It is a wonderful day in the neighborhood.

It has been such a special week in the Yard tonight’s results notwithstanding. The Laker’s win in Game 3 was huge especially after that ugly game 2 at Staples. The UCLA Women softballers won their 11th National Championship. We celebrate all sports at the public U. The Dodgers went from last place to first place in less than a month with a sweep of the Cardinals. And then when I thought the week just could not get any better, USC was finally held accountable for their investment in National Championships.

Since the NBA has gone to the 2-3-2 formula for the NBA Finals, the team that wins game three of a 1-1 series has gone 10-0. The Lakers are going to do the same. The Celtics played desperate tonight and the Lakers played like they did what they had to do on Tuesday night. The Celtics could not go down 3-1 or it is game, point, match and set. They played like game 2 and they Lakers will respond as they did in game three for game five.

Glen Davis had a very nice game and it will probably be the highlight of his NBA career because he will not have another game like that again. He acted like it as well. As legendary as the Celtics supposedly are, they played tonight like it was their first BBQ. Nate Robinson got a technical when he was fouled. Big Baby shouted to the heaven while drooling a load out his mouth that could stop traffic. The Boston crowd needed this game with Red Sox in 3rd place and the hockey Bruins losing a series they were leading 3-0 and leading 3-0 in game 7. Boston is a tragically great sports town.

Bynum’s knee is an issue and it could make a difference but the Lakers have not even played a good game yet and the series is tied. Boston has played as good as they can and it does not look good enough. Artest is going to have 16 point game at some point even while holding Pierce below his season average. Ray Allen shooting 4 for 24 these last two games has been fun to watch. If Ray Allen belongs in the hall of fame so does Derek Fisher. D-Fish has had more big shots in big games in the NBA Playoffs than Allen has had since high school.

The Dodgers have not played their best but it is good enough for 1st in the NL West. The starting pitching is still a question mark but the middle relief is the best in baseball. Kershaw is starting to show the promise and Ely is a surprise. The Giants enjoyed a nice little stay in 1st. It must have been nice for San Francisco. It has been a long time since any professional sports team was in first for any day of the week in the city by the bay. Tim Lincecum is the freak but when you sign your first $11 million/year deal, you are no longer the freak, you are the franchise. Timmy might need to smoke a bone. He walked 68 batters all of last year. He has already walked 32 this year. ML hitters are not swinging at that pitch he drops in the dirt anymore. His survival is not based on innings pitched, it is pitches per inning and he is way up over last year. He is getting $330,000 per start this year as opposed to $22,000 last year. He might be pressing. Really?

The punitive phase of the USC golden era was anticipated and as glorious as the summer foliage. Who is really shocked other than USC season ticket holders? Pete, you may not have been there when the money changed hands. But let us look at what all of us learned and tell us why you had no clue.

Matt Lienhart and Dwayne Jarrett are living in a $3200 a month apartment paid for by Matt’s father. Reggie Bush is wearing 2 carat earrings and driving a fully restored classic Impala. Joe McKnight is driving a range rover. And that is just the stuff that was obvious to everyone except Peter apparently. In hoops, OJ Mayo is hanging with known bad boys who already got the school in trouble with Jeff Trepangier.

Pete is no dummy. He left before the feces were blowing his direction. Lane Kiffin deserves all the feces his khakis can absorb. Not only is USC going to lose 10 scholarships but all of those recruits get fresh look rights to leave in light of these events. Every school will be recruiting USC athletes who were told that these sanctions were going to be light. We think Lane might have made light of this when he swooped in to try and save their last great recruiting class. Trojan recruit, West LA is heaven compared to where you will live. The Bruin football program is purgatory to the hell that will evolve for three years across town. Lane, good luck and good bye. Steer clear of Knoxville and save your money because you and Mike Garrett will be on the same bus pass out within the next three years.

“Arrogance diminishes wisdom” Plato