I guess it's hot in Chicago too...a good hosing down would have been nice the last couple of days...global warming definetly sucks...

This observation is stolen from Peter King of SI.com, but it is too funny to let go: The Atlanta Falcons have a player in camp named Wesly Mallard trying to make it as a backup linebacker and special-teamer. Mallard went to Oregon. So in college, Mallard was a duck…awesome…

Take this quiz…http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hruby/060801&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab5pos2

This is just bizarre…An assistant coach for the University of Connecticut men's basketball team was arrested Tuesday after causing a disturbance because he could not enroll his child in a town recreation program, police said. Andre LaFleur of Manchester, an assistant coach with the UConn team since September 2004, was arrested Tuesday morning at a Vernon recreation department office and charged with breach of peace, Vernon police said. LaFleur yelled at a worker after being told he could not register his child for a particular program because its slots had all been filled, police said. Another department employee became nervous and called police to report the profanity-laced tirade, in which LaFleur cited his connection to the UConn program in an apparent attempt to get his child into the program, police said. LaFleur was later released on $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 15. In a written statement, LaFleur said that his son had attended the Vernon program over the past three summers, and that he became upset when he learned the boy could not attend this year because of a policy change.

More Moves…Free-agent forward Aaron Williams, a 12-year veteran who split last season with Toronto and New Orleans, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers…The Dallas Mavericks agreed Tuesday to a two-year, $4.2 million contract with Devean George, bolstering their defense with a three-time NBA champion capable of competing for a starting job…Charlotte Bobcats signed 7 foot pylon Ryan Hollins from UCLA…Bulls signed Adrian Griffin for 3 years and $4 million…the Cavs are making noise about signing Reggie Evens instead of Drew Gooden, which is crazy…

The US killed Puerto Rico 116-82in a scrimmage at the Thomas and Mack centre on the campus of UNLV last night. The scrimmage marked the first time the teams were together since the Puerto Ricans routed the Americans 92-73 during preliminary round play at the 2004 Olympics. Carmelo Anthony was on that U.S. team, and hasn't forgotten about his Olympic debut: "I remember like it was yesterday," he said after a morning practice. "I can't forget that ... whipping." Anthony was the Us’ best player scoring 23 points on 10-for-13 from the floor…some telling numbers from the game : The US played superb defence forcing Puerto Rico into 30 turnovers…the US sucked from the line and from three going just 21-for-38 from the line and 11-for-31 from behind the (shorter) international arc. LeBron James added 20 points. All 15 players scored for the Americans. Former Raptor Carlos Arroyo scored 17 points for the Puerto Ricans, including a 3-point shot just before the buzzer at the end of the second quarter. Rick Apodaca, who played at Hofstra, added 13 points. The teams meet again Thursday night in an exhibition game, and face each other in their opening game at the world championships on Aug. 19 in Sapporo.

1) Tony Mejia of CBS SportsLine.com grades the summer league:

Summer grades: Charting youngsters' progress

First of all, there are two things to keep in mind before reading this column. One, this is about summer league play. Two, there are no certainties ever in summer league play commentary. Cats playing in Europe are often summer league heroes. Then they end up earning an overseas paycheck. Rookies who are written off turn around to dominate and excite. That said, we're heading into August, so let's focus on what (and who) went down the past two months (outside of free-agent negotiations and the Olympic tryouts): The red marker is out.

Atlanta: Marvin Williams, MVP of the Vegas Summer League, played aggressively and became comfortable as a go-to scorer. That's big. Atlanta can feel more at ease with Al Harrington's impending departure. Top pick Shelden Williams had his moments and appears to fill the bill as the defender/rebounder Atlanta covets. Southpaw Salim Stoudamire's shooting elbow helped rack up a few big scoring nights, and the right one that forced him to end last season on IR is now healed. Grade: A.

Boston: The Celtics probably didn't expect Rajon Rondo coming on so quickly, and he might barge into Doc Rivers' rotation on defense alone. Sebastian Telfair factors into the equation, too, and is working hard to shore up his weaknesses. Telfair's summer play was erratic, but there were flashes of brilliance that speak of his promise. Ryan Gomes' emergence last year was no fluke; he was Boston's top player and figures to only get better. Rookies Allen Ray and Leon Powe hoped to follow Gomes' footsteps as steals and represented themselves well. Al Jefferson's ankle wasn't back at 100 percent, so he was rusty. Fellow promising young big man Kendrick Perkins couldn't participate but is on schedule to return this season following shoulder surgery. Clearly, the Celtics are stocked with young talent, and most everyone is taking steps forward. Grade: A-.

