The professional basketball world is officially on notice. The stage has been set, the contestants proven to be worthy, and the next generation of NBA Superstars stand poised to usher in the next great chapter in NBA history. Get your head right, get into the zone, and most importantly, don’t ever back down. For the annual rite of passage into basketball lore, otherwise known as the NBA Finals, is upon us at last. Your standing in the ranks of basketball immortality is on the line. When it all comes down to the wire can you stick it out and be crowned with the title of World Champion? Or will you cave and swiftly fade away into the void of basketball obscurity?
Having survived the long and grueling road through the NBA playoffs, only four more wins now separate you and your team from the privilege of hoisting Mr. O’Brien’s cherished hardware high above your head in celebration. But it will be anything but easy. All eyes of the basketball world are focused squarely on you. Handling the pressure of being under such an enormous spotlight would be tough enough for just one game, but you may have to play seven. These strenuous conditions present during the yearly hunt for the game’s ultimate prize have repeatedly borne witness to unheralded greatness on the hardwood, and on several occasions, exhibited the kind of stuff that legends are made of. Will you measure up?
Who could ever possibly forget the eras of Chamberlain vs. Russell, Magic vs. Bird, and Jordan vs., ...well, nearly all the game’s elite members. The Finals have taught us that remarkable things can and do follow holiday "Massacres", that "flu-like symptoms" don’t always result in a bad day at the office, and that "Bad Boys" can sometimes do no wrong. We have been afforded the opportunity to admire the entertaining ingenuity of "Showtime", marvel the feats of the "Untoucha-Bulls", and enhance our vocabulary with priceless phrases such as, "Three-peat."
However, as unfortunate it may be, for every admired dynasty, storied rivalry, and epic comeback; there are plenty who have emerged victorious yet never had the chance to bask in the limelight for any extended period of time. How many people remember that the Seattle SuperSonics, the Washington Bullets (Wizards), the Portland Trailblazers, and the Golden State Warriors were all championship winning teams during the mid to late 70's? Who remembers a time when the Milwaukee Bucks were the greatest threat to a Lakers appearance in the Finals?
The cruel fact is that in order to capture the attention of many "basketball" fans, a team must be a large market team with a history of success. Basketball clubs without any major stand-outs and who choose to incorporate a subdued attack that champions defensive play and equal ball distribution, tend to result in more people feeling compelled to change the channel than to become glued to their TV sets. Many who ultimately decide to tune in, do so in hope of seeing what they deem "stellar basketball play". Such individuals demand fast paced action, inflated points totals, and flashy play from the league's most noted superstars. It is a tragic reality that this basketball fan heartedly refuses to go along with, but must admit is causing people to become less energized when the NBA Finals roll around each year.
Fortunately this year, there is plenty for even the casual basketball fan to appreciate when it comes to this season’s Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks finale. Neither basketball club has ever been to the Finals before, so there is plenty of energy in each of those two cities as their respective home teams take to the floor. It also helps that both cities are large market teams. Both teams are blessed with having one of the premier young talents in the league. Dallas, with two-time MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, and Miami with a player who is arguably, "The Best Damn Guard" in all the league, Dwyane Wade. Dallas is the first Western Conference team that is not from Los Angeles or San Antonio to make it to the Finals since 1998. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to become the first Eastern Conference team not from Detroit, Boston, or Chicago to win a NBA championship since 1983.
Even for those who don’t take kindly to the winds of change, there is the familiar Finals presence of legendary center Shaquille O’Neal, who presently seeks a fourth championship minus the tutelage of Phil Jackson and more notably, without the presence of Kobe Bryant. A successful hunt for O’Neal would prove to be the final accomplishment needed to further solidify his spot in history alongside the likes of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the greatest big-men ever to play the game. Then there also is Miami’s coach who is none other than the former championship winning coach from Lakers lore, Pat Riley.
The opportunity to see Wade continue his ascension this post-season past other notable guards, like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, should provide plenty of incentive for those who can appreciate some stellar guard play. Not to mention, those who would love for nothing more than to see what can happen when such talent is coupled with a nearly unstoppable and unrivaled presence in the post. On the other side fans can witness what happens when a seven footer with a killer outside shot, quick speed, and an immense rebounding capacity is surrounded with a team of extremely talented role players. It is the best of both worlds.
