Scott Brooks gets in touch with himself. (Getty Images)

Yeah, dropping into an 0-2 hole against a team playing video-game offense will do that to you, coach. I'd say it'll get better, but ... y'know ... I don't really expect it to. Oh, well. Buck up, chum. Game 3's at home, so you'll get to sleep in your own bed tonight. Thank heaven for small mercies, right?

Best caption wins an R.E.M. song I didn't much love when it came out, but like more now because I kind of miss R.E.M. a bunch. Good luck.

In our last adventure: Mario, I've got a plan: Run away as fast as you can.

Stephen Jackson, object of the affections of Ms. Anna Smith and NBA fans everywhere. (BDL Illustration)

Well, if this ain't just peanut butter and chocolate coming together for Your Man — who just finished watching Series 2 of "Downton Abbey" with his wife this past weekend, is super down for the honorable and just valet John Bates, and is firmly in the "Free Mr. Bates" camp — then I don't know what is.

From Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman:

While Manu Ginobili got dressed in front of his locker before visiting with a swarm of reporters, a naked Stephen Jackson lockering next to him held a covering towel with one hand and ceremoniously helped the game's star into the sleeves of his jacket with the other.

Like any good valet would.

Ginobili thanked him for his assistance. So should Spurs fans everywhere.

There in a small snapshot, you get first-hand evidence of a transformed, 34-year-old swingman who arguably has been the anti-Spur for much of his tempestuous 12-year career in the NBA.

From bad boy to butler.

Mario Chalmers gets all turned around. (Getty Images)

"Oh, no, you don't, Rajon Rondo! I won't be in your poster — you're not going to gently lay it up on ME!" — Mario Chalmers, probably.

This was basically the only bad defensive possession Miami had on Monday night. Photographers always know how to get your bad side, huh?

Best caption wins a really nice Roy Orbison song, which it took me a long time to like because as a lad I got scared every time I saw Roy Orbison, because I thought he was Doctor Octopus. A joke, a song and a Dan fact! Man, I'm good to you guys.

Good luck.

In our last adventure: LeBron James is taunted by an Indiana Pacers fan wielding an inflatable pink flamingo. No, seriously, that's a literal description of this photograph.

Scottie Pippen's all-time cram on Patrick Ewing, immortalized. (Image via Jordan Tabije)

Pretty Pictures spotlights cool pieces of art created by basketball fans for basketball fans that'd look great in your living room. Seen something worth sharing? Let us know.

As a New York Knicks fan, I should be outraged at artist Jordan Tabije's slick, stylized rendering of Scottie Pippen's infamous detonation on Patrick Ewing from Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals. It's an ugly, disconcerting memory, and I'd greatly prefer not to think about it, thank you very much.

But man, is that a cool-lookin' piece.

Tabije's remix of Nathaniel Butler's legendary photograph strips away all the extraneous elements — the court, the crowd, the other players on the floor (including, mercifully, Devine favorite John Starks, who had to just stand idly by and watch as Pippen elevated), everything — to render the moment of truth in simple black-and-white. That small swatch of red in the lower-left corner below Patrick's legs evokes the evil Pip's doing and the violence of his off-the-wing motion ... and, ultimately, gives Ewing's defeated body a resting place. (God, an 11-year-old me hated watching this.)

Down eight points to the Miami Heat in the third quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Boston Celtics needed a basket, so they turned to the guy they rely on to generate good looks.

With the shot clock winding down and less than four minutes remaining in a quarter that had seen the C's run cold from the floor, missing 11 of their first 16 second-half shots, Rajon Rondo attacked off the dribble, crossing left to run Dwyane Wade into a Brandon Bass screen and forcing Shane Battier to pick him up on a switch. Rondo crossed the lane and showed the ball to Battier, who had already picked up two blocked shots in the third, including one on a Rondo layup attempt.

Then, as he's done so many times during his six-year NBA career, Rondo pulled the ball back and pivoted back toward the basket for what looked to be an easy layup; the slick ball fake (often disguised as a behind-the-back pass) has become Rondo's signature move, and when Battier went sailing past toward the baseline, it looked like the Celtics point guard had rung up another victim.

Except LeBron James was there. Again. Like he was the entire night.

Kevin Garnett listens, then ignores. (Getty Images)

For every postseason matchup, Ball Don't Lie's resident dummy will offer a topically appropriate entry from the best-selling series of "Deep Thoughts" books written by legendary humorist Jack Handey, plus some of his own original thoughts on the playoff series. The combination will cost you literally nothing; we suggest you use the savings to purchase one of Mr. Handey's life-changing books.

No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics

"One time I don't think you should listen to your body is when it says 'I'm dead.'"

The brace says it all. (Photo via Pounding the Rock)

For every postseason matchup, Ball Don't Lie's resident dummy will offer a topically appropriate entry from the best-selling series of "Deep Thoughts" books written by legendary humorist Jack Handey, plus some of his own original thoughts on the playoff series. The combination will cost you literally nothing; we suggest you use the savings to purchase one of Mr. Handey's life-changing books.

No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

"Life is a constant battle between the heart and the brain. But guess who wins. The skeleton."

Welp, here's this. (AP)

As if it's not bad enough to miss a fast-break dunk on national television, LeBron James had to suffer the indignity of then being taunted by an inflatable pink flamingo wielded by Indiana Pacers fan Matt Asen. Obviously, Asen was thinking ... I don't know what the hell he was thinking.

But you do, right? So how about sharing with the class? Best caption about/explanation of this situation wins OODLES of flamingo facts for your Friday. Good luck.

In our last adventure: Allen Iverson was in full throat for Game 6 of Celtics/76ers.