Jerry Zgoda's short takes: Jan. 1

First lookCount Miami coach Erik Spoelstra among the many waiting for Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio to arrive in the NBA after a two-year wait.

"We've all been interested in seeing him in an NBA uniform," he said. "I've seen all the highlights and clips that probably everybody has seen when he was over there. He's a dynamic passer, a game-changing passer with his vision, but he also has some size to deliver passes over defenses. So it's a special gift he has that not a lot of players have."

Gift wrappedLeBron James celebrated his 27th birthday at Target Center on Friday with a 34-point, 10-assist, eight-rebound performance that included a lob-pass assist on Dwyane Wade's winning shot in a 103-101 victory.

He said playing on his birthday is special because it reminds him of all those years in his youth when his birthday wasn't such a great day. Of those birthdays past, does one stand out?

"Yeah, my 18th birthday," he said. "I got a Hummer that day. That was the best birthday gift I ever got."

The Vegas lineSan Antonio earthbound forward Matt Bonner to reporters before a game against the Clippers last week: "What's the over-under on how many times I get dunked on tonight?"

Tweet of the week"Rubio needs to send Adelman a belated Xmas gift, cause he's now in a perfect spot to be who he is. Watching him on tape this a.m. a real joy." --ESPN.com scouting analyst and player-development coach David Thorpe.