This is 40 (and 10)

This is 40 (and 10)
During his moving MVP speech, Kevin Durant told Russell Westbrook, who's regularly under fire for firing off scads of shots, he had his back (it was the lead taking a supporting role). Westbrook paid back the praise by bringing the Thunder back into the series, tying it at 2-2, behind his 40 points, 10 assists and 5 steals, which were all figures greater than what the Spurs starting lineup totaled (although Popovich, perhaps channeling the Commander-in-Chief, pulled his charges out before the conflict concluded, too). Westbrook became only the second player in postseason history to notch those numbers, joining the rare air of Michael Jordan, who did it in 1989, when Westbrook was one and pampered in a completely different way.

When Durant stood up for Westbrook, it stood out - and a standout effort from Westbrook was exactly what the Thunder needed.
Westbrook can always find the basket, but he's at his best when he's finding teammates, too. Durant, who had his series-high with 31, wasn't just accepting an award, he was accepting his amigo, along with any of his friend's flaws, which are few. Durant demonstrated he'll share credit, now Westbrook is showing he'll share the ball. That makes them two of a kindness.

ReSergence

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.

A River Walk in the Park

The Thunder are missing their shot blocker, while the Spurs aren't missing shots (averaging 53.8% from the field), thus nothing is blocking the Spurs path to the basket - or the finals. The Thunder have become the Thuner, their 'd' has disappeared in Ibaka's absence. The advice to go inside when you see lightning apparently also applies to when you see Thunder, as the Spurs have put up 66 and 54 points in the paint. Oklahoma City has done nothing to deter San Antonio from long distance, either, as the Spurs have hit nine threes in each game. When that many triples are going in, they won't have trouble reaching triple digits on the scoreboard.

Sans Serge, the Thunder can't survive the Spurs surges. The Thunder lost by more than twice as many points in game 2 as they did in game 1 - and the first contest wasn't close (if this trend continues, the margin will mushroom to 71 Sunday). If the Thunder can't block field goals, they'll at least want to block out these blowouts from their brains. We've watched cats more willing to confront attackers this week. Is it too late for the Thunder to sign Tara*? We'd be feline better about their chances if they did.

His Barkley is worse than his bite: Charles Barkley has never been afraid to weigh-in with his opinion, especially on the weight of women in San Antonio, but the wisecrack is wearing thin. Jokes aren't like buffet lines, you can't go back to them as much as you like. Particularly for someone who remembers pie a la mode as much as the Alamo. Interviewing Danny Green after Game 2 in the arena, he acknowledge the throng's taunts "I just want them to know they suck, too." However, he stopped short of shouting at them to "Shut up and Jam!"

*she's already tried her paw at baseball

Cleveland Streamer

Cleveland didn't stand much of a chance. Then again, it usually doesn't. The odds of the Cavaliers drawing the first pick in the draft lottery were 1.7% - or slightly higher than LeBron rejoining them. The city that staunchly supports the Browns, but not so much Mike Brown, won the number one overall selection for the third time in four years. Truthfully, it's the best three-peat the club could hope for after LeBron left.

Last season, they squandered it on Anthony Bennett, who fellow canuck Justin Bieber would be justified in chucking eggs at*. Akin to another Toronton, Rob Ford, Bennett wasn't all he was cracked up to be (it's baby steps for the latter, 12-steps for the former). The ball bounces their way, they just have to wait until their season is over for it to happen.

If Lady Luck wasn't smiling on the Cavs last night, then it was the gorgeous grin of Mallory Edens, the teenage daughter^ of the incoming Bucks owner, who gained over 19,000 Twitter followers after her appearance (they may have found the face of the franchise prior to picking a player). If only Milwaukee - who had a 25% probability, yet slid to second - could attract that many season-ticket buyers.

*there's Johnny Football's first assignment

^she's 18, so she's draft and dating-eligible

The Price is Write

Now that the Warriors have been eliminated from the postseason, Harrison Barnes has some free time and he'll use it to sign stuff for free. As a token of thanks to fans, Barnes announced on Facebook he will give his autograph away gratis this summer. The second-year player from Ames, Iowa aims to please.

