WEEK FIVE RECAP

1.  Break out the starter jackets. It was announced last week that in addition to taking a run at former glory by reclaiming the name of former Charlotte team The Hornets, after New Orleans switched to the Pelicans, the team soon to be the former Bobcats announced it would once again be donning the iconic teal and purple colorway that helped put the team on the map through the nineties, along with Zo, Grandmama and My Brother and Me.

2.  The Spurs have worked to develop the perfect pick n roll, getting it down to such a science almost any two player combination on their roster can run some variation perfectly. Big man Boris Diaw has garnered many croissant jokes over the years, he can be soft, fluffy and smooth and he's French but in a game against New Orleans last week Spurs commentator Bill Land donned a new age for the big man with the line "No croissant, THAT WAS A HARD ROLL" after another perfect example of the Spurs doing one of the things they do so well.

3.  There have been various conflicting reports concerning the Clippers and their interest, or lack there, of in Lamar Odom. There are rumors that the players don't want him back merely because it could become a distraction but there are also reports that the team could sign him as soon as their current road trip ends on Dec. 16th.

4.  Kobe Bryant and the Lakers came to a quick agreement on a two year $48.5 million extension on the Mamba's contract, hoping to keep him in purple and gold for the duration of his career. The decision was also quickly critiqued by many as a selfish move by the aging Bryant to not take less money for the betterment of the team cap space. I suppose that would've been an interesting Costanza-esque negotiation.

5.  The Knicks tailspin continued this week. With heartbreaking losses to Denver on Friday and New Orleans on Sunday the Knicks seem like a team deflated of any sense of pride. I don't like when coaches lose their job for players inefficiencies but Woodson being out of work is a far better option than JR Smith driving his tank into a building, Kenyon Martin doing any of the erratic things he could dream up, Melo losing his mind and going rogue, any of them taking Bargnani's life or any of the other really tragic outcomes to this saga.

6.  As the Knicks continue to push the limits of disappointment on just about every level, they may have found one bright spot in Tim Hardaway Jr. The rookie from Michigan played 25 minutes against New Orleans Sunday, scoring 21 pts on six of ten shooting (five of eight from outside) and four for four at the line. The Knicks were unable to take the game but I imagine Hardaway will see more opportunity moving forward.

7.  Both Anthony Davis and J.J. Redick suffered hand/wrist injuries over the weekend. Redick's fractured wrist came against the Kings on  Friday and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Davis' injury is a non-displaced fracture in his left hand but it is still unknown just how long he will miss. Redick has been doing well for the Clippers, tied for third highest scorer with Jamal Crawford but it's safe to say Davis' injury will be more devastating to his team, which relied on him heavily on both ends of the floor.

8.  The Spurs had only lost one game in the first four weeks of the season but last week dropped two including their first home loss to Houston, the other coming in Oklahoma City. Portland also lost a game last week to the Suns, giving both Western conference favorites three losses a piece for the season.

9.  In other Portland news wing Wes Matthews has been lights out from just about anywhere within the front half of the court over the first five weeks. Matthews leads the league in true shooting percentage and efficient shooting percentage. He's shooting 51% from outside (he's also taking at least six threes a game) and 61% percent from inside. SB Nation and NBA.com have shared a shot chart of his campaign thus far.

10.  This recap would be remiss if "Soda-gate" went unmentioned. Upon my first viewing though I thought Jason Kidd was drinking iced tea. So many questions to ask here, You're the coach of the highest paid team in the league, world renowned facilities, a Russian oligarch footing the bill, never mind your current record, the world is your oyster... What kind of soda are you drinking? Is Kidd the type of person that drinks six or more diet cokes a day and this was him choosing the game over his fix (I know this type of person and honestly that sacrifice would speak volumes more than an actual win)? These are the types of question I have yet to see any hard hitting journalists approach, the important factors that go into coaching. Kidd later honed up to the stunt and was fined $50k, as if anyone in Brooklyn cares.