Its Magical

It was supposed to be the debate to settle all the debates, the best match up the NBA and its fans had seen since Magic vs. Jordan, there was no way David Stern would allow for Denver or Orlando to win, but at some point the players take over. The refs don't hit three pointers or break shot clocks, David Stern couldn't stop a 16 point comeback if he tried, but most importantly no one in the NBA offices had any kryptonite tonight. After dominating for the first five games and doing whatever he wanted, LeBron finally came back to life and his supporting cast, well, they never awoke. Still, Orlando beat Cleveland in every facet of the game during this series. They outshot Cleveland, they were mentally tougher than the Witnesses, and most noticably, the Coach of the Year was completely outcoached. Mike Brown did not make a single adjustment in the eries defensively, he added no wrinkles offensively to allow for other players to get involved. There has been talk of LeBron's supporting cast not showing up during this series, but they are called the Witnesses for a reason. This team is built for LeBron to do it all and everyone else to watch. Cleveland can be beaten if LeBron scores 40, 50, or even 60, but they are unbeatable when LeBron scores 30 points and has 9-12 assists.
Nevertheless, by focusing on Cleveland's downfall, isn't fair to Orlando. Orlando played fearlessly throughout, and never flinched. After every LeBron big play, Orlando responded with one of their own, there was so much talk about LeBron's shot, Orlando could not have cared less. Some questioned Dwight Howard's maturity, well he's smiling his way to the NBA Finals. Also, who could forget the Master of Panic of a coach Stan Van Gundy is? Throughout this series Van Gundy pushed the match ups to force Cleveland to play their style of ball, only Cleveland couldn't do it. Michael Pietrus came in and owned Cleveland and gave LeBron all he could handle, all while hitting big shot after big shot. Orlando rightfully felt disrespected by all the talk of a Lakers-Witness Finals, but instead of complaining, they did something about it and in the process adding another chapter to the book Cleveland Sucks.

All Dollars NO Sense

Note: This article was written last summer after an interview with the University of Maryland's PF Dave Neal, but in light of the recent accusations concerning Memphis and Derrick Rose, I decided to publish this article.

Imagine working for a company which provided a great deal of travel, television exposure, a free college education, unlimited clothing, free food, and all the books you need. In return, you help the company generate up to 20 million dollars in revenue. Only there's a catch. The employees are not paid and are not to receive any free items from anyone else excluding family members. This is the reality for the young men and women playing a Division I college sport on an athletic scholarship.
Consider the massive free exposure the athletes generate for their schools through television, radio, and newspapers. Not to mention the bonuses the universities, coaches, and the athletic directions receive when the teams qualify for postseason play, makes one wonder, do the athletes deserve more than "just" their athletic scholarships?
North Carolina offers a basketbal player a scholarship, the school is making a $38,882 investment in the player if he or she is not from the state of North Carolina. In return, UNC generated $15.2 million in revenue from the men's basketball team alone. Sound fair? Also, college basketball, football, and baseball players appear on video games, have their jerseys sold in the campus bookstores and are shown numerous times on television (with a uniform baring the university's name of course) just as professional athletes are only without the paychecks to show for it.
The NBA's "one and done" rule, which forces prep school athletes to be one year removed from their high school graduating class before entering the NBA draft. This rule has required the best high school basketball players like Southern California's OJ Mayo, Memphis' Derrick Rose, Kansas State's Mike Beasley, and Arizona's Jerryd Bayless all to attend college for one year (with no intention of staying for another, let alone all four) before entering the NBA draft, basically turning Division I college basketball into the NBA's minor league system. This rule does not at all hinder the NBA and only helps it by giving the league an extra year to scout the players, see the players against better competition, and allows them to see players more often on television. This is opposed to the former system which consisted of watching elite high school players on a limited basis against inferior competition. While this rule does help the NBA, it hurts the college players because it opens the risk for injury without the opportunity for pay and hurts NCAA basketball as programs invest in players who leave after just one year.
For instance, Maryland, Duke, and Kentucky, all considered college basketball powerhouses, have not lived up to their lofty standards in recent years due to their inability to recruit the one and done freshmen while sticking with their once sound strategy of building for the long term. Only now there is no long term due to the fact that athletes who would not have attended college due to the lure of NBA millions now attend colleges for that minimum of one year. However, if stipends were given to the players depending on the amount of revenue generated by the school's program, college basketball would truly represent what it has become, a semi-pro league. Better yet, how about eliminate athletic scholarships all together and give each player what the price of the education is?
Lastly, the athletes also have a strenuous work schedule during the season. For example, Maryland's men's basketball team practices from 3-6pm daily during the season, while having a game scheule that at times may include as many as three games a week, leaving little time for study. The player's commitment also includes travel time, most notably late flights, some of which don't get the athletes back to campus until 3AM, only to have to be in class just five hours later. The time consumption of high Division I basketball turns what is often called a game into a job, a job they are not paid for.
Asked if he felt college athletes should be paid, Dave Neal a senior at Maryland responded "I think we should get paid, but I can see why we don't. Added Neal, "I don't think we'll ever be paid".


