Both the NBA and NHL playoffs are nearing their conclusions with their Conference Finals looming. The Los Angeles Lakers have all but wrapped up the Utah Jazz and will be facing the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. The Orlando Magic have yet to lose in the playoffs and are waiting for the outcome of the only series still interesting. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are all tied up at two games a piece with both teams suffering loses on their home courts. With the star power involved (Lebron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Shaq, etc.) these are easily the games to watch this week. My hope is they go a full seven games and if they do you better make sure you’re watching that game seven because it will be legendary.
Over at the NHL the series aren’t so clear cut. Besides the San Jose Sharks, who have finally made it out of the first round, the other series are too close to call. Playoff hockey is something you should watch because of what’s on the line and how much the players want the Stanley Cup themselves. They play harder, hit harder and fight harder for every goal on every possession. The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to hold off the Boston Bruins who hold a 3-1 series lead. While the Chicago Blackhawks hold a slim 3-2 lead over the Vancouver Canucks and the same goes for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Montreal Canadiens. Anything can still happen and it will come down to who wants it more.
A big congratulations go out to Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. He did what only 18 pitchers before him have done in Major League Baseball history; throw a perfect game. Watch this video of all his outs against the Tampa Bay Rays and see the feat for yourself. The best part is the hug he gives his grandmother (on Mother’s Day) as she meets him on the field after watching in person. Well done Mr. Braden, well done indeed.
Top 3
1. NBA Playoffs Second Round – Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers – May 11, 13 & 16 (if necessary)
This series has gone back and forth with each team winning on the other’s home court and each team getting a blowout win. The Cavaliers were even able to hand the Celtics their worst home playoff loss in team history. The big stars dont’ need to be mentioned again but in the playoffs it is all about how the unknown players step up. So far that player has been Celtic’s point guard Rajon Rondo. He has owned the Cavaliers on both ends of the floor and has stepped up to become one of the top point guards in the entire league. Can he step up and lead the Celtics to a huge series win over the mighty Lebron James and his Cavaliers? Only time will tell and that time will be very enjoyable to watch. Make sure you are.
2. NHL Playoffs Second Round – Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – May 10 & 12 (if necessary)
The pesky Montreal Canadiens just won’t go down easily. Nobody thought they would even get the the second round let alone give the powerful Pittsburgh Penguins any sort of trouble. But this has been a magical playoffs for the Canadiens and now we will see if their luck will hold out. They can not lose again to the Penguins otherwise their entire season is over but they can only think about things one game at a time. If the can pull out a win for game six then anything goes in the game seven. Game sevens are what sports fans dream of because it has everything on the line. It is what athletes compete for. So watch to see if game six can be won and if there is a game seven you better be watching.
3. MLB – San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants – May 11 – 13
This will be a battle for first place in the National League West because right now they are exactly tied. The Padres have come out of no where and played extremely while the Giants have had outstanding pitching on their side. The winner of this series will have outright control of first place by at least one game so each will be looking to make a statement. They will be like a playoff series because pride is on the line and neither team was expected to be doing this well, only one can be the better and this will prove who. Barry Zito is having a great season and so far is undefeated. He’ll be putting that record on the line on the 11th and so that’s something even more worth playing for. This will be one of the best series played so far this season, mark my words.
Quick Picks
- Check out the official webpage for the 2010 World Cup. It is only a few weeks away so take a look at all the schedules and match-ups and get up to speed. This thing only happens once every four years and probably garners more of a multinational following than the Olympics.
- NASCAR is in the middle of it’s season and so far Jimmie Johnson has been keeping near the top for his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup. Check out the NASCAR.com site for all the info about the goings-on there.
