It was already written. ‘Heat take 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Dallas’ – hold up! Not so fast.
The Heat had this game sewed up until Dirk and ‘nem started going HAM with a little more than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Mavs were up three (93-90) with about 27 seconds left in the game when the Heat’s Mario Chalmers hit that sweet three-pointer from the corner baseline to tie the game. You are not seeing double. If this looked familiar, in 2008, Chalmers hit a three to send the 2008 NCAA Championship game into overtime, giving Kansas a second chance at life after Derrick Rose missed a key free throw. This essentially erased Memphis’ chances to put them away in regulation and ultimately ending with Kansas as the victors in the end. Fast forward to this year’s Eastern Conference finals and Derrick Rose had a little de ja vu. That’s all I am going to say about that one.
Anywho, so, Chalmers went retro on us last night. Taking himself back to that moment in 2008. And ohhhhhhh snap! It’s electric! Boogie-woogie-woogie! Ladies and gentlemen, the game tied, AGAIN! So what did the Mavs do?
Their superstar took over. Dirk (injured left hand and all) crossed Chris Bosh and completed a lay-up (with that same left hand) for an easy two points with about three seconds left in the game. The Heat drove to their end of the court, dumped it off to their superstar, but this time DWade’s shot missed the basket. The final score, 95-93.
So, the Mavs stole Game 2 on Miami’s court. Until this loss, the Heat had won eight straight playoff games at home this season. Now, the Heatles must get pretty comfortable in Dallas because the next three games are in the state where everything is B-I-G.
After the slow start, LeBron’s “Bump Gate” with Coach Spoe and the players crying in the locker room after a loss – the Heatles were not supposed to make it to the NBA Finals this year. Whelp, they sure fooled me.
Well, let me take that back. I am not fooled. I mean with all that star power (Wade, James, and Bosh), missing the Finals this year would have been a failure as the Big 3 proclaimed throughout the entire regular season. I just did not think it would actually happen. The Heat beat a so, so Boston Team, and a pretty damn good Chicago Bulls team to make their second trip to the Finals in franchise history.
So, the pre-party last summer, was worth it. Or was it? Afterall, LeBron said this team would win not one, not two, not three, not four, and so on. Team chemistry was an issue early on and they were not able to closeout games in the fourth quarter. Plus, there was a whole bunch of extra mess associated with LeBron’s exodus from Cleveland. See my earlier posts here:
Tuesday, the team began their quest to win the first championship for the Heatles era. Now they face a Dallas Mavericks team that very few, if any, had making it to the Finals. The Mavericks? Man, I know I did not have them even getting out of the first round of the playoffs – but just like the Mavs did to everyone else, they shocked the hell out of me!
The Heat and Mavs played in 2006, when DWade won his and the franchise’s first championship. They face a different Mavs team. Dirk is truly tapping ass on the court (excuse my French). I remember reading his stats….something like averaging 30-plus points a game during the playoffs. Not LeBron, DWade hell even Kobe – DIRK! Yep, Dirk is on a mission, and for a bunch of old guys, the Mavs definitely have eyes opened.
The Heat did convincingly win Game 1 of this series. That elusive chemistry finally got the memo and made it to South Beach – just in time for the Finals in an attempt to help the Big 3 back up all this season’s hype. I think the Heat will beat the Mavs in six. I really think they’ve finally meshed and are focused enough to handle the Mavs and get that ring. But, then again, nothing will surprise me. With the Lakers and the Spurs taking early exits (AMEN!) in the playoffs, the Mavs may find some way to make Miami work and eventually be the last one standing. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Game 2 is tonight. Who’s going to take it?
I am still kind of new to Chicago (I’ve only been here for two years), but I am certainly not new to the championship swag this city has had in the past in basketball. One name – Jordan. Michael Jordan and his other Hall of Fame teammates brought six championships to Chicago. SIX….that dynasty era will never be forgotten.
As champion-caliber cities do, Chicago suffered a drought. A drought which lasted for a while until that first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft of Chicago Native, Derrick Rose. It takes time to rebuild a championship city, so the rewards were not granted to a starving fan base right away. However, as loyal fans do, they stick behind their team and support them. Chicago knew with that first pick, Derrick Rose would lead them back to that championship, winning mentality.
This year Rose’s labor of love, passion, and sacrifice for his game have paid off. During this season, he willed is team to the best record in the Eastern Conference, coming only second to the San Antonio Spurs with the best record in the NBA. Rose and his teammates continued to persevere through hardships as two of their key members (Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah) missed games due to significant injuries. Rose had an MVP-like regular season and everyone knew he would get the call.
