Shaq did it all on the court, but his free throws killed the team.

Crazy night in hoops.

We could try to explain it all but we can't, and frankly that's what has made the first few weeks of the NBA season so much fun. Other than Shaq at the line and the Bulls being bad, there aren't a lot of things we can be sure of.

Anyway, here's Friday's version of Around The Rim. Any other comments, click here and e-mail us.

Right to the Heroes and Goats ... Has anyone noticed what kind of season Gary Payton is having. He's not just scoring, not just passing. He's rebounding like a forward, hitting loads of threes, having a positive influence on question marks Vernon Maxwell and Brent Barry and we hear he's flying the team plane as well. As for Washington's Isaac Austin, it's about time you earn some of that money. And while you all marveled at Vince Carter's dunks from last night, look closer at his line. Enjoy.

Heroes ...
Gary Payton Sonics Another near triple double in last-second win (24, 9 and 10)	Ike Austin Wizards Was that his last chance before benching? Got 20 and 13	Nick Van Exel Nuggets Deserves credit for always burning the Lakers

... and Goats
Glen Rice Lakers Nice 1-for-8 effort vs. Denver	Mario Elie Spurs Hit one less shot than Rice and got schooled on D	Vince Carter Raptors 23 and 11 is nice, but he missed 20 shots

Bad losses
There are bad losses and then there are bad losses. The Spurs losing to Milwaukee is not a bad loss. Lakers in Denver is not a bad loss. Toronto laying an egg in Washington is bad, but not worthy of being called putrid. There are, however, two losses that we've seen so far that we would kindly call abominable. Can't happen. No excuse.

Boston losing to Chicago is horrible. Sure, the Bulls are going to win some games, but the Celtics weren't supposed to be one of them. In two months when the Bulls have five total wins and the Celts are trying to win half their games they'll look back at Nov. 13 when they lost to the Bulls without Toni Kukoc.

The other loss we need to spotlight was Minnesota's to the Clippers on Wednesday. The Clippers didn't have Maurice Taylor or Derek Anderson. Only one person off the bench played more than six minutes. Brian Skinner and Troy Hudson played 72 minutes! And the Timberwolves, with MVP candidate Kevin Garnett (23 points, 20 rebs) and supposedly enough talent to make the playoffs and make noise, still lost. That's weak.

Some of you who write in point out that it's just one game. Certainly a legit argument, but it's also a sign of a bigger problem, whether it's motivational or a lack of talent or a weakness. Sure, bad teams are going to upset good teams as the season goes on, but some games you just can't lose, mainly at home or to Chicago anywhere.

SHAQ'S LINE FOLLIES

Some of you think we're spotlighting Shaquille O'Neal's dismal performance at the line too much. Well, for all Shaq did against Denver on Thursday, getting 36, 8, 6 and 3 blocks, his team lost and what he did (or didn't do) at the line was a big reason why. So yes, spotlighting him is warranted. He's now at an even 100 free throws for the year. Shaq last night: 2-for-14 Shaq's season: 32-for-100, .320 percent More Thursday bricklayers: Antonio McDyess: 3-for-8 Charles Oakley: 2-for-5 Bryant Reeves: 3-for-7

Surprise, surprise, surprise
Only two players in the NBA are in the top 10 in field goal percentage and rebounds. Shaq is one of them. You know the other?

If you guessed Jerome Williams of the Pistons, congrats. Williams is one of the most pleasant surprises of the first few weeks, shooting a league-leading .638 and throwing in 11.1 boards. While we could pick out about 50 guys who are surprising us, here are just a few not-so-obvious others who performed really well Wednesday and Thursday night.