Pre-season Game Diary: Chargers/Packers

Since tonight kicks off the NFL preseason games, and the fact that I am currently staying with my parents during the week for work (long story), I thought tonight would be a good opportunity to break out another game diary.

My Dad is a life-long Packer fan, so I thought it would be fun to jot down what went on during the game.

Not in attendance tonight is my brother Chuck, who is also a Packers fanatic.  He is also a certified member of the "Mike McCarthy Haters Club".  I think McCarthy is a pretty solid coach, but then again my team is coached by Norv Turner, so I'm used to FB teams underachieving.  I'm expecting some texts from Chuck during the game... maybe I'll share a few.

The pregame show just confirmed that Keyshawn Johnson is the worst studio analyst on the network.  He mentioned that the Chargers let Mike Tolbert go (the didn't, he was a free agent who signed for less money in Carolina), and that Rivers likes to throw to tall WR's, and how are Robert Meachum and Eddie Royal going to fill the shoes of Vincent Jackson?  When everyone knows Antonio Gates is the primary target for San Diego's offense, and I'm pretty sure Rivers completed a few passes to Darren Sproles over the years, who isn't exactly very tall.

Breaking News:  espn reporting a Lakers trade for Dwight Howard is considered "imminent".  Very exciting news.

Also, the first female referee will work an NFL game tonight.

On a personal note, I'm looking forward for South Dakota State Jackrabbit Dale Moss to see his first NFL action tonight.  An undrafted free agent, Moss played 4 years of BB for SDSU before playing one year of FB.  I'll be pulling hard for him.

Also excited to see the Chargers first round draft pick Melvin Ingram.  Supposedly he's been playing great in camp.  Along with fellow rookie defensive player Kendall Reyes.  I'll be watching for those guys.

7:00 Welcome to Qualcomm stadium.

Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden are calling the game.  I like Gruden, but man, does that guy like him some quarterbacks.  He gushes about pretty much every one.  Wonder how much qb love he'll throw around tonight?

They mention the "replacement officials" due to the NFL officials lockout, and also mention the first female official, Shannon Eastin.  She is hoping she doesn't get noticed during the game.  That's probably the right mindset.

7:07 Mason Crosby kicks off, and preseason is underway!  Touchback.

Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense take the field. 
First play is a quick 6 yard pass to Antonio Gates.
The second play is a sack of Rivers by Packers Rookie Nick Perry.
Perry is flagged for "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" after the play.  On the replay, it didn't look like much, causing Gruden to say, "I'm not sure why the called that".  My Dad laughs at this.

Scifres punts, and the ball is downed inside the 5 yard line.
Dad:  "I can't See!"  (My Mom had walked into the room in front of him.)

7:16 MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers start on there own 3 yard line.
First play is a pass, Rodgers was flushed out of the pocket, and then James Starks drops an easy pass.
Gruden loves how Aaron Rodgers manipulates the snapcount.

3rd and long, and of course Green Bay converts.  The Chargers were the worst team in NFL history on 3rd down defense last season.  Ok, well not in history, but in 60 years.  It was bad.  Something they need to improve.

3rd and 5, and another conversion.

7:20 Starks fumbles the ball.  Looks like he didn't take the handoff cleanly.
Former Packer, and new Charger Atari Bigby recovers the fumble.
Dad:  He was an old Packer.  I don't remember much about him, but I remember he was a Packer.

7:23 Chargers take over on the GB 26 yard line

7:26 Rivers hits Antonio Gates down the seem for a pretty 23 yard Touchdown pass.  Kaeding kicks the extra point.

Chargers 7 Green Bay 0

7:30 Kaeding kicks off, and the Packers return man, Diondre Borel fumbles the return.  Chargers recover.

7:32 Philip Rivers throws a pass intended for Robert Meachum and is picked by Tremond Williams.  Terrible pass by Rivers.

This is ugly.  3 Turnovers with the starters playing.  6:31 to go in the first quarter.

