Trav's Thoughts

It's taped again from Vegas. But don't worry because it's live from Hollywood next week.

I guess I really shouldn't use my DWTS opening for SYTYCD. Maybe this weekend I'll think of something else.



Welcome to night 2 of Vegas Callbacks. We're finally about to get to our Top 20. These are the 10 boys and 10 girls who will dance for votes, vying for the title of America's Favorite Dancer.

That's right. SYTYCD acknowledges that there's simply no predicting how America is going to vote. So while we may think that better dancers are going out early, there's more involved here than just dancing.

But you are certainly going to see some dancing...and some great dancing too.

Right now, it's time for the last 32 to take the longest walk down the hall with televisions playing clips of their dances to face Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Debbie Allen, Lil C, Adam Shankman, and Mia Michaels to find out whether they made it or didn't.

Here is our Top 20:

Janette Manrara
Vitolio Jeune
Kayla Radomski
Kuponohi'pou Aweau
Paris Torres
Jeanine Mason
Ade Obayomi
Karla Garcia
Jonathan Platero
Brandon Bryant
Tony Bellissimo
Maksim Kapitannikov
Caitlin Kinney
Melissa Sandvig
Jason Glover
Ashley Valerio
Randi Evans
Philip Chbeeb
Asuka Kondho
Evan Kasprzak

Last spot for the girls came down to Deana and Aska.

Last spot for the boys came down to the brothers, Evan and Ryan.

There will be bio information to follow as soon as I get a chance to do a bit of research, and as soon as it comes online! I had to search just to get the last names.

But rest assured...this is a most excellent group.

My Lakers came out focused and prepared against the Magic in game 1 of the NBA Finals. The defense was aggressive and dominating. LA cut off Orlando's drives, forced Dwight Howard to pass out to open shooters, closed out on the shooters and challenged shots. And most importantly, they finished off the possessions by getting rebounds.

And well...Kobe was amazing. He was scary good.

When this team plays this way, there isn't a team in the league that can beat them.

The Magic didn't shoot the ball well. They missed some open looks and a lot of layups when they were able to get to the rim. And with the Lakers shooting better than 50% from the field, Orlando couldn't get a lift with its fast break.

The Magic can light it up at any time. They just keep playing through missed shots and never get too high or too low. But the Lakers took control in the 2nd quarter and to start the 2nd half, going ahead by 24 at the end of the 3rd period and pretty much putting the game out of even Orlando's reach.

And Kobe...well he had his playoff high 40 points along with 8 assists and 8 rebounds. The rest of the team fed off his energy.

Still, all it means is that the Lakers did what they should have done. They won the first game at home. They need the same intensity of effort in game 2 on Sunday.