2009 thoughts--Divison I basketball is a business for everyone except the players, coaches make millions, athletic directors make even more, so why don't the players get anything? I do not feel the players should make millions in college, but 1o to 20 thousand a year wouldn't hurt anyone. Sure they get a free education, but what they give does not nearly equal the education. Unlike baseball and hockey (both of which have a minor league system and junior leagues, respectively) players are ready to play in the NBA as soon as leaving college. Due to this there should be a junior league system that allows for athletes who are not old enough for the NBA to play at a high level and recieve a salary, without having to go to Europe.

The Golden Lakes

Another night in the NBA, another awesome game. Whenever one team went on a run, the other responded. This game had it all: intesity? check, drama? check, star power? check. Both teams fought, there were so many gutsy plays in the fourth quarter alone, it would be impossible to recount them all. This was a true gut check game for the Lakers, they were on the road in an extremely hostile enviornment, Denver was outhuslting them for a good portion of the game, and then something clicked. Enough was enough, the Lakers started getting rebounds, they were now the first to the loose balls, and Kobe Bryant just willed the Lakers to a victory, he refused to lose this game and that attitude rubbed off on the rest of team. Most importantly, the Nuggets lost their composure. Although the refs were wildly inconsistent in this game and almost ruined it by not swallowing their whistle, the Nuggets refused to adjust. So much was made about Chauncey Billups' presence on this Denver team, but where was it tonight? Billups struggled shooting and the team unraveled, highlighted by another miscue on an inbound play. Lamar Odom was up in Kenyon Martin's grill and showed Rashard Lewis a thing or two about defending an inbound pass. Last night, I wondered how Orlando would rebound from LeBron's shot, the Nuggets mental state seems to be a lot worse than Orlando's right now. The Lakers outscored Denver 32-18 in the fourth quarter and got physical for once. Had Los Angeles won by going on a scoring spree, the Nuggets would feel much better, but the Lakers beat the Nuggets at their own game. They got physical, they intimidated, and most impressively the ripped Denver's heart out. Carmelo Anthony was on the verge of tears after the game, George Karl's emotions were equally unimpressive. These reactions are premature because it's only game 3, the series is far from over, but Karl and Anthony looked defeated. The Lakers have a chance to virtually end the series Monday night with a win, but throughout these playoffs they have had mental lapses allowing for their opponents to get back in the game or in Houston's case a series.

