Real Deal

TIME: 7:00 PM ET TV: ESPN

Thanks for the GIF's.

I'd be afraid to. Boston had Game 7 (2010) in the bag for three quarters, until the Lakers stepped up their defense, buckets started coming from us out of nowhere, and Kobe and Gasol were crashing the boards. How many of those Game 7's were at home? I know vs. Denver, vs. Boston, vs. Houston...those three were (the last three we've had). The 2000 Lakers were a 67-win team, so they had HCA over both SAC and POR. So all but two were in LA (2006 PHX and 2002 SAC Game 7's were on the road). Away games, you really want to force the rest of the team to beat you (if you're the opponent). When the home team gets behind their superstar, there's a shot at him basically destroying you...and that isn't just Kobe, but we've seen it with many others both in the playoffs and regular season.

Most teams go all-in to defend Kobe more than they do in previous games, just like Boston did in 2010. I'm not surprised at the 21 PPG, but I actually don't see the problem with his numbers, especially since some of those Game 7's have been blowouts. Game 5 (the one you added, since it was a complete series) was a blowout vs. the Kings (113-86, Kobe took 16 shots). Game 7 vs. Phoenix (2006) was a blowout, 121-90 (Suns), and Kobe took 16 shots. Game 7 vs. Houston (2009) was a blowout, 89-70 (Lakers), and Kobe took 12 shots. Those three blowouts really hurt his overall PPG, since that's all we're looking at (or so it seems). If he averaged 30 PPG on 42% FG in Game 7's, he would be called a selfish bastard...so I'm good with what he put up.

Most are bots.

Aside from all of the rebounds that Hibbert will obviously get (because the Heat shot 1-16 from three and nearly everyone missed over half of their shots), what did Hibbert do last night? I don't remember him shooting hardly at all, and at one point, I was wondering why he wasn't being more aggressive, despite being the only seven-footer in the game.

How is it not as serious? This one came without Collison seeing it or even having a chance to prepare for it, and Wade was moving just as fast as Jason Smith was, i f not faster. The difference was that Collison didn't flop in an attempt to make Wade look like a bad ass...and instead, it was Collison that stood right back up and let Wade know he's a [expletive] for what he did. Nearly the same exact hit. If Blake Griffin was in the air, ready to dunk, and Smith hit him...that's much different, but he wasn't. Wade is lucky he didn't injure Collison's neck, because it snapped back quicker than LeBron's fake flop on that Chandler screen. Suspend Wade for one game (even just one), and you lose viewers, and Miami loses Game 3. That's all it's about.

Wow, this is hard to believe.

Two members, two consecutive posts, with two different avatars of John Cena eating a Rock Bottom. Hilarious.

Looks like Granger is really trying to get under LeBron's skin. http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/577379_949761513315_16408392_38277633_543448726_n.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v4s5f7kgFA#! So what is the difference between that hit, and this...the one that landed Jason Smith a two-game suspension? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iydIHkNyvrQ

The Spurs are crazy good. I'm not sure if the Clippers can win more than one in this series (and I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs swept them). It's insane how San Antonio forced the two PG's into scoring the ball, too. Bledsoe got his, for sure, but it really turned CP3 into a liability half of the time, and you can tell he was feeling awkward out there...just no rhythm.

Bynum decided to show up on offense, but the bad thing about him is that his defense is non-existent when he decides to be an aggressive offensive player. We need Drew to play defensive anchor, and grab boards. Contest everything in the paint. Meanwhile, Gasol has to be much, much more physical, especially when he's out there with the second unit. Both big men are playing inconsistent basketball. One will do good for a quarter, take two quarters off, and then expect to be spoon-fed in the other quarter...while the other will focus on the wrong side of the court, put 100% of their energy towards that, and become a liability on the other end. They can't play together, honestly...and having two centers in the five means that Kobe and Ron are forced out of the post.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/179781_459237480758563_100000169442910_1957707_1838013203_n.jpg

Miami is in deep shit if the Pacers defend their home court. Indiana won this game, despite playing like garbage, which should be a concern heading into Game 3.

No, he was refusing to move both big men for Howard (together). It was reported that the Lakers were going to take the deal, even us getting back Hedo or Nelson (probably Hedo, can't remember which contract it was), but Orlando gave Howard those two options (LA or opt-in) and because he has this weird thing about not wanting to "follow in Shaq's footsteps" or something, he took the opt-in.

Two different guys from the ESPN crew stated that Orlando threatened to deal Howard to the Lakers on the deadline, and that's the main reason why he signed the one-year extension...so honestly, I'm not sure what to believe.

TIME: 9:30 PM ET TV: TNT

TIME: 7:00 PM ET TV: TNT

Garnett gets called for an illegal screen? Mind = blown. :o

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110726175222/callofduty/images/archive/5/55/20120119161717!Lolface.png Be happy I don't have you as my moderator for TLN.

Expected this one, figured we'd lose by double-digits (just not in a HUGE blowout). OKC came in rested, we were dead tired because we played stupid versus the Nuggets. Can't really say I was convinced that OKC would come out rusty. It's not like they aren't practicing every day, and the extra time off for them gave them more opportunities to watch us struggle against Denver (not that it mattered THAT much, since everyone already knows how to beat us).

The only problem with Boston is that Ray Allen is still walking on a bum ankle, and Pierce is injured...but I really don't know the severity of Pierce's injury, or if he will be 100% by the ECF, so...

Gotta root for the green, because they are the only team out East that can make for a good ECF with the Heat. The Sixers would get murdered.

Bosh acting like he's done for the rest of the playoff run or something. https://twitter.com/#!/WindhorstESPN/status/202106095030898688