Ahh....Finally a Game 7

These NBA Playoffs have been some of the most entertaining to watch in recent memory. It could just be that I work about 10 hours a week so I get to see every bit. Hell, even when I'm working, I follow on Twitter with my phone. God, I love 2011. I've watched most of the series' that I thought would be entertaining (NYK-BOS, NO-LAL, DEN-OKC),  watched some just to see a team get stupefied by one player (both CHI series), and some that I didn't expect to be entertaining (Memphis!!!). The latter team, regardless of flashy players and a lack of TNT/ESPN regular season exposure has been the most entertaining.

ZBo and the Grizz slayed the ancient Spurs dragon

Watching Memphis push the Spurs wheelchair over the edge once and for all was way more enjoyable for me than watching the Lakers demise. For one, that series was way more entertaining. Gritty games, OT thrillers, and the college-like heart and desire that these Grizzlies play with made them the easy underdog to root for. Unlike the favorites in these playoffs, they don't have a player who relies on cutting to the basket and getting easy and sometimes questionable foul calls. They don't have a predictable game plan. Their best player (Zach Randolph) is not only fat, but his game is uglier than a Bill Cartwright free throw. He's highly effective, however. Throughout the playoffs he's notched seven double-doubles, four 30pt/10reb performances, and one 20pt/20reb game. That's pretty impressive for a guy who probably ate at McDonald's last night. And to think, Memphis got him straight up for Quentin Richardson! I know considering ZBo's past that it was a gamble, but... Quentin Richardson? They didn't really have to give up much.

An emerging young star: Serge Ibaka

And here we have the Oklahoma City Thunder. They've got two of the brightest stars (and the biggest ball hog) in the league and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated young players (Ibaka). Although Serge has spent a lot of time on the bench because of his offensive liability, when he comes in the game he provides a spark every time. He's the motor that keeps the Thunder going and I love watching him play. Kendrick Perkins down low always plays with a mean streak and has also never smiled in his life. He's good for at least one or two hard, statement fouls per game. He's the new Charles Oakley. He doesn't allow easy baskets down low. They have a great team on paper that before the series looked poised to ease past the over-achieving Grizzlies.

Coach Lionel Hollins deserves credit for steering Memphis in the right direction

What the Thunder doesn't have is chemistry like the Grizzlies do. Russell Westbrook wants it to be his team. He wants to take the last shot. Everyone knows (and it was proven in Game 5) that Durant should be doing that. He is the go-to guy in clutch situations. Memphis doesn't encounter those problems. Maybe it takes a mid-season fight between two teammates to accomplish such fluidity. They seem to jell well as a team with no particular super-star. Conley, Mayo, Randolph, and even rookie Vasquez have the green light to take those last shots. And no one seems to care who takes it.

I like the Thunder today but only because of home court advantage. I think it'll be an intense, low-scoring battle with lots of hard fouls and physicality. We, as NBA fans, can only hope that this is a beginning to a long west-coast rivalry and also an encouragement to small-market fan bases.