5 Takeaways from the NBA Playoffs

1. They're still rigged

2. Pacers implosion unprecedented

3. Epic first round is meaningless going forward

4. CP3 is top 3

5. NBA finals rematch is coming

1. They're still rigged

After the Kings-Lakers and Mavs-Heat fiascoes, you would've thought the league would try and not make blatant game-changing calls so obvious. That theory fell by the wayside Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. The ref crew even had instant replay to right their wrong, and they still didn't make the right decision. That was followed by a questionable Chris Paul foul that sent Westbrook to the line for the three go-ahead free throws to beat the Clippers. At least the foul was debatable. With instant replay, there is absolutely no excuse for getting something wrong. If they are incapable of getting it right, I agree with Doc Rivers. Just throw out instant replay, because really, what's the point?

2. Pacers implosion unprecedented

It's hard to fathom what has happened to the Indiana Pacers. The squad started out 33-7 and looked for all the world like a title contender. They had the bigs, a rising star and a defense as good as any. Frank Vogel seemed like the perfect schematic engineer behind this ship, set to embark on a championship voyage. 

After that remarkable 33-7 start, Indiana won just 20 of their next 38 (including playoffs). Roy Hibbert looked like Mr. Swackhammer from Space Jam had stolen his skills, the team looked like a bunch of bickering prima donnas and Frank Vogel looked like he had given up. A late win against Miami seemed like it may have finally put the Pacers on the right path, but they didn't finish the season strong after that. And quite frankly, the Heat looked like they handed Indiana the one seed, in hopes of an easier road to the conference finals. And, Indiana's woes carried over into the playoffs. The team barely escaped sub .500 Atlanta, and just when it looked like they'd cruise into the conference finals, the Wizards beat them by 23 in Indiana to stave off elimination. Now, the Pacers are still up 3-2 in the series, but this inexcusable beat down at home is indicative of two things. First, the Pacers are as fragile a squad as we've seen in recent memory. And secondly, the team is in no condition to challenge the heat. 

All the Indiana players preached from day one was that they wanted to beat the Heat and be the top seed. They accomplished the latter, but must have forgotten that there are two rounds before they'd play Miami, and that you must play 82 games in a season and 48 minutes in each playoff game. It is very hard to envision this team getting it together in the next couple weeks. Their only chance is to first find the passion and commitment they played with for the first few months of the season, and then hope that Hibbert can build off his recent first few solid games of the postseason and become the monster that can rid Mr. Swackhammer off his back. Their one consolation is that they seem to always play the Heat tough, and if they get by Washington, they have a fresh series against their East rival. But, don't forget that the playoffs are a whole new animal, and Miami has proven that with their current 3-1 lead over the Nets, who beat them all three games during the regular season.

Time will tell, but it doesn't seem like anyone out East, including Indiana, can challenge Miami. The NBA needs to go to the top 16 teams making the playoffs, and get rid of the conferences. But, that's a topic for a different day. For now, let's see how the Pacers finish things. I could see a nasty breakup happening over the offseason.

3. Epic first round is meaningless going forward

 The first round was as epic as I've ever seen. The remarkable amount of overtimes, last second drama, unpredictable games and four-point plays was a treat for NBA fans. But, just like a good candy bar, it has been devoured and not seen since. Outside of a couple strong Clippers-Thunder games, the most recent clouded by controversy, the second round has been a dud. The takeaway? Don't take anything like the first round heroics for granted. Remember the fun and chaos, but don't expect that moving forward. Hopefully, the conference finals are great, but this round certainly leaves much to be desired for NBA fanatics.

4. CP3 is top 3

This is debatable, but for my money, Chris Paul is the 3rd best player in the game today. Not only did Paul engineer the brilliant 22-point comeback in game four to defeat Oklahoma City, but he also took it upon himself to guard Kevin Durant, and make key defensive stands against the MVP to lead his team to victory. In game five, his shot to put the Clippers up seven in the final minute should have stood as the dagger, but his poor decision and turnover and the refs' awful call(s) made sure that wasn't the case. Nevertheless, I agree with Charles Barkley that he is the best leader the NBA has today. 

