You would think that CSI: Miami would pick Dwyane Wade to guest star on an episode of the show, but no. The producers have tabbed LA Laker Pau Gasol as a suspect for an episode that will air next month. From With Leather via the AP....

Spanish national basketball team player and LA Lakers star Pau Gasol says he recently completed filming a guest appearance on the hit US crime drama "CSI: Miami" in an interview published Sunday.

"It was a very attractive opportunity. I play Victor, a normal person who is involved in a car accident and police are suspicious that I am responsible for what happened. I have good, meaty dialogue with an officer," he told daily newspaper El Pais.

The episode will air on the CBS network in the United States next month. It will be one of the first episodes of the ninth season of the series about a team of South Florida forensic experts who probe mysterious or unusual deaths.

"I have always had the acting bug inside me. What this city gives me are opportunities. I'm in the best team in the league, I'm one of the best franchises and this is the city where it happens all the movies," he said.

This isn't the first time Gasol has made it onto a CBS show. Last year, he was on an episode of Numb3rs with teammate Jordan Farmar. As far as CSI: Miami is concerned, all I have to say is YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!

Pau Gasol On CSI: Miami (With Leather)

I really like Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN/ABC. I think he's witty, knows the game of Basketball and works well with Breen and Jackson. I've had some issues with his comedic timing in the past, but each year he gets better. That's why I thought that his issues with his brother being in the Finals wouldn't be a problem. Boy, was I wrong.

Richard Sandomir, of the NY Times, talked with Breen following the Lakers Game Five win, and the play-by-play man all but said that JVG was depressed during the whole broadcast....

“I think this was harder for him than he thought it would be,” said Mike Breen, whose command as the play-by-play voice of the finals continues to grow. “This was uncharted waters. I didn’t know how he would do it.”

You sensed Jeff’s reticence in his silence at tough moments for the Magic during Game 5.

“Will they fold their tent or fight?” asked Mark Jackson, Van Gundy’s partner in analysis. (Jeff said nothing.)

“Anxious moments at Amway Arena,” Breen said, as the camera cut to a shot of Stan. (Jeff said nothing.)

“At one point, during an incredible Lakers roll, maybe in Game 1,” Breen said during a telephone interview Monday, “I was making some loud, juiced-up calls about some Lakers baskets. I saw him sitting next to me, and he’s down. His brother’s team is getting shellacked. I hated to sound so enthused, and I told him I was sorry. He’s a longtime friend, he’s my partner, and you feel for what he’s going through.”

While I understand the ties to your family, there is still a job that you have to do, and I thought Van Gundy would realize that. Instead, he sulked and was audibly missing from the broadcast during the fourth quarter of Game Five. As Sandomir pointed out, he could have been analyzing what changes his brother could/should be making, but instead he checked out. Obviously the chances of this scenario happening again are unlikely, but ABC should really consider benching JVG if it does again.

ABC’s Van Gundy Remained Mum About His Brother (NY Times)

Obviously once we get to the Finals, it isn't much of an "announcing" schedule anymore, but I thought I'd share with you the Final schedule just for the heck of it. Feel free to throw your prediction on the series in the comments as well. Your truly thinks the Lakers take this in five, but hopes he's wrong....

Game 1, THU 6/4 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 2, SUN 6/7 - at LAL (ABC, 8pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 3, TUE 6/9 - at ORL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 4, THU 6/11 - at ORL (ABC, 9pm) - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 5, SUN 6/14 - at ORL (ABC, 8pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 6, TUE 6/16 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy
Game 7, THU 6/18 - at LAL (ABC, 9pm)* - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy

How's this for random? Kobe Bryant decided to make an appearance on Sesame Street (the episode will air in November), and not only did he hang with Elmo, but he even beatboxed the opening song with the red puppet. First Cuts has the video....

There's really so much that Kobe can teach the kids out there, and none of it has to do with Basketball. How to jump over cars, how to alienate your friends and teammates and even how to buy expensive things for your significant other when you do something wrong. Should be a great episode!

Kobe Bryant Is Street....Sesame Street (First Cuts)

Robert Flores is quickly becoming one of my favorite Sports Center anchors (well during the day at least), and today's awkward exchange with Chris McKendry gave him even a few more brownie points. Flores was transitioning from an NL West story, to an item about Andrew Bynum missing a game and attending a party at the Playboy Mansion, when Flores went for a high five in regards to the Bunny Haven. Of course McKendry looked at him like he was crazy....

Awkwaaaard, yet too funny. Oh and it looks like the rehab is going well for young Bynum as well. Just look at the weight his damaged knee can support these days....


Bynum's knee survives Playboy Mansion workout (Sports Illustrated)

Reggie Miller talked with CBS Sports recently, about Kobe Bryant being cheered in Madison Square Garden during his 61 point performance, and the former "Knick Killer" was less than impressed with Knick fans.

So, yes, Miller was watching Kobe Bryant's 61-point game against the Knicks Monday night. And yes, he was impressed. But he was also appalled that Knicks fans who used to torment him were chanting "MVP!" for Kobe. So appalled that he was texting his old nemesis throughout the game.

