Random musings from the Playoffs:

• Lakers are about to drop the Spurs from defending champion status and I've got to say I'm pretty stunned by how easily it's happening.  Relatively.  It's pretty obvious the Lakers are a step quicker to everything and - particularly after watching the final quarter of last night's Game 4 - they look straight up hungrier too.  They seem to want to win more than the Spurs, for what that's worth.  The looks on Kobe and Lamar's faces last night were deep looks of competitive fire.  Very impressive.  I honestly didn't see all this Laker success coming this year.
• I received a fortunate opportunity to attend Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals last week (when the Lakers came back by 20 to win) and I've got to say that was one of the more cool experiences I've had.  Staples Center was flat out rocking; that place is a great Playoff crowd.  They know their basketball.  They know how to spur on (no pun intended.  Well, ok, maybe.) the team when they need it and know even little nuances like how to chant "de-fense" with increasing passion and fervor.  Great atmosphere.  Great, intense Playoff basketball. 
• If you've ever watched a live NBA game (particularly Playoffs) from a close live viewing perspective, it's very hard not to come to the conclusion that primetime NBA athletes are the best athletes in the world.  It's incredible the amount of quickness, talent and physicality that is required to compete at the highest level. 
• Bummed that TNT may only have one more telecast left.  They are the best and most hilarious production on sports television. 

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Playoffs

Small sampling of random thoughts on Playoffs to date:

• Most surreal story has to be the Celtics' inability to win on the road.  Or for that matter, many of the teams in the Playoffs.  I'm not buying that the home teams are that much better.  The teams who consistently win road playoff games are mentally tough and can perservere through the drama that is inclusive of fans, fans' taunting, referees, foul trouble, momentum swings, etc.  This is another example to me of how the NBA has changed.  The Bulls (and other teams) used to be able to rise up and win on the road, which I personally think feels a whole lot more satisfying than being expected to win at home.  Of course, not that I would personally know any of this - I just sit in an office and dream of such things.
• Love the ubiquitous split-screen Playoff ads (and the music). 
• I like when the fans at Staples Center chant "de-fense" intensely, with the organ dude facilitating things in the background, and you can hear the intensity through the TV screen.  They are a late-arriving crowd, but they do have high basketball IQ.  Props to that.
• Chris Paul is out of control.  So is Deron Williams!  These guys are so good it's ridiculous.  Same draft class too, awesome.  I love when Deron dribbles the ball in the open court, I feel like he literally has the ball on a string to his hands.  Spectacular skills.
• I feel like everyone in the land had Lakers-Celtics penciled in for the Finals.  If one of those teams bails (and it looks like Detroit could pounce the Celtics or the Cavs), then pools across America will be ruined (mine included, bah).
• Hoping for a Lakers-Hornets Western Conference Finals and Celtics to join Pistons in the East. 

Need more NBA drama!

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Season's End

Pretty surreal that the NBA regular season is drawing to a close.  While I admittedly do miss NBC’s legendary and nostalgic telecast introductions, I will somehow survive based off this year’s Playoff team crop.  And what a splendid crop it is.  Only six (6) games separate the top seed in the West (Lakers) from the lower rung brethren. 

I haven’t personally and individually been this excited about the potential drama of Playoff games in a long time.  I hope each series – particularly out West – goes 6 or 7 games with compelling and intense storylines.  I long for the days of the old 1992- / 1993-style Bulls-Knicks series where there were clear marks of competitive intensity and fierceness.

Other scattered thoughts:

• It’s disappointing (on his behalf) to hear about the latest Carmelo thing.  Guilty or not, just to be associated with those headlines on ESPN.com is, oh what’s the word…regrettable.
• At first view, I’ll admit I did think the Kobe Bryant / Nike video was real.  AND…even if it isn’t, I wouldn’t put it past him to either actually do it or be able to do it.  To be clear.
• One adjective to describe everything going on in Seattle with the Sonics: disturbing – regardless of who is right, wrong, etc.  Just, yeah, disturbing. 

• Who Will Likely Win:  Kobe Bryant (Lakers).  Besides being a deserving candidate (obviously), the media is all over this one.  Just browse around online or at L.A. Times.  Never underestimate influence of the media.  Oh yeah, and being the single best individual player in the association helps too.
• Who Should Win:  Kevin Garnett (Celtics).  More so based on the immeasurable intangibles he brought since Day 1.  Boston was indisputably nothing last year, and they will end up with the best record in NBA this year.  Should count for something.  Final caveat: it truly is strange that Kobe has never won MVP before, but you could research every year and find (more than) fair and justifiable arguments for why he hasn’t to date.  For example, no one can say with straight face that he should have ever been in serious contention until after 2002 – the last year of their three-peat.

