WATERCOOLER CHAT: THUNDER PUMMEL LAKERS, SPURS EDGE MAVS, NO STOPPING LEBRON

BASKETBALL

In the NBA, the playoffs were in full swing this weekend.

Kevin DurantOn Saturday Kobe and the Lakers were up 2 games to one over the young Oklahoma City Thunder team, and were hoping to go up 3-1 and then close it out back in LA.  Well, didn’t happen.  Kevin Durant had a terrific night with 22 points as the Thunder pummeled the Lakers.  Now, the series is tied at two a piece and anything can happen in a theoretical 3 game series.  Game 5 is absolutely crucial.  A Laker loss could send them packing after just one round.  Oklahoma City 110, LA Lakers 89.

Brendan HaywoodAnd on Sunday, there were two more surprises.  The Dallas Mavericks were the NBA’s hottest team after the trade deadline.  They acquired Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler from the Washington Wizards, went on a long winning-streak, and looked unbeatable.  They were a #2 seed headed into the playoffs, and many thought they would represent the West in the Championship game as opposed to the Lakers.  Well, they never thought they would be facing such a fierce San Antonio opponent in the first round.  Headed into Sunday, they were down 2-1, and the Spurs had no intention of losing on their home floor.  The typical Spurs stars (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) had an off night, but second-year point guard George Hill picked up the slack.  He had 29 points on the night as the Spurs edged the Mavs to take a 3-1 lead in the series.  Now the Mavs are one game away from getting bounced from the playoffs.  Dallas 92, San Antonio 89.

And in Chicago, the Bulls got a win on Friday night on their home court.  This gained them some confidence, and they were hoping to pull even in the series Sunday night.  Nope, nope, nope — not going to happen.  When you upset LeBron James, he comes back like a force of nature.  He put up a TRIPLE-DOUBLE with 37 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds.  When the Cavs NEED a win, LeBron simply takes over.  And when that happens, there is NO stopping him.  With the win, the Cavs take a 3-1 lead in the series heading back to Cleveland.  And that should pretty much do it.  Cleveland 121, Chicago 98.

FOOTBALL

Colt McCoyFinally, the NFL Draft is now in the history books.  The Carolina Panthers are rebuilding at the quarterback position after shipping their veteran QB Jake Delhomme to Cleveland this off-season.  They not only drafted the highly sought after Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame, but also Univ. of Cincinnati’s QB Tony Pike, who led the Bearcats to an undefeated season (save for a Bowl loss to Florida).  This gives them an instant QB competition, but also plenty of options to improve.  Colt McCoy, the beloved Texas QB, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round.  Their GM, the genius Mike Holmgren, said that McCoy won’t play his rookie season.  They’re investing in him long term.

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