NBA FINALS: Everyone is asking - Can Shaquille O’Neal hack it anymore?  Naturally, coming off a five point performance will have people questioning Shaq’s ability, but C’MON!  This is Shaq we’re talking about here.  Is he dominating like he did in seasons past?  Of course not.  But, he’s still a force in the blocks and considering he only took five total shots from the field, someone needs to remind him.  Well, I know this much, you can question O’Neal’s ability all you want because essentially, I think we all know better.  But, once you start questioning his heart, the big lug has too much pride to not get the last laugh. 

*Game Three happens down in the sunny shores and beautiful views (models and all) of Miami.  This is a critical game for the Heat because a Boston Red Sox style comeback from a 3-0 deficit is a rare thing.  It’s as rare as Rachel McAdams going out on a date with me… maybe, just maybe if I can get her inebriated enough, she’ll say yes.  Of course, when sobriety kicks in, she’ll have no idea, but at least I’d know.  ANYWAY, the Heat cannot afford to lose because the Dallas Mavericks would have all the momentum going in their favor.  Excuse me, even more momentum in their favor.  It seems like they can’t miss.  The Heat need to put a stop to that and feeding O’Neal down in the post seems to be a good remedy to get it started.

MLB: Is Roger Clemens kidding?  In six innings of work, the Rocket only allowed two hits and struck out 11 in his second rehab start with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks.  Unreal.  Clemens is on schedule to make his MLB debut on June 22 against the Minnesota Twins.

*Two of the hottest teams right now (both winning eight of their last 10 games) are the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, A.L. West rivals and combatants that start a three game set tonight in Oak-Town.  Since the A.L. West always ends up being a close race down to the end, this series could be an important one for both clubs in determining their fates.  Jamie Moyer takes the hill for the Mariners, while Joe Blanton takes the mound for the A’s.

*The old-timers, Tom Glavine of the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox’s Curt Schilling go for their tenth wins tonight and continue to lead their respective leagues in wins.  Glavine will deal to the potentially dangerous Philadelphia Phillies batting order in Philly and Schilling faces the Minnesota Twinkies led by the hot-hitting Joe Mauer.  Will experience win and youth be served?  Or will the youngsters make Glavine and Schilling look like old men.

*Speaking of youth, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Jered Weaver makes his fourth start, looking to stay undefeated and go 4-0.  Weaver has been every bit as good as most people projected him to be with a 3-0 record, 1.86 ERA, .162 BAA, 17 K versus 3 BB in 19.1 IP.  There’s a very good possibility the young Weaver will bump the old weaver, older brother Jeff, from the Angels’ rotation when ace Bartolo Colon comes off the DL.  I hope Jeff likes the bullpen.

Enjoy the games!