The Fun You Can Have With Chien Ming Wang

Jason Whitlock Gives You The REAL Reason on Why NBA Playoff Ratings Are Up

NBA ratings are up, the games are much closer, the stars like Paul and Bryant are out. But wait! That’s not it. It’s, according to Jason Whitlock, because we don’t see tattoos as often as we usually do!

The NBA has been experiencing a resurgence ever since the Suns traded for Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, the Mavericks got hoodwinked into snagging Jason Kidd and the Cavaliers picked up new spare parts for LeBron.

But there’s one issue driving improved ratings that likely won’t be touched by all the NBA talking heads on TNT and ESPN.

Tattoos. Or rather the lack of tattoos in the conference finals.

Part of the reason more people are watching these playoffs is because the average fan isn’t constantly repulsed by the appearance of most of the players on the court. Most of the key players left in the playoffs don’t look like recent prison parolees.

The only accurate way to describe Garnett, Pierce, Duncan, Allen, Manu, Parker and even Kobe is “clean cut.” Yeah, there are a couple of tattoos in that group — Duncan has something on his back, Kobe still has his post-rape-allegation tat — but the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics have far less ink on average than your typical NBA franchise.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh no. You see, you had it right at the part where the stars are out. I don’t see how you can possibly make that correlation. I mean, “clean cut”? Are you serious? You’re basically calling the NBA, since many players have tats on them, a bunch of guys who look like they just got out of jail.

He also says “appearances matter”. Look, I’m quite sure most people don’t watch a basketball game and wonder what kind of tattoo he’s wearing. You know why I watch basketball? Because I like watching basketball, I like it when there are hustle plays and blocked shots and strong drives to the hoop. I’m not going to watch, see Rasheed hit a three and go “Oh look at that tattoo!”.

I’m not into tattoos, but just because you think tats mean you looks a little more threatening is so judgmental, and frankly, it is irrelevant to the game.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8187914/In-NBA-playoffs,-less-ink-means-more-viewers

Stay Classy Sasha Vujacic

Not to take away anything from the Lakers, but Sasha Vujacic must know about gambling….or just wanted to shoot. With the game at 97-92, it’s in hand and the Spurs once again blew a big lead, and Vujacic just flipped up a shot at the buzzer from downtown….(video from AA….but WordPress won’t let me embed!)

http://www.dailymotion.com/bsap11/video/x5lo8i_lakersx_videogames

Congrats on the win LA, an NBA Finals trip for you and not only did you beat the defending champions, you beat them in just 5 games. Kobe had another terrific game, a 39 point performance, and he picked up for the once again pathetic Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. They’ll be on the road for game 1, it will be tough, but Phil Jackson will make sure they won’t lose in the Finals again.

Post 700!

Didn’t think I’d make it this far. I’m at 700 now, but the real goal is number 1,000. And don’t send me asterisks please.

The Breen, Jackson, and Van Gundy Drinking Game

I really, really was warming up to Van Gundy last season, analysis, some jokes in between, but that was it. Now I swear he won’t stop complaining about fouls and he hates Rajon Rondo. Mark Jackson sometimes doesn’t pay attention to the game, which was evident last night. Mike Breen…..I really think he should be doing everything for ESPN, he should walk into Bristol studios and demand that he works solo during basketball games.

Why not make some fun of it? Just because you’re not “old enough” to drink doesn’t mean you can’t come up with a drinking game right? RIGHT?! Well, if alcohol is out of the question try milk or soda or something that will make you feel bloated.

Take 1 Drink If

• After a hard foul is called, Van Gundy brings up the topic that it could be a flagrant foul.
• Van Gundy says “If I was the referee…..” or something around ref talk.
• Breen says “that’s a foul” or “that’s not a foul” on a questionable call.
• Jackson mentions “composure”.
• Jackson says “that is a smart foul” or “that is a dumb foul”.
• Breen says “BANG!” after a basket is made.
• Van Gundy finds something wrong with Rajon Rondo.
• Van Gundy talks about his coaching days.
• The 3 men get into an argument.

