NBA Team of the Week: Why the Thunder Have to Win Now

The NBA Playoffs are here and Alex Theoharides explains why the Thunder are under the most pressure to win now.

NBA Team of the Week: Rolling With The Young Bench of Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are 11-2 in the month of December, and Justin Tucker (@NBAandNFLInfo) explains what has made them the hottest team in the league.

Puddles of Myself 2012-2013 NBA Playoffs Preview, Part 2

Western Conference Playoffs predictions as well as who will win the 2013 NBA Finals.

NBA WEEK: Puddles of Myself 2012-2013 NBA Season Preview, Part 2

NBA Week comes to a conclusion with Part 2 of Matt Domino's 2012-2013 NBA Season Preview.

Front Running with the 2012 NBA Champions

 Matt Domino is a front runner for the Miami Heat and proud of it.

Theoharides On the T-Wolves

Alex Theoharides is back and he wants to explain why the Minnesota Timberwolves are the team to watch in the Western Conference this season.

Theoharides On the Literary Landscape of the NBA Playoffs

Welcome to Wednesday, my Puddlers. In a break from tradition, I won't be making fun of the 4:20 holiday, so congratulations to you all.

Since it is Wednesday its time to let Alex Theoharides take the spotlight with his own look at things. Since Mr. Theoharides and I are such big basketball fans and the Playoffs have been phenomenal so far, some of you lesser sports fans will have to sit through another basketball post. However, the good news is that Alex's post is much more entertaining than mine and also features some great literary tie-ins.

So, I leave you for now with Mr. Alex Theoharides.

Theoharides on the Literary Landscape of the NBA Playoffs

 Where Literature meets Basketball and … We all win!

Alex Theoharides

Well ladies and gents, it’s been quite a start to the NBA playoffs. In fact, according to my Facebook page it was the best first weekend in the history of the NBA. Of course, my Facebook page is written by an idiot.

Two weeks ago, before our esteemed editor, the Lord of the Puddle himself, Mr. Matthew Domino, left his blog untended to visit, what I can only assume was, some ungodly region of the world, I teased you with the promise of under hyped story lines and fearless predictions heading into the heart of the NBA Playoffs. However, after the aforementioned Mr. Domino’s stellar work outlining the NBA playoffs, I’ve decided to come at you with a slightly different take. Today, I’d like to separate the pretenders from the contenders, while comparing each team in the playoffs to the best and worst of American literary classics. In other words, in the following lines, two titans will collide in an epic battle for control of my mind. Literature meets Basketball. But will we survive?

Let’s go worst to first:

The Pretenders aka (Domino will kill me but...) the John Steinbeck Division

Philadelphia 76ers - Call of the Wild

A team of gentle pups enters the savage world known as the NBA playoffs, only to go all rogue and leave their wizened leader scratching his head as to where he went wrong. Whammo!

Indiana Pacers - The Grapes of Wrath

Long, seemingly tough players, who aren’t afraid to get dirty and at times can compete with the best teams in the league, but ultimately unravel in long tangents, in which they don’t score, don’t defend, and make everyone want to change the channel. Oh yeah, and they don’t know how to finish. Done and done!

Atlanta Hawks - Catcher in the Rye

Angst ridden young men, who seem good at first glance, but always leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth. Bam!

Denver Nuggets - On the Road

Ironic in a way, considering Denver plays much better at home. However, just like Kerouac's rambling novel, this team makes little sense on paper, somehow manages to over-exceed expectations, but ultimately doesn’t have much to say about anything.

New York Knicks - Catch-22

The only way you can win with D’Antoni is if you don’t play his brand of basketball, but if they don’t play his brand of basketball the Knicks won’t score enough points to win.

 New Orleans Hornets - Lonesome Dove

An aging gunslinger, slowed by injuries, discarded in a barren wasteland, seeking one last hurrah before his knees go out and with them his career. Alright!

Portland Trailblazers meets Sometimes a Great Notion

A big, sprawling, hopelessly flawed team that plays in the Northwest? Shnikes!

Memphis Grizzlies - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

A young, gifted team floating downriver, trying to overcome a history of failure, influenced by a coach and GM, both of who seemingly tricked their way into their jobs? Okay, so perhaps, it’s my biggest stretch.

The Contenders aka (Domino might agree) the Robert Penn Warren Division

Orlando Magic - Moby-Dick

A maniacal mad man at the helm, desperately searching for the whale that got away, a team that seemingly has no control over its own destiny, a strange, Middle Eastern man watching over everything … okay, okay …  it’s a stretch, but if you’re casting the role of Ahab you could do a lot worse than Stan Van Gundy

San Antonio Spurs - As I Lay Dying

A team of castoffs and sinners trying to come together to carry their dead leader to his grave. Oh yeah, and they’re boring to boot! 

Dallas Mavericks - The Great Gatsby

Let’s see, who does this remind you of? Man always wanted to be good at sports so that people would love him. Man isn’t good at sports. Man is good at business. Even though no one knows how he made his money or who he had to kill to do it. Man buys sports team and pretends to be one of the players, hoping to be loved. Man puts together the best team money can buy and gives them a shiny new stadium to play in. Man comes up hopelessly short.

Boston Celtics - A Farewell to Arms

A battle they’d thought they could win until they lost their beloved friend, and with him, their desire to fight! (God, I hope I’m wrong).

Miami Heat - All the Kings Men

A little poem I wrote:

Pat Riley made a bold call,

Pat Riley had a great fall,

All the Heat’s money and all the Heat’s men,

Couldn’t win Pat Riley a championship again.

L.A. Lakers - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

A schizophrenic man sets off on a journey across America, trying to reach the promised land. All he has with him is his best bike and his knowledge of how to fix it. But is it too late? Has he already burnt too many bridges?

Oklahoma City Thunder - All the Pretty Horses

A duo of talented young guns rolls into the west, guns blazing, for a romantic adventure. They come away just short, half-alive and scarred by what they’ve seen.

Chicago Bulls - Native Son

A man born on the mean city streets, trying to overcome a giant shadow, surrounded by weak men trying to save him from himself … okay fine, so I only made this comparison because the title was perfect. But it is!

Fearless Prediction:

This is the end of basketball as we know it. All the old boys, the Spurs, Magic, Celtics, Mavericks and Lakers will all go down before the finals. Who does that leave to duel it out? The young guns. Thunder vs. Bulls. Bulls take it in six. Followed by the self-combustion of the evil psycho robot that is David Stern, because he yet again missed out on the LeBron vs. Kobe NBA Finals he wants so badly.

Derby Day

The Kentucky Derby is today and I don't have much to say other than that I will be drinking some mint juleps and sitting out in the near 90 degree sun and getting sunburn all over my body.  As usual, I am disappointed with the horses in the Kentucky Derby and the entire Triple Crown because no one simply named their horse "Joe."  One of my dreams has been to see a picture of the horse that won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness or the Belmont with big headline above it that reads "JOE DOES IT AGAIN!!"  My roommate, Erik Gundel, made a terrific mock-up of this blessed event, but alas it will not actually be coming true this year.

In other news, the Thunder lost a heartbreaker to the Lakers last night in Game 6.  They have been eliminated in disappointing fashion.  I may get in to a breakdown of this a little more next week.

However, today, all I really wanted to point out was a bit of an addition, reorganization of the blog.  At the top of the blog you will notice that three new subsections have been added - Puddles of Music, Puddles of My Sports and Puddles of My Stupidity. These sections organize all the writing I have done on music, sports, and stupid lists respectively.  I will be adding posts that pertain to each of these sections as they go up, so that when they are bounced from the main page, it will be easier for you all to find the gems of wisdom and hilarity that are contained within each.

That's all for today.  Enjoy my writing and my blog and for god's sake, get outside, get a tan and bave a beer.

Wha Hoppon?

After taping a terrific podcast on the New York technology scene with my friend Andrew Hage, watching the fascinating 30 for 30 Documentary about Ricky Williams, Run Ricky Run, painfully watching the Cavs get the benefit of some shaky officiating in eliminating the Bulls from the playoffs and watching the Heat not even trying to help Dwyane Wade stay in their series against the Celtics, I was hoping to cap the night off with another terrific installment in the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder First Round Playoff series.  However, Game 5 played out like the opposite of Game 4 and turned into an absolute blowout. I tried to remain strong and provide my play-by play commentary, however, I had to concede to the priorities of other projects once the Lakers' lead hovered around 30 points in the third quarter. So, here is the abbreviated play-by-play from the disappointing Game 5 of the Oklahoma City vs. Los Angeles Lakers First Round Playoff series:

Tip-off at 10:52 EST.

