NBA, college, and Lithgow roundup.

I always forget to mention this, but has anyone seen those commercials that have been running for over a year now about Cambell's Select soup, where John Lithgow pops out of a drawer and offers some family some Southwestern Corn Soup that just looks awful. Is John Lithgow that broke. I've always hated the guy: from Cliffhanger to Third Rock from the Sun, I thought he was goddamn terrible. But, still, you're doing soup commercials they show during the daytime? And what's Cambell's thinking? No one likes Lithgow. This makes about as much sense as Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts.

NBA roundup: I can promise you for a full midseason report in about two days, but a few thoughts from the Jazz-Spurs game . . . If anyone thinks that the Suns are heads and shoulders above the Spurs they are crazy. Yes, the Spurs lost, but they are only playing Duncan 35 minutes a game; Parker only 30, and Ginobili only about 27. The Suns and Mavs have more depth so they can keep up their effort over the course of an 82 game season. The Spurs, though are not going to stray from their rotation during the season. But when Duncan, Parker, Ginobili all get the 42 minutes a game that they are going to get in the playoffs, they will be tough to handle. And the reason they are worse this year, is Bowen has really dropped off. He can't shoot and his defense is really starting to drop. The Spurs need to figure out if he can be an asset in the playoffs, because Duncan and Ginobili are elite defenders at their position, but they really do need a third. I wouldn't be surprised if Finley gobbles up a lot of those minutes in the postseason. But not being able to defend a 3 or 4 could really hurt them.

Texas' Kevin Durant put up a 37 point 23 board performance at Texas Tech last night. 37 and damn 23. So, this got me thinking two things 1) Could any have the other ten best college players in the last 15 - 20 years have put up this statline (my answer is no) and who are the ten best college players over the last 15 years. So, my list off the cuff (no order):

1) Glenn Robinson
2) Joe Smith
3) Christian Laettner
4) Dwyane Wade
5) Jerry Stackhouse
6) Chris Webber
7) Adam Morrison
8) Tim Duncan
9) Ray Allen
10) Carmelo/Iverson?

Any thoughts on this? Should Camby make it? I think Camby should be there actually, so take off Ray Allen or Adam Morrison. But whatever. I don't think anyone in this group could have gone for 37 and 23. Camby or Duncan maybe. This is not to say Durant is the best we've seen. The most assists he's had in any game this year is 4; and everything I've read says he really doesn't even think about playing defense. But that's still an unbelievable line - he's averaging over 30 a game?? Game's still 40 minutes, right? Unbelievable.

And, my all star picks:
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: Lebron James
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Dwight Howard

PG: Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Kevin Garnett
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Tim Duncan

Honestly, how much money would you pay to see these two teams play each other - 2 20 minute haves. All players play all 20 minutes. You get to see Gilbert go against Nash; Wade and Bryant continue their rivalry. Lebron and KG, Bosh and Dirk are PERFECT matchups for each other; and Howard gets to run in transition for his points against Duncan. The concern is that the west side is just a lot nastier. It doesn't get more competitive than Kobe and KG . .and Dirk and Duncan are just a little behind. On the east side, only Gilbert and Dwyane have that total beast anger in them; so I think the west takes the game.

Gotta go to work. More to come.