"I was texting Spike as the game was going on, saying how disappointed I was in the fans chanting "MVP!" for Kobe," Miller said Tuesday, speaking on a TNT pre-All-Star conference call. "I was like, 'How the mighty have fallen.'" Because I remember in times past, I never got cheered. I'm sure Jordan never got cheered. And now they are chanting "MVP!" for Kobe? And all (Lee) kept doing was texting back and going, 'Look, times have changed. The climate has changed.'

"I wish I would've gotten the red carpet treatment when I went to the Garden," Miller said. "That would've been nice."

There is no doubt that I feel bad for Knicks fans, but cheering for the enemy like that at home, is something that has always bothered me. Given that I'm a fan of all things DC Sports, I know this problem well. The only problem is that the cure for said problem is winning and just like most DC Sports teams not named the Capitals, that's not going to change any time soon. Unfortunately the same is true for one of the NBA's most storied franchises in the Knicks.

Reggie Miller: Shame on Knicks fans (CBS Sports)
Back in My Day, Knick Fans Didn’t Cheer for the Enemy (SLAM)

(P.S.- Yes, I know the phrase "jump the shark" has "jumped the shark". You will not be the first clever commenter to ever leave that on the site, so please give it a rest.)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Start Time: 3:30 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson (ABC)

Same deal as earlier, this time with some high-powered Western Conference action. I had this debate with a buddy last night: if Andrew Bynum keeps powering his way to double-doubles on a consistent basis, there may not be a team that can compete with the Lake Show this year.
------------
Ridiculously even first half, aided along by an argument between Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy over All-Star reserves -- Van Gundy thinks Paul Millsap of the Utah Jazz should be an All-Star.

Generally, the games played between the Lakers and Spurs this year have not done anything to dissuade me from the fact that these are probably the two teams that should, pending the draws, meet in the Western Conference Finals.

The Lakers have opened up a lead thanks to good ball movement and stiffening up on the defensive end. They're not in the Celtics' league yet as a defensive team; they are still capable of missing rotations. Fix that and they're a sure title team.

It's not helping that Luke Walton just committed what appears to be a flagrant....wait, no, no flagrant.

I really, really don't care what Jeff Van Gundy thinks about the number of movie award shows. TALK ABOUT BASKETBALL PLZ KTHXBAI.

Again, how good does Mitch Kupchak look for not giving in to J-Kidd fervor last season?

JVG: "The Memphis Grizzlies are the worst organization in professional sports."

The city of Detroit would like to have a word with you, Mr. Van Gundy, and then Minneapolitans wouldn't mind talking to you after that too.

79-66, Lakers after three, and again with the "Hotel California." (I had a rough night, and I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!) Bynum has a big quarter with 9 points alone there and a couple of blocks. San Antonio doesn't quite have the spark with its new back-ups this season. They're really going to lean on Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili -- more than usual.

4th Quarter

17 point lead after Gasol throws a sick pass over his head to Odom waiting for the easy lay-in. That's just wrong.

Trevor Ariza gets the throwdown. Massive jam for a guy who's been the glue guy -- plays good defense, hustles, is physical, gets the chip-in points.

The Lakers fundamentally changed when Bynum came back, not only because they had a more physical player at the 5, but because it moved Lamar Odom to sixth man, where he could rotate among several positions off the bench and play a second team leadership role.

Ball Don't Lie's Nick Friedell spoke in passing with reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant recently, and mentioned to the Laker that Dick Vitale would be calling an NBA game in early January. Kobe seemed to think it was a great idea, and when asked if he would like Vitale to call one of his games, he had this to say....

As you may have heard already, Vitale, and his partner Dan Shulman, will be covering the Heat-Nuggets game on January 7th while regular NBA announcers Mike Tirico, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson will be covering the Davidson-Duke game on the same night.

When I told the reigning MVP about this, and asked him if he would enjoy having Vitale announce one of his games, his eyes perked up. "I would love it," Kobe told me.

"Would it even make a difference?" I said.

A big smile started to spread across his face before he could answer the question. "Well yeah," Kobe said. "It'd be awesome, BABY!"

I still think that having Dickie V call an NBA is a terrible idea, but if the players would enjoy it, what else can you say? The guy does draw attention wherever he goes, and even though it seems like an obvious gimmick, it might actually bring viewers.

FYI- The best take I've heard on this yet come from KSK's Unsilent Majority....

"WHO'S THIS JR SMITH GUY? I DONT' REMEMBER HIM FROM COLLEGE! MAYBE IF HE WENT TO COLLEGE HE WOULDN'T HAVE ALL THOSE TATTOOS AND MAYBE HE WOULDN'T PLAY WITH A SCOWL!"

It's funny cause it's (going to be) true.

Kobe thinks Dickie V's NBA presence is 'awesome, baby!' (Ball Don't Lie)

It's been a while since we've had an update from our friend "The Machine", but after a long offseason, Sasha is finally ready to talk about Game Four of the NBA Finals. Via Lakers Nation....

