You haven't done a prediction in years. Who is going to win the All-Star game? - Carson

I'm hanging so tight to my belief that the Marlins will win the N.L. East that I haven't had time for any other predictions. And even though Handro thinks it's over, you'll notice my fighting fish are just two games out heading into play today.

OK, on to the task at hand. Who is going to win the All-Star game?

Did you see what happened to your boy Ryan Dempster? Just more proof the Cubs will never again win a World Series title. - Dusty, South Side, Ill.

Oh, come on. Who hasn't broken a toe or two jumping out of a dugout? It's not like he tore an ACL while arguing with an umpire.

I have to admit the Cubbies are awful right now. The pitching has been mediocre, and the offense has been atrocious. But honestly, this team has way too much talent not to win that division.

About a week and a half ago, I churned out the Western Conference power rankings. I don't want to be accused of a West Coast bias, so here are my Eastern Conference power rankings now that most of the key free agents have found teams.

1.    Boston Celtics – I love the addition of Rasheed Wallace, the most desirable free agent this summer. I hope KG takes it easy during the regular season. Boston probably won’t get the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs, but they really don’t need it. Come in with 58 wins or so and then go to work when the postseason hits.

I was on vacation so this is a couple days late, but at least we had another commenter so this CotW stays alive for another week. We are on a roll now.

In my post about the most desirable free agent, I said Rasheed Wallace is "a headcase, sure, but when you get him when he’s motivated, Sheed can be a huge difference-maker. Just ask Detroit."

Well, Kimbo went ahead and contacted the organization, ripping my rationale to pieces: I just asked Detroit and they said Rasheed Wallace cannot be a huge difference-maker. Now what?

Who is the most desirable free agent in the NBA this season? – Mike

This answer may surprise you: It’s Rasheed Wallace.

He’s a headcase, sure, but when you get him when he’s motivated, Sheed can be a huge difference-maker. Just ask Detroit.

Sheed has such a diverse skill set, and if he signs with a team like the Spurs, they’ll get him to play hard, at least for this season. He will be one of the few free agents who is worth what he signs for.

And with that out of the way, let’s look at the three players that won’t nearly live up to the contracts they sign.

Ben Gordon (Rumored contract: $11 million annually for multiple years).

BR,

Sorry for the long absence, I used to go on RTJ all the time on my blackberry, and then you changed formats which made for poor viewing on my blackberry.

At any rate, have you seen the ad's you have running? I like the one for the Envoy Game with the Rapunzel-like woman with the milky white breasts. Have you played? If so, let's hear the full BR review. - Walter Sobchak

Welcome back, old friend. I completely understand your predicament. RTJ is not quite entertaining enough to visit at home on the computer, but a great time waster while at work or doodling on your phone. I'd be in the same boat if I didn't run the joint.

Isn't it weird how some guys are the same age, but one seems so much older because he's been tossed around the league a lot? I bring this up because I couldn't believe Drew Gooden was only 27 years old. I thought he was 35. - Ethan

Drew Gooden is really 27? Yikes. You're right. I would have pegged him for early 30's as well.

Here are some players who surprised me.

Age 23
Must be older: Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks. I knew he wasn't an old man, but I didn't think he was still one of the youngest players on Atlanta.

How does the West stack up now that Yao could miss the whole year? – Dustin

It’s the end of June, and multiple players will switch teams before training camp starts, so doing power rankings this early is foolish.

Just kidding. I’m in.

1.    Los Angeles Lakers – Even if Odom leaves, Kobe, Pau and Bynum make them the favorites.

All right! My main man 'Common Sense' drops by with the first RTJ comment in months, and now I can resume the Comment of the Week feature.

I'm pumped.

What's more, he actually clowned me pretty good, using perfect grammar, clever digs and spot-on analysis. What a true American hero.

Common Sense on my attempt at analyzing soccer without watching it: "Let me give you some analysis on the sport, although I haven't watched a match in about three years." This suggests that you shouldn't be making that analysis. "Obviously, beating France was a freak occurrence." You mean Spain? Kinda proves my point, right? This post is an epic fail.  If you don't want to pay attention to soccer and hockey, fine, but to then post about it just makes you look ignorant.

OK, I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for the T-Wolves to announce the trade they've decided to go with. You know, since nobody in their right mind would draft two point guards with back-to-back lottery picks.

I gave them the benefit of the doubt and figured there would be a plan, since Kevin McHale no longer had a say with this franchise. Maybe Ricky Rubio for David Lee, or Flynn for a future No. 1.

Something. Anything. And now, I'm just so very confused.