20 reasons to heart Cavs-Pistons

My editors asked me to tackle the 20 most fascinating subplots from the Cavs-Pistons series as we head into Thursday night's crucial Game 5. Frankly, ...

Game 6: And the readers have spoken

From Tony Allen to Ray Allen to everyone else, Game 6 between Boston and Chicago made Bill Simmons' inbox explode.

A game with everything but talking dogs

Bill Simmons didn't realize he cared so much about the 2008-09 Celtics until watching them and the Bulls duke it out in the greatest first-round series ever played.

Officials correct on Rondo vs. Miller

The officials made the right call at the end of Bulls-Celtics Game 5. And that play alone didn't cost the Bulls the game.

We now interrupt this coach ...

Even in the heat of the playoffs, NBA coaches have to stop for an in-game interview. Bill Simmons wonders if we actually learn anything from this inside access.

A kid with the game and grades ... but no scholarship

Emil Clayton's story is all too familiar. He's got the game and the grades … but not the scholarship.

Sublime meets ridiculous in holiday mailbag

How did Bill Simmons spend Christmas? Sorting through one of his weirdest mailbags in recent memory.

The NBA finally has its curves back

After rejoicing that the NBA finally has its sexy figure back, Bill Simmons has 20 predictions about the upcoming season.

The king of all fantasy previews

Bill Simmons offers a cheat sheet for your fantasy basketball draft and tries to put LeBron's greatness in historical perspective.

The best draft picks in NBA history, Nos. 1 through 60

Wonder who the best No. 5 overall NBA draft pick of the lottery era was? We rate the best at every slot, Nos. 1-60.

Can Celts answer the call at closing time?

As the NBA Finals return to Boston, Bill Simmons isn't quite sure if Boston has the moxie to seal the franchise's 17th title.

From exasperation to exclamation in 170 minutes

You want to see some wild mood swings? Just follow Bill Simmons' running diary for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Piercing the silence in Game 1

When Paul Pierce went down, Bill Simmons thought the NBA Finals were over -- but the truth had yet to be told in Game 1.

Previewing the '08 Finals, by the book

Bill Simmons hasn't eaten a full meal in four days. Jack Nicholson is dropping $35,000 on a single ticket. Yep, it's time for the Sports Guy's preview of the 2008 NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics Tony Allen, left, Kendrick Perkins, center, and Sam Cassell watch from the bench during the fourth quarter in...