Take 2 Drinks If

• Mark Jackson agrees with Mike.
• Jeff goes into his usual pointless MMA banter with Jackson.
• Jeff strays off topic at any given time.
• They miss a basket because they went off topic.
• Mike throws in his useless referee stat of the night thing or whatever that’s called.
• Breen makes a wisecrack comment about Jackson and Van Gundy, insinuating that they are imbeciles.

Take 3 Drinks If

• Van Gundy makes a joke about travelling violations.
• Goes on and on about “back in my day, the refs would never call that”.
• Van Gundy tries to prove he is indeed hip, by correcting Breen and Jackson on “WWF” mistakes.

Drink Everything If

• Van Gundy goes a total of 5 consecutive game time (not real time) minutes without going off topic and talking about the baseball game.
• Breen and Jackson gang up on Van Gundy and tie him up with rope and throw him out of the press row.
• Jackson correctly pronounces the name of a European player like Vujacic.
• You don’t mute the TV at all because the commentary was insightful and they paid attention to the game.

Add more in the comments to see what I’ve missed.

Really Easy Sports Trivia

I know doing sports trivia that isn’t timed on the internet isn’t exactly great because you’re just a search away. At least try and answer these really easy questions in the comments without looking them up. If you look it up using another window, you will be forced to watch the Spurs for 10 hours on a continuous loop. You have been warned.

Some questions will be multiple choice, others will not. Ready? GO!

1. Walt Bellamy played how many regular season games in the 1968-69 NBA season? (Note that the NBA had 82 games in the regular season as well)

A.) 76

B.) 80

C.) 67

D.) 88

2. The longest regular season winning streak in North American football is held by the?

A.) New England Patriots

B.) Calgary Stampeders

C.) BC Lions

D.) Miami Dolphins

3. Name the first black person to play baseball professionally.

4. A notable coach for the Albany Patroons (CBA team) was…

5. True or False? A non-English speaking nation has won the Rugby World Cup.

6. When the USFL won an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL, how much money were they awarded?

7. How did heavyweight contender Eddie Machen die?

A.) Head injuries sustained in ring

B.) Suicide

C.) Heart attack

D.) Sleepwalking and then falling from an apartment window

8. Who has scored more goals in international competition?

A.) Pele

B.) Ronaldo

9. If an FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match ends 2-2 in regulation, what happens next?

A.) It has to be replayed.

B.) 30 minutes extra time, then penalties (if nec.).

C.) A coin is flipped and the winner moves on.

10. Finally, how many games has the US won in the Cricket World Cup?

BONUS Question:

You’re kicking a 45 yard field goal into the wind, down 23-21. It’s blowing at 40 MPH and the pressure is on you. The snap is good, the kick goes through the uprights!!! But wait! The sudden gust of wind blows the football, which was already past the uprights, back to the goal line. Is the kick…

A.) Good

B.) No Good

C.) Has to be retried

Think really hard about these, if you don’t know the answer then guess. I don’t expect much from those who don’t follow rugby or cricket.

SSR Interviews: Juuustabitoutside

It’s back after a brief hiatus. This next blogger I’m interviewing is Chris Kubala, creator of Juuustabitoutside. And yes, he has Seattle connections, that was not intentional……seriously. My questions are in bold, his answers are in regular font size. Note that these questions were asked last week and he replied on the 25th.

1. When did you decide it was time to start a blog?

I decided to start a blog last June…the 30th to be exact…a
couple days after Aramis Ramirez’s two run, two out blast in the
bottom of the ninth at Wrigley gave the Cubs a 6-5 win over the
Brewers, in what really started their comeback from the depths to
claim the NL Central crown.

2. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the laughing stock of the NHL right now, what do they need to do in yet another rebuilding process?

For starters, the Leafs need to get a solid, hockey savvy GM in
the front office, someone like Brian Burke for example.  The Leafs
were crippled at the trade deadline because of the massive number of
no trade clauses handed out by John Ferguson Jr.  The team was unable
to move guys that other teams coveted because of it, slowing the
rebuilding process.

The team needs to build from within and cultivate a successful farm
system instead of dealing away picks and signing high priced free
agents who don’t necessarily pan out.  They need more depth to be
successful, and could use a veteran presence behind the bench.
3. Who wins the Stanley Cup, Pittsburgh or Detroit?

It depends.  If Pittsburgh can take game two in Detroit and take
the momentum with them back to Pittsburgh with a tie series, I think
they have a good chance of wearing down the older Detroit club with
fresh legs and youth.  However, Marc-Andre Fleury has to play a lot
better than he did in game one, where he gave up a lot of BIG rebounds
which cost his team.  Remember that Detroit is minus Johan Franzen at
the moment, the playoff leader in goal scoring.

Experience and leadership wise Detroit has a huge advantage, but you
have to know there are some tired legs in the Red Wings lineup.  I
think either way, it will go at least six games.  I just can’t see a
blowout series.

4. What do you think about the state of hockey coverage in the US (considering the fact that you have watched both the CBC in Canada and the American networks)?

Really, hockey in the US is a non entity.  The television coverage
is subpar, Versus is not a channel that the majority of the cable
viewing public has to peruse, and hockey has expanded into venues that
really are not conducive to hockey.  Warm weather locales like
Phoenix, Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, and even Dallas are not really big
draws.  Factor in all the regional sports channels, fragmented media
coverage, and other issues, and hockey is treated as a second class
citizen in some of these locales.

The best way to put it is that hockey is an institution, a religion if
you will, in Canada, while in the US, it is more a sideshow.

5. Does it look like the Bills are headed for Toronto permanently with all of the moves to play a home game in the Rogers Centre per year?

No, I don’t think the Bills are moving to Toronto permanently.
Ralph Wilson has vowed to keep the Bills in town.  It is a way to
expand the fan base in Southern Ontario, and the team gets $78 million
for the inconvenience.  To me, this is nothing else than the NFL
testing the waters of potentially putting a team in Toronto down the
line.

The thing that bothers me the most about it is that they took the
Miami game out of Buffalo, in December, to move that one to Rogers
Centre.  That is a major screw job to the fans in the city who have
supported the team since 1960, and who thrive on having the Dolphins
coming to town in sub freezing temperatures.

6. Trent Edwards: QB of the future or not?

Trent Edwards has all the tools to be an excellent starting QB.
He has size, vision, mobility, and football smarts.  Adding James
Hardy as a big target to complement Lee Evans, with a year under his
and Marshawn Lynch’s belts, and with the offensive line healthy and
solid, can only be a help, not a hindrance.

I’d rather have Edwards under center than, as Chip Caray called him a
few years ago, “J.P. Lostman.”

7. Thoughts on SpyGate?

Spygate…if it was any more convoluted, it would be Watergate.
The investigation has wound around and all we hear is that there was
no more compelling evidence…yet Arlen Specter disagrees.  I think
this could turn into the NFL version of the Mitchell Report, and get
ugly fast.

I’ve never liked Bill Belichick or the Patriots, and the fact that if
you were caught once, is usually a sign you’ve done it repeatedly and
gotten sloppy.  The punishment should have been steeper, and I think
if Specter gets his hands into it, he’ll dig until he finds something
or tear his hands raw trying.

8. What are some blogs you recommend?

I don’t get a chance to go to too many sites…I read Len and
Bob’s blog on WGN to keep up with the Cubs, Purple Crushed Velvet for
hockey and to make fun of the Kings, Hit by a Pitch, Fantasy Baseball
at razzball.com and then the other ones, like Canucklehead and The
Creative Nerd are just regular, non sports oriented blogs that I enjoy
reading.

9. Finally, the Chicago Cubs’ next World Series title will be over or under 2020?:)

I think that it will happen well before 2020…I would say you
will see it within the next five years.

Thanks to Mr. Kubala for taking the time to respond to these poorly thought out questions, his website is on my blogroll so go find it (okay okay, http://www.juuustabitoutside.com).

Sports Demotivator of the Day: Boston Celtics

Lakers vs. Spurs Live Blog: 2nd Half

Once upon a time, in a place called San Antonio, Kobe Bryant was hitting shots left and right. But then came this clueless teammate of his named Lamar. He’s 2-6 from the line and is 1-7 from the field. Yet, he keeps on shooting, he has turned it over 3 times and is largely responsible for the Lakers being 10 points down. But wait, there is his other friend Pau, who is missing his wide open shots badly.

Moral of the story folks, Kobe is shooting well and attacks the basket very well, don’t take the ball away from him like that, it’s the Spurs job.