The NBA put to rest all the speculation this week and named Rose the 2010-2011 Most Valuable Player. What an accomplishment! He is now among the elite – Russell, Abdul-Jabbar, Jordan, Bird, Johnson, and many more. He is the youngest, at 22, to join this class of great players.
Derrick Rose credited his personal work ethic and his determination to work on his game during the offseason, so that he could be the MVP. Rose set a goal to be the MVP this year and he did achieve this goal. He also credited his mother Brenda. With a moving testimony to his mother, Rose began to shed tears. Certainly they were tears of joy and appreciation. Rose is so humble and even with all of his fame, realizes who continues with him on his journey. Rose is a humble young man, and that will definitely gain you cred on and off of the court.
The Bulls beat those pesky Indiana Pacers in the first round of this year’s playoffs and are battling a tough Atlanta Hawks team (Hawks lead 1-0). Who knows how far this Chicago Bulls team will go this year, but one thing is for certain, they have brought back the Championship-swag to this city. No, I don’t think it is too early to claim that because even if the Bulls don’t go further in the playoffs, they brought back the mojo to a city which has waited to feel again.
Meanwhile, they continue to support the Bulls and I think the fans here will say this was a good year after the playoffs finish. An MVP and the Coach of the Year (Tom Thibodeau), aint too bad.
Now let me preface by saying that I am still heartbroken that my Saints were knocked out during their wild card battle with the Seattle Seahawks. However, as a person living in Chicago, I Beared Down on Sunday, just like everyone else.
We had a Bear Down situation on Sunday, literally. Jay Cutler, the Chicago Bears’ starting QB, was knocked out of the NFC Championship game last weekend and no one knew until Todd Collins began to take the snaps. Who? What? When? Where? How? And Who, again? I think I am going to add ‘Wait a minute?’ there as well. I must have gone to get a second helping of chili when Cutler got injured because the next time I saw him, he was on a bicycle – on the sidelines. I blinked and Cutler was gone!
So the Collins dude was injured after a couple of plays as well. The Bears were down to their third string QB, Caleb Hanie. So, I am watching this game with a group of friends who were all diehard Bears fans, except for me and one of my girls. They were loud! Everyone was so upset and confused! I was right there with them – dazed! LOL!
Hanie proved not to be all that bad, he sure played better than Cutler did when he was in the game. It still was not enough for the Bears to overcome Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. They won the game, punching them a ticket to the Superbowl XLV in Dallas. What a bummer?! Just like that, the Bears’ season was over – joining my Saints on the couches.
But it was not over! Media, players and everyone took shots at Cutler’s alleged injured knee. Jay Cutler has a way with his facial expressions. He really looked listless and not interested at all on the sidelines. That’s when the criticism poured in. Players took shots at Cutler via Twitter and other social networks, questioning Cutler’s toughness. The media also took to their columns questioning Cutler’s determination. Hey, Jay you only were sacked over 50 times this season (the most in the League) and you took your team within a game of the Superbowl. You have to know that you were going to get some back talk from others for not completing the game. With all that said, I still believe some people were pretty harsh.
Lovie Smith told the media team doctors advised Cutler not to continue to take those snaps, but he, indeed, wanted to continue to play. His teammates, especially Chris Harris and Brian Urlacher, showed Cutler overwhelming support – which was a good thing! I mean if Cutler’s teammates were calling him out, which would not have been a good look.
Cutler had an MRI earlier this week which revealed he had torn MCL with a severe sprain to his knee. OOUCH! Well how about that? Turns out, even if the Bears made it to the Superbowl, Cutler would have probably been questionable to play. Only Cutler knows what’s really going on with his knee. However, TMZ just released a video showing Cutler and his reality star girlfriend, Kristin Cavalari walking around Los Angeles. Peep the link and you be the judge:
TMZ (@TMZ) 1/27/11 8:53 AM
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler mustered up enough toughness to stroll around an L.A. shopping center with …http://bit.ly/e8koVM
And so it was done. Yes, you heard right. A women’s basketball team surpassed the current record of 88 consecutive games won set by John Wooden’s dream team UCLA Bruins about 35 years ago. Geno Auriemma and his Angels have everyone talking about women’s basketball. The record to break is now 89, thanks to win yesterday against #14 Florida State. It must be a great feeling to know that you could possibly, better yet probably will break your own record. The UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball Team has not lost a game since the beginning of the Fall 2008 season.
They are the reigning NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Champions. Maya Moore, their senior freak of a guard (I mean freak in a good way) does not know what it means to lose. She’s been winning since she was a sophomore. Moore posted 41 points, a career high for her as she led her team right into the history books. Moore is a champion and is right along with other UConn greats such as Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. This girl can ball. I mean really ball.
