In the latest installment of random thoughts, we commence with the NBA Finals, so let’s begin.

The Boston Celtics had the world at their feet. They had seized control of the NBA Finals, albeit briefly, by stealing Game 2 in Los Angeles. However, with three consecutive home games awaiting them, they picked a ignominious time to lay an egg. Ray Allen, who for all his heroics in Game 2, was as horrific in Game 3 as he was excellent in the preceding game. If it weren’t for Kevin Garnett (25 points, six rebounds), Boston would have been destroyed by the resurgent Lakers, although a 91-84 loss hurts just as much as it would had the margin been 91-61.

For Los Angeles, Derek Fisher (16 points) was the man of the hour as he had 11 of his points in the 4th Quarter and made several defensive plays to repel Boston surges as well. However, the fact remains that he’s a deplorable person. He left the Utah Jazz high and dry because he lusted to go back to the Lakers. He can hide his true intentions behind his daughter’s eye condition all he wants but it’s obvious that Utah’s medical facilities are as good as any others in the country and we Utahns aren’t stupid. He may be the impetus of another Lakers championship, along with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, but he has major character issues and has forever lost my respect.

Meanwhile, I move onto a more propitious event. The Washington Nationals, despite a subpar record of 28-31, have found themselves a gem in star pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The former San Diego State standout amassed 14 strikeouts in his MLB debut, a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. I’ll admit that on my Twitter account (BroncosItaly if you want to follow me), I was skeptical of the hype Strasburg received up to this point. However, as his performance manifested, the 200 extra media requests the Nats received to witness Strasburg’s debut were well worth it. After drafting former College of Southern Nevada star, Bryce Harper, #1 in Monday’s annual amateur draft, perhaps the moribund Nationals could be going places.

Finally, in the College Softball World Series, the UCLA Lady Bruins defeated my beloved Arizona Lady Wildcats, 15-9, to sweep the two games in the best of three championship series at Oklahoma City and won their 11th national title. The UCLA women were classy in victory as they wore black armbands to commemorate the unfortunate death of the institution’s legendary former mens’ basketball coach John Wooden. Obviously, if Coach Wooden had a seat from the celestial press box to witness these events, he was pleased by the Lady Bruins’ efforts in victory.

Later on this week, we have the College Baseball World Series (“ping” as my mentor Jim Rome would say), the World Cup and the continuation of the NBA Finals. That’s all for now, so thanks for reading.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett said at a news conference today that the EPA is attempting to impose economically harmful climate regulations on the country. He said that the EPA is using the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to give itself more power. Bennett commented that America wants to protect the environment but the answer is not expanding the reach of the government. He said EPA regulations will kill jobs and devastate the economy. Congress will vote Thursday on the new climate resolution.

(RICHFIELD) – The Utah Department of Transportation continues to remind motorists of construction projects along roadways in South-Central Utah. UDOT says that crews are replacing concrete and joints on the roadway at Clear Creek Canyon on I-70 east of Sevier. Officials say that single lane closures are possible and blowing dust may affect visibility in work zones. UDOT also says a chipseal project is going on along SR-118 from Austin to the Livestock Auction with potential delays in traffic for a few minutes. A chipseal project is also underway on U.S. 89 from Fairview to the Utah County line with single lane closures. Expect some delays. UDOT reminds motorists to be careful in work zones in construction areas around the state and take necessary precautions.

(NEW YORK, NY.) – A popular national magazine lists Kanab as one of the top 20 towns for sportsmen. Outdoor Life magazine ranked Kanab 5th on the list, while Richfield came in at 39th. The magazine used extensive data to score 200 towns on their sporting opportunities and quality-of-life issues for its 3rd Annual ranking. Rapid City, S.D., with a population of 65,500, took top honors on the magazine’s list. Other Utah towns included, Vernal at 51st, Logan at 52nd, Heber at 54th, Cedar City at 56th and Price at 195th. The magazine ranks towns according to what most sportsmen like, including world-class hunting and fishing, decent homes and schools and good-paying jobs. Kanab was noted in the magazine as “Little Hollywood” because the town and surrounding areas were used as the set in many classic Westerns.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett is holding a news conference today to discuss the upcoming vote on the EPA’s resolution on climate regulations on the country. Bennett is joining forces with 40 Republican and three Democrat senators in opposition to the EPA’s attempt to place harmful climate regulations on businesses. Congress will vote on the resolution this Thursday.

(RICHFIELD) – The State of Utah has determined that “Curly Doc” is a noxious weed. USU Extension Service Agent Jody Gale spoke before Sevier County Commissioners at Monday’s meeting to update the county on the eradication of the weed. Gale said crews have been using herbicides to attack the weed along the Sevier River, including nine miles from the Washburnville area east of Monroe and from Austin through Central. He said efforts have been hampered by high winds where crews can’t spray in order to target the weed. Commissioner Gary Mason commented that an area along the Sevier River in Redmond and Aurora is so thick with “Curly Doc” that a rabbit couldn’t get through. The USU Extension Service works closely with Sevier County in helping to destroy the weed.

(SIGURD) – A fight involving six Sigurd residents resulted in their arrests. Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fight in progress at about 3:30am Saturday, where three members of the group starting a shoving match. A sheriff’s report said the girlfriend of one of the boys grabbed a baseball bat to defend her boyfriend and several other people got involved in the fight. One subject was treated by Sevier County EMS for an injury to the back of the head and six people were arrested. Deputies said one of the subjects is still avoiding police. There’s no report as to the cause of the fight.