• Who Will Likely Win:  Byron Scott (Hornets).  No one thought before the season they would be where they are.  It can’t all be CP3.  Props.
• Who Should Win:  B.Scott

• Who Will Likely Win:  Kevin Durant (Sonics).  Fairly easy selection here, despite early season shooting difficulties.  Clutch and passionate finish to the season.
• Who Should Win:  K.Durant

• Who Will Likely Win:  Manu Ginobili (Spurs).  I’ve always thought this award was potentially a cause of conflicting feelings for the winner.  Wouldn’t majority of NBA players rather be a full-time starter than coming off the bench?  Same goes for “Most Improved Player” award – isn’t that essentially a backhanded compliment?  “You were a certain-caliber player last year and now...wow, now you’re really good man.”  I’m just sayin’ is all…
• Who Should Win:  M.Ginobili

• Who Will Likely Win:  Kevin Garnett (Celtics).  Passionate young soul.  Sidenote: can you believe Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace have each won this award four times?!  Who would’ve thunk.
• Who Should Win:  Garnett

• Miami Heat.  Glad I’m not a paying season ticket holder there.  Yikes.  And, yes, I picked them to do obnoxiously well this season.  Dah.

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Welp, it’s been awhile since I’ve traversed these here pages.  And so much happening in and around the Association, too.  And my work life.  But, thankfully, no more lost Sidekicks (yet) from athletes.

I caught the Lakers/Warriors barnburners this past Sunday and Monday – simply fantastic and entertaining games.  Love the flavor of the Warriors style of play and I respect how passionate K.Bryant plays.  Hollerization to that.

Some other random thoughts:

·         I think people will look back on the Rockets’ (stunning) 22-game winning streak one day and – after looking at their roster – wonder, “Huh?  How?”  I know I will.  Nonetheless, props to them for straight ballin’ even without Yao Ming.  And the NBA, quick and clever as ever, created an instant t-shirt to commemorate the occasion (available on NBA.com for $17.99).  No royalties for me for plugging that. 

·         Truthfully, once the Lakers get back Gasol and Bynum, is there any stopping this team?  I do believe Kobe should publicly apologize for all the drama he threw out last summer.  Remember that infamous radio tour day?  Splendid.

·         Dwyane, it was nice knowing you in this glorious 07-08 season.  All 13 wins of it.  For reals, I hope this guy recovers.  He used to drive the lane easily at will, elevate and just facial people.  It would be nice for me to see that again.  Well, and for my job.

·         On the travel front, I saw two Miami Heat games in person in two nights about a month ago – one at Staples Center against the Lakers and the next in Seattle at Key Arena.  Felt like I was an honorary traveling member of a losing team.  Fun times though, I like seeing games live when given the chance.  Did I mention I predicted the Heat to make it to the Finals this year?  Just wanted to make sure everyone knows I don’t know what I’m talking about.

Anyone seen the latest iterations of the T-Mobile Barkley-Wade commercials?  I didn’t believe it when I started counting all the files on my hard drive, but these are the eighth and ninth commercials, respectively, with these two.  I remember them all like it was yesterday when these were being filmed too – comical times in Los Angeles.  The cheesecake line had us rolling.  Director Stacy Wall, very talented.

Amped up for the NBA Playoffs 2008, looks like it’s setting up to be an absolute doozy.  If any of my 8 loyal readers want to me write about anything else, feel free to hit me up.

P.S. – I think K.Bryant will win the MVP this year, too much national media support that started early for him not to win it (besides the fact that the Lakes will likely get a No. 1 seed).  Chris Paul though…absurdly good.  Okay, back to Microsoft Outlook I go.

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Phone Bliss

Last night, Dwyane was having e-mail issues with his Sidekick.  Last night, I was about to leave from work around 7pm.  Last night, I put on my troubleshooting and scramble hat.  I have to put it on quite frequently, actually. 

But, fret ye not family and friends of Dwyane, after getting T-Mobile's national award-winning customer service folks on the line with him, all is swell and all is resolved.  Dwyane's Sidekick will swivel again.

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Seattle Rain

Sitting at a Starbucks in downtown Seattle, watching the rain drizzle in this lovely Emerald City. 

