HE SAID WHAT?
“Now they have something to remember in Boston other than what Dominique [Wilkins] and Larry [Bird] did. They’ll remember what Paul and LeBron did.” — Cleveland’s LeBron James after he and Boston’s Paul Pierce combined for 86 points Sunday
TODAY’S BEST BET ON TELEVISION
The Celtics will try to defend homecourt in Game 1 against the Pistons, who are in the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth straight year. 8:30 p.m. ESPN
TAKE YOUR PICK - Should LPGA star Annika Sorenstam reconsider her decision to retire at the end of the season?
Yes: Absolutely. The 37-year-old Swede is just a week removed from back-to-back wins, proving she has recovered from the nagging ailments that sidelined her for most of last season. She’s only 10 victories behind Mickey Wright (82 wins) on the LPGA’s all-time wins list, and she has at least five more good seasons left to do battle with Lorena Ochoa and the game’s younger set.
No: How many athletes actually go out on top with their competitive dignity completely intact? Sorenstam has made more money than she ever can spend (more than $22 million in official earnings alone). She has teed it up with the men (2003 Colonial), won 72 LPGA events (10 majors) and inspired countless young golfers. Now, she’s ready to hand the reins of the LPGA to Ochoa.
Our Take: While it would be intriguing to watch Annika and Lorena spar over the next several seasons, it’s tough to argue with Sorenstam’s timing. It’s fairly obvious Ochoa has usurped her for good as the No. 1 player in the women’s game, and Sorenstam was never much on being No. 2. That’s exactly why Wright’s record won’t motivate her; if she could catch Kathy Whitworth (88 victories) for the career LPGA wins record (and 16 more wins seems unrealistic), then we could see her staying. As it is, we’re sorry to see her go but impressed by the elegance of her exit.
TWT FIVE - Most Overrated Sports Events
In honor of a week featuring two of these events, a look at the most overhyped snoozers:
1. Army-Navy: The sports equivalent of watching two overzealous 12-year-olds arm wrestle.
2. Heavyweight title bouts: Apparently only Russia hasn’t figured out this is a dead division in a dying sport.
3. Indy 500: Prepare for a three-hour Danica Patrick infomercial.
4. French Open: Springtime in Paris devolves into sweaty Spaniards and interminable rallies.
5. Tour de France: Nothing says macho like men in neon spandex.
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