So here we are in the middle of May, waiting for what most NBA fans figured was a guaranteed Finals showdown between LeBron and Kobe. As much as it seemed like destiny, there are still a few bumps in the road, especially with the way the Los Angeles Lacklusters, scratch that, Lakers have been playing.

If you would have asked most people which Western conference team would have coasted to the Conf. finals with a nearly flawless record behind a dynamic perimeter player and great production from its frontline, I highly doubt anyone would have envisioned someone other than the Lakers. Just look at the criteria: Kobe – great perimeter scorer, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom – great frontcourt.

There’s no doubt as to who would be the easy Western champion right?

Unfortunately for fans of the purple and gold, the answer to that question hasn’t been LA. Not by a long shot. Instead, much to the enjoyment of those in the mile high city, it’s been the Denver Nuggets.

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Now that one game has been played in each series of the NBA playoffs it’s time for people to overreact to the outcomes. We’re constantly reminded that 79% of game one winners go on to win the series, and if that number holds true six of the eight match-ups have already been decided. That’s bad news for me. Three of the teams (Phoenix, Dallas, Detroit) I picked to advance to the next round lost their first game.

I’m not worried about two of the teams.. Sometimes things happen. The third team has me in a one game panic. Here are a few things I noticed after two days of action: Read the full story

Stephen A.Smith is one of the countless number of pundits on television, sports or otherwise, that gets paid to spout opinions that they may or may not truly believe. In Stephen’s case, he believes everything he says and thinks every word is important.

SAS put down his Blackberry and Cheezy Doodles for a few minutes to join Chris McKendry on Sportscenter before game one of the Cavs/Wiz series. The conversation covered the NBA playoffs, Isiah Thomas, and the New York Knicks. After Chris McKendry made the mistake of calling the Knicks a dog of a team, Stephen A. set her straight and then explained how to fix New York’s embarrassment of a basketball team. Read the full story

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If you only take one positive from the NBA playoffs this year it should be that advertising works. I don’t have the ratings from the latest airing of TBS’ “House of Payne”, but episode 1 did incredibly well and the 2nd episode was basic cable’s #1 sitcom telecast of all time. OF ALL TIME. In fairness, I have never seen the show, and I have nothing against anybody that has anything to do with the program BUT.. Are you serious? “House of Payne”?!? Did all of those spots during TNT’s NBA broadcast drive the nation to watch that show? Was there a drawing for $500 million bucks during the middle of the broadcast?

I won’t judge a book by it’s cover but I’ll judge a tv show by it’s commercials. To put it nicely, the commercials sucked. I thought they were supposed to highlight the good parts of a show with commercials. HOP ads made me cringe. The commercials made me set a tivo reminder not to watch TBS the entire day that the show airs… And I don’t care what the hell the rest of you are watching, I won’t be tuning in for “House of Payne”.. I’ll stop short of saying I’ll never watch because the show’s creator Tyler Perry got TBS to sign up for 100 episodes… There is a God. And he loves him some Tyler Perry.

If HOP is pulling numbers for TBS, what’s a show produced by Kenny Smith and Jamie Foxx gonna do? You can listen to Kenny talking about the new show here.

TBS and Tyler Perry Brings Major “Payne”. Courtesy of EUR Web

Kenny Smith Interview. Courtesy of Sports Interview

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The Spurs rolled to their 4th championship in 9 years a little easier than I thought they would. I thought Cleveland had the chance to win at least one game in the series, I predicted two, but San Antonio was too much. The Spurs are a well oiled playoff machine. Even when they don’t win the title they’re in the mix. The Cavaliers are a franchise with a Superstar and a subpar supporting cast. They could be title contenders for years to come but they’re gonna have to shake up the roster.

The Spurs deserve their congratulations.. Tony Parker earned the Finals MVP award. Parker’s penetration, steady jumper, and clutch shots made him the hands down winner. Robert Horry picked up his 7th ring. That’s nuts. Guys are happy to play 7 seasons, Horry has 7 RINGS. Barkley, Stockton, Malone, KG, and Elgin Baylor 0 rings between ‘em. Robert Horry 7. Wow.

Props to the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA Champions.

Spurs/Cavs Game 4 recap. Courtesy of ESPN.com

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