My company had its holiday party last night, the first time we did it since 2019. I went because I wanted to see everybody (some of whom I also haven’t seen since before the pandemic). But I’m also kind of terrible at making small talk — or, at least, initiating small talk — so parties can be dicey for me. At this one, I discovered that the secret to getting through conversations with the people I didn’t know as well was to bring up your New York Knickerbockers. It turns out one of my editors grew up with Robert Silverman! I met a Cam Reddish stan who is furious that the team is not giving him a shot! Several people love RJ! And I just nodded and smiled a bunch. A good time was had by all.

I don’t think Reddish and Fournier are those guys, but at the same time, I do agree that even Reddish and Fournier would improve the Lakers.

Looks like the Lakers want a pick to take on Fournier. No, thank you. Let’s wait for more desperate times among contenders, closer to the deadline, to ship him without having to attach a pick. I don’t agree with the move, but if we’re going to waste a pick getting rid of him, giving a pick to a contender would be doubling the stupidity. A rebuilding team will do that in a heartbeat.

It shouldn’t surprise me, since A. Anthony Davis has begun to play like Anthony Davis again (while Lebron always plays like Lebron) and B. Austin Reaves has taken a huge step forward out of nowhere, but it still surprises me how good the Lakers look now. As noted, AD and Lebron looked like they got tired from carrying the team by the end, so the Lakers really do seem primed for a trade for another good player and then they’d be very scary in the playoffs. I don’t think Reddish and Fournier are those guys, but at the same time, I do agree that even Reddish and Fournier would improve the Lakers.

And it was a bad night for the Western conference. The Kings, Warriors and Lakers were beaten by the 76ers, Bucks and Celtics.

hmmm, gonna go with the kornet contest…