Not-so-big Big Al Utah's Al Jefferson is contemplating following slimmed-down former teammate Kevin Love's lead and might hire his own personal chef. He worked hard all summer on his conditioning and now vows to hit the weight room and cut fried foods and sweets from his diet to stay healthy and happy through this demanding compressed season.

"That's hard," he told the Salt Lake Tribune, "especially since I'm from the South."

Last gasp Does Chicago's signing of 36-year-old Mike James out of the D League last week give hope to old-timers Antoine Walker and Ricky Davis playing down there hoping for one last chance in the NBA?

Ummm, probably not...

Renaissance man Wanna know why Sacramento fired Paul Westphal rather than trade young, unhappy DeMarcus Cousins?

His 21-point, 19-rebound game in a victory at Toronto on Wednesday is one little hint.

"He's a new player, man," Kings guard Tyreke Evans told reporters. "He plays like that, he's an All-Star for sure."

Taking after Tim Kobe Bryant scored 48 and 40 points on consecutive nights -- the first time he reached 40 in consecutive games since November 2009 -- but the Lakers still needed Pau Gasol's big three-pointer to win in overtime at Utah on Wednesday after beating Phoenix on Tuesday.

"If you think Tebow prays," Bryant told reporters, referring to Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, "when that ball left his hand I must have said 30 Hail Marys."