Maybe it's the Suns training staff's two-a-day workouts on his body, or the yoga classes he's now started taking. But one thing can't be argued: Shaquille O'Neal definitely has more spring in his step these days.

The 19-point, 17-rebound effort he had against Portland on Saturday night—proving in his first meeting with Greg Oden (five points, one rebound in 14 minutes) that the old master still rules the roost inside—is one indication.

"I'm the Shogun, and before you get to the Shogun, you've got to go through a lot of ninjas," O'Neal said. "He has to go through Dwight Howard, Yao Ming ... and by that time, I'll be out of here."

O'Neal also impressed the fans with a late fourth-quarter dive he took into the stands in pursuit of a loose ball.

It...

The old man showed the kid he still has something left. Shaquille O'Neal had 19 points and 17 rebounds to power the Phoenix Suns to a 102-92 victory over Greg Oden and the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. O'Neal's performance included a head-first dive over the first two rows of seats trying to save a loose ball with 2:55 to play as fearful fans scattered in every direction.

Kobe Bryant had a below-average game. He's got so much help on this Los Angeles Lakers team it didn't matter. Bryant scored 24 points, Vladimir Radmanovic made all five of his 3-pointers and a host of others made significant contributions to help the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns, 105-92 on Thursday night.

As most of you know, I co-host a daily NBA podcast at The Basketball Jones. This season, for reasons unknown, Tas, JD and I have decided to try our luck with video. I figured I might as well share it here with you. As always, questions, comments and feedback are appreciated. Hit us up.

On today's show, Tas and I discuss the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons' meltdowns, give away a confusing Epic Vale t-shirt, say goodbye to our first installment of Book It, and anoint a new "Wanker of the Week."

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

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.

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix

I know we, as basketball junkies, should be looking forward to the Celtics/Pistons game.

Good defense in that one. Slow-down, playoff basketball from two teams who fought for the Eastern Conference crown last year and still might be the favorites to take to the Eastern Conference finals this year. Provided, of course, that Mo Williams learns how to play defense.

But let's not try to fool ourselves. We want to see the Suns play the Lakers. We like watching the Suns play anyone, even if they have slowed a bit. We enjoy the Lakers getting a good challenge. This may not be a matchup of the best two teams in the West, and it may not even be a close game. But that's the one to watch. You know it.

Don't eat your vegetables, and move right on to the confection of your choice. Play with your toys, even when you're working. Shaq and A.C. Green (both former Suns and Lakers, pictured above) would.

It didn't take long for Steve Nash to pull the passive/aggressive, "I don't think we should run away from our running game"-bit. He's already been talking about it in halftime interviews and to the press postgame. He knows that the running game still might be his team's best chance at doing anything this spring. Meanwhile, the Lakers want nothing to do with spring. They're all about the summer. And I'm all about this game.

Celtics/Pistons? We appreciate you. We respect you. And if we had to choose, we're watching the second game.

(Join Skeets and co. for a live blog tonight, starting around 8 p.m. Eastern.)

Los Angeles Lakers: 8-1, 96.4 possessions per game (3rd-most in the NBA), 108.8 points scored per 100 possessions (5th-most in the NBA), 94.8 points allowed per 100 possessions (1st in the NBA). David Watts.

Phoenix Suns: 8-4, 91.7 possessions per game (14th), 108.7 points scored 100 possessions (8th), 105.7 points allowed per 100 possessions (16th). David Watts.

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."

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

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune: "Larry Hughes started for the injured Luol Deng Wednesday, but Deng's sore left hamstring can't make the Bulls' glut of guards disappear. That's why the disenchantment Hughes expressed late Tuesday in Los Angeles, after averaging 18 minutes this season, could resurface. 'I don't want to play like this,' Hughes said. 'I'm not comfortable with 15-20 minutes. Something has to change.' It did, albeit temporarily. But Derrick Rose is the No. 1 overall pick, Ben Gordon is the team's leading scorer and Kirk Hinrich, currently injured, is the best perimeter defender. 'You have to understand that situation and I do,' Hughes said. 'We have a lot of guys at one position. Somebody has to come off the bench and you accept that role. But I'm not expecting 15-20 minutes, and I don't want to deal with that.'"

