The NBA Playoffs are in full swing. It is down to the final four teams as they head for the conference finals. In the west, there are no surprises as the top two seeded teams advance to their conference finals. However, there has been a slight upset in the east with the Boston Celtics making it this far. The early season favorites; San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat have proven their dominance not only in the regular season, but also throughout the playoffs thus far.

Many players see the regular season as the time to improve both individually, and as a team. When it comes to playoff time, it’s about creating your legacy. Essentially, the post season separates the good players from the great players, and the talented teams from the legendary teams. The most important NBA games of the season are finally upon us.

As expected, there was no lack of excitement through the first round of the NBA playoffs. Two series’ being decided in a game seven and a #8 seed upsetting the team with the best record throughout the regular season. In addition, a much anticipated Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers matchup is finally set after the Lakers edged out the Denver Nuggets in a season saving game seven. It’s safe to say that these playoffs won’t disappoint.

As the first round of the NBA playoffs are coming to an end, the picture of who will play in the finals is becoming remarkably clearer. With a few teams dominantly prevailing in the preliminary round, there is no doubt which teams are on a mission and which teams are just fighting to play another day.

NBA:

Associated Press

NFL

The annual NBA Draft Lottery took place this past Wednesday at the Disney/ABC Times Square Studio in Manhattan. This draft process occurs every year about one month before the NBA Draft. This event includes all of the teams that did not make the playoffs or the teams that gained draft rights of another team that missed the playoffs. In all, there are 14 teams that discover the order of their draft pick through the Draft Lottery.  

If you have had time to tune into any of this year’s NBA playoff games, you already know exactly what I am talking about. Yes, the flopping. It has continuously gotten worse throughout the playoffs and appears to only be heading in the wrong direction.

Although we are only in the NBA conference semi-finals, it already feels like the finals with tempers flaring, elbows swinging and fines being dished out. Each matchup is different and there is little consistency of play, however there is a pattern emerging in this round of the playoffs.  

In these trying economic times, many are burning the midnight oil juggling two jobs. This friendly neighborhood sports writer is no different.

Associated Press

Metta World Peace, formally known as Ron Artest, is now facing a seven game suspension without pay after his dunk celebration against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He proceeded to dunk the ball with authority and ran back on defense. However, he didn’t go back without taunting his opponent first. His taunt ended with a vicious elbow to the back of the head of Thunder guard, James Harden, knocking Harden to the floor.

Last Thursday, San Antonio Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, made the decision to send his top four players home instead of to Miami to play the defending champion, Miami Heat in a nationally televised game. By doing so, Popovich allowed his aging stars to rest and end their six-game road trip early.

Man, there was sure some kind of hubbub on Sunday.

LeBron James knows how to shake hands. It shouldn't be that hard to remember when.

Associated Press

September 6, 2006 - Score a touchdown and He's there. Net yourself a goal, He's there again. Hold a Faith Night at the ballpark? You better believe He's there.

Picacho Peak State Park and four others slated to close on June 3 will remain open.

Jan. 26, 2005 - If you could scale the highest mountain and ask the all-knowing guru who sits atop it just one question, what would you ask?