Man, I just can't get enough of those. Just too funny. There should be a new one every week...NAY!...every single day. That's probably unrealistic, but what AA wants....AA gets. Get to work Lakers Nation!

Machine Break Down (Lakers Nation)

I was reading through all of the ratings numbers after Game Six and something weird stuck out. The 2008 Finals obviously handily took out most of the years past, including last years worst total rating ever of 6.2, but for some reason couldn't beat the 2004 matchup of the Pistons and Lakers.

The Celtics-Lakers Finals pulled in an ending average of 9.3 over the six game series and Game Six itself finished with 10.7 rating (12,085,000 households). Game Six also beat 2005's Heat-Mavs Game Six by 7% (there wasn't one last year) and won the night for ABC. In fact all six games won each night they aired for the network, which is huge for a Finals series.

Of course the late 90s had the Bulls and 1998 had the highest average number during the Bulls-Jazz Series (18.7), but the Pistons-Lakers in 2000 (11.5)? I know that series featured some pretty great players, and it was a huge upset, but three of those five games were blowouts and Boston is definitely a bigger market than Detroit (although not by much). In the end, I don't know if the 80s and 90s numbers will ever be touched but this Finals matchup at least gave the NBA and ABC some life in regards to ratings. Especially when last year's numbers were so dreadful.

(Numbers via ESPN PR)

Who: L.A. Lakers at Boston Celtics
What: Game Six of the NBA Finals
Where: TD Banknorth Garden- Boston, Massachusetts
When: 9pm (ABC)
Why: So Joey Crawford can force a Game Seven for the NBA or The NBA Championship
Spread: Celtics -5, O/U 191

The Celtics have shot number two at the Championship and this time it's at home. Is it banner number seventeen or a game seven on Thursday night? Predictions and thoughts in the comments and I'll see you later on. Until then enjoy my favorite photo of the Finals so far.....

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And we're live from Boston, Massachusetts! Dwyane Wade is your guest studio host and he's about as exciting as watching the grass grow.

"If you remember when [Doc] was in Los Angeles, he had Tracy McGrady but never had Grant Hill."- Stephen A. Smith (Via Luis)

That's random. Sorry I missed that one.

My prediction: Jon Barry makes the observation that in Game 6's, the team which scores the most points wins 60% of the time. That, and I think the Lakers win by 4. (Via Mike T)

Jon Barry is a Basketball genius even though he averaged something like 4.3 ppg in his career. Don't you forget that!

Wade is the best they could do? He was hurt more than anything this season. Where is LeBron James? Where is Mano Ginobli? Where is Charles Freaking Barkley? (Via Rdmblog)

Yeah that's a weird choice. TNT goes to him a lot as well for some reason. I think he's a great player, but is boring as hell on TV.

"Coming up Jon Barry explains why he is one of the keys to Game Six for the Lakers."- Stuart Scott

Oh man....this is going to be good.

Paula Cole? Was Yoko Ono busy? (Via Heef)

Seriously. Man I've got goosebumps for this intro. Something special is going down tonight. Hahaha Kobe just broke out the devil horns for ACDC!


"The Lakers don't have a good matchup to start the game with Radmonovic [on Pierce]- Jeff Van Gundy

Why do they even play him? He gets used on defense and up until last game he did nothing on offense. Bill Russell is on hand along with Jo Jo, ML Carr, Ced Max, and Hondo. Good stuff. Lakers get the tip and we're underway....already a foul on K-Perk. Kobe hits a jumper to start LA's scoring. Ooooh and an early questionable call by Crawford. Pierce called for the block as Fisher bowls him over.

Rondo is off early but he gets a steal.....ALLEN FOR THREE! 4-3 Lakers. Odom is off and Allen draws a foul. He'll head to the line.

Charles, Kenny, and E.J. on with Leno tonight. Don Rickles also scheduled tonight. Can only imagine Rickles and Barkley on the couch at the same time. (Via Jeff The Web Guy)

Good reminder. Allen hits both and the Celtics lead. Kobe responds with a three though. Rondo is off again but he's hustling tonight....he gets a loose ball and gets fouled. Make, Make. Bryant again for three....uh oh. Pierce is off while trying to draw a foul. Steal...and a defensive three seconds. Allen hits.

"How do you break a windshield on a plane?"- Jeff Van Gundy

Rondo misses yet again but so does Odom and Garnett ties it up. Rondo....miss. Gasol has Pierce on him but fades away for some reason...brick. Slow it down people....this pace is killing me. Kobe turns it over....AND RONDO FINALLY HITS! Two point Celtics lead. KOBE WITH ANOTHER THREE! Good lord.....finally a timeout....

13-12 Boston with 5:07 left in the first

"He's the best player in the planet...on the world..."- Jeff Van Gundy (Via The Fourth)

Boston has celebrities too!

