Well, it wasn't a shutout and it wasn't pretty. But it was a much needed win to even the series. AND Manny did play well.

Game 5 in Detroit Saturday night. Whatdayasay we put this sucker away?

An inferior, less-talented team uses the neutral zone trap and a red-hot goalie to stifle the offensive creativity that set records in the regular season. After two straight losses, Detroiters panic. Mitch Albom is ready to cut off his left arm.

Then, the Wings ripped off four straight victories to defeat Vancouver on their way to the 2002 Stanley Cup.

Didn't see that coming did you?

I'll admit it. During Game 3 Tuesday night, I damn near lost my faith. The Wings looked lousy and didn't seem to have any answers for Dwayne Roloson and Edmonton's trap. Then, my faith was restored by Detroit's hockey messiah: Steve Yzerman.

Yzerman didn't win that face off in the third period. If anything, he just fell down when he went for the puck. But he never gave up and, somehow, he got the puck back to Schneider on the point. A 100-mph slapshot later and the Wings had tied the game.

Ultimately losing on a super flukey goal in double OT is obviously disappointing, but beginning with that comeback, there were so many bright spots. For the first time, they were beating the Oilers to loose pucks and winning the battles along the boards.

Plus, Legace finally started to play. He knows that he's let in some soft goals in this series, but on Tuesday night, he finally decided there would be no more. For the better part of three periods, there weren't. Only after he turned his back to the play to make his third save in rapid succession did he falter. The Oilers won't get that lucky again. Look for a shutout tonight.

I'm not too worried about Game 4 tonight. The Wings know how to win. You don't take 3 Cups in 9 years otherwise. They'll be ready to play tonight. Even in the worst years (Curse you, JS Giguire!), they played their hearts out when their backs were to the wall.

There's three down. Only 29 to go.

My knowledge of the NBA is essentially limited to the color of Rasheed Wallace's headband. I know the Pistons will win the title and be a blast to watch, but I couldn't tell you why or how.

Note: Yeah, the playoffs have already started, but seriously, have you really noticed yet? Yeah, me neither.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Milwaukee v. Detroit

This series will finally prove how much the Pistons miss Darko “the human victory cigar” Milicic. Back in the day, Larry Brown would deploy Darko somewhere in the mid-fourth quarter to signal that the game was officially out of reach so the other team could quit trying. With no more Darko and no more Brown, confusion may reign in the fourth quarter, with teams like the Bucks actually thinking they have a chance to knock off Flip Saunder’s Pistons. Still, despite Michael Redd’s sweet jumper and T.J. Ford’s resurrection, this one could be done in four. Sheed wants his championship belt back.

Bet on: Detroit.
Root for: Detroit.

[Ed. Of course.]

Indiana v. New Jersey

Lots of subplots here. Who will humiliate Peja Stojakovic more: Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson? Who will play more consecutive quarters stoned: Scott Pollard or (Uncle) Cliffy Robinson? Who has a knee more likely to explode: Jamaal Tinsley or Jason Kidd? Which stiff white guy center can suck less: someone no one cares about or someone else no one cares about? All this, and the games might actually be close too. Crafty veterans win close games. The Nets should take this in six or seven.

Bet on: New Jersey.
Root for: either.

[Ed. As a Pistons fan, I am sworn to hate - and throw beer upon - the Pacers. Clearly, New Jersey is the team to root for here.]

Chicago v. Miami

Remember the name Jannero Pargo. Last season he came from the back end of the Bull’s bench to hit clutch three after clutch three in the playoffs. Sure, he doesn’t defend, rebound, pass, or shoot from within the arc, but in the playoffs, all is forgiven. He’s the type of player Bill Walton calls by the wrong name all first half and then claims will be in the hall of fame by the end of the second. May and June in the NBA exist for players like this to make their careers. Ask Steve Kerr. Pargo’s time is now.

As for the series, Chicago plays solid team defense and will put up a fight, but the Heat have grasped a simple fact that eludes most of the NBA: the closer you are to the basket, the better chance your shot will fall. Shaq rarely leaves the key these days (the most recent collective bargaining agreement actually exempted him from the three-second rule. I kid you not. Look it up), Dwayne Wade slashes to the hoop with the best of them, and Pat Riley has even convinced Antoine Walker to occasionally shoot from within 30 feet. This might be the best series for pure basketball in the first round.

