To put it mildly, Carmelo Anthony is struggling offensively.

After scoring 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting in Friday's 104-90 against the Lakers, Anthony this season is averaging just 19.6 points and shooting just 38.2 percent.

"It's very difficult to be a star," Nuggets coach George Karl said after game. "Defenses are tilted and designed and manipulated to take you out and stop you from being successful. Right now, we're not getting a lot of opportunities for him. He's taking a lot of tough shots. He's frustrated... You've got to be patient and we'll figure out how to help him and him help himself."

Anthony, who did grab 10 rebounds and hand out five assists, sure was patient after the loss.

Phil Jackson prefers when none of his starters has to play more than 34 minutes. Not only did he get his wish in the Lakers' one-sided win over Denver, but none of them spent 30 minutes on the court -- and they still kept Carmelo Anthony in check. Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 29 points in the third quarter before sitting out the fourth, Andrew Bynum had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Los Angeles...

Chauncey Billups made big shots and the Denver Nuggets got plenty of key stops. Billups scored 22 points, Carmelo Anthony added 21 and the surging Nuggets cruised to a 91-81 victory Wednesday night over the injury-riddled San Antonio Spurs. Kenyon Martin added 18 points and Nene had 16 to round out a balanced attack by the Nuggets (8-4), who have won four straight and seven of eight overall since...

For a lot of us, it's going to take a while to stop calling the guy "Scotty Brooks," because he's a coach now. The man deserves our respect, and for us to lose that extra syllable.

Brooks was a pretty underrated guard during his playing career. The UC-Irvine grad didn't have the foot speed to hang with opposing guards defensively, and he could be turnover-prone, but the man nailed shots. Quite accurately. And he was a much better passer than your typical shoot-first Steve Kerr/Daniel Gibson-type.

But he was also smaller than Kerr and Gibson, and while Brooks was listed at 5-11, he sure didn't look it. So he was the typical third guard, as evidenced by the way most people remember him: backing up Kenny Smith and Sam Cassell during Houston's 1994 championship run, and spelling Chris Childs and Charlie Ward on the 1997 Knicks.

Brooks actually started coaching as a head man, with the wacky reformation of the ABA that took place earlier this decade, before moving on to work as an assistant for the Denver Nuggets in 2003.

Considered one of two potential usurpers hired by Kiki Vandeweghe (along with Michael Cooper) that would be ready to take over should Jeff Bzdelik eventually fall short, Brooks never got a head gig in Denver as Cooper ended up taking over. He moved on to the Sacramento Kings in 2006, and then latched on with the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007-08.

Seattle moved to Oklahoma City last spring, P.J. Carlesimo never really was able to do much with the Thunder despite low expectations, and here we are.

Brooks has worked under some interesting and accomplished coaches, so it's anyone's guess as to whom he'll emulate the most.

The new Thunder boss played for Dick Motta, Rudy Tomjanovich, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Fratello, Bill Musselman (and would eventual work as an assistant under Musselman's son, Eric, in Sacramento), and Jim Lynam.

Rumors abounded for a spell, but what we appear to finally have is the truth: the Knicks just dumped Zach Randolph off on the Los Angeles Clippers. Donnie Walsh has become the un-Isiah.

There's no point in killing the Clippers too much for making what is essentially a pretty pointless move. They don't need Zach Randolph, at all. The idea of Randolph and Chris Kaman playing alongside each other kind of reminds of Zach and Eddy Curry trying to go at it, though Kaman has more high post gifts than Eddy Curry. Michael Kamen had more high post gifts than Eddy Curry, for that matter, but that's beside the point.

Randolph's contract is horrible, and I still think he hurts teams despite his point and rebound production, but the contract isn't piling on the mess in the same way that Isiah piled bad deal after bad deal on his Knicks.

The Clippers had to pay Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas anyway next season, so they're not losing any money this year or next, and with Marcus Camby's contract coming off the books in 2010, the Clippers will have some flexibility in Randolph's final year.

What the deal is, though, is pointless. The Clippers are 29th in offense, and Randolph will help, but what the squad desperately needs is some sort of wing scorer. Actually, they needed two. Cuttino Mobley and Al Thornton have both had their moments this year, but they use up a lot of minutes and a lot of shots to get their (average the two out) 15 points per game. There's a reason this team is so inefficient, and Thornton/Mobley/Ricky Davis' play at the wings has the most to do with it.

