The NBA Conference Finals have been more than what the doctor could have ordered.
Yes, the playoffs can survive without the Lakers. With the young talent that Oklahoma City is displaying and a coach who lets players play, this team has been a hoot, especially against a once-thought-invincible San Antonio Spurs team that steamrolled everyone in getting to the Western Finals.
To see the likes of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as new faces of the league is comforting. They give good interviews, show high basketball IQ’s and the fact that they have elected not to use their bodies as tattoo billboards is not a distraction.
Being folically challenged myself, I am almost all in on the James Harden beard which could become a convenient place to store his car keys soon.
The Thunder and Spurs actually run plays. They play defense, make adjustments and, yes, they can score. The winner of the NBA finals will come out of the West this season.
Now before you Miami Heat frontrunners get worked up, let me remind you that YOU are front runners.
Oh yeah, Lebron and D-Wade. I think the Cleveland Cavilers that Lebron was on when they lost to the Spurs in the Finals are better than this bunch. No doubt they finish on the fast break as well as anyone and, yes, Lebron is the league’s best player, but this is a team that has a lot of shortcomings.
They are having a tough time with a broken-down Boston Celtics team. Celtics coach Glenn Rivers is doing a masterful job keeping the Celtic team in this thing.
As for excitement, you can always count on the fourth quarter run by both teams. The home team with the blessing of the referees will have the last run. That is what they draw up at half-time, I guess.
If there is one flaw about the playoffs it has to be the flopping and the shoddy officiating. It seems like all sports are having a tough time finding a few good men to officiate the games. The NBA is in dire need, but then again I get the feeling that it has become more accepted than what it should be.
In any event, the playoffs have been more than entertaining. Too bad it is winding down. Then again, all good things must come to an end.
When will it stop?
Another chapter of the book entitled “The NFL Can’t Get Out of Our Way” is being written. This chapter is now about the officials and the possible lockout.
Let’s see, what has has happened since last year?
We have had the owners lock out the players for 100 days. The players again took a bad deal.
Terrible officiating haunted the league week in week out.
Because of the condensed training camp, a huge rash of injuries league-wide watered down the game even more.
“Bounty Gate.”
Holdouts.
Law suits.
Concussion issues that have spurred more lawsuits.
Now the labor issues with the officials, where the NFL is threatening to use replacement officials.
You are kidding, right? The most powerful league in the world is having its officials wanting more of the the billion-dollar pie and the NFL is responding with replacements?
This group will come from retired officials and other retreads. So what does that leave? Mathews-Dickey League guys, refs in the arena league and the new women’s league. Perfect!
The league is going to find every zebra on two legs that is not housed in Forest Park to officiate games – games that they have stressed will be more safety-conscious. You know, protect the players from themselves.
Yep, this league has bigger problems that continue to grow, and some slob is panting about when training camp starts and “Save our Rams.”
Really?
No pity parties, please
In case you have not noticed, the Cardinals hit a bit of a speed bump recently. They have been struggling and, yes, losing.
While I am not one to push the panic button this early, I am not one that would like to host a pity party. This is the big leagues, and big leaguers should perform like big leaguers.
Yes, the injuries have been a setback, but that also means someone else has a chance to be a difference-maker. If that person is not on the bench, then it will be time to look around for him. While it is not a buyer’s market now, you will have to make a wish list at some point on what you want and another list on who you would be willing to part with.
Again, there is time as we have yet to approach Flag Day. That’s when the season really starts for the Cardinals.
