122-86. The Mavericks pulverized the Lakers on Mother’s Day and blew the back-to-back champions away in just four games. Kobe Bryant and Company didn’t muster a fight in the series, but the boys from L.A. showed their true yellow colors on three separate occasions. Ron Artest was ejected from Game 2 and suspended for Game 3 for his flying forearm to J.J. Barea’s face. Lamar Odom was tossed from Game 4 for his running shoulder thrown at Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bynum was thrown out for his elbow to Barea’s side (pictured to the right) while the generously listed 6’0” guard was in midair. All three ugly fouls came while the game was already decided. So the fouls were not messages, but rather temper-tantrums thrown by grown men. Win with class, lose with class … not the case.
For the first time since the 2007 Finals, the Lakers will not be representing the Western Conference. The title is completely up for grabs and the Mavs look like they are all in for the taking. Will the week or so off do Dallas more harm than good? Hot teams sometimes have trouble re-lighting that fire when they go back to work after a break. Should be very interesting to see how they bounce back against either the Thunder or Grizzlies.
Memphis has a 2-1 lead in their best of seven series and Game 4 tips off tonight at 7:30 pm Mountain. The Celtics are looking to even up their series, down 2-1 to the Miami Heat, tonight in Boston at 5 pm Mountain. And the Chicago Bulls have their hands full once again with the Atlanta Hawks, tied 2-2, and are heading home for Game 5 on Tuesday night at 6 pm Mountain.
Pretty crazy post-season and like Jeff Morton pointed out to me via text, a sad one for Nuggets Nation as Denver would have had two semi-favorable match-ups with the Grizzlies and Mavericks.
On to the links …
Jimmy Goldstein: Lesser-Known Facts About NBA's Superfan – Stan Silliman, Bleacher Report.com
You ever see Goldstein sitting under one of the baskets of your favorite team's arena? Ever wonder who the man in the leather cowboy hat is? Go read.
Fans at crossroads as cast of unassuming stars grabs torch – David Aldridge, NBA.com
A great piece on the changing of the guard in this seasons NBA playoffs.
Video: Scoops Callahan asks Phil Jackson his last question.
Not sure how this Dallas area reporter keeps his credentials, but he’s pretty funny. Check out more from him right here.
NBA fans get up-close look at Lakers' sins – Dusty Saunders, Denver Post
More details about the ugly acts of the Lakers players from Sunday's game.
Appreciating Nick Collison – Matt Scribbins, Daily Thunder by way of HoopData
Pretty interesting look at a lesser known player, but a guy well -known to Nuggets fans and Timofey Mozgov.
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