"Steven Tyler, I don't think I've ever seen him at an NBA game."- Mike Breen

"He [Kobe} has to put the kids to bed and he's certainly done that."- Mark Jackson

Huh? I'm confused. Fisher misses a three and Allen drops in a layup. Ray is hurt and got poked in the eye by Odom. He mugged him on that drive.

Lamar Odom with the Three Stooges defense. (Via Moe)

We're tied after Odom makes a free throw but Garnett breaks it with a jumper. They're letting them play as the trio points out. Walton gets two and then gets to the line on another possession. Lakers up two. Garnett hits and we're tied...again. Gasol is off and Brown rebounds. Garnett with the fadeaway and he's on tonight. Timeout Lakers....

20-18 Boston, 2:40 left

Can't wait to see Ira Newble on the second quarter tonight!!!! (Via Nabucodonozor)

Ooooh....PBJs for everyone! Pierce misses a layup after a nice drive and JVG nicknaming KG, The Big Loaf. Both teams miss and Farmar dribbles the ball of his butt out of bounds. ALLEY OOP! BROWN TO GARNETT!!! That could have been what KG was diagramming in the timeout on the dry erase board. Farmar misses but Posey throws it away. Rondo steals....no....foul called. That was a weak call. Farmar to the line....Make, Make. Boston leads by two 48 secs left....

Pierce...bang. Celts up four and get the two for one. Kobe misses a deep three. Celts get the last possession.....Pierce schools Walton but they had a foul to give and Luke gives it. Powe misses at the buzzer and that's the quarter.

24-20 Celtics after one

"It was a misunderstanding...I think Gasol was inviting Brown to the Opera."- Jeff Van Gundy (Via Steve)

Dumb.

What's the non sequiter of the day to come from Van Gundy? I'm guessing it has something to do with Aerosmith curing childhood obesity. (Via Mike T)

Good guess.

Am I the only one that made a PB+J after the KG segment? (The Fourth)

I wish I had one. Glen Davis comes in and the crowd goes nuts and the second is underway. A weak foul is called on Powe as he guards Kobe. Machine hits jumper! House answers with his own and Odom gets to the line on the other end.

Crawford T's up Doc and we're getting a little testy.....TESTIS? TESTIS? One, Two...Three??? Sorry....Pierce hits a nice three and the Beat LA chant picks up. Powe is off and the Celts lead stays at five. Odom to the line again. Boston's big men are getting into a bit of foul trouble. Make, Make. Powe with the lay in. Great pass from Pierce. Kobe misses a three and Farmar is called for a foul....

31-26 Celtics with 8:23 left

Michele says that Ray Allen hasn't come out of the Locker Room yet. Good report since EVERYONE KNOWS HE HASN'T! Sorry, I have an irrational hatred for her. Pierce hits two throws and the lead is six. Gasol hits a two (finally) but Posey is fouled on the other end. POSEY HITS A THREE! Boston is dominating the offensive glass.

Steal by Big Baby....HOUSE FOR THREE!!!! Timeout Lakers and the Garden is rocking...

38-29 Celtics with 6:25 left

Doc Rivers, you have been chosen to play Opportunity Knocks! All you gotta do is pretend to coach and you win a title! (Via Steve)

Hahahaha. That's a winner.

I'm pretty sure that after Game 5's Chris Mihm's fiasco, poor Chris is comfortably wearing his yellow CROCS by the bench. (Via Nabucodonozor)

He better be for the Lakers sake. Kobe is waaaaay short on a contested jumper.

"Still back here by the Celtics locker room. AHH here he is!"- Michele Tafoya

THIS is why we need sideline reporters! (via Anon)

Here comes Ray! Celtics win the tip and Fisher ends up in the camera well again. House actually got fouled on that play which I didn't see but he hits both and the lead is 11. Kobe gets ripped.....POSEY!!!!!!!! BANG!!!! Fourteen point lead. Timeout LA!

Gasol hits two free throws and we're under five minutes. Garnett with the fade...off. Garnett then almost gets a steal and dives on the court....love that. Ray is back in and Gasol hits again. He's using Davis...Garnett hits again and Rad briiiiiicks a three. Horrible shot. Radmonovic fouls Pierce on the inbounds and he's looking for a one way ticket to the bench. The Celts are getting every board tonight.

47-34 Boston, 3 minutes left

One way to stop Kobe? Play some freaking defense. The rest of the league needs to learn that. How many times did he waltz to the bucket during the western conference playoffs? Every series, unscathed. Look at him now. He's no Jordan. He's more like Gordon. (Via Rdmblog)

Oooh...good analysis there. Kobe is acting like the basket has herpes or something. He wants no part of it. Pierce hits the first....and the second. Rondo with another steal! He's everywhere....Perkins throws it away when he should have shot. Farmar gets to the line. Miss, Make. 14 point lead. Garnett with the "Dream Shake" and that's another two....7-10 from the field. Odom misses.....Rondo with a great fake and floater and this is becoming a blow out. Steal! OH MY GOD!!!!! KG WITH AN AMAZING AND ONE!!

