I’m not a big NBA fan … until the playoffs start and the games actually mean something. Midway through this year’s playoffs, a couple things are evident. One is that there’s some pretty good, exciting basketball being played out West. The upstart Warriors upstaged the Dallas Mavwrecks in one of the biggest playoff upsets in history. We’re not too upset that Cuban’s team lost, are we? Glad to see Golden State back in the thick of it. Anyone remember Rick Barry? Spurs vs Suns … WOW. The classic match-up of the half-court masters vs the fast-breakers … very fun to watch some real class athletes (Duncan, Nash, et al) playing the NBA game like we had hoped, and it’s no coincidence that these are two of the best-run organizations in the league. Winner of this series goes to the Finals. Hard to root against Jerry Sloan and the Jazz. Nice team they have over there. They’re not booing … they’re BOOOOOOOOzering!!!
I hate to say this, but the Detroit Pistons are back. They’re in the process of turning my Bulls into road kill which is saying something because the Bulls are on the verge of being great, had momentum, and beat Detroit 3 of 4 during the year. With homecourt advantage, the Pistons will definitely emerge from the East and may be so refreshed from nearly sweeping everyone that they’ll beat the Spurs or Suns in the Finals. I despise the thought of it, but it’s what I see happening.
Editor’s note: It was on Mothers Day weekend back in the late ’70s when I remember sitting at my uncle Jim’s big apartment for our extended family’s annual Mothers Day feast. (Uncle Jim is a priest and a good cook; and he always hosted Mothers Day for all the moms in the family). Anyway, I was glued to his TV watching an incredible triple OT championship game between the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics. The Suns had Alvin Adams, Gar Heard and Paul Westphal … the Celtics had Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and JoJo White; I think Tommy Heinson was the coach and Walter Davis may have been on the Suns, too. Anyway, this game was voted one of the all-time classics. I liked the NBA from that point on. anyone else remember this???
On to baseball … where the Yankmees have again thrown their big fat wallet into the pennant race by outbidding 2-3 other teams for the part-time services of Roger “It’s not about the Money” Clemens. Well, it is absolutely about the money, Roger, and I, along with several million other fans, hope you fall flat on your chubby face and the Yankmees again fall way short in their quest for another ring. BRILLIANT!
20 some games in, the best story has got to be the Brewcrew. They could indeed be this year’s version of Tigers ’06 or White Sox ’05. What great timing for Milwaukee, as this is the 25th anniversary of “Harvey’s Wallbangers” AL champs from 1982, who lost a competitive WS to the St Louis Cardinals. Is it possible the Brewers have not even been in the playoffs since ’82???? Robin Yount was a puppy on that team which featured talneted, grizzled vets like Gorman Thomas, Pete Vuckovich, Rollie Fingers, Cecil Cooper and Sal Bando. Anyway, I’m rooting for the Brewers to continue this run … if ya can’t root for a town like Milwaukee to have some sports success, you’re dead. Anyway, if the Cubs can’t win it, why not the Brewers??? God, I love that nickname … it’s perfect. No … it’s BRILLIANT!!
NHL playoffs … I’ve been watching … assuming that the ever-popular “Versus” cable station has paid their electric bill. Most of the games have been close nail-biters, with many going into OT. I must admit, playoff hockey is just terrific, especially when you get rid of the goons and fighting, because now they want to minimize penalties. OK … at this time we need everyone to recall Casey’s late ’06 declaration of the Sabres as one of the all-time great teams. (embellishing a bit to stoke the fire). Anyway, I cautioned him then and I’ll do the same now: great regular season runs, especially in the first half, don’t mean squat when you get to the playoffs and mean even less when you get ousted!!! (Exhibit A: Dallas Mavwrecks). For the record, I’m rooting heavily for the Sabres to win it all. If not them, then the Ducks. Can’t stand Detroit … I’m anti-Detroit in just about everything. Ottawa??? Where is that anyway? Sounds Australian. GO BUFFALO!!!
That’s it. I’m out. Gotta go coach my bazillionth girls softball game this week. God I hope they throw strikes today …
Wally
Wally,
I distinctly remember that triple – overtime game. Gar Heard hit a turnaround buzzer-beater to send the game into the third OT. Hondo Havlicek also made a crazy buzzer-beater at the end of regulation.
https://basketballreference.com/teams/teamscores.htm?tm=BOS&lg=N&yr=1975
Not wanting to steal your thunder, but I’m pretty sure it was a Friday night game (on tape delay), and I think it was played on June 4th.
I would liken the Pistons winning this year’s NBA title to the Oilers winning the ’84 Stanley Cup. Edmonton did not lose any playoff games playing against the vastly inferior Campbell conference. https://www.nhl.com/history/fstand80s.html
The Isles barely limped into the finals. The same thing could happen with whomever makes it out the NBA west.
As far as the NBA goes, I will ask you the same question JD asked me during the middle of this season? Have you watched any NBA games? Dare I say – it is a great league. Missing the star power of the 80’s and 90’s, but just as competitive.
The Brew Crew great memories. When they hit a homer, the beer mug in center field would tip and a Brewer would slide out. We visited County stadium in ’92 – great brats, PBR on draft, and after “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”, they played “Roll Out The Barrel” – “We’ll have a barrel of fun…”
Is the Clemens’ acquisition an act of desperation?
Just off the wire – Roy Halladay had an emergency appendectomy. And the Yanks signed Bucky Dent. George wants to recapture a l’il of the glory. Bucky is only going to play games at Fenway Park.
Casey
In case you’re wondering – yeah I’m still bitter about the ’84 Cup Finals.
Casey
I have watched quite a few of the NBA playoff games, or at least several second halves due to the wacky time difference in Alaska. It is a pretty good league, especially in the Western Conference. The league will not fulfill potential until the East gets its act together such that at least 2 of these 4 major markets have very good teams: NY (Knicks, not the Nets), Boston, Philly, Chicago. Chicago is obviously closest to being there. Lebron and the Cadavers just don’t do it for me.
There are some guys I love watching play … and they are not dunkers: Nash, Parker, Ginobli, Duncan to name a few. The Suns with Nash are so entertaining. And I love watching D’Antoni cringe and whine … every call against is like someone stole his lunch money.
w/r/t the Brewers, you forgot to mention the sausage races … what a hoot!
Ya know … Bucky Dent got his start with the White Sox … early 70’s … same team as Dick Allen and managed by Chuck Tanner. Girls (esp my sister) went gaga over him … probably his other claim to fame. I liked him … didn’t hate Yanks back then when he killed the Bosox that day. Sorry. 🙁
Wally
I always knew there was something about you that I couldn’t trust.
Casey
Basketball…basketball…oh yeah…the draft is coming up soon…go Celtics!!!!
Speaking of the Brewers, check out this webssite. If they do make the playoffs, I am not going anywhere near Milwaukee..Place is going to stink.
https://peeyourpantsforthebrewers.com/
Why is Bruce Bowen not suspended? In the first 3 games he has tried to take out Amare and then Nash..
As for Baron Davis’ dunk of Kirilenko. Insane stuff.. But it one play you saw what is the best about the NBA and the worst.. Amazing dunk over a guy that already had 16 blocks in the series. Then Davis decides to whatever he was doing and show us his undies. C’mon….
Yes … very unclassy by Davis … he tried to pull what we in the biz now call a “Chastain”. It was a weak effort by Baron and fell far short of a good chastain. 10 points for the dunk, 3 for the attempted chastain. You could say Davis stained the chastain.
Editor’s note: For reference, check out https://www.itsnotaboutthebra.com/
Wally