We flew in this morning for some meetings with Team Wade and to catch the Miami Heat (yes, those glorious 10-45 Miami Heat) play the Sonics tonight at KeyArena.  On a separate note, check out this link from Bill Simmons of ESPN about the Sonics' situation - pretty interesting read:  http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080229&sportCat=nba

Last night, I had a chance to catch these same Miami Heat in person at Staples Center against the Lake Show.  I was fortunate enough to have ridiculous (in a cool/hip way) lower level seats; I could see Dwyane and Kobe chat with each other (and the refs) most of the night.  Good times.  Not for Miami though.  Good grief, what a downfall.  I don't think Dwyane is 100% recovered from all of his offseason surgeries (knee and shoulder).  He isn't exploding in terms of driving the lane and slamming on people like he used to routinely back in 2005 or 2006.

Seeing a game in person vs. watching on TV is one level of an experience.  But seeing a game in person in the lower bowl vs. the upper bowl nosebleeds brings yet another level of experiential bliss.  There's nothing like the pseudo-courtside experience that NBA basketball provides fans in terms of access to the action on the court.  You can hear everything and see everything that you wouldn't normally or care to notice on TV. 

Anyways, more to come.  I do owe an update to my 14 readers on New Orleans and All-Star Weekend and the week that was.  Coming soon.

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Just got into town last night and settled into the beginning of weeklong hotel life.  Interesting first impressions of the city.  The inhabitants here are very hospitable and kind, and “speed of life” here is indisputably different than where I call home.  (Dinner takes hours – plural.)  Some of the areas are very photo-worthy, and there are definitely areas that look like it still needs aid from post-Katrina.

Looks like the city is filling up with more NBA-related folks today…getting more packed out there in the streets.  A few of us T-Mobile brethren just got back from a sweet snack (literally and figuratively) from Café Du Monde.  Spectacular grubbage there, apparently it’s a hotspot.  Closing up shop right now from our hotel conference room where we’ve been planning for rest of the week and…off to a dinner.  No celebrity sightings yet, other than the 2-D murals on our hotel wall.  Ah, and KG is no longer playing in the game – bummer. 

An image from one side of the W Hotel (close to where we’re staying) – it’s pretty large in real life.  Hopefully his team gets to double-digit wins, soon(?):

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New Orleans or Bust

Today is our team's last day in the office before we head off to New Orleans for the festivities of the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend.  For 10 days.  Why we will be out there that long I'll never be able to explain to you. 

Anyways, it'll be my first time to this city (and my third consecutive NBA All-Star experience), so I'm looking forward to it and should be chiming in pretty often on this here blog tool.  Delta Airlines, here we come.

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Trades

Talk about a stunner.  The last team in the NBA I would expect Shaquille O’Neal to be traded to would be the Phoenix Suns.  I mean, for reals?  Is this really going to happen?  $40 million for the next two years too…wild.  The optimistic side in me wants to see this work for the sheer entertainment value of talented and big-name players like Nash, Amare and Shaq playing and working together well, but, let’s just say I won’t be surprised if this crumbles. 

On the flip side, as a resident of both the counties of Los Angeles and Orange in Southern California, let me tell you there is a palpable surge of energy with the Pau Gasol trade for the Lakers.  The day it happened, it was as if the entire city’s shoulders were lifted.  Dramatic, I know.  That’s Laker Nation for you.  And 24 points and 12 boards in the debut – impressive. 

The last two blockbuster trades have been good for the NBA though.  These “change of scenery”-type moves add renewed flavor and vigor to watching good teams.  Drama and rivalries.  We need more of those.   

I wonder if any of the over 97.5 million viewers of the Super Bowl reads this blog, and what they thought of the T-Mobile Barkley-Wade commercial.  How I tend to wonder.  I think the more I watch it the more hilarious it gets, partially because I remember what it was like being there for the shooting of all the scenes, and partially because that’s just how Charles is in real life.

Lastly, if you haven’t started creating your own Barkley-Wade commercial yet, you should give it a whirl here for a chance to make it on-air during the NBA Playoffs 2008:  http://t-mobilenba.com/duo/   

Until next time.

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Loved the LBJ facial throw-down against the Blazers the other night, but...have to comment on the last-second, game-winning layup. 

Spectacular drive, but seriously, is that not a travel?  One, two, three steps at the 0:55 mark.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKcFgF5QnQ

Just my two cents.