Bet on: Miami.
Root for: either.

[Ed. Seriously, Shaq's whole game is "Look at the size of my ass." I can't support that. Course, I can't really support rooting for the Bulls either. I say we root for Shaq to bring his pet tiger onto the court, only to have it go bezerk, decimating both teams.]

Washington v. Cleveland

This series is easily resolved with two of my Golden (State) Rules of Basketball. Rule 1: the team with the most former Warriors on it will win. Nothing helps your career like getting shipped out of Golden State. Rule 2: Rule 1 does not apply if the former Warrior is Antawn Jamison. So, three former Warriors on the Cavs (Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones) vs. two on the Wiz (Gilbert Arenas, Jamison) gives the Cavs the edge. The Jamison Rule seals the deal. Seriously, Rumsfeld should consider sending Antawn to fight in Iraq, on the side of the insurgents. They’d be in complete disarray in days. You cannot get further away from clutch than poor Antawn. Anyway, I’m sure that LeBron guy will also help the Cavs win.

Bet on: Cleveland.
Root for: Cleveland.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Memphis v. Dallas

Watch this series if only for the pre-game, half time, and post-game interviews with Mav’s coach Avery Johnson. When my friend Andrew and I would get really depressed during law school final exams, we would pretend Avery was there to give us a pep talk. One speech from the Little General and the Griz should acknowledge that they really have no chance.

The only contest the Griz are going to win here is for poor grooming (Pau’s beard over Dirk’s shag top). Also, no one in the NBA better captures what’s right with the next generation of players than Josh Howard. He’s an athletic freak, can play three positions, and knows the importance of doing the small stuff. The 06 playoffs will be his coming out party.

Bet on: Dallas.
Root for: Dallas.

[Ed. Heh...heh...heh... He said "Little General."]

LA Lakers v. Phoenix

David Stern’s propaganda machine is second to none. His greatest illusion may be the commonly held assumption that Phil Jackson is a brilliant coach. After Jackson took four hall of famers to the NBA finals and lost because he couldn’t stop the Pistons from running the pick and roll on 73 consecutive plays, the gig seemed like it was up. Don’t buy the line that all blame goes to the players: if Phil’s brilliant when he wins championships with overwhelming talent, he’s a dud when he loses them with half of an Olympic team against a bunch of cast offs from Detroit. But enter Stern and the NBA machine to save the day.

Apparently, Jackson is once again a brilliant coach because he managed to take the best player in the NBA and barely make the playoffs. Arrange a parade. Byron Scott took an amazing rookie and 11 scrubs, moved them from New Orleans to Oklahoma and almost did the same thing. But since he’s black, doesn’t spout Zen mumbo jumbo, and coaches a team from a media market that was nearly wiped from the face of the earth, Scott gets no respect.

But anyway, Jackson should again get called out against the Suns. Although its counter-intuitive, the Suns are at their weakest against teams that can run with them. The Lakers are young and fast, so there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to do this. That is, except for the fact that the Lakers slow the ball down for half the shot clock with the triangle offense, then sit back and watch Kobe go to work. Phil doesn’t even bother to stand up most games. Kobe can get his fifty, but this series will be won with Nash working the ball to the Suns’ nearly endless arsenal. With a healthy Amare, Phoenix could have been a contender.

Bet on: Phoenix.
Root for: Phoenix.

[Ed. The Lakers are the Yankees of the NBA. Happy to root against them.]

Denver v. LA Clippers

The toughest first round series to call. Two teams on the rise with hungry young stars. However, as the GOP teaches us time and time again, the dirtier the tricks, the bigger the wins.

I give the edge to Denver with its vastly underrated thug quotient. Kenyon Martin once led the NBA in flagrant fouls. Carmelo Anthony has gone on tape recommending that snitches be shot. The late season trade for Ruben Patterson, who once pled no contest to attempting to rape his child’s nanny, was icing on the cake. I’m sure Marcus Camby would get in on the action if his bones weren’t made of glass.

Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and Sam Cassell are a talented core for the Clippers, but they lack a history of random violent outbursts. Plus, c’mon, they’re the Clippers.

Bet on: Denver.
Root for: either.

