Oklahoma City Thunder• Western Conference #2 seed | Season record: 59-23BACKDROP: As my buddy Jezmund refers to him, Kevin Durant is my business card. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic . He is the face of the Thunder and has been since they made the move from Seattle six seasons ago. When I first glimpsed Kevin Durant play for the Texas Longhorns, I, and others blessed with the gift of sight, knew he was a superstar. He was to become my new Dominique Wilkins, AKA The Guy I Pinned My Hopes On. While on my stag in Las Vegas, I met Kevin in a library (picture attached). At the same literary function, Lebron James, just a few days removed from The Decision, had dined at the table next to mine, and was now watching an underpaid busboy zipline above the, oh, lets say microfiche, in a freshly minted Miami #6 jersey, while Durant roamed the room without entourage, looking like the worlds tallest Abercrombie salesman. I felt comfortable in my choice of next generation icons.CURRENT TEAM: Durant, the newly crowned MVP of the league, is unquestionably the face of the franchise according to everyone not named Russell Westbrook. Born without a brake pedal or a conscience, Russell likes to shoot the rock. These two alpha dogs have had difficulty meshing when it counts most, suffering five game dispatches the past three seasons, including 2012s Finals loss to Miami. Unlike the ongoing question which arises every postseason— "Why isnt the ball in KDs hands?"—now the team has a more desperate problem. Third banana, Serge Ibaka, a superstar in his own right as a two time 1st Team All Defender is out for the remainder of the playoffs. Expect gritty play from Steven Adams and Nick Collison, but it will be hard sledding against Tim Duncan to overcome losing the best shot blocker in the game.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Beyond the sky-high likeability factor of Durantula, you may not want to root against a team that seems to have this years lucky streak on its side. Despite Ibakas injury, a ton has gone right for OKC in surprising ways this postseason, and perhaps after years of being labeled with the "next great team" status, the lords of basketball have decided for the breaks to go to tornado country. The Thunder were handed a gift when Zach Randolph was suspended for the final game of the Memphis series (a terrible decision by the league—if this was 1990, he may not have even been called for a foul). Then there was the bizarrely botched officiating at the end of Game 5 versus the Clippers, which effectively handed the game to OKC, and shifted the tide in the series. Do you really want to bet against the team with the best sixth man since James Harden? (That sixth man being the officiating crew.)Indiana Pacers• Eastern Conference #1 seed | Season record: 56-26BACKDROP: The state of Indiana is synonymous with basketball, even if the pro team has never won a title. Gene Hackman and his Hoosiers. Bobby Knight and his temper. Larry Bird and his hair. But the Pacers havent had a compelling national brand since Reggie Miller exchanged pleasantries with a courtside Spike Lee. Last year, for the first time without Reggie on the roster, the Pacers emerged under Paul George as a genuine force, making the Eastern Conference Finals, where they would lose to Miami in a slug-it-out seven game affair. They knew they were young and they were close. By mid-January of this year, they were the best team on the planet. Then something happened...CURRENT TEAM: The Trade. Before Larry Legend swapped the once face of the franchise, Danny Granger, for the overrated Evan Turner, the Pacers had the leagues best record at 42-13. After the trade, 14-13. They acquired Turner because bench play was the teams undoing in 2013 and making moves to strengthen it were necessary and advised. But whether it was the fault of Turner or other personalities in the locker room, the team unraveled (Turner and fellow Pacer, and known irritant, Lance "Born Ready" Stephenson, engaged in a fist fight last month, marking a nadir in the teams descent). Defence, the hallmark of the team, suddenly faltered. The offence stalled. Only recently has David West emerged as the emotional leader, and the team has clawed its way against lesser Eastern Conference opponents to the third round. Cue the rematch.(Sidenote: Top picks Lebron James, Tim Duncan, and near top picks Durant, Westbrook, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, etc., havent been the signature of these Pacers. Indiana hasnt selected above the #10 spot since George McCloud in 1989. Evan Turner, selected second overall by the 76ers, was the teams first foray into the top of the draft in many years. Paul George was taken at 10, Hibbert at 17. West, 18. Stephenson, 40. Scola, 56. I havent worked out this theory entirely, but I think Turners draft slot impacted the Pacers internal harmony.)WHY ROOT FOR THEM: Because you want to join me in rooting for the current member of "Team 29". You may never tack a picture of David West up on your wall, but you can still look yourself in the mirror with pride after rooting for him. The same cannot be said for Dwyane Wade.Miami Heat• Eastern Conference #2 seed | Season record: 54-28BACKDROP: Sadly, it is possible that one day we will argue over whether The King, blessed be He, correctly predicted winning seven or eight titles. Ugh. The Heat. Two-time defending champs. Three-time finalists. All time cocky bastards. The road team, but still heavy favourites to win the series. Further proof that the city of Miami is the Cosmo Kramer of the sports world—falling ass backwards into success. The fans ignore their losing teams, barely support their winning teams, and they still win championships (even the Florida Panthers have played for a Stanley Cup more recently than the Maple Leafs).CURRENT TEAM: Lebron James and fourteen other people paid to play (and often witness) basketball near Lebron James. As the lone quasi-big market team left among the final four, Im certain Adam Silver and the NBA brass (read: broadcasters) want to see the Heat in the Finals (read into that however you like, scholars of NBA officiating). This Heat team isnt as deep as seasons past, but in the final year of guaranteed contracts for the infamous Big 3, they still have plenty of firepower, as their solitary playoff loss attests.WHY ROOT FOR THEM: When you watch Die Hard, you root for Hans Gruber to get back his detonators. If an elderly man slips into a silt-soaked puddle, you chuckle. While others cheer for the upstart Rocky Balboa, you find yourself more of an Apollo Creed booster. You are reading this on a Samsung Galaxy. You thought Bambis mother had it coming. Welcome to your Miami Heat years.Gallays Poll #10Q: Who will you be rooting for?