Once again, Kobe did work, perhaps because he wanted to remind everyone that LeBron isn't the only superstar left in these playoffs. He finished with 41 points, the second time in this series he has dropped more than 40, and, for that matter, did not visibly cry. It was a good night — except not for Carmelo, who went scoreless in the third and all but disappeared after intermission, changing the tenor of this series and giving the momentum right back to Kobe and Co.

And even though Bryant broke out and left all his oxygen on the floor, it was Derek Fisher — he of four points and two assists in 26 minutes — who rallied the team with a fourth-quarter rendition of Win One for the Gipper.

Thus Fisher's speech, which he didn't want to repeat to the media, but was forced to because so many of his teammates were marveling about it.

"I told them, this was a moment in time when you can define yourself," Fisher said. "I told them, this was a moment when you can step into that destiny."

Fisher said he summed up the speech in a sentence.

"I told them, this is your moment," he said.

Must be a Kelly Clarkson fan. Or he prefers Jordin Sparks. Either way, it's pretty clear, at this point, that Fisher is a big American Idol fan.

In other action last night, the Penguins smacked the Hurricanes 6-2 to take a 3-0 series lead. That type of advantage, we're often told, is commanding.

Melo at a loss to explain cold spell [ESPN]
Derek Fisher finds the words and Lakers find a way to win [LA Times]

So many asterisks. La La gave an interview to MomLogic—which has somehow cornered the NBA WAG beat—and gave a few more details about the Game 4 throwdown between the Mavericks and their fans.

"They began yelling 'F*** the Nuggets!' right in front of my son." Then she says they started calling the Nuggets players "n*****s." She was shocked. "I've been at a ton of games — but I have NEVER heard fans say things like that." Then, looking directly at her while taunting Anthony on the court, Lala says the fans called her son a "bastard."

"I know it was directed at me. Yes, my son's dad and I are not married — but we are engaged!" Lala turned to the fans and said, "This is just a GAME! Do you even know these players?!" She then asked her babysitter to take Kiyan out of the arena. The fans, who by this time, claims Lala, were completely intoxicated, became even "more aggressive," yelling "F*** the Nuggets!" and insulting their families — namely, Lala says, her and Carmelo. Then they physically pushed her. Pushed to the edge, she turned around and yelled back.

TV cameras captured security guards approaching her. "They said they had seen the whole thing and told me I had done nothing wrong. I was NOT ejected, they just escorted me to a suite [for safety]. I was mad!"

Now let's not get caught up the technicalities of what makes someone a bastard—that's just plain rude. Whatever happened to Texas hospitality?

Lala: Fans Called My Son a Bastard! [MomLogic]

A Dallas season ticket holder known only as Peggy—who I'm assuming is one of ladies picture here—was sitting behind La La Vazquez at Game 4 and refutes her claims of racist taunts from Maverick fans. Peggy claims that the whole ruckus started when La La's "bodyguard" turned around and insulted her first. Then the rest of the fans in the vicinity jumped to Peggy's defense and the whole thing escalated from there.

She said the only time any Mavs fan touched Vazquez was when a girl in Peggy's group accidentally brushed against her while reaching for a purse underneath her seat.

"Don't you ever (beep) touch me again!" Vazquez responded, according to Peggy, who added that Vazquez also flicked soda on them at that point.

"If that would have been any other fan, they would have been tossed out long before that girl was," Peggy said. "That little girl needed attention. Apparently, she's a has-been whatever."

See? Totally classy. Peggy also claims she was at Game 2 in Denver and had a pleasant chat with Lydia Moore. Kenyon Martin's mom is one of the good ones ... Nuggets fans, I mean.

Game 5 is tonight back in Colorado, but Mark Cuban will not be there because he has urgent business in Las Vegas. Will Peggy take his place? Let's hope so, because this whole series is cursed. There's the Dirk "unpleasantness," Chris Anderson's food poisoning and Antoine Wright had $120,000 worth of jewelry stolen from his home. I don't own $120,000 worth of anything, so I know how that must feel.