Mike Wells, Indianapolis Star: "Trying to defend stars such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant affected Granger's offense. Or vice versa. Sometimes he struggled defensively if he focused too much on offense. That hasn't been a concern this season. Marquis Daniels is guarding the opponent's best perimeter player at the start of each game, which means Granger doesn't have to exert as much energy on both ends of the court. 'It definitely helps a lot,' Granger said. 'I don't get tired as much as I used to. It's a hard job chasing those guys around. I still end up defending them at some point in the game.'"

Paul Coro, Arizona Republic: "In a convoluted storyline layered with meanings lost in translation, Suns center Shaquille O'Neal is denying an interview that he probably didn't need to deny. From a transcript run Friday on a Sacramento Bee blog, O'Neal's comments were pulled and translated in Los Angeles and then nationally on an ESPN crawl. The "news" was that O'Neal had not ruled out a return to the Lakers when he is a free agent in 2010 and that Lakers coach Phil Jackson orchestrated O'Neal's tension with Kobe Bryant. Part of the problem was that O'Neal said Wednesday that he did not talk to anyone in Sacramento, where the Suns played last Friday — but the interview was done in the preseason in Phoenix by the Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper, a former Los Angeles Times writer whom O'Neal knows."

Chris McCosky, Detroit News: "Ben Wallace, who is playing a somewhat diminished role for the Cavaliers these days, barely recognizes his former Pistons team. 'It's strange coming in here now and this guy's not here any more, and that guy's not here and then a couple more guys are gone,' he said. 'The numbers keep getting smaller (of guys he played with here) and that is a little strange.' Wallace said, like everybody else, he was shocked when he heard the Pistons had traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson. He joked that all that was left was, 'the Big Three,' Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. 'Their style of play has definitely changed,' Wallace said. 'They are forced to play a different style of basketball now. You get used to playing one way, then you've got to change the way you play toward the end of your career, I mean, I am sure it's been a little tough on them.'"

Michael Lee, Washington Post: "For a fleeting moment, it seemed that cocky swagger that has come to define the Washington Wizards in their annual journey through adversity had returned. A desperate, hard-luck team appeared set to pull out a gutsy road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night when DeShawn Stevenson dribbled toward the right baseline, gave Maurice Evans a slight nudge for separation, then drilled a jumper over him to give the Wizards a four-point lead with just more than a minute remaining. Stevenson waved his hand over his face, rookie JaVale McGee patted him on his backside and Stevenson then jumped into Caron Butler as a stunned Philips Arena crowd looked on. It was a premature celebration, because the Wizards don't have the Eastern Conference's worst record by mistake. They've earned it in a season that has been marked by fourth-quarter mishaps and an inability to close. And one minute proved to be too long for the Wizards to hang on, as Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams nailed back-to-back three-pointers to hand them a 91-87 defeat."

Charles F. Gardner, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Hey, the Milwaukee Bucks still haven't won in Utah since the 2001-'02 season. But the Bucks did have a decent chance Wednesday night, holding a 10-point, third-quarter lead before faltering in a 105-94 loss to the Jazz. 'Compared to the Denver game, it was a step up,' said Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who finished with 16 points and a season-high 20 rebounds. 'We came with intensity and played hard. But we still were making simple mistakes. We were so close, yet so far. Mental lapses for 4 or 5 minutes at a time absolutely cost us ball games.'"

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: "The Celtics coach, asked yesterday about Knicks forward Quinton Richardson’s postgame complaints about the C’s perceived compunction for boastful talk, wrote part of the issue off to rivalry and the other to the source. 'This thing with the Knicks has been going on for a while now,' Rivers said. 'And Q has been in the middle of it. But a lot of teams talk to us, man. What I tell our guys is, 'You’ve proven what you can do, so just go out and do it.''"

