Here’s an update on WCBias.com’s picks for the Western Conference Finals, resuming tonight at Staples Center with the Lakers leading the series 3-1 (Yo Amy Lawrence, they don’t play at The Forum!).
And although the four of us were split on our picks, BG and I (BSlim) weren’t that far off considering the officials played a big role in the Spurs demise.
Here’s how we saw the series shaping up when we did our picks before Game 1 along with an updated note below:
GSlim: Lakers in 6. Kobe is too good, Gasol too long, and Duncan too old.
Update: GSlim looks like he’ll win this thing. Way to go out on a limb there G. And Duncan isn’t that old – he’s the same age as Ryantific. Respect your elders.
Ryantific: Lakers in 7. It will be a battle but this will come down to two things, Lamar Odom can’t be guarded by the Spurs and the young legs of the Lakers bench.
Update: While Odom has played hide and seek against the Spurs, the Lakers bench has been a difference maker. In Game 1, which set the tone for the series, San Antonio’s bench was outscored 21 to 11. If there’s one thing Ryantific knows, it’s the significance of bench play. Trust me, I rode the pine with him in high school.
BG: Spurs in 6, a) to be different b) until they actually lose, they are the team to beat. However, if Stern decides to spring Donahey out of prison so he can blow some whistles in LA’s favor in Game 7 to avoid another awful Pistons-Spurs Finals matchup, then I reserve the right to switch my pick.
Update: Well, BG, you were definitely different – and out of the running. Spurs in 6 can’t mathematically happen thanks to the Game 4 loss in San Antonio. Maybe that wasn’t Joey Crawford who swallowed his whistle in the waning seconds of Game 4. What would Tim Donaghy look like with a shaved head anyway (just wait to see this next post)?
BSlim: Spurs in 7. My wife is a huge Spurs fan, her cat is named Duncan and the dog named Ginobili. If I don’t go with the Spurs, I’m sleeping on the couch with Manu. Like BG, I reserve the right to change my pick if Joey Crawford is wearing stripes.
Update: It ain’t over yet, although it’s not looking good for yours truly. Now the only question remaining is who’s my scapegoat. My wife the Spurs Fan, our dog Ginobili, or Joey Crawford, the worst official in the history of the NBA.
FISHER FOULED BARRY! Speaking of which, the NBA officially agrees that Derek Fisher fouled Brent Barry in the closing seconds of Game 4 and that he should’ve gone to the line for two free throws. Hmmm. Sounds like something somebody on this site said yesterday. All bets are off! All bets are off! BG and I want our money back.
You are forgetting the Duncan travel and the more importantly fisher shot that these refs said did not hit the rim and thus did not reset the 24 sec clock. That Barry shot should have never happened anyway. So quit crying, the right team won!