31.   In the past seven days, the new Mavericks have acquired a starting center and a front-line power forward, and have snuffed out a star-studded crisis.

32.   It helped that New York was without starting center Phil Jordan, who was ill.

33.   It is certainly feasible for the Clippers to have Stanley Roberts as their opening-day starting center.

34.   Johnson was the starting center for the Seattle SuperSonics last season, but the team renounced his rights and signed free agent Jim McIlvaine from the Washington Bullets.

35.   Just how do they secure a playoff spot without a legitimate starting center?

36.   Just lost our starting center to injury.

37.   Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, is the birthplace of the starting centers for both teams.

38.   Just like that, their starting center, power forward and point guard were gone soon after Thomas signed on to replace Bird.

39.   Last month the Giants renegotiated the contract of Brian Williams, their starting center, to create room under their cap.

40.   Lose the starting center... become a better team?