar'e Stoudemire(notes) finally broke out with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Stoudemire scored in myriad ways, it was pretty nice to watch.

The Magic won by 22 in spite of missing two starters and, somehow, Hedo Turkoglu.

***

Miami 93, Washington 89

This game just never spoke to me. It just seemed a bit, I don't know, 2006 to me. Odd.

Dwyane Wade(notes) made over half his shots and finished with 40 points, but so much time spent at the line (10 of 13) just made for a dreary watch. Same for Gilbert Arenas(notes), who made only a third of his shots but still finished with 32 points. I should be right chuffed that both players, who were pushed to the brink over the last few years due to a series of crippling injuries, are back to going at it; but I guess I was just too dour to take this one in.

Close game, too. Lots of lead changes. Lots of diving on the floor, and gutsy play. Dan Shulman always calls a great game, no matter the sport. I don't know what's wrong with me.

Miami needs to address its rebounding problem. I understand that that Mario Chalmers(notes) isn't supposed to be swinging elbows and cleaning glass, and that Michael Beasley(notes) played only 24 minutes and is awfully wispy. These two still have to combine for more than four boards in almost 60 minutes. Wade, I know he's all over the place, but he has to pull in more than four. Just because they're not playing typical rebounding positions, it doesn't mean they have to completely whiff.

***

Golden State 113, Memphis 105

This almost feels like writing about an exhibition game.

The game was fun to watch. I appreciated both ends running up and down. I appreciated the Warriors when they didn't dominate the ball too much, when they didn't go one-on-one.

But the defense was so poor ... that's not a cop-out. That's not a stereotype turned into analysis. It was. I tried to find a way around it, but the defense was crap. Nothing obvious. Just two teams that couldn't wait for the other team to stop talking, so they could interject. Or, get the ball back. Whichever you prefer.

Allen Iverson(notes) was great, and potent. 18 points and seven assists, which is quite impressive considering his lack of practice time, and the injury he's obviously (still) playing through. And though Mike Conley(notes) was pretty poor, I just don't know if I can put Iverson in a starting lineup with these guys.

It's not that Conley is going to be any good. It's just that, with O.J. Mayo(notes), Rudy Gay(notes), Marc Gasol(notes) and Zach Randolph(notes) out there (in that, reverse, order), do you want to have someone else on the court taking up shots? It's an ancient basketball standby that I tend to fear, but I can't help but go with it at this point. Bring in Brevin Knight(notes), or something.

I need to say this about Zach Randolph - he's trying. He's still really, truly, bad on defense. But he's working his tail off, he's obviously in better shape, and he's thinking team-first. We knew he wasn't a lost cause, based partially on how he worked his way back from microfracture surgery. Still, it needs to be pointed out. Randolph is trying.

Anthony Randolph(notes) played seven minutes because he doesn't take three-pointers with 20 seconds left on the shot clock.

***

Denver 122, New Jersey 94

It took the Nuggets a whole half of basketball, but they eventually realized that they were, indeed, playing the New Jersey Nets.

After a first half that saw New Jersey score a lot easier than it should have been scoring, and the Nuggets miss a series of close looks around the basket, Denver toppled New Jersey by 29 points in the second half. There's your nearly-60 point win, in half the time. Ah, New Jersey.

53 percent overall shooting and 56 percent shooting from long range for the Nuggets, who watched as rookie point man Ty Lawson(notes) traipsed his way to 23 points (13 in the final frame) on 10 shots. Carmelo Anthony(notes) needed 24 shots to score 22 points, but Nene went all-around off: 16 points on only six shots, nine rebounds, four assists, one turnover, two steals and three blocks in only 30 minutes. That'll do.

There are just too many awful players forced into big minutes on these Nets. You can help but appreciate the pluck and smarts of players like Bobby Simmons(notes) (two points on nine shot attempts), Rafer Alston(notes) (seven points on eight shots) and Eduardo Najera(notes), but they're just not going to help you compete at this level. Najera had 14 and seven in the loss, a fine effort, but that's just not going to happen consistently.

The Nets have lost each of their five contests, by an average of 14 points per game.

***

Indiana 101, New York 89

The Pacers turned the ball over six times in the opening six minutes of the first quarter, and yet the Knicks only managed a four-point advantage as a result.

Not in the wake of a fully played quarter, mind you, although they topped the Pacers by four at the end of the first. But six extra chances to shoot, plus the odd offensive rebound, and they were only up four points after the first six minutes.

I should have known, then.

This could have been a shootout, but instead it was a pretty miserable, mistake-fueled affair. The Pacers did do well to defend and hold the Knicks to just under 91 points per 100 possessions, that's on Indiana, but it wasn't the prettiest sight to behold.

Larry Hughes(notes) and Chris Duhon(notes) combined to miss 17 of 23 shots, not because of that defensive pressure or because of Dahntay Jones'(notes) presence. They missed those shots because they're Larry Hughes and Chris Duhon. This is how they do. They're walking Spanish down the court.

Roy Hibbert(notes) impressed me. He turned the ball over five times, but dig this - zero personal fouls in 30 minutes. 15 points, 14 rebounds, good defense, zero fouls. And the Pacers blew several chances to find him with good looks in the post as the game moved along.

***

Boston 92, Minnesota 90

I really like watching these Timberwolves. They battle, they really do; this was the case even back when Kevin McHale was slumming as head coach, but the trend has carried over.

The team genuinely wants to win, even in the midst of an admitted rebuilding year (they actually use the word "rebuilding," and "re-re-re-re-re-re-rebuilding" in its TV ads. Seriously. I dig it), and the effort and cheer is consistently there.

They won't win much, but on nights like these, when the opposing team had played in Philadelphia the night before, you'll get some close ones. This was a close one.

Too many turnovers, though, to pull things out. 19 percent of the team's possessions ended in a miscue, and though Boston was dragging and the jumpers weren't falling, the C's still hung on to win. The Celtics didn't win the championship last year, but I'll be damned if they don't still have a target on their backs.

And you know what? They don't give a rip. Aim away.

Corey Brewer(notes) needs to stop shooting. We liked the preseason, you got a contract for another year, and you're one of the few that look pretty cool in a headband, but stop shooting. Stop shooting. I'm not going to pull one of those blog tricks that sees me take a two-word sentence and break it up into two one-word sentences, but I'm close. Stop shooting.

16 shots to score 13 points on Wednesday, and that's awful. Really bad. This year he's needed 15.4 shots to score 12.8 points, and that has to be some sort of post-Cousy Era record. Stop shooting.

Stop.

(It doesn't count as a tired gimmick if I break it up over two paragraphs.)

Shooting.

Oleksiy Pecherov(notes) was fantastic, scoring 24 points on just 14 shots, in any number of face-ups, perimeter bombs, turnarounds, and up and under moves in the post. On several, quite good, Boston defenders.

Jonny Flynn(notes) trapped a little too much, Rajon Rondo(notes) had himself a game as a result. I'm OK with all of this. I like how interested these Timberwolves are.

The Celtics? They're always interested. You'll never have to worry about that.

***

New Orleans 114, Dallas 107

It seems like a cop-out to type this out, but to me the Mavericks just looked a little tired.

This was a great game, the stars weren't aligned for a few of the stars, but this was a very entertaining game made all the better by the presence of Hubie Brown in the ESPN booth.

Both the Hornets and Mavericks traded basket after basket over the fourth quarter and overtime, and though Jason Terry's(notes) stats nearly copied his (the Hornets just can't really guard anyone, can they? Soldier, sailor, tinker, tailor, ploughboy?), Chris Paul(notes) just carried this team.

Other Hornets helped. This team was angry, upset at the way the East coast run turned out. I can't blame them.

And there was an extra skip, tonight. Bobby Brown(notes) still takes horrible shots, but some of them went in. David West(notes) actually attacked the offensive glass. Forget that, it was Chris Paul.

39 points on 23 shots. Seven assists. Chris Paul.

***

Atlanta 113, Sacramento 105

Fun game. The defensive stats aren't great, but there was a bit of effort on that end. This wasn't a shootout.

Atlanta turned it over too much, Joe Johnson(notes) was the worst culprit (six miscues), but this might be the best time to have JJ take a step back. Give the man a break. Lord knows he's earned it.

Jamal Crawford(notes) (26 points on 15 shots) continues to square his shoulders and take (mostly, there were some boners) good shots.

Marvin Williams(notes) continues to be a solid defender, if only he'd take to the post more often, as he did several times on Wednesday.

Josh Smith(notes) could be a point forward in this league. He'd just have to listen to some Cal Tjader before every game, and chill the heck out.

Tyreke Evans(notes) continues to take some of the worst shots I've seen from any rookie since Rodrick Rhodes. Kindly get it together, potential stud.

My No. 1 play: Jameer Nelson's(notes) deliberate off-the-backboard alley-oop pass to Dwight Howard(notes). Why? Because that pass is the future. To quote my main man Shoals: "If you accept the alley-oop as more like the pick-and-roll than the windmill, all sorts of perceptual doors begin to loosen. Remember McGrady's off-the-backboard self-oop? Why not use the backboard as a second floor, thus adding another (fourth?) dimension to the game. It sounds fancy and frivolous, but again, we're talking set plays ..." Believe that.

Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: "It was one year ago Tuesday that the Pistons dealt Chauncey Billups(notes) to Denver for Allen Iverson(notes), officially bringing down the curtain on their reign of Eastern Conference excellence and initiating the start of their tumultuous transition. And ever since, the biggest question surrounding this franchise was, which core piece would next be on the trading block? It was curious when Tayshaun Prince(notes) was a late scratch Tuesday due to what the team reported as a lower back strain, and Jason Maxiell(notes) didn't play against Orlando. Was there a trade in the works? Were they considering packaging Prince and Maxiell for another expiring contract that could help them next summer in the free-agent shopping market? Joe Dumars shot down the suspicions, insisting there are no deals looming. He figures that the Pistons already have enough new faces. But Dumars also must understand that one of the consequences of transition is the perception of a revolving door in the Pistons' locker room. He truly has a team now that requires a program to identify the names."

Ray Richardson, Pioneer Press: "Two years after leaving the Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett(notes) is still capable of getting what many NBA observers refer to as a 'hometown call.' The 15-year veteran had a significant hand in the Boston Celtics' 92-90 victory Wednesday night at Target Center, leaving the Wolves fuming and winless since the regular-season opener. Garnett heard boos from most of the crowd of 19,133 after he tied up Wolves forward Corey Brewer(notes) for a jump ball with 3.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Brewer and Wolves fans felt Garnett should have been called for a foul after he reached in to put his right hand on the ball. A replay on the video scoreboard appeared to support the claims. 'I've been waiting for a game like this when a veteran player gets a call or no-call,' Wolves rookie point guard Jonny Flynn(notes) said. 'It definitely happened tonight.'"

Mike Bresnahan, L.A. Times: "The Lakers won another game but might have lost another big man. Pau Gasol(notes) is a little closer to returning, but Andrew Bynum(notes) was injured toward the end of the Lakers' 103-102 overtime victory Wednesday over the Houston Rockets. Bynum was fouled hard across his right arm while going up for a shot and sustained a sprained elbow with 24.7 seconds left in overtime. He will be re-evaluated today in Los Angeles. 'I can't even lift my arm right now,' Bynum said. 'They just took a shot at me. That's that, I guess. It's not that bad. It just takes a little while to heal up.' Anybody ready for Lamar Odom(notes) at center?"

Jerome Soloman, Houston Chronicle: "[Trevor] Ariza just doesn't have the assassin's mentality that makes stars super. Prior to this season, he had never taken 21 shots in a game as he did Wednesday, and it seemed he didn't want to take some of those. Kobe Bryant(notes) was the only other player on the court firing up shots at that rate. Bryant got off 30 attempts and scored a game-high 41 points. Unlike Ariza, Bryant is quite comfortable firing away. If Ariza had more Aaron Brooks(notes) or Kyle Lowry(notes) in him, he might be a perennial All-Star. But he is what he is, and that's OK. The Rockets knew what they were getting when they signed him with their mid-level exception. But the Rockets' fortune this season might rest with Ariza's transformation from extra to lead. He won't have all the lines in this production, but through five games he leads the team in field-goal attempts and scoring, and that is not likely to change. It's not his fault the Rockets lost, but it was a game that they could have won had he played better."

