VC back to FL

The Orlando Magic have acquired All-Star guard Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets in a five-player trade.The Magic also received forward Ryan Anderson, and sent to the Nets guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston, and forward Tony Battie. This ships the 32-year-old North Carolina product back to his home state of Florida. Carter currently lives in Orlando. The only reason I can see they trade for VC was in case Hedo does not come back. I mean why would why trade a young and up and coming player for a 32 year old man? Or the reason could have been for money as the deal will apparently allow the Nets to clear almost $18 million of cap space for the 2010-11 season. What ever reason, I cannot wait to see how this trade works out for them.

One Win Away

At halftime I thought for sure that the Lakers would have lost an oppurtunity to go up 3-1 but there was still another half to be played. That is when the rally started for the Lakers who won in OT 99-91. Give all the credit to Kobe Bryant, I meant the role players. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points in the third quarter to lead the spark and hit a big three to tie the game. Then you have Robert Horry, [sorry] Derek Fisher who hit the big shot to send the game into overtime. Then Fish hit another one to close the casket for the Magic who blew their chances to steal one again. The reason why the Magic are one game away from being eliminated instead of tying up the series: Free throws! [we won't even blame it on the last play]. If they learn to make those [Dwight & Turkoglu] they would have closed the game out. Now they have to win 3 straight games. OH WELL! On Sunday the Lakers will look to close them out in 5 games. 

Notes: Kobe responded from Game 3 by scoring 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists; Odom & Gasol had a big game on the defensive side; Howard had a good game [besides the FTs] scoring 16 points and 21 boards; they went to the line 17 to the Lakers 0 in the 4th; Van Gundy should really rethink his play calling too [haha..full court trap..with a 3 point lead?]; and will when he learn to put his best players on the floor [Alston played 0 min in the 4th and OT and Lee played only 7 min] ha good stuff!

Staying Alive

Instead of becoming one step closer of closing out the series, the Lakers became one step closer of giving the Magic life again. The Magic won 108-104 behind the Finals record setting 64% field goal percentage.  The biggest help they probably got was from Rafer Alston who came out focused and loose tonight. The past two games I think he was letting the whole Nelson situation get to him. Whatever Van Gundy said to him, it calmed him down and he score 20 points. I mean give the Magic TONS of credit. Rashad Lewis had 19, Turkoglu and Pietrus had 18, and Dwight Howard had 21 and 14 but the game was still not a blowout. The Lakers had a chance to win it down the strectch but Kobe's turnover [trying to do too much] and missed free throws is what cost them the game tonight. Lamar Odom did not help much tonight either. The Lakers missed a great chance to end the series tonight but could not do it. I expect Kobe to bounce back Thursday night and the Lakers to dominate. Kobe know that he is the reason why they lost so he will make sure they win game 4. 

Down...but not Out

Not much to say about this. The King and Co. did what they were suppose to do on a elimination night, playing at home, and that was to win. Lebron James had a triple-double [37 pts, 14 rebs, 12 assists] in tonight's win [112-102]. This was their 9 double digit win out of the 10 wins. The next game is what is the key because the Magic will be at home and they do not want to take a game 7 back to the "Q" Arena. Let's just hope we can get another team performance like we did tonight on Saturday [& hope the Magic miss a lot of shots]. The difference in tonight's game was Mo Williams [24 pts] Delonte West [13 pts] and Daniel Gibson [11 pts] all played well for Cleveland, while Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee combined to hit just 4-of-15 shots and score 12 points in the loss. The series is still 3 games to 2. Now the Cavs have 1 down 2 more to go.

Stat of the Night: Lebron scores 32 of the Cavs 34 points in the 4th.

Update

As I talked about earlier, Derek Fisher has been suspended for game 3. Also Rafer Alston has been suspended for slapping the *** out of Eddie House [haha]. Kobe Bryant on the other hand, just received a slap on the wrist. They said his play [with Artest] was a flagrant 1 foul. Kobe did it so slick and tried to make it look like he did it inadvertently. I know one thing though, "hit me in my [expletive] throat again." LoL, gotta love NBA Playoffs!

In the NFL, Brett Favre ending the rumors of coming back to the NFL [well at least to the Vikings]. He will make his announcement soon about his "retirement". All of this is according to random sources so i caution you with Brett Farve news. You never know what is what until you see it. I just bring it to you when I hear it.  I also reported earlier that Marvin Harrison was done but his agent says that is far from the truth. 

"I played in 15 games last year and a playoff game, and I intend to play again this season." --Marvin Harrison

So I guess he will be waiting for someone to pick him up. Maybe he can get picked up closer to training camps in July.