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This is supposed to be one of those stories that writes itself, right?  The Celts get down 0-3 and start walking The Green Mile. They get a “dignity win” in Game Four to avoid summary execution, but there’s no reason to think it’s anything but a brief stay. Still, sports pundits being sports pundits—particularly Northeast sports pundits being Northeast sports pundits—start braying that Boston will become the first NBA team to climb out of that canyon to win a playoff series. That was not as bold a prediction as it may have sounded. That’s one of those deals that if you’re wrong nobody cares or remembers, but if you’re right you’re Nostradamus.

Now here we are. It’s 3-3. Miami was one-tenth of a second from advancing to the NBA Finals. That mental torment will be hard to overcome. Derrick White is now John Effing Havlicek. These are the Celtics, cloaked in the green cape of destiny, playing a Game Seven at home and ready to light up a cigar that would make Auerbach blush.

This is a done deal, right? In fact, it will be a Boston Blowout, correct?

Not so fast, Bean Breath. There’s a reason why teams who go up 3-0 are 150-0 in finishing the job.

Yes, I am familiar with the 2004 Red Sox. Same city. Different sport.

I’m sticking with (or to) the Heat. If I’m wrong, I’ll own it. Hell, I’ve been wrong once or twice before.

You want real pressure? The WNBA’s Indiana Fever Sunday night avoided the distinction of owning sole possession of the longest losing streak in league history. Indiana 90, Atlanta 87, as the Fever won their first game since June 19, 2022. That ends the skid at 20 games, leaving Indiana merely tied with the 2011 Tulsa Shock. (Tulsa Shock?)

This can’t be good. The Ennbeeay reportedly is investigating 19-year veteran league referee Eric Lewis. It appears E. may be a little sensitive to criticism. Looks like Lewis may have got hizzseff a Twitter burner account on which he defended NBA refs—including himself—from public potshots. You’re not s’posed to do that. Here’s the best part. Lewis reportedly used the social media pseudonym “Blair Cuttliff.” How dare that guy rip me off?

L’Veon Bell recently quenched his publicity thirst by revealing that he often smoked pot before NFL games. I know this much. He sure looked dazed and confused in his final days in Pittsburgh.

New Vistas in Stupid Conspiracy Theories. Dude got on Facebook Sunday afternoon and suggested that the 500 was rigged because Penske owns the track. This kinda shit is triggering a prostatitis flare-up. But it’s true that Soupy Sales killed both Kennedys.

There are myriad reasons why I could never win the Indy 500 and would never want to. I ain’t drinkin’ no milk. That stuff is not good for adults.

The Astros put on one of the most impressive BP sessions you’ll ever see Sunday. Seven homers, two by Yordan. And ‘Tuve got his first dinger of the year in a 10-1 rout. But, yes, there is an asterisk. It was against the now 10-45 Oakland A’s, who have now lost 11 straight.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.