THE OPPONENT

The Grizzlies lost Sunday in Denver. O.J. Mayo blew up for 40 points, but that's fine, because our favorite team has an excellent perimeter defense. (Right?)

You can learn more about the Grizzlies at Straight Outta Vancouver.

THE KEY BATTLE

THE INTERESTING SIDESHOW

There also happens to be a brewing dramatic production involving Rudy Gay in two costumes. The first is that of a dude who is trying to get a five-year, $50 million contract extension by midnight. No joke — the NBA season starts earlier every year, but the league has never saw fit to change the early bird extension deadline, so Gay and other players entering their fourth year get four games under the belt while waiting on an extension. This could be Spencer Hawes next season.

Gay's other role is as the co-star of a power struggle featuring O.J. Mayo. I cannot imagine this helps Gay in his just-discussed role as the dude seeking $50 million. Hmph.

FOOTNOTE OF NOTE

ABOUT THE ELEPHANT OVER THERE

There really is too much going on in this game. I will say the decision of the mayor and the Maloofs to sell this game out is proving prescient, given Iverson's debut will draw SportsCenter attention. Having a rocking ARCO Arena is worth at least 75% of an Omri Casspi or 50% of a Tyreke Evans in terms of popular national appeal. If the clips of A.I. come along with a boisterous ARCO crowd and perhaps some sort of electric performance from a King, a bit of the chill will be taken off the nation's assessment of our dear franchise. That can't be anything but good. So cheers to Mayor KJ, the Maloofs, the Kings org, the business folk, and — of course — all the fans who buy the tickets. This is a good step.

DETAILS

The game tips off at 7PM Pacific on Comcast SportsNet and KHTK 1140 AM. The game thread will also open at 7.