The Head Referee in this game looks scared.

7:37 Packers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

7:39 Chargers rookie RB Michael Hayes loses a fumble, and the Packers AJ Hawk recovers.

4 Turnovers already.

Green Bay takes over at the San Diego 42 yard line.

On 3rd and 2, Rodgers just misses James Jones.
On 4th and 2, Rookie Linebacker Melvin Ingram gets pressure on Rodgers, forcing a bad pass that is intercepted by Antoine Cason.  Nice play by Ingram there.

5th Turnover.  We're still in the first quarter.

7:46  Jarrett Lee from LSU enters the game as the Chargers QB.  We'll see no Charlie Whitehurst tonight.  "Clipboard Jesus" has a slight knee injury and won't play.

Chargers have to punt and Packers punt returner, Shaky Smithson muffs the punt.  The Packers recover.  He lived up to his name on that play.  Shaky.

7:49 Graham Harrell enters the game as the QB for GB.
He promptly misses his first 2 throws.  3 and out, and the Packers punt.

7:53 1st Quarter ends.  7-0 Chargers up.

No texts from Chuck yet, but I gotta feeling they are coming.

This is when pre-season gets confusing, you don't know half the players.

The Chargers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

Dad:  Typical first game, it's a comedy of errors.

Packers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

This is pretty boring.

8:05 Jarrett Lee returns to lead the offense.
He makes a couple of first downs on passes.
Lee actually looks pretty good, better than Harrell anyway.

8:09 Time out called by Norv.

Drive stalls out on the 17 yard line.
Nick Novak promptly boinks the field goal of the left upright of the goalpost.  Somewhere, message boards are blowing up with the epic Kaeding/Novak debate.

Graham Harrell returns to the field and throws a couple inaccurate passes.  Then finally completes one, but for no gain.  He doesn't look very good to me.

Packers punt.

Curtis Brinkly gets a couple of runs for a first down.  He has a great story, I'm pulling for the him.

Lee throws a nice pass to WR Vincent Brown for a 36 yard gain, and then hits Brown for a 27 yard Touchdown.  Vincent Brown looks like a player.  Novak Makes the Extra Point! 

Chargers 14 Packers 0

Novak kicks off, and it's returned to the 30 yard line.

Graham Harrell actually completes a pass!  Of course it was on a 3rd down play.

2:00 warning

1st and goal, and Harrell is Sacked by Larry English.  Flag on the play however, as Melvin Ingram gets called for "Hands to the Face".  1st down again.

8:36  On second down Harrell completes a TD pass to Randall Cobb from 3 yards out.  Crosby kicks the extra point.

Chargers 14 Packers 7

8:39  Lee takes a knee, and its Halftime.  14-7 Chargers.

Text from Chuck:  Packers D still trying to prove who needs to know how to tackle?  We have a gimmick defense and a huge waste of talent.
(He hates the coaches)

Text from Chuck:  They were the worst defense in the league.  They had huge talent.  The gimmick wore out and that's all Capers had.  The Packers are in Trouble.
(He really hates the coaches)

Text from Chuck:  The pack has proven they can have success in spite of, not because of their $h!tty coaching staff.
(He really, really, hates the coaches)

Honestly, I think the Packers coaches are alright, but admittedly I don't watch all their games.  I just know they win alot.  And my team has Norval calling the shots.  And I will admit, Aaron Rodgers would make most Head Coaches look good.  He's phenomenal.

8:52 Tirico and Gruden return for a game of "Who's in that jersey?"

8:54 Harrell starts the 2nd half like he started the first, missing an open WR.
The Packers go 3 and out, and punt.

Jarrett Lee returns for the Chargers, he looks pretty good for a rookie in his first game action.

9:02 As I write that down, he fumbles a snap.
9:02 And then throws an interception.

9:06  Highlight reel on Melvin Ingram.  Showed college highlights, and clips from he first half.  I'm really excited about this kid. 
-fellow rookie Kendall Reyes gets a good pass rush, and forces another Packers punt.

