So today is the day where we get back the sport that makes it seem as if the MLB season is too short, basketball. Tonight’s showdown between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics wil begin with the Heat having their ring ceremony and handing LeBron James his first (not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven) championship ring. And while everyone is saying that this is the beginning of him basically owning the next 10 titles, let’s hold off before just handing out the greatest ever title.
James won his only championship in a strike shortened season. You know what other team was able to accomplish that but never won again? The Atlanta Braves. A strike shortened season had the Heat, a very young team, playing every other night, and these guys had the gas to do it. But veteran teams like the the Celtics and Lakers had their teams finally break down at the end of the year because of the rigorous schedule. The time to gameplan was taken away.
Side note: I am convinced in a normal season Boston would have won last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. There is no way after watching Boston destroy that team, that you could convince me the Heat were better.
My point about bringing up the Braves is that they had the greatest pitching staff ever assembled, won exactly one title, and consistently choked in the playoffs. Sound familiar? That was the exact same rap James had. And when people talk about the Braves, no one talks about the one they won, it’s all about the undelivered expectations. And I have a feeling after James’ career is over, we’ll feel the same way about him.
Top five games you can bet on this week:
5. Green Bay Packers (-11) over Arizona Cardinals
I will take any line over the Cardinals for the rest of the year.
4. Detroit Lions (-3.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars
And to think this could’ve been a TimTebow/Matthew Stafford college throwback game.
3. Denver Broncos (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals
Quietly Peyton Manning is heading towards his most productive season ever.
2. Atlanta Falcons (-4) over Dallas Cowboys
Matt Ryan on pace for MVP, Tony Romo not so much.
1. San Diego Chargers (-7.5) over Kansas City Chiefs
You lock it up.
This week: 4-1
The season: 17-17-1
SeriouslyPowerRankings
5. Chicago Bears (6-1)
My NFC picks looking great, the Chiefs, not so much.
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)
It doesn’t take much to make the Cardinals look bad.
3. New York Giants (5-2)
A little luck and this team is undefeated in Jerry World, incredible.
2. Houston Texans (6-1)
1-0 over the bye week.
1. Atlanta Falcons (7-0)
Six consecutive weeks without a Michael Turner DUI!