I'm curious to know what the punishment for false rapture prognosis is. Regardless, glad to still be alive and here is the inaugural edition of weekend in review post earth's potential demise.
NBA
I feel like the two biggest reasons for what has been such a compelling playoffs so far, is uncertainty and star power. About %90 of the leagues biggest stars were on display when the playoffs started, and each team remaining is still showcasing at least one. As for uncertainty, I feel like it's everywhere this postseason and has benefited the league a great deal. Through all of the series thus far we've heard about the Mavs being too old, the Lakers running out of gas, the Heat trying to put it together and on a much smaller level the Knicks, were the Thunder truly ready to contend, is Memphis for real, and could the Celtics still contend with the hit they took to team togetherness. Not really having a true front runner in either conference has made for a lot of additional excitement. Out West, I expect to see more of the same throughout the rest of this series. That is the Mavs come with the first punch, the Thunder counter with a new game plan, and the Mavs go back to the drawing board. Although down 2 - 1, if I'm the Thunder I am in no way intimidated or concerned heading into game 4. In game 1 they simply lost to one of the best playoff performances ever by the other teams best player. Game three looks worse, but kudos to them for hanging tough and making it some what close at the end. If Nowitzki has an average night for the Mavs in game 1, they lose by double digits. In the East, is it possible that Udonis Haslem gets the MVP for this series if the Heat win? His sheer presence on the court has completely changed the Bulls game plan, and has limited everything they need to do on the boards to win. The biggest benefit the Heat have, regardless of who they play, touches on that uncertainty aspect again. With the Bulls you know what they have to do to win: Control the boards, get Rose the ball and let him get to the line. These are all things you can work on to control in practice. With the Heat, you never know where the offense or play making is going to come from. Obviously you have a good idea, but the second you double Lebron, Wade starts to kill you. Then every third game, Chris Bosh rediscovers the game of basketball altogether, assuredly driving opposing coaches and players nuts. While I still think they could get rid of Bosh for two or three consistent role guys and be better, playing with this "surprise" factor seems to be working heavily in their favor.
NHL
On the ice we have two series that, before the game yesterday, were headed down the same path. Twenty four hours later they're headed in two very opposite directions. In the East, what was going to be a 3 - 1 series lead for Boston headed home evaporated in the span of about 10 minutes. While most of the team has been dismantled, people are quick to forget that the Lightning still tout some championship veterans and one of the games most dynamic young players in Steven Stamkos. I feel like game five has the potential to be a must win for Boston, otherwise Tampa Bays momentum may be too much to overcome in game six. On the flip side, the Sharks were in the same position out West. After dominating game three the sharks had five consecutive power play chances in the first period of game four -- a golden opportunity to jump all over the Canucks. The Canucks fought off all five of them, and in a 10 minute span of their own midway through the second, they had three consecutive five on three power plays. Three shots. Three goals. Series over. I thought the Sharks were simply over matched coming in to this series, but through the years their inability to capitalize on key moments has continued to hurt them. It's never over til its over, but the Sharks coming back in this series would carry more weight than a team coming back from down 0 - 3.
MLB
Since all of my teams are out of the playoffs, and the NBA has the most ridiculous playoff scheduling, it has allowed some time for me to start watching baseball. So far, I feel like the biggest story this year has been the rise of the unknowns, notably the Cleveland Indians and Jose Bautista in Montreal. Before the season, I was joking about what number would be higher: the Cavaliers 2010 - 2011 total losses, or the Indians 2011 total wins. Two months in, the Indians still hold the best record in baseball at 29 - 15, and are already almost half way to the Cavs 63 losses ... My bad. The cast of characters that the Indians are winning with is pretty entertaining, especially considering baseballs lack of a cap and the handful of loaded teams around the league. Also, Canada (a.k.a. America's attic) may be harboring the best baseball player this year. Bautista leads not just the AL but the entire MLB in home runs and batting average. Over the weekend I heard that in his last 275 games or so he has about 85 home runs. That's on the level of the greatest power hitters to ever play. Definitely will be interesting to watch the ebb and flow of his production level as the season goes.
Thus concludes are inaugural post-rapture post. Hopefully there will be many more to come.
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