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Barkley in Denver

I just got back from Denver last night.  T-Mobile had a corporate kickoff meeting for the new year and none other than Charles Barkley made a surprise appearance to interact with T-Mobile’s CEO on stage during a special presentation.

Let’s just say people were more than pleasantly surprised and enthused upon his entrance:  Charles received a couple standing ovations from the packed auditorium of T-Mobile employees and he truly exhibited stage presence commenting on the (spectacular) commercial that will run during the Super Bowl this Sunday (2nd quarter) and on how his public life has been impacted by how many times a day people ask if they can be in his Fave 5 (countless).

It’s amazing really, when I step back for a sec to think about it…I don’t want to over exaggerate or underrate this, but Charles truly is a man of the people.  Quite simply, his popularity with people of all ages, races, male/female is incredible.  After he met with some of the executive leaders of T-Mobile, we all went up a couple floors to the main lunch area where he could mingle and shake hands among the two-thousand attendee audience, and it was like a paparazzi scene.  Corporate folks pulling out their digital cameras, BlackBerry phone cameras, Samsung phone cameras, just to say hello, shake his hand or get an autograph.  Honestly, it was a mini-zoo but it’s incredible what composure he has amongst these types of scenes and environments.  Once he enters a room, all eyes and all attention turn to him.  He always, always, always is cordial enough to look you in the eye and say hello or thank you to whatever comment or compliment he receives.  Few professional athletes have his sense of context and understanding of what it means to be famous and making the deliberate choice to embrace it for what it’s worth (per se), rather than shun and hide from it.

As I’ve been fortunate enough to have multiple opportunities to have these direct interactions with Charles, I think in some sense I’ve forgotten what it’s like for people who are meeting him for the first time, whether they are the common fan or someone working at T-Mobile.  He’s indisputably one of the biggest NBA-related stars of today, and he hasn’t played a game in nearly 9 years.

P.S. – Charles’ T-Mobile BlackBerry died on the trip, and I fixed it for him on the way to dinner on Monday night so he could make calls and reply to e-mails again.  Hooray, I know.

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The Andrew Bynum non-trade increasingly looks better than ever.  Oh, how public and fan sentiment quickly changes.  The incessant clamor over the summer from all camps was incredible.  Not saying the Lakers will win it all but, at least, they’re winning – more than the Pacers unfortunately can say with J.O’Neal:

Stats to Date

• Bynum / Age: 20 / 12.8 PPG / 10.1 RPG / Team Record:  21-11
• O’Neal / Age: 29 / 15.8 PPG / 7.4 RPG / Team Record:  16-19

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New Year's and belated Christmas greetings to all.  Been quite a few interesting weeks in the Association since we last reconvened. 

• Portland's 13-game winning streak may have been the quietest 'success' story in some time.  Barely registered a blip on the fan conscience scale.  Props to Brandon Roy though for leading the youthful surge of tomorrow.
• Likewise, Detroit Piston has quietly won 9 in a row.  (Lot of quietness!)
• As of today, the Miami Heat have the second-worst record in the NBA.  Hello, draft lottery.  On the Christmas day game, ABC ran a feature showing that Shaquille O'Neal's decline in productivity is, in fact, on par with other legendary centers in the past.  While that may be true...honestly, it looks perception-wise much worse with O'Neal.  Probably because we're so used to taking this guy for granted.

I attended the Lakers-Celtics game on the 30th.  It was the first game I went to without the "work" label in some time.  People ask me if I get to a lot of games with the job I have and the truth is, yes I get to go more than the average bear, but it's not always purely for just the pure game/entertainment purpose.  Most of the time I'll be there for a purpose: (1) corporate hospitality, (2) team invite/meeting, (3) sponsor evaluation or anything else that could be deemed the great term of business.  Ah, yes, the inner workings behind the game. 

Anyhow, I honestly think there are few environments more active and animated than a riled up Lakers crowd.  These folks know their basketball, I'll give them props for that.  I remember attending a Suns-Lakers Playoff game at Staples Center last year, and the intensity is beyond palpable.  And, in this particular game, with the Lakers facing the new Big Three, it was as well...until the 2nd half.  K.Bryant just didn't have his shot going tonight.  And P.Pierce was ridiculous - as in ridiculously good.  (P.S. - Strange tackle, Lamar.)

Six more weeks until All-Star Weekend...  Looking forward to New Orleans, it'll be my first time there.  Myself and our team will stationed there for what should be a gloriuous 9 days.

