THROUGH THE WIRE: THURSDAY (01/06/11)

24. As Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard continue to lead All-Star voting attention shifts to Saturdays Slam Dunk Contest this February in Los Angeles. Sure there's no Kobe, or LeBron again for that matter but this years participants showcase a lot of Rising Star talent. Brandon Jennings, JaVale McGee, Serge Ibaka and Blake Griffin will participate this year. In a contest that sees one of the hottest sophomores (Jennings) go against one of the hottest rookies (Griffin). Nate Robinson won't defend his crown this year and Dwight Howard won't let anybody dunk over him either. To make the waning event more exciting there will be a 'Sprite Slam Dunk: Countdown to the Contest,' series where each participant will be aided by a dunk coach in order to help craft the best dunks possible. Two-time contestant and TNT dunk analyst Kenny 'The Jet' Smith will coach Griffin, while dunk legend Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins will mentor Jennings. McGee will work with NBA legend Chris Webber and Ibaka his Oklahoma Thunder running mate, Kevin Durant. Expect thrill, spills, versatility and my money on Jennings, unless Griffin has a monster planned.

48. Phil Jackson may be able to rest a little bit easier now, it's more than one game. Last night the Lakers overcame the Phoenix Suns 99-95 on the road at the U.S. Airways centre. Kobe Bryant had 24 points, continuing his crucial play and ascent up the Top 10 all time scorers list in the NBA. Steve Nash had a double, double of 10 point and 11 assists for Phoenix who also had a hot streak from Sun, Jared Dudley who had 21 points, and three of the teams eleven three pointers. Still despite this blazing shooting from the home team the Lake Show watered down the Suns. The Lakers had a balanced attack with Bynum scoring 14, Shannon Brown 13, and Lamar Odom 12. It was Ron Artest's 11 that where special though, with shades of last seasons Western Conference Finals series, Phoenix left shaky, three point shooter Ron, Ron wide open...will they never learn. Artest sinked the three pointer...BOP! Cutting Phoenix's lead to 1 with 1:30 to play. Here's betting every Laker in their heads was screaming 'SHOOT'! this time...or maybe not. Now the Lakers are at .500 over their last eight games after this Western Conference Finals rematch. Phoenix are looking burnt however losing 10 out of their last 13. Even Air Phoenix's Vince Carter's strong 14 points couldn't pull them back. He had a long three point attempt in the waning seconds blocked by Pau Gasol and that was all she wrote.

82. You got to love real, touching stories that shows the NBA rally does care. The Cleveland Cavaliers have offered a homeless man a job. The Cavs have taken Ted Williams off the streets and given him a job as an announcer due to his radio-worthy voice. "This has been totally, totally amazing," Williams told press now his life is looking up following his battle with drink and drugs. "I'm just so thankful. God has blessed me so deeply. I'm getting a second chance. Amazing." Williams is obviously thankful and humble for this offer. Cleveland are offering this golden, voiced Cavalier talent a two year contract including living expenses. Hats off to both parties. What a story.

O.T. In other Cleveland news, guard Daniel Gibson has a boobie, his ankle problems will keep him from his teams five game road trip, but at least he gets to spend more time with wife Keyshia Cole...Yao Ming has had surgery on the stress fracture on his foot, what remains now is the rest of his career, and when he'll be back, good luck Yao...the Memphis Grizzlies look to move on from their airplane incident as O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen insist there is no hard feelings...Hollywood couple Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are going to get their own reality show, it was only a matter of time...lucky for Clippers centre Jarron Collins, after being waived by the team, Los Angeles have now offered him a 10 day contract...Lester Hudson, however does not share this Collins look as this week he has been waived for the second time by the Washington Wizards. TIM DAVID HARVEY.