More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

I wanted to post an image w/o Pau in it but really, how could I pass this up?

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Opening tip off

• 'Net reaction: NBA Finals, Game 4 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
  A link to links of reaction to Game 4 where once again late game execution proved to be the difference in winning big games. SVG poo poo'd playoff experience in his post game presser but in the end, the Lakers were better prepared to perform in the clutch. I did like how the Magic refused to make excuses after the game. No ref blaming. No random acts of luck. The Magic got beat and they know it. They will be a better team next year for it.
• Ridiculous Upside - Where Potential Is Way Cooler Than Reality
  The SBN Mock Draft is under way at RU. So far: #1 Clips - Duh; #2 Grizz - Rubio, #3 OKC- Harden; #4 Kings - Evans; #5 Wiz - Thabeet.....check back often for updated picks over the next few days
• Ostertag digs hockey, longs for NBA
  "Young teams aren't going to pick me up," Ostertag said. "A veteran team looking for somebody to give them 10-15 minutes, go in there and bang with other guys, that would be the team.". Ice Hockey? Cakes? Greg is a gift from the NBA that won't stop giving. Oh, and perhaps getting slapped by Shaq in 1997 is another reason he's not approached the Suns

Mercury / WNBA

• Temeka Johnson Already Proving Invaluable to Mercury | Phoenix Mercury Community Blog - Fanster.com
  Great article from Ben on the Mercury's new point guard, Tameka Johnson. A lot of Merc fans didn't like replacing Kelly Miller with Meek but so far the move is looking pretty good. Meek isn't going to dazzle with her points but her maturity and floor leadership as Ben points out is huge
• WNBA.com: WNBA.com Power Rankings: June 10, 2009
  Very early season power rankings. Mercury at #6 but that was only after 1 game

Suns

• No. 5: Phoenix Suns - ESPN
  Hollinger ranks the Suns 5th of all NBA franchises. Ever.
• There is a difference between Nash’s comments and Amare’s | Phoenix Suns Community Blog - Fanster.com - Do you bleed deep purple?
  "The reason Nash’s comments passed with little to no fan fare is the fact that fans have never once had to ask if he was playing at his highest level." - I don't know about that.
• Dirt workers may be available in Round 2| Valley of the Suns
  "A look at who could be available for the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA Draft"

Misc and other

• On the Notion that Dwight Howard Has No Post Game - TrueHoop By Henry Abbott - ESPN
  Henry makes the case the Dwight's post game is under appreciated. I disagree. He might have more moves but all he ever seems to do is go right across the lane and throw up that hook unless he catches in great deep position and then forgetaboutit. Compared to other bigs like Duncan and Sheed he's not even close. He's more in the Andrew Bogut stage of his offensive career.
• Jermaine O'Neal and Yakhouba Diawara re-up with Heat - Peninsula is Mightier
  JO will make $23m next season. Ponder that for a moment as you dig for change to pay for your over priced Italian named coffee
• Money talks, and Manu stays
  A team put in a call to the Spurs last season with a legitimate offer for Manu Ginobili. "Helluva player for a helluva player," is the way Gregg Popovich describes the proposal now.
• Ask the Utah Jazz expert: 'Bird' season in Utah? - Salt Lake Tribune
  The Birdman playing for Jerry Sloan? I would pay to see that train wreck!
• Should I Stay or Should I Go? The NBA Draft Hopeful's Theme Song - Clips Nation
  Thorough analysis of why kids that can play basketball should enter the NBA draft as soon as they can. Don't stay in school.
• Rose City Showcase - Blazer's Edge
  Portland seems to be the home of high school aged basketball. It is also the home of Nike. You figure it out
• texts from last night
  I tried to find a basketball related connection but couldn't. Still, too funny not to link. Almost as good as Greg Ostertag on skates but not quite. Not even close actually. Still funny and now connected (barely) to basketball (if that is in fact what Greg Ostertag played)