Amy Nelson

  (10:02 AM)

Hi everyone we're ready to get started again today...i'm guessing there will be a lot of talk about the call last night...

Matt (Lubbock, TX)

Morning Amy, Pacman is meeting with Goodell, you think he's going to be let back in today?

Amy Nelson

  (10:03 AM)

i didn't know that i would think not, just because the precendent for goodell has been very tough on pacman

Jeremiah (Bolivar,NY)

The refs are right. Barry should have practiced getting a shot off w/ a defender planted firmly on his shoulder. Nothin to it.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

The NBA's inconsistency in officiating games continues to amaze me. Calls differ by the time left in the game and who's name is on the back of the jersey. Is it any wonder why NBA TV ratings are down?

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Amy, do you get many post that hate on you for taking the show away from Buzz on Wednesday's?

Amy Nelson

  (10:04 AM)

no not really, i mean, why the hate? there should only be love on these chats...

Chris: Philadelphia, PA

Hey Amy,

Amy Nelson

  (10:04 AM)

helloooo

Tim (Merritt Island,Fla)

Just saw that no-call for the 1st time and I think it was a good no-call.

Rueben D. (Ca)

Everyone is talking about the laker stuff, but did you see the latest article in the ESPN Mag about The NBA Money plays?

Amy Nelson

  (10:05 AM)

i havent yet, though i did get to read the kimbo slice story. pretty awesome...

Josh (Texas)

Looks like Barry forgot to flop like his teammates otherwise he probably would've been bailed out by the refs. The San Antonio Floppers are done.

Larry Griffith, In

The Lakers were the better team they are younger, quicker, and much better on offense. they dominated that game. Tell Skip to act like a man an wake up his boring Spurs are not the best team.

Bryan (Camden, NY)

There was no call because there is no foul to call, especially not in the NBA. You look at the league as a whole, there are so many rule violations Bobby Knight would throw dozens of chairs if he coached even one NBA game. This is another testament as to why the NBA has changed, back when I was a fan, it was a game that was more regulated and fairly played, it just seems that the NBA needs Kobe in the finals to bolster their faltering ratings.

Marquis - Atlanta, GA.

Skip, I don't want to hear any excuses. That was not a foul based on how the game was called. It should not have come down to the last shot, because Derrick Fisher's shot on the previous play hit the rim and the shot clock was not reset. The Lakers should have been at the free throw line which would have possibly put the game away.

BigDavid (Columbus, Oh)

Hi There Amy...this is my first time on

Amy Nelson

  (10:09 AM)

cool, say something smart or intersting and i read it over the air!

Matt Ohio

About the Lakers last play, it was a foul. But it was not a shooting foul showing that he shot it after Derek hit him. Also...Go Lakers!

Milo (Downey,CA)

Any thought that a 48 minute game is decided by ONE call is absurd!!!!

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Last night got the NBA one step closer to it's Dream Finals matchup. You can't tell me that the powers-that-be in the NBA weren't happy with the no call. They want and need a Lakers-Celtics matchup.

Lamar R. Greenville NC

In a western conf. finals that call is not going to be made. These guys are supposed to be the best of west, and little calls like that are overlooked, and were overlooked throughout the game. It's part of the game, the Spurs know that, the Lakers know that, and the Refs. know that. The Spurs had every chance to win that game, the Lakers gave them plenty of chances to win throughout the series. The Spurs didn't capitalize therefore they deserve to be down 3-1.

Monty (Washington, DC)

No foul? Derek Fisher not only left his feet but went into Brent Barry. If that is not a foul than Skip Bayless is always right.

Amy Nelson

  (10:10 AM)

wow monty that one's making the air, for the sheer fact that many people think skip is right. ever.

Carl (Texas)

I'm surprised that there aren't any why is Crawford refing a Spurs game comments yet.

Joe D (Marquette, MI)

So Amy, Has Skip been cranky because of his Spurs letdown? Poor Skip. He is about to witness his love birds fall in game 5.

Amy Nelson

  (10:10 AM)

havent seen him really this morning, yet.

Skip Fan, St.Louis MO

Game five is as much a must win for the Lakers as it is for the spurs. If the spurs can win game five and get the series back to the river city they will force and win a game seven in L.A. Game five is do or die for both teams in my estimation.

Arthur, San Antonio Tx

Didn'Skip Bayless say that the Spurs would easily beat the Lakers before this series started? Well, I wonder if Skip still believes that the Spurs will win this series?

Dwalu (Virginia)

Hey Amy. I here them talking about the no foul call in the Spurs/Lakers game. Fisher's jump shot touched the rim and they did not reset the clock, so that last second situation probably would not have happen. The Spurs could have been down by four points.

Erik (Houston, TX)

I think the bigger no call in the game was that Fisher's shot that Horry lost out of bounds definitely hit the rim and would have given the Lakers a new shot clock. The inbound to Kobe would have then forced the Spurs to foul and Kobe would have two free throws to make it a four point game, making the shot by Barry a non-issue.

adam- Broken Arrow, OK

I think its obvious that the NBA is doing whatever it takes to keep the spurs out of the finals, And get kobe and the lakers in. I dont care either way, the pistons beat kobe with shaq i think they can handle kobe with Gasol.