[Ed. Is he kidding? I mean, Ruben only attempted to rape someone, so it's OK to root for his team. How can you NOT root for the Clippers?]

Sacramento v. San Antonio

A surprise candidate for clearest good vs. evil matchup in the first round. Any NBA fan should now feel dirty rooting for the Spurs. Tony Parker is dating an actress who discusses their love life on talk shows. Manu Ginobili flops more frequently and with greater indignation than anyone since Vlade Divac. Robert Horry will once again be hyped beyond all reason for hitting ridiculously lucky shots. And Tim Duncan will sulk around the floor with vacant condescension sinking bank shots that have no place outside of a game of HORSE.

The Kings are an unlikely good guy: Mike Bibby whines endlessly, Rick Adelman’s greatest NBA coaching move was going limp when Latrell Sprewell decided to show him some love and, the Maloof brothers always look endlessly smug in their silk shirts and frosted tips.

None of this matters, though, after the Ron Artest trade. His presence in the arena makes every second of this series a must-watch. Plus, Brad Miller has a knack for suckering stars into the rough stuff (like the time Shaq just missed him with a blind-side swing that, if it had connected, would have been the most brutal punch in basketball since Kermit Washington made Ruby Tomjanovich taste his own brain fluid).

The Kings will lose, but they’ll go out with a fight.

Bet on: San Antonio.
Root for: Sacramento.

The action on the court, of course, is only half the story. It wouldn’t be the playoffs without the following:

1. Charles Barkley

He’s brilliant all year long, but he brings his A game in the playoffs. Much like anything can happen when Ron Artest is in the building, at any given moment, the funniest thing you’ve ever heard could leave Barkley’s mouth. My personal favorites include his analysis of how he used to be a Republican, but no longer, because they “hate poor people” and his admission that he occasionally “smoked a doobie,” but never during the NBA season. You may want to close your eyes and just listen depending upon the offensiveness of Magic Johnson’s wardrobe.

2. NBA Cross Promotions

Watching a lot of playoff action means the nearly endless repetition of NBA tie-in commercials. For the most media savy of leagues, they have a horrible losing streak going when it comes to these deals. “The Hulk?” “Van Helsing?” “Into the West?” Ouch. I’m guessing this year it will either be “United 93,” with a montage of Tony Parker rolling down the lane mixed with passengers charging the cockpit or “Stick It,” with shots of young hot gymnasts interspersed with clips of Kobe rape trial press conferences.

3. The Draft Lottery

For twelve consecutive years, the most exciting part of the playoffs for Golden State Warriors fans. Hope springs eternal. Again, lots of great subplots here. You get to rehash all the Stern conspiracy theories. Until recently, you got to watch the Clipper’s Elgin Baylor look like someone had a gun pointed at him off camera. Some franchises manage to drag some player out of Vegas or Miami to put on a happy face. Others send gray haired guys in suits who scream like little girls when they win. Regardless of what happens, its worlds better than a special halftime performance by Rob Thomas and Jewel.

There you have it folks. BTP's first official NBA playoff preview. Tune for the Round 2 preview as soon as the first round is over. Like six months from now or whenever that is.

Just a little note: As of today, we have exactly 1000 days left in George Bush's failed presidency. Inauguration Day can't come soon enough.

• Tips for Increasing AOL E-Mail Delivery Rates, Part 1
  The name says it all. For work.
  (tags: DSCC technology)

How do you know you're watching Red Wings playoff hockey? Two ways:

1. Al Sobotka starts waving dead octopi above his head (see photo).

2. Kirk Maltby, hardworking grinder, scores two goals, including the game-winner in double overtime. Remember, this is a guy who scored 5 total goals in the regular season. It's different now.

1 down. 31 to go.

Never before have teams from one city finished atop the regular season standings in both the NHL and the NBA. Until this year.

The Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons have combined to make history. Both of them have been at the top of their respective leagues for the entire year. Both of them are in the midst of a sustained run of excellence.

But they are not satisfied. The real season begins today. Both of them need 16 wins to see their names engraved on the championship trophies.

Zero down. 32 to go.

The storylines are all there. Steve Yzerman making one last bid for the Cup. The firm of Billups, Wallace, and Wallace stamping the word “dynasty” on their run. The Wing’s quest for their 4th Cup in 10 years. The quest for both of them to do it together.

