BOOKING SOME TIME OFF.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

Can you rationalize the fact that the L.A.-weary Phoenix Suns now get three days to rest up before Game 7 against the Clippers because -- seriously -- their U.S. Airways Center home court was previously booked today for an Arena Football League playoff game, and Sunday for ``WWE Smackdown Presents: Judgment Day,'' without a scheduled appearance by Raja Bell? Would you have been any less perturbed by this sequence of events if it was because of a extended concert engagement by Shakira?

--Elgin Baylor, NBA executive of the year? You mean, that same piece of hardware once given annually to Jerry West?

--What does Lawler's law stipulate about the Clippers' search-and-seizure rights for taking a Game 7? Does Kobe have any advice to the naive Clips about making a quick exit to Sky Harbor International following a series-deciding blowout?

--Any conspiracy theories as to why the D'Antoni Code fails to include the Suns scaffolding some kind of defensive stance in the paint once in a while? Especially when it involves trying to force-feed Quinton Ross and his devout friends their last supper?

--What are the NBA's contingency plans to have Eva Longoria keep showing up at playoff games with or without Tony Parker in uniform?

--Any immediate groin-jerk reaction from the sore-shouldered Chris Kaman about Jason Terry's poor citizenship in the Mavs-Spurs series?

--The WNBA has forged ahead to a 10th season? Do you have even one-tenth of an interest yet at this point in its existence?

--Is Justin Gatlin now just another also-ran?

--How many agitated ex-UCLA football stars can you cram into a booth at the Westwood Denny's?

--Do you get the feeling that every time Derek Lowe (1-3, 3.45 ERA and cracking a sharp 1.17 WHIP) takes the mound this season, his run-producing teammates are just not all that motivated about helping him pucker up to a win?

--Does Scott Erickson's latest line (2 IP, 3 R, 4 BBs) in the Yankees' box score Thursday reinforce the Dodgers' decision to send him and his Playboy-posing wife packing?

--Speaking of Barbaro, have you taken the time to appreciate how Adrienne Barbeau (do a Google search, my young friends) refuses to allow herself to be put out to pasture?

--Mark Crawford, Michael Crawford, Cindy Crawford ... which one of 'em would get the attention of the Kings' players best?

--Psst, hey you, Ducks fan ... can I interest you in a homemade top-of- the-TV receiver that'll allow you to get all those OLN playoff games your puck desires? You won't have to shed a cable tier, OK?