Michael Wallace, Miami Herald: "Dwyane Wade would prefer not to do things this way. His team left him no choice. For the second time in as many nights, the Heat built a double-digit lead and seemed destined for a confidence-boosting victory. And for the second time in as many nights, Miami found a way to stumble down prosperity's slippery slope. But unlike Tuesday's fall from ahead in a home loss to Phoenix, Wade helped his team avert a complete collapse. Wade scored a season-high 40 points and made the game-winning jumper with 24.6 seconds left as the Heat escaped with a 93-89 victory over the Wizards at Verizon Center. Wade played all 24 minutes of the second half — a stunning feat considering it was the second night of a back-to-back set for Miami. But the Heat had few other options on a night when the offense again fell flat."

Dan Steinberg, D.C. Sports Bog: "'Sometimes it's just frustrating,' Brendan Haywood(notes) said last week, when Caron Butler(notes) hurt his knee. 'It feels like we're cursed.' Well, that was last week. Then came Wednesday night's loss to the Heat, when Mike MIller(notes) went down with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder — "Felt like it slid a little bit on me and went numb," Miller said, describing the injury. Flip Saunders said he'll likely be gone 7-to-10 days. But even if it really is that brief of a recovery, this means that within the season's first six games, 60 percent of the Wiz starters will have missed at least one game with an injury. The two who have been spared are Gilbert Arenas(notes), who missed most of the last two years with rotted knee, and Brendan Haywood, who was sidelined for 75 games last season. Does that really seem fair?"

Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune: "The frustration of a weak defensive performance two nights earlier against the New York Knicks gnawed at New Orleans Hornets Coach Byron Scott for two days. As he watched video of Monday night's disheartening 117-111 loss at Madison Square Garden, Scott seethed, boiling over at one point during Wednesday morning's shootaround at New Orleans Arena. 'I did all the talking,' Scott said. 'I asked them: 'Are you guys scared?' Nobody answered. I told them, 'We're just 15 guys right now. We're not a team. We're just a collection of individual basketball players. Don't tell me you want to be good. Show me you want to be good.'' It took an extra period, but the Hornets finally put away the stubborn Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night 114-107 in front of a crowd of 13,566, snapping a two-game losing streak. Peja Stojakovic's(notes) 3-pointer with 6.7 seconds remaining in regulation — at the time his first make after seven misses — tied the score at 97 in regulation. The 3-pointer was Stojakovic's only points."

Sam Amick/Jason Jones, Sac Bee: "When the talent pool is shallow, you fill it up whenever possible. That was the rough logic behind the Kings' signing of Ime Udoka(notes) on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, sixth-year swingman spent the last two seasons as a key reserve for San Antonio, averaging 18.0 and 15.4 minutes, respectively. He was a strong defensive presence and an occasional three-point threat, although his 32.8 three-point percentage last season was the worst of his career (37.4 percent overall). Udoka unexpectedly became available Oct. 22, when Portland cut him in favor of rookie draft pick Patty Mills from Saint Mary's. According to sources, Udoka has a nonguaranteed contract for the veteran's minimum salary that will run through the end of the season and pay him a prorated amount of $1.03 million. It won't be fully guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2010."

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel: "Dwight Howard, who looked like Larry Bird on the free-line line Sunday in Toronto, said he told everybody around him — teammates, coaches, etc. — to stop giving him advice. Howard, a career 60 percent free-throw shooter, hit 14-of-16 against the Raptors after making only 7-of-17 coming into the game. 'Everybody is always asking me about it,' Howard said. 'Everybody telling me what to do and what not to do. I'm like, 'Just let me shoot. I've worked on it all summer.' Now I just feel good. I'm not worried about making it or missing it.'"

RealGM/Star Ledger: "Nets forward Yi Jianlian(notes) will miss an undetermined period of time with a sprained MCL in his right knee. 'It's a shame; if you look at it, he had a good start to the season, he was aggressive and assertive in the first few games,' coach Lawrence Frank told the Star Ledger. 'You feel bad for him, and hopefully from a mental standpoint, he understands the preparation that's required to come back.' The Ledger reports that the recovery time for such an injury is two to four weeks, but it has taken six weeks for some players. Yi was injured Monday night after taking a hit on his knee in the third quarter from Charlotte's Gerald Wallace(notes)."

Dave Feschuk, Toronto Star: "Charles Oakley is developing a cooking show for TV and producing a couple of movies. He's a restaurateur and a car-wash mogul. But what he'd really like to be is an NBA coach. So why, six years after he retired from the league, has the former Raptors forward — who made a name for his uncanny grasp of the game's defensive intricacies — never counted himself a member of an NBA coaching staff? 'Teams don't want to pay,' Oakley was saying in the lead-up to his appearance Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre [...] Money has always been central to Oakley's value system; he grew up poor in East Cleveland and sees the green as the ultimate sign of respect. But surely there's more to his absence from the league than the insufficiency of NBA assistant coach's salaries, which can range from $100,000 to quite a few times that much. Perhaps the thing that makes Oakley beloved by fans and scribes — his need to say whatever's on his mind — is the thing that's holding him back. In the NBA, after all, yes-men outnumber publicly honest ones by about a zillion to one."

The Columbian: "Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he wants point guard Andre Miller(notes) to be more aggressive. While McMillan acknowledged that Miller is still finding his rhythm as the leader of Portland's second unit, the Blazers coach stated that he needs Miller to attack the paint more often and find open shooters. Miller, who was acquired by Portland as an offseason free agent, struggled through the Blazers first four games of the season. He was shooting 31.2 percent (10 of 32) from the field and 14.2 percent (1 of 7) from behind the 3-point line prior to Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Rose Garden. Miller's shot should begin to fall as the season unfolds — he is known for being a very reliable player who works himself into shape. But in the mean time, McMillan said that he wants the 10-year NBA veteran to create offense by pushing the tempo, engaging in pick-and-roll sets and posting defenders up. 'I want him very involved,' McMillan said. 'To the point where I want him pushing and handling the ball probably 90 percent of the time he's in.'"

Mitch Lawrence, New York Daily News: "Not that he wants his former boss, Donnie Walsh, to fail at rebuilding the Knicks, but Pacers president Larry Bird doesn't want to see LeBron James(notes) come to New York next summer. 'I hope he stays in Cleveland,' Bird said Monday. 'He's from Ohio and he means so much to that team and that state. I used to love to go and play in Cleveland because they love the game. And, I like to see the great players stay in the cities and with the teams that drafted them. It means so much for the league and the state. So I would rather see him stay.'"

You really have to watch it with the Suns.

I honestly try to limit the amount of appearances they make on GtPAt, mainly because they're an easy choice. The team is always going to be fun to watch, they're always going to make for good TV, and I can't honestly argue for flipping past them on the dial any time they're on. Even when they're down 20.

The Suns haven't been down 20 all year, though. They're undefeated, and they're playing quite well. 12^th in defense, third in offense, and Steve Nash(notes) looks as potent as ever.

Orlando? They were undefeated, and rather scary looking, until last night. Last night saw tiny Will Bynum(notes) take it to them, endlessly. Lots of penetration, and awful decisions on the other end. They lost - and it was a close one, mind you - to a Pistons team without Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince(notes).

So now both teams get to turn it around, a day later, and take each other on. The Magic have to fly all the way back from Auburn Hills, Michigan. They're at home, but they just dove from Orlando to New Jersey to Toronto to Michigan and back to Orlando in a week.

The Suns spent last night in Miami, after winning a great game. Hmm.

Pay attention. This could be ugly, or it could be fantastic. Gut-check time, in the season's second week. Nice.

Comment away down below.

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: Motown String Music. Does Dumars have something up his sleeve involving Prince and Maxiell?
PF: SLAM Online. Are the new NBA rims contributing to higher scoring games this season?
SF: CH. "No one is allowed to mention 72-10 unless the C's are, say, 40-5 or better after 45 games."
SG: Dime. "I don't see the Celtics losing a game anytime soon."
PG: Complex, via ShareBro Trey. Five (balding) NBA players who need to cut their hair.
6th: Hornets247. Video and commentary of Paul and Okafor running the pick and roll this season.
7th: First Cuts. Look out! Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem Thabeet(notes) has joined forces with Li Ning.
8th: TP. Kawakami on why Anthony Randolph(notes) is struggling to get consistent Warriors minutes.
9th: NBA YouTube. Rajon Rondo(notes) shoots over the backboard from the baseline.
10th: Empty The Bench. Brian Spencer: "The Magic may still consider themselves a hunter since they fell short of their ultimate goal last year, but they need to realize that they're now actually the hunted in the East. They have a target on their chest, and on most nights they're going to get their opponents' best effort."

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

Before I hit you with this fun little nugget, I want to reiterate something Dwyer wrote in April:

"Houston Rockets' general manager Daryl Morey isn't a genius. He's not a step and a half ahead of his colleagues. He's just better at being a GM than anyone else, right now."

Now, with that said, would I be surprised to learn that Morey is a chess Grandmaster, or that he can sketch the entire New York skyline — from memory — after just one twenty-minute helicopter ride over Manhattan? No. No I would not. "Dork Elvis" is a smart dude who likely owns many leather-bound books.

Which brings us to our nugget, courtesy of Clutch BBS. With Yao Ming(notes) and Tracy McGrady(notes) still sidelined nursing serious injuries, the Rockets' current nine/10-man rotation is made up almost entirely of late first-rounders, second-rounders and undrafted free agents. Seriously. Check out their depth chart ...

Starters:
Aaron Brooks(notes) — Drafted by the Rockets in the 1st round (26th overall)
Trevor Ariza(notes) — Drafted by the Knicks in the 2nd round (43rd overall)
Shane Battier(notes) — Drafted by the Grizzlies in the 1st round (6th overall)
Luis Scola(notes) — Drafted by the Spurs in the 2nd round (55th overall)
Chuck Hayes(notes) — Undrafted

Reserves:
Kyle Lowry(notes) — Drafted by the Grizzlies in the 1st round (24th overall)
Jermaine Taylor(notes) — Drafted by the Wizards in the 2nd round (32nd overall)
Chase Budinger(notes) — Drafted by the Pistons in the 2nd round (44th overall)
Carl Landry(notes) — Drafted by the Supersonics in the 2nd round (31st overall)
David Andersen(notes) — Drafted by the Hawks in the 2nd round (37th overall)

What's that one saying? Another man's trash is Daryl Morey's treasure? Incredible.

Cheers, @spygrl.

He's gotten just about everything else right this season, his shots can't miss, his Nuggets can't lose, so he might as well get the shoes right.

We think he got the shoes right.

We think about quite a few other things, and so do you. Or should you.

Should you do, click on the jump at 3 p.m. Eastern for a chat. Submit a comment, and kindly wait patiently for it to be answered upon approval.

After the jump, "How much wood would a Kaman chuck ..."

Winner, devin c:
Dat Glass.

Co-runner-up, banks:
"ARGH! I just Kaman my pants!"

Co-runner-up, AllThatJazz:
This is what the bizzaro Chris Andersen(notes) looks like ... balding, no tats and on a lotto team.

Pacers rookie Tyler Hansbrough(notes) is a down to earth, confident character. Growing up in the Midwest ensured a love of the outdoors along with puppies and Acuras. Psycho-T is a versatile actor with a natural ability to improvise. He is exceptionally well suited to the rugged NBA power forward role. His relaxed, yet ambitious, approach to acting enables him to maximize any role he takes on. In one word — wow!

Cheers, Indy Cornrows, Deadspin and Rush The Court.

What? The numbers work ...

Cheers, SLC Dunk.

On today's show, Skeets and Tas bask in the glory of an action-packed Tuesday night schedule. Do the Cavaliers and Wizards have a rivalry? What was with KD's crunch time shot selection? Can Skeets keep his Nash-chub under wraps? All that, plus an examination of the Brandon Jennings(notes) trend.

Step right up for the Dirkus Circus, folks. It's the Greatest Show on Earth.

Subscribe to the video show on iTunes | Download the .m4v directly
Subscribe to the audio show on iTunes | Download the .mp3 directly

That was a nice looking dunk, no Gwen Stefani. But I'm a little disappointed the NBA video guys didn't give Stoudemire Assist of the Night accolades too. Seriously, STAT dropped a blind, over-the-shoulder dime during the first quarter of Tuesday night's Suns-Heat game that made Captain Canada swoon.

If anyone finds video of it, let me know.

Portland has started the season by dropping three of its first five games, and while I see all sorts of things that need working on, I'm not going to flip out too much over that bit of disappointment.

This doesn't mean the Trail Blazers don't have a whole lot to improve upon. The only thing this means is that the Blazers haven't improved on what was already wrong, what was obviously lacking as they entered 2009-10. What remains to be determined is whether or not the personnel on hand is capable of turning it around. I believe, as I did at the outset of the season, that the personnel is on hand. In spades.

