Yesterday in the World offices of Game Over raged a debate on the viability of the Celtics picking up a (soon?) to be released Stephon Marbury.  What would he bring to the team?  Another championship?  Or we he be poisonous and the scapegoat if the Celtics don't repeat?  What does it say regarding the development of Rondo at the point?  Would Steph be happy coming off the bench.  Can Kevin and Steph really get along?

Maybe the better question to ask is, can a NBA Championship be won in January?  This Friday night the defending champs roll into 19-0-at-home Cleveland Cavs for a showdown with his majesty, the King.  While the Celts still have the best record in the NBA, the Cavs are knocking at the door.  More importantly, they are closing the gap talent-wise as well.  Is the real challenge to the Celts within the Eastern Conference and not out west in La La Land?  Friday night may shed light if the Celts can get themselves out of their current tailspin or may take them down a dark corridor in looking for a savior called Stephon.

Deep in the Game Over lab our designers are working on the next big Game Over item for your trophy shelf: The Game Over football trophy.

"It'll reflect what Game Over is all about", Game Over President Eric Hicks stated upon reviewing the latest designs,  "Like the Game Over basketball trophy, the figure will be at least 12" tall and looking chiseled.  We have be looking at several designs and will be choosing one shortly so we can get it on the market for the coming 2009 football season.  We'll beoffering them in numerous size options so teams and leagues will be able to present participation, individual, MVP, and team awards, depending upon their needs.  And of course, they will all reflect the unique Game Over brand."

The trophy will be made available on the Game Over web site and at negotiations are ongoing for a national distributor/marketer.

By now you would have read Stephon Marbury's Blog in the NY Post.  We tried to count the number of "I's" in the blog, but frankly we don't know quantum physics.  "I, I , I, . . . " Stephon writes.  He tells of his account of his current employment situation.  Somewhere in there, and in the NY Knick's account, is the truth.  But what is a tell-tale lesson into Marbury's view of the rest of us is told first hand.

He mentions how, during this trying time, sitting out while collecting pay checks that would solve many an economic crisis for all of us not not named Madoff, he tells us of how he wants to aid "his" community.  First of, he is sincere in trying to help, which is more than others who have come from where he has have tried to do.  But his offer of jobs that will also help propel his Starbury brand is lame.  It's not that he would benefit from their hard work.  Its that his brand can hardly penetrate outside of Brooklyn regardless of its affordable price (It's reported the retailer, Steve & Barry's, that carried his brand is closing its doors) will have an even greater difficulty being successful.  If he had a team of qualified professional salesmen in the past helping to market his brand, what is the average guy going to do to make it successful? 

But that is just part of the ego-centric Stephon.  Its also been reported that he will be signing with the Celtics once the Knicks "cave" and give him his release.  Steph, wake up.  The Knicks are not going to release you, let you sign with a divisional opponent (let alone arch-rivals) and then, with the cherry on top, pay you your full salary that is not picked up by the World Champs.  If you really want to play that bad, let the Knicks buy you out for a lower price.  You'll be free to sign where you want and haunt the Knicks for several years to come.  But you want your cake and eat it too.  You are owed your full amount and want the Knicks to pay it.  Cool.  Sit on the sideline and collect your checks.  I know 8.5 million New Yorkers that will gladly take your place right now, sit home and do other things.

Steph, your present and future is in your own hands.  Very few of us truly have that.  Don't cry about being held hostage and getting paid for it.  Oh, and telling us that you went to the LA game cause you were out their to meet the boat that was carrying your sneakers from China, good one.  Showing up the Knick organization by attending the game was not going to get you want you wanted.  Perhaps spending a couple of bucks on an agent would be a wise idea.

New York sports radio has spent too much time today, and everyday, covering your situation like a hostage situation.  Yes, the Knicks are not innocent in the manner they have treated you.  There is no denying that.  But you have the power to walk away, still drawing a several-million dollar paycheck while coming back and dropping 30 on them.  Do it.  It is good for you.  And it will be good for your brand - giving you an opportunity to showcase yourself before you become "Michael Who?"

In case you haven't heard, Hoopland in Brooklyn is about to shut its doors in a few weeks.  We don't have to tell you what the facility means to the community and the basketball community.  Unfortunately, and especially in this ecomonic climate, the owner can justify utilizing the facility in another capacity (storage units) because it will make more money.