First Quarter:

12:00 - Lakers win the tip.

11:47 - The Lakers throw the ball away early.  Maybe they will be pressing a little too much tonight now that the Thunder have given them some push back.

11:35 - Durant misses his first shot.  He has been starting slow.

11:16 - Gasol makes an easy baseline hook. He makes it look so effortless. 2-0 LAL.

11:02 - Durant misses another jumper and Sefalosha misses the tip-in opportunity.  The Thunder can't come out and have a poor shooting night.  They need to get in this game early if they want to win.  The L.A. crowd wants a win and Kobe will make sure to deliver.

10:47 - Westbrook drives and gets tied up by Artest. Jump ball.  OKC fouls on the tip and L.A. gets the ball.  Kobe throws the ball away on the other end.  Sloppy start for both teams.

10:00  - OKC misses another shot.  They have started 0-6 from the field.

9:52 - Fischer drives and shows some youth in his legs.  Nice lay-in.  Fischer looking like its 2002.

9:30 - Kristic misses a baseline jumper for OKC.

9:20 - Kobe with an alley-oop to Bynum.  6-0 LAL.  The crowd at the Staples Center are getting into it now. The Thunder are just ice cold.

8:41 - OKC misses yet another shot as Westbrook tries to make a sloppy layup.  How many shots have they missed already?

8:27 - Bynum fights his way through traffic and makes a lay up.  8-0 LAL. There is definitely blood in the water.

8:07 - Kobe with a steal from Durant  and feeds Bynum for an alley-oop at the other end.  The crowd is going crazy, they love seeing Big Boy Bynum dunk. 10-0 LAL.

7:41 - OKC misses their 20th shot, but luckily the rebound bounces off the Lakers.  On the inbound, Westbrook drives and gets fouled.  He makes one of two free throws.  10-1 LAL. Ugh.

7:00 - Gasol draws the defense and makes a pretty dish to Bynum. Dunk.  When those two are passing like that, its hard to stop. Gasol on the other end makes a sweet 10 footer. 14-1 LAL.

6:16 - Westbrook drives and is blocked by Bynum.  Kobe travels.  That's his third turnover.

5:47 - Durant finally hits one. 14-3 LAL.

5:36 - Fischer with a long two.  16-3 LAL.  Durant comes back and draws a foul on Gasol.  He only makes one of two free throws. 16-4 LAL. Keep that lead manageable!

4:36 - Westbrook with a drive and a bank.  20-6 LAL.

3:59 - Green with a nice hook shot.  Maybe his involvement can drag them out of this hole.  20-8 LAL.

3:34 - Odom with a layup.  22-8. LAL.  Lakers are executing everything efficiently (how is that for alliteration!).  OKC has dug themselves a deep hole tonight.  I don't know if they can fight back from this. They look terrible.

3:10 - OKC with a 24-second violation. No, really?

2:58 - Kobe with a fadeaway jumper.  24-8 LAL.

2:04 - Collison with a put back.  26-12 LAL.

1:03 - Westbrook drives, dishes to Ibaka for a lay-in.  LAL 26-14.

32.0 - After Kobe finishes off a three point play, Harden is fouled and makes two free throws.  Can he possibly help them?  28-16 LAL.

13.2 - Artest nails a three to close out the quarter.  31-16 LAL.  They shoot 78% in the first quarter. 

Second Quarter:

9:14 - Farmar steals a bad pass from Ibaka and makes the lay-in. 35-17 LAL.

8:16 - Green gets a jumper to fall. 35-19 LAL.  Keep that lead manageable!

7:53 - Offensive foul on Shannon Brown.  Maybe the Thunder can build something here.

7:17 - Beautiful pivot move by Kobe as he leaves Durant in his dust.  37-19 LAL.  That was just perfectly done.

6:58 - Green draws a foul on Odom.

6:41 - Durant takes another terrible three pointer and misses.  But Fischer throws the ball away.

6:20 - Ibaka nails an 18 footer.  37-21 LAL. If he makes that a bread and butter shot then he is going to be a very dangerous and valuable player.

5:57 - Bynum just dunks right on Ibaka.  No one in the game can stop him.  39-21 LAL.

5:49 - Durant at the line.  He makes both free throws.  39-23 LAL.

4:02 - OKC can't make a shot and LA can't miss.  43-25 LAL after an Odom layup.

3:44 - Artest with a nice move, explodes to the hoop for a dunk.  Vintage Artest.  I recently heard some war stories about Artest when he was a kid.  Tough upbringing.  I love Ron.

3:20 - Durant nails a three.  45-30 LAL.  Odom answers with a three of his own.  48-30 LAL.

1:53 - Westbrook with a steal and dunk.  50-32 LAL.

1:19 - Gasol with a short jumper.  52-32 LAL.

53.0 - Westbrook is fouled.  He makes both.  52-34 LAL.

07.7 - Kobe sinks a floater and Westbrook misses at the other end.  What else is new?  55-34 Lakers at half time.  Normally I would give the Thunder the benefit of the doubt, but based on how they played, this game is over.

Third Quarter:

11:44 - Kristic opens the quarter with two free throws.  55-36 LAL.  Lakers miss and OKC brings the ball back down. They move it with some really nice ball movement, but Kristic drops the ball.  He had an open look.  Kobe drives on the other end and is fouled.  Kobe makes both. 57-36.

10:33 - Kobe drives again.  Misses.  Bynum follows and misses but he is fouled.  He makes both. 59-36 LAL.

9:48 - Gasol turnaround jumper, fades, drills it and gets fouled.  That was a smooth 16 footer.  Gasol makes the and one.  62-36 LAL.

8:15 - Kristic with a baseline jumper.  67-41 LAL.  Big deal.  I feel like Bob Uecker in Major League 2.  Take over Monty...I'm in the bag.

And that's where I dropped off on the play-by-play. Basically, the Thunder continued their dangerous tendancies: they were cold shooting, they got behind early and no one really helped Westbrook and Durant.  The main difference in this game was that the Lakers put Kobe on Westbrook and his defense and size made the difference.  Westbrook had a problem with him and if you saw Kobe, he looked insanely determined.  At one point in the third quarter, the camera stayed on Kobe for about thirty seconds and he had a look on his face that said "there is no way that these kids are going to beat us tonight." We'll see how the Thunder adjust in Oklahoma City on Friday night.  It is an elimination game and that crowd will be wild.  They will have to come out fast and Westbrook will have to go right at Kobe.  Kobe isn't young enough to stick with Westbrook for two complete straight games in a row.  Kobe has mastered his pivot game, but he is looking his age for the first time this whole year and is working extremely hard for his points. Anyway, despite the back to back blowouts in Games 4 and 5 this series still remains interesting.  Stick with me as I continue to cover the series.

Tomorrow we have the David Stern (not the NBA Commissioner) podcast and on Friday I may just put up a rant all about writing.  A friend of mine piqued my interest today when he mentioned a theory of Tolstoy's and I may just want to run with that.  We'll see what I can come up with.  I've got a few projects in the works and I will keep you all updated.

Until Podcast Thursday...

Must See TV?

This post is a document of my TV watching experience last night from the time of 9:34 PM to 11:50 PM.  This features commentary on 30 Rock as well as continuing my series of covering the First Round NBA Playoff Series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers.  Last night was a riveting Game 3.  Let's get to the remote control action:

- I am in crisis mode tonight.  I have to cover Game 3 of the Oklahoma City and L.A. series because I implosed this deadline and task on myself and also because I believe in the intriguing storylines that are inherent in the series and are developing as the games go along.  However, after about two months of reruns and laziness, 30 Rock has come back with two new episodes, the second of which will conflict with the beginning of the game.  So, beginning coverage of the Lakers/Thunder game may be shaky as I switch back and forth, but I will include some bonus 30 Rock commentary.

9:34 PM -30 Rock.  Great entrance by Tracey onto the episode as he is about to spray something up his nose.  This is followed by a classic Tracey and Kenneth non sequitor interaction.

9:35 PM - Souri with a nonsensica story about her fiancee being abducted by pirates.  I think they should just take her off the show.  She's not even that hot.

9:36 PM - Liz Lemon trying to prove she is fun, which is a somewhat repetitive storyline at this point, but you have to like a line like, "Ain't no party like a Liz Lemon Party, because a Liz Lemon Party is mandatory."

9:40 PM - Conan vs. Leno parody storyline with the Indian janitor Khonani. It is so blatant it is ridiculous.  "The Tonight Shift."