“Lamar Odom, who I think sizes up better with any other Spurs defender.” – Reggie Miller

Are you kidding me?

My dad said Parker and Ginobili would have a great night before tipoff….he’s right….again.

6:56 PM – 2nd half underway and Duncan over Gasol, he is starting to get hot. Wow, Fisher with an open look and drains it. Finley hits a three! The Spurs are hitting from downtown tonight. Gasol can’t get the bounce…..hey Laker people, remember Kobe? He just got the deflection which led to a steal, and Gasol backs in on Duncan and scores off glass.

6:58 PM – Finley’s getting hot, he hits from the free throw line. Odom just missed from point blank range as well as the tip but Kobe saves him by getting the rebound, foul on Bowen. Bryant has it taken away as he falls hard to the floor. Duncan nearly lost it, Parker with a poor shot that is off with :02 on the shot clock. Gasol and Odom need to be benched.

6:59 - Duncan has it stripped, Gasol to Radmanovic back to Gasol for the slam! Nice give and go play! Double team on Duncan as Finley misses the open three. Odom to an open Gasol on the alley-oop, timeout San Antonio! It may be a 9 point game but the Lakers needed that. It’s 56-47 Spurs.

Can someone tell me why Kobe isn’t getting the ball?? -dlo1

Because he takes over in the 4th right? RIGHT?!

7:03 – Duncan fouled by Odom and it will be free throws for Timmy. Misses the first one….but hits the 2nd, he is 4-6 at the line. Kickball by Bowen so the shot clock will reset to :14. Radmanovic nearly lost it, Gasol’s back tap goes out of bounds but they say Laker ball now. Bryant open for three but he is off and a foul by Radmanovic.

7:06 – Parker loses the ball, Bryant to Gasol who puts up a weak shot. Spurs have gone cold here as Duncan misses again. Fisher in and out on the three. Duncan now has 14 rebounds. Pretty pass by Oberto to Duncan who is fouled by Gasol.

7:08 - Horry back in for Oberto. Duncan goes 1-2…Odom again can’t get the rebound (and he was all alone) and it is Spurs ball. Parker is short on the jumper with the screen set up by Duncan, Bowen chases it down and Vladimir with another foul.

7:09 – Ginobili can’t bank it in, and Radmanovic to the hole on the assist by Odom. Lead down to 9. A late call as Parker is fouled by Bryant, that is his 2nd and the Lakers are in the penalty. Another 1 of 2 trip, Gasol stripped, Radmanovic hits on the putback, technical foul on Fisher! He didn’t agree with a call and Manu hits the free throw.

7:11 – Parker to the rim but can’t hit, Radmanovic can’t hit the three and Parker called for the pushing foul.

7:13 – Bowen with a huge three! Kobe to Gasol and he can’t hit again! Bowen changes his mind on the three, Ginobili doesn’t but misses. Bryant is fouled as he spins his way to the basket and that is Horry’s 3rd foul. Timeout, 63-51 Spurs.

7:17 – OH THE GIVE AND GO AND BRYANT SLAMS IT HOME!!!!!!!! He has 16 as Barry misses the three. Bryant can’t hit the jumper and Kobe has not gone to the line at all.

7:19 – Timmy….impossible shot and he gets it, everything falling for them. Bryant with a mid-air pass to Radmanovic! Duncan is feeling it now! It’s a 67-55 Spurs lead with 1:00 left in the 3rd. Beautiful fade by Bryant, Spurs unable to pull away, Ginobili all the way!!

7:20 – Duncan for three! Not again, no good, Farmar misses the runner, 69-57 Spurs after 3.

7:25 – The 4th quarter begins, Lakers will inbound. Kobe is on the bench, this is huge. FARMER FROM DOWNTOWN!!!

7:27 – And boom, Vujacic with a foul. BARRY RESPONDS WITH A THREE!!! Turnover as Turiaf can’t save it.

7:28 – Oberto all alone and the Lakers are self destructing and Oberto is fouled and nearly makes it a three point play.

I’m calling this game over right now.

7:29 – A big time lane violation by Manu. Odom also went in so a jumpball which the Spurs win. Barry misses the long two, Farmar on the pull up is no good.

