Noj

Congratulations Heat. I didn't watch the game, I've just finished redecorating my room (yanked out carpet, refinished wood floors, new paint for the walls, new computer desk), and I was moving back in. Dwyane Wade deserved the MVP award, his clutchitude outweighed the favoritism.

Bill Simmons - ESPN Column Good reading about the Finals and the state of the NBA (thanks to JC's Larry Nagel for bringing Simmons to my attention).

From Cuban to Howard's bumbling timeout call to Dirk pitching temper tantrums...too many distractions for the Mavs. I think they're rattled. Barring payback calls from the zebras, I say the Heat close it out tonight.

Happy Birthday!

Damn, Shaq's got corns the size of a fist.

Way to go, jazzypaul!

Cheapest foul to end an OT Finals game that I can remember. Wade was clearly out of control and didn't deserve a whistle on that play.

Red zone, mf. Good foul by Stack, nothing but playoff basketball. He had to get around Jason Williams which made the angle difficult, but Stack showed clear effort to get to the ball and not malicious intent to harm Shaq.

Wow, to think the Mavs were about 7 minutes away from a 3-0 series lead. I had the broom out and everything. If Nowitzki can't muster better than 2-18 or whatever miserable percentage he shot last night, the Heat will run away with this one. The Heat have all the momentum now. Amazing turnaround! Wade is awesome, a gritty bad ass clutch mf.

Can you say, "bastard" boys and girls? In my neighborhood they've thoroughly congested my drive to and from work all week with hordes of construction, road crews, new signals, and malfunctioning street lights. It's been a hoot!

I'm glad Ben will play again. Entertaining QB. Someone make him a motorcycle helmet with a Steelers logo.

Men With Banjos Who Know How To Use Them... Inspired by the "Bravo, Chris Albertson" thread.

For me, the home cookin' took the form of Shaq not getting called for his push off on Dampier which led to the two free throws he made, the moving screen call with less than 90 seconds left (show me a screen that hasn't moved in these playoffs), and the phantom foul on Jason Terry that sent Haslem to the line. Even so, if the Mavs could have mustered one lousy bucket somewhere in there they'd have won or gone to OT. They choked. Anyone else shocked to see the Mavs not go for a three pointer down 2 points with 1 second left on the road? A lob pass??? That was dumb. Also, I'd have had Dirk on the floor to shoot, not passing the ball in.

That phrase always makes me picture this: This Thai king is the coolest monarch I've heard of.

There ought to be a "he brought it on his damned self" clause for dismissing cases like this one.

Whoa, the Daddy puts up a whopping 5 points on 5 shots! That's UGLY.

Happy Birthday!

Watched some of the Germany/Costa Rica match this morning. The Germans really handled the ball well and moved it fluidly. The first goal of the game for the Germans was a laser of incredible accuracy. Wish I had a chance to watch more of such a high-scoring affair. Maybe it was just a lack of defense, I don't know the sport well enough...

This guy might be a better coach than he was a player, which is saying something. I always liked him, even when he was torching the Lakers that one year, shooting a ridiculous percentage from the field. If he ever stops coaching, he'd have a career in voiceover. What charisma and leadership qualities.

Yikes, very lucky it didn't hit a populated area.

Happy Birthday!

A good strategy for the Mavs might be to shut down everyone besides Shaq and Wade. Walker, Williams, Payton, Haslem, Posey...those guys killed Detroit. Mavs need Dirk and Howard to continue playing at that high level. This long rest before the Finals favors the Heat. I'm rooting Mavs, but...Heat in 6.