Portland's issue entering this season was defense. It led the league in offensive efficiency last year, something few mainstream observers ever bring up (or actually understand), but ranked 13^th in defensive efficiency. Defense was the problem heading into this season, even with Greg Oden(notes) earning more minutes and Martell Webster(notes) coming off the shelf, but the team was ranked 11^th in defensive efficiency through four games this season, heading into Tuesday's loss.

Now, they laid an egg against the Hawks (who poured in 110 points per 100 possessions), but overall the team has at least held serve defensively. Can it get better? Well, they'll never stop point guards as long as Steve Blake(notes) and Andre Miller(notes) are around; but they can improve. Webster looks like an All-Defensive Team talent, and Oden can't help but get better and better as the year moves on. He's a 7-footer who can jump out of the roof, and sometimes has the block and rebound totals to prove it.

It's the offense that has fallen off. 14^th in the NBA entering Tuesday. Bound to drop after Tuesday night.

And I'm not worried about it.

Why? Because the Blazers have proven themselves as an all-world offensive team. Sure, last year's top ranking may have been a fluke of sorts, but there's no reason why they can't get back into the top three.

We're five games in. And, no, Blake isn't getting any better. But the Blazers also have seven and a half million bucks worth of expiring contracts to deal in Blake and Travis Outlaw(notes) (no, I'm not one of those guys who underrates Travis Outlaw), and teams will be looking to move all sorts of talent this year as they prepare for the summer. If not for going after big time free agents, then to just cut salary. It rhymes with "Perk Blimeblick."

Sometimes his coach calls him "Purt."

I haven't seen Atlanta play this hard since, well, the team's hot start to 2008-09. Oh, I'm sure they brought the effort during last year's postseason, but man, Atlanta really wanted this one.

Really worked it defensively, and looked to make the extra pass on the other end. A fantastic effort, and Jamal Crawford(notes) turned in one of those games that make you wonder why he hasn't been able to put it all together consistently.

Mind you, Crawford's 50-point games aren't "one of those games." Anyone can get hot tossing off fadeaway 21-footers and contested three-pointers. It's the games with the penetrating and dishing, something he truly seemed into for short spurts with the 2002-03 Chicago Bulls, that make you wonder.

Either way, 27 points on only 16 shots, seven assists, zero turnovers. A few of his passes should have been assists, but then again, one of his assists was an unnecessary toss while unguarded to an also uncontested Al Horford(notes) on the fast break.

Very promising win for the Hawks, especially after they turned in a stinker (a stinker, I tells ya!) against the Lakers on Sunday.

***

Chicago 83, Milwaukee 81

This was a pretty bad game. I have to give it my usual "watch the full taped game the next afternoon" treatment later today, and I'm not particularly looking forward to it, despite my on-record team leanings. That's a pretty bad tone to take just one week into the season.

Give Chicago credit, they really got after it defensively in that second half. But the opposition helped.

Scott Skiles' offense doesn't get his players to the line. He's a very good coach who can put together a top-notch drive-and-kick system should the shots fall, but without Michael Redd(notes) and within a rebuilding year, games like this are just bound to happen. 10 free throws, all night, for Milwaukee; a team that couldn't compete when Chicago's offense came around.

That's how it is for the Bulls. They're the definition of streaky, because their simplified offense relies so much on the outside shot, taken by up-and-down outside shooters (this ain't Orlando), who are sprung free by poorly-set screens. This can result in a 29-point half, with 12 turnovers; or it can result in the game-deciding 54-point second half, which won Chicago the game.

Brandon Jennings(notes) (25 points, lots of holes, but 25 points) continued his fantastic rookie season, Hakim Warrick(notes) (who missed 10 of 15 shots) clanged on some cheapies he usually puts home, and no team is ever going to win needing 91 shots to score 81 points. Yikes.

And, no, I didn't disagree with Ersan Ilyasova's(notes) potential game-winner that fell a foot short. Not saying it was the best option, but I certainly wouldn't have minded it if I were a Bucks fan.

Sure, he traveled, but that's a good percentage look for him, and I'm always in favor of trying for the win on the road. Scott Skiles disagrees with me, which was about as surprising as the sun coming up this morning.

John Salmons(notes) is now shooting 25.8 percent from the field this year. He was supposed to "replace" Ben Gordon(notes), I thought, not Junior Harrington(notes).

Luol Deng(notes), 24 points and 20 rebounds. Great to see. He can play, he's averaging about 18 and 10 on the year, and he's only 24.

***

Denver 111, Indiana 93

This wasn't supposed to happen. Indiana's offense wasn't supposed to do terrible things to its bedspread. Sure, it wasn't going to be as good as last year's offense, but this bad?

Some of this falls on Denver, you know they got a talking-to about their crummy D (heading into Tuesday, the Nugs were 24^th in defensive efficiency) before heading East, but the Pacers had a good chunk to do with scoring only 93 points in a hundred-possession game.

Brandon Rush(notes) needed 12 shots to score eight points. T.J. Ford(notes) just isn't a point guard to put you over the top. Danny Granger(notes) needed 16 shots to score 18 points, and turned the ball over five times. Troy Murphy(notes) disappeared (bad game, bruised back). DAHNTAY JONES(notes) LED YOU IN SCORING!

The Nuggets didn't shoot especially well either from the floor, but they made 15 more free throws, and five more three-pointers despite taking seven fewer attempts from long range. Chauncey Billups(notes) was his used to be usually legendarily efficient-self with 24 points on only 15 shots in only 30 minutes.

***

Cleveland 102, Washington 90

I'd like another chance to sit through this one, but with so many games taking place last night (at one point, eight at once), I didn't give this game the attention it deserved.

Mainly because I'd like to see exactly what the Cavaliers did to keep the Wizards at bay, offensively. Cleveland's offense was good, the shooters still aren't shooting well (Anthony Parker(notes), 2-12; Mo Williams(notes), 6-14), but LeBron James(notes) managed to get to the line a ton and score 27 points, and Shaquille O'Neal(notes) did well when given the rock. Cleveland's D did the trick.

With Antawn Jamison(notes) out, Caron Butler(notes) and Gilbert Arenas(notes) just can't get away with 7-18 shooting. It's not the end of the world, and we're not looking at Adam Morrison(notes) clones here (they combined to shoot 19 free throws), but the Wiz aren't beating any good teams missing one of the big three, and with two of the three playing a little less efficiently than where they usually are.

And, as Brian Windhorst noted, now that Daniel Gibson(notes) is shooting 33 percent on free throws on the year, you think Mike Brown can find someone else to take the technical foul shots for Cleveland?

***

Boston 105, Philadelphia 74

I need you to understand how dominant this was.

This was an 89-possession game. This game was slow. Not league-slowest, slow, but pretty damned slow. And the C's still won by 31. With Kevin Garnett(notes) and Ray Allen(notes) combining to miss 12 of 15 shots.

I'm not going to tell you that the Celtics are a gimmie for the Finals this year, or that they're back where they were, or better, or shove any declarative statement down your throat that no analyst could possibly hope to know right now.

What I can tell you is that they're playing brilliantly right now. And ask you to remember a few things.

Firstly, when Kevin Garnett went down with a knee injury late last winter, the Celtics were clear championship contenders. They then lost their best player, beat a Bulls team working at its peak in the first round, and took the eventual Eastern champs to seven games without their best player.

The Lakers couldn't have done that without Kobe, Orlando wouldn't have done that without Dwight Howard(notes), and the Cavaliers won't be doing that without LeBron.

Is KG as good as those three, right now? He's not far off, but he's not as good, and he plays fewer minutes, so his overall productivity pales in comparison. But just think about that depth. Lost their best player, still played 14 playoff games.

Then you add an improved Rajon Rondo(notes), an inspired Rasheed Wallace(notes) (on defense alone, I haven't seen him this active since 2005-06), Marquis Daniels(notes), a sustained (he's in great shape) Paul Pierce(notes), and an improved Kendrick Perkins(notes).

So I'm going to ask for two things:

1). Don't be surprised if the Celtics go off on some 29-3 run to start the season, bringing up the yearly "can the Bulls be caught?" stories.
2). If the C's do start that hot, pass on discounting Los Angeles, Orlando, Cleveland, or any others from the championship talk. Even after 32 (or 82) games, we won't know.

And anyone who tells you that they knows is a liar.

Rasheed Wallace had the rotation flowing tonight, he had the ball in his hands for about 14 seconds all night and finished with 20 points on 10 shots. Great work. I sincerely hope this doesn't inspire him to camp out behind the line from here until spring, though.

With a new coach in place and a weird offense to figure out, I'm giving the Sixers time.

I will say that Philadelphia has no chance if the team's high percentage swingers (Thad Young, Elton Brand(notes), Marreese Speights(notes)) miss 24 of 33 shots.

***

Detroit 85, Orlando 80

Losses like these are a perfect storm for a team like Orlando. Inspired opponents, road setting, iffy shots, iffy execution, close loss.

Most importantly, Detroit came out with quite a bit of effort, and really got after it defensively. Really got after it. I say this first, because it's the truth, but also because I don't want Pistons fans to get angry at me.

But this was nearly as important - Orlando would like some of those shots back. They'd like the decision to take some of those shots back, Tuesday's offense was almost entirely based on afterthoughts, and they'd like some of those makeable shots back.

Maybe less of Brandon Bass(notes) trying to score through, instead of around, Ben Wallace(notes). Less of Ryan Anderson(notes) pushing off. Less of forgetting that Dwight Howard is employed by the Orlando Basketball Organization of Orlando, Florida LLC.

Detroit still won this game, though. The team's own offense wasn't great shakes, it scored just 96.6 points per 100 possessions and missed all six of its three-point attempts, but John Kuester had these guys really denying quite a bit on the perimeter.

And the Magic are going to have trouble guarding point guards all season. I know they led the NBA in defensive efficiency last year, but I noticed it in the first game of the season (a blowout win, I should point out), and guys like Will Bynum(notes), Rodney Stuckey(notes), and Ben Gordon can take advantage of the Magic. I know Gordon's not a point guard, but he's that size; he dropped 23 while the other two managed 20 apiece in the win.

Jonas Jerebko(notes) started in place of an injured (!) Tayshaun Prince(notes), and while we only have him down for getting his shot blocked one time, it seemed like his were thrown back a few other times. Ohfer five in Prince's absence overall.

The Pistons swept Orlando last year, mind you. They've got a bit of an edge. 20 of the last 25 contests between the two have ended in a Pistons win. Thanks to Rick Kamla at NBA TV for pointing that out.

***

Phoenix 104, Miami 96

Steve Nash(notes) is just an athletic marvel.

For him to be dropping 30 like this, so seemingly effortlessly, at his age? At age 35? It's astounding.

And, as it was when he was winning MVPs for some reason, you still get the feeling that he could do this every night if he wanted to. His shot is so pure, from anywhere on the court, I haven't given a "Steve!" yelp (the thing I throw at players who are in the midst of taking a bad shot, when they're named "Steve") since the 1999-00 season, when he was working through injuries and couldn't square his body properly.

This guy needs to shoot more. Honestly. You don't turn down an assist or nice dish if it results in a dunk or open shot, but we need to cast a critical eye on the Suns every time they lose if Nash isn't shooting quite a bit. He can create his looks; don't worry about the usage issues. And, with his friends fading away and on an iffy team for the first time since 1999-00, Nash needs to be piling up the points.

The Suns are undefeated through four, an impressively so. The team's offense is very good and the defense has been passable enough thus far. The schedule helps with the latter, but that's OK. As it was during D'Antoni's run, the sheer potency of the offense just wears on opponents. I'm not talking about tongues dragging, mind you, just pointing out that if the focus is correct, the Suns could peel off 50.

Over the last two years, though, with all the rumors and new faces and trades and injuries, the focus just hasn't been there. It might be too late for a championship, but I don't see why the Suns can't keep this up.

Not sure why I wasn't bowled over by it during Miami's first three games, but Quentin Richardson(notes) looks like a brand new player. I'd say he looks like he looked back in the earlier part of the decade, with the Clippers, but that wouldn't be the truth. He looks to be in better shape, stronger shape. Boo to him for taking this long and possibly wasting his prime once he got that big contract from the Suns; but congrats to him for getting it together last summer.

18 and 10 rebounds with two steals for Q-Rich in the loss tonight.

***

Los Angeles Lakers 101, Oklahoma City 98

Very impressed with the way the Lakers pulled this win out, because these are the sorts of games you tend to lose.

