if only life were as easy as you

"Shaquille O'Neal took the mic at a NYC club last night, unleashing a freestyle verbal assault directed at his arch-enemy Kobe Bryant -- blaming his former teammate for ruining his marriage and imploring him to "Tell me how my ass tastes."

After spending several verses shredding Kobe apart for losing in the NBA playoffs, Shaq drops the line, "I'm a horse, Kobe ratted me out, that's why I'm getting divorced."

The line most likely references a comment Kobe made during his infamous 2003 rape case, when he told Colorado police that he "Should have done what Shaq does ... Shaq would pay his women not to say anything." The two became famously bitter rivals after the incident."

Personally, I think they are both full of themselves.

The Celtics played with so much heart this series, there's no denying that they deserved the title this year. Pierce totally deserved the MVP award, too. I am still in shock the final score was 131-92. Talk about a massacre! The Celts showed no mercy at all. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a score reach 131? Boston's 39-point win surpassed the NBA record for the biggest margin of victory in a championship clincher.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit the win was that much sweeter because they defeated and totally humiliated the team I despise. The Celtics also made the greatest comeback in recorded finals history by stealing Game 4 after trailing by 24 points in Los Angeles. I was waiting for Kobe to "turn it on" since he said he could at will. Way to let your arrogance bite you in the ass. The Celtics' defense was too stifling.

Congrats, Celts! You played like a team and earned it.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination for president, according to CNN estimates, making him the first African-American in U.S. history to lead a major-party ticket.

Obama picked up a slew of superdelegate endorsements on Tuesday. Those endorsements, combined with the delegates he's projected to receive from South Dakota's primary, will put him past the 2,118 threshold, according to CNN estimates.

Speaking in New York, Sen. Hillary Clinton, congratulated Obama for his campaign, but she did not concede the race nor discuss the possibility of running as vice president.

Obama will claim victory during a speech in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to prepared remarks released by his campaign.

"Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another -- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America," he's expected to say.

"Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."

I was beginning to feel like this was the campaign that would never end. Whether you like the guy or not, this is a historical moment in the making.

It's official: Obama vs. McCain

Who will become the next President of the United States?

Despite starting off with a great 17-point lead in the first half and Duncan pulling off a triple-double, Spurs ultimately lost Game 4 last night and their opportunity for a repeat title. It certainly wasn't from lack of trying. Can't say I'm not heartbroken, but I am thankful they delivered a great season. I am no less proud of them and their achievements this post-season.

People said with the Suns' late (and desperate) addition to the team, Shaquille O'Neal, they would seek retribution and oust the Spurs. Nope. Sorry! When they had to face off the Hornets, people said there was no way they would out-do CP3, West, and Chandler. Almost true until they dominated Game 7 in New Orleans. Seriously, though? Hornets gave me quite a few scares, and I can only imagine how much better they will be next year. The fact that this was the first time they advanced to the Western Conference Finals two years in a row was icing on the cake. Despite all the odds, they persevered.
I felt pretty good about them facing off the Lakers at first, but they also had a late addition with Pau Gasol. He ended up being the last piece of the puzzle the Lakers needed, and they didn't lose another home game from that moment on. Spurs came close, though! Twice, in fact. They just weren't able to maintain their 20- and 17-point leads once the Lakers tightened up their defense in Games 1 & 5 both in Los Angeles. The Lakers gave them an embarrassing loss in Game 2, but the Spurs were able to retaliate and give the Lakers their worst loss (103-84) this whole post-season in Game 3. I still maintain that the Spurs had no business losing at home while still the defending champions in Game 4. They had plenty of opportunities to seize and even maintain a lead. Even if Barry had gotten his 2-shot foul call, they should never have been in that position in the first place to depend on a last-ditch effort like that to win the game.

And as for that official announcement the NBA league made regarding Fisher's foul on Barry:

"With the benefit of instant replay, it appears a foul call should have been made," league spokesman Tim Frank said Wednesday."

It's certainly a big deal that the NBA league made such a statement, but still... what a joke. I'm more irritated by it than anything else. Benefit of instant replay? Really?

Anyway, Pops just renewed his contract and will be back. I admire that man so much. One of the greatest coaches in the NBA, as well as a class act. I'm looking forward to more greatness from TP9, Sixth Man, and The Big Fundamental, but Pops really needs to start rebuilding around them during the off-season if he is looking for more titles with the Big Three. Horry, Finley, and Thomas should be replaced with younger, talented legs. We need a stronger bench, period. The Lakers proved that, and it's only going to get tougher with the Hornets, Jazz, and other young bucks nipping at their heels. While Barry and Bowen are also up there in age, they proved they still have some game in them. Barry came extremely close to saving Game 4, and Bowen seems to be the only one able to defend Kobe so far.

I may be a little sad today, but it's alright. I have a no-fail blues-chaser waiting to cheer me up:

And just for old times sake. The 2 reasons I fell for the Spurs in the first place: The Big Fundamental and The Admiral, respectively.

Until next season...

GO EAST!

I went to sleep and woke up heart-sick over last night's game.

With a hot-head, I posted an entry last night telling Crawford, Stern, and Kobe to eat shit and die for the no-call foul on Barry. I deleted it because I've had time to think things a bit more clearly. I still stand by that it was an OBVIOUS foul. Come on! An elbow to the head? Barry should have gotten his free-throws. The problem? He didn't sell it. Had it went to Gino as originally planned, Gino would've made sure that call was made. Had it been Kobe, I bet HE would've gotten the call. It's not Barry's fault, though, and I sure as hell don't blame him. Barry played one HELL of a game. Shit, he picked up Gino's slack for the most part. Major props to him for making sure the Spurs didn't get blown out. Too bad he was robbed. He would've been this year's Sean Elliott, no doubt.

