As promised, we have a basketball update from guest blogger KWeb. The NBA, like the NHL, is down to four teams in the playoffs. Today, KWeb will give us a peek at the two remaining Eastern teams, the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls currently lead the series 1 to nothing - game 2 is on tonight.
Miami Heat
How they got here: Miami first beat the Philadelphia 76ers and then the Boston Celtics, both in 5 games. They are the favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference.
Team history: An expansion team in 1988, years of mediocrity (or worse) were followed by the team winning its first, and only, championship in 2006.
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| Wade and LeBron (in his signature headband) |
Players to watch: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Two of the very best players in the NBA today, they teamed up last season in controversial fashion as James left the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent and signed with Miami. Wade is 6’4’’; James is 6’8’’. Both of these players are good enough shooters to burn you from the outside, and both are quick enough to go around their defenders and get to the rim. At times they can both be completely unstoppable, and that’s what makes this team so good. Editor's note: Don't worry if you don't quite get the lingo. You might want to try dropping it into conversation while your man's watching the highlights, just to see if he's paying any attention.
Meaningless information: Miami basketball fans are notorious for arriving late to games, prompting team officials to begin a “Fan Up” campaign which encouraged fans to get to the arena on time, even offering discounts at the concession stand for early arrivers! The story goes that the mucky-mucks with lower bowl tickets are too busy socializing and enjoying the buffet to be bothered to be in their seats for tip-off, while folks in the upper bowl are there on time cheering away. Typical.
Chicago Bulls
How they got here: Chicago beat the Indiana Pacers in 5 games and then beat the Atlanta Hawks in 6. Even though they have the best record in the NBA, they will be the underdogs in this series.
Team history: This team won the NBA Title 6 times with Michael Jordan in 1990s, making them one of the most successful franchises in recent history. They went into a bit of a lull for most of the 2000s, but are now right back in the hunt.
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| Derrick Rose |
Team history: This team won the NBA Title 6 times with Michael Jordan in 1990s, making them one of the most successful franchises in recent history. They went into a bit of a lull for most of the 2000s, but are now right back in the hunt.
Player to watch: Derrick Rose, Chicago’s 6’3’’ point guard and MVP of the NBA regular season, is an awesome player. He’s lightning quick; no defender can stay in front of him. Watch him penetrate the lane and lay it off the glass at ridiculous angles. He’s a soft spoken, seemingly humble dude but he’s also a vicious competitor who can will his team to victory. If he doesn’t play lights out the Bulls won’t win this series.
Meaningless information: Chicago’s coach, Tom Thibodeau, is one of those coaches who yells and gesticulates feverishly from the sidelines. However, his voice gets so hoarse from screaming all of the time it sounds like a pre-pubescent frog with laryngitis just after it got run over by a Mack truck. Listen for him during quiet parts of the game. Then again, it sounds just awful, so maybe skip it.
Next up, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks.
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