Category: NBA

The Sports World Moves Pretty Fast..If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Every Once In A While..You May Miss It

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

tiger woods

A lot can happen in the sports world in 6 days. For those who don’t know me, I was on vacation for the past 6 days, so Dave hasn’t Talked Sports in a while. Let us have a look at what happened while I was gone:

Tiger Woods

Oh how the mighty have fallen. That may be the biggest understatement in the history of sports. Let’s travel back to 2009. Tiger Woods had a squeaky clean image. He was seemingly happily married with children. He had more money than he knew what to do with. And it seemed like a foregone conclusion he would surpass Jack Nicklaus’ Majors Record. Yeah..not so much. Instead, Woods was living a double life, littered with countless affairs. Woods has not won a Major since and has frequently been injured. And on Tuesday, May 29th, 2017, Woods hit what we hope is rock-bottom. He was found sleeping in his car at 3:00 a.m. in Jupiter, Florida. He was arrested and charged with a DUI. Despite blowing a 0.0 on the breathalyzer, Woods was extremely disoriented and confused during the traffic stop. Must have been quite the cocktail. The footage can be seen here. For he and his children’s sake, I hope he gets the help he clearly needs.

Bryce Harper

Who knew Bryce Harper liked to throw down?! After being hit by San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Hunter Strickland in the 8th inning of Tuesday’s game, Harper charged the mound. And after the worst helmet throw in the history of the world, Harper connected with a decent right hook to Strickland’s face. Now, I find this entire situation ridiculous but at the same time highly entertaining.

So you’re telling me that because Harper hit 2 home runs off Strickland nearly 3 years ago, Strickland needed to retaliate?!?! Retaliate for what?! Being really good at baseball?? Hey Hunter, newsflash, if you don’t want Bryce Harper to trot around the bases on you……PITCH BETTER!! This was the most inane form of retaliation I’ve ever seen on a baseball field, and while I’m not a Bryce Harper fan, I don’t blame him one bit for throwing a haymaker Strickland’s way. For footage of the brawl, click here.

Mr. Met

Oh Mr. Met…..

Watch the footage first, then we’ll talk. Click here please.

Can the New York Metropolitans do anything right? The answer would most definitely be NO!! They can’t win. They can’t stay healthy. They can’t stay out of the news. And apparently, they can’t choose a mascot right.

Dear Mr. Met,

I know you are frustrated. Any Mets fan should be. The Mets stink, and there is no sunshine around the corner. I get it. But big head – ya gotta keep your cool. In 2017, everyone and their grandmother has a cell phone, and 90% of the time it is already recording something. So did you really think that middle finger and twirl combination wasn’t going to go viral?! You dummy!!

Sincerely,

DaveTalksSports

I guess Mr. Met’s position will be in the Help Wanted section today, but I ponder….how will we know he was really replaced??

Stanley Cup Finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins, on their home ice, have been outplayed by the Nashville Predators. However, they are up 2 games to 0 in the Stanley Cup Finals. Funny how that works huh?? The Predators have outshot the Penguins 64 to 39 through the first 2 games of this series. The Penguins are looking to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. I expect Nashville to bounce back and grab Game 3 on their home ice. Ultimately I believe the Penguins will repeat as champions. You can tune into Game 3 on NBC Sports on Saturday at 8:00 p.m EST to catch all the action.

NBA Finals

Lebron James. You’ve probably heard of him. Well, he is playing in his 7th consecutive NBA Finals, and he is looking to win back-to-back championships for the 2nd time in his career. This year marks the 1st time in NBA history that 2 teams will meet in the NBA Finals in 3 consecutive seasons. I certainly hope Cavaliers/Warriors III is better than X-Men III. What a hunk of crap that was….

Ah yes, the Super Teams meet again. Is it good for the league? Is it bad for the league? Wellllll, it depends on who you are. If you own an NBA team it’s great (because they’re making truck loads of $$..duh). If you are an avid NBA fan it sucks, but you are hoping and praying this finals series makes up for the dumpster fire we’ve had to endure to get to this point. As great as Lebron is, I can’t see the Warriors losing this series. I think they will continue to be too much for opposing defenses to handle. Warriors in 6. Book it!! Check out Game 1 tonight at the absurd start time of 9:00 p.m. EST on ABC. Helllllooooooo Cafeeeiiinnneeee….

