I think David Stern is quicker to script an outcome than even Vince McMahon.

I think it's fair to say that Yao and Stevie Francis of the Houston Rockets are the better TV draw than Shawn Marion, Stephon Marbury and the Phoenix Suns. Right now, Houston and Phoenix are tied for the 8th Western slot at 35-31. Does David do anything to put Yao and Friends on play-off TV? If it stays tight, will the officials start calling close fouls on Shawn Marion?

Am I unnecessarily paranoid? Or appropriately so?

After changing horses in the middle of the race by making round 1 a best of 7 instead of best of 5, I wouldn't put anything past Stern. Combine this with some of the exhuberant, senseless suspensions and fines, then you know it's all about the Benjamins!

Well I saw a clip of the Wizards-Pistons game last night. Before anybody starts flaming, I know those teams are in the East. But my point is Jordan got completely hacked near the end of the game and didn't get the call. I would think Stern and the NBA would like to see Jordan in the playoffs as much as, if not more than, Yao and the Rockets. The West is loaded enough that Stren doesn't need to create intrigue; it's the East that could use a boost.