Charlotte: If nothing else, Bobcats fans can be genuinely impressed with the caliber of players the organization is bringing in. Adam Morrison lit it up in Orlando, scoring nearly 25 a game. He then competed and qualified for the Olympic Team, so he's getting a lot of run. Raymond Felton joined Morrison out there despite not being obligated to play, which shows you where his head is. Sean May's surgically repaired knee responded well, and he should be an offensive threat around the basket. Emeka Okafor was practicing but didn't play in games, presumably taking it easy on his ankles. You have to like the direction Charlotte is going in. Grade: A.

Chicago: Early reviews on Tyrus Thomas indicate he might have some Shawn Marion in him. His athleticism dropped jaws, even if his offense appears raw. Fellow first-rounder Thabo Sefolosha showed great versatility and athleticism too, so the Bulls feel good about their draft picks potentially being able to make an immediate impact. Grade: B.

Cleveland: Shannon Brown impressed enough that you can't rule out him receiving immediate playing time. The wing might end up replacing disappointing Sasha Pavlovic, who took a step backward. Grade: C.

Dallas: Like his former teammate did in Cleveland, Maurice Ager represented Michigan State well by being the story of his team's summer squad. He was explosive and shot it well. D.J. Mbenga didn't dominate but continues to work and make strides. Those two were the lone participants who figure to make a dent on the reigning Western Conference champs. Grade: B.

Denver: A love story developed between George Karl and Yakhouba Diawara, a Frenchman who has been playing in Europe and played college ball at Pepperdine. Diawara has great size and skills that excited Denver so much they promptly handed him a contract. Grade: B.

Detroit: If it matters, Amir Johnson, Alex Acker and Jason Maxiell all had some really nice moments. That said, it's hard to imagine any of them cracking the Pistons rotation. Grade: C.

Golden State: It was another painful Summer League stint for the Warriors, who nearly lost major piece Monta Ellis to a knee injury. Thankfully, his problem ended up being a bruise rather than anything major, so all that was really lost was experience. Ike Diogu, cautious with his knees, also missed key playing time. So did Chris Taft. Andris Biedrins strained a groin muscle and rookie Patrick O'Bryant has a ways to go. It hasn't been a good start to 2006-07. Grade: D.

Houston: The Rockets dominated in Vegas and might have uncovered some gems that will work their way into Jeff Van Gundy's rotation. Chuck Hayes and John Lucas III resembled veteran young players, the type that give the effort and do the little things Van Gundy craves from his reserves. Rookie Steve Novak shot the lights out and also figures to be a part of the 15-man arsenal. Grade: A.

Indiana: Rawle Marshall, one of the young pieces hauled in for Anthony Johnson, played well for Dallas before coming over and could surprise. Orien Greene, likely beneficiary from Johnson's departure, signed but didn't play. Top pick Shawne Williams missed all but one game with a hamstring injury. The Pacers have the look of a team attempting to rebuild with some gambles. Grade: C-.

L.A. Clippers: Shaun Livingston is obviously better than most players competing, but disconcertingly didn't show that this summer. Russian project Yaroslav Korolev is also in development and pretty far away. On the bright side, Daniel Ewing continues to look like he'll pull a Chris Duhon and become a major contributor as a second-rounder, while James Singleton continues to improve. Grade: C-.

L.A. Lakers: Smush Parker might need to watch his back; Jordan Farmar is on his tail. The Lakers' first-round pick led the summer league squad in scoring and assists and looked increasingly comfortable. Andrew Bynum looked like a better player, although he did tweak a knee. Undrafted free agent Danilo Pinnock played dynamically to merit a look. Grade: B.

Memphis: Hakim Warrick and Rudy Gay had their flat periods, but for the most part, the dynamic young forwards did enough to get fans excited about a potentially explosive combination of matchup problems. The Grizzlies also like how PG Kyle Lowry could develop. Next season's team will definitely have a younger feel. Grade: B.

