Brian Cook's Almost Feeling Good Enough to Shave

Or maybe he'll keep the beard he's grown while battling strep throat, I have no idea.  But either way, the now scraggly power forward is feeling much better these days (although he's still inactive for tonight's action).  Described by Phil Jackson as "on the road to recovery," Cook's been mostly bedridden the last 3-4 days, dealing with everything from a 102 temperature to occasional back spasms during his illin' time.  Cookie suspects the culprit behind the sickness may have been his own nephew, who joined his family visiting for thanksgiving.  The kid's almost two, which more or less makes him a professional germ carrier.  The tyke "fell asleep on my chest and slobbered all over me," laughed Cook.  But his own admission, Cook is "King Patient" among his teammates.  Colds, allergies, sinus issues.  You name it, the dude is susceptible.  "I get sick a lot," he said, shaking his head.  Give the man credit for his willingness to gut it out.  Despite the sickness kicking in, Cook would have gladly stepped on the court during Friday's game against Utah and given it a whirl.  Probably best that he didn't, however, since he almost nodded off a couple times while watching the action from the bench due to a lack of energy.