Halftime

The Nuggets are clearly out playing the Lakers right now, they're attacking the hoop, getting to every loose ball, and the Lakers do not have an answer for Carmelo Anthony. Nevertheless, the Lakers are still in this game and are only down four at the half. Chris Andersen has 13 points off the bench for the Nuggets, none of which have come on a play in which he has made any kind of move. It would be highly unlikely for him to score more than four points in the second half. Still, 17 points for someone with Chris Andersen's offensive ability (or lack thereof) is way too many. The Lakers aren't playing their best ball right now, but because they are hanging around the Nuggets have to be concerned. It's only a matter of time before the Lakers turn things around (they are a great third quarter team) and if they can go on a run to get the crowd out of the game, the Nuggets can't be comfortable with their halftime lead

We are all Witnesses

Wow! What a finish! Just when it seemed the Cavs were down and out, like the Cavs could not match up with the Magic, and maybe it would be the Magic in five, instead of the Cavs in six like I predicted. What a huge shot by LeBron, he not only won the game, but he might've won the series. If LeBron's 26 footer does not rattle in, the Magic are now up 2-0 after overcoming double digit deficts in back to back games and Cleveland is searching for answers. How do they stop Turkoglu and Lewis? How do they get Mo Williams back on track? Most importantly, how do they stop the Magic shooters? Just as Cleveland seems to take control of the game, Orlando shoots themselves right back in it. Even with LeBron's shot, Cleveland still needs to find answers to these questions. They were extremely fortunate to come out with a victory tonight and the series is still far from over. A couple years ago, Kobe Bryant hit a shot just as dramatic against Phoenix to give the Lakers a 3-1 lead in the series, the Lakers proceeded to lose the next three and the series. LeBron's shot also leads to another question, did Phil Jackson blow the game for the Lakers last night? The Lakers were in a similar situation, but instead of going to Kobe for the win, Jackson used arguably the game's best player (although, I am starting to change my stance) as a decoy and gave the ball to a player who is struggling throughout the playoffs and was 1-9 including the missed shot that could've tied the game!

Despite tonight's loss, Orlando can still hang their hat on a few things, a) Micheal Pietrus has really made things difficult for LeBron, b) they did get a win in Cleveland and now have home court advantage, and c) they've had Cleveland's number throughout the season and continue to give them problems. Even with these positives for Orlando, I have a major question for Stan Van Gundy, why not double LeBron with Rashard Lewis and force someone else to hit the shot? With one second left there was not enough time for more than one pass, and a double on LeBron does not allow for him to pop back out for the last second three. In my last post, I mentioned the Magic's mental toughness, we will see how mental tough they truely are and how they bounce back after getting hit with such a huge blow through LeBron's winner.

3 Minutes to Go

At the start of the fourth quarter the Witnesses went to an open set, with four guys on the perimeter and one in the post or all five guys around the three point line. This allowed for Cleveland to get some dribble drive action which opened up not only the lane, but also their outside shooters. However, Cleveland started the quarter cold and an array of unjust offensive foul calls forced Cleveland to go back to their normal offense, which has been stagnet all night. On the other hand, Orlando continued their charge highlighted by rookie Courtney Lee and Rashard Lewis. Cleveland has put LeBron on both Turkoglu and Lewis in the fourth, but both continue to be effective. With 4:20 left, Mo Williams has come to life who has the Cavs last five points. Even with the crowd getting louder as Cleveland gains momentum, the Magic refuse to back down and have kept their composure.

In hopes of LeBron not completely dominating the ball, Cleveland has started to put LeBron under the hoop and is now running him off of screens so he can either attack the hoop and create for others or shoot his improved midrange jumper. Orlando is down three entering the home stretch.

Start of the Fourth Quarter

Orlando has made really cut into Cleveland's lead behind Rashard Lewis's hot hand. LeBron is still having his way, but Mo Williams continues to struggle. Cleveland has gone small with James guarding Lewis at the 4 spot. The Magic have forced the Cavs to play their style of basketball, but will Cleveland beat them at their own game?