7:30 – Yep, it’s over, Lakers should get ready for game 4

7:34 – Thanks for proving my point Lamar. Stupid offensive foul, Oberto all alone, great ball movement bt San Antonio. Parker is off the mark, Odom continuing to shoot and is fouled, he’ll go to the line.

7:36 - BOW stands for Bench Odom Now. Parker makes it a 20 point lead and my nightmare final of Spurs/Pistons is still alive. Bryant misses but Odom is useful and scores on the putback dunk, TONY ON THE TEARDROP!

7:37 – Hey hey, Kobe hits a three! But Brent Barry drains his! Spurs basket must be wider at home.

7:38 – Kobe hits another three from the parking lot but it is too late. Ginobili gets hit in the mouth as he turns it over, he hits the three and one! Misses the free throw but it is a 14 point game. Oberto kills all momentum. Bryant misses the open three and it goes out of bounds off of Oberto. 88-72 Spurs with a timeout with 5:42 to go.

7:44 – Spurs are shooting 51% from the field, have limited their turnovers, 20 assists to just 10 turnovers as Manu gets a foul called. FTs the rest of the way for the Lakers. More missed free throws, BRYANT FOR THREE!!! IT IS A 12 POINT GAME!! But Duncan just responded with a three point play opportunity. He has 19 points and 19 boards, and converts on the free throw.

7:47 – Bryant short on that shot, Parker with a wild shot and is fouled. More missed free throws, Parker in and out on the first and a timeout on the floor, 91-76 Spurs.

7:53 – 96-78 Ginobili and one, Bryant is out of the game now with a very good performance which could’ve been better.

7:55 – So to summarize, a great game 1, and games 2 and 3 have been so non-competitive it isn’t funny. It’s 99-80, I will call it a night, have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Lakers vs. Spurs Live Blog: 1st Half

Sure why not? Marv Albert and Doug Collins are courtside in San Antonio as tipoff is just 30 minutes away!

Keys to the Game: Spurs

San Antonio is in a must win now. They have to stop relying on Bruce Bowen to guard Kobe 1 on 1. Earlier in the playoffs the Lakers seemed to struggle when dealing with Denver’s 2-3 zone defense. Manu Ginobili has to start attacking the basket again because he is jacking up threes just about every time he gets the ball. Tim Duncan has had a decent series but he must convert on his free throws. San Antonio also cannot get too three point happy, they are something like 11-42 from downtown in the first 2 games and that is unacceptable.

Slow the game down if you are Gregg Popovich. I mean slow it down so it is 55-53 at the end of the 3rd quarter instead of a halftime score.

Keys to the Game: Lakers

A win on the road and the Lakers are on their way to the NBA Finals. They have closed out their last 2 series on the road, including the win at Utah, a place where the road team almost always comes out on the losing end. Unlike San Antonio, the Lakers have actually been competitive in their losses, so they can certainly go into your building and come out with a win.

Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher need to step up like they did in game 2, so they need to keep their plan of attacking the basket and drawing contact. Force turnovers on the other end and have Tony Parker shoot as many outside shots as possible.

Pau Gasol, don’t care what you tell me, is having a bad series. He’s missing dunks, he is taking poor shots and can’t guard Duncan one on one consistently.

Kobe Bryant….come on, what do you mean I need a key for him? He’s ripped the Spurs 2 games in a row now.

The bench players will also be huge tonight. Sasha Vujacic is not afraid to catch and shoot (and he hits often), Jordan Farmar has improved after that nightmare series against Utah, Ronny Turiaf will have to step up in case of Pau Gasol’s foul trouble.

5:06 PM – Reggie Miller is back with the gang for analysis with EJ, Charles and Kenny….crap.

5:19 PM – AND John Thompson is doing interviews? TNT, what’s wrong?

5:25 PM – 5 minutes away! If Detroit or San Antonio lose their respective series then the ABC execs will be celebrating.

5:27 PM – Whoa! Craig Sager’s dress is unusually not loud….

5:31 PM – And Finley will start again in place of Manu Ginobili.

