This is one of the publicity shots from the Jackie and Doug Christie’s reality show on BET…honestly, just when you think it can’t get any funnier, they do this…

Yet another NBA season, yet another Grant Hill comeback…Hill has only played in 135 of his last 492 possible…that’s an injury rate of 70.5% or to put it into a different perspective, Hill has not finished a season healthy in any of the last seven seasons…He has undergone six surgeries, including 5 on his know grotesque left ankle & another last year on a painful sports hernia had him in and out of the lineup last season…Anyway, Hill is apparently healthy now and excited about the prospect of getting back on the floor blah, blah, blah…
If the Celtics don’t start Rajon Rondo at the point over Sebastian Telfair, than Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers have lost their collective minds…Rondo is playing out of his mind in pre-season, showing and improved jumper, great passing instincts, a top 10 handle and he’s the best rebounding PG I’ve seen in years…and have you seen dude’s hands? Very similar to former Celtics PG and Dunk champ Dee Brown, who had dinner plates for hands back in the day…OK one more note. Did you see Rondo’s follow up dunk? Against the Knicks, he came out of nowhere to follow up a missed shot by Gerald Green and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk. He then turned and intercepted the inbounds pass by David Lee, scored and drew a foul for a three-point play…

While were’ talking about the Celtics and in the process, breaking Rob Killen’s heart, it turns out that Ainge has indeed lost his mind…he’s apparently contemplating a trade with Utah that sends PF Al Jefferson to Utah for PF Carlos Boozer…sorry big Rob…

I rarely do Hocky notes, but this appeals to my sens of statistical nonsense: The Society for International Hockey Research is reporting: "Guillaume Latendresse of the Canadiens is wearing No. 84. This marks the first time in NHL history that it's happened during the regular season. (I'm sure it had been worn in exhibitions before by minors-bound players.) It was also the last number that had never been worn in NHL history. Everything else -- including 0 and 00 -- had been worn before. Jonathan Ferland of the Canadiens wore No. 86 last year, leaving only 84 as yet to be worn. Latendresse can now claim to be the greatest No. 84 in NHL history."

Contract note: Boris Diaw has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Phoenix Suns. Diaw confirmed the agreement after the Suns beat Sacramento in a preseason game on Thursday night. He did not comment on the terms, but a source told The Associated Press it was worth $45 million…Mavericks forward Josh Howard agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract extension Thursday through the 2010-11 season. Howard will play for $1.6 million this season, the last on his existing contract.

Great preseason reviews from actual scouts here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/specials/preview/2006/enemy.lines/index.html

1) John Denton of Florida Today with a review on the Magic’s chances:

Magic's future depends on progress of Dwight, Darko

Otis Smith can't stop smiling, and it's not just because his Orlando Magic are one of the chic picks to make some playoff noise this season. Instead, the Magic's general manager is beaming like a proud papa these days over the way three of Orlando's youngsters -- namely Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic -- have matured almost overnight and taken control of the fate of the franchise. First, it was Howard who guaranteed that a Magic squad that hasn't been to the playoffs in three years could go all the way this season. OK, guaranteed might be a little strong, but the 20-year-old didn't bat an eye when backed into a corner in the days before training camp was set to open. "Our team has a chance to go all the way," Howard crowed, seemingly unaware of what he was saying. Pressed on whether he meant all the way to the playoffs, Howard didn't miss a beat. "All the way to the championship," he said. Normally, such a proclamation would cause a head coach to break out in cold sweats and a GM to put a "For Sale" sign up in his front yard. Not Smith, who was delighted to hear that Howard was exuding confidence out of virtually his every pore. "I like the fact the kid was willing to make that kind of investment," Smith said. "That's an investment. He said this team is good enough to win a championship, and you know what, we are. Winning a championship doesn't mean having the best five players at each spot. It's every player having a role and playing that role. This team is good enough to do that. "I'd be disappointed if one through 15 on our team said that the goal was to win 40 games. To me, all Dwight did was say what 480 players in the NBA should be saying. We want to win a championship, or why are we playing?" If the Magic truly are in the infant stages of building a championship contender, the first steps were taken this summer in, of all places, Philadelphia. In August, point guard Jameer Nelson arranged for the team to meet in Philly for a week of basketball, bowling, paintball and bonding. Nelson picked up the tab for the whole thing and even arranged each player's travel schedule and the activities while in the City of Brotherly Love. Smith and the coaching staff might not have gotten an invitation to the players-only retreat, but he couldn't have been happier upon hearing about Nelson's organizing the offseason get-together. Grant Hill and Howard are the stars of this team, but Nelson is the unquestioned leader. And Smith was delighted to see the player who was passed over by major colleges and then passed over by 19 other teams on draft night coming of age as an NBA leader.
"Jameer's leadership has always been there, but you see him taking it to a whole different level now," Smith said. "You'll see it more and more as he matures. You're talking about a third-year guy who took it upon himself to unite his teammates and pick up the tab in Philly. To me, that's a big deal." Then, there's the 21-year-old Milicic, who seems more determined than ever now to shed the label of being one of the biggest busts in the history of the NBA draft. Out of Detroit, where he was buried on the bench for two-plus seasons, Milicic finally has a legitimate shot at meaningful minutes in Orlando. And the Serbian 7-footer, who has had everything from his toughness to his love for the game questioned since he was taken ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the 2003 NBA draft, seems determined to make the most of this chance. Told he had to become bigger and meaner if he was ever going to reach his potential, Milicic spent four days a week lifting weights this summer. He not only bulked up from 260 pounds to 278 pounds but also had his way with Spain's Pau Gasol and China's Yao Ming in the World Championship. Smith and Magic head coach Brian Hill needed little time to see that with Milicic's newfound dedication, combined with his overflowing arsenal of skills, it was time to promote him to the starting lineup. There, he will combine with Howard to give the Magic 14 feet of shot blockers on the front line.
Smith, an everyday man who still eats breakfast at the same Waffle House every morning and lives in a working class-sized home, was promoted to GM this past spring after altering the course of the franchise with two trades. He swiped Milicic and Arroyo from Detroit and got rid of Kelvin Cato in the process. And, remarkably, he somehow unloaded Steve Francis and the $47 million left on his contract on the New York Knicks. Last season, fans got a taste of just how good the Magic could be. Orlando won 16 of 20 down the stretch, and expectations haven't been this high since Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill signed matching $92.88 million free-agent contracts in 2000. The season-ticket renewal rate and base sales were as high as they have been in 10 years. A new $485 million area in downtown Orlando is close to being approved by the city and county governments. All that is left now is for the Magic to fulfill their vast promise. So what does Smith tell folks when they ask him if they can believe in Magic again? He puts the load on the shoulders of the Magic's kids. "I tell people we'll be as good as those two 20-something-year-old kids take us," Smith said, referring to Howard and Milicic. "And we need Jameer to continue to grow as a leader for us. We'll be as good as those guys are this season." If the preseason is any indication, the Magic have a good chance of being pretty good because of the development of Howard's game. Magic coaches want Howard -- a devout Christian and a sometimes goofy, class-clown-type off the floor -- to be a tougher, rougher physical force this season. Howard is already one of the league's top rebounders; he just missed out on becoming the youngest rebounding champion in the history of the league last season, averaging 12.5 per game. And the Magic feel there is no reason Howard can't become a dominant scorer and an intimidating shot-blocker as well. He's taken that message to heart, and so far this preseason, he's demolishing all those players in his path. Against Charlotte's Emeka Okafor, the player chosen just behind Howard in the 2004 draft, he scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while fouling Okafor out in just nine minutes. And against Atlanta's smallish frontline, Howard was at his do-it-all best with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots. "I'm just trying to work on playing hard every single night and being a great leader for this team," said Howard, who is hoping to make the playoffs in his third NBA season just as fellow No. 1 pick LeBron James did in Cleveland. "I'm still young, but there's a high standard that I expect myself to live up to. If I do that, everyone can do it too." Howard's relentless aggression has seemed to rub off on Milicic, and at times the possibilities seem limitless for the Magic when the two are on the court together. Because their skills are so different -- Howard brings the powerful low-post game, while Milicic has a feathery-soft shooting touch and the passing skills of a guard -- they seem like a match made in heaven. In a preseason game this week against Atlanta, the two displayed their blossoming chemistry by assisting one another on five different baskets. Much like when Milicic emerged after he was traded from Detroit to Orlando, another trade opened the door for Nelson to step into a leadership position with the Magic. Steve Francis not only dominated the ball on the court, but he also had a domineering presence in the locker room. It was no coincidence that the Magic's hot streak last season coincided with the enigmatic Francis' being shipped to New York and Nelson's taking the reigns. Barely 6-feet tall, Nelson morphed into a giant killer last season. He averaged 15.7 points over his final 25 games, topping 20 points seven times. What was most impressive was his willingness to take any shot and take on any teammate and challenge him to do more. The next step, naturally, was one in which he became the Magic's unofficial captain. "I want to be kind of a chameleon for this team," Nelson said. "I want to be able to change, do whatever this team needs for us to win. If it's making the extra pass or hitting the big shot or being a good leader, I'll do it." The wild card for the Magic, of course, is the oft-injured Grant Hill. For six years, Orlando has been hoping Hill could find a way to somehow stay healthy enough to return to the form that made him a seven-time All-Star. But rarely has that happened as he's missed a staggering 70.5 percent of the games since signing with Orlando. Hill spent most of his summer working with abdominal guru Alex McKechnie in hopes of healing the sports hernia that limited him to just 21 games last season. Hill's troublesome left ankle, the one he's had operated on five times, was ultimately blamed for the abdominal troubles with the thinking that his changed gait resulted in undue stress on his midsection. But as it turns out, working this past summer to strengthen his abdominal muscles has given him more range of motion in the ankle. Hill says he feels as good physically as he has in years, but does so of course with his fingers crossed.
Smith has discounted the notion of potentially trading Hill and his expiring contract for an unhappy superstar such as Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen. He knows the value of having a veteran such as Hill around when the Magic are leaning so heavily on youngsters. Hill will play at least 78 games and be a difference-maker this season, Smith predicts. "When we talk about going to the next level, Grant's health is a big key in that," Smith said. "Because when he is on the floor -- and I don't care if he's missed two years or 20 games -- he's still one of the best players out there. I think we're going to have a great year and Grant is, too."