 

Who do you think will win the NBA Finals? In how many games? Tell me in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

 

Kyrie Irving Put On A Show

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

kyrie

Ever hit the snooze bar a few too many times?? Yeah, me too. And you finally wake up. You’re running frantically around the house, trying to get to work on time. You show up right on time, but you can still feel that nervous energy flowing. Once settled in though, you tend to exceed expectations. Ya know, really make up for the way your day started.

That was Lebron James on Tuesday night. Yes, we’re talking about Lebron James again….

Get used to it. Everything is about Lebron James. He is the face of the NBA. Praised for the victories and blamed for the losses. Anyway….

Lebron’s poor play from Game 3 spilled over to Game 4. He looked disinterested. He lacked the aggressive nature we saw in games 1 and 2. The Cavaliers found themselves down 10 points at halftime, and trailed by as many as 16. It’s a good thing Kyrie Irving brought his ‘A Game’ last night. While Lebron became a spectator with early foul trouble (we’ll get into that a little later), Kyrie put his entire team on his back. Kyrie finished with 42 points (21 in the 3rd quarter)!! He was extremely efficient, shooting 68% from the field (15-22). For those who haven’t noticed, Kyrie Irving is the real deal. Outside of Russell Westbrook, he and Stephen Curry are the most electrifying point guards in the game. He has the best ball handling skills in the league (sorry Steph), can shoot from half-court, and is an absolute wizard when he drives the lane.

Kyrie Irving is the SOLE reason the Cavaliers aren’t hitting the panic button today.

Back to last night we go. Lebron James committed 4 fouls in the 1st half. How often do you hear that?! I have one question for Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue: WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!?! How could you leave Lebron on the floor with 3 fouls and 7 minutes left in the 1st half?? Okay, maybe that was 2 questions….

Lue is lucky Lebron is a smart player. Lebron didn’t pick up another foul for the remainder of the game. But imagine if Lebron fouled out in the 3rd quarter, and Kyrie’s twisted ankle in the 3rd quarter caused him to leave the game?? The Cavaliers would have been ‘up you know what creak without a paddle’. Instead, Lebron and Kyrie dominated the 3rd quarter. They emerged from the locker room, down 10 at halftime, with a vengeance. They combined for 30 of the Cavaliers 40 points in the 3rd quarter. Yeah, I’d say their ON/OFF switch works just fine.

The Cavaliers now lead this series 3 games to 1 and are 1 game away from the NBA Finals. This would be Lebron James’ 7th consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. Let that sink in for a moment….

The Cavaliers will win Game 5 back in Beantown and will punch their ticket to the NBA Finals, which tip-off June 1st. Check out Game 5 on TNT on Thursday @ 8:30 P.M. EST. Keep this in perspective: while the Cavaliers are schlepping their tired bodies back to Boston, the Golden State Warriors have their feet up on the couch in the comfort of their own home.

Will the Cavaliers playing an extra game prove costly in the NBA Finals?? Tell me in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

 

 

Playoffs, Playoffs, And More Playoffs!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

predators

Monday was a busy night for the record books. What’s Playoff Season without making a little history, right?? And what’s better than Playoff Season?!

“What do you like better, Christmas or Wedding Season?”

“Mr. Grey?”

“Yes. The answer would be, um, Wedding season?”

Yes. I like Playoff Season better than Christmas. Don’t judge me. From the hardwood to the ice, last night was a channel flippin’ kind of night. I’m surprised the ‘last’ button on my television remote didn’t fall off. Where shall we start first? NHL or NBA? Competitive or ahem..non-competitive? Nail-biting finishes or ummmm..beat the traffic? I guess I shouldn’t beat up the NBA too badly if I want you to read about it….

But first, lace up those skates because we’re heading to the rink.

