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To everyone out there who has ever accused David Stern, his referees and the television networks of predetermining playoff winners, please speak up now.
You have some explaining to do.
Like how did Stern and his refs allow the Lakers to get swept in the second round?
Did Dallas suddenly become a bigger television market than Los Angeles?
And anyway don’t you conspiracy theorists always say that the NBA and the networks tell the referees to extend a series with a marquee team to at least six or seven games?
Or were the Lakers supposed to win games one and three? Did Stern and the refs set up Kobe’s last shot in game one assuming he would make it?
Or is the plan to “let” Memphis into the finals as a sentimental favorite — with all the hardships of all that flooding.
(If so, they sure as heck could have given New Orleans a little Finals love back in 2006 — or 2007 when the Hornets could actually play out their season in The Big Easy).
The Lakers could have used a little help from the guys in stripes against Dallas last week, but it didn’t seem like they were getting any (it never seems that way when you are being outplayed four straight games).
So what changed this year with the NBA and its referees and the television networks that broadcast the games?
Actually, nothing.
The Lakers deserved to get swept and Laker haters can clown them till they win their next championship — however long that takes — but the Lakers also earned the back-to-back titles of the past two years, just as Boston and San Antonio deserved the two before them.
Basketball conspirists are a formidable group. They even include one of my all-time heroes, Ralph Nader, the man who saved millions of lives fighting for automobile safety. I once voted for the guy for president — and yet, after his hometown Sacramento Kings lost in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, he publicly called out David Stern and gave voice to the idea of an “NBA-NBC” collusion — though he did manage to distance himself from the conspiracy theory as he was promoting it and, to be fair, there were some pretty questionable calls at the end of game six. Still, my question for Ralph and every other basketball conspiracist is this: Why are you watching if you don’t think it’s real?
Granted, pro wrestling remains popular despite the obvious staging behind it. But sometimes I suspect that many people who believe basketball is fixed believe that WWE and Raw is not.
So what now – now that there will be no ratings-bonanza Lakers-Celtics rematch? Nor a Lakers-Heat Kobe/Labron matchup.
What will the NBA do?
It will keep doing what it always has — keep the games going until the two best teams meet in the finals and the first team to win four will be the champions. They won’t miss the Lakers or anyone else who fails to rise to the occasion.

The NFL Draft was held over the past weekend, and with it three Bruins saw their names called, sending them onto the next stage of their life and professional journey. Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore were drafted in the second round, by the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos, respectively; while David Carter was an unexpected selection in the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals. Thoughts and reactions on their selections after the jump.

Akeem Ayers – 2nd round (39th overall – Tennessee): The second round (and second day) of this draft was not where Akeem had expected to go, with the projected mid-first rounder having returned to Los Angeles after the opening day. Ayers was actually driving home from the airport when the Titans made his selection, making the call from Tennessee a bit of a surprise:
He said he didn’t regret his decision to leave New York prematurely. He found out of his selection while he was in the car on the way home from the airport, missing it by about 10 minutes.”I was still excited,” he said. “It was probably a little better, just because it was more of a surprise. I didn’t know who was picking at the time, so I’m driving home and I get a random call. It’s probably an equal or greater feeling when you answer the phone and you don’t know who it is.”Akeem joins fellow Bruin Alterraun Verner with the Titans, and while dissapointed not to have gone in the first round, is excited to be there:
On draft day and not being picked in the first round:”I knew there was really nothing else I could do much more. All the work put in, all the meetings done, at that moment, it was on teams. I’d put the work in, done everything I could do up to that point.”On being drafted by Tennessee:”I’m real excited to have the opportunity to play there. I think I fit into the scheme well. I’m happy they took me and excited, ready to get to work.”The folks over at Music City Miracles, the Titans SBN blog, are excited to have Akeem joining the team, and were quite surprised to find him available at that point of the draft. From the MCM post on Akeem:
… Jim Wyatt said that Ayers will be a jack of all trades for the Titans.  He will line down and rush the passer at times, and he has the ability to cover tight ends in space.  Jerry Gray said he will be a SLB unlike what the Titans have had according to Kuharsky.Rahim Moore – 2nd round (45th overall – Denver): The Broncos got this pick from the 49ers in the deal that saw Jim Harbaugh trade up to nab Nevada QB Colin Kapernick. While the 49er fan in me wishes that Rahim would be suiting up in the red and gold this fall, the first safety taken in this year’s draft should do well up in the mile high city. Rahim seems to have a solid outlook on his new team, the draft and what draft position has to do with a player’s career (hint: it ain’t that much):
On being a Bronco:”This is perfect for me, learning from guys like Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, a place I can go easily in and learn and be one of the next Hall of Famers.”On where he was drafted, and why he went to the draft:”I knew I was pretty much what range I was going to, I knew it was a possibility yesterday. I never trained to be a 1st rounder, I trained to be in NFL. I’m proud to contribute and be a part of the legacy of the Broncos.”… On being drafted in the second round:”The thing about the rounds, if there was no one interested or money wasn’t an issue, the rounds wouldn’t matter. It’s not about when you get drafted or where, its whats you do when you get there. The main objective is you’re in the NFL. Look how many guys don’t get to come to New York?”Mile High Report echoed the effect that veterans such as Brian Dawkins could have on Rahim’s development.
