MVN: Most Valuable Network

My comments: The Mavericks dropped to fifth after losses to Milwaukee, Indiana and Washington.  The Cavaliers are a little low at 14.  The Heat at 18 are a little high, but Steve Weinman says that we shouldn't be fooled by their 3-10 record.  Pat Riley has his work cut out for him.

My comments: Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas more than neutralized Kevin Garnett.  Suddenly the big three were all on the Cavs front line.  This was a nice win for the Cavs.  They won their fourth straight while handing the Celtics just their second loss on the season.

My comments: Bobcats Bonfire's Serena Sanderson-Hays keeps looking for somebody on this team to step up and become a go-to player.  They have a nice collection of role players, but still lack the superstar presence to take over games in the balance.

My comments: Pat Riley must see some Steve Blake in Chris Quinn.  Penny Hardaway got the start over Ricky Davis and Davis responded with a team-high 23 points.  Daequan Cook looks like a great rookie.  He had 19 points off the bench.

My comments: Spurs took a pass on the Beno and the Beno made them pay.  Udrih's 27 points and 5 assists gave the Kings a 112-99 victory over the Spurs. This is obviously not the same Beno.  What's going on with the Spurs defense lately?

My comments: Wow, Ed was wrong on all four games he picked for Tuesday.  Head on over to Lakers Library and console Mr. Ziti!

My comments: Just when you thought picking games was a science of the experts, the Kings upset the Spurs with their leading scorer having an off night.  Tuesday was an even worse night for Team TAB.  The Lakers were the only winner they picked, and the spread was not covered.

My comments: The guys of Cavaliers Attitude were back with another CavsCast, and it appears that the Cavs are back as well.  LeBron James scored 11 in overtime and finished with 38 points and 13 assists.  Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas combined 39 points and 27 rebounds.  The Cavs play the Pistons Wednesday night.

My comments: The buck stopped here.  It took a balanced attack, but the Sixers ended Milwaukee's five game winning streak and did just about whatever they wanted.  The Bucks didn't play defense tonight.  Enjoy it while it lasts, Anthony Gilbert suggests that Iguodala won't be back next year.

My comments: The Clippers put out a stinker of a game, losing to the Rockets 88-71.  There's really not much to say.  Corey Maggette returned after missing four games and scored 21 off the bench as the lone bright spot.  

My comments: The Lakers won, but failed to cover the spread in this game.  The rebuilding efforts in Seattle might all be for naught if no deal is reached to keep the team in Seattle.  Kobe Bryant won the matchup with rookie Kevin Durant, although Durant held his own with 25 points.

My comments: Nate McMillan started Joel Pryzbilla in place of Channing Frye, and the result was Howard's season low nine points.  However, not enough was done offensively.  LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 16 points.  This was ugly to watch.

My comments: Thanks to Showboating's Joe Boikess for bringing this to our attention, but Devin Harris was left off the All-Star ballot, while seventh man Jerry Stackhouse and eighth (or ninth or tenth) man Erick Dampier are on the ballot.  That just makes no sense.  There should be a system override or something to fix this.  Devin Harris will be the next Tony Parker.

My comments: Last year, Monta Ellis burst on the scene in a big way.  This year, he's been relegated to the sixth man role.  He's starting to get on a roll, leading to wins over the Sixers and Suns this past week.

My comments: Les Bullez' Gregg Kanner puts things in perspective by extending his condolences to the Taylor family.  MVN Basketball also extends our deepest sympathy to his friends, family and fans.  Taylor was 24 years old.

My comments: A win is a win.  Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are making up a pretty good forward duo for the Magic.  Lewis came in with the big money this offseason, but Turkoglu is flying in under the radar. 

My comments: Our fascination is sort of like the paparazzi with Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.  You feel bad for them in a way and don't want to watch, but then can't look away.  The Knicks have become the sideshow of the NBA.  They are like the JailBlazers reincarnate.  This time, the coach gets involved.

My comments: Somehow, I knew that Garbajosa playing in the Euroleague for Spain this summer was going to come back to bite him in the leg.  The guy would play on a peg leg if you'd let him.  I don't think Nike makes peg legs though.  This could have and should have been avoided.

My comments: Why in the world did Varejao turn down 5-years at $32 million?  That's double what he's actually worth.  Cavs fans might not realize it now, but Andy is actually doing Danny Ferry a favor.  Cedric Simmons is in the wings and has plenty of potential (a word you don't exactly use for Varejao).

My comments: The Mavericks have been playing poorly, but Matt Carter puts some of the blame on the coach.  They will be in better shape once Eddie Jones actually gets in shape (seriously, why do you sign a guy who's out of shape?) and Devean George gets out there.  Trenton Hassell has not been the answer and Caron Butler victimed the Mavs D for 35 points.  Regardless, they need to get more focused.

My comments: This Wizards squad that started off the season so poorly with Arenas in the lineup is now stepping up without him.  Antonio Daniels is doing a great job running the point.  Caron Butler is proving that his All-Star campaign last year was not a joke.  I bet Kobe wishes the Lakers still had him!