Krone

Not surprised the Pacers won. I didn't see them leaving Indy without at least one win under their belt. I expect the series to be 2-2 heading back to Indiana.

As for the Thunder, I'm a bandwagon Clippers fan. I do like who they have and enjoy watching them, but they aren't my team (used to be the Nuggets in the Melo era. Go 'Cuse). I was happy to see OKC win after Durant's speech. I think that could be the moment that turned their season back on the right path. Squeaked out the series against Memphis, now it's time for them to buckle down and play ball. Either way, the West really is up for grabs. I could see the Spurs and Blazers in the Finals just as much as OKC and LA right now.

KD's MVP victory speech was something else, That shit was incredible.

I kind of dislike when they change characters' names just for the purpose of "oh it might be confusing". Like, holy shit, are TV viewers that thick that they're going to confuse Robert Arryn and Robert Baratheon? Holy shit, they have the same first name, I'm so confused guys help me I thought Robert Baratheon was the king not a sickly boy so confused ahhhh

I mean I guess there's precedent given Robert Arryn's nickname (Sweetrobin), but still, come onnnnn.

To be honest I'd be surprised if I could actually name more than ten characters just watching the show. I can recognise most of them by appearance, though not all, but there's no hope of me remembering even half of the names.

That's how I am. And at that, there are so many minor characters that come into play as main characters at some point, it's hard to be like oh yeah, I should definitely try and remember this guys name. You've gotta think, with reoccuring characters and all, there's probably a good 25-30 names to remember. And it's not like all their names are just Todd, Rick, Steve. Arya, Daenerys, Sansa, Tommen are just a few names that are hardly "easy" to remember. Hell, Oberyn? Like c'mon. Yeah the main guys are easy to figure out and remember, but with the likes of Locke, I don't even remember them saying his name.

My problem is that I try to get so succumbed into a world that it leaves me begging for more. For the longest time, I played on EWR, and am currently using it for my 2006: Big Time diary, but I want the out of world stories to keep me interested. RVD revealing he has a drug problem, yada yada, stuff that makes me feel like I am playing a game as opposed to just simulating out a story, and that's what TEW '13 does I feel. My only gripe with that is the week system - as opposed to actual day system - leaves so many openings. I try to keep everything as real as possible. From the arena and venue that was used on that day, to the day of the PPV's. So when I get week 1 RAW, it kind of takes out the "realism" aspect if you will for me. I want to try and get a diary going where people feel immersed by the diary, like it's actually a part of the world where anything can happen, as opposed to "Oh, here's a few possible spoilers. Someone married an unknown daughter of Linda McMahon!".

The other thing, is I always feel I can write better. I know my word don't translate as well from brain to keyboard to page, so it kind of always gets to me. I can finish a show and post it, but then after know that I probably could've done better. Expanding my vocab is something else I want to try and do too, so it doesn't feel like the same repetitive lines over and over again.

As for my motivation, even though I've gotten blasted for it in the past, smoking weed really puts me in a mood to write. I feel I am much more creative and can come up with unique and interesting ideas I usually don't think of. So if I were to smoke tonight, I would probably write out a show. Then I would do the same tomorrow and want to write again, almost making my biggest positive into a negative because it makes me want to continuously write.

I forgot all about Jeremy Lamb! Yeah, you guys do have a pretty solid bench.

Does Perry Jones see any minutes at all?

It's hard to not love the Clippers bench though. Darren Collison, JJ Reddick, Danny Granger, reigning sixth man of the year Jamal Crawford. They really have one of the best overall teams in the NBA in my opinion. It's gonna come down to the forward play, and more importantly, Serge Ibaka. Blake has been the catalyst for the Clips recently and if Ibaka can stop that, I think OKC will come out with the win.

I however have the Clippers in 6.

Eh fuck it, nevermind.

Shit, I don't know how I missed that

But in all seriousness, I quasi-agree. If the Pacers can play at the level they are capable of, I think they take the cake. But, if they look like they did against the Hawks, I see Miami in 5.

I love the passion Toronto's fans have, but I'm hoping Brooklyn holds the lead here. They have Miami's number.

The way I see it, Pierce and KG couldn't get it done in Boston two years ago against the Heat, and they're only getting older. Also, fun fact is that in two series that the Heat have played Brooklyn all time, the Nets have only taken one game from them.

