Random Thoughts on the NBA Finals

1. Let us get this straight: The teams had two days off in Boston between games one and two. And yet, they get one day off between games two and three? And that includes losing six hours to fly out to Los Angeles? Seriously, how stupid is that?!?

2. Guess we were wrong in questioning those who said Ray Allen is a better player than either Lamar Odom or Pau Gasol. Allen has helped out Boston (sometimes in major ways), while Gasol and Odom have been, for the most part, completely lost. We should have known better about Odom, since he has been an under-achiever since leaving -- wait for it...the University of Rhode Island. We didn't see this coming with Gasol, however. But Kendrick Perkins has bullied him on the court. And Gasol has morphed into this Dirk Nowitzki-please-don't-touch-me kind of player.

3. Hey, remember Tim Donaghy?!? By all accounts this guy is just a mess. A bad guy off the the court. A disgrace on it. But you know what? Isn't it so easy to believe his (latest) bombshell -- the one where he accused NBA execs of fixing the playoffs by getting refs to give certain players preferential treatment? (Who would have ever thought that the immortal Leon Powe would get preferential treatment?!?) One of the games in question is game six of the 2002 Conference Finals between the Lakers and Kings. Trailing three game to two, the Lakers won by four points. They were aided by shooting 15 more free throws than Sacramento. Let's face it -- was anyone going to watch the NBA Finals if the Sacramento Kings were involved? Yet, millions would certainly watch a Lakers team featuring Shaq and Kobe. Who among us has not seen his favorite team get absolutely screwed by a single ref or refs? I can guarantee that referee Steve Javie hates (hates!) Allen Iverson. If I had a drink for every time I saw Javie screw (screw!) over A.I. when he was on Our 76ers, I would be an alcoholic. (Bill Murray, anyone?!?) Is Donaghy telling the truth? NBA Lovers like David Whore Stern will tell you no, you cannot believe the word of a "convicted felon" or a "criminal" (The Commish's words). Yet, if nothing else, hasn't Donaghy taught us one thing: That not everyone in the NBA is legit and on the proverbial up and up? I can't say for sure if everything Donaghy is saying is true. But I would be willing to bet that at least some of it is accurate.

4. Wow! Fat Boy Pee Pee didn't play so well in game three, huh? We are sure that his pathetic 2-14 shooting night was due to his "injured" knee. Further proof that Fat Boy's "injured" knee is bogus? In today's Boston Globe, there are about 100 articles on last night's game. Not one makes reference to Bloated Boy's "injured" knee. Niiiiiiiiice.