Sports Apathy

Forgive me for sportsing for a moment--I really haven't sportsed on here very often--so if you feel so inclined to not read this because of sportsing, then by all means: Don't.

If you appreciate my opinion on sports, then you'll likely appreciate what I have to say about the NBA finals that are currently taking place between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. So far, only two games have taken place, but a lot has happened in those two games that is probably making the betting public go insane. That's more of an objective point of view. What you may be seeing on ESPN and other sports avenues is considerably more of a subjective point of view that get people, who probably haven't watched much of the series at all, talking about the series like they know how the game is being played. Before I continue, I want to point out that I have not watched ESPN in a couple years. I got really sick of it. With that said, I became very used to how it tells sports news, so I'm going to do my best at making pretend I know how they construed the games (kinda just like they do). So, without further adieu, let me shed some light on the series to this point, since I have watched all 106 minutes of game play thus far:

1. Game 1: What ESPN (probably) said: A relative back and forth battle. Lebron was terrible down the stretch. If not for that missed shot at the end of the game Kyrie Irving would have never been hurt, and the Cavs would have a chance to win. Curry and Thompson shined in OT, and the Warriors defense shut the Cavs down.

What I'm saying: Lebron James scored 44 pts. Yes, he did miss a buzzer beater at the end of the 4th quarter--the attempt was pretty awful, too--but he actually played pretty great throughout the game. The loss should not be blamed on him. His team could have performed better in front of him. Kyrie Irving getting hurt had little to do with the Cavs losing. The Warriors wanted it more, and the Warriors took it, because they're the Warriors. Overall, great playoff basketball from both teams. The better team won.

2. Game 2 Preview (Days Leading Up): What ESPN (probably) said: There's no way the Cavs win the series now. Without Kyrie Irving, this Cavs team is super vulnerable. Lebron James will have to be stupendous, and his team will have to give the ball to "The King" the whole game, because, well, he's "The King." Oh, and the Warrios will be playing with their whole roster, so they should win. in 4 or 5 games.

What I was saying (in conversation wit my dad):
Me (about our bets we made on Golden State winning in 6 or 7): Well, it's looking like trouble for us. Definitely a catastrophic loss to the Cavs now that they're down Irving.
Dad: Yeah, it's not looking good at all. The good news is that Owners want their teams to keep playing.
Me: What do you mean?
Dad: Well, the more games they play, the more revenue the owners get for their stadiums and teams, and the more jobs they're able to keep on for a little longer.
Me: Hmm, I never thought of it like that. You don't think a team would intentionally throw a game in the finals for those reasons, do you?
Dad: I would hope not, but I really wouldn't put it past them.
Me: Yeah, I see your point. After all, this is the entertainment industry.

3. (Me now watching the pre-game show)
Basically, everyone expects the Golden State Warriors to win this game and for the Cavs to win 1 game at home the rest of the way, with the Warriors eventually winning the series in 5. I agreed with almost all of their analysis from D-Wade to Collins. Barring some crazy injury to the Warriors, the Cavs were done for.

4. Watching game 2: This is the worst professional basketball I have seen in a long time. Golden State doesn't even look like they're trying, and yet they're still in striking distance. I guess they made Clay Thompson the designated scorer for this game. Steph Curry wants to keep throwing up circus shots like this is an And1 tournament. And I know FOR A FACT that is NOT how he has played THIS WHOLE SEASON.

The commentators are constantly talking about Lebron as if he's the next coming of Christ, and yet his team is hanging on by the skin of their teeth. "DID YOU SEE THAT PASS?!" Guys, it was a pass. Let's not forget the 3 pointer that was sunk on the other end of it by Shephard.

Oh, hey, look at that. With 3 minutes left to play in the 4th quarter, the Warriors decided that they all want to play. They storm back from 11 points down--easily, might I add--to send the game into OT. It seems inevitable now that the Cavs lose.

Welp, I'm wrong again, the Warriors come out flat looking like they did in the first half, and lose OT. It got exciting there again with about 2 minutes left in the OT as Thompson for the Warriors sank some m ore 3s. Cavs win. The better team DID NOT win this game. The Warriors GAVE the Cavs that game. Looks like my dad was right about them throwing games.

If you or anyone thinks that Lebron James and the Cavs are going to win this series, then you must also still believe in Fairytales and Santa Claus. You're disillusioned.

That said, it would be great if the Warriors could give the Cavs just one more game. Just one more. Is that so much to ask?

-PatInTheHat