With the championship game literally on the line at the 2005 EA Sports NBA Live 06 Rookie Tournament this week in Tarrytown, New York, May's inability to convert crucial free throws down the stretch and a controversial decision at the end of regulation prevented him from taking home the title and the coveted prize pack at the EA Sports NBA Rookie Photo Shoot.

May was considered to be the heavy favorite as he advanced to the finals over 22 other NBA rookies and had to face Denver rookie Julius Hodge. Unfortunately for May, this underdog had a plan.

Realizing he didn't hold the edge over May on the big screen after falling behind, 12-6 with 1:14 remaining, Hodge went with the philosophy to send May to the charity stripe as often as possible in the hopes he wouldn't convert. May didn't. He managed to make just one of his next eight free throw attempts and appeared to be unable to fix the problem.

"I can't hit free throws," May exclaimed helplessly as his counterpart out of N.C. State evened the score, 13-13.

Despite allowing Hodge to get back in the game, it was a championship that May had in his grasp for a brief moment towards the end of regulation, but a puzzling decision by the rookie out of North Carolina allowed Hodge to force overtime. Leading 15-14 with 8.3 seconds remaining thanks to a Matt Carroll free throw, May opted to put Denver's Carmelo Anthony on the line with 3.2 seconds left. Hodge got Anthony to hit one of the free throws and sent the game to the extra session where May continued his helplessness from the line and lost the contest, 36-33.

The 2005 EA Sports NBA Live 06 Rookie Tournament was just one of the activities these NBA rookies had going on this week at the MSG Training Center.

May and fellow Bobcats rookie Raymond Felton were in town along with the rest of the 2005-06 rookie class for six hours or pictures and autograph sessions. The Bobcats rookies took their turns making the rounds at photography stations set up by NBA Entertainment photographers, as well as photographers from Topps and Upper Deck trading card companies. In between stations, the players kept busy signing numerous memorabilia including basketballs, jerseys, trading cards and holograms.

But without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the pseudo-basketball tournament put on by EA Sports - one that May is not soon to forget.

"I had a couch," May said befuddled as the championship game ended. "I'm mad."