[NotAJerry]

Kevin Durant is quickly becoming the next face of the NBA and doing so without the baggage of The Decision, Loyalty Howard, or whomever else the four letter word network has tried to shove down people's throats. Just seems like a really good, level-headed, kid who is appreciative of the opportunity he's been given.

If Westbrook can remember he's a PG a little more often, this OKC squad could be a real juggernaut for the next 4-5 years at least.

[thepostman]

I really like this OKC team. I picked the Spurs to win this series, but the Thunder really grew up this series. I do wish these games weren't on so freaking late though!!

[jcmanson]

I'm still sticking with my pick of OKC vs Miami. I don't care what anyone says.

[RubberMallet]

Kevin Durant is quickly becoming the next face of the NBA and doing so without the baggage of The Decision, Loyalty Howard, or whomever else the four letter word network has tried to shove down people's throats. Just seems like a really good, level-headed, kid who is appreciative of the opportunity he's been given.

If Westbrook can remember he's a PG a little more often, this OKC squad could be a real juggernaut for the next 4-5 years at least.

he's done a good job of escaping all of that and just producing. westbrook doesn't need to be a pg more often. he's so good at scoring, the rest of the guys are so good at creating shot, and fish and harden are so good at distributing, that it may not be necessary.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Kevin Durant is quickly becoming the next face of the NBA and doing so without the baggage of The Decision, Loyalty Howard, or whomever else the four letter word network has tried to shove down people's throats. Just seems like a really good, level-headed, kid who is appreciative of the opportunity he's been given.

If Westbrook can remember he's a PG a little more often, this OKC squad could be a real juggernaut for the next 4-5 years at least.

Problem is they might have to get rid of one of their big three for financial reasons in a year when Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2012-13 season. Durant and Westbrook alone will be accounting for a 31.72 million cap hit in the 2013-14 season and that number only goes up each year. Considering 14 of 22 NBA general managers have told Chris Broussard they would rather trade for Harden than Westbrook, Harden will surely draw just as much money as Westbrook is if not more. If OKC signs him for Westbrook money, that will make it a 44.64 million salary cap figure for just three guys. The salary cap this year was 58 million, and it's obviously not going to rise by any significant margin in two season, so that would leave OKC with less than 14 million to fill out the roster...

[NG33]

I'm still sticking with my pick of OKC vs Miami. I don't care what anyone says.

That's still a legitimate possibility seeing as Boston has squandered 3-2 leads before in the playoffs:2009 vs the Magic; 2010 vs the Lakers

LeBron and Wade are still the two best players in this series (Although Rondo and KG have both outplayed Wade so far)

[jcmanson]

I'm still sticking with my pick of OKC vs Miami. I don't care what anyone says.

That's still a legitimate possibility seeing as Boston has squandered 3-2 leads before in the playoffs:2009 vs the Magic; 2010 vs the Lakers

LeBron and Wade are still the two best players in this series (Although Rondo and KG have both outplayed Wade so far)

It was a shot at cjsweat

[NotAJerry]

Kevin Durant is quickly becoming the next face of the NBA and doing so without the baggage of The Decision, Loyalty Howard, or whomever else the four letter word network has tried to shove down people's throats. Just seems like a really good, level-headed, kid who is appreciative of the opportunity he's been given.

If Westbrook can remember he's a PG a little more often, this OKC squad could be a real juggernaut for the next 4-5 years at least.

he's done a good job of escaping all of that and just producing. westbrook doesn't need to be a pg more often. he's so good at scoring, the rest of the guys are so good at creating shot, and fish and harden are so good at distributing, that it may not be necessary.

On the days where his shot isn't falling he needs to not take 10 more shots than Durant. Those days he needs to settle a little more into a traditional PG role. On days when his shot is falling he's already got it figured out. He and Durant are only 23 so there's still plenty of time to figure it all out and they're already going to the NBA finals.

[RubberMallet]

Kevin Durant is quickly becoming the next face of the NBA and doing so without the baggage of The Decision, Loyalty Howard, or whomever else the four letter word network has tried to shove down people's throats. Just seems like a really good, level-headed, kid who is appreciative of the opportunity he's been given.

If Westbrook can remember he's a PG a little more often, this OKC squad could be a real juggernaut for the next 4-5 years at least.

he's done a good job of escaping all of that and just producing. westbrook doesn't need to be a pg more often. he's so good at scoring, the rest of the guys are so good at creating shot, and fish and harden are so good at distributing, that it may not be necessary.

On the days where his shot isn't falling he needs to not take 10 more shots than Durant. Those days he needs to settle a little more into a traditional PG role. On days when his shot is falling he's already got it figured out. He and Durant are only 23 so there's still plenty of time to figure it all out and they're already going to the NBA finals.

gotcha. i agree with that.

[JK37]

It was a shot at cjsweat

Where did he go? He's a funny fella. And I'm lost without his expert opinions of the NBA, NCAA Football 13, and...well...everything.

[thepostman]

he's busy working a political campaign and being our acting athletic director..

[Purple Haize]

he's busy working a political campaign and being our acting athletic director..

Line stealer!
Heck he may be on probation. This may be the first instance where someone unwittingly 'outed' themselves. But not in the ATrain way

[lynchburgwildcats]

LeBron has been unbelievably good this game. A legendary performance thus far!

[Purple Haize]

Yes he has had an outstanding game. Legendary? Maybe. Boston can't throw it in the ocean and James can't miss

[lynchburgwildcats]

First 45-15-5 game in the playoffs in over 25 years. That's legendary.

[Cider Jim]

I don't watch a lot of NBA basketball, but Lebron James had the best single game performance tonight that I've ever seen in my life!

[lynchburgwildcats]

And ESPN says its the first 45-15-5 playoff game since 1964. The last player to do it? Wilt Chamberlain. CLUTCH

[thepostman]

Amazing performance for sure. His best playoff performance ever.

[Purple Haize]

And ESPN says its the first 45-15-5 playoff game since 1964. The last player to do it? Wilt Chamberlain. CLUTCH

It was an amazing performance. I would put it up there in the top 10 play off performances that I've seen. Still wouldnt put him up there though

[Cider Jim]

How many minutes did Lebron sit out at the end of the game? He could have easily had 50.

[NotAJerry]

How many minutes did Lebron sit out at the end of the game? He could have easily had 50.

He only sat out the last 3 minutes. Played the first 45.

[RubberMallet]

How many minutes did Lebron sit out at the end of the game? He could have easily had 50.

during the last 4th quarter you could tell he was trying to get bosh more involved. he nearly forced him the ball every time.

this should be the way lebron plays nightly. not shooting 75% nearly thats impossible. but man he looked like he was tired of the bullcrap and just took over. his team once again though. didn't show up. bosh has to get back in the swing and dwayne has to stop sucking. make your dang shots. you can't assume a role player is going to get hot because they are marginal nba talent in the first place.

[jcmanson]

You could tell in the 1st Q Bron was going to go off. I've never seen him with that look in his eye.

[thepostman]

and that is the look he needs to have more often to be taken seriously. He needs to play angry all the time

[Purple Haize]

and that is the look he needs to have more often to be taken seriously. He needs to play angry all the time

Agreed