Finally some good economic news for California. They won't have to spring for a Lakers parade this year.

Watching Kobe screw up Game 2 and then fail in his selfish clear-out mode tonight, was a very emotional thing for me. I felt like some old wounds were healing. It's been a long wait.

The low-point of this series was hearing that Laker fans had threatened Steve Blake and his family because he missed a shot in Game 2. That's their obnoxious sense of entitlement taken to its worst extreme.

I guess I've been a little obnoxious myself referring to Kobe as the anti-Christ for years, but that's my honest opinion. As a true Laker hater, I thought I would never enjoy anything as much as watching the team quit on Phil Jackson against Dallas last year, but this is even better. I have to believe this is the end of a long horrible seige.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is a wonderful example of a young person who gets it. We are now in the Kevin Durant era of the NBA. Whatever he does - win or lose - matters more than Wade or Lebron, because it's him. I haven't seen that since Dr. J.

This also puts to rest any of the Blazers draft regrets for me. This Oklahoma team has now done enough to show that it was right and just how everything worked out. It deserved to happen. I wouldn't go back and rewrite history even if I could and lose the chance to watch OKC play. This team has validated itself.

In closing, I loved seeing that bratty little pout on Kobe's face tonight. These are tremendous memories from a season with very little joy. I loved his little sneer. The pointy little ears. Satan and his spawn Ron Ron are in deep trouble in this series, and I couldn't be more pleased.

+1

Well said.

I think I saw the changing fo the guard tonight.

BEAT LA

I'm up working in the middle of the night, and I couldn't resist. I had to take a break and check out the Los Angeles Times Sports section. Guess what? All these selfish, spoiled Laker prima donnas have turned on each other, to make sure everyone knows it was the other guy's fault.

Ahh, you hate to see that.

This should have been the close out game. The refs totally gift wrapped game 3 for LA., but those who run the NBA theater just couldn't stand to see Kobe and crew get sweeped. I really don't see anyone matching up well against OKC this year.

KD is soo cold. Just a question of whether the changing of the guard is this year or next. He's going to get plenty of rings. But guess I'd like to see Duncan get one more. Really looking forward to the Westbrook Parker match up.

I just don't see the Spurs running with these guys for seven games. Maybe if Perkins goes down completely, but otherwise it's hard to bet against OKC.

"I haven't seen that since Dr. J."

That kinda sells short our own Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter era.
They were great guys and made quite a run at it.

NBA finals in 90 & 92.

After seeing the Spurs dismantle the Clippers in yesterday's last three quarters after being down 24 points, I would not bet against Duncan, Parker and Ginobli, if they are healthy. Meanwhile, in the JV league, the Heat evened the series. Big whoop.

Bill, could you write one of your insightful comments on yesterday's Heat game? I have a friend who almost gags when she sees the chest thumping, arrogant eyes as demonstrated by Wade and James. Her hate almost extends to us that might be watching the game. Those two characters in my estimation hurt the game. I couldn't believe the commentators spending 3/4 of their time talking up the Heat and those two.