Trevour Smith: ( Hartford, CT)

There definitely shouldnt have been a NO call last night i mean if the spurs had taken care of the game then it would not have come down to a buzzer beater shot, plus all the players and coaches said no foul so spurs fans should not make any excuse

Kyle (Rochester, MN)

I understand the theory of letting the players play the game, specifically when it comes to finals of any sport, but if it would be a foul in the regular season shouldn't it be a foul all the time.

Big John (Chicago, IL)

Skip rules and you know it amy. We are making this call a big deal when the Lakers flat out dominated the game anyway so the spurs dont have much to hang their hat on. Let's talk Cubs baseball..we are going to see 100 years of agony and defeat go down!

Jeremy (Detroit)

There is no way you call that foul against Fisher. Brent Barry shows why he was never a big game player, instead of creating the contact he avoided the contact. The Refs did a good job of not calling a foul on that play.

Aaron, North Carolina

i already know jay is going to say its a conspiracy with the ref but there were other refs who were looking at the same play crawford was and didnt call it.just face it jay spurs are getting old like you jay.

jeff (Tallahassee)

Tim Duncan traveled to a dunk at the end of the 1st quarter. take away those two points and Brents free throws are irrelevant

Josh (Butler,TN)

Big John the cubs is not going to win this year? They will lose like they always do?

Sir Charles (Las Vegas)

As soon as I saw Joey Crawford as a ref, I put my life savings on the Spurs to lose at home.

Lamar R. Greenville NC

Amy this is my first time on too..so please read my previous comment we are watching it at work right now. Thanks

Tim (Merritt Island,Fla)

Sounds like a bad day to be Skip.Slip out the back door Skip,quick.

Rueben D. (Ca)

skip is actually making good, thought out, arguements now?! what has happened?!

Joe Wilck (Farmville, VA)

I called it! Lastnight I said Skip would say something about Joey Crawford!!!

Milo (Downey,CA)

Oh here we go again with the Joey Crawford conspiracy theories!!!

Chris (Philadelphia)

Skip, are you really telling us that one of the (maybe) 10 greatest players ever, lost last night b/c he was worried about a ref? And you wonder why we hate the Spurs Skip?!?!?

Roger Goodell

If Joey Crawford reffing a Spurs game isn't controversy i don't know what is. Way to go David!

Jeremy (Detroit)

Skip made one good point, and that's Joey Crawford should never ref any Spurs game. But How can he say he was going to pass it to Ginobili in the corner when Ginobili was two steps in front of him near the free throw line? Come on skip, quit being a Spur excuse maker.

Matt Ohio

Oh wow, give Joey a break. If you were out there, I bet you would make more then one mistake.

Ben (Orlando, FL)

Give Joey a break? Come on. We would have made more than one mistake, which is WHY WE DIDN'T PURSUE A CAREER IN PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL REFEREEING! He's a professional.

Bob M Springfield, OR

Oh by the way....I outsmarted the rest of the league and picked up and started Jay Bruce. Na na na na na na.

Josh (Texas)

Amy you let Skip off the hook way too easy. Read some trash talking posts to Skip.

Amy Nelson

  (10:21 AM)

oh i think he knows what people are saying...

Amy Nelson

  (10:23 AM)

hey aaron jay thought your comment was great, but he said he didn't think it was a conspiracy

terrell ( mount olive, nj)

the spurs were so worried about kobe that in the forth quarter his role player were able to get them the win. kobe nearly cost them the game then won it.

Korey (OR)

Harping on the last play does two things: Ignores that the Lakers outplayed the Spurs all nite and that there was an obvious call missed the play before that.

joel Nashville,tn

why is it that no one is talking about the play b4 fisher shot hit the rim the lakers should have got a new 24 second clock

Cranston (Dallas)

Game 5 is a must win with for the Lakers too. I agree Joey Crawfod shouldn't have ref that game at all. Can't believe I'm agreeing with Skip!

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

So Amy, will we be chatting about things other than the NBA today? I'm hoping so. How about some NHL Finals and the unreal goaltending Osgood has done against my favorite Pens?

Amy Nelson

  (10:24 AM)

there's always baseball, of course...

Ken( Howell, Michigan)

Amy do you think the Red Wings will sweep the Pens?

Ray (Tampa FL)

If Sidney Crosby doesn't get a point in the Stanley Cup Finals, will he be labeled a "dud"?

Amy Nelson

  (10:25 AM)

hockey fans out there, thoughts??? i'm disappointed the pens havent made this more of a series. the nhl needs that

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

It is May 28, why are we talking about hockey? Let's talk baseball!

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Baseball works. So now that Kennedy and Hughes are injured, do the Yankees speed up the Joba to the rotation project?

Jon (Cincinnati, OH)

I am starting the campaign "Jay Bruce for Rookie of the Year"

Amy Nelson

  (10:25 AM)

i spoke to braden looper this weekend about moving from reliver to starter, and he said joba should be able to do it in 3 weeks

Amy Nelson

  (10:26 AM)

btu he also said he was very happy he had all of spring training to get his arm loose, and pitch when the stats didn't count. joba doesn't have that luxury

Mike, Bellevue, NE

Hi Amy, It seems like everyone is studying the " no call" but what about the other " no calls" that kept the spurs in the game. Duncan's 5 steps to complete a dunk, the shot clock not being reset for LA, Barry traveled on the last shot as well, so why cant everyone give the Lakers some credit for coming into San Antonio 2-1 and now heading home 3-1, Congrats LA

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

You can't consider him a dud if he's in the stanley cup finals, did you consider LeBron a dud when he got swept in the finals?

