Waiting for the Finals: Day 1
Drag it out NBA. Drag it out.
Last week, after LeBron’s 48 point explosion, I shared an elevator with the greatest basketball mind at Harris Publications. He is SLAM/XXL/KING fashionmister Coffee. A fashionmister is a male fashionista, if you are not familiar with the term. Anyways, we were in the elevator and I was babbling about the LeBron game from the night before and his response was “Oh? They’re gonna get swept like Shaq against the Rockets.”
Agreed. The comparison makes a lot of sense. Hot young star expected to carry the publicity of the league. Often accused of having too many interests other than being on a basketball court. Shaky free throw shooter. Going up against an underrated great team and all-time legend. There are worries about if the young superstar will leave his smaller market for someplace like Los Angeles or New York (Brooklyn).
Who will be the Cavs Nick Anderson? Is Larry Hughes still around?
The Cavs should just be happy to be there. They are a few years ahead of the curve on their growth chart. LeBron backed up the game 5 for the ages with an intelligent performance in game 6, designed to beat the double teams that the Pistons put to use a little too late. Vincent came through with another extra-thorough game recap of the Saturday night clincher. With Game 1 three days away, we have plenty of space to fill. Lang is going to every game of the Finals, and Ben will join him in San Antonio for games 1 and 2. I’ll be in Cleveland for games 3, 4, and if it goes that far, 5. Khalid will join Lang in San Antonio for game 6 and 7, if there is such a thing. We’ll have plenty of Finals coverage.
I celebrated LeBron’s ascension to The Finals by living the life of a Nike sweatshop worker yesterday. Long story short, there are lots of extra holes in my apartment walls but there are finally curtains hanging up. Very exciting, I know.
Cleveland could pull off the upset, I suppose. But not really. Mike Brown is making the jump from facing Flip Saunders to facing Popovich. This could get ugly. Maybe the Spurs will have one of their off games and the Cavs can steal one, but it’s hard to see any scenario with the Cavs winning. I remember last year, after playing too much God of War, writing a whole column about how Miami would win the Finals because of destiny and storylines. Here is that column, which appeared on the old site but was updated in translation. See? Sometimes you just have throw everything you think you know out the window. Sometimes things happen just because. Experts tend to over analyze. Last year everyone was gushing about how Miami would have no answer for Dirk, and there was no way Dirk would score less than 35 a night. Yeah, well that did not happen.
Cleveland is in a similar place to where Miami was last year right now. You can’t really make a logical argument for why they should win, or even drag this thing out as far as say 6 games. But sometimes weird things just happen. Either way, it’s been a great season for the Cavs, even if they get swept with the quickness.
And now, for your good bye send-offs to all the losers. The Detroit Pistons were meltdown city with Rasheed leading the way. Double technicals, old school Rasheedionics. Not the best sportsmanship. It continues the trend we’ve seen from the Utah fans, the whining Suns (even if you think it was justified), the flagrant fouling Warriors, the quitting Mavs, and so on. Lose with dignity if you have to lose at all. Or don’t lose, you losers.
Even though we’ve enjoyed the LeBron show and it’s supposed to be the best thing for the NBA to have a famous face and electric performer like him in the spotlight, let’s be real about something. Next Sunday night is game 5 of the Finals, if it goes that far. The Sopranos series finale will be on HBO at the same time. Predicted TV viewing audience for game 5 of The Finals: 3 or 4 homes.
And here is your token Sopranos mention. SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN LAST NIGHT’S EPISODE DO NOT READ THIS: I love the tribute to all of the gangster classics from the past. It seems to be following the original Godfather ending with the consolidation of power, but my favorite part was the very end with Tony in the room by himself with the M-16 or whatever that is. Say ello to my little friend!!! LeBron is going to have to shoot like Tony Montana (Soprano?!?) to make the Finals competitive. Also, A.J.’s new ladyfriend from the psych ward reads the same kind of books that my girlfriend does, in this case Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Uh oh.
Any updates on Billy Donovan? No? Yes? Whatever.
63 Responses to “Waiting for the Finals: Day 1”
Jun.4 at 9:20 am
Esco says:
First!!!
Jun.4 at 9:33 am
Esco says:
My heart hopes that Cleveland wins, but my mind is laughing at my heart right now. I just hope that this year’s Finals are interesting for those who are able to watch them (I’m NOT one of those). Much luck to both teams. Make this worth watching.
Jun.4 at 9:36 am
Esco says:
And Sam…My uncle agrees with you that God Of War II was the game of the year…I’m not a gamer so I have no idea, just thought I’d let you know.