David Carter – 6th round (184th overall – Arizona): The surprise in Bruin terms of the weekend was David’s unexpected selection by the Cardinals. None of the main draft projections had Carter being selected, but a late rise in standing among coaches and NFL personnel men thanks to a great performance in the Shrine Game, and changes in technique taught by a private coach after the end of last season. David certainly wishes that he had gotten this sort of coaching earlier in his career, but is happy to have the opportunity to play in the NFL, while realizing how quickly a career can end if one does not put in the work to continue.
Do you kind of feel like your ability was just ready to come out?”I had the game to do it, but I learned how to use my body, use my hands. Run like I’m supposed to, rush at a certain angle. I already had the tools, the power, the speed, but I learned certain moves, new moves. I learned from a real defensive tackle how to play defensive tackle. That worked really well for me. Coach Howard was a great defensive end coach, but he never played defensive tackle. He knew how to play, but he didn’t know the tricks. I needed to learn from a defensive tackle.”Is there any regret, like, if I’d only been taught this sooner?”Yeah. I told somebody, if I had learned how to play for the East-West game before my senior year, I would’ve been the No. 1 pick. I would’ve had so many sacks. I already had the ability. I would’ve thrown myself on the scene. I didn’t mess up, but I feel like, man…I wish I would’ve known. I would’ve been able to make so much more money, instead of hoping and waiting. But I’m glad I got drafted in sixth, I got my foot in the door. Now it’s my chance. It’s up to me to take it and run with it.”… Last question: You sound like a different person from when we last talked in depth last fall; do you feel different?”You know what, I feel confidence. I feel like I’m in a good position. I’m a Cardinal. I have a lot on my shoulders, I have a lot of work to do, I know. I’m having a good time today, but tomorrow I’m in the gym. It’s nowhere near over yet. I’m making more money in a year than most people make in three. But I have a lot of work to do. It’s not over yet. That’s how people get kicked off or traded after a year, because they feel that they’re in the league, and it’s all gravy. That’s what got me in the draft. I work hard. I know what I have to do, and I know that I just got drafted, but it’s my turn to go out and show what I can do.”Revenge of the Birds – SBN’s Arizona Cardinals blog – sees David as contributing solid depth to the Cardinals line, with the
One affect of the lockout, which was reinstated during the middle of the draft weekend, is that teams are not able to sign undrafted free agents. The inability of players to get film and face time with NFL coaches is a particular hardship for these undrafted players, a cohort which includes several Bruins. Notably among these players is Kai Forbath; Forbath was not at his best in the 2010 season, but was expected to be a late round selection last weekend. I would expect Kai to begin receiving training camp invites and contract offers once the league has returned to normal operations.

This space has often been used to criticize the NHL. So, in fairness, here are three things that I really like about the Stanley Cup playoffs: (1) It is great to see that a three-goal lead is not safe – whereas, once upon a time, it was difficult for a team to overcome a deficit of one, let alone three; (2) Diminutive players, such as the Buffalo Sabres’ Tyler Ennis, can make an imprint. As a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Ennis was the WHL’s most entertaining player. Now he is one of the best players to watch in the NHL. (3) The Vancouver Canucks/Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks/Chicago Blackhawks series are gems.
- Craig MacTavish is the best of the 3,991 former NHL coaches or players who are appearing on hockey panels during this year’s playoffs.
- Speaking of hockey panels: The CBC troika of Ron MacLean, Glenn Healy and Kelly Hrudey was stellar on Sunday, from the pre-game show onwards.
- Pierre McGuire is far better on NBC than he is on TSN. The reason: He doesn’t scream on NBC.
- I can’t believe that ESPN hasn’t snapped up TSN’s James Duthie.
