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Oklahoma City Thunder• Western Conference #2 seed | Season record: 59-23BACKDROP: As my buddy Jezmund refers to him, Kevin Durant is my business card. He is the face of the Thunder and has been since they made the move from Seattle six seasons ago. When I first glimpsed Kevin Durant play for the Texas Longhorns, I, and others blessed with the gift of sight, knew he was a superstar. He was to become my new Dominique Wilkins, AKA The Guy I Pinned My Hopes On. While on my stag in Las Vegas, I met Kevin in a library (picture attached). At the same literary function, Lebron James, just a few days removed from The Decision, had dined at the table next to mine, and was now watching an underpaid busboy zipline above the, oh, lets say microfiche, in a freshly minted Miami #6 jersey, while Durant roamed the room without entourage, looking like the worlds tallest Abercrombie salesman. I felt comfortable in my choice of next generation icons.CURRENT TEAM: Durant, the newly crowned MVP of the league, is unquestionably the face of the franchise according to everyone not named Russell Westbrook. Born without a brake pedal or a conscience, Russell likes to shoot the rock. These two alpha dogs have had difficulty meshing when it counts most, suffering five game dispatches the past three seasons, including 2012s Finals loss to Miami. Unlike the ongoing question which arises every postseason— "Why isnt the ball in KDs hands?"—now the team has a more desperate problem. Third banana, Serge Ibaka, a superstar in his own right as a two time 1st Team All Defender is out for the remainder of the playoffs. Expect gritty play from Steven Adams and Nick Collison, but it will be hard sledding against Tim Duncan to overcome losing the best shot blocker in the game.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Beyond the sky-high likeability factor of Durantula, you may not want to root against a team that seems to have this years lucky streak on its side. Despite Ibakas injury, a ton has gone right for OKC in surprising ways this postseason, and perhaps after years of being labeled with the "next great team" status, the lords of basketball have decided for the breaks to go to tornado country. The Thunder were handed a gift when Zach Randolph was suspended for the final game of the Memphis series (a terrible decision by the league—if this was 1990, he may not have even been called for a foul). Then there was the bizarrely botched officiating at the end of Game 5 versus the Clippers, which effectively handed the game to OKC, and shifted the tide in the series. Do you really want to bet against the team with the best sixth man since James Harden? (That sixth man being the officiating crew.)Indiana Pacers• Eastern Conference #1 seed | Season record: 56-26BACKDROP: The state of Indiana is synonymous with basketball, even if the pro team has never won a title. Gene Hackman and his Hoosiers. Bobby Knight and his temper. Larry Bird and his hair. But the Pacers havent had a compelling national brand since Reggie Miller exchanged pleasantries with a courtside Spike Lee. Last year, for the first time without Reggie on the roster, the Pacers emerged under Paul George as a genuine force, making the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would lose to Miami in a slug-it-out seven game affair. They knew they were young and they were close. By mid-January of this year, they were the best team on the planet. Then something happened...CURRENT TEAM: The Trade. Before Larry Legend swapped the once face of the franchise, Danny Granger, for the overrated Evan Turner, the Pacers had the leagues best record at 42-13. After the trade, 14-13. They acquired Turner because bench play was the teams undoing in 2013 and making moves to strengthen it were necessary and advised. But whether it was the fault of Turner or other personalities in the locker room, the team unraveled (Turner and fellow Pacer, and known irritant, Lance "Born Ready" Stephenson, engaged in a fist fight last month, marking a nadir in the teams descent). Defence, the hallmark of the team, suddenly faltered. The offence stalled. Only recently has David West emerged as the emotional leader, and the team has clawed its way against lesser Eastern Conference opponents to the third round. Cue the rematch.(Sidenote: Top picks Lebron James, Tim Duncan, and near top picks Durant, Westbrook, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, etc., havent been the signature of these Pacers. Indiana hasnt selected above the #10 spot since George McCloud in 1989. Evan Turner, selected second overall by the 76ers, was the teams first foray into the top of the draft in many years. Paul George was taken at 10, Hibbert at 17. West, 18. Stephenson, 40. Scola, 56. I havent worked out this theory entirely, but I think Turners draft slot impacted the Pacers internal harmony.)WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Because you want to join me in rooting for the current member of "Team 29". You may never tack a picture of David West up on your wall, but you can still look yourself in the mirror with pride after rooting for him. The same cannot be said for Dwyane Wade.Miami Heat• Eastern Conference #2 seed | Season record: 54-28BACKDROP: Sadly, it is possible that one day we will argue over whether The King, blessed be He, correctly predicted winning seven or eight titles. Ugh. The Heat. Two-time defending champs. Three-time finalists. All time cocky bastards. The road team, but still heavy favourites to win the series. Further proof that the city of Miami is the Cosmo Kramer of the sports world—falling ass backwards into success. The fans ignore their losing teams, barely support their winning teams, and they still win championships (even the Florida Panthers have played for a Stanley Cup more recently than the Maple Leafs).CURRENT TEAM: Lebron James and fourteen other people paid to play (and often witness) basketball near Lebron James. As the lone quasi-big market team left among the final four, Im certain Adam Silver and the NBA brass (read: broadcasters) want to see the Heat in the Finals (read into that however you like, scholars of NBA officiating). This Heat team isnt as deep as seasons past, but in the final year of guaranteed contracts for the infamous Big 3, they still have plenty of firepower, as their solitary playoff loss attests.