good thing we picked Greg Oden in the draft. Durant has proven to be a complete disappointment.

Surely you noticed who was officiating this game: Scott Foster, the NBA ref who *blew* a Rose Garden call in favor of Durant and OKC this season as L. Aldridge blocked his shot, a call that sent the fragile Blazers into a tailspin and back to the drawing board. It was almost laugh out loud funny last night watching Foster and his crew hand OKC the *flagrant* foul that turned the game -- on another blown call.

Artest pushed off, hard, with his left forearm. It was a good call. That guy should have been thrown out of the NBA a long time ago.

Did you see that Laker play called the “clear-out” where Kobe takes the ball by himself, dribbles for the whole shot clock, and then shoots? It’s called the clear-out because it’ll take you clear out of the playoffs.

Did you see that Laker play called the “clear-out” where Kobe takes the ball by himself, dribbles for the whole shot clock, and then shoots? It’s called the clear-out because it’ll take you clear out of the playoffs.

Like so many NBA fans, I've seen that play many times before. I wonder who Kobe will blame for this loss. My guess? It won't be Metta World War.

It's called a 1-4 play, because that's how your series winds up.

peace out world peace

I'm rooting for the old guys, but have to wonder if anyone on the planet can stay with Westbrook. If you trap him and force him to give up his dribble (usually requires three defenders), you've got KD waiting to drain a 3 or glide in for a dunk. That said, if anyone can figure out how to slow down OKC, it's coach 'Pop'. The scary thing is, given their age, that once they get there, OKC could have a Bulls like run in the finals (assuming KD doesn't decide to play baseball or golf or something).

One flagrant foul hardly made a difference in a 16 blow-out. Artest is a bad apple, and the refs aren't inclined to put up with his B.S. The bad calls in Game 3 favored the Lakers for off the ball touch fouls on Kobe, and it was the only game they won. One could argue that the bad calls were a material factor in the outcome, because the Lakers one and only victory in the series was by two points.

The San Antonio vs. Oklahoma series should be a doozie!

Pop's the best. Every other game, he keeps Timmy D and Manu right around or below 30 mins. Ginobili is consistently under 30mins. Parker gets a bit more toward 35mins, but he's only 30 years old. If you look at the box score for their games so far this playoff, it's a clinic in rotation management. In a possibly related story, they haven't been hit by injury lightning yet.

Spurs are the anti-Heat. They get production from deep into their roster, even from youngsters like Kawhi Leonard. I would not be surprised if the Spurs take this in 6 games.

I agree Flylnn, this could be an epic NBA battle between two "small market" teams that establishes a precedent for wise coaching and good management. The G.M.'s of both franchises - low key guys who know their stuff. The owners? No billionaire egomaniacs as far as I know. Coaches? Solid guys who focus on team basketball. The players? Humble guys who have impecable reputations up and down the roster. No self centered brats as far as the eyes can see. This is what professional sports can and should be. I'm looking forward to a good series that pits the young guns against the stalwart veterans. May the best team win!