Jun.7 at 11:43 pm

gelly says:
I knew the spurs would win, theyre unstoppable in the finals

Jun.7 at 11:43 pm

gelly says:
and first, btw

Jun.7 at 11:43 pm

snowman_sg says:
Expected win.

Jun.7 at 11:49 pm

David says:
This series will be great once Lebron starts playing.

Jun.7 at 11:53 pm

Preston says:
The spurs are so tired and boring. Bron was close to turning it out. Better watch out in game 2.

Jun.7 at 11:59 pm

R7 says:
think marshall is more urkel than luda…
it’s over by thursday!

Jun.8 at 12:00 am

Dan says:
Although it was an offensively underwhelming performance by LeBron, I was still impressed. Cleveland hung around with San Antonio, and that’s all one could ask of such a relatively young team in terms of playoff experience.

Jun.8 at 12:00 am

juice says:
lebronious on both counts.

Jun.8 at 12:00 am

Dan says:
And Lang, did you get my e-mail?

Jun.8 at 12:12 am

Ken says:
AND THIS IS WHY NO ONE SHOULD HAVE EVER BOUGHT INTO THE LEBRON HYPE. I hate to preach, but I knew this would happen. If LeBron hadn’t hit those 2 back to back 3s when they were down 16, he woulda had 8 points. When was the last time MJ or Magic had 8 points in a game, let alone a FINALS GAME?!?!? Anyways, this is why I was so bewildered when everyone jumped on the LeBron bandwagon after game 5, it seemed like everyone was ready to give him MJ’s torch. LeBron is an unproven big time player, he’s just a very talented player with an amazing basketball body who doesn’t have “it” yet. Not sure if he ever will. Tonight proved that.

Jun.8 at 12:16 am

niQ says:
they really need to get the ball to boobie more.. he shooots such high %’s

Jun.8 at 12:18 am

Jonathan W. says:
-The Spurs played great basketball as Parker drove to the basket at will and Duncan had a big 24 points and 13 rebounds.
-LeBron just couldn’t get started as he had 4 points in the 1st half, all free throws none of them being field goals.
-LeBron made his first field goal in the fourth quarter and had an absolutely terrible night shooting the ball.
-LeBron’s teammates did a nice job stepping up in the first half and kept the deficit to 5 by the end of the half without any scoring help from LeBron.
-The Spurs (specifically Bruce Bowen) played great defense on LeBron by double teaming him on every possession and cutting off his usual lanes that he takes when driving to the basket.
-Daniel Gibson needs to get A LOT more minutes in order for the Cavs to win. When Gibson was in the game he hit some big shots and his jumper was on as he had 16 points in only 20 minutes. Daniel “Boobie” Gibson had two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter (that the Cavs could of used earlier in the quarter from him) that gave the Cavs a little help cutting the deficit to under 10,
-It was a defensive game and as the ABC commentator was saying, in this series the first team to 80 will win the game.
-LeBron needs to play a lot better as 14 points on 4-16 shooting will not get it done.
-Game 2 is Sunday in San Antonio, as LeBron will try to get it going down 0-1 in his first NBA Finals.
-LeBron will need to step his game up Sunday in order to lead his Cavs to win.

Jun.8 at 12:19 am

Paul Johnson says:
Lang, you columns are true works of art, funny, witty, and informative all at the same time. That’s why I love Slam and have been down with you guys since the 1st issue.

Jun.8 at 12:25 am

Russ Bengtson says:
I fell asleep in the beginning of the third quarter. And I refuse to believe that Detroit/San Antonio could have been MORE boring. That was one of the worst Finals games ever, as far as I’m concerned.

Jun.8 at 12:43 am

luckyluciano says:
Just watched the game at the new Hooters just opened up sitting next to two US marines rooting for the Spurs. They also out-ate us by 2 plates of chicken wings.. Lebron will be underrated in all the posts but he did a great job spreading the ball around and although he had only scored like 4 points by half time, the scores were pretty close..Remember, its a series of 7 and a chess match between the coaches. granted big Poppa Pun has more finals experience but if Bron Bron gets rawdy who knows..
Carn the Cavs

Jun.8 at 12:48 am

Co Co says:
Are people going to whine about how low scoring this series is going to be or are they going to overlook what they would have called boring just because LeBron is playing? And isn’t June a little late in the year to be wearing a sweater vest??? Bron needs to stop that!

Jun.8 at 12:51 am

MALONE_FT_CLOCK says:
lang, its “donyell bubbles a three”

Jun.8 at 12:54 am

Candice says:
Question will this series objectivley show who Melo has to beat just to make into the 2nd round? The Spurs were able to shut him and AI down, while putting fear in the role players, what can the Cavs do to make it more interesting because I was gone after the Spurs 3rd quarter spurge. Agsint Utah Deron and Boozer got theirs while the others couldn’t get it going at all, so will the Spurs just let Bron and Gibson get thiers and shut everyone else down?