Miami: Dorell Wright and Earl Barron were again the key cogs for the champs as the vets vacationed. Wayne Simien, who likely would've anchored the team and figures to get more minutes next season, got married and didn't participate. Grade: C.

Milwaukee: The Bucks didn't have a summer entry. Ha Seung-Jin, acquired in the Jamaal Magloire deal, showed in Portland that he's got a ways to go. David Noel played for Dallas' squad and made a strong showing. Grade: N/A.

Minnesota: Randy Foye has the look of a future star, earning Dwyane Wade comparisons. Seriously. On that prospect alone, Minnesota's summer was extra sunny. Grade: A+.

New Jersey: The good news: UConn products Josh Boone and Marcus Williams gave great previews of themselves, starring at times. The bad: Only Williams figures to be a part of the team's immediate plans. Boone tore the labrum in his left shoulder and required surgery. He's likely out until January, if not longer. Grade: C.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City: Draft picks Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons had their moments, but both are definitely projects who figure to be buried way behind Tyson Chandler and David West. Nothing overly exciting happened in this neck of the woods. Grade: C-.

New York: The Knicks are good in July, when teams filled with veterans that play well together don't exist. Channing Frye looked solid, but Renaldo Balkman, this year's draft pick, produced and displayed a scrappy style. There's hope the Knicks can turn it around, but the possibility exists that summer is their only bright spot. Grade: B.

Orlando: So, J.J. Redick missed summer action with a back injury, but might be in the mix to start at shooting guard when camp opens? Interesting. The Magic must be sold on him, but not seeing proof in live action is unfortunate. Psychologically, it was the right move for the Magic to hold him out, because if he had gone out there limited and struggling, the naysayers would've jumped all over him. Still, he remains a mystery. Grade: D.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia really has to be excited about the development of Louis Williams, part of the final crop of preps to make the jump into the league. The 19-year old dominated the Rocky Mountain Revue, scoring, penetrating and passing. Williams has to command a longer look behind tutor Allen Iverson. Bet on Rodney Carney's athleticism to make him an early contributor. Grade: A+.

Phoenix: Amare Stoudemire was the lone story of importance for the Suns this summer, and all signs pointed to him on the road back to being the player he was before knee surgery. Grade: A.

Portland: Brandon Roy is mentioned right up there with Foye as the early Rookie of the Year favorite. The two were arguably the best players all summer. Martell Webster, last year's first-round pick, got along with Roy famously and excelled as well. Another top rookie LaMarcus Aldridge, had a few strong outings but like most big men, wasn't the sharpest. Grade: A-.

Sacramento: Although Ron Artest played briefly, the Kings were expected to be carried by second-year wing Francisco Garcia, but he struggled with a bone spur in his foot. Kevin Martin did his part, continuing his ascent, while rookie Quincy Douby lived up to the billing of having unlimited range. Grade: C.

San Antonio: If anyone who played for the Spurs this summer is going to make a dent on the roster, it will be 19-year old former draftee Ian Mahinmi, and that might not be for another year or two. Grade: C.

Seattle: Mouhamed Sene has people excited. He came into the league blocking shots and performed far better than last year's draft picks, teens Robert Swift and Johan Petro. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen, but the early returns on the Sonics' big draft gamble are positive. Grade: B.

Toronto: Although the Raptors were busy adding foreign imports, the only one who debuted was the one that truly matters, No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani. He's got game. He's got a lot of obstacles to overcome, and that was expected, but the upside is evidently there. It's probably best he didn't come in dominating immediately; that would have set his bar unrealistically high. He'll need an adjustment period. Grade: B.

Utah: Deron Williams went out and did what he had to do: Take advantage of less talented players. Rookie Ronnie Brewer was fantastic and probably passed second-year guard C.J. Miles. New acquisition Rafael Araujo got out there and competed, but wasn't dominant. Grade: B.

Washington: Andray Blatche showed up and played very well. He may be a major factor for the Wizards earlier than most expected. First-round pick Oleksiy Pecherov showed he might belong on the roster instead of in Europe. He'll be starting an apprenticeship, but he's got game. Grade: B.

