OH how I have longed for a week like this for quite some time. I am thrilled that the preseason is up and running and the NBA is visiting such basketball hot-beds as Macon, Biloxi, Little Rock, and Shanghai. You can browse NBA rosters and see such hopefuls as Ousmane Cisse, Ibrahim Kutluay, Liu Wei, and Kevin Willis. That's right, I said it, the same Kevin Willis that graduated from Michigan State in the early '40's is back for year number 20 in the NBA, and you know what, he's probably in better shape than 96% of the league. There have been some great stories this first week of exhibition ball, but here are some of my favorites. (Although, we must remember the greatest preseason highlight of all time, which took place three years ago when Magic big man Peter Kornell had a wide open dunk and did a pump fake allowing time for the defender to come over and foul him).

Scottie Pippen retired, and eleven people knew that he was still even on an NBA roster. Has there ever been a less ceremonious retiring for one of the NBA's top 50 players? The guy won six NBA Championships, two gold medals, three times named to the All-NBA first team, eight straight years on the All-Defensive first team, and one All-Star Game MVP among seven All-Star appearances, he was simply one of the best ever at his position. Yet, I go to NBA.com and I can't find anything about Pippen, there should be hoopla, parades, press conferences, you know, big events, instead I find a picture of Brad Miller riding a camel (not that that isn't remarkable footage). I know it was two weeks ago, but has Pippen fallen that far off the radar these past few years that we can't give him his proper due? Well, I guess I've answered my own question.

Have you read this about Qyntel Woods of the, you guessed it, Portland Trailblazers? He's been suspended without pay pending charges of dog abandonment and dog fighting! Luckily Portland President Steven Patterson already has the following statement printed up on company letterhead: "We are deeply disturbed by the developments in this case and we believe that suspending _______________ is warranted and necessary." This saves so much work for the Blazers PR Department, as they can just pencil in the correct names for their press releases. This team is simply having a dumb-off, and if these allegations hold true, Qyntel Woods.....YOU are the winner!

The NBA has actually entertained thoughts of doing away with the 3-point line! I can actually see this from both sides. Scoring is down as it is, so the last thing we need to do is implement a system that gives teams LESS points for shots. Last year we had games ending in the mid 50's, imagine if there was no arc? "Thanks for listening tonight as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Chicago Bulls 20-16" That being said, the NBA has about two pure shooters left (Wesley Person and Pat Garrity) so if you take away the 3-point line, we wouldn't have to watch Allen Iverson, Antoine Walker and Jamal Crawford "clang" fifteen treys a game, so I'm fine either way.....

The Orlando Magic preseason if off and running and Cuttino Mobley hasn't stopped talking since he got off the plane from Houston...and I hope he NEVER stops. What a spirited, exciting, motivational leader this guy is and I'm telling you Magic fans, get fired up because "Cat" is gonna have a breakout year in the Eastern Conference. Steve Francis will start at point guard in the Eastern Conference All-Star game, Dwight Howard will take MVP in the Got Milk! Rookie Game, and Pat Garrity will hit more 3's than the Charlotte Bobcats. You heard it here first!

Finally, must we make a mascot out of everything? I was browsing through the websites of various teams and I came across the Spurs website and something horrifying caught my eye: the H-E-Buddy mascot. I love the Coyote. Next to our very own "Stuff" I think the Coyote is one of the best in the league. But we have gotten WAY out of hand with this giant smiling grocery bag. Let's pretend for a second that you CAN stop staring at those carrots on the top, wouldn't you avoid all possible interaction with this monstrocity? Join me in my quest for legitimate mascots won't you?

Dante welcomes your comments, questions and alternative opinions. E-mail him here.

Dante’s Speak is solely the opinion of Dante Marchitelli and does not reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA. Marchitelli has served as radio producer in the Orlando Magic's Broadcast department for six seasons.