NHL Playoffs

How many times have you seen the Nashville Predators play hockey this year? Or ever? Well, you should start because they are a lot of fun to watch. And talk about an exciting venue. Bridgestone Arena was absolutely rockin’ last night. The Predators ousted the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals (by the score of 6-3). The Predators are heading to their 1st Stanley Cup Finals in franchise history. They await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators). The Penguins lead 3 games to 2 and Game 6 will be played tonight on NBC Sports @ 8:00 P.M. Sydney Crosby is good at hockey. Anyway….

The Predators jumped out to an early 2-0 lead just 8:47 into the 1st period. After going up 3-1 early in the 3rd period, enter the “most dangerous lead in hockey”. This of course is the myth that having a 2-goal lead is a bad thing. Well, Monday night, it almost was. The Predators surrendered 2 goals in the span of 3 minutes and 52 seconds. Just like that, the game was tied at 3. The Predators, as they have throughout the playoffs, showed their resiliency. With 6 minutes to play, Colton Sissons completed his hat trick, putting the Predators up 4-3. They would add 2 empty-net goals, after the Ducks pulled their goalie inexplicably early (2:30 left to play!). Apparently, that is new school hockey. Where’s Steve Yzerman when you need him??

Did I mention the Nashville Predators are the #8 seed in the Western Conference?? Oh yeah. It is only the 3rd time a #8 seed has reached the Stanley Cup Finals. Immediately following the game, Michael Bosnack of Floral Park, an NHL enthusiast, said, “Nashville may be famous for their country music, but the Predators are slowly becoming the hidden gem down in the Music City. The pulse of the city runs through Bridgestone Arena these days.”  

Predators coach, Peter Laviolette, became just the 4th coach to bring 3 different teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. That is an exceptional honor, but Laviolette made light of it by saying, “That probably means I’ve been fired a lot.” Laviolette should be proud of his team. They have only lost once at home in the playoffs. For now, they celebrate!!

NBA Playoffs

The Golden State Warriors Won aga…….

Man, I sound like a broken record. I can picture the millennials now: What’s a record? Can I swipe it to the left?? Can I post about it right now???

NO. You can’t. Just show up for work on time.

Anyway, the Golden State Warriors won again by double digits (129-115), sweeping the San Antonio Spurs. This not only completed the sweep of the Western Conference Finals but of the entire playoffs!! This hasn’t happened since the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers swept their way to the NBA Finals. The Lakers accomplished this in 11 games because the 1st round was previously a best-of-five series. The Warriors became the 1st team to win 12 consecutive games to start the playoffs and to also sweep three 7-game series in one playoffs. And now, they will wait for Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to quit messin’ around and dispose of the Boston Celtics already.

While the Warriors were busy steamrolling the Spurs, fans seemed more preoccupied with paying homage to Manu Ginobili. The soon to be 40 year-old most likely put on his Spurs’ jersey for the last time. Ginobili was the 57th pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. That’s the 2nd to last pick in the draft for those of you keeping score at home. Ginobili played internationally for a few years before entering the league in 2002. And the rest, as they say, is history. 15 NBA seasons and 4 NBA Championships later, Ginobili will more than likely be ‘hangin’ it up’. He will go down as one of the best international players to ever play in the NBA. His high energy and pesky style of play made him a staple as the 6th man on the Spurs’ dynasty of the past decade and a half. Thanks for the good times Manu.

What were you watching last night? The NBA Playoffs, the NHL Playoffs, or something weird I’ve never heard of before? Let me know in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

 

BREAKING NEWS: LEBRON JAMES IS HUMAN!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

avery bradley

I did not see that coming. Neither did the Cleveland Cavaliers. Neither did anyone else in the world (besides the delusional Celtics fan). But, it’s like they say, there is a reason they play the game. If everything went the way it was supposed to, what would be the point of playing each game? With that being said, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals was one of the most shocking developments we’ve ever seen. It is the reason we LOVE sports.

Let me set the scene:

The Boston Celtics didn’t just lose Games 1 and 2, they got demoralized. They got run out of the building, chased down the street, and forced up a tree to hide their shame. They lost both games on their home court (so much for home court advantage), including a 44-point shellacking in Game 2. As if that wasn’t enough, they lost their best player, Isaiah Thomas, to a torn hip labrum in Game 2. With everyone, myself included, looking past the Celtics to the seemingly inevitable NBA Finals rematch, they peaked their head around the corner and said, hey woah woah woah..we’re still here!!