Despite the soon to be coinciding play of World Cup Soccer, plenty of additional folks in the Old Country are sure to tune in to see how the greatest European player in the history of the NBA fares against the likes of Flash and the Diesel. If those crazy soccer nuts in Europe can make the time to be sure they are tuned in to witness basketball’s annual rite of passage into immortality, even casual basketball fans had better make sure to tune in. This Finals has it all. There are simply no more excuses. This is undeniably can’t miss entertainment, even for fans who had previously grown tired of the game of basketball for the past couple of years. Do not wait to be the one who has to read about this sure to be epic series in history books years down the road. Witness the sheer brilliance of the NBA Finals as it transpires live before your eyes in all its splendor and glory, just as it should be.
GB - Wow, you covered a ton of stuff with this post. Hoops is definitely your forte. Some good facts. I never really thought about no eastern team other than the C's, Bulls, and Pistons winning it all since '83. I love it when a post makes me go "Hey, that's right". Good stuff and good luck with the results. You are top shelf come what may.
I don't take kindly to people who don't take kindly!
Game 1 was actually a thoroughly entertaining game, but I'm glad its over. Now we can dig in to the main course and start sorting things out with Game 2.
Thanks Burger. I greatly enjoy covering the NBA and am grateful to have received our first basketball specific assignment. Thanks again for the kind words and for wishing me luck this week.
HiPlains. How true. I understand what has motivated people to be hard on the NBA lately, but that doesn't mean that I subscribe to it.
Great game 1. Looked like Miami was going to run away with it and then Dallas stepped it up big defensively in the second quarter and made it a whole new ball game. I can't wait until game 2 either. Time to see how Miami can respond.
Thanks Moore, it's a personal favorite. (Damn, we think alike.)
Gbrent: I think you're right, this finals, with it's two Finals virgins, finally provides concrete evidence of a new NBA era. Everyone's been talking about the next-Jordan, the next-generation, next-this, next-that for the past 5 or 6 years. This Finals could be when we finally stop talking about next and start talking about now.
Thank you Moore. I told myself, "No matter what, under 1000 words." LOL. Thank you for the kind words and best of luck to you as well.
HiPlains, very true. If you miss the Finals this year, it could very well prove to be as costly as missing the 1991 or the 2000 Finals. There is definitely a changing of the guard underway that is worth tuning for.
Glory be to the NBA Finals. They are finally back with interest to burn. It is true, either team can shine in the "Limelight" as you say or sink into oblivion. I think this Miami group needs to make hay now while they have the chance, cause they ain't getting any younger.
One question: In paragraph 3 did you mean flu-like symptoms don't always "result" in a bad day at the office? It reads now as flu-like symptoms don't always "resort" in a bad day at the office. Just wondering and trying to help out.
Otherwise looks like a nice job on your part. Best of luck on Monday.
Nice job, Gbrent. There is quite a bit to like about this year's finals...and you mentioned several of those things. Like you implied, there is a little bit of everything...for everybody.
Rivjo- Thanks for the help. I agree that Miami's window, at least as the team now stands, is very close to being shut. D'Wade will be around for awhile, but if he is going to get it done with Shaq, this is the year to do it.
Thanks Shooter. I intend to do just that. I will be leaving for that week vacation first thing tommorrow morning.
After today, I will not be able to enter the blogosphere until late tommorrow evening since I do not have a laptop. Fortunately my sister does and she will be bringing it with her to our little family reunion just in case I am still alive after this week's cut. Otherwise I would have to spend a good portion of my vacation in an internet cafe. LOL.
Job well done Gbrent. It's obvious right away that you are in your element with the NBA assignments. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your vacation while I'm stuck at home this weekend with nothing but NGS anxiety and the World Cup to occupy my mind. Congratulations on the fine work.
Nice job. I especially liked the point you made about great teams having to be from larger markets to ingrain themselves into legend. Aside from the Packers I'd say you're right.
Like I have said, I love the history of this game...
All-time great franchises in market and results:
1. Boston Celtics
2. LA Lakers
3. Chicago Bulls
4. New York Knicks?
Who am I leaving out?
Pistons come in at 5?
Houston and San Antonio after?
Gbrent - I like how you point out the 70's history of the great teams no one really remembers. If Rick Barry wasn't on KNBR radio here in the Bay Area I probably still wouldn't know the team won a title in '75.