- Paranoiac hockey coaches – most hockey coaches, in other words – are beyond comical. These are the people who have brought us “upper-body injury” and, anytime they are asked about a possible roster move, “next question.” The NHL truly is an incredible PR machine.
- If anyone deserves to celebrate an NHL playoff series victory, it is Barry Trotz – whose Nashville Predators eliminated the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Trotz is one of the nicer guys in the NHL and, unlike many of his contemporaries, he is not a fountain of coach-speak. Perhaps that has something to do with working in a market where the NHL team cannot afford to take media coverage for granted.
- What is the over-under for TV close-ups of Carrie Underwood during the second round of the playoffs?
- No more Vince Vaughn close-ups, please.
- Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle had a great comment after Sunday’s season-ending loss to Nashville: “Nobody tried harder, nobody cared more, nobody did more in this series than Teemu Selanne.” The Finnish Flash, 40 going on 25, is a marvel. Here’s hoping that a sure-fire Hall of Fame career will continue for a few more years.
- One of the highlights of a weekend spent welded to the recliner: The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, who is 6-foot-4, blocking a dunk attempt by 7-foot-1 Philadelphia 76ers skyscraper Spencer Hawes.
- When LeBron James said he was taking his talents to South Beach, he obviously wasn’t referring to clutch shooting.
- Amid all the talk about a revitalization plan for Regina, let’s not forget the Brandt Centre and the surrounding area. Funds should be earmarked for the arena to ensure that the ice surface is playable. And how about paving the entire parking area? Far too much of the so-called parking space was rendered inaccessible by mud during the recent world men’s curling championship. If $1 billion is to be spent on revitalization, some of that money should be funnelled toward Evraz Place to ensure that its facilities, which are widely patronized on a yearround basis, are first-rate.
- The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be competitive as long as quarterback Darian Durant is in his prime.
- People who annoy me: Fans in the front row at NHL games who bang their fists on the Plexiglas when the action is near them.
- More people who annoy me: People who stand up and wave to the television camera while an NHL game is in progress. Unless you are blocking the view of Vince Vaughn, please sit down!
- ESPN Classic Canada showed the 1989 Grey Cup on Saturday night. After all these years, and all these replays, that game never gets old. Show me a better championship game in any sport – or a better clutch catch than Tony Champion’s gametying TD grab for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
- Nice people who deserve a plug: Jeff Fairholm, Ray Elgaard, Mark Guy, Mike Kerrigan, Tony Champion … end of 1989 Grey Cup tangent … Brad Watson, Barry Trotz, Teemu Selanne, Boyd Gordon and Natasha Staniszewski.

After an update of the latest scores from the NBA and NHL playoffs, Bill will be joined by LA Times hockey writer Helene Elliott. The Detroit Red Wings advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a four-game bashing of the Phoenix Coyotes. Who will be next to move on? The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks? The never-say-die Boston Bruins? Bill and Helene look at the NHL teams whose Cup hopes are still alive.
The Buffalo Sabres made a late season surge and are now considered by many to be the Eastern Conference favorites. Helene Elliott of the LA Times is not one of those people. She thinks the Philadelphia Flyers have the experience and the talent to move past the Sabres.
“The Flyers know what it takes. They got to the Finals last year. They were the upset special darlings last spring. They know what it takes; they know what it takes to ride emotion. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get to the Finals again.”
In the Western Conference Elliott thinks the Vancouver Canucks have reason to be anxious. Their fan base certainly is biting nails over the series with the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Boy is everybody in Vancouver very nervous. I think the entire continent was just sagging in that direction. It was just amazing. It was just an incredible spectacle to see Vancouver take that 3 to 0 lead and just completely collapse the next couple of games.”

LOCKERROOM : The Bulls’ mercurial young point guard is driving the team, and his home town, back towards the promised land
ANYBODY WITH a fondness for American sports will have noticed how occasionally in the major cities the success of one local franchise will prompt good times in the franchise for completely different sports.
The best recent example is Boston where the Red Sox ended decades of cursed starvation, the Patriots and Tom Brady yomped to gridiron success and the Celtics revived their wonderful hoop rivalry with the LA Lakers. Being a Bostonian must have been the next best thing to being a Dub when the hurlers and footballers top their leagues.
The next city to benefit from the knock on effect might be Chicago. One of the greatest and most beautiful of the world’s places to live. Following on the slightly surprising Stanley Cup win for the local Blackhawks last year, the town’s beloved Bulls are showing signs of life again.
