Actor Rondell Sheridan looks at Game 4 of the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals

The latest in an ongoing series covering the NBA Finals with actor/comedian and Clippers fan Rondell Sheridan.

Jose Salviati: Rondell, that was as physical a game I've seen since the 80's.

Rondell Sheridan: Wow what a game tonight. It looked like it was going to be L.A. early on, but Boston rolled up their sleeves, flipped up their blue collars and went to work.

JS: You really called this game, didn't you?

RS: After Game 3 I said if Boston was going to win they needed to do the following:
• Bring that hustle they showed in the beginning of Game 3.
• Big Baby was going to have to show up again, cause everybody else looked slow.
• Boston has to treat Game 4 like it’s a Game 7.
• Boston will have to outrebound the Lakers.
• Get to basket without getting blocked.
• Find alternate scorers.
• Spread the floor if they are expecting to win.
The only part I missed was saying that for Boston to win, Pierce, Allen and Garnett all
will need to show up to win. This was the second worst output by those three guys.
If it wasn’t for the young legs of Baby Davis and Nate Robinson, Boston should have
been left bleeding on the floor.

JS: Robinson has been a real catalyst for this team after being buried deep in the bench for much of the regular season.

RS: The first half Boston got to the rack but they just couldn’t finish. Rondo missed five point-blank layups. The second half was no better for Rondo either, but its awful nice to have talent like Nate Robinson coming off the bench to replace you.
In the second half, the Lakers had no response to Nate.
With his floater dialed in, that little bug could go where ever he wanted. What was great for Boston, was that when Nate came in in the 4th, Boston didn’t have to change anything. It was the Lakers who needed to adjust. And neither Kobe or Fisher could keep up with him.

JS: Rondo came into this series looking like a future Hall of Famer, but hasn't really seen the same success against the Lakers he enjoyed in the earlier rounds.

RS: Though Boston was flat in the second and third quarters, their hustle helped them stay close enough with L.A. to close out the third quarter and make it a two-point game.
Offensively it wasn’t Rondo’s night tonight, he just couldn’t finish. I give him credit for
not backing off or playing tentative. He still hustled and played defense. Plus he had a
great steal and breakaway basket in the fourth.

JS: What was the key for the Green Team tonight?

RS: The key tonight was offensive rebounding and bench play. Boston won 16-8 with Big Baby leading the way with four offensive boards. Points in the paint was a shellacking, 54-34 in favor of the Celtics. Bynum only playing 12 minutes tonight's fell right into Boston’s game plan. The Lakers truly missed the 7-footer in the paint.

JS: Reports now are that Bynum's knee is badly swollen. The Lakers really do need their big man.

RS: Once again Gasol and Kobe came to play, but with Bynum on the bench for 3/4 of the game, the Lakers just looked flawed. Lamar was the only Laker in double figures with 10 points. Conversely after Pierce and Big Baby, Boston had four other players in double figures. In the fourth quarter Boston spread the floor. This was something hadn’t done at all during this series.

JS: Something else they hadn't done this series is get their bench this involved!

RS: Bench play was totally lopsided. 36-18 in favor of Boston.

JS: OK, let’s look forward; what are the keys for both teams as they battle to return to Los Angeles with a 3-2 lead?

RS: The key to Boston winning Sunday is simple. Boston needs to own the boards and the paint. They need to spread the floor and bring the energy. Boston’s biggest enemy is the three days rest that the Lakers are going to have. This will give Bynum an extra day of treatment, which is a luxury that the Lakers haven’t had since they left Los Angeles.
The Lakers can’t win with Bynum on the bench. As I said earlier, the Lakers length is their strength. Boston with Perkins, Garnett and Davis will stretch them too thin in the paint if Bynum doesn’t play valuable minutes.

Fisher was non-existent tonight. The Lakers will need a third scorer, if they are going to
win Sunday. However if Bynum is again limited sitting the bench, look for Kobe to go for 40. That’s the only way the Lakers can win without him

Hats off to Boston, they showed what they were made of tonight.

JS: Eh, I'm keeping my hat on. Final thoughts?

RS: Okay I gotta run. I just saw a rainbow. The question is, will I see a pot of gold too?

