I’m almost done writing about this year’s NBA and NHL seasons. It’s been an ugly one for our teams; the Bulls and Blackhawks have been done for a while. There was the whole, you know, getting the #1 overall draft pick in the NHL lottery that turned our frowns upside down for the Hawks. The Bulls on the other hand… well, there’s always the 90s… As for the rest of the teams, we turn our attention to the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals maybe one more time.
The Heat have been pushed to the brink. After losing a quasi-“must-win” game in Game 4 in Miami, they face a true “must-win” game in Denver on Monday night. Down 3-1 in the series, that rock and a hard place is where they sit between. I’m a little surprised. Yes, I did predict the Nuggets would eventually prevail (then why did I kept betting on the Heat?), but I did think it would be a series (that’s why). I thought it would go the distance. I thought the NBA and their henchmen under the guidance of Papa Vegas would help make that reality. At this point, I think that ship has sailed. Even if you think the Heat will cover the 9 (don’t… do… it; talking to myself), Denver will most certainly win to capture their first ever NBA title. They are the better team; they’ve been the better team all year long. It’s nice to see the better team during that “meaningless” 82 game NBA season win the NBA title. I know, it isn’t official, but it will be. Congrats to the Nuggets and all their fans; that first one will taste especially good.
On the ice, the Panthers are in the same situation. I actually thought Florida would prevail against the Golden Knights, but that most certainly looks like it will not happen (then why do I feel like betting on the Panthers in Game 5 in Vegas?). Yes, the Golden Knights look like the better team out there. The Panthers had an incredible run, but this too will end. Rumors of a Tkachuk injury make another amazing comeback, like against the Bruins, seem improbable. It will be nice to see Vegas take the Cup. After an awesome run in their first season as a franchise, and seeing how Vegas has really embraced this team, I’m good with them winning it all. Their goalie has been amazing. That crazy save to start the series in Game 1 was just a glimpse of things to come. Congrats to the Golden Knights and to that little city in the desert on their first ever professional championship. That is true, right?
Yeah, sorry for leaning the underdogs’ way. To see two 8 seeds make it to the end of the line… it was nice; I was rooting for them. The chalk will prevail though, and that’s OK too. With my teams not in contention, and the teams that I dislike out of the picture, the path was clear for a “stress-less” championship series in each. Outside of the few bucks I lost on each, no problem at all with the results. Once these results become official, then all we’ll have left is baseball, with that other sport on deck. Hello summer.
Leave a Reply