A week of so ago at the United Centre on the fringes of town, the Bulls got together some famous faces to mark the 20th anniversary of the franchises first NBA title. HE showed up. He being Michael Jordan, for whom that victory was the first move away from the Bulls being Michael Jordan plus supporting cast. The rest of his side learned to play with him (even though they always struggled without him) and as a group they went on to secure five more titles before 1998, the sequence coming as two streaks of three-in-a-row.
That dynasty passed into history. In US sports, surprisingly, rebuilding isn’t just a case of opening the chequebook and casting come-hither looks at superstars. The wage structures and the draft system democratise the game. By the early part of the new century the Bulls had gone two years without so much as putting three games in a row together. In the year 2000, with the good days already digested and forgotten, the Chicago public waited patiently as the Bulls went after what they hoped would be two of four available stars: Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady and Eddie Jones. One by one they found excuses to go elsewhere. Chicago was left feeling bruised.
Now with a Chicagoan hoopster in the White House and a new mayor in town, the Bulls are looking good, sitting second in their division, fractionally behind the Boston Celtics. What has added to the pleasure of the city, however, has been the fact the revival has been led by a local hero. Derrick Rose was born in the city and reared in the city and has the slightly-tainted past which Chicagoans find it easy to understand and to forgive.
Rose is a point guard who has improved year on year since the Bulls took him as first choice in the draft of 2008. To get first choice in the draft you have to be in the basement of the game’s ranking system. That’s where the Bulls were at the time and the speed of their rise since then is testimony to what they have wrung out of their young star already.
Rose, like Jordan, isn’t especially tall and he leads the Bulls with a radically different mindset. Tex Winter, an old backroom coach at the Bulls, used to chide Jordan with the words, “There’s no I in team, Michael”, to which Jordan would habitually reply, “Yep, but there is in win”. Rose on the other hand has had to be tutored in selfishness. He went to school locally in Simeon High and having been recruited early to college passed incessantly in the team’s games in order to highlight the abilities of his comrades and offer them an escape from the world he would be leaving behind.
He went on to the University of Memphis where his abilities led the team to the best winning season in college hoops history and to the final four where they were beaten in the final, just their second defeat in 40 games.
He deferred to players senior to him and seldom bothered buffing his own stats. Still, he showed enough to be able to quit college after his freshman year and go as first pick in the draft.
The Bulls found what every other side had found. Rose didn’t take games by the scruff of the neck. He played without ego or selfishness. He brought them back to the promised land of play-offs basketball in each of his first two seasons. They urged him to be more selfish.
This season he has paid heed.
Chicago is a tough town to be a prodigy in. Expectation is as tangible as bad weather in the lives of young players. Every kid who shows some ability is reminded of what a graveyard the city has been for young talents. Literally and figuratively. A kid called Ben Wilson once had the hopes of the city on his shoulders back in the 1980s. He was shot and killed in school one day before he even reached the NBA. As the Jordan era was winding down, the city turned it’s hungry eyes to a kid called Ronnie Fields who was following Kevin Garnett (lost to other franchises) through school at Farragut High. Fields got no protection, listened to everybody and mismanaged himself into oblivion. The kids in the classic 1990s documentary Hoop Dreams? Chicagoans.
Derrick Rose, from Englewood on the city’s south side, dodged all those bullets and pitfalls. He is the youngest of four brothers and as such was protected obsessively. He was shielded from every sort of bad influence, his movements were monitored, his friends checked out, his schoolwork checked.
The kid had a mobile phone but only to play games on. All calls came through his brothers’ phones. All calls were screened. It sounds obsessive but in the neighbourhoods of Chicago a young phenomenal basketball player is seen as a meal ticket not just for his family, but for any hustler and bandit who can latch on hard before the money starts pouring in.
In the end, after being recruited by most of the big American colleges, Rose went to Memphis and gave them that incredible season. The following year, however, that piece of history began to unravel. An investigation into the SAT scores (players need a minimum number of points in the American equivalent of the leaving certificate in order to become eligible for college and scholarships) of Rose and three other players showed discrepancies. It appeared that Rose was so well looked after in school that somebody else sat the SATs for him. The University of Memphis saw it’s record season expunged from the books but by then Rose had jumped to the NBA and, in the process, come home to Chicago. There he has learned to be hard and selfish on the court and is dragging the Bulls back towards the glory days. In that sports mad city, no lasting taint attaches itself to the star point guard who will deliver a return to paradise. The Bulls are back. The hero is local. The future is bright. His past is another country. Getting through school without being shot or pimped into obscurity is enough for now.

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