9:43 PM - 30 Rock is cracking hilarious lines at a rapid pace that is too hard to document.  Everything is working.  Tracey claims that everyone now say, "Surf Party, USA!" Also, Tracey's line about throwing a party is like throwing a frisbee is just perfect.  He tops it by calling Kenneth "K-Pax."

SWITCH TO LAKERS/THUNDER GAME

First Quarter

11:56 - Lakers win tip for first time in series.  Artest opens up by nailing an 18 footer.  He follows that up with a steal and then lays it in.  Quick 4-0 LAL lead.

SWITCH BACK TO 30 ROCK

9:50 PM - Jack Donaghy says that he is "innoventing."  Tracey's dog, Tracey Sr., gets out of the house, which causes Tracey to say, "Tracey Sr. took off fast.  He didn't want to live here."  Kenneth has to go as Tracey's proxy to save Liz Lemon's party.

9:52 PM - Conan/Khonani joke has turned even more heavy-handed. Kenneth with a classic line on the phone to Tracey: "Mr. Jordan, its Kenneth Parcell from work and friendship."

SWITCH BACK TO LAKERS/THUNDER

First Quarter

7:39 -OKC is in some early trouble.  The Lakers lead 15-6.  It seems like the Thunder are continuing their first quarter issues.  Kristic makes one of two free throws.  15-7 LAL.

6:57 - I am really liking the crowd in Oklahoma City. They are all dressed in blue, which is an effect and color I haven't really seen at a game.  The arena has a definite Golden State in 2007 feel.  But OKC continues to shoot poorly.

6:28 - Durant is missing all kinds of shots and so is Westbrook. They are both amped up for this game and are playing a little too fast.

6:04 - Durant glides down court with the ball and draws the foul on his shot.  He makes two free throws. 15-9 LAL.

5:42 - Fischer makes a three pointer.  He has been hitting pain in the ass shots like that all series. 18-9 LAL.

5:18 - Gasol drives in for a dunk - blocked.  He gets the rebound and dunks anyway. 20-9 LAL.

5:05 - Another wild shot by Westbrook on the other end. The whole team is really just too excited and they are pressing everything.

4:34 - OKC pushes the ball  (which seems to be their strategy tonight) and Westbrook flies for almost a second and finishes a huge dunk.  The crowd goes insane.  I go insane! What a dunk!  The Lakers answer immediately with a layup. However, Westbrook is immediately back down the court for a layup of his own.  22-13 LAL.  The Thunder are down, but this place is going crazy.

3:44 - Harden hits a three. That's exactly what the Thunder need.  22-16 LAL.

3:27 - Durant commits his second foul already.  He will have to come out of the game.  We'll see how this storyline develops.

3:12 - Fischer nails another three.  25-16 LAL.  You know how I feel about him.

2:34 - Shannon Brown with a nice shot. 27-16.  The Lakers are shooting well.

2:05 - Doug Collins is talking about how L.A. is trying to take away Jeff Green away in order to make just Durant and Westbrook beat them.  That seems to make sense as a strategy, because if Green is having a good game that means that the Thunder are usually winning. In the meantime, Harden hits another big three! 27-20 LAL.

49.9 - Harden with a drive and a lay-in.  He has 8 points already.  27-22 LAL.  Harden follows up the layup with a steal, drives the ball and is fouled before he shoots.

17.1 - OKC can't convert after the turnover and Odom gets the last shot of the quarter for L.A.  Not a good look from Lamar (Khloe? Her?). 27-22 after one quarter. OKC is making a run. Exciting first quarter and the building is just rocking.

Second Quarter

11:05 - Durant forces another shot.  He is 0-6 from the floor.  The rest of the team is doing fine, he does not need to force his offense.

10:37 - Harden drives and misses a layup.  Ibaka follows up with a dunk.  The crowd loves it.  If OKC makes a run here, this crowd may even top the G-State 2007 Effect. 27-24 LAL.

9:52 - Offensive foul on Farmar.  LA is out of synch.

9:35 - Durant posts and takes a fadeaway.  He misses again.  Farmar makes makes a shot on the other end.  29-24 LAL.

9:05 - Maynor misses a three and Ibaka can't save the rebound..

8:25 - Durant raises over Artest and makes his first shot. 29-26.  LA answers with a three from Artest.  32-26 LAL. OKC takes a timeout.

7:43 - LA forces Collison to take a terrible shot from the outside.  Gasol comes back and makes a nice little hook shot.  34-26.

6:49 - Harden drives, misses layup, but is fouled. He makes both free throws. 34-28. LAL.

6:35 - Odom makes a quick baseline hook.  36-28 LAL.

6:10 - Durant with an impressive drive, lays the ball up, misses, but is fouled. Makes two free throws. 36-30 LA.

5:39 - Harden at the line after a Kobe foul.  He makes one of two free throws.

5:13 - Westbrook steals a bad pass from Kobe and drives down court for a one handed exclamation dunk. 36-33 LAL.  The crowd is getting read to explode (oh, wait, not in OKC. I need an editor).

4:52 - Kobe nails a 25-foot three pointer to answer for his mistake.  39-33.  Gasol fouls Harden who has really gotten involved in this game.  Harden makes both free throws. 39-35 LAL.

4:31 - Kobe nails another three pointer.  42-35 LAL.  Westbrook comes back with a pullup jumper.  42-37 LAL.

3:56 - Ibaka with a block on Odom.  LA is in fastbreak mode.  Durant lays it in 42-39. LAL.

3:42 - Kobe with another three pointer.  He just has an answer every time OKC looks like they are going to take control of the game. 45-39 LAL.

3:00 - Durant stupidly commits an offensive foul.  That's his third.  We'll see him in the third quarter.

2:37 - Brown fouls Harden.  Harden makes two free throws. 45-41 LAL.  Harden has 14 points.

1:48 - Harden with a bad foul on Fischer who was shooting a three.  Fischer steps to the line and calmly makes all three foul shots.  48-41 LAL.

36.4 - Westbrook drives in and lays it up.  He has 10 points.  50-43 LA.

17.7 - Kobe misses a shot and OKC has a last shot opportunity.  Unfortunately, Kristic wastes it by taking a long two, which is of course misses. 

A very strange first half.  Besides the Lakers' hot start, both teams shot poorly. The crowd was just waiting to go crazy on an Oklahoma City lead, but the team was too excited to start the game.  Durant will adjust at the half and stop forcing his game so much. However, we will have to see if anyone can stop Kobe from making threes and having an answer for every OKC run.

Third Quarter

11:43 - Green drives in and takes an off balance shot.  Westbrook with the put back and is fouled.  He makes two free throws.  50-45 LAL.

11:14 - Kobe misses a runner and the long rebound goes to OKC.  They start the break and Jeff Green finishes with a smooth layup. 50-47 LAL.

10:43 - Sefalosha with an open three to tie! Nope.  He missed.

10:04 - Gasol knocks down a 16 footer in classic Gasol style. He just puts himself in the right spot and executes the way he is supposed to. 52-47 LAL.

9:19 - Kobe with a nice looking fadeaway.  54-47.

9:08 - Durant misses another shot and Kobe makes another fadeaway. 56-47.

8:43 - Kristic makes a long two.  He always provides a decent chip in.  Not the perfect center for this team, but he does the job for now.  56-49 OKC.

7:48 - Sefalosha knocks down a corner three.  That is absolutely huge for them.  56-52  LAL.

7:27 - Kobe to Gasol. Dunk. Elementary.

6:55 - Green misses a three.  At the other end, Gasol gets position on the post and makes a soft tip in.  60-52 LAL.

6:27 - Kobe with a wild shot, but Bynum is there to bail him out with the put back.  62-52 LAL.  I want to say at this point, that OKC looks like they are out of this game and that the Lakers are taking control, but so far in this series they always fight back once the Lakers try to put them away in the second half.

6:12 - Durant at the line and makes one of two free throws.  62-53 LAL.

5:51 - Gasol with a beautiful tear drop floater.  It was just perfect.  64-53 LAL.  But at the other end Sefalosha makes another corner three!  64-56.  If he is making that shot then OKC can win this game.  That is about my a millionth "if (blank player) does this, then OKC can win." They just need a third scorer!  They have Harden tonight if Durant gets hot.

5:19 - Kobe with a frame for frame Jordan jumper.  66-56 LAL. Durant comes back and gets a backdoor layup to go in.  He is fouled as well.  He makes the and one.  66-59 LAL.

4:36 - Westbrook drives to the basket and is fouled. I repeat, no one can guard him. Westbrook makes one of two free throws.  66-60 LAL.

4:00 - After an Artest miss, OKC goes to Durant.  Durant fights for a shot but misses.  However, Collison is there for the put back. KANSAS CLASS OF 2003 PRIDE!  66-62 LAL.

