Second Quarter

There's a woman behind me that is screeching and screaming upon every play and has among the most abrasive voices I've ever heard. Picture a hoarse parrot in middle aged human form and that's this lady. I would give polly a cracker just to put something in her yap so she can't talk.

Plus, and I'm not quite sure who the culprit is (although I'm pretty sure it's an older gent reasonbly within my vicinity), but someone in the media seating seriously stinks. Bad. Like rotten feet mixed with expired menthol. I hope the blogger nation appreciates what I'm enduring to bring you the news as it happen.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Phil's gonna chat with the team about taking perhaps a touch less 3's in the second half. And probably in a somewhat loud tone.

Okay, other Lakers. See how Kobe took the ball inside, missed, got his own rebound, stayed inside, then scored. Go do that!

Glad to see LO recognized that mismatch Bell guarding Kwame and immediately got the rock inside to him. Again, slow it down and remember what was working.

That last three by Sasha worked because they had the ball inside first, as opposed to working it from around the perimeter the whole time.

When the hell did the previously and constantly maligned Sasha Vujacic become the rock star? The crowd just gave Slovenia's favorite son a Kobe-esque standing O. Hit a few three's and all of a sudden you're a golden boy. Nicely done, kid.

Seem this is why I wish Kwame had worked with Kareem the entire season (as opposed to just recently, as I believe he is now). Because he can't hit a hook shot beyond two feet to save his life.

Unbelievable awareness by Kobe, getting that ball behind him to LO, who drew the foul on Thomas. That, my friends, is clutch. 

End of the half. Lakers, 49. Suns, 44. It looked like things were getting a little too "Sunny" for a bit, but the last couple posessions seemd a little more reminiscent of what got them a 2-1 advantage in the first place. Slow everything down and unless your name is Sasha (and I can't believe I just typed that), nobody should be shooting 3's unless you're more open than Jerry's Famous Deli. That's a joke, because they never close.

Anyway, time to get an iced tea. See ya in a bit.

Third Quarter

Okay, I'm back. Saw D-Fish (in a sweet, Hugh Hefner-esque, cordouroy magenta blazer) down in the media area. Seemed to be happy to visit his old house. And it was a bit of a historic moment for me, as I got a close up gander at Cindy Crawford for the first time ever. Let me tell y'all something. That ain't all airbrushing working for her. Not exactly an ugly woman. Also in the house: Author Jose Canseco, wearing what was probably a $300 tank top and sunglasses. Loser.

Kwame Brown with the dish to Smush. We're starting to enter "anything can happen" territory.

Let me say right now. If Kwame doesn't get tossed, consider yourselves as fans very lucky.

Seriously, y'all. Be very happy that was just a T on Kwame. A different set of refs and he could have gotten easily been bounced. Especially since he lorded over Diaw after he flipped him.  I like how the team's all fired up, but they gotta make sure they don't let emotions go goony bird.

I'm telling ya, Luke Walton is turning into the X-factor of this series in a way I'd have never predicted. The guy has really cranked his game another notch. It used to really mystify me how much he was struggling, because the guy seems literally born to thrive in the triangle. But after some rough patches, he's really in a groove.

All in all, Kwame's having a nice game.  But I'm not sure I've ever seen a seven footer with less ability to make a layup. He's gotta learn how to do that.

Straight up. No doubt. Kobe got ROBBED on that block. All ball and he basically got penalized for how hard Barbosa fell.

Nash and LO trade back to back treys to knot it up at 70. I gotta say, this is seriously fun game. This is easily the best first round series of the playoffs.

And the crowd's chanting "Kwame" while he's at the stripe. Ain't what they used to yell his way back in December and January. Man, has the tide turned for this guy in a good way.

There's a lady behind me (not the hoarse-parrot woman) who keeps frantically yelling "Kwame! Shoot it!" and doesn't seem aware that Kwame's actually on the bench right now. I believe she may have started the cocktail hour at about 2 this afternoon.

End of the third. Lakers, 77. Suns 74. Ladies and gentleman, this has turned into a dogfight. It's all about who wants it the most at this point.

Fourth Quarter

Do Cook and Kwame go to the same class to learn layups? If so, I'd think about transferring to a different university. A finishing school, perhaps?? Good night everybody! Thank you! Don't forget to tip your waitress! The 10' o' clock show is completely different from the 7:30.

I'm not criticizing, but just out of curiousity: If Kobe throws "X" amount of behind the back bounce passes during the third game of a playoff series, does he get a free latte or something?

Did I just get magically transported to Philadelphia without realizing it? C'mon, Lakers fans. Yelling "Phoenix sucks" while Tim Thomas is down and hurt. Not classy. You can do better than that.

All right, they're doing the Bob Seger "Hollywood Nights" montage and thee place just went absolutely bonkers for Rick Fox and D-Fish, who actually had to motion for the crowd to sit down. They also showed aging KISS singer Paul Stanley, who looks like the love child of Howard Stern and Bea Arthur. And yes, that's every bit as sexy as you're picturing it.

As much as I often think bitching to the refs is pointless and counterproductive, I kinda like seeing Luke do it after that loose ball whistle. I think it would do him good to make his presence known a bit with the refs, especially with him being so involved with things lately.

And there you have it! Lakers 99. Phoenix 92. And you gotta give it up to Phoenix, too. They played with hella intensity, too. They wanted this one in a big way. But unfortunately for them, so did the Lakers. And just to clarify, in case you weren't positive, the game was every bit as exciting live as it seemed from your TV, radio, or internet connection.

FYI. I'm right next to Stu as he's about to do a broadcast. Everyone's yelling to him and he's giving them the thumbs up back. He also flashed them some NBA bling. Although now they keep yelling at him as he's trying to get his segment going, and he's starting to look a bit annoyed.

More tommorrow. Thanks for tuning in.

AK