Geno Auriemma received a call from President Barack Obama right before his post-game press conference. Take a listen above.
The hype began when the ladies tied the record at the 88-game mark on Sunday. Auriemma told the eager media that no one would even care about the Lady Huskies of they were not women about to break a record set by men. Sad, but true. I really hope the team’s accomplishments won’t go unnoticed and people begin to pay attention more to these Lady Ballers because they are fierce. Really fierce.
I am going to close with this: “You could be the king, but watch the Queen conquer.” Yes, I went there. I used a snippet from Nicki Minaj’s power-laced verse from Kanye West’s “Monster.” Just goes to show you, mover over boys! We are coming!
I know. I know. In my earlier post, “Hi Haters,” I defended my champion Saints. Guess what? I am still defending them. The loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend was hard for me to watch, too. I mean, we are talking about the Browns here. WACK, but they’ve beaten the previous Super Bowl Champions for the past three years. How ironic is that? It’s not ironic, it’s football. There are no games guaranteed just because you are the Super Bowl Champions.
It was nice last year to go almost undefeated, but we still won that Lombardi Trophy with a couple of losses. So, I am not tripping on the fact that we are not undefeated. Right now, we are at 4-3, still in pretty good shape but we can ill afford to lose any more games! I mean, technically, we still could, but we don’t want to think like that! lol
I know I keep harping on the injuries, but that is a huge part of why this temporary roadblock has stopped the Saints. There are also more sleeper teams in the NFC this year, which were not a factor last season (e.g. Eli’s N.Y. Giants, McNabb’s Redskins, Freeman’s Bucs, and Ryan’s Dirty Birds). Da Bears are pretty good this year as well and will continue to be as long as Cutler remembers he is a Bear and throws to his teammates. He also needs to stay off the ground. I think he likes getting sacked for some reason.
How about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers? Most seem to think the “Black Cloud of Brett Farve” is lifting, giving Rodgers some air. Well don’t speak too soon. Rodgers and his crew finally beat Farve on Sunday night; however, we’re talking about the Farve here. He is totally crazy with the most interceptions thrown by a quarterback and is still the most decorated players in NFL history. Farve has started 291 consecutive games and he is 41. Crazy.
And just like that, the old and the restless Brett Farve is still a factor and his soap opera in Minnesota is right there with him. I’m saying Brett Farve really gets on my last nerve. All this courtship of traveling to the Sip to beg him to play, these injuries to his old bones, the creepy voicemails he sent to Jenn Sterger in 2008 when he played for the Jets – C’MON SON! (*Ed Lover Voice*) That’s too much drama for one Viking in my opinion. Now he has a new character in Randy Moss, whom Coach Childress and the rest of the Viking nation believe is going to carry them well into the post season like last year. I don’t doubt it. Moss is a freakazoid and he wants that elusive ring. That’s why, even with Farve and his drama, the Vikings are still contenders.
*IMPROMPTU PSA*
Let me take this time to thank the Dallas Cowboys for their demise this year. THANK YOU! #CLAP4THEM #ROUNDOFAPPLAUSE #STANDINGOVATION America’s team is already 1-5 and it’s week eight. Unless they win every game from now on, it does not look pretty for Papa Jones to have his team playing and hosting in Arlington next year. They are right down there with the Panthers, Lions and 49ers. GASP! Not America’s team! Nooooooooooooooooooo! Yes.
*Now back to your regularly scheduled programming*
So, as you can see, my boys in the Black and Gold, the road to the Super Bowl won’t be as clear as it was last season. All those teams are out for you! So, WAKE UP!
So, Bron Bron’s newest “give me more face time” spot hit the viral scene on Monday – just before the opening tipoff to the most talked about season of the NBA. What a strategic move from the folks over there at Nike. Bron Bron’s “What Should I Do?/Rise” 90-second spot, which by the way was shown in its entirety during the game, was great. I am not gonna lie, when I first saw the commercial, I was giddy. However, I watched it a couple of times to actually see the message.
To Cleveland fans, this spot just added insult to insult on top of the injuries. It was like three million gallons of Morton in an open wound. Well, maybe not that much, but you all get the point. I wonder if this was his friends’ idea, as he refers to them and says ‘Why shouldn’t I listen to my friends? They’re my friends!’ Or, was this just simply a great idea conceived in the minds of Nike’s creatives. Either way, I thought it was great. LeBron wanted people to know, in his arrogant way, that he did what he had to do and he feels he shouldn’t be criticized for it.