John Denton, Florida Today: "What then will happen to Redick? Pietrus is the unquestioned starter when healthy and Keith Bogans has been Orlando’s best reserve. According to head coach Stan Van Gundy, rookie Courtney Lee is the Magic’s best on-ball defender on the perimeter. Then, there’s Redick, who is eager to learn his fate as it applies to the future. 'This was an opportunity presented because MP (Pietrus) was injured and whenever chances like this come I have to go out and earn my minutes,' Redick said. 'I hope I’ll get more chances like this.' Those chances were few and far between after Redick was pulled from Van Gundy’s rotation following a dreadful three-game start to the season."

Brian Lewis, New York Post: "As if their listless loss to LeBron James & Co. wasn't bad enough, Yi Jianlian strained his neck yesterday in practice. With every power forward on the roster banged up, the New Jersey Nets could start a pair of rookies tomorrow in Toronto. [...] 'Yi hurt himself in practice, strained neck. We'll know more [today],' said coach Lawrence Frank. 'He kind of jolted back. It must've been some sort of hit, and his head [went back]. It wasn't anything glaring.'"

SI.com: "Anthony Morrow can still walk without incident from his downtown hotel to the BART trains that sometimes take him to the Golden State Warriors' arena. Most of Oakland's famously enthusiastic hoops fans haven't yet put a face to the name that hit their favorite team's starting lineup like a thunderbolt last weekend. [...] Just a few weeks after Morrow was wondering whether he'd have to play in Ukraine this winter, he is Golden State's starting shooting guard. Corey Maggette and captain Stephen Jackson already see him as an equal, and coach Don Nelson is talking about building parts of his famed offense around Morrow. 'He's the real deal, and we haven't even learned how to play with him yet,' Nelson said. 'I told the team that we'd better know where this guy is at all times. We'd better get him open, because he looks like the real deal.'"

Towards the end of my conversation yesterday morning with Chris Bosh, I asked him if there was anything that he couldn't do on the court right now. "That I can't do?" he repeated just to make sure he had heard my question correctly. "Yeah," I said.

"Of course not." Bosh responded. "I can do everything. That's the attitude I take every time I step onto the court. I feel that I can do everything: play defense, play offense, shoot the ball, take it to the hole, shoot free throws ... everything really. I'm one of those kind of players."

As I watched him rack up 40 points and 18 rebounds, and almost single-handedly will the Raptors to a victory, I kept flashing back to that quote. Bosh really has become "one of those kind of players."

So how did this happen? How did the supremely talented Toronto star raise his game to the next level? I asked him if he could feel a difference in his game this season. "Yeah," he responded confidently. "I definitely feel a difference in my game, and just the mentality I take before every game. I tell people all the time I want to be the best player on the court, and I'm starting to do that every time. I want to do that every time. I don't take anything for granted when I step onto the court."

Unfortunately, for the rest of the NBA, it's clear that the happy-go-lucky kid from Texas doesn't joke around when it comes to his game ... like just about everything else.

Ball Don't Lie: Dwight Howard is starting up a website so that fans pick can help decide which dunks to attempt during All-Star Weekend. You're obviously very popular on the Internet, do you have anything up your sleeve this year that might help you get to Phoenix?

Chris Bosh: Not really. I haven't given it much thought. The season has really been like a whirlwind so far, so as I get used to [producing more Internet videos] I'll start to maybe develop something, go through the creative process, and hopefully get something started.

BDL: Speaking of videos, one of the clips that has become popular on your site recently is of you dancing to Busta Rhymes' Arab Money. Is that one of your new favorite songs, is that something you're listening to before the games?

