I’m always struck by how likable both D-Wade and Dwight Howard are. And as much as I dislike Shaq, that was a pretty funny observation about the national anthem. And Dikembe on the floor clutching the ball always makes me smile.

But sweet sassy molassy, would it KILL the NBA to show Duncan a little love? Unless I blinked, he isn’t in that promo once. And yet Shaq, who won’t even play this year, gets a freakin’ monologue.

Why? Why is that, NBA?

It bugs the christing hell out of me, because the whole “Duncan is boring” argument is so effing tautological. No, he’s not boring. He’s unknown. Because you never feature him. Can he be charming and funny? Of course he can. Is he a fighter and a champion? You best believe it, and if you don’t, look up. See those banners? And the emotion he shows on the court is that much more powerful for being rare. You can promote that, you capitalist a-holes, if the money that promotion brings is really all that matters to you about this game. You can promote anything if you come at it from the right angle. But you’re lazy, NBA suits, and you like to keep the public lazy, and you take the path of least resistance — entertainment over enlightenment.

Anyway. Playoffs! Woo hoo!