LeBron James And Stephon Marbury Are Not Pals

It's about time that LeBron James weighed in on this Stephon Marbury business. Sayeth The King, in the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Do not expect New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury to get traded to the Cavaliers any time soon. At least not while LeBron James is on the team. "I don't know him that well," James said of Marbury. "But I couldn't have a guy like that on my team."

Sorry, Cleveland fans. No Starbury for you. But we wouldn't blame you if you bought his shoes, anyway.

• Two For Texas. Are the Mavericks emerging as the best team in Texas? Josh Howard led bursts of 17-1 and 11-0, finsihing with 23 points to lead Dallas over San Antonio 105-92. The Spurs' Tony Parker missed 10 of 11 shots and finished with seven poiints.

• Barbosa Rules. Affirmed. Leandro Barbosa scored 25 points, including 5-of-7 from the 3-point line, leading the Suns over the Bulls 112-102. Fun fact: Grant Hill (24 points) arrived in Chicago a day early to appear on Oprah. Not so fun fact: Shawn Marion (21 points) was involved in a minor car accident on his way to the arena.