King James Coronation Postponed

"Nobody thought we would be here"

The world's witnessing of the rise of a superstar unlike any other in basketball will have to wait one more game.

LeBron "King" James, despite another sterling performance with 32 points and 11 boards, couldn't muster enough to close out the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons Friday night, falling at home 84-82.

The Cavs improbably, miraculously beat the Pistons 3 straight games -- something nobody had been able to do before all season long. However, they couldn't make it 4 in a row, and now must go back to The Palace to try to close out Detroit in Game 7 to advance to face Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. Can it happen? Sure. Will it happen? It's not likely. However, LBJ has done stranger things. Call me crazy -- but I'm predicting something simply amazing from the 21-year-old phenom, a ridiculous individual performance, but more importantly a team victory.

BONDS WATCH
Barry Bonds is still stuck on 713. After going o-3 Friday night as a DH against the A's, it has now been 9 games since his last jack. Meanwhile, Central Louisiana (Pollack's) own Russ Springer was suspended 4 games for intentionally throwing at Bonds. Here's guessing Springer will be back before Bonds hits his 714th jack. The Curse of the Bambino lives!!!

Interleague Play
Tonight that great bastion of baseball tradition returned -- interleague play. It was a great concept when it was first introduced. For years and years and years, teams from the opposite leagues only faced each other during the World Series. It was part of what made the Series so special. It was also why interleague play was so intriguing.

Now for the most part, it lacks drama. Like when teams from the AFC and NFC play each other, it doesn't really mean anything. It's just another series. But there are some good games this opening interleague weekend.

The Battle for the Angels. Sure the Dodgers are L.A. And the Angels really are Anaheim, although they claim to be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or as Dan Patrick famously says, the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim's Starbucks on 22nd Avenue. But it does present a regional rivalry, one that many fans in Los Angeles have an interest in.

Chi-Town. Sure the Cubs are losers, even if they aren't so loveable anymore. And the Sox are the defending champs, and once again one of the better teams in MLB. But it's still one of the best interleague series out there, and one worthy of paying attention to.

Subway Series. No interleague series, however, carries quite the drama of New York, New York. And David Wright's walk-off single over Mariano Rivera, who at 36 might not be the game's most dominant closer anymore, is just what this Yankee hater loves to see. Then again, with the Mets tearing up the NL East, any game they win is another dagger in the heart of my beloved Braves. But the season is long (too long, if you ask me, but that's another posting for another day) -- and any temporary damage to the Yankees is enough to cheer for!

QUICK HITS
Out with one Sutton, in with another. Hopefully Sean has learned some hard-luck lessons from his father over the years -- both in coaching and in life.

Pujols is quickest ever to hit 20 homers. The Latin Launcher is on pace to absolutely shatter Bonds' single-season record. If it ever comes out Pujols is juicing, I will lose all hope in baseball. The guy seems to have it all together.

Never, ever count out Timmy Duncan. Just when it looks like the Spurs are done, finished, caput -- back comes the Big Fundamental with a quiet 24 points and 8 boards. Manu Ginobili stepped up and led the Spurs with 30 points and 10 rebounds. It's back to San Antonio, where the Spurs will win their 3rd straight to wrap up the series.

Remember Danny Almonte? He's the kid who first became news by cheating his way to Little League glory. Now he's a high school All-American with a 90-mph fastball, a wicked curve and a 30-year old wife (what???). It appears his saga never ends. While expected to be picked in next month's MLB draft, if not he will attend a junior college in New Mexico to pitch and play first base.

Ryan Moats shares his thoughts on the Eagles latest mini-camp. The former Tech running back appears to be more comfortable in the Eagles' system and is primed for a much bigger role in his second season in the NFL. Paired with all-purpose back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles have a talented duo that is capable of making a lot of noise in the NFC this season. Hopefully, the quiet, humble kid from Dallas is ready to shine when called upon this year. For some reason, I'm positive he will be.