A Hollywood Ending

Vindication for Los Angeles.

One year after being blown out in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals by the Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers came back this year and capped off their 15th championship with a 99-86 Game Five elimination of the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.

Finals MVP Kobe Bryant had 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks in the clincher, but unlike last year, also got big contributions from big men Pau Gasol (14 points, 15 rebounds in Game 5) and Lamar Odom (17 points, 10 rebounds) both on the offensive end and defensively against Magic superman Dwight Howard. Notable, too, was the defense and strength of center Andrew Bynum, who missed last year's finals with a knee injury. Who knows where the series would be without Derek Fisher, who shook off a terrible shooting slump throughout the West playoff bracket to hit two big threes (to tie game, to take lead) to give the Lakers a Game 4 win in OT. But the focus should be on Bryant, who displayed tremendous leadership and determination to get his 4th title, and first without Shaq as a sidekick.

"To have the attitude of we're going to become a better defensive team, a better rebounding team and then to actually do it and to see it all happen, it feels like I'm dreaming," Bryant said. "I can't believe this moment is here."

The championship is also head coach Phil Jackson's record-breaking 10th title, as he breaks a tie with Boston's late Red Auerbach who had 9.

"I'll smoke the cigar tonight in memory of Red," Jackson said. "He was a great guy."

Meanwhile, for the Magic, it was a disappointing end to a great season, as they advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in 14 years, taking down the defending champion Celtics and LeBron James and the heavily favored Cavaliers in the process. They had chances in Games 2 and 4 to win down the stretch, but ultimately caved under pressure. Magic superstar center Dwight Howard never got going in the series, and finished with just 11 points in Game 5.

"It hurts," Howard said. "It hurts a lot. But you can learn a lot from losing. Sometimes you've got to lose to win."

In addition to Howard's struggles, the Magic, which had depended on three-pointers the whole season to get them to the Finals, could not convert them in the series, and shot just 8 of 27 in Game 5.

In the end, Kobe Bryant was not going to be denied his 4th title, and he led the Lakers to a magical ending.

Federer Wins French Open

As the rain began to fall again at Roland Garros in Paris, and with the Swiss national anthem playing in the stadium, tears of joy streamed down Roger Federer's face. The #2 in the world had finally won the French Open for the first time in his career, which was his 14th major, tying Pete Sampras' record. He beat Robin Soderling, who had knocked off his rival #1 Rafael Nadal earlier in the tournament, in straight sets 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 to complete a career grand slam. "It's maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders," Federer said afterward. "I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace, and no longer hear that I've never won Roland Garros."

2009 NBA Finals Preview: Magic vs. Lakers

Well, so much for LeBron vs. Kobe. Whatever, I just hope we have a great NBA Finals (we haven't had one in a while). Here are position battles for vs..

Point Guards: Rafer Alston vs. Derek Fisher
Rafer Alston has done an adequate job filling in for Jameer Nelson since he went down injured in February. While Nelson will be activated for the series, Alston is still the starter and must run the offense efficiently as well as knock down open shots. Fisher has struggled mightily this postseason and has yet to find his shooting touch. He is a proven Finals veteran, but if he continues to struggle, Shannon Brown or Jordan Farmar could take minutes from him.
Slight Edge: Magic
Shooting Guards: Courtney Lee vs. Kobe Bryant
The rookie Lee has been solid since joining the starting lineup for Orlando (averaging 8.8 PPG in playoffs), and must continue to play well, shooting the ball and running in transition. Kobe has been Kobe, putting the Lakers on his back down the stretch in games and willing them to victory. He will be a matchup nightmare for Magic, as no Orlando player has the length and quickness to stay with him.
Edge: Lakers
Small Forwards: Hedo Turkoglu vs. Trevor Ariza
Turkoglu has been up and down throughout these playoffs with his shooting, but has continued to make plays for Orlando with his pinpoint passing. He is their clutchest player and will have to be big if the game is close down the stretch. Trevor Ariza fits the mold of a role player, with his energy and slashing ability to the basket, along with some three-point range and solid defense. He must harness this energy and make it positive to help his team.
Edge: Magic
Power Forwards: Rashard Lewis vs. Pau Gasol
This is the most strange matchup since neither player would guard the other in crunchtime due to their different types of skills. Lewis is a great three-point shooter that can be a game changer if he's on. But he is not very strong and if he is guarding any Laker big man, he could be exploited. Gasol is a great low post presence who needs to have a dominant Finals (unlike last year) to take some of the load off of Kobe. He is a good help defender if needed, but is not very quick and could not guard someone like Lewis.
Edge: Lakers
Centers: Dwight Howard vs. Andrew Bynum
Dwight 'Superman' Howard is key for the Magic. The offense of the team runs through his ability to dominate the paint, which opens up three-pointers for his teammates. Defensively, he was the Defensive Player of the Year for his ability to change shots with his wingspan. Bynum, coming back from injury is still not 100% and has struggled mightily at times. He won't be asked to play a lot of minutes, but when he's in there, he must contain Howard and not let him completely take over the game.
Edge: Magic
Sixth Men: Lamar Odom vs. Mickael Pietrus
Odom will be the first one off the bench for L.A. (probably for both teams), but he has been wildly inconsistent so far in these playoffs. He brings another low post scoring option, and can be a beast on the boards. Usually if he plays well, the Lakers win. The veteran Pietrus has been great backing up the rookie Lee, and does a lot of little things well, utilizing his speed and quickness.
Edge: Lakers
Coaches: Stan Van Gundy vs. Phil Jackson
Stan Van Gundy has done a great job with his team, bringing back the Finals for first time since 1995, Shaq's rookie year. While he is often painted as "the bad guy", he has gotten his team ready and motivated for every game. Phil Jackson is going for his record breaking 10th ring as a coach and is a hall of famer. The Lakers have failed to show up for a couple games, though, and it's on him to prepare them and keep them fired up.
Edge: Lakers
The Keys
It comes down to the role players for the Lakers stepping up. Kobe is the best closer in the game, but he can't do it alone (see LeBron and the Cavs for proof). For the Magic, Dwight Howard has to dominate inside and the Magic must knock down their open three-point shots if they get them. Also, they must make smart decisions with the basketball and not shoot themselves in the foot.
My prediction: win series in six games, 4-2