-- Jose Salviati

Photo: Rondell Sheridan. Credit: Rondell Sheridan.

Lakers and Celtics players answer questions about 'Sex and the City 2' for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Guillermo, a parking lot security guard, has found something that confuses basketball players more than Phil Jackson's triangle offense.

"Sex and the City 2."

In a "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" piece, Guillermo interviews Lakers and Celtics players about their reactions to the movie.

If you're craving some frivolity before the NCAA releases its report on USC, check out the video.

-- Melissa Rohlin

Lakers, Celtics deliver expected high TV ratings

The NHL is bragging about its television ratings so far through the Stanley Cup finals between Chicago and Philadelphia, but the NBA ratings aren't too shabby either.

For the broadcasts of the first two games between Los Angeles and Boston, ABC is averaging 14,912,000 viewers and an 8.9 rating, the highest two-game average since 2004 (Pistons-Lakers). The NBA Finals’ ratings are up 10% over the first two games of the 2009 Finals.

Sunday’s Game 2 delivered 15,718,000 viewers (up 12% from 14,061,000 last year) and a 9.2 rating (up 12% from the 2009 rating of 8.2). Sunday’s ABC broadcast is the most-viewed and highest-rated Game 2 since 2004.

For both evenings, the Finals have provided ABC with the highest-rated and most-viewed broadcast of the night and have propelled the network to win the night in prime time.

-- Diane Pucin

 

Poll: How important is Game 3 for the Lakers against the Celtics?

The NBA Finals are knotted at 1-1, and the Lakers and Celtics are headed to Boston for the next three games. Vote to let us know whether Game 3's outcome will determine which team will win the series, then leave a comment explaining why you voted the way you did.

-- Chuck Schilken

Question of the day: Who will win the NBA Finals? [Updated]

Four reporters from Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

[Updated at 12:01 p.m.:

Baxter Holmes, Los Angeles Times

This question is tougher than calculus at Cal Tech – not that I’d know – when you consider the outside variables: the crowds, the emotions (rivalry and revenge factors both) and the health of key players.

I’d like to plead the 5th until after Game 1, but if pressed, I like the Celtics.

Ron Artest is a great defender, but Paul Pierce won't get caught with his pants down unless Artest’s hand is around his waistband. Andrew Bynum is a potential equalizer against the Celtics’ imposing front line, but even if his right knee is 2 1/2 ounces lighter after Monday, I’m not convinced he’s ready. There’s always Kobe, but he was there in 2008 too.

In the end, the Celtics are brutes, the Lakers are finesse. Brutes in seven.]

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Lakers in six, because it's not 2008 anymore.

Because this time Ron Artest is in place to defend Paul Pierce.

Because this time Andrew Bynum is at least ambulatory to help offset some of Boston's inside physicality.

Because this time Pau Gasol can be cast at power forward instead of at center.

Because this time Vladimir Radmanovic won't be in the starting lineup, or anywhere within sight.

Because this time Lamar Odom again can play as a sixth man.

Because this time the Celtics do not have a perimeter stopper of the pedigree of James Posey (with Tony Allen less than a poor imitation).

Because this time the Lakers have home-court advantage, meaning even if the Celtics split the first two, they would have to sweep at home to close it out at the Garden.

Brian Schmitz, Orlando Sentinel

The NBA and its TV partners would surely love to have this royal retro couple -- Lakers and Celtics -- play a best-of-17 series instead of a best-of-seven.

Stretch this baby out until the NFL camps open or until one of Kevin Garnett's body parts falls off defending Pau Gasol.

I'm taking the Lakers in seven for the repeat and for revenge (Boston beat L.A. in '08), but only after under going intense counseling.

I mean, do you know hard it is to trust a Lakers team that is counting on loose cannon Ron Artest to help it win a ring?

This is the ultimate test to remind you just how great Kobe Bryant is.

He's won without Shaq, and he'll win with Artest.

Photo: Ron Artest is guarded by Celtics forward Paul Pierce in February. Credit: Lori Shepler / Associated Press

Question of the day: How many games will it take the Lakers and Celtics to wrap up their conference series?

Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel

Considering the Lakers have had lapses in each of their first two victories over the Suns, figure on one of those lapses getting the best of them as series shifts to Phoenix, before wrapping it up in five.

It's not that Kobe & Co. don't have enough to push through for a sweep. It's just that that's not how Phil Jackson's team has operated. Remember, it took a missed Jazz tip-in in Game 3 for the Lakers to position themselves for that sweep.

As for the East, the Magic's 3-pointers have to fall at some point, don't they?

The one thing about a Stan Van Gundy-coached team is that it will fight until there is no opportunity left to fight. An ensuing home win would not surprise, either, before a sixth-game ouster.

Updated at 9:19 a.m.

Barry Stavro, Los Angeles Times

Six for Boston, five for the Lakers.

Wednesday night Phoenix showed that if their threes fall and they get some quick dribble-drive scores that they can stay with the Lakers, at least for a while. When a team is down 2-0 and returns home, obviously Game 3 is probably their best chance to snare a win. The Lakers lost Game 3 to the Thunder on the road, and barely escaped with a win in Game 3 against the Jazz in Salt Lake. So, I'm picking the Suns to win Game 3 on Sunday before sliding off into their long summer.
As for the East, even fans in Boston had given up on the Celtics after their team lumbered through the end of the regular season with a 27-27 mark.

But during the playoffs their defensive rotations have been quick, opposing teams get few open looks, Kevin Garnett has revived, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen take turns having big games and now the Big 3 obviously defer to Rajon Rondo, who has been their best player all season.

The one common link, both in regular and postseason play, is the Celtics offense tends to dry up in the second half, presumably because of their age of their key players. So, Orlando might show enough to steal a game in Boston, then play tough at home in Game 5 and win another, before the Celtics give the Lakers and David Stern another dream match-up for the Finals.

Updated at 2:06 p.m.

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

The Lakers will defeat the Suns in five games. And the Celtics will sweep the Magic. This will set up the Lakers-Celtics Finals I predicted in the preseason---and only waffled on once.

The reason the Celtics won't waffle and will stunningly sweep the Magic is because The Big Three knows this is its last run and is all business. And somebody woke up Rasheed Wallace. And Rajon Rondo has revived his inclusion in the best point guard in the league debate.

The Suns have the ability to get silly hot at home and will do so in a pride victory. And then Kobe will enact his step-on-their-throat mentality to steal a road game before closing it out at home. Celtics-Lakers? That goes at least six.

Photo: Lakers foward Pau Gasol is congratulated by teammates on Wednesday at the Staples Center. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times.

Question of the day: Will the Cavaliers make it to the NBA Finals?

Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel

Only LeBron's right elbow knows for sure.

For months, Danny Ferry thought he had cobbled together a Cleveland roster that could win even with one hand tied behind its back. But when that hand is attached to the balkiest elbow this side of Andy Pettitte, there have to be concerns.

Everything in Cleveland is designed around James creating sufficient elbow room to allow Mo Williams to attack from the perimeter and Shaquille O'Neal to work with room in the lane.

The only statistic that matters at this point for the Cavaliers is range of motion. The greater the range of motion, the higher the degree of difficulty for an opponent to keep James from his appointed rounds in the NBA Finals.

For now, it's all about the bends, as the pressure builds in Cleveland.

Updated at 12:44 p.m.

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

Before somebody demands I buy stock in some waffle house chain, this is only the second time all season I have changed my playoff predictions.

Before the season, I picked the Lakers and Celtics to meet in the NBA Finals. Sometime during the season, I revised that matchup to the Lakers and Cavaliers. And now get me rewrite again: It's Lakers and Magic, for sure.

Write it down in erasable ink.

LeBron James' elbow is hurting, Shaq is no longer Kryptonite to Dwight Howard's Superman act and the Magic possesses too many perimeter threats for them all to have an off night in the same game. Howard is becoming one of those classic big men who don't receive enough credit for how skilled---and game-changing---they are. He's beyond a defensive force.

And I also like the Stan Van Gundy over Mike Brown matchup at coach. Orlando will also be rested after warming up with the junior varsity Hawks in this round, while the Cavaliers do battle with those Celtics.

