About The Association: Keep Hope Alive, Short People!

Umm, That Nate Robinson Guy Can Jump
Yes, the New York Knicks did lose against the Houston Rockets 97-90 last night, but there was something for the Knicks faithful to get out of their seats about. Namely the clean block by 5'9" Nate Robinson on the 7'6" Yao Ming. In a word, wow. Didn't catch it? Check it out here. Go ahead, check it out. I'll wait... oh, you're back... wasn't that SICK! The only thing I hate about that highlight is how Yao fakes like he got hurt by the diminutive Robinson. Or at least if Yao did get hurt, did we all need to see the histrionics? Admit it, Yao, you got "faced" and someone the length of your leg made it happen. As they say in the N-Y-C, "Get that junk out of here!"

Dwight Howard = Beast In The Box
Unfortunately, the Orlando Magic lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 95-86 last night, but it wasn't for a lack of trying on Dwight Howard's part, who finished with 24 points and 23 boards. This is the third game in Howard's last five that he reached the 20 points/20 rebounds benchmark. In the game before last night against the Charlotte Bobcats, Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds. And five games ago against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the man-child had 21 points and 22 rebounds. The fact that Howard did it with other strong rebounders, Emeka Okafor of the Hornets and Kevin Garnett of the T-Wolves, says a lot about Howard.

Yeah, He's Definitely Back
Speaking of Okafor, for those of you that watched him back at the University of Connecticut, as well as Okafor's rookie season when he averaged 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, the man is back strong from last season's injury woes that limited him to only 26 games played. Last night in a 93-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Okafor went off for 22 points, 13 boards, and eight rejections. For the season, 'Meka is averaging 20.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 4.1 blocks. Hopefully, for the Bobcats, their big man can stay healthy and continue to prove that he's back and here to stay.

The Utah Jazz Are So Hot, They're Nuclear!
Last night the Utah Jazz beat the Toronto Raptors 101-96 for their sixth straight victory and league-best 10-1 record. The Jazz are officially scorching and the recent news of them selling the naming rights of their arena to EnergySolutions, a nuclear waste services business only confirms this hotness.