Here’s the plain deal: Don’t compare paychecks with Cavaliers

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, in an effort to give its readers everything they could possibly need to know about the Cavaliers, offers on its website a “LeBron James Statistical Bible” and a Cavaliers “Salary Machine.” The Statistical Bible enables fans to access vital information on how James has fared against any team in the NBA. The Salary Machine also enables fans to compare their salaries -- annual, monthly and weekly to that of any member of the Cavaliers.

In a time-saving measure, Cleveland fans can skip the Salary Machine and memorize one all-purpose sentence: They make A LOT more than you ever will.

Trivia question

Three Dodgers, Casey Blake, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez, are on pace to hit 20 or more homers this season. When was the last time the Dodgers had at least three players with 20 or more homers?

Do not adjust your television set

It has taken Lakers fans two games to settle in, study the new designs, get used to the new patterns and accept the new angles for what they are: dazzling examples of multicolored body art marked all over the Denver Nuggets.

As Bob Molinaro of the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot recently wrote, “If you’re turned off by the sight of copious body art, don’t watch the multi-tattooed Denver Nuggets. The typical Nuggets player is more inked up than the Sunday edition of the New York Times.”

A different game

After decades of quarterback play designed apparently to elevate the reputation of Jim McMahon to Namathesque heights, the Chicago Bears are seeing something new since Jay Cutler arrived.

After trying to catch a few of Cutler’s passes in practice Wednesday, Bears wide receiver Rashied Davis knew the team’s offense has stepped up into a brave new world.

Davis told reporters a pass from Cutler “comes fast and it’s on you real quick.” He added: “Once you get used to running routes with him and catching the ball from him, it gets a little bit easier. But he throws the ball pretty hard and the heat is still on the ball 20 yards down the field.”

It’s a different kind of ball than what most Bears receivers are used to. That ball tended to arrive 20 yards down the field with moss still on it.

Trivia answer

In 2001, with Paul Lo Duca (25), Gary Sheffield (36), Marquis Grissom (21) and Shawn Green (49).

And finally

From Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, on Rachel Alexandra becoming the first filly since 1924 to win the Preakness: “Twelve desperate males chasing one favored female? Sounds about like any Saturday in any bar in America.”

--

[email protected]