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

The Magic were up eight with two minutes left, when they decided to continually jack threes during the last minute, while Lebron and the Cavs took it to the hole and hit free throws to take a one point lead. With 6.4 seconds left, Rashard Lewis hit a three to take the lead back, but after a controversial call with Lebron driving to the basket and two free throws from the Cav, the score was once again tied with .5 to go. The Magic tried a lob to Howard, who was basically fallen on top of by Varejao, and the game went to overtime.

In the extra period, Howard dunked all over the Cavs early and free throws helped them close it out. It didn't come without a scare or two though. Here are the highlights if you missed them...

This was obviously the biggest game of the series, and the Magic are actually on the verge of shocking the world and closing this thing out. All you TV execs and advertisers can start getting your resumes together. As far as the refs are concerned, they obviously blew some key calls in this one. Lebron got a foul call while falling down in regulation, and the subsequent Varejao tackling of Howard wasn't even close to being whistled. The league would normally receive some flak tomorrow, but with the Magic closing out in OT, it will all get swept under the rug.

I'm still not quite sure what the "Dive of Death" actually is, or why John Saunders was hosting the David Blaine special, but I was still certainly intrigued by the Kimbo Slice "gut shot" segment. Here it is in its entirety and I'll see you on the other side for some thoughts....

I don't know why but it still seems like there's some sort of trick involved. It just really looks like there isn't quite full contact on each punch, and while I'd really love to see someone pull this off, there's no way you're standing after a hit like that. I could be wrong though, and if I am....let me know so in the comments.

I don't even know where to begin with these two, so I'll try to give you as much information on these two as a I can. The two announcers in question are named Dante and Galante and by all accounts are podcasters for OrlandoMagic.com. That's all I know besides the fact that they are on the call for the Orlando Summer League this month and they are absolutely insane.

The Postmen took down some quotes and notes yesterday and I decided to take some video later on in the night. Enjoy!

– Repeated references to how horrible Aaron Gray is. For example: “Aaron Gray makes a slow, awkward move. Not surprisingly, it’s rejected.”
– Being willing to admit that “Tyrus Thomas has been known to eat souls.”
– A dumbest email of the day feature. (For the record, the email asked if Dwyane Wade would get a lot of playing time next year. That is really dumb.)
– “Everything Joakim Noah does looks very awkward to me.”
– A debate on the merits of Kobe’s sneakers.
– “Jamesoff Curry.”

Amazing. AIDS? Really??? I don't have anything to say besides I'm not missing any of today's action at all.

Who are these Magic dudes, and why don’t I know about them (We Are The Postmen)