I caught hell last week for saying Yao was soft, the Rockets stunk, they can?t rebound and T-Mac?s defense was lagging.  And since then they?ve gone 2-4 and Yao?s rebounding has dipped below 9 boards per game.  What up, Earl?  Trap Trap Trap Trap Trap !

? What I learned this week: Isaiah Thomas will sign, trade for, or sign-and-trade anyone, at any time, for no reason whatsoever. More on this later.  I used to think people were un-tradable, until Shaq and T-Mac got traded. But if the Wolves trade Garnett, anything can happen.  You could see the NBA trade the Raptors for the Maple Leafs.  Didn?t LeBron James used to pass the ball a lot more, and to guys that were worse than this year?s Cavs?  The Raptors and Hawks are a combined 4-30.  If Latrell can?t get a sniff from even these lowlife CBA teams masquerading as professionals, he?s just?.about??done.

? The Atlantic Division may be the worst division in sports history.  Get this: no team is over .500.  Every single team in the division is getting outscored by their opponents, in total points and points per game.  Kind of makes you think twice before being excited about the Celtics 4-0 record in the division.  Still, I predict one of these teams is going to make the playoffs, you watch.  If you don?t get that joke quit reading now.

? Why are the Sonics starting so slow this year compared to last?  Well, one thing could be that they?ve lost Jerome James and Antonio Daniels.  Probably not. Nate McMillan leaving probably had the biggest effect on their defensive intensity and the rotation ahs suffered as well.  But the real reason could be their 3-pt shots aren?t miraculously falling at 50% like they did last year.  Seattle shoots just 33.8% from 3-pt land this year.

? WM Trivia: Who are these guys:  Terry Stotts, Mike Woodson, Mike Brown, Dwayne Casey, and Bob Weiss.

? Hey, didn?t you used to be the Clippers?  After starting out 9-2 the Clippers are now 13-5 (8-1 at home) and lead the upside down Pacific Division by ? game over Phoenix.  Too bad Amare isn?t even playing yet

? The NBA has recently changed its policy regarding testing for banned substances. Prior to this week, players tested at random were subject to testing during games. In fact Reggie Evans of the Sonics missed part of the 3rd Quarter against the Knicks.  NBA officials, citing the stringency of the testing policy, reiterated the new change, saying, ?(o)ur policy, however, does not require a player to take a drug test at any point during a game, and we will ensure going forward that no testing is conducted during this time."  On an editorial note, if you need to test basketball players during the game, you?ve got bigger issues at hand.  Steroids really aren?t that big of a problem in the NBA b/c steroids compromise flexibility and flexibility is very important to the NBA player. Rather, marijuana is probably the most widely abused substance in the league.  And if you?ve got guys toking up at half-time, then I don?t think random tests are going to change that culture.  Next time, Mr. Stern, look a little deeper at solutions.

? Kevin Garnett is not getting traded, so quit checking voicemail, Zeke.

? Speaking of Isiah, The Knicks signed Qyntel Woods to a roster that includes Penny Hardaway, Starbury, Quentin Richardson, Trevor Ariza, Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford.  Their newly acquired center Jerome James (5 years, $30 mil) has shot one (1) foul shot all year. And their power Forwards are Maurice Taylor and Malik Rose.  Looks good to me.

? Trivia answer: not Rick Adelman, Gregg Popovich, Phil Jackson, Rick Carlisle or Larry Brown.

? The Trail Blazers got rid of some bad character guys (Qyntel Woods, Rasheed, Damon Stoudamire) and are planning on sitting Ruben Patterson after they explore trade possibilities.  They brought in good guys Juan Dixon and his tag-team partner Steve Blake (are these guys taped together or something? It?s like a 3-legged race with these two.) and recommitted to superstar in waiting Zach Randolph. This just in: they still suck.

Thanks for tuning in the Weekly Musings.  On behalf of PETA, this is Qyntel Woods.  Happy Holidays.