Oklahoma City Thunder• Western Conference #2 seed | Season record: 59-23BACKDROP: As my buddy Jezmund refers to him, Kevin Durant is my business
card.
Xavier
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they made the move from Seattle six seasons ago. When I first glimpsed Kevin
Durant play for the Texas Longhorns, I, and others blessed with the gift of
sight, knew he was a superstar. He was to become my new Dominique Wilkins, AKA
The Guy I Pinned My Hopes On. While on my stag in Las Vegas, I met Kevin in a
library (picture attached). At the same literary function, Lebron James, just a
few days removed from The Decision, had dined at the table next to mine, and was
now watching an underpaid busboy zipline above the, oh, lets say microfiche, in
a freshly minted Miami #6 jersey, while Durant roamed the room without
entourage, looking like the worlds tallest Abercrombie salesman. I felt
comfortable in my choice of next generation icons.CURRENT TEAM: Durant, the
newly crowned MVP of the league, is unquestionably the face of the franchise
according to everyone not named Russell Westbrook. Born without a brake pedal or
a conscience, Russell likes to shoot the rock. These two alpha dogs have had
difficulty meshing when it counts most, suffering five game dispatches the past
three seasons, including 2012s Finals loss to Miami. Unlike the ongoing question
which arises every postseason— "Why isnt the ball in KDs hands?"—now the team
has a more desperate problem. Third banana, Serge Ibaka, a superstar in his own
right as a two time 1st Team All Defender is out for the remainder of the
playoffs. Expect gritty play from Steven Adams and Nick Collison, but it will be
hard sledding against Tim Duncan to overcome losing the best shot blocker in the
game.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Beyond the sky-high likeability factor of Durantula, you
may not want to root against a team that seems to have this years lucky streak
on its side. Despite Ibakas injury, a ton has gone right for OKC in surprising
ways this postseason, and perhaps after years of being labeled with the "next
great team" status, the lords of basketball have decided for the breaks to go to
tornado country. The Thunder were handed a gift when Zach Randolph was suspended
for the final game of the Memphis series (a terrible decision by the league—if
this was 1990, he may not have even been called for a foul). Then there was the
bizarrely botched officiating at the end of Game 5 versus the Clippers, which
effectively handed the game to OKC, and shifted the tide in the series. Do you
really want to bet against the team with the best sixth man since James Harden?
(That sixth man being the officiating crew.)Indiana Pacers• Eastern Conference
#1 seed | Season record: 56-26BACKDROP: The state of Indiana is synonymous with
basketball, even if the pro team has never won a title. Gene Hackman and his
Hoosiers. Bobby Knight and his temper. Larry Bird and his hair. But the Pacers
havent had a compelling national brand since Reggie Miller exchanged
pleasantries with a courtside Spike Lee. Last year, for the first time without
Reggie on the roster, the Pacers emerged under Paul George as a genuine force,
making the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would lose to Miami in a
slug-it-out seven game affair. They knew they were young and they were close. By
mid-January of this year, they were the best team on the planet. Then something
happened...CURRENT TEAM: The Trade. Before Larry Legend swapped the once face of
the franchise, Danny Granger, for the overrated Evan Turner, the Pacers had the
leagues best record at 42-13. After the trade, 14-13. They acquired Turner
because bench play was the teams undoing in 2013 and making moves to strengthen
it were necessary and advised. But whether it was the fault of Turner or other
personalities in the locker room, the team unraveled (Turner and fellow Pacer,
and known irritant, Lance "Born Ready" Stephenson, engaged in a fist fight last
month, marking a nadir in the teams descent). Defence, the hallmark of the team,
suddenly faltered. The offence stalled. Only recently has David West emerged as
the emotional leader, and the team has clawed its way against lesser Eastern
Conference opponents to the third round. Cue the rematch.(Sidenote: Top picks
Lebron James, Tim Duncan, and near top picks Durant, Westbrook, Dwyane Wade,
Chris Bosh, etc., havent been the signature of these Pacers. Indiana hasnt
selected above the #10 spot since George McCloud in 1989. Evan Turner, selected
second overall by the 76ers, was the teams first foray into the top of the draft
in many years. Paul George was taken at 10, Hibbert at 17. West, 18. Stephenson,
40. Scola, 56. I havent worked out this theory entirely, but I think Turners
draft slot impacted the Pacers internal harmony.)WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Because you
want to join me in rooting for the current member of "Team 29". You may never
tack a picture of David West up on your wall, but you can still look yourself in
the mirror with pride after rooting for him. The same cannot be said for Dwyane
Wade.Miami Heat• Eastern Conference #2 seed | Season record: 54-28BACKDROP:
Sadly, it is possible that one day we will argue over whether The King, blessed
be He, correctly predicted winning seven or eight titles. Ugh. The Heat.
