WATERCOOLER CHAT: MAVS HEADED TO FINALS, LAKERS HIRE BROWN, KUDOS TO BARRY BONDS

BASKETBALL

In the NBA, it was Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks.  The Mavs led the series 3-1, but the Thunder had no intention of going quietly.  They came out full force playing the best basketball they’ve played in the series thus far.  Russell Westbrook, criticized throughout the playoffs, was a scoring machine.  He finished the night with 31 points and 8 rebounds.  The Thunder actually led throughout most of the game, but, with this young team, it’s all about closing.  And that, they simply can’t seem to do.  With just 2 minutes left, the Mavs came back and took a 4 point lead that would pretty much ice the game.  Shawn Marion was actually the man for the Mavs last night with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks.  The Thunder are out, but proved to the league that they are a top team and a squad to be reckoned with throughout the next decade.  The Mavs are headed to the finals full of veterans thirsty for a ring.  Dallas 100, OKC 96.

Elsewhere in the NBA, the Lakers have found their new man. Yesterday, they agreed to terms with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown.  The deal is reported to be worth $18.25 million over 4 years.  Brown is a defense minded coach, who said he thinks by mastering that you give yourself a chance to win championships.  However, Brown was hired by GM Mitch Kupchak.  The decision to hire brown was never run by Kobe Bryant or any of the Lakers players or coaching staff.  In fact, Kobe had endorsed Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw for the job.  But, management is management and Kobe will have to make do.  Brown was the most winning coach in Cleveland Cavaliers history, and his winning percentage is the 5th all-time in NBA history (as of now).  We’ll see if this move can guide the Lakers back to the throne.  But one thing is for sure… they need to make some serious roster moves.

BASEBALL

Finally, in baseball, it was reported yesterday that seriously wounded Giants fan, Bryan Stow, who was beaten into a coma in the parking lot of Dodger stadium, received a very significant donation yesterday.  It appears that, on the down low without reports to the papers, that former Giants slugger (and superstar baseball record holder) Barry Bonds said he would pay for the college funds for both of Stow’s children.  Bonds said he knows that that is important to them and that he will take care of it.  Bonds has a reputation for being a selfish, arrogant cheater.  But, you have to admire a selfless move like this.  He didn’t even alert the media, it just got out.  Kudos to Bonds for a dignified move.

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