Second-best player, out. Superstar? Sick, and pretty pissed off. Bench? Nonexistent. And this was the hottest ticket the Ford Center will see, all year. This date was circled on the calendar. That's how it goes, when you're the champs.

Most other defending champions lose this game, but the Lakers stayed with it. The Thunder forced them into a turnover on nearly a quarter of their possessions, but because the Oklahoma City offense is so iffy at this point, the Thunder just couldn't take advantage of all those extra shots.

OKC's star was Thabo Sefolosha(notes). Kevin Durant(notes) may have dropped 28, but he needed 24 shots to get there and turned the ball over seven times, to say nothing of some iffy shots down the stretch. Thabo harassed Kobe Bryant(notes) into a slightly-less-than-awesome game, which is accomplishment enough.

Kobe's been jawing with Thabo for years, and usually he lets these sorts of things get to him. Actually, tonight he let Thabo get to him. But he didn't let his anger completely take over, as it has in the past, which led to losses. Not even after Kobe was jobbed on a couple of calls.

That doesn't mean Kobe didn't take some bad shots, he did, but he also squared himself brilliantly on enough great shots and got to the line enough to lead his team to a win in an atmosphere (the champs are in town!) that his teammates are still getting used to. 31 points on 22 attempts for Kobe. Great work.

Andrew Bynum(notes)? He should be getting 22 and 10, if he plays 48 minutes. I'm not going to gloat after arguing on this guy's behalf for years, I never counted him out, and he's coming through. He still has to build his strength back up (one first half lob from Derek Fisher(notes) used to result in an easy dunk for Bynum, this time it was merely a smooth catch, gather, and lay-in), but all the signs are there. If he gets the ball and keeps building strength, he's going to average this.

Ron Artest(notes)? Composed, and it showed in his line. 20 points on eight shot attempts. Lamar Odom(notes)? Trying to be everywhere. The bench ... eh, Kobe had 31!

Keep building, Oklahoma City. Don't rest on this. And don't get discouraged if this loss is followed by another in Houston, and to the Magic on Sunday.

***

Dallas 96, Utah 85

Yes, I turned it off. Whatever. A bunch of you did, as well, I'm sure. At least that's what I'm hoping.

With a bunch of other, closer, games running, I missed just about all of Dirk Nowitzki's(notes) wild 29 fourth quarter points. The Jazz were up double-figures, most of the other games were close and in the fourth quarter, and I had to make the call.

Not much struck me about the first three quarters. Utah did well to keep the Maverick non-Nowitzkis in front of them. Shawn Marion(notes) missed 10 of 15 shots, Jason Terry(notes) missed nine of 13 shots, and the Mavs had a hard time corralling Deron Williams(notes).

But when Mehmet Okur(notes) is left out to dry against Dirk, and Dirk keeps getting the ball without much pressure on the passer, 29 points tends to happen. I'm going off of highlights, here, but Andrei Kirilenko(notes)? Was he, at least, considered? What, Shawn Marion is going to cross Okur over if Jerry Sloan pulls a switch.

All in all, I agree with Mark Cuban.

Bob Kravitz, The Indy Star: "This is what a leader does — what Danny Granger(notes) didn't bother to do — after Tuesday night's miserable effort against the Nuggets, the Pacers' third straight poor performance of this young season. A leader, the guy with the big contract, the face of the franchise, he sticks around after a lousy game and does his best to explain what just happened. It doesn't matter if he doesn't have any answers for a 111-93 loss. We asked T.J. Ford(notes), who stuck around like (almost) everybody else, to explain what happened and he said this: 'I don't know,' he said, shrugging, shaking his head. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'I don't know.' Pause. 'Pfffffft ... I don't know.' At least Ford was there. At least Granger's teammates were there, answering questions, trying to make sense of how an offensively gifted team has become bad and boring these first three games. And where was Granger? By the time the media arrived, he was gone, his locker clean and empty. Can anybody imagine if Peyton Manning flew the coop after a painful Colts loss?"

Frank Dell'Apa, The Boston Globe: "The NBA office has not made a determination regarding an inquiry into a conflict between New Orleans guard Chris Paul(notes) and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo(notes) Sunday night. A double technical foul was assessed to Paul and Rondo after they tangled in the second quarter of the Celtics' 97-87 win over the Hornets. After the game, Paul and Rondo argued near the Celtics bench and were separated by team security. Celtics coach Doc Rivers and Rondo said the league has not contacted them. 'I have no comment on it, really,' Rondo said after last night's 105-74 win over Philadelphia. 'They've got to do what they've got to do.' Said Rivers, 'I don't expect anything to come of it.'"

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel: "And they call this place 'The Palace?' For the Orlando Magic, who entered the building as NBA royalty, it's more of a prison. There's simply no escaping their Detroit demons. The Pistons did not resemble the same team that has bedeviled the Magic for years and years, but the result was no different. Despite missing two starters, the rebuilding Pistons beat the Magic 85-80 to hand Orlando its first loss of the season on Tuesday night at the, ahem, Palace of Auburn Hills. The Magic were looking to become the first team in franchise history to start a season 4-0, and they had Vince Carter(notes) back in the lineup [...] It was set up on a tee for them, right? Instead, the Pistons defeated the Magic for the 20th time in their last 25 regular-season meetings. Rich DeVos doesn't really own the Magic; the Pistons do. How do you figure it?"

Ray Richardson/John Shipley, Pioneer Press: "[Wolves GM David] Kahn said Monday's moves [picking up the options on the contracts of Kevin Love(notes) and Corey Brewer(notes)] haven't painted the team into a corner. 'I don't want this to be some sort of signal that we will trade Corey, because I don't believe that, but I do believe this is a trader's league right now,' he said. 'And I believe as we demonstrated this summer, you can move players if need be. So I don't look at this decision today on Nov. 3 as saying, 'This is the cap number we'll have next summer.' I believe there are all kinds of possibilities that can occur with this team, particularly when you frame it from the standpoint that Kurt and I are still ... have a lot of evaluation and learning to do about this team.'" 

Elliott Teaford, L.A. Daily News: "Is it true? Sasha Vujacic(notes) would neither confirm nor deny reports that he is dating tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. He said he liked tennis, then he directed a handful of reporters to 'Go ask Lamar about his personal life. I'm sure he wants to talk about it.' [...] So, is the Machine dating Maria? The Machine wouldn't say for sure. When told Sharapova 'is very nice,' Vujacic said, 'I know.' When told Sharapova 'is very smart,' he responded, 'I know.' Moments earlier, Lakers public relations czar John Black busted Vujacic's chops for keeping his relationship a secret from him. 'I thought you were my guy,' Black said, laughing as Vujacic smiled and turned a darker shade of crimson."

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "Suns guard Leandro Barbosa(notes) probably could drive past anyone with a hand tied behind his back. But Barbosa's sore right wrist took hits in the previous two games, prompting him to sit out Tuesday night's game against the Heat. 'I definitely want to play and be there for my teammates, but I want to be able to do something,' said Barbosa, who did not shoot a jumper in Sunday's game. 'I don't think I can play with one hand.' Barbosa tried passing and catching Tuesday morning, and it 'shocked' his hand. His shots were short, and he said he barely could open his hand. His status will be re-evaluated for tonight's game at Orlando. Barbosa sprained the wrist in early September during the FIBA Americas Championship. Barbosa, who had an MRI exam, has a small cyst in his wrist. He was told the cyst is too small to remove surgically."

Eddie Sefko, The Dallas Morning News: "On a drab, lifeless Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, everybody found out how quickly a dud can turn into a stud. It happened with Dirk Nowitzki(notes). And it happened with a dull game that turned absolutely mesmerizing, thrilling and historic in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks looked dead for three quarters, and Nowitzki was searching for a pulse, too. Then, as if the paddles had jolted him back to life, Nowitzki dominated the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks pulled off a 27-point turnaround for a determined 96-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. Nowitzki had 29 points in the fourth quarter, smashing the Mavericks record for points in a quarter set by Mark Aguirre in the first period against Denver on March 24, 1984. 'We really couldn't get anything going for three quarters, and it was just ugly — there was a lid on the basket,' Nowitzki said. 'Defensively we were actually decent, but offensively we just couldn't get going, and then in the fourth quarter we just left it all out there and see what happens and it worked out for us.'"

Lisa Dillman, L.A. Times: "What had been widely anticipated finally happened [on Monday], with the Clippers taking small forward Al Thornton(notes) out of the starting lineup. Thornton, who was a combined four for 18 in back-to-back losses at Utah on Friday and at home against Dallas on Saturday, was supplanted by Rasual Butler(notes), who had 12 points against Minnesota, including eight in the fourth quarter. 'You also have to take into consideration the personnel he's playing against,' Dunleavy said. 'He's had four pretty rough customers: [Ron] Artest in the first game, Grant Hill(notes) in the second game, [Andrei] Kirilenko the third game, and then [Shawn] Marion in the fourth game. All those guys, other than maybe Grant Hill, are bigger and stronger than he is. I think it's too early to jump the gun on it.'"

Michael Wallace, Miami Herald: "For the third time in four games, Wade basked in the role of playmaker. Or so it seemed. He didn't have much in the tank when the team needed him to take over. Wade led the Heat with 23 points on 7 of 18 shooting. Take away the outcome, and his stat line is pretty nice. He also finished with seven assists, nine rebounds and two steals. But the four turnovers, the 0 of 3 clip from three-point range and the three fouls in the fourth knocked him off his rhythm. [...] Although Spoelstra accepted the blame for the finish, he also had a hand in the rotation down the stretch, too. Foul trouble was a factor for Michael Beasley(notes). But Wade didn't get three of his four fouls until the fourth quarter. So it was beyond questionable to leave a lineup in the game that consisted of reserves Carlos Arroyo(notes), Dorell Wright(notes), James Jones(notes), Joel Anthony(notes) and Udonis Haslem(notes) for that critical stretch when the Heat saw its lead slip away. When that group came back onto the court after a timeout, you had to wonder if the team's primary closers should have been in instead."

Dave Feschuk, Toronto Star: "Charles Oakley's phone went to voicemail for the umpteenth time the other day. Still, a repeat caller never tired of hearing a four-word message delivered in the former Raptor's gruff mumble. 'The President,' Oakley announced, before a dramatic pause. 'Not in.' He's expected to be in the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday night, when Toronto's NBA team, as part of its 15th-season festivities, reportedly plan to honour him. We say 'reportedly' because Oakley, when he was finally reached for an interview Tuesday, insisted his impending presence in Toronto was 'no big deal.' 'I'm just signing some autographs, hanging out,' he said. 'I just hope they don't boo me again.'"

Mike Bresnahan, L.A. Times: "Pau Gasol's hamstring now stretches all the way to Spain ... sort of. The Lakers sent the information from Gasol's latest medical test to his personal physician and also his parents, who are in the medical field in Spain. (His mother is a doctor and his father is a hospital administrator.) The Lakers declined to reveal the results of the MRI exam, citing the need for confirmation from Gasol's chosen recipients, but his strained right hamstring doesn't appear to be bad enough to keep him out much longer. He went through a 'pretty good workout' after the team's Tuesday afternoon shoot-around, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. Gasol will not play tonight against Houston, his fifth consecutive game on the sidelines, but what about Friday against Memphis, his old team? 'We'll see,' Jackson said. 'We hope he can get a practice in this week.'"

Eddie Sefko, Star-Telegram: "Heckling by Los Angeles Clippers fans may have led to the Mavericks' Drew Gooden(notes) saying some allegedly insensitive comments during the Mavericks' game at Staples Center on Saturday. Gooden did not play and was dressed in street clothes behind the bench. According to the Web site Outsports.com, Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans seated near the Mavericks bench. The Web site said Gooden yelled the slur at actor Chris Wylde, who is married and is not gay and was attending the game with a friend. Owner Mark Cuban would not comment, but e-mailed Wylde, according to the Web site, and said the team would deal with Gooden internally. He sent an e-mail to the Web site saying that some of the heckling was not as innocent as fans suggested, although he added that even so, it doesn't excuse homophobic commentary." (Note: A team source has denied the claims. According to NBA spokesman Tim Frank, the league is reviewing the incident.)

New York Post: "You might think nothing would frighten Stephon Marbury(notes) more than being an unemployed basketball player. On the contrary. Thursday night, the former Knick drove to Blood Manor, the haunted house on West 27th Street, and sat outside in his Ford Escalade for half an hour, signing autographs, chatting and shaking hands with dozens of people on line. Marbury maintained he was 'way too scared' to go inside. And he didn't — he just enjoyed the spectacle."

