IC Cold Links: Primed For Celtics vs. Lakers Game 7, Murphy Keys Pacers' Offseason, More Workouts

The NBA season will come to an end tonight in spectacular fashion with a winner-take-all Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers to decide the NBA championship. They should put the LOB trophy on the scorer's table at mid-court before the game and keep it there until the champ is determined.

Unfortunately, both teams are hobbled in the post with Kendrick Perkins ruled out and Andrew Bynum only good for spot minutes. On the surface, this benefits the Lakers since they struggled when Perkins was healthy and Bynum was not. But it also makes the game smaller which allows the Lakers' bench to impact the game making it more suitable for a player like Shannon Brown to energize the court with his athletic play.

Can't wait to see which team and more importantly which players can handle the Game 7 heat which changes everything. Of course, I'm looking at Ron Artest a guy who has never handled the pressure very well. If he can get off to a positive start, this may be his chance to quiet all of the demons that have kept his game and career on the run for so many years. Just one of many intriguing subplots that have me anxiously waiting the opening tip. Gonna be a long day.

In Pacers' news, the team had another round of pre-draft workouts yesterday which included Terre Haute native Armon Bassett. More on the workouts and NBA Finals in the links along with Mike Wells bringing Troy Murphy as a key indicator for how the Pacers' approach the draft and the rest of the offseason.

• Murphy becomes bargaining chip
  Mike Wells throws Troy Murphy into the tradeable assets discussion which seems obvious but nevertheless should result in a round of Murph's on the trading block articles around the interwebs. Murph on the trading block is not the news, everyone is on the trading block. The key point is that Murph's status will likely dictate what the Pacers do on draft night. The 10th pick is prime real estate for grabbing a power forward should Murph be moved.
• PACERS: 2010 Draft Central
  The Pacers.com prospect profiles are updated including interviews from yesterday with Armon Bassett (Ohio), Willie Warren (Oklahoma), Tweety Carter (Baylor) and Nic Wise (Arizona).
• NBA Draft: Nic Wise and Willie Warren work out for Pacers
  Lucas Mayer has the Indy Sports Nation report from the pre-draft workouts yesterday.
• George Hill headlines a standout group of players competing in Indy Pro Am Summer League
  Carlos Knox has his pro am summer league rolling big time this year with the blessing of the NBA and NCAA which allows tons of local talent to go at it, although the Team Black backcourt with Eric Gordon and George Hill doesn't quite seem fair.
• Bassett workouts for Pacers WTHITV.COM
  Here's a hometown report out of Terre Haute on Armon Bassett's return to Indy to workout for the Pacers.
• 2010 NBA Mock Draft, Presented By SB Nation - Ridiculous Upside
  Scott at RU is running the SB Nation mock draft this year so refresh often as we roll through the first round in the next few days.
• On season's biggest night, bigs will be key
  Bob Ryan comments on the big Game 7 tonight and finds both teams trying not to complicated matters since it remains a game just like any other despite the stakes.
• Kendrick Perkins won't play, Doc Rivers says
  Perk is out but still trying to help his teammates prepare for Game 7 without him.