You likely won’t see this in any of Paul-loving MSM sports outlets so I’ll post this here. One of the local radio guys, Locke I think, stated that Deron Williams is one of the only three players, not just PGs, to score 1500+ points, hand out more than 800 assists, and shoot 50%+ from the field in a season. The other two? Magic Johnson and Kevin Johnson. Paul comes up short shooting just 48%.

Also, here are some snippets from Hollinger’s chat today (insider). I really don’t know how to respond being considered the favorite:

Dustin (Logan, UT): Talk around here is that the Jazz now control their own destiny to the 3 seed if they beat Houston and San Antonio. That would likely cause a 4 way tie between Utah, Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix. How would all the tiebreakers work? It is assumed Utah would be 3 because they win in any tiebreaker scenerio…

John Hollinger: (4:08 PM ET ) Utah would be the 3 if they win out. If all four teams tie with 55 wins, Phoenix is 4, Houston is 5, and San Antonio is 6.

The third seed and home-court against the Spurs? I still don’t know if I like that. It would move us from the Lakers bracket though.

Tim (Toledo): Utah on the road against the Lakers in round 2 is death, right?

John Hollinger: (4:13 PM ET ) No, it’s just the conference finals a round too early. I’m really hoping Utah moves up to No.3 — that way we get Deron vs. Paul in round 2, and then (if power rankings hold) Jazz-Lakers in the conference finals.

Man, that would be some good playoffs (intentional bad grammar).

From an unbelieving LA fan,

James (LA): Hey Mr. Hollinger, your playoff predictor has the Jazz the team in the Western Conference with the best chance to go to the finals and become champs? Can you explain that?

John Hollinger: (4:16 PM ET ) Cliffs Notes version: The playoff odds are built off the power rankings, and Utah has the West’s top power ranking, so they’re seen as the team with the best chance of making it out.

Another LA fan,

JOSH, LA: can you explain your reasoning how you think the #1 seed is tougher than the #2 seed to the WCF? houston or utah is way easier than phoenix, san antonio in the 2nd round. right? what am i missing?

John Hollinger: (4:52 PM ET ) You really, really want to avoid Utah. So if they’re at No. 4, you’d rather be in the other bracket.

All this positive Jazz talk from Hollinger is making me woozy. So let’s get on to some links,

• CP3’s MVP chances done?
• Is Chris a poor defender?
• Paul’s afraid of Nash?
• The new Deron Williams PE – Pick up a pair for me if you’re in Harlem.
• Kind of a lame list, but AK is there. – No Big Ticket?
• The Carmello mugshot from his DUI arrest
• Will Sloan get COY with the sentimental pick? There’s really no clear-cut winner this year. You might have argued for Scott, but NO’s recent slide might affect that a bit.
• Classic Malone Hardees commercial (just the first one)
• Memo’s site has a new look