I know football has started and the baseball playoffs are under way, but what I’m really excited about is the start of NBA training camp.

Because if it’s training camp, it means that the NBA season isn’t too far away. And I’ve missed the NBA. I know, it’s kind of silly to miss the NBA when my baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, is trying to repeat as World Series champions, and the New England Patriots are gamely limping along without Tom Brady. I’ve never been all that interested in college football, but the team I do root for — the University of Albany — is undefeated and, according to that goofy poll everyone hates, the second best team in the country. So roll tide, and all of that. In any case, it’s an exciting time, with plenty to keep a sports fan occupied.

A quick glance at the NBA schedule reveals that the season officially begins Oct. 28 with a televised game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the world champion Boston Celtics, which makes me froth at the mouth in anticipation. Will the Celtics win it all again in 2009? I have no idea. But it will be fun to watch them try.

I’m sorry. What I should be writing about is baseball. I watched the entire Red Sox-Angels game last night, and of course I was disappointed that the Red Sox didn’t finish the Angels off right then and there. “These fans are shocked that Josh Beckett isn’t delivering what they expected,” the announcer intoned, as Beckett walked another batter. Maybe the fans really were shocked, but I wasn’t shocked at all, as Beckett is coming off two injuries, wasn’t ready for game one, and has had a fairly tough season. Jon Lester has been the ace all season, and he takes the mound tonight. So we’ll see what happens. I worry, though, because these Angels are a pretty good team, and I hate to give them any kind of hope.

A friend of mine asked me if I focused properly during the Red Sox-Angels game, and the fact is, I wasn’t focused at all. I took a break to watch Mad Men at 10 p.m., and I spent most of the game copy editing a report on student loan debt for a friend. So perhaps I’m to blame for the loss. In any case, I’ll try to focus properly tonight, and spare us a Game 5. Oh, and I’ll just pause for a moment to say that I cannot believe the Cubs. I’m not a Cubs fan, thank god, but if I was I think I’d be ready to march on Wrigley Field with pitchforks and flaming torches. It wasn’t just that they lost, but the way in which they lost. No fight at all. Now, you can’t say that about the Angels. Which is why they worry me.

I saw some friends this weekend, and we engaged in a little game that involved seeing whether we could still name all of the New Kids on the Block. Well, of course we can, because that’s just not the sort of thing you ever forget. One of the friends had just seen the New Kids in concert, and expressed shock and amazement because I didn’t make fun of her for this. Having just written about the bad music I love (you can find that here) I felt a little funny about making fun of someone for their unabashed love of bad music. Although, those New Kids songs are really bad. I mean, REALLY BAD. Especially the ballads. So I didn’t make fun of my friend, but I didn’t feel the least bit sorry that I’d missed the New Kids reunion tour.

But then my friend said, “Oh, but you know what was really cool? Paul Pierce was at the concert.” Paul Pierce? The Celtics captain? At a New Kids concert? At first I couldn’t believe my ears, but my friend assured me it was true. Apparently, Paul Pierce came out on stage toward the end of the show carrying the Larry O’Brien championship trophy, as the New Kids danced around in Celtics jerseys. And you know what? It actually made me jealous of my friend, for getting to see the New Kids in concert. And that is shocking. In any case, I’m glad it’s almost basketball season, and I’ll be able to watch Paul Pierce on TV.

Oh, yes, and the New Kids are: Jordan Knight, his older brother Jonathan, little Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Donnie Wahlberg. They’re all from Dorchester, which explains their love of Boston sports.

I watched Saturday Night Live for the first time in ages, and although the political stuff is funny, the non-political stuff is about as non-funny as it gets. But I have to admit, I did love the sketch “Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals.” You can view that here.

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