How long until the rivalry is renewed again?

As great as this 7 game Celtics vs. Lakers series was, basketball fans have to admit part of the fun was not just because Kobe, KG and Paul Pierce are great players.  Part of the draw and nostalgia was watching the guys in green jerseys duke it out with the guys in purple and gold just like in the “old” days.

When I was growing up, it seemed like every year it was Magic vs. Larry in the NBA finals.  The supporting cast members sometimes changes, but at the end of the day the Celtics and Lakers were always there.  Every series featured great games, lots of drama and different heroes every time.

Then Magic and Larry got older, and along came Michael Jordan.  And seemingly the Lakers and Celtics kind of went away.  Michael racked up 6 titles against all sorts of different opponents and the Celtics and Lakers were a bit irrelevant, at least for awhile.

The End of This Chapter in the Rivalry?

But after watching Game 7 last night, you can’t help but think that this chapter in the saga is drawing to a close.  Kobe, while still arguably the best player in the NBA, is nearing or passing his peak physically.  And the annual talk began (again) months ago about Phil Jackson leaving for one reason or another.

On the Celtics side, you would be blind if you didn’t notice that KG, Ray Allen and Garnett looked like their legs simply left them during the last 2 games.  And Doc Rivers has already said he wants to spend more time with his family.  I guess you can’t blame him knowing that re-building is around the corner for the Celtics.

Happy trails…

So here’s to game 7’s with guys in green bumping and grinding it out with guys in yellow.  Unless LeBron decides to sign with the Celtics I’m afraid it might be awhile until we see it again.  But it was sure fun while it lasted.

A New York Superbowl in February

The big news today is that the NFL will be hosting the 2014 Super Bowl in New York.  At first I thought this was a joke.  I mean really – who would have believed they would have the Super Bowl being played in an outdoor stadium in the northeastern United States in February?

Apparently closed minded folks like me lost out on this debate. That won’t keep me from complaining though.

Top 5 Reasons Why the NFL Goofed:

1. Who wants to sit outdoors ANYWHERE north of the mason Dixon line in February unless you are a Packers fan?
2. Watching guys who can barely grip the football is not entertaining
3. The Super Bowl is the NFL’s biggest stage.  Do they really want to make their premier players look like goobers?
4. The cold weather and snow only detract from what these incredible athletes can do.
5. We like offense.  I doubt anyone will be running up the score if they can barely hold the ball.

Northern friends please don’t take offense!

Yes I live in New Orleans but my disapproval of the New York Superbowl has nothing to do with southern pride or anything of the sort.  It’s about wanting to watch entertaining football and seeing the 2 best teams the NFL has perform their best.

I’m sorry – but if the temperature is below freezing and there is sleet, ice or snow around you can’t convince me that the NFL players will look and play like elite athletes in those conditions.  Actually they look like us stumbling around and trying to get a handle on things.

And at the end of the day – that’s not what the Superbowl is supposed to be about.

Maybe we’ll get lucky

Well since the decision is made I guess we have no choice but to hope for the best and think of the possibilities.  And I can think of 2 scenarios that might make this decision look like a good one:

1. Packers vs. Bills in the Superbowl that year; or
2. Global warming makes it a balmy 40 degrees at kickoff with sunny skies