There is NO way the Lakers will lose to the Hornets in a 7 game series with Bryant playing.  Even with West.  But they did put up a good fight.

It's so funny how after every game the story of the teams involved in a series changes.  Team A wins, we see articles about Team Bs weakness, lack of effort etc. etc. how they are in trouble etc. etc. and vice versa.

On the other hand, the Spurs, have their hands full.  What a way to go out if they lose to Memphis.  Parker has been absent, so was Eva Longoria his secret mojo???

Definitely agree with you, although I think not so much a closer, as a real go-to guy/scorer for the entire game.
Smith was probably banking on Jameer Nelson to fill that role, but Nelson was never the same after his injury in 08/09.
As much as I dislike Carmelo, he would've been a perfect fit for the Magic in this role. Or Deron Williams. A pity the Magic couldn't work anything out with those 2 trades this season.

Predictions for Round 2:
OKC v ??? = OKC in 5 (don't think it really matters whether Spurs come back or Grizzlies close it out today, Thunder are advancing)
LA v Mavs = LA in 5 (Mavs are just too inconsistent aside from Dirk. Plus you can't compare their D to LA, when LA chooses to play D that is...)

Bulls v Hawks = Bulls in 5 (Not much needs to be said here...)
Celts v Heat = Heat in 7 (Should be a great series. As much as I don't want the Heat to make it out of the 2nd round, I think they'll eke out the series just b/c of the pressure on them)

I get a feeling that Orlando around Dwight Howard is turning into Houston around Yao Ming from the years past. A strong team that reaches playoffs, but overly dependent on the big man center.

Even if the Spurs somehow survive the round, I think it's the end of an era for them. I'm kind of glad since they're such a boring team to watch.

Memphis moving on
Zbo is just beast but I think the thunder front court of ibaka and Perkins will give himproblems. I think the series will come down to 6 or 7 games.  Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Memphis take the season series against okc?

Memphis in 7.  Oh yes I did!!

This Celtic-Heat series could actually be worth watching, as the Celtic's sweep during the reg season meant squat.

Pierce getting tossed is just so stupid on Pierce's part, he's a vet he should know better!!!

Did anyone catch the Heat-Celticsm game? I had day off work and woke up at 7:30am for it.

Lebron was just beast! The Lebron block on Garnett near the end of the 4th was epic!

Heat up 2-0 going into Boston.

Lakers just lost AGAIN at home to Dallas.  Looks like their chance of 3-peat is out thewindow!!

The way things are going (Dallas and Miami up 2-0 against fancied opponents) looks like the 2006 NBA champions where Wade (and Shaq) were champs!

I wouldn't rule out Bulls though..

Grizzlies look promising, but that's it promises.. no traces of championship yet... but I could be 100% wrong!

Still holding out hope that the Mavs fall back to their old choking ways!!

Sad that Boston isn't really making it a great series either.

Artest suspended for game 3....anyone calling it a Mavs sweep? That would be so awesome cos i hate kobe.

Lakers - Mavs  tommorow right.  Hope i can watch it live on TVB

Yeah, definitely not looking good for the Lakers...
As much as I'd love for them to pull it out, the Mavs probably don't want to give up a 2-0 lead again in another playoff series...

still, one can hope...

artest was funny with the clothelining people down.   I thought people in asia really liked kobe out there as the jerseys sell so well accrd to rpt.

Well, another game that the Lakers lost in the final 3 minutes...

and with that...

GO THUNDER! heh heh

Im bringing out the brooms for game 4

Mavs vs heat rematch would be awesome

How's this for a story line (in reverse):

"The Lakers win (insert number of games) over the (insert opposing team name), giving the Lakers their second three-peat since 2000, Kobe ring #6 tying him with MJ, and Phil Jackson ring #12 as well as winning his final Finals series before retiring.

No one could have predicted this outcome, as the Lakers were down 3-0 in the second round, with the possibility of Phil Jackson coaching his last game. The Lakers won the next 4 straight, becoming not only the third team in US sports history, but the first in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit."

Unfortunately, the outcome could be more like this:

"The Lakers' title run has come to an end, as has Phil Jackson's coaching career, with the Mavericks closing out the series with a win at home, sweeping the Lakers. Rumors already abound of sending Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest to Orlando in exchange for Dwight Howard. The Lakers are not expected to renew D-Fish's contract either, and rumors of gutting the rest of the team is a strong possibility."

Heh heh heh... Well, I can still hope for scenario 1 right?

Wow.

Rondo, what else can I say... Much respect. I mean, for that last quarter, his arm was really pretty much just hanging from his body.
Much respect.

there's always hope in the play-offs as long as you haven't lost four games.
But boy did the Lakers crack in game four. Artest not able toput the breakaway into the ring and Bynum took himself out of the game with a nasty elbow to a Mavs player.
But poor Phil Jackson..not the best way to start retirement

Yeah I feel bad for Phil Jackson, that's no way to go out.  Looks like pau/Bynum are gonna be playing in Orlando next year if the rumors are true.

Rondo is ridiculous, that was some inspirational stuff out there. Hope he can at least finish off this series. Looks like the Heat are still the team to beat tho

Yeah, horrible way to send Phil off.

Man, these playoffs are... definitely a bit odd. Definitely pulling for the Thunder now.