As the weather begins to warm, the NHL and NBA Finals are in full effect, MLB is off and running, and NFL and NCAA Football are holding training camps for their upcoming seasons. This is one of the best times of the year for a sports fan like myself. There isn't much about June that I do not enjoy. Southern California's blue skies and sunshine.
And in 2008, the Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA Finals. After running through the Western Conference playoffs with a 12-3 record, the Lakers now await the Boston Celtics. While Boston did not have such an easy time through the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Celtics did beat the top competition in the East, shutting Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers down before defeating the Detroit Pistons in the conference finals.
This is a matchup that, at the beginning of the season, was not expected. Boston was expected to be here. The Lakers, on the other hand, did not even know whether or not Kobe Bryant would be wearing purple and gold when the season's first month ended after an offseason that found Bryant expressing his anger in public.
The Celtics began the season on a tear after acquiring Kevin Garnett from Minnesota and Ray Allen from Seattle in the offseason. Boston encountered a few bumps along the way to the East's best record, finishing 66-16.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, started the season sluggish, never really establishing themselves in the West until after the first month of the season. After center Andrew Bynum went down with an injured left knee in January, the Lakers were scrambling for answers. Kwame Brown was inconsistent and best. Ronny Turiaf, although a backup, did an excellent job filling in when needed. Chris Mihm has never regained his form after a series of injuries to his lower extremedies. Free agent signing DJ Mbenga filled in, but it took him time to adjust to his surroundings.
Pau Gasol, who the Lakers picked up February 1 in a trade that many are still scratching their heads about, has done a spectacular job as a center. While Gasol's stats may make him out to be those of a center, his natural position is respectively power forward.
After the Lakers acquired Gasol, they tore through the West on their way to the top of the standings, edging out San Antonio and New Orleans for top seed and home court advantage.
But to me, the thing that is most shocking is not the trades the Celtics and Lakers made to acquire these superstars, but that these two teams are playing, once again, for the NBA title. It has been 21 years since these teams last met in the Finals.
The 1987 NBA Finals were a matchup for the ages, with seven hall of famers playing on the court at one time.
Now, in 2008, while fans will not see quite as many potential hall of famers on the court as they did in 1987, they will be in for a great series, which will renew a rivalry that is best played at the end of the season: in the finals.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Should the '07 Patriots go down as one of the best ever?
Over the last 24 hours, many sports shows, radio, television, and wire, have discussed whether or not the 2007 New England Patriots should go down as one of the best teams. To sum it up in a few words, "It doesn't mean a thing if you don't get the ring." The 95-95 Chicago Bulls coined that phrase, after finishing the season 72-10, and knew their season wouldn't make a difference if they did not hoist the NBA trophy at the end of the season.
In 2001, the Seattle Mariners tore through the American League, winning 116 games en route to the best record in baseball, but would lose to the New York Yankess in 5 games in the opening round of the playoffs.
This Patriot team ranks along with those teams, who had a miraculous season, dominating their opposition en route to the playoffs, but when the final stage was set, they could not capitolize and join the '72 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated teams in NFL history.
There have been many great teams to finish the NFL season with just one loss on their record, but just a few of those teams, unlike this years Patriots, wound up leaving the Super Bowl victorious. The 1984 San Fransisco 49ers and 1985 Chicago Bears finished the season with just one loss on their record, winning the Super Bowl and staking their claim as one of the best teams in history.
When the record books have been written, this Patriots team will go down as one of the most talented, but will be accompanied by a championship. Tom Brady set a record with 50 touchdown passes. Randy Moss broke the record for single season touchdown receptions with 23, and the offensive unit surpassed the 1998 Minnesota Vikings as the most prolific attack in league history, scoring 589 points in a 17 game season.
Without the championship, the Patriots cannot boast that they are the best in the NFL. They cannot boast about an undefeated regular season, because they did not win their final game. The New York Giants proved one thing throughout the playoffs, whoever we lost to in the regular season means nothing if we get to play them again in the postseason.