2) Mike Kahn with his weekly 10 things column:

10 things we learned this week in the NBA

Even in the NBA, bad karma among players will linger, even if the money remains obscene. And that could be why there just seems to be no way things are ever going to work out in Utah for Carlos Boozer.

1. Item: During the summer of 2004, Boozer, then a restricted free agent for the Cleveland Cavaliers, coaxed the Cavs into conceding a qualifying offer that was limited because he was a second round draft choice. So they allegedly agreed on a six-year, $40 million deal. However, as soon as they dropped his rights, he stunned the organization and the fans when he signed a six-year, $68 million contract with the Jazz. What this really means: It's been far from pretty, that's for sure. Boozer played in just 84 of a possible 164 games for the Jazz in his first two seasons, with foot and hamstring injuries that drew skepticism from a lot of people in and around the Jazz organization regarding the severity. But that's only part of the problem — as far as coach Jerry Sloan is concerned, his performance tends to be indefensible. And when it comes to Sloan, nobody slides by. At 6-foot-9, 270 pounds, they expect him to be a defensive presence inside. Instead, he puts up solid numbers by hitting jumpers and crashing the offensive boards. Playing on one end of the floor doesn't cut it with Sloan, and it's why Boozer's name is incessantly getting chopped up in the rumor mill. Best guess here is it will continue to do so until he is traded — presuming another team is willing to take on the final four years of that contract averaging more than $11.5 million a year.

2. Item: With the majority of the Memphis Grizzlies being sold — pending NBA approval — to former NCAA champion Duke teammates Brian Davis and Christian Laettner from Michael Heisley — the ramifications are endless for the future of the franchise ... not the least of which is the seemingly inevitable retirement at the end of the season by president Jerry West. What this really means: Just where are the Grizzlies going long range? That is a question that a lot of people may be asking despite the adoration of the FedEx Forum and three consecutive trips to the playoffs. The fact of the matter is they've never won a playoff game, they'll have a very difficult time making the playoffs this season with All-Star Pau Gasol recovering from a broken foot until at least January, and coach Mike Fratello is a lame duck. Heisley, who moved the team from Vancouver because it was a better deal in Memphis, also saw it was a losing proposition financially in Memphis. And that's a perfect example of why there is so much skepticism long-term for all the mid-market to small-market teams. Owners go there, it's hot initially and they get all sorts of freebies tossed at them. But as the owners of the bubble franchises lose money as time progresses and the salaries keep going up, we'll see why retired deputy commissioner Russ Granik became vice president of Galioto Sports Partners to help buy and sell sports franchises. So keep in mind the long-range prospects in markets such as Memphis, Charlotte, Oklahoma City and New Orleans. Once again, this is the reminder of why the globalization of the league is so important — the more revenue streams the better because it hides the reality of franchises losing millions of dollars.

