NBA Finals
Okay, so, the Cleveland Cavaliers are into the NBA Finals!
The city of Cleveland has been presented with the rare opportunity to possibly win a championship, which would go a long way towards finally erasing that city's horrendous sports legacy, with so many heartbreaks over the course of recent decades. From the Cleveland Browns numerous close calls in losing to the Denver Broncos three times in a four year span in the AFC Championship Games that those two franchises engaged in during the late eighties, to the Cavs getting burned by Michael Jordan in the NBA Playoffs in the early nineties, to the Indians getting to the World Series two times in the nineties, only to lose, and then losing the Browns (temporarily), who became the Baltimore Ravens and would win a Super Bowl five years after departing Cleveland.
Then, of course, there is LeBron James, who came to Cleveland and became the most exciting and positive thing in it, seemingly, only to betray the city in a high profile announcement that he was taking his talents to South Beach.
But now, all of that might be forgotten if the Cavaliers can finally take this NBA Finals series.
Most likely, they will face the Golden State Warriors, who could not complete the sweep themselves over the Houston Rockets, but who still are in clear command of that series, up 3 games to 1. That means that it will be a very tough series, and the Cavs will be without home court advantage - not that that stopped them, or even slowed them down, against Atlanta.
This will actually be one of the more interesting NBA Finals in years, with two teams that are almost brand new to the NBA Finals. The Cavs did make it that one time in 2007, which itself was a long time ago, And I do not believe that the Golden State Warriors have not made it in my lifetime.
So, we will be gifted with something rare in the NBA - a chance to see someone new rise to the top!
I will say this, also: if the Cavaliers finally win the NBA crown, then LeBron had better stay put in Cleveland for a long while, and most likely finish out his career there. Otherwise, this time, he will likely have his legacy and image tarnished irreparably.
That said, it is extremely impressive, his feat of being in five straight NBA Finals. Four straight with Miami, and then making right back to the Finals with his original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Cavs win, then he will have anchored two separate teams to the championship, and would have secured his third NBA championship ring overall.
Very impressive credentials, and possibly still growing.
Again, though, let us see what happens next, who their opponent will be, and what happens in the NBA Finals, first.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Photo courtesy of Anna Enriquez's Flickr Page - Henrik Lundqvist: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zomgannalolz/5341695419
The Rangers managed to win in big fashion at Tampa last night, blowing out the Lightning and tying up the series. More importantly, that win sends the decisive Game 7 to Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers have home ice advantage. History is behind them, too. In the last ten Game 7's, the Rangers are a very impressive 9-1.
I will admit to having accepted what to me was the disappoitnnig prospect of the Lightning qualifying for the Cup Finals, and meeting the Ducks there. Admittedly, I have a sinking feeling that it could still happen.
But at least the Rangers and Blackhawks, two of the original six franchises in the NHL, are fighting tooth and nail for this thing!
Let's see if the Blackhawks can pull off a victory tonight to stay alive and force a decisive Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals.
Rolland Garros/ The French Open
Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Rafael Nadal: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5756335239
Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Gael Monfils: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5762681145
Well, the French Open is in full swing, now. We already had one major upset (Venus getting knocked out in the first round), and some other news from there. Sharapova was jeered off the court after her first round win for shirking an interview. Federer being upset at being rushed on the court by a fan, who was harmless, but took a selfie that pissed Roger off (with justification, frankly). Wawrinka is upset about a story that delves into his personal life. And Andy Murray looked solid in winning his first match.
Nadal and Djokovic have also now both taken the court (and both passed their first tests), and already, everybody seems to be talking about their seemingly inevitable clash.
Indeed, this might be Djokovic's best real chance to actually take this title here in Paris. Like Federer some years ago, he has almost the complete tennis resume to his name, but needs this one last Grand Slam championship to fully secure his already considerable legacy. Should he win here, he would become only the eighth man in history to have won all four Grand Slams.
But again, Nadal stands in the way. And yes, Nadal has looked off this year so far, even admitting as much himself. But this is still Rolland Garros, and he is still the King of Clay, likely the best ever on this surface, with nine French Open titles to his name.
Should be a fin few weeks in Paris!
Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Novak Djokovic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5763317762
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