While the NBA East semis/NBA quarters are set as the 76ers, Nets, Bucks, and lower seed Hawks (ESPN.com “experts” almost all picked the Knicks, the higher seed/series underdog–what else is new. Also of course ’twas not me cashing, in fact the “anti”/opposite) all won their prelims in 5 games or less, only the Utah Jazz did that in the NBA West.
A night after the series underdog/higher seed, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets won home 5th’s to lead (3-2), the Dallas Mavericks made the road team 5 for 5 as they won in L.A. vs the Clippers to lead (3-2). (A note is that stories associated with the Mavs/Clippers game 5 tilt probably correctly informs that this is the third time the road team has won the first 5 of a playoff series. Most cite the last time it happened was in ’95 when eventually the Houston Rockets, en route to a second straight crown broke the “home disadvantage” and took that “semi” with a game 6 win at Houston. Now I know the then New Jersey Nets won an all road 5 game series vs the defending champion 76ers, making that team’s Julius Erving who said “mail in the stats” look foolish). Now is that the other such series or is there another? The point is none of the game stories have indicated which was the third such “road team in the first 5” series. I knew about Nets/76ers and then the Nets played the Bucks in a quarter next and these 37 years later there is another Bucks/Nets “quarter,” with the former these 50 years after their lone title, seeking a repeat of the “quarter” win in ’84. The likely opponent in the semis for the Bucks/Nets “qtr” winner is/are the Philadelphia 76ers. What goes around…. ).
Fifty years ago, the defending champion Knicks 5’d the Atlanta Hawks and now the Hawks led by Trae Young “5” the Knicks, to face the 76ers, who also reversed a “qtr” loss 50 years ago, (then the Bullets/Wizards 7’d Philly, this was Philly in 5).
The Montreal Canadiens trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs 3 games to 1, however, never trailed in 3 straight wins, thus will open a “quarter” at Winnipeg vs the Jets.
Montreal won (2-0) in game 7 after overtime wins in games 5 and 6.
In #5, Montreal dissipated a (3-0) lead but won (4-3) in overtime and then on Saturday past, with 2500 fans in attendance, did it again (a blown (2-0) lead but an overtime win).
Last night Montreal held leads up (3-0) on an empty net goal and won (3-1) in just the second 7th game between these two rivals, the two oldest NHL franchises.
Both 7th games, (the Leafs’ win in such in ’64 with the great Dave Keon scoring all 3 goals, the last an empty net tally) ended (3-1) (the Maple Leafs went on to win the Stanley Cup that season and the winner of all 15 previous Canadiens/Maple Leafs series also “titled,” albeit one must note 7 of the clashes were in the final.
Elsewhere in the NHL, the “quarters” are underway and with the Montreal win, the semis matchups/brackets are known now.
The winner of Colorado vs Las Vegas (The ‘Lanche appear to be tremendous, certainly were in a (7-1) win in the opener between the top two “reg/points” teams (each had 82 with Colorado getting the, perhaps all important tiebreaker) will face and be big series favorites vs the Canadiens/Jets series winner. (By the way, I would be surprised if “Vegas” is not really competitive if not victorious in the series).
Meanwhile the winner of defending champion Tampa Bay vs Carolina (T.B. won the opener (2-1) and check the records of “Champa” Bay teams, especially on the road–Brady and the Bucs, the Rays “reg” last season and this so far, while the Lightning have won both road openers this season) will open at home vs the Islanders/Bruins winner. New York got even, winning at Boston in game 2, on Casey Cziikas’ break away, overtime goal last night.
Though in this rare instance, I knew it was imminent, sadness fell upon me, much like the literal raindrops in the last two days, with the news that a great performer, B.J. Thomas, best known for singing “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” as Paul Newman and Katharine Ross rode on a “new fangled thing,” called a bicycle, in the 1969 film, “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” had died at age 78.
In addition to the rain, I note that as with Jerome Hellman, noted in my most recent post, Mr. Thomas’ song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, won the 1969 Academy Award. (Mr. Hellman, as noted was the producer on the Best Picture winner for Midnight Cowboy. Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid was one of the four other nominees in that category).
Thomas’ “Hooked On A Feeling” and his cover of the Beach Boys “Everything Will Work Out” (maybe it still will), will always have great meaning to me.
