Happy New Year and all that bullshit you supposed to say to be cordial but it don't mean nothin...No music plans for 2007, so we'll continue on the basketball route until Madonna or some rapper with a budget named Young something gets at me for some beats...shit, even Young MC would be good! I'm still slow to get going for the year, so the other elements of HOT SAUCE will have to wait til next update. My bust!

TOP 10 RANDOM NBA THOUGHTS (1.12.07)

10. After attending about 15 PSAL (public high school) basketball games in New York City and seeing only about 20% of the kids rockin their free Starbury sneakers, I think its safe to say Marbury's shoe is going the way of Crystal Pepsi in '87. Despite the marketing intentions, it my be the most ill-fated NBA sneaker ever. And speaking of which, does ANYBODY know where I can find the old Patrick Ewing Phoenix hi-tops like Guru had on the Step In The Arena cover? I need em in all baby blue/NC Tarheel color. I played ball against a team in Yonkers back in the day and they all had em with the matching NC Tarheel Starter jackets (all my folks born in the 70's, STAND UP!). They just don't make sneaks like that no more.

9. And speakin of Starbury, its a miracle that the Knicks are not in the #1 slot with an onslaught of haterism for the first time in the history of this blog. The only reason is everybody else in the Titanic/Craplantic (Atlantic) Division is playing just as crappy as the Knicks. They still suck, but maybe its belated holiday spirit that's keepin me off them this month. They got a nice spark after the brawl but it won't last long.

8. Speakin of the Craplantic division...it's wide open. I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks did win it and got broomed off the court by the Pistons or Cavs in Round 1. Let's face it.T he Nets were my pick for the East, but they just can't stay consistent. Especially with no Kristic. Mikki Moore has energy, but Jason Collins is the Sinbad of basketball (read: big, soft and trite) and I'm surprised he wasn't drafted by the Knicks. Plus, you never know which Vince Carter will show up. My pick for the Atlantic? Toronto Raptors! TJ Ford & Chris Bosh aka the Rap De Rap Show. You been warned!

7. Oh and speakin of the Nets, my twin brother Jason Kidd is goin through it with his wife Jumana. Won't hurt his game, he's only gonna take it out on opposing point guards. But that bitch Jumana is in for trouble. Take it from me, us lightskinned brothers have a complex about being seen as loverboy sensitive types cause of the 80's Soul Train R&B stars with the S-Curls. So in return we feel the need to go harder on out of line broads in 2007. Plus, Jason Kidd is from Oakland where they'll put a wig on a pig and a thong on King Kong. I don't care how fine the bitch is, she won't get a dime. He already went Ike Turner on her a few years ago, so I knew this was coming. The finer the bitch, the bigger the migrane. Now he claims domestic violence? I dunno about that, but I know a bitch that fine in your corner means a Cosby family income and an Evans family living after she hits the mall.

6. Fuck it, I've seen enough. It's safe to say Steve Nash is in for his third straight MVP. I don't care if he don't win another game this season, that's the baddest white boy since Pistol Pete.

5. Kobe's a killer on the court (albeit a punk), but he needs to shut the fuck up commenting on Gilbert Arenas' shot selection. Ol ATM Bryant -thats what broke nasty trailer trash hotel employee Colorado blow you in the men's room at 7-11 bitches call him- INVENTED the "gunnin all game" mentality! He's just mad that now there's somebody else that can drop 60 in a game. For the record I picked those 2 as the ones to set the high point records this season, among other prophecies that have manifested. My Thursdays are pretty open, so TNT cut me a check! Kenny Smith gotta go...

4. So its rumoured that Chris "Timeout" Webber may be a Piston. Oh boy I hope not. I like the Pistons, but if the trade pops off it's evident they'll be catching trout in May. Wherever Webber goes, losing goes. He's the Marbury of the frontcourt to me. I heard he even did a beat on Nas' new album. Now it's official. I'm trying out for the NBA.

3. The new ball is back...and nothing has changed since November. David Stern is an asshole to change it in the first place among everything else he does...but common knowledge commands little space in this blog.

2. Earl Boykins on the Bucks? Say what you want, but if Redd and Mo Williams can get back to health in time, mark the Bucks down for a 7 seed. Dead ass. With Bogut in the middle, Lil Earl was the missing piece. They had promise with TJ Ford at PG and trading him was retarted. But with Earl, Redd, Mo, Villanueva and Bogut...the east is wide open like Mardy Collins' jaw.

1. So AI is a Nugget now. He's playing as well as he's ever played, JR Smith is Back, they lost Earl Boykins but the move made sense and Lady Carmelo is back on Jan 22. It's all on paper, but am I alone in thinking this will NOT work? AI needs the ball to make things happen. All the time. That's when he's at his best. Melo needs a pair of high heels and the same exact thing, the ball...all the time. Who's gonna take a step back, especially with JR Smith delivering the goods as well? Is Melo willing to bring his PPG down to 15-18 and his assists up to 6? I dunno about that. The West is too deep. The Suns, Mavs and Spurs are a lock. The Rockets are beginning to gel and you can't leave out the Lakers. This means Denver is out in the first round unless they get the 4 or 5 seed and play the Lakers or Rockets. But if they keep slipping and get the 6,7 or 8...catch me some snapper in May fellas.