Well, that was some thrilling playoff basketball...

The atmosphere was brilliant before the game, and incredible during the game until the 8 minute mark of the first quarter, then it turned to Hell.

Clearly, the Sonics were not ready to play tonight. All the Spurs did was take advantage of poor offense and even poorer defense from a young Seattle team that was simply not prepared for the highest level of intensity. The Sonics allowed some pathetic officiating to get into their heads, and they completely collapsed once their big lead disappeared. Young teams do this I guess, and I imagine we'll be seeing plenty of this when the Rockets play in the postseason.

I still see the Sonics taking this series to five games, but it looks like the Cat will win the bet, and get to choose my signature for a month. This team is not ready to win a series. Still, going from a projected twelth-place finish to taking a higher-seeded team to five games will be quite an accomplishment.

Once again, it was one quarter that killed Seattle. They need to learn how to keep the intensity level the same throughout all 48 minutes. Both teams are extremely talented (Duncan is for the Spurs, anyway), the difference is experience.

At least I have better seats for game four. Lower level baby!



Just a few more things I'd like to note about my first playoff "experience":

-The noise level from the fans was ridiculous. A close fourth quarter regular season game noise level wouldn't even approach the volume of the Seattle fans during the first quarter. Amazing...

-It is quite clear that the timeouts are extended for NBC games. The number of commercials is pathetic. Most timeouts were about three minutes long.

-Can we please stop calling little reach-in fouls? Let the players play damnit! This is the playoffs! Intensity and rough play is exciting, not watching the same team go to the line for ten consecutive posessions.

-And if you insist on making those calls, call them consistently on BOTH ends.

-Kenny G. performed the national anthem, and held the "land of the free" note for about three minutes. Pretty impressive...

-Popovich is a moron. There is no reason to call a timeout when your team is up by 25 in the fourth quarter. I have always hated that about him, and I always will. I felt like dropping bricks on his head, which I had a pretty good view of.

-I maintain that the Spurs are a one-man show. Teams need to be decisive when playing against them. Either double and triple-team Duncan every time down and let the other Spurs beat you, or let Duncan score and shut everyone else down. The Sonics didn't do either. They let the others go off, and they let Duncan score at will. That can't happen, and it won't when the Lakers take them on.


Just win game four Seattle. The Spurs might take the series, but at least I'll get to experience a playoff win!

And now, to get drunk...