SHAUN LIVINGSTON
               NEWS

Basketball News reported that both local teams will pursue Washington free agent Gilbert Arenas, which came as news to the Lakers, who have all the stars, not to mention salary, they need.

As for the Los Angeles Clippers, who'd have dreamed it?

Oh yeah, everybody.

With Shaun Livingston questionable and Corey Maggette available for a sign-and-trade, the Clippers -- who pursued Arenas, who's from here, in 2004 -- are interested.

Arenas, out since November after knee surgery, wants to return, but there's concern it's too soon.

"At the end of the day, that [not coming back] is the smartest thing to do," he said. "Let's be honest."

To be honest, he also has to show he's OK if he wants big money. The Los Angeles Clippers, if not the Los Angeles Lakers, will be watching.

Matchup problems too

The Dallas Morning News reported an angry exchange between owner Mark Cuban and Coach Avery Johnson after the wounded Lakers won in Dallas last week.

"Everything's fine," said Johnson the next day, by which he may have meant he, at least, still works there.

Aside from that, they're 0-7 against winning teams with Jason Kidd and 3-6 against West teams, compared with 23-6 before.

"That's something we've got to address," Johnson said, "because down the stretch we're going to be playing a lot of teams from the West."

Yeah, in the playoffs, too.

Pray for America

The scary thing about Milwaukee's front office isn't its volatility but the fact that owner Herb Kohl, a four-term U.S. Senator, also runs the country.

Sen. Kohl axed GM Larry Harris after four years, which is as long as Bucks GMs last. The team has had four in 16 years, including Mike Dunleavy,who was coach as well.

Kohl confirmed squelching Harris' deal for Zach Randolph, whom the Knicks tried to give them for three role players, but insisted, "There has been a minimum of second-guessing, if any."

If the second-guessing is minimal, it's apparently focused on every fourth year, after which they get a new GM.

Passing through

Few college players were ready for the NBA when they stayed four years, but some, such as super-focused O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love,are more ready than others.

Take Texas A&M's 7-0, 260-pound freshman DeAndre Jordan, once projected as a top five pick, now not even starting.

"You've got so many people who are coming at him, telling him how great he is," said Coach Mark Turgeon. "That's the problem."

Said Jordan, suggesting a different problem: "I know Coach is never going to be like, 'DeAndre has to score 40 points.' . . . I can't control how many times I get the ball, how many shots I take."

M-V-P?

Chanting "M-V-P!" for your local star should be harmless. Unfortunately, he believes you.

Orlando's Dwight Howard says that while he's just out to help his team, "I'd tell people to vote for the guy down in Orlando, that No. 12. Your vote is needed."

Meanwhile, the Suns' Amare Stoudemire, first team All-NBA last season, moaned, "I don't know what it is. I hear everyone's name being mentioned as far as top players in the league and my name isn't up there. It definitely hurts."

We feel your pain, but have you guys heard of Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Chris Paul?

See more at www.latimes.com