Donuts: Celtics-At-Mavs Edition

   I no longer subscribe. I believe there is a Mavs bikini connection. And I’ve got a bunch of “Bar’’ puns, if anybody wants ‘em. But otherwise, the only reason I’ve posted the photo at the left is because it’s apparently some sort of obligatory blogosphere rule. Again, to be clear: A picture of a girl showing skin? To me, that’s so. … 1982. But I have to show it. Them’s the rules.

     Tonight the Mavs attempt to stay within striking range of the visiting Celtics. (By which I mean, please don’t get down 28). And in preparation, you get Donuts!

    DONUT 1: Here’s a fine burgeoning thread on DB.com Boards on how the Mavs are in fifth in the West (which is good, right?) but how it feeeeeeels like they aren’t fifth in the West. And as I contend every time I address the Spoiled Sports Fans of DFW: That fascinating discussion says as much about the Mavs fan base as it does about the Mavs themselves.

    DONUT 2: I Ray Allen sustained a bum thumb in Wednesday’s Celts’ win at NO. He’ll try to play tonight. … Some Celtics stuff and links here … Sefko on the three-pronged Celts. Which gives me an opportunity to observe: KG vs. Dirk? Over the years, we’ve seen The UberMan win his share. Pierce vs. J-Ho? Pierce, of course, but two years ago, they were both All-Stars. Allen vs. Jet (if he were available)? Again, maybe the Mav is a poor-man’s version, but that would be survivable. (Maybe Allen is hurt/ineffective tonight, balancing this out a bit.)

    But you know where Boston kills people – Mavs included?

    Rondo. His instincts, his handles, his unselfishness, his quickness. … He is in many ways reminiscent of a young Jason Kidd, right down to the something-less-than-pure shot.

    A Young Kidd vs. The Old Kidd. The matchup of the night.

    DONUT 3: I’m under the assumption that Jason Terry will be in attendance tonight. Good. Wave that towel like a maniac, Jet!

    DONUT 4: My name is Donald T. Sterling. I own a mansion and a yacht. And they say I am a tightwad and a racist.

    DONUT 5: T.O. will participate – and probably dominate – the NBA’s Celebrity All-Star Game. Nothing wrong with all that, I guess; he was a fine baller at UT-Chattanooga and he’s on his own time and it’s just a goof. But. ... when it comes to the Cowboys. … does the “extra’’ stuff ever stop? I mean, between concerts and TV shows and film festivals and magazine covers and Sunday night interviews and strip clubs and golf memberships, how do these guys even have time to practice?

    DONUT 6: One of the issues our spies see from watching Matt Carroll in practice: That’s no jump shot. That a set shot. And Matt takes more than a tick to uncoil it. Point being, as much as Carlisle likes the ex-Bobcat’s scrappiness, Carroll would seem to need to get really open and do so really often to make a scoring impact.

    DONUT 7: Now, in the interest of playing nice with Matt Carroll, a Matt Carroll Q-and-A. And why he wants “a hammer, some nails and a lawn chair.’’

    DONUT 8: We did the Wednesday Practice Report yesterday and based it on Jerry Stackhouse’s workout struggles. He didn’t exactly excel in 3-on-3 work. We labeled the whole thing “Tastes Great/Less Filling,’’ and now we wonder: Do the kids nowadays even understand that reference?

    DONUT 9: There are a million Amare rumors out there. We stand by our “buzzy’’ take on Amare from a week ago, and we find this report to be the next chapter in Most Credible Amare Stories: Phoenix called Memphis and asked for Gay, Warrick and Conley.

    The Grizz turned that down, but let’s use those talks as the parameters for what could get this done (for the Mavs or whomever). Do the Mavs have a package to satisfy that sort of request? Should they give up such a package?

    DONUT 10:  And the next chapter: The Amare-for-Aldridge talks have cooled. … Now Portland wants an “elite point guard.’’

    Hmmm.

    DONUT 11: Bill Simmons’ annual NBA Value Rankings. It has very little to do with real-life trades, I think. But it’s good, clean American fun. And Dirk gets some respect.

    DONUT 12: For anyone who still believes Leno is in any way funny, relevant or even comparable to Letterman (not to mention Conan, Colbert and Stewart): Go watch Letterman last night as he skewered a loopy Joaquin Phoenix. Then flip over and watch Leno joke that Brett Favre "retires more than Cher.''

    Class dismissed.

1113am feb 12 2009