Knock, knock. Who's there? Greg. Greg who?

Yes, folks, the above sentence proves a couple of things. One, it's kind of obvious who Greg is as Greg Oden finally makes his NBA debut for the Portland Trail Blazers and did well in under 20 minutes of work, scoring 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the floor and 3-for-5 makes at the free-throw line. He also grabbed five boards and blocked two shots. Oden is healthy and obviously ready to make an impact in the Association. No question.

Oh, and the second thing that first sentence proves? That I really had no good punchline, so I just didn't bother trying because I knew I would do the opposite of what Oden did versus the Sacramento Kings... he succeeded, I would have failed. C'mon, unless a beard is involved, Greg Oden jokes are hard!

Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

* I am a Shaun Livingston fan. No, never a Los Angeles Clippers fan, the team Livingston used to play for, as all of the regular readers know I am a New York Knicks fan. But, maybe I should reconsider now that Baron Davis and Marcus Camby are in the Clip Joint now. Nah, it's all about sticktoitiveness! And that's why I am happy to hear that the Miami Heat have signed Livingston to a two-year contract. Livingston will jump into the Heat point guard battle, but realistically, he'll mostly be hanging back with the cavalry waiting for the prime opportunity to take over. Trust me, folks, it will happen.

* This on-again, off-again Jamaal Tinsley trade from the Indiana Pacers to the Denver Nuggets seems to be back on as Tinsley is expected to be Rocky Mountain-bound on Monday. While the trade makes sense, talent-wise, for all involved, why is there so much denial? Tinsley, while a problem off the court (whether he finds trouble or trouble finds him), he does have an ability to produce as a point guard in the Association and playing in an up-and-down offense such as Denver's with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony ready to receive Tinsley's pass to score... man! Who could ask for more?

* Amare Stoudemire will be out for two weeks thanks to an eye poke. Didn't Stoudemire ever watch The Three Stooges and learn the eye poke block by forming a wall along the bridge of your nose? Youngsters... don't appreciate good television anymore.

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images

I was fortunate to be included amongst a group of NBA bloggers that really know their hoops. In the first 30 days of October, each NBA team will be covered by an NBA blog that is specifically following the respective team. So, check out the 2008-09 NBA Bloggers Team Preview!

I assigned myself the task of writing the New Jersey Nets team preview. So, keep checking the above link to get hit hard with some NBA knowledge!

Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images

The Fig Cap: Check the hat, it's a sure sign, right? Right?!?!

* The LeBron James rumors will NEVER cease until he finally signs his name on his next NBA contract - be it with the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, or that Cleveland Cavaliers team he's found success with since 2003 when he was chosen by his hometown team first overall in the NBA Draft. This time, the rumor involves Knicks and the enigmatic William Wesley who was seen speaking with Knicks GM Donnie Walsh during the Knicks training camp. Wesley is associated with LeBron in some capacity that is still ambiguous, but significant enough that people are looking at what could be a simple conversation as "LeBron is going to wear a New York Knicks uniform after the 2009-10 season!" The rational side of me says that this is probably nothing but more speculation about James jumping away from Cleveland and landing in New York. BUT, the Knicks fan in me says, PLEASE let this rumor have some legs! Journalistic integrity and objectivity... what are these things you speak of?

* The Utah Jazz have initiated talks with Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur's camps about signing both to contract extensions, but Boozer doesn't want to hear any of that. Can anyone say Miami Heat in 2009? Well, at least this time he's not promising to sign a deal and then decide to go somewhere else... sorry, Cleveland. This is just not a blog post you want to read, huh?

* Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol might sit out some preseason games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Umm, after an offseason that included training for the Olympics and participating in the Olympics, it only makes sense. However, Lamar Odom coming off the bench does not. A starting frontline of Gasol, Odom, and Andrew Bynum would be killer!