Ralph (Pittsburgh)

why talk baseball on May 28? Aren't there something like 421 games left in the season?

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

When Brent Barry becomes the focal-point of a win or a loss, you know the Spurs are on the ropes....

Amy Nelson

  (10:27 AM)

great point...

Skip is always right (VA)

Huge mistake to move Joba! Boss Jr. is running the Yanks even worse than his dad has the past 8 years

rex guyton (nocross,georgia)

i totally agree with skip! when i saw crawford during the preagame,i knew the spurs were in for a bad night!

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

Yankees are putting in calls for Roger and Bonds!

Amy Nelson

  (10:27 AM)

dont think they're that desperate. if i'm brian cashman, i'm not in the best mood today, though

Peter (chicago)

Volquez will win the NL ROY

Amy Nelson

  (10:28 AM)

i did a story about him a few weeks ago (sorry for shameless plug) and i'm a big fan of this kid. he's very hard to dislike, and his changeup is nasty. he's got to keep his ptich counts down. that could jurt him in the long run...

robbed (Texas)

Hey Amy, Pull the tape at the end of the game four from the 2006 Western Conference Semi's between the Spurs and the Mavericks. Look at the foul that was called on Bruce Bowen guarding Dirk way out by the top of the key. Either the Spurs got hosed then or yesterday. Everyone is making excuses as to why the foul wasn't called...not the fact that there was no foul. This is crazy. By the way, on Lamar Odom's goaltending call, he sent Tony Parker four rows into the stands. No foul was called on that play either.

Marcus (Florida)

The marlins will win the Nl East

Nathan Connelly CA

It's funny that no one is talking about the fact that fisher hit the rim on his last shot and the shot clock should have been reset. That could have been the difference between a win or loss for the lakers as well people need to get over it the spurs lost. Hopefully game five is every bit as good as game 4

Mike (Brooklyn)

Did anyone hear Wilbon call the Penguins "cheapshot bums" yesterday? Thought that was hilarious.

matt johnson (savannah ga)

hey amy ,can you tell skipthe reason why kobe bryant isnt shooting any free throws is because the refs are not calling fouls when kobe drives but when duncan drives he gets all the calls kobe was getting hit throught the game driving to the basket so that was a good no call on fisher

Ryan (NC)

The Yankees are simply proving this past week they have all the bats in the world but once you get past their top 3 pitchers you can run right through them. Hughes and Kennedy are definately the biggest busts of this season. Of course I think they still could be decent 4/5 rotation pitchers 5 years from now.

steve (philadelphia)

stop belly acking barry wasnt a baby about it and nobody likes everything the refs do......... I say GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!

Nick, CT

Do not understand this so called "conspiracy", did the spurs not get all the foul calls last night?, and plus bret barry did not sell that play very well since he was lowering his shoulder and not even going to shoot. And did anyone not see Derek Fisher's shot graze the rim so the shot clock should have been resetted, so that last play would not have made a difference anyway

Amy Nelson

  (10:30 AM)

i'm usually a big conspiracy theory person, but i think that's WAY overstated in this case...

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

You Spurs fans seriously need to get off the Joey Crawford is Satan bandwagon. He's a consumate professional. He understands that the Spurs rely on flops and petty calls, and in the Western Conference Finals, the players and coaching should decide the game.... not the officials.

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

The Yankees' pitching staff has far more issues than just whether Joba should or shouldn't be in the rotation. They just made the Orioles look like the '27 Yankees last night.

Josh (Butler,TN)

Marcus , Wrong the Braves will win the NL East

James ( Columbus, GA)

ROY Voting will be Volquez winning, Soto second, and Jurrjens third.

Amy Nelson

  (10:30 AM)

soto might win it. those are all good guesses....

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

The ROY is a joke. Last year Mr. Error won the NL ROY, and yet Troy Tulo took his team to the World Series after playing an excellent SS all season.

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

I'm not much of a baseball fan, but I will comment on the Dinger Derby last night between the Yanks and Orioles. If that happened in MLB everynight, I might consider watching more. Just glad both teams didn't get drug tested for steroids or HGH after the game was over.

Amy Nelson

  (10:31 AM)

so i guess you liked the steroid era huh?

Greg (Chicago)

I'm just going to watch Dora the Explorer with my son, because the outcome of that show is less fixed than these games.

Josh (Butler,TN)

Jurrjens hands down

John (el paso)

Amy what do you think about "hgh" being used in golf? I know they don't have drug testing so let's say a big name (we know who) is found to be using or have used them. Do you think their rebuttle could be there was no testing so...

Amy Nelson

  (10:33 AM)

i had someone on the tour tell me recently that there are guys who juice...as for rebuttle, i don't think that's ever a good defense. especially in this day and age...

Aaron ((Springfield, MO))

I fail to see how you can say that the Spurs game last night was fixed when the Spurs went to the line more so than the Lakers.

John, Silver Spring, Md

The fact of the matter is that Gregg Popovich said it wasn't a foul, Brett Barry said it's wasn't. The Spurs need to play basketball and let the officiating take care of itself.

Jake (Ohio)

Im still waiting for my indians to dust this years mediocre al central

Amy Nelson

  (10:33 AM)

keep waiting, i dont think they'll dust anyone...