Game 3 started just as games 1 and 2 did. It’s actually a miracle I didn’t turn the television off. The Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead, behind Kevin Love’s FIVE 1st quarter 3-pointers (1 shy of tying the NBA record for 3-pointers in a quarter). If you can guess who holds that record I’ll be very impressed….How’d you know?! It is none other than Antoine Walker. The Cavaliers were up by 11 after the 1st quarter, 16 at the half, and led by as many as 21. But the Celtics never gave up. They scratched and clawed their way back into the game, only trailing by 5 heading to the 4th quarter.

So do you want the good or the bad first?? Alright, I’ll start with the bad. It’s more like ugly, but I’ve been trying to be nice lately. Lebron James was AWFUL last night (Awful baby, with a capital A!!). His performance was reminiscent of James Harden’s stinker in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. If you need a refresher of that stellar bag of poop, click here. Come to think of it, it’s eerily similar to the Rockets’ loss to the Spurs, as the Spurs won without their best player too. Anyway, Lebron James finished with just 11 points on 4 of 13 shooting. He had just as many turnovers as he did assists (6), and he dropped as many points as I did in the 4th quarter….

He looked like he was allergic to the basketball in the 4th quarter.

And now, the good. The entire Celtics team contributed to their comeback win last night. 11 Celtics saw game action, with 6 landing in double figures. They were led by Marcus Smart’s playoff career-high 27 points. The entire Celtics roster showed their fortitude. Down 2 games to none, down 21-points with 6:39 left in the 3rd quarter, they could have curled up in the fetal position, but they didn’t. Instead, they drank some of ‘Michael’s Secret Stuff’, and they turned things around. Classic movie! The Celtics took the lead with 4:20 left in the game, and then it became a seesaw affair. With 10 seconds to play, the Celtics, with possession, had a chance to shock the world. The game was tied at 108, and Marcus Smart brought up the ball. He fed it to Avery Bradley curling off a screen just beyond the 3-point line, and Bradley let it fly. The ball hit every single inch of the rim, as the final seconds ticked, before dropping through the basket. And the Celtics did it!! They stormed back against all odds. 111-108 shined on the scoreboard as the Celtics celebrated on King James’ court.

Unfortunately, this fantastic effort was all for naught. The Cavaliers will win this series (most likely in 5 games now). Lebron James will return to superhuman form. And the sports world will get their super team matchup in the NBA Finals. God, I hope it’s better than Batman vs. Superman!! Expect Lebron to bounce back in a big way in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Check it out by tuning into TNT on Tuesday night @ 8:30 P.M. EST.

Will the Celtics win another game in this series? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

Will Lebron James Ever Lose A Basketball Game Ever Again??

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

LeBron-James

 

I don’t like turning games off at halftime. While I do love sleep, I prefer overtime thrillers. So, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a dud. Lebron James, a well rested Lebron James, dismissed the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night with a standard playoff performance. Ya know, just another day at the office: 38 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. He’s decceeennttt….

Lebron, as pictured above, might as well have been going through a layup line last night. I must say, I am extremely disappointed in Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Coach Stevens thought it was a good idea to put a combination of Al Horford and Kelly Olynyk on Lebron defensively. How’d that work out for ya?! Coach Stevens should know Lebron wants to attack the basket. And attack the basket he did. Lebron was 7-8 from the field in the first quarter. Seemingly all on uncontested layups right down the middle of the lane. I understand that Lebron is practically as big as a center, but he can’t be guarded by one.

The harsh reality is no one can guard Lebron James, especially from the Celtics roster, but you have to slow him down..at least a little bit. Coach Stevens, even though you didn’t ask, I offer my advice:

You have to put either Jae Crowder or Avery Bradley on Lebron James, and then double Lebron anytime he gets past the free throw line. This will force Lebron to either force a bad shot or pass the ball out to the perimeter. And as good as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are, I’ll take my chances. Crowder is the better option due to his size (6’6″, 235 lbs.), strength, and speed combination. However, Bradley is the Celtics’ best on-ball defender. And while he gives up 6 inches and 70 pounds to Lebron, if he gives Lebron extra space on the perimeter and forces Lebron to shoot (he went 1-6 from 3-point range last night), they may stand a better chance.

