1. What do you make of the Mariners’ decent start to this season?

Christian: Losing 100 games this season is going to be pretty tough now.

Maks: I’ve watched all of the games this season and attended one, and I have to say that what impressed me the most was the performance of my own stomach in digesting the chili bread bowl I inhaled in about half an inning last Friday.

Allen: It’s obvious that this year’s team is better than last year’s disaster. I originally predicted about 75 wins this year, but after the first couple of weeks, I’m feeling brave enough to up that to about 80 wins. Might be enough to win the West this year. That’s how sorry this division is.

Honsen: I think it’s great for the fans to help generate even more excitement to go with Griffey’s return, but I think it will ultimately prove to be a fluke.

2. Can Boston hold off Chicago in the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Christian: Hopefully, so we don’t have to see another woe-is-Boston column from Bill Simmons.

Maks: Boston is still the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, KG or not. I’m more curious to see if Orlando can hold off the Sixers. Speaking of which, is it any surprise to former Sonics fans that Rashard Lewis is a little gimpy come playoff time?

Allen: Without Kevin Garnett and with Ben Gordon unstoppable? I don’t know. Boston is still a better team, but Chicago sure looked good in defeat Monday.

Honsen: Yes. Even without Kevin Garnett, they are better than the Bulls, who went 41-41 during the regular season.

3. What are your thoughts on the way Steve Sarkisian has conducted his spring practices thus far?

Christian: So far, he’s said and done all the right things. And he’s already locked up more commitments from recruits than Tyrone Willingham had by the end of last season. I’ll reserve my ultimate judgment until a couple of games have been played, but this spring certainly has a lot more buzz to it.

Maks: I’m the kind of guy who could sit near a basketball court and watch people play pickup games for two hours. I was pretty excited at the chance to watch and cover an entire Husky football practice for the first time, but after about 30 minutes at my first one, I found myself checking out mentally.

Allen: They’re boring.

Honsen: I think it’s great. Whether he has a plan for who’s going to end up starting or really is having every position open, it at least gets into the players’ minds to be more competitive and play at their best. Also, the open practices seems to have generated quite a bit of fan interest in Husky football.

4. Which professional athlete would you like to fight in a cage match, and why?

Christian: Doyle Brunson.

Maks: Danica Patrick, because I’d actually have a chance. But finishing in a close second: Tyronn Lue.

Allen: Yuniesky Betancourt. So while he’s got me in a chokehold, I can tell him to take more pitches and lose some weight.

Honsen: Uhh, pass.