Lebron James has found his way in these playoffs. But the Detroit Pistons have given Lebron even more to think about aside from these playoffs, experience from a legit butt whooping. Like Jordan almost twenty years ago, before the championships, before the Chicago dominance, Lebron is feeling the wrath from the new crop of Pistons Bad Boys. Remember, it took Michael 7 years to get his first ring. And that's a lot of Detroit butt whoopings before Jordan excelled passed the Pistons.

But when MJ finally broke through, the championship was his for the taking. It wasn't until Scottie Pippen finally got passed the migraines and became the legitimate second option to the young Bulls team, and also the emergence of Phil Jackson's triangle offense. So let's not put too much weight on Lebron's shoulders. His ascension to greatness is still years away. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of good pieces to put around Lebron, it's up to management to have patience and it's up to the team to attain the cohesion possible to get by Detroit. But not this season...so don't fret Lebron. Your days of dominance are yet to come.

Whether hobbled or not...the Spurs got pasted yesterday in San Antonio. It was quite a site to see and Dallas is just the team to do that. If anyone is to take out the champs...leave it to Dallas or worse yet, the Pistons. Let's face it, Dallas has tons of athleticism, and it showed when Avery Johnson inserted Devin Harris to the starting line up and Josh Howard went nuts to the tune of 27 points. Devin Harris was driving to the lane at will. And Josh Howard was a plain beast...the stats don't do justice to how significant Josh Howard was. Throw in Jerry Stackhouse's ability to score and ofcourse Dirk's usual game...and you have (gulp) a championship squad.

Depth is the Dallas Mavericks' main strength. The two headed beast in the middle for Dallas in Desagna Diop and Erick Dampier, proved to be a true force in limiting Timmy D. When Tim Duncan got that forth foul in the middle of the 2^nd quarter, the rout came and Dallas' defense held San Antonio to only 16 points before the half. The two headed beast in the backcourt in Devin Harris and Jason Terry, destroyed Tony Parker and Nick Van Exel. The Mavs gameplan was simple, stay aggressive, and keep moving the ball. By the time the half was over, the game was a 'W' for the Mavs.

Expect Greg Popovich to make some major adjustments. And the three days of rest before game three will only help the Spurs. They've been hobbled all season. And they have to pull something out of their hats to win in front of the Dallas crowd. This indeed, will be quite a second round slugfest.

Can the Spurs limit the drives to the lane that seemed to come from Dallas on every possession? And can the Spurs get any type of offense from Manu Ginobili? The answer is wait and see. But none the less, the Spurs advancing will be a hard fought battle.

The evil spell on the Suns was lifted during game 6 of the Suns' matchup against the Lakers. It took a rousing game 7 to get the group back to speed.....Now, against the other L.A. team....they are at full throttle...and looking very hard to stop.

Can we all stop talking about Steve Nash not deserving the MVP? C'mon guys, aside from playing lockdown defense...what more can the Canadian Sensation do? 31 points, 12 assists, 10-15 FG, and 3-5 from the 3pt line, and not only that...Steve Nash kept the groove in Phoenix's step. As he always does. Mike D'Antoni has shortened the roster to 8 guys. 5 of those guys other than Nash scored in double figures.

And I'll say this one more time to make you true believers....Mike D'Antoni rarely calls plays. The team is a motion offense. Most shots are taken before the 18 second mark on the shot clock. Steve Nash just runs the ball, finds the open man, and the ball is always moving. But in all, Steve Nash is responsible for that team posting 130 points on a very deep and sizeable Clippers team in the first game of this series. And without Amare Stoudemire...keeping this offense as potent as it has been all season, is a remarkable job done. The Phoenix Suns' offensive attack would not be this potent if Steve Nash were not in the lineup. He makes this team go, and he makes this team better. And no offense is more effective than this unique offense.

So stop your griping and give the man his props....ya hoser.