Jun.4 at 9:39 am
Ryan Jones says:
I can’t BELIEVE they killed Carmela.
Jun.4 at 9:40 am
Ryan Jones says:
Oh—and, uh, “spoiler alert,” or whatever.
Jun.4 at 9:42 am
H to the izzo says:
Thanks Ryan,I guess theres no point in me watching THAT exact episode next week.Damn you Americans with your one week TV advantage
Jun.4 at 9:50 am
nexus6 says:
the only sweep i can see happening:somebody’s gonna have to sweep Bruce Bowen’s bones off the floor.he’s gonna get burned by LeBron.
Jun.4 at 9:50 am
ForzaMilan says:
Even though they’re here, the Cavaliers are not inspirational. I guess one reason is the weak east: teams are too unstable. They have had exactly ONE fiercely fought and won game. It doesn’t feel like they deserve it yet. They took care of the Pistons WAY too early; the rivalry had only begun to ripen. Unless the East grows up, the Cavaliers’s growth is stunted. Except if they run into the Spurs multiple times in the next few years or something. Here’s to hoping for Gilbert vs. Bron vs. Bosh vs. Wade vs. Dwight vs. Deng vs. Rip vs. PP etc. for a long time to come. These rivalries, it’s for the good of the game. Cavs will go down 3-0 in close games. Whatever happens next is moot.
Jun.4 at 9:59 am
Ryan Jones says:
Just playing, izzo. Carm is still alive, and I won’t say anything else about it — other than you need to watch it asap.
Jun.4 at 10:05 am
Ryan Jones says:
Also: Billy Donovan’s acting like Kobe. Run away…
sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2892334
Jun.4 at 10:12 am
Esco says:
hey nexus6…how’s the mending of your broken heart coming along?
Jun.4 at 10:16 am
nexus6 says:
some advice to Billy Donovan:take a look at the roster BEFORE signing.and no,you cannot take this team to play in the NCAA.
Jun.4 at 10:18 am
Starchild says:
The last episode is this Sunday, the 10th right? game 5 is next week, if necessary
Jun.4 at 10:21 am
nexus6 says:
my broken heart is watching old school Joe Dumars on nba.com(nba vault)…..and outrebounding everybody by 20 on NBA2K7,playing with the Pistons.
Jun.4 at 10:38 am
nexus6 says:
@esco:i took a look at your myspace thing,and……that Melanie girl,she’s beautiful.+ i agree with you:stop the gunfight.but let’s talk about basketball:YOUR heart will not be broken coz Cleveland will win.
Jun.4 at 10:47 am
stevenlai says:
how about these cavs with iverson’s sixers vs the lakers? lets just hope we get to see lebron draining a three in bowens grill and stepping over a fallen bowen. ty lue style.
Jun.4 at 10:48 am
stevenlai says:
i meant comparing these cavs with iverson’s sixers if it was unclear
Jun.4 at 10:53 am
Esco says:
nexus6…Mel is beautiful indeed…and I’m hoping my heart doesn’t get broken by the Cavs, but I’m happy they made it this far. They proved all the doubters wrongs. Now I’m just going to enjoy the Finals. GO CAVS!
Jun.4 at 11:00 am
nexus6 says:
nice comparison,stevenlai.Eric Snow is at PG,just like the ‘01 Sixers.also,for those of you thinking Bowen can guard LeBron:just watch the highlights from that November game.HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……
Jun.4 at 11:02 am
nexus6 says:
…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……
Jun.4 at 11:08 am
Billy Blanks says:
Sadly, Spurs in 5
Jun.4 at 11:42 am
Rasheedionics says:
How sweet would be to see Iglauskas vs. Rosho Nesterovic match up. Stephen A. would lose his mind…
Jun.4 at 11:52 am
Brian says:
How is Cleveland worse than Houston? Why eveyone gushes over the West is beyond me. Utah made PHO’s D look good. I think the Cavs win and 4 more refs lose their jobs for calling fouls on Mr. Classy.
Jun.4 at 11:52 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Oh yeah, the finale is this upcoming Sunday. YES! So it is game 2 that will go unwatched.
Jun.4 at 11:53 am
nexus6 says:
Stephen A. never even had a brain to begin with.
Jun.4 at 12:07 pm
Emry DowningHall says:
Sam: You think Tony makes it through the final episode? I think he is going to hold on… The scene were Bobby B. got clipped was a classic. Also, you gotta love the way Paulie Walnuts reacted to the death of both Bobby and basically Sylvio as well… he notices AJ’s lady and comments, “Good to be young eh?” Lol. G-g-g-g-gangsta. Oh yea, this is Slam, not HBO online. Spurs in six has got to be the popular pick for this one. I predict a whole lotta Manu in this one. Any chance E. Snow straps up and slows down the young Frenchman?