3. Item: Speaking of transition, the consortium headed by Oklahoma City's Clayton Bennett that purchased the Seattle Sonics for $350 million over the summer added four more Oklahoma City businessmen — making it nine natives of Oklahoma City in the group. What this really means: Anyone in the Seattle area who believes this team was bought for any other reason than to guarantee a franchise for Oklahoma City in the very near future is either in complete denial or incredibly naive. Oh sure, if someone in Seattle or suburban Bellevue comes up with the money, land, and deal that makes it feasible to keep the Sonics in the area, the NBA will make sure either the Sonics or another team lands here. But make no mistake about it — this ownership group is focused on the future of the NBA in Oklahoma City. NBA commissioner David Stern has virtually promised the Hornets will play in New Orleans at least next season (despite them taking out an option to remain in Oklahoma City). The bigger question is what happens to the Hornets over the long haul because New Orleans couldn't support the Hornets before Hurricane Katrina and certainly won't be able to in the foreseeable future. So with nine locals from Oklahoma City now in the Sonics ownership group, it's up to the Seattle market to come up with a feasible arena package to make something tenable over the long haul. If not, the lights could go out for the NBA in Seattle for a long time without any promise of them turning on again.

4. Item: Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson pleaded not guilty to felony recklessness when he fired at least five shots in the air from a 9mm handgun after he and three other teammates were involved in a fracas outside an Indianapolis strip club two weeks ago.
What this really means: Jackson even went so far as contend he was right because it was his responsibility to protect himself and his teammates. Yeah, with a 9mm gun? But considering it was long after midnight, there were drugs in the car and they had allegedly been drinking, perhaps Jackson thought he was at the OK Corral. Fortunately, he didn't hit anybody with those shots, but it seemed lost on him that firing shots into the air doesn't guarantee that nobody gets hit when the bullets come down. Obviously, Jackson is a huge problem for the Pacers and the NBA. Don't forget he was the guy who ran into the stands and began pounding on a fan in the Detroit brawl that escalated the Ron Artest situation. Despite his contentions to the contrary this summer, he just doesn't understand his responsibilities as an employee of the Pacers and the NBA. Really, Marquis Daniels, Jamaal Tinsley and Jimmie Hunter also marred what was supposed to be a summer of healing between the Pacers and their fans. The fans have had it with a team that was supposed to be about basketball, but instead is dealing with this situation that happened during the wee hours of the morning during training camp. This is a very sad situation for a franchise saved by owners Herb and Mel Simon and made honorably competitive by Donnie Walsh — and the only strong move they can make is to release Jackson because a trade for his contract (four years, nearly $28 million) just isn't going to happen.

5. Item: The Denver Nuggets extended the contract of coach George Karl through the 2010-11 season, re-signed guard DerMarr Johnson, and are heavily in the market for a high-level shooting guard. What this really means: The Nuggets really are the most interesting team in the Western Conference, if only because nobody is quite sure what to make of them. They most assuredly will be favored to win their second consecutive Northwest Division title, but there are those who believe Seattle and Utah will challenge them. The extension for Karl comes as no surprise, if only because his buddy Mark Warkentien was named executive vice president and Karl has a long-standing relationship with owner Stan Kroenke. Those things are obvious. What we don't know is what happens to the explosive relationship between Karl and forward Kenyon Martin? Carmelo Anthony looked fabulous during the summer and appears to have matured immensely, but what happens if he gets sideways with Karl as has happened before? They are loaded with talent up front with Marcus Camby, freshly-paid Nene and Joe Smith also looking for time with Anthony and Martin. OK, Johnson did improve and has been a nice story coming back from a car accident that paralyzed him ... does that mean he's their shooting guard for the future? Stay tuned ... the stories have just begun to unfold.

