Someone Give David Stern a Cookie

Anyone who's followed my broadcast career with WODU Radio in the past four years knows of my distaste with regards to the NBA. I love college basketball; in fact, from October until April, I practically live the stuff. But by and large, when it comes to the professional game, I just can't seem to care.

I follow closely enough so I can talk about it on-air if need be, but outside of that, the consequences of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in a game or whether or not Kevin Garnett is going to stay in Minnesota are really inconsequential to me.

But this year, I find myself amazingly drawn to the NBA playoffs. Not quite enough to actually sit down and watch entire games, but enough to watch portions of games, form opinions on each series, and I've even gone so far as to find teams that I actually want to win in the postseason.

I realize the NBA playoffs take about as long as the NASCAR Nextel Cup season, but for some reason, that doesn't bother me this year.

Maybe it's because the Cleveland Cavaliers made the playoffs this year. Despite my distaste for the Association, I do enjoy being a witness. LeBron James is by far my favorite basketball player--hell, probably my favorite athlete--and I'm sure my interest in this year's NBA postseason has something to do with his inclusion. It's been a joy watching King James mature before us, leading his team past the Wizards in a thrilling first round before flirting with the impossible--eliminating the mighty (and awful cocky) Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

LeBron faced many questions leading into the playoffs, and with two triple-doubles and a playoff scoring average nearly on par with his regular season numbers, I think it's safe to say he delivered on all fronts.

Then again, maybe there's intrigue in said Pistons, how they'll do under first-year head coach Flip Saunders. Larry Brown led this team to back-to-back Finals appearances, and now the Pistons find themselves run by a guy who's done great in the regular season, but Flip has floundered more than once in the postseason.

Just ask Garnett.

Or what about the Miami Heat? Pat Riley, AKA the Oilslick (thank you, Jim Rome), totally overhauled a team that was one Dwyane Wade injury away from playing the Spurs in the Finals last year before taking over as head coach for Ron Jeremy--I mean, Stan Van Gundy. Can Shaq, D-Wade, and the cast of characters get it done, or did Riley implode an already good thing?

Or perhaps it's the fascination that was Mavericks-Spurs. Would San Antonio hold serve and live on to defend its title from a year ago? Would Mark Cuban's boys finally get over that hump and dethrone the champs? Avery Johnson has these boys playing some defense (for once), and it was finally enough to get the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history (on the night of this posting, Dallas beat San Antonio 119-111 in Game 7).

Simply put, the NBA playoffs this year have drama. Not that it hasn't in years past, but I don't remember the last time the playoffs were dramatic from the very beginning. The first round is usually boring and way too long (seven games in the first round? A bit much, guys; cut it down to five), but the drama more than made up for it this year.

LeBron's emergence. Kobe's dominance and then choke-job. Steve Nash stating his case for his second straight MVP, despite an apparent injury. Shaq looking for his first title without Kobe or Phil. The Mavs finally getting over that hump.

The fact that we're gonna crown a new NBA champion next month.

The excitement built from day one, and it's stayed. It's not quite enough to make me an NBA fan, but it was nice to know that my interest in basketball didn't go into hibernation the moment George Mason lost to Florida in the Final Four.

So kudos to the NBA for not boring me to death this spring. But if I may suggest one thing: next year, try to cut down on the crotch punching and grabbing. I really don't need to see grown men all up in each other's business...

Random Sports Musings #1

If only Barry could pay my kids' way through college: Despite my distaste for Barry Bonds, I do wish I was at AT&T Park this week to possibly catch his 714th or 715th career home run. Oh, I'd boo; I'd boo until my lungs climbed out of my mouth and fell to the floor. But after that, I'd sell those balls--with or without Bonds' signature--and collect a pretty penny.

I don't buy the argument that the public's general distaste for Bonds outside the Bay Area or the steroid allegations surrounding the Giants slugger would de-value the balls; if anything, Barry's infamy could drive the price up even further. Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball in 1998 eventually went for $3 million; chances are, Barry's home run balls will go for more, most likely because they'll have the name and spirit of the Babe on them.

So if I could sell one, or even both, think of all the money I'd rake in. Pay off my student loans, buy a house and a Mustang...put my kids through college (once I have kids, anyway)...I may hate Barry Bonds, but I would profit off his artificially-induced milestone in a heartbeat.

That doesn't make me a bad person, does it?

Does Ricky know pot's legal in Canada?: I say let suspended Miami Dolphins runningback Ricky Williams play the 2006 season in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. He won't be able to play in the NFL--his grand prize for losing the NFL drug-testing game for a fourth time--so why not let him go somewhere else to play football and keep himself in shape for a possible 2007 return?

I realize pot's legal north of the border, which might distract him. I also realize CFL fields are like concrete with endzones, and Ricky could seriously hurt himself. But honestly? The risk of injury is great for any runningback, regardless of where he's playing. Ricky's just as likely to get hurt in the Arena League or NFL Europe as he is in the CFL. So I say let him take that risk; let him play in the CFL next season, keep himself in shape, because it's apparent he still wants to play football.

And if it makes him a better runner in '07, what's the big issue?

Nash Bridges: I have no problem whatsoever with Steve Nash winning his second consecutive NBA MVP award. Although LeBron James is the only thing in the Association I care about, I can't knock Nash for the things he's done this season. Everyone buried the Phoenix Suns once it became obvious they'd be without Amare Stoudamire and management inexplicably let Joe Johnson go to the Atlanta Hawks. But the Suns managed the No. 2 seed in the playoffs this year, and are a good bet to advance to the Western Conference finals for the second straight year.

You could argue that Kobe Bryant has done more with less than Nash, but Nash doesn't have the personal baggage or the intense scrutiny Bryant does. Nash is a stand-up guy who's also a hell of a ball player, and he makes everyone around him better. Give him Smush Parker and Kwame Brown and they're potential All-Stars. With Kobe, Parker and Brown are also-rans, cameos in the one-man opera that is Kobe Bean Bryant.

Steve Nash is the league's MVP, and the kind of player the NBA should be glad to peddle to the masses.

Freak of Nature: This just in: Albert Pujols is a freak of nature.

And I mean that in the best way possible. For all the talk of Barry Bonds and how he's still getting intentionally walked, even with chewing gum and paper clips holding his knee together, I'm baffled as to why anyone is still willingly pitching to Phat Albert. The man's the fastest ever to 16 homers in a season, and he could hit a golf ball into southern Illinois if a pitcher grooved one at him...so why pitch to him?

If we're so intent on looking for someone to challenge Ruth and Aaron once Bonds is retired, I say look no further than the new Busch Stadium. Injuries aside, I see nothing keeping Albert from staying on this power binge and making a play for 700--and perhaps more.