Kobe politely declines a game six loss

By Dan Rodgers

I wish I would have gotten this post out before the game started, so you could have heard me say that I would bet my house on the Lakers to cover the 6.5 spread... if I were a betting man that is.

If it's any consolation I talked to my friends about it?

Regardless, I'm pretty sure the whole world knew the Lakers wouldn't lay down in game six at home. Kobe put on a very impressive first half performance, but he got a ton of help from his teammates.

Kobe - 6/12 FG 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Artest - 4/8 FG 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block

Gasol - 3/6 FG 7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

My favorite Uncle Ray is the only Celtic to do anything impressive in the first half (13 points). Unfortunately for the Celtics, Kendrick Perkins injured his knee in the beginning of the first quarter and will not return.

Look for Boston to have a better second half (couldn't be any worse I guess), but don't expect the Lakers to give in. However, one thing that might be a problem for L.A. is the fact that Derek Fisher just picked up his fourth foul at the start of the third quarter.

Watch for the Lakers to win from 9-14 points, and for Gasol and Kobe to each put up double digit points and rebounds. Also, the Celtics will probably have a poor 3pt shooting percentage because they will force them and Uncle Ray has been struggling.

Can't wait for game seven, go Lakers!

Rodgers That

Tied at two, the pressure builds

By Dan Rodgers

Today I worked outside, in the 90+ degree heat...and the NBA Finals are on tonight? It has never made sense to me why basketball is still being played in the summer, but I don't make the rules.

The Lakers and Celtics have alternated wins so far this series, L.A. winning games one and three and Boston taking two and four. The series stays in Boston for game five (currently in progress: L.A. - 22 Boston - 30 Q2), and then heads back to Los Angeles for the final two games.

This has been a fairly heated series between the NBA's two most historic franchises; however, the smallest margin of victory for either team has been seven. That is definitely surprising if you ask me. Many people thought the series was definitely in Boston's favor once they took a game in L.A., but the Lakers answered right back winning the first game in Boston.

I think game five is a must win for Boston because even though they already won one game in L.A. I don't think they can.

*Ron Artest just kind of hard foul on KG. Rondo nudged Artest who then flopped onto the ground to draw a technical foul. Smart play by Artest even though he looked stupid flopping. The announcers said it best, "That's a 112-pound guy (Rondo) putting his hand on a 280-pound guy (Artest)...he couldn't even pick him up if he tried!"

You've got to love that. L.A. battled back to take a one point lead, but then Pierce hit a three followed by a tip in by Gasol (he was fighting for a board and tipped it in for Boston) to give the Celtics a 41-37 lead with 2:42 left in the second.

This is just a quick shoutout to my boys from the U.S.A. who are fighting in South Africa in the FIFA World Cup. I'm not a soccer fan by any means, but I will always root for the the U.S. no matter the "sport".

World Cup: U.S.A. vs. Slovenia Friday 9:30 am

NBA Finals: Boston @ L.A. Tuesday 9:00 pm

**Game seven: Boston @ L.A. Thursday Thursday 9:00 pm

**If necessary

Game five update: Celtics 45 Lakers 39 HALF

Rodgers That

Is it really that difficult?

By Dan Rodgers

Okay, so I woke up and my friends tell me, "Dude, LT just raped some 15-year old girl." I said in response, "You mean, he allegedly raped someone?" Of course, that is just me being me because unless he is convicted, you gotta give the guy the benefit of the doubt...right?

Well hold on a second. Rewind. Someone told me that LT raped someone. Shouldn't I ask which LT it is:

• In my opinion, the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor... OR
  
• Current New York Jets running back, and first ballot Hall of Famer, LaDanian Tomlinson...

I'll tell you why I didn't ask. Because one of them was addicted to cocaine at one point during his career and has been known to get into trouble. And the other LT, humbly goes about his business with the first peep he makes is that he isn't enough of the offense in San Diego.

It was pretty easy to come to the conclusion of which LT it was. We don't know what is gonna happen to Taylor (I'm only calling him that because there are two LT's in this article) because other facts were released from this case making it much more wet then just a cut and dry rape case.

That isn't the point though, I want to know why it is so difficult for these mutli-millionaires to make smart decisions. Better yet, not make stupid decisions. Taylor is 51...the girl isn't older than 20 at the most. What is he doing?!

I have a decent head on my shoulders...or at least I like to think so...but of course I don't have the G-d given talent that these guys possess. It's just not fair, is all I'm saying. I don't have sex with underage people, I don't do drugs, I don't break the law (well, you know what I mean).

I just don't understand why athletes are handed this unbelievable ability to make plays on the field and screw up their lives off the field. Below are other athletes of the top of my head who messed up:

• Pacman Jones
• The late Chris Henry
• Michael Vick
• Ben Roethlisberger
• Ron Artest
• Antonio Cromartie
• Plaxico Burress
• Tiger Woods
  
• and the list goes on...

However, real quick before I go...notice a trend of football players more so than any other sport...I know baseball players with steroids, but that is more of a issue within the sport I think and less about drugs/murder etc.

Rodgers That