Jun.8 at 12:58 am

whooo! says:
duncan said post game it felt like it’s been a month since they played. so w/ a rusty team, they were pretty much toying w/ the cavs. they didn’t step on their throat like game 5 vs utah, just tryin to get in the flow. i think t-robot’s gonna average similar numbers to the nets in ‘03: 24, 17, 5, 5. looked like he’s on track this series.

Jun.8 at 12:58 am

Chukaz says:
I know what the official song of the NBA finals should be.
We flop much, no lie, you know this, FLOPIN’!!!!

Jun.8 at 1:00 am

whooo! says:
candice, i think you’re right. melo’s in the same conference where t-mac hasn’t made it outta the 1st round, and kg only did it ONCE! ppl shouldn’t keep comparing him to the others in his class based on finals appearances. he played really well against the spurs, and they always have to double him. his passing isn’t good enough yet, and a.i. keeps the ball outta his hands, helping the spurs.

Jun.8 at 1:01 am

Chukaz says:
Did I spell flopin’ right? Who cares.
The Spurs should sign David Robinson to a 10 day contract or something to get him another ring. If Butler (you know, that fat guy that used to play for the knicks) is gonna get a ring for being at the games on a suit, the admiral should get one as well.

Jun.8 at 1:04 am

Chukaz says:
@ Bron - LeBron the finals all ready begun. Whenever you wanna join the rest of the players. And Bron, it would be a good time for you to start livin’ up to the hype. Whenever you are ready.

Jun.8 at 1:05 am

Dennard says:
The Admiral will receive a ring if the Spurs win because he is minority owner.

Jun.8 at 1:09 am

Chukaz says:
Did Finley score? Poor guy, man, Manu came into the game in the 1st quarter before Finley could even touch the ball. And Boobie is ballin’ right now, man. I’ve said this before and I will say it again. The Cavs must trade Bron for 2nd rounders and scurbs with large contracts that will have their contracts expire soon and build around boobie.

Jun.8 at 1:10 am

Chukaz says:
@ Dennard - Really? When did that happen? Any ways, good for him.

Jun.8 at 1:12 am

Chukaz says:
Jon Barry said something very interesting, I don’t remember what it was but it was interesting. It is so great not having Reggie Miller tellin’ other people what to do. Reggie, don’t tell people to get to the basket when you couldn’t do it yourself.

Jun.8 at 1:16 am

Chukaz says:
Mike Breene said something very interesting (and I do remember what it was). After a fadeaway in the paint by Bron he said “Oh!! He loves that shot!!!”. Guess what Mike, Antoin Walker likes to pop 3’s, but that doesn’t make them good shots.
Damn, the Spurs are gooood, and they earned all 4 o’s.

Jun.8 at 1:17 am

Candice says:
I don’t think AI kept the ball out of his hands, I think the Spurs took him away from getting the ball to Melo because clearly Melo had the hot hand of the two.
Melo was able to average a double-double agisnt them ,so AI did help a little bit by taking some pressure off Melo because Melo finally had a good playoff series.
My post wasn’t bashing AI in no way just saying I think the Nuggets are better than the Cavs, so why would the Cavs stand a chance? They was the hot team going in the playoffs and was able to steal a game from the Spurs having momentum for game 2 and even 3 and couldn’t even get a 2nd win.

Jun.8 at 1:20 am

KA says:
“Duncan has quietly dropped his pants and taken a huge crap all over the Cavs.”, thats some great editorial right there.

Jun.8 at 1:20 am

Dennard says:
After he retired, he got a piece of the ownership pie in 2004. A very small piece, but a piece nonetheless.

Jun.8 at 1:22 am

Chukaz says:
I was shocked that they didn’t show Eva more. Come on ABC, step yo game up! This gave was so boring that I actually watched some “Mean Girls” on FX and Hanna Montana on the Disney Channel. Damn, Lindsay Lohan was hot before she became a total b*tch.

Jun.8 at 1:22 am

Dennard says:
@Chukaz - After the Admiral retired, he got a piece of the ownership pie in 2004. A very small piece, but a piece nonetheless.

Jun.8 at 1:25 am

Chukaz says:
@Dennard - Thank you.

Jun.8 at 1:28 am

Co Co says:
Finley scored the first bucket of the game

Jun.8 at 1:29 am

whooo! says:
that’s a pretty fair comparison candice. melo is just as tough a guard for the spurs as lebron, w/ poorer court vision, but he had a superior big man combo, a.i., and it was his 2nd experience against the spurs, who he plays 4 times a year.

Jun.8 at 1:46 am

Boing Dynasty says:
Anyone catch this gem from Mark Jackson:”The Cavs are having terrible shooting night, particularly from the field.

Jun.8 at 1:53 am

Chukaz says:
Boing Dynasty, I got that. It was pretty sick. Maybe Mark knew something we don’t know and the had gone to a strip club earlier in the day and tried shootin’ someone after they ran them over.

