What we watched:The Basketball Jones Tour, live, in a cavernous bar in Midtown. We invited you, remember? Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski was a guest on the show, and no, I still don't know how to pronounce his name. I also met some TrueHoop bloggers who, to my complete surprise, were actual humans with faces. That was weird, I must say, because it debunked my theory that Henry Abbott actually writes every TrueHoop blog. Who knew? TBJ's tour ends in Boston on Friday. Get to it if you can.

Elsewhere

(Sigh): "Quarterback Tim Tebow no longer prints Bible verses on his eye black, but the Broncos believe what their quarterback is preaching. On the eve of Denver's 16-13 overtime victory against San Diego, Tebow's message to teammates was Proverbs 27:17. ‘Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,' Tebow said Sunday as he walked the stadium catacombs after yet another victory you had to see to believe. The Broncos, however, have 100 percent faith that Tebow can lead them to the playoffs after a dismal 1-4 start to this season. ‘I've never seen a human who can will himself to win like that,' Denver linebacker Von Miller said. If a quarterback who would rather run than throw can pull off an invitation to the Super Bowl tournament, then Tebow must not only be considered a legitimate Pro Bowl candidate, but also should be mentioned in the discussion for the NFL's most valuable player. Mixing football with religion is what makes Tebow a lightning rod for controversy. But from praying for the Chargers to miss a potential game-winning field goal to preaching to teammates from the Bible, Tebow seems certain heaven is on his side." [Denver Post]

This is how you convince Deron Williams to stay: "The New Jersey Nets are prepared to offer a trade package featuring Brook Lopez and two future first-round picks to acquire Dwight Howard before the Orlando Magic center becomes a free agent in July 2012, according to sources close to the situation. Sources told ESPN.com this week that, to sweeten the proposal, New Jersey would likewise offer to take back the contract of Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu, who has three seasons left on his contract worth just under $35 million. Absorbing Turkoglu's remaining salary would become financially feasible for the Nets after the expected release of swingman Travis Outlaw through the amnesty clause that will be included in the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement and by including another smaller contract or two in the deal." [ESPN]

Advertisement

Charles Barkley will welcome you back to the NBA season: " The N.B.A. will start its lockout-delayed season with five games on Christmas Day, said a person with knowledge of the schedule who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The first game will be on TNT, followed by two on ABC and two on ESPN. The league will announce the details of the five-game opening day on Friday. The first game will begin at noon Eastern, followed by tip-offs at 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m." [NYT]

Your Five-Year-Old Girl Stacking Cups Interlude:

Brian Billick is too classy for the Jaguars, apparently: "Weaver promised an extensive search, one that would include experienced coaches (read: Super Bowl pedigree) and up-and-comers. But one such coach already has taken himself out of the running. ‘They're looking for young and cheap, and I'm neither,' former Ravens coach Brian Billick, believed to be a candidate, told NFL Network on Tuesday." [NFL.com]

Advertisement

Erik Walden speaks: "‘I want to apologize to the entire organization, my teammates and the fans,' Walden said, speaking to a group of reporters crowded around his locker. 'You know, it's an ongoing process, I respect that process, and it's just unfortunate that I brought something negative from so much positive that's going on with this organization.' Walden was arrested Friday on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend at their apartment near Green Bay. Brown County District Attorney John Zakowski said Monday that Walden's girlfriend originally told police they were arguing and he pushed her but she has changed her story to say she hit him first. Asked if he could say anything to reassure fans about his character, Walden had few words. ‘Again, I just want to apologize,' Walden said. ‘I feel terrible about the situation. Just ready to move on and play football.'" [SI, via AP]

Merch: Managing editor Tom Scocca and contributing editor Drew Magary have both written books. You can buy Scocca's Beijing Welcomes You: Unveiling the Capital City of the Futurehere, and Magary's The Postmortalhere. Now do it.