With all of the excitement in the Bay Area sports world recently -- the Warriors and Sharks in the playoffs, the Raiders with the first pick in the NFL draft -- let me begin the discussions with something of very little importance to the San Francisco Giants.

• From Chris Haft's notebook at MLB.com Monday:
  

  Although Lincecum relieved in college at the University of Washington, his bullpen experience was limited. He wouldn't have the mental or physical frame of reference to draw upon, so to speak, that Papelbon could as a guy who closed last season. Converting Lincecum to the bullpen would be a risky move to make with such a valuable young arm.

  
  I don't put much into the whole "Closer's Mentality" idea, though I concede if someone has a nervous breakdown on the mound it could affect his control. But what bothered me about this is that Haft says Papelbon will be a good closer this year because he has the experience from last season. But last season he had 35 saves with a .92 ERA. How was he able to do that?
  
  The correct answer is that Papelbon was a closer in college. In 2003 at Miss. St. Papelbon threw 47.1 innings, all relief, striking out more than a batter an inning. His first season in the minors half of his appearances were in relief. But Haft never mentions this. It's not a big deal, but it took me 20 seconds to look up and would have added more strength to his argument.
  
  On the issue in general I think Lincecum needs to stay a starter for the time being. Last season the Red Sox felt the were a legitimate World Series contender which had a glaring weakness at the end of their bullpen. With a stacked rotation they let a potential starter close. No big deal. But the Giants aren't one piece away from being a contender. I think Lincecum needs to be in the majors soon, but at the expense of a trade of Matt Morris, Matt Morris or Armando Benitez (with Ortiz moving to the bullpen). There's no reason to mess with his arm in order to get that elusive 82nd win.

• The Raiders went out and did what everyone has expected since LSU trounced Notre Dame and picked JaMarcus Russell. I have no idea whether or not JMR will be the quarterback everyone dreams off, but this was a move the Raiders needed to make. Knowing it will take two to three years for JMR to develop shows the team is ready to rebuild. With Lane Kiffin probably needing two to three years to figure what he's doing, Josh McKown can work out the kinks in the system while JMR sits by and watches.
  
  I also really liked the pick up of Mike Williams in the McKown deal. Money means nothing in the NFL, so picking up someone with first-round talent is always worth the gamble. If he doesn't pan out no big deal. But the upside is there.


• The Warriors bandwagon is getting quite full, but I'm comfortable with my spot way in the back. My boss asked me the other day where they fit on my sports hierarchy and I answered somewhere below the Sharks, which is true. I used to be a big NBA fan, but recently I haven't been able to get into it.
  
  Still, I've never let myself root for any other team besides the Warriors. I can't claim to have suffered like true Warriors fans so I won't take credit for the team like some are doing. I recognize I'm a casual fan now, but if I ever do get into basketball they are the only team I'll go with. So for now I take pleasure in the battle they're giving the Mavericks. Maybe someday it will be more.