Not to beat a dead horse...but

Watching the Celtics game. The Lakers locked it up last night and this is a close out game for Boston. The lead officials name is Bennett Salvatore. Do I need to say more?

I Told You So!

Watch carefully minutes 2:20-2:25. That shooter? Spur Brent Barry. That mugging defender? Laker Derek Fisher. That Lex Luther look alike in the background? You guessed it, Joey Crawford. The shot? To win the game baby. The whistle? Swallowed before the ball was even inbounded...

Where's Tim Donoghy when you need him?

That's right David Stern, Ambien isn't the answer to all those sleepless nights.

Pistons v. Spurs Finals? Your bedroom probably has more corners than that series will get market share. Want to come closer to the number of specs on the ceiling...thats right, go old school...Lakers v. Celtics baby.

You can probably only get away with Joey Crawford (see Tim Duncan getting thrown out for laughing) reffing 2 games in the Lakers series, so you'll need Phil and the boys to come through at least twice on their own. With Kobe and one of the most lopsided trades of all time, this should be a lock. Good job on that one!

Boston has taken back home court after you slipped 'Sheed, Rip and Billips mickeys before game 3. Still that might not be enough because it appears Detroit has gotten their legs back and are rolling in Game 4.

What you need is something extra, something you can count on to come through. The Yankees turn to Mo in a pinch, the Pats give it to Brady in the final 2 minutes, the 9er's Montana, the Bulls Jordan. But in this case, who do you trust? KG? Allen? Pierce? Certainly not Doc Rivers, I don't think anyone in Celtic Nations (Danny Ainge included) trusts him. What you need is a little help from the Zebras. Where are the corruptible officials when you need them? Oh, that's right, you've got the FBI investigating all of them and you're doing your best to pretend to help them.

Let's all be honest with each other, basketball is the easiest sport to rig, hands down, no questions asked. With so many arbitrary calls that could go either way, timely whistles to kill momentum or give a team a point here or there are virtually undetectable and easily executed. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I'll be sure to be putting my money where my mouth is if this goes 7, and I'd suggest you follow suit.

Are they here yet?

First 38 seconds look familiar? No matter how old we admit to being or mature we try and act, all of us can remember back to this type of anticipation for whatever that LATEST AND GREATEST toy we wanted was growing up. I remember my first bike at 12, first Nintendo (Duck Hunt and all) at 13, the anticipation for my first day of college and for my first Spring Break trip to Cancun.

I've outgrown this though...or so I thought.

Damn you Steve Jobs, reminding me I still have a 4 year old inside me who can be easily wooed with the new shiny super-cool toy. For someone who prides himself on being rather minimalistic, I've become consumed by the anticipation and excitement.

Is it June 12th? 9th? 4th? Is it $399? Or $199 after AT&T subsidizes it in exchange for switching carriers? You know what, who cares. You've got me Apple, I'll pay whatever, whenever, to whoever. I just want my new toy and I want it NOW!!!

Timing is everything!

Congratulations of my fellow Eagle Matt Ryan who recently signed a record deal with the Falcons for 72 million. This was on the eve of the owners opting out of the current labor agreement with the players union. What does that mean? It means the owners want more $, and where is that coming from you might ask? 2 places, rookie salary pool and potentially an extra game.

The days of increasing record deals for rookies who have yet to prove a thing are numbered. Expect something more closer to the NBA's rookie salary cap and the big money coming in the player's 2nd contract. The structure will never be the identical because in a game where injuries, career ending injuries, are so prevalent, there will always be a premium paid for potential over performance.

To this end I applaud Matty Ice for his deal, enjoy it my friend, keep up the good work and you have a chance to maybe come close to being the great institutions #2 alum...