3:46 - Fischer nails a three. How many times is he going to answer back?  69-62 LAL.  But Westbrook is able to answer with a lightning fast layup. Of course.  69-64 LAL.

3:11 - Odom at the line.  Makes one of two free throws.  70-64 LAL.

2:56 - Westbrook fouls Brown who goes to the line and makes two free throws.  72-64 LAL.

2:44 - The game has hit a sloppy period.  Whistles are being blown a little too easily.  Artest fouls Durant and Durant goes to the line and makes both free throws.  72-66 LAL.

2:17 - Laker and Thunder exchange offensive fouls. Boo.

1:59 - Ibaka gets called for a bum goaltending violation, but Westbrook comes back with a nasty jam that we don't actually get to see live.  (When it is shown on instant replay, it is an absolute facial on Odom.)

1:18 - Lakers airball on their end and Harden comes back and nails a three.  He is coming up big for them tonight.  74-71 LAL.  The crowd is going nuts.  Fischer misses a three and Durant comes back, puts up the three...crowd waiting to lose it...he NAILS it!  Tie game.  The arena is literally out of control.  74-74.

39.1 - Gasol is at the line. Makes one of two free throws.  75-74 LAL.

16.8 - OKC is forcing the action at their end and Durant and Westbrook each put up a bad shot.  Odom misses a long three to end the quarter.  The fourth quarter is going to be terrific.

Fourth Quarter

11:35 - Kobe opens up and misses a 16 footer.  Westbrook drives and hits an open Ibaka from 17 feer.  He sinks it.  76-75 OKC.

11:01 - Offensive foul on Odom.  The crowd is losing it! I'm losing it!  We have possibly surpassed G-State 2007 levels here. Kobe fouls Durant! Sorry, sorry, I'll compose myself.

10:38 - Westbrook and Collison execute a nice give and go, but Westbrook misses the layup. Ibaka is there for the monster dunk to follow.  The crowd loves it.  78-75 OKC.  Kobe answers with an amazing shot.  78-77 OKC.

9:28 - Westbrook splits the defense and makes a tough banker.  80-77 OKC.

8:54 - Sloppy play from both teams and the loose ball ends up in Bynum's hands.  Bynum basically throws the ball in the basket and Collison fouls him. Bynum makes the and one.  80-80.

8:41 - Durant with an unorthodox shot. Nails it. 82-80 OKC.

8:20 - Kobe throws the ball away/ Harden on the break, dishes to Durant. Dunk!  84-80 OKC.

7:45 - Kobe with another bad shot.  Now he is pressing.  OKC brings the ball down, but Durant travels.

7:20 - Gasol with a 15 footer. Smooth as usual.  84-82 OKC.

6:21 - Westbrook with a laser pass inside to Collison underneath who is fouled by Gasol. Seriously, how did Westbrook actually make that pass?  Collison chokes both free throws though.

5:57 - Kobe bricks another three pointer.  He is the best closer in the game!  (I know, I'll cut him some slack.) Westbrook makes a long two.  86-82 OKC.

5:26 - Durant blocks Kobe.  Other end, Durant posts up Kobe and  hits a pretty baseline floater.  88-82 OKC.

4:44 - Kobe misses another shot.  He has fallen apart in this quarter.  Very strange to see. Reverting back to 2005-2006 Kobe.  Harden gets the rebound and he pushes it to Durant who makes an 18 footer that epitomizes "smooth."  90-82 OKC. Durant has 25 points and 19 rebounds. The Lakers are crumbling.

3:44 - Harden with a nice drive, but he misses the shot.  I like his confidence to make that move and take that shot in crunch time.

3:25 - Fischer with a big three.  90-85. I know I don't need to say anything.

3:03 - Westbrook answers with a HUGE three pointer.  93-85 OKC.

2:47 - Artest with a 21 footer.  93-87 OKC.

2:15 - Durant has to force a bad 3 that bounces off LA and OKC players.  The refs disagree about who it last touched and finally, the ball is going to the Lakers.  Odom nails a wide open three pointer.  93-90 OKC.

1:40 - Westbrook with a pull-up jumper and he is fouled by Derek Fischer.  He makes both free throws.  96-90 OKC. Didn't I tell you that he is the key? He leads all scorers with 26 points.

1:32 - Artest hits another long two.  96-92 OKC.

1:13 - Ibaka with a 16-18 footer and misses. That is not the shot they wanted.  At the other end, Ibaka fouls Gasol to stop him from making a layup.  We go to Craig Sager who shows us a noise meter that has reached level 109. I don't know what that means, but this place is loud!  Gasol makes two free throws.  96-94 OKC.

58.7 - Durant is fouled and makes both free throws. Clutch. 98-94 OKC.

39.0 - Kobe shoots a three and misses.  OKC gets the rebound and LA is not fouling.  Westbrook misses a pull-up jumper and Kobe takes the ball coast to coast for the lay-up.  Phil was right to not have them foul.  98-96 LA.

13.2 - Durant is fouled and goes to the line.  He makes both shots again.  That is absolutely clutch for a young player.  100-96 OKC.

01.5 - Hectic sequence with Farmar chucking a three pointer and then Artest chucking a three pointer.  Both shots miss and OKC wins the game. 

The arena is absolutely going crazy and we may definitely have ourselves a series here, although we can't say that until OKC ties it up.  We'll see if the Thunder learn from tonight (especially Durant and Westbrook) and start the next game without forcing their shots so much.  They have to control their energy and the crowd's excitment in order to play with composure to beat the Lakers.  They can definitely continue to try to run the Lakers out of the gym and that is most likely the way they are going to beat them - young legs.  Also, if both Green and Harden wake up, then this game is definitely going to seven games and the Thunder may even pull off the upset.

See, the storylines are there.  I can't wait unil Sunday.

Tonight or tomorrow I will be putting up a post with miscellaneous thoughts and some links as well as upcoming podcast schedule and description.

Stick with me, I will not let you down.

Lakers vs. Thunder - Game 2

This post will continue the series that I will be putting up here as I follow the First Round NBA Playoff Series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.  The first game saw the Thunder overcome a poor shooting night and perhaps slight jitters to give the Lakers a close game.  We will see how the Thunder respond from that loss and we'll see if the Lakers can show the same defensive focus they did in Game 1.  Let's get to the play-by-play:

First Quarter:

11:42 - Thunder win the tip again. Jeff Green misses an early three. He will need to get involved early if the Thunder are going to win this game.

11:22 - Kobe makes a long two pointer over Thabo Sefalosha.  Kobe will make those shots, but Sefalosha has to keep him from getting hot.

11:11 - Sefalosha answers with a drive and a lay-in.  He is fouled as well.  He converts the and 1.  3-2 OKC.

11:03 - Artest misses from three. Durant takes it the other way, dishes to Sefalosha for a three.  He misses as well.  If he can make those open shots from the wing, that will be huge for Oklahoma City.

10:18 - Kobe goes for another long shot over Sefalosha but he misses this time.

10:07 - Derek Fischer rewinds the clock as he makes a terrific and aggressive drive and puts up a twisting layup.  He misses, but Kobe follows up. 4-3 LAL.

9:43 - Durant misses two shots in a row.  He is already having a tough night shooting.  The next time down the floor he draws a foul on Derek Fischer and, after the ensuing inbounds, finally nails a three. 6-4 Oklahoma City.

9:14 - Kristic blocks a Fischer shot, but Fischer grabs the loose ball and makes a tough jumper. 6-6.

8:47 - Westbrook makes a banked-in three pointer. Let's all say it again, "Westbrook will be the key to this game and the series."  9-6 OKC.

8:26 - Durant with a beautiful drive, but he misses the layup.  He can't let these misses get in his head.  If he is going to have a tough shooting series, he has to keep putting them up and trying to get fouled to help the team.  They need his scoring.

8:25 - Wait a second.  This is the same organ setlist from last night "House of the Rising Sun"->; "Let's Go Lakers."  That is ridiculous.

7:51 - Gasol throws the ball away. The Lakers don't look sharp tonight and the Thunder seem to be playing  a little bit looser than they were on Sunday. Kristic drives and Bynum knocks his shot out of bounds.  OKC inbounds to Jeff Green who tries another three - miss.  He has got to get involved with the scoring.

7:21 - Kobe makes a jumper. 9-8 OKC.

7:07 - Kristic misses a layup, but OKC gets the rebound.  Westbrook drives (he can get in the lane whenever he wants to), dishes to Kristic and Kristic misses another layup! The shooting woes seem to be continuing for the Thunder.  Luckily, Kristic was fouled and he makes both free throws.  11-8 OKC.