Just like I said in my previous post, “The Decision,” I feel the way LeBron left Cleveland was not professional. Charles Barkley was very critical of how that played out and LeBron took a shot at him in the commercial. Pay close attention to the part where LeBron says he is not a role model, and then he chumps down on the infamous pink frosted Homer Simpson doughnut. After that, he winks as he says ‘Hi Chuck.’
Barkley was a guest on Tuesday’s episode of PTI, one of my favorite shows on ESPN. Wilbon and Korneiser asked him if he was upset at the LeBron diss. In typical Barkley fashion, he said he loved that Nike and LeBron thought enough of him for the mention. I thought that was great! Charles Barkley is hilarious. He wanted to make sure that it was understood there is no “beef” with LeBron – just a disagreement of how he handled his decision to leave Cleveland earlier this year.
There was apparently a jab at Michael Jordan with the “shiny shoes” comment. Yeah, I get it. Bron Bron idolizes that man. So, I really don’t think that was directed at MJ, but I could be wrong. However, if LeBron truly, deep down to his toes did that, then he is crazy! Why would you do that? LOL! Newsflash, where is your ring? Don’t go around dissing MJ like that sir! It’s just not healthy! *Inserts BBM Can’t Watch Emoticon here.*
If you did not catch the piece ESPN reporter Chris Broussard did on the LeBron-Afterlife in Cleveland, here is the link:
Oh man! These people are so serious. Do not ever cross a Cavaliers fan. One of my classmates is from Cleveland and she is still pissed! We were talking about current events earlier this week, poor thing was irate. She looked at the commercial with me and was just mad.
Truthfully, LeBron had to make this decision for himself and his family. We can talk all day about how wrong it was, but like Barkley said on PTI, people still love LeBron James and he is still a freak of a basketball player. He is #6 now and he resides in Miami. He decided, so let’s get on with the season and see how this mega-team is going to play out. Of course, this will all blow-up in his face if the Heat do not at least get to the post season this year.
People are already saying if they don’t win the ‘Ship next year, this mega-team will be for naught. The first test was the rejuvenated Big 4 in Boston on Tuesday. Yes, the Big 4. Shaq is now with the Celtics. I guess he figured the “Win the King a Ring” campaign failed in Cleveland, so why not go to Beantown. He could not follow the King to Miami because he already won a ring with D. Wade there in 2006. So, the next stop on the Shaq Tour would likely take him to Boston.
Well, if you missed the game last night, the Big 4 thwarted Miami’s mega-team in the first half. The heat made a comeback in the second half, but it still resulted in an eight-point lost to the Celtics. The Heat bandwagoners were ready to write them off after one game. There is still lots of ball to be played. One team had to lose last night and the Heat players are still trying to learn to play together. Although I did see a little déjà vu last night on Bron Bron’s end. He scored 31 points and made Miami Heat franchise history for the most points scored in a debut game by an individual player. Hmmmm….didn’t he do that in Cleveland like every game at the Q?
Time will tell and we shall see what Miami is going to do. I am not going to say they are Fakers just yet and I still want to see how they will mesh together once the season progresses.
Whelp, we have arrived at the early part of this football season where the haters, yes I did say H-A-T-E-R-S, begin to dump on the Saints. Superbowl slump…lack-luster performances…the team – defensively and offensively – is not the juggernaut it was last year. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear you haters, oh I hear you clearly.
This happens all the time to every Superbowl team. The season after, analysts are the most critical. For the most part, everyone thought the Saints were a joke and could not make it out of the NFC South – let alone dominate teams as they did and win the Superbowl. Should the Saints be in panic mode? Should they be worried? Drew Brees threw multiple interceptions against the Cardinals, what’s wrong with him? Ok newsflash, The Farve throws enough INTs for all the quarterbacks in the NFL, UFL, SmackSomebodyFL, PeeWee Football, any and all football leagues put together, so back off Drew! Football stars are entitled to have some bad games, right? Right!
Heading into week six, the Superbowl Saints are 3-2. Yes, I do remember this time last year; the team was undefeated and did not lose a game until the end of the season. Up until last weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs were the lone undefeated team in the NFL. No, I am not jiving, I said the Kansas City Chiefs. Who would have thought that? However, this is why football is great – any given Sunday people!
Now, I know the Saints have been playing rather sluggishly – well, just plain unacceptable for that matter. Let’s not sugar coat anything here. The injury bug hit the saints hard – Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Tracey Porter, Darren Sharper, etc. All of these players were key to the Saints’ glorious season last year which led to the organization’s first Superbowl title. Lesson: The injury bug is one that will never be exterminated when you need it the most. That pesky bug is going to be there no matter what. It’s unfortunate, but that’s part of football and there is really nothing you can do to prevent injuries.