Luckily for fans willing to keep odd hours they can watch both the NBA Finals and World Cup. If it is any indication where my loyalties lie I watched the first two games of Germany 2006 start to finish and saw 10 seconds (on tape delay) of Heat-Mavs game 1.
My question to you is this. Will Germany care about Dirk leading his team to an NBA title while the soccer team is not only hosting the Cup, but making a deep run? In Korea, Ward was a hero for winning the Super Bowl MVP. A bit of a dissimilar situation of course, and I doubt Dirk gets the big treatment.
Thanks Shooter, that would indeed be quite splendid. I must admit it would be nice to get the opportunity to write while relaxed on vacation for a change.
Josh, great to see you stop by. Thank you for the kind words. I may soon be on vacation, but I am sure I'll still experience a little NGS anxiety myself, and am sure to get a soccer buzz myself come Monday morning when Team USA plays. That I can definitely get in to.
Thanks Dudski. The large market rule is at least mildly true in every sport, but football does prove to be the exception for the most part. Baseball is probably worse than the NBA, especially with no salary cap. I must also say it largely has to do with a history of success and a legendary tradition. Green Bay has both of those things in their favor.
Ed, thank you for the high marks. I appreciate the praise.
I must admit I feel compelled to argue with the top spot as a Laker fan. The Lakers have far more Finals appearances, but Boston does have two more Championships and the better head to head record against the Lakers in the Finals, so I suppose I will let that ranking slide for now. LOL.
Chicago at 3 is a unanimous decision. Toss up between Detroit and New York for the 4 spot with the runner up finishing 5th. I would probably put Philadelphia ahead of Houston though at 6.
Hey NorCal. Thanks for pointing that part of the post out. I vaguely recall another blogger, I think it was Sleepless, did a post awhile back on the 1979 SuperSonics and their largely forgotten championship. I thought about that post when I typed that paragraph.
Heard it was a close game there for awhile there NorCal, but the Germans ultimately prevailed despite playing without their star. I will definitely try to check out some USA soccer action whenever I can, but naturally I am much bigger on the NBA, so thank goodness for those odd hours.
I think Dirk will still be a big deal if the Mav's win the Championship, though with the World Cup going on the full extent of the celebration won't be realized at first. Maybe not as big as Yao in China, but noticeable for sure. Then again, I could be wrong.
Hey GBrent, I really like the job you did with this assignment. An outstanding intro I must admit. It drew me in and convinced me that the subject of your article was truly exhilarating and of the utmost importance in the sporting world. I did not watch the first game but have every intention of watching the second, especially after this.
One question? Will I get to see Kobe fall flat on his face like in that last photo you have? Just kidding. You know I have no major problems with him. Very good job. Way to keep the length down as well.
Gbrent - I think you're right, eventually Cup mania will settle down and Dirk will get some recognition.
Ballack is the German captain and they pretty much decided they didn't need him. Klinsmann made the decision and as a former striker on their 1990 WC champs he has the juice for such a gutsy call. Worked out, and I suspect he'll be back in action against a desperate Poland team for sure.
Sorry for the delay everybody. I have been without internet access for the past 24 hours due to a couple computer problems with my home office desk top and then traveling most of today to my vacation destination. Let me say it is refreshing to finally get the opportunity to get back online and into the FOX Sports blogging community. Now onto the comments.
Thanks FabOC. I really wanted to start with an intro that grabbed the reader's attention right from the get go. Glad that I accomplished that. Why did you have to go and bag on Kobe though? LOL.
Norcal- The only sports action I have been able to catch today has been World Cup. Was watching Argentina play just a few moments ago. Germany vs. Poland, now there is a grudge match. I might have to try and catch that one. Its funny, I was only planning on watching Team USA play, but strangely find myself drawn to checking out a few other matches as well. I guess once every four years its okay to show a little love for the game of soccer. LOL.
Can't wait to see how the remainder of this series goes. Shaq made Ben Wallace look like Steve Nash at the free throw line with his game 1 performance at the line. That is no easy feat. Hopefully the Diesel will get his game right. Then again, Dirk wasn't all that great in Game 1 either.
Thanks NorthSide. I appreciate the kind words. That is a strange development. I was thinking back to a time when an Eastern Conference team had last won other than the Pistons, Bulls, and Celtics. I couldn't believe it had been that long either.
