BOSTON - The toughest decision for me today was figuring out where to park near the New Garden so I can get out of here in the potential post-celebration madness.

I have to admit it, I'm hoping the Celtics end it tonight so I don't have to return Thursday night for Game 7.

NEGEDU PICKS VOLS

We handicapped the Tennessee Vols as the winner of the Emmanuel Negedu sweepstakes earlier today and that's exactly what happened.

Negedu, the ultra-athletic (he commonly puts his chin on the rim) 6-foot-7 forward out of Brewster Academy (N.H.), chose Tennessee over Memphis, Georgia Tech and Indiana.

It likely ruined Memphis coach John Calipari's day, since to say that he and Vols coach Bruce Pearl dislike one another is a major understatement.

WESLEY JOHNSON LOOKING HEAVY AT BIG EAST

When Iowa State forward Wesley Johnson picked up and abruptly left Iowa State, he became a hot commodity.

Everyone wanted to get involved.

Johnson, who played most of last season with a foot injury, said he bolted from the Cyclones in search of an up-tempo style and an improved relationship with the coaching staff, is looking hard at Syracuse, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Ohio State.

Johnson wasn't given his release to Kentucky and Alabama because ``they were saying I had been talking to them during the season."

Johnson denied that claim.

Johnson averaged 12.4 points last year despite playing with constant pain.

``I have a 41-inch vertical that went to a 25-inch vertical," Johnson said. "I couldn't explode and was jumping off my left leg. I was limping all the time and it hurt even when I was walking around in street clothes."