In short, it is a busy time for sports.
So, let's see what's going on in the world of sports.
NBA
The Indiana Pacers really looked good there, knocking out the Knicks, and then essentially outplaying the Miami Heat in the first two games of this series. That said, Game 3 was scary for anyone pulling for Indiana. Miami really stepped it up, and the Pacers simply could not keep up. It started to resemble the series with the Bulls, with Chicago looking promising early, and then just looking like a fighter that gets off to a quick start, and then gets pounded into submission before too long. If Miami takes Game 4, even if it's close, I think this series is over. Indiana has a lot of weapons, and have shown considerable resolve. But getting blown out like that at home had to be dispiriting. They went from being the surprise team that might just have a chance to pull this thing off, to a huge disappointment, proving that the exception (upsetting Miami) proves the rule (that the Heat are destined for another Finals run, and probably another championship). Hate to think that this is a must win, but Indiana seems outgunned, and they absolutely need to win the next game to bounce back from this one and remain competitive in this series. Otherwise, the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Spurs will begin sooner than anticipated.
Yes, I said the Spurs were in the Finals. With a 3-0 lead, who doubts it? Even if Duncan is getting a highly publicized divorce, this team is focused, and this will likely be their last real chance at a title with the current lineup, particularly the big three. They have done everything that could be expected of them so far, and expect them to wrap the series up either in the next game or, at latest, in Game 5 at San Antonio. Experience and maturity seems to be paying off big time in this particular series.
NHL.
Well unfortunately, Canada will have to wait another year for their dreadful Stanley Cup drought to end. The Senators looked very good indeed in beating the Montreal Canadiens, and they hardly looked horrible through the first three games against Pittsburgh. But in the last two games, Ottawa just looked completely overmatched and overwhelmed, and now they are out. With the Canucks having yet another hugely disappointing playoffs, and the Maple Leafs coming close (but no cigar), we will have to wait and see what moves the Canadian teams make next season.
The Chicago Blackhawks had absolutely dominated the regular season in historical fashion. But now, this team is beginning to remind me more and more of their opponents, the Detroit Red Wings, but of a different year. The 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings were a team a lot like these Blackhawks. They plowed their way through the regular season, looking to one and all like the clear cut favorites. In the playoffs, they began to struggle a bit, and showed that as dazzling as they might have been during the regular season, they were not necessarily built to last in a tough series. Those Redwings lost to the eventual champion Colorado Avalanche in six. These Blackhawks will have to really show something to avoid losing to this year's version of the Redwings in six. Otherwise, that historical regular season success will likely haunt them for some time, in the face of a playoff embarrassment. They hoisted the cup just a few years ago, and need to show the resolve they showed then if they hope to avoid elimination. But my guess is that they've had it, and won't win in Detroit. That said, if they do win, they will have grabbed the momentum, and secured home ice for the critical, winner take all seventh game. How huge, then, is Game 6?
In the other series out west, The Sharks managed to avoid elimination on home ice, to force Game 7 in that series. Los Angeles was virtually unbeatable last year on the road in the playoffs. This postseason, they have been unbeatable at home. They need that to continue now in order to stay alive. If the Sharks manage to pull off the road upset, then the Kings might just start to resemble another NHL one year wonder.
We're still waiting for the battle between the two black and gold teams in the East. The Boston Bruins, the 2011 Stanley Cup winners, will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 2009 Stanley Cup champions. It seemed like these two teams were destined to meet for a long time, and this looks to be a really interesting series. I think both teams are tough, and it would not be surprising to see Boston win this one. But I think Pittsburgh is a bit too tough, and if they should the fortitude that they have shown so far this season, they should be able to get past Boston, and propel themselves into the Stanley Cup Finals as the favorites (assuming Chicago does not come all the way back and win this series, and the next one). I like Pittsburgh in a tough, grueling series here in the East.
The French Open
We already had the first huge upset of this Grand Slam, with Venus taking the first exit on the road to the title. But she was slowed by injuries, ultimately losing to Urszula Radwanska of Poland 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 on Sunday. If Radwanska sounds familiar, then it should. You might remember Agnieszka Radwanska made it all the way to the Wimbledon Final last year.
No other major upsets thus far to report on at the time of my writing this, although it is worth noting that Feliciano Lopez is in a tough five setter with Marcel Granollers (both men are from Spain) to open up his French Open tournament. Federer easily won, as did Serena.
Should be interesting to see what happens next! Love the Grand Slam season!
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