Manu Ginobili goes up for a reverse layup. AP/Photo Paul Sancya 

Spurs Clinch NBA Title

How about the resiligence of the San Antonio Spurs? These guys played their hearts out in a thrilling series and so did the Pistons. The only difference is the Spurs won the championship after slipping away from their opponents with a minute to go in Game 7. The clutch performances from Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili fueled the team's offense and helped carry them the distance. Robert Horry's timely key shots down the stretch turned out to be a huge factor too. The Spurs won their 3rd championship title in the last 7 years. They proved their strength and depth could outlast the young, strong Phoenix Suns team they left in the dust in the playoffs. With all the highlights, thrills, surprises, and fab superstars this season has been memorable. There will be some off season trades and acquisitions with Larry Brown's existence with a new team laying in the balance. Hopefully he can go to Cleveland to help make the Cavs a much better team while instilling a greater leadership role in the amazing Lebron James. That's it for the 2004-05 season, look for better things to come in the league with new, emerging young players.

Tim Duncan celebrates win in Game 5. AP/Photo Paul Sancya 

Spurs Prevail in Game 5

Up 3-2 the San Antonio Spurs are feeling confident preparing to head back home to clinch the NBA title. The Pistons will have their say in the matter, unwilling to fall victim in Game 6. Tim Duncan came off a much improved shooting performance last night, scoring in double figures while grabbing 19 rebounds. That's impressive for the Finals. With the game extended into overtime, everyone knew it was going to be close. Robert Horry's big time three with under 6 seconds to go sealed the victory. Look for Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups to emerge as the top scorers for the remainder of the series for Detroit. Rasheed Wallace will have need to keep a cool head, playing controlled basketball while Big Ben continues to display his defensive prowess and have huge rebounding games. Coaches, Greg Popolvich and Larry Brown's strategies may become similar, but they'll both look to pull out a sneaky strategy late in the game to give their team an edge. This has definitely been a thrilling series to watch and it can only get better.

NBA Championship

2005 has seen some changes in the NBA: The Lakers struggling as a team, Kobe feuding with Shaq, the Cavailers hiring a new coach, Dwayne Wade getting injured in the playoffs, and the Pistons returning to the Finals. The Spurs are up 2-1 against the Pistons in the Finals. The two teams appear to match up equally, with all around star players on both squads. Duncan is the key man for San Antonio. Coming off a dismal scoring performance in Game 3, the Spurs will look for him to give them a lift. Detroit is tough at home with the passionate, raucous home crowd fully behind them. The momentum is in their favor, but when they return to San Antonio it will be a different game. Their plans will change especially their defensive strategies. Coach Larry Brown, I'm sure will have some tricks up in his sleeve, pulling out special set plays during crunch time. Rip Hamilton shot lights outs Tuesday night in Auburn Hills. His offense as well as Chauncey Billups will be a major factor in the final two games of the series. If Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to put up numbers scoring, it will relieve pressure from Duncan. It's the NBA Finals though, everything can happen.

Yankees, Mystified By Sheets

It looks as if the tables have turned on the New York Yankees. No longer are they the best team in baseball. Milwakee's Ben Sheets pitched a gem Tuesday evening against the Yanks, going seven innings and only allowing 2 hits. That was outstanding for the lineup he was facing. With the loss New York falls to 28-30, the same record as the Brewers. Who would have thought the mighty Yankees would be under .500 at this point in the season? George Steinbreiner is pissed off with his team's performance thus far and may have a heart attack right in his luxury box before mid-way through the season. It goes to show people that all the money in the world can't buy success, you have to earn it. So cry me a freaking river Yankee fans and accept failure for once in your lives. I'm a Cubs fan so I'm quite familiar with the experience. The bright spot for New York though has been Alex Rodriguez. Already with 17 homeruns, he is proving why he is a leader on the team. He comes to the ballpark ready to play to his fullest everyday.

The Yankees for the moment trail the Orioles and the Red Sox in the East. They've got some catching up to do, but it's still early in the season. Anything can happen in the coming months. Wouldn't it be embarrassing though if the Yankees didn't win the division and had to actually worry about clinching a wild card birth? That would be entertaining, seeing the Yanks sweat bullets on the field and players like Jason Giambi, Kevin Brown, or Gary Sheffield dread the thought of Steinbreiner firing them on the spot. The chances of such an event happening are slim. Trades will be made if the Yankees continue to struggle as Steinbreiner will try to acquire more of the best talent in baseball. If that is the case, hopefully it won't put the team over the top again. Until then, may the Yanks continue their sub par season while stinking up the league in rare form.

Game 7 Finale Set In Miami

The NBA Playoffs have been exciting so far. The Heat and Pistons series is coming down to the wire. Tied 3 games apiece the two teams have been evenly matched. Dwayne Wade's injury has set Miami back quite a bit, but they're still got an all around team to pick up the slack. Wade is supposed to be ready for Game 7 and many hope will be healthy enough to put on a great scoring performance. Shaq's minutes on the court will be valuable. He's got to be productive and not get into foul trouble early in the game. Hitting more than 50% of his free throws at the line will weigh large as well. Rip Hamilton will try to put on a shooting clinic while the Wallace boys will look to smother the inside on defense, pulling down the boards. Rasheed's offensive presence will be needed. If he can get hot, it might free up more shot opportunities for Chauncy Billups and Tayshaun Prince. Defense I think though will be the key to winning. How well the Pistons can contain Shaq will be a major factor contributor the final outcome. Watch out for Wade, with enough energy and strength in his legs the game may be in Miami's favor. Whatever happens, it's most likely going to be a close game. The winner will go on to play the Spurs in the NBA championship.

Dwayne Wade drives past Ben Wallace on the way to the basket.