In silent protest of the media's NBA game preview saturation and game fixing discussions, I boycotted the first half of Game 4. Hey, a guy's gotta watch a golf major and have dinner!   I'm sick of the Stern talking head appearing, stating how much of a slime bag a certain, former official is.  (Stern's job is to protect the league, period, not tell us any potential truths or lies that we may not know.)  What could I miss in the first half, since the officials were sure to give the Lakers a huge lead.(That was a joke.)

"Click!"  The U.S. Open is over for the night, time for some third quarter basketball.

"Whoa, L.A. has a huge lead!"  Shocking.

A 20 point lead went boom in the third quarter and the Celtics likely locked up the title.  (Note, I said 'likely.')  The final eight minutes were entertaining as Kobe and the Three Bears pulled a big, fat, ahoga. 

Whoops!  Lakers fans have to be distraught after this choke job.  It's time the Lakers have blown a lead, since they've often been the recipient of gobbling up a deficit this year.

Stay tuned for the "Conspiracy Posts" to populate blog-dom.  The ghost of Red lives on.

Good night, Cerritos.

Tonight the puck finally drops as the NBA Championship begins.  The hypefest has been a runaway train on all the sports networks and media sites.  Let's get on with the Basketball.  I've had it with the preview shows and prognosticators.

While we remember and long for the days of "no easy layups," as seen in past Celtics/Lakers Finals, the NBA star system will protect the name brand players.  The only question is how tightly the officials will call the game and will the star treatment be equal at the charity stripe.

In Boston, the cameras will pan on past Celtic greats, and in Lala land we'll be forced to see Hollyweirdos in prime seats, vying for camera time.  We can't get enough of Jack!   If Spike shows, someone slap him.

What subject will the television media wear us out with first, Bill Walton's loyalty to Boston and his son, the great Red vs. Phil debate, or Kobe is as great as MJ?

What I do know is that His Royal Highness, Commissioner Stern, will be perched in his booster seat, quietly reveling at the pomp surrounding this Finals.  He'll smirk, yet barely smile knowing the ad revenue and overnight ratings will be huge.

Fans of the teams not in this Finals have to pick a team, like most of us do every year.  This year it's easy.  Just pick the team you hate and cheer against them from your couch, bar stool or cell block.

Beer?  Check!  Cheetos? Check!  Remote?  Toss it across the room!

As the great philosopher, Wayne said, "Game on!"

Ok Boston Celtics, this seven game series garbage has got to stop!

Atlanta AND Cleveland took the Celtics to the mat.  The cream of the 2008 NBA has stunk up the joint in two playoff series that should never have been as competetive.  Boston played down to the level of their opponents.  Yes, Cleveland is far superior to Atlanta, yet Cleveland wouldn't see the playoffs if they were in the West. (Hold the hate mail.)

Shocking in today's Game 7 was the point total.  Both teams actually sniffed at 100 points.  That was the heart stopper for me.  Instead of watching the final minutes bored to tears at the brick laying, I paced the floor with a beer, then another.

Since when are players allowed to JUMP ON TOP OF opponents for a loose ball.  You can't go through a dude for a rebound, so what's up with that!  Two memorable loose ball exchanges resulted in a double technical and a double date.  There were more peeps laying on top of each other than at an Indigo Girls concert.  All that was missing was George "Scrap Iron" Skadaski or Ivan "The Polish Hammer" Putski!

Maybe this dude can make a shot and play D!

Hey Celtics, I've followed you guys for years and it's time for you to act like the East champs.  It's too late for the garbage ball because the Pistons have been licking their chops waiting for you to bring your poor road play to their house.   Who'd think that you could be b-slapped around by punk teams this playoff season.  Today's Game 7 was far too close and you won't get another weak opponent.  Step it up against Detroit or be crushed! 

Ainge, get your butt down to the floor and give these guys a pep talk.  Tell stories about your days vs. L.A. and playing with a great squad.  Do something to motivate these fools!  That tiny Most Valuable Executive trophy you received isn't worth squat if you lose.  I have one just like it at the office and so do plenty of other dudes.  If anyone wants one, they retail @ $29.95!  Who will remember your 40 win improvement over last year if you continually play like a rec league team in the playoffs.  Every other team is hungry and you're getting by on your 2007-8 wins rep.  It's over baby.  Step it up or get the fishing reels ready!

Play ball!

Seven NBA Championship rings sum it up. 

     x 7  Can You Dig It!!!!!!

Robert Horry is the only non-Celtic, circa 1960, to earn 7 rings.

        EQUALS ?         

A classic big body defender, Horry cemented his reputation for the big shots, and was appropriately nicknamed Big Shot Bob.

NBA Championships:

Rockets - 94, 95

Lakers   - 2000, 2001, 2002  (Three Peat was my idea, I swear!)

Spurs - 2005, 2007

The bad news for your team is that Horry isn't ready to retire.  Face the facts, we all want players like Robert on our teams.  There aren't enough to go around.

Robert Horry, Version 2007, will be remembered for his mad hockey skills, putting Steve Nash into the boards during the West Conference Finals. (Weeeeeeeeeeee! A Canadian amusement park ride)

In the 2007 playoffs, Horry averaged 20 minutes, was seen clogging the clogging the defensive lane, and made timely blocks.

Like most success stories, Horry's NBA Championships almost never happened.    Horry was in a package trade with Detroit for Sean Elliot, who didn't pass the team physical and the trade was terminated.  Horry stayed a Rocket.  Horry signed with the Lakers for their Three-Peat and saved plenty of games with clutch shooting.  This is when he received his nickname, Big Shot Bob. Horry signed with San Antonio after the 2003 Championship and has been a winner and comsumate team player.  The rest is now NBA folklore.

Trivia:  A certain show business star is uncle to both Robert Horry and Cavs center, Anderson Varejao.

  Knowing this trivia fact should win a few bar bets.