6:42 - Kobe drives through the lane, kicks it to Artest who nails a three pointer from the wing.  11-11.

6:01 - Durant hits a sixteen footer that rattles in. 13-11 OKC.

5:31 -Westbrook gets a bad offensive foul called on him.  He has two early fouls and will have to sit down.  As I have said before, they need him to win this game.

5:13 - Bryant makes a tough fadeaway over Sefalosha.  Kobe has eight points already, but Sefalosha is making him work for them.

5:01 - Durant makes a quick layup underneath.  15-13 OKC.

4:40 - Gasol works his way in for a baby hook.  That's bread and Spanish butter.  La Mantequilla is what they call Gasol back home.  15-15. Nah, I'm just kidding; they actually call him Paul.

4:12 - Kobe with a fantastic gliding move, misses the layup but Bynum tips it in. 17-15 LAL.

3:42 - Durant misses a soaring dunk.  We'll see how he responds to the miss. He is definitely having shooting issues again, which he hasn't truly faced all years.

3:20 - Farmar nails a three. 20-15 Lakers.  OKC calls a timeout. Smart move. The Lakers are starting to gain momentum.

2:46 - Both teams are looking sloppy and missing shots.  However, there is definitely a high level of intensity.

1:51 - Durant rises up against Gasol and makes a 12 footer.  He has 9 points. OKC steals from LAL and Farmar fouls. After the foul, Durant makes a nice feed into Collison.  Collison misses the layup but is fouled.  The Thunder need to make some shots.  Collison makes both free throws. 20-17 LAL.

1:06 - Gasol drives on Collison and gets the foul call.  He makes both of his free throws. 22-17 LAL.

50.8 - Eric "Pride of VCU" Maynor misses a three pointer and Shannon Brown brings the ball down and buries a jumper.  24-17 LAL.  Maynor tries to answer but misses a layup attempt.  The ball is knocked out of bounds and stays with OKC. The ball is inbounded to Durant and he is fouled as he attempts a shot.  Durant makes one of two free throws.  24-18.

34.2 - Serge Ibaka and Odom get double technicals just for talking to each other.  You have to love the intensity of Playoff basketball!

20.6 - OKC should have the last shot here, but Durant makes a bad pass that is tipped by the Lakers. The ball goes off Maynor and out of bounds. L.A. comes back down the court and Gasol makes a 15 footer right before the buzzer.  26-18 LAL.  The Lakers are playing sloppy but tough.  Their defense has been active once again.

Second Quarter

11:35 - The Lakers open with a three pointer from Shannon Brown.  29-18 LAL.

11:10 - The Lakers are just focusing their defense on Durant because no one else is making a shot.  They are crowding him whenever he gets the ball.  OKC passes the ball around and Collison has to take a three as the shot clock winds down. Did he miss? Of course. Terrible.  Wait, this is supposed to be objective?

10:47 - James Harden misses a three for OKC.  He has been underwhelming so far, although I think he will fit this team well going forward.  Ibaka blocks an Odom lay-in at the other end.  OKC in transition and Jeff Green is fouled on a dunk attempt.  He makes both free throws. 29-20 LAL.

10:05 - Brown with a drive, misses the layup, but Bynum james it in.  Back down the court and Collison hits a long two. 31-22 LAL.

9:31 - Bynum travels again and OKC lucks out.  They can cut the lead down a little further now that Westbrook has just reentered the game.  However, Ibaka takes a dumb outside shot and Bynum makes an easy shot on the other end.  33-22 LAL.

8:58 - The Thunder take a timeout.  They need some kind of offensive gameplan.  The plan should consist of Westbrook driving and kicking.  The rest of the team will have to step up and make shots.

8:58 - We come back from timeout and Craig Sager, sideline reporter, interviews Scott Brooks, Thunder head coach, who says that his team is playing good basketball and that their shots will fall.

8:48 - Westbrook hits an 18 footer.  33-24 LAL. Again, he is the key to the game and series.

8:26 - Kobe with a terrific bank shot from about fifteen feet.   He just has an answer.  35-24 LAL.

7:58 - Artest makes a steal on Durant, passes the ball to Fischer who botches the alley-oop attempt to Kobe.  These two are both getting old.

7:48 - Westbook hits a shot from the elbow.  35-26 LAL.

7:20 - OKC misses three layup attempts in the paint. The Lakers come back and Odom makes a tip-in. 37-26 LAL.

6:34 - Kobe and Westbrook exchange travel no calls and Ibaka makes a running hook for OKC.  The Thunder are fighting but it is tough to fight when you don't see the shots fall.

6:06 - Ibaka blocks Gasol's baby hook. Ibaka is extremely impressive and he is one of 18 children from a  family in Congo.  However, after his block Westbrook is called for a foul on Derek Fischer.  Westbrook has 3 fouls and will have to sit the rest of the half.

5:20 - Durant with a nice 16 foot jump shot.  37-30 LAL.  OKC is sticking around. That is a bad sign for L.A.

4:58 - Gasol makes a nice spin move and misses a hook shot.  The ball goes out of bounds and stays with L.A.  Jeff Green drives baseline on the other end and is fouled by Bynum.  Green makes both free throws. 37-32 LAL.

4:31 - Bryant with some hesitatation moves.  Fouled.  He makes both free throws.  39-32 LAL.

4:16 - Durant gets space when Artest tries to oversell Durant giving him body.  Durant makes a 16 footer despite Artest's acting skill. 39-34.

3:15 - Great ball movement by OKC and Green hits a corner three.  39-37 LAL. How are the Thunder in this game?  They stay calm and composed.  If Green makes those shots then OKC will win this game.

3:04 - Gasol makes one of two free throws.  40-37. LAL.

2:42 - Maynor takes an ill-advised shot and Gasol blocks it easily.

2:26 - Fischer with a laser pass to Gasol who catches the ball in stride and glides to an emphatic dunk. 42-37 LAL.

2:14 - Durant hits a long three pointer.  42-40 LAL.  Durant has 17 points and 5 assists.

1:50 - The Lakers throw the ball away.  OKC can tie the game here. Green headfakes a three, dribble in and misses a 16 footer.  Foul on Kristic on the rebound.  The Lakers are in the bonus.

1:06 - LA with great defense on OKC. They have to force another bad shot, but luckily they steal the ball back on the other end.  Maynor leads the break and dishes to Durant.  Dunk.

39.4 - After a Laker miss, Sefalosha drives, draws a foul on Kobe and makes the layup.  44-43 OKC.  He makes the and one.  45-43 OKC.

29.2 - Kobe with a 20 footer - gets the friendly bounce.  45-45.

5.4 - Maynor nails a fadeaway baseline jumper. Pretty shot.  47-45 OKC.

0.0 - Kobe takes the ball down the court, tries to get Sefalosha to bite on two excellent shot fakes, but Sefalosha doesn't budge or foul.  Kobe has to hoist up a three that he barely misses.  47-45 OKC at the half. Excellent game so far.

Third Quarter

11:07 - Gasol opens up the scoring with a tip in after a Fischer miss. 47-47.

10:40 - OKC with some nice ball movement. Durant gets an open look, but misses the three.  The Lakers come back down the court.  Bynum with a nice pass from the foul line to Gasol down low. Dunk. 49-47 LAL.

10:05 - Kristic sinks a bucket. 49-49.

9:39 - Kobe rises up for a 24 footer and nails the three.  52-49 LAL.  Kobe is slowly putting up some big scoring numbers.

9:12 - Durant posts up on Artest and nails a "slinky smooth fadeway," according to Kevin Harlan.

8:42 - Off a Westbrook miss, Fischer hits Artest with a long outlet pass for a lay-up.  54-51 LAL.  Kristic answers quickly on the other end with an 18 footer.  Nice range on the big Serbian.  However, "Big Paella" Pau Gasol immidiately sinks a 17 footer.  56-53 LAL.

7:48 - Westbrook with a 15 foot pull up jumper. Sinks it.  Remember for them to win the game he has too...OK, OK you get it. 56-55 LAL.

7:18 - Kobe misses a jumper, but Artest gets the rebound and gets it to Kobe who hits another three. Kristic makes a long two on the other end. 59-57 LAL.

6:31 - Gasol drives on Green as the shot clock winds down and makes a lay-in.  Just your average Gasol move.  61-57 LAL.

6:00 - The Lakers looked locked in right now.  There is some great interior passing between Bynum and Gasol, but Durant blocks Bynum's dunk attempt. Gasol gets the loose ball and is fouled.  He makes both free throws.  63-57 LAL.

