Heartbreakers are hardly unusual in the NBA playoffs, but the Indiana Pacers' 103-102 overtime loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals figures to sting more (and for longer) than your run-of-the-mill defeat of this order.

The backlash (and the backlash to the backlash) (and the backlash to the backlash to the backlash) to some of Pacers coach Frank Vogel's decisions during the game is the sort that's tough to live down, and that will likely be re-dissected and re-analyzed for years to come.

Unless, of course, Indy can leave behind the pain of its initial shortfall and/or use that pain to propel itself to a strong showing in Game 2 and beyond. The fact that the Pacers were in it until the end and had their fair share of opportunities to seal the deal speaks volumes of their competency in this matchup.

If Vogel and his players heed a few key warnings inherent in their Game 1 performance, they may well give the defending champs a run for their money before this series is through.

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Highlights? Lowlights? Basketball bloopers? How exactly does one sum up all that is Shaqtin' a Fool?

Comedic gold, that's what it is.

And now, Shaquille O'Neal breaks down the top 10 plays from an absolutely bullish market of NBA gaffes during the 2012-13 season.

Something tells me a certain erstwhile Denver Nuggets center will make more than a cameo during these clips.

Want the rest of the top 10? Find them in all their glory here.

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Whoever's idea it was to sign Chris "Birdman" Anderson deserves a raise.

The Heat went out and bought a Band-Aid that happened to be the exact same shape as the wound. Anderson's strengths have played directly to Miami's weakness.

There was no interior activity from the bigs before the Birdman arrived. Think about the depth they had at the 4 and 5 positions. Joel Anthony was the only big man they had coming off the bench, and with all due respect, I've got a refrigerator in my kitchen that offers more versatility.

But I guess you don't need much of a bench when you have a guy like LeBron James who could play five positions in a half.

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This is no longer the Golden State Warriors you grew up with.

Times have changed, finally, for a franchise that for so long has drowned in mediocrity.  

The Warriors aren’t decorated with championships. The team’s retired jerseys belong to the distant past, mostly from an era of the 60s and 70s that precedes the current Golden State fan’s memory.

As far as recent history goes, Hall of Famer Chris Mullin’s jersey hangs from his time in the '80s and '90s though even his playoff games capped at 33 through just five short postseason appearances with the Warriors.

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Teams drafting in the NBA lottery typically have more than one need. The toughest part of the evaluation process is deciding whether to fill a specific need or go with the best available player. 

It's a pickle that general managers find themselves in all the time.

Let's address what each team needs specifically and see who might be available to fit.

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Long-term upside is another way of talking about a prospect's ceiling.

A ceiling is the best possible player a prospect can become. But it usually takes a while to get there, which is why we call it long-term upside.

Though these players have the highest ceilings and upsides, it doesn't mean they are the six best prospects. Victor Oladipo is likely to get selected before Alex Len, though if they both reach their ceilings, Len will end up the better player.

These are the guys who could turn out to be the top players from this draft if they all reach their NBA ceilings.

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The grumbles have turned to applause.

When the Indiana Pacers paid Roy Hibbert a max contract valued at $58 million over four years this past offseason, it was labeled one of the worst contracts in basketball.

But like the stock of Tiger Woods, public opinion has quickly changed to favorable. Thanks to the playoffs showcase of his defensive gifts, paired with his improving offensive game, Hibbert is quickly proving his value.

Last July, the Pacers matched the competing contract offer by the Portland Trail Blazers to hang on to their 7’2” restricted free-agent center. Criticism of the deal was understandable, as the former 17th overall pick was turning 26 and he had never averaged averaged more than 12.8 points or 8.8 rebounds, both highs in his 2011-12 season.

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With the lottery set and the combine complete, we're starting to see some pieces from the NBA draft puzzle fall into place.

Most of the top-ranked guys have maintained their status as top-ranked guys. It's tough to disappoint coaches during simple little drills and running around some cones.

The needle will really start to move once head-to-head workouts get underway, and these top-ranked guys start facing each other.

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