5:33 PM – The tip goes to LA as we are underway! Gasol with a weird pass to Bryant along the baseline and he turns it over. Duncan lost it, got it back, and misses the shot, Fisher misses the other end. Now Finley misses! Gasol in and out the other way…

5:35 PM - A BASKET!!! Bruce Bowen for 2! Lakers are really cold to start as Finley is open but can’t handle an easy bounce pass, turnover. Radmanovic misses another one, and Oberto stupidly went for a ball that was going out of bounds anyway, Lakers ball, Black Mamba hits!

5:37 PM – Kobe is on fire! He is 2-2, and Radmanovic in transition is fouled. TNT shows the replay of perhaps the ugliest shot Tim Duncan has ever taken. Radmanovic makes the first free throw on a luck bounce but is too strong on the 2nd.

5:38 PM – Tony Parker hits for the Spurs and it’s a 5-4 barn burner in favor of the Lakers…or not, Kobe is 3-3 all on jumpers.

5:39 PM – Parker scores but an offensive foul on Oberto for an illegal screen. Stunner, Spurs miss a three, and Odom walks….oh boy is this going to be ugly.

5:40 PM – Ginobili is coming into the game for Finley as there is a foul on Kobe Bryant. Wow, Bryant finally misses, PARKER HITS ON THE RUNNER!

5:41 PM – Fisher open and can’t hit, a loose ball foul on Radmanovic. These guys want me to change the channel so badly.

5:42 PM – Robert Horry in the game. Duncan gets the step and Gasol can’t handle him and he scores. But Gasol backs in on Duncan and scores as well. Another Spurs turnover and Gasol hits the jumper.

5:43 PM – Our first stoppage in play and this is not a good start for the Spurs, sloppy play, Kobe is torching them early and they are not hitting shots. It’s a Lakers lead, an 11-8 scorcher with under 6:00 to go in the opening quarter.

5:46 PM – We’re back! And Ginobili misses on the runner, Bryant with a pretty pass to Gasol who can’t convert, he is stripped, Odom gets it and hits! Duncan can’t convert, loose ball, Lakers get it. BRYANT WITH A CROSSOVER AND A CLEAR PATH TO THE BASKET!!! A 15-8 Lakers lead. Bowen misses from downtown, haha, Horry on Bryant and Bryant can’t hit the three.

5:48 PM – GINOBILI FOR THREE!! Radmanovic misses his three, outlet pass to Ginobili for three, and hits again! He needs that more than anyone!

5:49 PM – A foul on Robert Horry the other way. Lakers inbound and Kobe is guarded by Ime Udoka, Gasol with a nice bounce pass to Odom who is stripped but he was fouled and will go to the line. Brent Barry also in the game.

MANU’S HEATING UP! PIVOTAL SHOTS AS IT LOOKED LIKE THE LAKERS WERE GONNA TAKE FIRM CONTROL OF THIS GAME. -dlo1

Way too early in the game to say “firm control” but yes, if Manu misses both his confidence level would’ve been shot.

5:51 PM – Timeout after Odom misses his first free throw.

5:53 PM - 3:00 left in the quarter, 15-14 Laker lead. Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar in the game in place of Radmanovic and Fisher. Odom makes the 2nd FT.

5:54 PM – Duncan nearly walked there and is doubled but fouled. Time for his FTs…wake me up.

5:55 PM – My oh my, he misses again. Now 0-5 dating back to game 2, but he makes the 2nd.

5:56 PM – Gasol on the jump hook and he is off to a great start, another offensive foul and we’ve got Duncan face! His 1st foul of the game.

5:57 PM - Gasol never walked, that is a terrible call. Ginobili pumps, gets the shot and gets the foul called on Sasha.

5:59 PM – Farmar hits a three! Udoka on the pull-up J and that’s good. Gasol is fouled and he’ll go to the line, Parker and Kurt Thomas are set to come back.

6:00 PM – Gasol hits 1 of 2 from the line. Kurt Thomas can’t connect, rebound by Luke Walton, and Odom turns it over trying to get it to Pau.

6:01 PM - Parker on the baseline!! Good start for Parker! Tough glass lay-up by Jordan Farmar with 7.9. Parker IN AND OUT on the teardrop and the first quarter is over. Lakers up 24-21 after 1.

