First Down

WEEKEND REWIND - In case you missed it

Cavaliers finish off Wizards: There’s little doubt the series was the most entertaining, but this offseason should prove whether the Wizards are content being entertaining or whether they’re dedicated to advancing in the playoffs. Here’s one bet that next winter Gilbert Arenas still will be blogging, Caron Butler still will be the best player on the team and LeBron James still will be advancing further in the playoffs.

Eight Belles dies at Kentucky Derby: For all the talk of horses as athletes, when an athlete dies on the field of play, there’s immediately a call to action. When a Rockies minor league first base coach died after being struck by a foul ball, baseball insisted all base coaches wear helmets. But does anyone think the sport of horse racing will make any adjustments to prevent fatal injuries to its athletes? Not likely. And if you want to consider horses athletes and believe the sport is humane, then using the word “destroyed” to describe the animals being put down might not be the best idea.

TWT FIVE - Favorite NBA conspiracy theories

1. Michael Jordan’s first retirement was actually a gambling suspension. Considering Jordan drafted Kwame Brown No. 1 overall, is it a stretch to consider his decision-making? True.

2. The 1985 Draft Lottery was rigged to ensure Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing wound up at the league’s biggest media market — New York. If the NBA was in the business of fixing the lottery, then why send Greg Oden to Portland? False.

3. Referee Tim Donaghy fixed NBA games because he owed money to the mob. Is it even a conspiracy theory anymore if everyone believes it? True.

4. David Stern pressured Kevin McHale to trade Kevin Garnett to the Celtics despite having better offers. McHale’s track record in Minnesota should prove he’s capable of making horrible decisions on his own. False.

5. The NBA suspended Darius Songaila to ensure LeBron would advance to the second round. Does anyone really think LeBron wouldn’t have put up a triple-double with a Lithuanian bench player on him? False.

HE SAID WHAT?

“This horse showed you his heart, and Eight Belles showed you her life for our enjoyment today. I’m deeply sympathetic to that team for their loss.” — Big Brown jockey Kent Desormeaux

ON WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

D1scourse: Patrick Stevens gives his thoughts on the NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament field, which was revealed last night.