According to Michael Wilbon at ESPN the NBA is planning on a 66 game schedule consisting of 48 conference games and 18 non-conference games.  While it is not as lopsided toward conference play as the NHL (they need to fix that system) I still find it disappointing. I think fans should have a chance to see every other team at least once in their home city (assuming they have an NBA team . . . sorry Seattle). Also, assuming you play those non-conference teams all at least once, who decides which three non-conference teams your team plays twice?

With this in mind, my idea -- no, David Stern hasn't called me yet -- would be a home and away between every team. This would fill 58 games of each team's season. With the remaining eight games each team would play the other four teams in its division in a second home and away. Viola! A nice, balanced, 66 game schedule with an emphasis on divisional play and a chance for fans to see each team. The four games against divisional foes is also the same as it has been in 82-game seasons. The only games missing are the other in-conference, non-division games.

The downside is this schedule would be even more brutal for the Blazers given less conference play.

As a native Minnesotan and perpetually-in-angst Vikings fan I'm pretty excited for this game tonight. Farve coming over the Vikings made me kind of queasy at first (more angst) but since he's settled into the team and said the right things - especially about AD being the guy - I think it was the right move.  We'll see if he can hold up for a whole season though - the Vikes line has been shaky (new center).

Farve, in his ESPN interview, today told the Green Bay fans "it was 16 great years. You can't take that run away. Enjoy it." Hmmm. Good interview though. 

The media machine is certainly hyping this game beyond belief but I'm not sure it can be over-hyped. It really is surreal and unprecedented in sports. If you disagree or can name a more extreme example of a superstar going to an arch-rival please leave it in the comments.

The weather in the 503 is getting steamy for the short run and liquid reserves are getting low. Anyone mix and match very often to clean out the cupboard and fridge?

On another note, the Wolves cupboard is looking very well stocked with some pretty tasty point guards. In fact, T-wolves fans should be screaming with joy. You could say they are coming up 7 & 7s, this even though untested Lime Ricky, err . . . Rubio Ricky, isn't coming over right away. Instead, they'll get a long chug of Ramon Sessions to quench their thirst since Milwaukee decided not to keep up. Whether they reach their threshold is unknown, but he should make for a intoxicating concoction with Jonny Flynn. If nothing else, it might make some Wolves' fans forget the recent past. And maybe K Love will get more action.

On another note, looks like A.I. is going for the kill. Who is going down is TBD.

Last-call junk: I sure hope we don't get another Duck Fart this weekend. One more might send me over the limit.