Jun.4 at 12:13 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Don’t want to say anymore about the Sopranos in case people weren’t watching. They have a plan. The train scene was over the top with imagery and it was awesome.
Esco, I found out over the weekend that the Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis is called “The Greek God of Walks.” It might be cause he looks exactly like Kratos.
Jun.4 at 12:18 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Sam, Game 2 probably won’t actually tip off til like 9:18 or something, meaning those of us on the East Coast will really only miss the first quarter. If you DVR it while you watch the Sopranos (as I will) and fast-forward through commercials and half-time, you’ll be caught up by the start of the fourth quarter. No worries.
Jun.4 at 12:19 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Emry, all the Europe-based Sopranos fans are gonna put a hit on you for ruining the show.
And Sam, it wasn’t an M-16 — it’s the AR-10 that Bobby got him for a birthday present when they were up at the lake…
Jun.4 at 12:30 pm
deestarbuckz says:
GO CAVS!!! With that said, thank God for TIVO! The Soprano’s finale will define GANGSTA… Is it going to be an hour long or two?
Jun.4 at 12:39 pm
Dblizzy! says:
So is Orlando gonna sue the pants off of Donovan or what?
Jun.4 at 12:48 pm
seppo says:
Cavs in 7. If the Pistons made the finals, y´all would predict an even series. The Cavs have just proved that they are clearly better than Detroit, yet everyone talks about a sweep or the Spurs in 5. That makes no sense.
Jun.4 at 12:58 pm
clair says:
forget waiting for the finals, i’m counting down the days until next season starts and it’s going to be a loooong summer. got so desperate for basketball, actually went to a wnba game the other day (no disrespect to the ladies) and taurasi got herself ejected. is it too much to ask for phoenix players to stay in a game?
Jun.4 at 1:04 pm
Dennard says:
Spurs in 6. The most lopsided matchup is Mike Brown vs. Gregg Popovich. That’s 1 or 2 wins for the Spurs right there.
Jun.4 at 1:09 pm
=] says:
Preach it to em`, Ryan. & Lang is such a lucky bastard.
Jun.4 at 1:12 pm
Starchild says:
Last night’s episode was great though. heart pounding all the way. I say Tony makes through the last episode. Like AJ said when he got shot “Tony Soprano is not gonna die, I don’t know what everybody is talking about”
Jun.4 at 1:21 pm
Starchild says:
oh yeah, as badly as I want Lebron to win his first chip, the Spurs are the definition of team ball right now. Really hope I’m wrong though
Jun.4 at 1:23 pm
nexus6 says:
TO SEPPO:don’t be mad,seppo.every year the so-called “experts” predict a sweep or a 5 game win for the west team.and every year they end up looking like the damn fools they actually are.every year they make me laugh.i just wonder how they earn their money.
Jun.4 at 1:27 pm
nexus6 says:
i need to repeat my advice to Billy Donovan:take a look at the roster BEFORE signing a contract.
Jun.4 at 1:34 pm
Heri says:
Hughes is playing on one foot; Big Z ? He is slow and can’t score to save his life against a decent center…Duncan is gonna destroy him on both ends of the court. The Cavs better prey for Gibson to be as good as he has been in the last game…and for Lebron to have jordanesque stats.
Jun.4 at 1:34 pm
Esco says:
Aww man Sam…My uncle totally despises the Red Sox. Oh well, I’ll just keep that piece of info to myself until he hears an announcer mention it during the games. BTW, I despise baseball as much as he despises the Red Sox (yes he is a Yankees’ fan)…
Jun.4 at 1:40 pm
nexus6 says:
i feel you,Esco.i hate those sports like baseball and hockey where you can’t see the damn ball while watching a game on TV.since these sports are mostly played in the US,there’s no way i can watch it in person……
Jun.4 at 1:42 pm
Darksaber says:
Rasheedionics. Sam you rascal, that was so nice, someone used it as their nickname to post on this story. First vincent labeling Bron a “bona fide crisis” and now this. You guys have been sipping on some talent juice lately huh? Great stuff.
Jun.4 at 1:44 pm
Emry DowningHall says:
Ryan: You’re right, I apologize to everyone in country codes 3 and 4.
Jun.4 at 1:58 pm
Kadavour says:
The Mavs got that ass whipped last year (no answers for Wade) and the got that ass whipped this year (not enough for Too Easy). No way they’re getting off with that, “they just quit” bull. an L is an L
Jun.4 at 1:59 pm
Kadavour says:
they got that ass whipped* and not enough heart* ^^
Jun.4 at 2:38 pm
Eoin says:
Wait, did a New Yorker just tell people not to lose?