How did he do that?! And he hits the throw....the lead is 21. 45 secs left....Odom gets stuffed by Perkins! Perkins from Garnett!!!! Wow. Kobe misses and that's the half. What a second quarter....the Celtics finish on a 26-6 run.

58-35 at the half

Wow... that play byGarnett almost made me dump my laptop... I was as excited as the Celtics bench... following what hch said... the Lakers bench has been like that ALL series... totally disinterested. (Via Anon)

Now THAT'S the Garnett I've always wanted to see in the postseason. (Via Steve)

The third is underway and bear with me while I catch up after pulling that Garnett video (it's loading). Allen hits a three and the lead is 27.

Wilbon just said the Lakers need to go small with Kobe, Fisher, Machine, Farmar, and Turiaf... and then grab rebounds. Please tell me I'm missing something? (Via Zak)

Yeah I heard that too...I thought he was gonna say jack some threes.

Did they put dwyane on the set just because he sponsors T-Mobile? (Via Anon)

Not sure but that's a good catch. Gasol gets an oop and the lead is 24. Pierce follows with a nice layup though. Radmonovic finally hits and the lead is 23....wait, 25. Rondo and one. Nice drive there. Fisher hits and can someone tell me where the hell Kobe is? I know he's on the court but he is a non-factor. Rondo with ANOTHER steal and Allen hits a three! Just pouring it on now.

There's Kobe...nice play on the inbounds with one on the shot clock. Garnett is fouled at the other end and he'll head to the line.

"Hondo lovin' what Rondo's doin'."- Mark Jackson

Garnett hits both and Kobe misses again. Garnett to the line....again. I sense a theme here. Make, Make. And Kupchak is yawning in the stands. Not a good sign. Another steal for the Celtics and a timeout.....

77-48 with 6:11 left....CUE THE BOSTON!

Why the hell is Kobe Bryant, a 1st Team All-Defensive Team selection, guarding the offensively inept Rajon Rondo, while the Radmanovic, a stiff on defense guards Paul Pierce... baffling. (Via Anon)

Remember this is the coach that put in Chris Mihm last game. Kobe misses....again. Odom grabs a Garnett miss but Garnett forces a jump ball at the other end. He then beats his chest to the crowd. Rad drains a three and the lead is just 28! Rondo gets a tip and Kobe finally gets a layup.

I'm rather upset that JVG hasn't gone on one of his famous tangents yet. Come on Jeff! Paul Pierce hits a pair of threes and the lead is 31....31! 4 minutes left in the third. I'm just waiting for the Lamar Odom cheap shot at this point. Radmonovic doesn't even care and he's just jacking threes.

84-54 with 2:57 left in the third

Wow. Rondo with another steal....

"Someone call 911, Rondo has just picked the pocket of Kobe Bryant."- Mark Jackson

If you want the Lakers' NBA Finals in a nutshell, I think it was that "post up" by Pau Gasol. (Via Anon)

I questioned the trade when it went down but he proved me wrong throughout the Playoffs until the Finals. The guy has played scared the entire Series. Kobe gets to the line and somehow has 22 points. You wouldn't know it by watching him. The lead is down to 25...under a minute to play. Rondo with another two. Kobe is swatted by PJ Brown and that about sums up the Lakers day. PJ hits a jumper for good measure. Kobe misses at the buzzer.....

89-60 Celtics after three

PJ Brown PWNS Kobe Bryant right there... Can we skip the 4th quarter so I can go to bed? Please? (Via Anon)

I'm pretty sure every state but Massachusetts is saying that right about now. Machine hits three and Rondo misses. Machine turn ball over and Rondo is fouled hard by Farmar....intentional. Flagrant one.

What do they do with the champagne from Sunday night? You know they had some in LA in case the Celtics won. Do they fly it out to Boston or just buy more? If they buy more, what happens to the stuff in LA? Do they give it away to Lakers office staff? Who supplies the champagne anyway, the home team, the winning team, the league? I wonder how champagne goes with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Anyone else looking forward to a dopey Scalabrine wearing swim goggles on the bench at the end of the 4th? (Via Pete)

Whoa that was a lot of questions.....I actually almost bid on a game used Scalabrine jersey today. $350 though so I passed.

Javon Walker used the champagne from Sunday night. (Via Anon)

TOO SOON! Farmar hits and the lead is 27. Ray Allen.....DAGGER! AND AGAIN!

101-70....this is like a ten minute victory lap.

Somehwere, Shaq is still smiling. (Via Steve)

"Where is Kobe?" in the background. Shades of "Where is Roger?" from the '99 ALCS. (Via DanteSheppard)

Anyone know where Jeff Van Gundy went? I haven't heard him talk in the past quarter and a half. RAY AGAIN! This is just embarrassing. 36 point lead! Insane. Good move by Odom for two. Garnett pulls down another O-reb. I don't think the Lakers have one of those tonight.

Farmar hits a three but Posey answers....and Garnett swats Odom. Hey Trevor Ariza!!!! Nice dunk. WE WANT MIHM! WE WANT MIHM!!!! Ray Allen again!!! Garnett blocks an Odom dunk and he's not happy. That was not a foul. HAHA...KG points to the screen. Love him.

