"How is it different than getting Lasik surgery so you can have perfect vision?" Cuban said. "Or how is it different than Tommy John surgery so you can get a perfect elbow? If they can improve steroids to where they have no harmful long-term effects, I don't see the problem with wanting perfect muscles."

--Coach Rick Carlisle recently admitted the obvious: Josh Howard won't be ready for the first part of the regular season. The swingman is recovering from offseason ankle and wrist surgeries, though the ankle is the most pressing issue.

"We played seven games without him," Carlisle said, referring to the preseason. "We've become accustomed to it. We know we're better with him, but it could be awhile. It could a few weeks.

"I don't know. We'll find a way without him, but we know we're better with him. When he comes back, we'll have to be ready to integrate him very quickly."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Internally, it's up to us. It's right there for us to go get and it's just a matter of how bad to we want it. We know the Lakers aren't just going to lie down, San Antonio's gotten better and Denver is going to be hungry and the West is the West." -- Guard Jason Kidd on the team's prospects this season.