TSDMike | June 25, 2009

Cleveland, although they won 66 games last season, fared poorly against good teams. Strong shooting teams with a solid frontcourt like the Lakers and the Spurs were able to withstand the explosion from James and win anyway. The Cavaliers were exposed for having no answer for Dwight Howard or for Orlando’s three point shooting and almost got swept by the Magic after rolling through the first two rounds of the playoffs untested. Superman is going to come into next season ready to crush anyone who gets in his way, including Shaq. Replace Z.I. with O’Neal last year and maybe the Eastern Conference finals go seven games instead of six.

Category: NBA | Comments Off
Tags: cleveland cavaliers, Lebron james, NBA, shaq, shaquille o'neal, trade

TSDMike | June 6, 2009

If I were a pro athlete, I’d be getting fined more than T.O., Ron Artest and Rasheed Wallace combined. Not because I couldn’t control myself on the court, but because of my inherit disdain for the mainstream media.

The thing I detest the most about how the press is set up is the incredible power in which the public has bestowed upon it. The Media routinely shapes our perceptions and ultimately our opinions on virtually every type of public figure – professional and amateur athletes, actors, musicians, politicians, etc. In the court of public opinion, the Media is the ultimate judge, jury and executioner.

So when David Stern gave LeBron James a pass for skipping out on the media after his Cavaliers were knocked out of the playoffs, I was perfectly fine with that. James shouldn’t have to talk to anyone if he doesn’t want to. And really, what was he going to say? Had he attended the post game press conference, he would have been shelled from all angles with stupid questions designed for one thing: to antagonize the reigning MVP into saying something foolish that he’d later regret. That’s the job of the Media after all – to expose the subjects of their scrutiny for the flawed human beings that they are.

But then a few days later, Stern reversed his decision in a move reticent of an NFL line judge reviewing a play in the last two minutes of the half, and imposed a fine of $25k against LBJ strictly for skipping the Media after the game.

Category: NBA, Other/General Commentary | 2 Comments »
Tags: bcs, congress, david stern, fine, Lebron james, NBA

TSDMike | May 27, 2009

Congratulations are in order.

The Orlando Magic have done the unthinkable. They’ve pushed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink of elimination.

Watching this series unfold, I couldn’t tell if the current 3-1 stranglehold that the Magic enjoys is the result of a talented underdog believing that it can persevere, or a collosal collapse on the part of an overwhelming favorite.

I give all the credit in the world to Dwight Howard, Stan Van Gundy and the rest of the Magic personnel. They stood up to King James and his perceived destiny and didn’t blink.

Category: NBA | Comments Off
Tags: barry sanders, cleveland cavaliers, commentary, Lebron james, NBA, orlando magic, Playoffs, upsets

TSDMike | May 11, 2009

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

There’s a phenomenon occurring at this very moment that will close the door on the debate as to who the best player in the NBA is.

LeBron James is putting on a performance for the ages. There hasn’t been a clearer favorite to win the NBA title since the ‘95-’96 Chicago Bulls, who won a record 72 games that season.

Category: NBA | Comments Off
Tags: best player in the nba, cleveland cavaliers, Lebron james, NBA, Playoffs, Tiger woods