General

Shanoff’s WUC: Magic, P-Jax, SCOTUS, Red Sox

May 25, 2010, 12:10 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Phil Jackson vs. Chicago, Magic vs. Celtics, Suns vs. Lakers, NFL vs. Supreme Court, Rays vs. Red Sox, Stephen Strasburg vs. Roy Oswalt, Pat Burrell vs. Betty White, Tiger vs. Memorial, Marv Albert vs. Gus Johnson and More.â†µ

â†µThe Opening Pitch: The most interesting thing about the Lakers-Suns series is that Phil Jackson might bolt for the Bulls.â†µ

â†µâ†µGiven Jackson’s career m.o. of aligning his interests with that of the league’s best player, the only way the Jackson-Chicago reunion happens is if LeBron meets him in Chicago. LeBron would have enough of a shadow from Michael Jordan; does he want MJ’s coach, too?â†µ

â†µâ†µThat said: If LeBron wants to win a title — and Jackson wants to win more titles, outside of L.A., with an entirely new superstar — they should meet in Chicago, if only for a “mini-max” three-year deal before each re-evaluates where things are after that.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(BTW: Imagine LeBron in the triangle. Yowza. Then again: Not sure how Derrick Rose fits into Jackson’s triangle offense, which feels like the opposite of the PG-dominated system that Rose is used to. Solution: Send Rose to Miami for Dwyane Wade in a sign-and-trade, which is a win for both teams.)â†µ

â†µâ†µI was not as bullish as most on Chicago’s chances of landing LeBron ... until now. If the Bulls are willing to pay Jackson’s price — perhaps with some team equity thrown in? — they become the best choice for LeBron.â†µ

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â†µMagic stave off oblivion: At the very least, the win last night illuminated a path to Orlando making this series interesting — win Game 5 back at home, suddenly "only" down 3-2. Then, in Game 6, steal another ugly one in Boston from the frustrated C's; they proved last night they can do it. Then, back in Orlando with all the momentum and the Celtics imploding, a toss-up Game 7. Voila.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(More likely: Magic win Game 5 at home; Celtics win Game 6. Series over. There is a reason teams don’t climb out of 3-0 series holes. Well, unless you’re the baseball team in Boston or the hockey team in Philly.) â†µ

â†µâ†µMore Playoffs: Suns tying it up tonight? Let’s root for that, perhaps enabled by the Lakers’ distraction by the Phil Jackson stuff. Remember: An NBA playoff series doesn’t start until the home team loses.â†µ

â†µâ†µNHL Playoffs: The Flyers did more than come back from that 3-0 series hole in the conference semifinals; they used it as a slingshot all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. Is their momentum enough to hold back the Blackhawks?â†µ

â†µâ†µSupreme Court spanks NFL: Don’t expect a ton of reverberations from “American Needle,“ but it does represent a rare loss by the NFL. All fans care about: Does this mean I can get an authentic Tim Tebow jersey for less than $275? (Smart Football has a must-read analysis.)â†µ

â†µâ†µMLB Talking Points: Are the Red Sox making their long-awaited move? After taking two of three from the defending NL champs, they won their series opener with the AL’s best team.â†µ

â†µâ†µStephen Strasburg Watch: If this was indeed Strasburg’s last minor-league start, let it be known that he isn’t entirely untouchable. For example, he finally allowed a run. Not a bad “off” night: 5 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB.â†µ

â†µâ†µTrade Strasburg for Oswalt? This might be the dumbest suggestion ever. Thanks, Steve Phillips!â†µ

â†µâ†µGood Question: Is Pat Burrell the new Betty White? (Dan Levy knows.)â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Offseason: Mike Vick vows to be a starting QB in the NFL again. Well, the starter could always get injured, allowing Vick to start by default ... Wait, that’s not what he was talking about?â†µ

â†µâ†µTiger Update: It has come to this — Tiger as novelty, in which reports of his mere possible presence at lower-tier tournaments is news of its own.â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB Offseason: As expected, Michigan’s “self-imposed” punishments (probation, loss of meaningless practice hours, new QA assistants) are like slapping your own wrist.â†µ

â†µâ†µMore: “Oh my god ... it’s May.” Brian Cook showcases a video montage of intros to college football TV broadcasts that will continue to help you get through the lean months.â†µ

â†µâ†µDancing With the Stars: Erin Andrews is going to take the title, I think.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: With apologies to Dan Levy (and Marv Albert), if I could have any play-by-play person announce my kids’ bar-mitzvahs, it would be Gus Johnson.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/danshanoff. â†µ

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