A week ago, it was our new favorite announcer (the Panthers' Randy Moller), but today I give you the NBA mind that is sweeping through the Great White North. That mind comes from a Canadian named Kayvon, and he would like to introduce you to the San Antonio Spurs....

"He looks like Michael Finley to me", is going to be my new catch phrase from here on out. Kayvon is actually an cult Internet hero in Canada, and he doesn't just stop with NBA Players! He even tackles the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gene Simmons!!!

Canada is full of so much talent these days. I don't care what the rest of the world says.

(Thanks to reader DM for the clip)

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.
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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.

I have no idea why Gregg Popovich decided to grow a creepy old man beard, but apparently it's given him some great ideas. Shaq recently called the coach a coward, and with the Suns and Spurs playing each other tonight, Pop got even though only way he knew how. By starting the "Hack-A-Shaq" tactic five seconds into the first game of the season. Via NESW Sports....

Hilarious! I could have done without double thumbs up move ala the Fonz, but at least Shaq got the joke and could laugh along with everyone else. The NBA....It's Fannnnnnntastic!!!

Pops pulls a Hack a Shaq joke during the game (NESW)

All pregame long we heard that Joey Crawford reffing this game shouldn't be an issue. Greg Popovich said it, Charles Barkley said it, Kenny Smith said it, and Marv and Doug both said it. Well guess what....it was.

We'll leave aside the Lakers unbelievable journey to get to this point (up 7 and on the line with :50 left), and just go to the controversial videotape....

Unbelievable. I don't see how you look and that and not make a call. It's one thing if Barry got away and got off a clean look, but with 2.1 seconds left you HAVE to call that. I warned everyone yesterday afternoon that San Antonio wasn't happy and you can bet they're going to be livid tomorrow. The Duncan incident, The Popovich poking incident in Game Five of the Hornets Series, and now this.

Wow. I just don't know what else to say.

The conspiracy theorists are going to love this one. Joey Crawford has been officially assigned to lead the crew calling Game Four in San Antonio tonight. Crawford, you may remember, was the ref who ejected Tim Duncan for laughing last year and earlier in these Playoffs poked Coach Greg Popovich with his finger during a disagreement. Via San Antonio Express-News....

It's the news every Spurs fan has dreaded — the team is fighting for its season tonight in Game 4, and blowing the whistle will be one Joey Crawford.

If the NBA wants to give the conspiracy theorists ammunition, this is certainly the way to do it. The pregame sports-talk chatter is sure to be full of comments such as, "See? The last thing the league wants is the Spurs back in the finals. They want Celtics-Lakers so bad, they can taste it. Otherwise, why would they assign Crawford to this game?"

Well, the silver lining is, if we're gonna get Joey, it's best to get him at home. Statistically, he's a Top 10 homer — eighth on the chart to be exact. And since some of the folks ahead of him don't appear to be working the playoffs (although the top homer, Joe DeRosa, did Game 3 Sunday), this would look like a good break, absent his history with the Spurs.

I can already hear Spurs fans moaning if they lose this game. However, with the Lakers on the verge of reaching the Finals for the first time since 2004....I wouldn't be surprised if you saw one or two questionable calls if the game is close. You would think that Stern would nip this in the bud, and have Crawford only call Eastern Conference games, but I remember him being asked following the "finger poking" game and he all but danced around the question. Very interesting.

At least the game isn't in Utah.

Here comes Joey! (San Antonio Express-News)
Study Says Race Skews Referee Calls in the NBA, Professor Goes to Vegas to Prove It (Fanhouse)

Add San Antonio to the list of cities that have a gripe with Charles Barkley. Following the Spurs blowout of the Lakers in Game Three, Chuck had this to say about the city....

I love when they go so far off the beaten path that even EJ can't transition out of the mess they've (usually just Chuck) has created. They're just too much fun, and hopefully the fans in San Antonio have something for Barkley tonight.

Also, seriously Chuck....that suit has to be sent back to the 80s.

Charles Barkley calls San Antonio 'fat' (Odenized)