5 points, 2-5 shooting, 1-7 from the free throw line and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. I guess thats Shaq's "No more Mr. Nice Guy" line in an NBA finals game. Of course, it wasn't really possible to tell whether he played like total shit or not, because the Mavericks absolutely smothered him each and every time he touched the ball, with especially fantastic performances from Diop and Dampier, who Shaq probably won't be referring to as "Ericka" again for the rest of the series. Although there were some great offensive moments, I tonight was the best defense in a single game that I've ever seen the Mavs play. They shut down Shaq and basically did the same to Wade, while holding the rest of the team in check with solid coverage on almost every Heat possession.

Dirk and Howard were obviously back on their games, and Stackhouse was absolutely killer with those 3s. Harris played well too, and even Damps got in on the scoring with a rare fast break dunk. Tonight, we looked like an NBA finals team, and they looked like a second round exit Eastern Conference team at best. That being said, Tuesday in Miami will be a very tough game to win. The crowd will be going nuts, and Pat Riley (along with the rest of the world) knows that this is a must win for his guys, and he'll have them ready to play. However, I can't help but feel that we have done everything we could have possibly wanted to, and I feel much more comfortable in this series than I ever did in either the Phoenix or San Antonio series. It also feels good to know that if any team in Mavericks history could win this next game in Miami, its this year's squad, lead by a guy who is coach of the year, and already clearly the best in Mavericks history.

Oh, and a message to the anti-sports people: get ready for fun, because USA World Cup coverage starts tomorrow.

if you check out the rest of their events, it's not like the bands that play get much better.... best show i ever saw there was probably brian jonestown massacre... they played alright, but anton was a non-factor and they just played their set anton said "ok we're gonna get outta here because i don't feel so good" and they left. very anti-climactic... as is, it seems, every show i saw at the opolis during my four years in college (during at least 3 of those four years it was open)

whatever, the opolis is cool as an idea but fucking lame at the same time.

...they treat bands like SHIT there.

and every touring act i've seen plays an awful show @ the opolis. you'd do better in norman to try and play a place like the deli.

Yes, BTD is bad... and what's worse.. they have somehow convinced The Opolis a very interesting and cool DIY venue in Oklahoma City that they are not a joke... someone needs to email the Opolis and tell them about BTD. It would only be fair.

BTD is pretty bad.

Yay Mexico! Kicked Iran where it hurts yesterday in the World Cup!

i like the sports talk more than the music talk on here recently.

and shaq got fined 10,000 bucks and the heat got fined 25,000 bucks because he refused to do postgame interviews.

kazaaaaaaaaaam!

i'd say the east, in recent history, has sucked.

...the pistons were suprisingly good, but the rest of the teams are not that great. the heat were only considered good b/c of their playoff performance against the pistons.

...but i'd say, top to bottom, the mavs played not only in the harder conference, but the hardest division w/in that conference (hence us getting a 4 seed while having the second best record in our conference)

i mean, the east had teams that were BARELY (if even) over 50% get to the playoffs.

this will all probably change a good bit b/c of the "arrival" of lebron james (not to mention our current foe dwyane wade... who will only get better, and just cause we're stopping him doesn't mean he isn't terrific) as one of the leagues youngest and best tallents.

but, to me, the east was considered (and sorta still so) a joke up untill the point where the pistons managed to kill the lakers in the finals a way back.....but even then, the most exciting seriesssss to watch were those leading up to the western conference title.

...they got good players, but they ain't got no teams

and haven't since... god knows when. (i'll give them the pistons, and then laugh at the pistons for losing)

That game got boring quick last nite. I though Miami was going to be a challenge? Does the East just suck compared to the West? I don't follow b-ball that much except for playoffs. Mavs looked dominant last night.

World Cup... sweet... I'm trying to get into it this year.

NO MORE FUCKING SPORTS, lets make fun of black tye dynasty.

I have a feeling the next game is going to be tough!!! For some reason I think that Shaq is going to have one really good game at some point in the series... but only one! Either way we can take them.

The Czech Republic are going to have their asses handed to them tomorrow!

shaq is such a teddy bear