9:14  Dale Moss is in the game!  Just went in motion.
Harrell misses Moss badly on 3rd down, and the Packers have to punt again.

9:19  Chargers take over.  Lee still at QB.  Thought that we might see Kevin O'Connell this drive.
On 3rd down and 10, Lee completes a short pass to Curtis Brinkley.

And the Puntfest continues...

9:22 Find myself hoping that Moss gets a reception.
9:24  And he does.
9:25 Harrell completes a 3rd down pass, and Gruden raves about him.  Guess he hasn't noticed all his other throws.
Thow the ball to Moss!

9:27 end of the 3rd quarter.  Chargers 14 Packers 7

9:31  Moss with a 7 yard catch

9:34 Moss with another catch, and gets some love from Tirico.

9:38 Green Bay running back Marc Tyler drives the ball in for a touchdown.
Green Bay goes for 2, and the pass attempt fails.  Should have thrown it to Moss.

9:53  Nothing of interest has happened on the field in the past 15 minutes.
-But, It sounds as if the Dwight Howard to the LA Lakers deal is official.  The Lakers will keep Pau Gasol.
-Nash, Kobe, Metta, Gasol, Howard = Wow!  This coming NBA season is going to be fun.

9:56 Lee completes a nice deep ball down the left sideline.  He doesn't look too bad.  He'll probably get plucked by another team if the Chargers try to sign him to the practice squad.

10:03 Curtis Brinkly jumps over the pile for a TD.  He's shown better than Hayes in this first pre-season game.  Still a longshot to make the roster though.
Chargers 21  Packers 13

10:07 QB change for the Packers, rookie BJ Coleman from UT Chattanooga.

10:13 Game Over

Thoughts?  Well, hard to tell.  Such a mixture of players and such, and with all the subbing, not a lot you can take away from a pre-season game.  Melvin Ingram does look promising though, and Jarrett Lee looked better than I thought he would.

For Green Bay, they better hope nothing happens to Aaron Rodgers.  Harrell wasn't getting it done tonight.  But again, it's just one game, and a preseason game at that, and the first one. 

These will definitely be two teams, I'l be keeping my eye on this season.

Insanity Post on TVFury

I wrote a blog post on doing the Insanity home fitness program for TVFury.

Check it out.

I've got some pretty good ideas for some new blog posts, but I'm struggling with time.  New job, new career, moving, etc, etc...

Gotta just sit down and focus.

Olympic Thoughts

So, with the games nearing a week old, I thought I'd dust off the blog, and put down a few thoughts.

The opening ceremony?  It was pretty cool.  I didn't watch the entire thing, because it was quite long, but the James Bond/Queen scenario was enjoyable, and any time you can end a show with Paul McCartney, it's pretty epic.  I did NOT like the US Opening Ceremony Uniforms, c'mon Ralph Lauren... a beret?  Ridiculous.

My favorite part of the opening ceremony?  In a landslide..... Mr. Bean!!!

Mr. Bean "ran away" with a most impressive Opening Ceremony performance.

Swimming
-The Americans are kinda kicking some butt in the pool this year.  It seems like each race there is a challenger to an American, but they are all from different countries.  The American swimming program is really quite extraordinary.

-Can people cut Michael Phelps a break?  I don't know if I'd consider him the greatest Olympian ever, but he HAS to be in the discussion, he just has to.  And for anyone to criticize him for "not taking it seriously" and "being cocky/arrogant", well that is just asinine.  The man has pretty much dedicated his life to swimming, and he's basically lived in the pool, and now at the close of a tremendous career you criticize him?  I don't get it.  Enjoy it.

Beach Volleyball
-Both the men's and women's teams are doing well so far.  It will be interesting to see if Misty May Treanor and Keri Walsh can win the gold for a 3rd straight Olympics.  Pretty phenomenal run they are on.

-Worst thing about the London Olympics?  The weather and it's affect on the beach volleyball uniforms.  They are playing in long sleeves!

