51.   But he also leads the league in flareups, confrontations and probations.

52.   But he leads the league in blocked shots per minute and, for a second-year player, has terrific anticipation.

53.   But he never led the league again.

54.   But he led the league in turnovers because he had trouble reading the defense when he passed out of double-teams.

55.   But for all the marveling going on at Fenway Park that night, Flannery led both leagues.

56.   But it did win an NBA expansion team, and for the first few years of their existence the Hornets led the league in attendance.

57.   But he never led a league in a major offensive category.

58.   But it is a sign of our incredible provincialism and isolation that so many of us figure Boston leads the league in breaking hearts.

59.   But Karl no longer leads the league in angst, lamentations and despair.

60.   But that might be a plus vs. New Orleans, which leads the league in returns.