This has been one of the best playoff series in the past 5-6 seasons of the NBA. And who'd of thought it would be an Eastern Conference series that was this great?

Hurt him. Foul him hard. I love what LeBron turned himself into, but sorcery didn't get him to the hoop past four guys (unlike that dunk over 'Sheed a couple games ago - that was all magick). The Pistons seem like an honorable bunch, but now that they've seen what Bron-Bron can do when he's pissed, they need to slap him silly. He's not a great foul-shooter by any stretch - his percentage has dipped each time the Cavs have advanced this year - so the Pistons would do well to (at least try to) wear him down.

How soon we forget! Just about 1 year ago, Dirk Nowitzki scored 50 points in an equally pivotal Conference Final game 5 against the Suns. Like Lebron, he took over the game late, in an almost equally dominant, won't-be-denied performance.

So please, quit ragging on Dirk as if the truth is that he ALWAYS comes up small in the big moments. He doesn't. Sometimes he comes up very big indeed. Check out his career playoff stats -- actually better than his impressive career regular season stats.

Yeah, Dirk has disappointed big-time in his last 2 playoff series. That doesn't mean the story on Dirk's career has been written, or that it proves once and for all what Dirk is all about.

Please consider coming up with a new superstar whipping boy -- TMac, KG, or Carmelo perhaps. The facts just don't back you up when it comes to Dirk.

LeBron was amazing last night. The comparison to another #23 were (for once) actually appropriate and not the usual extrapolation of greatness from one or two good plays (Bryant and Wade come to mind here). LeBron willed his team to a victory despite being guarded as well as any one man could be guarded and without any significant supporting talent (Shaq) to provide an out. LeBron had to wing some crappy looking shots up last night because he simply had no other option. Every shot that needed to go in, did, and the mystique is well on its way to a Jordanesque level.

But.. you know what else is on its way to a Jordanesque level? The benefit of the doubt on foul calls. There was one sequence towards the end of the game where, with the game on the line, LeBron dribbled himself into oblivion and, in desperation, fell to the floor, hoping to get the call. Despite the fact that the replay showed no Piston within arms reach, because LeBron fell down must mean (to the officials) that someone fouled him. I believe he only made one free throw, but the message was sent. So much as look at him wrong when he's driving and a foul will be called. Not so important in regulation. Devastating in OT when all the Pistons were playing with 4 or 5 fouls. All of a sudden, LeBron had some open lanes to the basket, and that one seemingly insignificant "phantom" foul may have meant the difference.

LeBron sat much longer during the 4th quarter than usual, and as a result had more energy in the OT than the Pistons. By the end they were simply too tired to guard him. In their mind they collapsed into the middle on the final play, just like at the end of game two. But in real life they got there a step late and had to watch as James stepped between them, elevated, and laid it in.

As a lifelong Cleveland fan, it is a wonderful day to finally have it be our guy who can't be stopped. Who wears down the other team until they surrender to his will.

This was the greatest playoff performance since Magic took over for the injured Kareem in his rookie year. There have been other similarly amazing offensive performances, like Dominique Wilkins and Micheal Jordan, but those were in losing efforts.

simply the finest.

Oh how I wish LeBron played one season for the Buckeyes (point gaurd and wide receiver - yes, LeBron played Ohio High School football)

No one in the league would survive a flagrant foul against LeBron. You don't hurt the megastars.

That's also hard because LeBron James is 6'8", 240lbs. A little harder to knock him into the scorer's table.

Its not too surprising LeBron is getting that sort of treatment. Last year Dwayne Wade was shoving players out of the way as he drove to the basket, and getting fouls called on _them_.

The NBA has decided it likes superstars driving to the basket, even if it means "Jordan rules" or "Wade rules" or "LeBron rules". The NBA could hope for nothing more than a Jordan-esque reign from LeBron.

There will come a day when LeBron gets phantom calls in the playoffs because he is an established superstar, but that day is not yet here.

There was definitely contact early in that play (assuming I'm remembering the same one), though by the time he fell it there was no one around, the call was on the way and the shooting foul resulted from the "continuation" rule.

In general I thought the refs were pretty even. There was a stretch were it looked like the Pistons were getting things called their way, but it seemed to tip back.

I fear that some people don't have enough perspective to comprehend the dramatic impact the state of OHIO has on America's sporting landscape. It's seismic.

Being a little biased (I live in Michigan), I would have to agree with the status of benefitting from the foul calling. Being able to drive the lane like a fullback is a huge advantage--just ask Chauncy Billups who was knocked on his ass by a LeBron James stiff-arm. Result: 2 more for James and no whistle.

I also agree with King that the loss of McDyess really hurt the Pistons especially with Wallace not being on fire. Hope the NBA pulls its head out of its collective asses and allows him to play on Saturday.

Either way it ends, It sure has been a fun series to watch . I'm sure the NBA would love to have the LeBron Cavaliers win, but I'm still pulling for the Pistons.