Big Story:
Well, it may be getting colder outside, but the NBA free agency rumor mill is about to boil over and it's still not time to sign anyone; the Panthers are the best team in South Florida; and the Dolphins, well, um, I'm trying to think of something positive to say….they haven't lost since Sunday!
Let's spin this agenda harder than a Presidential campaign manager.

Miami Heat:
It's another day of as the rumor mill turns in the NBA, so we'll start with the Miami Heat.
Heat president Pat Riley faces a tough decision right now.
On the one hand, Udonis Haslem is a Heat staple who took less money to come back last season.
On the other hand, UD is coming back from injury and never really contributed in any meaningful way last season.
Mike Miller's in the same boat, except he didn't take less money.
So Riley has to decide whether to go with his heart and keep the guys; or go with his brain and trade them for better complimentary parts around the Big 3.
Here's what we haven't heard.
We haven't heard about Riley contacting any agent for players that are available.
That tells me he could be trying to pull off something big.
Let's face it, the Heat need someone the capability of Nene to really compete.
He's a beast inside and can score but doesn't have to score.
It's really a pipe dream at this point.
But as long as we're giving out pipe dreams, how about this one?
The Heat trade Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem, plus next year's first round pick to Orlando for Dwight Howard.
Could you imagine that lineup of D-Wade, LeBron and Superman?
Not. Going. To. Happen.
So, Riley can package up Udonis and Miller in some sort of trade for the right player.
Or he could amnesty Miller to have more cap space to play with.
Or, he could just hand out the mid-level exception to someone.
Still, I don't believe Dalembert is worth the full mid-level from the Heat.
I just worry about a 30-year-old center who's slowed down in recent years being able to contribute enough to the team to justify that salary.
My pipe dream is for the Heat to pick up Nene.
I won't put anything past Riley in trying to get Nene.
Think about the sales job he can do.
Come to Miami, live in a tropical climate, be closer to your native Brazil, play with the best trio in the NBA, win a championship in year one.
Yeah, you won't get the same kind of cash, but you can carve your NBA legacy with this team.
How could you turn that down?
Still, Nene will go where the money is, as will Tyson Chandler.
But if Riley can pull in a big-name, big man, we must all bow to his awesomeness as a player personnel god.

NBA Rumors:
The big rumor that came out overnight was that the Los Angeles Lakers will trade center Andrew Bynum "for the right deal."
In other words, "Hey Orlando, we'll give you Bynum and something else for Dwight Howard."
The last time we saw Bynum, he was taking a cheap shot at J.J. Barea and essentially acted like a spoiled child who didn't get his way.
So if you're Orlando, do you really want Bynum?
Here's what could be done.
The Milwaukee Bucks will come aboard to consummate the deal by sending Andrew Bogut to Orlando, Bynum to Milwaukee, and Howard to L.A.
Not exactly a smart move by Milwaukee, but hey, it's the Bucks and they will never contend anyways.
Remember Chris Paul?
Well, it turns out the Hornets hope to re-sign the All-Star guard….coincidentally, I hope to date all of the Victoria's Secret supermodels.
The Hornets are taking calls from several teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks.
Paul will force his way to New York, one way or the other.
The only way he can do that is to play out the season and sign next year as a free agent, because New York doesn't have the horses to land him.
The Lakers would, which if they pulled off getting him and Howard, eyikes.
New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams told his team that he will not re-sign unless the team immediately improves its roster.
Uh-oh.
And, Tyson Chandler expects a very lucrative deal.
He had a good playoff run and is injury-prone, still, some owner is stupid enough to do it.
It's funny, the lockout was supposed to help teams like the Magic and Hornets keep their good players.
So how did that exactly work out?!?!

Miami Dolphins:
A big name on the offensive line hit didn't participate in practice, which explains why the team brought Ray Feinga back.
Vernon Carey was held out of practice Wednesday and his status for the weekend's game.
Of Course if you look at the Oakland Raiders injured list, they look like a walking MASH unit.
So which qb should the Fins target at the end of year?
It's a tough call.
Matt Barkley has shown development, RG III is a physical freak of an athlete with a cannon for an arm, and Landry Jones, I'm just not sold on.
I'd do my due diligence on Robert Griffin and if he checks out, he's my guy.

Florida Panthers: (@ Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m., Fox Sports Florida
The Panthers head west to take their division lead to Los Angeles to battle the Kings.
The Cats haven't beaten Los Angeles in the last six attempts.
It's the first December game after wrapping up their most successful November since 1995.
Goalie Jose Theodore is 4-0-1 in his last five starts and is giving up less than 2 goals per game.
In 12 starts against the Kings, he's 6-5-0 and gives up roughly 3 goals per game.
Should be an interesting matchup, if the Panthers can pull off a December like November, this team could be really, really special.