Please break the monotony, win on somebody else's property
With such an exciting and balanced regular season, many thought the NBA playoffs would be equally exciting. Boy were they wrong. Ray Ratto says the lack of distinguishable teams equals one predictable -- and bad -- postseason.

Our minds are no match for persuasive powers of NBA's Old Coot
The children! Won't somebody think of the children? David Stern does, so he rails against pregame pyrotechnics. In doing so, The Old Coot -- like smoke after the fireworks -- clouds our minds, Ray Ratto says.

D'Antoni gives up precious leverage for ... Knicks?
Mike D'Antoni had one of the most valued possessions in free agency -- leverage. But after he uses it to land in New York, Ray Ratto only hopes that D'Antoni knows what he's doing.

Owners can't afford residual cost of Bonds
So, you think some team out there could use Barry Bonds? You're right -- and you miss the point, Ray Ratto says. The real issue is whether an owner can use the home run king.

Lessons to be learned in doll 'scandal' surely lost
Much is being made about the dolls the Chicago White Sox tried to use to exorcise their slumping bats. While the story does little for Ray Ratto, he says that any redeeming lesson will miss.

Want intrigue? Look to the postseason -- NHL, not NBA
Through one round of the postseason it's pretty clear; hockey has provided more interesting storylines. Ray Ratto says while you may love your Charles Barkley and NBA, don't tune out the exciting NHL.

Money talks, so BCS bosses tell playoff backers to walk
College football fans got a plus-two system this week -- no BCS playoff, but two more bowl games. Ray Ratto says the college presidents and conference commissioners know what they want -- as long as the current system is lucrative, we won't see a playoff.