Wow, just when I thought the NBA's Western Conference final was over, the Mavs get Suns burned last night, losing 106-86. It's the first real blowout loss for Dallas in their 14 playoff games this year.

These things have a way of working out; some coaches would say it's good to get it out of your system. If I were the Mavericks I would just make sure I take care of the Suns in game six... don't give Phoenix a chance at a full seven=game series.

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With the Detroit Pistons facing elimination by Miami in the Eastern Conference final, it makes you wonder if they wish they still had Larry Brown around. Center Ben Wallace criticized coach Flip Saunders for spending too much time working on offense, with Saunders firing back, "We all know how Ben gets at times."

Tayshaun Prince wants to know why Lindsey Hunter is not guarding the Heat's Dwayne Wade, to which Saunders pointed the finger back at Prince, saying "Because Tay wasn't scoring."

In a way I find this all amusing. After winning the championship in 2004, then making it to game seven of the finals a year ago, they couldn't wait to run Brown out of town. Don't get me wrong, Brown's name being tied to other job openings while knee-deep in the playoffs did him no good. But in the end he made it clear he wanted to stay in Detroit. But players & upper management made it clear Brown wasn't needed for their success to continue.

In the meantime, Brown's misery with the New York Knicks continues. Remember, this was supposed to be his dream job. The New York Daily News reports this morning that Brown says, "I feel like a dead man walking."

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Major League Baseball has been abuzz over the last 24 hours as teams competing in the Roger Clemens lottery feel a decision by The Rocket is imminent. The Texas Rangers know they are no longer in the running. Any hopes of him wearing those Yankee pinstripes are probably over as well.

The Houston Chronicle reports Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane negotiated with Clemens' agents (so he needs more than one?) late into last night, then boarded a jet in St. Louis at 7 a.m. this morning to return to Houston leaving many to believe he's finalizing the deal.

McLane told reporters it's too early to speculate whether there will be a press conference called today. Instead he said, "Just sit tight."

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It's hard to believe it's been nearly four years since Adelphia filed chapter 11 bankruptcy, then missed a payment & was removed as the name of the Coliseum the Tennessee Titans call home in Nashville. I still slip up every now-and-then & call the stadium by it's old name.

It seems the Titans are close to finding another naming-rights partnet for their home. An agreement could be reached soon with Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

Shall we call the Titans new home the Lou-Pac?

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Not only did Dutch investigators clear cyclist Lance Armstrong of any doping allegations this morning, they blamed authorities with misconduct & recommended an investigation into their actions. The 132-page report dealt with allegations from Armstrong's 1999 Tour de France competition.

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The Steve Spurrier Show made an appearance at yesterday's SEC spring meeting in Destin. As usual, Darth Visor was full of opinions & ready to share.

His Gamecocks' wins over Tennessee, Arkansas & Florida last season: "Truly a miracle stretch for us."

Did he receive a break or two from the officials? "You guys never heard me complaining about the refereeing, did you? It was beautiful. I couldn't believe it. It was different. I don't know if I should say that. I hope the refs don't say, 'We're going to pay him back.' We got some good calls. The other team dropped passes, fumbled in the end zone and did all the good stuff for us."

Working the crowd like part politician, part David Letterman, Spurrier gave his opinion on UT women's basketball coach Pat Summitt & her new big contract. Oh, he also took a shot or two at the Vols' Phil Fulmer as well. Are you surprised? Read the whole thing at the Tennessean.com by clicking here.

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In other SEC meeting news, some coaches are complaining about academics getting in the way of their sports. (That was just a joke, folks.)

The Academic Progress Rate was discussed with some coaches feeling it's not a good idea. The system is tied to graduation rates with points earned or subtracted based on general graduation rates which are determined by, among other things, athletes leaving a program early to enter pro sports & athletes transferring from one school to the next.

Auburn had the highest rate of all SEC football programs & coach Tommy Tuberville is all smiles because it helps recruiting. It also helps his high score factors into an system that helps Auburn's basketball program, which numbers aren't so high.

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The NCAA has added the coach's challenge to their instant replay rule. This was needed for the sport & it will help the game's replay look closer to what we see in the NFL. A coach will now be allowed to throw one flag a game asking for a challenge, as long as they have a timeout. If they lose the challenge, they lose the timeout.

Booth officials will also retain the right to review any play if he feels the officials on the field got it wrong.

In the meantime, the instant replay debate has re-entered Major League Baseball after a debate over whether Cinci's Ryan Freel stroked a ninth-inning homerun against the Cubbies Monday.

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Minor League Baseball umpires have agreed to end their strike by ratifying a new contract & receiving a slight raise at all levels. They are expected to return to work by June 12.

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Former Mississippi basketball coach Rod Barnes has landed as an assistant on the staff of new Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. Barnes was fired from the Rebels in March after another disappointing season in Oxford.

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