Real Deal

They changed the direction of the basketball in the background for the Clips, and also the font for "Los Angeles" just a bit. And the Jazz logo is one of their older versions.

Now that the Nets aren't getting Wall...I would go to Miami, to team up with Wade (assuming no sign-and-trade will be worked out to send him to LA or another contender). But, that's all irrelevant, because he's going to Chicago.

Did the fan actually get tossed out of the game? Here's the thing: if a referee threw a ball at me, I would throw it back. What the hell do I do, otherwise? Keep it? Both the fan and DeRosa were at fault. The fan needed to calm down (probably said a few personal things to DeRosa, maybe even more than that) and DeRosa was DEFINITELY in the wrong for throwing the ball at him (at him, to him, whatever...he probably told the fan, "Here, you do my job, then").

Why did they change the Cavs logo? I don't like the new gold. And that weird gray in the Kings' logo...just doesn't look better than the light gray. Oh well.

Only a little over a month until the draft...so here we go: LeBron James - Chicago Bulls Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat Chris Bosh - Miami Heat Amare Stoudemire - New Jersey Nets Joe Johnson - New York Knicks Carlos Boozer - New York Knicks Ray Allen - Boston Celtics

Like I said, they weren't fully committed to the double. It wasn't like they were playing him the way teams used to play Shaq. Once Howard gathers for his shot, they close in on him. That's his cue to pass the ball. Plus, you just told us all they let him score 30 without doubles...and he scored his 30 in Game 2, so I'm not sure what you're saying. I don't smoke.

Go ahead and answer these ASAP.

Well, not yet. He weighs around 200 pounds, so I wouldn't stick him at the three until he put on more muscle and weight...and as far as playing the point goes, maybe in the triangle (LA, Minny), but nowhere else. In two or three years, assuming he bulks up, he's primarily an NBA two-guard, secondary small forward.

Or, he can live the life of the Russian billionaire, and have access to more money than he ever imagined. Or, he could be fully committed to winning championships, and join Wade in Miami and work on a dynasty. I can't look too much into this yet. There are way too many factors that can sway his decision one way or another.

Here recently, Odom hasn't performed well against Phoenix...but that's mainly due to the role he has. When he was a starter, though (or playing 30+ minutes a game)...big difference. Odom has done pretty good, overall.

They doubled him a few times in Game 1, and he shot 3-10. Didn't do it in Game 2, and he dropped 30. Those doubles aren't hard double-teams, with full commitment, but having an extra player sliding away from a perimeter shooter to watch Howard with caution...it changes everything if the Magic capitalize on it. Perkins is an excellent defensive player, but Howard can put him in foul trouble early. Davis and Sheed can't hold Dwight, at least not for extended minutes, so the aggressive Dwight has to show his face just enough to put Perkins on the bench, then doubles will come as they did in Game 1, and Howard starts to kick out to the shooters. Pushing the tempo won't get it done. Cleveland tried this a few times with O'Neal on the bench. Boston may be old in terms of age, but they aren't playing like it, and if Ray has trouble getting back on transition, Rivers will stick Tony Allen in there, and that will be the end of that mess. Orlando's only hope is to hit their shots. Live by the three, die by the three. They have nothing else, until Howard's offensive post skills improve. Had Cleveland shown that they could adjust, they'd be in the ECF...but like Orlando, Cleveland is a one-trick pony on offense.

Yes, because they will have Bird Rights on them, and because their owner is one of the richest men in the world.

That's not me saying Orlando will be swept, though...but there's still a chance of it.

The two plans you listed don't account for slashing guards, and Nelson and Vince are two of those. Unfortunately, as stated, Vince would rather take a contested jumper, and Nelson is too indecisive. The way to beat Boston? Drop the ball into Dwight, let him draw a double, then start passing it out and swinging it to shooters. Boston has to show a double most of the time, and they usually do...and when that happens, there is ALWAYS someone open. The man to take advantage of is Ray Allen, and that's all on Vince. He's not getting it done, Howard isn't passing out of the doubles, and the Magic have two road games coming up that, surprisingly, could be their last two games of the season.

Arenas won't be dealt, unless a GM decides to go into idiot mode and pick his contract up. He's a shell of his former self, and he's making too much money. 2010-11: $17.7 million 2011-12: $19.3 million 2012-13: $20.8 million (player option that Gilbert will exercise) 2013-14: $22.4 million That's ridiculous.

I wouldn't say Turner is a sure bet just yet. Philly could always go big, drop Iggy to the two-guard position, keep Young and play him at the three. Cousins and Favors both have a lot of potential. Plus, if the Sixers are looking at Al Jefferson (haven't heard that rumor, but I'll take your word for it), then they might as well consider Cousins and keep Iguodala.

Re-opened. When I say to stop the personal attacks and baiting, it stops. Mods, give out a three-day suspension if it happens again in the topic.

Closed temporarily.

Steve Nash has grown on me as a player, and I've always liked Grant Hill...but Amare makes me sick to my stomach, so whatever he says, and however he acts, doesn't come as a surprise to me.

He can drop 20 and 30 all he wants, but he can also be a liability on offense. His game isn't as polished as Hakeem's and Shaq's was, and those 5-6 foot hook shots he puts up, while he's fading away, are difficult shots for him to make. Orlando was most successful swinging the ball on the perimeter. While they do need to go inside to Dwight, he has to accept the double and play off of it. That's what great big men do on the offensive end. The Celtics are forcing Orlando into whatever game they want them to play, and that's the making of a truly great defensive team. However, with the weapons the Magic have back on offense, they should be able to counter that somewhat.

I figured Orlando would win the series, so I was wrong there (because I think it's over now), but I do want to point out that I knew Vince would show his ugly side when it mattered most. His defense has sucked, both games, and while I think he had an average night in Game 1, he didn't do a damn thing worth mentioning tonight. Orlando is losing this series because they play one-on-one basketball. Guys like Lewis and Carter are addicted to contested jumpers, while Howard and Nelson would rather take contested hooks and layups over swinging the ball back out and on the perimeter. Boston is outplaying the Magic, on both sides of the ball. Garnett's presence doesn't help the Magic, either, but Pierce and Rondo have come to play.

If I were Cleveland, most definitely. If I were Oklahoma City, no. James is a monster, but a combination of Durant and Westbrook (one superstar and one potential all-star) is too good to just hand out like that.

I wouldn't say that (about big players taking longer to develop). The general idea is that point guards take the longest to adjust and develop, then your centers and power forwards. Beasley is just an awkward player. He's like a poor man's Amare Stoudemire, with the major difference being Amare's quick emergence as a scoring power forward in the league, while Beasley will probably need to remain at the three. I think he'll be fine, honestly...just not an all-star level player.

If Boston wins this game, the series is over.

TIME: 8:30 PM EST TV: ESPN