NBA Twitter Top 10 is the new NBA Power Rankings. (Or something like that.) Combining "advanced algorithms" with your comments, BDL's NBA Twitter Top 10 cuts through the fat (see: lottery teams) to determine the best of the best on a weekly basis. Want to get involved? Follow the yellow brick road.

The Utah/Dallas matchup might bring about the closest game, the best pairing of two possible playoff teams; but for some reason this game jumps out at me.

It just seems like a fun night out. The Nuggets, apparently, aren't letting down. The Pacers, apparently, still aren't guarding anyone. The Nuggets, conceivably, could fall into their old, tender, trap and stop guarding the Pacers. The Pacers could put up 110 points as a result.

Carmelo Anthony(notes) could put up 112.

And if you haven't dropped $169 on League Pass yet, this might be the one to turn you over.

Comment away, as the night moves along, Dizzies. Nine games tonight, heaps of fun, enjoy the ride.

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: Akron Beacon Journal, via SLAM. "Remember when LeBron James(notes) said there was no rivalry between the Wizards and the Cavaliers? DeShawn Stevenson(notes) was asked about that comment Monday afternoon, on the eve of the rivalry's first 2009-2010 incarnation. ‘He's the Golden Child, he's gonna say that,' Stevenson said. ‘He has a lot of stuff to lose. I don't. I don't care.'"
PF: Cavalier Attitude. Why no contract extension for Rudy Gay(notes) should be news for the Cavaliers.
SF: The Baseline. Like Shoals, I, too, am fervently pro-NBA League Pass.
SG: Tremendous Upside Potential. Twenty thoughts on a Bulls fans first trip to Madison Square Garden.
PG: Hoops Addict. If you're a fan of Magic, Bird or '80s basketball, you need to listen to this.
6th: ESPN Chicago. Derrick Rose(notes) wants to be a movie star.
7th: Mavs Moneyball. Three games into the season, and Jason Kidd(notes) still hasn't attempted a free throw.
8th: CelticsHub. Why Rondo's extension puts the Celtics in a tricky spot for next year.
9th: 48 Minutes Of Hell. The Spurs are one of the most forward-thinking outfits in American sports.
10th: Off The Dribble. After playing zero minutes in the first two games, Larry Hughes(notes) is alive!

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

After all, nobody really ever retires from broadcasting, at least on the sports side of things. Apologies for going a bit harsh with this, but usually people just die first. And though Bill is two decades removed from his playing days, he only turns 57 on Thursday. Nobody's following him with a sickle. No flies on Bill.

But it makes sense that he'll have to give it all up. Because early, forced, retirement due to health reasons makes all the sense in the world for Bill Walton. Why? Because it isn't fair. Why? Because it's sufficiently cruel. Why? Because this guy has never, ever, been able to catch a break.

And, by extension, the people he's been able to entertain effortlessly (even though he put in great effort) for years are left out in the cold again.

Real compassionate, Dwyer. The man can't even force himself into a courtside seat because of the pain he's enduring, and you're thinking about yourself.

Well, yeah. That's kind of the point. Bill Walton's never given two seconds of thought to anyone but everyone else.

His parents, his family, his coaches, his teammates, his opponents, his listeners, his readers, his friends, the strangers, the public, the masses, the multitude of ears that dot the history of Western Civilization. That's what Bill Walton cared about. Not himself.

And, cruelest of ironies, life responded in like kind.

Sure, he was blessed with height and athletic gifts and profound intelligence. But he had to work to build upon the first of those, and refine the following pair. And as soon as he turned a corner with all three? Injuries. Then intolerance, from the culture he'd hope to help change. Then, eventually, an ankle fusion-forced exodus from the thing he loved most — running up and down the court, kicking some team's ass.

By then, of course, he'd overcome a seemingly-debilitating stutter, and became employable on the TV side of things. Not just employable — Walton has had lasting gigs with CBS, NBC, and ABC. Name someone else with that track record.

He also did Los Angeles Clipper games, locally, with Ralph Lawler, and was an absolute hoot. I've never heard a pair have so much fun dealing with such little substance, but Walton and Lawler weren't just taking the piss out of a Clipper/Warriors game. They were legitimately enjoying themselves, and I've yet to hear anything that comes close to that, spewing out of my satellite dish. I've kept the same speakers, in a fit of superstition, hoping that something else shows up. No dice.

Along the way, he developed some detractors. But, come on, are you people that uptight? That allergic to whimsy? That frustrated? The guy goofed around. Nobody is more serious about the game he loves, filtered through the life he wants you to love, but that doesn't mean you can't get a bit silly with things. Chill out.

And now, he has to stop. And it's just cruel. It's not easy to fold a 7-foot frame (Walton always likes to refer to himself as 6-11, but we know better) into planes, into hotel rooms, into sideline chairs, onto studio sets; but this should have been the one thing Bill could have done.

It should have been a proper karmic reimbursement for the years of pain and frustration, a deity-derived rain check handed down from on high. "OK, you can't be the greatest pivot man to ever play the game, but I'll still give you the chance to make millions happy at a time. Tip-off's at 7:30. Smarten up."

Well, I don't believe in ghosts. And this is a good reason why. Sadly.

It's enough to thoroughly depress me, even as we're looking at the dew-misted, untouched field of dreams that is the 2009-10 season. It was enough to sadden me last spring, even in the midst of the greatest time in most of our lives. It just isn't fair. Even if you were too small to handle how he called games, the least you can do is agree with that.

We've nothing to do but to move on, attempting to learn from the lessons he taught us. The man is still around, his spirit unmoved, we're just going to hear less from him. We think. Possibly. If we're honest, that ain't happening. I got a feeling that old Bill ain't going nowhere.

So, I'll look for you in old Honolulu, San Francisco, Ashtabula. You're going to have to leave me now, I know. But I'll see you in the stars above, in the tall grass, in the ones I love. You're going to make me lonesome when ... ah, forget it. You ain't going nowhere.

You want to start up a podcast, Bill?

I'm thinking of changing the name of this column to Phoodnomenal Swag. Between Monday's Shaq candy bar, and today's Portland Trail Blazers 1991 cookbook, I think that's a good idea. Plus, I love portmanteaus.

Anyways, this Blazers cookbook is really something else. There's not much information about it on Amazon, but it does have a Yahoo! answers page, so we know it isn't just a myth. One can only assume that this is a book of recipes that coach Rick Adelman and noted sommelier Jerome Kersey put together.

I think Blazers Edge contributor Bart King put it best in his review:

"A classic! Admittedly, to date I've only had the privilege of seeing the cover of this book. But given the excellent taste of the Portland Trail Blazer roster circa 1991, this is almost certainly the most seminal book of its kind."

Yep.

Ball Don't Lie's Swag Rating: Three Muggsy Bogues ...

via PDXBlazersFTW

After the jump, Ron Artest and Toni Braxton.

Winner, Joemama:
Un-break L.A.
Bring Ariza ba-ack
Undo the mess you caused
When you F-ed up the spacing
Of the triangle
Un-chuck those threes
That clank away in the night
Un-break L.A.
L.A.

Co-runner-up, misterj:
Toni: "I love you, Ron."
Ron: "I love you too, Halle."

Co-runner-up, JunkyJ:
Together: "That IS so Raven!"

On today's show, Skeets and Tas face their toughest challenge yet — getting Stan Van Gundy to smile. They also mourn the lack of defense between the Cats and Nets, applaud the gritty Rockets, and tell Hornets fans to start worrying. All that, plus Skeets advocates sports bigamy and Tas calls out Allen Iverson(notes).

Remember to tip your waitress. They'll be here all week.

Subscribe to the video show on iTunes | Download the .m4v directly
Subscribe to the audio show on iTunes | Download the .mp3 directly

Popeye Jones, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons who's now an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, was arrested Sunday in Richardson, TX and accused of drunk driving. According to The Dallas Morning News, the Richardson Police Department received calls from other motorists complaining that someone driving a GMC Yukon was driving erratically.

The cops say Jones declined a breathalyzer test, but it is believed Jones was intoxicated. There was a "minor struggle" when police tried to arrest him and Jones was "taken to the ground," causing "minor" facial cuts.

(Note: I use quotations because, outside of Popeye and the cops on scene, no one actually knows what happened. Did Popeye resist arrest? Or did the police use excessive force to bring the six-foot-eight ex-power forward down? FanHouse reports that the arresting officers had an in-car dashboard camera, so I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.)

In the meantime, Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban declined to comment on the arrest, instead opting to ask the Dallas Morning News via email: "Why do you care? Do you report on every DWI that occurs in Dallas?"

Is that a zing? I think that was a zing.

Out of nowhere, both Sacramento and Memphis came through with an early season big-top blowout. Full of fun, huge hoops and fair play, the Grizz and Kings went at it hard from the beginning, pushing the ball and looking to find the open man.

Grizzlies and Kings, and the phrase "open man." I promise.

They didn't always get the rock ahead to that open man, but the effort was there. The Grizzlies even had more turnovers (21) than assists (17), and 17 assists in a 53-minute game is pretty poor, but the attitude was on point. For most of the game. We'll get to when it wasn't, later.

The Kings won, with just one starter in double figures, but ... how?

The Grizzlies kept it close, despite being outperformed in every conceivable area, but ... how?

Memphis had scorers everywhere, going at it in the face of a Sacramento perimeter defensethat was pretty porous. Sure, there were hands in faces at times, but to a lot of these Grizz, that hardly matters.

The Kings had Kevin Martin(notes) go off for 48 points, but the first four men off the Sacramento bench played significantly better than the other four starters around Martin (who sat for a total of 33 seconds in the 53-minute contest).

Desmond Mason(notes), somehow, is still out there. Sean May(notes), whose skills I adore, is still being handed starters minutes even though he has 15 pounds to go. Tyreke Evans(notes) hasn't figured out how to finish shots, or thoughts, on this level. And Jason Thompson(notes) had a bad night. He'll be back.

Spencer Hawes(notes), Omri Casspi(notes), Beno Udrih(notes), and Andres Nocioni(notes)? In reverse order, Argentina, Slovenia, Israel, and Real America. In every order possible, brilliant. Udrih was the spark; he ran the show and won the game. Casspi could have had 25 points had his teammates just done a better job of finding him. Noc, eh.

Hawes? Absolutely fantastic. Just killed it on either end. Nailed shot after shot, and teammate after teammate. Seven assists from a center, off the bench. Eleven boards, two blocks, 21 points. Great night out. The all-around rock that made the difference.

The person who put the Kings, son, in a place to make a difference? Kevin Martin, pulling off one of those Kevin Martin-styled lines.

Forty-eight points on only 27 shots. With a couple of 3-pointers that were in line, or rimmed out. And then one that flat-out missed. The other seven he took? Those went in.

Smooth, sinewy, cocksure and interested again. Welcome back.

***

The game was all Sacramento's, but Allen Iverson(notes) needs to be addressed.

He waited one game — one game! — before bitching about minutes.

This isn't proper journalism etiquette, but let's start with the coach's response quote, before the player's moan. Lionel Hollins?

"He hasn't even been with the team until just a couple of days ago. He's going to come off the bench. He hasn't played all preseason, hasn't played the three regular-season games (leading up to Monday's loss). He only practiced three days in training camp before he got hurt so there's no way I would trot him out there in a starting role."

Makes sense, righto? Not to Allen. Not in his first game in a Memphis Grizzlies uniform.

"I had no problems (with his bum hamstring). I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with."

You insufferable twit. You're minutes removed from your first game of the season that's supposed to see you get it right, for the first time in a "professional" career that stretches back to 1996.

"I'm not a reserve basketball player. I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. To answer the question, 'No, I'm not a bench player. I'm not a sixth man. Go look at my resume and that will show you I'm not a sixth man."

I've seen your resume. It's pathetic. An MVP, that Shaq should have won. Lots of scoring, and precious little growth since people learned they could make money off you.

Iverson made 5 of 9 shots, which is great for him, and pretty impressive for a player working in his first game of the year, while injured, on a new team. Sure, Udrih and Martin were trying to check him, but 5 of 9 is five of nine.

That said, as soon as he came in the game in the first half, the ball movement for the Grizzlies stopped. Dead in its tracks. And a giant Grizzlies lead became a close game, though Iverson was hardly singularly at fault for this.

And in the second, when he was hitting shots? He turned it over. He tried to help too much on defense, which allowed his man (Beno) to move into open spots for a made shot, or to initiate the eventual collapse of the Memphis defense with the start of the penetration. Iverson started fast breaks with bad misses, and caused a three-second violation by refusing to shoot with Zach Randolph(notes) (30 and 16) camped out in the lane.

