Sports Redux: Dice-K Settles In, Bostonist Digs Daytona

Not much going on locally around here, but that doesn't mean Boston's players weren't busy, especially in Florida. Daisuke Matsuzaka is already living up to his potential as a pitcher and as a big-money draw.

The other Red Sox are already pranking on him like he's a beloved little brother. In a cute PR stunt, Dice-K carried catcher Jason Varitek's gear for him before they started working out together.

And NASCAR was amazing yesterday. The red states may act like they own NASCAR, but even Bostonist was riveted to the insane Daytona 500, in which Kevin Harvick won by a bumper. The Daytona 500 had cheaters, crashes, and near-photo finishes - what's not to love?

Over in Vegas, the NBA All-Star activities continued with the East vs. West All-Star game. In short, the West took the East and mopped the floor with them. That's bad news for the Celtics because, if the East is weak, and the Celtics are in the East's basement ... well, that's just too depressing to think about.

As a final comment on the All-Star Fest, we would just love it if Tim Hardaway were strapped to a chair and forced to watch Shaq dancing (badly) with LeBron James and Dwight Howard over ... and over ... and over ...