Least we misinterpret Maloof, he still has confidence in Theus and says he has a bright future with the Kings. That is, as long as he cultivates a system and does it quickly. Maybe I should mention the guaranteed portion of Theus' exceedingly edible contract (roughly $2M) expires at season's end.

No one working for TNT regularly offers more authentic and thoughtful insight than Eric Snow. He just needs to amp it up to get the undivided attention of his audience. Guaranteed, within a year or three, Snow will be a head coach, and a damn good one. Larry Brown wanted him on his Bobcats staff this season but the Cavaliers declined permission. There's the minor detail of first being medically discharged and having his $7.3M salary removed from Cleveland's books, which should happen soon.

Danny Gallinari was hurt two months of the year the past few seasons, an international scout claims in an e-mail.

"That's a fact! He always seemed to be suffering from ankle, knee, ligaments and other related problems, including a stiff (mid-section?) back that were "publicly" released as muscle related." Furthermore, "he's an awkward, flat-foot runner."

Medical Bill Walton cuts to the chase in an e-mail: "You know you're really in trouble when they start telling you that you can't make it any worse."

Column contributor Marc Kravitz gets last dibs: "Every time a writer states Stephon Marbury's contract makes him unmovable, please remind them the Cavaliers traded Shawn Kemp, the Sonics traded Vin Baker and the Kings traded Chris Webber."

News » Lopez looking like a keeper so far
Lopez looking like a keeper so far
No disrespect to 6-foot-9 Josh Boone, whose belligerence on both boards is greatly appreciated, but the guy is not a true center or an adroit shooter. Brook Lopez, on the other hand, has everything going for him — 7 feet tall, spacious shoulders, a soft inside-out touch, practiced moves, sure hands, balanced feet and a menacing demeanor. NBA roundup Surging Knicks beat Oklahoma City Yanks pursue CC in a big way Ravens rookie set for Giants More from The New York Post