It was all a fluke. And it's getting exposed right now. That 52-30 record was just there to make you think that the Miami Heat was a contender. Be reminded though that this team won a division where three of the 5 teams were under .500. And the other team posting above .500 was 42-40. Take heed at the fact that the Heat also had a piss poor record against the 5 best teams in the league during the season. All I'm asking is one thing really....

How bad did Pat Riley mess this team up when he decided to overhaul the roster after a great showing in the playoffs last year? This complete overhaul was clearly not needed. The star power on this team is over hyped. Aside from Dwyane Wade and Shaq's every crumbling body, there is still no distinct third option. Jason Williams, and Antoine Walker show up when they feel. Gary Payton is done. And no one on that squad aside from Flash would I trust to take a last second three point shot. And Flash is still lacking credible three ball skills.

Pat Riley's "pound the ball" approach just isn't cutting it in today's league. And Shaq is the poor victim of so many flops that I actually feel sorry for the big lug. He just dosn't have the footwork of the Old Shaq. Hence, many times, he turns and all the defender has to do is hide under his elbow and flop when it comes around....boom, foul on Shaq.

Credit the New Jersey Nets offense and Jason Kidd for such a blow out yesterday. Lawrence Frank did a fine job at pointing out Miami's weakness....a lack of perimeter speed, and no viable low post threat once Shaq sits with fouls. The Miami Heat simply can't turn it on and turn it off like they did with Chicago. The Nets, if you remember, were swept last year by the Heat. So they are out for blood.

And right now, Miami is bleeding badly.

Okay....that was "Jordanesque"....thats what draws the line right there....between being totally and utterly loved....or totally and utterly hated....meet anyone who grew up knowing and watching Michael Jordan play during the era that he played....there were two types of people...the people that thought Jordan was god.....and the other side that totally despised him.....I fell in love with him....but others totally hated him....why?....because he always found a way to shut his opponent down when it mattered....be it from scoring tons of points...dropping three bombs like butter then jogging back with his arms open...and shrugging like he didn't even know what he was doing....or totally cramming on not just the biggest guy...but pretty much anybody....or just by getting into his opponent's head enough that he made them choke....talking them to the ground...or just telling his oppenent  things...that he would totally be right on.....

What Lebron James did to put the nail in Washington's coffin....was "Jordanesque". I wanted to know so bad what Lebron said to Gilbert Arenas right before Gil choked on those two free throws....I waited for the press conference.....

"If you miss the both of these free throws....the game is over...."Lebron said with his hand on Gilbert's shoulder...staring down at him....and totally taking Gilbert out of his game....

He choked the two free throws...and remained emotionless the whole time, lightly shaking his head....as he sat during Cleveland's timeout...you saw how bad it effected him...he wasn't even listening to the coach...as the Cavs broke from the huddle....Lebron smiled as he walked onto the floor....

Along side him was Damon Jones....his first tick of the night....with 14 seconds remaining....the play runs....Lebron takes it up the court...the Wizards trap him at the top of the court with two people...Lebron passes to Larry Hughes...Antawn Jamison moves to Larry....but Damon Jones sneaks to the corner without Jamison knowing....the shot...once again with Antawn Jamison running towards him...goddamn dosn't that sound familiar..(Check out "EASY LAYUPS AND "PHANTOM DEFENSE"...its an earlier post.)...goes in...Cavs up one....just like the last game....the Wiz have zero timouts....so pretty much, the game ends with a desperation pass and shot....and now the Wizards go fishing....

All of these factor in to why the Wizards should have won...

1) Gilbert Arenas was having another monster game himself, 36 points, 11assists, 4-8 3pt...

2) Caron Butler turned into Dennis Rodman...18 points...20 rebounds...5 assists...

3) You had a one point lead..and two free throws coming with 14 seconds left....with taker of said free throws averaging 82 percent free throw shooting...

4) Oh yeah...The Washington Wizards were at home...