2) Chris Mannix of Si.com lists the best contracts of the last several years:

Dikembe Mutombo - Atlanta Hawks, 1996: five years, $50 million…It may not have had the cachet of Shaquille O'Neal's jump to Los Angeles, but Mutombo set the Denver Nuggets back quite a bit after signing with the Atlanta Hawks. Denver tried one year of run-and-gun before falling apart entirely in the hands of GM-coach Dan Issel over the next half-decade. Mutombo missed only seven games in 41/2 seasons with the Hawks, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards and making the All-Star team four times while manning the pivot for a team that made the conference semifinals twice.

Bison Dele - Chicago Bulls, 1997: one year, a prorated $27,164…It seems laughable now to suggest that a 69-win team was in dire straits, but the Chicago Bulls were in a bit of a pickle late in the 1996-97 season. Dennis Rodman had sprained his MCL late in the season and seemed unable to relocate his rebounding touch. Second-year reserve forward Jason Caffey could score but was undersized and a little green. Enter Dele, then known as Brian Williams, who could play big forward and center and whose long arms made life tough for opposing big men. He played in only nine regular-season games but came alive in the playoffs, doing his damage against Chris Webber, Christian Laettner (an All-Star in '97) and Karl Malone.

Gilbert Arenas - Washington Wizards, 2003: six years, $63.7 million…Three years later, this looks like a no-brainer. Though Arenas averaged about 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and 35 minutes in his second season, the mercurial Golden State guard seemed to walk the line between "lovable eccentric" and "scatterbrained loudmouth." In Washington he's been glorious -- his 29.3 points per game were fourth-best in the NBA last year as he led a once-moribund Wizards team to the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Tim Hardaway - Miami Heat, 1996: four years, $17.9 million…It was only after Gary Payton turned down Pat Riley's overtures that Hardaway became a spectacular bridesmaid -- making the All-NBA First Team ahead of Payton in '97. In 367 career games with Miami during an underrated career, Hardaway averaged 17.3 points and 7.8 assists in 36.2 minutes per game.

Vlade Divac - Sacramento Kings, 1999: six years, $62.5 million…Better players, smarter coaches and a new ownership group combined to turn the Sacramento Kings around -- but it was Divac who held everything together at century's end. His locker-room guidance helped convince a dubious and distressed Chris Webber to stay in the California capital, and Vlade's on-court derring-do set the tone as the Kings vaulted out of the lottery and into championship contention.

Chauncey Billups - Detroit Pistons, 2002: six years, $35 million…Some questioned at the time whether Detroit should have committed to a six-year deal for a guy who had been living off a series of one-year contracts. But Billups has superseded Jason Kidd as the best point guard in the East and has developed into an All-Star while guiding the Pistons to two Finals appearances and winning the '04 Finals MVP award.

Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns, 2004: six years, $66 million…Offering a hefty deal to a 30-year-old point guard with a checkered injury past was a risk, but the deal has been an absolute smash for the Suns. Nash has won two MVP awards in his second go-round with Phoenix and led the team to a combined 116 wins and two Western Conference finals appearances. Even more lasting, Nash's attention to detail and insistence on pushing the ball has allowed Suns coach Mike D'Antoni to usher in an aesthetically pleasing brand of fast-moving basketball.

Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs, 2000: four years, $45.9 million with a player option for '03-04…We can only guess what Duncan's motivations were in the summer of 2000, signing only a four-year deal while other players maxed out to the tune of six or seven seasons. We can tell you that it kept the San Antonio franchise on its toes. The front office made sound basketball decisions, such as refusing to commit big money to guys like Derek Anderson or Stephen Jackson. By the time '03 rolled around, not only were the Spurs coming off another title, and not only was Duncan ready to re-sign for seven more seasons, but they had the cap space to make a run at Jermaine O'Neal or Jason Kidd. While those overtures didn't work, the Spurs at least were happy to lock Duncan up through his prime.

Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls, 1996: one year, $30.14 million…It wasn't that close a call, as Jordan and his reps never got to the point of negotiations, but there was a very real possibility that MJ would sign with the New York Knicks in the summer of '96. Following Chicago's 72-win season, the Knicks managed to clear nearly $20 million in cap space while retaining the services of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks. The addition of Jordan would have vaulted New York back into championship contention while crippling Chicago. Luckily for Bulls fans, owner Jerry Reinsdorf stepped to the plate and offered a single-season deal in excess of $30 million, which kept Jordan in town and set the starting point for the one-year deal he signed the following summer.