The Celtics did NOT stand a chance in Game 1. The final score of 117-104 doesn’t even come close to telling the whole story. At halftime, the Cavaliers took their foot off the pedal, and placed their vehicle in cruise control. Which begs the question: with a 21-point lead with 5 minutes left in the game, why were the Cavalier’s starters still on the floor?! I understand they had just spent the past 10 days resting, but what if Lebron, Kyrie, or Kevin had gotten hurt?? And speaking of rest. I bet all you people debating rest vs. momentum and how much rest is too much rest, are the same people who hit the panic button on the Cavaliers back in January, and again in March, and then again in April. Hey..pssssttt..guess what? Lebron James has been there and done this before. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be just fine.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors haven’t lost a basketball game since 1974. It sure seems that way doesn’t it?? After last night’s drubbing, their historic, 3-peat rematch is one step closer. I can’t wait!!

Will the Cavaliers and Warriors both sweep their way to the NBA Finals? Tell me in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

 

Somewhere..Bill Russell Is Doing His Happy Dance

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

CPE_8517.JPG

And the winner of the 250 Million Dollar Lottery is……….The Boston Celtics?! Yes, you heard that right. The team set to take on former lottery prize Lebron James in the Eastern Conference Finals was awarded the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. And there’s no cash by the way, only the rights to Markelle Fultz out of the University of Washington. Hey Danny Ainge, how’s the view from up there?? Ainge, the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics, orchestrated a masterful trade with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2013. The Nets received Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (both were WAY past their prime) for a pile of players and future draft picks. Enter last night’s lottery win by the Celtics. Paul Pierce didn’t wait long to say you’re welcome.

As with any lottery, there must be winners and losers. First, let’s take a look at the lottery results:

1. Celtics (via Nets)

2. Lakers

3. Sixers (via Kings)

4. Suns

5. Kings (via Sixers)

6. Magic

7. Timberwolves

8. Knicks

9. Mavericks

10. Kings (via Pelicans)

11. Hornets

12. Pistons

13. Nuggets

14. Heat

Thanks to this ridiculous system, the winners and losers are self-explanatory. Land above your projected draft spot..you’re a winner, fall below your projected draft spot..you’re a loser. Of course, none of this guarantees you a superstar player. The Knicks can attest to that (I wonder what Frederic Weis is doing right now?).

Sooooooo, why does the NBA select the draft order this way rather than award the best pick to the team with the worst record? The answer is simple; MONEY. Amidst a so far underwhelming NBA playoffs, the NBA machine has people talking about the draft, and the draft lottery, and the draft combine, and that kid with the expensive shoes (no I will not say his name here). Ratings, the all-mighty money grab, ratings, and more ratings. That’s what it’s all about. And once the buzz around the draft lottery ends, the Cavaliers/Warriors saga will commence. And once the NBA Finals is over, the actual draft will happen. And once the draft is over, free agents will be on the move. Hmmmmm..sound familiar? Seems like the NBA is doing their best NFL impersonation. Good for you Adam Silver, good for you.

The biggest winners of the night included the Boston Celtics (obviously) and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers received the #2 overall pick. If the Lakers had fallen outside of the top 3, they would have lost their pick to the (Orlando) Magic, so it’s a good thing Magic (Johnson) is on their side. And now for my favorite part of the program..THE LOSERS!! The biggest loser Tuesday night was the Phoenix Suns, as they dropped 2 spots (from #2 to #4). So much for Tank Mode.  

And last but certainly not le…Oh okay, maybe they are least. Enter my New York Knicks. They can’t win right. They can’t draft right. They can’t tank right. And they certainly can’t get lucky right. The Knicks fell 1 spot from #7 to #8. I know it’s only 1 spot, but it’s just another bump in a long line of bumps in Knicks history. Let’s see how Phil Jackson screws this up. Hey Phil, Danny Ainge is running a General Managers Camp. I heard it’s a great way to improve your people skills. Want me to sign you up?? As for players we can land come draft day, the Knicks should have their choice between French guard Frank Ntilikina and NC State guard Dennis Smith Jr. As long as we don’t draft another big man, I won’t lose my mind.