Halftime Thoughts on Orlando-Cleveland

Cleveland has clearly made some changes in strategy from Game 1, the most notable is the appearances of both Sasha Pavlovich and Daniel Gibson. Both were huge contributors to Cleveland's Finals run in 05. Pavlovich has given the Witnesses a nice lift with 7 points. Also, the Witnesses have begun to double and even triple team Rashard Lewis at times, they're determined not to allow Lewis to beat them again. For Orlando, they've struggled shooting the ball a bit (39%) and that's given J.J. Redick the opportunity to get some playing time. Although he is a great shooter and can help Orlando stretch the floor a bit, he is such a defensive liablity I can't envision Stan Van Gundy staying with him for an extended amount of time in the 2nd half. Lastly, Orlando has no response at all for LeBron right now, but the biggest issue lies in the fact that LeBron is not only scoring, but he's getting his teammates involved. Orlando can beat the Witnesses if LeBron gets 50 and limited contributions from his mates, but they can't beat Cleveland if LeBron gets his 40 with another 10-13 assists. Maybe single covering LeBron in hopes of stoping the LeBronettes may be the best idea for Orlando.

Witnessing a little Magic

Despite 63 first half points, 49 points from LeBron, and a 16 point lead the Magic somehow found a way to pull out a victory and now it looks like we've got ourselves a series. Last night's win for the Magic showed how mentally tough they are. They started off slow giving up 33 first quarter points, LeBron got off for 26 of his 49 in the 1st half, and Turkoglu and Lewis were both nonfactors. Nevertheless, Orlando kept battling, a defensive stop here, a Howard dunk there, and then back to back threes from Pietrus and Lewis got them back into the game and forced LeBron to do it all on his own. By forcing LeBron to score on his own, the Magic took everyone else out of the game and challenged LeBron to beat them with no help. However, one thing that stood out last night was the fact that Cleveland can't match up with Orlando, using their normal rotation. Last night that had no answer at all for Dwight Howard or Rashard Lewis. Lewis got what he wanted in the second half because he had either Big Z or Varajeo on him, neither of which are used to guarding perimeter players. As the series goes on it will be a test of wills, does Cleveland change their rotation to match up with Orlando and risk not having their best players on the floor or do they stick with what has worked this entire season and try to impose their will on the game despite the match up problems that they will have to overcome?

A Second Helping

After a round full of game winning shots, multiple, multiple overtime games, a running diary, and a Witness Highlight Reel featuring the King himself, the first round of the NBA playoffs left us, with her not so attractive step sister known as the second round. Nevertheless, I soldiered on, watching second after second of a brutal, uninspired, one sided "war" (aka: Hawks-Witnesses), a seven game series that should not have even gone three games (Lakers-Rockets), a catfight (Mark Cuban-Kenyon Martin), and an end to an era that never quite began (Magic-Celtics) just to be able to sit down and enjoy the two six games series that begin tonight (I had a nice interview with the Commish himself, who said, "no funny stuff this year, I want LeBron-Kobe ASAP and anyone gets in my way will feel my wrath")!



Although the Nuggets have been playing well as of late, I still don't like there chances against the Lakers. The Lakers were 3-1 against the Nuggets this year while holding Carmelo Anthony to 13.8 points a game and a shooting percentage in the 30s. Also, the Nuggets do not have a single good match up for Kobe Bryant nor Pau Gasol. In the last meeting beteween the two teams, Gasol had 27 points and 19 rebounds and along with Andrew Bynum completely dominated the Nuggets front line. While Chauncey Billups has always been a match up problem for the Lakers, expect Shannon Brown to get extended minutes in this series and spend a good portion of his time guarding Billups. Phil Jackson had been giving Brown minutes over Farmar as of late (this trend stopped during the Houston series because of Aaron Brooks's quickness) in anticipation for this match up. If the Lakers are able to contain Billups and are immune to the Odom-flu (syndromes: an attitude that oozes the phrase "ehh I don't feel like trying today") the Lakers should win in five to six games.



