Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Two quick observations about the playoffs (yes Boston fans, there actually is an NBA & NHL post-season):
I don’t know if the Mavericks survive Game 6 of their fantastic series with Golden State, but Dirk Nowitzki may have salvaged his reputation in the last 3-minutes of Game 5. With his coach calling him out, with national writers like Bill Simmons justifiably questioning his soon-to-be MVP award, and with his Dallas team down 9-points, Nowitzki erupted for 12-consecutive points to lead the Mavericks to victory. I had joined everyone in jumping off Dirk’s bandwagon. I may have jumped a bit too soon!
On the frozen pond, I caught a good chunk of the Sharks-Wings Game 3, in which Joe Thornton looked like a man amongst boys. I don’t know if it’s the funky blue colored jersey, but he just looks so much bigger than he did in Black and Gold, and he just glides across the ice with the opposition unable to do much against him. The game turned when San Jose started double-shifting last year's MVP, which kept Detroit’s checking line off him and seemed to energize Jumbo Joe. Watching it all was like another kick in the groin to this pained Bruins fan.
What do you folks think of the playoffs so far? Do Nowitzki and the Mavs survive the outlaw Warriors? Can Thornton carry the Sharks to the Cup and rub more salt in B’s fans’ wounds?
Comments (8)
Teddy Nowitki and Thornton will both lead their respective teams all the way to the TOP! With the Mavs and the Sharks having Superstars like that how can they go wrong? Way to go Harry Sinden thanks for letting the Bruins BEST player since Ray Bourque go.
Shappy
Posted by Shappy | May 3, 2007 12:21 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 00:21
Well as probably the ONLY person in New England that has not missed more than like two or three games of the Stanley Cup playoffs I can say I have been absolutely loving every minute of it!!
I said before that I think Bruins-West aka San Jose has a great shot of being the Western representative in the finals, but I'm still sticking with Buffalo to win it all.
If Thornton were to win the Cup - this Bruin fan would stand up and applaud him, just as I did for Bourque.
Posted by Gayle | May 3, 2007 1:07 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 01:07
JOE's the main reason I can't watch much NHL playoff hockey. I'm afraid to watch him dominate play in another uniform. Although I'm happy for him that he doesn't have to waste his talents over for the Jacobs druthers.
I met him at Logan airport when he was a rookie and seemed to be a really good kid. Another reason it's such a big loss for local hockey fans. Not only an MVP type player, but he was a good role model.
Posted by T2 | May 3, 2007 10:01 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 10:01
As another rabid hockey fan. I'm enjoying the playoffs. However, I picked the Rangers to go all the way - Sorry Gayle!
JJ was just not working in Boston and we all knew it. Sometimes just a new scenery helps a player find his game again AKA Clemens, Ortiz
Good luck to JOE..The mayor wants to throw a parade!
Posted by MaLockFan | May 3, 2007 11:28 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 11:28
Too many good teams in the west of the NBA to think the Mavs will come out of it after being tested like this in the first round. I have to think Phoenix is the favorite out west. Dirk has shown he can play when the chips are down but I don't think he's got a whole lot of support unlike his old buddy Steve Nash.
I can't see the Sharks winning it all. I think the Senators will bring the Cup back to Canada. Once they polish off the Devils they should make fairly quick work out of either the Sabres or the Rangers. In the West I don't think the Sharks would be able to get by either the Ducks or Canucks (will most likely be the Ducks) - I'm not conviced the Sharks will even get by the Red Wings... Whoever comes out of that West final will have been through such a war that the winner of the East should beat them in 6.
Posted by dboisver | May 3, 2007 1:02 PM
Posted on May 3, 2007 13:02
JJ was not working in Boston? Oh come on! The guy had scoring titles while he was here and they still couldn't win. I don't think this was a Roger Clemens situation, this was a BAD move, period. O'Connel should be banned from hockey.
On another note, can you guys beleive the Pats got MOSS? I still can't beleive it! ! !
Posted by T2 | May 3, 2007 3:08 PM
Posted on May 3, 2007 15:08
I'm sorry T2 but when exactly did Jumbo Joe win a scoring title in Boston? That's right he never did.
The first and only year he won the Art Ross was last year when the majority of his season was played in San Jose.
Posted by Gayle | May 3, 2007 4:01 PM
Posted on May 3, 2007 16:01
Dirk Diggler sure stepped up in the elimination game. NOT. He threw up not stepped up.
Posted by MadDog Mike | May 4, 2007 1:15 AM
Posted on May 4, 2007 01:15