It's Out of the Question: Save those tickets for Game 6

How do you logically hang on to the possibility of this thing going past Sunday's Game 5, what with the motivized Lakers already needing two OTs to pull off two great escapes, the panicked Magic unable to hit just one free throw down the stretch (and ignite premature confetti) in Game 4, and an almost 35-year-old scrappy guard knocking down two clutch rainbow 3-point shots by elevating over a rusty Jameer Nelson trying to get his sore right arm in Fish's face?

== Why, every time we try to give Reno casino dealer/Greek restaurateur Stan Van Gundy the benefit of the doubt in his coaching ability far exceeding his personal appearance, does he then lack a snappy explanation for his sloppy strategy, such as benching of Rafer Alston at such inopportune times?

== Can we all agree that Kobe Bryant is tired ... tired of answering questions about whether he has hit a wall?

== With all the "bogus" calls (Phil Jackson's word, during the contest, on live TV), how was it that no one fouled out of Game 4?

== And considering how the O-town crowd has really seemed to embrace having Nick Anderson go Tony Robbins-like to rile up the Amway Arena before each NBA Finals contest, what comparable former Laker would be best to serve in the same capacity at Staples Center should there be a sixth and/or seventh game? Terry Teagle?

== We're just supposed to be joyous that Manny Ramirez failed to murder and/or rape anyone? That's the message we're supposed to pass on to our young Dodger faithful, asking what's happening in Mannywood? And with that, every little thing's gonna be all right in left field?

== The Dodgers' scouting bureau wasn't picky enough to suggest to ownership that it would be wise to snatch Harvard-Westlake outfielder Gavin McCourt before the 39th round? Because his dad nixed it?

== Matt Leinart submitting to a mixed-up MMA training regime is supposed to scare a washed-up supermarket shelf stocker like Kurt Warner?

== Who forced Chris Forcier into writing that going-away news release that had all the effectiveness of an imitation crabmeat salad? That's what he comes away with from his partial UCLA education edification?

== Alabama football players tried to share their scholarship windfall by giving free textbooks (ones that they probably weren't using anyway) to other students, and now everyone gets punished for it? How can we make this textbook case a genuine, real-life learning experience?

== Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, but if jittery Jeremy Mayfield is guilty of testing positive for meth -- either that stuff from the Walgrens pharmacy, or from a guy who knows a guy who lives a couple alleys up from the Third Street Promenade -- why wouldn't that have showed up first on his car's speedometer before a urine sample?

== What are the odds that someone named O.J. could tarnish the heritage of both the USC football and basketball programs?