First Three Games of the NBA Finals

So as my first official blog post, with my most difficult final exam in under 3 hours, I have decided to discuss the first three games of the NBA finals.

For most of these playoffs, I must say that the officiating of the games has been somewhat atrocious, especially favoring the home team. Furthermore, if I hear Jeff van Gundy mention how much the home court sways officiating (or any Jeff van Fundy commentary for that matter), I might just have an aneurysm.

The biggest points of interest from these past few weeks of the Lakers and Celtics were focused on the way the players showed their true colors.

Pau Gasol has proven that he can pound his chest and yell when KG tips the ball in his own hoop during an offensive rebound, but besides that, he has been the epitome of soft, and has shown a lack of hustle, especially in boxing out, getting low in the post, and getting after the offensive boards.

I've gained a lot of respect for KG these past few weeks, but I still have a lack of belief in him. I know he is there all the time on defense, and even though he travels on every first step he takes with the ball, he really proved he wants to win. If the Cs keep going inside to him, Gasol better stop being a Spanish statue, or it's going to be a short series.

I love the attitude Doc is taking during the press conference, and even though I agree with Phil Jackson's griping most of the time, Doc is not letting his team make excuses for anything. Phil made a few brilliant adjustments in Game 3, and maybe soon Radmonovich will sit a few more minutes and Vujacic will light another fire under Boston's ass in Game 4.

Speaking of which, can you name another player who's just been playing beyond expectations like Vujacic has? Coming off the bench (and for real off the bench, not like Manu with 47.9 minutes off the bench), the guy just comes in with swagger and knocks down big shots. He swarms on the defensive end, taking on important assignments like Corver, Manu, and Ray Allen.

Still waiting to see Odom's face on the milk carton...
Whenever he decides to show up, the Lakers can start playing like the team that got to the finals by beating three 50-win teams, rather than the one that has a a butthole full of green jerseys.