Does the NBA have a mercy rule? (Via Michael)

"Who was throwing bricks at local cars?" ABC NY7 News Commercial
"Kobe Bryant?" - Me (Via Zak)

My vote for Finals MVP goes to Kevin McHale. (Via Ivan)

The Na-Na-Na Hey Hey chant kicks in and Boston is starting to celebrate. The Big Three comes out and that's just a great ovation. Powe with a dunk and Kobe misses a three. 3 minutes or so left. POSEY HITS! 123 POINTS!!! 38 point lead.

F**k, put a jersey on Russell, Jo Jo, Heinsohn, Maxwell, and Havlicek (Via Boston Barry)

YES A WNBA COMMERCIAL!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you NBA!

2:21 left to go and Garnett is crying on the sidelines. This is awesome. Odom is still playing tough as hell though. SE-VEN-TEEN! SE-VEN-TEEN!

"Come on mother (bleep)!"- Kevin Garnett

Damn ABC caught it. Good work. BIG BABBBBBBY WITH THE JAM!!!! ALLEN WITH THE OOP!

Okay that's enough....1 minute left. Machine hits three and gets hit in the face. That about sums it up. Doc gets the gatorade shower and now the fun begins!

3,2,1 (God I hate the city of Boston).....CONGRATULATIONS CELTICS THE 2007-2008 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!

FINAL 131-92

(Videos and reax to follow)

I don't know what it is about these Vujacic clips but they are by far the best thing on the interwebs at the moment. Here's The Machine talking about his Game Three performance....

God bless you Lakers Fan, you're seriously doing the Lord's work with these clips.

Rock and Roll at TD Banknorth Garden tonight!

(H/T to Fanhouse)

If I asked you to guess the one ref you wouldn't want on a game with a potential Game Seven looming on the horizon in the NBA....who would you say? I'm willing to bet the 70% of you would probably say Joey Crawford. Well guess who's the lead official for Game Six in Boston tonight! Ding Ding Ding!!!

1. Joey Crawford: Crawford comes in pretty high on the homer scale, but after the whole Tim Duncan scandal and the no call on Fisher against Barry earlier in the Playoffs, the guy is just unpredictable. 32-23-3 ATS (Against the Spread).

Good For: Lakers, You would think his "Homer Ranking" would help out the Celtics, but Boston is just 2-2 in the Playoffs with him as a ref. Want to know what the Lakers record is with him calling their Playoff Games? 6-0!

2. Eddie F. Rush: Comes in at number fourteen on the homerism charts with a record of 42-33-1 ATS for home teams.

Good For: The Celtics, Boston is 4-1 this Playoff season with Rush doing their games.

3. Bennett Salvatore: I don't know one person on the planet that would be happy if Salvatore was calling their game. He's one of the worst officials in any Sport, and is so inconsistent it's a joke. BS was also the official that called a charge on Paul Pierce pump fake three where he leaned into Rodney Stuckey during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Good For: Coin Flip, The Celtics are 2-2 during Playoff games he reffed this season, and he comes in about the top third of the Homer scale at 42-36-0 ATS. The word your looking for is "unpredictability".
_______________________

Last game the refs called a pretty good game, but the stats pointed to the Lakers winning Game Five and they did. You just know the NBA wants a Game Seven but there doesn't seem to be any signs pointing to a Lakers advantage in the ref assignment. The only overwhelming statistic is the Lakers record with Crawford calling their games. To go 6-0 with one ref during the Playoffs is virtually impossible. Again, this is not a science, but still interesting to look at.

NBA Referees “Homer” Sorted By ATS (Covers)
Referee assignments for Game 6 (Boston.com)

I wrote the words "wow" and "unbelievable" about 50 times each in the live-blog, but really what else is there to say? The Celtics pulled off one of the biggest comebacks that I've ever seen and arguably one of the biggest in Finals history. They were down 21 at the end of the first, down 18 at the half, 20 in the third and the largest lead was 24.....on the road!

Here's the clip show....

Ray Allen just played out of his mind at the end of that game and looked like a teenager. James Posey hit one of the biggest shots of the season. Eddie House who played terrible at times, had some key rebounds and a three. And most importantly the Celtics overcame the largest halftime deficit in Finals history since the inception of the shot clock and just completely shocked the NBA World.

With all of that said, there was still a ticky-tack call on that Pierce drive and Steve Javie was at the center of it all. I told you that he is a road team ref earlier in the day, and no matter what combination the NBA puts out there at this point, there always seems to be a controversy.

That's not to take anything away from the Celtics who are now one step away from the NBA Championship. Oh and again....unbelievable and wow.

Since these posts always seem to spark up some interest let's try again for Game Four. Drumroll Please!

Joe DeRosa: An extremely favorable ref for home teams and in fact leads all referees with a 51-27-2 ATS (Against the Spread).

Good For: Lakers, Derosa called three Celts Playoffs games this year and they were 2-1 but his homerism record speaks for itself.

Tom Washington: Comes in at number four on the homerism charts with a record of 48-31-1 for home teams.

Good For: The Lakers, Celts are 0-2 in Playoff games he's called for them this postseason.

Steve Javie: He's one of the most despised referees by hometown fans because he never cuts the host team any slack. Comes in 59 of 62 on the same ratings scale as the above two refs were measured on.

Good For: The Celtics, The Celtics are 2-1 during Playoff games he reffed this season, and one of those victories came at home against the Hawks (Game Seven)

So who looks good? Obviously the Lakers but as Fanhouse points out, Javie is the lead official so he's got the final word. Should be interesting, but let's hope they stay out of the mix for good. And at least Steve Javie is kind to babies right? That has to count for something.

Here Are Your Referees for Game 4: Which Team Has the Edge? (Fanhouse)
Referee assignments for tonight (Boston.com)
NBA Referees “Homer” Sorted By ATS (Covers)

It was Plaschke calling out Pierce for overacting his knee injury last week and today it's TJ Simers who has words for Curt Schilling. Schilling wrote a very interesting piece on Kobe after watching the L.A. guard courtside and Simers decided to calmly disagree. Just kidding, he called him a "jerk of all trades" and "gutless"....

Curt Schilling is gutless.

He sits courtside in Boston for Game 2, eavesdropping on the Lakers' bench -- and how would he like someone listening to what they have to say in the Red Sox dugout, and then makes it appear on his blog, "38 Pitches," that Kobe Bryant is some kind of jerk who berates his teammates.

But whatever, there's no bigger sissy than a hit-and-run blogger.

If Schilling has got something to write, let's see him come to Los Angeles, stand outside the Lakers' locker room and get cussed out by Vanessa Bryant like every other blogger. Talk about bloody socks.

He writes nice things about Kevin Garnett, which makes you wonder who gave him the courtside tickets, and also writes that he "saw a seven-footer (Pau Gasol) who grabbed like four rebounds and spent the entire game whining about getting fouled."

OK, so everything he wrote wasn't off base.

TJ doesn't really debate anything that Schilling says in the article and even agrees with what the pitcher said more than once. I agree that Kobe doesn't need any motivation (as evidenced by his work last night), but this article reads like a crappy defense of your best friend rather than a journalistic piece. Simers also said that L.A. should put LA Pitcher Jason Schmidt courtside for games. Huh?

I understand not liking Schilling but this whole piece was just a collection of opinions and random thoughts. Kinda like a blog about your favorite team and player! But a blogger would have called Schilling a "douchebag" TJ, not something weak like "jerk". You're getting close though.

I know Boston writers aren't the moral compass of journalists, but could you whine maybe just a little bit less L.A.?

Schilling reaffirms that he's a jerk-of-all-trades (LA Times)
Manny, JD, Papi, Lester and the NBA Finals (38 Pitches)

Here is the ref assignments for Game Three Tonight. The last time I posted the refs ahead of the game was the Joey Crawford non-call on Derek Fisher when he fouled (or didn't foul) Brent Barry in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals. Hey, well lookie here! Via Boston.com....

Official 1: Joey Crawford

In April 2007, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Crawford for his conduct toward the Spurs' Tim Duncan. Crawford ejected Duncan from San Antonio's loss to the Mavericks after calling a second technical foul on the Spurs star while he was laughing on the bench. Duncan contended that Crawford challenged him to a fight.

The Celtics are 2-1 in '08 postseason games in which Crawford was part of the officiating crew.

Official 2: Bennett Salvatore

Salvatore made a controversial call against Celtics captain Paul Pierce late in the third quarter of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, when Pierce pumped faked Rodney Stuckey, leaned in, and hit a long three-pointer. But Salvatore called a charge on Pierce and a potential four-point play turned into a Detroit possession.

The Celtics are 3-2 in '08 postseason games in which Salvatore was part of the officiating crew.

Official 3: Mark Wunderlich

Wonderlich, along with Crawford and Joe Forte, was part of the three-man crew that did not call of foul on Lakers guard Derek Fisher for banging into San Antonio's Brent Barry on the final play of the Spurs’ 93-91 loss in Game of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals. The NBA later admitted that it appears a foul should have been called on Fisher.

Obviously since this comes from Boston.com the article is writing in regards to them, but it never ceases to amaze me how David Stern puts the most controversial refs in some of the most important Playoff games. Not only is Joey Crawford involved but if you need a home team to win a game there's no better ref to choose than Bennett Salvatore. From a Bill Simmons column back in June of 2006.....

"I don't think the NBA fixes games, but they have one trick that they use for situations like this -- when they want a home team to win the game, they invariably assign the worst referees possible to that game for two reasons: Bad referees have a tendency to get swayed by the home crowd, and bad referees never have the stones to make a tough call on the road.

Then I went on to list the worst six referees. Here was No. 2 on the list:

"2. Bennett Salvatore -- Always one of the worst, he took it to another level this season. If you see him on the court at the start of the game, get ready for about six technicals, two near-brawls and both coaches having to be restrained by their assistants at various times."