6:03 PM - This stretch with Kobe and Fisher out and the bench in could make or break this game at the start of the 2nd quarter. If they can keep their lead then they could be in the driver’s seat. Kobe has hit 4-7 shots to start, Jordan Farmar is 2-2, Manu Ginobili is 2-4 but both have come from downtown.

6:05 PM – Ooh, Phil says his tie matches Craig’s suit. Project Runway anyone?

6:07 PM – Ginobili cutting in but can’t convert! Parker and Odom are the only starters in the game as Thomas knocks it down. Even worse, Odom gets called for 3 seconds and a shot clock violation.

6:08 PM – Robert Horry is really useless in this series, Ronny Turiaf hits the long range 2. What a play by Ginobili, leaning from the outside and swishing his shot. PARKER!!!! THE SPURS LEAD!

6:09 PM – Offensive foul on Turiaf and all of a sudden the Spurs have the momentum. The Spurs bench is doing a much better job and they have a 27-26 lead.

6:10 PM – There was a time when Eddie Murphy’s movies didn’t look so dumb you know.

Sasha has been making Manu earn everything this series – dlo1

But Manu is hitting his shots this time around and that is key.

6:12 PM - Kobe is quickly back on the floor as Odom gets a rest. Parker in and out on the corner jumper. Bryant to the basket and just like that the Lakers lead. Ginobili!!! Another three even though Bryant had a hand on that!

6:14 PM - Wow…Vujacic over Duncan? I’ve seen it all!!! HOLY COW!!! GINOBILI FOR THREEEEEEE!!!! But Kobe quiets the crowd with his jumper over Udoka. A blocking foul on Turiaf and that is his 2nd. After Udoka’s nightmare defending on Bryant, Bruce Bowen checks back in.

6:15 PM – GINOBILI AND ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where have you been fella?! I guess playing at home makes a big difference after all.

6:16 PM – Farmar blocked by Duncan, but gets it back, nearly traveled but knocks down the shot from the free throw line. Timmy is fouled and will shoot two FTs….and makes the first.

6:17 PM – He makes both and Walton hits it high off glass, a timeout by San Antonio as a sluggish start by both sides has turned into a very entertaining match. It’s Spurs 38 Lakers 36 with 5:56 left in the half.

PUT OUT THE FIRE, PLEASE!! GINOBOLI!! -dlo1

Reminds me of that commercial for that SUV…..What’s that like your fifth all star game?

It’s amazing how well home teams have done in these playoffs, although the last 2 wins in the East have been on the road. How about Boston yesterday taken advantage of the egg Detroit laid. – d1lo

Flip Saunders…enough said.

6:22 PM – Duncan is really cold, now 1-6 shooting, Kobe was open, hesitates, passes it back to Gasol, who passes it to Kobe who is fouled by an unhappy Bowen. Good job by the Spurs to take away the baseline where Kobe and Fisher have killed them so far. Odom is having a bad game, can’t hit over Horry. Duncan with some sort of weird shot but hits on the tip in.

6:24 PM - Odom is fouled, 42-36 Spurs. Free throw shooting is going to be huge down the stretch, and Odom is the new Shaq…he misses again. Missed both and Ginobili gets the loose ball, I’d think about benching Odom soon. Duncan again! Bowen misses a big three and Odom turns it over….bench it is.

6:26 PM – Duncan misses badly, why is Odom doing everything? Phil needs a timeout, Spurs up by 10 and it is looking bad.

6:28 PM – Lakers have made the big comeback before so this should be no different, but they have to watch it before it gets out of hand. Odom is pretty much selfish in this first half when Kobe or Fisher or Gasol could be rising to the occasion.

6:30 PM – Eat me Odom, he decides to attack again and misses again but is fouled. He finally gets a free throw to end the Laker drought….Duncan was called for the foul and that is his 2nd. Odom misses the 2nd and Ginobili can’t hit on the fadeaway. Gasol is short on his shot.

6:32 PM – OH MY!!!!!!!!!! GINOBILI WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE THREE!!!!!!!!!! But Bryant gets the step and scores right away.

6:33 PM – Dear Horry, stop shooting. Spurs will get the last shot likely but Fisher gets the foul so they use that foul to give.

6:35 PM – Halftime, Spurs 49 Lakers 39. A 22 point first half for Manu, 12 for Parker, 14 for Bryant. New thread will be up in 5.