You name it and he'll write his name on it. The memorabilia must be mailed to his P.O. box, along with an explanation of why you want him to scrawl on your souvenirs (because you can't afford an inscription from Harrison Ford isn't an acceptable answer). He does caution there could be delays due to his TV viewing and video game playing (apparently, his first duty is to Call of Duty), so senders might not receive their object until the fall if Barnes is immersed in Titanfall.

His policy puts some pressure on the similarly surnamed Matt Barnes - and his teammates, too (David Lee will have to waive his fee and Andre Iguodala will stop charging top dollar). Still, this is no small gesture by the small forward For starters (which, he's not), it's a great way to forge a friendship with followers* (you can call him your "nonPayPal"). Secondly, it's a smart strategy to stand out on social media. This could become Barnes' signature move.

*and us if he'd be willing to forge Stephen Curry's John Hancock on a jersey

Terms of Encroachment

Jack Nicholson, a fixture in the front row at Lakers games, was courtside to watch the Clippers last night. This is what happens when the franchise finally has A Few Good Men. He's As Good As It Gets for celebrities at Clippers games (that much is Billy Crystal clear). Sadly, it wasn't The Shining moment the club had hoped for, as it lost its series to the Thunder. Jack, you can't be an L.A. basketball bigamist*; you must select a squad to support, so Something's Gotta Give.

Golden State Corral: Steve Kerr is likely to incur the wrath of Phil Jackson. It appeared a foregone conclusion that Kerr would coach the Knicks, but now he's gone to the Warriors, who hired another guard-turned-TNT broadcaster (a few seasons donning a headset and you're all set to be a head up a team, brass believes). This turn of events likely has Jackson feeling disKerraged. Remember, Phil, if at first you don't succeed, try, triangle again.

Time passed, but he didn't: Talk about jersey pride. Steve Francis wore his own, old top to a Houston playoff game and was resoundingly reproached for his Rockets regalia. What, did you expect him to be clad in a Cuttino Mobley one*? After a player is through playing basketball, is his uniform supposed to collect mothballs? All his clothing choice conveyed is that Stevie Franchise hasn't moved on, while the franchise has.

That's two bad: Mike Brown was let go by Cleveland for the second time in four years Monday. Deja vu is even eerier when it involves Dan Gilbert (and occurs near Lake Erie). How does that proverb go? Fire me once, shame on you; fire me twice, shame on me. Any chagrin Brown has will become a grin because he had four years left on his contract, plus he's still collecting checks from his quintet of games with the Lakers. Brown has learned layoffs payoff.

*what's know as letting "The Big Cat" out of the laundry bag

^a Jack of all teams

Patella Us About It

Greg Oden has been under the knife a lot (so much so that if he had a TV special to proclaim his plan to play in Miami, it would've been titled, "The Incision"), but this time he dissected himself. In an interview with Grantland, the number one overall pick in 2007 granted, "I know I'm one of the biggest busts in NBA history." However, he did not follow that up by saying, "It's just Kwame, myself and I."

Somewhere, fellow Blazers bust Sam Bowie - who at this point, Oden would have to kneel before (if he's even capable of it) - is nodding his head in agreement with that assessment. Both big men are picked on for where they were picked, but even more for who was picked after them: Jordan and Durant, respectively. It turned out the chosen ones were not the ones chosen first.

Oden, who's missed more time than an unwound watch, is aware that both his body and body of work are deficient."It's frustrating that my body can't do what my mind wants it to do sometimes," the center conceded. Toddlers everywhere empathize with you, Greg.

We tip our (knee)cap to Oden for taking a complete and critical look at himself, something not enough scouts did. To be fair, Oden did bust (there's that word again) his behind rehabbing for years to return to the league. If this winds up being his last season, Oden is still assured a place in history. At the very least, he'll be the answer to a tibia, er, trivia question.