NBA Playoff - Day 9

Wade And Payton Collides , While Heat Burns

Chicago 93 Miami 87

It was a scene straight from Miami Vice. Wade and Payton bickering in front of the crowd and TV audience. It's like Don Johnson against his partner . A really bad scene especially when 'Tone Walker got involved. Pat Riley sure had his hands full. I guess somebody forgot to tell Wade and Payton that they are in the same uniforms now, not like in the photo here. Meanwhile , Chicago was beating the Heat on the floor . Heinrich put the dagger in their chest with a basket that all but extinguished Miami's hope. It's Chicago Hope really at the start of the series which is now at 2 all. The Bulls are pretty confident now. They can play with the big boys. Like their coach, Scott Skiles , the Ultimate Bullfighter.
Scott holds the NBA assist record with 30 assists . He accomplished the feat in Dec. 30 , 1990. Magic GM then Pat Williams said ' In the history of basketball, if you wondered who would do that , I don't think Skiles would have gotten that many votes ' . He added that ' this record that will not be broken just like Wilt's 100 points '.
Not many people chose Chicago as well as to beat Miami in a 7 game series. With the infighting between Heat players, the Bulls need not do that. The Heat will beat themselves.

Kobe And Lakers Wins , Regis Happy.

LA Lakers 99 Phoenix 98

There was a lot of chest thumpings . By Bryant during the Lakers celebration right after the game. And by Regis today in his morning show , Regis And Kelly . It was a truly an incredible feat that Kobe performed . Unbelievable. And twice at that. The series now stands at 3-1 in favor of the Lakers.
' Did you see what my man did yesterday ' asked Regis to his co host. ' Is he your man now ? '
asked Kelly in return. ' We are like this ' Regis answered while crossing his middle and ring fingers eliciting laughters from their audience. Played the tape of the show a couple of weeks ago that showed Regis inside the Lakers locker room with Kobe. The 2 made a deal with that when Kobe hits a 3 pt. shot in the game (vs.the Hornets ) , he would look at where Regis was sitting and thump his chest. Regis was to do the same. So it happened , and Kobe looked at Regis direction and thumped his chest . At the same time , Regis stood up and thumped his chest. Good.
The next time Kobe hit a 3 pt. shot , Regis stood up and proudly thumped his chest as hard as he can. Regis waited for Kobe's thump back. Kobe was not even looking nor thumping his chest.

Kobe forgot to tell Regis . The gesture was a one thing deal.

Arenas Kicks LBJ And Team

Washington 106 Cleveland 96

Arenas could not buy a basket in the first half but the 2nd half was a different story. Like the start of his life as a basketball player, he just had an unspectacular beginning only to burst into the limelight later on.The 2nd round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors outscored LBJ by a big margin in the 2nd half to lead the Wiz and tying the series at 2 all.
Among those watching, were the husband and wife team of Mary Matalin and James Carville , political consultants and strategists for the Republican and the Democratic Parties respectively.
That's one bad thing about the James/Matalin household , there is always somebody to blame.
Clinton vs. Bush . Bush vs, Gore and now Hillary vs. whoever his Republican opponent is.

I wonder if they both root for the Wizards ? There's a chance that James is for LeBron James.
After all, not only is that his first name is Le Bron's last but the baller's initials LBJ , were 1st made famous by past US president, Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat !

Bonzi , Bonzi Yawsa

Sacramento 102 San Antonio 84

Ron Artest shut down the Argentinian Daredevil , Ginobili while Bonzi Wells had a field day against the Spurs Defensive Specialist , Bowen to propel the Kings to victory vs. the Spurs and tie the series at 2 all.
The game was a blast for the folks at the noisiest arena in the NBA.
The TNT announcer said the Maloofs should be ready to open their wallets come contract nego time with Bonzi who's a free agent at the end of the season.
Funny , how one's game changes this time of an NBA player's career. Michael Jordan who's game was constantly great once remarked when he saw the spring in ones player feet ' it must be contract year '. I guess the ballers believe in ' making hay while the sun shines.'
During contract negotiation with Chris Webber , one of the Maloofs erected a billboard which declared ' Chris , I Will Mow Your Lawn If You Re Sign With The Kings ' and displayed this in one of the city's main thoroughfare. Webber signed a long term contract.

With three years left in his contract , Webber was traded to the 76ers !