Round 2

First, LBJ wins 3rd MVP in 4 years. Exclusive company yet the only one without a ring. While he continues to dominate the regular season and is clearly the team and league's best player, his failures in the post season, especially against the Celtics are well known. He could very well be headed on a collision course with the Celtics again this year and his toughest challenge awaits in the NBA Finals. A failure this year, with all of the injuries, shortened season etc will only heighten LBJ's postseason failures and diminish his legacy further.

Round 2 has begun for 2 teams as the Tics held off the Sixers by 1. KG seems to have woken up after being called old and dirty and led the team with 29 pts and 11 boards last night. Even with Rondo's triple double, it STILL almost wasn't enough but Boston seems to play the marathon rather than the sprint. They aren't interested in sweeping anyone, just progressing towards the next round.

The Lakers won a record 11th straight home game 7 after being up 3-1 in the series. Personally, I predicted Lakers in 6 so World Peace would be back for game 1 of the 2nd round but Denver got pretty scary for the Lakers during this series. They have never been able to contain Ty Lawson and when he made some 3's the last 2 games, he got even scarier. The young guys Faried and Javalle Mcgee were playing inspired, hustling, rebounding and playing tough defense on Bynum and Gasol but the Lakers bigs were too much in game 7. Kobe stopped by the broadcast booth to tell Steve Kerr that since the Nuggets were double teaming so much, even HE (Kerr) could still play. Kobe made Steve Blake his very own version of Steve Kerr last night and World Peace's impact was felt on both sides of the ball, playing GREAT defense throughout the game. The Lakers have times when they look like the best team in the NBA and times where they could get swept by the worst team in the playoffs. Fans have gotten used to this inconsistent play but know they still have the talent to win another title. No word on Kendrick Perkins' injury status for game 1 on Monday but if the Lakers play defense and utilize the big men as they should, the Lakers could very well find themselves in the conference finals.

Another game 7 is being played today with the Clippers and Grizz. Should the Grizz win and move on to face the Spurs, they could very well have what it takes to beat them for the 2nd year in a row and make it to the West conf finals.

We have another 2nd round, game 1 today with the Heat and Pacers and there isn't much to say about this matchup other than the Heat will move on to the East finals.

If the Grizz win today, beat the Spurs and face the Lakers in the West finals and the Celtics and Heat meet in the East as expected, we could be seeing yet another epic Lakers/Celtics NBA Finals!!

(@CharleyPeppers with Doug Christie at Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals)