DIME SMACK: T-Mac is on the attack

Forget 's health for one second and focus on the real story coming out of the Kingdom, another T-Mac attack. This time McGrady victimized the for 41 points, 8 boards and 7 dimes. He's so sick, he should be quarantined. made the key play of the game, however, when he drew a late fourth quarter charge from , wiping out the bucket and keeping the score knotted up. Orlando proceeded to ride the momentum wave to victory. At least Hill knows the real reason fans are concerned with his ankle. "The only bad thing about [sitting out games] is, it affects my stats," Hill said. Did you happen to catch Manu Ginobli on a one-dribble drive blow up the rim with the left-handed slam? No? Find a highlight package now and enjoy. Spree has set a date for his return to the lineup. According to the NY Post, Latrell will return to action on November 16. Meanwhile, today marks six weeks to the day he busted his hand originally and he has a meeting scheduled to have the hand examined. On the topic of debuts, Wally enters the basketball World today in practice. If he feels no pain, or steals enough passes, he'll dress for Thursday's game. Two players actually did return to action last night and they are both former Fab Fivers. was sweet, finishing with 23 points, 7 caroms, 9 dishes and 3 swipes. He was looking for the lone W, but it must feel good to get on the court after sitting out for so long. also saw some floor time, knocking back 25 points and cleaning the glass for 15 bounds in his season debut. Falling just short of his third consecutive triple-dip was , who came out of the Cleveland game just one dime short. Kobe posted 15 points, 13 boards and 9 assists, thanks in large part to his teammates inability to nail a jumper late in the game. No less than four times did Kobe make the right move and pass the rock to a fellow Laker, who then rewarded him with a bricked shot. It was no surprise when the finished with just 70 points, the team's lowest total since moving from Minnesota. Hurry back Shaq Daddy. Big Z was off the heazy in the game, playing like a young Arvyas Sabonis. He drilled jumpers, dropped sweet behind the head passes from the post and even broke out a sweeping hook shot. The svelte Ilgauskus, down 30 pounds from previous years to reduce the weight on his surgically repaired feet, ended the day with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 hand out and 4 swats. Lost in all the hype is the year The Franchise is having. Last night while Yao was busy not scoring, Francis nearly missed a triple-double, exploding for 33 points, 11 pulls and 9 helpers. Too bad GP and the still perfect Sonics whooped up on them, especially in the third quarter where they were outscored 32-15. We found time to hit up DMX's autobiography release party at Studio 54. The book is called E.A.R.L., an acronym utilizing his real first name, and details all the raw events in his rough life. There was more security than the Smack Gods have ever been through at the airport. Thanks for the cavity search. We haven't had one of them in a while. X came in rocking an Oakland Raiders knit cap, an Akademiks sweatshirt and enough ice to host an open bar cocktail party. It was a pretty cool time. Lots of hot girls and alcohol makes it a challenge not to be. We're out like T-Mac's conscience.