yes, and . . .

I sat on the couch, sipped my Stone Pale Ale, and watched the Dodgers' struggle to retire the Pirates in the first inning.

Nolan walked into the room and said, "Who are you cheering for?"

The answer was obvious, so I said, "Lakers."

He nodded his head thoughtfully. "I'm cheering for the Phoenix Suns."

I looked at him. There was the slightest glint in his eye.

"Yeah, they're going to give the boys in blue a real hard time," I said, "I heard they have a cleanup guy who hit a bunch of touchdowns this year."

"Oh he's really good," Nolan said, fighting a smile, "he had a couple of eagles last time they played."

"I did not know that," I said.

"Yeah," Nolan added, "I think he's going to lead his team to the Stanley Cup finals . . . unless they have to play Newcastle early in the tournament."