This open note of apology to my buddy Richard:
The NBA playoffs are not as bad as I have always claimed. At least this year. Lebron last night? A game to remember! And the Spurs . . . . All right, the Mavs stunk up the place, but that contributed to an element of unpredictability.
I’ll still take March Madness any day. The worst March Madness game is better than the best NBA playoff game. But, still. I have enjoyed watching a few of the games with my son.
So this note to Richard: It doesn’t stink as badly as I had said. There you go.
- - - -
Last night was little league baseball at its best. We had to beat the 15-0 team to stay in the running for the tournament. We won in the bottom of the 10th inning, 3-2. I wouldn’t want to play that team again. But for one night, we came out on top.
I always love that game. But some nights I really love it!
NBA? Meh…
College Football is the wellspring of excitement.
My highlights from this year’s playoffs:
1. Although I’m a Spurs fan, Steve Nash is the best basketball show on the planet. Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to him in the college game.
2. The early Dallas departure was shocking. But the drama lines between Nelly and Cuban were wonderful. Also, that series gave us some insight as to what true NBA fans look like. The Old School Golden State Fans are amazing.
3. Lebron’s coming-out party. A game for the ages last night.
4. Watching Tim Duncan lead his team with selflessness. People complain that the NBA game is a selfish brand of basketball. Yet look at the best teams in the West: Spurs, Suns, Mavericks, and Jazz. Anyone who claims the NBA is a selfish league is an idiot.
Some notes on the college game:
1. Notice that the college game this year was vastly improved due to the presence of Durant and Oden. Let’s be clear, if the new rule were not in force those two would have been playing in the NBA this year. This proves the point I’ve been making for years: The NCAA game has been, for years, a poor basketball product. It has suffered from a massive talent drain. That is not the fault of the NCAA. But could you imagine if Durant and Oden stayed around with years worth of meetings in the Final Four? Now that would have made March Madness a great product. Sadly, they are both leaving, once again draining the tournament of its talent. We’ll have to continue to follow the best basketball in the NBA.
2. Finally, the NCAA is backing up the 3-point line. For years that line was way too close, killing most of the basketball strategy of the NCAA game. It became a drive and dish style which is only of limited interest to true basketball enthusiasts.
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!!!!
There’s playoffs?
Congratulations on your big win - that’s awesome!
I, for one, am so thankful you’ve led the conversation back to sports. Your posts and the truckload of comments the past couple of days wore me out.
The Boone fam was sorely disappointed with the goose egg the Mavs laid in the playoffs. My interest has been lacking since they got knocked out.
If you want to see a real NCAA basketball fan, go sit with my mom during a KU game! Yikes!
No, you’re right. The NBA does stink. Even though I have a team in the playoffs, I still give a big “yaaaaaawwwwwn” to any NBA team.
Well…in fact I give a yawn to ANY basketball game. Give me hockey any day.
Personally, I want to thank you for using the phrase “But, still.” as a retort. My husband laughs every time I use this in an arguement & I’m just glad that I’m not the only one who believes this phrase stands alone.
Thanks, Roland!
Well…in fact I give a yawn to ANY basketball game. Give me hockey any day.
I was beginning to feel very much alone out here in basketball cyberspace. I agree!! Yaaaaawn to ANY basketball game. And I too prefer hockey OR, of course, baseball!
That was one of the most exciting Junior League games I’ve ever witnessed. Max’s favorite part was when you chest bumped Charlie and jumped into Darrell’s arms. I missed that scene but if I had seen it I’m sure it would have been my favorite moment, too. Congrats on a big win!
Did you see the fist fight in the Cubs’ dugout yesterday, Mike? Baseball is definitely where the action is.
Things have changed so much in the NBA in the past 10 years. I used to never miss a game. Now… I don’t really ever watch at all. I’m not sure what changed, the NBA or me.
But I can get into any NFL game, MLB game or NASCAR race.
I give up TV for Lent most years which means I miss march madness. I gave up on College Basketball when Cable TV changed the balance of power. Did anyone hear of Georgetown, St. John’s, etc… basketball before cable TV?
LeBron I think I became a believer except do you think the red sea would have parted if Ben Wallace would have been in the middle. Daniel Gipson okay maybe he should have came out early ouch.
baseball is still baseball did you see the two balks the other night in the Met’s game. Marvelous.
Two tickets to Padres vs Dodgers
Two tickets to Angels vs Yankees
Four games with great Christian brothers.
who can be against us……..
Oh Game One tickets in San Antonio….score….
Hey Mike
Grats on the big win!!
I am not into basketball at all so no comment there.
My 7 year old grandaughter does play softball though and made the allstar team this year. We had our first tournament this weekend and went 2 and 2 so not too bad. We go to Sweetwater next weekend and hope for a better reacord.
Grats again
Happy, you are my bestest friend. What time should we meet.
Oh… and Happy - Christian sisters love baseball, too!
Hey, Happy! Don’t forget the fervent Padres fan - faithful, encourager, forgiver. I’m sure you’d really appreciate a Padres game with one that fills this profile. Right? Yeah? Right? Of course!!
LeBron didn’t have that great of a game in Game 5…the Pistons defense stunk should be the big story. The Bad Boys would have knocked LeBron on his butt. They did that to MJ and the Bulls didn’t win until MJ finally got some help (Pippen, Grant, etc.). Clearly there was no defensive intentsity. Terrible.
The Spurs will sweep!!!
Why is it people want to say that Cleveland didn’t have a great series - the Pistons had a bad series. Not sure if anyone noticed but we were down two and marched back.
Oh no my friends…Cleveland has been waiting for a long, long time for this - we desire, wish and want this more than mother’s milk itself.
With Mike Brown as our secret weapon and a TEAM of talented men this is going to be a very close series indeed.
Let’s not forget the picture of LeBron James dunking over Tim Duncan last November!
JPierpont,
there is always next year
Every Sunday & Wed. My Message Will Start With GO SPURS GO!!! Our Church is having Spurs parties at our house every time they play so I am planning only 4. Man I can’t wait for Thursday!!
GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!
Happy, I hope you’re a Padre fan - you saw them win against the Dodgers, 1-0 on TWO hits, that TWO hits in the 9 innings to win. Whee! But win we did! Yay!! Chris Young was brilliant, and Hoffman gets his 499th save. Let’s see tomorrow night. Gotta love it!
Are there any mixed emotions about who to root for in your house Mike?
Kathy, I don’t understand how anyone can not like hockey. It is the most grueling and physical pro sport as well as the most enjoyable. Here are some of the things that always amaze me about hockey:
1. If you get a penalty, you LOSE a player for some time. You have to play one (or two) players short. Can you imagine in football if, instead of losing yards you just had to play without your QB for 2 min?
2. The game goes so fast because they have to sub ON THE FLY. No time outs or subs between plays. You just have to jump over the wall and right into play.
3. Play rarely stops. In basketball, baseball or football if a player loses a helmet or a contact they will stop play. In hockey, if a player busts his stick, oh well. He either plays without a stick until he can get back to the bench or he gives the other team an advantage while he gets a new one. Last night, a player from the Ducks lost his stick and just used his body to try to block the puck.
4. They are skating AND playing. I know it is 2nd nature to skate but it still amazes me.
5. The cup. No other sport has a trophy like that. I can say that I touched it and got my picture taken with it!
Anyway, back to business…