A point guard’s job is to lead the offense, pass the ball and get his teammates scoring. Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau thinks his point guard his taking that definition too literally and it’s time for Derrick Rose to “attack!” Rose had been getting off to some slow starts in the Bulls’ first couple of games, but now Thibodeau thinks it’s time to change that.

“We’re a lot better when he’s aggressive,” Thibodeau said. “It puts enormous pressure on our opponent’s defense. When he’s attacking, we’re getting easy baskets, we’re getting to the line, he’s getting people into foul trouble. It helps us in so many different ways. When we talk about him attacking, we want him attacking on both ends. We want him attacking on defense, also. That’s when he’s at his best. Right now, he’s trying to get others involved early, which is good, but when they put two on the ball, that’s good for us. That’s easy offense.”

The reigning MVP said he noticed the problem too. He seems ready to take on the role of a scoring-first point guard.

“As long as we win,” Rose said. “My teammates realize that. The shots I take, I don’t take that many bad shots. They know for us to win, I have to attack. Coach already told them. Everybody on the team is cool with it and comfortable with it. That’s all I have to do.”

We’ve already criticized Russell Westbrook this week for taking too many shots when he doesn’t need to. A ball hog at point guard can cause all sorts of problems for a team, but Rose’s teammates already seem on board with the idea.

“He’s a natural-born scorer,” Bulls forward Carlos Boozer said. “We know that. One thing he’s trying to learn as he continues to grow as a player is how to use his teammates. Honestly, he’s been doing a great job of trying to figure it out, but at the same time, his first instinct is to score. We’re a better team when he attacks and makes plays off what he sees. I’d rather him stay aggressive.”

This is smart for the Bulls. Everyone already knows that Rose can score. If he starts doing it early, opposing defenses will have to adjust, and then it will be even easier to get his teammates involved because all the focus will be on him. Ironically, I think focusing more on scoring early will help him become a better passing point guard.

We’ve seen what Rose can do while keeping it conservative at the beginning, imagine what he can do when he’s unleashed.

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Chris Webber doesn't appear to believe that Kendrick Perkins is the proper fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder. I say that only because Chris Webber said on NBA TV specifically that he doesn't believe Kendrick Perkins is the proper fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder.  In response, Perkins took to Twitter to tell C-Webb to stop hating.  That exchange is as follows:

Chris Webber on NBA TV:  "I think he [Kendrick Perkins] was a great fit for Boston. But fits are because of the other players you had around him, he had veterans around him. I do not think he's a great fit for Oklahoma. He's not a one-on-one defender. So what does that mean? Well they need a shot blocker in Oklahoma because when they block shots and get out and run they can't stop them."

In response Kendrick Perkins posted the following on Twitter: 

So basically Perkins will only accept that kind of criticism from Kenny Smith and now Shaq. Charles Barkley best not get fresh and neither should Karl Malone, John Stockton, or Patrick Ewing in the event they drop in the studios for an NBA cameo to discuss the topic of Kendrick Perkins this season either.

Some things in the NBA are going just like everyone thought (Miami Heat starting 3-0, Kevin Durant playing like an MVP) and some aren't (New Orleans at 2-0, Boston 0-3).  What's happening to the Knicks, though, was a matter of some debate.   

A lot of people thought the Knicks adding Tyson Chandler would raise their defensive intensity, create fast break opportunities, and propel the Knicks to the Atlantic Division lead.  Others, and I'm in this camp, thought they gave up too much to land Chandler, leaving them not only with no point guard or bench, but also without any real flexibility to acquire anyone to fill those gaps. 

Now, the Knicks are 24th in the league in scoring, 16th in fast break points (behind San Antonio, and Boston, two of the oldest teams in the league) and they own the 9th worst defense.  And to top if all off, Amar'e Stoudemire rolled an ankle last night, and is listed as day-to-day.

“I have it wrapped up, I’ll get an assessment (Friday) on it and see how it feels,’’

If he can't go, the Knicks are looking at more Renaldo Balkman and Steve Novak.  

