NBA Essentials: Just Throw Chalk Everywhere

NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.

1. Straight Bangin'. Here's the best commercial (in my opinion) from opening night ... featuring (surprise) The Swoosh and King James.




2. Brew Hoop. Same ol' same ol' in Milwaukee's opening loss.

3. Third Quarter Collapse. Comparing Orlando starting two-guard Mickael Pietrus to those he replaced. Patience is requested.

4. Wages of Wins. No matter which way you look at it, Oklahoma City would not appear to be playoff-bound.

5. Detroit News, via DBB. Chris McCoskey quotes an anonymous former Flip Saunders assistant from two years ago: "As long as I am alive, Amir Johnson will never be in an NBA rotation." Somewhere, a coach sits nervously on his couch, waiting for 7 PM.

6. Bullets Forever. Begging Eddie Jordan to settle on a rotation.