And as horrible as Baron Davis has been at times, he's still helping the offense. Not a lot, but he is averaging eight assists for a team that only 35 field goals a game. That's a Steve Carlton-on-the-Phillies level of production, if Carlton had a 9.72 ERA and struck out 12 guys all season.

Davis is shooting 36 percent, he's taking an average of 6.5 three-pointers per game and making an average of 1.6 a contest (re-read that, it's astounding), and he's getting to the line nearly half as much as he used to. Other than that, bang on.

But while Baron should be playing better per his contract and abilities, he's not the problem. Mobley and Thornton and Ricky Davis have been. The team is just getting nothing from those wing spots.

And the team's rebounding, somehow, is awful. The Clippers are being out-rebounded by about five and a half per game, even though Kaman and Camby are combining to average over 20 per game. I don't see how Randolph can help that, because his rebounding acumen will come at the expense of another good rebounder's minutes.

So, essentially, the Clippers have further weakened their weakest position, added a superfluous big man, and a year's worth of salary. Not the end of the world, but not good, either. Maybe they can trade Camby back to the Nuggets for J.R. Smith and a part?

The Knicks, as you know, killed it. Thomas and Mobley don't have to play a game. Hell, if I'm New York, I do a favor to their agents and try to work the buyout. Let them try to catch on with a contender. You don't need old, bad (Thomas' PER is about 10, Mobley's is 11) players taking up space on your team. Trade like mad, if you can.

As it stands, as Woj mentioned, the Knicks have lopped off about $17.34 million off their 2010-11 books, and are only set to send about $18.1 million combined to Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries that year (both player options ... thanks Isiah!), plus the rookie deals of Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari (about $5.4 million, combined). That's a pretty barren landscape, with lots of flexibility.

It doesn't have to be for LeBron, or D-Wade, or Chris Bosh. It just has to be a way to start over. The same start Knicks fans have been waiting for since it became obvious that the Ewing/Sprewell/Houston troika wasn't going to work some eight or nine (depending on your fandom) years ago. What a fantastic trade.

And the Clippers? Thanks for knowing your role.

Boston 98, Detroit 80

I suppose it isn't fair to ask the Detroit Pistons to play the defending champs twice in 11 days, a scant few weeks after trading the team's most celebrated player and identity-shaper for the whirlwind and identity-shifter that is Allen Iverson. But we shouldn't completely dismiss these two big losses. There's a kernel of truth in there, somewhere.

We should partially dismiss them, though. Really, how much are the Pistons going to figure out in eight games (4-4) with this guy? This isn't like getting used to having to shade for Jim Abbott defensively once in five games or even switching out your all-around dynamic QB for a trad pocket passer in his mid-30s. Basketball is far, far more complicated. Ask the Nuggets, who traded for Iverson in December of 2006 and still never seemed to get how to use the guard in a way that put the team over the top.

Coaching matters. Stern decisions have to be made, and a lot of that "buck stops here" nonsense actually helps. It helps drive away excuses, and it helps to make you cringe should you have to spit out "we'll get ‘em next time" after the game. If it hurts to say that, you're on the right track. If you're shrugging your shoulders, then something is missing. And I don't care that the season is 82 games.

So when you see the Piston reserves acting like pampered former All-Stars, or Detroit failing to close out on shooters, or stepping into open lanes in order to make sure that the open lanes cease to be open lanes, you have to wonder when the buck is ever going to be able to stop.

This isn't to say that Detroit played the same poor way the entire night, far from it. They just did it long enough to lose handily again. That's the difference between a pretty good team that occasionally plays great and ... the Celtics. The Celtics are just about always there.

The Pistons have never always been there, save for the second round of the playoffs. That's it. Up and down but ultimately rewarding regular season, iffy first round, second round dominance, before falling apart in a third round that they should have won every year. Every damn year. Should have won it, and didn't, for three years running.

You probably saw the game. The Celtics stars were good, and the Celtic bench played great. None of Doc Rivers players saw more than 27 minutes of action, they held a rebounding edge, kept the turnovers down (finally, just 12), and all of Rajon Rondo's decisions seemed to be the right move. 18 points, eight assists, three steals and just two turnovers in only 26 minutes for Rondo.

I'm not saying the Pistons don't care. They do. They're just like most teams in that they don't care enough. And caring enough is a tough, tough thing. It takes a ton of patience.

