Key Playoff Figures: Doris Burke & Terrence Howard

I tried to watch all four games yesterday. I got through Raptors/Nets, Bulls/Heat, and Pistons/Magic, but I accidentally caught the final score of the Jazz/Rockets game, and decided that I wasn't going to sacrifice another hour of sleep for another 84-75 game, no matter how many emotional interviews Tracy McGrady does with Stephen A. Smith.

Yesterday's most pleasant surprise? Doris Burke. I turned the game on and heard a female voice, and I thought maybe ESPN saw Mikki Moore and became confused, thinking it was a WNBA game. But Doris came strong ... I'll be honest, there's not another ESPN basketball color analyst that I'd rather listen to (although, if she worked for TNT, she'd probably be my last pick ... go figure). Other things I enjoyed about yesterday's NBA action: Vince Carter playing like a timid little boy and still getting a win, Jose Calderon, Ben Wallace's flop festival, a slightly masculine performance from Darko Milicic, and Chauncey Billups.

Which brings us to today and another fantastic slate of games. Washington and Cleveland, the prelim bout, is already underway, then the Lakers will attempt to Hustle & Flow at 3:00 against the Suns, the Nuggets take on the Spurs at 7:00, and it's Mavs/Warriors at 9:30.

Theme Sounds Good in Theory [LA Times]