In case you may have forgotten, LeBron James is currently the best basketball player on the planet. His talent was on full display in game two of the NBA Finals. He posted 35 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes of action.
LeBron had a look on his face I've never seen before. His focus and intensity appears to be on another level. When he gets into a rhythm stopping him is not an option. You can only hope to contain him and pray his teammates miss open jump shots. When the freight train is coming at you full speed the best thing may be to get out of the way.
The best performance of LeBron's career thus far was game five of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. He had his way with the Detroit Pistons in route to the NBA Finals. The third quarter of game two ranks right up there as one of the greatest stretches of his career. He scored 14 of his game-high 35 points in that quarter, including six consecutive jump shots. Early in his career the jump shot was LeBron's pet peeve. Today his game has no weakness.
For the third consecutive year the Miami Heat have tied the NBA Finals 1-1 following a loss to open the series. Eric Spoelstra deserves more credit than he receives. His adjustments following losses have been critical. No matter how good your pieces are, you still need a competent coach to call the shots.
The Heat have now won 13 consecutive games following a postseason loss. Since LeBron and Chris Bosh took their talents to South Beach they have produced a road victory in 16 playoff series. Regardless of the venue, Miami will come prepared to play.
San Antonio blew a golden opportunity to put a strangle hold on the series. Down the stretch the team went for the home run and began to play out of character. The execution was sloppy in the fourth quarter. This is uncharacteristic of a Greg Popovich coached team.
The Spurs lead the NBA in road wins this season. They'll need to steal one of the next two games in Miami or this series is over.
So far the Spurs still have not looked fluent. I expect them to raise their level of intensity heading on the road. Popovich needs to come up with a way to nullify LeBron. If not Tim Duncan can kiss that fifth NBA Championship goodbye.
Based on the last three NBA Finals, the Miami Heat have the San Antonio Spurs right where they want them. Miami has lost game one in their two most recent NBA Finals visits, only to storm back and win both series. In 2011 they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the finals. Dirk Nowitzki put Dallas on his shoulders and shocked Miami on their home-court in game six. Losing game one of the finals is not unfamiliar territory for the defending champions.
Miami has done a great job of making adjustments following a playoff loss. They have gone without losing back-to-back games the entire postseason. Championship teams find a way to get wins on the road. Eric Spoelstra and company will be satisfied heading back to South Beach with a 1-1 split. However, this year the necessity to steal one of the first two games on the road is not as important. The 2-2-1-1-1 format changes the dynamics of the series.
Greg Popovich is one of the best teachers in NBA history. Preparation is everything for the Spurs. With the game one victory, the Spurs are now 6-0 in game one's in the NBA Finals under Popovich.
Both of these teams now know what it felt like playing in the Boston Garden in June in the 1980's. The opposing locker room was known to reach triple digit temperature's on a regular basis. Back then it was looked at as gainesmanship. luckily for LeBron James the A.C malfunction will be corrected for game two.
Tony Parker's health was questionable heading into game one. Once again Tony was up for the task. He posted 19 points and eight assist in 36 minutes. He is still the driver of the Spurs bus.
Manu Ginobili was horrible for the Spurs last postseason. He made it his business to get in the gym everyday last summer. Redemption has been on Manu's mind for a year. He contributed 16 points and 11 assist in game one.
The drama is still building in the 2014 NBA Finals. Don't expect the Heat to go quiet. This series has seven games written all over it. Lets see if King James can once again rally his troops!
Over the course of 66 years in baseball Don Zimmer came in contact with thousands. If you ask around about Don the answers given would be pretty much the same. Don was known for his great energy, positive attitude and always being a go getter.
Even in his later years Don was revered around MLB. He was Joe Torre's guy during baseball's last great dynasty. The 1998-2000 New York Yankees were a better team due to Don's years of experience around the game.
Don lead the 1989 Chicago Cubs to an N.L East crown. That Cubs squad is known as one of the best managed teams in MLB history. That year the Cubs won a surprising 93 games before bowing out to the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS.
Don is one of the few players to have had the honor to play with the great Jackie Robinson. He epitomized what being a baseball lifer is all about. Even getting married couldn't get him away from the baseball diamond. In 1951 Don married his high school sweetheart, Carol Jean Bauerle at home plate while playing for Elmira Pioneers of upstate New York. Legend has it Don hit 3-4 that night after tying the knot.
Don got into coaching right after his playing days were over. Most guys would take some time off, but not Don. The zest for baseball lived inside of him down to his last days. He still was on salary as an advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays up until his death.
Don Zimmer passed away at the age of 83. His contributions to the game of baseball are greatly appreciated.
The San Antonio Spurs are going to need Tony Parker at his best to have any shot at dethroning the Miami Heat.
The Spurs did themselves a huge favor by eliminating OKC in six games on their home floor. The win allowed Parker to have 5 days of rest heading into the NBA Finals. His ankle has been bothering him the entire postseason. Prior to game six of the Western Conference Finals the ankle flared up, causing Greg Popovich to cut Parker's minutes in half.
