The Lie We Live

Think Orlando would have won last night without D-Ho's 24 and 24 (including 10 offensive boards)?

Think if we beat them last night there's better than a 30% chance of them making it out of this series?

Think any of this matters anymore?

Even if they suspend Howard for the next game, they get him back for Game 7 at home. That's a lot better look than if he got tossed last night and they happened to lose. And that's not just because of our increased chances of winning last night. It's the psychological weight he would have to carry that he effed up, cost his team a game in the playoffs and put their backs against the wall in this series. That's what he should have been scared of as he watched from the locker room last night. Instead, he got to play it out. If he gets suspended next game, his organization can make him believe that it's unfair. He will feel persecuted instead of regretful and embarassed. Either way, they won last night (in large part because of his dominance on the boards) and now have to be favored to win the series. Even though, look out tomorrow night. The Sixers should be on effin' fire!

I like DiLeo's speaking up not only about the elbow, but the 3 second violations. I'm sure it wasn't totally calculated, and that he was speaking from frustration, but it breathes oxygen into this story. Van Gundy's testy response is actually what ensures that DiLeo's post game comments won't go ignored. Not only does Da' Ho not get tossed after giving someone a nice, connecting elbow, but he also gets to play by a different set of rules on each and every play. He gets to sit in the lane. Then, he gets to bully people cus he's Superman. Same way Shaq could bust Dikembe's lip in the Finals with a swinging elbow, and not get called for it. DiLeo the little guy, standing up for the little guys (his team), and all the other little guys out there. I like it.

I mean, David, if the NBA is just a star machine at the end of the day, and has ceased to be a fairly, judged competitve sport when marketing dollars are on the line, then why not just hand LeBron the title right now so we can all stop pretending? Asshole.