Drunk and Surly in your stocking

For casual NBA fans, this is the most important day of the year, when all the famous and controversial players play each other on network TV.  You can guess how I feel about that...

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When the Heat take on the Lakers, Kobe will be the fourth best player on the floor.  There, I said it. 

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Rip Hamilton told the Free Press that his 35 point outburst against the Raptors was his attempt to make a statement.  That statement: "I have been phoning it in all this time."

As much as I bristle at the idea of a team's highest paid player having "statement" games, it is a relief to know that Hamilton is not yet washed up.  Moreso, it should assuage the worries of teams that might be inclined to add him for a playoff run. 

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Meanwhile, Tayshaun Prince is enjoying his Christmas off.  Sigh, not the attitude we are looking for.

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No serious person thinks the Lakers are playing at full speed right now, but now might be a good time to push on the throttle.  They are already three games behind Dallas, San Antonio and Boston, and will have a tough time outpacing Miami in the long run.  With the exception of Dallas, I wouldn't favor them on the road against any of those teams. 

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So, Orlando shuffles around some expensive, but lackluster players, and suddenly their blowing out the Spurs? That seems like a fluke.

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I'll be honest.  I had completely forgotten that the Bulls had Carlos Boozer.  I looked up at the standings, and suddenly the Bulls are dominating.  Has any one player had a bigger impact on their team this year? Today's Bulls-Knicks matchup is the battle of the needlessly maligned big men.

Naturally, Derrick Rose is getting all the credit.  At least he actually deserves some this season.

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Think we'll be reminded today that the NBA Cares? Did you know the NBA Cares? Well it does, it cares so hard it will blow your brains out with a shotgun blast of caring. 

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Brandon Roy is complaining that Andre Miller is hurting his numbers.  I have an alternate theory.  Shooting south of 40% is hurting his numbers.  

Here's another theory: One-dimensional shooters are not not worth max contracts.  Spend draft picks on shooters, spend cash on bigs.  

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Alright, basketball's on, Lassie was acquitted, presents need unwrapping, and cold beer's in the fridge.  Let's get drunk and surly with the family!