Did you watch Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery? Who do you want the Knicks to draft? Tell me in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Kelly O Who?!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

celtics-oust-wizards-nba-2017

Do or Die. Sink or Swim. Win or Go Home. I’m runnin’ out of expressions for Game 7 here……..

Tensions were running high Monday night in TD Garden as the Boston Celtics played host to the Washington Wizards for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The nerves were visible right from tip-off, as the first 5 field goal attempts came up empty. Players from both sides quickly settled in, and the points began to pile up. Despite looking like the better team throughout the 1st half, the Celtics trailed 55-53 at halftime. The Celtics were carving up the Wizards defense one backdoor cut at a time, but the Wizards had 4 players in double figures by halftime.

And that was the Wizards’ biggest problem. They ended the game with only those 4 players in double figures. Now, Bradley Beal did all he could, absolutely lighting it up in the 2nd half, finishing with a game-high 38 points. It’s hard to beat the Celtics 1-on-5 though.

Enter John Wall: John Wall did his best James Harden impersonation (minus the ridiculous beard) Monday night. When the game mattered most, Wall was nowhere to be found. Wall went scoreless in the final 19 minutes of the game, missing all 11 of his shots. He also added a turnover and a goaltending violation in there for good measure. Nice work John!

And then there’s Kelly Olynyk. Who?! Yes, Kelly Olynyk, the unlikely hero of Game 7. While Isaiah Thomas played an outstanding Game 7 (29 points and 12 assists), it was Olynyk who put the nail in the coffin. Oh, you want the score?? It’s coming don’t worry. How else can I get you to read this far down on the page?? Olynyk hit one timely shot after another, providing 26 points off the bench. And now, the Celtics have the great pleasure of hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. I guess we’ll finally get to prove the rest vs. play for the #1 seed theory……..

That, or the Cavaliers will win in 6 games. Either way. Either way is fine.

Oh by the way, the Celtics won last night 115-105. Thanks for reading all the way down here!

AND NOW, I’M GOING TO GO OFF ON A DON LAGRECA STYLE RANT:

I always wanted to black-out from rage. Anyway, here goes nothing:

I personally hope Lebron loses in Boston in Game 7 so everyone can blame the Cavaliers resting during the regular season. I CAN’T STAND NBA players resting throughout the regular season!! I understand the season is long, and grueling, and players deal with injuries, but NEWSFLASH: That’s why the league builds rest days into your schedule. Do NBA players ever think about anything other than themselves?? Do they think about the parents who saved up enough money to take their kid to see Lebron James for the first time?? Only to find out Lebron needs to “rest”. “Oh no, Lebron’s not hurt son. He just had a tough week. You know his butler was off this week, so he personally had to carry his millions to the bank. He must be tired from all that heavy lifting.” GIVE ME A BREAK!! NBA players are multi-millionaires because of fans like that. We, the fans, ARE the demand that put millions of dollars in NBA players’ bank accounts. So when your healthy, play. When your team is on the schedule, play. And when you step onto that hardwood every night, remember, there’s a kid in the stands watching you play for the very first time.

Man, I’ve never rooted for Boston before. This is awkward.

Do the Celtics have a chance in the Eastern Conference Finals? How do you feel about the resting epidemic in the NBA? Let me know in the comment section below.

Also, tune into ESPN tonight @ 8:00 P.M. to watch the NBA Draft Lottery show. Let’s see if the Knicks’ luck can get any worse. Immediately following the lottery, you can see Game 2 of the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Golden State Warriors. Should be an ugly one with no Kawhi Leonard. Expect an angry Gregg Popovich..again.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

There’s No Better Way To Spend Mother’s Day Than Watching Sports….Right?

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

jeter

First things first. Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there. I hope you all enjoyed your day. My mother has always been an inspiration to me, and I want to thank her for everything she has ever done for me. I also want to wish my wife a beautiful Mother’s Day as well.