Jun.8 at 1:55 am

Chukaz says:
I was meant that the Cavs had gone to a strip club.

Jun.8 at 1:56 am

Chukaz says:
I wonder why didn’t Whoo get a private dance or something. He is rich after all.

Jun.8 at 1:59 am

Chukaz says:
The cavs are pretty lucky to be in the NBA finals. If they were in the West they probably would’ve won like 30 games man. I wonder if Bron will be a billionair by the time he retires from the NBA. I mean, with his endorsemeants and paycheck for the cavs he probably make about 40 mil a year.

Jun.8 at 2:07 am

Chukaz says:
Is it me or Tim Duncan is a gangsta? It’s probably just me. I got an idea for the next cover. How ’bout Timmy wearing a grill a bunch of chains and stuff, you know, all iced out. The could be holdin’ a blunt in one hand and a gun in the other and he could be wearing a Yankees cap,or a red or blue bandana (leave it up to him to be a crip or blood)

Jun.8 at 3:00 am

neaorin says:
Pretty horrible outing from LeBron, hopefully he’s just trying to emulate the LeBron from the Pistons series that finished game 1 with 10 points before unleashing all hell. And that guy Duncan was pretty good.

Jun.8 at 3:02 am

Froggiestyle says:
Note to chukaz - you cool and all, just dont try so hard.

Jun.8 at 3:44 am

Marvin says:
Go Fransico Elson, Rotterdam baby!!!

Jun.8 at 3:50 am

ForzaMilan says:
zzzzzzz. Chukaz. Not your personal blog. Learn to combine and condense. Rust does not exist with the Spurs. They’re too well-prepared and disciplined to let it affect them all that much. @Boing: There’s free throw shooting too. The Cavaliers seemed more ready for all this than Lebron. Check out that defense though. Credit to the Spurs, of course. I was looking at Tony Parker’s face on one of his downcourt trips and he looked like he was wondering why it was so easy, wondering then the other shoe was gonna drop. I don’t think it will all be this easy for the Spurs throughtout the series. Both Spurs and Cavaliers fans WANT this to be a good series. For Cavs Fans, they obviously want validation that their postseason run hasn’t been all luck. For Spurs fans, when there isn’t any challenge, isn’t any blood shed, there isn’t any satisfaction in winning. Everyone wins only when Cleveland wakes up.

Jun.8 at 4:05 am

Chukaz says:
@Froggiestyle - Okay, I will try to not try so hard. Thank you.

Jun.8 at 4:17 am

Chukaz says:
I really need my own column or something. Come on Slam, I never received a response by any of you guys.

Jun.8 at 4:19 am

Chou says:
The 2 - 3 - 2 Finals format sucks.

Jun.8 at 4:19 am

jock says:
does any1 know what song was played during warm ups. it was a rap song during the very beginning of the finals when jackson, breen, and van gundy were sitting on stools and the spurs were in the background shooting around during warm ups. the camera then panned over to lebron who was bobbing his head to the beat. what’s that song?

Jun.8 at 4:40 am

ecvill11 says:
haha great columnist! i love reading your words man! keep it up!

Jun.8 at 4:48 am

Chukaz says:
Well, thank you ecvill11. I’m glad you read my stuff.

Jun.8 at 5:01 am

Michael Spand says:
Duncan was outstanding! http://searchwarp.com/swa219717.htm

Jun.8 at 5:02 am

richiemack says:
Great work Lang. Been cracking up at that Bowen/Droopy dog lookalike all day. Parker needs a nickname and I’m taking this opportunity to put forward, “The French Fancy.”

Jun.8 at 5:04 am

Chukaz says:
Wasn’t it awesome the way Kurt Chilli’ blew the no hitter. Out standing.

Jun.8 at 5:07 am

Chukaz says:
Or is it outstanding. Yeah, I think thats the way it is spelled. Well, how gives a f*ck, I’m bored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jun.8 at 5:11 am

Chukaz says:
I got 20 of the 52 comments. You guys have to give me a column.

Jun.8 at 5:15 am

Sesa says:
They should let Boobie handle the ball more to create shot attempt for himself and others.
The guy had 4 assists to 0 TO, contrasts to LeBron’s 4 assists to 6 TO.
For once I’d like to see LeBron as the recipient of the pass instead of the creator.

Jun.8 at 5:17 am

Sesa says:
Yay, my suspension have been lifted!

Jun.8 at 5:29 am

Boing Dynasty says:
Boobie needs to shoot more, Chukaz needs to shoot less.

Jun.8 at 6:02 am

slim says:
Classic Lang: “If it was up to me, I’d take out Duncan, because Parker has a huge crew in the stands.” & Nice one Boing

Jun.8 at 7:39 am

Jake Appleman says:
Not that I’ve ever eaten paint thinner, but that game was like eating paint thinner.