In the East, the Witness-Magic series is rather complex. The Magic gave the Witnesses some problems this year, highlighted by their 30 point beatdown of the Witnesses in April. While the Magic have no one who can come close to guarding the King, the same can be said about the Witnesses ability to match up with Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu. If Lebron takes Lewis, Turkoglu has the upper hand on whoever is left to guard him. Still, the key in this series is how Rafer Alston matches up with Mo Williams. If Williams dominates Alston the same way Rondo did (until game seven), the series will not even go six games, but if Alston can hold his own defensively and knock down a couple shots each game, the Magic's mismatches with Howard and Lewis or Turkoglu could allow them to steal the series. Sadly for the Magic, they have no one who can match up with David Stern or his officiating crew who in the end could make that one big play to end the series.

Running with the Bulls for a Game 7

Alright, tonight's game 7 between the Bulls and the Celtics is a big enough event that we'll get a little running diary going tonight starting with the pregame show.



7:33pm- People have questioned whether this series has been the best ever, I'm not sure. I haven't been alive long enough to compare it to others, but my biggest fear for tonight has to be a repeat of the Lakers-Suns game 7 a few years ago. That series had it all, a fierce rivalry, two MVP canidates in Kobe and Nash, and the great Tim Thomas. Which reminds me, ESPN has thrown out the idea of Kevin Garnett going Willis Reed and lifting the Celtics to a win, alright, 1) I doubt that's going to happen, 2) I hate Kevin Garnett, he seems sooo phony and for all his intensity and competitiveness he's never played well in crunch time, 3) most importantly, why hasn't anyone mentioned Tim Thomas?!?! Sure he hasn't played in the series, but he's raised his game in this series too. He has yet to smile, jump, or show any sign of life despite being in one of the greatest series of all time. He deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame for these actions.



7:41- Boston Celtics run onto the court. Tony Allen points to the sky and fist pumps, he's ready.



7:44- Here come the Bulls! Joakim Noah one ups the Tony Allen intro by jumping in place for 12 seconds.



7:45- Saving gas is good, thanks Goodyear.



7:48- John Thompson has just compared Joakim Noah to Dennis Rodman...I'd agree with that, they're both insane...I think VHI should have a reality show featuring both of them, or maybe MTV could do a True Life following both of them, the possiblities are endless!



7:56- Alright the tip off is in four minutes...I think the Celtics are going to win, but hopefully it'll be interesting. My biggest fear is a repeat of the Lakers-Suns game 7 where David Stern limited Kobe Bryant to 3 second half points.



8:00- Another Willis Reed-KG comparison on behalf of TNT. Just stop.



8:01- Barkley thinks it's going to be a blowout because the "Celtics are just a better team", the Celtics also have David Stern coming off the bench. No one in the NBA can match up with the guy.



8:03- Some of the most tense times in your life can come pumping gas according to Shell.



8:05- Just got a text from an unknown number saying "the fix is in".



8:06- I get a text from the same number telling me if I don't delete my last text then I'm dead, there's also a picture of a gun and it has the signature: *D. $+eRn*.



8:06- The Garden looks to be jumping tonight, there are white towels waving all around.



8:07- Celtics win the tip and Pierce knocks down the first shot, David Stern with the assist.

8:22- I lost the computer for a little, so that's the reason for the 15 minute delay. Boston just took a timeout which allows me to catch up a little. Some thoughts of the beginning of the game...The Brad Miller- Brian Scalabrine match up is soso underrated! The looks on their faces which say "I so don't belong here" matches the Rondo-Rose match up. Also, Scalabrine looks like an idiot with the headband on and he reminds of me Central Catholic Assistant Coach Devin Crummie a little. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Rose looks great, he's composed and is attacking early, also Gordon is matching David Stern basket for basket, he's going to make this thing interesting. Also, what a block my Rose on Scalabrine/Devin Crummie.

