For the record, I wrote this weeks ago, waiting for a time to post it. Yesterday’s ruling suspending Draymond Green which I consider terribly wrong on so many levels, only adds “fuel to the fire.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers started their season knowing a finals berth was theirs.
Star player, LeBron James, as stated here before, a magnificent player, one hyped far too much both good and bad in his ballyhooed career, knew the East was weak and the Cavaliers, a team he left years back, were a good choice for him.
Unlike so many who begrudge James and other prima donna athletes, while I think it horrible they get and teachers, nurses and other far more meaningful workers do not, I understand, or at least accept free enterprise.
Yet as I said so many years back when Reggie Jackson complete with (otter I believe) fur coat broke the then less money filled bank to sign with the New York Yankees and not the Montreal Expos— it is the fact that decision and especially ones in 5 man basketball, that truly affect the competitive nature of the game, that I find quite objectionable.
I doubt the cavemen grunted either literally or figuratively that so and so had an easier walk to get food. I hope I am gaining perspective on these matters.
The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in franchise history, all clinched with road victories, winning (3-1) in game 6 at San Jose, vs the Sharks.
Sidney Crosby, who had 2 assists in the clinching game was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs while Kris Letang had the Stanley Cup winning goal, scoring just 47 seconds after the Sharks’ Logan Couture (he led all playoffs scorers with 30 points) had tied the game in the second period.
Pens’ defenseman, Brian Dumoulin opened the scoring with a first period goal, while Matt Murray won his 15th game in goal for the Penguins. The other goaltender, Martin Jones of the Sharks, played great, albeit in defeat.
Pittsburgh did not trail at any point of regulation time in 5 of the 6 games, one an overtime Sharks’ win in game 3.
They are the first team in any major North American sports league to win their first four titles on the road. The city of Pittsburgh is now (15-5) in finals, (13-3) since the New York Yankees swept the (Pittsburgh) Pirates in the 1927 World Series.
The Penguins are (4-1) in Stanley Cup finals, clinching (Friday-Monday), once each and last night’s clincher vs the Sharks, who were in their first final in this their 24th completed season, (no NHL season in 2005), was the first Sunday Cup clincher since 1987 in what was I believe the first Sunday finals’ tilt since 1991.
Gordie Howe, one of the greatest, if not the greatest of hockey players died two days ago at the age of 88.
This will be a short tribute to “Mr. Hockey” who set records for holding records and was part of 4 Stanley Cup winners with the Detroit Red Wings, all in a 6 year span from (1950-1955).
He played in a 6 team league remembered by a hockey fan named Jesse, as a great one.
In a work capacity Jesse has treasured memories of Mr. Howe as a truly nice and dignified man.
Gordie could get rough on the ice, it is after all, a rough game but I also of memories of Mr. Howe as a soft spoken, modest interview subject in 1992.
If there is one good thing about the NHL getting a game 6 tonight in San Jose, it is the fact there will be some tribute to Gordie Howe on the stage that is the NHL finals.
If any hockey player deserves it, it is arguably the greatest of them all, Gordie Howe.
Gordie Howe pictured above. It is noteworthy that Denis Brodeur, the father of the great goaltender, Martin Brodeur and a legendary hockey photographer, took the above photo.
Tonight in San Jose, opposite the Tony Awards for Broadway, the Pittsburgh Penguins will again try to win their 4th Stanley Cup title in a game vs the Sharks.
If they are successful tonight and I hope they are not because I dislike the Sharks or even particularly root for the Pens, but because I do not want the so often greedy NHL and NBC to get the financial bonanza of a 7th game.
Also the Penguins had their chance to win a title at home for the first time in last Thursday’s game 5 and I hope they do not get the chance to do so in a game 7.
One team in NHL history, the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs (vs the Detroit Red Wings), actually overcame a (3-0) Finals series deficit to win the title.
No other team down (3-1) in the NHL finals has ever won the crown. Since expansion and somewhat beyond at least since 1963, seven times a team up 3 games to 1 and playing at home in the finals has failed to win game 5. Additionally the L.A. Kings up (3-0) vs current Sharks’ coach Peter DeBoer’ New Jersey Devils failed to clinch at home up 3 games to none.
On 6 of those occasions including the Kings/Devils in 2012, when L.A. lost another potential title clincher in game 5 at New Jersey, the team leading (3-1) won the title in 6 games. Twice, the New York Rangers vs the Vancouver Canucks in 1994 and the Carolina Hurricanes vs the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, the series went 7 games.
San Jose Sharks’ goaltender Martin Jones, pictured above was brilliant in game 5, making 44 saves.
I feared/fear the Warriors doing what the Pens did in game 5 at home,(namely lose with a chance to clinch a first ever won at home title) although basketball is different than hockey and at least odds wise, the Warriors opening as 3 and a half to 1 favorites had/have a better chance than the Penguins, who opened as 3 to 2 favorites.
My fear was and is the league wants more games, the perception is that the series is over and that makes/made me nervous.
Now there is the possibility that the Warriors’ fine player Draymond Green will be suspended. For what?!! Calling LeBron James a name?!!
James has botched the English language more than once in these playoffs. That is the “language” that should be “suspended” This “given everything,” so called “King,” who has twice picked his team and weak conference, gets what he wants.
The line dropped from 8 points to 7 and the money line to 3 to 1. I do not trust the NBA and fear Green will be suspended.
How many breaks will James and Cleveland get? They are a very good team and James is a great player, but a “walk in the park,” to make the finals, and now a possible big break before a seemingly very tough must game.
In the end I will pay, (already have and I mean emotionally, but also realize in reality this is not that important), and likely, the Cavaliers will be denied the “title.”
At this point I say PLEASE do not suspend Green as that would make what I feel justified anti-Cavaliers rooting more intense. Bottom and last line: The Cavaliers and James have received enough breaks, they are a fine team, however, I believe not deserving of a title especially against a 73 win team from a far better conference.
“Fear” should be taken with “mucho” grains of salt. There are so many more important things. However, a post before game 5 will try to give some perspective on LeBron James, changing and picking teams and the decision, either way regarding the James/Green “incident.”
“Radiant Vermin” playing at 59E59 Theaters (at 59 East 59th Street between Park and Madison Avenues), until July 3rd, is a fascinating, incredibly performed play, written by Philip Ridley and directed by David Mercatali.
The performers, Scarlett Alice Johnson as “Jill” and Sean Michael Verey “Ollie” and Debra Baker “Miss Dee” are incredible.
The story, told with incredible physical skills, by the central characters played by Ms. Johnson and Mr. Verey, is one that says much about society and how in the greedy pursuit of material things, we have lost our moral compass, be it one formed with religious beliefs or a good upbringing, perhaps both.
In entertaining but very real fashion “Radiant Vermin” tells a story and imparts both a great message/warning and asks us an important question about ourselves.
“Radiant Vermin,” part of the 2016 Brits Off Broadway festival, is produced by Supporting Wall, Metal Rabbit Productions, and Soho Theatre.
The performance is amazing and not to be missed.
Toward that end, click below for ticket information or call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200
Radiant Vermin at 59E59 Theaters
Sean Michael Verey and Scarlett Alice Johnson, pictured above in “Radiant Vermin.”
Steph Curry scored 38 points leading the defending champion Golden State Warriors to a double digit victory in game 4, at Cleveland, vs the Cavaliers.
The Warriors have a seemingly commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the finals and have a chance to clinch a second straight NBA title on Monday night at home.
Klay Thompson added 25 points for the Warriors, who handed the Cavaliers their first home loss in this year’s playoffs.
Now all 32 teams in this year’s NBA and NHL playoffs have lost a home game.
Steph Curry, pictured above.
I watched an episode of the great show, “Perry Mason” Thursday night and then fell asleep not watching the NHL playoff game.
In the episode shown on Decades, Raymond Burr as Perry Mason not only solves the case with a witness stand confession, but after offers a great pearl of wisdom.
Remember the show aired well over 50 years ago and his character said “Maybe we are hiding too much from our children.”
The kid immediately turns into a kid, somewhat rudely asking the investigator character “Paul Drake,” played by William Hopper, the son of famed gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, why he did not get the key clue? It was borderline rude and his mother indicated such in calling his name, “Jimmy.”
That episode and the Twilight Zone with the all powerful kid and the corn field were warnings. Generation after generation, “what’s the matter with kids today.”