Iverson was hurt, and it was his first game. But lots of uniquely talented NBA players have to play in first games, or through injuries, year in and year out. And they don't act all Alvin Robertson-y on defense and, well, all Allen Iverson-y on offense. They take a step back until the system makes sense. Until the wounds heal.

He was bad. Real bad. And that was before we heard the postgame reaction.

And this just continues to stink. The guy just doesn't get it, and it hurts. I don't like being the guy that rips on Allen Iverson all the time. I want to be the guy at the keyboard when everything turns around.

The Grizz got off to a blinding start. They were in the midst of blowing the Kings out of the water. They appeared to dig playing for Hollins. O.J. Mayo(notes) was looking for Rudy Gay(notes) and vice versa. Lots of eye contact and sincere high fives. I know it was against the Kings, but everything was going right.

Iverson hadn't even entered yet, and I was still thinking that it could be the pell-mell Grizzlies that would be the ones that could turn A.I. around. Not the dyed-in-the-wool Detroit Pistons with all that tradition. The Grizzlies. Because A.I. wouldn't want to ruin this. Yes, it's against the Kings; but he wouldn't want to ruin this fun, would he?

Doesn't matter. The only thing Allen Iverson has ever cared about is what's best for Allen Iverson. And that's a noble thing when the world is against you. You've got to do what you can to survive.

When the world is your oyster? It's just childish.

One game.

Charlotte 78, New Jersey 69

It's truly hard to describe just how miserable this game was.

It may have been the least amount of fun I've ever had watching a pro basketball game. I'm having a hard time coming up with a nastier experience. I've watched games while quite ill, in pain, hungover in an Applebee's, and in Orlando. Someday, I'll probably manage to do all five at once.

Hell, I watched Michael Jordan play against the Chicago Bulls. Several times.

But this one? This may have been the worst. And it was the lone early game on a gorgeous fall evening, comfy couch, solid sightlines, with Serotonin receptors sipping at a seemingly inexhaustible supply of whatever. No complaints about my surroundings. Many complaints about the play.

D.J. Augustin(notes) was the only thing that kept Charlotte from a six-point first quarter, and yet he was still pretty terrible in his opening stint. The shot selection across the board was pitiful. The defense for both outfits was sound and aggressive. I can't argue against that.

I can argue against a bum night from Brook Lopez(notes) (early on, at least), an injured Devin Harris(notes), a pudgy Boris Diaw(notes) and a possible ligament tear from Yi Jianlian(notes). That's how bad it was. I was ruing the absence of Yi's typical eight-point,4-of-11 shooting night.

Somehow, even with Charlotte's nasty outbreak, the Nets allowed the Bobcats to go on a 24-0 run. How you can allow a 24-0 second-half run to a team that limped its way to 33 points, I'll never understand, but then again you'll just have to learn to understand New Jersey's terrible offense. Charlotte's isn't much better. It's the worst in the league. Basketball Prospectus has these teams pegged as the two worst offensive outfits in the NBA this season. They looked the part.

The Nets finished by scoring 77 points per 100 possessions, which is appalling, and Charlotte bombed out at around 90 per 100, which is slightly less ... no, it's appalling. This game didn't set any post-shot clock records for offensive ineptitude — we had the lockout year to deal with after all — but this contest was just miserable in every regard.

There was Charlotte's PA guy working it, too. Gah.

***

New York 117, New Orleans 111

This was a fun one. The Knicks really brought a sound purpose to this contest offensively. I don't expect Larry Hughes(notes) (8 of 13) to shoot this well very often, or for Chris Duhon(notes), Al Harrington(notes) or even David Lee(notes) to continue to perform this efficiently in the face of what was pretty solid New Orleans' D; but permanence aside, it was an enjoyable trip.

The Knicks did well to turn Chris Paul(notes) into a passer in the first half of the win, though we suspect Paul was trying to prove a point or two, or save the legs for the second half. Whatever the plan, it worked for CP3; he scored 29 points after halftime while also finishing with 13 assists, just two turnovers and five boards. The guy was just unstoppable for long stretches. Against the Knicks. I'll stop.

And, as mentioned by Mike Gorman during the Celtics/Hornets broadcast on Sunday and Adrian Wojnarowski here, Paul is dripping with enmity for whoever crosses his path. This might be how he enjoys things, I don't know, but the man looks rather put off. Considering his lot, I would be, too.

Because it was the first Monday of the month, Paul had help. Emeka Okafor(notes) had 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as Clyde Frazier prattled on about much the Hornets missed Tyson Chandler(notes), and Peja Stojakovic(notes) had his second straight night of looking like an actual NBA-level player.

But Bobby Brown(notes) (averaging nearly nine shot attempts per game this season, making 28.6 percent of them) continues to be allowed to chuck. He did have more rebounds (four) than David West(notes) (three). And, for some reason, Ike Diogu(notes) remains glued to the bench while Hilton Armstrong(notes) (scoreless in nearly 15 minutes) flails around.

David Lee was the killer for New York tonight. He was scoring all over the court, driving or working an improved pull-up jumper on his way to 28 points. Mainly in Emeka's face.

Chris Duhon pushed a good game most of the night, and the overall Knicks ball movement was very nice. Twenty-four assists don't tell the whole story, as the Knicks shot heaps of free throws (24 for 28), constantly had the Hornets on their heels and only turned it over nine times in a 98-possession game.

***

Houston 113, Utah 96

Houston went into Utah, piled up 121.5 points per 100 possessions, dominated the offensive glass and basically pushed the Jazz around for 48 minutes.

Now, we know Utah isn't much of a defensive powerhouse, but where the hell did this come from?

Ah, yeah. It's that inexplicable Rockets run that you couldn't help but expect in spite of the absence of the team's two All-Stars. Take everything away, and this band still makes it work. They're essentially the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail ...

... except, in this version, the Black Knight kicks Arthur's ass.

Twenty-nine assists on 42 field goals for Houston tonight, and that was with another team's crew running the scorebook. The team made half its shots and almost 53 percent of its 3-point looks, but still managed to pull in 15 offensive rebounds. The team just looks ridiculously fluent, and the current core has barely been together a month. Amazing.

Four games in, I know, I should stop. But even if it all falls apart from here, it's been nice to watch. Fun to watch.

The team brings the "D", too, but we knew that about them. Pulling off this sort of offensive effort in Utah is something else entirely.

The Jazz just don't have it yet, and Deron Williams(notes) (6 of 20 shooting) has appeared to catch whatever Carlos Boozer(notes) brought to camp. Boozer missed six of his seven shots, and appeared to be pretty gun-shy save for the times he got to defend David Andersen(notes).

Nineteen turnovers for Utah, something you just can't do against a team like Houston that owns the glass, and suddenly loves to run. Aaron Brooks(notes) (19 points, nine assists in under 30 minutes of play) came through with a terrific floor game and bothered Williams on both ends all night.

***

Los Angeles Clippers 93, Minnesota 90

Both of these teams just have so many holes. I liked the enthusiasm from both sides, but both sides have a lot to figure out.

Minnesota's offense left it down the stretch. I credit the Clippers, they swarmed, and they worked well away from the ball — but most of the Clippers didn't really have anyone to guard. Love Ryan Hollins(notes), and he played fine ball, but you still take your chances leaving him. You take your chances and try to let Ryan Gomes(notes) beat you. And if Corey Brewer(notes) is up for shooting, then by golly, let the man shoot!

Brewer missed 15 of 21 shots, mostly low-percentage long-rangers. It was pretty brutal, and I guess you have to take those looks to keep the defense honest as the clock winds down, but ... no, you don't have to take those. Five steals, two blocks, six assists for Brewer — a player who improved by leaps and bounds over the summer, so much so that the team picked up his third-year option yesterday — but 14 points on 21 shots just isn't going to work.

Al Jefferson(notes) is rounding into form, but his legs aren't all the way back, so he's susceptible to double-teams. Still, 24 points on 16 shots. And ye he should have had more than 16 shots. Los Angeles, mainly, was the culprit.

The Clipper bigs continue to bring it. Twenty-five and 11 for Chris Kaman(notes), and until the shots start to fall flat, keep pulling up, large man with mustache. Five blocks (putting him over 2,000 for his career), 15 boards and eight points for Marcus Camby(notes).

Baron Davis(notes) has made exactly one-third of his shot attempts so far in 2009-10. He did make some nice entry passes to Kaman, especially in the first half, but this thing isn't turning around any time soon.

Charles F. Gardner, Journal Sentinel: "Another dunk resulted in another knee injury for Michael Redd(notes). The Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard will be out for at least two weeks after he suffered a strained left patella tendon against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. But Redd's latest setback was not related to the major injury he suffered in January, when he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the same knee. Instead, it was eerily similar to an injury he suffered in January 2007, when he dunked late in a game against Cleveland and also hurt his left patella tendon. This time he injured the knee while making a right-handed dunk early in the third quarter of the Bucks' 96-85 victory. 'It's not severe,' Redd said. 'Good news. I just aggravated an old knee injury I had a couple years ago. I'm going to Chicago to check it out with my doctor, but the MRI showed up pretty positive.'"

Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal: "Fourth-year forward Rudy Gay(notes) and the Grizzlies failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the NBA deadline. Negotiations broke off Monday evening so Gay will become a restricted free agent next summer. The Griz still can match any offer sheet Gay signs. The parties had until 10:59 p.m. CST Monday to strike a deal. 'We've agreed to not agree,' said Jeff Austin, Gay's agent. 'We looked at different ways we might try to get something done and we weren't able to agree.' An NBA source said the Grizzlies' final offer was a five-year deal worth about $50 million. Gay was asking for a deal similar to Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) (five years, $65 million with incentives), according to the source. Neither side would characterize the contract discussions."

John Reid, The Times Picayune: "As his teammates dressed quickly, Chris Paul(notes) stood with his back against a wall in the locker room trying to figure out why the New Orleans Hornets were unable to stop New York Knicks center David Lee(notes) from going through the lane for uncontested layups or keep Al Harrington(notes) from making perimeter shots. Paul said he hoped New Orleans' momentum from a 29-point third-quarter surge would be enough to spark his teammates. But instead of closing out the Knicks, the Hornets were buried by their own mistakes. [...] It appeared at times in the fourth quarter that Paul was the only assertive Hornets player in the game. On several possessions, too often Paul's teammates lacked movement. He took advantage of open shots along the perimeter and used his quickness and darting moves to run past the Knicks' Chris Duhon(notes), a former Salmen High School standout, for drives to the basket."

Ross Siler, Salt Lake Tribune: "More than a month after Carlos Boozer(notes) returned to Utah, Jazz chief executive Greg Miller took the symbolic step of wearing the former All-Star forward's No. 5 jersey to an interview Sunday night on KSL Channel 5. 'This is just a 'Welcome back Carlos,'' Miller said. 'I want to make him feel welcome. I'm glad he's here. I want to let him know that whatever happened over the summer is water under the bridge and it's all about winning going forward.' Miller's relationship with Boozer has been the subject of much speculation following a July conversation between the two. In the weeks afterward, Boozer asserted that he had been told by management he no longer was in the Jazz's future plans. Boozer went so far as to claim that he and the team had mutually agreed to a trade and named Chicago and Miami as preferred destinations. Throughout the summer, Miller declined requests to clarify what had been said to Boozer. Although they explored trade possibilities, the Jazz ultimately opted to bring back Boozer for a sixth season in Utah."

Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: "Finally, the Rockets had enough. As much as they had seemed to control the game from the opening tip, they could not pull away. They kept building leads. The Jazz kept rallying back. By the fourth quarter, another lead was gone. The Jazz seemed poised for one of those familiar finishing kicks, when everything seems to roll for them on this site of so many Rockets nightmares. Yet, with another lead gone, the Rockets put together another run, and this time, they kept on running until they rolled to a 23-point lead and cruised in for a 113-96 rout Monday of the Jazz. 'It's huge, a huge win for us,' said Rockets center Chuck Hayes(notes), who had 10 of his 12 points in the first half to help set a tone for the night. 'They're probably top in the league every year as far as homecourt advantage. To come in and get a win is huge, and probably how we played is more impressive than the win itself.' The Rockets did it by accomplishing almost everything they wanted. With Luis Scola(notes) getting 15 rebounds, they outrebounded the Jazz, 46-28, and outscored them, 13-6, in second-chance points, by far their best night on the boards in the early season."

