Best of Yardbarker: Can James Harden lead the Rockets to the Conference Finals?

In Game 2, however, Kawhi Leonard got the better of Harden, limiting Houston’s MVP candidate to just 13 points on 3 of 17 shooting while putting up 34 points, seven rebounds and eight assists on 13 of 16 from the field. That matchup in particular was highlighted in our NBA playoffs preview: Rivalries to rematches, stories to follow in the second round: "Harden’s aggressiveness puts most average defenders on their heels, but with a combination of Leonard and Danny Green guarding him through the series, he may not find the open spots on the floor with the same ease that he has against most of the league."

While the Rockets and Spurs are duking out in the West and the Celtics and Wizards battle in the East, the past two NBA champions look to be on cruise control. In fact, it’s been such easy going for the Cleveland Cavaliers that LeBron James took a moment to have some fun with a beverage, which led to this week’s NBA Referee Hotline Bling: LeBron James orders at last call: "If you’re going to drink, hand the keys to the offense to a teammate, like Kyrie. Not J.R. Smith! Because it’s clear that no one on the Raptors can stop you from driving."

If either the Cavs or Golden State Warriors were to lose before reaching the NBA Finals, it would almost certainly be due an epic meltdown on their part. In fact, it could bump someone else from the 15 biggest meltdowns in NBA Playoff history:

None of this year's first-round losers made that meltdown list, but that doesn't mean things are fine and dandy for those franchises. Where did it go wrong for the Western Conference and Eastern Conference teams that were one and done this postseason? On the Oklahoma City Thunder: "The Thunder would play wonderfully for three quarters, and then the Rockets would slowly and inexorably crush them in the fourth."

And the Indiana Pacers: "It’s not a great precedent that George kept maligning teammates, but not as crazy as what he said next. 'Lance is in our locker room, is looked upon as a leader — one of our leaders.' If Lance was one of their leaders — keep in mind, he had been on the team for 8 games — the team by definition had leadership problems."

George was among the nominees for a mulligan in April, but in this edition, the Mulligan lays out why no one gets an April do-over: "No wonder his teammates provided little help — they already know George is prepared to throw them under the bus on his way to Tinseltown with virtually no remorse."

You know who does get a do-over, however? The aged former NBA players who will play in Ice Cube's BIG3 league. With the players and coaches involved, the league is gaining some traction. Of particular note are guys like Gary Payton, Allen Iverson and Clyde Drexler, former NBA greats who inspired the 'Hoops league no one asked for but everyone is excited about' quiz:

The BIG3 really kicked up the excitement with its inaugural draft in Las Vegas last weekend. Our very own Sean Keane attended and shared his big day at the BIG3 draft: "The mood was so positive that when Kwame Brown was announced at No. 5, whoops and shouts of 'good pick!' came from the crowd. Kwame Brown was a consensus great draft pick. And I agreed! He went gluten-free and he looks fantastic!"

Now the teams are set. So analyzing the BIG3 draft rosters: Who can win the championship? Or should we say, who can't? "They’re called the Ball Hogs but don’t quite have a ball hog. If any team is expected to finish last, it might be this squad here."

We close this week with a player who just may consider joining the BIG3 at some point. We’re talking, of course, about Paul Pierce, who finished his career Sunday in the Clippers’ Game 7 loss to the Utah Jazz in the final game of the first round. Pierce is retiring now that his season is through, leading us to the '...and nothing but The Truth' quiz: