Fact number three: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will retire.

The man looks like Kermit the Frog. It's getting quite embarrassing, especially because most of the centers he faces this year used to idolize him.

But he's a legend, fans say. True, but do you actually think that a 42-year old can survive playing another season? This is basketball, not bowling.

Who knows, maybe he can pull it off.

Fact number four: The Los Angeles Clippers will win the NCAA Tournament.

Well, with Danny Manning, Charles Smith and Gary Grant, the Clippers should be the best team in the nation. Look for Los Angeles to easily capture the WAC, grab the top seed in the West Region and go all the way to Final Four.

With the type of year they will have in the NBA, the Clippers might be better off facing Georgetown.

Fact number five: The NBA has better highlight films.

Does any TV commercial compare with the "We Can Be So Hot" NBA spots?

What's more exciting, watching Dominique Wilkins 360 Mark Eaton for a two-handed slam or Orel Hershiser striking out Jose Canseco for the third time in a game?

Basketball is a rock n' roll sport. It plays well to music. Football takes too long and baseball is too quiet.

Fact number six: Portland's Kevin Duckworth is a big man.

The seven-foot, 270-lb. Trailblazer is the most improved player in the NBA and could become the NBA's newest superstar.

That much bulk is tough to stop in the paint.

Fact number seven: James Worthy will have the year of his life.

The MVP of the NBA Finals deserves a good year. Throughout his career, Worthy has played behind Jabbar and Johnson. If Worthy played on any other team in the NBA, he'd be a franchise.

This year, the Lakers need him badly. Worthy won't disappoint.

Fact number eight: The Celtics will find another way to win.

Do I really have to explain that one?

I didn't think so.