The no-kidding department: Karl Malone has a clause in his contract barring use of an armed weapon while riding a horse. In 1999, Jazz owner Larry Miller included the prohibition in Malone's deal ? four years at $66 million ? after the thrill-seeking forward once said he wanted to hunt for a horse while riding one. It wasn't a joke for the part-time wrestler and motorcycle/truck aficionado. ... Imagine if George Karl coached for Mark Cuban. That combination would form the most outrageous organization in the NBA. Put Charles Oakley on the squad, and the newspapers wouldn't have enough newsprint. ... Players aren't the only ones stealing money in the NBA. Some scouts have evidently hit the lottery. Sports Illustrated asked an unnamed scout to give his Eastern All-Star team and a second unit. The thief has Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal as backups to Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker and Ben Wallace. What are the odds that this scout works for a bottom feeder? ... The transformation of Allen Iverson's image is official. The NBA once was so leery of Iverson that it airbrushed his tattoos when the 76ers' guard made the cover of the NBA Register. But recently, NBA Entertainment released a 60-minute documentary on DVD and videotape called "Allen Iverson: The Answer," chronicling his life. The NBA has made only one other such documentary ? of Michael Jordan. ... San Antonio's Charles Smith is the fourth NBA player with the name, making it the most common in league history. There are plenty of unusual names in the NBA like Seattle's Olumide Oyedeji and the Lakers' Stanislav Medvedenko. Of course, Charles Smith would stand out in Nigeria or the Ukraine, where Oyedeji and Medvedenko were born. ... The summer of 2003 is a chance for teams to transform through free agency but not just because of Tim Duncan. Other stars available: Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Gary Payton, Jermaine O'Neal and Bonzi Wells. ... If Miami makes the playoffs, it will be poised to upset a top-seeded team like the Bucks. Eddie Jones is finally earning his maximum dollars; Rod Strickland is contributing and Alonzo Mourning has regained his health. Suddenly, there's no talk about Pat Riley stepping down. ... How frustrated is Marc Jackson that he hasn't yet been traded from Golden State? He's among the league leaders in flagrant fouls with three, matching noted assassin Kenyon Martin. This despite playing as much as the team mascot.