VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE

What writers in San Antonio are saying about the series:

BUCK HARVEY, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

They came as advertised. Dying for calls, then dying at the line. Talented enough to wear out Sean Elliott’s new knees, wild enough to try anything twice. Brilliant enough to light up Hollywood--but dumb enough to give away a game.

These are the details that should define California Day-Dreaming:

With Tim Duncan on the block, paired with little buddy J.R. Reid, with only seconds left, the Lakers not only didn’t double-team to take away the Spurs’ best scorer’s best shot.

The Lakers didn’t foul.

And they had a foul to waste.

Ask anyone this: Would you rather have Duncan wheeling into his jump hook from five feet, or the Spurs taking the ball at midcourt with less than 10 seconds left?

These Lakers still aren’t sure. Knowing them, they’re probably still mad at the officials. Why did those dirty refs keep making them shoot free throws? The Lakers missed 11 compared to the Spurs’ one, when a few points might have come in handy.

Shaquille O’Neal was especially himself; if he threw a TV Wednesday night, chances are it missed the ground.

Shaquille O’Neal didn’t matter as much this time. The Lakers, convinced they would only get Diesel fumes inside, gave the ball to Kobe Bryant.

Naturally, Bryant took it.

He forced one or two, but mostly he gave the Lakers something the Spurs don’t have. Sometimes he used a Shaq pick, sometimes he went one on one with Elliott, sometimes with Mario Elie.

When he swished a trey with less than a minute left for the lead, it appeared the Lakers had won as they do. With talent.

But Bryant followed by doing a Shaq, missing two free throws. “Some strange stuff happens sometimes,” he said.

Does Utah let that happen? Do the Quad City Thunder?