In the NBA we are back to where we started two years ago with the rematch of the Celtics vs. Lakers and like a Segal movie after a long night out you can't not watch. What did we learn after Game 1 Thursday night; first the Lakers are better two years later with a much more comfortable Gasol, I would have bet a Lindsay Lohan Oscar before I would have bet Gasol to be the best center in the league while he was going 0 for the playoffs in Elvis' hometown. Artest is playing like his days at Darryl "DMC" McDaniels co-founder of Run DMC's alma mater with Erick Barkley, Duke killer Bootsy Thornton, and Dion Glover. Fisher like John Stamos continues to be relevant and announcers continue to talk about Bynum like Amanda Bynes on Nickeldon; potential. Kobe with a win in this series could be headed for a career like DeNiro's filmography. Early success with Kobe's 3 rings and DeNiro in The Godfather's, Raging Bull and The Deer Hunter followed by a few years where Kobe wanted out and couldn't contend DeNiro with Brazil, Angel Heart, and the Mission and then resurgency with a possible two more rings for Kobe and Goodfellas, Heat and Cape Fear for DeNiro. Kobe can only hope he can extend his career with excellence like DeNiro has done.
For the Celts Rando has turned into the closest thing to a modern day Oscar Robertson and the big three continue to strike fear in opponents with Allen's shooting, Pierce's cold blood-ness and Garnett's compete level and they have Kendrick Perkins and his one facial expression.
Their team D still rivals the 85' Bears and Doc coaches them up like Dr. Jack in bell bottoms. KG's health, their unwillingness to knock down Kobe on drives and most of the bench struggling in Game 1 is as troubling as a Brendan Frasier led movie, but you have to like them of all teams to forget that performance going forward and their +6 line in Game 2. Hard to believe that James Posey was as integral to their title chances with his defense on Kobe (paging Tony Allen, Tony Allen please report to the Finals) as LC was to the watchability of the Hills and Nate Robinson's effectivness was as suprising as Justin Bobby's drumming for Ed Stanley. I never thought I would be calling for the ref's from the old Knick/Heat series', but game 1's phantom calls on Ray Allen can't continue and he is still a mismatch for the Lakers that only the ref's can change.
+220 money line looks like a good value banking on the Celts to bounce back in Game 2 led by Pierce and KG who is playing for more than the title and all time PF rankings after Gasol called him out WWE style. The 2-3-2 series does not help the Celts and is the worst format decision since Seve Ballesteros was allowed to change the format of the 97' Ryder Cup. If the Celts can manage to go back to LA with the lead this matchup will live up to the hype and be the best finals since 98'.
Great womens French Open final Saturday morning, with the heavy underdog Francesca Schiavone taking down the giant killer Samantha Stosur and her Kevin Willis like physique. Best womens tennis match since the Serena vs. Dementieva in last years Wimbeldon semi's. First Italian woman to win a Grand Slam and it reminded me of a NCAA tournament underdog pulling the upset, Schiavone played with more emotion, outhustled, changed up tactics, and just wanted it more. Like when an tournament dog hustles more and gets the entire arena behind them, presses or plays crazy zones on D and just wills their way to the win. Hopefully the Nadal/Soderling final can live up to this one.
RIP Coach John Wooden; who was the best American coach ever (narrowly beating out Reggie Theus from his Hang Time days) . He had an unmatched record, got all types of personalities to buy in and you never heard a bad word about him from players and opponents alike.
One burial down I want the rest of the series as well.
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