Derek Sanderson Jeter intentionally chose Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14th) for his number retirement ceremony. He said he wanted to honor his mother and to thank his entire family for driving him to success. Jeter’s ceremony went exactly like everything went in his career; PERFECT. The same unfortunately can’t be said for the game that followed (the Yankees lost 10-7 to the Astros). Jeter had his number 2 retired, received his plaque that will rest amongst other Yankees’ greats in Monument Park, and then was handed the microphone.

Jeter, as always, kept it classy San Diego. Jeter thanked everyone there is to thank: mother’s everywhere (especially his own and his wife who is a soon-to-be mother), coaches, teammates, and last but not least Yankees fans. I felt the most memorable part of his speech was this: “You know, you play here in New York for 20 years,” Jeter said. “I learned that time flies, memories fade, but family is forever and I’ll be eternally grateful to be a part of the Yankees family, so I can’t thank you guys enough. Thank you very much.” Who could say it better? None other than ‘The Captain’.

On the basketball side of things, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals had families all over the world late for reservations. What started as a 25-point deficit for the Golden State Warriors (on their home court), ended as a painful, gut wrenching loss for the San Antonio Spurs. Not only did they blow said 25-point lead, but they lost their best player (Kawhi Leonard), again, to an ankle injury. The Warriors didn’t wait long to pounce on the opportunity. They immediately went on an 18-0 run and outscored the Spurs by 23 following Leonard’s early exit. The Warriors won 113-111 to grab a 1-0 lead in the series. Leonard’s status remains up in the air but it doesn’t look promising. Game 2 will be played on Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. on ESPN.

You can tune in to TNT tonight at 8:00 P.M. to watch Game 7 of the Boston Celtics vs. the Washington Wizards. The winner gets the esteemed honor of being pummeled by Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a thrilling game 6, won by John Wall’s heroic 3-pointer, what kind of drama will tonight’s game bring? I say we get another tight one, Celtics 104-Wizards 100. Book it!

What did you think of Derek Jeter’s ceremony? Who will win Game 7 of the Celtics vs. Wizards game? Let me know in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

 

 

The English Language Doesn’t Have A Word For What The Spurs Did To The Rockets Thursday Night

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 5 Comments

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WOW!! Let me say that again. WOW!!!! Was that awesome or what?? I’ve never enjoyed watching an absolute blowout so much in my life. In case you turned the game off at halftime, it only got worse (for the Rockets). The San Antonio Spurs crushed, destroyed, demolished, routed, embarrassed, beat down, annihilated, obliterated, and most importantly eliminated the Houston Rockets on Thursday night (114-75). Yes, you read that score right. 114-75.

Game 6 started with the Spurs winning the tip-off. Lamarcus Aldridge received the ball in the low post, made a quick spin move toward the left baseline, and scored an easy basket. Just 23 seconds into the game, the tenor was set for the rest of the evening. Aldridge channeled his days as a Portland Trailblazer (where he averaged nearly 20 points and 9 rebounds per game), finishing with 34 points and 12 rebounds. He was unstoppable, and the rest of the spurs, sans Kawhi Leonard, followed suit. Before we get to the Spurs’ impressive performance, let us attempt to understand what happened to James Harden and the Rockets….

I’ve never seen such a pathetic performance from an MVP candidate, on his home floor, in an elimination game in my life. James Harden looked about as interested in last night’s game as this kid from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:

ferris

Harden attempted just 2 shots in the 1st half. 2 shots!! Momentum is often thought of in a positive light, but I guess the awful momentum of Harden’s disastrous play at the end of Game 5 spilled over to Game 6. Harden finished with a season low 10 points on 2-11 shooting, and added a stellar 6 turnovers. His performance was inexplicable, but if Harden wasn’t making such a ridiculous salary, I’d be calling for a point-shaving investigation. It was that bad! But anyway, back to the Spurs….

Six Spurs scored in double figures. Jonathan Simmons, who started in place of Leonard, contributed 18 points on 8-12 shooting and played the best defense I’ve seen since the ’85 Bears (“Da Bears“). Rookie point guard, Dejounte Murray, played a fantastic game posting a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block). Someone tell me how this kid fell to 29th in the draft?! This kid is going to be a very good point guard for a very long time. Pau Gasol, Danny Green, and Patty Mills had solid games, all scoring in double figures as well.

