Embarassing ...

Game four of the NBA playoffs was a complete disaster for the Lakers this time around. They played the Houston Rockets and lost terribly, the scored ended at 99-87. The most shocking part about the loss is the fact that the Rockets best player Yao Ming didn't play. What exactly were the Lakers doing, they couldn't have been playing basketball.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

The LA Times feel as though the Lakers got out what they put in, in game four. In fact they were very disgusted with the Lakers performance and made comments such as, "Usually, I type 900 words, but, in the spirit of a team that fell behind 19-4 before breaking a sweat, I'm giving you less than half of that."The OC Register reports the Lakers efforts in game four to be "horrendous," but points out Houston's lead of 17 points within the first half of the game, while Lakers have their four points. ESPN quotes Phil Jackson in warning his team not to be too confident because of Yao's absence, "I don't want my players to think it's going to be an easy battle tonight," he said before the game. "It's not going to be easy." It was also stated that Yao will be missing the rest of the Houston's campaign due to a hairline fracture in his left foot. But fortunately he was able to watch the game from the sidelines.

UC Irvine takes the NCAA volleyball title ...

UC Irvine won the NCAA volleyball title after winning their game against USC. Irvine had a ton of support in the crowd, approximately 3,015 people from their student body were in the stands.

ESPN reports that Ammerman of UC Irvine was elected as the tournaments most valuable player, after sticking out a rough junior season. He had six kills, 12 blocking assist, and one solo block in today's game. According to the OC Register Irvine's coach Speraw attempts to ensure that people know their 2007 win was not just by luck, "This shows that 2007 wasn't just lightning striking," Speraw added. "Any program can win one (championship) with the right recruiting class, a couple of transfers and a few breaks in the playoffs. To get to three national championships and win two of them shows we have something special here." LA Times elaborates on how proud Speraw is of his team's win, "That was an epic battle," UC Irvine Coach John Speraw said. "I think people could be talking about that match for a very, very long time."

Ouch!

Game 3

Unfortunately Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets was injured this game, he allegedly has a sore left foot, that of which could possibly be broken, and Artest was ejected from the game with 43.6 seconds left. But onto better news, the Lakers won with a score of 108-94, and Derek Fisher returned to the scenes.
Photo: ESPN

The OC Register pointed out Kobe's 33 point score, as he blocked two shots against 7-foot-6 Yoa Ming. They also state that, "With 43.6 seconds left Artest brought back the tenor of Game 2 and was ejected for a type-two flagrant foul when he flattened Pau Gasol with a hard and high hit." ESPN reports Kobe's 3-pointer from 33 feet at the end of the third quarter. The LA Times clarifies that the foul Artest made on Pau Gasol was downgraded from a one-game suspension to a flagarant one. Meaning he will play in Game 4.