Some quick basketball hits....

Word on the street is that Cleveland and Phoenix are trying to work out a deal that would send Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland in exchange for Ben Wallace's expiring deal and another player that is completely irrelevant. In other news, my psychic powers are predicting that Cleveland will won't be able to get through Boston or Orlando to get to the NBA Finals next year.

I was musing over how Cleveland was going to handle losing in this year's Eastern Conference Finals and the conclusion I came to was that they were going to completely overreact in an effort to convince LeBron that they were doing something. I had no idea that I was going to be this correct. Bringing back Ricky Davis would have been better.

Cleveland, you really don't need to do this. You're like the dude with the girl that's out of his league: You're taking her mother to the doctor, getting McDonald's for her little brother, spending your rent money on a pair of shoes from her favorite store. You're completely overcompensating and it's not necessary. How do I know this? Because you're Cleveland, a city that ranks below Baghdad when it comes to "desirable places to live." And the rest of Ohio is no great shakes.

Seeing as how he's from Akron and has never left the state for any longer than two months in his life, I don't think he's going anywhere. Just reel it back a little bit. Don't do this to yourself.

I know Shaquille O'Neal had a career resurgence of sorts this season. Still, you've got a team built around LeBron James that is dying to run and the one thing that's keeping them from running like horses all the time is Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Now, I assume this move would be made to counter Dwight Howard, who Cleveland had nothing for in their matchup.

Consider this: Earlier this season, Dwight Howard outplayed the Big Cactus so badly that Shaq was forced to flop and then throw Stan Van Gundy under the bus for it. What, Shaq is the solution to your Superman problem? You're gonna counter Superman with a Superman?

Before you finalize that marketing plan, consider this, as well: Shaq couldn't keep up in Phoenix, and most of that team is about three degrees away from a nursing home. So, he'll basically just be slowing down another team. Because that's genius if I've ever seen it: Speeding up a team by adding another big, slow, center.

Marcin Gortat PWNS Reebok

What's gotta be a bigger kick in the teeth for Reebok: The fact that they were reduced to signing backup Orlando Magic center Marcin Gortat to a deal or the fact that he told them that he wasn't removing his "Air Jordan" tattoo from his leg?

First things first, what's the big deal with it? It's on his calf and, even though the bright red tattoo stands out on his pale white skin, it's doubtful than anyone is going to see it without the benefit of high-powered photography. Secondly, if this little incident prevents a single person on Earth from buying a pair of Reeboks in favor of a pair of Jordans, then Reebok should just go ahead and sell themselves to adidas.

Oh, they already did that in 2005? Wow, what a healthy brand Reebok is.

People aren't buying Jordans over Reeboks because of Marcin Gortat's calf tat, they're doing it because...well, I don't know, exactly. In my mind, there's nothing appealing about a line of shoes that starts at $129. You could by three pairs of Reeboks for that. The Reebok name has certainly seen better days.

And clearly, those days are way behind them, because if you don't have any leverage over Marcin Gortat, then you're in trouble. He's not even the biggest sports star in his own country, and Poland has about 600 people in it. Andrew Golota probably has a higher national profile there, and the only thing he's known for is punching other guys in the crotch.

Speaking of Orlando...

Hedo Turkoglu is opting out of his deal which is another way of saying that he's probably leaving. Not because he wants to, but more because General Manager Otis Smith completely failed Negotiating 101 when he signed Rashard Lewis. Mostly, the part that says "Don't pay someone what they want when no one else is really checking for them."

No, it wasn't the smartest thing to commit $118 million to a guy who isn't a franchise player. In Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Rashard Lewis only had six points, and he's getting paid $17 million in 2009. LeBron James doesn't make that much. Dwight Howard has already signed an extension for $85 million. Jameer Nelson's on for another $30 million. Hedo's making about $7 million, I believe, and it stands to reason that he's probably going to want $10 or $12 million next season.

It all comes down to whether or not the DeVos family is willing to pay the luxury tax and if so, for how long? They seem to be okay with it if they're winning, but at some point, they're probably going to get tired of overpaying Lewis. I'm tired of them overpaying him and I don't even like Orlando.

Another step in the evolution of Dwight Howard

Was Dwight Howard wrong for calling out his coach after the Orlando Magic's Game 5 loss to Boston? We can debate that forever and in truth, he probably was. After all, it's not like he did anything to step up to stop the bleeding during that fourth quarter collapse. Plus, calling out people is the press isn't for everyone, because he's not Phil Jackson.

But I do believe that this is a step in the right direction in the evolution of Dwight Howard. It wasn't that long ago that he planned on converting all of his teammates.

Dwight Howard has always been accused of being too nice. He's always joking, smiling, and laughing; enjoying himself. What's wrong with this guy? He's out there, having fun playing basketball, when he needs to get serious about this kid's game that he's paid millions to play. He should have never let Nate Robinson jump over him to win the slam dunk contest. He should have put his boot heel on Robinson's throat to assure that he won this exhibition that will do as much for his career as it did for Harold Miner's. The kid's just got no killer instinct, no competitive drive. He's just having too much fun.

While I think that his critics took it a little bit too far in their characterization of him, they are right about one thing: He needs to start demanding the ball. And I'm hoping that last night's press conference was the beginning of a new Dwight Howard.

