Anyway, here's Monday's version of Around The Rim, as we begin the final week of the millennium. By the way, who is the best athlete of the century named in this Around The Rim? We can debate it for years.... As always, we will be summing up what went down over the weekend, looking ahead and praising the good, while ripping those who just aren't cutting it. Any comments? As always, click here and e-mail us.

In Heroes and Goats, for those who gave up so early on Mitch Richmond, shame on you. By the way, the Wizards may have the second-worst record in the East (or the worst if you don't count the Bulls, which we shouldn't), but they are only 4.5 games behind the eighth playoff spot. ... Eric Williams started Sunday night. It won't continue. ... Another double-double for Jamie Feick! ... The name on the back of Dickey Simpkins' jersey was spelled wrong last night. (Smipkins). Does it really matter? Can't shoot straight, can't sew straight. ... Why did Jalen Rose get tossed out of Saturday's game with the Knicks? Don't invite him and Kurt Thomas to the same party. ... The Lakers made a nice statement beating the Spurs. You know, you could play the point for the Lakers and they'd still win. Here's some more. Enjoy.

Heroes ...
Vince Carter Raptors 36 and 8 assists in win in Cleveland; Oh, and a few dunks as well	Mitch Richmond Wizards 27, 6 and 7 against Rockets; Wiz are playing well now	Allen Iverson Sixers Outdueled Payton's 32, 9 and 9 with 34, 6 and 6

... and Goats
B.J. Armstrong Bulls Shot 0-for-4 vs. Nets; Does it really matter anymore	Eric Williams Celtics Started, shot 1-for-6; Looks like a CBA player	Cherokee Parks Grizzlies More fouls than rebounds+points last night

The Knicks have been going with Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston in their big, Phil Jackson-style backcourt the last few games, and frankly, it ain't hurting them. They get an extra big body (like a Kurt Thomas, when he's not gooning it up) in the game at forward, and Ward is well-rested off the bench. And nobody gripes about playing time.

(By the way, we must insert this Jackson quote that we got from ESPN.com contributor Mitch Lawrence recently. Jax actually said, "Guards under 6-4 are all fairies," Jackson said earlier this season. "All they do is fall down, take charges and whine to the officials. That's why I like to go with big guards. It was so successful for us in Chicago." That is classic!)

But as Gar Heard has observed and will probably enact when the Wiz and Knicks meet this week is trap the Knicks the length of the court. Rick Pitino would certainly do it. The Knicks don't exactly have big men with good hands, and while Spree and Houston handle the ball well, this would supposedly tire them out and force others to handle the ball. However, has anyone ever seen Sprewell tired?

The Knicks are going to have a hard time dealing either Ward or Childs. The Nets are still laughing about how Childs turned his good half-season back in 1995-96 into a huge contract with the neighboring Knicks. Was Childs really that good? In New Jersey he averaged 12.8 points and 7.0 assists his best year. He shot .416. His best year in Gotham was his first, when he averaged 9.3 points and 6.1 assists, as well as 2.8 turnovers. And Childs attempted 259 threes his second year in Jersey, more than three a game. The last three seasons he has barely averaged half that.

	SHAQ'S LINE FOLLIES
	Shaq was on display for all to see on Christmas. Here was the gift he gave the Lakers: On Christmas: 6-for-12 For the season: 131-306 (.428) But we should note the Lakers are pretty darn good, and are near a 70-win pace.

Ward, meanwhile, in addition to no longer being the best quarterback in New York, a title he claimed before Vinny Testaverde emerged, should no longer be a starter either. Ward has some very big games (25 against Dallas, but scoreless the next night vs. Philly) but doesn't pass real well or make his shots. His career field goal is .417. But, like in Philly with Allen Iverson and Eric Snow (who probably should be playing 25 minutes off the bench), the Knicks have had good enough guards around Ward to mask his deficiencies.

We could be wrong, but nobody except Don Nelson is going to take either Ward or Childs in a trade. Could probably get Michael Finley in that deal. Normal GMs, they're staying away. So maybe this Spree-Houston thing will work after all.

Hornets and Suns
The Hornets haven't won without Eddie Jones. The Suns have lost only once without Tom Gugliotta. So what gives?

Charlotte clearly depends on its shooting guard and one of the best defenders in the game more than the Suns depend on Gugs, who was struggling this season. But if you're looking for the Hornets to fall fast, don't bet on it. A four-point loss to Orlando and a bad night in Detroit are no big deal. The reason why the Hornets should survive this three-week period sans their stud is because their front line remains formidable -- when they all want to play.

Eddie Robinson, the rookie who has been starting recently, doesn't have outside range, but Bobby Phills does, and he can defend. David Wesley could play the two guard while Baron Davis directs the team at the point. And really, Anthony Mason is such a good passer he could run the team. Hornets coach Paul Silas has a lot of options. Better to have this injury now than in the playoffs.

The Suns continue to win because Clifford Robinson is playing out of his mind. Now averaging 18.4 points a night, Robinson was in the doghouse the first month of the season. In November, while everyone talked so highly of Shawn Marion, the high-flying rookie, Cliffy pouted and gave only 12.8 points and .432 shooting to the team. In December, it's 23.5 points, 5 rebounds and .516 shooting. And what's with the free throw percentage? Cliffy shoots 69 percent every year. He's currently at .804.

"I got off to a slow start," Robinson said. "A big part of it was adjusting mentally. I was in the starting lineup. Then I wasn't. I'd think to myself: 'Here, we go again.' But now I'm just playing."

And the Suns are winning. This is not meant to be a slight to Gugs, who gives about 14 points and a team-leading 8 boards a night. The Suns are better with Gugs starting and Rodney Rogers as the sixth man. And with Clifford starting as well.

Quote of the Night
"It is supposed to promote terrific sleep and also help your body recover from extreme activity -- like playing an NBA basketball game. It sounded pretty good."
-- Tom Gugliotta on the supplement he took which stopped his breathing and has him out of action.

Quote of the Night, Part II
"It just made me sick to my stomach."
-- Mavs coach Don Nelson, not on his coaching, but on the way his team played in the first half Sunday night.

Eric Karabell is the NBA editor at ESPN.com.