Except that Brooklyn have beaten the Heat every time this season.

That's true, but as others have said, it's the regular season. If you think LeBron, Wade, Allen, Bosh go out there and play with the same intensity that they do in the playoffs, you're crazy. I don't care who swept them in the regular season, this is the 2x defending champions with LeBron James. Not a Dirk, not a Tim Duncan, LeBron James. You know, the guy who is trying to prove that even though he didn't win the MVP (here, for everyone that says otherwise) wants to prove he is one of the best of all time.

And let me remind you that they just went seven games with a game, yet playoff inexperienced Toronto Raptors and squeaked out a victory by how much? One point? I think the Heat will be just fine.

I love the passion Toronto's fans have, but I'm hoping Brooklyn holds the lead here. They have Miami's number.

The way I see it, Pierce and KG couldn't get it done in Boston two years ago against the Heat, and they're only getting older. Also, fun fact is that in two series that the Heat have played Brooklyn all time, the Nets have only taken one game from them.

Would say I'm surprised about Toronto being down at the half, but I can't be. Brooklyn is loaded with veterans like Pierce and KG who thrive on game sevens and Toronto is a very young team with little to no playoff experience. Either team's gonna get stomped by the Heat anyways.

Another great game there. Curry was terrific as always, and Draymond Green really stepped up during this series. Was very impressed with Jimmy Butler last year, and so far Green has taken over as my favorite upstart. Rumors are that Mark Jackson won't be sticking around, and I definitely think Golden State needs a new coach. Pretty good overall, but I at least thought there were instances where he should've made some adjustments to his team down the stretch. So much talent on this team, they just need better direction.

Curious if the Spurs and Toronto will also win their home games tomorrow.

Toronto and Brooklyn will be good, but the Spurs/Mavs game is going to be awesome. Those are two teams that have represented the West well for the past ten/fifteen years.

I can't see the Pacers or OKC losing at home in a game seven atmosphere. Especially OKC and their rowdy, college esque fan style.

That Hawks/Pacers series hasn't exactly been a home-friendly series, not to mention Paul George may be sitting out Game 7.

#istillbelievedamnit

All three home teams won their game seven. I'm telling ya, no matter what the series might say, home court advantage matters in any sport, but it matters most in a game seven. The emotion, the atmosphere, everything. Nobody wants to be on the road in a game seven.

Least not Z-Bo being suspended for Game 7.

Lillard's been a star since he came into the league. One of the late developers (2-star high school recruit!), but the fact adidas just gave him $100 million should say everything about where he's headed.

I wouldn't call him a "star" since he came in. Sure he had some buzz, and even better stats last year over this, but this has been HIS year. The aforementioned Adidas contract and commercial, the All-Star festivities which saw him take place in what, almost every event? Now the game winner. In a game surrounded by Durant and LeBron, it's hard to take the spotlight away from those guys, but Lillard is doing it.

I'm telling you, Lillard is blossoming into a star before our very eyes. Who would've thought the guard from Weber State would hit THAT shot to win the series. Excellent stuff. Can't wait to see how tomorrow shakes out.

That's kind of disappointing for him. He was a HUGE deal at Ohio State (then again, so was Maurice Clarette and we know how that ended) and then just fell off of the earth before last season. His arm is good, but there are so many QB's that can do what he does and do it better in today's game. He's still really young, so he definitely has time to improve, but it's not like he's going to be behind a severely experienced QB.

I thought there was almost no chance for the Thunder and Pacers to work their way back into the series, but if there are any two teams to do it, it's these guys. Both are very young and can play deep into any series without having to worry about "legs" or the Spurs effect as I would like to call it. Maybe the Ginobli effect would be more appropriate after last year.

I can't see the Pacers or OKC losing at home in a game seven atmosphere. Especially OKC and their rowdy, college esque fan style.

I also think the Blazers have a good chance of making it to the Western Conference Finals if they can put away Houston. The Spurs are a great team, but I've gotta give the advantage to the younger team. Being the #1 rebounding team doesn't hurt either, especially assuming once again they have to go deep in a series.

Can't believe the Grizz are not just in a position to take out OKC, but at home none the less.

I'm very excited for game 6 between Golden State and LAC. That series has been just as good as any other (despite the off court problems) and I can't wait to see how Golden State does in a do or die game at Oracle.