Gymnastics
-Congratulations to the women's gymnastics team for winning the team gold medals.  Very impressive performance by the young ladies.

-The men's team on the other hand was a disappointment.  It was tough to watch.  I really felt bad for those guys, you could see it in their faces, it wasn't going their way.

-What a terrible rule it is that only two members of each team can make the individual all-around finals.  Just criminal.  I think it should just be a certain number of gymnasts... the top ones from the prelims make the finals... and if all 5 members of team USA make it, and some other country only gets one, that's too bad.  It's "Individual", it's in the name of the event!

Basketball
-This US team is so good, I actually fell asleep watching them rout Angola the other day.  Would they beat the 92 dream team?  Probably not, outside of Tyson Chandler they really have no size.  But, I think it would have been a heck of a game.  The 92 team was much better offensively, but this current team is much better defensively.  It's fun to speculate.  No matter, if they lose to anyone it would be a colossal upset.

I find myself looking forward to watching the track and field events.  Overall, I've been pretty impressed with the Olympics, the Americans are performing well, and London appears to be doing a great job as a host.

I can't do this all on my own...Scrubs thoughts

So the other day, I was driving along and listening to the oldies station on the radio, and Boston's More Than a Feeling came on.  For most of my adult life, the first thing I would have thought of was Matt Thurston blasting this song on his radio repeatedly in the dorms (first floor Waneta Hall fall of 1989).  However, what immediately did spring to mind, was the "Air Band" from Scrubs, formed by Ted and the Janitor.

I miss scrubs.  Sure, there were better comedies out there, Seinfeld for sure, M*A*S*H definitely.  But for whatever reason, I don't miss them as much.  Scrubs left an indelible impression on me.  I find myself thinking of it often (like in the car), using lines from it often (to which most people just look at me like I'm a nutcase), and often I just break out in laughter because I remembered something from scrubs that reminds of something going on at the time (at which people look at me like I'm a nutcase).

Comedy Central used to show "repeats" of scrubs twice a day every day, for it seems like 5 years.  We watched it all the time at my house.  I distinctly remember my 3 year old son (at the time) when I was singing the scrubs theme song "I can't do this all on my own..."  finishing my song as he walked by "I'm no Superman".  He was 3.  He didn't even look at me.  It was burned into his brain.  (And yes, I realize that my 3 year old recognizing and singing a television theme song does not qualify me as a "Father of the Year" candidate.

I miss these guys.

It was hilarious and ridiculous, yet real and relatable.  At one moment an irreverent, zany, comedy about doctors.  In the next moment, moving you to tears over something that real people deal with all the time. 

Jim Valvano made his epic speech at the ESPY awards in which he said "You laugh, you cry, you think... that's a full day.  That's a great day."  That was scrubs, it made laugh, it made you cry, it made you think.

I'd like to post or link to some great "scrubs moments" here, but there are honestly too many... however, there are some great "compilations" on youtube, including:

• All the Girls Names that Dr. Cox called JD.
• The Best of The Janitor
• The Top 5 Dr. Cox Rants
• Turk and JD's Bromance
• Highlights from Ted's Band
• The Dance Montage from the "clip show"
• And, some of the best moments

Lastly, I'd also like to mention that scrubs also had one of the greatest final episodes of all time, ending with a video of JD imagining his future set to Peter Gabriel's "Book of Love".

You can still follow Zach Braff and Donald Faison on Twitter.  They banter back and forth just like Turk and JD did.  But I still miss the show.  I still watch it when I can, and I always laugh.  I miss you guys!

So Distrespectul

Anyone familiar with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless and their endless bickering on espn's First Take will enjoy this video.

This is just hilarious, and fun, and phenomenal.

I love Stephen A. Smith, and although I'm not a fan of the bickering that goes on during that program, I do understand that is what the show is all about.

Can't Beat the Heat

Congratulations to the 2012 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat.

