There's not often much to love about the NBA, but each spring the playoffs seem to provide the kind of moments you long for: meaningful buzzer-beaters, true MVP-like performances and some wonderful flagrant fouls.
With Ron
Artest riding a two-game ejection streak and the Rockets on the ropes, there's no way I'm going to miss today's Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the
Lakers. It's really a shame that
Yao Ming won't be around, but even if L.A. takes early control this afternoon, there will be good reason to keep watching. Especially considering that Derek Fisher will be making his first appearance since leveling Luis
Scola, there could be a full
throwdown. At least that's what I'll be watching for.
Hell, with any more injuries or ejections, former Big Ten Player of the Year Brian Cook may actually see some minutes for the Rockets too. The one-time
Laker had some pretty good games back when he donned the ugly purple and yellow threads. Cook played the role now owned by Trevor
Ariza, ironically the player for whom Cook was traded to Orlando.
Ariza is a little thinner and more athletic, and I'm guessing he doesn't have the attitude problem that BC has been known to flash every once in a while.
My old U of I boy has only played six minutes this series, but what better time to drop some bombs on your old team? Honestly, though, it's more likely he'll only appear today in junk time.
Prediction:
Lakers 94, Rockets 76.
