Random Stuff

-Who doesn't agree with Lebron regarding the Dunk Contest? It sucks and needs to include only superstars who will be limited to two attempts. I watched less than half of it on Saturday night because it was boring and I thought it was a waste of time. The first thing the league needs to do is limit the contest (and all of the skills contests for that matter) to those who have been selected as all-stars.

If you're the NBA, dish out the cash and let us see D-Wade and Lebron battle it out a la Dominique and Jordan.

While we're talking about Lebron, don't underestimate how much his sense of history will have a role in his quest for Jordan's title as The Greatest Ever. After losing game 7 of the Celtics-Cavs series last May he compared the game to Bird and Dominique's shootout in 1988. He didn't whine about the tight loss but chose to appreciate how the game will be perceived down the road. The recent Dunk Contest comments may seem insignificant but he knows Jordan going dunk for dunk with another great only added to his legend. I think it's refreshing for a player to have such a keen knowledge of the history of the game as well as his potential place in it.

-From a Celtics standpoint, the only thing that happened today of any relevance was the Cavs not using Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract to acquire Antawn Jamison. Had that deal happened, the Cavs might have sealed a trip to the Finals. Whew.

-When Tyson Chandler's trip to Oklahoma City was canceled it made me think of the awkwardness that ensued when Danny Fortson was traded from the Celtics to Toronto in February of 2000 for Alvin Williams and Sean Marks. On his way out he referred to the Celts as a "sinking ship" (which they were) and he went on and on how happy he was to be out of Boston. Then he failed his physical up in Canada. Back to Bean town. Oops. Good thing Chandler kept quiet on his way out.

-Isn't it weird to have things so calm and quiet in Fort Myers? I think Jonathan Papelbon should engage in a chugging contest with David Ortiz to liven things up down in at the City of Palms Park. My bet would be on Paps.

-If you're a Patriots fan, "The Blueprint" by Chris Price is worth a read. He really does a great job at comparing the Moneyball approach to the Pats' salary-cap magic acts.