MFFL Peggy: LaLa Vazquez and her bodyguard were the instigators [Dallas Mavericks Blog]
Denver Nuggets Upset With Treatment From Dallas Mavericks Fans [CBS 11]
Dallas Mavericks' Antoine Wright reports nearly $120,000 in jewelry stolen from condo [Dallas Morning News]
Nuggets Family Members Probably Aren't Accepting That Apology Any Time Soon
You Can't Play With My La La

So here's her version:

Obviously the play-off games bring out the best and the worst in fans but what happened on Monday night with the racial slurs/threats, verbal attacks on my son and physical attacks to myself by irate fans was unacceptable. The fans were totally out of control.

What the cameras captured was me defending myself and didn't show the abuse that was taking place."

Hear that, Mavs' fans? Racial slurs AND threats AND verbal attacks on her son. You can dump beer over top the head of Kenyon Martin's mom all you want, but once you start messing with La La, it's gonna get butt-ugly. Ignore her "Charm School" resume — this lady will beat you to death with her shoe if anyone dares to cause a commotion in Denver. To be safe, Nuggets fans should probably keep a safe distance as well.

******

Thank you for your continued support of Deadspin. Please do not try to play me out.

Ms. Vazquez, or just "La La" if you're hip enough, has had a distinguished career as a DJ, reality TV host, and playing herself in any movie that will have her. (I think "Soul Plane" was probably her most realistic portrayal of "Herself.") In basketball circles, she is also known as the fiancee of Mr. Carmelo Anthony, an engagement running over four years now. Anyway, she was asked to leave her courtside seat in Dallas last night after an unspecified "incident" with a couple of old white ladies sitting behind her.

It seems that things at the American Airlines Center were actually much uglier than we realized last night. In addition to Vazquez, Maverick fans got into shouting matches with Kenyon Martin's mom (there was even a report that someone threw a beer on her) and Martin's girlfriend, Trina. Martin himself was distracted by the incidents during the game and a Denver assistant actually went into the stands during the game to check on their own fans.

Asked if the game was hostile, [Coach George] Karl said: "I would probably use an uglier word than hostile. I don't think (the fans) were very classy."

We also missed this moment after the game, when Martin shouted at Cuban on the court, calling him a "faggot motherfucker." I wonder if that will come up at dinner?

So either Cuban had an epiphany later that evening—he didn't seem too distressed by the fan behavior immediately after the game—or he's trying to protect his own life when the series goes back to Denver. Either way, there's enough embarrassment to go around for everyone!

Melo's Girl Escorted Away From Courtside [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth]
K-Mart Calls Cuban Fa**ot M-F'er [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth]
Cuban apologizes to Martin, mother in blog [WTVD]
Nuggets denied series sweep [Denver Post]
Mark Cuban Ready To Kiss and Make Up [Deadspin]

Carmelo Anthony stuck a dagger in the Mavericks last night, swishing a game-winning three with one second on the clock to win the game and put the Nuggets up 3-0 in the series.

The officials, who had called 61 fouls up to that point, missed an intentional foul on Melo by Antoine Wright that would have forced the Nuggets to take the ball out of bounds. Instead, Melo hit his shot, game over.

To add douchebag to injury, Mark Cuban decided put on a post-game show of his own. Predictably, freaking out about the foul, he ended up getting into a yelling match with Kenyon Martin's mom. This was followed by a "situation" with a cameraman. The cameraman says he was shoved, Cuban says he was merely moving him out of the way. I believe Cuban. I mean, he was probably protecting the cameraman from Kenyon's mom. I hear she's pretty fierce.

Oh, and that's not all. Josh Howard had to be restrained from going after referee Mark Wunderlich. After being pulled from the court by coaches and security, Howard takes a swing at a photographer's camera.

