The Miami Heat Make it to the NBA Finals:

Congrats to the Heat for making it to the NBA Finals. As much as I dislike Shaq, I have to admit that when it mattered he showed up and played some big games. It's going to be tough for me to root for Shaq because I picked Kobe as my rooting interest when the breakup happened. How about Dwayne Wade? What a player! Who would have guessed that he would be the first to reach the NBA Finals. Also give credit to Pat Riley for putting this team together and trusting a bunch of guys who were failures everywhere else. When I first heard that Riley traded a team that was one rib injury away from the finals last year for players like Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and James Posey, I thought they would finish third in the East (I picked Indiana to win the East but Artest had to be Artest). Looks like Riley really knew what he was doing when he took those guys and assigned them a role.

Does Shaq make the next best player great:
the argument that Shaq makes the next best player even better is one that is hard to break down in such a short period of time. Penny Hardaway had knee injuries so you can't compare it. Two years removed, Kobe Bryant looks like he is doing just fine without Shaq. Would Dwayne Wade be this good without Shaq on his team? Wade sure showed signs of being a great player in his rookie season during the playoffs where he single handidly carried the Heat to a playoff series victory. In order to judge this question, I suggest this, Would the heat be in the finals without Wade? Would the Heat be in the finals without Shaq? Replace Wade with an average 2-guard and keep the same team, what happens? I think the Heat make the playoffs but do not get passed the first round. What if the Heat replaced Shaq with an average center, would they be in the finals? I think they would be in the playoffs and MIGHT win the first series, but not the finals. With all the arguments that people make that Shaq made Penny and Kobe who they are, I think you can equally argue that those players made it a lot easier for Shaq to be Shaq. Hard to compare it since Shaq has never played without a top 10 (during the seasons, not all-time) on his team. Sorry Shaq, as good as you were, a lot was due to Penny and Kobe.

Lance Armstrong did not like riding towards the end of his career:
In a recent interview with Men's Health, Lance said he hated riding towards the end of his career. One of America's most celebrated celebs hated riding, how great is that? That's like Jordan coming out and saying he hated playing the last three rings and wished it was over. Keep things like this to yourself Lance. How about the steroid question? There is more information regarding Lance allegedly taking 'roids than Barry Bonds. Why are we not calling out Lance as much as Barry? Could the color of his skin play a role in that, yes. Every time the casual sports fan hears Barry Bonds they think of 'roids while Lance's name brings up an American hero. Not saying the media says, "oh we need to roast Barry because he is black" but it seems as if they are a lot tougher with Barry and the 'roids scandal.


Ricky Williams rushes for 7-yards:
Only if coaches and trainers were stricter with Ricky. He could have gone down as a top five RB of all time. Now he might go down as the best RB that never could hold off an addiction.

Mavs v Suns, game 6:
I have the Suns winning this game by at least 10. Dirk went nuts in game 5, he must have been watching Bay Watch with his boy David "Hassle-I cry during American Idol-hoff" before the game. The Suns are an amazing team when facing elimination. They came back from the 3-1 hole against the Kobe's and won game 7 against the Clips. Dallas get ready for Game 7.

World Cup Hype:
Less than a week away and no one is talking about the most exciting sporting event in the world! I know soccer is a "puss sport" or a "pansy game" but I challenge you to watch some matches next week and say that after your viewing. Soccer players do act a lot and throw fits but with the World Cup all of the sissy players are at home while the best of the best are playing for their nation. I encourage you to watch the World Cup and root on the USA team. Everyone loves an underdog story, the USA might be the best one.

UT Softball falls to Arizona:
Cat Osterman gave up a run and the Longhorns lost. The horns play tomorrow night against the winner of UCLA/Alabama. The horns have to win every single game from here on out until the final series. Cat Osterman has one more chance to win it all, good luck.