His brave battle to overcome addiction is another, very significant attribute, Mr. Thomas carries, that will resonate down the corridors of time.
The great film producer, Jerome Hellman, a true visionary, who combined with other great talents, including the once blacklisted Waldo Salt, in the seminal film, “Midnight Cowboy,” died days back, at age 92.
I refrain from a Peter Finch (as “Howard Beale” in “Network”) warning, however, emphasize we keeping losing those who produced great art and Mr. Hellman epitomized that, with “Cowboy” and “Coming Home,” as two prime examples.
Add his first film as a producer, “The World of Henry Orient” and “Day of the Locust,” among others. I cite his one acting credit, in the extraordinary film, “Being There. What a career (it rhymes) and also resonates, likely, forever to do so !!
I met Mr.Hellman, (my friend J.R.’s father), once, at an event celebrating “Midnight Cowboy’s” 40th anniversary.
He was eloquent both on stage and off. I remarked that I ran up an aisle to greet him, as he did, to accept the Academy Award from Elizabeth Taylor, (she was wearing an incredible diamond), for Midnight Cowboy.
Maybe now she is greeting him again, praising his extraordinary career and life.
Mr. Hellman’s classy, brief thank you, ends this great video.
The truly great film producer, Jerome Hellman, pictured above.
Last night, the Montreal Canadiens won in overtime, to force a 6th game Saturday night in Montreal, vs the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs still lead the series 3 games to 2 and while roughly one eighth capacity (until this, no fans) will not come close to what could have been, it is a “Saturday night, at Montreal,” Leafs/Habs ‘offs game.
In the 13 previous Leafs/Canadiens best of 7 playoff series, the game 2 winner has won 12 of those series. Montreal won the series opener for the 11th time in 14 best of 7 series vs Toronto.
Elsewhere, NBC has deemed game1 of the Bruins/Islanders “quarter,” its Saturday night tilt, with Leafs/Habs starting a mere half hour earlier on NBCSN.
The Bruins are over 2 to 1 series favorites vs the Islanders. New York (Islanders) “quarter’d” the Bruins in ’80 and “semi’d” them in ’83, en route to titles.
Sebastian Aho scored early in overtime last night, lifting Carolina, nee Hartford, (4-3) in #6 and (4-2) in the series. Now Carolina, with home advantage and their pretty full, loud arena, will be series underdogs, vs the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in their “quarter.”
Top ranked, Colorado will start its “quarter” Sunday night at home and on NBC, vs tonight’s (Mitch Moss said “tonight” as I typed, I am a little worried regarding Paul Howard’s 2 day absence on Follow The Money on ViSN) Las Vegas home 7th vs Minnesota, winner.
Winnipeg awaits the Leafs/Habs winner. A 7th in that series would be Monday night in Toronto. Monday night 7th regarding Toronto, recalls the Bruins amazing comeback win some years back.
Sebastian Aho, pictured above.
The Islanders now (5-1) all-time in ‘offs series vs the Pittsburgh Penguins (the wins in 5 different decades, the 70’s,’80’s,’90’s, (2010-2019 or is it 2020 or 2011-2020 you get it so for the next)– (2020-2029/2030) and the defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning (in an “intra-stater” vs the Florida Panthers) both wrapped their prelimanary series in 6 games, with wins last night.
Already the Colorado Avalanche (they swept the ’19 champion, Blues), Boston Bruins (they 5’d the ’18 champion, under current Islanders’ coach Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals) and Winnipeg Jets (they swept the Edmonton Oilers, winning 3 of the 4 games in overtime) have advanced to the NHL “quarters.”
Meanwhile, last night the Minnesota Wild forced #7 at Las Vegas vs the Golden Knights Friday night, winning (3-0) at home last night.
Tonight the Carolina Hurricanes nee Hartford Whalers, will try to win their series vs the Nashville Predators, as they rode Jordan Staal’s early overtime tally in #5 into a (3-2) series lead.
Here are some notes concerning the Jets, Winnipeg, and the Edmonton Oilers.
This incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets, the NHL’s second (the first is a former WHA team that is now the Arizona Coyotes. More on them in just a bit.) is the former Atlanta Thrashers becoming the Winnipeg Jets.
