NBA playoffs 2015: Warriors close out Rockets, advance to NBA Finals

The Bulls took nearly two weeks after their season ended to announce the firing of Thibodeau and news on Hoiberg has been quiet throughout the process, but Chicago’s feelings about the five-year Iowa State head coach haven’t changed.

Regardless, it does look like Hoiberg will officially accept the job next week -- and may, in fact, have a verbal agreement already in place. The official announcement reportedly could also take several weeks so that Hoiberg’s four children can finish school, according to the Tribune.

James Harden committed 13 turnovers in Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors, setting a new record for most turnovers in a playoff game. It might not shock you that the Rockets lost the game and are now eliminated. They are eliminated because they lost four games in the series, but they might as well have been eliminated because everybody watched James Harden playing basketball and realized it was inhumane to allow him to continue playing basketball.

James Harden’s night was a rare combination of questionable decisions, passes apparently thrown by somebody lacking basic motor skills and ill-fated dribbles. This happened against a team completely keyed-in defensively on Harden, set to destroy him. It gets ugly, it gets uglier and it gets ugliest. Here is a video of 12 of James Harden’s turnovers.

Howard was talking about the rough year he had dealing with injuries and wanted to highlight his valiant effort to return and play at a high level. That’s admirable. It does not, however, make one a champion.

So to recap, Dwight Howard, not a champion. Sorry Dwight. There’s always next year.

Barnes’ production is not incredible. He has the numbers of a fourth option, which is appropriate considering he is the Warriors’ fourth option in the starting lineup. His usage rate (15 percent) was really low this regular season, and while his defense and outside shooting are good, he’s obviously in the shadows of his teammates on both accounts. He’s a true three-and-D for the Warriors for the most part ... except when Golden State needs him to be more.

Like in Game 5, with Thompson picking up some mind-boggling fouls and Curry shooting poorly (in part due to some ludicrous attempts). The Warriors needed Barnes to be more in the fourth as Thompson suffered a sharp knee to the head. Barnes had 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the fourth, and 24 for the game as the Rockets ran off the small forward to chase the others.

Reverse the curse?

Catching up on some tv

Not familiar with what “hyphy” means? Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak coined the term in the 90s. East Bay denizens use it to be synonymous with “turnt.” In other words, THIS is hyphy:

These fans have definitely earned their celebration. Likely there will be some basketball fans calling out sick from work on Thursday morning.

Klay Thompson took a brutal knee to the ear in Game 5. It required three stitches, but he stayed in the game. And after the Warriors won, this happened:

Someone get Klay one of those big hearing horns. It’ll be amazing at parties.

Riley got her dad’s hat!

Riley does Dad’s celebration!

It’s time to consider that the Lil B curse might be very, very real.

That last dribble off his foot was his James Harden’s 13th turnover of Game 5, setting the new record for most turnovers in a single playoff game, ever.

Curry struggled with his shooting for much of the night and ultimately ditched the protective arm sleeve he had on, going 7-of-21 overall and 3-of-11 from three. Despite his shooting struggles, the MVP still finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals.

While Howard shut down the paint, the Warriors couldn’t hit from outside. Golden State shot just 6-of-27 overall and 1-of-8 from three in the first quarter, with Curry finally knocking down the team’s first three-pointer with just over a minute to go in the opening frame. The Rockets shot just 6-of-18 in the quarter and had seven turnovers, but seven Harden free throws helped them maintain a five-point advantage.

Hey man, sometimes you gotta let that sweat go. That sweet, sweet, delectable sweat. Sometimes it can wait. Resist the enticing siren song of the sweat, my friend. It can occasionally steer you wrong.

Warriors guard Klay Thompson exited Game 4 against the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter after taking a knee to the head from Houston Rockets wing Trevor Ariza. Thompson was taken to the locker room by trainers and has not returned.

Update: Thompson was diagnosed with a right knee laceration and returned later in the fourth quarter.