ICYMI: Thunder Down Clips in Crazy Finish

Craziness we tell you, pure craziness.

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 7-point LA Clipper lead with 50 seconds left in Game 5 of their Best of 7 series, with a 105-104 win.

The win was not without some controversy and a handful of really questionable decisions by the Clippers down the stretch.

After a missed layup with just over 11 seconds to go, a scramble for the loose ball ensued. In the scrum, the ball went out of bounds and to the Clippers it appeared to go off OKC's Reggie Jackson. But the refs ruled Thunder ball.

The replay's said the referee's, were inconclusive, so the call on the floor stood. The Thunder then inbounded the ball and the Clips fouled Russell Westbrook who calmly drained 2 free throws.

Game over.

The Thunder lead the series now 3-2 with the chance to close things out in Los Angeles.

And yes, this has been a great series to watch.

Your highlights--from NBA.com:



Clippers coach Doc Rivers was--shall we say...less than thrilled about the late call that went against his team. And voiced his disappointment

Reports: Clippers Win Over Golden State Ends in Hallway Shouting Match

((ht: usatoday.com))

On the court it was business and nothing personal, or so it appeared as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors Saturday night 126-121 to win Game 7 of their Best of 7 series.

But that apparently is where things got interesting.

This despite the long hugs and conversations as the two teams walked off the court. And after a tough series that was put in the spotlight after the Donald Sterling situation surfaced and nearly brought the it to a stop.

According to multiple reports, the Clipper celebration...in their own gym appeared to have carried over to the Warriors and started a heated exchange.

That "exchange" brought most of the players from both teams into the hallway separating their locker rooms and according to witnesses, some police officers to make sure things didn't get out of hand.

Apparently after some shouting and arguing, both sides cooled their jets and went home or wherever they wanted after the game.

According to the story in Sunday mornings USA Today, the exchange may have been started by some Clipper ball boys shouting how quiet it was inside the Warriors locker room after the game. The Warriors led by Stephen Curry and Steve Blake came out to confront what is believed to be the "Ball Boys. Later, reports say Marresse Speights came out and the "exchange" got heated. It apparently cooled until Clippers guard Chris Paul walked by and briefly got heated again before things stopped.

Read more from USAToday RIGHT HERE

Interesting and a bit disturbing.

The Clippers move on and will square off with the Oklahoma City Thunder which promises to be a fun series matching two of the NBA's flashiest teams.

Highlights of the Clips win over Golden State from NBA.com:



And a clip from NBA.com showing what they called the "Sportsmanship" after the game. We're guessing that was slugged before the reports of what happened off the court began to surface:

ICYMI: Buzzer Beater Madness: Damian Lillard Knocks Rockets out of Playoffs

This may be the best, if not biggest buzzer beating shot thus far in the NBA Playoffs. And we only say this because the playoffs aren't over until July.

Scene setter: Portland and Houston played late Friday night at the Rose Garden with the Blazers holding a 3-2 series lead. Houston takes a 98-96 lead on a layup by Chandler Parsons.

But 0.9 seconds were left on the clock.

That was enough for Portland. Damiam Lillard gets the inbounds pass, turns--and launches the ball towards the basket, well behind the 3-point line on the top left side of the court.

Lillard gets the shot off before the buzzer...

And it went in.

Game over. Blazers win 99-98 and win the best of seven series sending the over-hyped Rockets home for the summer.

Here's your video from NBA.com , and it's pretty damn good...



Another view from courtside, an even better look from Vine:

The Sterling Decision: Impact On Televison

((HT: Awful Announcing/TSN2/NBA))

Admittedly, it is a lot easier for sideline talent to interject themselves into the situations they're reporting on...

Last night, the HQ will admit that is took David Aldridge a lot of guts to talk about how the impact of the Donald Sterling banishment hit his family right in the gut...

Here's his introduction from last night's Clippers-Warriors game...


That's how deep it got for some folks last night, and the NBA is, hopefully, better today than it was the day before...

Miami Heat Have A Protest Of Their Own

((HT: NBA on TNT))

As a show of support for the LA Clippers players having to deal with the Donald Sterling mess, the Miami Heat did their own show of support before their game with the Charlotte Bobcats this evening...


The Bobcats were hanging tough with the Heat in Game 4, only being down 4 at the half...