CB: (Smiles) Nah, you know what happened, one of my friends was telling me about [the video] when [Busta] was with Westwood and it was so funny to me. I think for like that whole week that's all we were saying, that's all we were doing. Over and over and over. It was fun. I just saw that video (with Busta and Westwood), it looked like they were having a good time. I just so happened to be at the radio station a couple days later and I was like "Golly," I felt that I was kind of dry and I had to pick it up because Busta Rhymes, he has so much energy in his interviews, and they were fun to watch. My friend just so happened to be taping that, so we were just trying to have a good time.

BDL: Are you surprised that video caught on the way it did?

CB: Not really. I've built an expectation for every video that I've put out now. (Smiles) So I expect [a lot of hits] now. I'm more surprised when [the videos] don't do well. I'm kind of getting the sense for what people like to watch and what they like to see.

BDL: To that point, you really have become an internet sensation ... are you going to jump right into a tv career when playing days are over?

CB: (Laughs) I have no idea man. I want to try [television] out first. I haven't tried TV out yet.

BDL: But you did get Will Ferrell to admit in an interview that he has the heart of a lion.

CB: Yeah. (Laughs) He's silly. [Interviewing Ferrell] was a little easier than most people. He's a good sport with that.

BDL: Is he completely full of crap about the lion stuff?

CB: He's funny, man. I mean he's just funny. His humor is always on. Plus, I'm thinking [in the interview] that he was already in character a little bit before I talked to him, because he was already doing interviews that day for the movie that was coming out. It was fun interviewing him and everything, but TV, that's something I'll try out. I'm definitely open to trying and if it works out ... 

BDL: Out of all the videos you've done so far, which one is your favorite?

CB: The first one from All-Star Weekend last year. That kind of got everything started. That kind of got the creative videos started because I saw how that took hold and I had a lot of fun doing it. It made people laugh and everything, so I was like, Well, I think I'm going to keep doing it ... and try to have fresh ideas.

BDL: One of those ideas was to create a video in which you played Rocky's trainer, Mickey. Did you study all the Rocky movies to perfect that role?

CB: (Laughs) Yeah, I did. I actually looked at [all the Rocky movies]. I felt weird doing it, but it was funny. I was like, "I want this to be good." Of course, I've seen Rocky like a million times, each one, there were certain scenes that I was thinking of, so I got the DVDs and watched them. I saw what [Mickey] said and what he was doing, it was so funny to me. I was like, "OK, that's what I'm going to do."

BDL: Your nickname is CB4. Do you like it? Do you have another one?

CB: No, I don't have another one. That's one thing I never had growing up was a nickname. I always wanted a nickname, and then [CB4] just kind of took hold, and it was funny because I never really thought of CB4, I just picked the number four in college, then I could pick it when I got to the pros. So it's worked out for me.

BDL: If you had to decide between winning an NBA title or a gold medal, what would it be?

CB: It's a little harder because I have a gold medal now. (Laughs)

BDL: All right, let's say we were talking before you went to the Olympics in August.

CB: You know what, I'd go with the gold, man ... [The Olympics] is the world's stage. [A gold medal] is extremely hard to get. I know a [NBA championship] ring is hard to get too, but [there are] a lot less people with those gold medals.

BDL: If you had to pick one moment from your Beijing experience which one would it be?

CB: Being on that [medal] stand getting the gold medal. I've always loved sports since I was a kid. I remember when I really first started watching the Olympics was in '92 in Barcelona. But you know, I was a little bit too young to remember. But in '96, I remember I was in my grandma's house for the whole time [the Olympics] were going on. Of course I didn't have anything to do, so that's all I did, watch the Olympics when it was on. Anything that was on TV I watched it, and just to see those people on the stand all the time getting their medals ... and then I got a chance to do that, it was pretty cool.

BDL: Switching gears completely, a lot of people may not know that you played baseball in high school. Do you ever look back and wonder what might have been if you had kept playing the game?

