LOS ANGELES -- If I was David J. Stern, commissioner of the NBA beat, I would give serious thought to calling one Mr. Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and pledge to return all draft choices and fine money from the Joe Smith affair several years ago. In fact, I would even throw in bonus picks and small bills.
Why? Because the T-Wolves, who have never won a playoff series -- and may or may not win this one against the Lakers -- did something even more significant Thursday night at the Staples Center: They overcame a true Hollywood screwing . . . without a casting couch in sight . . . and, at the same time, bailed out the league big-time.
It wasn't folly enough that the NBA -- at mid-season when the Threepeating Lakers were sleeping in -- decided to make the first round a best of seven. Conspiracy theorists at home and away all at once hollered "unkosher," contending the new format was designed to get Shaq and Kobe a higher percentage shot at a "fourscore."