May 11, 1972May 11, 1972 - On this day 46 years ago, the Boston Bruins defeated the New York Rangers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals to win their 5th championship in team history.
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By Vaquan Bullard
Over the past decade the entertainment value of watching an NBA All Star Game has increasingly devalued. What was once viewed as the ultimate battle between the east and west NBA superstars, has now turned into a pickup game of who can toss the most alley oops without playing defense. Although the spectacle of All Star Weekend remains, the competitive morale has been very nonexistent. With the highlight of the entire game being the introductions of each prospective roster, most wonder how the NBA could possibly bring back the competitive play in these games. The big worry in playing "competitively" in this game would be the high risk of injury, as most NBA players see All Star Weekend as being a rest period after months of constant games. With the All Star Game being at the halfway point of the season, it is easy to understand why players may have a slight fear of injury. Over the past couple years of All Star games we've witnessed teams nearly score 200 points in a single game, we've seen numerous dunks and 3 point attempts, and we've seen the infamous lack of defense. Recently, the NBA has changed the rules of the All Star Game, which will no longer be a East vs West battle of conference supermacy. The NBA has now stated that the All Star Game roster will be determined by a fantasy like draft. Two captains will now draft their teams from a pool of selected starters and reservists. So yes, there is a chance that LeBron could team up with KD, or Westbrook or Steph Curry. On paper, this does sound great for NBA fans, but still, what does this do for the competitiveness of the game? In my opinion, this will only hurt the issue of competition in the All Star Game. LeBron playing side to side with his supposed rivals does not translate well for some NBA fans. A head to head battle between conferences is what NBA fans want to see in a All Star Game. The inclusion of fantasy teams will only make the competition more irrelevant. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith gave a perfect example towards this rule change, he explained that players compete harder in summer league games opposed to playing in the All Star Game. He noted that even with an higher risk for injury in summer games, players still believe that the All Star Game is the major injury risk. I believe that the NBA's main objective with the All Star Game is to focus on the competitive drive during the game. It may seem difficult for the players to agree on it, but over time the viewership and entertainment value of the All Star Game will soon take a hit. -By Vaquan Bullard
With the NBA off-season approaching it's near end, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves as being the team who may see themselves crumble right before their eyes. After a lost in the NBA Finals against a juggernaut Golden State Warriors, it seemed that the Cavs would add on some high power this summer to compete with Golden State once more, but that plan looks as if it will be put on hold. News broke out that Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was unhappy in his current role and would like to be traded where he could be labeled as the "star player." Shockingly, after 3 consecutive Finals appearances, in which he missed the 2015 series, most would question why Irving would want to leave a championship team, could it be the fear of getting stuck in LeBron's shadow or does Kyrie feel that leaving would be the best option for his future? Here are some of the goods and bads for Kyrie..... GOOD • After years of improvement from his earlier years before LeBron, it could be a opportunity to help build up and lead a younger team for future success. • The "LeBron Shadow" is lifted. If LeBron does to decide to leave Cleveland at the conclusion of the '17-'18 season, it gives Kyrie a chance to not become stuck in the LeBron legacy shadow that has shown to pressure tons of teams/players over the years. •Chance to join a team that is already built for success, but is just missing one focal piece of the team. • Possibility of becoming the "Star Player" for that respective team (Miami, Phoenix, New York, etc.) BAD • Chances of making it to the NBA Finals again drop, tremendously. • No guarantee that the team he lands on is looking to make him their star player. • Lose out on playing with LeBron James......... VERDICT So in conclusion, although the good outweighs the bad in this situation, the effects from the bad make a whole lot more of a significance. After the Cavs signed former MVP Derrick Rose to a 1 year deal, its looks that Cleveland is either gearing to do battle for a title or gearing to give Kyrie his wish. FOLLOW F.A.V SportsTalk June 15, 2017 - On this day 13 years ago, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 1 in the 2004 NBA Finals to win their 3rd championship in team history.
June 11, 2012 - On this day 5 years ago, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals to win their 1st championship in team history.
June 9, 1978 - On this day 39 years ago, Larry Holmes defeated Ken Norton by split decision to win the WBC Heavyweight title.
