Shifting Gears

Time out from politics.  Let's talk sports.

It was nice to see the Pacers take care of the Knicks this weekend.  Got to admit I was a little concerned that George Hill's concussion was going to end up allowing the Knicks to force a game 7 back at MSG.  Happily my concerns were unnecessary.  The Knicks had their 3rd quarter run and grabbed the lead for a bit, and I admit to thinking, "Here we go". 

The Pacers were not going to be denied, and it seemed to me they understood well that they couldn't afford to let the series go to a seventh game.  I actually rather enjoyed seeing Steven A Smith after the game looking like his puppy just got run over.  He predictably blamed the officials, then dismissed the awesome Hibbert block of Carmelo at the rim with a laughable "The guy's 7'2" - He's supposed to block shots.  It wasn't that big of a play!".  OK, Steve, go ahead and believe that.

Today's funny story is that some sports guy misquoted Frank Vogel in an obvious attempt to get Lebron riled up.  It worked.  Lebron's riled up because he thinks Vogel said the Heat is "just another team".  Silliness.

Is there any way the Pacers will get past the Heat to get into the Finals?  Sure I hope so.  If only to see the egg on the faces of virtually every ESPN commentator who are absolutely certain the Heat will win.

In the meantime, the Blackhawks are tied 1-1 with Detroit.  I'm surprised that the Hawks allowed the Red Wings to blow them out at home in game 2.  Somehow I think they'll be OK in the long run.  It doesn't seem likely that this deep, talented, and dominating team is going to let the geriatric gang from Detroit bounce them from the playoffs early. 

I'm waiting for Toews to find his game - its strange that he's pretty much been shut out in the playoffs.  Whether or not number 19 gets back into the scoring column matters less than the Hawks finding a way as a team to re-establish themselves as the best team in the NHL and eventually carry off the Stanley Cup.