Sprewell's got mouths to feed AND bills to pay

When Latrell Sprewell turned down a $21 million dollar contract extension with the explanation that "I've got my family to feed," he was actually understating his case.

As it turns out, he also had big payments on his $1.5 million yacht and a mortgage on a house near Milwaukee. (I'm guessing it was an ARM?)

Sprewell hasn't played since turning down Minnesota's extension offer in 2004, but now that he's been forced to sell the boat and his home may be foreclosed upon soon, he's probably wishing he'd taken it.

At 37 and likely out of shape, you have to think Sprewell's playing days are over. That extra 21 mil probably wouldn't have locked up financial security -- if he couldn't manage the $14.6 million per year he was making in 2004, $7 million would be sand through his fingers -- but at least it would have prolonged the apparently inevitable disaster he finds himself in now.

Editors note: How I managed to finish this post without a reference to Sprewell "choking," I'll never know.

Boston undefeated vs. West, but...

By this point in the season, we've all determined that the Boston Celtics are mortal.

As it turns out, though, that mortality may apply only against Eastern Conference opponents. In beating San Antonio yesterday, Boston improved to 16-0 against the Western Conference.

This can be taken one of two ways, of course. It could be grounds to crown the Celtics, who lead the East by three games over the Pistons, the de facto midseason favorites to win the NBA Championships.

But more accurately, the staggering statistic demonstrates the disparity between the two conferences and suggests that the Eastern Conference playoffs are going to be a dogfight.

Last month alone, Boston lost five times to Eastern Conference opponents, including twice to Washington and once each to Charlotte, Orlando and Toronto. The Celtics are 39-9, good for the best record in both the East and the NBA as a whole, but no longer a mark that threatens Chicago's 73-win standard.

Two of the Big Three have missed time with injuries, Ray Allen with a ginger ankle and Kevin Garnett with a strained abdominal muscle that has now sidelined him seven straight games. And while age has been part of the problem for Boston, it certainly isn't everything; in four of the five January losses, the Celtics' roster was at full strength.

Even with the recent setbacks, it would be hard to bet against Boston making the playoffs as a #1 seed. But Detroit, Orlando, and Cleveland lurk. And now that the Lakers and Suns have bolstered their rosters, the NBA Finals may be no cakewalk, either.

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