That can't make you feel good in New York. 

Aside from an opening day win over a Boston Celtics team that is struggling mightily to find its own way, the Knicks have looked terrible in their two straight losses.  Their flaws are on display as if the games were being played under a jeweler's monocle.  And it's clear that a banged up Stoudemire shouldn't be New York's biggest concern. 

Knicks management whiffed in its signing of Chandler.  Not because Chandler isn't good.  It's because he's not the right fit.  The Knicks already had a big man who needs to be set up by someone else to get his points.  In Chandler, they added a second.  Now the Knicks have two big guys who, two different degrees, struggle to create their own shot.  Stoudemire is most effective when running a pick and pop or pick and roll.  Chandler benefits from ball movement and slashers who force bad rotations.  Neither is gong to post up to create his own offense, even though that's what the Knicks desperately need in this current configuration. 

Without a competent point guard to control the game, distribute shots and create opportunities for Stoudemire and Chandler, Carmelo Anthony has been asked to play the role of point-forward.  Last night against the Lakers, it resulted in five turnovers and a night of mockery from observers across the web.  And as the night went on, thing just got worse. 

The Knicks have asked all three of their best players to do things they're not comfortable, and not good at doing.  Baron Davis is waiting in the wings and he can help, but only if the Baron Davis from a few years ago shows up.  If the Baron Davis we've seen play in Cleveland becomes the Knicks hope of salvation, then they will be in a lot of trouble.  As it is, Davis has never been a double-digit assist guy.  He's always been a scorer.  And unless this old dog has learned new tricks, his instinct coming off the Stoudemire pick will be to shoot it, leaving Amar'e frustrated.  

The Knicks may get a little more acclimated to each other over the next month or so, but they'll find their share of struggles along the way.  Davis won't be in uniform until late January at the EARLIEST.  By then, the Knicks could be barely floating along in the Atlantic.  Their best hope at this point would be for Boston to continue struggling too, leaving the division up for grabs for months until someone gets their act together. 

But if the Knicks don't find a new approach soon, it won't be them.

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There was no disclaimer that came with the report out of Spain today that the Portland Trail Blazers retired all-star guard Brandon Roy had arrived to meet with a team there and has been offered a contract for the rest of the season, so consider this the warning call.

The Spanish-based website Solobasket reported the rumor with a number of other basketball sites around Spain leaving readers to determine fact from fiction here.

The questionable scoop: the Spanish team Caja Laboral -- who plays in the ACB Spanish league and is based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain -- was eliminated from Turkish Airlines Euroleague, competition and has offered Roy a contract based on playing one game per week to give his knees and body time to rest and adjust to getting back on the floor.

The report goes on to say how Roy was seen at the airport in Vitoria with agent Arn Tellem (although Greg Lawrence represents Roy) in the late hours of the night.

If this is a team searching for a PR move, it’s a poor attempt at a humorless situation.

Perhaps he was channeling the late Nostradamus, but Tracy McGrady has one bold prediction for the future of the Dallas Mavericks, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.

According to T-Mac, eventual free agents Howard and Williams will be wearing Mavericks uniforms.

"D-Will is from Dallas," McGrady said. "You've got Dirk Nowitzki there. They're going to have [cap space] there. That looks sweet. Dirk. D-Will. And then you get Dwight Howard. That's it, right there."

McGrady added: "Dwight's going to find a sweeter spot for him next year with him being a free agent, with D-Will being a free agent, and Dallas already having an established star there. ... Yup, Dallas."

If you are a Mavs fans or owner Mark Cuban you are hoping this prediction comes true but why would the Mavs wait until their free agency kicks in?

The Mavs haven't exactly come out of the gates looking like defending champions. Add the fact the loss of Tyson Chandler, and an aging Jason Kidd, and you got two young players (Howard and Williams) who will more than easily address these needs for Dallas.