RealGM: "The Cavaliers are going to continue bringing guard Delonte West(notes) off the bench. Cleveland coach Mike Brown said that West will not be in the starting lineup against Washington on Tuesday. West has had a very rough offseason. In addition to dealing with his bipolar disorder, West could still face a league suspension for misdemeanor weapons charges against him in Maryland. As if that wasn't enough, his wife filed a domestic violence report against him last week. Anthony Parker(notes) has been Cleveland's starting shooting guard."

Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: "Charles Barkley believes the NBA should adopt a 20-year-old age limit that would mandate players be two years removed from high school or have two years of college to help stem the slew of draft busts. 'I have always thought the longer they stay in college, their level of play will improve,' said Barkley. 'You go to college to learn how to play. When you are in high school, you're just good because you are bigger, stronger, and faster than everybody else. You should go to college to learn how to play. They are bypassing that, and it hurt the NBA for a long time. The NBA is back on the upswing but there was a few years where we had a bunch of talented players who didn't have a clue how to play.'"

Jerry Zgoda, Star Tribune: "On Monday, the Wolves were overcome by a Clippers team that won for the first time after an 0-4 start ... While Telfair and Smith came off the bench in measured roles for the Clippers, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis started Flynn for the fourth time in as many games this season and brought Sessions off the bench. But also once again, he tinkered with the point-guard combination, searching for the guy who can get his triangle offense organized and running efficiently. [...] Rambis praised his team for executing its new triangle offense "probably the best we've done," an improvement perhaps attributable to Ramon Sessions'(notes) 31 minutes off the bench while rookie starter Jonny Flynn(notes) played fewer than 19. That was flip-flopped from their minutes the first two games. Rambis used the word 'exceptional' to describe how Sessions 'organized' the offense, dictating its options with when and where he delivered the ball to teammates."

Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer: "Great defense and fortuitous scheduling were the only things that kept the Charlotte Bobcats .500 Monday. The defense was superb - the New Jersey Nets went 10 minutes of the second half without a point. And the opponent is deservedly winless. That added up to a 79-68 escape at Time Warner Cable Arena. The offense continues to be dysfunctional. The Bobcats (2-2) set a team record for worst shooting in a half (19 percent) to open the third quarter down eight. They managed to shoot 50 percent in the second half and played the best defense coach Larry Brown has seen from this team. 'I told them, 'We don't defend and we lose by 40,'' Brown said of his halftime message. Even with great defense, this was a long walk through a dark night. The Bobcats finished up shooting 32 percent and committing 21 turnovers. How many teams could they have beaten like this?"

Jason Jones, Sac Bee: "Some of the questions surrounding Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans(notes) before last June's NBA draft had to do with whether he was a point guard or shooting guard and if he had a consistent jump shot. Some of the same things were said about Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo(notes) before the 2008 draft. Things worked out fine for Mayo, who averaged 18.5 points and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Mayo and Evans made headlines nationally as high school underclassmen. But Kings coach Paul Westphal hadn't considered any similarities between Mayo and Evans before Monday's home opener against the Grizzlies. Westphal sees more similarities not related to their play. 'The fact that they're both one year out of college walking into the league as an immediate starter, I'm sure they have a lot in common,' Westphal said. 'A lot of things they can compare, what's it like to step from one world into this one. But style-wise, their games are different.'"

Frank Isola, New York Daily News: Among the many differences between Stephon Marbury(notes) and Isiah Thomas, here are two more: Thomas doesn't need to buy a ticket to watch the Knicks and he still maintains a close relationship with Garden chairman James Dolan. Thomas and Dolan dined together last Wednesday in Miami prior to the Knicks' season opener. The two later sat together in a suite at AmericanAirlines Arena and watched the Knicks lose to Miami. 'He still feels badly for what happened to Isiah,' says a source close to Dolan. 'He wishes things would have worked out differently.'"

As you probably could have guessed, the star-less Houston Rockets have started out on the right foot. It hasn't broken yet, the team has split a pair of contests with the Portland Trail Blazers, while winning a tough one in Golden State.

(The Portland thing cracks me up. No wonder the Trail Blazers are carping at each other — before Sunday's win over the Thunder, Portland had played the Rockets in eight of their last nine games.)

Houston has upped the pace, moving from 19th in possessions per game last year to 12th this time around, and it's agreeing with free agent signee Trevor Ariza(notes), who is averaging over 23 a game in his time as a Rocket. That would be Trevor Ariza. 23 a game. I knew he was athletic and on national TV a lot, but, geesh. That cat put in some work.

You know the Jazz put in the work. They've split their first two, with a win over the Clippers and a loss in Denver, and the team has looked pretty solid thus far. Huge shocker.

And, on NBA TV, this game should be available to many a numbered few. Something like that. Have at it, boys.

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: Sports Media Watch. ESPN NBA analyst Bill Walton, plagued by back issues over the past two years, is retiring from broadcasting. Throw the microphone down, big man!
PF: SLC Dunk. Jazz forward Paul Millsap(notes) pulls off a pretty good T-Pain look.
SF: NYTimes.com. The average price for a NBA ticket fell for the first time in eight years.
SG: PistonsNationBlog. The best Jason Maxiell(notes) story you've probably never heard.
PG: Stealth's Take. NBA says Donaghy is a desperate man looking to make a buck. Is it that simple?
6th: At The Hive. A hilarious visual recap of Sunday's Hornets-Celtics game.
7th: White Chocolate Blog. The trailer for Chris Bosh's(notes) intense "First Ink" documentary.
8th: Hooped Up. NBA Superstars talk about the mindset they have entering a new season.
9th: The Blowtorch. "We Are Clippers," a poetry slam by Baron Davis(notes) and Eric Gordon(notes).
10th: The Baseline. "There's a strange disconnect between reality and fantasy going on in Cleveland."

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

Trey Kerby of The Blowtorch searches high and low across the Internet for NBA-related goods you never knew you needed. You know, phenomenal swag. Email Ball Don't Lie any relevant products you find here.

Back when Danny Ferry was trading for Shaquille O'Neal(notes), he probably should have consulted me. No, I'm not Professor Basketball, but I could have said, "Hey, Danny Ferry, maybe adding a guy with numerous food products named after him to the middle of the court is going to make your team look super awkward." Then, I would have shown him this eBay listing for a Shaq candy bar called Mr. Big.

I don't know if that would have changed Danny Ferry's mind, but it would have at least opened his eyes to the world of chocolately, carmel-y, peanut-y goodness that exists on the Internet. But since Danny Ferry doesn't care-y about this, maybe you would. I mean, who doesn't love limited edition candy bars? And hey, this ten-year-old candy bar is at least as fresh as Shaq is.

Ball Don't Lie's Swag Rating: Two Muggsy Bogues ...

via Carles

After the jump, Artest and Pac.

Winner, inyoface71:
"By the way, Pac, thanks for the lemonade you left by the men's room."

Co-runner-up, Dallas Carter:
Manny: "So when are you going to write a song about those 'Filipino women?'"

Co-runner-up, ian:
True Warrior meets Tru Warier.

A few things learned from the Detroit Pistons' Halloween video above:

1. Rip Hamilton cares not for your apples, old woman.
2. Generally speaking, Big Ben Wallace(notes) likes homemade cookies — just not on October 31st.
3. Austin Daye's(notes) mom is evil.
4. Jason Maxiell(notes) washes down babies with bars of soap.
5. Rodney Stuckey(notes) really likes Halloween.

Cheers, Need4Sheed.com.

Jeff Clark, CelticsBlog: "Rondo is one of the best point guards in the game and he's a critical piece to the championship hopes of this current core group of veterans. Of course (Lord willing) he'll be playing long after this group retires and for the Celtics he represents a critical building block for the future. As long as Perk's body holds up, we've got a solid center and a top notch point guard to build a team around. This move also appears to lock the Celtics into a strategy that does not involve being players in the free agent market next year (except with the MLE). It also might make them more willing to take on short term salary via trade in order to upgrade the talent level of the team for the next 2 to 3 years. Hopefully it also marks the end of the Rondo trade rumors as well (at least for the near future). As a big Rondo fan, I've got a big smile on my face today. As a Celtics fan, I can only hope that whatever maturity issues he's had in the past remain in the past. It worked for Paul Pierce(notes) and it could work for Rondo. I hope they are both Celtics for life."

Zack Lowe, CelticsHub: "An $11M/year deal will pay him the same as Monta Ellis(notes) and just a tad shy of Steve Nash's(notes) average salary ($11.7M) over the next three seasons. He'll get less than the max or near-max guys (Gil Arenas, Chris Paul(notes), Deron Williams(notes)), less than Baron Davis(notes) ($13M) and Tony Parker(notes) ($13.5-ishM) but considerably more than the next tier down-Devin Harris(notes) ($8.8M), Jose Calderon(notes) ($8.9M), Mo Williams(notes) ($8.9M) and T.J. Ford(notes) ($8.5M). (All salary figures here are the average of the next three seasons.) For someone who can't hit a jump shot, Rondo got a very, very fair deal. Congrats, Rajon. We'll enjoy watching through the middle of the next decade. In other words, this is about right, and, if anything, a bit of a reach for the C's. Just a bit."

Jay King, Celtics Town: "Out of everyone I know, I was probably the biggest advocate for the C's resigning Rondo. I'll just restate the facts, for those of you who haven't read any of my ramblings about Rondo before. Rondo is 23 years old. He's gotten immensely better each year, and has continued that trend into this season. He's as confident as players come, has already PG'ed a championship team, and seems to always rise to the occasion in big games. While there was some talk about Rondo being a pain in Doc Rivers' ass, there can be no denying that Rondo plays with unselfishness and poise rarely seen in the NBA ... especially for a player so young. As good as Rondo is now, he has the potential to be even better. Imagine him with a consistent jumper. If Rondo could consistently put it in the bucket from outside, nobody in the world would be able to guard him. He has the speed and handles to go by anybody, the vision to find open teammates, and the awareness to maintain a low turnover rate. With a jumper added to the mix? He could be scary, scary good. Already, his jumper looks way better. He finally has good form, and results might soon be on the way."

Tony Massarotti, Boston Globe: "These Celtics are far healthier and far more talented than the Celtics of last spring, and let the record show that Rondo has tailored his game to match. So far this season, Rondo has taken 23 shots in four games — during last spring's first-round series against the Bulls, he twice took more than 20 shots in a single game — and piled up more assists (47) than any player in the league. Only Steve Nash has more assists per game (42 in three games, an average of 14.0). Rondo has the best assist-to-turnover ratio of any starting point guard in basketball at the moment (5.22 to 1). For every turnover he has committed (nine), he has taken more than his share back (10 steals). Ultimately, isn't that all what a point guard is supposed to do? Run the offense and set up the scorers. Protect the ball. Play good defense. Score when necessary, which is almost never at this particular point in time. For the new-and-improved Celtics, Rondo has options the way the Tom Brady of 2007 had receivers, from Paul Pierce and Ray Allen(notes) to Kevin Garnett(notes), Rasheed Wallace(notes) and even Marquis Daniels(notes)."

Ken Berger, CBSSports: "Only a week ago, it seemed that Celtics president Danny Ainge and Rondo's agent, Bill Duffy, were too far apart to get a deal in place before the league-imposed deadline. As a matter of procedure, the Oct. 31 deadline was extended through Monday, the next official business day. Rondo, 24, has the Celtics off to a 4-0 start marked by the return of Kevin Garnett from knee surgery and the addition of free agent Rasheed Wallace. But for all the firepower presented by Wallace and the Big Three, Rondo makes the Celtics go. Ainge and coach Doc Rivers had publicly and privately challenged Rondo to become more of a leader during the offseason. The remarks prompted widespread speculation that Rondo would be traded rather than given an extension offer."

Marcel Mutoni, SLAM: "This comes as something of a surprise for anyone who has followed the Rondo saga in Boston since the Celtics were eliminated from the Playoffs last summer. His GM threw him under the bus following the classic Bulls series; the Celtics reportedly shopped him; it seemed a foregone conclusion that he was headed for free agency next summer; and now Rajon — clearly one of the best point guards in the NBA is locked up for the long-term in Beantown. Go figure."

On today's show, Skeets and Tas discuss the early surprises of the NBA season. Which teams are gelling sooner than expected? Which players took a step backwards? Who is rolling with swagger? All that, plus shocking NBA costumes, the riddle of the sphinx and F-bombs galore.

A Bloody Mary for your Halloween hangover.

Subscribe to the video show on iTunes | Download the .m4v directly
Subscribe to the audio show on iTunes | Download the .mp3 directly

Dwyer's "Behind the Box Score" column is running a little behind schedule this morning. (Damn you, Comcast! Damn you to Internet hell!) So in the meantime, why not enjoy this clip of Heat guard Dwyane "Mr. 10,000 points" Wade cuttin' through the lane against the Bulls and finishing with style?