It's just that, while we should cut them some slack because of the Iverson deal and allow Detroit some time, there are still things to be critical about that don't have a thing to do with Allen Iverson.

Or maybe they do. Either way, we still have to observe a bit more. The season goes on for 82 games, after all.

Los Angeles Lakers 105, Phoenix 92

For most of the month, while the focus has rightfully been on Los Angeles' dominant defense, I've been watching Lamar Odom quietly (and inefficiently, because the shots aren't falling in great numbers) make Tex Winter a happy, happy man.

Winter is the architect of the Lakers' offense, and likely the strongest principle of his famed Triangle offense is the way players are supposed to penetrate the defense. With a pass (preferably, because that means there is an open player somewhere in the teeth of that defense), a drive, a shot, or a rebound.

The last two may not seem like the best moves overall, because shots over the top of the D and ugly offensive rebounds don't seem to go hand-in-hand with the spacious and aesthetically-pleasing Triangle offense.

But these things are important, especially when the player creating the penetration is among those (like, say, the Laker youngsters that come off the bench) who might not be the most structurally-sound Triangle denizens. There's a reason Derek Fisher starts, you know.

So there LO is, shooting the ball, or getting into the lane for a lefty runner or hook that might not fall. Not only is his per-game numbers way down from last year, but his per-minute numbers have taken a dive as well. Even with all those chances to pad his stats among the bench corps. And yet, he's helping. So, so much. Don't let them convince you that he isn't.

Los Angeles held the Suns to about 99 points per 100 possessions, which is right around what the Charlotte Bobcats average, while putting up a number of its own (113 per 100) that would lead the league by a wide margin if averaged out for the year. And that was in Phoenix. And Kobe missed 15 shots, while Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol combined for 14 points. This team is all that and a bag of crisps.

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: SF Chronicle, via FH. Don't expect Stephen Jackson to wear a mask for that injured left eye.
PF: MySpaceTV. Paul Brogan's new NBA rap featuring LeBron James, Greg Oden, CP3 and Chris Bosh.
SF: Ridiculous Upside. Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett support the D-League.
SG: Denver Stiffs. Are the Denver Nuggets the NBA's version of "Major League"?
PG: The Sport Count. Danilo Gallinari's Rehab Diaries: "Noon: Look into the mirror, burst into tears."
6th: TalkHoops.net. Remembering the And 1/streetball movement ...
7th: 100% Injury Rate/Fan IQ. Nuggets' cheerleader makes announcers go "GAAAAAAAAAA ..."
8th: The Phoenix. Heavy Q: "Why do white players seem to bring out the worst in Garnett?"
9th: PistonsNationBlog.com. Lil' Will Bynum throws one down hard while playing in Europe.
10th: MOUTHPIECE Blog. Larry Hughes. Real talk. Postman E: "You are not as good as you think you are. You're that awkward, crappy guy at open gym who, for whatever reason, thinks he's really good, and alienates an entire court of eager basketball players in the meantime. You are self-deluded. You don't command minutes. You waste possessions. You don't defend. Your arm sleeve-sweater-thing is utterly ridiculous. You take horrible shots. SOMEONE NAMED A WEB SITE AFTER YOUR BAD SHOTS. IT WAS QUITE POPULAR DESPITE ITS INCREDIBLY LONG URL."

Cleveland 106, New Jersey 82

The Cleveland Cavaliers are first in the NBA in offensive efficiency right now.

I'll let that sink in a little bit, you might not want to buy it, it might not make sense that one of the ugliest and most frustrating offensive teams of the last four years is now pumping out the league's best offense, but that's what happens when something sick like LeBron James happens.

Nobody should be surprised by James' play, this is right in line with the expected growth from last year, when he out-scored, out-shot, out-rebounded, out-assisted, out-blocked and had a lower turnover ratio than the guy who was voted NBA MVP (they tied in steals, though James did on a slower-paced team). This is right in line with where he should be. And he should continue to be what he's been since the spring of 2007: the NBA's best player.

And his contributions, through the roof by most standards but maybe not as mind-boggling due to Cleveland's slow (24th in the NBA) pace, are what is driving this top-heavy Cleveland offense. That one that, somehow, is tops in the NBA. Yes, Mo Williams, blippity blah. Yes, Big Z still hits shots. Yes, Delonte. But Williams has actually played worse in Cleveland than he did in Milwaukee last year. This is on James.

31 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three turnovers and a block in 34 minutes in the win. And this was his easy night.

