Due to work commitments, it has been pretty hard to sit down and write a post (if only I could do this for a living…), but a lot has happened in sports over the past little while that needs to be caught up on.
The Pats deserved it – When the ball went ridiculously and improbably into Doug Baldwin’s hands, it seemed like Tom Brady simply could not catch a break. He is in the conversation for best players of all time, and his second half performance is among the most impressive in Super Bowl history. For the first time in some time, Brady ended up on the right side of the score. Consider his legacy cemented.
The Cavs have turned it on…and they look strong – After an insane (completely and totally insane!) trade deadline in which the Heat appeared to vault back into contention through the pickup of Goran Dragic, the Cavs are the team who look like the top of the town. They are moving the ball, getting the most of their role players and finally seeing their stars begin to mesh. Does any team really want to have to play 7 games against LeBron James? The answer is probably a strong “no”, as now that he has turned it on, it may be tough to stop him. Take the recent contest with the Warriors – the league’s top defense – in which LeBron scored 42. It did not matter which elite defender challenged him, he was not able to be stopped. The unstoppable Cavs seems to be more of a reality, especially in the wake of some key injuries which will be discussed shortly.
The NBA Title is completely up for grabs – Could the Warriors or Hawks or Grizz steal one? This seemed so far outside the realm of possibility that now that it is probable, it still seems shocking. Even the Thunder could be serious contenders now that Russell Westbrook is playing out of his mind. A fun year for the NBA all around in which a lot of surprises could be in store during the playoffs.
Injuries mar an otherwise great NBA season – Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh and, sadly, Derrick Rose have all missed significant time this season due to injuries. For Kobe this may be the end; Bosh, is fighting now for his health; Rose may need to accept that he will never be the player we once thought he could be. Bosh, meanwhile, has blood clots in his lungs, discovered right after the Heat retooled with Goran Dragic. The injury is a tough break for one of the most eloquent and hilarious guys in the NBA. Rose ends his season early again for the 4th straight year. His knees it seems simply cannot take the pounding of his brutal style of play. Could he reinvent himself as a 6th man on a contender? Would that not be the most terrifying sight ever? His next round of contract negotiations will be very intriguing with all the injuries on the board.
Chelsea still in the driver’s seat – Chelsea gave away two much needed points on the weekend, but remain firmly in the top spot. Matic took a foolish penalty that may have cost them the game, but they still managed to emerge alright. Now that City has slipped (thanks Liverpool!) it is going to be important for Chelsea to continue to fight through all the way to the end. Can the team push through to the end of the season as City, United and Arsenal mount a late charge? Another down to the wire finish could be in the offering.
The Cover Corner - A Whole World of Sports 