I’m not a huge fan of the NBA, although I would consider myself a big fan of NBA playoff basketball. The regular season, with so many games, just gets so long. And one player can routinely win a game for his team. But the playoffs are more like a chess match with each team given up to seven games to figure out how to beat the guys on the other side of the floor.

Man, I feel old.

I never remember my dreams unless they are really good, really bad, or important enough to tell someone. So that's why I'm telling you about this one.

One day last week, I woke up excited about an exceptional interest rate that I got. That makes me feel old, because interest rates really do lack excitement, even more so for a young person. 

Other things that I've realized that make me feel old:

- Four years ago, I messed up my checkbook to the tune of having an extra $1,000. My only purchase: a lawnmower.

Free state tournament photos will be available for a limited time via the Web site of the Jordan Independent, www.jordannews.com.

Click on any of the photos on this Web site to get to the newest gallery, which is focused on the Jordan Jaguars' second-place finish in the 2008 state girls basketball tournament.

Jordan Jaguars girls basketball photos can be downloaded for free at http://jordannews.smugmug.com/gallery/4546119_DJeXg#267838583.  

Scott West wrestling photos can be downloaded for free at http://jordannews.smugmug.com/gallery/4551678_zpPrp#268204569.

Here's what the Belle Plaine boys basketball coach Randy Carlson says about the Jordan Hubmen team:

"Jordan is always a tough game for us. They are athletic and have a lot of size up front. They came out in the second half and took it to us, tying the game. We stepped it up a little on defense and started to get a rhythm offensively to find a way to win. I (thought) that our press worked well. I give our guys a lot of credit." 

That, according to the Belle Plaine Herald. The Tigers won that game 72-56 earlier this month.

Lately, I've been a hot shooter on the basketball court.

I have always considered myself a much better defensive player than offensive and a much better coach than a player. But I've been lighting up the scoreboard in my two weekly pickup leagues at churches in Woodbury and Maplewood, and I wasn't so bad at the Maplewood Community Center last Saturday.

Last Sunday, I scored about 25 one-pointers (we score what would normally be two-pointers as one point and three-pointers count as two), almost half of my team's points toward the end of the night.

You know the scene in "Return of the Jedi" when Han Solo is released from carbonite? Princess Leia Organa, disguised as the bounty hunter Bossk, is there holding him, as he suffers the effects of illness caused by his captivity. Han asks who is she.

"Somebody who loves you," she replies.

Her soft voice reassured him -- once she took off her mask.

Page one of today's Star Tribune poses the question, "The worst ever?"

They are talking about the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose 3-21 record is just about the only thing worth talking about in regard to an awful team that former legend Kevin McHale & Co. has assembled for our enjoyment.

The Strib says ...

9-73

the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers hold the NBA's worst single-season won-lost record

7,000

Minnesota Timberwolf Al Jefferson has quietly shown up among the National Basketball Association's statistical leaders this season.

Forget this ridiculous Kevin Garnett trade talk!

Can I just say that I’m amazing at picking basketball games?