BASKETBALL

In the NBA, it was Game 2 of the Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.  The Heat struggled in Game 1, giving the Spurs a 1-0 advantage in the series.  The Heat were now in a must-win situation as there is no way they could go to San Antonio for 3 games down 2-0.  The first half was just as we expected — a neck and neck battle with the lead changing seemingly every minute.  LeBron didn’t even have many points.  He was practically scoreless in the first quarter, but everybody knows that James saves the fire fuel for the second half, using the first half to get his teammates involved.  The Heat went to the locker room up 5, and would never look back.  In the second half, the Heat absolutely ambushed the Spurs.  The trick to beating the Heat is that you can never let them get a comfortable lead.  When they play without pressure, they take more risks (i.e. 3-point shots, LeBron superdrives, etc…) and can build a big league quick. But if you keep it tight, the Heat will second guess all their moves.  In just about 10 total minutes, the Heat went on a 30-5 run and never looked back.  The series is now even, headed back to San Antonio, where the Spurs are very difficult to beat.  Miami 103, San Antonio 84.

Elsewhere in the NBA, even though he just retired from the New York Knicks, Jason Kidd doesn’t feel like his basketball career is over.  No, he’s not signing with another team, but rather looking into a very desirable coaching position.  Jason Kidd is interviewing for the head coaching job of the Brooklyn Nets later this week.  Sure, Kidd doesn’t have any experience as a coach, but he was definitely a team leader during his playing days.  While many coaches can implement a strategy, only a select few can earn the player’s respect. Kidd is the type of guy who could galvanize a team and get them to buy into a plan right away.  This might be a good fit.

HOCKEY

The Stanley Cup Finals are set.  The Boston Bruins shocked the world by crushing the #1 seed Pittsburgh Penguins.  And a lot of people are saying that it’s not the Penguins that choked, but rather the Bruins are just that good right now.  In the West, the Los Angeles Kings were hoping to get back to their second straight Stanley Cup Finals, but the #1 seed Chicago Blackhawks wouldn’t allow it and beat the Kings rather soundly to advance. We definitely have a fantastic match-up set between the Bruins and the Blackhawks, and while all attention may be on the Heat/Spurs, don’t ignore what should be some marvelous (and ruthless) hockey.