In the grand scheme of things, is Allen Iverson really such a bad guy?

I ask because after missing my Philly-bound train this afternoon, I too showed up late to work at First Union Center. Seven minutes late, to be exact. Hey, it happens. No big deal. You promise not to let happen again, and you move on. Right, Mr. Answer, sir? Right-O.

So let's move on to the business of this USC-Duke game. Now, if you're looking for some trenchant insight on what made this game tick, or what was going on inside Nate James' head all game long, or whatever, this is not the Pulsecard for you. On account of my tardiness, see, my luscious courtside seat got yanked by esteemed ESPN.com colleague Andy Katz, leaving me with a tin folding chair in the "media overflow room."

What kind of view do you have from the media overflow room, you ask? The same as yours: one of a TV. Basically, this place is a holding room for the credentially challenged, and it's grim -- you're surrounded on three sides by a blue curtain. At least I found out a few things that I couldn't have possibly learned from my Club Med seat. First, I bet you have no idea that CBS' broadcast runs about two seconds behind the actual live game action. Doesn't that make you feel robbed? Second, I have no idea who's behind Chevy's latest ad campaign, but I can't think of anything more troublesome than a car commercial set to a Jesus and Mary Chain tune. Give me a break. My childhood is being stolen already, and I'm not even an adult yet. Third, Billy Packer is Mr. Grouchy Pants. No huge surprise there, I suppose.

I did make my way to the court for Duke's postgame celebration (I miss you already, USC comrades), and I was struck by how much work their celebratory technique needs. They bounced around a little bit, and blew some kisses to the crowd, and hugged and all that. But when you've seen Ryan Sidney perform a to-the-step reproduction of Riverdance (after the Eagles won the Big East title), Duke's act just feels a little flat.

And the sheer audacity of this: Duke cut down the other net, the second net. Was that necessary? I ask the injured Nick Horvath about it, and he says the nets eventually all wind up in Coach K's office, so I guess he's the greedy cheeks behind this arrogant display. Whatever. It's Duke, they can do what they want.

That's it for now. I'll see you in Minneapolis. Assuming, of course, I make my flight.