The Phoenix

"United we can get over..."

Willie Hutch - Brother's Gonna Work It Out

Basketball is an unfair game. It's the type of contest that even when you give your best effort...you still lose. Nothing in this league happens overnight, so as the Lakers continue to play on, their first round opponent will be back next season in full force.

Degree of difficulty

Kobe Bryant has endured through an extremely rough season, and while he presses on through all the injuries, I find it interesting to hear that people believe his career is over. I don't feed into who is better, or the best...basketball on this level is a business and the bottom line is about winning. Nevertheless he finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Lake Show are the reigning champions and if their fearless leader has anything to do with it, they will capture this year's crown. Bryant is sure to show and prove, and when Russell Westbrook needed a hand in his face, Kobe Bean expressed interest in applying the necessary pressure.

There are two things I learned from the Lakers/Thunder series:

• The OKC Thunder have no fear, what they lacked in this round was depth in the front court, and playoff experience. They will add to their roster this summer, and next year every team needs to be on alert.
• The Lakers have all the tools to repeat, however they do not always play to their strength. As they move forward, I believe they will make the necessary tweaks to return to their superior form.

As for everything going on back east...two words: Orlando Magic

Photo: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Home Sweet Home

"Now that I've got your undivided attention..."

Andre 3000 - Hollywood Divorce

The Oklahoma City Thunder have evened the series against the Lake Show at 2 games apiece. Everyone loves an underdog, however Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and company are far from overachievers.

Change

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, with intensity, suspense, and enough highlights to last a lifetime, however there is one team that everyone counted out before they started playing...the OKC Thunder. The main reasons why I believe they have been ignored is because of their small market and they don't have a lot of fanfare or recognition...the other thing that hindered the Thunder was that they are matched up against the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Last night from the start Oklahoma City took the Lakers out of their comfort zone. Defensively they have been able to disrupt shot selection around the basket with blocks are good rotation, and offensively they have attacked the Laker guards with a combination of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Durant is a 7'0" guard causing match up problems across the board and Westbrook, and Harden have found their stride and jump shots.

The series is even and now returns to the city of angels, so the pressure is on both teams to show and prove. The home teams have won all the games, so the first visiting team to win on the road will naturally win and move on to the next round.

A lot has been made about the Lakers' so-called fall from grace, and the tremendous heart and effort of the upstart Thunder.

There is nothing I can write to determine the outcome, so stay tuned for Game 5...it's one game at a time.

Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Future

Rising Star

"You don't see how wild the crowd is..."

Kanye West - Champion

I hadn't seen the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise in person, and since I'm probably the only one of my peers that hasn't...I took a trip to the nation's capital to see what all the fuss was about...

Top Billing

Traffic was a little hectic, or shall I say business as usual on 295 yesterday...so naturally, I arrived a little late to the game...nonetheless fashionable. I watched Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden during their college years, and the talent is there...however things have changed slightly for the better...even for the rookie Harden, as Kevin Durant has extended his calm and maturity to the team.

All of them are going to have nice careers, yet Durant is light years ahead of the league new comers...from his natural ability, height, quickness, poise, and star quality. His game is difficult to explain, and seeing is truly believing.

The argument for the current best is on going...all the while, Durant is on pace to be the best of his era, regardless of position, and or individual awards.

Photo: Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images