Peace Go With You, Metta

As expected, the Lakers waived Metta World Peace using their amnesty provision, ending his four-year tenure with the team. His impact is simple. Much as I didn't like losing Trevor Ariza in 2009, the Lakers don't win the 2010 NBA championship without MWP's contributions in the playoffs.

Many of us remember this. Game 7 of the 2010 Finals. I watched at my house with several of my close friends after failing to get a spot at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I remember talking to my man Keith about the game beforehand and he predicted that MWP would play huge to seal it. It was a vintage performance that I celebrated the following day.

Which led to this classic press conference that will live forever in NBA history. Not just for the comedy and pure joy, but the honesty - esp. when he acknowledged his Pacers days.

But I also remember this. His buzzer beater to beat the Suns in Game 5 in the 2010 Western Conference Finals. Right place, right time, basketball IQ to follow Kobe's shot, fight for the rebound and put it up.

I feel glad that we got to see Ron Artest mature in Los Angeles and grow into Metta World Peace, a funny character who was still fiery on the court. A fierce advocate for mental health awareness. A reminder to be yourself and be free. A winner of the NBA's Citizenship Award and a reminder that anybody can change if we allow ourselves to see them grow up instead of what they used to be.

It's been a fun four years. Metta may not be the dominant two-way threat he was 10 years ago but he's still a solid player. He'll be fondly remembered here like many other Lakers who won a title and endeared themselves to Los Angeles. I'll miss his antics, his passion, his fierce defense, those Metta moments that only he could do.

I'll leave it with words from the legendary Gil Scott Heron that inspired this title. Thank you, Metta World Peace.

NBA Finals: Game 7 and The Overratedness of Legacy

Regardless of what happens Thursday night, legacies will not be defined. That’s right. Win or lose, nobody’s legacy is at stake.

Why? Because a legacy can’t be defined in one game. It can’t be restricted to one game because that goes against the basic principle of what a legacy is.

It’s so easy to bring up that word. It’s thrown around so much that it’s become a cliché. As such, it’s misused and abused because people forget that in a team sport, legacy is always dependent on so many variables.

Why are we so obsessed with it? Why does it matter to define? Because it’s easy and as Game 6 reminded us, one person’s story can change at any time.

NBA Finals: A Ball of Brilliant Confusion

This has been a strange series. Game 1 had us thinking we were in for a series of close games a la 2011. What happened over the last four games is nothing short of confusing.

Two blowouts thanks to a silly 33-5 Miami Heat run in Game 2 and Gary Neal/Danny Green going bonkers in Game 3. Game 4 saw Dwyane Wade rise from his shooting slump followed by Manu Ginobili doing the same in Game 5.

Even weirder? All four of those games I mentioned seemed to shift in the third quarter. Games 2 and 5 had runs that started in the third and spilled over in the fourth.

So either we have teams that are remarkably balanced except for a 10-minute stretch or both teams figuring the right time when to use their advantages and pour it on. Got it? Good, cause I don't?

NBA Finals: The Resurrection of Dwyane Wade

Very nice of Dwyane Wade to finally make an impact in these Finals. As hobbled as he is, he sucked it up and found his flow at the same time LeBron James began taking charge of things.

With some help from Grandmaster Flash chopping up Blondie, I take some time to talk about Flash's impact and the hope that he can keep this up because as I've stated, the series will hinge on his performance, not just LeBron's.

Shouts to Chris Bosh as well getting aggressive on both sides of the ball. If I look a little light in this, blame that natural sunlight coming from the window on my clean buzz from the other day.

NBA Finals Game 1 Notes (Tony Parker's World)

All I have to say after Game 1. Can we please get at least five more of these?

The first three quarters were magnificent. Great execution from the two best teams in basketball. A reminder why both regular season games were down to the wire. And in the fourth, Gregg Popovich said, "Turn it up" and Tony Parker went to work.

Parker's dagger shot with under 7 seconds left may have been fluky but it was incredible after a turnover free game. Just an unbelievable make considering LeBron James was all over him and he fell to the floor just prior to the shot. A fitting end to how well the Spurs played in the final frame to slowly pull that game away.

Oh and Tim Duncan had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Spurs only had 4 turnovers this game. How much better can you play as a team on the road? They were out-rebounded, out-assisted and still won?

Tip my hat also to James for an incredible all-around effort (18 pts, 18 rebs, 10 dimes). He got folks involved and if he's get chastised for that, then that's on you. I'll only say that he has to score 25 a game here on out cause it appears the Spurs will let him be Magic Johnson instead of the combo Magic-MJ he can be. They also did a great job shutting down his drives to the basket.

Here's what the Spurs and Heat need to do in Game 2.