A petition has begun with a goal of 10,000 names in order to keep the doors open.  Please click on this link and sign the petition, and if you can, add a story of what Hoopland means to you.  We (the community) always talk about the need for places and activities for our young men and women to stimulate, educate and keep them out of harm's way.  Here, there is one, and we cannot allow it go without a fight.  Sign the petition.  Game Over.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/hoopland

Don't know if you folks have had a chance to check ut the upcoming NCAA schedule since you've been looking for enough batteries to put in your new toys, but you have to check out what Rutgers Men's basketball is about to face in the next week.

Rutgers, at 9-3, take on #1 North Carolina at UNC on Sunday, play #3 Pittsburgh in Piscataway, and then take on #2 UConn in Storrs, CT the following Saturday.  According to NCAA records, this has never happened before, where one team has played the top three rated schools back-to-back-to-back.

First, we want to say good luck.  Second, win one, and you had a great week.  Take two, and your in the Top 25 and have jump started your program.  This is the type of opportunity that schools wait for.  And the opportunity that can be taken advantaged of.  Two of the games are conference, a huge advantage as coaches know the tendencies of the other schools in their conference.  It could mean a turnover that becomes a four-point swing.  That's all thats needed.

We'll be rooting for Rutgers this week.  Somehow we think Santa may have a late delivery to make.

Everyone here at Game Over World Headquarters want to wish you and your family the best of the Holiday Season.

This truly begins the NBA and NCAA seasons as well.  Today pits the the defending champs and 27-2 Boston Celtics against the 23-5 Lakers.  Now this is what Santa is supposed to bring us every Christmas Day.  Who among us is not going to pick these two to be playing each other six months from now in the NBA Championships?  We're ot going to make any predicitions as to who will win, but should the game go to double overtime, well, lets just say we'll be rooting for a triple overtime.

The NCAA will have schools begin their Conference seasons next week as intersectional games wind down.  There have been some goodies this early season and we can see why UNC and UConn are at the top of the polls.  Lets make a prediction now: neither will win the championship.  That's the great thing about college ball: there is so much talent and the seasons within the season has teams gel come-together as they beat-up on their conference foes.  The real season starts now, so sit back and enjoy.  And while you do so, enjoy the holidays.

D-Mizz's Tuesday Breakdown of the NBA

Mo Cheeks says its his fault, the under achievement in Philly. Lotta job openings out there. Smooth move Mo.

ESPN has their new, crazy technology, super fancy, mock 2009 draft.

Ken Berger, CBS Sports, with a great breakdown of a recent Sports Business Journal, most influential people in sports article. Also from BergerSphere, thanks for the shout-out to yesterday's Breakdown!

Ball Don't Lie interview with OJ Mayo.

The Knicks Fix, saying the trade for Bell/Diaw was a trade for D'Antoni in the long run. I find this VERY hard to believe, considering I can't think of one good reason why Larry Brown would ever want to coach Eddy Curry again. This looks like someone's silly idea, went public, and i haven't found any backing yet.

SLAM, reporting that Pacer's Coach, Jim O'Brien, thought his team would suck this year. Well, I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure it's good to have a leader with some confidence in his team...? Coach D'Antoni said last week, the players are only as good as the coach thinks they are. Deep thought.

For more from D Mizz, check out Breaking Down The Game

D-Mizz's Friday Breakdown on the NBA

Awesome new Knicks blog I saw today, called Seven Seconds or Mess. Check it out.

Come Monday, Mike D'Antoni will be back in Phoenix, coaching against his former team. Peter Vescey caught up with Coach D, and D'Antoni didn't hold anything back.

Okay, a little too much fondling the Celtics over at ESPN.com. First, going gaga over Rajon Rondo. Then kudos to Paul Pierce and his mean, lean body. Top it off with discussing Kevin Garnett's mouth. Yup, true story.

Pistons players and management, talking about their wack start.

Breakin down the Cavs Offense a little more, via X's and O's of Basketball.

HoopsHype exclusive video interview with Kevin Love.

InsideHoops has Juwan Howard joining the Cats. Meanwhile, SLAM says Raymond Felton is next to get traded.

For more from D Mizz, check out Breaking Down The Game