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The NBA season ended Thursday (June 20) with the Miami Heat defeating the San Antonio 95-88 in a climactic Game 7. As opposed to an anti-climactic Game 7 in a best-of-seven series? LeBron James had 37 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, which won its second consecutive title. It’s right about here in almost any conversation — other than among a group consisting entirely of Heat fans — that a fair (or unfair) number of people start demeaning James. It also is right about here (or maybe sooner) that some folks start demeaning the NBA. Because the NHL is better. Which we all know is true false true false open to debate.
IS it too soon for these Miami Heat dancers to think about a three-peat in 2014? Credit: David Alvarez / Miami Heat
* Michael Jordan or LeBron James? For those inclined to argue about this, a reminder: Never show a fool a job half-done. Or however far James might be into his career. Yes, Michael Jordan has six NBA titles to James’ two. Something says that even if James should approach former Boston Celtics center Bill Russell’s 11, some people will blast James. Of course, if James decides to become a free agent and sign with the Bulls to win a few more titles, the sentiment might change among more than a few Bulls fans.
* For the record, Michael Jordan won his first NBA crown in 1991, when he was 28. It was his seventh season in the NBA. LeBron James won his first NBA crown in 2012, when he was 27. It was his ninth season in the NBA. So it took James longer to win a tite, but he did so at a younger age. Meaning? Meaning a title next season and he has a three-peat, an achievement that enjoyed twice in accumulating six titles and six Finals MVP awards. James has two.
* NBA vs. NHL. This is fairly simple. If you enjoy the NBA, great. If you enjoy the NHL, great. If you enjoy both, evne greater. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other. Enjoy what you enjoy and move on. You have to bash the other league to elevate the one you like? Sounds a bit insecure. OK, more than a bit.
* Speaking of players who have their share of haters, there’s Carlos Marmol. The Cubs closer, who is the object of more derision (and that’s generally on a good day) by some Cub fans on more than an occasional basis, pitched a scoreless inning to lower his earned-run average to 5.86, as the Cubs lost 6-1. Thought you’d be thrilled.
It would seem to be time for these Miami Heat dancers to hit the beach.
The choice for television viewing Thursday was either Game 7 of the NBA Finals or the Cubs-Cardinals game. So, of course, I opted to journey to Burr Ridge and the Capri restaurant for a party that served as prelude to Bo Jackson’s Give Me a Chance Foundation celebrity golf tournament. Lisa E was emcee for the event and did a terrific job, as usual.
The former baseball and footbal star was in fine form in welcoming patrons to the event and also in fine form in some impromptu dancing. Cue the video:
The June 20 edition of “Sports & Torts” with co-hosts David Spada and Elliott Harris is in the Talkzone.com vaults — or whereve the fine folks there put podcasts. The most recent show featured Chicago Bears icon Mike Ditka and 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Curley Culp, who achieved stardom as a defensive lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Oilers.
To access the show, you can click here.
Here is where we go for our daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the ever-vigilant, hard-working editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com — and the fact that they don’t know the meaning of “gratuitous,” among a slew of other ones):
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