Los Angeles Lakers 116, Chicago 109

The Lakers lost because they're better than the Bulls, much better, and that isn't in doubt. But coming in second in the blame/praise column is the team's focus coming out of timeouts, deadballs, and quarters/halves. Los Angeles' play in the third quarter turned this into a blowout after it'd been a game for a while, and though Chicago came back, advantages built in the first and third quarters were too much to overcome.

Pau Gasol (34 points, 24 in the first half) built his initially, and then Kobe Bryant came out firing in the third quarter. The Bulls rallied behind Derrick Rose (25 points, nine assists, two turnovers), but Ben Gordon (6-22 shooting) never plays well in Los Angeles, and Luol Deng (4-10 shooting, nine points) has been left behind by Vinny Del Negro's offense.

Orlando 103, Toronto 90

What happens when your team loses a player who contributes 13.5 points, nine assists, and one of the best assist-to-turnover marks in the NBA?

You lose by 13. You only dish 12 assists as a team on 35 field goals. You turn it over a sickening 21 times, or on 24 percent of your possessions. Too simple? Too right. You know it.

The Raptors miss Jose Calderon, even if the shots aren't going in and he's not providing the direct assist, his ability to keep a live dribble and run things acts as the straw that stirs the offensive drink for Toronto, and they just didn't have enough in Orlando on Tuesday night. Toronto isn't giving up without JC, they played a tough game, but the talent just isn't there at the point guard slot.

Backup Will Solomon had seven turnovers and four assists, needing 13 shots to score 10 points. And Roko Ukic just isn't an NBA contributor. He missed six of eight shots and had two turnovers in 16 minutes to one assist. Chris Bosh's 40 points on 19 shots, 18 rebounds, four assists, three turnovers, two steals and a block (geesh) kept Toronto in it.

Orlando started J.J. Redick, and guess what? He tied for the team lead with a +20 mark. There are all sorts of factors that go into that stat, and it's not always the best representation of how well a guy does, but the number is there, take what you want from it. He had 10 points on 4-9 shooting and didn't turn the ball over in 34 minutes. Hedo Turkoglu turned it over five times, but his activity (22 points, seven assists) stirred a few drinks for the Magic.

Memphis 109, Sacramento 94

The Kings just can't be expected to compete with all these injuries, and when a guy like Rudy Gay (22 points and eight rebounds doesn't seem like much, but he was brilliant in the first half) is going off, you're lucky just to escape with a 15-point road loss. Especially when Bobby Jackson has to carry the offensive load for significant stretches.

And Tom Ziller? How dare he dispute some of my poorly-conceived hyperbole and bluster?

Indiana 113, Atlanta 96

We're in the test phase for the Hawks. They can't jump right back into the playoffs, we still have a little over five months to go before that, and they're going to have to go through the doldrums of an 82-game season just like everyone else. Also, if the Hawks are going to compete at all, Atlanta is going to have to play inspired defense just about every night. Because just playing up to form is going to leave the Hawks well short of .500 and out of the playoff bracket.

On Tuesday, they played to form, as it was during the home-and-home losses to the Nets. Atlanta's early win streak came because they were playing over their heads, but that is something that can be sustained. It's not typical, but it can happen if the effort is there. These guys need to get after it in the first quarter, and not let up. They have to work harder than other teams, because they're not as good as most other teams.

That wasn't there on Tuesday, and while a 17-point loss to an injured Pacer team may seem surprising now, it wouldn't be surprising to you way back in October, when you were wearing parachute pants and drinking New Coke. Or whatever we did back then.

Danny Granger has really left me more than surprised on his own this year, he's been reflexively great. I thought he was a nice wing player who stood still out on the perimeter and nailed a bunch of shots, while contributing the occasional drive and offensive foul. And you can't blame me for that, because that's all he did last season. Shoot the lights out and pick up charges.

This year, he's a full-on all-around force. With handle and touch and the ability to create new and different and potent shots. 34 points in 35 minutes for Granger in the win.

Golden State 111, Portland 106

I watched it early this morning, and I'll be honest, I have no idea what happened. So I'm off to watch again, and anyone with any questions can just hit up this afternoon's BDL Live Chat, which will take off around 3 p.m. or so.

Miami 94, Washington 87

A worrying game for both teams, for me at least.

