1-1 in the West, Some NBA Coaching News, etc.

To the actual hardwood action first...

• Denver evens things up....An indication of Denver's ability to win the game last night happened when they were actually down 41-27 in the 2nd... I was in a conversation regarding the game and was absolutely in disbelief that they were ONLY down 14 and actually killing LA for their inability to put teams away.... minutes later Denver had cut the lead to 1 by halftime and they were in full control... It's a fatal flaw for LA...they lost this game despite probably the best offensive game of Trevor Ariza's career (6-7 FG, 20 points), a good night from Kobe (10-20 FG, 32 points), and an advantage in pretty much every category (rebounding/turnover/FG%/3-pt % edges).... Carmelo and Billups were huge...any time they can get 61 points that's enough for them to win...but Linas Kleiza was the key to me... Dahntay Jones somehow contracted 4 (FOUR!!!) fouls in the first 6 minutes of the game...and JR Smith is/was banged up and totally ineffective...Kleiza came off the bench for 16 points including 4 enormous threes... 1-1 going back to Denver...and I'm not convinced LA will win a game in Denver now... can they? Yes...Do I think they will? yes...but I'm not sold like I was a few days ago....

Elsewhere....

• Jake Peavy declines the deal to the White Sox...he's apparently completely on the block still...but various experts are discounting the ability to actually deal him b/c of lack of options...his apparent unwillingness to go to the AL, his 2013 option pickup, and the fact that he is only willing to play on the West Coast.... Good luck to the Padres on that one....
• Jay Wright talks to Philly...but goes back to Nova....would've been an interesting fit...but I'm vehemently opposed to college coaches getting NBA jobs...He'd certainly be in the top tier of college guys...but take that for what it's worth...
• Mike Woodson is a lame duck....No extension for Woody after his post-season meeting with Rick Sund...leaving him without a deal past 2009-10...never a good sign when he already doesn't get along with his 2nd-highest paid player...
• Aaron Cook throws a 4-hit shutout gem vs. the Braves last night....let's just I can't watch James Parr pitch without cringing openly...

That'll do it....Magic/Cavs Game 2 tonight....and Roy Halladay on the mound in Atlanta...let's get it