First Round Reflections – 2010

• dEDGE Post Scriptum •

Home court advantage. Bynum back in action. Jeffrey Osborne on cue and on time. James Harden and Baron Davis, beard-brothers? Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the best 1-2 punch in the league? Krstic’s comb-over. Bynum with the monster jam. 1 down, 15 to go. OKC packing in the middle. 17-blocked shots by the Thunder. Kobe denied more times than I can ever recall. Kurt Rambis back in the house. “After 13 years, you’d think they’d know better.” The Carl’s Jr. girls… Free tacos. Shannon and Ron and matching thumbs.

The Lakers and the Laker Girls had plenty of money shots. Copyrights may apply. All rights reserved.

Lawrence Tanter booming, “two minutes…” Chickie baby’s statue and Marge planting a kiss on his cheek. I like Byron Scott hanging around. OKC fronting the bigs. Free throw difficulties. OKC led the league in blocks for a reason. The $235,000 shot from halfcourt. David Stern, pompous as ever. Phil, not wanting to shake hands with the commish.

A sea of blue. OKC fans standing, and standing, thankful for a time-out. 109 decibels. Missing Sasha off the bench, he would surely get under Westbrook’s skin. Joey Crawford and Mr. Clean? Kobe passes the logo as all-time Lakers playoff scoring leader. Cow-tipping. Too old, too slow, too many injuries. Too young, too inexperienced, tomorrow’s team. You can’t teach big. D-Fish finds the fountain of youth once again. Lamar, in the game but miles away.

A sea of white. Phil aging atop his power seat. Scott Brooks and Michael J. Fox? Ron Artest, more hairdo changes than 3-pointers made. Westbrook posterizing Lamar. Serge Ibaka, who? DJ Mbenga sporting the shades. Switching off the ESPN telecast, switching off the KCAL telecast, switching on the radio to listen to Spero and Mychal. OKC and Sac-town, see any similarities? Perhaps, this will be a one-sided rivalry as well.

It’s nervous time. “Backs to the wall? It’s 2-2!” Kobe in Olympics mode guarding Westbrook. Points in the paint. It must be the playoffs now with all of the stars coming out. Ron-Ron elevating on the dribble-drive. Mr. Big-head, Barry Bonds, Kris Jenner, Bar Rafaeli, Leo DiCaprio, Eddie Murphy, Ryan Seacrest, Dustin Hoffman, David Arquette, Will Ferrell. Julia Louis Dreyfus, Charlize Theron, David Beckham, Kid Rock, Common, Annalynne McCord, Teri Hatcher, Lauren Sanchez, Jason Bateman, Seal, Ben Howland, Sly Stallone, and Grandpa Mamba Jelly-Bean.

This time the sea of blue is armed with thunder sticks. Another great start for the Lakers. Where did Kobe’s hops go? The super-sized line-up of Pau, Drew, LO, Ron-Ron & Kobe. Bynum limping again. The Bench Mob reappears. Shannon minus the tape job. Shannon with the big 3-pointer. Jeff Green on a solo slam dunk mission. Durant looking skyward for answers, or in prayer. Kobe in Mamba-mode. Hello LO. Pau with the biggest offensive rebound and his only points in the second half. The switch is now in the “ON” position.