The Heat continue to go away from Michael Beasley. I understand that he's a rookie on what is essentially a veteran team, a rookie who doesn't often make himself available for shot attempts in a way that Shawn Marion (a master at working off the ball and pouting a little bit) would appreciate, but the Heat have to involve this guy more often. For on and off-court purposes. And for the porpoises. Yes, he was in foul trouble, and the defense was iffy; but six shots and 15 minutes of play is not enough.

Meanwhile, the Wizards (who have played a grand total of three games this entire season, off memory) took in a pair of tres efficient games from Antawn Jamison (25 points on 15 shots, 12 rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers) and Caron Butler (21 points on 12 shots, 12 boards), that's not going to happen much, and they still lost at home to a Heat team that played well, but not that well.

19 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, five turnovers, two steals and three blocks for Dwyane Wade in the win.

Denver 114, Milwaukee 105

Good thing the Nuggets are starting defensive stalwart Dahntay Jones, otherwise Charlie Bell (25 points) may have had 45 for the Bucks on Tuesday.

A hot first half for Denver allowed the Nuggets to take it easy and rest the starters, and that's probably a good thing. Meanwhile, the win now-Bucks are 5-7, and Andrew Bogut took (and made) just one shot in 16 minutes. This cannot work.

What does work? Pickaxe and Roll and BrewHoop's takes.

Dallas 100, Charlotte 83

Charlotte needed a banked-in turnaround jumper, going over his right shoulder from the right block and into the paint, from Adam Morrison to make it to 10 points in the first quarter. And you know what? You're supposed to bank that in. Larry Bird did it. Sometimes it's good to hit a banker that goes over the front of the rim. I'm not being a prick, ‘ere. I promise.

The Bobcats stunk in this one, though. They made few second half runs but they had a truly tough time creating good shots, and Dallas just did what it could on the other end. The Mavs had 50 rebounds to Charlotte's 34, while Dirk Nowitzki (34 points) and Josh Howard (21) had another devastating performance. Made Bobcats cry.

Boston 110, New York 101

I'll say it. I think starting Brian Scalabrine in Kevin Garnett's absence was a little cruel and a little lame and quite wrong. To Leon Powe.

Doc Rivers might like Powe's work off the bench, but so what? He's young. He's not a KG-type that has to cap minutes at 34. Start him, sit the starters, leave Powe and his scoring acumen out there with the reserves. 14 and 7 in 28 minutes for Powe off the bench.

We're probably about to start going nuts about Wilson Chandler around here, but the guy had 23 points on 23 shots. He had seven rebounds in almost 39 minutes, but he just shoots a lot for a team that runs a lot.

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your Crispix. At least for now. We'll see how long this lasts.

Kyle Hightower, Orlando Sentinel: "Who said Polish guys can't jump? In a discussion with fellow Magic European-import Mickael Pietrus (originally from French Guadeloupe), Polish-born Marcin Gortat boasted after a recent practice his ability to dunk from the free-throw line — like Julius Erving. Doubtful of his skills, Pietrus bet Gortat an unspecified sum that he could, drawing a full post-practice audience that included several barefoot players and even Coach Stan Van Gundy. With a full-court run-up, the 6-11 Gortat successfully pulled off the dunk twice after the first one was disputed by Pietrus, who questioned his takeoff point. Said Gortat, as he walked into the locker room mobbed by teammates: 'I'll take my payment in Euros.'"

Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: "A day after Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said, 'Until further notice, I’m going to have to shut it down,' he was running through practice as if he never felt a shot of pain in Monday’s second half. McGrady said he was not certain he would play tonight against the Dallas Mavericks, but the chances have improved as much as his knee. He said he was 'hopeful' he could play, called the MRI that was planned and canceled 'not necessary' and did not describe himself as likely to stop playing entirely."

Jimmy Smith, The Times-Picayune: "Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul has been surpassing records and milestones as fast as autumnal leaves fall, and each time he collects a steal in the next 12 games, he draws closer to the NBA mark for thefts in consecutive games. The record is held by former San Antonio Spurs guard Alvin Robertson, who had 105 consecutive games with a steal from Nov. 6, 1985, to Dec. 29, 1986. Paul ranks second with at least one steal in 93 games in a row. He passed Michael Jordan (77) in the final weeks of last season, and looks to build on the streak in tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings at the New Orleans Arena. Through nine games this season, Paul has 27 steals — an average of three per game — both best in the NBA."

