Who should get the blame for the Heat coming up short?

Last night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Indiana Pacers stunned the Miami Heat 78-75, winning on Miami’s court and stealing home court in the best of 7 series. And now, insert your favorite excuse here… the Heat lost because Bosh is out, LeBron was tired, D-Wade didn’t get the call at the end, LeBron should’ve taken the last shot. Say whatever you want, but the fact that LeBron and D-Wade nearly beat Indiana again (see second half of Game 1), 2 against 5 nonetheless, is incredible. I don’t think it’s LeBron’s fault at all. He played the entire 2nd half again and hit several key baskets and wasn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint. If he had taken the last shot and missed, people would still ride his back regardless. Can’t necessarily blame D-Wade either; nine times out of ten he hits that shot or gets the call…this time was the one out of ten. As for Mario Chalmers getting the last shot, percentage wise he’s a better three point shooter that LeBron or D-Wade. So, as the Heat regroup heading into Game 3 and the analysts take their shots at the two remaining superfriends, just remember-the series isn’t over yet and James and Wade are almost certain to redeem themselves. Prediction: Heat will win in 6.

Here is an animated teaser trailer I did for Def Jam hip hop artist Big Sean, The name of the track is “I Keep It G” and the concept of the video was Big Sean meets Family Guy.

What do you guys think?

R.I.P. Whitney Elizabeth Houston ( August 9, 1963-February 11,2012). You will be missed. Click the picture to enlarge.

Chris Paul IS going to LA…just not to the Lakers. In a move that may very well alter the landscape of the Western Conference, the “little brother” LA Clippers pulled off a trade to land CP3, the All Star Point Guard from the New Orleans Hornets. The Clippers had to part with Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu and an unprotected 2012 first round pick (from Minnesota), but now boast a possible starting lineup for CP3, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Not only are people talking about the new expectations for the Clippers, they are also debating if this squad is better than the Lakers. Times have changed. Check out some CP3 highlights below.

Do you think CP3 can lead the Clippers to the NBA Finals?

Today’s funny new Keep the Change comic strip takes a look at what happens when pick up lines go south. Click the comic to enlarge.

It took a little over two years and overcoming several major injuries, but Tiger Woods is once again a winner. Woods finished with back-to-back birdies to shoot a 3-under 69 and capture the Chevron World Challenge by one shot over Zach Johnson. It was only the third time this year Tiger was in contention to seal the deal and he didn’t disappoint. Tiger hit the clutch shots that we were used to seeing when he was destroying the fields regularly. Looks like we may be seeing the dominant Tiger again in 2012. Watch the highlights below.

Today marks the official one year anniversary of www.aarontheartist.com! I just want to take a quick second to thank each and everyone of you who has ever stopped by to check out my comics, cartoons and art. I truly appreciate you all and I hope you continue to come back and bring your friends too! Enjoy the comic below and click to enlarge.

With the NBA lockout finally ending, All Star Deron Williams‘ days in Turkey are apparently numbered. But it seems he made quite the impression too. Williams, who only played 15 games for Turkish powerhouse Besiktas and averaged 21.8 ppg (including a 50 point outburst last week) and 6.5 assists per game, had his no. 8 jersey retired. Williams says he hopes to return to Besiktas, perhaps after his NBA days end. Check out the video below.

I can only imagine what they would have done for Kobe Bryant if he had come overseas to play.

They're back! Finally!

After almost five months of threats, insults and posturing, it looks as if the NBA and its players have finally agreed on terms to allow a 2011-12 season! The league will have a brief free agency period, a 66 game season (48 of the games will be in-conference) running from Christmas Day to April 26,2012 and there will be cases where teams play on back to back to back nights (similiar to the lockout shortened NBA season of 1999). The playoffs will move at a slightly accelerated pace and at the latest, the NBA Finals would end on June 26. And yes, there will still be an All Star Weekend. So now, we can get to the questions that were running rampant back in June. Will CP3 and Dwight Howard still be in New Orleans and Orlando at season’s end? Will this season be the last chance for Big 3 in Boston? Will 2 time scoring champ Kevin Durant lead Oklahoma City through the West? And can LeBron James finally win that elusive first championship? Let the fun begin…basketball’s back!

Today, as many people celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, I am reminded of the many things that I am thankful for. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone! Click the comic to enlarge.