The just completed Jets’ sweep (the jet sweep is a football play and the Jets, still as such, and the once Houston Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans were once AFL East rivals, just as the hockey original Jets and Edmonton Oilers were WHA rivals), of Edmonton, defied an incredible Oilers’ dominance of the first incarnation of the Winnipeg Jets, in 6 series from (1984-1990).
Edmonton with the great player, Mark Messier on all those teams (Gretzky was on 5) won all 6 series vs Winnipeg as they clashed in the ‘offs, I believe each time within the old Smythe Division, in every year but ’89 from (’84-’90).
The Oilers went on to win all 5 of their titles after dispatching Winnipeg, doing so in ’84,’85,’87,’88 and ’90.
Going into their ’90 opening round clash in which Winnipeg led (3-1) only to be 7’d by eventual champion Edmonton without Gretzky, who chose love/Janet Jones over history (that team so great might have become the greatest of greats if he stayed), the Oilers had an (18-1) ‘offs mark (Messier) “FACING” (think Elroy Face, now 92, who was (18-1) for the ’59 Pirates, who were title winners the next season) vs Winnipeg.
They went (6-0) in series and (22-4) in the ‘offs vs the old Jets but were swept out by the newer Jets this season.
Edmonton won an incredible 5 titles in 7 seasons from (’84-’90) and made it at least to the semis 7 times in the nine seasons from (’84-’92).
Since that point, in 28 NHL seasons (no NHL season in ’05), the Oilers have won just 6 series, 3 coming in ’06 when they made it to the final, losing to Carolina. (Edmonton is (5-2) in final round play just as they won 5 crowns in 7 seasons as stated above). Thus in 24 of those 28 seasons, 6 of each 7, (87 %) they have failed even one round in the ‘offs.
You would know that the Winnipeg Jets were upset, 4 straight games winners vs the Edmonton Oilers from the ESPN.com headline.
ESPN, the monolith, S.A. Smith and other blabbering, insanely well paid (I am the) fool(s), is an indication of a society, well down the drain.
“Oilers finish off sweep of Jets with 4-3 victory in 3 OTs”
Their headline in the box score/recap, (above) of the JETS (4-3) win in game 4 to win the series in 4 straight games.
Oilers finish off sweep of Jets with 4-3 victory in 3 OTs
Phil Mickelson (a dollar at 85 to 1, story of “mi” life, not really) won the P.G.A. Championship.
He is 50 years old and is the oldest to win a major golf crown.
Even if I had the 300 to 1, I would not seek or use “inside information” to increase my stock portfolio.
Thus the crowd (where was the security?!) surrounding and hailing Mickelson is, in my opinion, another indication of the public’s myopic choices.
Five cities/regions have playoffs participants in both the NHL and NBA.
Those cities/regions are New York/Brooklyn/Long Island, Denver/Colorado, Boston, Miami/Florida and Washington D.C.
The New York area, call it that, has the plurality NBA title favorite, the “Annexing Nets,” the surprising Knicks (slight underdogs despite having the home advantage vs the Atlanta Hawks, starting today) in the NBA and the Long Island based, Islanders (tied (2-2) with the Pens in their NHL prelim), in what I believe to be their last Nassau Coliseum year.
Denver has the top ranked NHL Avalanche and the Jamal Murray (less) Nuggets, already down (1-0), as the so called “sharps” have series “fave,” lower seeded (the West “6”) Portland (Trail Blazers).
Boston’s Bruins have won 3 straight from also “2 teams in,” Washington D.C.’s, Capitals to lead their prelim (3-1), while the East “2” but again the plurality/title “fave” Nets covered/”all-teased” the Celtics, in their round of 16/NBA prelims opening game.
The other “Wash” ‘offs entry, the NBA “East 8” Wizards are about 8 to 1 series underdogs vs the Philadelphia 76ers.
Yesterday was a bad day for Miami/Florida teams, as first the defending NHL champion, Tampa Lightning ripped the (Florida) Panthers to take a (3-1) prelims series lead while the Milwaukee Bucks, regaled in their green uniforms, no covered the Heat in overtime, in their series lid lifter.
Andy B Sports 