By Paul Casey Gotham
Spring Break provided the opportunity to enjoy PNC Park for the first time. Ah, the sights and sounds of downtown Pittsburgh.
Monday signalled a return to work. Construction workers greeted us as we walked through the parking lot. Utility fencing enclosed pallets of 100 gallon drums, roofing materials covered in shrink wrap, and a crane to boot.
Imagine working with our future leaders as they try to ignore materials being hoisted past their classroom window on the top floor of the building.
Picture light fixtures rattling and dust raining from overhead.
Like teenagers need an excuse for distraction.
As the pounding persisted, Chicken Little offered survival. References to the sky falling provided just enough comic relief to make the experience endurable.
Little did I realize the influence wielded by that plaintive poultry.
I left work expecting to settle into my comfy retreat. That is until everything in the sports world turned upside-down.
After all there are few absolutes in life. Everyone knows the old saying: death, taxes, and….for San Antonio fans? A trip to the second round of the playoffs as long as Timmy Duncan wears a Spurs’ jersey.
That is until last night. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks toppled the Manu Ginobili-less Spurs 106-93.
If that wasn’t bad enough everything that I have come to know about playoff hockey did a back flip. Prior to last night if there was one goalie I would want in the net when my team is at home, protecting a one-goal lead, with less than 2:00 on the clock it would be Martin Broduer. Right?
Not anymore.
Maybe Chicken Little has been trying to get our attention for a while. After all the Montreal Canadiens officially fell from grace when eliminated from the playoffs. For nine decades puck heads have come to expect the Habs taking the Cup at least once a decade.
That is until now.
Gee – that kinda makes having to cheer for Tar Heel seem like nothing. That’s all right UNC alum, Lawrence Taylor, brought a resurgence to the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. I suppose I can find it in my heart to applaud the Giants’ first-round pick – Hakeem Nicks. It’s not like I haven’t thrown props to the Heels from time to time to time.
Recent events on the diamond are causing the most level-headed of spectators to consider the power of jinxes. Hey it’s not like Mo hasn’t blown a save before in the ninth.
And gee things must be really shaky with the Bronx Bombers. They are cutting ticket prices?!? By 50%?!? Not like I can take advantage of the slash when considering the new tag is $1,250 per seat!
The Yankees cutting ticket prices makes the Tribe finally beating the Sox seem rather normal.
Head Scratchers:
The NBA recently released their attendance figures. The league averaged 17,520 fans per game (up from last year’s 17,395) with Detroit leading the way with 21,877. Hmmm…I guess auto workers don’t attend basketball games.
Don’t know what to make of Virginia Tech hoopsters, A.D. Vassallo and Chris Tucker. The Hokie pair are enduring a trip through the court system. Their crime? Shoplifting…a twelve-pack of Dr. Pepper? Was it worth it?
Chris Paul accounted for four points and six turnovers as the Hornets got blitzed at home Monday night. Can that happen again? Are the Nuggets that good of a defensive team? If so, what could ‘Melo and gang do against the Lakers?
Wait and See:
Amar’e Stoudemire might have a keen interest in Dwight Howard’s future. After all it was Stoudemire who was suspended during the playoffs for leaving his seat during an on-court melee. How does Stoudemire’s infraction compare to Howard’s elbowing incident?
Speaking of the Suns – is it safe to say the Shaq experiment didn’t work?
Peace.
With or without Ginobili, I think the Spurs are yesterday’s news. They are are “old” and don’t play with near the intensity or intelligence they once showed as champions. Even with Ginobili, MAYBE they get to the Western finals this year, but only to lose to the Lakers. They just don’t have “IT” anymore. And losing big like they did to the Mavwrecks in round 1 should be downright embarrassing to the fans and the organization. So what will they do about it???
Paul Pierce is a SUPERSTAR in case anyone doubts it. Last night against the Bulls in a terrific game 5, he made THE SHOT three different times under extreme pressure. It was “Jordanesque”, although I was bumming as a Bulls fan. These are the shots that we’ve never seen Lebron make in the playoffs … and that’s the reason I will never pick the Cadavers to win a title … I’ll have to see it first to believe Lebron can actually do it when a playoff game or series is on the line.