NBA Essentials provides the must-see links, quotes and videos of the day.-- "I'll make a deal with you MsClarkJones... COME TO THE NEXT HOME GAME, IF WE DON'T DELIVER A WIN, I'LL GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK" -- Charlie Villanueva on his official Twitter feed
-- "The NBA will establish an office in India and establish grassroots programs to showcase the sport. This investment is also a boon to the NBA partners such as adidas, Electronic Arts and Spalding, all of whom will be getting involved with products on the ground customized for the unique Indian audience. " -- Biz of Basketball
-- [Wolves owner Glen] Taylor and [Kevin] McHale both candidly answered reporters' questions Tuesday about possible changes coming when the league's collective bargaining agreement with its players expires in 2011. Stern quickly sent word to both, telling them to shut up about such matters. "I have already been talked to by the league," McHale said. "I can say nothing. I think nothing. Nothing, nothing. I don't even think anymore. I've shut that off completely. I think that was the last cognizant thought I had: I was thinking about thinking about nothing."-- Star-Tribune (via Canis Hoopus)
-- "I've been here for a long time. I want to see us get better," said Curry, 26. "If it takes [unloading] my contract to do it, I would hate to leave. But if it results in the Knicks getting better, I would do it." -- Eddy Curry, Newsday
-- "In some ways, the art of the flop makes the game fun because fans get so riled up over it. In another way it takes away from the game because it's purely acting and it takes away from the athletic skill of other players. [...] Some of the great floppers around the NBA let out a scream when they get hit and then when they eventually get themselves up off the ground they squint their eyes a lot and rub their eyes and forehead and act like they're dizzy." -- Mark Madsen, Mad Dog Blog
-- So on Saturday night, after Roy scored 31 points to lead the Blazers to a 95-93 win over Minnesota, he came out of the showers and immediately signed his Nike shoes. As he was getting dressed, a clubhouse attendant came over and asked for the shoes. "They are right there,'' Roy pointed. "But hey, who are they for?'' The clubhouse attendant said he didn't know, only that the request came from the Minnesota locker room. "Mark Madsen,'' another attendant said. "The shoes are for Mark Madsen.'' -- Jason Quick, The Oregonian
-- And, since we're on a random Madsen kick, here's the whitest crossover in the history of the NBA: the Red Rocket almost breaks Mad Dog's ankles!
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