Not only did Rodney Stuckey return to the basketball court today, he was the final Detroit Pistons player to leave it. Stuckey did not participate fully in practice but did some work on the side, then shot baskets for a good length of time after all of his teammates had left the court. The Pistons listed him as questionable for the game Friday against the Washington Wizards, and there still appears to be no timetable set for his return.

Brendan Haywood plays like a semi truck, at least compared to the Mavericks, who were averaging more than 118 points in games without him.So does Erick Dampier, for that matter. Mack and Peterbilt, you might say. "Thats 14 feet in the middle," as Caron Butler said."Thats a lot of size, so its great to have those guys back." The Mavericks looked a lot different with their beef back.And thats the way its going to be.They survived a lousy start Wednesday night and turned things around behind Haywood... 

Before Wednesdays game, Mark Cuban spent time on the stair-stepper, as he usually does.And he detailed the thinking that went into the All-Star Weekend trade that rejuvenated his team. He said it was the result of running through every scenario, including "tearing it down." By that, he meant getting rid of everybody except Dirk Nowitzki.Cuban said he made these consider-any-option evaluations where he usually does - in the shower. "I had to go over every possible scenario," he said."Thats why I paid for a good... 

Rick Carlisle saw the same thing everyone else at American Airlines Center did midway through the second quarter Wednesday night: The Mavs werent going to win without Roddy Beaubois energy. So he inserted the rookie into the game, even though he had two fouls.After all, the Mavs trailed the raggedy New Jersey Nets by 16 points, and Beaubois seemed to be the only member of the Mavs interested in playing. Good move. Beaubois, the same guy Carlisle has deemed unworthy of playing a single minute 25 times this season, sparked th... 

The NBA didnt know what hit it when Mark Cuban bought the Mavericks in 2000.A free spirit who does and says what he wants, Cubans willingness to sign checks has helped make Dallas one of the best teams and desirable places for players. The Nets can only hope its true when people call incoming owner Mikhail Prokhorov a Russian Cuban. "I dont know if its flattering, but its far better than when I got in the league and everyone told me I was doing everything wrong," Cuban said via e-mail before Dallas went for its 13th straight ... 

The Mavericks werent going to let themselves be the Nets first victim of the season and Jason Kidd wouldnt let his current teams long winning streak end against his old one Wednesday. The Nets had a major hand in it, of course.They struggled on offense over the last three quarters and fell, 96-87, Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. Looking nothing like a player who will turn 37 in two weeks, Kidd was huge in leading the Mavericks back from 18 points down in the first half. He played tenacious defense, dove out of b... 

One misconception entering this uncapped season is that Jerry Jones would be unable to help himself, that the system would drive him to fiscal irresponsibility. Jones is one of the leagues more aggressive owners.But hes not crazy.Any spending spree now would come back to bite him. "We dont have a cap, but things are relative to what were doing with one player and another," Jones said."The real world is, the Dallas Cowboys have a budget.Im not known for following budgets, but we do have a budget.I h... 

Former teammates staged a shooting contest Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Rasual Butler opted for the higher degree of difficulty.Then again, life seemingly never is easy as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade took a simpler approach. With Wade shooting 15-of-17 from the line, the Heat (33-32) rolled to a 108-97 victory, moving a game ahead of the idle Chicago Bulls for the eighth and final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.The Bulls also have 32 los...