(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

     After struggling for most of the Western Conference Finals, Lamar Odom finally showed up last night and played a huge role in the Lakers 103 to 94 victory Wednesday. Odom finished with a double double scring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The highlight of his night came when he threw down a monster dunk on Nuggets Forward Chris Andersen. Kobe didn’t have to do much as he scored only 22 points. Denver seemed in control for some parts of the game but they could never get a complete hold of the game like they wanted to. Melo scored 31 but in a puzzling move George Karl sat him for almost the first 4 minutes of the 4th quarter. Nene had only 4 points but was the victim of some horrendous officiating. I have no idea how he picked up those last 2 fouls late in the game. Chauncey Billups was also a non-factor as he scored 12 points and was in foul trouble most of the second half. Denver didn’t get their usual bench production from JR Smith and Birdman as they combined for 9 points on a combined 4/17 shooting night. If Denver wants to win this series then the bench is going to have to step up the next 2 games.

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The Denver Nuggets faced a tough scenario if they were to lose tonight and go down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals. However, the Nuggets did not give in and fought their way back to tie the series at 2-2. Carmelo Anthony played after throwing up before the game and then suffered from what looked like a bummed ankle. Melo didn’t have his usual offensive explosion but he didn’t need to. JR Smith absolutely shredded the Laker’s defense. Smith finished with 24 points on 9-17 shooting including 4 three-pointers. Smith ignited the Nuggets with his offensive outburst off the bench but Chauncey Billups was on from the start. Billups also finished with 24 while making a living at the free throw line. Billups went a perfect 9-9 at the line en route to a huge win. The Birdman, Chris Andersen came through yet again with his trademark high energy play off the bench. Birdman finished with only 6 points but also had 14 boards off the bench. Denver won this game with their rebounding. Both Nene and Kenyon Martin finished with double-doubles not to mention Andersen’s 15. Kobe did work as usual scoring 34 points but it just wasn’t enough as he played a nice game of 1 on 5 yet again. The Nuggets are just the better team in my opinion. I like them in 6.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

     So David Ortiz homered for the first time all season. That tells me that he’s been exposed without Manny. Not having Manny behind him has hurt Papi more than we could imagine. It makes teams pitch to him and well quite frankly..he isn’t that great. I’ve always felt he was one of the more overrated players in the L and that’s because he had Manny right there for protection. In 6 years with the Twins his highest home run total was 20. It jumped to 31 after hitting in front of Manny. Last year he only finished with 23 homers while batting .264. That tells the whole story right there. He’s been exposed ever since Manny was dealt and he isn’t the player many thought he was. To me he’s basically a glorified DH.

(AP Photo/Mark Avery)

     I know its hard to believe that a team could steal a game at home but tonight it happened. The Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets tonight 105-103 in LA. Denver was in control almost all game long. Until Derek Fisher and his annoying 3-pointers came at horrible times. Melo had an amazing game. I think he might be the best pure scorer in the league right there with Kevin Durant and Gilbert Arenas. Kobe was sensational finishing with 40 points and 6 boards. The rest of the Lakers were somewhat disappointing though, especially Pau Gasol. Nene and K-Mart dominated him all night and Chris Anderson did as well. JR Smith struggled for the Nuggets. He had a lot of stupid turnovers that really hurt them at key moments of the game. Kenyon Martin also had a horrible foul on Kobe going for a steal late in the game that really turned the game in the Lakers favor. Chauncey Billups hit a miracle 3 and then the Nuggets couldn’t get the rebound off a JR Smith intentionally missed free throw. Kobe got the board and just threw the ball in the air and the game was over.  The Lakers really stole this one but I still have Denver winning the series. the Lakers have a ton of weaknesses and I think the Nuggets front court can have a big series for them. Give me Denver in game 2.

PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

     Tonight the NBA help their annual draft lottery. Coming out on top were the Los Angeles Clippers, a team very few expected to win the top pick. The Clippers beat out 13 other teams including the Sacramento Kings who ended up with pick 4. That sucks because they had the highest chance at a top pick. The Clippers will almost certainly take Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin. Griffin is the clear cut top player coming into the NBA this year. He’s a tremendous athlete with tremendous rebounding ability.

Elsa/Getty Images

      So everybody knows that when a team wins their sport’s championship whether it be the NBA Finals, The World Series and in this case The Superbowl, those teams visit the White House and get a chance to meet the president. Tell that to Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Harrison feels like he shouldn’t go. Harrison was quoted as saying, “I don’t feel the need to go, actually, I don’t feel like it’s that big a deal to me.” According to Harrison, if the Cardinals had won the Superbowl then Obama would’ve invited them. Uh…memo to James, that’s usually what happens when a team wins the Superbowl. Maybe it really isn’t that important to Harrison but the reasoning he’s using not to go just baffles me. Why not go celebrate the occasion with the teammates who gave everything for you to succeed and get that Superbowl?

James P. McCoy / Buffalo News

     Terrell Owens had his first practice with his new team today, but that was only the beginning of what turned out to be a pretty good day for the former Cowboy receiver. After practice he filmed for his new reality show that will be shown on VH1. He then he got a key to the city of Buffalo from the Mayor himself (wouldn’t it suck if T.O. was an absolute bust for them?). He joked around with the media for a while and said, “This is nothing.” Comparing this experience to all the attention he received in both Philly and Dallas. Owens impressed a lot of people in practice as well.  Apparently he made a brilliant play going up against Terrence McGee where he stretched out his arms all the way and caught the ball for a touchdown. This season could be very good for T.O. but it could also be very bad. Hopefully he keeps his head on straight and produces on the field.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

     The Brewers found out that they’d be without second baseman Rickie Weeks for the remainder of the year. Weeks suffered a tear in his left wrist Sunday after striking out in St. Louis. Weeks was off to a solid start batting .274 with 9 homers and 24 RBI’s while slugging .517. Huge loss for the Brewers who look to compete for the NL Central division this year.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

     The Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets took care of business early and eliminated their opponents easily. Neither series went past 5 with the Cavs sweeping Atlanta and the Nuggets cruising past Dallas 4-1. Today both teams found out who they’d be playing in the conference finals.

     Denver is going to face a Laker team that has been inconsistent to say the least. Twice they made it look like they were unbeatable in their 2nd round series, but at times they also looked horrific. It seemed like Kobe was playing 1 on 5 the whole time while the other 4 guys didn’t even play. For the Lakers to even have a chance in this series, Kobe’s supporting cast is going to have to show up and play well. Denver is a very deep team that has both size and speed. They match up well with the Lakers and to be honest, I see Denver winning this series in no less than 6 games. Who’s going to guard Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey? If Derek Fisher had trouble with Aaron Brooks, then imagine how much trouble Billups will give him. Another thing working for Denver is that Nene and Kenyon Martin have been stellar thus far in the postseason. Not to mention that the Birdman will be back at 100% for this series. If Luis Scola dominated Pau, then Nene and K-Mart should have no problem doing the same. My prediction is Nuggets in 5. 

     On to the east where Cleveland and Orlando will match up for the right to play in the NBA Finals. This series could go either way because Orlando just won a huge game 7 in Boston and may steal game 1 in Cleveland if the Cavs come out rusty due to the long layoff. If this happens then Orlando can definitely pull off the upset. Dwight Howard should give them problems all series but I think Cleveland is too strong for the Magic. If Jameer Nelson was playing this might be a tougher call but I think LeBron and Mo Williams will be way too much for the Magic to handle. Look for Mo to have a huge series as he’ll have Rafer Alston guarding him most of the time. My prediction is Cavs in 6.