My thoughts around the NBA: AI really done?

• Is AI really done?: If that is "The Answer" I'm going to be really disappointed. The guy may never win an NBA title, but he's still a factor when he's on the floor. He's great for a bad team - ie, playing for Memphis. He can keep a team alive by himself - unfortunately he can take one apart himself too, some say. I don't know if I believe that. I just think AI needs to be with the right team. I just hate to see him walk away - if he is, as some have speculated - when he has a lot of game left. Hall of Fame seat awaits either way.
• Branding Jennings:I don't know if there has been a more controversial rookie in recent memory as Brandon Jennings (OK, I'm sure there was, but I'm blank right now). Nobody knew where he would fall in the draft. Then the video. Joe Budden, really? He's still around rapping? OK. Good for Joe. The offseason rant is history. He dropped 55 the other night. Am I shocked? Yes. Am as shocked that the Bucks are actually 5-2. Yes, but moreso. The East so far is 1 through 8 better record-wise than the West. It's the NBA: Stay posted.
• Tinsley back: Hmm. What do I say here? I guess all I can say is that it's another version of AI where a guy with talent left to use is back in the league. Is Stephon Marbury paying attention? Nah, he's probably staring aimlessly at his Webcam thinking someone is watching.
• The Lakers, again: The Lakers are lagging a little early. Wow! You surprised? I'm not. That's just what they do. After reading a Phil Jackson book a few years ago, I know why. It's playoffs, playoffs, playoffs they care about. However, Mr. Garnett appears to be healthy. He may be the bigger potential problem than Ron Artest blowing up. By the way, I wonder if Ron still thinks Brandon Roy, with all due respect, is the best player he's faced in the league, now that the best player is his teammate. That is, of course, if his buddy from NYC is still in jail.
• 23 reasons, but a number ain't 1: The deuce three. Retire it. It's simple. Why did it take the new man who's making it famous now to bring it up? Although, in my opinion, players who aren't superstitious choose their own number. See: Dennis Rodman. Ron Artest. Gheorghe Muresan (him again on this blog?). Wow, I think I just broke news that LeBron is superstitious. I'd never wear 23, too much pressure. What would be a good new number for LBJ?
• On a light note: Good luck to Kareem. He's surprised about the response by everyone that he has cancer, but you know, he's someone a lot of us don't know and guys my age (just 26) have only heard stories about (other than the great work he's doing with Bynum). But we all know the impact he had on the game. And that's enough to care, even if we don't know him personally.
• Quick rundown: Shout out to the Rockets, because they prove that playing hard equals wins and Aaron Brooks is pretty darn good! ... The Nets win so far, as the worst team as I predicted this offseason ... Props to D-Wade and the hot start, shows me even more about him being a leader, not looking past this season. ... A-T-L, don't say I didn't warn you about them.