CB: (Smiles) Nah, I mean it was kind of tough because we didn't have a good baseball team. I was a pretty decent player, but I was a decent player on a bad team. It wasn't like I was a decent player on a good team. I would have to have been in a top-notch organization for me to have that thought process. [Baseball] was just having fun. I had fun playing baseball and I enjoyed it.

BDL: Your girl heckled LeBron last year during a game and he went off for 24 points in the fourth quarter and ended up beating you guys. Do you still laugh about that with her, or have you tried to forget it ever happened?

CB: It's kind of old news. I just put it behind me. A lot of people get mixed opinions about that. I just wish we had won the game. Then it wouldn't be a big deal. [LeBron] really turned it on [at the end of that game]. LeBron's one of those guys, he's just so talented. If he feels that he has a challenge, he loves a challenge, he'll jump right into it. Most of the time he's going to do well.

BDL: So you're not going to have her heckle anybody this season.

CB: That's another story.

BDL: Is that a yes ... or a no?

CB: (Smiles) There will be none of that.

BDL: To wrap things up, speaking of LeBron he took some heat recently for admitting that he had some Barry Manilow on his Ipod.

CB: HAHAHAHA! That's funny.

BDL: Do you have anything on your Ipod that would surprise people?

CB: Nope. I don't have any Barry Manilow. Obviously I need to get my game up right now.

BDL: So there's really nothing on your Ipod that might make people wonder how the heck it got there?

CB: Maybe. I don't know. Not to me.

BDL: Nothing you'd admit though.

CB: No, nothing I'd admit. Somebody would have to go through (my Ipod) and be like "what the hell?"   

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."

Utah 109, Phoenix 97

The Phoenix defense (pictured, above) was pretty worrying in this loss.

The Suns gave up 118.5 points per 100 possessions, and while I usually prefer to write "[the winning team scored] 118.5 per 100 possessions," Phoenix really let this happen. The Jazz are great, we know that they might be the best offensive team in the league when they're at full strength (and that'll happen sometime next month, righto?), but the Suns kind of took this one off.

Yes, they were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, taking on a pair of conference contenders in a row, but there's still no excuse for not getting out on shooters. Shooters parked only 17 feet from the hoop, no less.

The Jazz were without Deron Williams again, same with Mehmet Okur, but it hardly mattered as C.J. Miles (21 points on 13 shots; nice contract) and Carlos Boozer (21 points on 15 shots, a nice 15 rebounds) poured it in from all over.

Shaq? Not his best defensive effort, and it showed (-29) in the stat sheet.

Houston 100, Oklahoma City 89

A few things to take from this ...

Robert Swift started. He started and he played 25 minutes with six points and eight rebounds and two assists with two blocks and he started. Jokes aside, good news. Albeit three years too late.

Russell Westbrook needed 14 shots to score 14 points, he had more turnovers (three) than assists (two), and he may not ‘ave a clue, but he is the future. And he had five steals in 28 minutes.

Houston shot over 50 percent, Yao Ming hit for 19 points on just eight shots (with 12 boards and three blocks), and I can't help but really like this team.

San Antonio 86, Los Angeles Clippers 83

No, this isn't the same box score from Sunday night, and the Spurs pulled out another one. On the road. Without Manu Ginobili. Without Tony Parker. Bang on, guys.

The Clippers are just a bunch of vets, but not in a good way. 10 free throw attempts (making eight, as if that matters) in 48 minutes of play? Who does that?

Baron Davis, both in looking at the guy and watching his stats, is reminding of the Baron Davis that shot the Warriors out of the playoffs by Thanksgiving back in 2005-06. He took 17 shots on Monday, making five. He only got to the line twice, and made one of his freebies. Baron missed all eight of his three-point attempts. The Clippers can't score efficiently to save their lives (29th in offense, only ahead of the Thunder), and Baron's a huge reason why.

Los Angeles is in a conference that only lets you lose 37 games before you're out of the postseason bracket, and the Clips have already thrown up nine losses in 10 attempts. Things aren't looking good.

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]