In 2001, the Seattle Mariners tore through the American League, winning 116 games en route to the best record in baseball, but would lose to the New York Yankess in 5 games in the opening round of the playoffs.
This Patriot team ranks along with those teams, who had a miraculous season, dominating their opposition en route to the playoffs, but when the final stage was set, they could not capitolize and join the '72 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated teams in NFL history.
There have been many great teams to finish the NFL season with just one loss on their record, but just a few of those teams, unlike this years Patriots, wound up leaving the Super Bowl victorious. The 1984 San Fransisco 49ers and 1985 Chicago Bears finished the season with just one loss on their record, winning the Super Bowl and staking their claim as one of the best teams in history.
When the record books have been written, this Patriots team will go down as one of the most talented, but will be accompanied by a championship. Tom Brady set a record with 50 touchdown passes. Randy Moss broke the record for single season touchdown receptions with 23, and the offensive unit surpassed the 1998 Minnesota Vikings as the most prolific attack in league history, scoring 589 points in a 17 game season.
Without the championship, the Patriots cannot boast that they are the best in the NFL. They cannot boast about an undefeated regular season, because they did not win their final game. The New York Giants proved one thing throughout the playoffs, whoever we lost to in the regular season means nothing if we get to play them again in the postseason.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Good Trade Kupchak!
After Andrew Bynum went down for eight weeks, Laker fans knew it would be a tough stretch. Friday, Mitch Kupchak made that stretch a lot easier.
While giving up more than he got, Kupchak traded Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, two first round draft picks, and the rights to Aaron McKie and Marc Gasol. Many would view this trade as giving up to much.
Brown's contract expired after this year. Crittenton is a rookie. McKie was a sign and trade. Marc Gasol wasnt sure if he wanted to play in the states. The Laker's took Pau Gasol and his three-year, $39 million contract, and a 2010 draft pick, and to many, got rid of a player that needed to be traded.
Pau Gasol, 27, comes to Los Angeles after being named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002, and an all-star in 2006. Gasol's career highlight was helping Spain win the FIBA World Championship in 2006.
With the acquisition, and when Bynum returns from injury, the Lakers present an extremely tough matchup for any team. Although Gasol does not bring a strong defensive game to the Lakers, he does bring a mid to low-range post game, along with knowledge of the floor, and the ability to play at both the 4 and 5 positions for coach Phil Jackson.
With two seven-footers on the floor, as well as Kobe Bryant, this team, which already was in the conversation as a Western Conference contender, should threaten any chance that San Antonio has to repeat as conference champions.
With the playoffs just three months away, do not be surprised if the Lakers go in, yet again, as a No.. 6 or 7 seed if Bynum needs more time to heal. When he is fully healthy, this team should storm through the playoffs, reminding fans of the teams that won three straight championships from 2000 to 2002.
While giving up more than he got, Kupchak traded Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, two first round draft picks, and the rights to Aaron McKie and Marc Gasol. Many would view this trade as giving up to much.
Brown's contract expired after this year. Crittenton is a rookie. McKie was a sign and trade. Marc Gasol wasnt sure if he wanted to play in the states. The Laker's took Pau Gasol and his three-year, $39 million contract, and a 2010 draft pick, and to many, got rid of a player that needed to be traded.
Pau Gasol, 27, comes to Los Angeles after being named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002, and an all-star in 2006. Gasol's career highlight was helping Spain win the FIBA World Championship in 2006.
With the acquisition, and when Bynum returns from injury, the Lakers present an extremely tough matchup for any team. Although Gasol does not bring a strong defensive game to the Lakers, he does bring a mid to low-range post game, along with knowledge of the floor, and the ability to play at both the 4 and 5 positions for coach Phil Jackson.
With two seven-footers on the floor, as well as Kobe Bryant, this team, which already was in the conversation as a Western Conference contender, should threaten any chance that San Antonio has to repeat as conference champions.
With the playoffs just three months away, do not be surprised if the Lakers go in, yet again, as a No.. 6 or 7 seed if Bynum needs more time to heal. When he is fully healthy, this team should storm through the playoffs, reminding fans of the teams that won three straight championships from 2000 to 2002.
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