NBA: Where Shoving happens

- BKN-BOS shoving match. As someone who remembers the '90's Knicks, I need to see something more before I get excited by a basketball fight. This is a nonstory, generally speaking.

- Poppovich benches star players. I'm against benching healthy players. The NBA is about entertainment, and maximizing that entertainment value. San Antonio already has the tag of being "boring" as a team. They have grayscale uniforms. It would be nice to actually be able to watch the starters play against the Heat.

- Westbrook nearly gets a quadruple double. 23 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists and seven steals against the Jazz. Whatever your opinion of Westbrook is, it can't be that he doesn't play hard. He's been amazing for the Thunder and plays the role of second-banana well.

- The Warriors are good. As of 12/3/2012, they have the 4th best record in the West and are tied for the best record in their division. Most importantly, they don't even have Bogut back yet.

- Milwaukee is a team that might also be good. They have solid guard play and their island of misfit toys front court has been strong for them. I picked up Larry Sanders on my fantasy team, just so I could have an excuse to watch the Bucks.

- Congrats to the Wizards for actually winning a game.

Tuesday

OKC @ BKN 5:30EST NBA TV

Should be a pretty nice matchup between one of the best teams in the East and one of the best teams in the West.

LAL @ HOU 6PM League Pass

When the Chris Paul Trade got vetoed last year, Pau was supposed to go to the Rockets. Oh, how things change. Both of these teams were heavily hyped as the season began, and both of these teams were amazing.

Wednesday

Nationally Televised - ESPN

DEN @ ATL

Should be a fun matchup, but they are both middling teams in their conferences.

DAL @ LAC

This certainly looked better for ESPN on paper when the season started. Dallas is sitting, waiting for Dirk.

League Pass

Rough night for NBA League Pass owners, with no compelling matchups. If you like watching young players TOR@SAC might be for you. But if I had to watch a game, it would be Chicago @ Cleveland. Varejao and Noah tangling in the paint might be must watch television. Both teams are missing their star point guards in Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving, respectively.

Thursday

NYK @ MIA (6PM TNT) is the only game to watch. Ignore the Dal @ PHX travesty.

Friday

LAL @ OKC (7:30PM ESPN)

Western Conference Matchup of the Week

This is a great game on paper. Unfortunately, the Lakers haven't really been clicking and they are a middling team in the Western Conference. What will be interesting is how the Lakers big men match up with the Oklahoma City big men. The other interesting matchup will be the running saga of "Who guards Westbrook". Westbrook has made an argument for best guard in the NBA over November and he has historically destroyed the Lakers, especially during the playoffs last year.