(A) San Antonio. Because a fifth championship would cement them for all time.(B) Oklahoma City. Because Kevin Durant was the MVP for a reason.(C) Indiana. Because Larry Legend is due for a return to the winners podium.(D) Miami. Because I need something to do when Im not kicking kittens. NCAA Jerseys China . - The Mavericks built a 12-point lead with 2:50 to play, gave away all but two points of it, and still managed to hang on. NCAA Jerseys Outlet . Kadri was dressed in a green jersey at Thursdays practice and skated as an extra forward on the teams fourth line as the Leafs. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ .ca. Kerry, In Mondays Habs/Bruins game, there were three questionable/brutal calls against the Habs late in the game - Tomas Plekanec, then Douglas Murray, then Brendan Gallagher.Fayetteville, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - After snapping a 17-game SEC losing streak last week, the Arkansas Razorbacks will try to keep that momentum going on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the eighth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Ole Miss was once in the drivers seat in the SEC Western Division after a 7-0 start, which included a 23-17 victory over Alabama, but it dropped back after suffering back-to-back losses to LSU (10-7) and Auburn (35-31). The Rebels took their frustrations out on Presbyterian on Nov. 8 with a 48-0 win, and at 4-2 in the SEC, they are not eliminated from contention just yet. If the Rebels can win this game and the Nov. 29 matchup with Mississippi State, and Alabama loses to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, they would own the head-to-head tiebreaker over both teams and earn a berth to the SEC Championship Game. Theres so much football left to be played, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. Regardless of what happens (with the other teams in the SEC West), I want to stay focused on the journey were on, which to be sitting here ranked in the top 10 or so in the country. For being in year three, I couldnt be more pleased. With close losses this season to Alabama (14-13), Texas A&M (35-28 in OT) and Mississippi State (17-10), it was clear that Arkansas was much better than its record showed, and it proved that last week by snapping its lengthy league losing streak with an outstanding home win over LSU, 17-0. I think the great thing about our guys is weve been through so much that nothing is going to really faze them, Arkansas coach Brett Bielema said. Theres nothing they havent been through that they can learn from. We say it all the time: its not what happens, its how you react to what happens. Weve had some bad things happen to us, but we kept reacting in the right way and eventually good things were going to happen. Arkansas holds a 32-27 lead in the all-time series with Ole Miss, although the Rebels won last seasons matchup in Oxford, 34-24. Ole Miss has a dependable offense that scores 33.4 ppg and amasses 447.1 ypg, with the efforts spearheaded by its senior leader under center. Bo Wallace may have fallen off as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate with the Rebels recent losses, but hes still in the midst of an outstanding season. Hes completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,554 yards with 22 touchdowns to just eight interceptions and has been a factor with his legs as well with 233 yards and four more scores on the gground. Fake NCAA Jerseys. Although Laquon Treadwell (48 receptions, 632 yards, five TDs) has been lost for the season with a leg injury, the Rebels have no shortage of receiving talent to make up for it. Vince Sanders (37 receptions, 647 yards, six TDs) and Cody Core (32 receptions, 437 yards, five TDs) have been solid out wide, and Evan Engram (27 receptions, 410 yards, two TDs) is one of the best pass- catching tight ends in the conference. Several rushers are involved in a ground game that picks up 174.4 ypg, including Jaylen Walton (398 yards, four TDs), Jordan Wilkins (311 yards, TD), ITavious Mathers (264 yards, three TDs) and Mark Dodson (235 yards, four TDs). The main reason for Ole Miss success this season has been the excellent play of its defense, which yields just 11.9 ppg and an FBS-low 11.9 ppg The catalyst for a defense that has forced 27 turnovers is Senquez Golson, whos picked off nine passes while adding another seven pass breakups. (Golson) has had a phenomenal year, Freeze said. Hes made great plays for us...(Hes) doing the little things right. Its really pleasing when you see a kid do that and have success on the field. Other defensive standouts include Mike Hilton (54 tackles, three INTs), Tony Conner (54 tackles, 6.0 TFL, INT) and Marquis Haynes (6.5 sacks, three FF) Arkansas impressive offense (34.0 ppg, 432.8 ypg) is run through arguably the nations most prolific running back duo. Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins have nearly split the workload 50/50 with 155 and 150 carries, respectively, and the two have put up remarkably similar production. Williams has 932 yards and Collins 886 yards, and both have scored 11 touchdowns. The pair combined for only 3.0 yards per carry last week, but each found the end zone and their combined 34 carries help the Razorbacks control the clock. Brandon Allen isnt asked to do much under center - hes completing just 58 percent of his passes for 190.5 ypg - but he has accounted for 17 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. The modest receiving corps is led by Keon Hatcher (34 receptions, 435 yards, three TDs) and Hunter Henry (30 receptions, 417 yards, two TDs). Defensively, Arkansas has more than held its own by allowing only 22.2 ppg and 340.6 ypg. Martrell Spaight (97 tackles) has nearly twice as many stops as any of his teammates to go with 6.5 TFL, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Trey Flowers anchors the defensive line with 11.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks. ' ' '