I've been noticeably absent for a little bit, so I have lots of things to talk about. Numerous random topics to be talked about it, so let's have some fun.
NBA Champs, Dallas Mavericks. Certainly didn't see it coming. I thought for sure the Heat would have their number. I was certainly proven wrong. Dirk was a flat out star throughout the whole Finals and playoffs. There are a ton of things to talk about after his performance. Where does he stand on the all time power forward lists? What is Mark Cuban planning instead of rings? Do they have another run in them?
I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and they had their "experts" talking about where Dirk stands on the all time power forward lists. Duncan was consistently listed as numero uno with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQlUINKWtU and Barkley at two-three. And obviously a couple of other names came up before Dirk's name came up. Dirk is more of a small forward in a power forward's body. There isn't exactly power to his game. Plus, like I've said before, Duncan isn't a power forward, he's clearly a center with touch out to 18'. Now that Dirk has got the "ring" his place in history as an all time great. We can thank MJ for basically making championships the almighty proving ground.
Mark Cuban talked about rings being old school and out of fashion. He said he had something big in mind for his guys. I can't even imagine what he has planned. Maybe a giant ring that can be worn as a necklace? A diamond encrusted championship belt? We will see, I'm sure it will be fun for the best owner in sports.
I have mentioned this before, the Mavs have a ton of experience and that is certainly one of the reasons why they have stuck together in big moments and made crazy runs when they needed to. I don't know if they can do it again, J-Kidd is getting old (or is already old). There are a lot of miles on each one of their main guys' legs. They are actually very similar to the Celtics a few years back. This might be their last hoorah as a unit.
I feel bad for the Heat. They celebrated their championship before the season. It was a heck of a gathering with fireworks and lasershows galore. I think it's hilarious. They didn't deserve to win, they looked lost late in each contest. Lebron took a total backseat in each 4th quarter. It's actually disappointing to see arguably this generation's most talented player fold like a book down the stretch.
Speaking of Lebron, it's amazing to see the expectations that people place on him. For his career to be where everyone should be he needs to average a triple double and get at least as many rings as Jordan (six). People jumped all over him in Game 5 for his lackluster performance and he still had a triple double with 17 points, 10 assists, and 10 boards. It's like he played bad, it's just that he didn't meet expectations. Why aren't people giving Chris Bosh flak? He is considered a "max contract" player and he did nothing but live off of Lebron and Wade the whole playoffs. Lebron has certainly brought a lot of the expectations on himself for his "decision" but it would be hard for anyone to live up to these expectations. He's very similar to A-Rod in a sense. He's trying to please everyone instead of taking care of business when he needs to.
I've heard of bunch of people talk about how Lebron has no mid-range game and how he needs to add that for him to take his game to the next level. I'm calling those people idiots because it has been proven that Lebron actually makes for mid-range shots than just about anyone in the NBA (I think he's 2nd or 3rd). What LBJ needs to add is a post up game. Miami was clearly missing a low block presence. Dallas had theirs in Dirk. The Bulls had Jordan because Luc Longley and Bill Wennington weren't exactly going to light up the scoreboard. The top players have low post games. It helps them get easy shots and it helps them get to the free throw line. Simple solution, it's not the mid-range game, it's the post-up game, work on it.
I have a friend who keeps on telling me that "The Decision" was brought on by David Stern. I certainly won't disagree with that statement. Stern is clearly a genius and figures out ways for the NBA to move to the forefront in the media. Would he tell Lebron to do something like that to make the NBA like the WWE? Are the Heat the NWO? LBJ switching to the Heat stirred the pot and was definitely a "Hollywood" Hogan move. It's just something to think about. LBJ's popularity has decreased this year but the casual fan watched it way more than usual. Any thoughts?
After watching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals I've determined two things. The Cup is one of the coolest traditions in sports. Guys completely stay away from The Cup until they win it. They won't touch it and try not to go near it. To see the emotion the guys have when they skate around with The Cup is one of the coolest things you'll see. Point number two is that Tim Thomas looks exactly like Alan from the Hangover with his playoff beard. Agree or disagree with me. Alan vs. Tim.
Last night I was able to watch the US' last group match in the Gold Cup for soccer. We needed to win or tie to advance to the next round. We (why I say we, I have no idea) looked like poop. Score should've been at least 4-0 instead we made it an interesting 1-0. I just don't get it. How we don't play with any urgency. The only time we see that urgency is when we get down early and have to fight back to get back into the game. I know it happens in all sports at all levels but you can't just walk onto the field, ice, or court and expect to win because we have USA on our jerseys. Big game on Sunday vs. Jamacia in the Quarters. If the team loses expect Bob Bradley to be let go. The team looks like it has gotten stagnant in their development. I'm certainly not saying he is a bad coach because I think he is but at what point do we take our game to the next level.
I asked my buddy Mark today (he's a soccer coach) and asked him why the US is so freaking bad on set pieces on the offensive and defensive ends. It just doesn't make sense to me how we just wait for things to happen instead of making things happen (doesn't that sound familiar?). Attack the ball and things are going to go your way. The aggressor usually wins the battle.
Is it just me or do more people have neck tattoos than normal? I keep seeing people with neck tattoos and wonder where do these people work and where is that acceptable in a business setting besides a tattoo parlor. Am I becoming the old delusional man that I knew that I would become?
I probably won't be back until next week to talk about my experience down in Omaha for the College World Series, should be awesome. If you see me, I'll probably look like a lobster when I get back but a really good looking one.
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