Your NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs

First, congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs for winning the NBA Championship. Regardless of the facts that they played one of the weakest Final teams in recent history and got a freebie against the Suns, the 2007 Spurs are one of the strongest team’s I’ve ever watched. In addition to that, Tim Duncan had one of the best playoff runs ever. In the final series, however, Tony Parker overshadowed him. Parker really stepped up in the final series, leading the Spurs in points and controlling the floor from the point. He deserved the MVP.

I don’t really want to think about this season or the playoffs any more than I already have. Instead of rehashing the best moments of a boring season, I’d rather look forward towards what lies ahead next season.

1) Greg Oden and Kevin Durant
I don’t want to buy into the hype too much, rookies rarely have a huge impact on a team. In spite of that, I’m really looking forward to what Kevin Durant can do at the highest level and how old Greg Oden looks next to Alonzo Mourning. They could probably pass for brothers. Greg being the older one, of course. Greg Oden is huge and could definitely do some damage as a rookie. Remember, his right hand will be all better by the time the season starts.

2) LeBron
It’s only going to get harder for LeBron as the comparisons to MJ pile up and he continues to fall short. Until LeBron can get out of Jordan’s shadow, which he easily never could do, LeBron will face the harshest criticism. It will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure. I really do hope he breaks out, the sooner the better. I just don’t see it happening any time soon. LeBron needs a shakeup like Steve Nash when he shaved his head after winning his first MVP and getting nothing to show for it.

3) Kobe
I am very interested to see what happens with Kobe. Wherever he ends up becomes and instant contender and a must-watch team. If the Lakers trade him and get a solid package in return, they could even stay watchable. Kobe is the best scorer in the league by a long shot, and any movement he makes significantly impacts the entire league.

4) The Western Conference
The West is so incredibly dominant compared to the East. The Mavs, Suns, Warriors, Rockets, Spurs, Blazers, Nuggets, and the Lakers/whatever team with Kobe are all incredible teams to watch. Each team has a legit star and a strong to solid supporting cast. There are even a few good teams that just miss the cut: the Hornets, T-Wolves, Sonics, and Jazz. They are all watchable teams and if any of them play eachother I’ll be tuning in. The east only has three good teams: the Bulls, Cavs, and Wizards/whatever team with Gilbert Arenas. If David Stern can figure out some way to make squeeze two West teams into the NBA Championship, he will truly be a genius in my book. Iverson and Melo together for a whole year should be exciting and T-Mac finally getting a point guard (Mike James) will finally be able to play to the best of his ability. Also, I want to see what happens with Leandro Barbosa. He has the speed to tear a team up for a full 40 mins.

As excited I am for Portland being a possible playoff team, I’m pretty disappointed that Oden and Durant are both going to the West. The East needed some young talent, and the league needs a little more parity. Not just that all teams need to be even, but the bad teams need to get better. A team of the Cavaliers’ caliber should be above average, not winning a conference.

I want to end this post by reminding everyone that the NBA can be fun. It was not that long ago. Here are a few youtubes to remind everyone just how amazing the NBA is.

Those are all great ones, moments like that do happen in the NBA and even if only half of the league has good teams, there are plenty of stars to count on for performances like that. Hopefully LeBron rises to his expectations and becomes one of those stars. I didn't enjoy the NBA Finals because the Spurs played down to the Cavalier's level and did enough to win by 10 points or so every night. In spite of the obvious lack of parity, I look forward to the next NBA season, looking forward to even better moments than the past has given me.

Two basketball commercials I wanted to post, I think they both sum up some of my most central basketball-related thoughts and feelings.:





Sorry I went kinda nuts with the videos, but it was all for good purpose.

The Day That Was: May 30, 2007

Kobe reverses again, demands trade
Response from Stephen A. Smith: "AAAAHHHHGGGGGGGRRRRRRHHHHHHH!" while he ran in a circle waving his arms frantically. All of the confusion caused owner Jerry Buss to go back in time 48 hours and take up heavy drinking.

Mota back on the Mets after 50-game drug suspension
He celebrated with Barry Bonds at the Best All-night Local Club On Long Island

Cheats-On-His-Wife-Rod
Also announced that Derek Jeter cheats at poker, and Jorge Posada screenlooks in Halo.

Cuban and the UFL to compete with the NFL
Masquerading as a reporter at the press conference, Ricky Williams asked about the UFL drug policy.

Duke lacrosse granted an extra year of eligibility
Strippers everywhere have already evacuated North Carolina and headed to Morgantown, WV where Pacman Jones will "re-enroll" in "college" to "finish his degree".

They call him Tank for a reason
Footage captured from prison security camera. Tank Johnson is the one in the tye-dye shirt.


Iverson CD to drop this year, under his stage name "Jewels"
Apparently Iverson has turned into a fair-haired Canadian singer-songwriter.
Also: The 10 worst athlete/rappers here, tracks included.

"Coaching Session with Isiah Thomas" being auctioned off
Finally, your chance to teach Isiah how to coach.

Burress and Shockey MIA for training camp
Eli Manning also missed practice, due to an Archie-imposed time out for whining and bed wetting.

Joey Porter fined $1,000 for starting fight with Levi Jones
We just couldn't decide which of these to use, let us know which you think is best or if you have some responses of your own.

1) After hearing the news a reporter asked Porter how he would pay the fine and why he started the fight. Porter replied. "Straight cash, homey." He added, "It was a love slap. Next I'll slap him with my (explicative deleted)."

2) The fine was part of a deal in which Joey Porter would appear on this billboard and in exchange he would not receive a suspension.

3) Instead of writing a joke about this, I'd like to call attention to: "On September 21, 2006, his two dogs (a mastiff and a pit bull) got loose and killed a neighbor's 29-inch miniature horse."

The Day That Was: May 29, 2007

Kobe backs down from previous statements
Clarifies Bryant: "I didn't say I wanted Jerry West to GM, I said I wanted him to replace Smush Parker."

Lakers owner arrested for DUI while driving gold station wagon
Admits it's all a ruse to try and become cellmates with Paris Hilton.

LeBron ties up the Eastern series with help from rookie Daniel Gibson
Seen signing fresh talent for Game 5 at local elementary school playgrounds, Mike Brown warned Eric Snow to be careful on the monkey bars.

Greg Oden to appear on Topps cards with Bill Russell
Shattered dreams of Celtics fans to be randomly inserted into one in ten packs.

Armando Benitez balks home tying run, Mets win in 12
Cub reporter Charles Schulz with the recap:


Sox win again as returning Beckett reaches 8-0
The bored pitcher announced that he's pitching his next game lefty.

Bonds predicted to hit #756 against Arizona on June 29
Asterisk manufacturers everywhere prepare for a rush, calling it "Christmas in June."

New calls for drug testing on the PGA
Critics cite Michelle Wie's new moustache.

NFL PA asks Goodell for a reduction in Pacman Jones' suspension
Michael Vick also submits appeal before being reminded he hasn't been suspended yet.

Andy Roddick upset at French Open
Luckily, millions of Americans continue to watch because they don't realize Federer is a foreigner. (Just kidding! Nobody's watched tennis since 1983!)