New Orleans, La.

(0-0) vs. (0-0)   
Time/TV: 8 p.m./Who am I kidding?
Line: What Line?
Tickets: Good luck with that...
Season Series: Nov. 19 in Orlando; Jan. 27 in New Orleans

Video Vault:

1) Two comments in Scott Raab's interview with Dwight Howard in Esquire have gained interest. First, Howard saying it is tough to say whether he will stay or not. And second, his sometimes strained relationship with Stan Van Gundy's coaching method. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel notes that the interview confirms Orlando's fears that a big market has some allure to Howard. The comments will not make Magic fans feel good. I will have more on the Dwight interview tomorrow.

2) The NBA and the NBPA are meeting with a federal mediator today, hoping to make progress in collective bargaining. Joe Gerrity of Hornets 24/7 is very optimistic about what could come out of today's meeting. Ken Berger of CBS Sports has some notes entering today's meeting including the possibility of saving an 82-game season. Among those things that might be discussed today? Contract lengths.

3) Tom Ziller of SBNation notes that the NBA lockout and its desire for competitive balance is dancing around the issue of having to keep Dwight Howard in Orlando. It is a difficult problem to solve.

4) Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post built off of Ziller's post and took a look at where the Magic are as far overpaying players. Using a much more complex formula than I used, the results are somewhat surprising and very similar to what I did over the summer.

5) ESPN's NBARank serious is coming to a close. Chris Paul came in fourth. Dwight Howard? He seems to be the consensus No. 2 on every list including this one.

 

6) The NBA-appointed president of the Hornets is very happy to report that there are four or five and possibly more owners ready to purchase the Hornets. Does not seem like the Hornets will be moving any time soon.

 

7) Remember, a shortened season likely means a compressed, unbalanced schedule.

8) Rohan of At the Hive weighs in on some of the potential impact of collective bargaining points and ideas from his readers.

9) Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post has an update on Justin Harper and Strasbourg. Harper continues to struggle to shoot in his team's second regular season game, but still scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He might be a better rebounder than we think.

10) My contribution to NBA Fan Voice Day on Monday detailed how I learned to love basketball long before I learned to play it.

11) James Grayson of Swarm and Sting is tired of all these defenseless summer league games.

12) It is the same old song for Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel -- Stay Dwight, Stay.