We're in Phoenix. There are eight seconds left, and the Suns are down by one point to the San Antonio Spurs. If the Suns can pull this one out, they'll go on to the NBA finals. Coming out of a time out, Dan Majerle, under heavy pressure, throws it in to Kevin Johnson. Johnson kicks it out to Charles Barkley. Barkley fakes right, then goes to his left. As the clock approaches zero, he lets fly a perfect shot from the top of the key. It's good!

The crowd goes crazy. The players huddle on the floor; the Suns in one knot, celebrating, the Spurs in another, dejected. Suddenly Mickey Gordon, one of the best referees in the league, hits his whistle, waves his arms, and wipes off the basket. The shot was 1/100th of a second late, and his eagle eye spotted that. The players and fans are furious, but the call is right. That's why they pay us the big bucks.

Not a bad beginning to a mediocre movie whose only saving grace is that it's about an NBA referee. It's called Forget Paris and stars Billy Crystal and Debra Winger. Okay, I admit it. It's that time of year. The season is over — if Boston wins Tuesday night. I do what I have to do to get my fix. This weekend I'll probably be watching Hoosiers.

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