HOT TOPICS

1. Right move by Rashard?
This morning the news came in that Rashard Lewis has decided to opt out of his deal with Seattle and test the free agent waters. My question is, "What is he thinking?" I understand the fact that he thinks he can make more money elsewhere, but if that were the case, why did he stick around as long as he did? The Sonics found out on Tuesday that they will receive the number two pick in the June 28th draft, so it appears that Seattle is in as good of shape as it has been in several years. Ray Allen and Nick Collison will be back, and assuming they can stay healthy, this should be a team that can get back in playoff contention. Here's what I think is on Lewis' mind; he wants to go to the Eastern Conference. And who wouldn't? The East would give him a lot better chance to move through the playoffs, and he will probably get some decent offers over there too. Rashard is making the right move, and Seattle shouldn't be too upset either. Lewis' absence will leave room and allow for the emergence of Kevin Durant.

2. LeBron, LeBron, LeBron- Can the guy do anything right?
Following a game two collapse by the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James continues to be criticized. After Game one everybody was on him for passing up a potential game tying shot in the closing seconds. This time he took the shot, thought he was fouled, but missed. Is it LeBron's fault that Cleveland is down 2-0, partially, but is it all his fault? Absolutely not. People continue to forget how good of a team Detroit really is, and how much experience it has on its roster. Is anybody else seeing similarities between the Yankees and the Pistons? It seems like both teams want you to believe that the game is yours early, but then they come out and steal it in the late moments. The Cavs just don't have the depth and experience the Pistons do, and stand no chance of winning this series. They will take one of two at home and go back to Detroit to end their season in game five.

3. Yankees struggles
I know what you're thinking- let's not talk about it and maybe it will continue. Everybody in the country is waiting-and waiting-and waiting for the Yankees to wake up and put together a winning streak, but it is just not happening. In fact, the Bronx Bombers have had to deal with new problems as time has progressed. Jason Giambi is making stupid comments, and the Joe Torre media saga continues. I still fully expect the Yankees to put it together late, but it is looking more and more unlikely that they will catch Boston.

4. Any takers?
When Stan Van Gundy took his name out of the running for the Pacers head-coaching position, Indiana received what some people call a "shot to the groin". But why would Stan really want this job? Better yet, why would anybody want this job? The day Larry Bird fired Rick Carlisle was probably the best day of Rick's life. Now he is free to be an analyst on ESPN and do whatever he wishes. There is no more dealing with the attitude problems, the club riots, and everything else that went on in his tenure with the Pacers. The team has absolutely nothing to offer. No draft picks. No room in the salary cap. No talent. This is a very sad franchise right now; a franchise that will take several years to rebuild. I think the only logical move would be to trade Jermaine O'Neal and start over. The management has to understand that this is not going to be an immediate fix and that it will take time to return to top of the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are going to end up with a coach within their current staff and go from there. It really is too bad too because in a year when there is going to be so many coveted free agents; the Pacers have no money to spend. Go figure.