When I finally caught my breath after nearly passing out when Artest saved the day for the Lakers, I thought about what my friend Erik texted me just before the 3rd quarter: This MATTERS. I texted him back, finally, and said “That mattered, and especially the bench at the end. We came back harder and stronger than ever. That was a clutch shot at the end. SIGH!”

I know I said “at the end” twice, but it was in the moment; I tweeted the same sentiment (pardon me…). The meat of it was the emphasized SIGH. I really felt like a victory from an almost immanent loss was upon us. Basketball Girlfriend, deflated (yesterday brought me disappointment after g-darn disappointment).

I still have complete faith that we can take this series and stamp SUNS on it by game 7. I truly feel as though optimism and a light attitude will take us there, not to mention a more balanced diet of bigs and smalls working together and making the tough shots. They have got to make those shots. The shots, fellas. SHOTS! JRich – you get the gold star.

Anyone else feel like banging their head on a desk today? Come join me.