Bumbling Blazers, the bat and a nod to Bill Walton's passion

•The 2-3 start in Portland goes from a simple stumble out of the gate to genuine concern with the early weeks pock-marked by comments about a lack of effort. That has nothing to do with chemistry issues traceable to offseason moves, lineup decisions or health. It's a troubling sign, even for those of us with a good seat on the bandwagon, because the Blazers have three players fresh off signing big contracts (Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller), another back after missing all but one game last season to injury (Martell Webster) and a No. 1 pick finally getting a full-time job in the opening lineup who still can't play with proper energy and focus.

•Nothing in his basketball life will surpass the greatness of Bill Walton at UCLA, and the healthy moments in the NBA were pretty special, too. But the broadcasting career that ended with his retirement as an analyst at ESPN should always be remembered as one of his special accomplishments. Walton's seven years at the network, plus other seasons he called for individual teams, came after he beat a stuttering problem. As much as viewers cringed at his over-the-top statements, the acquired passion for very public speaking was still better than the white-noise nothingness from many commentators. His passion for the game, and for talking about it, is real.

•Las Vegas, of course, and New York are the likely hosts for Team USA exhibitions next summer as part of the run-up to the world championships in Turkey. The defending Olympic gold medalists will again hold training camp in Vegas and play there once, head east for at least one more game in the United States, and then continue to Europe. Spain and Greece are the best bets for locations for final prep work before reaching Turkey for the tournament.

•There was a bat. A guy swiped at it. That's it. Great reflexes by Manu Ginobili, amazing that it happened on Halloween, classic bit of video and an NBA moment for the history books, but not the crime against batkind some are making it seem.

•This is the season, finally, the Pacers are vindicated for the Jan. 16, 2007, trade with the Warriors that for years appeared as a lopsided Indiana defeat. One of the principles sent to Oakland, Al Harrington, already has been traded amid conflict and the other, Stephen Jackson, is doing everything possible to speed up a similar exit. Meanwhile, Troy Murphy is an important Pacers contributor and Mike Dunleavy is expected to be, if he ever is healthy again. The Warriors got the greatest payoff, the electric '07 postseason run, but Indy got away from headaches Golden State now understands all too well. The teams meet Wednesday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

•The unique rise of Jeff Teague has led all the way to an immediate positive impact in Atlanta and an expanding role as backup point guard in the season in which the Hawks want to reduce Mike Bibby's workload to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Teague was set as the shooting guard at Wake Forest last season and took over the point only when incumbent Ishmael Smith broke his foot in September. That was an important development because Teague had no chance at making the pros as a 6-foot-1 ½ off guard. Instead, he took over the point, became a star, went 19th in the draft and quickly impressed with a mix of warp speed and an ability to play slowly in the pick-and-roll. "He's probably, by far, the best young point guard we've had who can come in and run a team," coach Mike Woodson said.

•That's Marc Gasol -- not older brother Pau -- at 17.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 60.4 percent shooting after five games, paying immediate dividends after the Grizzlies center dropped about 20 pounds in the offseason. "His conditioning has definitely improved," coach Lionel Hollins said. "He's able to move better and stay out on the court, have more stamina. He's shown it." Gasol has gone from 30.7 minutes a game last season to 36.2 per in the early going of 2009-10.

•And one, from the mailbag. "So when do the other players who are no longer on the championship-winning Lakers receive their rings? Such as Trevor Ariza." Answer: The usual schedule is when that new team comes to town -- Ariza with the Rockets, former assistant coach Kurt Rambis with the Timberwolves, etc. That way, the team can do a little pre-game presentation with applause as opposed to sending the ring FedEx. If a player doesn't come back through town for whatever reason (retired, out of the league), each team may do it differently. Some may get the guy some plane tickets to bring him back, some may tell him to wait by the mailbox. I guess it depends on the team and the player, though I think most would try to do the right thing and have it in person.

Scott Howard-Cooper has covered the NBA since 1988. You can e-mail him here.

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