Thanks for that Ricko. I am very glad that you enjoyed it. I was tempted to expand upon each point a little more than I did, but desperately wanted to keep this post a bit shorter than usual. It is reassuring to know that I was still able to provide a strong case for my argument. Thanks for reading and for your kind comment.
GB, I am very proud of you for this compelling effort. Still, you cannot -- simply cannot -- offer grammatical errors in your opening paragraph, e.g., "You're standing in the ranks of basketball immortality is on the line." It should be 'your' not you're.
Nonetheless, you have made great strides in simplifying your sentence structure over the course of the competition, but you still have a little ways to go. With a tiny bit more pith, SI, ESPN the Magazine, or DIME Magazine awaits your talent.
Make no mistake about it, from the third paragraph on this piece sizzles. It offers everything a basketball fan desires in a sportswriter. You hold our attention, you dazzle us with your vision, and you make a very strong case to buffer your positions. What more could a fan want?
Although I am rarely moved by photo arrays, you accentuated this piece masterfully. Your photos helped frame the dichotomy between NBA Finals past vs. NBA Finals present perfectly.
Gb, this was a very strong read. Congratulations on making it to the Elite 8. It's now up to the judges. Best of luck!
Thanks Mean D. I always appreciate hearing your critique. You're 100% absolutely correct Mean D. I initially had it as "your", as it should be. I get a ton of editing suggestions and I had messed up with the same word, only vice-versa, on a previous post. Since I was still upset for getting it wrong the first time, I switched it without re-reading it to make sure it was indeed an error to begin with. Major foul on my part. It was right to begin with this time. Hopefully the judges read my blog before I incorrectly switched it.
Thank you also for the high marks of praise. It would be an honor to write for any publication that you mentioned. Just have to get a tad better on my "pith." I am trying very hard. It is no easy task. LOL. I am pretty happy with what I did hear. I kept it under 1000 words, first assignment post I have done that, and was still able to effectively cover quite a bit. I nearly eliminated the second paragraph, but I loved it so much I just couldn't do it.
Thanks again for everything Mean D. I hope the judges enjoy this post and elect to award me a high score to help put me through to the next round. Either way, I am very proud to be where I am right now and am pleased to have several dedicated readers who offer such honest criticism and sincere praise such as yourself.
Neither can I NorCal, especially after watching tonight's ugly Game 2. I bet things will be closer tommorrow for the U.S. even if they were playing Brazil. LOL. Go USA!
Thank you NorCal. It has been a great experience and has served as a tremendous motivator and aid as I continue to develop as a writer.
Of course I would have liked to advance another round, but am indeed quite happy to have made it as far as I did. I posted a lengthy comment on the judges blog which goes into greater detail. That is unfortunately all I can say for the moment, as my computer access has been greatly limited on vacation.
Thanks again to you NorCal, and for everyone else who has been such a tremendous support during this process.
Gb, you are a well-respected writer and blogger here. I have no doubt you will continue to work at your craft and thus, go far. I am very proud of everything you have accomplished in the NGSII. You gave it a tremendous ride. Much love, bro!
It's sad to see it come to a screeching hault, but it was a fun ride while it lasted! It's a shame one of the three amigos couldn't carry on the torch, but I think we all did a fine job. I look forward to more postings from you, GBrent! Cheers.
Gbrent: Great job in the contest, and best of luck with your future writing. Sorry you didn't make it further, but you should be proud of the job you did.
GBrent: I'm truly going to miss competing with you. As a fellow blogger who tends to write longer pieces, I admire your conviction in telling the story that you want to tell, regardless of length.
You are a very talented writer and I enjoy your work - I hope your schedule allows you to continue blogging on here.
Gbrent, just wanted to congratulate you on a great run in the finals. You proved once and for all that you belonged in the initial 16 and beyond. It's been great competing against you this past few weeks, and I think it's safe to say you are one of the more knowledgeable sports fans blogging in this little neighborhood. Keep your head up, and keep writing. You've got a lot of potential, my friend.
I will know do everything within my power to carry the torch for Southern California with dignity. I'm dedicating the rest of this competition to GBrent and Chick Hearn!
I’m not going to say condolences; I’m going to say congratulations. You did your thing and you did it well. Subjective judging rarely delivers satisfaction to all involved, but know that your peers judge your craft with the highest regard and you are considered one of the pillars of this community.
