The Playoffs (Revisited)

One Down - One to go. Did you watch the basketball? I did.

I loved it. I enjoyed the drama, the story lines, the hot and cold shooting - I loved it all. The right team won. Hardest working, "put in their time team won" the game.
The "Instant Championship" that Miami tried to manufacture, didn't happen. Why? - For me it comes down to respect. Simple. Dirk and Jason Kidd and Jason Terry and Shawn Marion had the opportunity to play basketball. And play they did. They respected their team and their opponent, right from the start. Also unsung heroes like Jose Barea, DeShawn Stevenson and Tyson Chandler played their heart out. Why? They had no distractions (kind of).Can you tell I am getting to something? I am.

Miami made their bed, and then they had to sleep in it. Ok, I will get to my point. LeBron did his made for TV announcement that he was leaving Cleveland and going to Miami. The Big three were born, Wade, LeBron and Bosh. And they gave birth to a whole new group of people that did not like Miami. Suddenly, people hated Miami. Is that fair. Of course it is. The fans pay the salaries....they have a right to hate or love a team.
How does all this relate to last nights win? Simple. LeBron could not take the pressure of it all. I don't care what he says. He couldn't deal with it. Last night was a real eye opener for The Big Three. Do I think they will ever win? Yes. And sorry to say they might win a few...they are amazing, phenomenal athletes, but before that can happen, it is time to grow up boys. LeBron in particular needs to rebuild some bridges. If I was him? - I would hold a press conference and apologize to the Cleveland fans for they way that I left. I would admit that the TV show was wrong. I would say that I realize that to win at this level (at any level) - you need to do it as a team. A lot of you I am sure thinks that is a wimpy way to deal, but it is my opinion. Once he has done that, he can then go back to playing basketball, the game itself, and not the sideshow. (the little stunt by Dwade insinuating that Dirk was "faking" his illness??) - childish. Play the game boys. You were a sideshow, the media was in your face, every game...and you choked. Sorry. Congrats Dallas Mavericks.

Tonight. Cheering big time for Canucks....low scoring Vancouver 2 - Boston 1.

The Playoffs

Wow - That is how I sum up the playoffs. Now for me I am talking NHL and NBA. I know most of you are hockey nuts, me too, but I love my round ball and the Miami - Dallas series has a lot of drama and story lines, just like the hockey.
First - NHL - I am Canadian. I am cheering for the Canucks, seems like a no brainer to me. For you long time Bruin fans, I of course make an exception, but for the casual fan? - if you are in Canada cheer for Vancouver. Besides, my Aunt Linda lives in downtown Vancouver, that alone is reason enough. It is a funny series. A homer series big time. You can drop all the cliches right about now, about winning the next game(or else) etc., but I think the Canucks might just win this now in Boston. Lesson Learned. They have to play more physical (early) in Boston...and Roberto needs to shut the door in the first period. They do this, and the Stanley Cup will be won on Monday night. Go Canuncks Go!

Second - NBA - Again - what a great series. Homer series again. Miami won 2 in Miami and Dallas then won 3 in Miami. So come Sunday night, Dallas has to chances to win the NBA title. It has been fun to watch. Who should you cheer for? Again seems like a no brainer. Of course it depends on your age I think. (See Twenty Something Blog coming soon) - but being Old School as previously mentioned it does seem simple. You decide.
Miami - a team that was put together (behind the scenes) as a "Super Team", a carefully calculated sideshow, even a Live television event to announce it, touting the "Big Three" as the Unstoppable force that will win championships for years to come, hoisting the big Trophy at the end of the year, over and over. - so you can choose Miami (I could have gone on longer)
Dallas - a hard working team, with an inspired exciting owner, with journeyman players that have paid their dues. Jason Kidd has worked his butt off his whole career, and Dirk Nowitzki. He has played his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks - say no more. He put in his time. He is loyal, hard working and flat out fun to watch. And to appease my brother Tippy I will add, Nowitzki has "earned his stripes". Go Mavericks!!
Enjoy a great Sunday (NBA) and Monday (NHL) of sports. It does not get much better.

Pro Lacrosse - Bring back the fast break!

I talked to one of the coaches in the NLL who will remain nameless, he explained the logic to me, and how teams are adapting now and instead of doing 5 on and 5 off, they are now sending 3 and 3, and sometimes they call a play to bust it out, and this to me is a start. But for an old school guy like myself, i want more. I look at it this way. The owners in the NLL have done a great job to get us here. We have a good league with a good group of solid franchises, and the game has tried lots of rule changes (bigger nets for one) to make the game exciting. They have introduced a new group of fans, that were never lacrosse fans before, which is great, but i think it is important to not forget the games roots, and what made it great in the past. FastBreaks!! How about this radical idea? When I was six years old we had what was called the “three” minute line. These kids would start the game, play three straight minutes, no matter what, the buzzer would go, and the next line would come out. Hmmmm. Care to try that at the pro level? That would be fun to watch! How do you ever stop the constant line changing? Can you make a rule saying no line change for 45 seconds? I don't know the answer. But I need an answer.
I am here to tell the people at the NLL, that when I am watching, I really miss the fast break. Bring me back lacrosse. I am not some old school guy that cannot grow with the game. I can. But we have to look at the game and think about what has made it great.
"The fastest game on two feet"! Please let us not forget this.
Just my opinion.