Dunh! Dunh! Dunh!

Referee assignments for tonight (Boston.com)

I'm sure most of you read or heard last Friday but Bill Plaschke wrote the Paul Pierce faked his Game One injury and even went so far as to label it "WWE-like" in its execution. Obviously Boston fans were upset, and let him have a piece of their mind. Plaschke wrote a detailed piece yesterday about some of the comments and it's pretty hilarious. Here's a section....

"You disgust me. You are a whore." Virtually all the vile missives were from angry Celtics fans, who weren't content to enjoy their team's opening victory in the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

"Die, you lily-livered ass." Are we in Boston or Deadwood?

"I wonder how many dried-up spit stains you've got on that cheap tie of yours, you stuttering, stammering slob."

"You better have extra security with you Sunday because Celtic fans who recognize you from ESPN will want to take a slap at you, and if I were there, I know I would."

Of all the humanity-questioning notes, the most disturbing was apparent from a subject line that contained three words that could not be printed in this newspaper.

Then the writer really got mad.

"I hope you . . . get cancer and die," he wrote. "Why don't you just die or quit, you ugly fat (bleep). I'm going to find out where (a relative) is buried and me and my buddies are gonna dig (the) skeleton up."

I guess these are the responses you get when you call one of the best players on a team that hasn't been relevant in quite some time a faker. The rest of the article details his responses and interaction with some of the folks and is actually a good read (if you can stand one sentence paragraphs). I just thought the collection of responses was just too funny not to post here. People are so brave when writing emails. It's like the new liquid courage and it's very entertaining, well that and a little scary at times.

Nasty attacks should be banned in Boston (LA Times)

I was skeptical at first when I read that someone was trying to mix Kobe and Garnett clips with the Dark Knight preview but this is pretty damn good. Check it....

Kevin Garnett is really freaking me out in that vid, and I take issue with Kobe being Batman, but still very good. Also, does anyone else get really creeped knowing that this was one of Heath Ledger's last movie role?

Reminder: Live-Blog tonight!

I originally wrote this for posting over at Sporting News, but I wanted to share it in this spot as well. I don't know if you watched the Sports Center Special last night on ESPN, but if you missed it I tried to capture it's greatness as much I could.

ESPN Actually Does Something Cool With Its Celtics-Lakers Coverage (The Sporting Blog)

When I wrote about the NBA Finals late in the day on Monday the obvious angle to note was the Jimmy Kimmel appearance. Well that was certainly not the case after Tuesday night. ESPN's re-airing of Game Six of the 1987 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics was some of the best programming I've seen the channel ever air. But before we get into the clips and the show itself I want to share with you the reason that I didn't even mention it in the Finals preview the other night. I think this section of the press release speaks for itself....

SportsCenter NBA Finals Special Tuesday on ESPN
ESPN will televise a three-hour primetime SportsCenter NBA Finals Special devoted to Game 6 of the 1987 NBA Finals – the last time the Celtics and Lakers met in The Finals – Tuesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. The Lakers defeated the Celtics, with Magic Johnson earning MVP honors. The telecast will include game footage, interviews with participants, and a look ahead at the 2008 NBA Finals.

I know that sound far from boring but it was nothing compared with what they actually did on Tuesday night. Matt Winer and Tim Legler hosted an over 3-hour replay of on of the Lakers-Celtics most intense games and not only did they not interrupt the game itself but they even brought in some of the old players between breaks in the action. Dick Stockton and Tommy Heisohn were on the call that night and not only did they interview the play-by-play man Stockton, but they also sat down with the face of CBS at the time Brent Musburger. Here are some of the highlights....

I can't stress enough how much this idea worked on multiple levels. First the obvious is that it was a vehicle to promote the 2008 Finals. There's never anything wrong with advertising your product, but this show did that and more. The simplicity of the original broadcast, along with the unobtrusive and fan-like demeanor of Winer and Legler let the rivalry speak for itself. The addition of all of the media folks and the announcers was just the icing on the cake.

The game itself took us back to a time where Dick Stockton was at the top of his game and Tommy Heisohn added an unbelievable amount of unbiased commentary. There were no explosions, there were no intrusive and useless sideline reporters, and there was no crappy music or obtrusive graphics. It was just ridiculously talented Basketball players who hated each other waging war, and it was awesome.

Now that's not to say that today's game is bad (it most certainly isn't most of the time). Sure the game back then was different and you're not likely to see Kobe go and shake the Celtics' Coaches hands (ala Kareem Abdul Jabar in 1987 as he leaves the game), but the allure of this year's Finals to NBA fans is just as great as it was back then. Of course there's not seven (seven!) future Hall of Famers playing in Game One this Thursday, but it's still going to be fun. I don't know who came up with this idea over at Bristol HQ, but it's one of the best things the network has done in the past 10 years. Hopefully they re-air it for those that missed it.

ESPN Actually Does Something Cool With Its Celtics-Lakers Coverage (The Sporting Blog)