Don Seeholzer, St. Paul Pioneer Press: "When it comes to shooting the ball, Mike Miller has a green light. More often than not this season, though, he has decided to proceed with caution. Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman would like to see that change, even if it means being a little less unselfish. After watching Miller take a season-low four shots, and make three, Sunday night in the Wolves' 90-84 loss at Denver, Wittman said he would like his shooting guard to start pulling the trigger more often. 'Sometimes you get into turning down shots to make the extra pass,' Wittman said Tuesday. 'Mike does all the right things, but at times he's got to be a little selfish, too, when he's got an open shot. I wouldn't want anybody else taking an open shot. Every time he shoots it, I think it's going in.'"

Mike Bresnahan, LA Times: "The NBA's all-time leading scorer has one word for Andrew Bynum — patience. Bynum has struggled with his shot and recently said he wanted to be more assertive once he got the basketball in the post. To paraphrase Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, it will happen in time. 'The offense is designed to spread it around, but if you're getting high-percentage shots in the post, they're of great value to a team,' said Abdul-Jabbar, in his fourth season as a Lakers' special assistant coach in charge of Bynum's development. 'It's a situation where he has to prove that he can deliver and then maybe the offense can look for him more than it is right now. He just has to be patient.'"

Ivan Carter, Washington Post: "Wizards forward Andray Blatche is in his fourth NBA season, yet the team continues to stress that he needs to get into better physical condition. Prior to last night's game, Coach Eddie Jordan was asked about Blatche's up-and-down play through the season's first seven games. 'We call it a dash and a flash but he's certainly not consistent right now,' Jordan said. 'From the time he got into the league, we've talked about his conditioning improving and he hasn't gotten to the point where it's where it should be, where he can sustain a high level of intensity and a high level of concentration.' Jordan said the team has created a modified workout program that has Blatche arriving for practice long before his teammates, in addition to added work in the weight room."

Ramona Shelburne, LA Daily News: "The buzzards aren't quite yet circling, but they might be making flight plans. That's what happens when a team opens the season 1-9, as the Clippers have. Every loss brings a handful of new phone calls from front offices around the NBA, wondering if they might be of any assistance in shaking things up. The Clippers generally tend to answer those phone calls and listen, but don't expect any major moves right away for two very important reasons. 'I think guys are honestly really committed to turning this thing around,' Clippers forward Marcus Camby said after practice Tuesday. 'We still feel like we have a chance to make the playoffs. It may seem bleak because of where we're at right now, but we still have 70-plus games to go.'"

Howard Beck, NY Times: "Jared Jeffries could be practicing in a week and back in the rotation soon. Jeffries received a positive report after his latest X-ray on Friday and said he expected to start running within days. Jeffries broke his left leg on the third day of training camp. 'I need to get another X-ray, and if it’s still healing the same way it is, with no pain the way it has been, then I should be good to go,' Jeffries said."

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "Suns coach Terry Porter planned to play eight or nine men per game this season but warned it would not be the same eight or nine. That has proven true, with him lately calling upon Louis Amundson and rookie Sean Singletary for important minutes. First-round draft pick Robin Lopez was the hailed big-man acquisition, but he has fewer appearances than the energetic Amundson. Singletary seemed bound for the NBA Development League when he was acquired in August, but Suns affiliate Iowa began camp without him Friday, when Singletary was running the Suns' point for the final six minutes of an overtime win at Sacramento. Suspensions and erratic rookie play from Lopez and Goran Dragic have given Amundson and Singletary the chances for which Porter told them to be ready."

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News: "If Nuggets center Nene doesn't make the All-Star Game, he won't complain. Nene is set to marry Lauren Prothe, of Fort Collins, on Valentine's Day, the day before the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Nene isn't listed on the All-Star ballot but could be named a reserve. 'I don't need to be thinking about that,' Nene said. 'This All-Star time, I'm going to be thinking about my wedding.'"

Kate Fagan, Philadelphia Inquirer: "It hasn't been a dream-like start for either the 76ers or up-and-coming backup guard Lou Williams. The Sixers are 5-5. Williams is shooting 35.7 percent from the field, 26.1 percent from the three-point line, and has 20 turnovers and 17 assists while averaging 9.3 points per game. 'I'm in a shooting slump,' said Williams, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract during the off-season. 'I guess that's what they call it. I've never been in one before. I think I got too caught up in my shot rather than creating things for my teammates. In seasons past, I opened things up for other people ... I have to get back to that.' Starting tonight at the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-8), the Sixers hit a valley in their schedule that includes four consecutive opponents with sub-.500 records. It is an ideal time for the Sixers to get above .500."