6. Item: The Milwaukee Bucks, already having lost second-year 7-footer Andrew Bogut to a sprained lower leg, lost small forward Bobby Simmons for at least a month to a stress reaction in his right heel. What this really means: It's hard to fathom what will happen to the Bucks in the short run and the long run. Not only is their lease running out in the Bradley Center, but the cost of hanging onto the franchise for Sen. Herb Kohl is increasing daily considering how much money he's losing by not selling. Perhaps once he solidifies his next term as senator, he'll come to grips with the inevitable — this team is mediocre at best on the floor and far worse as a business proposition outside the baselines. Terry Stotts did a great job as coach last season, Michael Redd is a bonafide shooting star, and there is a tradition of NBA in Milwaukee. But most of it isn't very good and it's only been exceptional in small doses spread very far apart. The injuries to Bogut and Simmons presumably will only be problematic in the short run. In the big picture they should be back and fine as the Bucks figure to be one of a handful of teams vying for one of the final playoff spots. But they are real vulnerable to collapse because of a thin roster and the even thinner bottom line may create the biggest change of all sooner than later.

7. Item: The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping to reach an agreement with young center Chris Kaman on a five-year extension reportedly worth in the neighborhood of $50 million. He will have the option of becoming a restricted free agent this summer. What this really means: As Clippers owner Donald Sterling continues to work on shedding the moniker of the "most inept owner in the NBA" that has haunted him over the past three decades, the move to pre-empt any problems with their young talented center is another example of progress. They went deep into the second round of the playoffs last season, something that hadn't previously occurred under Sterling's stewardship. Things are only different if this continues. And that includes locking up coach Mike Dunleavy for an extended period of time as well as Kaman. Kaman, still only 24, is an athletic 7-footer who has the look for a double-double guy for a long time. And to have him next to Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and a scary young talent named Shaun Livingston, indeed it could be the Clippers and not the Lakers who will dominate southern California basketball for the next 3-4 years. And that is a story in and of itself.

8. Item: Just the simple fact that Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim have already been broken up from fighting during training camp for the Sacramento Kings proves that things are different. And that's not a bad thing. What this really means: Eric Musselman's aggressive nature has played right into the transition that began with the acquisition of Ron Artest last season. Thomas has always been an aggressive player and he is competing with Abdur-Rahim for playing time. But if Abdur-Rahim is fighing with teammates — and he is one of the great gentlemen in the game today — then you know the Kings have made the move from a soft, talented team to a group nobody will want to play this season. Despite all the success the Kings had with Rick Adelman and the group led by Vlade Divac, Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic, there was a softness to them that belied the nature of owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. They always have been and always will be the aggressors in situations and it only makes sense that the team reflects that attitude. Well, with Musselman running the team and Artest the on-floor leader, they now are that team reflecting ownership. All things being equal injury-wise, they'll be factors in the Western Conference, which leaves us with only question — will the city of Sacramento respond to the Maloof brothers' forceful nature or compel them to consider opportunities elsewhere?

9. Item: While young swingman Josh Howard is stewing over the perceived lack of respect he's getting from the Dallas Mavericks with regard to an extension, owner Mark Cuban wrapped up coach Avery Johnson through the next five years with a deal that will pay him more than $20 million. What this really means: Cuban, who signed point guard Jason Terry early in the summer before he headed out on the free agent trail, never takes his eye off the ball. He knew coming into this training camp the primary focus had to be on locking up Johnson and superstar Dirk Nowitzki, then he would get down to business with Howard with an extension. If not, he can become a restricted free agent next summer. It really doesn't matter. Cuban won't let a young, hot open floor player (at both ends) like Howard get out of range emotionally from the task at hand. Besides, the Mavs made their first appearance ever in the NBA Finals in June and Cuban won't rest until they get back there and redeem themselves from being within six minutes of taking a 3-0 lead over Miami, only to collapse in the fourth quarter of Game 3 and never win another game. They may not even win the West this season, but they'll be back. They're too young, too talented, too aggressive and the pieces are in place. Now all they have to do is get their heads there.

10. Item: Maybe the investment in Samuel Dalembert will pay off after all ... which may be the only chance the Philadelphia 76ers have to make waves in the Eastern Conference this season. What this really means: When the Sixers signed Dalembert to a long-term deal worth more than $60 million last season it came on the heels of a playoff series during which the then 24-year-old averaged 11.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. The athletic 6-foot-11, 250-pounder figured to be an impact player on both ends of the floor for a long time. But he strained his right quadriceps early last season, went into a funk afterward, lost his starting job and never really did contribute on a regular basis. If their recent trip to Europe is any indication, however, the contract may not have been such a disaster after all. In the three games Dalembert averaged 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks to dominate the paint and make life easy for Allen Iverson and Co. For the Sixers to get back into the hunt with the New Jersey Nets for the Atlantic Division crown, Dalembert must play that way. If he doesn't, they have no shot.