Mark Jackson Wouldn't Have People Show Up For Game 5, Sponsors Starting To Leave

((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Youtube))

Golden State head coach Mark Jackson was a guest on the "Dan Patrick Show" this morning- fresh off his 21-point Game 4 win in the firestorm that is now the Clippers-Warriors series...

He played for the Clips for two seasons in the '90s and had an interesting thought on what the proper protest should be for the next home game in Los Angeles...


And now, the corporate sponsors of the Clippers are starting to go:

"CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers' owner completely unacceptable," the company said in a statement through public relations manager Catherine Gryp. "These views directly conflict with CarMax's culture of respect for all individuals. While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for nine years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship."

State Farm is thinking about it as is Kia and Virgin America and Amtrak are out now as well...

THAT'S where the NBA will take notice from this moment forward. Commissioner Adam Silver is set to have a press conference tomorrow to discuss where the league may go from here...

2PM eastern time...

DEVELOPING: Now, THERE'S A Protest... Stiviano Denies Leak...

((HT: ESPN))

"It's just us, only us, we're all we got."

The LA Clippers took off their shooting shirts in pre-game warm-ups and dumped them on the floor- revealing shirts inside-out (presumably, to cover up the Clippers script logo)

From BayAreaNewsGroup's Marcus Thompson via Instagram


And we have some news from the girlfriend...

From Rachel Zarrell at BuzzFeed:

“This office understands that the currently released audio tape of approximately 15 minutes is a portion of approximately one (1) hour of overall audio recording of Mr. Donald T. Sterling and Ms. Stiviano, and is in fact legitimate,” said Mac E. Nehoray of the Nehoray Legal Group.

He added, “Ms. Stiviano did not release the tape(s) to any news media.”

Calling the lawsuit involving Stiviano and Sterling’s wife “absurd,” Nehoray said they have no further comments.

The HQ maintains that anyone else close to the girlfriend could have done the same thing...
Just says "she didn't do it..."

The players, in game have gone to black recognition...

According to the LA Times Bill Plaschke and his Twitter:

Clippers wearing black bands on their left wrist...Chris Paul's sleeves are black...all players's socks are black...

Sterling's nightmare, indeed...

Magic Johnson addressed the situation this afternoon on ESPN

ICYMI: Vince Carter With the Buzzer Beater for Dallas

Yes, Vince Carter is still in the NBA. And playing significant minutes for the Dallas Mavericks.

The 37-year old Carter, once a Top-10 player in the league, still played a big role for Dallas as a 6th man. And likely he's not made a bigger play than the one he made Saturday night.

Carter drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner at the buzzer, giving Dallas a 109-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs in game 3 of their best-of-7 series. The Mavs now lead that series 2-1.

The shot, which came on a play that began with only 1.7 seconds left on the clock was a counter to the Spurs Manu Ginobili who drilled a runner giving the Spurs a 108-106 lead.

And then Carter performed his magic--

Your highlight, with musical accompaniment from NBA.com:

Donald Sterling Needs To Stop, Barkley Addresses It...

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Somehow, and the HQ has an idea how, an audio recording surfaced where it appears that (someone who might be) LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling cannot get out of his own way- again...

When he first bought the Clips in 1981, he didn't invest in them and they were an awful franchise...

Then, he invested, and you see how things are when you leave the franchise alone and let people do their job...

But, Sterling just reinforced he is an old, white owner with plantation tendencies...

Here is an exchange with his current girlfriend, V. Stiviano, about her Instagramming habits that included a picture of Magic Johnson. Sterling didn't like Stiviano- who is of mixed race- having blacks on her account...and doesn't want them at HIS games.

Clippers Owner Donald Sterling to GF - Don't Bring Black People to My Games, Including Magic Johnson
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There's an obvious background that we all have no idea about that caused "someone" to record the conversation in the first place. But, regardless of the recording surfacing, one person being aware or two (which lends itself to the legality of the recording in some states in the first place)- the content is troubling...

Very troubling... from an older, white gentleman discussing the races...

NBA spokesman Mike Bass had this statement: "We are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the audio recording obtained by TMZ. The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information."

Sterling has a history of not playing well with others. In 2006, he was sued by the Justice Department for allegations of housing discrimination in the Koreatown part of Los Angeles. Three years later, he was told to pay almost $3-million to settle the case. And in 2011, he was involved in an age discrimination case with his former GM, Elgin Baylor. Sterling would, eventually, win that case.