My youngest brother, a die-hard Suns fan, called me right after the game. He said, "Even though I hate the Spurs, Brent Barry was robbed and clearly fouled. Sorry. Welcome to my world."

Hold up, though. I'm not completely defending them.

Yeah, Barry was robbed from saving the Spurs, but you know what? Had the Spurs took advantage of all the opportunities (I don't feel like listing them all) that were presented to them BEFORE that nail-biter, it wouldn't even been an issue. They trailed and tied up the scores all night but could never get in the lead. Not get the lead AT HOME? AS THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS? FAIL! I was waiting for Gino to do something all last night. Spurs cannot win big games without their Big 3 running on all cylinders. Barry's performance last night should've been icing on the cake, not keeping them alive. The Spurs should have 3 games under their belt right now but blew two of them (Games 1 & 4). Gino needs to wake up for Game 5 to stay alive or they stand no chance. Two in LA? The odds are against them as it is. They had many chances to at least even up the series and make the nay-sayers shut the fuck up, but didn't capitalize on them.

Bottom line? Spurs' loss last night was ultimately their own fault. Man up and fight or go home.

93-91?

If you can't defend your own territory, you don't deserve to win.

Period.

There are no excuses.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

What a painful loss tonight. What else is there for me to say about Game 2?

Ginobili's performance tonight was obviously affected by his ankle injury, which I firmly believe affected the final score. I honestly don't think it would've been such a huge blow-out if Gino was in top health. I don't care how much one might hate the Spurs or Gino, but you can't deny that man is unstoppable when he's playing his "A" game. On the other hand, I can admit the Lakers' bench is better which helped them tremendously. The Spurs missed too many shots. I can't hate; the Lakers played very well tonight and the Spurs didn't. Regardless, I will root for my boys until the end no matter the outcome.

Games 3 & 4 in San Antonio will determine whether this is an actual series or all Lakers. They have done very well at home so they have that in their favor to perform well. If not, the series is pretty much over.

Damn! You guys are supposed to be defending your title! Win or go home!

Four-point loss on a road game? Doesn't sound so bad, right?

Not if you were up by 20 freaking points with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter! UGH. They started looking like the Lakers in the first half! The Lakers pulled off what Jazz attempted during their last game, really.

Fucking Kobe and his shit-talking. "I can get off at any time," he said. He also said he never felt like they were down 20 in the hole, either. Please! I don't buy that shit he was just waiting to turn on the Kobe Show. I can't stand that arrogant, cocky m#$^*@! f*#%@#* He makes my skin crawl. Those words are going to come back and bite him in the ass hard. Mark my words.

They better hope the Spurs can't tweak and figure out how to maintain that lead for Game 2. Or else.

I've been in Tucson, Arizona since yesterday afternoon to meet my new niece. Let me tell you how crazy I am: I walked on Suns territory wearing my 2007 Western Conference Finals Spurs Championship shirt. On top of that, I walked in my brother's fiance's hospital room wearing said shirt asking, "Why aren't we watching the Spurs game?" Ooh, it was an ugly moment after that. Will blog about that when I get home later this week. That is, if I don't get attacked out here first.

Where are all my shit-talkers now?! My, my, all the haters are awfully quiet today. You guys went into hiding quicker than Osama bin Laden.

Lakers vs. Spurs! I swear I called it a long time ago! Although the Hornets were beat on their own turf, they played a great season. I take nothing away from them. They will be the team to look out for next year.

Wow, my boys really set the tone last night right from jump (1st quarter)!

It was a GREAT game, and it got expectedly ugly during third quarter. Paul and West fell apart pretty fast after Parker made his mark VERY early at the start of it. I knew West would not be able to repeat his performance from Game 5, but I certainly didn't expect all the offensive fouls, technical, and ultimately laid out from his back injury. It just wasn't his night at all. If he isn't well enough to play Game 7, then I think the Spurs easily have that game in the bag. Chandler may be nursing an ankle (foot?) injury, but it doesn't seem to be hindering his game so no real concern (for New Orleans) there. CP3--who had his fair share of fouls last night--can't carry the team on his own, although Chandler is a force to be reckoned with as well. Ginobili was on fire last night! Three 3-pointers in a row? It blew my mind! Udoka played really well last night, too. It's frustrating as hell that they can't seem to carry that on the road this season. Granted, they certainly aren't the only team struggling on the road (just about all of them are, really), but it doesn't make it any less aggravating to watch.

Although Game 7 will be in New Orleans, I am not that confident (unlike Chris Paul) that they have the game in the bag. Yeah, the Hornets have the home-court advantage but will that be enough? With both teams' advancement to the WCF riding on this last game, both are going to put up one helluva fight for it. My prediction for Game 7 is that it will be a close win for the victors, not a blow-out like the others. Whichever team wins will deserve it. I think this was a well-matched round; neither team was going to just roll over for the other. While the Hornets are an impressive team, I think they would've really earned some respect by winning a road game, especially last night's. Should the Spurs take it, it will only solidify their status.

You know, for all the shit the Spurs gets for being "old" and "tired," they have been holding their own quite well among the crop of new talent of youngsters. Obviously, those old legs can still run circles around the young ones. Whatever. I don't give a damn what others think. People even hated on Magic when the Lakers faced off the Celts back in the day. Magic!

I'm not sure if I want to go through the emotions watching Game 7. Maybe just the first half?