The Thunder's medical staff was off the mark when they ruled Serge Ibaka would miss the remainder of the postseason. In contrast, Ibaka, during his return, was rarely off the mark. He made the first basket of the game, sinking six of seven from the field, on his way to scoring 15 points, while snaring seven rebounds and swatting four shots in the Thunder's win. The Spurs were skeptical Ibaka would sit out the series. Gregg Popovich believed the prognosis on Ibaka's strained calf strained credulity, so San Antonio was prepared for him to play, just not that well. Ibaka starting wasn't as unexpected as Bill Murray barging-in on your bachelor party.* Murray's shown he's agreeable to administering advice to Boston College boys, so pick up the phone if you need a pre-game pep talk tonight, Reggie Jackson.
More fraud than Freud: Lance Stephenson won't be freelancing as a psychologist anytime soon. Stephenson thought he detected a "sign of weakness" from LeBron James when he goaded him into gabbing in game 3, but LeBron switched from strong language to a powerful performance for game 4. Stephenson tried to get in James' head, but that's not the way to get ahead against him^ and now the Pacers appear in over their heads, down 3-1. LeBron paid no mind to the mind games, posting his highest point total of the series, while Stephenson had his lowest, so you could say LeBron beat his brains out. If Stephenson attempts to put James on the couch again, he'll be the one on the couch - watching the Finals from home.
*he popped up that day like a groundhog and is more likely to be seen at a stranger's stag shindig than in Ghostbusters III.
^he should know LeBron's lone visible vulnerability lies on top of his coconut, not inside it; Stephenson can't Rogaine a metal advantage over James.
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