My Favorite Second Round Series.

 Where to begin. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a blowout. Mr. Bryant played all 12 minutes of the 1st quarter, scoring 15 points on 7-11 shooting (64%). Mr. Gasol added 13 points on 5-5 shooting while playing 11 minutes. They combined for 12 of the Laker's 16 made field goals, which helped build a 39-25 lead after one. I don't know what happened after that.

 The game was tied at the half. L.A. was not playing with the same sense of urgency, and their defense was drastically different during those next 12 minutes. I don't really get what's going on with the Lakers right now... they're a championship caliber team. They made it to the NBA Finals with an injured Bynum and Ariza. After losing in 6 (with Game 6 being an embarrassing loss), you would think that the Lakers would own this postseason the way the Cavs have. In the Lakers' defense, the Cavaliers had to go through the worst team in the playoffs (Detroit) in order to get to the second round. The Jazz would've easily made the Eastern Conference Semifinals against seeds 4-8 in the East. The Rockets would dismantle the Hawks and actually challenge the Cavs. Despite these facts, the Lakers still won 65 games, and have 2 All-Stars in their starting lineup.

 Those 2 All-Stars, Kobe and Pau, are doing everything. And it doesn't make sense. This team has a strong starting lineup, one of the best benches in the league, and arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time. Yes, the Rockets are a physical and veteran team that match up well against the Lakers. Hmm... I'm pretty sure this is the kind of team the Lakers wanted to meet before the Finals. They should be doing a better job in proving that they can play a physical style of basketball for 7 games. If they do win the series, I think it'll help in the long run; The Lakers can use it as proof of their versatility and toughness. However, the Rockets now have homecourt advantage, and will not go down quietly.

 The best thing about Game 2? Now Shane Battier is sure he can't guard Kobe. You just keep putting a hand in his face, Shane. Mr. 81 will still make that shot... He actually spun around you, threw the ball off the glass, and finished over the 7'6" Yao Ming. I almost think calling you out was worth the technical.

 I'm not sure what Ron Artest's ejection means about the rest of this series. Kobe Bryant may go off, now having an immediate goal for this series. At the same time, Artest may come out with the intention of shutting Kobe down, and if he can stop him for a game or two, I'm not sure anyone besides Pau will step up for the Lakers. Then again, Ron Ron may have just relapsed, and this series will mark his transformation back into the crazy, run-into-the-stands Artest. I don't want to see that, honestly. He's made a lot of progress, and I hope he stays composed throughout the rest of the series (even though I'm going for the Lakers).

 Quite the interesting series already. Yay.

P.S. - Von Wafer was sent to the showers by his own coach. While sitting on the bench. I don't even know how that happens.

DE-FENSE.

 Okay, so i've been gone a while. I apologize for that (... I guess I'm apologizing to myself, really). I've missed a lot... irregardless (on my mean girls right now), we must move on.

 Dwight Howard and LeBron James made the All-Defensive 1st Team. Great, makes sense. Kobe being number 2 in 1st team votes? Ridiculous. For one, LBJ was number 2 in DOY voting. And Wade was third, leading all guards. So the "3rd best" defender (Wade) in the L is actually only good enough to make it to the All-Defensive 2nd team? I don't know how that makes sense. D-Wade is the shortest player in NBA history to register at least 100 blocks and 100 steals in a season. Actually, no one under 6'5" has ever had 100 blocks in a season. Wade was the first. HOW DOES THAT NOT PUT YOU ON THE NBA 1ST TEAM? 

 I love Kobe; You knew that already. But he doesn't spend every night guarding the opposing team's best player. Last year, during the finals, Kobe defended Rajon Rondo. Why? So that he could assert himself on the offensive end. In the first round of the '08-'09 Western Conference Playoffs, Kobe guarded Ronnie Brewer. RONNIE BREWER. While he does take it upon himself to guard some of the game's premier players, he has not had to do every game, the way Wade has had to. Kobe Bryant belongs on the 2nd team.

 

 KG missed a 1/3 of the season. Arguably the most important part of the year... And while he's still a great team defender, he's not the same player he used to be. 

 Chris Paul? Led the league in steals... if that means you deserve to be on the 1st team, then okay. Do I agree with it? Actually, I don't really care. I'd only give it to Rondo because he's a better rebounder.

 My 1st Team? Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo (or CP3. Really, who cares?), and... 

 BIRDMAN. Yes, Chris Andersen. I know I'm probably in the minority about this one, but this guy is scary on the defensive end. He not only blocks everything, he's annoying, always hustling, and never gives up on a play. I definitely want Chris Andersen playing defense for my team. He's an energy guy, who knows how to use his body in order to change shots and disrupt the opposing team's offensive flow.

2nd Team: KB24, CP3, TD... Yea, I'm done.