Scorer Jennings deserves credit for passing, too

• The overlooked aspect to Brandon Jennings' start is his response to his pre-draft rep as a point guard too dedicated to getting his own shots. He's averaging 20.7 points a game this season, but is also at six assists. The early co-leader for Rookie of the Year (who is in a tight race with the Kings' Tyreke Evans for eventual honor) is 12th in the league in assists, ahead of Chauncey Billups and Derrick Rose, among others. And that's with Michael Redd, projected as a top Jennings target in Milwaukee, managing only seven appearances.

• Look for the Warriors to be proactive to spark serious trade talks as a 7-18 season full of disappointment, injuries and declining attendance from a loyal fan base continues to crumble. They would love to go so far as getting involved in a blockbuster for star power, even if that means dealing Anthony Randolph a few months after rating him untouchable. Carlos Boozer and Amar'e Stoudemire will be part of the conversation, with the same obvious concern as when Stoudemire talks heated up on draft night: Golden State would be giving up several core pieces for someone who could easily, if not likely, leave as a free agent after a few months.

• Wizards coach Flip Saunders emphasized that the arrangement to allow a fan to design an out-of-bounds play is not final, which is hopeful news. There's still chance for them to get out of it. Fans cheer, pick All-Star starters and fling half-court shots for a car. Coaches coach. Even a one-time bit that would have an incredibly small impact on the outcome of a game is a minor-league stunt that looks even worse with Washington at 7-16 and in serious need of avoiding being mocked about people off the street having to bail them out.

• Watch Kevin Love go from not making the rookie-sophomore game at All-Star weekend 10 months ago to the greater praise of being put in the pool of candidates for the next Team USA. Though hardly a marquee player at the level of his potential summer teammates, few big men in the league are a better fit for the international game. The Timberwolves' power forward has great passing skills, shooting range, intelligence and an ability to defend the pick-and-roll that opponents routinely throw at the United States. He's the epitome of the glue guy Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski want sprinkled among the stars. Plus, Love would love the job of doing the dirty work.

• The other outside-the-box possibility to make the working list for the 2010 world championships: Lamar Odom, who has never been an All-Star and doesn't start for the Lakers. The same versatility that made him a key to the 2009 NBA title -- handling the ball at 6-feet-10, playing both forward spots, shooting, passing over defenses -- would make him a unique dimension next summer in Turkey and possibly on to London for the 2012 Olympics. Odom, asked if having Kobe Bryant as a teammate now would help if they're teammates then: "I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt."

• Good for Stan Van Gundy. After Rashard Lewis opened himself up to discipline by declining re-enter the Dec. 10 game against Utah in the second quarter, saying Ryan Anderson was playing well and should stay in, the Magic coach rationally defused the moment by saying one disagreement in two-plus seasons together should not be blown out of proportion. Fair enough. Any player who won't go in a game looks bad, but if it does turn out to be nothing more than a momentary blip, Van Gundy will have done well in considering an entire body of work over a single night.

• If Tracy McGrady thought there was public heat for playoff losses with strong teams, even if elimination wasn't his fault, the new pressure is returning to the Rockets when they weren't supposed to be in telescope range of seeing the postseason. The great irony is that what remains of his good name could take a bigger hit playing for a gritty, overachieving bunch than a formidable club that had a chance to do damage. The diva thing really won't fit with this group. There's also the other potential outcome, that T-Mac is traded before making any stamp in Houston this season.

• The Knicks' Danilo Gallinari is making important advances that are all about building to the future, going from concerning back problems to playing 23 of 24 games and averaging 13.6 points despite being fifth on the team in attempts. "Obviously we need to get him a few more shots," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He's our best shooter, and the more times he shoots the better for us." Without nearly the international attention as the No. 6 pick in 2008 who was projected as a centerpiece of the New York rebuilding, Gallinari is five appearances from equaling his rookie total.

• Welcome to the Kings' proving ground. The 11-13 start minus the injured Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia is the beginning of an impressive response to the 17-65 bottoming out of 2008-09. But it also came against 17 opponents that have a .465 winning percentage. Payback opens Wednesday with seven of 10 games against division leaders Cleveland, Denver, Dallas, Orlando and the Lakers followed immediately by a six-game Eastern swing. If anything is left of Sacramento by Jan. 23, then it will really be time to be impressed.

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

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