Last round’s record: 0-2
Playoff record: 11-3

Texas Wins Longest NCAA Baseball Game

7 hours, 3 minutes. 10 pitchers. 683 pitches thrown. 171 atbats. 25 innings.

That's how long it took before the Texas Longhorns defeated the Boston College Golden Eagles 3-2 at UFCU DischFalk Field in Austin Saturday night (and Sunday morning). Texas' Travis Tucker had the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 25th inning to break the 18 scoreless innings in his record 12th at-bat in the game. But the hero was Texas reliever Austin Wood, who pitched 12 1/3 no-hit innings and finished with 169 pitches, striking out 14. The win, which broke the previous NCAA record of 23 innings played between Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State on March 27, 1971, puts the Longhorns one win away from advancing to a superregional which they would host next weekend.

2009 NBA Playoffs: My Conference Finals Preview

Western Conference
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Nuggets cruised by Dallas in 5, while the Lakers struggled with the Rockets, squeaking by in 7. Both teams can put up a lot of points, with the advantage with the Nuggets on the perimeter and the Lakers in the paint. I think it'll come down to each team's bench, with the Nuggets' bench being deeper and the Lakers' bench struggling.
Nuggets in 7
Eastern Conference
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Magic clawed past the defending champion Celtics in 7, while the Cavs swept Atlanta and are still unbeaten in the postseason. It'll be interesting to see how Cleveland responds to the 9 day layoff between games, whether it's rest or rust. Dwight Howard could have a big series, but the Cleveland guards and depth will more than account for him. Oh yeah, and also there's a #23 who won some MVP award who will not be stopped in this series.
Cavs in 6

My Playoff Record: 11-1

Yao Out for Rest of Playoffs

Well, if you haven't heard by now, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has a stress fracture in his left foot, which will sideline him 8-12 weeks and the rest of the playoffs. This comes a day after the Rockets lost Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series with the Lakers 108-94. My first reaction to this: shock and devastation. Third straight year this has happened to the Rockets. The basketball gods just have something against us. Sigh. Well, anyway, great season, Rockets, battling the entire way. Who knows what would have happened if we had our Big 3 healthy for the whole season. Tomorrow's Game 4 will be about heart. No matter the outcome, these Rockets have had a tremondous season, and are champions in my book.

2009 NBA Playoffs- Conference Semifinal Predictions

Western Conference
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Rockets ended their 12 year first round hex, riding Luis Scola and Yao Ming to victory in 6 over the Blazers, while the Lakers breezed by the Jazz in 5. Shane Battier and Ron Artest will have their hands full with Kobe Bryant in this round, but the overall depth of the Lakers inside with Gasol, Odom, and Bynum will be the difference in the series.
Lakers in 6
Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets
Dallas upset the Spurs in round one, winning the series easily in 5 games. The Nuggets did the same to the Hornets, setting up this exciting series. Lots of offense in this series. I like Denver's homecourt and their matchups in the end.
Nuggets in 6
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Hawks won a very physical series with Miami in 7, while the Cavs swept the Pistons and are well rested. Injuries and the inability to stop LeBron dooms Atlanta.
Cavs in 5
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
The Dwight-less Magic stomped on the 76ers in the decisive Game 6 in an otherwise pretty even series. The Celtics won one of the most exciting first-round playoff matchups ever over the Bulls in 7. I think both teams are pretty evenly matched and it comes down to getting stops down the stretch in close games. In the end, I don't think that Boston, without Garnett, can contain Dwight Howard inside.
Magic in 7

My First Round Record: 7-1