Vince Carter is still proving quite valuable

Vince was 8-for-8 (six 3-pointers) from the floor in Memphis’ big win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. The Grizzlies snapped the Bucks’ six-game winning streak. Thanks so much, Memphis! The Bucks now are a full game back from Detroit for the seventh seed. And if you didn’t catch it earlier from TV or other media sources, Vince became only the sixth player to record a 20-point game over the age of 40. He’s in okay company.

Below are a couple of Vince’s treys. The defensive effort on the part of the Bucks is about a five out of ten, but you still got to knock them down and Vince sure did. And if you weren’t sure, as of today, March 14th, 2017, Vince is just one three-pointer away from being tied for fifth all-time in three-pointers made.

Thank you, Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs took care of business and beat the currently fifth-seeded Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening, with former Pistons’ center Joel Anthony playing a couple minutes off the bench for the victors. Detroit is now just 3 1/2 games back of Atlanta. Most importantly, best to LaMarcus Aldridge and his heart arrhythmia situation.

As a rookie in 2007, the 6-foot-11, 260-pound Aldridge received a diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which is an abnormality of the heart's electrical system that can cause an abnormal heartbeat and dizziness.

Aldridge sat out the final nine games of that season with the Portland Trail Blazers after undergoing a minor procedure to correct the issue. Aldridge experienced a recurrence of the condition at the start of the 2011-12 season after it was discovered during a preseason checkup with a cardiologist -- which he has had every year since he was diagnosed with WPW -- and underwent a radiofrequency catheter ablation. That's the same treatment Aldridge received in 2007 after he was diagnosed with WPW.

Still, Aldridge was able to return to action just 10 days later for a preseason outing against the Utah Jazz.

And very oddly, thank you Bulls

The Chicago Bulls, with their victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, pretty much have swatted the Hornets right out of playoff contention, with the Hornets now sitting 3.5 games back of the eighth seed. I know it’s not that many games considering all teams have well more than ten games to go — yet, I’m saying these Hornets are finished.

The Bulls are just a half-game back of the Bucks for that eight seed, and a little part of me would like the Bulls to get that eighth seed and have a go with the Cavs in round one (provided the Cavs finish in first). Would it be entertaining perhaps to watch Wade, Butler and Rondo try to muster something up against LeBron and company? But another little part of me thinks the Bucks or Heat (but mostly the Bucks) getting that eighth seed would be more meaningful and it would be a sound learning experience for the young team. Plus then there’s the Greek Freak in the playoffs and Greg Monroe trying to come out on Channing Frye at the three-point line. Cool beans there.

Truth be told, there’s a tiny, tiny part of me that wants the Pistons to meet the Cavs again and see how that goes. Hey, the King has to fall on hard times eventually, right? Why not have Detroit be the team that knocks him down.

The Knicks could do Detroit a favor by beating the Pacers tonight

Or the likely impending snowstorm in the Northeast will instead chip in and postpone the contest, making sure the Pacers at least don’t get the win against the lowly Knicks Tuesday night, anyway. The Pistons for now will gladly take that (potential) half game of help in the standings, provided the Pistons can beat the Cavaliers again, as Detroit plays at Cleveland tonight. But darn, that snowstorm looks like it’s going to be a doozy.

Remember the Ricky Rubio for Reggie Jackson trade rumors (roomers) some weeks ago?

Seems like quite a long time ago, especially since now both the Timberwolves and Pistons are playing some of their best basketball of the season. With the Wolves win over the Washington Wizards Monday night, they pulled within 3 ¹⁄₂ games of the Denver Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western conference. Rubio dished out 19 assists (Wolves’ franchise record) and added 22 points on the night. Some people think the Wolves have just enough time to grab that final playoff spot with 16 games left on their schedule. They’ve won seven of their last ten.

Below is Rubio being Rubio:

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If you are due for some massive amounts of snowfall, stay in and out of the way and keep safe.