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Kobe Bryant has responded to Michael Jordan's comments made last week in regards to the state of the NBA.

Among other things, His Airness stated Kobe Bryant ranks in the top 10 of the best shooting guards to ever play in the league.

Depending on how you interpret the statement, Jordan's stance could be considered as either a slight or a compliment.

Bryant is choosing to believe the remarks were an act of praise.

Bryant told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! that he agrees with Jordan's assessment of history, saying he definitely belongs in the top 10.

Interestingly, Kobe said he wouldn't be willing to narrow down his place in history by ranking his specific spot on the hallowed list of all-time greats.

Instead, he reiterated his desire to keep on winning.

You can bet he would love to win more titles than Jordan.  If that happens, he would rank in the top five...without question.

Even Jordan would have a difficult time not admitting as much.

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The New Orleans Hornets made a trade Monday, but it probably won't have a major impact on the team's chances this season.

The Hornets acquired former Baylor star Curtis Jerrells from the Spurs in exchange for a second-round pick.

Dell Demps made the move to provide depth behind Chris Paul at point guard after Darren Collison was traded this summer.

Jerrells is slashing guard and was averaging six points and two assists for the Spurs in the preseason.  He averaged 20 points and nearly six assists for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League last season.

New Orleans is still a long way from being competitive, and desperately needs help along the front line.

It's not hard to see why Chris Paul wants out.

Meanwhile, the move helped the Spurs trim the roster to 16 players while getting something in return for a player who likely would have been released.

San Antonio has been pleased with the play of free agent signing Gary Neal and might be content to concentrate most of it's depth on the front court this season.

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With Kevin Durant and Joakim Noah already agreeing on contract extensions and Al Horford expected to follow suit, the best performers of the 2007 NBA Draft have skirted the collective bargaining agreement and secured their futures.

The same cannot be said for most of the draft class, including No. 1 overall selection Greg Oden.

Not surprisingly, the Blazers haven't made any advances towards Oden.

Elsewhere, Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Brooks probably are deserving of extensions but won't get them.

The Pistons haven't determined the direction of the franchise and have a roster cluttered with guards, while the Rockets refuse to talk extensions to players still under their rookie contracts.

One of the most interesting players eligible for an extension is Durant's Oklahoma City teammate, Jeff Green.

Green's versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Thunder, and he could be willing to sign for a relatively modest sum to stay put.

If Green and the other members of the 2007 draft class don't sign extensions prior to November 1, they will be restricted free agents at the end of the season.

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Andrew Bogut's return was expected to take place last weekend, but when he came down with a migraine headache just prior to tip-off Saturday, the Bucks held him out of the lineup.

Bogut hadn't played since his gruesome injury last April, and finally took the floor Sunday for the Bucks against the Timberwolves in South Dakota.

He finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 14 minutes.

The Bucks plan on limiting his minutes in the preseason as he works his way back into shape.

Scott Skiles continues to put on a brave face when asked about Bogut's fragile health, saying repeatedly that his big man is no more likely to get injured than any other player on his roster.

Regardless, the new-look Bucks need to get Bogut on the court and begin working him in with the likes of Drew Gooden and Corey Maggette.

It seems unlikely Bogut will be completely ready to go in two weeks.

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Blake Griffin suffered an ankle injury in the Clippers preseason game Saturday and was held out of Sunday's loss to the Nuggets.  The Los Angeles Times reported that head coach Vinny Del Negro said the ankle injury is not serious.

Del Negro added he was considering giving Griffin the day off Sunday, and said he expects his power forward back at practice this week.

Griffin has looked good in the preseason and provides the Clippers with a small glimmer of hope in the crowded Western Conference playoff picture.

As long as he stays healthy, the Clippers promise to have one of the best rebounding tandems in the paint in the entire NBA with Chris Kaman holding down the middle.

Kaman's name has been mentioned in trade rumors, but it's unlikely the Clippers will look to move him unless Carmelo Anthony becomes available.

Kaman has had his share of injuries in recent years and also needs to stay healthy.

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Russell Westbrook's status as one of the best young guards in the NBA was solidified by his play in this summer's World Championships.

Now, his head coach wants him to take the next step and starting speaking up.

Scott Brooks talked to the Oklahoman, saying, "He’s my coach on the floor. And he has to be able to vocalize every time down court where we need to be. And if they’re not in position it’s on him.”

Pretty strong words from Brooks, who wants Westbrook to assume a leadership role this season with the Thunder no longer flying under the radar in the Western Conference.

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Rudy Fernandez isn't going home, at least not yet.

The disgruntled guard has spent the offseason trying to wiggle out of his contract with the Blazers, and hasn't altered his stance one bit during training camp.

Monday, Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune outlined the numerous reasons why the club won't grant Fernandez a release from his contract.

A trade appears more likely, but the Knicks are the only club with much interest in the Spaniard.

Read more here.

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Carmelo Anthony's frustration with the Nuggets was detailed in a Denver Post report Friday.

Among other things, the report said Anthony's camp has grown frustrated with the Nuggets' inability to work out a deal.

All signs point to Denver driving a very hard bargain, and a deal isn't likely to be consummated unless the asking price is lowered.

Anthony has thrived on the court in the preseason and continues to say all the right things publicly.

Don't expect this saga to come to an end anytime soon.

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Kobe Bryant's right knee is starting to look better and better.

Bryant erupted for 19 points in the third quarter in by far his most productive stretch of action so far in the preseason, then was rested for the entire fourth quarter.

Phil Jackson's cautionary words regarding the state of his superstar are dwindling, meaning Bryant will likely be almost back to normal when the season begins in two weeks.

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Dwyane Wade testified in the custody case involving ex-wife Siohvaughn Monday morning in Chicago.

The superstar spent over two hours on the witness stand after already having spent all day Friday being questioned.

The case has been contentious from the start, with Siovaughn's attorneys accusing Wade of gun possession, drug use and performing sex acts in front of the their two boys, ages 3 and 8.

Although he did admit to dating Gabrielle Union, Wade denied the accusations he performed sex acts in front of his children.

He also added that he regrets not seeking marital counseling for what was admittedly a stormy relationship.