NBA officials issued the following mea culpa after the game:

At the end of the Dallas-Denver game this evening, the officials missed an intentional foul committed by Antoine Wright on Carmelo Anthony, just prior to Anthony's three-point basket.

This was followed by Cuban's head exploding.

Video evidence of the chaos:

Melo's shot wins Game 3 [Denver Post]
Mark Cuban, Josh Howard have confrontations with media [Dallas Morning News]

With his right hand wrapped tightly in ice, Carmelo Anthony bounded around the locker room, elated over what he had just witnessed on the big screen.

Anthony's beloved Texas Longhorns stormed back in the final seconds to beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, temporarily dulling the pain he was feeling in his hand.

Yes, yes, Carmleo Anthony broke his shooting hand, but what was that last part ... his "beloved Texas Longhorns"? As we all know, Anthony spent his one and only college year at Syracuse. He was born in Brooklyn. He grew up in Baltimore. (His favorite pro football team? The Ravens.) He played prep ball at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. His entire NBA career has been based in Denver. None of those places are within spitting distance of Texas. In fact, his only apparent connection at all with the Longhorns or Austin is when he smoked them for a freshman-record 33 points in the National Semifinal back in 2003. You always hurt the ones you love?

Is there any documented evidence anywhere that Carmelo had any feelings at all for the University of Texas athletic department before last night? It's weird, right? Maybe he thought they were called the Burnt Orangemen?

In a completely unrelated story, Texas won the Fiesta Bowl straight up, but did not cover the spread and both teams missed the over.

Nuggets: Anthony has 'probable' fracture in hand [AP/IHT]
The Nuggets can overcome the Melo injury. Here's why... [Denver Stiffs]

• John Daly arrested for drunkenness at Hooters? Next you're going to tell me that Otis apparently shows up bombed at the Mayberry jail. (The PGA was not amused).

• A brilliant plan to get out of a DUI ... offer sex with your girlfriend. I see no way this can fail.

• Isiah Thomas mistook sleeping pills for Reese's Pieces, blamed it on his daughter.

• Travis Henry thought he was in a Scorsese movie.

• Roger Clemens does not recall bleeding through his pants.

• John Rocker was on steroids? Is there nothing to believe in?

• Barry Bonds; still unemployed, but looking fabulous.

• Steroid dealer had unfortunate nickname.

• The Dirty.com's Nik Richie is hit with about 12 metric tons of karma.

• Marcus Vick nabbed for DUI ... by bicycle officer.

• Carmelo Anthony was not drunk. He just has poor balance!

• Ah yes, I remember the drunk Zamboni driver story like it was yesterday. Wait, it was yesterday.

• Jack Kent Cooke's daughter gets drunk and bitchy. Let's watch the fun.

• For the Indiana Hoosiers, success was a drug. Unfortunately, so was drugs.

• What really got Shanahan fired.

• OK, lunch time, everyone.

Yesterday Pierce was asked what the difference was between Carmelo Anthony and himself. His answer: "I've never gotten a DUI."

Hilarious! Good. Now use that sass and aim it toward the Lakers. They're on the ropes. You're one game away from a championship. Go for the kill! Because shots at Carmelo, at this point in history, are like easier than the ones defended by Sasha Vujacic. See? That's how easy it is. Feel free to use that one before tonight's game.

Pierce-ing Words For Melo [Edmonton Sun]

I want to apologize to my family, fans and the Denver Nuggets organization for my actions early Monday morning. As a leader, I know they expect a lot from me and I regret putting myself in this situation. I also want to apologize to my teammates for the distraction this has caused. My attorneys have asked that I not comment further, however I will continue to cooperate with all parties involved.

