I’ve been waiting for Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan’s appreciation of Red Auerbach. Ryan is the dean of the Boston sports media and although he began to cover Red relatively late in the game (1970), his is an informed take on an American original. Bob Ryan Ryan is always worth reading even for those of us who live outside New England. I’d welcome recommendations from NLT readers about other noteworthy regional sportswriters.

Yes, Miami looked old and disinterested last night. Chicago is young, very athletic and intriguing. And the Kobe-less Lakers beat the Suns? Only six months until it all means something, of course. In the meantime, college basketball fortunately is upon us.