Frank Isola, NY Daily News: "Stephon Marbury's days as a Knick are drawing to a close, but the veteran point guard could survive until the new year. Knicks president Donnie Walsh has not given up on trading Marbury, who is scheduled to earn $21.9 million this season. Marbury is open to a buyout and has enlisted the help of the Players Association to negotiate with the Knicks. The two sides met last week, but no additional meetings are scheduled for this week, according to a person familiar with the talks. Walsh will not be rushed into making a decision, especially one that could cost the Knicks nearly $20 million. Another source believes that Marbury won't be released until Jan. 1 because Cablevision Systems Corp., which owns the Knicks, won't have to report the financial loss until 2009. A team source, however, insists that the decision to either trade or negotiate a buyout is Walsh's to make."

According to the Rocky Mountain News, the NBA powers that be have downgraded a flagrant 2 foul against Kenyon Martin to a flagrant 1. K-Mart was ejected in the fourth quarter of Denver's loss at Cleveland on Thursday after lowering his left shoulder into Cavs forward/pest Anderson Varejao. Referee Joey Crawford flipped, saw K-Mart's tattoo, and then tossed him. Here's the incident, via Nate Jones:

Martin also was fined $20,000 for failing to leave the court in a timely manner, which he plans to appeal to the league office. His case's opening statement: "Joey Crawford hates me, Stu! He just hates me!"

Carmelo Anthony believes in ghosts, UFOs, David Blaine and the Nuggets defense. But Kenyon Martin's absurd neck tattoo? No way, man — has to be fake. Best caption/imaginary conversation wins a Miss Piggy teapot. Best of luck, gentlemen.

After the jump, Larry Hughes is cold.

Winner, chaoz_golum:
Vinny: Larry, what do you mean you can't play today? What injury is it this time?
Larry: Maternity leave.

Runner-up, Ty:
Straight to DVD ... Blue Streak II!

The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Chivas Regal with one part flippant observation to create the most unbalanced ranking possible, and to offer the least accurate look at the state of the NBA on a weekly basis. If you disagree with your team's spot, feel free to go crazy in the comments or spit venom via email.

1. Los Angeles Lakers — One always had the hint that Arron Afflalo was Los Angeles' kryptonite. The Lakers are now on pace to only win 72 games. The dream is over, people. What can I say? [KD]

2. Boston Celtics — Kevin Garnett: "You can look at our record, but we still have a long way to go." Um, not true, Kevin. Saturday's OT battle in Milwaukee was the Celtics' 68th game in the last 12 days. They're almost done. [JE]

3. Phoenix Suns — Things are too good. Something's going to happen. Steve Nash is going to rob something, or someone. Grant Hill is going to default on a loan. Shaq's going to turn out to be a bloody Bolshevik. They're going to break our hearts. You know it. I like their defense (14th), though. [KD]

4. Cleveland Cavaliers — "LeBron James scored 38 points, leading a second-half rally that gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their seventh straight victory ..." That has to be the Associated Press's go-to line. I bet they use it to pick up chicks at the bar. Also, "LeBronco James":

5. Detroit Pistons — It is a repudiation of all that is sane and civil that Kwame Brown is starting over Amir Johnson. At least Amir's per-minute stats are better. We'll always have the per-minute stats, Amir. Always. [KD]

6. New Orleans Hornets —I've watched the Bees play three or four times this season, and I still have no idea what to make of them. I am flummoxed. One quarter they're dominant, the next quarter they get pushed around a little bit and start playing the refs. Ranking them sixth seems too high and low at the same time. [JE]

7. Atlanta Hawks — Hey, remember when the Hawks were on pace to win 82 games? Man, those were the days. Back when shows had great theme songs and my dad had a neckbeard. [JE]

8. Houston Rockets — When I wrote "rusty bunch of geezers," I meant "tempestuous batch of all-world talents and Aston-driving basketball mercenaries, several of which boast a Victor Mature-like sense of cool and whimsy, even at their most droll." Obviously, both Noel Coward and Carl Landry are standing directly in back of me. [KD]

9. Portland Trail Blazers — The worst defensive team (29th) that nobody knows about ... wait, I'm sorry, did someone order a 7-footer with skills? [KD]

