First Down

TODAY’S BEST BET ON TELEVISION

No rest for the Celtics, who play host to LeBron James and the Cavaliers tonight in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. 8 p.m., TNT

HE SAID WHAT?

“He’s getting pummeled. I’ve never seen somebody get beat up like this. In some ways, I think we’re on uncharted ground.” — Rusty Hardin, attorney for Roger Clemens

TAKE YOUR PICK - SHOULD SOUTHERN CAL BE PUNISHED IF REGGIE BUSH BROKE NCAA RULES?

Reggie Bush has been forced to give a deposition June 23 in a civil suit brought against him by would-be sports agent Lloyd Lake. If testimony reveals USC staff knew of Bush’s purported activities with Lake, should the program be punished?

Yes: Lake’s attorney also has subpoenaed USC coach Pete Carroll and running backs coach and recruiting guru Todd McNair. If it is determined Bush received nearly $300,000 in improper benefits from Lake while USC officials turned a blind eye, the NCAA should come down hard.

No: How can USC be held responsible for the private dealings of an unrelated third party and the 19-year-old kid he wanted to ensnare as his top client? Sure, USC probably should be more diligent about warning its star athletes of such perils, but the school wasn’t paying Bush (not even indirectly through a booster); Lake was purportedly paying Bush for his own purposes.

Our take: USC never has been accused of paying for Bush’s services; Lake claims to have “loaned” Bush the funds with the hope/promise the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner would become the centerpiece of an eventual stable of clients. Yes, this is against the rules and deserves a punishment. But the NCAA’s ultimate grievance would be with Bush, who should be stripped of his Heisman if the claims are true. Frankly, Texas quarterback Vince Young deserved to win the trophy that season anyway.

TWT FIVE - Tiresomely Irrelevant Stories

As we wonder with trepidation whether coverage of Eight Belles will reach Barbaro-type lunacy, here’s our list of the five stories that simply would not die:

1. Barbaro — Madness stopped just short of renaming a month after the equine martyr.

2. Duke lacrosse — Squint just right and it really does look like they’re playing with long silver spoons.

3. Michelle Wie — The queen of the missed cut turned failure into a franchise.

4. Anna Kournikova — Those endorsement dollars have been nothing but a burden to her.

5. Tonya vs. Nancy — All that ink over one Olympic silver in a faux sport.