Dec. 10 -- Docket #4.10 Remain seated and come to order.

The Honorable AJ Mass presiding…

The NBA’s Fashion Police are at it again. This time, though, we’re not talking about whether or not Dan Dickau can wear his Dickies. No, the league has been on the lookout for violations of the rule that states “a player's shorts cannot extend below 0.1 inch above the knee”. Fines have been handed out to violators, such as Stephon Marbury, Kyle Korver, Allen Iverson, Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, Voshon Lenard, and Andre Miller, just to name a few. $10,000 fines. On top of that, the teams they play for were also fined $50,000 for each violation.

Needless to say, the Player’s Association is none too pleased with the unwanted debits. I would have to agree. Yes, the league has an absolute right to demand that the uniforms be, well, uniform. But there’s a huge difference between a player hitting the court dressed like MC Hammer and the league getting on it’s hands and knees with a protractor and a magnifying glass. (Would Robert Traylor qualify as a pro-Tractor or am I just being incredibly silly?) I agree we don’t want players dressed up like extras from Memoirs of a Geisha, or throwbacks to the era of Prohibition, where “showing a little ankle” made you a wanton woman. (It’s not the greatest metaphor, but it works… especially if we assume every NBA player is either Dennis Rodman or Larry Johnson.) But neither do we want to go back to the John Stockton 70’s gym class rump-huggers. Do we? And that is not a violation under the current rule… nor do I believe would be the appearance of a “Speedo Claxton”, technically.

But those in power are always going to flex their muscles. Even on the Republic of Malta, where they have ruled that the practice of putting diapers on horses to prevent #2 from becoming the #1 sanitation problem in town violates the Animal Welfare Act. Evidently, even though a law was passed three years ago requiring these equine pampers, it took this long for veterinarians to explain to the powers that be that a horse's tail needed to be kept free to swat flies.

Maybe it won’t take so long for the NBA powers that be to see the folly of their ways here. Dare to dream!

Jorgo21 hopes his latest series of maneuvers isn’t sheer folly as well: “I’ve recently made a few deals and pickups. Now, I haven’t even given my team a chance to settle in, nor have I worked out where my team is now in relation to standings and categories, and a guy offers me this trade: I would have to give up Steve Nash, Jason Richardson and Channing Frye and get in return Jermaine O'Neal, Carmelo Anthony and Bonzi Wells. Would it be worth countering my same players for his Elton Brand, Emeka Okafor and Bonzi? Is that a far stronger deal? My team seems pretty strong on paper as is. I don't want to mess it up unless I am getting a good deal.”

It’s tough to give up a stat machine like Steve Nash, but if you’re improving enough at the other player slots involved in the deal, it’s even tougher NOT to pull the trigger. (Trigger. Now THERE was a horse who could change his OWN diaper.) O’Neal’s TCE of 19.32 may not completely size up to Nash’s 23.01, but it’s not all that far off. Melo (15.90) and Bonzi (19.67) severely trump JR (17.26) and the Frye Guy (11.04). And if that deal is good, Brand and Okafor in the mix make it even better. Their TCE numbers (20.54 and 15.56) not only trump what you’re giving away, but they Martha Stewart as well. Go ahead, Jorgo, and put this deal to bed. It’s way past bedtime for Bonzi.

A hot name on the waiver wire this week is Samuel Dalembert, who is slowly making his way back to 100% from a right quad injury. Here’s two takes on the Dalembert Dilemma. First, we have Robbos11, who’s looking to buy: “I currently have Jamaal Magliore as one of my centers and Samuel Dalembert is on the waiver wire right now. Magliore has been a good source of blocks and rebounds and is beginning to score more, but do I drop Magliore and go get Dalembert? (I also have Nenad Krstic and Mehmet Okur at center, but I think I would keep those two over Magliore.”

Looking at the TCE’s: Magliore (11.28); Dalembert (13.17); Krstic (10.52) and Okur (13.34). We can glean from this that a roster of Dalembert and Okur would be your strongest option at this point of the season. It’s close, but I would keep Magliore and lose Krstic.

RagerXS, on the other hand, is looking to sell: “Should I do this trade? I get: Shaquille O'Neal and Deron Williams and give up Stephon Marbury and Dalembert (Note: My league uses number of free throws made, and not free throw percentage.)”

Shaq’s been a no-show for the Heat thanks to an injury… though it seems like he’s made more appearances for the Lakers this season, if only as a spectator. Still, he was back at practice Thursday, and although he experienced slight swelling and some pain, O'Neal was targeting Sunday as a reasonable possibility for his return from his month long layoff (according to a report in The Miami Herald). Anyways, Shaq’s numbers are lower than they might be… and his TCE of 14.91 is sure to climb once he gets back to full-strength… assuming he doesn’t re-injure himself first. That’s the gamble here for RagerXS. (And with Shaq’s penchant for the clank from the free throw line not counting against you, there’s no real downside other than the potential relapse.) The numbers say Deron (13.15) and Dalembert are a virtual wash. Marbury is a solid 18.74. If you think Shaq is going to make a full recovery, then you make this deal, because Shaq should only increase in value once he does… and then you might have to give up even more to get him. But if you’re not sure, then you pass… and hope you don’t throw your season out of bounds in the process.

Next week: More from the mailbag, including angry letters from Austin Scarlett, Steve Fisher, Ronald Reagan and Kool Moe Dee.

All rise… The Court has now adjourned!

AJ Mass is a fantasy expert for NBA.com. His column The Commish’s Court runs every Monday as part of the NBA.com Premium Scouting Report. Contact him at TheCommish@talentedmrroto.com

The views expressed by the TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.