Jun.8 at 8:37 am

Esco says:
Someone hire a hitman and send him to New Mexico to find Chukaz please. It would be a great pleasure hearing about it on the news. Kid is like a little child begging to be friends with anyone and everyone! CHILL OUT SON! Nobody likes you.

Jun.8 at 8:37 am

Ryan Jones says:
1. Terry Crews was dope in Idiocracy.
2. Chukaz is walking a real fine line betwen being occasionally entertaining and generally annoying, and I think we all know which way he’s leaning.
3. The Spurs are the only team I can think of who can make a 7-0 run feel like a 19-0 run. They eat opponents’ souls. This series isn’t over, but it’s close.

Jun.8 at 8:49 am

Esco says:
I couldn’t agree with you more Ryan…except for the little fact that u misspelled between.

Jun.8 at 9:03 am

DEVILb0y says:
the play offs should go without the east west bracket, let them allslug it out so we can see the TWO BEST TEAMS in basketball play in the finals not some mediocre sideshow…

Jun.8 at 9:03 am

deestarbuckz says:
I am still waiving my CAVS flag but damn last night kinda hurt… The Spurs just pick you apart. Even though the game stayed close into the third you never felt like the Cavs were about to make a run or take control of the game. ‘Bron did a good job of keeping everyone involved but its not going to work for an extended amount of time before he just has to take control. Why didn’t Gibson get more run? My first post of the day so that puts me about 79 behind Chukaz? Maybe I should quit my day job!

Jun.8 at 9:21 am

Esco says:
@deestarbuckz: I think you should keep your job, ’cause obviously Chukaz does not have one, so he’s keeping himself busy (while keeping everyone annoyed) by just typing bullsh*t on these posts. And I agree, Gibson needs more playing time.

Jun.8 at 9:25 am

Ryan Jones says:
“Betwen” is how the kids spell it, Esco. It’s the gangsta spelling.

Jun.8 at 9:59 am

Esco says:
Ohh ok. I got it. I’m only 19 and I’m already out of it…Damn that sucks. Lol.

Jun.8 at 10:03 am

DK52 says:
By the time I got home from work and school last night the game was almost half time towards the end of the 2nd quarter. I was really bored watching it. Spurs get a great team job on the Cavs. I ended up falling asleep at in the 4th quarter when the Spurs were up by 20. It’s going to be a lot closer than this first game entailed. Mike Brown and the Cavs are going to make adjustments and at worst will win 2 games of this series. Eric Snow should be in the game to set the plays up, Hughes is still very hobbbled from last series don’t know if he will come around at all. Gibson is continuing to impress me. I still don’t understand why The NBA finals isn’t played on a neutral court like the Super Bowl, or other large events.

Jun.8 at 10:31 am

michael jordan says:
i mean if u wacthed the game they were leading the cavs through the hole game

Jun.8 at 10:32 am

mark says:
the biggest sequence in that game last night for me was in the 4th. Cavs making a run - Bron hits two triples. Daniel Gibson fouls Duncan on a sweet pass from TP - no call - Cavs come down and Lebron shoots a fade-a-way step back triple - brick =-= Spurs come down and execute a play to perfection with TD getting a dunk. Tale of two teams - Lebron with a step back fade-a-way 3? terrible shot - TD and the SPurs execution - Spurs in 5 (only because the refs will give Lebron one).

Jun.8 at 10:35 am

mark says:
Finley hit a 15 footer in the first quarter and then he couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean. HE didn’t deserve any minutes. He must have been amped up to be in his first finals.

Jun.8 at 11:20 am

Co Co says:
Has Mike Brown really made adjustments throughout the playoffs or has he just benefited from having the best player on the floor? (until this series)

Jun.8 at 11:43 am

Sesa says:
Can I safely say LeBron were a ballhog?
He kept trying to make plays even though his teammates not named Ilgauskas and Hughes shot over 60%.

Jun.8 at 12:22 pm

Ben Osborne says:
Great work, Lang (except for the fat girl joke). I think game 2 will be a little more entertaining, and I think the Cavs will get Game 3, but Spurs in 5 still seems like the logical pick. Off to practice…

Jun.8 at 12:29 pm

joe says:
El Cerrito’s finest. I’m DRU to the game. Word to the Ed the Assasin Tee the Big Drizzle used to wear.

Jun.8 at 12:48 pm

deestarbuckz says:
Okay, does Mike Brown a.k.a. Grimace realize that the high pick and roll, baseline pick and pop, or anything else that involves a damn pick with Lebron holding his dribble not work? I was so damn frustrated watching the game! He has all those damn football plays, run one to get some movement for ‘Bron! The pick and dive with A.V. and ‘Bron is not going to work in this series! GAWD DAMMIT! Okay… I am taking Cons advice and getting back to my day job.

Jun.8 at 12:50 pm

Dennard says:
I am LMAO at the Droopy Dog-Bruce Bowen comparison. Lang did you get at Kenny Mauer for that flagrant foul call?