Call it what you wish...but the Wizards finally had the game in hand....then proceeded to choke in so many ways throughout that last Cleveland run before the end of regulation..Only to save themselves..over and over...up until 14 seconds left in overtime....when Lebron walked up to Gilbert Arenas...and said something to his ear...

"If you miss the both of these free throws....the game is over...."...Then Damon Jones walks to the floor, doing his best Kadeem Hardison impersonation....

"We going Sizzla, we going sizzla, we going Sizzla."......

Another shootout ends...and on the Cavs go....your gift for such an entertaining series...The Pistons....dance now...because there will be no dancing come Sunday.

Three games on the docket tonite. Three teams looking to seal the deal and get to the next round. And three reasons why this Thursday will be pretty boring.

New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers - Game 6

The series that the League couldn't care less about. We've got two very evenly matched teams. Both teams with their own respective Allstars. And about half of the television time as the rest of the first round games in the playoffs. Yet another game to be summed up in highlights, and game breaks....

Indy will be rocking tonite. And the Pacers will be fighting for their season. But it will be too little, too late. Oh look, Peja has disappeared in the playoffs...atleast he can blame his injury once again for why he's AWOL. Jamal Tinsley has all but packed his bags out of Indianapolis. With Anthony Johnson playing so well, and Jamal's oh so fragile posterior...you can kiss Jamal Tinsley goodbye...and I think the people of Indy are happy to see him leave as well. Jermaine Oneal will once again be a beast tonite. Mainly for the fact that no one on the Nets can stop him. But New Jersey's big three will be lighting it up against Indy's depleted roster. Expect another blow out....why are they not televising this game nationally again?

Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls - Game 6

It won't be the fact that these baby Bulls have pushed Miami to the limits in most of the games this series. It won't be the fact that Miami is yet to win a playoff game in Chi-Town since before the Jordan Championship era. It won't be to see if Dywane Wade can perform with a bum hip in his hometown. Or if Shaq will be the Shaq of old or just old Shaq. It will be if Michael Jordan sits in the skybox and cheers on his team again.

But his airness aside, this will be a pretty brutal game. Andres Nocioni has found his niche in the playoffs. He will no doubt be fired up. The only question will be if his team is just as fired up after being humbled in Miami during the last game. Lets face it, the Bulls need Tyson Chandler to win. He cannot be like he was in game 5. Period....If we see another playoff appearance by my new favorite player, Luke Schencher....consider this series over....

Chicago's defense will be key once again. Will they be able to put Shaq in foul trouble early? Can they stop Dwyane Wade? Can they keep the score low and still be able to put up enough points? The points question relies on Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon. If they don't show, be ready for that fishing trip.

I sense a very livid Chicago crowd...and a ton of bricks....this will be a low scoring affair...but I think that there is enough experience in Miami to know that they don't want to go seven games....not in the first round...and not with Wade ailing...I expect Miami to get the job done tonite and finally win in Chicago....but it won't be pretty.

Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers - Game 6

Who's gonna guard Kobe? Marion has the size but not the speed. Tim Thomas has the size but not the defense. Leandro Barbosa has the speed but not the size. The Phoenix Suns' season rests on shoulders of the reigning "Most improved player", Boris Diaw. Who has some of the speed, some of the size...and some defense too. And lets face it, you put Boris in to chase around Kobe, and the interior will open up like Moses parting the Red Sea. There is no other size to go against the Lakers front court other than Shawn Marion. Expect Lamar Odom to have a killer game. And expect Kwame Brown to get his. Basically put, the Raja Bell clothline takedown ended the Suns' season.

Phil Jackson knows that this game cannot go back to Phoenix. He also knows that without Raja Bell, Kobe is going to go off. In front of the Los Angeles crowd cheering his every step. The fire will be lit underneath Kobe and he will carry this team to the second round. Plain and simple.

The only way that the Suns can prevent this, is if they get alot more production from the bench, mainly Eddie House. And Shawn Marion shows up like he did in the last game. But it's going to be a stretch....and in L.A.....it will be just plain difficult.