So people calm down and bandwagoners unite, because the Saints will be fine. There is lots of football left to play. The team will finish strong. There are some teams *coughs* the Cowboys and Vikings *coughs,* who are in worse shape than the Saints. I would not want to be in their shoes right now. Now, those teams should panic!
Barack Obama received an extra special gift from the Who Dat Nation. The New Orleans Saints are champions of Superbowl XLIV (44). Obama is the 44th President of the United States. How sweet?
Bless you boys and you have arrived. The New Orleans Saints visited the White House on Monday.
I am….dancing, singing, second-lining, yelling, shouting, two-stepping, back flipping….*PAUSE*….but most of all WHO DATTING!!! That’s right, I am! Please feel free to insert another jubilant action I may have forgotten in the comment section. Bless you boys!!!
What do you get when you put three major, MAJOR, top-tiered NBA players on one team? Well, they got a championship in Boston in ’08, but something tells me the Miami “Big Three” is a little bit more spectacular. Pause. #dontjudgeme! Now hold up before y’all start getting on my case! I am not knocking KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. I am not! They did the damn thing and got the ring, but Wade, James and Bosh….well they are all under the age of 30. PLUS now the big three are like the big four and five and six because Shaq has signed with the team. Shaq has already stated he is willing to do whatever and play any role for the Celtics.
Side note right quick: I mean poor Cleveland man. First they are ousted out of the playoffs early. They lose Mike Brown. Then LeBron – A – Gate. Then LeBron pulls a Trey Songz, ala I don’t wanna leave….but I gotta go right now. First he takes Big Z with him. Now Shaq is headed to the sea of green clovers and 17 championships. I know that’s a lot, but I still did not support the burning of LeBron’s jersey #imjustsayin.
Yes. We are talking about some younger stilts in Miami, and they are more explosive. I don’t care if you don’t like the situation, but please don’t fib to yourself and others! You know you’re going to be in front of your television watching all Miami games because they are going to be on ESPN every Wednesday and Friday. As I will be doing!
Wade. James. Bosh. This is going to be interesting. The person whom I am the most happy for is Chris Bosh! Dude finally got the hell up out of Toronto. Talk about a Uni-Team if there ever was one. Bosh did everything in Toronto and it was just inevitable that he would be running out of that Raptors locker room. Dude probably could not wipe that smile off of his face after their last game this season. I am uber excited he cut off that hair, too. That was a mess! Now he looks less like a raptor. Kudos to Chris Bosh and his new Miami swag.
Wade kind of had people in Wade County gasping for air for a minute. The two meetings with the Bulls were not supposed to happen; it was only supposed to be one. Wade had a heavy heart because of his current custody situation of his sons and he is the hometown kid. However, in the end South Beach prevailed.
Low key though, I really wanted LeBron to come to Chicago. I feel like the Bulls fans here were split on bringing King James to Jordan Land. The billboard was up, and grassroots campaigns were flourishing all over the place. Others did not want him here at all! Especially after “The Decision,” many people felt he was arrogant and not worth a one-hour special to announce where he would lace up next season. Many teams – New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles (Clippers, that is) and his now scorned hometown Cleveland – were doing the most to try to court King James.
The Bulls moved Hinrich, got Boozer and a team with DRose, Noah and Deng was just not enough to get the King to come to the Windy. Chicago had the best team in place for LeBron to contend for a Ring in 2011. There were reports that an unidentified box showed up at his Cleveland home. In the box, were of course, Jordans!!! Yes, someone sent him some Jordans talking about can you fill these shoes? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Trying to mess with that boy head. Did it work?
I believe, if there were one active player to be “compared” to MJ would be Kobe (chokes, coughs as I say his name), but it is true. I don’t like to make comparisons to “greats,” but it is true. LeBron is great, don’t get me wrong, but as the cliché goes championships define your legacy in the NBA, and last time I checked, LeBron had nada! Do I think he was kind of creeped out about playing in Chicago? Hell yeah! What other player has a statue outside of their arena like MJ does in front of United?
LeBron also made waves when he said he would change is jersey number from “23” to “6.” LeBron said “23” should be retired for every organization in the league. Yeah right, LeBron. There you go fibbing to yourself and the world. You know you did not want to wear “23” anymore because, personally you did not feel worthy enough to wear the number. Maya Moore from the UConn Huskies wears “23,” she’s got two championships though. Yeah, I went there.
Anyway, I really think LeBron just felt like he was not producing at an elite level to wear Air Jordan’s digits. So, that’s my theory on the new “6.”
Rebecca K. Roussell