Jun.4 at 4:01 pm
neaorin says:
I remember Shaq saying before those playoffs started that they would reach the Finals that year - and then lose it due to lack of experience. You people know LeBron, ask him off the record if he really thinks they will lose. Then subtly hint his answer over here, of course
Jun.4 at 4:54 pm
Ryan Jones says:
LeBron would never admit to self-doubt, because I don’t think it occurs to him to doubt himself. No sh*t.
Jun.4 at 7:26 pm
Chukaz says:
Does DJ Khaled sing on his song “we takin’ over”?
Jun.4 at 7:43 pm
Chukaz says:
Sam, I don’t know if you have been paying attention to my request of a column, what do you think?
Jun.4 at 7:49 pm
Chukaz says:
I just thought of something, I think that Kobe’s comments will bakc fire. Heres why: He said that the team wasn’t trying to build a championship contender around him and that they were rebuilding for the future. That won’t look too good for players that the Lakers might want to go after. Think about it, Steven A. Smith keeps on telling KG that he should give Kobe a call and arange a trade. Steven A., in case you didn’t notice KG is trying to run away from a rebuilding franchise with no intent to win in the near future, why would he leave Minny to go to the same freakin’ situation (it would be along side KB24, but still)?
Jun.4 at 8:00 pm
Chukaz says:
Billy Donovan is going to be a great college coach for next next 10 years thanks to his solid 3 days of coaching an NBA franchise. He was so great in at the pro level. Well, at least he didn’t have a loosing record.
Jun.4 at 8:05 pm
Holiday says:
I hope the Cavs can pull it off (I know Im setting myself up for disappointment) but really anybody other than the dirty, cheap @$$ Spurs, unless of course it’s the Mav’s! Billy that was real weak, I will no longer cheer for the Gators! Of course now you really don’t have team to coach with everybody jumping to the NBA!
Jun.4 at 8:17 pm
Chukaz says:
Ryan, Bron won’t admit to self-doubt, but he should. Lets be honest, he probably doubts that he will be able to beat the Spurs. If he goes insane in any game, the Spurs will double team him the way the Pistons did (he really struggled in game six with the trap), but Pop will make sure that his players rotate to the open shooter. Bron will struggle in the series and Boobie will become the superstar that we all know (or at least hope) he can be. That will lead to the cavalier trading King James for 2nd rounders and scrubs with large, expiring contracts. I have said this before and I will say it agian, the series will be over by the end of the first half. During half time the cavs will ride the team bus to the local airport and go to a secret, deserted place that nobody knows and nobody wants to go to. New Mexico???? Maybe, Canada???? who knows.
Jun.4 at 10:05 pm
Josh says:
I read that Sedaris book, it was good.
Jun.4 at 11:39 pm
Chukaz says:
Does anybody watch WWE’s Monday Night Raw? It was pretty sick the way John Cena give a second FU to The Great Khalee in two nights. Can’t wait ’til the WWE draft next monday.
Jun.4 at 11:47 pm
Chukaz says:
I meant gave, not give.
I really new my own column. Come on Sam, make it happen. I know you want to. How come Ryan has his own column? That ain’t fair. Is ‘cuase I’m latin? Let me tell you something, I was born in the states, man.
Jun.5 at 1:06 am
neaorin says:
@Ryan, I’m sure LeBron doesn’t doubt himself for a second (and I’m sure Shaq didn’t), however the question concerns the Cavs as a team going up against the Spurs. Though I agree he would never admit such a thing. Maybe it’s question best left for the offseason.
Jun.5 at 6:35 am
Prophecy_projectz says:
The thought of the amount of flops that will take place in this series makes me chuckle…
Jun.5 at 7:58 am
Esco says:
@ Chukaz…nobody cares about you. Just quit.
Jun.5 at 10:06 am
Ben Osborne says:
Me=not a big Sedaris fan. At all.
Jun.5 at 9:30 pm
pablo says:
“The Suns Whinners”? Geez, I thought the one who wouldn´t stop bitch*ing were u Sam. I guess it´s already a tendency with you: first you just can´t stop complaining against the Spurs and whinning with Nash. And now,gues what? you can´t stop praising the spurs and say the suns are the whinners. If you´re somebdoy with principles, just keep yourself with what u think, cause you look like a politician, as soon as the wind changes, you just follow it. By the way, you gotta already now that WE here in ARGENTINA absolutely hate you. Manu might be a flopper, but he´s definetly a WINNER. I´d like u to tell me how many winners are in this league