10. Orlando Magic — The Magic Men were the only squad in the league last season with a better record on the road (27-14) than at home (25-16), and we could be looking at a repeat performance. Their moms must suck at cooking. Sloppy Joes and crap like that. [JE]

11. Utah Jazz — One of these days, mister, they're gunna get the whole gang back together and, you wait. Yeah, you wait. Also, minus the Afghan Whigs t-shirt, Kosta Koufos looks like me from October 1994-November 1994. Then I got the haircut right. The skin took a while. [KD]

12. Philadelphia 76ers — It is beyond comprehension. You even take pictures of your hotshot free agent pickups in the uniform. Just go back to the old unis, already. Stop making this harder than it has to be. What would Steve Mix say? [KD]

13. Toronto Raptors — Calderon's out, and you know Darrick Martin is circling the parking lot, like a vulture, trying to guess which car is Will Solomon's.

(Everybody knows Will Solomon can't afford a car!) [KD]

14. Denver Nuggets — 25th in offense, 6th in defense. Yes, I'm back on that thing again. [KD]

15. New York Knicks — Actual "MSG Mic Check" with Coach D'Antoni Sunday night: "C'mon defense, let's go. Let's go guys! Go! Here we go, here we go, guys. Here we go! Here we go, here we go. Way to go, Zach! Here we go white, here we go white. Here we go white." Awesome. [JE]

16. Chicago Bulls — My girlfriend had to tell me to shave the thin little mustache, and she told me she knew exactly why I was growing it. [KD]

17. Miami Heat — Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, coach was in CHiPs.

18. Milwaukee Bucks — "While the Bucks' 5-6 record isn't going to turn many heads in L.A. or New York, it's tough to complain given what they're up against: an obscene eight back-to-backs in the first month, 12 of the first 19 on the road, and seven games and counting without Michael Redd." Frank Madden. Boom! [JE]

19. New Jersey Nets — A young man blocks out harmful memories of weak ankles and significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life and win two games over the Hawks. "The Harris Effect," starring Devin Harris. [JE]

20. Indiana Pacers — The Pacers are actually outscoring their opponents by two a game, which puts them at 13th in the NBA, which means they're better than their record. And yet, six years after it hit the internet, nothing's better than this record. [KD]

21. San Antonio Spurs — Monty Williams has been annoying his family for weeks, stepping outside of restaurants to check his voicemail, and driving circuitous routes in order to stay in cell phone range. He thinks the call is coming. He thinks Pop is going to need him. He's really not as deluded as you think. [KD]

22. Golden State Warriors — If you have five dollars and undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has five dollars, undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has more money than you. [JE]

23. Sacramento Kings — The Kings are horrible. The team is a mismatched batch of parts that shouldn't fit, couldn't fit, and (eventually) won't fit. The team competed like mad all last season. The squad's offense, while iffy, is at least innovative and trying new things. The team is fun to watch. The team entertains the fans. The team works hard. The team is injured. The team has no singular focus off the court. The team has a singular focus on the court. The team should be worse than it is. And you want to fire the coach of this team? [KD]

24. Dallas Mavericks — Sigh. [JE]

25. Charlotte Bobcats — At least three times this season, 68-year-old coach Larry Brown has told his team to stop playing like Laverne and Shirley. Funny line, except "Laverne and Shirley" was a situation comedy that ABC cancelled in 1983. Nine of Brown's players weren't born yet. [JE]

26. Memphis Grizzlies — Once again, it's time for Matt Moore's Griz Semi-Chub. Take it away, good sir ... "The best part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, the fourth quarter will be exciting. They always seem to close the gap. The worst part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, they're probably going to lose, often in profoundly frustrating ways." [JE]

27. Washington Wizards — You just get the feeling that if Chris Whitney were around, none of this crap would be going down. [KD]

28. Minnesota Timberwolves — See: Grizzlies, Memphis.

29. Los Angeles Clippers — This team doesn’t play to expectations, however small. This team cannot rebound, in spite of two guys who had double-figure boards last year. This team is full of mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling (players that were acquired with both coach and front office knowing that they were mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling), who instead receive stern lectures in the press as a result. This team has played at home, a lot. This team loses, a lot. And this team wants to keep its coach? [KD]

30. Oklahoma City Thunder — "PJ Carlesimo is definitely a great hire if you're looking for someone to lose games, alienate fans and insult your city. If not, though, you might want to go with a guy who players respect." Sound advice. Embrace the comments, people. [JE]