- The big story of the day remains the new interest in a Carmelo-to-LA trade centered around Andrew Bynum... I can't stress enough to not overreact to this simply because it's been addressed as early initiation and nothing more... but let's take a look... I don't particularly love the Melo/Kobe fit for LA, but i'm not a Bynum guy at all, so I can see the uptick... for Denver? That's about as big of a name as I've heard in any rumor... a young, skilled 7-footer who could be a nice building piece... if he could ever stay on the court...
- Albert Pujols may be a free agent... this is the first I've published on this story, but it's been brewing for a while.. there's reportedly a February 16 Pujols-imposed deadline for a contract extension before he'll cut off negotiations and become a FA in the following winter... pretty crazy when the best player alive could hit the open market...
- The Titans fire Mike Heimerdinger... this story is odd for 2 reasons... 1) Heimerdinger was the "boss" of newly hired HC Munchak and that must be an odd dynamic when the O-line coach gets the HC job when the OC was also a candidate... and 2) Heimerdinger is a high-profile coordinator because of his resume and his recent bout with cancer... I know one thing, Tennessee better be improved on offense...
- NBA Check - Lebron James led the way on Tuesday with 41 points, 13 boards, and 8 dimes in Miami's 117-112 win over Indiana... he's pretty good... The Hawks were an abomination last night... a 34-point home beatdown keyed by a 33-15 first quarter... the absence of Al Horford is certainly felt, but that's clearly not the catalyst for a disappearing act like this one... Dwight Howard with another 20/20 in Orlando's win last night, but the key was holding Blake Griffin to 10 points/12 boards... it was clear Blake wasn't comfortable playing through the double-teams Orlando threw at him... San Antonio is 43-8... there have been six 43-8 or better starts in NBA history prior to this and they've all won the title... hm... and finally, Zach Randolph (Z-Bo!) put up a 31/14 in Memphis' OT road win in OKC... an impressive win for the Grizz without Rudy Gay, and while Durant had 31/10, he only had 2 in OT... I have to mention Trick-or-Treat Tony Allen with a season-high 27... wow...
- College Hoops - Purdue and Kentucky with mirroring efforts... one win by 14 (Purdue), one by 12 in home games against inferior teams in conference... taking care of business in these spots is what it is about... San Diego State is for real... it's kind of funny how far they fell off the radar with one loss to BYU (aka the Jimmer explosion) but this is still a top-10 team and I'd have them as a 2-seed right now... talented, balanced, and they have Kawhi Leonard who can get their own shot...
What to watch for...
- #21 North Carolina @ #5 Duke - 9:00 ESPN/Jefferson Pilot (in the South) - The headliner... the best rivalry in college hoops takes the stage and this is a must-watch every year regardless of record... UNC is playing better basketball with Kendall Marshall at the point, and Harrison Barnes has it going a bit now... but I like Duke in the game... too much talent/experience...
- #15 Louisville @ #7 Notre Dame - 7:00 ESPNU - Hard to believe ND is the #7 team in the country, but Mike Brey always does a great job...
- #11 Georgetown @ #13 Syracuse - 7:00 ESPN - I'll be the first to tell you that I have no idea how good Syracuse is... but they have the better coach (cough, JT3 alert), and they're playing at the dome...
- #3 Texas @ Oklahoma - 9:00 ESPN2 - If you get sick of Duke/UNC or if it's a blowout, turn on the Canadian connection from Austin...
- Clippers @ Knicks - 7:30 NBA TV - Blake vs. Amare is an interesting visual...
- Nuggets @ Warriors - 10:30 NBA TV - I can't wait to see Chauncey attempt to guard Ellis or Curry if he plays...
Until later...
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