Each weekday morning, Ball Don't Lie serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your heritage chicken.

Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: "Chris Paul is wily enough to understand when he's being prodded and provoked, and that happened twice in a 30-minute period last night at TD Garden. First, Paul walked over to shake hands and exchange congratulations with Paul Pierce(notes) following the Celtics' rugged 97-87 win over Paul's New Orleans Hornets. In the midst of that conversation, Paul was approached by Celtics guard Rajon Rondo(notes) who said some unkind words to his point guard counterpart. Paul shot back at Rondo and the two had to be separated. Rondo was ushered to the tunnel by Celtics director of security Phil Lynch, while Paul continued his testy conversation with Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, and the two were seen yelling at each other while Paul slowly walked to toward the Hornets' tunnel. It was the culmination of a passionate clash between two under-25 point guards who each have a point of contention with the other. While many NBA players knuckle-knock, hug, and share laughs after games, hardly fostering any rivalry, it appears Paul and Rondo have an actual disdain for each other. [...] The situation began when both were assessed technicals after tangling under the basket with 6:10 left in the second quarter."

Chris Tomasson, NBA FanHouse: "With Monday the deadline to sign a contract extension, Memphis forward Rudy Gay(notes) said it will take a deal of about $50 million over five years to get his signature. 'I think I should be in that range,' Gay told FanHouse before his team's 133-123 loss to Denver on Sunday night at the Pepsi Center. However, Gay said the Grizzlies have yet to offer a deal worth as much as $50 million over five years. 'Yeah, you're right,' he said. Gay said his agent, Jeff Austin, told him Friday it's '50-50' an extension will be reached by the deadline, and he planned to talk with him again late Sunday night. Gay said he's putting much of the responsibility upon Austin to come up with a suitable contract and had told Austin he only wanted to hear from him in recent days if a deal was close. 'If it's not 50, if it's more, I stand behind him,' said Gay, speaking of Austin being able to negotiate a contract in excess of $50 million over five years. 'I'm not going to turn it down.'"

RealGM/Orlando Sentinel: Raptors forward Hedo Turkoglu(notes) says that he wanted to stay with the Magic, but the team's offer was unsatisfactory. Turkoglu, who was a free agent, landed in Toronto via sign-and-trade this offseason after helping lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. 'I was knocking and knocking on the door, waiting for an answer,' he told the Orlando Sentinel. 'I couldn't stand in front of the door forever. It's business. I hated to go.' Turkoglu says he was upset after having an 'awkward' meeting with the Magic this summer that included a low-ball offer. He says the Magic offered him a four-year deal worth $34 million, with the team insisting on holding the option on a fourth season. 'They said I had a good year, it's a good market for you and we hope you get some money,' Turkoglu added. 'It was awkward. After that, my agent [Lon Babby] looked into other teams. Then they [the Magic] didn't return our calls. They made some kind of offer. ... It was frustrating.'"

Associated Press: "Lakers forward Pau Gasol(notes) is getting frustrated by the slow pace of his recovery from a strained right hamstring after missing his third straight game Sunday night. Gasol has been out of action for three weeks since injuring his leg early in the defending NBA champions' preseason schedule. He didn't suit up for Los Angeles' game against Atlanta, putting Lamar Odom(notes) in the starting lineup again. 'We've done all the right treatment and rehab, and now we've just got to be patient,' Gasol said. 'It's not going away, and it was hard for a few days. I didn't expect it to be this way, but we're doing what we have to do.' [...] The Lakers haven't decided when Gasol will return, but he plans to make their upcoming road trip to Oklahoma City and Houston. Coach Phil Jackson doesn't mind if Gasol sits out both games, but he expects his starting power forward to be back fairly soon."

Marcus Thompson II, Contra Costa Times: "An MRI revealed no damage in Warriors backup center Ronny Turiaf's(notes) left knee, but he is out with a sprain. Turiaf left Friday's game against Phoenix early in the fourth quarter and didn't return. He said he went for an offensive rebound and felt his leg give out a sharp pain. Listed as day-to-day, Turiaf said his knee feels better, and he didn't rule out playing Wednesday against visiting Memphis. 'This is an injury that I played with last year towards the end, so I am familiar with it,' Turiaf said, 'I just have to stay on top of it because that is something you have to be careful with. For the position that I play, I need to have power in my legs to play defense and be successful.'"

Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: "The H1N1 virus hasn't had the impact in Orlando it is having in the GTA, but no one is taking chances these days with any kind of flu bug. Magic starting forward Mickael Pietrus(notes) came down with something between Saturday's practice and yesterday's game against the Raptors, and the Magic decided to put him on a plane and send him back home. 'I think in normal circumstances he could have stayed, maybe even played,' Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy said, 'but these aren't normal circumstances. We'll err on the side of caution.' Van Gundy said he didn't think Pietrus had contracted H1N1, but felt it was important for the team to be ultra vigilant in protecting its players. 'If something happens and he's feeling better tomorrow, we'll fly him to Detroit (Orlando's next stop).'"

Mike Bresnahan, L.A. Times: "Jordan Farmar now has extra motivation, should he need it. So does Adam Morrison(notes). The Lakers did not give contract extensions to either fourth-year player, making them both restricted free agents in July. The Lakers had until today to reach an agreement with each player. Farmar, 23, will make $1.9 million this season and Morrison, 26, will make $5.2 million. 'I think I have a lot to offer. I know I can do so much more than I'm doing right now,' said Farmar, who is averaging 4.7 points and 1.7 assists through three games this season. 'If they really, really want me, they probably would have signed me. It's tough. I feel that I've gone out there a lot and shown what I have, with the opportunity that I've got. It's my job to try to prove it to them.' The Lakers have the right to match any offer Farmar or Morrison signs next summer."

Jason Quick, The Oregonian: "Nobody is ready to declare Greg Oden(notes) a leader yet. Not after one game. But what transpired here Sunday could be the start of the season's most important development. It could be when Greg Oden came out of his shell. When he became a little nasty. Very much intimidating. And an immensely powerful force on this team. It was so startling, so different, that Roy and Travis Outlaw(notes) were taking turns imitating Oden's deep growls at teammates during the game. 'TRAV! KEEP PLAYING! COME ON!' Outlaw said, mustering all the baritone he could from his stomach. 'MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS; LET'S GO!' Roy said, his voice deep and gravelly. It started before the opening tip. Oden went separately to Steve Blake(notes) and Roy, reminding them of last year's 102-93 loss here in a game that was out of hand by halftime. Then as the team took the court for the opening tip, he extended his hand into the chest of LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) to stop the Blazers power forward. He spoke closely to Aldridge, demonstratively pointing his finger at the court, at one point saying 'We can't have it!'"

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune: "OK, so the official recruitment period doesn't begin until July 1. And there's no guarantee Wade will leave Miami or the Bulls won't engineer an in-season trade — similar to February's acquisition of Miller and John Salmons(notes) — that will affect their salary-cap situation. It also should be noted no Bulls official has said Wade will be the team's No. 1 priority next summer if he becomes a free agent. Still, as it stands, the Bulls are poised to be one of approximately seven teams with significant salary-cap space to pursue free agents in an unprecedented class that could include Wade, LeBron James(notes), Chris Bosh(notes), Carlos Boozer(notes), Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson(notes). NBA officials are prohibited from discussing prospective free agents. But one Eastern Conference executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity, talked glowingly of a potential Rose-Wade pairing. 'I've heard some people say both need the ball in their hands too much to be effective," the executive said. "I don't see that as an issue at all. Wade doesn't get credit for how well he moves without the ball. And great players always find a way to make it work.'"

Saturday's Halloween game between the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs was delayed when a bat began flying around the court — that is, until Spurs guard Manu Ginobili(notes) whacked the bat out of midair with his hand like a freakin' cat! ("Manu who catch bat with hand accomplish anything." — Mr. Miyagi)

With the bat dazed and confused, Manu calmly picked up the flying mammal, walked it over to an usher and delivered his kill. After a quick squirt of hand sanitizer the game was back on. No bat, no problem.

The NBA: If it's not one thing, it's a flying hawk, you know?

And oh, just in case PETA is reading, my sources tell me the bat was released outside the arena.

UPDATE: The bat is dead. Long live the bat!

UPDATE2: He's back from the dead! Spurs claim the bat it still alive.

Step aside, bored Filipino prison inmates ...

Last night, the Atlanta Hawks' A-Town Dancers and Harry the Hawk mascot paid tribute to Michael Jackson's popular Halloween staple during halftime of the Hawks-Wizards game.

The only thing missing: Zombie Zaza Pachulia(notes), of course.

Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!

A few years in, and it's as close to a rule as we get here at BDL's game previewin' division: Golden State and Phoenix play, and you watch.

No excuses. I don't care if the 1996 Bulls and the 1967 76ers are going at it on free TV, somehow broadcast in hi-def through rabbit ears with Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, and Hubie Brown working the call. Don't care if The Meters are working the bumper music, or if they're giving away free balloons for the kids.

If the Suns and Warriors are playing, you watch. You get four times a year to watch this brilliant mess, and I don't care what sort of pre-Halloween parties you have to make an appearance at ... you watch.

There's also, as slyly intimated with the picture above, a bit of intrigue. Either team thinks of the other as the duller one, the one that doesn't get it. Either side says, "yeah, we shoot and run a bit, but it's the [other team] that gives shooting and running a bad name." Plus, both teams like Stephen Curry(notes). Plus, both teams have no idea what to do with Amar'e Stoudemire(notes).

So watch, because you can dig for free, and because it's the Warriors and the Suns. Legally required.

Be safe, trick or treaters.

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: 48 Minutes of Hell. The stat sheet really doesn't do George Hill's(notes) game justice.
PF: Hip Hoop Junkies. Need a last minute Halloween costume? Own a printer? Be Halloween Hedo!
SF: Cavalier Attitude. The "inside scoop" on the meeting between Mike Brown and Danny Ferry.
SG: CelticsHub. Do the top three teams in the East have anything to fear from the Bulls?
PG: Sports Radio Interviews. Doc Rivers thinks Rajon Rondo(notes) will be a Celtic for life.
6th: Silver Screen & Roll. Kobe Bryant(notes), Michael Jordan and the Internet.
7th: Interbasket. NBA's five most internationally diverse teams, and the correlation with wins/losses.
8th: Basketball Linker. The best and worst basketball Halloween costumes.
9th: Garbage Time All-Stars. Steve Nash(notes) sends LeBron a couple of presents.
10th: Bleacher Report. Slideshow featuring the hottest cheerleaders on each NBA team. (Odaymis!)

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

Season 6, Ep. 11: At school, "Beaver" (played by Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko(notes)) gets into an argument with a girl who retaliates by making fun of Beaver's hair, calling him a sheepdog. Incredibly self-concious, Beaver goes out to the store and buys different hairsprays and gels to try to improve his hairdo. He doesn't get the reaction he was expecting when he tries his new hairdo out on his family, friends and teammates. Hijinks ensue.

In the words of Sharapova's Thighs, "Stan Van Gundy would rather be at a knitting convention while studying calculus than be introduced at his Orlando Magic's home opener." Man, what a guy. Also on SVG's list of dislikes: kittens, sunshine, chocolate, infants, laughter and rainbows. Likes: turtles. Go figure.

Cheers, Hooped Up.

After the jump, Step Brothers.

Winner, my name is Jason:
Davis: "What's that?"
Nash: "The three point line."
Davis: "Don't mind if I do!

Co-runner-up, TAIRY GREENE:
"... are those soccer cleats?"

Co-runner-up, Wayne:
"Look, that's the spot where I'm about to get injured and flush another season down the drain."

Trey Kerby of The Blowtorch searches high and low across the Internet for NBA-related goods you never knew you needed. You know, phenomenal swag. Email Ball Don't Lie any relevant products you find here.

You remember this commercial, right? Yeah, you do. It's a classic. Someone should pay those guys for making such a great advertisement. Now imagine if it was a shirt.

News flash: it is.

Breezy Excursion (previously) recently released this shirt, honoring the classic commercial. Because every great commercial needs a t-shirt. But really, the shirt is pretty cool. The quote, the Larry, the Michael, and the horse logo that makes it all make sense.

Strangely, it's not available from Breezy Excursion, but you can get it right from StyleFeeder. Pick one up, then challenge your dad to a game of H-O-R-S-E and mustache-growing.

Ball Don't Lie's Swag Rating: Four Three Muggsy Bogues ...