However, trading for wither star might be easier said than done. Dallas may not have the pieces needed to trade for either right now. They are not giving up Dirk Nowitzki, Kidd and Vince Carter aren't spring chickens, Shawn Marion is playing hurt (broken finger), leaving just Jason Terry, Lamar Odom, Delonte West as viable trade chips but even they won't be close enough to entice the Orlando Magic or New Jersey Nets to bite.

If Howard and Williams are smart, they should simply ride out the season and test the market in the offseason. With Dallas having the cap space, the Mavs would be an attractive destination (especially for Deron seeing he is from the Dallas area) for Howard and Williams. Add an established star (Nowitzki) and the trio would be the new "Big 3" on the NBA block.

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Russell Westbrook dodged the media on Wednesday after his dust-up with Kevin Durant during the second-quarter timeout that has  hoops blogs around the world talking about the beef. Instead Westbrook used his own Twitter account to speak volumes with a one-word    post Thursday afternoon: "Mindset."

Hours later before the Oklahoma City Thunder tipped off against the Dallas Mavericks, he basically shook off the drama with Durant that played out in headlines to pleading ignorance.

 “What happened?” guard Westbrook said before the game. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

 And with that, Westbrook moved forward. 

Once the scene switched from pregame locker room interviews to the floor, Westbrook and Durant exchanged smiles and chest pounds in front everyone and officially put behind them whatever perceived drama existed on the sidelines and played out in the headlines. But how did it even get to that point where the two were placed under the microscope?

Every morning, we'll have a look at the previous night's action in a round up of recaps and reactions from around the web.

The Big Headline

 The Dallas Mavericks looked like they had their first win of the season in hand, until Kevin Durant's three at the buzzer.  In the late game, Kobe Bryant went off for 28 points to lead the LA Lakers past the New York Knicks.

The Big Performers

 Durant had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in the win.  Dwight Howard put up 16 points and 24 rebounds in Orlando's win in New Jersey

The Big Highlights

 What else?  KD. Buzzer. Beater.

          Kobe Bryant with your typical, run of the mill, 31-foot four-point-play

The Big Games

Thunder 104 - Mavericks 102
Box ScoreRecap
OKC:  Russell Westbrook - 16 pts (6-15 fg) , Serge Ibaka - 16 pts.  James Harden - 15 pts
DAL:  Dirk Nowitzki - 29 pts, 10 reb.  Jason Terry - 16 pts.  Delonte West - 15 pts

Everyone was doing their best not to make too much of a big deal out of Thursday's matchup between Dwight Howard and the his supposed top landing spot, the New Jersey Nets. Avery Johnson's focus was on adjusting his lineup to get better starts -- Sundiata Gaines and Memo Okur moved into starting roles Thursday night.

Stan Van Gundy jokingly suggested the Thunder could solve their Russell Westbrook problem by trading Kevin Durant as far as possible from Oklahoma City -- say Florida, for example.

Dwight Howard was even having some fun with the wild and rampant rumors, wearing a Washington Capitals' hat after shootaround Thursday morning and joking he wanted to join Alexander Ovechkin on the forward line for the capital's hockey team.

There is serious business to attend to though. And if we are going to read too much into every little thing that Dwight Howard and Deron Williams do, we have to be sure to mention the little dinner that Howard and Williams had in Orlando on Wednesday night. 

"It's just the world of reality TV and I think you guys are probably making out to be a bigger deal than we are," Nets coach Avery Johnson told the media before Thursday's game. "Players have friends, and it's something I've been told they always do. That's just the way it is.

"I'm disappointed Deron didn't invite me out to dinner. I like to go out to dinner. A coach has got to eat also. I call better plays when my stomach is full. I'm sure coach Van Gundy likes to eat also. Maybe coach Stan and I should have had dinner, we've never had dinner before. I should have called him."

Johnson said he commonly went out to dinner with friends from other teams before games (just not on gamedays... Johnson said he gets moody on gamedays). It is not that rare in the NBA.

