The 'In the middle of the playoffs' edition
1. The Phoenix Suns sweeping the San Antonio Spurs has to be one of the more surprising playoff outcomes I can remember in a long time. I thought Phoenix could win, but a sweep? Didn't see it coming- absolutely stunned. It also makes Dallas look awful- the Suns did everything I thought the Mavs would.
2. I said this back in early March, and I can now say I was a prophet:
3. Anyone see how terrible Atlanta looked in game 3 against the Magic? As bad as Boston looked on Friday night, the Hawks effort was absolutely inexcusable and bordering on gutless. At least Boston came back and played better on Sunday. If the Hawks don't show up on Monday, there could be some wholesale changes.
4. Utah's loss in game 3, OTOH, was anything but gutless. They played the Lakers well, but were done in by poised three-point shooters in Kobe and Fisher.
5. Since 2006-07, Utah is 0-2 (likely 0-3) against the Lakers in the playoffs, and 4-1 against other teams (2007 West Finals loss to the Spurs). Classic case of one team owning another. If anything, the Jazz are a good team that just can't avoid the Lake Show.
5. Who's the best team in baseball at the moment in your eyes?
7. The San Jose Sharks have put a lot of their playoff demons behind them in beating the West's reigning kings, the Red Wings.
8. Sandra said that a lot of pressure was on Joe Thornton and that his legacy would have been seriously damaged with a bad series. He certainly came through- the winner in game 2, sparked a game 3 comeback with a goal, set up the OT winner in that same game, and tied game 5.
9. So much for the Penguins having a cakewalk through the East. Montreal's sure not making it easy. That being said, the Habs are down to their last bullet in game 6. They staved off elimination against the Caps- let's see if they can pull off any more miracles.
11. It's going to be interesting to see who represents the West in the Stanley Cup Finals. Chicago hasn't made it to the Finals since 1992, Vancouver since 1994, and the Sharks have never done so. With all due respect to Hockeytown, I'm intrigued to see some new blood in the West. All three teams have Cup-worthy talent and loud crowds.
12. So far, the NHL second round is more exciting than the NBA's second round. Detroit-San Jose, minus game 4, felt like every game was going to give me a heart attack. Pittsburgh-Montreal is a great battle of champion and underdog, and Boston-Philly has been entertaining. The NBA has had more blowouts than thrillers this round. Let's hope the Conference Finals are "Where Amazing Happens."
13. I miss KCK. It sure feels different talking baseball on here without him.
14. What did you do to celebrate your moms on Mother's Day?
15. Just because a series goes 4 games doesn't mean it isn't great. Most of the Suns-Spurs series was entertaining to watch, regardless of the number of games, while last year's Heat-Hawks seven-game series lacked excitement. Remember- quality, not quantity, makes a playoff series great.
16. Finally, I want to let you know that next Sunday, I am graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This week, I'm finishing up my classes (two online finals this weekend, plus a paper to turn in). Come next week, I'll be a college graduate with a degree in Journalism and Communications.
1. The Phoenix Suns sweeping the San Antonio Spurs has to be one of the more surprising playoff outcomes I can remember in a long time. I thought Phoenix could win, but a sweep? Didn't see it coming- absolutely stunned. It also makes Dallas look awful- the Suns did everything I thought the Mavs would.
2. I said this back in early March, and I can now say I was a prophet:
3. Anyone see how terrible Atlanta looked in game 3 against the Magic? As bad as Boston looked on Friday night, the Hawks effort was absolutely inexcusable and bordering on gutless. At least Boston came back and played better on Sunday. If the Hawks don't show up on Monday, there could be some wholesale changes.
4. Utah's loss in game 3, OTOH, was anything but gutless. They played the Lakers well, but were done in by poised three-point shooters in Kobe and Fisher.
5. Since 2006-07, Utah is 0-2 (likely 0-3) against the Lakers in the playoffs, and 4-1 against other teams (2007 West Finals loss to the Spurs). Classic case of one team owning another. If anything, the Jazz are a good team that just can't avoid the Lake Show.
5. Who's the best team in baseball at the moment in your eyes?
7. The San Jose Sharks have put a lot of their playoff demons behind them in beating the West's reigning kings, the Red Wings.
8. Sandra said that a lot of pressure was on Joe Thornton and that his legacy would have been seriously damaged with a bad series. He certainly came through- the winner in game 2, sparked a game 3 comeback with a goal, set up the OT winner in that same game, and tied game 5.
9. So much for the Penguins having a cakewalk through the East. Montreal's sure not making it easy. That being said, the Habs are down to their last bullet in game 6. They staved off elimination against the Caps- let's see if they can pull off any more miracles.
11. It's going to be interesting to see who represents the West in the Stanley Cup Finals. Chicago hasn't made it to the Finals since 1992, Vancouver since 1994, and the Sharks have never done so. With all due respect to Hockeytown, I'm intrigued to see some new blood in the West. All three teams have Cup-worthy talent and loud crowds.
12. So far, the NHL second round is more exciting than the NBA's second round. Detroit-San Jose, minus game 4, felt like every game was going to give me a heart attack. Pittsburgh-Montreal is a great battle of champion and underdog, and Boston-Philly has been entertaining. The NBA has had more blowouts than thrillers this round. Let's hope the Conference Finals are "Where Amazing Happens."
13. I miss KCK. It sure feels different talking baseball on here without him.
14. What did you do to celebrate your moms on Mother's Day?
15. Just because a series goes 4 games doesn't mean it isn't great. Most of the Suns-Spurs series was entertaining to watch, regardless of the number of games, while last year's Heat-Hawks seven-game series lacked excitement. Remember- quality, not quantity, makes a playoff series great.
16. Finally, I want to let you know that next Sunday, I am graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This week, I'm finishing up my classes (two online finals this weekend, plus a paper to turn in). Come next week, I'll be a college graduate with a degree in Journalism and Communications.
