David Robinson scored a season-high 27 points ... some the easy way.

On the other side, the Hawks were a mess a week or so ago. Portland drubbed them by 36 on Nov. 13 and the team started 1-6. Isaiah Rider trade talk ran rampant, Jimmy Jackson's impending knee surgery was announced and there was even talk Dikembe Mutombo might bolt. Now the Hawks have let Rider loose (and he's scoring 30 a night) and have gone 6-3. Two of those losses were by a combined four points at Miami and Detroit. Now who wants to play the Hawks?

Anyway, let's cut right to the chase: Here's the Friday version of Around The Rim, summing up the action from Thursday. Any comments, click here and e-mail us.

In Heroes and Goats, we have nothing bad to say about the Nets from Thursday. Stephon Marbury did miss a lot of shots, but he dished out 13 assists without a turnover and worked well with Keith Van Horn. Steph just has to avoid Tim Duncan next time he goes to the hole with the game on the line. This is not a bad loss. ... Chris Gatling hit a pair of threes last night. What's he doing shooting threes? More importantly, after hitting only three his entire career, how's he making them? ... The Clips are exciting and can be good, but not with these point guards. ... We'll give struggling Shandon a little love, but he'd better score if they play him all 48 minutes. Here are the rest. Enjoy.

Heroes ...
Chris Gatling Magic Helped shock Wolves with 22 in 28 minutes	Shandon Anderson Rockets Career-high 27 in Clip win with 6 rebs and 6 assists	David Robinson Spurs What back injury? Had 27 and 13 vs. Nets

... and Goats
Jon Barry Kings Scoreless vs. Hawks; whole Kings bench deserves blame	Dale Ellis Bucks 1-7 overall, 0-6 on threes in Knicks loss	Eric Murdock Clippers Either play or sit and heal; 9 minutes, 0 points vs. Rockets

The Grizz have lost eight, sorry, make that nine, straight games since the Sonics effectively ending their season on Nov. 18 by making up a 10-point deficit in the final 90 seconds to win. Nobody's playing well and coach Brian Hill could go any day now.

But we really shouldn't be too surprised that the Grizz are bad. The accompanying chart proves that they've been bad for years. In fact, no team has been worse over a four-year span, and this doesn't even include this season.

	Worst winning percentage any four-year span
	Grizzlies	'95-99	.189	56-240
	Mavericks	'90-94	.226	74-254
	T'wolves	'91-95	.229	75-253
	T'wolves	'90-94	.235	83-245
	Clippers	'86-90	.244	80-248

While it is still a little early to predict such things, it's safe to say the Grizz are going to end up on this list again after this season. In a Western Conference in which every game can be a nightmare except when it's against the Mavs, Clippers and Warriors (the Rockets will get better), don't look for a quick turnaround.

Adjusting to the league
Maybe you haven't noticed, because he's toiling in Dallas, but Dirk Nowitzki isn't a bad ballplayer. More accustomed to the European style of play, Dirk didn't quite do what Don Nelson expected last year, which was to win the Rookie of the Year award. He is, however, putting up very respectable numbers (16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds) this season.

"There's no doubt, I feel much more comfortable this year," Nowitzki said. "I know the game more, I know what coach (Don Nelson) wants from me. I just have a better understanding."

Nowitzki has shown more offensive maturity. He scored 31 points in a loss to Houston on Nov. 23 and has topped 20 points six times overall. He's improved his passing skills and has shown an ability to put the ball on the floor and pull up for shots.

	SHAQ'S LINE FOLLIES
	In Wednesday win: 4-for-8 Shaq's season: 80-for-190, .421 percent Thursday bricklayers: Charles Barkley: 4-for-10 Jim McIlvaine: 1-for-5 Bob Sura: 4-for-9

However, Nowitzki has struggled more on defense. With Gary Trent out of the lineup, Nowitzki has been guarding power forwards, where he has a size advantage but lacks strength. When Trent returns, he'll get more minutes at the small forward position, which means guarding quicker players.

"You have to remember, he's just 21 years old," Nelson said. "I think it is just a matter of him maturing and understanding the pro game before he becomes a really good player."

And Don Nelson's never wrong, right?

"I think that's the main thing wrong with our team," Austin said. "We don't have any discipline at all. There's no respect for our team. The Clippers, the Vancouvers, they look at us on paper and say, 'Oh, wow, that's a good squad.' Then, they play us and say, 'They don't play hard.'"

Austin, who is averaging 9.9 points a game, then went out and lit up the Cavs for seven points and four boards in 25 inspiring minutes.

Quote of the Night
"I pay taxes, just like everybody else. Everybody else has an opinion, but famous people -- especially athletes -- don't. But I'm going to speak my mind if I'm asked. ... It definitely ain't free speech. That's an oxymoron. ... If I think an official's bad, I'll say it. ... I don't think about it, don't worry about it too much. They're all tax-deductible."
-- That Charles Barkley guy.

Quote of the Night, Part II
"I think the young man is in serious need of help. I've known that for quite some time and I hope he gets it."
-- Mavs coach Don Nelson on Leon Smith.