8:27- Pierce has come to play. It seems like gets no elevation at all on his jumper put some how manages to get it off. He's knocking down his jumper early, which means Ray Allen won't have to carry so much of the scoring load so early in the game. As the game goes on will Boston go to Allen who has had the hot-hand/mismatch so far in the series or Allen, who they normally go to in an isolation set at the top of the key.

8:29- Devin Crummie/Scalabrine knocks down a garbage 3, then manages to allow Rose to shoot over him for a pretty duce.

8:34- Stephon Maurbury looks a little lost, but he just found Scalabrine for a nice 3. Stephon Maurbury with no confidence? The NBA-where amazing happens...those commericals speak the truth.

8:35-Wow, what a block on Rondo's drive to the hoop at the end of the 1st quarter!! The Bulls are soo athletic with Noah and Thomas down low. Both seem to be a little raw, especially Thomas, who can jump out of the gym, but doesn't really have any low post moves or a consistent jump shot, so he's forced to be a "garbage player" on the offensive end. Nevertheless, he plays hard (I'm sure Joe Cattania is a big fan of his) and defends. Most importantly, Garbage Time supports garbage players.

8:39- Vinny Del Negro is interviewed and basically tells us Scalabrine/Crummie can hit open threes, thanks.

8:40- Start of the second quarter, Chicago up 27-23, no sign of KG banging his head of the basket like Gus Ferotte ...Still waiting for David Stern to check in.

8:41- Ben Gordon has 17 of Chicago's 32, after hitting a 3 and a nice pull up jumper over Starbury...Crummie answers with a 3 of his own. Where were these threes in the seniors vs. faculty game?

8:43-Both Boston and Chicago are playing really great, exciting basketball, maybe David Stern has a partially torn ACL like KG.

8:47- A pretty drive by Allen pulls the Celtics to within 4. Honestly, is he better than Reggie Miller? Respond on Garbage Time's Fan Page on Facebook.

8:50- Glen Davis ties the game at 36 with a dunk, well more of a power lay up, but still. The Celtics are coming alive and Chicago is out of synch on offense. Ben Gordon isn't in to bail them out and create on offense. More importantly, the Chicago bigs are struggling offensively, they're turning the ball over and clogging the lane for Rose and Salmons to drive right now. Chicago needs to spread the floor a little so Rose can go one on one against Marbury and create for everyone else.

8:55- The NBA stay in school program endorsed by Rajon Rondo who left college early! The NBA where caring happens.

8:56- Another Chicago turn over and a big 3 by House. Celtics on an 18-4 run.

8:59- Another 3 by House and the Garden gets louder. Chicago can't buy a bucket right now, Gordon needs to get going before the Stern house call comes through. Perkins with a bucket and Chicago calls a much needed time out, they're down 8 and Boston is pulling away.

9:01- Just saw the preview for Dance Flick, it looks hilarious, but so did Superhero Movie. Lowes won't be getting my 8.45 this time.

9:04-After a great first quarter, the Bulls have been outscored 23-11 in the 2nd quarter and haven't scored in the paint yet. Kendrick Perkins just picked up his third foul allowing for the great Mikki Moore to check in!

9:09- The last 4 Bulls possessions, the Bulls have turned the ball over. The Celtics defense is impregnable right now (copyright: Mike Tyson). The Bulls are down 12, but it's not looking to good. The Bulls aren't getting good looks, Hinrick hasn't scored, and Rose and Gordon have cooled off. Making things harder for the Bulls, they don't have a low post presence who they can get the ball to, who can get an easy bucket or commands a double team. The guards aren't getting to the line and they're being forced into shooting jumpers.

9:14- A nice drive by Rondo followed by him blocking Rose's shot ends the first half. The Bulls are down 52-38 and can't buy a bucket. Devin Crummie is being interviewed!!! He's provided us with the great info that if you penetrate then you get open, the crowd inspires defensive stops, and that it's his mom's birthday. What an invaulable interview.

