Good things come to those who... mystify?

So, I realize it took a fairly long time for this little nugget to penetrate my consciousness -- but it just dawned on me that within a week or two, no matter what happens, either Ron Artest or Nate Robinson will be a bona fide NBA Champion.

Somewhere, Ricky Davis is reminding everyone who will listen, "I used to be a Celtic too, you know."

WWDED?

So -- Phil Jackson is the Zen Master. Fine. I accept that with no hesistation. Derek Fisher is a floor general par excellence, I give you that gladly. And Kobe Bean Bryant is possibly the most dedicated-to-domination individual the world has seen since Alexander III of Macedon, of that there can be no debate. However -- I submit the following for your consideration.

1. Yao Ming is generally regarded as one of the NBA's premier citizens, a guy who has a couple of billion eyes on him all the time and always seems to make good off court decisions.
2. Dikembe Mutombo is a member of the World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame, has donated millions of dollars towards building hospitals, and his career-ending injury precipitated an outpouring of "He's one of the all-time good guys" love from NBA players and media alike.
3. Shane Battier is the consummate glue-guy team player, the poster child for level-headedness, the kind of guy that makes people say things like “I thought he’d be the first black president,” Wetzel says. “He was Barack Obama before Barack Obama.”
4. Rick Adelman, well, the man has got some credentials, and he has to to be considered a player's coach. Yeah, I'm sure Dennis Rodman was a handful back in the day, but I will see you Rodman and raise you a Latrell Sprewell.

I would just like to point out that these were four of the key members of the Houston Rockets last year, and all that collective wisdom and maturity couldn't keep the pants on Ron Artest.

Far be it from me to question the wisdom of any NBA general manager, especially one who is coming off a championship season that oughta prove you're the best in the business -- but really, if Dork Elvis makes no serious effort to retain a player, I will trust his judgement.