Which generated several replies in his comments section. A sampling:

"I have 2 DUIs, it is embarrassing to say the least." — Stickman

"haha holy guilt trip lol" — The Hall star

"Hey man, I celebrated after the Sunday game too, but after the bidn'ss of driving was over with. Got to take care of you bidn'ss 1st a'ight. =)" — genuinearticle

"i'm only 13 and you set a horrible example. Win the Finals and good luck!" — UGAdawg52

Well, now on to our other bidn'ss. More in the week of horrifying regret:

• "Sorry for partying until the wee hours the night before we were eliminated from the playoffs." — Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson

• "Sorry you thought I had already retired five years ago." — Steve McNair

• "Sorry; I thought I could squeeze it through there." — High school bus driver

• "Sorry for making you throw up. But they make great placemats!" — Spanish moms

• "Sorry my hat makes such a tempting target for snowballs and frisbees." — His Holiness The Pope

• "I regret nothiinnnnnnnggggggg!" — Isiah

Carmelo Anthony Absolutely Unequivocally Bombed Out Of His Mind Say Cops [Deadspin]

Here are some of the wobbly details courtesy of a Denver CBS affiliate:

When he was asked to take nine steps, heel to toe, then turn around and take another nine steps, he forgot to perform the second half of the maneuver, according to police. CBS4 has also learned that when he was asked to stand on one leg, he swayed, put his foot down and "gave up," telling an officer, "I don't have good balance."

Later, when police were interviewing Anthony, they asked him if he knew where he was. "No clue," he told police.

We have a sneaking suspicion that this isn't an isolated incident with 'Melo. Don't be surprised if he ends up on Dr. Drew's couch in the next couple years sharing a bunk with Daniel Baldwin if he keeps this up.

Carmelo Anthony Arrest: Impairment Described As 'Extreme' [CBS4]

He has already apologized to the team.

"[Anthony] cooperated by consenting to a blood test, the results of which will not be available for approximately two weeks," [Anthony's lawyer] said in a prepared statement. "There was no accident and no one was hurt. Like anyone in a similar situation, Carmelo has to wait for the results of the blood test. He regrets putting himself in this situation. In the meantime, Carmelo will try to stay focused on his family and his team. Carmelo apologizes to his fans, the Denver community, his teammates and the Nuggets' organization for the distraction this is causing them."

Seriously, just when everything is seemingly running smooth for Carmelo, this stuff seems to pop up. The good news? Nobody snitched.

Carmelo Arrested For DUI [CBS 4 Denver]

The estate was built in 2002. It includes seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a 5,000-bottle wine center, an 11,000-square-foot barn, hand-cut limestone floors, a Brazilian mahogany paneled library, and a cutting edge recording studio.

The finished square footage has been described in various marketing material as ranging from 21,084 square feet to 25,610 square feet.

It also has eight fireplaces. That, friends, is impressive; he's gonna have to hire somebody full time just to keep those things stoked.

Carmelo Moves Into New Crib [Rocky Mountain News]
Melo's Mansion [Slushy Gutter]

(Note: The pictured house is not, in fact, Carmelo's actual mansion. Obviously.)

Mother's Day will soon have come and gone, but there's still time to relive one of the all-time greatest mother moments in sports history. Carmelo Anthony's mother, overcome with emotion, beaming with pride as her son lives his proudest moment ... and Stuart Scott antagonizing her with a microphone. What's going through her mind, Stu? Something like, "get away from me," I'd wager.

Carmelo Anthony 2003 nba draft [YouTube]

[Anthony] and his friend Rahchine Craig, of New York, were heading out of a 7-Eleven store in [Denver] early March 18 when some young men approached. One of them, Brandon James Herrera, asked for Anthony's autograph, but Craig said, "No," a police report stated.

"The victim told Carmelo he is a 'punk' and began a verbal argument with the suspect," the report stated. Craig followed 19-year-old Herrera, of Denver, into the convenience store and "punched, pushed and slammed the victim onto the floor," the report said.

You know what? We're not bothered by either one of them. Somebody bothers Carmelo while he's trying to have a slurpee, they're gonna get hammered. As long as Isiah Thomas didn't order it.

No One Gets Between Carmelo Anthony And The Minimart Hot Dog Rollers [Sports By Brooks]