A good friend of mine from high school often had to deal with complaints about NBA refs because his dad is Ed Rush, the former Supervisor of NBA Officials. You may remember him as the guy that Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was always ripping on. Ed is a great guy, very funny. Because I like him so much, I'm glad he isn't the one who has to deal with the current issues in officiating.

I agree, AJ, the officiating in the NBA often seems to be a one-sided effort. Superstars are exempt from the same rules as the rest of the players, and those who whine the most (Spurs) get the calls. NBA officiating is a sensitive topic for basketball fans, and most everyone, at one time or another, has watched in agony as their team got ripped off. I wasn’t able to watch much of the Nuggets/Lakers series (sadly, I have to go to bed early to be up by 3:00 am), but from what I understand, it wasn't pretty. The officiating seems to be a joke.

Bad officiating even prompted former presidential candidate Ralph Nader to write a letter to the Sacramento Bee about the travesties that occurred during the Kings/Lakers series a few years ago. Nader, addressing the power that the NBA wields over its players and fans, wrote:

"Where else can decision-makers (the referees) escape all responsibility to admit serious and egregious error and have their bosses (you) fine those wronged (the players and coaches) who dare to speak out critically?

You and your league have a large and growing credibility problem, Referees are human and make mistakes, but there comes a point that goes beyond any random display of poor performance. It seems that you have a choice. You can continue to exercise your absolute power to do nothing.

You should know, however, that absolute power, if you choose the former course of inaction, invites the time when it is challenged and changed ­ whether by more withdrawal of fans or by more formal legal or legislative action. No government in our country can lawfully stifle free speech and fine those who exercise it; the NBA under present circumstances can both stifle and fine players and coaches who speak up. There is no guarantee that this tyrannical status quo will remain stable over time, should you refuse to bend to reason and the reality of what occurred. A review that satisfies the fans' sense of fairness and deters future recurrences would be a salutary contribution to the public trust that the NBA badly needs."

On a positive note, NBA officiating can't get any worse than it already is. Right?

An update on fantasy baseball…I am in eighth place. Out of nine. Vern (from sales) is winning and Zach Kerker is right behind him. We had to implement the "Vern Rule” because he was dropping his ENTIRE pitching staff on a daily basis. It was a bit much. I'm not catching on too quickly to fantasy baseball. Everyone drops and adds new players, and I guess I am a little too loyal. I have confidence that my guys will turn it around. So far that plan has failed. I am still beating Joe Gagnon, and that's all that matters. I need pitching, and so far it has been a travesty.

In response to Rob and his question about why fantasy baseball is so popular, I fully believe it's the fun of trash talking. Joe Gagnon and I rip on each other for at least fifteen minutes everyday. I did an informal survey around the station, and the morning director Charlie said that fantasy leagues make boring games more interesting. Because really, and let’s be honest, sometimes watching Toronto play the Rangers is like pulling teeth. Fantasy baseball makes it worthwhile if you have, say, Vernon Wells on your team. As for the stats, I have no idea how they work - why a run is worth more than a pitcher throwing a strike, or some of the other insane stat rules? How a no-name player can have more value than Johan Santana is mind-boggling. I just play along and try to remember to change my lineup every week.

By the way, I just got the new Madonna CD and have also been listening to the new Mariah Carey all week. And if anyone is looking for a great female pop album, Leona Lewis is amazing. I will let you know about Madonna and Mariah later, after I’ve spent more time with them.

- Lauren