I'm not saying I want him trashing everyone in the press or just being rude for the sake of being rude. He's not Shaquille O'Neal. I think Dwight Howard's a good guy in a league that doesn't have enough of them. He seems to get along with everyone and everyone seems to get along with him. More than anyone else in the league, his face and energy show that he's just enjoys playing basketball all day.

Happiness doesn't win championships, though. If he wants to be the leader of this team, carry them on his back (because Lord knows Rashard Lewis won't do it), and get them where they trying to go, then it's time to start ruffling feathers.

The great leaders don't sit back and watch their teams fall apart. The great leaders don't worry about feelings. If they did stuff like that, Kevin Garnett wouldn't have left Glen Davis in tears at the end of the bench.

The great leaders don't do this because they're self-serving; they do it because it needs to be said.

His timing might have been off, but his intent was dead on. "Get me the damn ball." If that's what needs to be said, then as a leader on this team (and as it's unquestioned best player), he needs to say it. If his team needs to play better defense or execute better or get to player meetings on time, then he needs to say it. He needs to be unafraid to grab Rafer Alston by the jersey and tell him to get the entry pass right or go back to And 1.

The fact that he was so tentative to speak his mind during the press conference shows that he's uncomfortable doing it. It's probably because he was saying it in a press conference, instead of directly to the coach, like he was supposed to. Hey, nobody's perfect. But if he wants his team to act right, he'll get over it.

Of course, he also needs to step up. I didn't see Dwight Howard (Defensive Player of the Year, mind you) doing anything to hold it together. There were no blocked shots, and while I understand it's hard to get rebounds when the other team isn't missing shots, Orlando was still throwing up a lot of bricks. The greats do everything they can to keep the team afloat, and he didn't. He still has no post game after five years. He still can't shoot free throws. Kendrick Perkins was still pushing him around. But hey, you gotta learn to pick your battles. He's still new at this.

Keep it up, though, Dwight. As the leader, it's your job to keep everyone on their toes. You're supposed to point out if you think the coach or your guys are doing something wrong. That's why they put your face on the program. But you can't be that leader if you're keeping your mouth shut. Leaders speak up and when they don't, teams lose.

Just look at the Atlanta Hawks.

Trying to kill the Celtics' joy

That nameless kid in Orlando wasn't the only one hurt during Glen Davis' celebration Sunday night in Orlando. Dwight Howard's and Rashard Lewis's feelings were hurt by all of the celebrating and joy on their court because none of it was theirs.

Lost in the controversy surrounding Glen Davis' flying shoulderblock on a kid standing courtside in Orlando is Dwight Howard's and Rashard Lewis's distaste for post-game celebrations. Dwight Howard was shown with his face all frowned up and calling for a technical, while Rashard Lewis said the following:

"It most definitely adds fuel to the fire,” Lewis said. “We don’t like that type of stuff. You have to be professional about the game of basketball. We’re a professional team and we expect them to be the same way.

“Those guys were jumping up and down, waving their hands at us, saying bye, but it’s not over yet; it’s just 2-2,” Lewis added. “We could have done the same thing when we won on their court, but we’re more professional than that. They still have to win ballgames. The series ain’t over yet.”

Basically, they're getting upset about stuff that they teach you to get over in third grade. What more can be said? It was an exciting play, possibly the most exciting situation in sports (the buzzer beating game winner), and you're mad because they're happy about it? Did you want them to just coldly walk off of the court? I'm sorry, Orlando. I wasn't aware that you were playing against a zombie team.

I don't blame Glen Davis for celebrating like he did. He just hit the biggest shot of his entire career. Let the guy have his moment. Don't get all pissy because he did it on your home floor, while standing over your defeated carcasses. You wouldn't have had this problem if you had won the game. Your bad.

Would it have been better if they had done it in Boston? Would that have made it easier to swallow, sweetie?

No, of course not, because instead of just the team celebrating too much for your delicate sensibilities, there would have been 25,000 fans doing the same thing. Howard and Lewis probably would have left the court in tears. Just be truthful with yourselves: You're mad that you lost. Nothing wrong with that. Just point the finger where it needs to be pointed.

Like, at general manager Otis Smith for tying this team's financial future to Rashard Lewis. When this team wonders why they're not getting any better, that will be the main reason why. Point it at Rashard Lewis for making a habit of disappearing in the fourth quarter, despite being a matchup problem for almost everyone on the Celtics' front line. Point it at Dwight Howard for not having a reliable post move that guarantees points. Don't point it at Boston for being happy that your team wasn't able to stop them. Be an adult and move on to the next game.

If you win it, you can get back at them for daring to be happy in Orlando. If you can't be happy in Orlando, where can you be happy? I thought Orlando was supposed to be "The Happiest Place on Earth."

It seems like every year, someone's complaining about an opposing team celebrating on their home court/field/ice. And every year, the answer's the same. If you don't like it, stop them from doing it. There are two ways to go about it, and one of them is really, really, illegal. So you need to focused on doing the other one, because they can't celebrate if they don't win. Well, they probably could, but they'd look really ridiculous.

Now let's get back to talking about what's really important: Glen Davis and his criminal assault of the rich kid at courtside. What a reprehensible act.