Ugh...

Charles Barkley was Charles Barkley and he was 100-percent correct...as were Shaq, Kenny, and EJ...
((HT: Inside The NBA/TNT/youtube))

Video of the Day: ESPN Staffer Says What Everyone Outside Thinks on an ESPN Show

Hahahahaha!

This is easily the highlight of the day. A great way to wrap up what's otherwise been a crappy week.

We and many, many other blogs have often called out the folks at ESPN for an "East Coast bias" or in some cases just picking favorites or creating stories where stories don't exist.

And guess, what. One of their own called them out on it. On one of their own TV shows.

Watch what happens on the lame ESPN show called "Numbers Never Lie". (Yeah, we've never watched it either)

Anyway, filling in today was ESPN radio host and ESPN Women writer Sarah Spain who was on the panel with Michael Smith and Jorge Something or other.

For some reason, the subject of the show became Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks. A team not in the playoffs and who had a crappy season. Yet the two male co-hosts could only talk about what the Knicks could do if they were in the playoffs.

That opening was all Spain had to hear. She tore into the pair and into ESPN's "East Coast Bias" saying they'd rather talk about a New York team out of the playoffs than any of the teams in the playoffs. And that nobody cares about the Knicks right now, we can talk about them when we talk about NEXT season.

And she's right. Nobody outside the Northeastern U.S cares right now. Nobody.

Watch and smile like we did.

Gregg Popovich's Message to Craig Sager: True Class

For all the grief San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gets about his gruff and often short answers when being interviewed during games, nobody can give him grief anymore.

Pop did what can only be called one of the classiest things a coach could ever do as a sign of respect.

During Sunday's Spurs game vs. Dallas on TNT, Popovich came over to do an interview between the 3rd and 4th quarter.

((NOTE--San Antonio won the game--90-85))

Only this time, instead of the sartorial (look it up) unique stylings of TNT's regular sideline reporter Craig Sager, Pop was talking to Sager's son.

The reason.

The widely respect Sager announced this week that he had Leukemia and would not be able to take his customary role during the NBA Postseason while he battles the disease.

So, Sager's son, Craig Jr. took over the role, which was supposed to be a taped piece to send to his father. Only Popovich's response changed that.

Arrived this morning to do a taped interview with Pop. He goes no, we're doing this live 3rd qtr just like your Dad. pic.twitter.com/RPAwIt7tvR
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 20, 2014

The reason: Popovich had a message for Junior's ill father:



How often does this happen?

Not very.

To top it off....Popovich and the Spurs had a personal message to deliver to Sager.

Popovich gave me a hand written letter to give my Dad tomorrow. The whole Spurs organization is filled with class and great people. Thanks
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) April 20, 2014

And if you ever wonder why the entire basketball world respects the Spurs, Popovich and everyone surrounding them. Your question is now answered.

Do Not Chirp In Blake Griffin's Ear

((HT: Tyler Lashbrook's Vine))

Lest this happen to you...

Raptors G.M Says !#%& Brooklyn Before Raptors-Nets Game (Video)

Okay, this is being a bit trivial and isn't something nobody's ever said about an opponent before.

But this time it's a General Manager...and unfortunately for Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri, he uttered a profane statement towards the Brooklyn Nets at a pep rally in front of a fired up crowd of Raptors fans prior to the start of their 1st Round Eastern Conference NBA Game.

And yes, Ujiri used the "F-Word" a word some people use quite frequently. But not often as an executive while performing in their role as an executive.

((Side Note--We wouldn't recommend talking TOO much smack to Brooklyn-ites...just sayin'))

In the grand scheme of things, no this probably isn't a big deal, rather it just illustrates the "Be Careful What You Say" in public rule that most high profile people need to think about.

**Note** At halftime of Saturday's game, Ujiri apologized saying "You know how I feel, I don't like them, but I apologize"

Here's Instagram Video of Ujiri (NSFW) from steve_classic

ICYMI: Parker Puts Away Heat: Spurs Win Game 1

The game went down to the final 5 seconds. And it finished on a shot by San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker that had to be reviewed.

But it counted. And that's all that mattered.

The running, lunging bank shot gave Parker 21 points for the game and led the Spurs to a 92-88 win in Game One of the NBA Finals.

