Letters

Kingdom of Kevin
After reading your article on Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves ' advancement in this year's playoffs (Give 'Em Howl, May 31), I am starting to think that maybe it's not just those of us in Minnesota who are getting tired of the league's promoting the high and mighty Lakers . How refreshing it is to see a real team, led by a true superstar, give the Lakers all they could handle. Even your pictures depicted what we Minnesotans get to see all season—100% focus and effort by the league's best player.
BERNIE JORDAHL, Stillwater , Minn.

It is interesting that your story on the Lakers-Wolves series made no mention of the laughable refereeing. Until the NBA is willing to officiate Shaquille O'Neal as they do the rest of the players—for example, by fouling him out of Game 6—the playoffs will be a sham.
ROBERT D. STURTZ, Albert Lea , Minn.

Shadows on the Track
I have watched my favorite sport, track and field, fade in popularity over the past three decades. Now, why should I care about the results of a competition with all the integrity of the WWE (Who's Clean, Who's Not? May 31)? Kelli White , Jerome Young , et al.—thanks for driving a hypodermic syringe through the heart of the sport. And Marion ? If a legal appeal is needed to help you make your way to the gold medal stand in Athens , I will consider the 2004 title to be vacant, and I would urge the American people to do the same.
KEN FLINT
St. Augustine, Fla.

Platinum Record
The often overlooked FOR THE RECORD was fascinating, vintage SI (SCORECARD, May 31). A link between art and sport (Tony Randall eulogy), international politics (Arab team wins Israeli soccer tournament), a Yank in King Arthur's court ( Tim Howard on top of the world's best soccer league), a scandal (the dumping of Cracker Jack at Yankee Stadium ) and sex ( Colorado football), all on one page. Oh, and a projected end of the line for tennis's Andre the Great. Can it get any better? Bravo, SI.
MARK BOGGS, Charlotte

Inside Moves
I used to read SI religiously, but after a career change, a geographic move and the birth of my three children, I hadn't picked up the magazine in nearly a decade. Then, while waiting to see my dentist, I came across Michael Bamberger 's stirring Con Games (May 31) about a chess tournament at the Trenton state prison. The article's candor reminded me why I loved the magazine in the first place. Who knew a routine checkup could be so rewarding?
J. PEERY SLOAN, Valparaiso , Ind.

Chess is a board game. I do not care how much skill or intelligence it takes to master the game; it is not a sport. How many reporters will you have in Athens covering Parcheesi this summer?
BOB DOLAN, Manchester, N.H.

New York State of Mind
I enjoyed Franz Lidz 's article on New York 's minor league baseball clubs (Diamond District, May 31), particularly the Nader family and the Oneonta Tigers. I worked for the Naders from the time I was about nine until I moved away from Oneonta when I was 14. Sam Nader and his son, John, made me think I was the most important popcorn vendor in the world. Your article made me feel as if it was 1982 again and I was hawking trays of popcorn and watching outfielder John Elway throw rockets to the plate.
TIM BROWN, Richmond

Getting Younger
I applaud Roy S. Johnson 's wishes to make Olympic men's basketball competitive by limiting the team to younger players (SCORECARD, May 31). NBA commissioner David Stern is out of touch with the world's most popular sport when he says, "In every other sport you send your best athletes." Not so, Mr. Commissioner. The Olympic men's soccer competition is limited to under-23-year-old players, with three overage players per team allowed.
RICHARD BREEDON, Indianapolis

Young American men and women are dying for their country in Iraq and Afghanistan , but Jason Kidd and Ray Allen are too busy to play basketball for their country in Greece ? For shame.
AL MEYERHOFF, Studio City , Calif.

Bearded Baseball
For years my three sisters and I have poked fun at pictures of our father, Frank Maren, sporting a beard while he played a short stint with the House of David baseball team in the late 1940s (SCORECARD, May 31). Although it has been hard to pinpoint from my dad exactly what the House of David was all about, some of his happiest days were spent playing the sport he loved for that team. Thank you for mentioning this obscure group and validating our father's baseball legacy.
JANEL MAREN GROSSHEIM, Raleigh