Can you imagine what would've happened if Stern didn't disallow his trade to the Lakers? The proposed trade had Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Goran Dragic winding up in New Orleans, with Pau Gasol going to Houston, and Paul of course winding up a Laker. What has happened since? Odom disrespected Dallas, was out of the league much of this season and is divorced. Kevin Martin went to OKC in a trade involving James Harden, and is now on Minnesota. Goran Dragic had a great season for Phoenix, and turned around a team that looked destined for rebuilding for years after Steve Nash departed. The Lakers have been rumored to trade Gasol a number of times, and he's finally a free agent this offseason. Paul has put the Clippers back on the map. And don't forget, it might be the Lakers in this spot today instead of the Clippers. Can you imagine that team with Paul and some or all of the players they acquired that offseason? Kobe's legacy and ring count might've been off the charts, and the Clippers players might have been on some Island sipping Margaritas when the Donald Sterling news broke. 

5. NBA finals rematch is coming

It may not happen, but I am convinced that there will be a finals rematch. I was convinced before the playoffs, too. A few months ago, I might've predicted Indiana, but right before the playoffs and up to now, the Spurs and Heat have the best shot. It is true that the Spurs are getting older and Duncan's career is nearly extinct, but his play and the play of the Spurs certainly isn't. They still have the best coach in the game and find ways to be the best. Their implosion in the last 28 seconds of game six last year has to be one of the biggest "in the moment" choke jobs in NBA playoff history. And, the team had amazing resolve to be right there until the final minute of game seven. Most other teams would've gotten killed in that circumstance. 

This is what would make the rematch so compelling. The two best teams (for my money) squaring off again, and the legacy of the Spurs Big 3 and Dwayne Wade and Lebron James on the line. The story lines could make for a best seller, and you know ESPN will be all over it, probably deeming it as "The Rematch" or "Redemption vs. Legacy," or something like that. 

Here's hoping the finals are epic again.

Two Months to Remember

From the Vince Carter buzzer beater, to the St. Louis Blues goal in the waning seconds, to the Stephen F Austin four-point play, these last two months have been a sports paradise.

Let's not take this for granted, either! With guys jumping early to the NBA now more than ever, the lack of future NHL Hall of Fame goaltenders still in net (Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo didn't even make it!) and the predictability of the NBA playoffs, sports fans usually aren't treated to this much excitement in the span of two months.

Let's begin with March Madness. Not only did it feature a bevy of overtime thrillers, but it also was a wild ride for the millions of brackets that fell short of Warren Buffet's billion dollar offer. And the final game featured a cast-off heavyweight against a UConn team that needed overtime to get out of their first game! Only homers could've picked either of those two squads to make it all the way.

Now to the NBA, where we are still in the first round. The action out East has been as boring as sitting through rush hour traffic. But out West, the action has been off the charts. Every series will go six or seven games, but that's not all. Some years, that is the barometer fans use to measure if the playoffs are legit. This year, it has been so good that it goes beyond the distance of a series. With seven overtimes, two guaranteed game 7's and two game 6's on the horizon (as of this article), the West playoffs have had a first round as good as any in recent memory.

On to hockey, where the second round just started. The first round featured 17 overtime periods, multiple wild 7-game series with Minnesota beating Colorado, LA coming back from 3-0 down to stun San Jose and the Rangers defeating the flyers in a war. With a game full of close battles and parity, the NHL playoffs rarely disappoint. But, this year has been something special. Also, the games are starting to actually be seen more by the American public, which can't hurt.

All this said, there is still a lot to be determined. Don't miss the rest of the sports action over the next two months! If it's anything like it has been, we are in for a wild ride!