Today's Picks!

Atlanta Hawks - G.State Warriors - Over 200.5(1.93)

N.Orleans Hornets - L.A.Lakers - 2(1.64)
D.Granger(Indiana )- Over 20.5(1.85)
Phoenix Suns - Philadelphia 76ers - Over 205.5 (1.9)

Lebron James' Comments Offended Nets' Star Players

LeBron James may not know what "contraction" means, but his most recent ramblings - and obvious inference to a touchy subject - came off as offensive to the Nets while sparking a league-wide debate regarding the ongoing labor negotiations.

James unintentionally brought the issue to the forefront last week by saying the league would be better off with fewer franchises, singling out the Nets and Timberwolves as teams "that aren't that great" and candidates for contraction.

James used the word "shrink" in his unsolicited comments, but claimed Monday he was misinterpreted and didn't know what "contraction" meant.

That an NBA player wouldn't know the dreaded C-word - which would result in lost jobs on several levels across the league - was a surprise to Nets guard Devin Harris, who was singled out by James as a player who could help the NBA by playing elsewhere. Like most union members, Harris said he's against contraction.

The league is reportedly pushing contraction in its collective bargaining negotiations.

"For him to talk about us specifically, it was a little offensive," Harris said yesterday. "But from a business standpoint, to know what's best - we're still trying to figure this out.

"But I think he's of the mind-set of, 'Oh, let's team up everybody as stars and kind of duke it out, which, it kind of was like that in previous eras. But who is to say what's best for the league now?"

Harris' response was less confrontational than what Avery Johnson dished out. When asked Sunday about James' statements on contraction, the Nets coach took a shot at James' team, the Miami Heat, by saying, "I disagree. Maybe the league would be better off without three stars on one team."

Johnson backed off the subject before Monday's loss to the Magic.

"I'm not really interested (in talking about it anymore)," he said. "I like the league the way it is, and we'll keep moving from there."

James, who is buddies with Nets minority owner Jay-Z, also wants to keep the peace. He met with the Nets during the free agency process and, by all accounts, was impressed by the presentation.

"I didn't mean to upset anybody," he told reporters in Miami on Monday. "I didn't tell Avery Johnson to leave either. I didn't say 'Let's abandon the Nets, and not let them move to Brooklyn,' or 'Let's tear down the Target Center in Minnesota.' I never said that."

Despite their new multi-billionaire owner and their arena being built in Brooklyn, the Nets are an easy target because of their abysmal record (21-92) since the start of last season. They also haven't had a union representative since Joe Smith was traded to the Lakers on Dec. 15.

"I don't think contraction is a good thing," said 10th-year forward Troy Murphy, the Nets' most experienced player. "I think the NBA is a great thing, it's an honor to play in the NBA and I don't think we should contract."

With veterans on the team drying up and a CBA expiring, Harris, 28, said he's going to have to be more active in the union.

"Everybody has to be a little worried. Nobody wants a lockout," he said. "We know negotiations are going to be tough, so if guys say they weren't worried I think they'd be lying. I think everybody has to be a little bit worried."