FanNation - The Republic of Sport

    Today I'm playing taps during the blog because the 2007-08 Cleveland Cavaliers season is over. After a shocking 97-93 loss, the Cavs are done for the year. Now first, the game. People are begin to put that duel between LeBron James and Paul Pierce on the level of that old Larry Bird-Dominique Wilkins battle. And you know what, they're right. Sure, Paul Pierce probably won't be a Hall-of-Famer like Nique and Larry Legend are, but LeBron could be better than either was. LeBron put up 44 points, while Paul Pierce put up 40. This duel was amazing, but what really made it so good is that absolutely nothing was put up by the other 8 players on the floor. The third highest scorer had 14 points. It was a total 1 on 1 game. And it was awesome.

    But also, the Cavs lost. Whose fault is this? LeBron's? Yeah, right. The main stat line shows that only Delonte West, looking like the steal of the century, was the only other one to put up anything. I think this really shows why the Cavs are still not contenders. Let's face it: nobody can win with one star. Look at the last couple champions: the Spurs had Duncan ALONG WITH Tony Parker and Manu or David Robinson. The Pistons had 4 stars. The Heat had DWade and Shaq. The Lakers had Kobe and Shaq. The Bulls had Pippen and Jordan. Should I go on? I don't care if your LeBron James, Michael Jordan, or a monster from Space Jam, you can't win a title in the NBA by yourself. It just won't happen. And while I love Delonte West and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, they are purely 2nd rate players. The Cavs need to go for star or bust: trade whoever or whatever just to acquire another star. Danny Ferry has to get on it, because if he doesn't, LeBron will just be the next Karl Malone and not the next MJ.

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    Jon Lester became the 18th pitcher in Red Sox history to pitch a no hitter. The no-no came against the Royals (who figured?) and was yet another great pitching performance by this great young talent. Lester only let up 2 walks in his no-hitter, at Fenway Park. But let's not forget Jon Lester's story. Just 2 years ago, Lester was diagnosed with cancer. He battled through this terrible disease and is now a starter for the Sox again. I just want to be the first to say, bravo, Jon Lester, you've been through a lot. You deserve it.

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    Last night, Mets 1B Carlos Delgado hit what looked to be a home run in the New York Mets win over the New York Yankees. The shot hit the foul pole, the 3rd base ump twirled his finger, Delgado trotted around the bases. Then Home Plate umpire Bob Davidson had to butt in and overrule the call. Instead of leaving it up to the the ump WITH THE BEST VIEW OF THE HIT to call it, Davidson called it a foul ball. But video replays showed that the home run cleary hit the foul pole on the black part, but above the fence, which would make it a home run. now, don't ask me why part of the Mets' foul pole is painted black, but the scuff mark on the pole showed that it hit it. And the umps blew the call. Which brings up an interesting topic....

    Do we need instant replay in baseball? Every other sport has it, but why not the MLB? Because of tradition. And that's dumb. Now, I agree that Questec was essentially like a Christian converting to Satanism, but there are times for the technology. How about just for home runs? You could judge if a fan reached over the fence, or if the homer hit jsut below, the line, or whatever. A team would only have 2 challenges a game, and the ump could just go off to the side, look at the play once, and make THE RIGHT CALL! That's what it's all about, and there's no reason not to. Call me a baseball heretic, I don't care.

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    Since the NBA Draft Lottery is tommorow, and I've never seen one of these on FanNation, here is my mock draft lottery. And yes, I told you so.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

2. Miami Heat

3. Los Angeles Clippers

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    The Pittsburgh Penguins won yesterday over the Philadelphia Phlyers to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. Just 5 years ago, the team was on the verge of bankruptcy, and now what? Stanley Cup bound, baby. And thank you, Mario. You just saved a franchise.

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And finally, my fondest memory of the NBA Draft Lottery. It was a hot May day in 2003, I was sitting in the bleachers at Jacobs Field, watching the Tribe play. We got the tickets for 5 bucks by turning in old Pepsi cans, but I digress. A man with a radio erupts "WE GOT LEBRON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". 5000 fans explode into random cheers, with the Tribe players confused. Fireworks go off from Gund Arena, and at the half inning, they show the clip of the ping pong balls on the scoreboard. I've never been so happy in my life.

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    Well, that's all for today. Have a happy Tuesday, and now, we return you to your regularly scheduled programming.