Jun.8 at 1:18 pm

Jarvis says:
The Cavs simply cannot win because nobody on the team deserves a ring. Lebron will have his ring in a few years but the rest of his team is not up to par. Can you imagine Zzz or Gooden or Damon “I cant hit a jumpshot” Jones running around with a Ring. If they do win, its gonna take Lebron at least a few years, just like it took Jordan a few years to overcome the West teams.

Jun.8 at 1:34 pm

JustMe says:
Low score but better than watching the Ewing Knicks late in the playoffs. Hats off to the S.A executioners. 11 rebound advantage will kill Cavs. Loved DanielG showing his boobs–need to see more of that to start the offense. I want to see LeBron get passes on the move (rather than starting at 3 point line)–think Reggie Miller. Otherwise, we’ll be seeing Bowen pushing him baseline and meeting doubleteam; so play wit it: set it up for a Gooden midranger. That first half for the Spurs definitely showed rust–Timmy missed a wide open bank.

Jun.8 at 1:50 pm

Dennard says:
Jordan had more trouble winning in the East when he was younger. The East was stacked when he came into the league Boston and Detroit in particular.

Jun.8 at 1:53 pm

joe says:
Please explain to me why they don’t start Gibson? Hughes isn’t going to be effective on D and his O sucks anyway.
At least Gibson can play bad D and score.

Jun.8 at 2:08 pm

Joel O's says:
Hughes’ length is supposedly going to stifle Parker like what he did to Billups. Not working.

Jun.8 at 2:11 pm

joe says:
TP is faster than Billups so that length is only going to be effective on reaching after he goes by. I just hate Hughes because he makes 12M and isn’t worth that much. I also guess I hate how predictible the Cavs are. ALWAYS have their first few posessions go through Z. What’s the point when you don’t go to him at all for the next 3qtrs?

Jun.8 at 2:15 pm

Ryan Jones says:
Larry is playing on one good leg, and Parker might be the quickest guy in the League. That matchup will kill most likely Cleveland every game.

Jun.8 at 2:15 pm

Joel O's says:
@ Chukaz: Why do you plead for a column in every post? Maybe you should get your own blog first and see if you can handle writing articles about sports every single day. Everyone thinks they can be a sportswriter or they can host sports talk shows, but in reality I doubt it’s that easy. Also, if you want your own column, perhaps you could begin by not making spelling or grammatical mistakes every other sentence.

Jun.8 at 2:18 pm

Joel O's says:
Also, there’s no way Mike Brown can outcoach Pops. As my platoon sergeant used to say: “Don’t teach your father how to f*ck.” Avery’s team got destroyed by Don Nelson’s already. It’s a big disadvantage…

Jun.8 at 2:22 pm

Cheryl says:
Lang, it was Stan Van that you saw in NYC. He had a lay over in NY before jetting it down here. So, you’re not crazy… Yet.

Jun.8 at 2:24 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
By the way, from what I saw, LeBron’s not actually playing in the Finals quite yet. When are the Cavs supposed to arrive in San Antonio?

Jun.8 at 2:44 pm

Ben Osborne says:
Joel O’s: tell Chukaz how it is, bro.

Jun.8 at 2:59 pm

allenp says:
Duncan is a beast. that dropstep he put on Sideshow in the first quarter was state of the art. That’s the type of stuff you show young players on video to teach them the game. That fake dribble handoff that got him the open turnaround at the free throw line, beautiful.
And when the Cavs were making a run Lebron settled for a fadeaway three and the Spurs came down and got some hi-lo action with their bigs to get and easy dunk. Basketball like that is beautiful. When the Spurs are hitting theiir outside shots, they are one of the most entertaining teams in the league to me.

Jun.8 at 3:19 pm

Joel O's says:
Yeah, Duncan’s post moves have got to be the best since Hakeem. He barely even needs to jump since he usually beats his defender with a gorgeous fake. And did you guys see Parker’s little shake/jump-stop when he drove the baseline to the right and suddenly stopped, sending Boobie (who couldn’t stop in time) flying out of bounds before hitting the easy lay up? These 2 guys gave me good reason to flip back from watching The Ultimate Fighter haha.

Jun.8 at 3:30 pm

Joel O's says:
I’ve worked in a magazine before. I was a writer for a pet enthusiast magazine and a hotel/restaurant directory. No matter how well your planning is, and how far in advance my editors worked, when deadlines to send stuff to the printers come, you can’t avoid OT-ing deep into the night. And it isn’t just sitting around writing stories, there’s so much research and liaising you gotta do. It’s tough. Nothing is ever easy in life and you gotta earn your keep, so to speak.

Jun.8 at 4:57 pm

Chukaz says:
I don’t have a job and there is a good reason for that. I’m 16 and I’m too awesome to work.

