Friday Donuts: The Mavs' 'American Idol'

     Friday Morning Donuts, with gang signs, Steve Nash as “Annie Hall,’’ Orlando-LA blame, the Mavs conducting what Donnie Nelson calls their street-free-agency version of “American Idol,’’ and – don’t hate me – my lukewarm reaction to “The Hangover’’:

     DONUT 1: Earl Sneed of Mavs.com with an overview of the "American Idol'' minicamp that is being set back a bit by the weather. ... but ramping up this morning.

     DONUT 2: Rather predictably, columnist Jason Whitlock thinks none of the blame for Orlando’s G4 99-91 loss falls on the broad shoulders of D-Howard. Sorry, brah. The Magic is up three with 11 seconds left and Superman has two chances to ice it and he clanks both? And in a game that goes to OT Dwight is 6-of-14 from the line?

    Yes. That would be HIS fault.

    DONUT 3: Here’s a much smarter column (from Jay Mariotti!) with details of what was going through howard’s mind … and just as importantly, what was going through the minds of Derek Fisher and mates.

    DONUT 4: A thoughtful take on the latest NBA star to (apparently) flash gang signs.

     It’s difficult to gauge circumstances and intent, especially from a still photo. Meanwhile, it is easy to understand how a 20-year-old would retain his indebtedness. … But then, you grow up and grow away from it. … don’t you?

    DONUT 5: And this just in: Derrick Rose apologizes for a “joke’’ and says he never, ever, never, ever has had anything to do with gangs. Never. Ever.

    DONUT 6: Steve Nash is the NBA Finals correspondent for “Letterman.’’ Funny enough, I suppose. But why does Nasty wear outfits – two of them in this video clip – that are part of the “Annie Hall’’ look?

    DONUT 7: More on Tim Donaghy getting assaulted in prison: It wasn’t just a prisoner – it was a prisoner with mob connections. Yup. Figures.

   DONUT 8: Word to the wise: If you steal a one-of-a-kind-signed-Michael-Jordan-jersey-owned-by-Tony-Parker, you probably shouldn’t turn around and try to immediately sell it on Ebay.

    DONUT 9: Twitter? Worth your time. Instant-access to whatever. C’mon over and check me out.

    DONUT 10: Because we’ve been in charge of Wet-Blanketing NBA trade rumors this week, a critic poses the question:

    “Yeah, but doesn’t DallasBasketball.com sometimes reach on trade rumors just a little bit?’’

     And then the critic cites our prediction of deadline talks involving Amare and Aldridge.

    And then I have to really come off as arrogant because I am obligated to counter that our prediction of Amare-Aldridge talks CAME TRUE.

     Thanks for playing!

    DONUT 11: Here’s praise for Kobe’s “intense’’ face – you know, the one where he bares his lower teeth and juts out his jaw like it’s an open cash-register drawer. Praise, praise. … but I can’t get over thinking that Kobe – ever self-aware, ever the marketer and curator of his reputation and visage – spent the nights before these NBA Finals practicing that “Cash-Register Face’’ in the mirror.

    DONUT 12: Am I going to get kicked out of the “He-Men Man Club’’ if I admit that I thought “The Hangover’’ was just OK? There weren’t enough jokes!

     I thought it was “Old School’’ meets “The Wedding Singer’’ with less cuteness and more male frontal nudity. I like “Old School’’ (like “Hangover,’’ a Todd Phillips project.) I laugh at “The Wedding Singer.’’ And I got my nine bucks outta “The Hangover.’’

    But it isn’t going to re-invent comedy, is all I’m saying.