BASKETBALL

In the NBA, it was Game 6 between the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls.  Prior to the battle, the Bulls were calling this the most important Game of the Year.  Even though they are up 3-2, they hoped to close out Atlanta as not to force a Game 7.  Because when there’s an Game 7, anything can happen.  A team gets hot, you have an off-shooting night… anything.  So that’s why the Bulls rolled into Atlanta and played their hearts out.  Derrick Rose had 19 points and 12 assists, but, finally, he got some help.  Carlos Boozer suddenly woke up to have a monstrous game on both ends of the court.  Boozer finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and the Bulls looked to be playing like a cohesive unit out there.  They easily cruised to a victory, and will now meet the three-headed monster of LeBron/Wade/Bosh in the Eastern Conference Finals.  If you haven’t been watching the playoffs, this match-up is the time to start.  It’s must-see basketball.  Chicago 93, Atlanta 73.

Elsewhere in the NBA, with ‘The Man’ Phil Jackson walking away from the Lakers (at least for now) there is a lot of speculation as to who will sit in his throne.  After all, those are some big shoes to fill.  Many speculated that Jackson would pass the torch to assistant coach (and former player) Brian Shaw.  Shaw has been Phil’s right-hand man these past few seasons, and also is very familiar with the triangle offense.  However, it now appears that the Lakers are very interested in Rick Adelman.  Adelman is a journeyman coach in the NBA, albeit with a very strong reputation.  He was recently released by the Houston Rockets, but he was responsible for the 2000-2002 Sacramento Kings era when they surged to the top of the standings.  There’s no decision yet, and probably won’t be one soon because of the extremely-likely lockout, but whoever the next coach is will have a big job ahead of them.

GOLF

Finally, in golf, Tiger Woods just can’t catch a break.  He had a pretty good Masters finish, but he hasn’t won a major tourney since his scandal.  Now, after just 9 holes, Tiger Woods had to walk away from the The Players Championship with a knee injury.  This knee injury has kept him from practicing anything since The Masters and it will sideline him for at least a little while longer.  It’s times like these when we must remember the Tiger Woods glory days of winning tourney after tourney.  Now people watch just to see if can ever win again.  It’s almost as if there’s a curse on him.  Bad karma if you will.