After the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win in game 3 of the NBA finals vs the Golden State Warriors, in which LeBron James tallied 32 points and Kyrie Irving added 30, there has now not been a (3-0) NBA final since 2007, the second year Mike Breen, yet another Fordham University product, took over as the lead television announcer for the finals.
In this the 11th “Breen” finals, only the Spurs sweep of the Cavaliers with James, before the first of his two jumps where he chose his team, staying in the weaker East, was (3-0).
The 4th game is tonight. The Cavaliers are 2 and a half point favorites vs a Warriors’ team I warn and hope to not count on winning all your games, if needed.
In my opinion, to win the series, they need to win a game in Cleveland. Tonight would be a great time to do so.
So many bought into the Pittsburgh will “finally title at home” propaganda (on some level I am guilty as well) plus “Whatever Bettman/NBC want, they get,” hence there is a 6th game in the Stanley Cup finals this Sunday night.
The Sharks won (4-2), maybe they will lose the series they now trail (3-2) by a (4-2) count, but don’t you think Bettman and NBC want a 7th game?!!
I have written regarding Pittsburgh teams not clinching titles at home, this was the first time they had a chance to do so since last doing so in game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
The last time before last night they failed to do so was in game 6 of that World Series when the great pitcher, left hander of course (once Al Trautwig, still with Madison Square Garden Network, who previously had “jumped the gun” saying Michigan had beaten number one Miami–the Miami team eventually won, said Ford was a right handed pitcher and on a New York Yankees broadcast, no less) Whitey Ford beat the Pirates.
Stay with me, as this is penance for not seeing the Sharks and instead “jumping the Shark, or at least being humiliated.
The great Yankees’ manager Casey Stengel took Ford out of game 6 of the 1958 World at Milwaukee vs the Braves, in the second inning, replacing him with Art Ditmar.
Last night Sharks’ coach Peter DeBoer joined Stengel and Lakers’ coach Fred Schaus as two, perhaps the only two, coaches/managers to guide a team to a road win facing elimination with no chance to “title” in a game of a finals series, TWICE.
DeBoer, coaching the New Jersey Devils won game 4 at L.A. staving off elimination vs the Kings in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. The Kings won the “crown” (weak pun intended) in 6 games, clinching at home.
For the record Stengel’s Yankees won on the road at Brooklyn vs the Dodgers in game 6 of the 1952 World Series. The great Mickey Mantle, who caught the last out of the aforementioned 1958 World Series (the other time Stengel and the Yankees staved off elimination in a W.S. road game without a chance to “title” that in game 6), homered to break a (2-2) tie and drove in the last run in game 7, as the Yankees won (4-2) in game 7, 1952 also at Brooklyn, the 4th, of what would be 5 straight World Series titles (1949-1953).
Unfortunately for Schaus, he was on the opposing side of a dynasty. Though his Lakers staved off elimination at Boston vs the great Celtics, surely at longer odds than the baseball or hockey games in question, in game 5 in both 1963 and 1966, it was the Celtics winning the 5th of what would be 8 straight NBA titles in six games in 1963 ( the great Bob Cousy’s last season) and in 7 games in 1966.
Finally, as usual, only I come up with this stuff on my own from my questionable brain, this is the 5th straight Presidential year in which a team facing elimination on the road in the Stanley Cup playoffs without a chance to title in that game, won the game.
Of the previous 4 teams to do so, Dallas Stars (at New Jersey Devils, I was there paying big money hoping to see the Stanley Cup clinched but was denied) in game 5 in 2000, Tampa Bay Lightning in game 6 at Calgary vs the Flames, the Penguins in game 5 at Detroit vs the Red Wings in 2008 and DeBoer’s Devils at Los Angeles vs the Kings in 2012— only the Lightning went on to win the Stanley Cup.
One of, if not the most famous, line attributed to the great Casey Stengel pictured above is “You could look it up.”
At this point, I choose not to “mine” for other coaches or managers whose teams staved off elimination on the road in a finals series, without a chance to “title” on 2 or more occasions as is the case with Stengel, Fred Schaus and current Sharks’ coach Peter DeBoer. Anyone is welcome to do so and let us know the results.
Andy B Sports 