Jun.8 at 5:48 pm

AB_40 says:
Duncan has quietly dropped his pants and taken a huge crap all over the Cavs…brilliant. Uhm playing with that lineup got the cavs into the finals. Do you remember what’t that teams name uhm they won 67 games this season? Dallas making an adjustment in the playoffs. I don’t care if the east sucks never go away from a winning strategy…+ who says gibson starting will give him more connfidence.

Jun.8 at 9:55 pm

Throwitup says:
kid is 16 and loves basketball and is dedicated to slam, he could spam.

Jun.8 at 9:59 pm

Throwitup says:
I bet on the cavaliers, not saying they’re a better team, but I would definitely prefer their 7 game victory to putting my money and the spurs together; I like Disney movies: the star, the perils, and the final warm victory.

Jun.8 at 11:00 pm

lavarius says:
-The Spurs played great basketball as Parker drove to the basket at will and Duncan had a big 24 points and 13 rebounds.
-LeBron just couldn’t get started as he had 4 points in the 1st half, all free throws none of them being field goals.
-LeBron made his first field goal in the fourth quarter and had an absolutely terrible night shooting the ball.
-LeBron’s teammates did a nice job stepping up in the first half and kept the deficit to 5 by the end of the half without any scoring help from LeBron.
-The Spurs (specifically Bruce Bowen) played great defense on LeBron by double teaming him on every possession and cutting off his usual lanes that he takes when driving to the basket.
-Daniel Gibson needs to get A LOT more minutes in order for the Cavs to win. When Gibson was in the game he hit some big shots and his jumper was on as he had 16 points in only 20 minutes. Daniel “Boobie” Gibson had two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter (that the Cavs could of used earlier in the quarter from him) that gave the Cavs a little help cutting the deficit to under 10,
-It was a defensive game and as the ABC commentator was saying, in this series the first team to 80 will win the game.
-LeBron needs to play a lot better as 14 points on 4-16 shooting will not get it done.
-Game 2 is Sunday in San Antonio, as LeBron will try to get it going down 0-1 in his first NBA Finals.
-LeBron will need to step his game up Sunday in order to lead his Cavs to win.