Jeff (Ohio)

Too bad they don't count the playoffs for the ROY award. Or any award for that matter. In any sport. Ever. So everyone needs to stop using that argument, especially Boston fans in reference to Sabathia's Cy Young.

Rueben D. (Ca)

who didn't like that era.. everybody was oblivious to it and a home run record everyday sounds like fun to me.. shame there are no real threats out there today to bust up these fake records..

daniel (boise, id)

why arnen't my comments being submitted

Amy Nelson

  (10:34 AM)

a lot of people are asking about this and i have hundreds coming in so i post the ones i see...

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Amy, I enjoy big scoring games, makes the slow game of baseball a lot more interesting. I'm against cheating (*cough*bill belichick*cough*) but if they could score runs like that without using performance enhancing drugs, I would enjoy baseball a lot more.

Daniel (Montclair, NJ)

Amy didn't people love the steroid era when it was happening? Roids have been prevelant since the 60's, maybe earlier.

Amy Nelson

  (10:35 AM)

i'm talking specifically about 98 and beyond...

Josh (Texas)

It's so funny watching Favre fans thinking that he's gonna come back. Wow his locker is still there he's going to start this season. Aaron Rogers is in a lose lose situation because even if he performs well the fans are wishing that he's injured so they can beg for their hero to come back. Too funny.

Jim (Phoenix)

About Brett Favre's locker. Maybe Mike McCarthy thinks Brett will unretire and he wants him to have the same locker.

Ryne ( Terre Haute, IN)

NL ROY Voting will be 1.Soto 2.Fukudome 3.Volzuez

Jeff (Ohio)

Aaron Laffey looks like he's about 17, but he keeps mowing teams down. Indians have the best starting pitching in the league.

Chris Boston

Beckett got robbed last year

Ted (Flossmoor, IL)

The fact that there was no testing is garbage as a rebuttal because using steroids or HGH without a prescription violates federal law.

Greg (Chicago)

Aaron, did they go to the line when it truly mattered? With the game on the line? I don't think so.

Kyle (Rochester, MN)

Why no talk about the Indians triple steal last night? Quite an amazing feat considering the last team to get a triple steal was Atlanta in 1987!

rene (texas)

the reason the spurs got more fouls called was because they were driving it more. if they didnt call those fouls like crawford wanted we wouldnt just bealking about one call

Rueben D. (Ca)

amy, what do you think about all of this hoopla involving HIS locker?

Amy Nelson

  (10:37 AM)

think it's stupid, also thing it's stupid he still has one. why on earth is it still there? just get rid of it and then the story will be over.

Chris (Philadelphia)

Rueben, I think you are very mis-informed. true baseball fans like to see great pitching as well the dingers. If I just want a HR derby, I'll play a video game. And as for no real threats, do you know who Alex Rodriguez is? I'm pretty sure he's a HUGE threat.

Peter (Chicago)

I'm a huge Cubs fan, but I disagree. If Volquez keeps this up there is no doubt he beats out Soto for the ROY

Amy Nelson

  (10:38 AM)

i still think he might have some tired arm issues at end of season if his pitch counts are high every time out...we'll see.

Jeremey (Louisville, KY.)

The Whitesox have the central on lock, we just Buehrle too get out of his funk.

Josh (Texas)

It's so funny watching Favre fans thinking that he's gonna come back. Wow his locker is still there he's going to start this season. Aaron Rogers is in a lose lose situation because even if he performs well the fans are wishing that he's injured so they can beg for their hero to come back. Too funny.

Joey Crawford - In the Air to LA

Let Skip know for me that if I don't blow my whistle, it ain't a foul. I already shook my head once letting him know it wasn't, do I need to again? Yes, I was shaking it for skip because I knew he was up, yelling at me, in his bahama mama jammies, sipping on Spur Juice just as angry as a baseball coach in early August who is 20 games back and a pink slip in the mail!

Maurice (Ohio)

I think the foul should not have been called because Greg Popovich said that it was no foul so if he says it that settles it

BJ (WASHINGTON DC)

SEND THE LOCKER TO CANTON

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

If you want Amy to post you mention baseball or The Wire. Don't mention hockey though because she doesn't follow it.

Amy Nelson

  (10:40 AM)

rouch! i post hockey posts, there usually just aren't many. johnny, taking a cheap shot!

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

I am totally rooting for a Tampa Bay Rays - Florida Marlins World Series. That would be so much better than a Red Sox - Cubs series, by far.

Amy Nelson

  (10:41 AM)

um, bud selig ain't...

Ryan (NC)

I love the quote this morning from McCarthy about who would want that locker... I'm pretty sure an out of work player would be want it. They should do what Miami did with Marinos and just go on with their life. I know Favre MADE that franchise worth watching, but if they can't move on they'll become what they were before Favre, a laughing stock of the league.

Amy Nelson

  (10:42 AM)

the only time that's appropriate is for thurman munson. other than that, there should never be an example of someone keeping a locker.

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Going back to NBA, does anyone think the Pistons can steal another game at Boston?

Aaron (Springfield, MO)

This situation in Green Bay is unreal. Why keep the locker? It makes no sense whatsoever. Are they trying to psyche Favre's succesor out?

