Worst. NBA Season. Ever. ?

We blame Tony Parker. But seriously, folks...

As we continue to endure a playoff season that began as the best party ever before it changed into a Waco-level tragedy, our only question is... will this be remembered as the worst (non-lockout) season ever in the NBA?

The case for:

> Wildly noncompetitive and mostly unwatchable Finals, devoid of any drama or suspense

> At least a half dozen teams, most obviously the Celtics, threw games to better their draft position

> SunsGate and FoulGate (i.e., last night's Bowen/James no-call) will cause many to view the champions as illegitimate

> The continued existence of Bill Walton

> Trade deadline with no trades shows a league filled with GMs with no balls

> Isiah Thomas has a job

> Personal reason -- my team (the Sixers) may have never been less relevant to the Association

> Competitive imbalance between conferences has gone beyond Majors vs. AAA to Majors vs. AA

> Regular season tank jobs, both for entire teams to better their lottery chances, and for superstars not wanting to peak before the playoffs, made fantasy leagues a complete joke

> The Cavs are the worst team to appear in an NBA Finals ever, and their head coach would eat paste during the games, if he could only figure out how to get the jar open

The case against:

> Talent level is the highest of any major American team sport -- and yes, that includes the NFL, because there isn't more than six QBS you should pay to see right now

> Defensive intensity and physical fitness of players is so good, it may be a detriment

> The Warriors made the playoffs for the first time since Kurt Cobain was alive

> Mark Cuban got his comeuppance

> David Stern has fixed worse problems than this, and will do so again

> The lottery made Bill Simmons and the Celtics cry like the spoiled children they are (see reason above)

> TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew exists

> The position of "Point Guard" may be coming back into vogue (witness the growth of Tony Parker, Deron Williams and Chris Paul)

> NBA sports bloggers like True Hoop, YaySports, Free Darko and yes, begrudgingly, the bombed-out remains of Bill Simmons have upped the ante on coverage and analysis

> Isiah Thomas has a job

And the final verdict is... FOR!

The judges would like to thank Anderson "George Gervin's Short Bus Friend" Varejao for breaking the logjam. We'll be sending him a Participant trophy and some instructions on opening jars of paste. He can enjoy both while watching our new video, "Anderson Varejao: Come Wet The Bed With Me."