May 6
There has been dramatic action in the NBA playoffs. Sunday's games didn't have any buzzer-beaters, but the NBA has to consider itself lucky after a couple of situations that occurred earlier this postseason.

What about Baron Davis' shot against the Orlando Magic in the final second that was waved off when it was obviously good, based on the clock? Fortunately for the NBA and everybody involved, the Charlotte Hornets came back and won in overtime, as Davis put on a show. It would have been a crime if the Hornets lost that game when Davis' shot at the end of regulation was good.

With so much at stake in the playoffs, why doesn't the NBA adopt instant replay?

The deciding game of the New Jersey Nets-Indiana Pacers series featured a wild end to regulation. The Jersey crowd was going wild as Jason Kidd and Reggie Miller kept making big plays. Finally, Miller hit a 3-pointer from about 35 feet to send the contest into overtime.

Talk about drama, baby! There was a great refereeing crew working the game (including Bob Delany), but it was clear after seeing the replays that the clock read 0:00 and the shot should not have counted. The red light and buzzer went off with the ball still touching Miller's hands.

Again, it was fortunate that the Nets won in two overtimes. It would have been a shame, and would have been an embarrassment to the NBA, if the Nets lost on a wrong call. The league would have taken an unwanted trip to Controversy City, and people would have talked about it for years.

With so much at stake in the playoffs, why doesn't the NBA adopt the rule utilized by the NCAA in the college game, allowing an official to look at a replay monitor if there's a question on a last-second shot?

The idea is to make sure the officials get it right. The teams that should have won in these two instances did win. But what would have happened if the Nets or Hornets were sent to the sideline because of these errors?

It's time for NBA commissioner David Stern and league executives to sit down and bring a sense of sanity to the situation. Instant replay would help; it just makes sense for these last-second dramatic shots.

That said, the NBA postseason certainly has been interesting and exciting. Lots of people ask me whether I like the NBA or the college game better. I tell them I love all types of basketball -- be it the pros, college, women's basketball, YMCA, CYO, high school or a pickup game, baby!

The difference between the NBA and college hoop is simple. The college game features the rah-rah, the spirit and enthusiasm, all the alums getting involved and cheering for their respective teams. It's an unbelievable show, with the cheerleaders out there and the band playing, making it a real spectacle.

The NBA features the greatest athletes in the world, bar none. Players at 6-foot-8 and 6-9 show such agility and mobility, like a ballerina act in midair. Who would have thought years ago that this would happen? It used to be that players that size played in the post.

Today, when I watch Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal, I'm totally in awe. They have such unbelievable talent, they are like Baryshnikov in shorts.

I can't wait for the NBA to be on ABC and ESPN next season. It will be fantastic, baby, with a capital F!