I just HAVE to repost this photo I took of Nocioni from the Kings-Clippers game in Natomas all the way from February:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/3963061653_bfc7346eb8_o.jpg

The lost Mario Bros.?

Noc needs to grow the beard again.

The Bulls aren't losing. They're getting destroyed to the point that they're circling around through an alternate universe and somehow are negatively winning.

Instead of firing Vinny D, why don't they demote him to coach the Nyets/TimberPups? That way his on the job training won't hurt anyone else.

Joe: Isn't that what the D-League is for? Maybe he can participate in reenactments of controversial game-winning shots in Association history, in front of angry crowds.

That splooge sound you heard tonight was the Lakers fans of the world masturbating over the defensive effort put forth by their team.

6 points. Fail.

@AnacondaHL

I was hoping the Lakers would make the necessary adjustments in the second half and it seems they did so. I wonder what the record is for lowest points scored in a quarter? I don't much doubt it's less than 6, but honestly, I can't imagine it's happened recently.

I'd check myself but, well, I need to go change my pants.

Just got back from the Lakers-Jazz game and man, what a weird game! The Lakers absolutely sleewalked through the first three quarters then suddenly went into overdrive in the 4th. Musta been the shocking presence of Sasha Vujacic (+9 for the game!). Utah's all banged up and LA was at home, so a big win wasn't too shocking, but what an odd (and ominous) way to win a game. I say ominous because I think the Lakers are definitely now in the mindset of "we just have to try at the end to win". That's gonna come back to bite them sooner or later, IMO. Too many home games and too many sub-par opponents early in the year I think are breeding a possibly troublesome attitude. They need a good long road trip.

Well, Chuck Hayes didn't necessarily outplay Shaq, but he played him close to a standstill. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think Shaq is this year what Iverson was last year. Phoenix gave him away for literally nothing and suddenly they're back to looking like a playoff team, while the Crabs gave up very little to get him and they definitely look worse this year with him than they did last year without him. The Crabs are now 15-7. Last year they didn't lose their 7th game till January 15th, by which time they had already won 31 games. Something to think about.

Expect Vinny Del Negro to get the axe soon, probably tomorrow.

Allen Iverson tonight: 3-10 shooting for 11 points with 6 turnovers. After having front row seats to witness that display I'm guessing the Pistons aren't second guessing their decision to let him walk in the offseason.

The Spurs are in real trouble right now, cause that home game against Sacramento was much closer than the final score indicates (the Kings were down 3 with less than 4 minutes to play). San Antonio's got a lot of fluff to feast on in the coming weeks to help them get it together though.

rockets when they try hard are insane...for the fact alone they have 0 superstars/allstars and no freebie freethrows cuz the all/super star drove at the rim and threw up a prayer

The Lakers juggernaut 4th was triggered by it's bench– That bodes poorly for _all_ non-LA teams (the Clippers' season will be mainly unaffected).

How many back to backs did the lakers played so far?

@Stockton

Only 3 back to backs, though I hope you're asking out of curiosity and not to point out the Lakers have had an easy early season. Yes, they have by comparison with a measly 4 away games out of 20 played, but as been said many times so far, teams don't make their own schedules.

I have plenty of concerns about the 8 game road trip Jan 21 - Feb 1 and until they play one of the other "elite" teams (Orlando, Boston, Cleveland) I'm not convinced of an easy walk to another championship. The first real test I see for Los Angeles is on December 25th against the Crabs, but if the Crustaceans keep playing as they have been I think the Big Christmas Goose will lay a big egg come the end of the month.

Great photos.

I particularly enjoy what Devin Brown is doing to him!

I always thought it was "Noche", but then again, what do I know? The only thing I know for sure is that Aaron Rodgers and Gyarados are the best at their respective positions. I'm from Mass. so I'm not biased. I have Rodgers on my fantasy team so I am.