Also, who would've thought that we'd be in a position to see either the Hawks or Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals? Atlanta still has to put the final nail in the coffin, but Indiana looks all but done for. They've been sliding for the past month and a half. Personally I would like to see the Wizards/Heat although there's no doubt in my mind Miami will kill them. I do think Washington has a sneaky good team though. Wall, Nene, Beal, and Al Harington are all quality players. Throw in Ariza, Andre Miller, Drew Gooden, and Gortat to fill in the roles and that's not a bad line up. Only problem is Miller, Harrington, Nene, and Gooden are all old as hell. No way Andre Miller sticks around for another year after this.

Nah there wasn't any Arya or Hound stuff this week.

As for John Snow's buddy, I forgot about him. They will show minor characters, but you can't tell if they're going to be major at some point and just don't "pay attention" to them. Not even sure if he was shown after the be-handing, but then again, I didn't read the books so it makes it all the harder.

The Wizards have surprised the hell out of me, creeping into the playoffs as a quiet 5 seed and doing some damage even without Nene. I couldn't believe that Andre Miller still played in the NBA either. I swear that guy refuses to retire.

These playoffs have been one of the more interesting ones for any of the major sports in the United States in the past few years if I do say so myself. The amount of stories are incredible. A hot Blazers team that looks more than poised to knock off a well balanced and powerful Rockets team, the Clippers and Golden State going punch for punch with some of the best talent in the NBA (Curry, Thompson, Griffin, DeAndre, CP3), OKC/Memphis in and old fashion dog fight, Indiana tanking against a game Hawks team and a pretty entertaining Nets/Raptors series too. With the exception of the Heat series, which it looks like they are gonna roll over Charlotte anyways (who woulda thought that), and the Spurs/Mavs series which doesn't interest me except for the fact that you always think the Spurs are going to get old and worn down, but never do.

Thoughts on tonight's episode and some general rambling:

Daenerys really has a slow build doesn't she. They show her a maximum of like five minutes per episode and she hasn't done much. Just like we didn't see any Stannis this episode which I'm okay with. He's probably my least favorite of the "main characters" or at least higher ups. Should've expected Littlefinger to come back into play, which I'm happy with because his character is very unique in that he plays both sides of the fence. No Arya or Hound did disappoint me. I'm hoping Jaqen, the guy who helped her escape and gave her the coin to show up whenever reappears while he is still fresh in our minds.

I'm fully expecting the guy Snow was hitting it off with who was a good swordsman to turn on him and be some sort of a mole.

The whitewalkers though. It's about time they did something with them. I remember first watching the show and that is one of the first things you see, making it a major event. But then it just gets shoved off to the side. They would bring it up here and there, but usually a show is all about that first piece of information they show you, foreshadowing or giving you some sort of a backstory. There was none of that and it's just been slowly building and I mean slower than all hell, so it was very refreshing to finally see something new on them. They have so many people that certain stories just can't be entwined into an hour show which is too bad, because some weeks you go without seeing those people you really want to see.

I like to think that Houston deserves to advance, but boy is Portland a sneaky good team in the West. Aldrige, Lillard, Batum, Thomas Robinson. They haven't looked this good in years. Also, sucks to see the Raptors lose. They're the team that just came outta nowhere to be good. But apparently, the big three still reign supreme no matter where they go.

What is up with all the flagrant fouls they've been calling? I just saw Draymond Green almost get a second one for no reason other than a simple play on the ball. With that being said, Steph hasn't been doing shit tonight and Blake is just a monster.

Nice touch seeing Izzo there rooting on Green too.

EDIT - As I say that, Curry lands a three from LA

I can't remember the last time the Eagles played on Thanksgiving.

I'm not into predicting records before the draft even happens, but a lot of people are predicting the Eagles losing the game against the Panthers - I could see the Panthers taking a huuuuuge step back this year. Who do they have on offense besides Cam?

They have a really good, physical defense, which is what Philadelphia struggles against.

And with Philly's defense, Carolina doesn't need to have much more than Cam.

Which is sad considering what the Eagles defense used to be like. Jeremiah Trotter, Brian Dawkins, Lito and Sheldon Brown on the corners, Mark Simoneau. Those are some hard hitters plugging up the LB and Dawkins was just Dawkins.