Barry is in game shape and would like a team. Now, I love Barry Bonds as much as, well, more than anyone, but really, no one is going to sign him. Barry will remain the best available home run champion on the free agent list.

I’m blogging early today because it is a super slllllllllllllow sports news day and I don’t foresee myself having to analyze a big NBA trade. At the very most, Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson might be suspended or fired. I don’t have anything to add if that happens. He should be fired. Sad too, because he’s a good coach.

I think tomorrow I may stray away from sports for a day and discuss the Oscars (well, the best picture category). If you think this is a terrible idea, please tell me.

Since I touted Drake as the real deal, they’ve lost twice, including last night to Bradley. I am the kiss of death. I’m beginning to rethink them beating Butler on Saturday.

UNH’s RPI is 315th out of the 341 Division I Men’s Basketball Teams. I’m just saying. I don’t think they’re going to beat Kansas in the tournament.

Last night’s Game o’ The Day was a laugher. The Hawks, who I touted as the 3rd best team in the NBA yesterday, lost to the Lakers by 29 points, after being down by more than 40 at various junctures. Again, Kiss of Death.

Today’s post was going to be my ranking of the 8 best teams in the West, however, I have yet to see the new-look Suns play (more on that a little later) and am going to hold off for about a week. Also, there is still one more trade to go down, I feel, possibly involving Jermaine O’Neal going to the Warriors, which could, again, completely change the landscape of this conference. It’s sad that the 9th place team in the West isn’t going to make the playoffs. Now, more than ever, the NBA needs to realign the conferences. So, without further ado:

THE NEW LOOK NBA CONFERENCES

Rather than an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference, we’ll name the two conferences after legendary players/figures, like hockey used to before they dumbed down the game for America.

Robertson Conference

East Division

Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Charlotte Bobcats
New Jersey Nets
Orlando Magic

Central Division

San Antonio Spurs
Minnesota Timberwolves
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers

West Division

Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks
Sacramento Kings

Russel Conference

East Division

Miami Heat
Atlanta Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards

Central Division

Cleveland Cavaliers
New Orleans Hornets
Milwaukee Bucks
Detroit Pistons
Memphis Grizzlies

West Division

Utah Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
Seattle SuperSonics

With This Format and the current standings, here would be your playoff matchups:

Robertson Conference

1. Boston Celtics
8. Denver Nuggets

4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Dallas Mavericks

3. Orlando Magic
6. Houston Rockets

2. Los Angeles Lakers
7. New Jersey Nets

Russel Conference

1. New Orleans Hornets
8. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Utah Jazz
5. Toronto Raptors

3. Phoenix Suns
6. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Detroit Pistons
7. Washington Wizards

I set up the divisions for the long-term. I didn’t look at the current conference standings when aligning them. And look, not only do you have balance down the line, but you give teams like Houston a fighting chance and teams like the Cavaliers some actual competition within their division. And those matchups are great. Sure, there’s a clunker or two (New Orleans and Philly stands out). But how about a San Antonio/Dallas matchup to start? Phoenix vs. Cleveland? Utah vs. Toronto? Someone find David Stern.

Game O’ The Day: Lakers @ Phoenix. I don’t need to break this game down. It’s compelling enough. Just watch.