Shaquille O'Neal - Los Angeles Lakers, 1996: seven years, $120 million…Probably the biggest free-agent catch in any sport since the Yankees reeled in Reggie Jackson in '76, O'Neal's defection to Los Angeles turned the league on its ear. Not only did it devastate the Orlando Magic, leaving the squad to bank on injury-prone Anfernee Hardaway, but it also vaulted a mediocre Lakers team into the championship stratosphere. It was a huge gamble on GM Jerry West's part; he traded solid pivotman Vlade Divac to Charlotte for an 18-year-old rookie (Kobe Bryant) and sent serviceable, starter-quality parts such as Anthony Peeler and George Lynch to Vancouver for the pittance of second-round draft picks so that he could clear cap space. There was no guarantee that O'Neal would make the jump, but when Orlando's initial offer was found to be lacking, the Big Fella made the move.

3) Mike Kahn of Foxsports.com with his weekly 10 things column:

10 Things We Learned: Hawk hijinks

The question hangs heavily in the air with all the discomfort of a 98-degree, 98 percent humidity August afternoon in Hot-Lanta. Really, what is going on with the Atlanta Hawks (both present and future) and the one deal that appears to be inevitable in the NBA but refuses to get done — the sign-and-trade of free agent Al Harrington to the Indiana Pacers?

1. Item: The Hawks have been going nowhere this century, and despite all the young talent and a brand new beautiful building, the ownership continues to be both undermined by frayed loyalties and under-funded in general. What this really means: It's not the reason the Hawks haven't dealt Harrington and center John Edwards to the Pacers for cash, a future draft pick and the $7.5 million trade exception. But it is symptomatic of a franchise that has been inert for far too many years. Even when the All-Star game was there, showcasing beautiful Philips Arena, there was no local energy, and now the problems have grown to a boiling point again. There still has been no resolution to the split in the "Atlanta Spirit" ownership group between Steve Belkin and everyone else. That leaves general manager Billy Knight stuck in no man's land. That brings us back to Harrington, who at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, is that rare blend of power, athleticism and has the capability of playing both forward positions. He was drafted by the Pacers, he fits perfectly with their desire to play faster and more diversely — next to his best friend Jermaine O'Neal and young Danny Granger. It's something that has to happen for them to move forward. As for the Hawks, well, other than the very, very young talent that they're developing for coach Mike Woodson, they're a franchise stuck in suspended animation. Despite a huge market, they never support the NBA and would be far better off playing somewhere else — is anybody in Seattle listening?

2. Item: The men's national team cut down its roster to 15 as they gave the team a week off before the next phase that will feature a return to Las Vegas for more training camp with coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff, then an exhibition game with Puerto Rico. What this really means: The way things came down — with Shawn Marion's knee bothering, him, Luke Ridnour not quite cutting it to make the squad and Adam Morrison not ready — it's worked precisely the way Coach K and managing director Jerry Colangelo had hoped. The guys that have stayed have bought into the team concept. And because so many players are loaded with off-season commitments, it was smart to start with 24 for this three-year commitment. That's not to say it can't change, but the young core — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh — are here to stay. There are a couple things at play here. The first is this young group, which has helped create a renaissance of sorts for the NBA the past two seasons, desperately wants to prove they can prove to be as elite as the original Dream Team of 1992. Not only would that benefit the NBA, but it would prove to the world that the best basketball — both individual and team play — still emanates from the United States. On the other hand, we still may find out that the rest of the world has caught up and the difference in skills will playing ability will never be disproportionate again.