In other news, I still can't make layups.  I played a lot over Christmas break and missed a ton of gimmes.  And probably frustrated all my teammates.  Good times.

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As if to further prove my inability to forecast NBA team success, the Heat continue to crumble (or is it "dissipate" to be more accurate?), getting throttled last night in Denver to the tune of 115-89.  The point differential of their last few losses:

• vs. Denver (26):  115-89
• vs. Boston (10):  95-85
• vs. Orlando (21): 120-99

What happened to these guys?  Why isn't this a bigger story?  A team with the self-proclaimed MDE + D.Wade performing in this fashion?  They're not even competitive anymore.  With their Western road swing taking them to places like Phoenix, Portland, Utah, Golden State and the Clip Joint, I wouldn't be surprised if they drop a handful more.  Sadly (for them). 

In other news, Steve Nash finally missed a free throw.  He is now 58 of 60 on the year.  Taking advantage of the free in free throw.

Lastly, I think the Knicks' loss against the Celtics last week was blown out of proportion merely because the game was nationally televised.  Do you really think it would've received that much press if it weren't on TNT?  [Rhetorical to myself.]

Fight on, Trojans, in the Rose Bowl.

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Marathon Update

Pleasant Surprises (New Blood)

Boston Celtics – Nice to see them live up to the preseason hype and ubiquitous magazine covers so far with some strong all-around performances.  Still way too early though to have a coronation.

Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard is simply a beast.  Not sure there is a more ferocious dunker in the game today.  Surprised too at how quickly they’ve integrated with Rashard Lewis and new head coach. 

New Orleans Hornets – Really hope their injured stars (CP3 and Chandler) get back on the court soon.  CP3 leads the league in assists...

Houston Rockets – Although they’ve struggled recently with McGrady out, I must say I didn’t expect their strong start coming, particularly with how they finished last year with a Game 7 home loss to the Jazz in Round 1.  I like the way they’re playing: Yao doesn’t seem fatigued and is tearing it up, and McGrady was playing with a greater level of efficiency, and returns this week.

Disappointments

Miami Heat – May need to edit out my earlier prediction…  They have looked simply dreadful.  Even the Sonics beat them.  I just hope with D-Wade back they’ll get some sort of rhythm going.  They can’t possibly be any worse.  How quickly momentum changes in this league.  All that said, if Wade makes that last-second shot against Boston…

Golden State Warriors – I guess the honeymoon is over.  Regardless of Stephen Jackson being out.

Chicago Bulls – The recipe for success from last year isn’t flying this time around.  Oh, to be a fly in that locker room…

Under the Radar

Denver Nuggets – I feel like few folks are talking about this team…Carmelo pouring in 25 a night.  (Sidenote: did you know Kevin Martin – yes, the Kevin Martin – of the Kings is second in the league in scoring?)

Phoenix Suns – Quietly doing their regular season thing per usual and running everyone off the court.  And, Steve Nash has yet to miss a free throw this year (27 of 27).

Utah Jazz – Groundhog Day, they just play hard every night and, if you haven’t seen Deron Williams play, you need to.  Quickly.

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Love the Game

Hey, have you heard? LeBron James wants you to be better than him. Just in case the message didn't reach you.

It's been awhile, apologies to my 8 readers for the delay. Have you folks out there seen the new T-Mobile commercials? Thoughts? Remarks? Commentary? I think it would be cool if the Miami Heat P.A. announcer blares out "Dwyane Pookie Wade" when he returns to the team. (And, goodness, do they need him.)

An interesting start to the season: Clippers (incredibly) are 4-0 (as of this typing). Celtics are running roughshod over the competition. My alleged Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat are winless (and not even close), as are numerous other teams. The Hornets are rocking it, with CP3 dropping 21 assists the other night, an incredible feat that should have received far more press by the way.

On TNT the other night, Magic Johnson threw out an interesting tidbit about Dallas meeting Golden State for the first time this season since getting knocked out in the Playoffs. Basically, I'm paraphrasing here, but Magic said that Dirk (or one of the Mavericks) should deliberately knock down one of the Warriors players in the opening quarter to send an immediate message that the Mavs wouldn't be pushed around this time. While I wouldn't necessarily go to that extreme route per se, I do agree with the premise. It is probably more than fair to state that the NBA (holistically) has long ago separated from its roots of physical and competitive (yet clean) play. I feel like teams in the 80s and early 90s actually lived, thought and played this way more frequently. Whether it's rule changes, cultural changes or other player relational dynamics, this is one element of today's game that I wish would return.

