Sefko writes about the competitive Western Conference and the exciting second half race for the number one seed.
"That's what I think is going to be so interesting," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "Everybody's eyes are going to be watching every game earlier in the season. Normally, people get into it a little more after the All-Star break when there's only about 30 games left. But right now, the way things are going, I think it's making things interesting even earlier in the season."
--------------------David Moore has the obligatory Kobe trade article. Basically he says Kobe isn't going anywhere, and doesn't really even want to anymore.
Jan Hubbard looks at why Kobe is suddenly happy -- his team doesn't suck.
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Tim Cowlishaw wants to see the playoff seeding changed. I think he's written this same thing before; I had déjà vu reading it.
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Art Garcia did a first half report card.
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Injury Update: Jerry Stackhouse is having an MRI on his hamstring today.
Brandon Bass thinks he'll play tonight, but not his regular minutes.
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This Day in Mavs History
1999 Signed Steve Nash to a 6 year contract extension with a player opt-out clause after the 5th year.
Speaking of Steve Nash, this is funny.