3. Item: Continuing with the international theme, on July 31, the NBA hosted its fifth annual "Play for Peace" basketball clinic for 160 youngsters from Israel, the Palestinian nation, Egypt, Jordan and the United States in Otisfield, Maine. What this really means: This was no easy task in the wake of escalating violence in the Middle East beginning on July 12. Nonetheless, the Seeds of Peace Organization worked with regional leaders to ensure participation despite the circumstances. This particular clinic was organized by Seeds of Peace board member Arn Tellem, the highly regarded NBA player agent. More than 3,000 teens have participated in the program since its inception in 1993. This is another example of the NBA continuing its efforts to make a positive impact in the most troubled sectors of society. Regardless of the ludicrous amounts of money that are made by owners, players, agents and other staff members, the fact of the matter is the NBA continues to understand the importance of serious — not token — community service. To bring together teens in a basketball situation, where they play together and function in a competitive, yet fun situation, can provide some hope that at least some of the inherent hatred within this holy war can be broken. It is not the answer, but any and all efforts are a step in the right direction.

4. Item: In one of his wisest moves since becoming general manager or president of the Philadelphia 76ers, Billy King announced last week that he no longer is interested in trading star guard Allen Iverson and all indications are he will be at training camp with the Sixers. What this really means: King has no choice in the matter. He has boxed himself in with a team laden with mediocre talent and no real identity other than the spectacular play of Iverson. Unfortunately, Iverson cannot lead that team beyond the first round of the playoffs on his own — and the addition of Chris Webber just gave them another player who has to receive a prescribed number of touches and shots. The problem is Webber's contract and limitations because of microfracture surgery further handicapped the team. So did the ludicrous $60 million contract given to mediocre (at best) Samuel Dalembert. In a city that refuses to tolerate mediocrity at any level of its sports franchises, nobody would ever describe Iverson in any mediocre terms. He remains mercurial in personality, but he works as hard any player in any sport and is a great draw. The problem is he's difficult to play with because he dominates the ball and it prevents the others from being in rhythm unless they run. That, plus his $20 million-per-year contract makes him almost impossible to move for adequate return on the deal. So rather than make a bad deal, there will be no deal. And the quandary of Billy King continues — to find success as president of the Sixers by really, really trying but not knowing how.

5. Item: The Sacramento Kings signed free agent swingman John Salmons to a five-year, $25.5 million deal that ended a surprising number of circumstances for both parties. What this really means: This virtually spells the end of the short-lived run of Bonzi Wells as one of the key components of the Kings. He reportedly turned down a five-year, $36 million contract, and won't get anything better than that on the open market. Indeed, he put on quite a show in the first round of the playoffs by averaging 23.2 points and 12.0 rebounds — combining with Ron Artest as a huge toughness factor. But there is a limit to the law of diminishing returns with the erratic and moody Wells. Look for Wells to be forced into a mid-level contract, either short term (which would allow him to look for the big carrot next summer) or settle for a long-term deal beginning at the mid-level. As always, he's his own worst enemy. Meanwhile, Salmons, at 6-7, 215, is capable of playing both guard positions and small forward. Although his four-year average of 5.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for the Sixers hasn't turned any heads, he is a very solid all-around talent. He stunned everyone by quashing a sign-and-trade with Toronto because it didn't feel right, and the always alert president of the Kings, Geoff Petrie pounced on him. The versatility of Salmons fits in perfectly with what new coach Eric Musselman will push from Day 1 — tough defense, pushing the ball and being smart.

6. Item: The next trade that appears to be a lock to get done is the Milwaukee Bucks trading center Jamaal Magloire to the Portland Trail Blazers for point guard Steve Blake, power player Al Skinner and Korean center Ha Seung-Jin. What this really means: Adding Skinner and Seung-Jin gives the Bucks some depth up front — which they will need without Magloire. And the acquisition of Blake now makes it a three-guard competition with Mo Williams and Charlie Bell to replace T.J. Ford ... but what have they really accomplished? General manager Larry Harris has gotten rid of one of the most exciting young point guards in the game in Ford for a talented but suspect performer in Charlie Villanueva. And while it made sense unloading Magloire so they could move brilliant young Andre Bogut to his natural position in the middle — it's hard to believe he couldn't get one absolute starter in return for a 10-point, 10-rebound guy with the final year of his contract at $8.3 million very attractive. Sometimes, it is wise to consider the alternative of being proactive — in other words, don't just do something, sit there.