The Detroit Free Press ran an article today stoking an argument about which team Detroit liked better. I simply refuse to choose. I live by the Wings and I live by the Pistons. I die by the Pistons and I die by the Wings.

Zero down. 32 to go.

• Daring Fireball: Initiative
  Interesting on writing your blog full-time and, more generally, doing what you love.
  (tags: business technology writing)
• American Prospect Online - The Soldier in Me
  Kos on his military service. Saved for later.
  (tags: politics)

• Print Story: Democrats' Senate Panel Keeps Money Edge on Yahoo! News
  DSCC 1, Republicans 0. I love it.
  (tags: DSCC politics)

• SPIRIT OF THE SEASON: Fans are thrilled Red Wings, Pistons enter playoffs on top
  The Wings and the Pistons BOTH had the best overall record in their respective leagues. More on this later.
  (tags: Detroit Sports RedWings Pistons)

The DSCC has new video this week demostrating just how big a rubber stamp Arizona Senator Jon Kyl is for the Bush administration's extreme right wing agenda. See for yourself.

The video itself isn't really anything too special, but I'm proud that my organization has posted the whole thing on YouTube, a new online video sharing site.

It can be scary for political organizations to give up even a modicum of control over exactly how communications are used and presented. Posting a a community-based site like YouTube allows commenting on the video and could potentially allow just about anyone to spread the video around. But it also is a new way that people are finding and sharing content. Getting our message out in the ways people want to receive it outweighs any perceived risk, by far.

I'm not so naive to think that now that we have video on YouTube anyone is going to care. I just think it's cool that we're willing to at least experiment with new technologies.

Just to be clear:

After last night's 1-0 victory over the Cleveland, the Tigers are in a first place tie in the American League Central.

Further, after htting a dinger for the game's only run, Chris Shelton is on pace to hit 108 home runs. He's the first American League player to ever hit 8 home runs in the first 12 games of the season. Babe Ruth never did it. Mickey Mantle never did it. Mark McGwire never did it.

Chris Shelton? Detroit Tiger? Yeah, he did it.

Promiscuous DJ/Producer of the Moment Danger Mouse and Atlanta-based rapper/crooner Cee-Lo combine forces to produce that rarest of hip-hop songs that's actually music. Give it a listen via their myspace.

Things to like:

1. Cee-Lo's 70's-style soul stylings.

2. The string line. Every pop song is better with strings.

3. They named their band after Charles Barkley. Only, like, with more gnarly.

It has been suggested to me in recent days that Democrats should run in 2006 on a simple slogan:

Had Enough? Vote Democratic.

Simple and clear. It communicates that we're different from Bush Republicans and that we oppose the mess they've made of the country. Importantly, it communicates that we actually think they've made a mess of the country.

So - what do you think? Is this a winner? Got any better ideas?

• Torr: New Keane single is here
  New Keane single. Wahoo.
  (tags: music)
• Whiskey Bar: Mutually Assured Dementia
  More on Iran from Billmon
  (tags: politics)

I'll admit it. I've never seen THREE guys playing one drum kit, including one roadie. I've never seen anyone rock the doors off of DAR Constitution Hall, let along two bands in one night. And I've never seen Death Cab launch into a 15-minute jam, complete with dueling drum kits that not only TOPPED Franz Ferdinand, but also completely shredded the rock like no one has ever rocked before.

Well, until last night that is.

Yeah, the mix was awful. You couldn't understand a word any of them said. And is WAS DAR. But Franz and DCFC came to play. Both of them re-established their credentials as the best live bands in the UK and the USA today. (Yeah, Radiohead, I do know what I just said.)

I agree with Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary: The idea of a nuclear strike on Iran is completely nuts.

But we cannot simply leave it at that. George Bush and his henchmen are planning a NUCLEAR WAR with an armed-to-the-teeth Islamic country that just happens to have its own terrorist network.

The administration hasn't denied these plans exist. Instead, they've simply attacked the messenger, calling Seymour Hersh - you know the guy who was right on Abu Ghraib - a left-wing shrill. We cannot let them distract or scare the American people. They're talking about nuking a country that doesn't have nukes.

Sure, it'd be nice to sit back and think that "We couldn't possibly be fooled again, right?" Or maybe to count on Congress to come to their senses and put a stop to this.