9:24- Still waiting for the Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Charles Barkley T-Mobile commercial....still waiting...we get a Popeye's/ Mr. Waterheater/ Edgar Snyder commercials instead.

9:27- The Bulls have not overcome a halftime deficit greater than 10 points all sason. That can't be a good sign.

9:32-Cisco says you can push a button to get an expert. I can turn my head in Chemistry class and get Luke Smith. Me-1 Cisco-0

9:34- Quick rundown of the matchups...Rondo-Rose, as of now Rose is getting the better of the matchup, but Boston's winning. Advantage-Rondo. Scalabrine/Crummie-Miller, it's not even close right now. Advantage-Crummie/Scalabrine. Gordon-Allen, Gordon has more points, but didn't score in the 2nd quarter. Still, advantage-Gordon

9:36- The 2nd half starts and the Bulls still can't score. Allen is doing a great job denying Gordon the ball.

9:37- The Bulls first bucket in 9 minutes! They're down 12. The Bulls are doubling Allen right now, Davis is being left open and he's making the Bulls pay. He also has a mohawk, which tells me he wants to be unique, but isn't cool enough to do it before it's become accepted as cool in society. Real men get a high top fade before a mohawk.

9:41-Two Noah free throws brings the Celtics lead back into the single digits.

9:43- Just when Chicago seems to be getting back into the game, Ray Allen hits a 3 to stretch the lead back to 12 thanks to a screen set by David Stern.

9:45- A pretty pass by Rondo to Glenn Davis gets the lead back to double digits for the Celtics.

9:48- A nasty foul on Rondo by Noah...Rondo decides to lay on the ground for a few minutes as Paul Pierce looks on like a proud father.

9:52- A look at Tyrus Thomas on the bench, he looks sooo disinterested. Tim Thomas is making his mark on the series after all

9:54- Derrick Rose with a nice floater giving him 16 or the game, he's starting to come alive. Rondo answers with a floater of his own. Celtics 65-55.

9:56- The game is getting a bit sloopy. Boston calls a time out to settle things down. Crummie/Scalabrine has gotten beat on back to back possesions but the Bulls guards havent finished. The Bulls are down 7 with 3:30 left in the 3rd quarter.

9:58- Chicago has to stop doubling Ray Allen, each time they double him Davis dives straight to the rim for an easy bucket.

9:59- A beautiful pass by Rondo to Pierce for a nice lay up giving him his 10th assist and KG his 123rd expletive. Pierce drives past Miller for a dunk, allowing Willis Reed Jr. to curse for the 134th time this game. Someone please tell him to shut up.

10:03- Ray Allen hits two free throws and the Celtics are up by 11 again, but Rose hits a jumper. He won't go down without a fight. Glen Davis with another lay up, I'm not sure what the Bulls are doing, but it might not be a good idea to leave a NBA player wide open and let him make lay ups. Bulls down 12

10:05- Rondo has 30 assists to 0 turnovers in the last two games. CP3, he's coming for you.

10:07- Ben Gordon passes the ball for the first time all series.

10:08- Why is Chicago switching screens on Rondo?!? He's not going to pull up for a jump shot, so there's no reason to switch. If they go under the screen, they're beating him to the spot where he wants to drive and there's no longer a mismatch with a guard on a Celtic big guy.

10:10- Ben Gordon with his 1st basket since the 1st quarter brings the Bulls to within 6. 78-71 Celtics going into the fourth quarter. I'm hoping David Stern is not near a tv right now.

10:12- The 4th quarter starts with another switch on a screen leaving Davis wide open. Noah fouls him. Stop switching the screens!!!! STOP SWITCHING THE SCREENS!

10:14- Lindsey Hunter gets stuck on Glenn Davis on a switch off of Ray Allen. Hunter fouls Davis. STOP SWITCHING THE SCREENS VINNY DEL NEGRO.

