Pre-draft camps, off season trade rumors, free agency, coach firings and hirings, the lottery and the draft.  Oh man, it's so exciting for those bball crazies (and I'm certainly one) that can't get enough.

I guess I'm most pumped for the draft itself.  Remember when Omri Casspi, sitting on his old sofa, watching the draft on tv, barely able to watch because he was so anxious, got jumped on by all his friends in his home in Israel after the Kings drafted him?  Remember him crying happy tears?  I get choked up over that stuff.  It was kind of the same when Sundiata Gaines was told after practice one fine day that he was being called up by the Jazz, and then he phoned his mom!  Goose bump stuff baby.  Yup, that's up there with the movie Rudy, who while an incredible long shot makes the Notre Dame football team and the movie Invincible, the movie based on Vince Papale the bartender from South Philly who makes it as a walk on with the Eagles.

Maybe it's a great time because although I know the day is past and that my name will not be called by David Stern I still dream (often) of being drafted by the Knicks, hearing my name called, putting on the cap and shaking Stern's hand.  Yeah, living vicariously through the players, but also being very happy for them.  I guess when you coach bball your mindset changes from yourself to the players.  But to hear your name called must be magic.  And Miss Universe is...I would guess it's like that because the universe in that one moment is yours.

I happened to receive a phone call from the NBA yesterday morning.  I didn't have goose bumps or get teary-eyed, but when the NBA calls-man it's something.  I can only imagine the joy that a player feels just when his name is announced by the commish.  Good luck fellas, you may not know me but I'll be sportin' goose bumps for ya.