Did we mention it was played in Miami? Or that the Spurs have been off for nine days after an easy Conference Finals win?

Tim Duncan added 20 points and Kawahi Leonard played smothering defense on LeBron James, holding him to 18 points in the win.

For those of you who weren't able to see the game, here are your comprehensive highlights from our friends at NBA.com:

Roy Hibbert Docked $75K For Post Game Gay Slur

Nobody will ever really know what possessed Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert to say what he did during a post-game interview after the Pacers Game 6 win over the Miami Heat Saturday night.

But he said it.

For some reason, he responded to a question about defending Heat star LeBron James by saying "No Homo".

And though Hibbert has apologized for saying it, it's not something you can really take back. Even by reaching out to Jason Collins, wasn't going to cut it.

With that in mind, the NBA announced Sunday afternoon Hibbert would get a $75,000 fine.

Yes, NBA Commish David Stern has said he believes Hibbert is sincere in his apologies, he still had to fine him. And he's right.

Hibbert is not the first NBA player...or athlete to say things such as this and whether you like it or not, you just can't say stuff like that.

At some point, homophobic comments are going to cost athletes a game. Quite honestly, Hibbert is somewhat fortunate this one didn't cost him one. With the Heat and Pacers going to a game 7 in their hard-fought East Division finals, there's no way something like this would cost a starter for either team a game.

But eventually it will....

And before you say it, we haven't reported on this up until now. That's why we are posting the video of Saturday nights presser:

Pacers Get Split In Miami, Series Tied At 1

((HT: NBA on TNT))

This was huge...

Home court advantage is now with the Indiana Pacers. Roy Hibbert had 29 points and Paul George had 22 as the Pacers took a lead early in Miami against the Heat and held on for the 97-93 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

"We haven't done anything yet," Hibbert said post-game. "We haven't closed the series out. We won one game. A lot of us feel we should be up 2-0."

And Hibbert is right. Save for him not in the game for the last 2.2 seconds, the series should have been all Indiana.
LeBron James had his opportunities in Game 1. It was the idea of the Pacers to take those away from him Game 2...

Here's the highlights...


"Heck of a basketball game, wasn't it?" Pacers head coach Frank Vogel asked the media post-game.

He was right...

The Pacers trailed for only 15 seconds in the first half, and Indiana led by 10 late in the first quarter and by 13 with a minute to go before half time.

ICYMI: Great Game: Heat Barely Beat Pacers in OT

Yes, the NBA Playoff go on forever, but every once in awhile, the games can be absolutely fantastic to watch.

That was the case Wednesday night as the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers squared off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat won 103-102 in Overtime.

The game went back and forth, close most of the way.

Paul George nearly won the game for the Pacers by himself.

He drained a long, 32-foot 3-point shot to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Here are his amazing highlights, including the 3-pointer and nearly winning the game with 2.2 seconds left in overtime. George finished with 27-points



But George was topped by the seemingly incomparable LeBron James. James had a triple double (30-pts, 10-rebounds, 10-assists) and scored when needed.

He was needed as his driving layup at the buzzer in overtime provided the difference, winning the game.

Looks Like Blood In Chicago For Game 3 (VIDEO)

((HT: ESPN/NBA))

And it started early with Joakim Noah and Chris Andersen


Nazr Mohammad baited LeBron James into a technical foul before getting tossed on his own...

No self-control...
Evidence below...


More when there's more...

Today's Newspaper Fail: Atlanta Looks Forward To Game 7 With Pacers

((HT: AJC their own selves))

This is what happens why newspapers continue their slide toward irrelevance...

You put the thing to bed way too early for the facts to get in the way of a sidebar headline...


 

In other news, Dewey Defeats Truman and Jarome Iginla Has Been Traded To Boston...

ICYMI: Pantsless Child Videobomb Alert!

((ht: csnhouston.com))

Haha! This is really funny. Though somehow we're guessing there's some segment of the Politically Correct Police out there who will be offended that either you are seeing a small child without pants on TV or that some parent let their child walk pantsless around a basketball arena.

Either way, the postgame show after the Houston Rockets/Oklahoma City NBA Playoff game Wednesday night got much more amusing than we're guessing it normally is. And no, the post game show hosts didn't seem to notice.

Check out the video: