Yeah. So now we still have to hate two teams (Duke and the Lakers) because both will still probably be good, since Coach K is sticking with Duke. Oh well.

The T-Mac to Houston deal is now complete: McGrady will be headed (along with others) to Houston for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and others. Certainly Houston is looking to be a championship team next season. An improving Yao Ming with pure scorer McGrady and possibly Derek Fisher at point guard? Sounds good to me. Also, Steve Nash has been signed by the Suns: 65 million over five years. News on the Lakers' coaching vacancy? Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (yes, I copied and pasted that) has been offered the position. Odds are good that he won't leave Duke, though.

Yankees Sweep Sox

Dammit. I hate the Yankees. Three-game sweep. I don't really care about Boston, but everyone likes an underdog and everyone except fifteen year old girls likes anyone who's playing against the Yankees.

The top five picks:
Dwight Howard -- Orlando
Emeka Okafor -- Charlotte
Ben Gordon -- Chicago
Shaun Livingston -- LA Clippers
Devin Harris -- Washington (traded to Dallas)

Shaq Says No to LA

Shaq has confirmed that he won't be returning to the Lakers next season, and says he is looking for a team that wants to win and isn't "fat" from too much success.

The apparently already done deal is between Washington and Dallas; Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, and the #5 pick for Antawn Jamison and cash considerations. This could factor into the potential trade between Dallas and LA involving Shaq. Dallas has said that they won't trade Dirk Nowitzski, as they shouldn't. Dirk has far more years left in him. The other supposedly completed deal would be T-Mac and other players to the Rockets for Steve Francis and other players.

Washington Makes Offer for DE Ogunleye

The newest Redskins rumor involves the Redskins offering a deal involving a first-round pick for Miami DE Adelawe Ogunleye (that took me about four days to type). This would solidify what right now is the glaring weakness on the Washington team.

Montgomery Faces Lifetime Ban

Tim Montgomery, the world's fastest man (9.78 seconds in the 100 meters), is facing a lifetime ban for drug violations. And I really don't care.

Phil Jackson is gone, Shaq wants a trade, and Kobe is a free agent. The only thing the Lakers are left with is Gary Payton...and they don't even want him after his playoff mess. No matter what happens, it will be a completely different team in Lakerland come next season. The most likely destinations for Shaq are Phoenix, Indiana, and Dallas. Kobe is likely to resign, but could go with the neighboring Clippers. Rudy Tomjanovich, the former NBA Champion Rockets coach, could become the new coach in LA.

Griffey Hits #500

At age 34, Ken Griffey, Jr. has hit his 500th home run, becoming the 20th player in history to do so. Now just imagine what could have been if not for all those injuries... we could be talking all-time home run record here. It's unfortunate.

Retief Goosen Wins U.S. Open

Yeah, he won by two strokes. Nobody cares about golf. At least I don't anyway, and it's my site. Bitches.

Detroit has won the NBA Finals in 5 games, after defeating LA 100-87 in Game 5. This brings many questions about what will happen to the Lakers next year. The Lakers in defeat have gotten more press than the Pistons in victory. Will Jackson be back? Shaq? Kobe? Time will tell, and one move will lead into another (if Jackson is forced out, will Shaq wish to be traded?).

Emmitt #1 on the Depth Chart

As of now, Emmitt Smith is the #1 tailback on Arizona's depth chart, moving ahead of last year's leading rusher, Marcel Shipp. The move was a surprise, but Coach Dennis Green feels that Smith's experience and vision are best for the three-wide set that Arizona will use with wideouts Bryant Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and #3 pick Larry Fitzgerald.

At this point, the Pistons lead at halftime of Game 5, 55-45. The Pistons won 88-80 in Game 4 to stretch the series lead to 3-1. If the lead carries over, the "Leastern" Conference will have snapped the 6-year Finals drought. No Eastern team has won the NBA Finals since Jordan's Bulls in 1998.

Couch signs with Packers

Tim Couch has signed with the Green Bay Packers and will serve as Brett Favre's backup. Considering how durable Favre is, it's unlikely the former #1 pick will see much action this year.

If the Pistons win this game, you can safely assume that they will coast in Game 5 to take the NBA Finals. Lakers win? They've reclaimed home court and perhaps some confidence. The keys: benching Payton in favor of Derek Fisher and playing Luke Walton more, who could be the third asset that the Lakers sorely need.

Magic Johnson Upset

Magic Johnson is upset with the play of the Lakers thus far, calling it "disrespectful." Johnson stressed the poor play of Gary Payton, emphasizing that he's clearly lost a step and pointed out his poor shooting.

NFL Europe: Berlin Thunder 30, Frankfurt Galaxy 24

World Bowl XII was won by the Berlin Thunder. The two major potential players are QB Rohan Davey of the Patriots and RB Eric McCoo of the Eagles (who suck).

Tim Couch Released

The former #1 pick has been released by the Cleveland Browns to avoid a grievance and Couch's hefty contract. QB Jeff Garcia is the starter now.

The talented center fielder of the KC Royals is on the trading block. A trade must be made before the July 31 deadline, and reports say that the Padres have already made an offer. San Diego is the favorite to land Beltran, along with the Yankees (obviously), the Red Sox, and various other clubs.

Owens/Reid Tights Feud:

As much as I hate the Eagles, people are overreacting about this; the issue of practice gear is not going to tear apart team chemistry. Either way, TO and Reid have agreed that if TO scores 15 TD's this year, he gets to wear tights to practice. The downside? Reid will wear them to practice also...let's hope for the sake of the team's eyes that TO doesn't get 15 TD's.

Game 4 Tomorrow Night: NBA Finals

Nobody predicted it, but Detroit is up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series and should be up 3-0, Kobe miracle notwithstanding. You've got to expect more of the same, unless Phil Jackson finally benches the aging every day Payton for Derek Fisher, and finds an answer for the pick-and-roll, the only thing that Detroit has really used offensively.

Bob Huggins Suspended

Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins was put on indefinite, paid suspension for his arrest for drunken driving.

Malone and Fan Confrontation Under Investigation

An incident at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in which Karl Malone poked a fan that had been heckling him is now under investigation by the police. Malone says that fans have heckled the Lakers even at the hotel where they stay. The fan that Malone poked had spit in Malone's face. Even though nobody likes the Lakers, this is crossing the line.

Mariners Score a Run

After a 29 inning scoreless drought, the Mariners got a 2-out bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to beat the Expos 1-0.