Two-time defending champs. Three-time finalists. All time cocky bastards. The
road team, but still heavy favourites to win the series. Further proof that the
city of Miami is the Cosmo Kramer of the sports world—falling ass backwards into
success. The fans ignore their losing teams, barely support their winning teams,
and they still win championships (even the Florida Panthers have played for a
Stanley Cup more recently than the Maple Leafs).CURRENT TEAM: Lebron James and
fourteen other people paid to play (and often witness) basketball near Lebron
James. As the lone quasi-big market team left among the final four, Im certain
Adam Silver and the NBA brass (read: broadcasters) want to see the Heat in the
Finals (read into that however you like, scholars of NBA officiating). This Heat
team isnt as deep as seasons past, but in the final year of guaranteed contracts
for the infamous Big 3, they still have plenty of firepower, as their solitary
playoff loss attests.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: When you watch Die Hard, you root for
Hans Gruber to get back his detonators. If an elderly man slips into a
silt-soaked puddle, you chuckle. While others cheer for the upstart Rocky
Balboa, you find yourself more of an Apollo Creed booster. You are reading this
on a Samsung Galaxy. You thought Bambis mother had it coming. Welcome to your
Miami Heat years.Gallays Poll #10Q: Who will you be rooting for?(A) San Antonio.
Because a fifth championship would cement them for all time.(B) Oklahoma City.
Because Kevin Durant was the MVP for a reason.(C) Indiana. Because Larry Legend
is due for a return to the winners podium.(D) Miami. Because I need something to
do when Im not kicking kittens.
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Jersey . Van Slyke drove in a career-high four runs with two homers off
struggling left-hander Tony Cingrani, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled away to
a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, a rare comfortable win
in their pitching-dominated series.
Tyler
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http://www.nfltexansgearsshop.com/Black-Keith-Mumphery-Texans-Jersey.html?cat=919 . The Austrian ski federation said Morgenstern was "conscious and well
responsive" and his condition would be monitored in the intensive care unit of a
Salzburg hospital for the next 72 hours. The federation said it was "way too
early" to judge Morgensterns chances of competing in Sochi, and that an update
on his condition was not expected before Monday.Mark Hughes has confirmed Stoke
City have made several bids for West Brom striker Saido Berahino. Hughes also
refused to be drawn into commenting on speculation that Stoke could be
interested in signing former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van
Persie from Turkish club Fenerbahce. Sky sources understand a bid of £20m has
been made for Berahino, who has one year remaining on his current contract with
the Baggies but turned down the offer of a new four-year deal last week. Mark
Hughes has confirmedd Stoke City have made several bids for West Brom striker
Saido Berahino Weve put some bids in and as it stands those havent been accepted
yet, Hughes told Sky Sports News HQ.
DeAndre
Hopkins Texans Jersey. But were still hopeful on them.Last summer,
Berahino threatened to never play [for] Peace again after a move to Tottenham
broke down.Berahino started as West Brom lost 2-1 to French champions Paris
Saint-Germain on Wednesday in their final pre-season game of their tour of
Austria and then scored two goals in a friendly against Kidderminster on
Saturday. Stoke City have also been linked with a move for Fenerbahce striker
Robin van Persie Van Persie scored 16 times for Fenerbahce last season but has
been linked to several Premier League clubs.Hughes said: Weve seen the
speculation and there are going to be a lot of those stories. Some will have a
little bit of substance and some wont.Were looking to address key areas in the
team that we feel we can improve on and if those players become available, then
were interested. Also See: Pre-season friendlies round-up Fletcher plea to
Berahino Transfer Centre LIVE! Whos travelling the furthest?
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