Shots at LeBron hit near home

Little was surprising about the onslaught of media and Internet jubilation and jokes about the failure of LeBron James and "The Threetles" in the NBA Finals.

But the silliness and frivolity might have jumped the shark when it reached the governor's office in the spurned state of Ohio.

John Kasich, the governor and former Fox News Channel anchor, declared the Dallas Mavericks organization, as well as its friends, family and fans, "Honorary Ohioans" and granted them "all privileges and honors" that go with the title, whatever that means.

Kasich, in a thinly veiled shot at native Ohioan James, praised Finals Most Valuable Player Dirk Nowitzki for his decision to re-sign with Dallas last offseason, "forgoing free agency and keeping his talents in Dallas, thus remaining loyal to the team, city and fans for whom he played his entire career."

Kasich also heralded the team for its "loyalty, integrity and teamwork."

If that's the standard for teams to live up to in the state, Kasich needs to issue a new resolution disassociating Ohio from the football team that calls Columbus home.

■ NUMBERS DON'T LIE -- On the subject of the Ohio State football program, Monday marked the introduction of interim coach Luke Fickell.

With the program still reeling from the downfall of Emperor Jim Tressel, Buckeyes fans got a glimpse of what the future holds under Fickell.

The interim boss didn't invoke memories of Woody Hayes as he made his first comments to fans, media and all of Buckeye Nation.

"The 2011 Buckeyes will not be compared or contrasted to previous years," Fickell said. "It will be about respect, toughness and being men of action."

He soon will find out few people in Columbus care about respect. They care about victories, and he better get them if he plans on having any prayer at getting the job on a more permanent basis.

He laid out his plan for the season by emphasizing the areas he hopes his team will focus on this season: "We have a goal to lead the nation in three categories: effort, turnovers and toughness."

Effort and toughness are difficult to quantify.

He might want to change those two statistics to tattoos and free cars if he wants to make sure the team can accomplish his goals.

■ DEFLATED -- Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo says he has been heaping praise upon his Stanley Cup Finals counterpart, Boston's Tim Thomas, without getting any back in return.

"I've been pumping his tires ever since the series started," Luongo told the Vancouver Sun. "I haven't heard one nice thing he's had to say about me."

Thomas was unaware of his responsibilities as far as being Luongo's personal PR person.

"I guess I didn't realize it was my job to pump his tires," Thomas told reporters Sunday in Boston. "I guess I have to apologize for that."

Thomas went out and beat Luongo again in Game 6 on Monday, setting up tonight's Game 7 in Vancouver.

If Luongo plays as he has in the three games in Boston, deflated tires might be the least of his concerns when he gets to the parking lot.

COMPILED BY ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL