LeBron brings a championship to Cleveland

He promised he was going to do it. And he delivered.

No team had ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. Of course that’s how LeBron James brought Cleveland their first championship in 52 years.

We just witnessed the Golden State Warriors break a record few thought any team would ever come close to. “73-9” is now the second most remarkable thing about the 2015-16 NBA season. If you told anyone that 12 months ago, they would have laughed in your face.

It’s so rare that any sporting event lives up to the pre-game hype we give it. This did. And then some. 

41 points in game 5. 41 points in game 6. And then a triple-double in Game 7. LeBron was Finals MVP even if the Warriors had won it. 

Move over Hakim Warrick. You’ll have to share #TheBlock with LeBron James for the rest of time.

Perfect time for Richard Jefferson to call time on his 15 year career. I was stunned to see he was still in the league this fall. But the former Arizona Wildcat not only earned his keep, he starred in the playoffs. We can now look forward to the podcasts with Michael Grange and Arash Madani. (That’s not actually a thing. I made that up because they have great chemistry. If you didn’t see Jefferson crash Madani and Grange’s post game 5 report, you need to find it on sportsnet.ca)

You really couldn’t blame LeBron, nor Ty Lue if they retired Monday morning. Could you imagine? That would break Twitter. I wish something would break SnapChat. Permanently. 

Why was the Cavaliers rookie head coach so emotional after the buzzer? Here’s a guy from Mexico, Missouri, a town of 11,000 people, that became just the second NBA coach ever to win a title in his first year. A guy put in a job nobody, outside of the 13 players he’s responsible for coaching every day, believed he was fit for. This guy, who many described as “the joke of NBA All Star weekend”, just coached that team, from a city that always comes up short, to one of the most remarkable championships in American sports history. 

Lue created relationships within his team that got them to play for each other, not just for themselves, or for LeBron. The Cavs liked playing for him better than David Blatt. That doesn’t mean Blatt is a bad coach. Landscapes just change quickly. Lue created a winning atmosphere, and his team delivered him an NBA championship. To go along with the two he won as an LA Laker.

Something poetic about LeBron James winning on Father’s Day. He is the rare “model” pro athlete dad. Along with David Beckham. There’s no denying how important it is to LBJ to be a good father. He shared the entire night with them. It’s great that the boys are old enough to remember this. 

Listening to J.R. Smith break down in his post-game press conference after being asked about the inspiration he took from his dad, was one of the heaviest championship night reactions I’ve ever heard.

Kyrie Irving cemented himself as a superstar. Tristan Thompson is an NBA champion. Shoutout to Brampton, Ontario. Kevin Love probably won’t be back next season. But he is the guy LeBron is hugging in the tears of joy picture every newspaper and website is using today. 

One championship in Cleveland is monumental. If “The King” never wins another, it really doesn’t matter. Of course it does to the millions of haters, and MJ supporters, but they will always be there.

Three NBA titles. Three NBA Finals MVP’s. You may not think of LeBron James as the greatest player of all time. But he is in “The Land.”

Just think of the pressure on the Cleveland Browns now…

Wednesday Morning Thoughts – Oct.28

WORLD SERIES
And here I was afraid that the Mets and Royals would give us a repeat of the forgettable 2005 World Series. Not only did we witness the longest game 1 in World Series history, but it set the tone for an exhausting slug fest.

Eric Hosmer made a name for himself last October. This year he won’t let you forger it. Horrible spot for Edinson Volquez to be in. Glad his teammates got him the win.

How Bartolo Colon can still throw like that, is mind boggling. And hearing Joe Buck say his youthful colleagues rave that the 42-year-old is the most flexible starter on the team, only adds to his legend.

Jake deGrom goes tonight against Johnny Cueto. Pressure’s on the Mets’ bats to produce.

I love watching Pete Rose on the FOX panel. It’s about time.

We’ll see ya later tonight.

NHL
I knew the Canadiens had to lose eventually. I just never thought it would come at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Habs hadn’t allowed a first-period goal all season. But the Canucks put three passed Carey Price. Even more impressive, the Canucks hadn’t beaten the Habs in regulation, in six years.

What’s more surprising, the fact that Scott Gomez is scoring goals? Or, the reality that the Ducks can score goals but still can’t win?

The Blue Jackets won their second in a row and got Sergei Bobrobsky to actually stop 23 of 24 shots? Shocking.

Shoutout to Roberto Luongo for passing Grant Fuhr for ninth on the NHL all-time wins list by beating Colorado last night.

SOCCER
He might be The Special One, but he can’t win at Stoke on a cold Tuesday night. “MOURINHO OUT!” The way things are going for Chelsea, losing to The Potters on penalties is impressive. Something hilarious about Sheffield Wednesday fans singing to Arsenal supporters, “are you Chelsea in disguise?”

There are times when losing to Stoke in the League Cup doesn’t matter, when your Chelsea’s boss. This isn’t one of those times.

NBA
Cavs/Bulls Eastern conference final anyone? Sign me up! 

Tuesday Morning Thoughts – May 5

Happy Cinco de Mayo! May your day be filled with Coronas. Or, alcoholic fruity drinks, with little straw hats. Whichever you prefer. I’m just glad my instagram timeline won’t be filled with ridiculous ‘may the fourth be with you’ memes. Idiots.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Time to call Braden Holtby “Mr. Playoffs”? This guy is unbelievable. Made his name in the postseason three years ago, is a pretty good goalie throughout the season, but is on a completely different level come springtime.

NBA
I can’t believe the Clippers had anything left after the best first-round series in the history of ever. I don’t think the Rockets thought they would either! Kevin McHale was very frustrated afterwards because I think he doesn’t know how the Rockets can match up to that. Chris Paul won’t be out the whole series. What is Houston to do then? And how is it that Kevin McHale looks younger than you did 10 years ago?

It was nice to see the Cavaliers struggle without Kevin Love. Partially because I think the Cavs should be just fine without him, but mostly because I really want this to be a long series. And maybe, just maybe, Derrick Rose can take LeBron to game 7. That was vintage D-Rose last night. If he plays like that every night, the Bulls have one hell of a chance to end The King’s playoff run.

MLB
Nice of the Blue Jays to give R.A. Dickey some run support. The Yankees are not as good as their record. Would be nice to see them get swept at Rogers Centre to restore parity to the division. And there’s no way Andrew Miller is comfortable walking around in every day life with that stupid mustache that makes him look like Adam Morrison.

Speaking of facial hair, Dallas Keuchel looks to be one hell of a good pitcher. But that beard is ridiculous. It looks like a fake beard hung with string over his ears! If I start seeing hipsters wearing Houston Astros hats, I may have to boycott the entire A.L. West. Which is a shame. Because if the Astros can actually remain competitive, it will be worth staying up for a few late nights this summer.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Juventus got the draw they wanted. Now it’s time to prove that they can compete with Europe’s very best. Real Madrid are vulnerable. I still think they will advance across two legs. And if the weekend is anything to go by, Cristiano Ronaldo is capable of beating any team XI v 1. Ronaldo has hit 28 shots on target in the Champions League this year. Juve as a whole? 49.

However, if Real fail to overcome their Italian opposition on account of their thin squad, or for whatever reason, I think there’s a strong possibility CR7 may see the failure as his excuse to return to Old Trafford. That Portuguese saying “you should never go back to a love you left” doesn’t carry the same weight that it did before Jose won at Chelsea, again.

#MAYPAC
I really don’t know what to make of yesterday’s findings that Manny Pacquiao fought with an undisclosed shoulder injury. The Nevada State Athletic Commission does not take policy violations lightly. Somehow there is more money to be made out of that fight. It will be.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 28

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Is there anything better than Game 7? Last night in DC was everything you want a deciding game to be. Unless, you’re an Islanders fan. Who needs Alex Ovechkin or Nick Backstrom in big games when ya got Joel Ward! (Big friend of the show(s)). Also easy to see why everyone called Evgeni Kuznetsov “the best player not playing in the NHL” for the last four years.

I honestly thought it was going to be John Tavares & Co.’s night. Jaro Halak was 4-0 in elimination games versus the Capitals, who were a pathetic 2-7 in game 7’s coming in. But if you shoot the puck just 11 times, you do not deserve to win a series.

I thought the Wings would finish things off last night in Detroit. But the Lightning came out like a house on fire. They were just so hungry. Not even Petr Mrazek‘s save of the decade on Brian Boyle could stop the Bolts. Tyler Johnson is becoming the new Marty St. Louis at lightning speed. Pun fully intended. Nik Kronwall has made a career of hitting guys the way he leveled Nikita Kucherov. Left his feet. Threw the elbow up. I’d be stunned if he’s playing Wednesday. Real shame for the Wings blueline.

Mats Zuccarello is out “indefinitely” and that truly is a big loss for the Rangers. The little Norwegian brings far more to that team than his statline shows. Shame that taking a slapshot to the head from Ryan McDonagh is going to keep him out.

NBA PLAYOFFS

Last night alone may have turned any Raptors fan who still planned to watch the NBA Playoffs, completely off. Why? Because three teams played desperation basketball the way you would expect an NBA team to. Fighting until the bitter end. And led by their stars.

The Blazers bought themselves another game thanks to Damian Lillard showing up to play, like Damian Lillard. It’s more impressive that the Bucks have gifted their fans a third playoff game at home. Michael Carter-Williams is growing into his NBA body. And with Deron Williams rolling back the clock, the Nets are making the Hawks prove their title as the top team in the East.

Cleveland are still the best team in the Eastern conference, but if they have to play into the third round without Kevin Love, it’s going to be a lot harder for them. Kelly Olynyk will have a target on his back the size of British Columbia the next time the Celtics play the Cavs. He was lucky to get just a one game suspension. JR Smith got two based on reputation.

I can’t wait to hear what Masai Ujiri has to say at his ‘state of the franchise’ press conference this morning. (It’s live on The Fan 590, Sportsnet 360 and sportsnet.ca at 11am)

MLB

It’s better to get the bullpen struggles out of the way at the beginning of the season… I know the road ahead doesn’t look any easier for Blue Jays fans. Especially with Jose Reyes out for who knows how long with that damn rib injury. But collectively this team will improve. I still think they’re better than the Yankees, Orioles and Rays. Drew Hutchison vs. Clay Bucholtz tonight at 6pm.

Shoutout to my buddy Dave Rhodes for the question of the night: “why do the Red Sox ALWAYS have a fat guy crushing homeruns?” Mo Vaughan. Big Papi. Big Panda. Dude’s got a point. Give him a follow. He’s hilarious.

Hopefully Josh Hamilton can recreate the living conditions and social life that helped him become one of the best hitters in baseball, when the Texas Rangers were the last American League club standing at the end of October.

Of course Madison Bumgarner is the guy to rip Max Scherzer for his criticism of the National League age old rule of putting the lumber in the pitcher’s hands. Mad Bum has hit two career grand slams!

SOCCER THOUGHTS 

For the first time in their 116 year history Bournemouth will be playing Premier League football. 37 year-old manager Eddie Howe is already being dubbed “The English Special One.” That’s one hell of a title to have coming up. When he took charge in 2009, at the age of 31, the club had won seven points from 22 matches. Bournemouth were in administration and deducted 17 points. He may not be the next Jose, but he’s a damn miracle worker. 

Leave it to Franz Beckenbauer to stir it up. He probably had a massive shit-eating grin on his face when he told Sky that Jurgen Klopp is “definitely” an option to replace Pep Guardiola, one day.

Monday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 27

To quote my friend and producer Thomas Dobby, “It’s insane that Toronto FC are the pride of Toronto sports right now.”

NBA PLAYOFFS

I sure don’t envy Masai Ujiri.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. The Raptors went from being a team growing into themselves, to one likely going to be torn apart. And rightfully so. Last night’s effort was pathetic. I’m not even a Raps fan and it was painful for me to get through the highlight pack. There was no fight whatsoever. I guess every guy booked their early offseason holiday Saturday at shoot around. I sure hope they’re off to Dubai instead of Miami or Vegas because if they run into parts of We The North, it could get ugly very quickly.

The only part of the team that brought anything to the table last night were the fans standing outside the Air Canada Centre. If they beat the Wizards, as they should’ve, and get swept in the second round by the Bulls, Dwayne Casey is still the coach next season. He must have felt like his players fired him in the second quarter. The coach is always the fall guy. I don’t think it’s the right move, but I don’t know what else Ujiri can do.

If the playoffs started in November, the Cavs would’ve lost in the first round. But they’ve been marinating all season, and this was a perfect first round test. They faced just enough adversity to make them really work for it, even though winning the series was always an eventuality. Wonder how long Kevin Love‘s shoulder will keep him out. Big loss, and I agree with Love, a bush league move by Kelly Olynyk.

But gotta tip your hat to the Boston Celtics. They’ve been bad. They were over-matched countless times this season. But they never stopped fighting. I saw them lose to the New York Knicks at The Garden in December. The Knicks didn’t win again for a month. That was the kick in the ass Boston needed. Finishing the year by being swept by LeBron & Co. is nothing to feel bad about.

Where was this fight and determination by the Mavericks two games ago?

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Slow clap for the Ottawa Senators. What an unbelievable season for a team that no one expected anything from. They were unlucky not to have tied the game last night. But for as frail as the Habs looked at times, they were always going to win the series in the end because Carey Price is the best goaltender in the game right now. Just give him the Vezina and the Hart already.

I’m glad the Minnesota Wild finished the Blues off yesterday. They’re the new San Jose Sharks. Stop wasting everyone’s time with stellar regular seasons only to implode in the playoffs. Figure it out! Give the Wild credit for doing so mid-season and sticking with Mike Yeo after his Phil Brown moment. And someone name a street in Minneapolis after GM Chuck Fletcher already for signing Devin Dubnyk. After this season, he’s going to get quite the raise on his $800,000 salary. I think the Oilers have good reason to invest in a good goalie…

I’d really like to see the New York Islanders beat the Capitals tonight. A Rangers/Isles second round series will be great for the rivalry. And it will be nice to see the Rangers pull the curtain down on the Nassau Coliseum.

The Wings wrap things up tonight in Detroit. And I like em to beat the Habs. In five.

MLB

It’s crazy to think that Alex Rodriguez is just one more homerun away from tying Willie Mays for fourth all-time. Crazy because I thought there was no way he’d play in the Major Leagues again. But good on him. Regardless of his indiscretions and incredibly hate-able personality, it is a truly remarkable feat.

After sweeping the Orioles, the Jays got their asses handed to them in Tampa. But the silver lining is that Baltimore beat the Red Sox 18-7 last night. There’s plenty of parity in the A.L. East. Aaron Sanchez starts against Joe Kelly tonight. Early 6pm starts all week at Fenway.

SOCCER THOUGHTS

For my Premier League take, click here.

Maybe Jozy Altidore really is worth $7 million. Credit to TFC for making me eat my words. I thought they’d come home in two weeks with only the three points from the season opening win to show for it. But they go into the Citrus Bowl and play their best game since Greg Vanney took over. The couldn’t have defended any better. Here’s to hoping they can play the same way in Philly on Saturday.

Bayern Munich clinched thier 25th Bundesliga title, and third straight, with four matches to spare. It was an eventuality they would win the league. Europe is still the measuring stick. Had they not overcome Porto in the quarterfinals, we’d be talking about “Pep‘s wasted season” despite yesterday’s domestic triumph. But now many have Bayern picked as the favourites to beat Barcelona in the semifinals. It’s funny how quickly things change in a short period of time, isn’t it?

Historic win for rarely talked about Torino. Nice to see Fabio Quagliarella score against Juve in the Torino derby. Why is Quags not in MLS? Montreal really that content with their frontline? C’mon Joey.

Friday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 24

Seeing as yesterday was the tenth anniversary of YouTube, as well as St. George’s Day, I figured I’d remind you all of the best video on the internet. And please the English.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Nice of the Canucks to finally show up. Jonas Hiller kept the score lower than it should’ve been. The Canucks might feel like they have the momentum going back to Calgary, but they’ll have to play better than that to force a Game 7.

Hell of a fight back by the Lightning! I thought they were done and dusted. But they got under Luke Glendening‘s skin and all of a sudden the Wings lost the plot. I still think Detroit win in six, but at least the Bolts have made it interesting. Wish Tampa had a regular Spanish radio call.

Speaking of losing the plot, the Islanders beat themselves last night. Shame to see Windsor, Ontario’s Matt Martin get sucked in to the Capitals mind games. (We went to the same high school).

I love that Filip Forsberg scores a hat-trick on the night he’s snubbed for a Calder nomination. I think he deserved it more than Mark Stone. Sure Forsberg has the advantage of playing on a better team, but he’s been a stud all year. Aaron Ekblad was good, but he only got the nod because he was the number one draft pick. Glad to see the Preds take the Blackhawks to six games. They deserve at least that after a stellar regular season.

Smart move by the Edmonton Oilers to bring Peter Chiarelli into McOiler Land. What that means for the old guard? We should know by the time you sit down for lunch.

NBA PLAYOFFS
Why hasn’t Drake written a track foreshadowing Steph Curry‘s MVP award? Looked like a great atmosphere in New Orleans last night. Great to see. Shame the Pelicans couldn’t get them one win. But we all knew this was going to end in a Warriors sweep.

Shoutout to Kawhi Leonard for winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Only other dudes to take it AND an NBA Finals MVP in their career? MJ and Hakeem. That’s some pretty good company.

You know why the Cleveland Cavaliers are so good right now? Because LeBron is loving life again. He enjoyed shutting down Evan Turner even more than we enjoyed watching him chirp him afterwards.

Speaking of loving life, how great is it to see Derrick Rose healthy and contributing to his team’s run in the playoffs? He’s such an incredible talent, it’s a real shame he’s had his career derailed by endless injuries.

If you haven’t seen Grant Hill‘s ‘snackcident’, watch it. Because you won’t see anything else like it all day.

MLB
Seriously, why are so many guys getting hit this season?

Sure he’s got to space his tangents out a bit, but I’ve got no problem with Yordano Ventura chirping Adam Eaton on his way to first. Anyone still want to argue that my Jeff Samardzija comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic are a stretch? Zlatan is a ninja! I swear they’re the same person.

Nice to see the Blue Jays sweep the Orioles to close out their homestand. City was already about to write off the season. The better the Jays do, the more relaxed and enjoyable it is around my office. Understandable.

I don’t know how Bartolo Colon is still doing it. Good on him and the Mets right now for playing like it’s the 80’s. Like when Colon started his career.