Bayless fan club member (VA)

Man, Vince Lombardi must be rolling over in his grave pounding on the casket trying to break free and put an end to the madness that is the Green Bay Packers of today. Don't get me wrong, Favre is a legend, and I have the utmost respect for him....but get real!!! Enshrine his locker? Are you kidding me? What about Bart Starr's Locker? What about Vince Lombardi's Office? Who should you give the locker to McCarthy? Here is an idea. Turn it into a motivational tool and Give it to Aaron Rodgers with the statement, here is the Starting QB's locker....its yours now, create your own legacy. All poor Aaron Rodgers sees is the Packers clinging to the idea that Favre will be back....great confidence booster huh. It would be like you guys enshrining Skip's chair on your set. Umm and for Johnny, Baseball The Wire Baseball Baseball, The Wire

sidney charlottesville va

tiger is bluffing he will win and he will limp arround hell have a bloddy sock or something and we will all love him more

Mark (NJ)

(baseball) I'll put 400k on Farve returning (baseball)

Brian (Smyrna, DE)

i dont think tiger is on schedule at all.. Tiger is the biggest crybaby in golf.. and that is why i dont respect him at all.. Phil is gonna win the US OPEN this year!! Go PHIL!!!

Peter (Chicago)

This Farve locker story is being blown way out of preportion. "What will Aaron Rodgers think." Blah blah blah. When the media blows it up it is 100x worse.

Amy Nelson

  (10:43 AM)

it jsut needs to go away, really...

Brian(Frederica, DE)

No chance the Pistons win in Boston tonight! The league has it's eyes on "Lakers vs Celtics-The Next Generation".....

Doug Newmarket,NH

If Brett wasn't playing any more you think the Packers would clean out his locker to take pressure of Aaron Rodgers. I mean the poor kid will never get out of brett's shadow.

daniel (boise, id)

no I don't. THe celtics are the better team. They have one with only to of the big three playing well. once they figure it out they will be fine.

Damon (burlington,VT)

the Pistons are a seasoned team... I don't think they steal anything

Willie (Ohio)

Baseball needs more player/people like Thurman Munson

Rob, Ohio

Brian you don't respect Tiger, and then you say go Phil, Phil won't win another major...he still isn't okay from the Winged Foot collapse

James: (Indianapolis, IN)

Marino had his locker turned into a shrine, why shouldn't Favre, are his accolades not as impressive?

Skip is the best (Cincy, OH)

Skip is absolutely right. The NBA is begging for a Celtics-Lakers finals instead of a boring Pistons-Spurs finals II (2005).

Damon (burlington,VT)

Love thurman Munson

Josh (Texas)

Ryan it depends on which Pistons team shows up. I don't think the good one is showing up tonight and I believe Boston wins by 10.

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Brian, he might be the biggest crybaby in your opinion, but in my opinion, he's also the greatest golf player in the world right now and not to mention the richest.

Rueben D. (Ca)

wow. a true follower. Lefty IS and Has been done.

Chris (Philadelphia)

How do you "Not Respect" Tiger Woods. That's just an insane comment....

Kyle (Davie,FL)

I see Lakers Vs. Detroit in finals, I think that'd be a great match-up and a great series to watch.

corey (louisiana )

Phil couldn't carry tiger's clubs, less known be a better player. Wanna compare majors?

Cranston (Dallas)

Detroit is an all around better team. I'm sure the NBA is drooling ova a Lakers Vs Celtics Finals...but I really do think Detroit can pull it out!

Maurice (ohio)

The celtics will win tonight no questions asked. it won't even be close

Ryan (NC)

I heard, and I'm not sure if this is correct, but among other players on the tour Phil is among the most disliked. I think that says a lot about the guy in general, of course I haven't liked him since I first saw him.

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

The "Good" pistons team has been MIA for far too long.... they just don't seem to want it as much as they used too.... And it's a shame, because Tayshaun Prince's hard work is basically going to be all for nothing.

Mark (Loma, CO)

Ther is a kid in LA named Blake Dewitt who might have something to say about the NL ROY

Amy Nelson

  (10:47 AM)

i spoke to him this weekend, pretty good story.

tj (south glens falls ny)

Sid the kid has alot of growing up to do. he is a talented hockey player but he has to pay his dues so to speak. he will be a force in the nhl for a long time to come.

mobetter(atlanta, ga)

Hey amy,there is noway kobe lets the spurs off the hook when he is this close to returning to the finals I picked the lakers in 5 and thats going to hold up.

Josh (Butler,TN)

I personally think it will be a pistons lakers final.

Bayless fan club member (VA)

I am starting a Skip Bayless for President independent campaign....Who's coming with me? C'mon, who's coming?

kenny nj

the pistons are cleary the better team then boston just cause of there experience in the playoffs

Amy Nelson

  (10:48 AM)

kenny ... anderson, is that you? been awhile since you played in boston...

Papo (Puerto Rico)

Skip is always right

Rob, Ohio

Tiger may not win, but i also believe if he believes he cannot compete in the major he will not try to come back! If he says he is on schedule, i'm going to believe the greatest evere that he is on schedule. Can we get a Corey Pavin sighting before Phil wins another major!

Skip is the best (Cincy, OH)

Amy agree with me. Lebron is going to be a New York Knick in the next couple of years.

Amy Nelson

  (10:49 AM)

that or a brooklyn net

No more Boston teams in finals. (Not Boston)

Boston please let the Pistons win and start sharing the wealth to other cities.

Mark (NJ)

Why do people always say "Rasheed Wallace" is a great player. The guy misses 7/10 shots & gets owned by KG. Then he makes like 1 3pt shot at the end of the game and makes that goofy look like " yeah Im great". Celtics put them away please.

