NBA Playoff Update

So far the NBA playoffs have proven to be evenly matched and very competitive.  Both series are tied at 1 apiece, and all 4 teams have had their moments when their stars have shined.

Who can forget what Dirk did on game 1?  48 points on 24/24 free throws and 12/15 field goals.  No one has ever witnessed a free throw shooting clinic like that.  And 12 for 15 isn't too bad either.  But the Thunder could have won that game if not for JJ Barrea and Jason Terry.  Coming off the bench, they added that extra offense that put the game away for the Mavs.  And after taht game everyone (including me) was saying, "No one can stop Dirk" and "The Thunder don't have a chance."

Then came game 2.  And maybe no one can stop Dirk, but if you can keep the bench players from dominating you have a chance.  And of course if your own bench scores more than 50 points that helps too.  The 2 big stories of game 2 were Durant's massive dunk, and the benching of Russel Westbrook for the entire 4th quarter.  Durant's dunk set off a 21-7 run it was so huge.  And benching Westbrook was kind of a no brainer since Eric Maynard was having such a great game, and it worked.

This series has definitely been interesting.  Much more defensive than the Western Conference Finals.  And that seems a little strange to me when you have the likes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Derrick Rose on the court.  But they're all so dedicated that they are great defensive players as well.  And both teams from top to bottom are dedicated to defending.  It makes for a physical, frantic series.

Game 1 was even throughout the first half, and then Derrick Rose made his presence felt and led the Bulls to a 21 point win.  Game 2 was the same story for the first half.  But in that case, it was LeBron who came up big in the second half, and especially down the stretch of the 4th quarter to close out the win for the Heat.  Neither game has had a singular defining moment, but the stars have all had at least one good game.

So as the 2 series shift to Miami and Oklahoma City, it would seem that those 2 teams have the advantage having stolen a game away from home.  But who really thinks that Dallas and Chicago are going to go away without putting up a fight?  Has your opinion of who's going to make the finals changed based on what you've seen?  I'm still picking Dallas and Miami, although I think Dallas will have a harder time than I originally expected.

Daily Highlight: Cavalier's Revenge

LeBron James made is second return to Cleveland.  And this time it was a much happier occasion for Cleveland fans.  Last time, the Heat torched the Cavs and won big.  This time, despite LeBron's triple-double, the Cavs pulled off their first double-digit win of the season.

Miami Heat: Cry-Gate

"There's no crying in Baseball!"  Words immortalized by Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own.  Those words can probably be applied to any professional sport.  Last night after the Heat lost another heart breaker, their was talk of crying in the locker room.  And of course that was going to cause a buzz in the sports world.  And after the summer trades bring LeBron, D-Wade, and Bosh together, the Heat were pretty much considered to be in "a league of their own."  So their should be no complaining by the Heat if people are over-reacting to these statements.  But here is coach Erik Spoelstra's reaction to the backlash:

Cry-Gate Fallout

And I have to say, I think coach Spoelstra has it all wrong.  The media is not making something out of nothing.  When you make a comment like that in a press conference after a 4th consecutive bad loss, you're just asking for it.  It is good that the players care.  No one would expect anything less.  But crying?  Give me a break.  And those comments combined with Wade's: "The world is a happier place because the Heat are losing.  Isn't that what everyone wanted?"  Wow.  He sounds bitter, and he looked completely defeated in that pres conference.

 Miami Heat: A League of Their Own

The Heat are a very good team.  43-20 is certainly not a bad record.  So quit crying, and go out and win some close games.  If you do that, then everyone will jump back on the band wagon and you'll all be worshiped again.

*Just as an aside.  This may make it sound like I hate the Heat.  I don't.  I like them, and I root for them.  But this whole crying thing is disgraceful.