Whos disgruntled? I could give a fug about the Queens. I wanted them to win, but the deserved to lose, like a big dog. Jim Rome had the best take on their sorry chit this morning on my way into work.

Its over, the windows closed, they cannot close the deal. They are chokers. Any fan that has emotion vested in them is an equal loser.

Apparently he hasn't talked to jettio, he has an excuse for the whole series.

I couldn't give a damn where that guy plays man, I just want to be entertained. He is innocent until the prove him guilty, but we both know that Johnny Cochoran will come in and say, "If the Chick is a twitt, then you have to aquit."

Well I have to disagree with Rome on one count. It's true, the window might be closed, but did the Kings really choke? They lost a game 7 to the # 1 seed in the West. Most of the games were close and could have gone either way. I don't consider that choaking at all. IMO, the better team won.

Game 2 wasn't a choke??? WTF???

Missing half your FT's in a case game, are you kidding me???

Good to see the pups move on. Next stop fishing after this next series.

The Lakers will kind of take it easy in the first couple, maybe split em, then they will close em out 5-6 game series at best.

A 1st game win would rock!!

That's why we have Mr. Sniper on our side.

That might be the case, but regardless their season has been a success. They have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Everyone is expecting the Lakers to take the series and that's one of the reason's why the Wolves have a chance. I'm hoping for a great series, and the Wolves moving on , of course. ;)

2 week signature bet too, I'm lookin forward to that.

Tonight I predict the Lakers may come out a little slow but should even things up by half. They will have a strong third quarter and pull ahead and try to hold on in the 4th. They will be successful and go up 1-0 in this series.

I think this first game tonight will pretty much tell the whole story about the rest of the series. Will the Lakers have their same edge? Will the Wolves be able to hold Shaq to under 30 pts/game? Are the Wolves good enough to stay in this til the very end?

I'm looking for some key matchups. Minnesota will be doing CBC (Center by committee). Flip basically says he'll limit Ervin Johnson's time, increase Madson's, and he'll give Kandi another shot, despite his horrible play in the Kings series. Minnesota won 2 of the 3 games against the Lakers in the regular season with Kandi starting.

Sprewell will have to perform like the Game 5 of the Sactown series every game. He doesn't have to get 30-some points every game, but he's got to be all over the court and fully energized the whole game.

And of course, we're going to have to maximize the small advantage of Mailman vs. KG.

Do these things, and we can win our home games. Like the Sactown series, we can't make stupid plays, and we have to take advantage when the other team isn't fully in the game.

A lot to do, but that's basically what the Wolves have to do to beat the Lakers.

I like Maddog and he came up huge for you on the O boards against sac. Although Madsen will always get his rebounds and will always bring your team energy I don't see him having the same impact as he did against the Queens. He is a liability when it comes to scoring too. Expect the Lakers to not even cover him unless he takes it to the rim. That will free them up to try and cover those damn pick and rolls more. Cassell better not even try to drive into the paint with his back like that either. If he does his first game may be his last in this series. Expect to see a Lakers team you have never seen play the Timberpups especially on D. The last time they played each other would be the best example I can think of. Don't forget the Lakers didn't have Shaq for one game and Kobe for another when they played earlier this season.

Put any thoughts into that sig line SNR?

Actually, KG just signed an extension earlier in the season... several years... I forget the exact number.