I'm not sure there has ever been a more disliked, disrespected, and just out and out hated team to win a Championship.  What the members and coaching staff of this team has had to go through the past two seasons has really never been seen before.  Yet, here we are two seasons, two finals appearances and a one championship later.  So a tip of the cap to the Heat, and much respect from the Sports Doofus.

To Pat Riley - The Architect

Put together this team by wooing LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and re-signing Dwayne Wade.  His critics were many.  Who is going to play post?  With that much money spent on those three players how can he build a championship roster?  I cannot count how many times I heard something along the lines of "they have 3 good players, and nobody else".  Yet, the roster was evidently good enough to make the NBA finals both years, and won their title in their second try.  Here's the thing, this team isn't old.  I keep hearing about how the Thunder are the team of the future, and they may be.  But I don't think Miami is going away for the next few seasons.  They are going to be around awhile.

To Eric Spoelstra - The Coach

It was just a few weeks ago and I was hearing things like "Doc Rivers is coaching circles around Spoelstra", "He's in over his head", and "Spoelstra will be fired unless the Heat win the title".  Well, they won the title.  Now, this wasn't an easy task for any coach.  Sure he had his "Big 3" to build around, but who else could handle that many egos, that much publicity, that much pressure, and the constant scrutiny this team was under.  It could have and would have crippled many coaches.  Coach Spoelstra kept his cool and just did his job.  I loved how he handled himself throughout the past two seasons.  Every time the Heat fell behind in a series (down 2 games to 1 to the Pacers, down 3 games to 2 against the Celtics) the media was crying for his head and talking about how the Heat were "vulnerable" to this and/or that.  Adjustments were made, changes in gameplan were implemented, and the Heat were able to overcome.  I'm not sure it's possible that enough credit will be given to him.  He deserves as much credit as anyone.  Period.

To LeBron James - The Best Basketball Player on the Planet

LeBron will get most of the coverage for this championship, and deservedly so.  I don't think there has ever been a player who has been more criticized despite his greatness on the court.  Certainly, "The Decision" played a large factor in this.  I remember watching it, and I said it myself immediately afterward, "I hate the Heat".  I admit it.  I piled on.  I joined the Haters club.  I felt like he was a cop out, and a coward, and someone undeserving of any praise.  However, as the past two years went on, I couldn't help but pull for the guy a bit.  He's not my favorite player, or my favorite person, but c'mon people... this guy is simply amazing. In the Celtics series, he spent time guarding Rondo (the point guard) and Garnett (the center), he did it all.  He led fast breaks like a point guard, rebounded like a power forward, and led the team when they needed it (dropping over 40 points in Boston in a possible elimination game on the road).  Watching him play this post season was just epic.  It was an epic performance from the preeminent player in the world.  I hope now that some of the haters will let go of their issues, and just enjoy the amazing abilities the man brings to the table.

To Dwayne Wade - The Sidekick

One of the things we've been subjected to redundantly over the past two years is "who's team is it?".  After all, Wade had led the Heat to a title in 2006.  He was the "alpha dog" in Miami, he was the man and now he was going to have to share the ball with LeBron?  And countless discussions about how "LeBron and Wade play the same way... they can't survive that way" in addition to the "Who takes the last shot in a close game?"  Most people felt that it would be Wade's team, and LeBron would settle in as his 2nd in command.  It didn't work that way, LeBron is too good, too talented, and it takes a big man to "step aside" and let another player take over the "leadership" role (I mean, seriously can you imagine Kobe deferring to anyone?  anyone?).  Wade did that this season.  He let LeBron take charge, and correctly so.  