10:15-Chicago has gone small with Hinrich, Gordon, and Rose all on the floor at once. The lead Boston is down to 5, but Eddie House knocks down a big 3 to push the lead back to 8.

10:17- Marbury dribbles towards the basket for the first time all season.

10:18- Hinrich hits another jumper, bringing the Bulls to within four.

10:20-House with a big 3 after a Davis rebound. Celtics up 7, but House gets a tech. YES the much awaited Howard/Barkley/Wade T-mobile commerical. Ok back to my prior thoughts--actually, I forget them thanks to the rush I got from that commercial.

10:22- A commercial featuring guys ice skating just came on , then it said "Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus"...What a terrible commercial, what is the Stanley Cup Playoffs and where can I buy them? How much is it? What will it do for me?

10:23- A horrible shot by Gordon in which no one else touches the ball. Chicago is in the penalty with 8:20 left in the game. If Boston attacks they can get a ton of easy buckets at the free throw line. Boston up 6.

10:25-Chicago is unraveling a bit. Rose isn't getting the ball, Noah picked up his fifth foul, and Gordon has monopolizd the ball. Bulls down 9 mith 7:45 left.

10:27- Kendrick Perkins is making things tough on the Bulls guards when they get to the cup. Hinrich with a big 3 to bring the lead down to 6.

10:29- The Celtics are running everything through Pierce, who just turned the ball over. Where's Ray Allen?

10:32- Bulls get an extra point from a first quarter 3 that was counted as 2. Ric Bucher reports Ray Allen was in the bathroom with David Stern.

10:34- Bulls down 3, Ben Gordon pulls up for a 3 which he air balls. Bulls double Pierce again leaving Perkins open for a lay up. GO UNDER THE SCREEN CHICAGO, stop doubling your getting killed on it, adjust!

10:35- Ric Bucher reports Chuck Crummie is coaching the Chicago Bulls

10:37- A bad Chicago possession, leaves them down 5 with four minutes to play. Brad Miller with a terrible foul after allowing Perkins to get post position. Chicago is geting beat to every loose ball and can't get a bucket right now. Boston's quietly in control. Chicago down 91-86

10:39-Applebee's is offering real burgers!!! Hmm what were they offering before?

10:40- Again with the ice skating/ Stanley Cup commercial! These things are driving me crazy, what is it trying to sell?!

10:41- Bulls haven't scored in 3:15, down 7 with 2:45 to play, but now the Celtics are in the penalty.

10:43- A back breaking 3 by Eddie House after transfering. Bulls down 8 with 2:10 left.

10:46- A 3 by Hinrich pulls the Bulls to 5. The Bulls won't quit, but David Stern is encouraging them to. The refs are calling fouls on every bit of contact.

10:47- Crummie/Scalabrine checks in.

10:47- Crummie/ Scalabrine gets scored on. Bulls down 5.

10:48- Crummie/ Scalabrine is defended panics and calls time out.

10:49- Crummie/ Scalabrine no longer in the game.

10:52- Bulls get a stop, but Gordon doesn't finish. House is beat off the dribble, but gets lucky which allows him to curse and act like he hade a big play. Noah fouls out on the rebound, Pierce hits both free throws.

10:53- "Does he have a tatoo on his head?"

"Marbury? yea"

"He's crazy. He does realize there's life after basketball. How idiotic will he look as a 70 year old man, with a wrinkled head with that tatoo"

An exchange between my dad and I.

10:55- The Celtics go for a home run and Allen gets a 3 point play. Celtics up 8 with 50 seconds left. It's not looking good for Chicago.

10:57- Kevin Garnett yells anything is possible at the top of his lungs. A tip in by Miller makes it interesting, a steal!! Gordon misses the 3 and David Stern pleads on behalf of Eddie House for a foul not to be called on the rebound.

11:00- Eddie House has takn over KG's role as overrated scrub who gets to yell at the top of his lungs becaus he's on the floor. Chicago down 109-99 with 12.8 seconds left. Game over.