What a long week for two of the NBA's most storied franchises. I have to give a ton of credit to the Dallas Mavericks. I have been sleeping on them all season long and expected them to completely roll over when these playoffs started. They have done just the opposite, first defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, then completely embarrassing the two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. This was the shocker of the year for myself and a lot of diehard NBA fans. Sure, the Lakers had slipped down the stretch this season and had almost fell to the New Orleans Hornets before waking up. They never regained their momentum against Dallas and the result was a sweep and then a few moves that left a lot of fans with sour feelings towards a few Lakers. Andrew Bynum's youth showed in the final minutes leading up to his cheap shot, and even in the moments following it. It took him a few days to really show any remorse and even then it all seemed like he was doing that because he had to. This Lakers team clearly won't be back in this form next year. Sure, their core may remain in tact, but they will definitely be doing anything they can to get their hands on some youth this offseason. The fact that this was Phil Jackson's last season as a coach really didn't hit me until ESPN started flooding the waves with their usual, over the top sappy stories about Jackson's great career. Even though he coached a lot of rival teams against my Rockets over the years, I have always respected him as a coach and the game will miss him. If he does not come back next season.
I don't think many fans expected the Boston Celtics to be healthy enough to make a deep playoff run this season. For me, seeing them lose to the Heat was about what I expected from them this season. It was great to see the Heat get one step closer to doing what they have set out to do since last July. I think it was great to see both teams respecting each other after the game, too. Doc Rivers said what I have been saying all season long about Lebron James not doing anything wrong by going to the Heat. Yet because of The Decision, everyone has trashed him all season long. People can trash on as they advance even further in the playoffs. It will be very interesting to see where Boston goes from here.
Doc Rivers already claims to be on board for next season. There has been some speculation that Kevin Garnett would retire after this season. He proved to still be effective during these playoffs though, so I think he will come back for another season and go for another ring with this core. Who knows what Shaq will do next season. It's been said enough times, but the trade Danny Ainge made with the Thunder really screwed up this teams toughness. Now the Thunder have a legit title shot on their hands.
What a long week for two of the NBA's most storied franchises. I have to give a ton of credit to the Dallas Mavericks. I have been sleeping on them all season long and expected them to completely roll over when these playoffs started. They have done just the opposite, first defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, then completely embarrassing the two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. This was the shocker of the year for myself and a lot of diehard NBA fans. Sure, the Lakers had slipped down the stretch this season and had almost fell to the New Orleans Hornets before waking up. They never regained their momentum against Dallas and the result was a sweep and then a few moves that left a lot of fans with sour feelings towards a few Lakers. Andrew Bynum's youth showed in the final minutes leading up to his cheap shot, and even in the moments following it. It took him a few days to really show any remorse and even then it all seemed like he was doing that because he had to. This Lakers team clearly won't be back in this form next year. Sure, their core may remain in tact, but they will definitely be doing anything they can to get their hands on some youth this offseason. The fact that this was Phil Jackson's last season as a coach really didn't hit me until ESPN started flooding the waves with their usual, over the top sappy stories about Jackson's great career. Even though he coached a lot of rival teams against my Rockets over the years, I have always respected him as a coach and the game will miss him. If he does not come back next season. 
I don't think many fans expected the Boston Celtics to be healthy enough to make a deep playoff run this season. For me, seeing them lose to the Heat was about what I expected from them this season. It was great to see the Heat get one step closer to doing what they have set out to do since last July. I think it was great to see both teams respecting each other after the game, too. Doc Rivers said what I have been saying all season long about Lebron James not doing anything wrong by going to the Heat. Yet because of The Decision, everyone has trashed him all season long. People can trash on as they advance even further in the playoffs. It will be very interesting to see where Boston goes from here. Doc Rivers already claims to be on board for next season. There has been some speculation that Kevin Garnett would retire after this season. He proved to still be effective during these playoffs though, so I think he will come back for another season and go for another ring with this core. Who knows what Shaq will do next season. It's been said enough times, but the trade Danny Ainge made with the Thunder really screwed up this teams toughness. Now the Thunder have a legit title shot on their hands.
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