NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.1. Ball Don't Lie. Gregg Popovich gets off a great gag in reference to Shaq's distaste for the strategy in which his weaknesses are repeatedly exposed in the barest form.
2. Deadspin. Scot Pollard is not a role model.
3. FirstCuts. A thorough dispatch from the Obama rally LeBron James and Jay-Z hosted last night: "For the entire set, LeBron was just a member of the posse, bouncing onstage, dancing, and mouthing every word to every song. Sure, it's just an act, a chance for the athlete to be the rap star for a moment, an opportunity to live a childhood dream; but King James clearly looked like a kid in a way he hasn't since before anyone saw him play for St. Vincent on ESPN2 years ago."
4. New York Times. Mike D'Antoni feels bad for Stephon Marbury; David Lee seems non-plussed about all the hand-wringing after an opening night win. Oh, and Harvey Araton can spin a column like few others.
5. The Basketball Jones. You've really got to
6. Ball Don't Lie. You've really got to read Kelly Dwyer's Behind the Box Score every day.
