While sipping some tea, and enjoying a lovely NBA Sunday, I almost snorted tea out my nose.

Right as my lips pressed against my cup, Joe Crawford, a well-respected longtime NBA ref begins pointing his finger wildly at the Spurs bench

- calling out Tim Duncan. For what? Laughing?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Are you serious?

So ol’ Joe gave Timmy the official boot from the game for his 2nd tech, apparently for ‘mocking’ his call? It was hilarious. If I was a Spurs fan, I would probably not be taking this so lightly. Seconds later, Spurs bring the ball up the floor, and Oberto gets called for an offensive foul, when it appears Josh Howard was the one knocking him down. I dunno, I question those two calls, but then again, I’m not down on the court. I don’t know if Tim indeed did say something or use some sort of disrespecful body language that may have warranted that call. But at any rate, this is definitely why I love this game. The tension before playoffs, the drama, all the power-teams getting headstrong right before do-or-die times.

Everyone always says how Tim Duncan is a respectable player because he’s a gentle giant. You remember how David Robinson was always commended for being truly a clean-mannered, good-sported basketball player. Similarily Tim probably possesses those stoic qualities, although I’m sure he’s no saint. (but then again, in today’s day and age, who truly is?) It surprises me that the refs would find something on him – which is why I was laughing even more. Oh, basketball drama. Gotta love it!
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Neck & neck though, this game has been exciting to watch, you just dont know who’s going to have it. The Mavs are exceptionally strong this year, I think their season record speaks for itself – but if you actually watch their games, you’ve gotta wonder how Dirk does it? I would love to watch Dirk’s practice regimen. Just to confirm that success truly does derive from hard work. Perfection in your shot has to be attributed to your dedication. Other A+ Players like Kobe Bryant can attest to that. Not anyone can score that much without having practiced to get their shot down to an automatic precision. I see it in Kobe’s shot, I see it in Dirk’s. It’s just plain – Pretty.

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In other NBA notes, as a Laker fan, I’m keeping an eye out on the three contendors for playoff spots. The Warriors are pumped up with the determination to make it – and I fear the Lakers and Clippers lack that same emotional drive. So crucial, yet if you watch them play, it’s heart-wrenching. If it’s this close to playoff time, we need to step up LA. We need to act like we want the win. Like starving dogs, we want that meat. We want to push ourselves to the limit. WE HAVE TO WIN. I hope Lakers realize how much tonite’s game means to their fans, to us. Go, fight, win! Let’s do this!