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.