5:51 - Westbrook drives with authority. He rises for the dunk and gets fouled by Bynum.  Love the idea for a statement play.  Westbrook makes both free throws.  63-59 LAL.

5:36 - Kobe with a vintage MJ spin-move on Sefalosha, goes baseline, absorbs contact and barely misses a fantastic layup. Kobe makes both free throws.  65-59.

5:24 - Artest with another steal on Durant.  Durant may get his points, but Artest is really bothering him.  There is a loose ball. Tie-up.  Jump ball.  OKC wins it and Durant airballs a three pointer.

5:02 - The game is getting chippy now.  Just what I wanted to see.  Gasol picks up a stupid foul away from the ball.  Green passes up an open three, dishes for Sefalosha in the corner who misses a three.  Kristic dives for the loose ball, Sefalosha joins in and tries to fight for it but is called for the foul.

4:06 - OKC has gone cold again as the quarter begins to wind down.

3:37 - Sloppy play as Westbrook drives, gets the ball tapped away, Collison grabs it and goes for the lay-in.  He misses the shot but there is a foul called away from the ball.  We are reverting back to the ugly play from earlier in the game after the rest of the 3rd quarter had been very smooth.

- There is a baffling House of Payne commercial followed by the Double Down KFC Double Chicken Sandwich commercial.  Hmm, gotta wonder about that product placement. "Colonel, you the man" - KFC.  "Conan, you the man." - TBS, April 2010.

- A charismatic Indian man stars in a mesmerizing but, again, baffling commercial about something I didn't even understand.

- We come back to the game and get look-in from during the OKC timeout at Scott Brooks telling his team to, "play basketball, play tough basketball."  The 2010 NBA Coach of the Year.

3:20 - OKC comes out of the timeout with great ball movement.  They get the ball to Durant who swishes a three. 65-62 LAL.  Westbrook follows that up with a steal and a dunk. 65-64. The Oklahoma City Thunder: "Play basketball, play tough basketball."

2:34 - Fischer nails a three again. Seriously, we know you're a good guy, but just go away already. 68-64 LAL.

2:11 - Durant with a bad pass out of bounds. Laker ball.  A frantic sequence follows that features three blocks by OKC on Laker shots right under the basket, Durant then tries to drive in transition but the ball is stolen by the Lakers. Gasol then loses the ball and Sefalosha drives in transition and is fouled by Fischer. Sefalosha makes one of two free throws.  68-65 LAL.

1:23 - Foul on Kobe away from the ball. Westbrook with some tight moves but he commits an offensive foul.  That is four on him.

1:04 - Kobe makes two free throws.  70-65 LAL.

49.1 - Durant posts up and takes an ill-advised fadeaway, which he misses.  Gasol takes the ball in on the other end and is fouled by Collison.  Pau already has 20 points and 10 rebounds.  He makes one of two free throws.  71-67 LAL.

00.7 - Maynor drives to end the quarter but is fouled. Dumb play by the Lakers.  Kevin Harlan oversells a joke that Doug Collins makes about plays like that giving Phil Jackson even more grey hair.  That's what you want in an on-air partner damnit.  Maynor makes both free throws. 73-69 LAL as we head to what should be an entertaining fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

- There is excitement as we open up the fourth quarter because some guy made a halfcourt shot during the break and won $235,000.  You know the Knicks are on hard times when the most they give out for their contests is $500.

11:36 - Harden with a drive and a layup for OKC. Signs of life from the rookie.  73-71 LAL.

11:18 - Kobe misses a fadeaway and Kristic gets the rebound.  OKC comes the other way and Kobe fouls.

10:57 - Ibaka drives in and makes a fall-away jumper.  Nice shot. 73-73.

10:37 - Kobe drives and has his shot blocked by Jeff Green.  Kobe fouls him afterwards out of frustration.  Four fouls on Kobe.  Green gets the ball in the corner for OKC.  He tries to work himself into position for a shot, but misses and Ibaka is called for an over the back foul.

9:41 - OKC is playing stifling defense. Everyone is moving in synch and covering for each other. However, they are sloppy on offense and lose the ball. The Lakers come back down and Shannon Brown tosses a long lob that is broken up by OKC.  After the inbounds, Odom drives and makes a layin.  75-73 LAL.

- The TBS ads for Conan's new show are very tasteful.  They are really trying to improve on the high bar they set for FrankTV, Tyler Perry's World of Insanity and the Frightening Show with George Lopez.

8:47 - Green is having trouble shooting but he keeps plugging away.  He gets fouled on a shot and goes to the line.  He makes both free throws.  76-75 LAL. 

7:33 - Kobe is working on Maynor and he nails a jumper.  15 footer with the foul.  This is right after he nailed another bank shot.  Kobe makes the and one. 80-75 LAL.

7:19 - Durant nails an impeccable looking three pointer. When he makes them, man does he make them.  80-78 LAL.

6:56 - Kobe uses some more head fakes and hesitations and draws a Jeff Green foul.  Kobe makes one of two free throws. 81-78 LAL.

6:45 - Westbrook drives, dishes to Green who misses another wide open three.  C'mon "Mr. Complimentary."

6:16 - Sloppy sequence: Odom misses a layup, Westbrook with a bad pass, Kobe with a bad pass.

6:03 - Durant misses a three pointer but Ibaka gets the rebound and is fouled on the putback.  He makes both free throws.  81-80 LAL.

5:46 - Kobe nails a cool, calm three pointer.  84-80 LAL.

5:25 - Durant comes back the other way and makes a 20 footer.  84-82 LAL. Durant has 30.  I smell a scoring duel.

4:40 - Kristic is called for an over the back foul.  The Lakers are in the bonus. Bynum misses both free throws. As Verne Lundquist would say, "Oh my!"

4:28 - Artest fouls Durant.  Now OKC is in the bonus as well.  Durant makes both free throws.  84-84.

4:15 - Gasol of course answers with a nice pick and roll with Fischer.  He gets fouled on the lay-in and makes the free throw. 87-84 LAL.

3:41 - Fischer misses an open three pointer and OKC comes down and Durant takes a terrible fadeaway, but Fischer fouls Westbrook on the rebound. Westbrook makes both free throws.  87-86.

3:07 - Artest misses a three pointer. OKC calls a timeout.  We come back from timeout and Kobe's three pointer from earlier was actually ruled a two pointer so the game is tied 86-86.  OKC has the ball.  Westbrook drives and takes an 18 footer.  Fischer fouls him lightly and fouls out.  Westbrook makes both shots. 88-86 OKC.

2:35 - Kobe takes a three and misses.  LAL get the rebound and Kobe takes a fading, baseline jumper.  He is fouled.  Kobe makes both shots. 88-88 LAL.

2:10 - Westbrook drives and shoots a pull-up jumper.  He misses.  Ibaka taps it in but is called for basket interference.

2:00 - Kobe makes a 12 footer. "THE BEST CLOSER IN THE GAME!!"  90-88 LAL.

1:48 - Durant makes a stupid play as he pushes Gasol while trying to get open.  He is of course called for the foul.

1:31 - Kobe drives and is fouled on the other end.  He makes both free throws. 92-88 LAL.

1:18 - Artest steals the ball from Durant.  Brown picks up the loose ball, drives and is fouled hard by Collison.  Good foul.  Brown makes one of two free throws.  93-88 LAL.

1:09 - Westbrook drives and is fouled by Brown.  No one can really guard him.  Westbrook makes both free throws.  93-90 LAL.

30.3 - Westbrook blocks a Brown three pointer and OKC gets the loose ball.  They call timeout.  They have to go for two and then foul. Not time to panic with a three.

22.7 - Green makes a crazy hook shot. "MR COMPLIMENTARY!" 93-92 LAL.

15.1 - OKC with a big mistake by letting Kobe get the ball back after the Laker inbounds. They foul him to stop the clock.  Kobe only makes one of two.  94-92 LAL.  Timeout OKC.

-It's funny to see Kobe's dad in the crowd. I knew that he always had a mom and a former NBA player dad (Joe "Jellybean" Bryant), but for some reason it never seemed like they actually existed. It always felt like Kobe was either: a) hatched from an egg, b) from another planet, or c) raised by wolves.

07.7 - OKC draws up a baffling play. Durant shoots a contested three at the top of the key and misses.  OKC fouls Gasol. Why not go for two again and then execute the foul correctly and put a worse free throw shooter at the line?  Gasol misses the first free throw. SEE!  He makes the second.  95-92 LAL.  OKC has no timeouts left.

00.0 - OKC brings the ball down.  Green gets a solid look at the basket but misses the three. "MR COMPLIMENTARY" NOOO! That was the story of the game.