Josh (Texas)

As much as I dog baseball I would pay just to see Manny play. He's the best thing going in baseball and I still laugh at him cutting off his own teammates throw yeras ago.

Amy Nelson

  (10:51 AM)

best. ever.

HonDo

Barry was the only reason the Spurs were even in the game. The officials missed a number of call, including Duncun Jogging down the lane for a dunk that was traveling even in the NBA. Does Skip need a tissue, because if the Spurs organization stopped abruptly, Skip would be buried up to his shoulders. Nothing like some unbiased reporting

Collin (Houston)

I agree with Maurice and David Stern is praying the Celtics win as well.

Skip is the best (Cincy, OH)

Thank you Amy. Because he is real good friends with Jay-Z. It's going to happen.

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

Brooklyn has to change their name. I am hoping Jay-Z changes them to the Brooklyn Ballaz

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

Meanwhile, the Celtics are praying Ray Allen finds his stroke.

Rob, Ohio

Another good Manny Moment...1st Hit a ground rule double, and Manny tries to run to third!

Amy Nelson

  (10:53 AM)

he actually thought it was a home run and carlos baerga is yelling at him and laughing, telling him to go back to second.

Ray Allen FANATIC (OHIO)

Ray Allen will step up big tonight and will show that he still got game

Justin (FL)

David Stern would have a stroke if they were called the Ballaz.

Kyle (Rochester, MN)

That high five play that Manny had was great. If any other player had done that I would have been ticked but because it was Manny I just laughed at it... just Manny being Manny

Damon (Burlington,VT)

Come on people, Crawford blew the call!! I'm originally from Philly and Joey is a Philadelphian, but he missed the call and might have swallowed his whistle on spite.

BigDavid (Columbus, Oh)

No It Won't!Cincy...I'm From Cleveland and we know better

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

@ HonDo... like I said earlier.... when a game comes down to a play involving Brent Barry, you know the Spurs backs are against the wall....

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

I can name at least 20 players better than Manny in under 30 seconds.

tj (south glens falls ny)

how come hockey isnt open for discussion in first and ten? I would love to hear different opinions about hockey.

Amy Nelson

  (10:54 AM)

coming up at the end...

Matt (Lubbock, TX)

Is it safe to say that "Manny being Manny" is comparable to "Skip being Skip"?

Papo (Puerto Rico)

Carlos Baerga?

Amy Nelson

  (10:55 AM)

yep they were teammates on cleveland. it was manny's first major league hit we're talking about

Ryan (NC)

Manny might not be the best player of all time, but he's definately the most unintentionally entertaining of them all.

Carl (Texas)

Lebron will go to New York if he doesn't care about winning a ring. New York is not gonna do anything for years. Cleveland will still have a better shot than New York.

Rueben D. (Ca)

throw it oldschool, Brooklyn Bombers.

Corey (Louisiana)

U know, i'm a proud Yankees fan, but i still enjoy manny's game even if he's a member of that team

Joe D (Marquette, MI)

There is no doubt that there are better players in baseball history, better than Manny, but in my era of baseball(I'm 21), he is the definition of a professional hitter. I will root for him for the rest of his career, despite the hate. He truly loves the game.

Ted (Flossmoor, IL)

What are you talking about, Carl? The Knicks are a world class organization, and Isaiah Thomas has put them on the cusp of greatness, just like he did for the CBA.

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

Best team to not win the World Series: '95 Indians? That lineup was incredible! You got Kenny Lofton, Carlos Baerga, Albert Belle, Manny, Eddie Murray ... and the list goes on!

Amy Nelson

  (10:58 AM)

94 expos...?

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

"In Dwayne Robertson of 'The Mighty Ducks Fame' Yeeeeeeeeee-haaaaaaaaaaaw! Let's play some PUCK!!!!!!! rofl!

Amy Nelson

  (10:59 AM)

that's ryan zimmerman's favorite movie growing up, i swear.

Matt (College Park)

Gotta love any team with Albert Belle as a star....

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Carl, I think if you take LeBron away from the Cavs, they would be comparable to the Knicks, and if you put LeBron on the Knicks, they are Eastern Conference contenders, and I'm not much of a LeBron fan but what the Knicks are missing is that superstar, no not starbury, a true superstar.

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

A-Rod is a better hitter than Manny. Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs were better.

Joe D (Marquette, MI)

You hit the nail on the head Amy, That Expos team was cruising. I always wonder if it was meant to be.

Amy Nelson

  (11:00 AM)

so do they...

Peter (Chicago)

How about those mid 90's mariners. Junior, Arod, Big Unit

Yohobi, LA

I have never seen so many comments about a call since MJ beat UT. Ref never make these calls in the last seconds, by then they are fatigueand ready to go home. Face it the Spur are old and they had several chances, one more would not have help them.

Justin (FL)

Expos were the greatest major league farm team ever. Look at all of the greats that played in Montreal that are huge elsewhere...

Justin (FL)

Joe W: HOW is A-Rod a better hitter than Manny?!?

Sam (Indiana)

A-Rod has better numbers but Manny has fun and the fans love him for it.

Rob, Oxford, Ohio

Replay shows that Brent Barry was trying to pass. However, Skip says he was trying to pass to Manu in the corner, look again Skip, Manu pops out on the wing and is double teamed. Barry never even looks his way! He was looking at a wide open Chuck Finley!! Watch the tape before making an arguement Skip!