A year ago Parker entered the NBA Finals in a similar situation, only it was the hamstring that was bothering him. He ended up making the game winning basket in game one. Parker is one of the best in the league at getting into the paint. When he's successful at breaking down the defense, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and the rest of San Antonio's weapons feast on their prey.
Parker is the only member of the Spurs other than Duncan to win finals MVP. Last time the Spurs cut down the nets he took those honors. San Antonio has developed other players besides their big three that can contribute. If Parker is not at 100% someone must step up.
Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Patrick Mills the onus may be on you!
The NFL's concussion lawsuits just kicked up a notch with the addition of one name. Dan Marino is amongst 15 former players that filed a concussion-related lawsuit in Philadelphia' U. S District a week ago.
Although Marino never won a Super Bowl, he still garners recognition as one of the greatest Quarterback's in NFL history. He ranks third in league history in both touchdown passes and passing yards.
During his playing days Marino was known for his huge stature. He would stand in the pocket and fling bombs all over the field. He wasn't associated with concussions like other Quarterbacks of his generation. I would have expected Steve Young or Troy Aikman to have joined this lawsuit. Their struggles with head injuries were well publicized. That's the scary thing about concussions, you aren't 100% sure until its too late.
The lawsuit alleges that the NFL concealed information about concussions for years. Marino's attorney is also apart of the NFL's $765 Million dollar lawsuit. U.S District Judge Anita Brody rejected the $765 Million dollar suit, citing the funds may not be enough to cover expenses.
The NFL needs to stop wasting innocent peoples time and cough up the cash. Not only did the league put its players at risk for years, but they're trying to be cheap with the guys that have stepped up for what they deserve.
The motivation for LeBron James is winning his third consecutive NBA Championship. Not long ago LeBron was the villain of the NBA. After "The Decision"people had a reason to hate LeBron. He tried to embrace the enemy role his first year in Miami. That season ended in an NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
LeBron returned to his roots following the disappointment of once again losing in the championship round. Since his days as a prep star at St. Vincent- St. Mary High School LeBron has been all about having fun. Some players take exception to his antics, but King James is actually better when he's relaxed and enjoying himself. Despite his immense talent, he has always been a team player on and off the court. The fans that burned his jersey four years ago are now salivating for a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron is now 2-2 in the NBA Finals. Only four teams have captured three consecutive rings in league history. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls did it twice. If Miami wins it all LeBron will be half way to Michael's six rings. Michael completed his first three-peat at the age of 30. LeBron is 29. This finals could very well determine if LeBron will need a second hand to boast his rings.
Larry Bird repeatedly expressed how difficult winning a championship is during his press conference about the future of the Indiana Pacers organization. Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are all veterans looking to get their hands on an NBA Championship. Although the Heat have made four consecutive NBA Finals, these opportunities are not promised on a yearly basis. To make the final-round you need talent, hard work, health and most important luck.
LeBron needs to take advantage and cement his name in NBA history. Earlier this season LeBron turned heads with his comments about the NBA's Mt Rushmore. Another title may be the start of a new sculpture.
The Miami Heat are once again playing basketball in June. This is exactly what the big three envisioned when they took their talents to South Beach. Miami is the first team since the 84-87 Boston Celtics to make four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. The Heat are on the verge of yet another NBA dynasty.
Tim Duncan has been waiting for this moment all season. The Spurs feel they let the NBA Championship slip away a year ago. Tim missed a hook shot in the crucial moments of game seven that could have changed the series outcome. Tim is already considered by many to be the greatest Power-forward in NBA history. A fifth championship will make a good argument that Tim is the best big man of his era, Shaquille O'Neal included.
This series will determine NBA Hall Of Fame voting someday. Miami has four players on their roster that may get Hall Of Fame consideration. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Ray Allen are all sure bets to get in eventually. If Miami completes the three-peat you would think Chris Bosh would also begin to garner some consideration. Even Eric Spoelstra is beginning to put together an impressive resume. Not many coaches in NBA history have won three consecutive rings.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are in pursuit of their fourth championship ring. Another ring will make Tim's partners in crime hard to overlook getting into Springfield in the near future.
This is the first finals rematch since Chicago and Utah in 1998. Home-court switched to Utah for that series. That did not change the results of the series. The Bulls took the series in six games, only this time they did it on the road. Since joining forces the big three have shown the ability to win postseason games on the road. The Heat will have to win at least one game in Texas to capture the NBA Finals. This series will probably go to six or seven games.
Last year these two teams gave NBA fans an epic seven game series. Both are eager to reclaim the Larry O'Brien Trophy. A three-peat is in the works for Miami. Three is considered the golden standard in terms of back-to-back championships. A fifth ring for San Antonio will make them the longest running dynasty in league history. This illustrious run began 15 years ago.
This should be a great series.