Warriors rally late in the 4tht to upset Cavaliers, take 3-0 lead. Back in Cleveland after 2 straight losses on Golden State's home court, the Cleveland Cavaliers would need a perfect game plan if they wanted any chance of fighting back in the NBA Finals. Averaging a triple-double so far in the series, LeBron James looked to lead his team to yet another Finals comeback, but inconsistent play from his teammates would make that task very difficult. With a sold out Quicken Loans Arena, the energy was up and the game was ready to begin. Within the first 5 minutes after tip off, the Cavaliers were displaying better defense and play execution than they have in the first 2 games. Scoring wise for Cleveland, LeBron James led with 39 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, continuing his terrific play in these Finals. Behind James, Kyrie Irving produced tremendously for the Cavs, finishing the night with 38 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while also showing some magician like ball handle. Irving's scoring in the 3rd quarter helped the Cavs jump out to a steady lead, and even some highlight layups added to that late in the game. Another good effort came from J.R. Smith, who struggled to find his shot in Games 1 and 2, he ended with 16 points, and hit some big 3s for his squad. Cleveland finished at 40 of 90 from the field at 44%, and shot 12 of 44 from 3 at 27%. For the opposing Golden State Warriors, they came into Game 3 riding a 14-game winning streak in the playoffs (NBA Record), and their mission was to continue their high level of play. The MVP like play from Kevin Durant was the driving force for this Golden State squad and tonight proved exactly why. Even with Cleveland playing tougher on ball defense, the Warriors were able to fight back, Leading the pack, Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Klay Thompson had a stellar night, scoring 16 of his 30 in the very 1st quarter. Thompson also pulled in 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while 2 time MVP Steph Curry added 26 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. On the night, Golden State shot 40 of 83 at 48% and made 16 of 33 at 48% also from 3. In what was the a back and forth battle between both teams, foul trouble looked as if it would cost Golden State the victory, Some late game baskets from Kyrie Irving looked to seal the game for Cleveland but a deep range 3 from Kevin Durant put the Warriors up as they went on to upset the Cavaliers 118-113. This win put Golden State's winning streak at 15-0. Game 4 will be held Friday night as Golden State looks to close out the series and complete a championship season, while Cleveland tries to prevent a 4 game sweep and win a game on their home court.
June 7, 1989 - On this day 28 years ago, Wayne Gretzky won his 9th Hart Trophy (MVP) within 10 years.
June 6, 1987 - On this day 30 years ago, the New York Yankees were defeated by the Milwaukee Brewers in their 13,000th game in team history.
Durant and Curry too much for the Cavaliers as Warriors take 2-0 lead. With the momentum at an all time high Sunday in the Oracle Arena, the Golden State Warriors looked to repeat their dominant performance from Game 1 to go up 2 games to none in this series. Coach Steve Kerr would return this game after being out for six weeks with a back injury. The Warriors were led in Game 1 by Kevin Durant, who but on an outstanding display. Durant would continue his dominant effort here in the Finals as he ended with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, while Steph Curry also put on a offensive showcase, scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists which totaled a triple-double. Klay Thompson contributed 22 points for his team and hit some clutch 3 pointers to keep Golden State ahead, while Draymond Green, who battled foul trouble, added 12 points, 6 boards and 6 assists. The Warriors finished at 46 of 89 from the field at 51% and shot 18 of 43 from 3 at 41%. The opposing team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, looked to overcome their upsetting performance in Game 1 and tie the series 1-1. The Cavaliers were led once again by LeBron James, whose excellent scoring has helped Cleveland, He contributed a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists. Kevin Love put on a good effort for his team also, scoring 27 points and racking in 7 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving finished with 19 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists. The Cavaliers shot 45 of 100 from the field at 45% and only made 8 of 29 from 3 at 27%. The 1st half of this game was back and forth battle with Golden State keep a small lead over Cleveland, but late into the 2nd half, big shots from Golden State would build the lead higher for them and they would go on to defeat the Cavs 132-113. The Warriors take a 2-0 lead in the series as the home court advantage will now switch to Cleveland as Game 3 takes place Wednesday at the Quicken Loans Arena.
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