What to Expect in Game 4 Between Bruins and Canucks

1) Physical Play
2) Frustration - Who breaks their composure first?
3) Penalties - the above usually yields time in the box.

This post is now open to your feedback. The aforementioned comes as no surprise when control of a small, compressed piece of rubber determines the privilege to skate with a nostalgic piece of metal.

Please provide a comment on what else to could expect in Game 4.

Should We Expect an NBA Finals Classic?

With the last three games coming down to the wire, I sense the best is yet to come. We know LeBron James or Dirk Nowitzki will get a ring for the first time, but it seems others step up in the moment as well. Just like tonight, Tyson Chandler.

It may be different not seeing Lakers or Spurs this deep into the postseason, but the hard-fought battles between the Heat and Mavericks must be recognized. And certainly these teams earned the longer season. The Heat, many expected with the stars acquired in the lineup to be playing this week.

The Mavs, well, before the fact it didn't immediately come to mind as a team to see in the Finals. However, they deserve to be playing for a championship as their success this season was no accident.

Memorable NBA Finals

Here are some of my memorable NBA Finals moments, much thanks to Michael Jordan.

1998 - Jordan's Last Jumper (as a Bull)
Although the Utah Jazz dominated the NBA's regular season, and had home-court advantage throughout all rounds, the Bulls didn't have a problem. In the final seconds of a Bulls dynasty, Michael Jordan hits a jump shot in the late seconds on a great move against Bryon Russell.

1994 - Knicks-Rockets and the O.J. Chase
It wasn't what happened on the court at Madison Square Garden, but in Los Angeles as the telecast was overshadowed by the famous police chase in the Bronco.

2005 - Spurs-Pistons
You have to appreciate hard-working teams with substance. And both collided in a series lacking style, but showing determination and will by two teams pushing their limits. And the Spurs came out on top in a great seven-game series.

1993 - Bulls Three-peat
It wasn't Jordan to make the big shot to win the NBA Championship, but his backcourt buddy John Paxson hits a three-pointer in Game 6 with just seconds remaining to seal the series against the Phoenix Suns.

Honorable Mention
1992 - Michael Jordan continued to hit three-pointers against Portland. After another shot hit, Jordan gestured as if he didn't know why the shots were going in.

1991 - Jordan's much imitated move going to the basket against the Lakers. Sadly, this was also the final postseason played by Magic Johnson.

Just getting up to speed...

You want championship series? Well, you're in luck.

The Miami Heat took a 1-0 lead over Dallas this evening. And tomorrow, finally some hockey as the Stanley Cup Finals begin in Vancouver tomorrow night when the Canucks face off against the Bruins.

It's also interesting to see a team relocate into a city that not too long ago lost a franchise to relocation. Winnipeg is more than likely to get the Thrashers (probably a new moniker coming) from Atlanta pending approval which is likely. Winnipeg lost the Jets hockey franchise in 1996 to Phoenix. The former Jets franchise is now known as the Phoenix Coyotes.

Congrats Heat!

And so it is... Heat and Mavericks, five years later.

Both conference finals ended so quickly, that there will be no NBA basketball over the holiday weekend. Thankfully I posted my memories of past conference finals before tonight. In future posts, references to this year's conference finals can specify blown leads and otherwise one-sided power from the teams deserving to reach the NBA Finals.

Since the last work stoppage canceling games in 1998-99, only three franchises from the West made the NBA Finals. Lakers (7 appearances), Spurs (4 appearances) and the Mavericks (2 appearances).

Major Injury Should Not Set Precedent For Rule Changes

After last night's collision at home plate between Florida Marlins' Scott Cousins and Giants' star catcher Buster Posey, there seems to be some outcry for changes, possibly in the rules. Well, the play was within the rules. Cousins' job was to score a run and Posey's job was to be in a position to prevent the run from scoring. It's very unfortunate that the play yielded a significant injury, as Posey is expected to miss a significant amount of games. There was no obstruction or interference on the play, and aggressive base running is too subjective and cloudy for umpires to determine the intent (beyond trying to score a run of course, and avoid being tagged). No changes should come from this occurrence, despite the unfortunate injury to a great contributor to both sides of an inning for the Giants.

NBA Conference Finals Memories

Here are some of the more memorable moments experienced during my personal following of the NBA Conference Finals. Of course, this is timed with the current conference finals in progress.

2002 - Lakers vs. Kings
The foul was on... Mike Bibby. Some questioned the call during Game 6, giving the Lakers the advantage, allowing a Game 7. The Lakers went on to win the series and ultimately the NBA Championship. Also, an important moment earlier in the series was when Robert Horry made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game.

1994 - Pacers vs. Knicks
Spike Lee and Reggie Miller. Although the Knicks went on to win the series, Miller's Game 5 performance was incredible, and some blamed Lee for his antics, although Miller shined on the floor. The game had a significant role in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks."

2007 - Cavaliers vs. Pistons
In Game 5 Lebron James carried the Cavs on his back, in a tough environment known as the Palace of Auburn Hills. Scoring the team's final 25 points in a double-overtime victory, the Cleveland took a 3-2 series lead. And in Game 6, Rasheed Wallace was ejected by technical fouls, and the Cavs won the series, going to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.