The truth is, we can't count on that. It's up to each of us to take action in our daily lives to show the American people that this is completely nuts.

MoveOn has a good action this week to start the Congressional effort, but the truth is that if it ever gets that far, we've already lost. We need to hit hard and fast with people all over the country.

George Bush needs to be laughed out of the room. Nuking Iran isn't "prudent military planning." It's completely nuts.

• Video on the web: A few best practices | EchoDitto
  Best practices for online video. From my old company.
  (tags: technology)

• 'Albuquerque Journal' Scoop: Cheney Shot in Hunting Accident in 1990s
  So, you know, Dick Cheney was just getting back at the world for SHOOTING HIM! What's with this guy? Did he never take hunting safety school?
  (tags: politics)
• Christ Among the Partisans - New York Times
  Jesus isn't a Republican or a Democrat. More of an anarchist, really.
  (tags: politics religion)
• In Attics and Rubble, More Bodies and Questions - New York Times
  Unseen and unburied, but unforgotten.
  (tags: politics Katrina)

• The West Wing - TV - New York Times
  Vinick was supposed to win. Interesting look at the final days of The West Wing.
  (tags: TV politics)

• Would President Bush go to war to stop Tehran from getting the bomb?
  Seymour Hersh writes in the New Yorker that Bush now wants a war in Iran. The best part is when a neocon calls the President of IRAN a religious nutjob. Pot, meet kettle.
  (tags: politics)

• At halftime, 'The Calm' brings ease to concerns
  My high school friend Krista writing about "The Calm" that pervades the pistons locker room at halftime.
  (tags: Detroit Pistons sports)
• I'm Canceling My Times Subscription By Jack Shafer
  More on the NY Times redesign from Slate
  (tags: technology News design)
• "Not as Lame as You Think" by Amy Sullivan
  See! Democrats really DO have a plan! There's no need to be depressed all the time!
  (tags: politics)
• Debate rages on use of cervical cancer vaccine / While almost 100% effective, some contend use condones teen sex
  So there's a new vaccine that can prevent cancer caused by an STD, but the wackos don't want kids to get the shot because it might lead to pre-marital sex. Right, because Jesus wants teenagers to die.
  (tags: politics)
• Amazon.com: The Sea (Man Booker Prize): Books: John Banville
  Booker Prize winner. Highly recommended by Joe
  (tags: bookclub joe)
• The Man Booker Prize 2006 : HOME
  Basically, a big list of great books I need to read.
  (tags: bookclub joe)

• Torch-passing can't wait - The Boston Globe
  Sox change closers.
  (tags: baseball sports)
• 'Gospel of Judas' Surfaces After 1,700 Years - New York Times
  A new and important Gnostic writing from the early Christian church translated and unveiled by the National Geographic society. Neat stuff
  (tags: history cool)

• Redesign - NYTimes.com - Leonard M. Apcar - New York Times
  Just a little shoutout to the New York Times. They redesigned their website this weekend and the effect is really quite stunning.
  (tags: technology design News)
• Two Deadlines and an Exit - New York Times
  John Kerry calls for total withdrawl from Iraq by the end of the year. Sooner, if the Iraqi leadership doesn't play ball. A must-read.
  (tags: politics)

• Lost map: A breakdown - TV Squad
  A breakdown of the highlights on the Lost map.
  (tags: TV Lost)
• Blast Door - LostPedia
  Even MORE crazy details on the Lost map
  (tags: TV Lost)
• Blackrock Depths Map and Guide
  If you don't play WOW, really, just move along.
  (tags: Warcraft gaming)
• The Lack of Stomach To Win on the Left
  Saddle up. We gotta fight if we want to win.
  (tags: politics)

• The Bush-Cheney Era Ends Here
  New York magazine profiles Sen. Chuck Schumer and the DSCC. Read it and find out why I'm so darned optimistic about our chances in November.
  (tags: politics)

• Bill Gates and Tim O'Reilly - A conversation at MIX
  The bloggers they say this is a good video. I haven't watched yet, but I will.
  (tags: technology)
• Transcending the evil that men do - The Boston Globe
  Our response to terrorism - our "war on terror" - says nothing about the terrorists. It says everything about us.
  (tags: politics)