This and That.

- The NHL has to start suspending guys with some consistency. Chris Pronger's kicking incident was not as bad as Chris Simon's (Pronger kicked in the middle of the play while Simon kicked 30 seconds after the whistle) but not 22 games better. I think Colin Campbell needs to set some standards for suspensions that he can stick to or the league will continue to look ridiculous.

- Watching the Rockets lose to Boston last night has me convinced they can't make the Finals in the west. They were great during the streak so it's hard to argue they can't make a run after winning 22 straight but without Yao's scoring in the inside I don't see how they can beat Phoenix or San Antonio.

- As for the Lakers, I still can't call them the favorite the way other people have been. First of all Andrew Bynum is still not back like everyone said he would be. But the biggest thing with LA is that I am not ready to say Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, two guys who have never done anything in the playoffs, are ready to give Kobe enough help to get through the West. If you're argument is that Kobe really is good enough to carry them himself, I will buy that because he absolutely is the best player in the league, but don't tell me it's because of Odom or Gasol.

- The Nuggets have to be the most fun team to watch. They play the way they did in the 80's with Fat Lever and Alex English. They try to run other teams out of the gym in the high altitude and score a ton of points. Unfortunately they can't stop anyone either so they are going out in the first round.

- As for the Raptors they are pretty much exactly what I thought they would be this year, good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to get out of the first round. Their best chance is to drop to 6th and face Orlando in the first round because they can't stop LeBron and beat the Cavs.

- The goal Toskala gave up last night was probably the ugliest in the history of the NHL. Anytime the puck is bouncing it's trouble but there was still no excuse for that goal.