Oklahoma City showed a lot in Game 2.  They fought through another bad shooting night (although Durant played better) and played the Lakers tough again.  They didn't execute correctly with their fouling at the end and made some mental mistakes throughout the fourth quarter.  I have feeling that they go back to Oklahoma City and feed off the crowd, the shoot better and I think that the series gets a little chippier.  They know that they can beat the Lakers, they just have to execute better.  These teams are both athletic and tough.  I want to see more of this series and I expect it to go to at least 6 games.  We haven't even seen a game that features a true Durant vs. Kobe scoring duel yet.  And we have to see that.  Game 3 is Thursday Night (tonight, as of this posting) and I will be keeping track of it once again for your enjoyment. 

Stay with me here.

Changing of the Guard - or Forward?

After a terrific and exhausting Day 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, on Sunday, I thought I would start a series that will document each game of the Western Conference first round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Why? Because the Heat/Celtics Game 1 was too ugly and I know that series is going to be like a late-90's Heat/Knicks matchup.  Plus, during that game I was drinking in preparation for a Saturday Night out and Dwyane Wade's disappearance in the fourth quarter put me in a bad mood anyway.  He has to  bounce back in Game 2.

The second reason to follow the Thunder/Lakers matchup is because this series will  be the first good look that America will have at Kevin Durant, the third year, 21 year old scoring champion of the NBA this year (30.1 PPG).  What a better showcase for him than against the defending champion Lakers and Kobe Bryant, the former scorer champion and 2007-2008 NBA MVP.  Kobe still has a lot left in his tank and if not, then he knows all the tricks and makes all the shots that keep him as one of the top-5 dominating players in the league.  At this moment, this series may not have the look of a  "changing of the guard situation," but perhaps years from now we may be able to point to this series as a moment when Kobe began his fade from prominence in his career.  Who knows? That's why sports are terrific and why this series should be terrific. Now, to the play-by-play of Game 1:

- It's 3:00 PM and the game is about to start.  I am hoping for a serious Mavericks vs. Warriors situation here like in 2007.  That was during my Senior Week at collge.  All we did was drink beer, dread graduating, and rally around that damn entertaining Warriors team led by the Metaphysical Rapper, Baron Davis and "Captain Jack" Stephen Jackson.  I will never forget that time or that team.

- Montage of Durant on ABC.  Mark Jackson says that Durant, "loves the game of basketball."  Poetry.

- "The Thunder have the youngest starting lineup in the NBA." We will hear this line uttered literally one million times throughout this series.

- Thunder win the tip and Durant opens up with a smooth looking three-pointer, but he misses.

- Gasol comes back and nails a high arching hook over Jeff "Mr. Complimentary" Green.

- Bynum with a quick hook. 4-0 LAL (L.A. Lakers).

- Westbrook feeds to Durant. Durant misses easy layup.  Could the kid be nervous?

- Gasol misses a close lay-in.

-Artest is rocking a Rodman blonde dyejob.  I love him.  The Thunder can't get a shot off and commit a 24-second violation. The organ work in the Forum is phenomenal as we have "House of the Rising Sun"-> "Let's Go Lakers."

- Kristic with a nice offensive rebound and put-back. 4-2 LAL.

- Thabo Sefalosha drives and is fouled.  Earlier, Mike Breen pointed out that he is one of the top perimeter defenders in the league. I did not know that and I am glad that America knows that now.  Sefalosha makes both free throws.  4-4.

- Bynum drives, easy lay-in. 6-4 LAL.  Durant comes back and shoots a 3 that is off the mark.

- Artest with nice pivot work on Durant and makes a layup.  The Thunder can't covert and on the other end and then Kobe comes down and puts on an exhibition of pivot/post foot work.   He makes a tough layin around Westbrook and Green.  Durant answers with a smooth 15 footer.  10-6 LAL.

- After an LA miss, Kristic with a perfect outlet pass to Westbrook who dishes to Green for a lay-in. Very pretty transition offense.

- OKC loses a rebound opportunity.  Kobe grabs the lose ball and drives in for vintage baseline dunk. 12-8 LAL.

- Fischer with a drive and an easy-layin.  14-8 LAL.

- OKC is having a tough time making shots.  They are getting good and open looks at the basket, but they can't convert.  After an L.A. basket, the refs miss a Bynum forearm to Jeff Green's chest. "Jeff Green is smiling," Mike Breen tells us after the forearm.  And its true.

- Bynum with a huge block on Sefalosha at the other end that gets the crowd into it.

- Kristic breaks up a Lakers lob pass attempt.  Westbrook drives the ball down with lightning speed, misses the lay-up, but Durant follows and finishes.  The Thunder are impressive in transition.  I am liking the tone of the game already, both teams seem urgent and are acting like they need this game, which they both do.

- Out of a timeout, Odom with a nice lob pass to Gasol for an easy dunk.  The Lakers are so damn talented, if they turn it on in the Playoffs like the 2000-2001 year, that's it for everyone.

- The rookie out of Arizona State, James Harden, is in for OKC.  He misses a three.  Great metaphysical rapper beard, though - THE SPIRIT OF BARON DAVIS!

- Derek Fischer hits a big three to give the Lakers some swagger. 19-10 LAL. However, Durant answers with a beautiful looking three.  His shot is really breathtaking. But Fischer knocks down another three.  He is extremely annoying once the Playoffs arrive.  22-13 LAL.

- The Thunder miss a chance at an offensive rebound. LA brings the ball the other way and Artest nails a three.  25-13 LAL.  This could be getting away from the Thunder right now if they don't stay calm.

- Odom tries to get fancy with his dribbling, trips and falls.  I love Lamar, but I can't take him seriously anymore after marrying Chloe Kardashian (Khloe?).  I mean, her?

- Kobe hits a nice fadeaway.  I want to say a vintage MJ fadeaway, but I'll let Kobe have his own identity.  27-13 LAL.

- Green is blocked by Gasol in traffic.  OKC is really having shooting difficulties and they are making a lot of simple mistakes.  The Lakers look very sharp early but they are receiving the benefit of OKC's shooting woes.  We'll see how this develops.

Second Quarter

11:08 - Durant with a nice pass to Collison for a layup.  29-15 LAL.

11:22 - Durant gets open off a screen - 18 footer, swishes it. So smooth.

10:02 - Eric Maynor, the pride of VCU, makes a laser pass to Serge Ibaka, the pride of Congo (no, not Ernie Hudson). Ibaka handles the pass and puts away a dunk.  OKC is such a likable team. 29-19.

9:57 - Jeff Gundy is amazed that Avatar is already out on DVD.  So am I.

8:32 - Kobe passes on a three, makes a few nice hesitation moves, fakes, drives and gets fouled. Complete body control - kind of insane.

7:58 - You have to give it to Gasol, he is a smart, smart player.  He works on Ibaka in the post, draws the foul and then hits a tough shot for the three point play.

7:24 - Kobe rises over Jeff Green and nails a 3. 36-21 LAL.  The Lakers have too much firepower. Bynum blocks a Durant shot at the other end and then comes back with a forceful dunk that brings the crowd to its feet.  38-21 Lakers. They are focused and they are rolling.

6:31 - Durant drives and gets to the line for two shots.  Jeff Van Gundy shares a childhood story about dunking a nerf basketball on his brother's, Stan Van Gundy, head.  Meanwhile, Durant makes one of two free throws.

5:54 - Lakers defense is terrific, they are not letting OKC do anything in transition. However, Westbrook nails a pullup jumper.  38-24.

5:28 - Kobe dishes to Bynum. Two handed slam. No answer for Bynum on OKC.  Bynum was fouled and he makes the free throw for the three point play.

5:21 - Jeff Green answers with a three pointer. 41-27 LAL.  OKC is keeping that lead manageable.

4:18 - Green misses a three, but Durant grabs the loose ball, drives, makes a nice bounce pass to Westbrook along the baseline. Westbrook dishes to Kristic for a two-handed slam.  Very crisp. Jeff Van Gundy makes the comment that OKC is not panicking and still playing their game.  This is very true and not often a trait of the youngest team in basketball. 41-29 LAL.

3:14 - OKC loses the ball again.  The Lakers have been knocking the ball loose every other time down the floor. Durant is 4 of 12 from the field.  And just as I write that, he makes a good looking 18 foot jump shot.

2:05 - Jason Bateman is in the crowd.  He looks great.  He never ages. 

-Conveniently, they show Chloe Kardashian right after him.  Her?

- Westbrook drives the ball down, draws contact and makes a jumper.  45-33 LAL. He follows that up with another transition drive and makes a pretty lay-in, plus the foul.  He makes the And 1.  45-35 LAL.

