Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?

May 6, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik 1 Comment

Hawks Cavaliers Basketball The Cleveland Cavaliers dismantled the Atlanta Hawks last night, 99-72, in what will likely be a four-game sweep. This win was impressive on so many levels. Before even getting to LeBron and the steady offense of the Cavs, let’s look at the defense, which is what really wins championships.

Atlanta entered yesterday’s game averaging 87.3 points per game in their first round series. So holding them to 72 points is very impressive, especially considering the Hawks didn’t shoot that badly (28 of 64 – 43.8%). However, the Cavs forced 17 turnovers, including 12 steals. The game was close at halftime at 49-44, but then Cleveland amped up the defense. Atlanta only had 28 points in the entire second half. Wow.

We saw with the Celtics last year that defense wins championships. With Cleveland holding opponents to just 76.8 points per game, they are well on their way to bringing an NBA Championship home.

Now, to the part of the Cavs that really is anyone watches. LeBron James. He just won his first MVP award and continues to prove just how good he is. He played just 34 minutes in the win yesterday and scored 34 easy points. He shot just 20 shots, making 12 of them, and was 8 of 9 from the free throw line. He grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and had 4 steals. All in a night’s work. Best of all, he made it look easy. Continue reading “Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?” →

Capitals vs. Penguins Can Get Better

May 5, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik 1 Comment

APTOPIX Penguins Capitals Hockey What’s better than Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby facing off in a playoff series? How about both of them scoring hat tricks in the same game?

Yes, that happened last night and it really is an extraordinary event. Hat tricks aren’t that uncommon. They occur maybe a couple times a month in the regular season and every once in a while in the post-season. But two in the same game by arguably the two best players in hockey? That is something special.

The Capitals took the game 4-3 and lead the series 2-0, but now Washington most leave their home town and head out to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins’ fans will surely be ready. If this series heads back to the capital tied at two games a piece, get ready to start talking about the greatest series ever.

For that to happen though, Evgeni Malkin must step up. Crosby and him are the soul of this team. Without one, the Pens don’t stand a chance against the Capitals. Malkin must make his presence known, both physically and on the scoreboard. The other two stars in this series have four goals each. Malkin? Zero.

Hockey fans are so excited for this series, because of what it can become. A heavy-weight showdown between the league’s best. But that isn’t guaranteed to happen. The Capitals could easily enter Pittsburgh, win a game, and head home and lock the series up. That would be such a disappointing end to a series with such possibilities. Continue reading “Capitals vs. Penguins Can Get Better” →

Message to Serena: Shut Up

May 4, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik Leave a comment

Serena Williams commented today, “Quite frankly, I’m the best in the world”. Cocky a little? Oh wait. YOU’RE NOT EVEN RANKED NUMBER ONE! That title goes to Dinara Safina, who has won 4 titles and reached 10 finals in the last year. The rankings don’t lie Serena. They aren’t some made-up system rigged to make you fail.

The player ranked number one is number one. End of story. You can think that you’re the best in the world all you want, but until you actually are number one, keep your mouth shut. Let’s be honest: women’s tennis has a small enough audience as it is and arrogant comments like these just send more fans away. If I were to watch women’s tennis (and I would have to be forced to), I want to watch women who I actually like, because I’d rather watch curling than two obnoxious women huffing and puffing across the court only to put out a game far worse in quality then the men.

But wait. It gets even better. Serena has bigger plays too. She’s going to write a screenplay. Yes, you heard that correctly. The women who has already spent time in fashion, designing, and acting, is picking up another new hobby. She can do everything. How about a presidential bid in 2012?

It’d be one thing if she were going to write an autobiography, because there have been hundreds of athletes who have done that. “No. A screenplay. Nothing is impossible,” says the egotistical tennis star. You can write a screenplay all you want. That is possible. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it never hits the stage. I’m going to say it never even reaches a director’s hands. You play tennis. You’re number two (SECOND-best in the world) in the world. Stick to what you know. Maybe if you focus on tennis, you will find yourself number one and be able to back up these foolish comments. Until then though, kindly be quiet and let the women’s tennis world continue to bumble around in the emptiness that is its fanbase.