I'm fairly certain I will never get over the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn and the trades that saw the NBA swap Vancouver and Seattle for Memphis and Oklahoma City. . . . Eric Fleisher, not Marc, was the agent who conspired with Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor to sign Joe Smith to an illegitimate contract. I slouch corrected. . . . Minny Ha Ha is so bad, rising free agents are refusing to sign side deals.

Why did Dwight Howard have to get hurt before Stan Van Gundy decided to play Marcin Gortat, a 6-10 brute who's plainly trained. Especially since the Polish rookie was so productive during the exhibition season. Howard's absence was scarcely missed. How's that for a mouthful! . . . What do Willie Hall, Dave Slattery, John Dearie, Kenny McGlory and Donnie Walsh have in common? They made the Post's All-City First Team in 1958.

Many moons have passed since the NBA, citing international commitments, conducted its last summer meetings. This year there will no longer be a pre-draft camp. Next year team guides will be abolished, as ordered by David Stern, so be sure to file this season's edition under "souvenirs." What's next to go in order to cut losses? The WNBA? The Development League? The Third Referee?

How thrilled were you when Chris Paul broke that steal record? He deflected Tony Parker's pass and then screamed off Rasual Butler, who was about to scoop it up. "Even Ricky Davis was embarrassed," column contributor Gregg Siegel reports from San Antonio. "On the plus side, it was nice to see Alvin Robertson get some publicity for once that didn't involve the Bexar county courthouse."

This just in: Jerome James set a league record for stealing money in 106 consecutive pay periods.

Scoring at home, column contributor Brian McGunigle figures, "If you took the investors and $50 billion against Madoff, you lost."

News » Marbury definitely tops the naughty list
Marbury definitely tops the naughty list
LOS ANGELES - The good news regarding six head coaches being fired before Christmas is it still gives those teams plenty of time to ax the interims. No truth whatsoever to Yahoo's Shawn Marion-Wally Szczerbiak/Anderson Varejao trade exclusive. Flip Saunders already was speculated as a leading candidate to coach the 76ers next season. I'm hearing the Timberwolves are seriously considering redeploying him on their sidelines. NBA roundup Joba loves Yankees' moves Kernan: Mets' Wright eager to go Giants to rely on depth More from The New York Post