To Chris Bosh - The Forgotten

It wasn't long into this run, about 10 games in or so, that the jokes started.  "Big 3?  More like Big 2 and a half."  Bosh was chastised, called out, and at times scapegoated for the failures of the team (like they don't have a post player, and Bosh just wants to shoot jumpshots).  However, it was very easy to see in the Boston series how much Chris Bosh meant to this team.  Boston was having their way with the Heat inside until Bosh returned from his abdominal injury.  Notwithstanding his incredible performance in that game 7 win against Boston, it was just the difference he made to the team... Garnett and/or Brandon Bass couldn't drop off and help clog the lane, because Bosh made them pay from the perimeter.  And he was a very impressive player throughout the NBA Finals.  Lost in the hype surrounding the game 5 championship clinching win (LeBron's triple double, Mike Miller's shooting performance), was that Bosh played an outstanding game.  He scored 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks...And, he got the game started scoring inside a couple of times early, and made a beautiful move past Kendrick Perkins for a dunk that ignited the crowd.  Do not underestimate the importance of Bosh to this team.  In reality, he really is the perfect "3rd wheel" and played his role to perfection.

To The Role Players - Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem, Norris Cole, Mike Miller

For two years I've heard that the Heat "didn't have anyone outside of the Big 3".  Well, that just turned out to not be true.  

Shane Battier shot lights out from the field in the first few games, hitting timely 3's and keeping the floor spaced for Wade and LeBron to drive.  He took charges over and over again... really I don't think I've ever seen a better charge taker than Battier.  Without his performance there is no way the Heat win this title.

Mario Chalmers, despite struggling mightily from the field in games 2 and 3, made several big plays to seal game 4 for the Heat (scoring 25 points), and honestly, Chalmers is an underrated defender.  I'm not saying he's in the running for any all defensive team, but he's better than you think.

Udonis Haslem didn't do anything fantastic in the finals, but he was the only "big" who saw any playing time besides Chris Bosh.  He set picks, grabbed boards, and made hustle plays.  And he was also HUGE in their win in the Celtics Series, especially when Bosh was out with injury.  He's only 6'8" and was often guarding 7 footers, and then having to switch off on screens to guard speedy guards like Westbrook, Harden and Rondo.

Norris Cole as a rookie really came up big.  He made some nice plays in the Celtics series, and he scored a quick 8 points to start the Heat comeback in game 4 (remember, they were down 17 in the first quarter of that game).  This guy has a bright future in the league, and certainly showed he wasn't afraid of the moment.

Mike Miller - well, Mike didn't do much throughout the playoffs, he was bothered by a back injury, and he looked like it on the court.  He couldn't run from one end to the other, he was painful just to watch.  Then, game 5 of the finals he hits 7 of 8 3 pointers.  Just an unconscious shooting performance from the South Dakota native (former Mitchell Kernel).

Also, a tip of the hat to the Thunder.  An excellent young team, with an exciting and talented group of players that should be in the running for the NBA title for many years to come.  Westbrook, Durant, Harden, and Ibaka are only going to get better.  Remember Thunder fans, last season the Heat took it on the chin in the finals too.  This young team keeps improving, keeps advancing a round farther in the playoffs each year.  I can foresee another Heat/Thunder NBA Finals next year.

One last thought on OKC.  Coach Scott Brooks has done a great job with this team.  I started to read some rumors and whispers on a few talk shows, and on twitter blaming him for his team's failures.  It would be a colossal mistake for the Thunder to get rid of Coach Brooks.  They need to keep him and his team as intact as they can and bring it back again next year.

Thanks for reading my thoughts, enjoy your weekend!

Heat/Celtics Series Final thoughts.

First, before I start in on the Heat/Celtics Eastern Conference Finals, how about these NBA playoffs?  Just amazing drama and performances up and down the league.  It's been incredible to watch.

Starting with Derrick Rose tearing his ACL in the Bulls/76ers series, then his team fighting back and taking the Sixers 7 games.  The Nuggets took the Lakers 7 games in the West, another compelling series that could have gone either way.  Then in the second round... The Sixers and Celtics went 7 games, the Pacers led the Heat 2-1, and the Lakers/Thunder series was closely contested (even if the Thunder won in 5.. those games were tough and hard fought.

Then, looking the Conference finals...both were compelling, but the Heat/Celtics was clearly the better series.  OKC took a punch from the Spurs losing the first 2 games, and then won 4 games in a row.

