Some NBA news and notes hours before Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Why did you have to schedule Game 2 head to head against The Sopranos, Stern? LeBron and Duncan vs. Tony? It's too tough a call right now, but I'm betting most people go with The Sopranos. And if Game 1 were any indication, they're not likely to turn over the ABC at 10:00pm. Anyway, on to some non-Finals news.

1. The Boston Globe is reporting that the Celtics are shopping around their No. 5 pick in this year's draft. Probably a wise decision, if they can get someone like Shawn Marion. At the 5 spot, the best player on the board is most likely going to end up being Florida's Corey Brewer. The last thing the C's need is another small forward, so why not look elsewhere. Marion would fit in really well in Boston, and would bring some much needed help for Paul Pierce. With Marion on board, the Celtics can continue to develop their young talent while not letting Paul Pierce's best years go to waste.

HOWEVER, these are the Celtics, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this end in (yet another) disaster. It all depends on how dead set Boston is on getting rid of the pick. If this alleged Marion deal were to fall apart, the C's could always get a little to anxious with that No. 5 pick and trade it away in a terrible deal. Does anyone have an alcoholic with an awful contract they're looking to unload?

2. The sound you heard earlier this afternoon was that of the collective panic in the greater D.C. area. Today, Gilbert Arenas told the Washington Post that he's going to opt out of his current contract with the Washington Wizards following the 2007-2008 NBA season. Arenas is claiming it's "just business" and he very well could be using this as leverage for a bigger deal to stay in D.C. But remember, this is Agent Zero. Who knows what he's thinking? He can do anything and I don't think anyone would be surprised. This can't feel good for Wiz fans.

It should be interesting to see how Zero performs in his contract year. Can he continue to improve his game? Can he carry Washinton deep into the playoffs? Can the Wizards contend in the East against the likes of Chicago, Miami, Cleveland and Toronto? The drama unfolds only on TNT!