Jun.8 at 11:06 pm

lavarius says:
Hey, LeBron’s playing in the NBA Finals. Let’s take some notes! • We’re a few minutes away from tipoff and the crowd is still filtering in. This is a very polite crowd, cheering when they’re urged to, standing whenever asked. It’s a little scary to see them clap in unison along to “Boy Looka Here.” The fans aren’t particularly loud, though they are well-organized. • Ben wrote about some of the pregame festivities earlier. While Ben was in there listening to the Sternbot, I ended up in a hallway talking to a few Cavs folk. Then Eva Longoria came through and introduced her “friend, Terry.” Yeah, like I didn’t recognize you, Terry Crews. I’m gonna tell Tony Parker about you, Terry. Boris Diaw was with them, as were about eight French guys who all looked like either Tony or Boris, all wearing Tony Parker jerseys. They may have been a boy band. Good seeing Boris, though. • Also, because there are so many random celebrities around, you end up seeing all kinds of odd combinations of people. Best foursome I saw chatting under the stands: Dr. J, Jeff Van Gundy, Maverick Carter and Mark Jackson. I also saw ESPN head honcho John Skipper stalking around, trying to find something to do. Wanted to go up and talk Southern to him, but didn’t want to disturb him. • I also bumped into Spurs GM RC Buford, who was wearing jeans, cowboy boots and a short-sleeved shirt. He looked like he was heading to a PTA meeting. • The Spurs PA announcer talks like he just got punched in the nose then was immediately asked to talk following said fight. • Jordin Sparks sings the national anthem and she does a great job. For a big girl. • Tonight’s officials are Steve Javie, Ken Mauer and Mike Callahan, who looks like a Presbyterian minister. I actually saw Mauer this morning checking in at my hotel. • Worth mentioning: Two years ago at the Finals I was behind the basket. Last year I was about halfway up through the stands. This year I’m in the upper deck, along with all the media. And that’s fine, I can take it. Except that I can’t see one of the baskets from my seat. Should make for two interesting games of straining and stretching. • First possession into Duncan who gets doubled, resets the possession and hits Finley for two. Gooden responds with a charging violation. • 3 minutes in, and the Spurs get the Cavs in a pick-and-roll. While LeBron and Zzz discuss US trade policy outside, Duncan gets a dunk. • This kid is amazing! Jumpers, drives…Drew Gooden is really doing it all! • 12-10 San Antonio with 5 minutes gone. Tony Parker goes down! And while he’s spreading some unpastuerized cheese on a baguette, we get a shot of Eva looking worried. Tony misses both FTs, but Tim gets the rebound, gets fouled and makes both. • Other end, as I’m looking up Duncan’s stats (7 pts, 2 rbs), Duncan comes over to help on Bron, shoves Bowen out of the way and wipes a shot by Bron. Maybe that’s the reverse of the Bron’s dunk on Tim from back in week one? Tim should frame a photo of that play and hang it in his locker. Bron recovers enough to fire up a fadeaway three that gets nothing but rim. • Duncan is just out of his mind right now. He spund right around Varejao in the post. Brilliant move. • Boobie comes in red hot, draining his first three attempt. No way he keeps this up, right? • Next time down, Duncan forces a 24 second violation. • 2:26 to go in the first, the numbers are these: San Antonio 18, Cleveland 13, LeBron 0. • Finally! With 1:12 to go, Bron remembers that nobody can guard him and he blasts through the lane and to the rim. Duncan hacks him and Bron gets two freebies. Good, good. Two for Bron. • As though they remembered the last possession, the Cavs come down on their next possession determined to create contact. Bron blasts into someone without any call, and then Horry steps in and takes a charge. • Last play of the quarter, and it couldn’t play out worse for Bron, who dribbles the clock down and runs through Jacque Vaughn for a foul. • That’s the first quarter, with your score San Antonio 20, Cleveland 15. And really, considering that Bron has 2 points and no field goals, and that the Cavs shot 33 percent for the quarter, being down 5 is great. • Between quarters, a life-sized dancing grocery bag (paper, not plastic) comes out. • The San Antonio PA guys calls him Anderson “Vuhruzio.” • Gibson checks in and gives the Cavs a little jolt, cutting San Antonio’s lead to 20-19. Cavs corral another turnover and Bron fires it off the side of the goal and about 20 rows up in the crowd. I guess he was trying to pass the ball but that thing wasn’t even close. • Timeout with the score 20-19. Other than Duncan and Parker, nobody on San Antonio has scored more than 2 points. • Vuhruzio gives Cleveland the lead, 21-20, with two free throws. Spurs get lead right back. If LeBron was playing well tonight Cleveland would be winning this thing. If LeBron was playing bad Cleveland would be winning. • And if the Spurs could make a shot they’d be in business. Duncan catches in the post, immediately gets tripled(!) and passes out to Finley, who bricks a three. Spurs are shooting 38 percent, Cavs are shooting 32 percent. • Ryan Jones texts to ask what’s up with Bruce Bowen. I don’t know. He’s played 11 minutes, has taken one shot and…that’s it. I think he’s more concerned with looking like Droopy Dog. • Elson gets a nice dunk on a delayed break, on an ill pass with some crazy English from the Frenchman, TP. Spurs built it to 29-25, courtesy of a 7-0 run. Duncan gets a dunk, so make it 9-0 and 31-25. The PA guy here is really loose now, screaming with his strange voice that sounds like Ed Torian, the lie detector guy on Howard Stern. • Took a break to get a Coke and use the bathroom (for the first time since I got here 5 hours ago — I dare any female to break that mark). I return and it’s 35-30, Spurs. Donyell ludas a three to make it 35-33. • Elson gets a lay-up. The PA guy keeps calling him “Cisco.” They should play The Thong Song after each basket. • By the way, Duncan has 14, Parker 12 and Elson 5. Nobody else has more than 2 points. Also, LeBron is 0-7 from the floor. He ain’t driving to the basket, either. • Gibson drives and gets a runner. 37-35 with 14 seconds left. This is like a WNBA game. • Manu hits a three at the half to make it 40-35. I think at the half they should just announce that whichever team gets to 70 first wins. And give Cleveland this: They’re still plugging along at 37 percent from the floor, their best player doesn’t have a field goal, but they’re still only down five. It’s like the Spurs are toying with them. • Halftime performance is by some guy called Clay Walker, who sings a country song called “Where Do You Go When It Rains In Mexico?” Great question, Clay. And I can’t say that I have an answer, man. • Meant to say, I head that Hawks GM Billy Knight is in love with Brandan Wright. • Drew Gooden opens the second half with an airball. A fitting tribute to the first half. • Three minutes in and each team has scored 2 points. • Tony makes it 44-37. • LeBron drives to the basket!! Stop the presses! • Six minutes into the third, and it’s 49-43, Spurs. A miserable game thus far. Spurs are going to win. There’s no question. • Bron and Drew Gooden run a pick-and-roll, and Ginobili and Oberto defend it perfectly. Cleveland’s lucky to get a foul call to bail them out. • Sometimes the Spurs make it look so simple. They work it around and around and don’t cut or move or anything, and eventually Ginobili just nails a three. Meanwhile, LeBron’s 1-for-10. Cleveland’s at a miserable 37.5 percent. Ben’s talking about going to the WNBA game here Saturday night. I think we may be at one now. • With 3:47 to go, the crowd finally spontaneously gets into it. The Spurs score back-to-back baskets to go ahead 58-47. The fans stand and roar, and then the fans resort back to their rhythmic clapping. • During the timeout, Sean Elliott, George “Iceman” Gervin and David Robinson gather for no real reason, go stand at halfcourt and receive a standing ovation. • After that timeout, Bron gets his second field goal. The Cavs get a stop and LeBron looks to push the ball and get something — anything — going, but the Spurs force a steal. • Wow. Manu Ginobili draws a flagrant one on Drew Gooden on a minimal contact play. Ridiculous. If I’m in the elevator with Ken Mauer again tonight I’m going to let him hear about this. • You know how I know the Cavs don’t have a chance? Just watch Robert Horry play defense. This dude can barely run, and he’s flying around like Manute Bol under the rim. By the way, San Antonio’s up 64-49. Anyone still think Cleveland’s going to win this series? Hell, anyone think it’s even going five games? • Third quarter over. 64-49. LeBron is playing like that life-sized grocery bag. Duncan has quietly dropped his pants and taken a huge crap all over the Cavs. • A three from Horry makes it 67-49. Someone on Cleveland needs to start a fight. really, just take out Duncan or Parker, because that’s the only chance they’ve got for the rest of the series. If it was up to me, I’d take out Duncan, because Parker has a huge crew in the stands. • Anyone know who the leaaeding scorer for Cleveland is right now? Drew Gooden! That’s The Big Drizzle to you. • As if to make things worse, the Spurs can’t miss in the fourth. We’ve got 8 minutes to go and they’ve missed 1 jumper this quarter. 72-54. • Three starting Cavs (Bron, Z and Larry Hughes) are a combined 4-for-17. • Bron hits a three to make it a 15 point game with 6:40 left. Parker responds with a bucket. He also points out that he’s dating a starlet. • A Pavlovic runner makes it a 12 point game with 5:20 left. In return, Duncan makes the most fundamental rebound and lay-up I may have ever seen. I think that’s it. Gotta be it. • A few minutes later, still leading by 12, Parker runs over Varejao and is called for an offensive foul. Popovich lets him have it coming back up the floor. That’s the kind of stuff Parker and the other Spurs allow that makes them a better team than anyone else. • A Pavlovic running reverse two-hander makes it a 9-point game with 2:35 to go. The arena is still filled. • The Spurs play around and let the lead dwindle, giving the Cavs some hope for the future, but they hang on to win 85-76. I’m out. More tomorrow. Talk it out, peoples…

