Are the fortunes changing for the “other” team in Los Angeles? Baron Davis on his disappointment with the Elton Brand situation and his changed mindset (from L.A. Times)

“It’s hard for me even to remember that much because that wasn’t even a glimpse of myself..I just vowed to come into this season and not be that person and get back to being the hard-working individual and the leader that I am. Once we got around that point where they were talking about Coach (Dunleavy) getting fired…I think everybody just kind of banded together, like we’re not going to lose the season at this point.”

The papers haven’t been served yet, but the writing’s on the wall. Adidas on their relationship with Gilbert Arenas (from Wizards Insider):

“We are evaluating our relationship with Gilbert Arenas based on his recent conduct and subsequent suspension from the NBA. We echo the Commissioner’s concern for such a serious incident and will continue to follow the investigation by the league and law enforcement.”

Before you start taking the blame for your teams woes, you may want to have a career scoring average higher than 6.2 ppg. Ben Wallace (wrongfully, in my opinion) taking the blame for Detroit’s 12-game losing streak (from Pistons Blog):

“Most of this has been on me. I haven’t been playing the way I know I’m capable of playing…I call myself the leader of this team and if you’re leader of the team and things not going well, then it falls on you.”

Please, David Stern and NBA decision-makers, make my year. Mark Cuban on center Erick Dampier’s decision to shoot a 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 112-103 victory in San Antonio (from Dallas Mavericks Blog)

“I asked the commissioner to put him in the 3-point shooting contest. We’ll see what happens.”

Now that he’s got the passion for the game down, he should be able to turn his concentration to shaving that ratty beard. Chris Bosh on Andrea Bargnani’s newfound fire (from Court Surfing):

“It’s good. It’s real good. It’s always good to play with a little emotion, a little fire, at least, that’s what people tell me. When he’s into the game like that I think it’s good for us and it gives us confidence in him. It shows how important it is. I think everyone likes to win, so that increases the emotion a little bit. We’ve got to keep him inspired to keep doing it.”