JJ Barea Caused Problems for Los Angeles Lakers, Now Oklahoma City Thunder

By Sharmaine Jones

We're down to the final four teams in the 2011 NBA Playoffs and with the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated, we're excited to see a new team lift the NBA Championship Trophy this year!

The Dallas Mavericks' success from the previous series (4-game sweep of the Lakers) is continuing into conference finals. The Mavs won game one of the conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-121 last night. The key to their success: the outstanding play of Puerto Rican point guard Jose Juan Barea –officially nicknamed by Tr3s as "The Pest of the Playoffs."

Barea is only 6 feet tall but what he lacks in size, he makes up with quickness. His speed and scrappy play frustrated the Lakers and it appeared to be a problem for OKC as well. Early in the fourth quarter, the backup point guard drove to the lane for three consecutive layups then hit a three point shot to give Dallas a 104-89 lead. Barea managed to score 21 total points in only 16 minutes of play. More importantly, he ran circles around OKC's defense and outplayed thunder All-point guard star Russell Westbrook.

Despite Mavs center Dirk Nowitzki's record setting 24 straight free throws and astounding 48 point night, the "Playoff Pest" managed to steal the spotlight and even caught the attention of NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton. He tweeted:

"If humiliating the Lakers wasn't enough, JJ Barea is degrading OKC to the point where Perkins is on the cusp of pulling an 'Andrew Bynum'."

Walton goes on to tweet,

“The inspired play of JJ Barea is uplifting to every native of the island of Puerto Rico. During these playoffs, he has been a shining star!"

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks game 2 will be held tomorrow, May 19, at 9pm ET.
In the east, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are battling it out for their Conference Title. Chi-town won the first game at home 103-82. The Bulls obliterated the "Big 3" with league MVP Derrick Rose leading the way with 28 points and 6 assists. The Heat look to steal game two at the United Center tonight at 8:30pm ET.

What team do you think will win the 2011 NBA Championship?

Tags basketball, Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Jose Juan Barea, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, Playoffs