* "See, you never heard Michael Jordan call someone dirty. Even though, the Pistons during that time were hard fouling him, he never called them dirty. ... The true competitors of the game, they just compete. They don't say anything about anyone else, they just compete, and that's what it's all about."

Tim has this in his game preview, but it bears repeating, if only so everyone can concentrate on sending powerful woo-woo healing vibes Manu-ward (and TP-ward, too, y'all, let's be fair!).

[Update by ATS] This, Manu out and Tony doubtful as reported by Jeff McDonald, is the official word out of the Spurs front office. Manu will be examined today so see how long he will be out.

Tim Varner put together a post about who should be the final five on the floor and the comments section goes crazy! I love George as much as anyone (except for Wayne), but to bench Tony for Hill is nuts. Also, take a gander at some of the trade suggestions.

Mrs. Parker is a Philantrophist.

DENVER (AP) -- Toronto has claimed forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu off waivers from Houston and he is expected to be in uniform for the Raptors' game at Denver.

Hey, in case you missed it, the all important SBN: NBA Power Rankings for Week 3 are out. Lakers No. 1. . .

Not bad for a team on a two-game losing streak. Hell I'm going to have a parade before tonight's game just in case.

I won't spoil the surprise for you. But let's just say you fans of other teams, be ready to use your mouse scroll wheel.

* Just let A.I. rip, let him go. Sources say Iverson started to speak louder and louder about how he had played for one dumb bleeping coach in Detroit a year ago, and now had come to play for another dumb bleeping coach in Memphis. He never dared speak this way on the Detroit Pistons’ bus because he feared team president Joe Dumars and respected the championship players on board.

* "I give those two less than a month before it goes bad," says a Western Conference executive who has history with Brown. "Larry grates on the good guys really fast – never mind a guy like Jack," says a former assistant coach. "This won’t go well."

* The Celts would end up with Andres Nocioni out of the deal while Kenny Thomas, Tony Allen, and Brian Scalabrine would be unpacking their bags in the City of Brotherly Love, and Dalembert and J.R. Giddens would be headed to the Sacramento Kings.

there was a bit of an animated discussion in the (first) thunder game thread about chris paul's role in the firing of byron scott, and well...i don't like to say "i told you so"......