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STUCK IN TRAFFIC RETURNING FROM LaGUARDIA -- And what better place is there, really, to pull out the laptop and muse upon the wild, wacky world of sports?

Last week I was in Orlando, basking in the 100 percent wholesome glow of the Grant Hill comeback story. There may not be a person in that city, or any city for that matter, who isn't happy for Hill. He said he's even been cheered in Philly, which is saying a lot. But that -- and so much more -- will all be in this week's issue of SI.

While reporting the story, however, I did take some NBA notes, which make for handy blog fodder. So, as we inch past Tri-Boro Beverage Company on the Grand Central artery and the late afternoon sun reflects off the puddles of rainwater in the breakdown lane -- you take what nature you can get in the concrete savannah -- I think back to something Darius Miles said the other night.

"Shaq," Miles said while nodding profoundly, "is creating a monster in Dwyane Wade." Except Miles used a rather colorful adjective before Dwyane's first name. Miles was of the opinion that Shaq is intent on proving that he can single-handedly make Wade better than Kobe, thereby proving to the world who was really behind those L.A. titles. Miles also added that his Trail Blazers teammate Zach Randolph, who happened to be sitting a few feet from him, will turn into a true star only once he, like Shaq, makes his teammates better by passing out of double teams. Which teammates should he pass to in particular? Well, Miles, of course...

Rick Carlisle deserves a lot of credit for the way Indiana is playing. I was at their first post-brawl game. Given less than 24 hours to prepare a team that might be hard-pressed to contend for the CBA title this year -- three guys named James Jones, David Harrison and John (I'm not that) Edwards comprised half of his six-man rotation -- Carlisle had them playing like an experienced squad. They ran the offense patiently, made heady plays and almost beat Orlando. After that, Indiana Lite took three in a row. Coaches always talk about preparing the bench guys in practice because you never know when they'll be needed, but not all actually are prepared. Carlisle had his guys ready.

Dwight Howard is going to be very, very good. In fact, he is already good. The kid is 18 years old but looks like Kevin Garnett plus about a thousand protein shakes: all shoulders and biceps and long arms. When he dunks the ball, he rises obscenely high, rotates his arms in the air as if doing one of those over-the-head medicine ball exercises, and then unleashes upon the basket. He also seems to be immune to rookie jitters. Against Indiana, he owned Austin Croshere, who took to making three or four pump fakes and pivots just to get a shot off. At least Howard still acts like a kid off the court; after one practice last week, he spoke to reporters wearing one of those black Mickey Mouse hats that looks like a yarmulke with sprouted ears.

Mailbag:

	MAILBAG Have a question or opinion for Chris? He might answer or address it in his next blog. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

No Blog last week -- due to round-the-clock airborne beer cup coverage duties -- so we'll catch up on some queries from two weeks ago.

John L. of Albany asks "How come the refs in the NBA never call traveling or 'carrying'/'palming' the ball. Both violations happen regularly. K. Bryant among others, and almost all guards [Tony] Parker, [Allen] Iverson carry the ball all in the guise of a crossover dribble."

John, the answer to your question is that if the refs did call the carry, teams would never advance the ball past half court. Think of it as the jaywalking violation of the NBA. It's so ingrained, it's not going to change. Remember, when Iverson first came in the league, the refs made a concerted effort to call the carry on him. It didn't exactly take.

Mike M. from Portland responds to my listing the Sonics among the top 5 teams to watch in the NBA: "It is great that an expert takes notice of the excitement and flair that Luke (Don't call me Frodo) Ridnour brings to the court every night. Do you think this Sonics team is for real or just another caffeine high that comes on strong but fades fast?"

Mike, love the Frodo call. I suppose his showdowns with Sam Cassell would then be apt (Charles Barkley, in one of the most brutal nicknames ever, dubbed Cassell "Gollum" last year). As for the Sonics, they are for real in the sense that they should be a playoff team. I'd guess fighting for a spot between 7-8, once it all settles out. And Ridnour and Antonio Daniels, their tag team point guards, are the key.

"J. Thoreau Pollack" writes in from "Gaucho-land, by way of Thee Apple Valley" to ask, "How is AK-47 blocking more than four shots a game?"

Well, Andrei Kirilenko not only has freakishly long arms, but some of the best timing in the league and great leaping ability. He also has the freedom to play weak side defense in Jerry Sloan's scheme -- that's when most of his blocks come, while he's roving off his man.

The second part of JTP's e-mail was not a question but a request. "Speaking of tall white guys who can/can't pull the trigger," he wrote. "tell your compadre Josh he has no mid-range game."

I am happy to pass along that sentiment to Mr. Elliott (readers may know him from his erudite blogs). Something tells me he might disagree, however. I'd tell you a story about the game of H-O-R-S-E he claims to have played against Rebecca Lobo, but, well, I'll let him cover that in his own blog.

Important Sports Thought from my Friend Owen

For those unfamiliar, Owen provides a weekly deep thought to cap the blog, in part because he always has something interesting to say, in part because he's far funnier than I am and in part because this means about 15 percent less work for yours truly. This week, however, Owen sent me a 1,100 word e-mail so, sadly, I can only reprint a preview here. If you want to know his full rationale, e-mail me and I'll send it along.

"Once again, I offer my vision of what an NCAA-sanctioned playoff, featuring the conference champions, would look like this year, with a projected postseason exhibition bowl schedule.

Here was my thought process:

1) Each conference sends one representative.

2) Notre Dame caucuses with the Big East per its existing bowl arrangements.

3) No one may both play in the NCAA tournament and then in a post-season exhibition bowl.

4) Seeds 10 and 11 meet in a play-in game on 10's turf before the actual tournament.

5) I tried to select regional sites with large stadia that weren't already hosting bowl games, considering that if the NCAA were to

unilaterally create a playoff, the possibility of a bowl stadium

hosting any of the games would be unlikely.

6) To balance out the brackets, Nos. 1 and 2 get byes to the semifinals. This also places a heavy premium on finishing first or second in whatever poll/formula the NCAA would use, preserving the value coaches and football fans place on winning each regular season game."

Owen then proceeded to map the whole thing out, approximating all seeds, locales, remaining bowl games and dates. Yes, Owen has lots of free time...

Until next week, I leave you with a thought to ponder: Are postal workers now off the hook? By that I mean, is the term now "Going Artest" on someone?