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

As long as Rondo keeps shutting Chauncey down, the Celtics have got this series on lock.

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

'94 Expos can't count, Amy!!! That was the strike year and there was no playoffs. It's not the same. Indians lost in '95. Expos didn't get a chance.

Amy Nelson

  (11:01 AM)

i know that's the point, though

Josh (Texas)

I can care less how many players are better than Manny. I'm not a baseball fan but I would still pay to watch Manny because he's fun to watch. An actual pro that has fun seems to be a dying breed these days.

Ryan (Pittsburgh, PA)

what about the early 90's Pirates, Bonds (Pre-steroid use), Bonilla, and Van Slyke in the out field? ahhh the good old days *sigh*

Zak (Gatlinburg, TN)

A player that never got his due was Ryan Klesko. He was huge in that 1995 World Series.

Ross (Marlette(Michigan))

Pistons have figured out how to stop the Celtics so called big three who have sucked it up. Pistons and lakers in the nba finals

Willie (Ohio)

the yankees were pretty freakin good in 94, might have been Don Mattingly's best chance at reaching a world series

Jam (Saratoga NY)

The yanks would have beat anyone in 1994,they were the class of mlb that year

Jeff (Ohio)

Tony Gywnn and Wade Boggs barely played the last decade and they were better singles hitters, but Manny is the total hitting package.

jake (northern ny)

i like stephen a. smith. but saying he had no problem with the no call last night because a.) barry didnt sell it and b.) the lakers outplayed them, may be the most preposterous (sp) thing i have ever heard.

Cliff (Chicago)

All I know is that 94 World Series between the Expos and White Sox (a great team in their own right) could have been epic.

Ted (Flossmoor, IL)

I'd go with the 88 Dodgers. Mickey Hatcher, John Shelby, Mike Davis, Alfredo Griffin, Tracey Woodson. What can you say? Murderers'. Row.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Who's to say that the 1994 Expos wouldn't have slumped down the stretch though? You can't be listed among the great teams without at least completing a season. That said, the 1995 Indians only played a partial season as well.

Ken (Michigan)

This just in...Ryan from Pittsburgh and Giovanni from Massachusetts are officially a couple.

Brian(Frederica, DE)

What about the 102 win Giants team with Bonds, Matt Williams and Will The Thrill......lost on the last day of the season, and didn't get a chance in the postseason!!! That team was GREAT!!

Greg (Chicago)

Players that don't get there due? Fred "Crime Dog" McGriff. Consumate professional. Very consistant power hitter. Quiet, unassuming guy never letting his ego get the best of him. My favorite player all time.

Amy Nelson

  (11:07 AM)

great nickname too

Phillip (NC)

Come on Amy... you gotta put my comment out there! Yanks are going to Wembley to take down the FORMER world power. USA! USA! We're winning 2-0 with goals from Clint Dempsey and DeMarcus Beasley! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Brian(Frederica, DE)

Oh, I know why nobody would think of the that Giants team....It's ESPN. And that stands for EASTERN sports programming network.....

Amy Nelson

  (11:08 AM)

so does that mean everyone who's writing is works for ESPN and is from the east coast? that makes no sense...

Joe W. (Farmville, VA)

Fred McGriff gets his due. His commercial has been played for 10+ years.

Justin (FL)

Truth is, way back in the day, there were tons of "great teams that never won a WS" because there was no playoffs. It was either win the pennant and play in the series, or nothing.

Carl (Texas)

I still think that Pirate fans fliching when they hear the name Sid Bream.

alex (orlando)

they should just put the lakers and celtics in the finals and call it a day

Amy Nelson

  (11:09 AM)

i'm with you..

Trevour ((Hartford, CT))

OK i am a huge Celtics fan but how can StephenA Smith say Flip Saunders is out if they lose the serious they have made it to like 6 conference finals!!

Chris (East Lansing)

As a Detroit basketball fan I can say that S. Smith is right on the money with Flip. Under his coaching we have squandered several seasons of Billups, Wallace, and Rip in their primes, not to mention the young talent of Tayshaun Prince. We might not should have won the championship each of those years, but we should have been in the finals every year in the weak east. It's a shame.

Brian(Frederica, DE)

Nahhh....I am just kidding. I am actually talking about how a lot of people think there is an East Coast bias in the sports media. If the West Coast put up more good teams there would be more coverage!!

Jeff (Ohio)

Don't forget Joe Dumars passing on Carmelo and Bosh for Darko. Put either of those studs on the Pistons and it's a dynasty.

Kyle (Rochester, MN)

No other player in the NBA today deserves to get a championship title more than Kevin Garnett in my opinion.

Giovanni (Boston, MA)

Can I reiterate that Paul Pierce has been guarded by tough defenders throughout this entire playoff run? Tell Skip. Josh Smith, Lebron James and Tayshaun Prince are good defenders!

Corey (Louisiana)

Flip Saunders is on the hot seat....i'm a laker fan and i want L.A- Boston.....old school memories!

Jeremey(Louisville, KY.)

Who cares who wins the East, the Lakers and Spurs are playing for the Championship Lakers lead 3-1.