The Spurs have been typecast with playing a “boring” brand of basketball. I am sick of hearing that. If putting the ball in the basket efficiently, playing relentless defense, and winning is “boring”, then sign me up for some boring. And I’ll take a side of fundamentals with my boring please. In the age of hey everybody look at me, it is refreshing to see a franchise run like the Spurs. Sure, they have a superstar in Kawhi Leonard, but do you see him showboating? Complaining? Flailing his arms about looking for an imaginary foul? Flopping around like a fish out of water? The answer, to all, is an emphatic NO!

The Spurs, once again, proved why they are the cream of the crop in the NBA. They are heading to their 10th Western Conference Finals under Gregg Popovich (the coach since ’96-’97). I know, I know, this sounds a lot like the New England Patriots. Well, it’s because they are run very similarly. They don’t hand out contracts based on what you’ve done, rather for what you are going to do. They turn late round draft picks into stars. They don’t tolerate individual egos. And they are run with only one thing in mind; WINNING.

The question is, will they win against the contrasting style of the Golden State Warriors? Assuming Kawhi Leonard’s health, and as much as I don’t want to eat my words for doubting the Spurs, I still can’t envision the Spurs beating the Warriors 4 times in 7 tries. Can you?

Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Spurs Win Overtime Thriller!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

manu

Whoever said ‘Father Time’ is unbeaten clearly hasn’t met Manu Ginobili. Or Tom Brady I’m assuming. Or Roy Jones Jr. for that matter. Did you know Jones Jr. is still fighting professionally at the age of 48?! That’s awesome!! Man, how did I get off topic already?! Anyway….Ginobili, the former 6th Man of the Year, turned back the clock Tuesday night, leading his San Antonio Spurs to victory (110 – 107 F/OT). They became his Spurs when Kawhi Leonard tweaked his ankle in the 3rd quarter after stepping on James Harden’s foot. Leonard would return to the game, but the injury forced him to watch the final 5:34 from the sidelines. With the series tied at 2-2, the atmosphere was tense inside AT&T Center. The fans, who seemingly stood the entire game, were rewarded with the best game of the 2017 playoffs. Exciting games have been few and far between in these playoffs, but Game 5 did not disappoint.

James Harden’s stat-line looks fantastic. He posted a triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, numbers only tell part of the story. Harden was BRUTAL when it mattered most. Don’t believe me?? That’s okay, just check out James Harden’s final 5:54 of the game:

  • He went scoreless on 0-2 shooting
  • He had 4 turnovers (9 total for the game)
  • He committed a silly foul on Danny Green on a made basket with :30 left in overtime
  • And last but certainly not least, his 3-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked from behind by Manu Ginobili

Game 5 was not about Harden’s ugly beard, however, it was about the Spurs resilient performance. While their best player was resigned to the bench, the Spurs embodied the motto ‘Next Man Up’. Manu Ginobili, Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Jonathan Simmons put forth memorable performances. Mills played a team high 43 minutes, contributed 20 points, and hit a game high five 3-pointers (none bigger than the one that brought them within 2 with 2:12 left in regulation). Simmons brought the energy. After every big play, Simmons could be seen screaming and pumping his fists passionately. Simmons was also the culprit in 3 out of Harden’s 4 turnovers down the stretch. Danny Green singlehandedly outscored the Houston Rockets in overtime (7-6). He actually scored all 7 of those points in the final :56 of overtime (impressive right?). And then there’s soon-to-be 40, Manu Ginobili. Ginobili posted 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and most importantly 1 MONSTER BLOCK (as pictured above)!!

Manu Ginobili has been an essential part of the Spurs last 4 championships. And with Tony Parker already out for the remainder of the playoffs, and Kawhi Leonard now hobbled, Ginobili will need to channel the 2006-2007 version himself if he wants to wear ring number 5. Assuming the Spurs do outlast the Rockets, I can’t see them stealing more than 2 games from the Golden State Warriors. I’ll be rooting for Ginobili and the Spurs (even though I’m a loyal Knicks fan), but I think Curry and company will be too much to handle for old man river.

How far do you think the Spurs will go in the playoffs?? Let me know in the comment section below.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!