Jun.8 at 11:51 pm

John S. says:
bruce did a good job on lebron. and that pass by tony parker to fransico elson, oh my god nice.

Jun.9 at 1:27 am

bootlace says:
Mark Jackson must be paid some good dollars by NIke to try to make LeBron sound good any chance he gets. They even had the nerves to blame his low assists on his teammamtes for not hitting open shots. And you cant say “LeBron realizes he doesnt need to score for his team to be succesful” when hes 0-8.

Jun.9 at 9:52 am

2G40 says:
I think San Antonio will win, but like Detroit my advice to them would be not to count the cav’s out. That was Detroits mistake…taking Cleveland lightly. Also, if you look back at the start of the last two cleveland series, Lebron has started slow in games 1-2 but has always made the adjustment in later games to torch his opponents.

Jun.11 at 10:39 am

Blackadam06 says:
Jarvis says:
“…..just like it took Jordan a few years to overcome the West teams.” What? Jordan never had to overcome “Western Teams.” He played in the East. If he were playing Western Conference Teams in the Playoffs, that meant he was in the Finals & the last time I checked, He beat the best the West had to offer each year in the Finals. His toughest Competition was in the East during that time. Detroit, Cleveland, Boston & New York..

Jun.11 at 1:12 pm

jarvis says:
miscommunication, i simply meant it took him a while to reach the finals and then to when he got there, he then had to deal with Magic and the Lakers, who where the powerhosue of the west, just like the SA now. but Lebron will never overcome the west with his wak team. Hughes and damon jones needs to resign

Jun.11 at 2:16 pm

Blackadam06 says:
Hey Jarvis, It’s Ok man. It happens to the best of us, it just kinda’ thru me for a loop. I’m just trying to figure out when’s the NBA gonna figure out that they CANNOT artificially re-create legends off the court, until they’ve actually & ‘LEGITIMATELY’ earned one on it? Which it appears to be ’standard procedure’ in the post-Jordan era. Don’t they realize it will come across as contrived & disenginuous? That the real fans will see through that? Is david stern THAT desperate to find someone to make him feel good about the NBA, that he’ll latch onto anyone that’s 6′6 to 6′8, can run & jump & with a little bit of flare, & bill as the latest “Next” or “Greatest Ever” without them having done anything yet? After ALL the hype, Jordan comparisons, and endless dumb ass “Witness” commercials, after game 1, this game garnered the worst NBA Finals ratings in history. Wow..Everybody was complaining how the Spurs would be so boring in the Finals, but it turns out it’s Lebron who drags down the Spur’s ratings LOL!!! People, Lebrons’ a good player, not great..or at least he hasn’t consistently shown ‘Great’ tendencies yet..