Updated at 2:10 p.m.

Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times

If LeBron James’ strained elbow and bone bruise in his right elbow remains an issue and he indeed is hurt, no, the Cavaliers won’t reach the NBA Finals. But if James is over the injury and he plays like the MVP he was during the regular season, the Cavaliers can play for the NBA championship.

Another concern is the Cavaliers’ poor defense. If the Cavaliers start playing defense the way they played it during the regular season, there’s no reason to think they can’t reach the NBA Finals. But if the Cavaliers can’t find a way to contain Boston’s Rajon Rondo from destroying them in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cavaliers many not even make it to the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals.

 
Photo: Members of the Cleveland Cavaliers during game two of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics on May 3. Credit: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images.

Monday's poll: One shot to win Game 7 of the NBA Finals, who do you want taking it, Jordan or Bryant?

OK. NBA Finals, Game 7. Your team is down by one and there is enough time remaining on the game clock for one shot. Who do you want taking it, Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant? Vote in today's poll and leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

-- Houston Mitchell

Monday's question of the day: Which two teams will play in the NBA Finals, and which team will win?

Which two teams will be playing in the NBA Finals and which team will win?

Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Barry Stavro, Los Angeles Times

David Stern gets a big ratings gift in June when the Lakers beat the Celtics in six games.
The Lakers have the easier path.
In the West the Spurs are aging, the Trail Blazers too young and the Nuggets have too many tattooed-personalities. As good as the Lakers were last year, center Andrew Bynum missed most of the season and was a non-factor in the playoffs. However, Bynum has been dunking all pre-season and as a genuine 7-footer he alters shots from opposing teams in the paint.
It’s tougher in the east, with the Celtics, Cavaliers and Magic in a season-long scrum. The Magic still have Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, but losing Hedo Turkoglu, basically another point guard, hurts, and newcomer Vince Carter vanishes in the playoffs. LeBron James has a new shooter in Anthony Parker and a new center in Shaquille O’Neal who, at 37, still can’t defend pick and rolls.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are seeing one last hurrah, adding Rasheed Wallace, who gives them extra length, to join fellow 30-somethings Kevin Garnett (back from knee surgery), Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. With a quartet of youngsters on the rise, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels, it’s enough for another dream finals.

Michael Jordan surprises with choice for Hall of Fame induction

In a surprise move, Michael Jordan has chosen former NBA star and North Carolina State great David Thompson to induct him into the basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

Not Dean Smith. Not Phil Jackson. Not Scottie Pippen. David Thompson.

"I got a call from the Hall of Fame and they asked me if I was willing to be a presenter for someone,” Thompson told Yahoo! Sports. “I said, ‘Yeah.’ I didn’t know who it was. … They said Michael Jordan. I was like, ‘Wow.’ He told them that he was a big fan of mine, and I was the one that really inspired him. Being that there was so many North Carolina people he could’ve chose, I was honored."

Jordan mentioned in his autobiography that there would be no Michael Jordan without players such as Thompson, saying,  “I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era. Without Julius Erving, David Thompson, Walter Davis, and Elgin Baylor, there would never have been a Michael Jordan. I evolved from them.”

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: David Thompson dunks. Credit: NBA

What recession? Kobe's game-worn Finals jersey goes for $35k

Apparently some memorabilia collectors are unaffected by the economic recession.

A game-used jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was auctioned off today for over $35,000.

The auction -- through a partnership between the NBA and MeiGray Group Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program -- ended Thursday at 6:22 p.m. after being available on the league's auction site since June 4.

Bryant's jersey started at $1,000 and finished 32 bids later at $35,270.90. The minimum bid increment was $20.

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu's jersey, worn only in the first half of Game 1, sold for $1,770.

The buyer, whose screen name on the site is "jtnbafan," purchased both jerseys.

Imagine how much more it would have gone for had the jerseys been signed.

A much more attainable item: Phil Jackson's X-cap worn after Game 5 in Orlando and during the championship parade Wednesday. The cap is on sale for $25 (plus shipping and handling). Proceeds go to benefit the American Indian College Fund.

--Mario Aguirre