7. Item: On the flip side, the Blazers now have added depth at center (along with an expiring contract) in Magloire, and diminished their roster by two more players. What this really means: General manager-to-be Kevin Pritchard continues full speed ahead with his plan and it is no doubt a lot more thought out than his predecessor John Nash's. Jarrett Jack now will be the starting point guard for Nate McMillan, with rookie Brandon Roy already proving to be eminently capable of providing solid play at both guard spots — as is veteran Juan Dixon. Once this deal gets done, next on the agenda will be what to do with Darius Miles. His insidious attitude and unpredictable play are a nightmare for McMillan, especially with so young a team. If you're going to build young and add veterans, a player such as Miles is poison. With four years left on his contract at an average of $8.5 million, perhaps the smartest thing they can do is one more multiple player deal to avoid the luxury tax and just cut loose Miles. Paying $15 million this season (because of the dollar-for-dollar match) just to not have him is a bit exorbitant. But Pritchard is getting them close to being under the salary cap, and if they can get there, the best thing they could do for everybody would be a buyout of Miles and allowing him to walk.

8. Item: Memphis Grizzlies president Jerry West is positively nuts over his draft day. It began with the dealing of Shane Battier for the rights to Rudy Gay and Stromile Swift, and then he drafted Alexander Johnson and Kyle Lowry. What this really means: The Grizzlies have become far more athletic, with Gay quite possibly being the most talented player in this year's draft. Johnson is a classic ruffian, a much-needed enforcer to knock people around while Pau Gasol dances around the post. And Lowry is another tough guy — just a diminutive, point guard tough guy with no fear. There is reason to be excited. Swift, however, is a different story. They let him go to Houston as a free agent in the first place because they didn't want to pay him the more than $8 million a year that he was looking for. Ironically, he only got the mid-level exception, so they are paying him $5.4 million. That's all good. The bad news is he doesn't want to go back to Memphis. He was happy to leave and wanted to make Houston his home. Consequently, he has yet to return one phone call to the Grizzlies since the deal, and they've dealt with his moods before. It may not be long before he's on the move again.

9. Item: Hall of Fame basketball star Charles Barkley must be bored again, because he's back to floating his desire to be governor of Alabama again — this time as a Democrat instead of a Republican — in 2010. What this really means: It's so difficult to fathom how serious Barkley is about anything, but considering Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor of California, anything is possible. Barkley, a native of Leeds, Ala. and Auburn University product, says he's tired of Alabama being in such dire straits educationally and economically, naming only Arkansas and Mississippi as the only states in worse condition. Furthermore, he explains he was a Republican only because he was rich and now can't stand the party because "they lost their minds" over Iraq and economics. He wants to get his 17-year-old daughter on the right track into college, then he wants to prove that his role in the world is more than to be a basketball star and make piles of money for doing it. All of that is noteworthy, but so are all his foibles of gambling, partying and a frightening temper that can cause serious damage (considering he's an almost-6-5, 300 pound-plus athlete). He is not someone to put in a position of such power and authority, but his intentions are superb and he should take the fame and "stockpiles of money" to Montgomery and lobby for what he knows to be right and needed. If Barkley does it, perhaps that will pave the way for other top drawer athletes to help in a similar manner — which would be the most noble leadership move of all for Sir Charles.

10. Item: On Friday, the Knicks offered Wizards restricted free agent Jared Jeffries their mid-level exception for five years, worth about $30 million, and the Wizards have one week to match once the signed offer sheet is returned to Washington. What this really means: Jeffries, the ultra-slim swingman from Isiah Thomas' alma mater Indiana, averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, but he really stood out defensively in the playoffs with his versatility against LeBron James. This follows Isiah Thomas' continuation of defensive focus with the drafting of Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins. The Knicks already have four other small forwards — David Lee, Quentin Richardson, Jalen Rose and first-round draft pick Renaldo Balkman — but at 6-11, 235, Jeffries provides a different look for the team, and his length gives them all kinds of possibilities. For all the criticism Thomas continues to take, he does know talent. He just doesn't know when to stop acquiring or how to quite piece it together. Somehow, someway, he's going to coach this team and they will improve from the ludicrous 23-59 record of a year ago for Larry Brown. And they've reportedly designed the offer sheet in a manner (with more upfront money) that may create luxury tax problems for Abe Pollin in Washington, and he doesn't want to touch that. Nonetheless, this war is interesting for a player who had one decent defensive playoff series and hasn't done much else in his career.