- OKC is picking up some steam as the half is coming to a close.  They force a 24-second violation on the Lakers.  Westbrook drives again and nails a pullup.  He has come alive.  45-37 LAL.  However, Gasol comes right back and dunks off a Shannon Brown feed.  But Westbrook is down the court immediately and has another lightning fast layup.  He is insanely fast.

- Lakes have the last shot, but Fischer mises a long 3.  OKC has fought back despite their bad shooting and only trail 47-39 at the half.

Third Quarter

11:43 -Westbrook takes over from where he left off and makes a layup. Gasol answers with a smooth 16 footer. 49-41.  OKC moves away from giving the ball to Westbrook or Durant and are hesitant to shoot, which leads to a 24-second violation.

- Bryant backs down Sefalosha and makes a nice pass to Bynum underneath.  Bynum is fouled and misses both free throws.

9:51 - Bynum continues his domination and makes a layup, however, Gasol interfered and the basket doesn't count.

9:15 - Durant picks up a loose ball and takes it in for a layup, but Kobe gets insane air and blocks the shot! Who knew he could still do that?

8:00 - OKC is still having their shooting troubles.  Artest puts back at Bynum miss and the Lakers go up 52-42.  Jeff Van Gundy calls out Durant's box-out skills.

-The new KFC Chicken Sandwich commercial makes 30 Rock come to real life.  Meat is the new bread.  The insanity is spreading and it is disconcerting.

7:16 - Green misses a wide open 15 footer.  OKC is just missing shots left and right. Green gets another look at a wide open 3. Misses.

5:54 - Westbrook with another lightning fast layup.  He is the key to the game and the series.  He can blow away Fischer, Farmar and Brown if they try to guard him.

5:37 - Gasol with a sweet shot. Ho hum.  55-44 LAL.

5:03 - Westbrook again. He pushes the ball in transition and makes a floater.  He can do it every time.  55-46 LAL.

* Who is the guy that sits next to Jack Nicholson at courtside at all the Laker games?  He wears shades and has a long white beard and hair? Anybody?

4:00 - Gasol knocks down a 12 footer.  57-46 LAL.  Gasol has 15 points and 12 rebounds.  He just does it every night. As goofy as he is, I am glad he got the attention he deserved in L.A.

3:40 - Durant misses a jumper.  He has been off his game in the second half.

3:03 - Westbrook drives again.  He makes the layup and gets fouled.  Makes the And 1.  58-49. LAL. Shannon Brown comes right back and makes a 20 footer.

2:30 - Ibaka makes a lay-in. 60-51.  Offensive foul on Kobe.  OKC doesn't take advantage as Harden makes a bad jump pass to bail himself out of trouble and Durant has to step out of bounds to catch it.

1:23 - Ibaka with a tough rebound and Durant makes a 10 footer for OKC.  60-53 LAL.

53.4 -Odom makes a nice banking runner.

43.3 - Durant draws a 4th foul on Artest by swinging his long arms from the triple threat position when Artest presses up against him.  Let that be a lesson, young NBA fans, if you are freakishly tall and long, always swing your arms out from the triple threat when your man plays you close.  Durant makes one of two free throws. 62-54.

5.8 - Collison with a nice save from out of bounds.  Durant gets the ball, drives, almost makes a running bank, but is fouled.  He makes both.  62-56. However, he makes a mistake at the other end and fouls Odom as he drives.  Odom makes both free throws.  64-56 after three.

Fourth Quarter

11:44 - Maynor opens with a jumper for OKC.  64-58 LAL.

11:26 - Farmar comes back and matches with a baseline jumper.  66-58 LAL.

10:26 - Great defense by OKC causing a shot clock violation against the Lakers.  This is what a team making a run in the playoffs has to do.

9:50 - Farmar makes a huge three to put the Lakers up 69-58.  In my book, Farmar has officially reached the level of noticeably annoying.

9:27 - Green passes up a three and makes a nice driving lay-in.  69-60 LAL.

9:02 - OKC misses another opportunity to grab a rebound and Bynum dunks the ball.  OKC will not win this game that keeps happening, they need to seize every rebound opportunity they have.  They will also not win with yet another 24-second violation. That is the third of the game.  Durant enters the game.  Westbrook or Durant should be shooting every possession from here on in.

8:03 - Durant forces a three and airballs it.  However, he is able to come back and draw the foul on Shannon Brown on the next possesssion.

7:36 - Green nails an 18 footer from the baseline. 71-62 LAL.

7:18 - Kobe draws a clear shooting foul on Jeff Green by rising through Green's outstretched hand.  Kobe misses both free throws however.  OKC needs to take advantage.

7:03 - Artest ties up Durant.  Van Halen's "Jump" immediately blasts.  They should really make a "Jump" parody.  It would be the simplest parody of all time - "Don't Jump."  OKC gets the tip and Westbrook misses a long jumper.  Collison with a nice offensive rebound, he feeds the ball to Durant. Durant drives and is fouled.  He makes both free throws 71-64.

6:31 - Kobe makes a three.  Green was playing perfect defense, Kobe just make ridiculous shots sometimes.

6:14 - Durant tries to answer.  Misses.

5:37 - Durant gets an open 16 footer and drains it.  74-66 LAL.

5:25 - Odom comes back with a three.  The Lakers have too many weapons, too many people who will makes shots.  Westbrook and Durant will have to answer.  It would be helpful if Green had made a few more shots earlier in the game, but he has had a relatively quiet game.

4:54 - Durant feeds Collison who makes the layup and gets fouled.  Collison just does what he has to do.  Good role player for this team, mainly a winner in college.  He makes the three point play.  KU CLASS OF 2003 PRIDE!  78-69 LAL.

4:36 - Kobe goes Jordan with a fadeaway, but misses.  He then fouls Westbrook.  Lakers are in the penalty now.  This is huge for OKC.  Westbrook sinks both free throws.  77-71.

4:02 - Kobe makes a difficult bank shot. 79-71. I feel like people have started calling Kobe "the best closer in the game" after the closer became a big hit on TNT and TNT is one of the main networks that airs the NBA.  Something strange.

3:31 - Westbrook drives and misses the shot.  He gets the rebound (impressive rebounding all game) and passes to Durant.  Duran drives and gets a bailout foul.  79-73.

3:15 - Kobe misses a shot.  OKC comes back the other way and Durant forces a shot. The game definitely has high-playoff level intensity.

2:35 - Westbrook gets a tough foul call on a clean block on Gasol.  Gasol makes both free throws. 81-73.

2:20 - Durant misses another shot.  He is just having a tough day and a tough playoff debut.

1:40 - Ibaka gets bailed out by the refs on a sloppy play as they call a foul on Odom.  Ibaka makes one of two free throws.  81-74.

1:30 - Fischer comes back and nails a three.  Classic Derek Fischer.  You just want him to disappear (personal trials and being a good guy notwithstanding) but he continues to make big shots in the playoffs just when you count him out. 84-74 LAL.

1:23 - Green draws the fifth foul on Kobe.  He makes one of two free throws.  Too many missed free throws. 84-75

54.6 - OKC comes down the court and Westbrook finds Durant for a dunk. 84-77 LAL. Offensive foul on Odom going the other way.  Odom fouls out.

34.8 - OKC gets an open look for a 3 from Green, but he makes a mental mistake and travels.  That's to be expected from a young team, but it happened at the worst time. OKC will have to play the foul game now.  They foul Gasol who makes two free throws.  86-77.

23.5 - Durant rims out a long three.  Gasol blocks Collison's followup.  The Laker defense has really been the key all day.  They were determined to play tough.  Westbrook makes a tough bank shot.  86-79.

17.3 - Kobe is fouled and makes one of two free throws.  OKC comes back.  Harden misses a three.  Story of the day for OKC, they just could not make baskets.  The Lakers close out the game and take game one.

It was a tight first game.  The Thunder showed resiliancy in taking the early punches from the Lakers and still managing to stay in the game and play the Lakers tough.   However, the Lakers came to play, they played great defense and showed a level of focus people had been doubting in them for most of the season.  I expect Oklahoma City to come back on Tuesday and play the Lakers even tougher.  They also played great defense and Westbrook was unstoppable at times.  The Lakers will scheme to slow him down, but I don't know if they can do that and contain Durant.  If Oklahoma City can make even some of the open shots they missed, they will have a good chance.  They need to let Westbrook come out fast and strong and try to kick it to Jeff Green on the wing to get him involved earlier.  That will allow the openings to come to Durant.  We'll see how it plays out.  I think it is going to be a close series and I will be documenting it here.