This post could have also been titled, "The NBA, Where Things I'll Never Be Able To Do Happen Daily".

Or, "The NBA, Where Playground Moves Are Not Only Acceptable, But Encouraged".

Or, "The NBA, Where Unsuspecting, Foolish Italian People Get Dunked On". 

Anyway, peep this.

As Jalen Rose so aptly starts to question, what the hell was Marco Belinelli thinking, jumping up after that ball?  Did he think he was actually going to go up and get it?   

Earl Watson may not be a great offensive player (read:  bad), but did Belinelli think the shot was that far off the mark?  Did he not hear the train that is Russell Westbrook rumbling in the background to come and make a poster out of him?

There's a funny mix of emotions for the guy that gets posterized.  You empathize with his situation, and congratulate him for at least not giving up on the play.  But, you condemn him for thinking that he would be able to actually stop the dunk.  

I should know.  I was once posterized, though no documentation exists to prove the point.  It was my sophomore year at Syracuse University, and I was playing pick up basketball at the gym.  There was a loose ball and Demetrius Nichols, SU guard, ran to pick it up.  I was already back on defense, the only one on that side of the court with the 6'8" Nichols.  He came thundering down the lane, and I decided that I wasn't going to simply give up on the play.  

So, I jumped up with him as he took flight towards the rim.  Why did I do this?  I have no idea.  

As I'm on my descent, he continued to rise in flight.  As I finally came back down to the ground, I distinctly remember covering my head, as he dunked right over and on it, flushing it down with one hand.

I half expected people to be there with cameras, to show up in the school paper the next day "Nichols to Nerdy White Kid:  Stay On The Ground Where You Belong".

So, Marco B., I know how you feel.  Kind of.

Far as Westbrook is concerned, I must admit I'm quickly becoming a fan.  He's got that rare ability to defend (I think Ben Howland starves his players if they don't play defense...have you seen Darren Collison?), and athleticism that oozes.  His shooting lacks a bit, but that's one of the easier skills to work on, ask Tony Parker.

This isn't the first time I've said this, but I'll officially go on record now, here, as saying that the Thunder will be a playoff time in a year or two.  Maybe not this very next season, but almost definitely the year after.  The trio of Westbrook, Durant and Green is really something to behold. 

The superstar (Durant), the complimentary, do-it-all player (Green) and the athletic guard (Westbrook).  All that's missing is the big man.  Blake Griffin, anyone?