(“taking a charge” will be referred to as “doing a Varejao” for the next 5 business days)

…’cept for the following observers.

Cavs/Pistons Game 4 recaps courtesy of those with some kind of insight :

Isn’t it funny how the Cavs win all the close ones. I’m not chewing sour grapes but David Stern has all but come right and said that he wants to have LeBron’s LeLove Child. I can’t wait for the demise of the Cavs. – Popeye “The Pearl” Duckworth, The Daily Bacon

Part of the reason (Antonio) McDyess hasn’t been scoring lately is because, well, he hasn’t been shooting. In the first six games of the playoffs, Dyess averaged 7.5 field goal attempts per game. In the last three games, he has a total of 10: two in Game 2, six in Game 3 and two in Game 4. The starting five likes to refer to McDyess as the team’s “sixth starter,” but when a starter goes into a rut, the team usually keeps feeding him the ball so he can shoot his way out of it. Here’s to hoping that someone on the team, be it a coach or a fellow player, pulls McDyess aside and insist he become more assertive in Game 5. -Matt Watson, Detroit Bad Boys

The best part of the whole ordeal, besides the fact that it ended, was that ‘Sheed couldn’t even back up his own words, thanks to a sprained an ankle and a pitiful 3-of-13 shooting performance. His public humiliation was my happiest moment since, well, since Kobe pulled a Shoeless Joe Jackson in Phoenix a couple weeks ago. Rasheed Wallace is a douchebag, and I love hating him. It gives my life meaning.

Another thing to remember about Rasheed’s guarantee. He was only stating what most fans, experts, and bookies were already thinking: that, all things being equal, the Pistons were the superior team and should have won the game. Of course, all things aren’t equal, and the best team doesn’t always win. Which, of course, is why they play the games. But basketball, like anything elese, is much more intriguing when there are heroes to love and villains to hate. ANd ‘Sheed is that rare player who is secure enough in himself and his ability that he isn’t afraid to be booed, isn’t afraid to be hated. In fact, he seems to enjoy it. So thank you, Rasheed Wallace, for being so wonderfully hateable. – Basketbawful

I know many superstars in the league are allowed a little leeway with their signature move, but are we allowing LeBron three different ones? He’s allowed to travel in the lane, palming/carrying the ball is part of the repertoire… and now he’s given Earl Campbell rights to the endzone hoop… and drawing a foul in the process! – Craig Kwasniewski, The Association