The difference is of course, everyone is watching for what Howard and Williams will do. Every breath they take seems to be tinged with some clue into their future plans -- which many people speculate include teaming up somewhere whether it is Brooklyn or Dallas or wherever.

This isn’t your uncle's Indiana Pacers.

Long gone are the days of Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Mark Jackson, and the Davis Boys. They’ve since been replaced by the likes of Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, David West and Darren Collison and there probably isn’t a more slept on 2-0 team in the NBA right now than Indiana.

They’ve started the season with two road wins against Detroit and Toronto, and continue to envision the Chicago Bulls every time they hit the road and that will be the game plan going forward this season. That’s an order straight from head coach Frank Vogel himself. Vogel has  told the Pacers to remember back to last postseason and gain inspiration from that Chicago series each time they go away from home this year.

That was their first playoff appearance in five years and not only did Indiana win 10 of their last 17 games last season and were 20-18 under Vogel, but they’ve picked up where they left off this regular season giving even more credence to why they should be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference.

Last night’s win in Toronto was living proof.

After mounting a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter, they fended off a Toronto rally with the Raptors cutting the game to two points after Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani three-point play with about a minute left in the game.  Danny Granger hit a three, Jose Calderon trimmed the lead, but in the end it was David West earning his free agent paycheck hitting a jumper as the Pacers grabbed a 90-85 win on the road.

Oft-injured NBA center Joel Pryzbilla is still an available free agent and according to the Journal Times, he is drawing interest from his former team Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Clippers and other undisclosed teams.

Przybilla, 31, is drawing interest from several teams, according to Duffy. While Duffy wouldn't reveal those teams, league sources said Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers are among them.

And although the report goes on to state Joel contemplated retirement due to the chronic knee issues and surgeries, his agent is under the impression his client is feeling much better and will like to play this season.

However the fact remains, Pryzbilla's knees and health are a concern. He has had two knee surgeries and only logged 36 games last season so not only does a team have to worry about his health, there is concern about his overall game-shape.

And though the Bucks are reportedly very vocal about their interest at landing Pryzbilla, for arguments sake, let's say he is raring to go.

Aside from his excellent rebounding and shot-blocking ability he can provide any team, let's see what else he can provide the teams mentioned above.

For the Bucks, he would be an excellent backup to Andrew Bogut. Let's face it, after Bogut, there is a considerable drop off at center for Milwaukee. Currently, the Bucks use Drew Gooden, Larry Sanders, Jon Brockman and Jon Leuer to spell Bogut but it is not enough to instill confidence in coach Scott Skiles. Not to mention he has played in Milwaukke before and is familiar with the city, so his overall transition won't take that long.

For the Heat, it is a no-brainer. Aside from Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem, the Heat need help in the paint and Miami does not have anyone over 7-foot (aside from Eddy Curry but is he really going to get any significant action on the court?). With Pryzbilla on the bench, he would be the perfect big man for Miami. He would bring toughness, more veteran leadership to a young squad, and a high basketball IQ. He is also a big body to throw out on the court to help Miami with the likes of Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Joakim Noah, Bogut, and the other big men of the Eastern Conference. Plus, if he is entertaining thoughts of retirement, Miami would be his best shot at capturing an NBA title before calling it a career.

For the Clippers, he would solve a huge concern. Sure, the Clips are stacked with big men (Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan) but lack much size off the bench. Again, he would be the perfect fit and would bring toughness, more veteran leadership to a very young squad, and a high basketball IQ. Currently, the Clippers have rookie Trey Thompkins, Brian Cook, and Reggie Evans as the big men off the bench. Talk about a huge drop off after Griffin and Jordan. Joel could be the size this Los Angeles team needs off the bench.

Sure, his career numbers (4 points, 1.5 blocks, 6.3 rebounds, and 55% shooting from the field) may not "wow" many, however, there is a shortage of quality big men available for each team named above or for any other team for that matter. Moreover, he would not come with an expensive price tag, and could be signed for the short-term which might make him an even more attractive option despite his knee concerns.

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