This Heat/Celtics match up was epic.  Miami winning two at home, followed by Boston winning two at home (2 of those games going to overtime).  Boston beating the Heat in Miami in game 5, to go ahead 3-2 and returning home for game 6.  At that time, LeBron couldn't close...Spoelstra couldn't coach, Dwayne Wade wasn't playing great.  And they have to play in Boston, facing a team with oodles of confidence, who won 3 in a row.

Then, the LeBron James game happened.  He was amazing in game 6.  He was that "force of nature" we saw against the Pistons those years ago.  Unbelievable performance.

Which set up game 7 tonight.  I actually was surprised at the start of the game.  Boston took the early lead, and kept it for pretty much the entire first half.  I even tweeted that Miami "had to close within 5 by half, or the Celtics win".  They didn't.  They were down 7 at the break.  And yet, they found a way to win, actually running away in the final few minutes.  With that, I have 3 thoughts on game 7.

1.  Chris Bosh was HUGE tonight.  He was an amazing.  He hit 3 3 pointers, but more important than that was his defense and rebounding.  Remember earlier in the series when the Celtics were getting numerous offensive rebounds in crunch time?  With Haslem and Bosh on the court, the amount of 2nd shot opportunities for the Celtics simply weren't there.  On a few occasions, KG looked like he was in position to grab the board, but Bosh would slide over and snag it away.  It happened several times.  Chris Bosh came up big tonight, and proved that it really is a Big 3, not a Big 2.

2.  Rajon Rondo is an enigma.  In game 2 he goes off for 44 points.  He had 10 assists at halftime tonight.  He flirts with a triple double nearly every time he steps on the floor.  That said, his turnovers in Game 6 were a huge reason why the Heat were able to blow the Celtics out in that game.  And tonight, Game 7, NBA  Finals on the line... Dwayne Wade was playing 5 feet off him in crunch time.  There is no other "star" in this league who would be given this much space.  And I don't think you can be considered with the best players in the league when you're at the top of the key, and your man is standing on or slightly below the free throw line.  Don't get me wrong, he is an extremely talented player, and I'm not here trying to rip on his game, I just don't think you can be considered "elite" if the other team lays off you in crunch time.

3.  Eric Spoelstra can coach.  He was ripped on in the Indiana series, when they fell behind 2 games to 1.  Then the Heat ripped off 3 games in a row.  In this series, when they fell behind 3-2, I was reading things like "Spoelstra is in over his head".  Tons of credit were being thrown in the direction of Doc Rivers, and rightfully so, but you do realize he won 2 games with Rony Turiaf starting at center and playing significant minutes?  Then, he tried Joel Anthony, and he did what Joel Anthony does...mostly play a little D and stand around on offense.  When they got Chris Bosh back, they looked like a different team out there.  I'd really like to see the guy get some credit.  He got the Heat to the finals last year, in the first season of the "Big 3", and now he's returned.  You try and manage a team with that many egos, and the outlandish expectations of everyone in the media.  If the Heat lost this series, the cries for his firing would have been deafening.  And it would have happened.  However, they made the finals again.  Give Coach Spo his due, he deserves it.

Really looking forward to the Heat/Thunder finals.  The two young "Big 3's" get to face off Durant-Westbrook-Harden vs James-Wade-Bosh.  It's all set up to be a "good vs evil" finals.  The team from the small market, with the young home grown stars (the Thunder drafted each of those 3 in consecutive seasons), going against the evil, plotting, free agent signing Heat.  Really should be fun to watch.  Two teams with tons of athleticism and neither team is afraid to mix it up on the defensive end.  Can't wait to see how many fouls Kendrick Perkins disagrees with (all of them).  Can't wait to see how many "did you just see that shots" that Kevin Durant hits.  Looking forward to see LeBron leading the break, all 6'9" and 250 pounds of him (seriously, how scary would that be to see coming at you with a head of steam).

NBA Action, It's Fantastic!