The Boston Celtics are treating the Cavs with a little more respect than Washington did. The Celtics said many things that show they are taking the Cavs seriously. If they mean what they say, that is. There are some interesting feelings in this series. LeBron James and Paul Pierce do not seem to be best of friends; the two got in a tussle once, and they do a lot of talking on the floor. James said it's just two competitors. But Kevin Garnett talked quite a bit to James in the game he played in Cleveland in December. James admitted during the season that the Celtics are "up there" when it comes to talking on the court. Whatever that means, and it probably means nothing when it comes to actually playing the games. Bottom line: The Celtics clearly are not going to treat this series the way the Wizards did, by doing a lot of chattering prior.

As of early Monday morning, 71 percent of those voting on an ESPN poll said the Cavs would win one of the first two games in Boston.

One NBA writer feels the Celtics celebrated a bit too much after being taken to seven games by Atlanta. Seems he likes the Cavs' chances.

Nice lead here on the Series from Tom Withers of the Associated Press.

If artery-clogging ingredients are your cup of tea, Thursday is your day. Papa John's will sell a large, one-topping pizza (pineapple anyone?) for 23 cents as a way of making up to Cavs fans for the T-Shirts with Papa John's logos that called LeBron James a "crybaby." Those shirts appeared at Game 6 in D.C., and the PR types at the pizza place apparently recognize a mistake when they see it. The company also will donate $10,000 to the Cavaliers Youth Fund — and only have four grams of saturated fat per slice.

Roger Clemens sure has rebabbed his image, eh?

A story in last week's Washington Post detailed how the Nationals are having a hard time selling the best seats in one section of their new stadium. These seats are right behind the plate, primo location, if you get the drift. Yet they show up on TV as empty all the time — because they cost $300 per ticket. Imagine that, people actually balking at paying $300 per seat.

Mike Lupica details here that the Yankees charged $150 for a ticket behind the dugout last year. Same seat is $250 this year, the last for Yankee Stadium. Next year in the new Yankee Stadium it will cost $850 (If there's a Yankee Stadium next year then I guess this is not the last year for it, eh?). And seats right behind the dugout will cost $2,500. For one stinking seat. Folks will be lining up like they're at Filene's basement for those.

I like to refer to all these trips to cover these games the way players do — they are "business trips." There to focus on a job, to do a job. to get something done. A business trip. That being said, there are occasional yet rare opportunities to actually get out and learn something about the local culture where the games are played. So it was in Washington, D.C., when there was perhaps a 15-minute window (business trip, remember) to sample a restaurant. Now … there are certain principles for dining on the road. It's easy to eat at chains. Why go to a restaurant in Washington one can eat at in Cleveland? Makes no sense, really, to go with the Big Mac and fries just because it's within one mile of the Capitol. Ruth's Chris or Chris' Ruth or whatever it is may have the best steak in the Western Hemisphere, but why eat there on the road when you can go to one locally? Best to find the small, local place. Doesn't have to be fancy, but should have some character. So it is that the best walleye you may ever eat will come from the Tavern on Grand in St. Paul, Mn. In Washington, then, one might wish to try La Tomate on Connecticut just off Dupont Circle (unsolicited promo photo above). Small family-owned Italian place, lot of character, all fresh food — very friendly and inviting and warm. Yes, that's it. Warm. A restaurant is always best warm. W-a-r-m. Don't leave without trying the spinach appetizer. If you get lost, it's right across the street from the Church of Scientology; maybe Tom Cruise will stop by and jump on the table. Joggers (like myself) have to appreciate D.C. too. Best path takes ya past the White House and south to the Mall and past the Lincoln Memorial. Not the Soldiers and Sailers Monument on the square, mind you, but it'll do. Again … if there's time on these "business trips."

Oh … the best and only way to get around in D.C. is via Metro, the subway. It is a great subway system, paid for by our tax dollars, and very convenient — primarily because it saves the headache of driving in D.C. Take it everywhere — even to bed. But there are a few rules to follow. First is the fare card system. One-day graduate classes are offered on how to use the fare card at both Georgetown and American University. Take one on arrival. I'd offer advice on the fare card, but it's against the rules. Part of the tradition of riding the Metro is being baffled the first time you try the fare card. The only thing to say is everyone has to have their own fare card. Don't buy one $20 fare card and expect it to cover Mom, Dad, Grandma, the dog, lizard and the kids. Everybody needs their own fare card. Second, one must never ever actually talk to anyone on the Metro. One must only sit in their seat silently, staring straight ahead or at the ground (the woman on the right technically is breaking the rules). If you are with a group or a friend, it is acceptable to talk so long as the talk is muted. God fobid you would actually make conversation with a stranger. This would make the Metro warm, and only D.C. restaurants are allowed to be warm (w-a-r-m). Talking to someone on the Metro apparently will cause antenna to grow out of your armpits. Third, when taking the escalator down to the Metro, stand TO THE RIGHT. Folks who walk down go on the left, and if you are in the way they will admonish you sternly: "Stand to the right please." Then they'll run you over like they have to get to some meeting at the Interior Department — and we all know how busy those folks are. Finally, when entering the Metro car, if there are no seats do not move to the middle of the car. Instead, clog the area right inside the door. This seems to be almost as important as not talking to the folks who ride. No reason can be given, it just happens. Make the area by the doors as crowded as possible, thus making it inconvenient for those getting on and off. Seems to be a matter of policy, and again we all know how important "policy" is in D.C.

Last, these suggestions are offered only to give a local flavor to the visit, not for financial gain.

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