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: When you watch Die Hard, you root for Hans Gruber to get back his detonators. If an elderly man slips into a silt-soaked puddle, you chuckle. While others cheer for the upstart Rocky Balboa, you find yourself more of an Apollo Creed booster. You are reading this on a Samsung Galaxy. You thought Bambis mother had it coming. Welcome to your Miami Heat years.Gallays Poll #10Q: Who will you be rooting for?(A) San Antonio. Because a fifth championship would cement them for all time.(B) Oklahoma City. Because Kevin Durant was the MVP for a reason.(C) Indiana. Because Larry Legend is due for a return to the winners podium.(D) Miami. Because I need something to do when Im not kicking kittens. Kenny Britt Jersey . Canadas 5-1 loss to Finland in the semifinal ranks as the tournaments most-watched game with a record 2.7 million viewers, the largest ever for a World Juniors game played outside of North America, and winning Saturday as the most-watched program on Canadian television. New England Patriots Jerseys . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. http://www.patriotsfanaticstores.com/au ... -jersey/.J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. Trent Brown Patriots Jersey . "I knew it was gone. I mean, I felt it," the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year said. "I havent felt like that in a while. I havent got extension on a ball in a pretty long time. Jordan Matthews Jersey . Marie rink got back in the win column at the Olympic mens curling tournament with a 7-4 win over the host Russian squad on Wednesday. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- With the ball coming at nearly 100 mph, Chase Headley was merely trying to get the bat to meet it. Once that happened, the rest was automatic. Headley homered in the ninth inning off Aroldis Chapman, the first hit the hard-throwing lefty allowed since his return from being hit in the head by a line drive, and the San Diego Padres beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Padres got their season-high fourth straight win despite managing only three hits. Seth Smith had the only two hits that Mike Leake allowed in the first eight innings. Headley connected on a 99 mph fastball from Chapman (0-1), who was making his second appearance since undergoing surgery after being struck in the forehead during a spring training game. He had a plate inserted above his left eye and nose. "Hes a guy thats throwing with tremendous velocity," Headley said. "So you cant try to do too much. You just try to get the barrel to it. Hes one of those guys that if youre able to get the barrel to it, he really supplies some power for you." His fourth homer made the difference and provided another indication that hes fully recovered from a strained right calf that sidelined him for much of spring training and landed him on the disabled list on April 25. He returned last Saturday and hit a three-run homer. "I dont think he was quite hitting on all cylinders when the season started," manager Bud Black said. Joaquin Benoit (1-0) allowed a walk in the eighth. Huston Street got the last three outs for his 12th save in as many chances. Street hasnt allowed a run in his last 10 innings. Smith was the NLs most recent player of the week and extended his hitting streak to nine games, matching his career high. Hes 19 for 34 during the streak. The rest of San Diegos lowly offence didnt do much until Headley connected with two outs in the top of the ninth. The Padres came in last in the league in batting average and scoring. Brandon Phillips had three of Cincinnatis seven hits, including an RBI single in the first inning. Cincinnati has 12 one-run losses, most in the majors. "Those are what were most upset about," Reds catcher Brayan Pena said. "We know werre better than that.dddddddddddd Our starters are doing a tremendous job giving us a chance. Leake gave us more than we asked for. We couldnt hit for him today." The Padres activated Carlos Quentin off the disabled list for the start of the series, moving their lineup closer to full strength. The outfielder missed the first 39 games with a bruised left knee. He went 3 for 18 during a minor league rehab stint and was 0 for 3 with a walk in his return. Andrew Cashner got a no-decision despite allowing only one run over seven innings, a common theme to his season. The right-hander has pitched well, but gotten little support from his offence. The Padres have scored only one run in the last 25 innings while hes been on the mound. They managed only one Tuesday night. Cashner gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out six. Cashner pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out threat in the sixth by getting Chris Heisey to hit into a forceout at home and Zack Cozart to pop out. "That changed the game," Cashner said. Smith doubled in the fourth and scored on Jedd Gyorkos sacrifice fly that tied it at 1. The right fielder also prevented the Reds from putting together a big inning in the first. Billy Hamilton led off with a triple and scored on Phillips single. Joey Votto followed with a single to right, but Smith threw him out as he tried for second on the play. Todd Frazier extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games, the longest by a Red this season. NOTES: The Padres recalled RHP Kevin Quackenbush from Triple-A El Paso. They optioned utility player Kyle Blanks to El Paso and put RHP Dale Thayer on paternity leave. ... Ian Kennedy (2-4) faces Johnny Cueto (3-2) in the second game of the series. Kennedy is 3-0 career against Cincinnati. Cueto leads the NL with a 1.43 ERA. ... C Devin Mesoraco (hamstring) and LHP Tony Cingranci (shoulder) could be activated during the Reds upcoming trip. RHP Mat Latos, sidelined all season by knee surgery and a sore forearm, isnt expected back until the first week of June. ... The Reds havent made an error in their last eight games, a season high. They have only 12 errors, fewest in the majors. Wholesale Jerseys 2019 China NFL Gear Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo ' ' '