There's just so much more passion out there when teams have a legitimate and healthy dislike for each other (case in point: Suns-Spurs last year; Lakers-Kings earlier this decade). Don't get me wrong, I'm all for good sportsmanship and clean play, but during the game - to use one anecdotal example - I don't think NBA players from one team should help up another team's player(s) if they fall down after a foul. That's what their own teammates are for. I also think there's a competitive mentality / game-face element to it too. It would seemingly be more difficult to turn on and reignite your game face / winning mentality after trying to indirectly "help" the team you're competing against to win. Yes, NBA cares, but it should be for your own team family during those 48 minutes. Have fun, hang out and play Scrabble after the competition is over.

On a separate front, T-Mobile launched their newest Sidekick (the LX) a few weeks back. It's pretty sweet, the screen resolution is crystal clear. And, predictably, the calls and e-mails from the athlete agents and managers have been rolling in, like raging waters through a broken dam. Dramatic, I know. (You don't know the half of it!) Sadly, I can't exposit all the fun in this particular forum, but take it from me that it's an experience. Anyways, I sent out a Sidekick LX phone to Dwyane's older sister in Miami last week. Hope she likes it. Maybe she'll read this and text me a shoutout. Or, maybe not.

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Tip Off

The new NBA season is upon us, and at last, too.  A handful of things I’m looking forward to:

• The return of daily box scores in newspapers.
• The sound of shoes on a basketball court.
• NBA stories and highlights returning to (more) prominence once again on SportsCenter.
• Ernie, Kenny and Chuck on TNT.  Bar none the best sports studio show on television.
• Kobe Bryant remaining in Los Angeles.  Frankly, won’t believe he’s gone until I see it.  Would the Lakers really like to be known as the team who traded both superstars?
• Return of Dwyane Wade.  Has a superstar player ever been more under the radar?  Out of sight, out of mind, apparently.  It was like everyone forgot how well this guy played in the 2005 and 2006 Playoffs.
• New blood in the league from the 2007 Rookie class – Durant, Acie Law, Al Thornton…good stuff.
• Knowing the name of another player on the Boston Celtics besides the Big Three.
• The hope for a revised Playoffs seeding format.
• And, yes, new T-Mobile commercials.

My Predictions for the Year

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Assuming it reaches the online airwaves on this date, this will serve as the inaugural blog of the season (and actually be my only "pre-written" entry of the year).

I was wondering where I'd start, given the plethora of NBA off-season activity. There will be ample time and opportunity before the new season starts to expound upon team previews, season predictions, award predictions, TV commercial diaries, nostalgic off-season summer memories and the like, but I figure I'd start with what (at one time) was the bombshell NBA story of the summer.

Do you even remember? Do you even care? See, that's what I thought too. Who even talks about this anymore? (Well, outside of Phoenix perchance.) It's not a continuous or daily lead story on ESPN, and the subsequent post-drama investigation barely even registers a blip on the average sports fan's conscience. Of course, if this had not involved a previously nondescript NBA referee (and instead involved a current coach or player), it would've been dynamite.

Like most, I'm already bracing for the initial wave of irrational reaction from fans, the media in particular, and perhaps even some outspoken coaches (on a bad night). And, like most, I naturally feel empathetic as a whole to the legion of NBA referees who do in fact have a high dosage of integrity and genuinely try to do the best they can on a nightly basis. Just wait, as soon as the first series of regular season games hits where there's a controversial foul call (or lack of) to end the game, let the sports radio puns and newspaper mayhem begin. This, by the way, is easily the most annoying part of today's sports world - the instant knee-jerk reactions on TV and online to anything and everything that supposedly needs an opinion (wait, I just joined that world.). Needless to say, it is categorically unfair to paint the entire league with such a broad brush due to one individual's indiscretion, but here's hoping through time, folks will seriously ease up and show general common sense and understanding. I'll have more to say on alleged NBA conspiracy theories later.

Lastly, in case you wandered over here and were curious, Dwyane and Charles will indeed be back for another round of T-Mobile commercials and, I'm here to tell you, everyone's in for a treat. Early previews have been making the round, and they are simply, undeniably hilarious. Stay tuned.

And, if you've gotten to this point, and still are wondering who in the world is penning this, take a gander here.

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