Wow....just, wow.  A big congrats to the Detroit Pistons.  I sure as heck hated your teams in the 80s and 90s, but their style of play (and personnel) is definitely inspiring now.  As much as I was going for them (gotta go for the underdog), I really didn't think they had much of a chance against LA when the series started.  And, even after a couple of wins, I kept thinking that the Lakers would turn it on at some point too and even things up.  Detroit just had their number, and must have figured out how to beat them...and beat them badly.  This could have very easily been a sweep, and that is even more shocking.  Although I would have of course rather see Minny make it all the way, Detroit is definitely a deserving champion with their work ethic, style of play, and overall pretty classy behavior.  I saw this morning that right after the buzzer sounded, the players all went around hugging and talking to each of the Lakers players, instead of beginning their championship "jigs" right away.  A reserved jubilation, that typifies what a true champion is about.  I was very impressed with this team in this series.  It is funny how sports have been lately, the underdogs have really been getting their due it seems the last few years in baseball (Angels, Diamondbacks, Marlins), football (Rams first, then once they were good, the Patriots took it over), NCAA hoops (Syracuse last year), Hockey (Lightning), and now NBA with the Pistons.  I guess you can't ever count anyone out.

Now we can move on to all the offseason news, and looking forward to next season.  Draft is next week, then the free agent frenzy will begin once again (also the Olympic team thrown in there as well, and Kobe's court case).  As I've said before, I'm really curious what is going to happen to this Lakers team now....many of them seemed pretty noncommittal in the postgame interviews, not saying "i'm staying, we can still win together".  Sounds like Phil is a goner for sure, basically saying so himself.  I have my doubts about Payton staying in LA, and after losing this year, some doubts about Kobe as well if he is found innocent.  Shaq is under contract, but doesn't seem overly happy either...and Karl Malone says he'll only play if he is 100%.  It should be an interesting summer.  Congratulations again to the Detroit Pistons.

Oh...and Sammy C. is undergoing hip surgery and should be all ready to go by training camp.  Go Wolves  

I remember all those things as well Jeff, those were good times though in card collecting.  I still remember when brands were just starting...the first "Upper Deck" cards in baseball...the Griffey Jr. was the highest price card at the time I think.  The "Pro Set" cards in football (if I am remembering the name right).  The Hoops and Skybox cards in basketball, I remember Skybox being a little more expensive.  I still have all of my b-ball cards, most of my football, and some of my baseball cards.  Simpler times back then, could buy a box of cards for like $20 to $35 depending on the cards.  And there were actually 10+ cards in a pack for awhile there.  Good times.  I remember the Billy Ripken "error" card too, had to laugh when I read that...forgot about that one.

I see ActionHQ has the VOTC Han, Obi-Wan, and Leia in stock now and ready to ship (for $15.95 a piece).  Hopefully some of the other online stores (EE in particular) will be getting their shipments soon as well  I don't think I have personally looked forward to figures this much in quite some time, although I do wish they were a little cheaper.  But, they appear to be showing up...and perhaps the Luke is lagging behind in a different assortment since he isn't offered here either.

I noticed that article too Scott, I could see that being the title possibly....especially since Lucas likes to "go back" and use things from the past, and "Revenge" was nearly used for ROTJ, but changed because a Jedi wouldn't be "revenging"  .  Probably couldn't say the same for those wily Sith lords though.

On a side note....it seems like I really get down on the prequels every once in awhile...I still enjoy them, but am just more of an OT person at heart.  That said, it seems once the hype starts for Episode III, and the more I see on hyperspace or various sites, the more excited I start getting for the movies again.  I guess, at the end of the day, its still Star Wars....even if its often not as good as the "good ole days".

Thanks for the heads up Mikey, that's a heck of a deal on the Simpsons sets.  Hopefully we can get over to FYE sometime this week, I'd like to pick up Season 3 if they still have it in stock.  I have troubles dropping $40+ on many of these TV sets, but $15 you can't beat.

Well, I picked up LOTR figure #3 for myself this past weekend, a Trilogy Gandalf the White.  I'm slowly working on the Mrs. and sneaking one in a shopping trip here and there.  Target had quite a few Trilogy figures hanging on the pegs, and I figured Gandalf is one that doesn't show up quite as often (at least around here), so I'd go that route for now.  Really like these figures, hope to get a few more

Checked out a few stores this weekend again (Target, TRU, Wal-Mart).  The Target had the Leia Cup set, which I picked up (still no sign of Luke/Anakin though).  As far as figures, Target had a few leftovers from the Jabba's Palace and Yavin waves, as well as the TRD Luke/Hoth Han/Snowtrooper/SC Anakin assortment.  Wal-Mart is currently carrying only that assortment (Luke/Han/Snow/Ani).  TRU still has a lot of Dignitaries and Outlander Club waves hanging on the pegs, as well as Ultra Jabbas.