I appreciate your kindness and assistance even in the midst of your busiest times. I look forward to enjoying the best of GBrent that is still to come.
GBrent, wanted to offer my congratulations to you on a great run in the Finals. I was glad to see one of my compadres in here for this long. You've got talent and a future in this biz, so good luck to you in the future! Talk to you soon. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Thank you all for such high accolades. I am sorry that it took me nearly a week to respond to everybody. My computer availablity fell through while on vacation and I have not had the chance to get back online until now. Sorry for the lengthy delay once again.
It has been a real pleasure to participate in this competition. I so greatly enjoy visiting this community on a daily basis, that I have felt largely out of sorts the past six days not being able to do it.
I look forward to reading all of the "final four" assignments and getting back into the regular blogging community fun and activities. Thanks to everyone again.
Gb, I'm sorry today's BDG comment (6/22/06) to you got lost. Thanks for riding with the series for the duration. You were frequently the first comment on every post. Thanks for your continued support.
Like Wade, I too follow the Trinity. In some respects, I felt like both he and I were joined in this regard.
No problem at all Mean D. I know from experience that stuff like that can easily happen when you have a lot of comments on a thread. No harm, no foul. Proud to be a top supporter of the BDG.
Very well said on the Trinity. I whole-heartedly agree.
GB - Hope youe had a wonderful, well deserved vacation. The special edition Weekly Truth that I had spoke to you about is set for next week. The details are on yesterday's post. I definitely want you to be a part of it.
Late-20 something living in beautiful Southern Califormia. Orange County to be exact. Love the sunshine, surf, beautiful women, and nearby mountain ranges. We truly have it all...except an NFL Franchise of course.
A Fox Sports Blogging Member for over 2 years, and a NGS 2 Finalist (Made the Elite 8).
Believe in supporting your local team, and I've lived just about everywhere at sometime or another (West Coast, Midwest, South, New England, and even Europe), so I don't have an overbearing subjective allegiance to any particular team, though of course I still have a few favorites just like the next guy, whether they admit it or not.
Still put up the occassional post every now and then, but here mostly to check out a few hot topics and leave an occassional comment. That could change later, but that's pretty much it for now.
The professional basketball world is officially on notice. The stage has been set, the contestants proven to be worthy, and the next generation of NBA Superstars stand poised to usher in the next great chapter in NBA history. Get your head right, get into the zone, and most importantly, don’t ever back down. For the annual rite of passage into basketball lore, otherwise known as the NBA Finals, is upon us at last. Your standing in the ranks of basketball immortality is on the line. When it all comes down to the wire can you stick it out and be crowned with the title of World Champion? Or will you cave and swiftly fade away into the void of basketball obscurity? 
Who could ever possibly forget the eras of Chamberlain vs. Russell, Magic vs. Bird, and Jordan vs., ...well, nearly all the game’s elite members. The Finals have taught us that remarkable things can and do follow holiday "Massacres", that "flu-like symptoms" don’t always result in a bad day at the office, and that "Bad Boys" can sometimes do no wrong. We have been afforded the opportunity to admire the entertaining ingenuity of "Showtime", marvel the feats of the "Untoucha-Bulls", and enhance our vocabulary with priceless phrases such as, "Three-peat."
Fortunately this year, there is plenty for even the casual basketball fan to appreciate when it comes to this season’s Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks finale. Neither basketball club has ever been to the Finals before, so there is plenty of energy in each of those two cities as their respective home teams take to the floor. It also helps that both cities are large market teams. Both teams are blessed with having one of the premier young talents in the league. Dallas, with two-time MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, and Miami with a player who is arguably, "The Best Damn Guard" in all the league, Dwyane Wade. Dallas is the first Western Conference team that is not from Los Angeles or San Antonio to make it to the Finals since 1998. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to become the first Eastern Conference team not from Detroit, Boston, or Chicago to win a NBA championship since 1983.
The opportunity to see Wade continue his ascension this post-season past other notable guards, like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, should provide plenty of incentive for those who can appreciate some stellar guard play. Not to mention, those who would love for nothing more than to see what can happen when such talent is coupled with a nearly unstoppable and unrivaled presence in the post. On the other side fans can witness what happens when a seven footer with a killer outside shot, quick speed, and an immense rebounding capacity is surrounded with a team of extremely talented role players. It is the best of both worlds.