JT (SC)

Celts will win the series, Pistons are vastly overrated. People constantly make excuses for them saying the only reason they aren't ahead is that they do not play hard, but they do this every year. One loss is the conference finals may be a fluke, two coincidence, but 3 is a trend. The Pistons are just not that good.

rene (texas)

as big a spurs fan as i am, i have to agree with kyle. the big ticket is way overdue

Chris (East Lansing)

Flip wasn't the coach for all six of those, and that's even worse. That means you're good enough to be among the best each year, but not good enough to BE THE BEST. If he doesn't win this year, he has plateaud as the Pistons coach and needs to go. I'll take a Mark Jackson and give him a chance.

Jeff (Ohio)

I'm so sick of this deserves a championship crap. Prove you deserve it by actually winning it.

Mark/nj

Celtics beat Lakers in 6.

Amy Nelson

  (11:15 AM)

nice...

James (Utah)

Boston/Detroit will go 7 games. Both teams are schizophrenic. I think Boston will win the series. But I won't bet $10 on it.

Johnny (Scranton, PA)

Patrick Ewing never got a title so forgive me if I don't feel all disappointed that KG doesn't have one. As long as he's a Celtic, I hope he feels Pat Ewing's pain.

Jam (Saratoga NY)

as a knick fan, i cant understand firing some one who took you to eastern cof finals ...again..,wow you are spoiled in DETROIT

Joe ((NJ))

the celtics will not win the series..they are inexperienced and the playoff pressure will get to them and the pistons will rise to the occasion and take game 5 and the series

alex (orlando)

how can anyone says someone deserves it over someone else. barkley never won one so he did not deserve it. karl malone never won one so he did not deserve it?

Chris (East Lansing)

The Pistons are that good JT. In your line of reasoning, them getting to those conference finals is a trend also, which means they are at least top 4 teams good. They give away games because they forget their intensity when it isn't on the line. They have the best starting 5 in the league right now. If they had a coach that could inspire them for Games 1, 3, and 6, then their tale would be different.

Jake (Syracuse)

One thing everyone should remember about the Darko draft. The Pistons already had Prince at the 3 and LarryBrown never played his young players including Darko. He never had a chance to get out there and show what he could do. He most likely thinks of himself as a failure.

Kyle (Rochester, MN)

Flip Saunder is a great coach and was never the problem with the Timberwolves.

Jonathan B. (Inez, Kentucky.)

@ Jeff (Ohio) Tell that to Karl Malone, John Stockton and Charles Barkley.

James ( Columbus, GA)

Pedro will make little to no impact on that dysfunctional Mets team right now.

Amy Nelson

  (11:18 AM)

i disagree...he always seems to help any clubhouse he's in. but the problems are so deep there, don't know if anyone can help...

Corey (Louisiana)

man, didn't the celtics have 2 game 7s in a row, that's not pressure?

michael (ky.)

the mets are a bunch of grown men who should man up and play hard for themselves and the fans

rene (texas)

jt is right. WOW the pistons made the EASTERN conference finals 6 years in the row. thats really hard to do in the jv league. put the spurs in the east and they have 6 consecutive NBA finals appearances at least

Jake (Syracuse)

Flip will get fired for the same reason Torre got fired, didnt win the big one.

Jeff (Ohio)

If the old Celtics make it to the finals they'll never be able to keep up with the younger Lakers. If they go to game 7 that will be 21 games after they just played 82, while the Lakers might play only 15 or so extra.

Clock Violation! Lenard(Hopewell,va)

Why is no one talking about the fact that Fisher's shot hit the rim before hitting Horry's leg and going out of bounds? The Lakers should have been awarded a new shot clock. Instead, the Lakers were given two seconds to get off a shot. The Spurs would have been forced to foul and put the Lakers on the line. The last play may have been moot if the refs made the right call on the Fisher shot!

Amy Nelson

  (11:21 AM)

i think 500 people have brought that up today...

Sam (Indiana)

If the Spurs made the finals 6 years in a row people would stop watching the finals. Boring

Amy Nelson

  (11:22 AM)

yup...

Amy Nelson

  (11:22 AM)

got any reasons howard bryant should convince skip to watch NHL game 3 ?

Justin (FL)

Jake, that's not why Torre got fired! How many "big ones" did Torre win?!?

Chris (Detroit)

But all that matters is winning the finals. If Detroit had been to 6 NBA finals and only had 1 or 2 championships people would still be blasting them.

Brian(Frederica, DE)

Maybe Randolph should break out the Pitino speech to his Mets: Darryl Strawberry is not coming through that door.....Dwight Gooden is not coming through that door....Lenny Dykstra is not coming through that door....Bill Buckner is not coming through that door!!!!!!!!!!

Amy Nelson

  (11:23 AM)

that would be amazing...

Spurs fan (Texas)

You can't spell boring without the ring. GO SPURS GO!!

Amy Nelson

  (11:24 AM)

touche

Trevour ((Hartford, CT))

well no one thought it was boring back in the day when the bulls were winning finals like it was nothing though

Amy Nelson

  (11:24 AM)

some ppl did...

Chris (East Lansing)

Because it will make history, when the Penguins are held scoreless through 3 straight games and for his final trick Osgood goalkeeps blindfolded for the entire 3rd period. Skip would enjoy that.

Buzzmaster

  (11:34 AM)

Hey guys, the Internet is down in the studio where Amy is chatting. We're working on getting her back up.

Amy Nelson

  (11:44 AM)

hey guys it looks like we're back, sorry even here in bristol our internet goes down