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JAN HUBBARD NBA commentary sometimes resembles the focus of an obsessive teen.Last year, it was fashionable to marvel almost daily at the depth and quality of teams in the western conference. It became so severe in some quarters that playoff revolutionaries wanted to overthrow the system and seed teams with the 16 best regular-season records in the playoffs regardless of conference.That was supposed to be the intelligent thing to do because the playoffs were unfair to the superior West.Ignored by this well-meaning but short-sighted group of individuals was the history of the NBA and the consistent shift of power between conferences. Let’s think back to, oh, the ’90s, when the Bulls were winning six titles.With teams such as New York, Miami, Indiana and Orlando in the East, was anyone talking about revamping the system because the big, bad East was dominating?And the Finals did seem to send a message last season. The Lakers emerged from the powerful West but went down with

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is one of four parties talking to bosses of the former Honda Formula One team over a rescue bid, BBC Sport understands.

BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR. Do-or-die situation1This is it for the Cowboys. It’s do or die. It’s win or go home. Pick a cliché, because it all applies. A season that began with a Super Bowl-or-bust mantra can find new life and a chance to realize those dreams with a win today. A loss, however, and the Cowboys miss out on the playoffs and might be remembered as the most disappointing and underachieving team in franchise history.Final-game woes2To make the playoffs, the Cowboys must do something they haven’t done since 1999 — win their regular-season finale. The Cowboys beat the New York Giants 26-18 in the final regular-season game in 1999 to clinch a playoff spot. It also must be noted that the Cowboys last won a season finale on the road in 1995 when they beat the Cardinals 37-13 en route to the fifth and most recent Super Bowl title in franchise history.No Romo turnovers3It’s real simple. If quarterback Tony Romo takes care of the football and avoids

RANDY GALLOWAY PHILADELPHIA — What we’ve got here today is a football club with a head coach who’s been demoted to doofus status by fans and media. Plus, a high-profile quarterback with an approval rating that’s slipped lower than Washington politicians. Plus, there’s the gutless-team tag that was attached after last week’s spot-light game collapse.But enough already about the Eagles.How ’bout them Dallas Cowboys?Week 17, Game 16 of the NFL’s regular-season finale bring us the irony of two bitter old rivals who have almost carbon-copied each other in 2008 futility.I said almost.The Cowboys are better off in postseason hope, having only to win today to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ chances of advancing involve a complicated process of banking a pass off the Rocky statue, swimming the Schuylkill River, beating Ben Franklin off the perimeter dribble, then slam-dunking over all-time favorite son, Wilt Chamberlain.Translatio

The Dallas Cowboys face a must-win game. We know, you’ve been hearing that from the experts since Week 8. But this time we mean it. Honest. Beat the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cowboys make the playoffs. Lose and they don’t. Of course, is it ever that easy? Here is what Super Fan and Anti-Fan think must happen in this must-have week.The Super Fan says ...Here’s what must happen today:1. They must finish in Philly: The NFL schedule-makers didn’t do the Cowboys any favors by putting the Philadelphia Evils on their December schedule. Anyone who thinks the Cowboys gained some big advantage by having the game moved to 3:15 p.m. is either drunk, stupid or both. With a laundry list of things that have to happen for them to make the playoffs, the Evils know that destiny is out of their hands. All they can do is beat the team they’re playing. For the Evils (and especially their fans), knocking the Cowboys out of the playoffs is a nice consolation prize for not maki

Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract Friday, meaning the 45-year-old pitcher will go for his 300th win with a new team.

You remember St. Mary's College, that school in Moraga, lots of Australian players. Perhaps the Gaels slipped your mind because of their schedule. With teams reluctant to come to McKeon Pavilion, St. Mary's hit the road for more than a month, playing eight...

Charlotte SG Raja Bell scored 18 points in Saturday's game against the Nets but left the game with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter after he came up limping while battling for the ball under the Bobcats' basket. Team officials said he strained his left groin.

There remains the very real possibility that Arizona and San Diego could each end up in the playoffs with a record of 8-8 while it's possible the New England Patriots could be left out even if they finish 11-5. Not only that, but the Patriots buried the Cardinals in a snowbank last Sunday, beating them 47-7 in New England.

Mavericks at Clippers 2:30 p.m. today, Staples Center, Los AngelesTV: FSN SWRadio: ESPN/103.3 FM, KFLC/1270 AM (Spanish)Records: Mavericks 17-12, Clippers 8-20What to know: Yes, the Clippers are 3-11 at home, but one of those wins came against the Mavericks and they nearly got one in Dallas, too. Zach Randolph, averaging 23.1 points and 9.9 rebounds in 14 games, always plays well against Dallas, no matter whose uniform he’s wearing. Forward Al Thornton continues to progress, averaging 16.7 points and 5.0 rebounds. ... The Mavericks are looking to close out a three-game road trip with two wins before starting a string of four of five games at home against sub-.500 teams.Injury report: Mavericks — G/F Jerry Stackhouse (right foot), out. Clippers — G Ricky Davis (knee), out; C Chris Kaman (arch), out; F Zach Randolph (knee), probable.