Game 6: Lakers dominate the Celtics and force a Game 7

By now we all know that Game 6 of the Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers series was a blow out.  Being that the Lakers had to win or go home, it was a HUGE game for Laker fans.  The ONLY place to be for a Laker fan with the means and a little bit of luck was the Staples Center!

I should've known that the Lakers were going to win when I was walking into the arena.  I am usually good luck.  Also, while walking into the building I heard the ESPN radio guys, say that Tom Izzo turned down the Cleveland Cavaliers job.  ****  Yep, you were right, Soup.  I should've listened to you, from the start!

Christina Aguilera sang the National Anthem before the game.  She watched most of the game with her husband in seats on the baseline.

Opening Tip

I posted my pictures from the game 6 last night, and a friend pointed out today that the score with 1:55 left in the 4th Q, was the final score of the game.  NO buckets in the last 2 minutes of the game...  I guess, why even bother.  The Celtics had basically stopped competing and the number 59 seemed to live on the scoreboard for the longest time.  59 points.  If you would've told me that the Celtics would have scored only 59 points, "For the Longest Time" (i.e. now I have that Billy Joel song in my head), I would've told you that you were crazy.

Kendrick Perkins' presence (i.e. or lack there of) was palpable.  He left the game in the 1st, with what I hear is a hyper-extended right knee.  I never really realized how much of an impact he made, until he was gone.  Great.  Now I have a song from the hair band, Cinderella, in my head.  If you want more information on the injury or want to see the video, check out Sekou Smith's Hang Time Blog.  According to everything I've read and heard, Perk isn't going to play in Game 7, Thursday night.

Celtics team checking on Kendrick Perkins who's on the court

At the end up the 1st Q, the Lakers were up 10 on the Celtics with a score of 28-18.

At the end up the 2nd Q, the Lakers were up 20 on the Celtics with a score of 51-31.

Don't get excited.  I have tons of rally towels for all sorts of teams...

As much as I'm not a Kobe Bryant fan, I have to admit he does put up excellent numbers.  Numbers don't lie.  He ended the game with 26 points, 11 boards, and 3 assists. 

For you gamblers out there, here's some information.  I was just in Vegas and the spread on the game is Lakers -7.  If I remember correctly, the Money Line was Lakers -360 and Celtics +280.  I also checked covers.com earlier in the evening and the consensus was about 60% Celtics and 40% Lakers.  Just saying...

I was lucky enough to score a ticket at the last minute to Game 6.  I was on my way to the Staples Center and ended up parking in the Venice garage on/around 15th and Figueroa for $12.  The garage was just past the Convention Center.  Thank goodness I got there early, since the parking lots (i.e. that weren't already full at 4PM) were filling up quickly. 

At the arena, I immediately texted my friends and gave them my coordinates, but I wasn't about to get up and chase people around.  I'd just finished my Mickey Mouse Scavenger Hunt, and I was exhausted.  I wanted the game to begin, and I was surrounded by a sea of Lakers fans.  That reminds me, I couldn't help but notice a Celtics fan who had a purse.  I swear it was on his shoulder.  Now I realize it's probably his wife's purse, but seriously?!?!  ****  Ladies, don't make your men carry your purse ~ it makes them look ridiculous.  If you love your man at all, carry it yourself.  The guy was getting ripped on by entire sections in the arena the entire game, and if you ask me he was asking for it.  It definitely wasn't the smartest move he could've made.

Game 6 ended with a final score of 89-67.  Lakers dominated.

Game 7 is Thursday night at 9PM EST.  I won't be at the Staples Center, but I'll be watching.


THE WIRK

Quck Poll: Do you want Tom Izzo to coach the Cavs?

By now we all know that the current head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, Tom Izzo, is being wooed by Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He and his family visited Cleveland on Thursday.  ****  As an aside, I want to know exactly what he and his family were shown with regard to the city.  I've always been curious as to what people highlight, since we all know that "Cleveland Rocks".  But I digress... 

Most basketball fans are familiar with the history of NCAA basketball coaches who matriculate to the NBA, soooooooooo as a Cavs fan and an Ohio native, I'm curious what people think. 

The question is simple.

Do you want to see Tom Izzo coach the Cavs?  And, with regard to your answer ~ why or why not?


THE WIRK

Is it time for Cleveland Cavaliers fans to panic?!?!

I read the following article, Cavs owner won't discuss Izzo reports, and I can't even tell you how many problems I have with this article.  Do I believe it?  No.  And if it's true, well then - I'm CONVINCED that LeBron is going to leave Cleveland, and you know what - I'll offer to help him pack.  Wow...

Dan Gilbert can refuse to admit that Tom Izzo has been offered the head coaching job...  I don't believe him.  Maybe he's trying to do something Jedi and make this job seem more appealing to Byron Scott or Jeff Van Gundy.  I have no idea.  However, I believe that Izzo has been made an offer and I'm terrified, that he might take it.

If you expect me to believe that LeBron has had no say in who the coach is going to be, then I ask you to paypal me $100...  I promise to spend it frivolously.  My paypal address is: thewirk@gmail.com.  Seriously ~ send the money.  AND further if it's true that LeBron has had no say in Ferry and Brown's departures and that he's not engaged in ANY capacity with looking for a new coach, then I believe that the Cavs think he's leaving ~ and you should still paypal me, so I can afford counseling for the depression I'd experience...  I remember the days of Gund Arena.  I remember the NBA lockout.  I remember the years after it, when Gund Arena was quieter than your local library.  WNBA games might have been louder.  And, yes, I've actually attended a few Cleveland Rockers games so I know what I'm talking about.

In the article, Chris Grant is quoted as saying, "People look at this organization and have seen what it's done over the last five years and they're really impressed," he said. "They see games on TV, they see what the business side has done, they see the sellouts. People look at this and say, 'Wow, it's a desirable place and I'd like to be there."

Ummm yeah, Chris.  It's not rocket science.  You guys had LeBron James.  When you're a .500 team or below and you land such an impactful player OF COURSE people are impressed.  The quote is unnecessary and shows a degree of naivete, since he stated the obvious.  EVERYONE knows that the tide can turn in a few weeks.  Let's not be foolish.  Take a look at the contract numbers and birth certificates of my beloved Cavaliers and you can see that the Cavs could lose their core team easily and quickly to free agency, retirement, or Alzheimer's!

I hate to admit it ~ but Danny Ferry might have been one step ahead and onto something by leaving the Cavs... Ugh...

Congratulations on your new gig, Chris Grant.  You might have just become "Captain of the Titanic"... 
 
 
THE WIRK

You say IZZO, but I say IZNO... They're not the Michigan Cavaliers...

According to Twitter, the Cavs Majority Owner Dan Gilbert and new GM Chris Grant will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. today. You can watch this press conference live on Cavs.com. It's no secret that Dan Gilbert is from Michigan, and that he wants Tom Izzo to coach the Cavs.  Tom Izzo has been the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans since 1995.  I've been an Ohioan all  my life (i.e. regardless where I reside).  Sooooooo, bringing Izzo to Cleveland (for me) is a HUGE faux pas, and NOT the answer to keeping LeBron in Cleveland.  Further, I honestly can't see how Izzo is going to bring a NBA Championship to Cleveland. 

Yes, Izzo has been wildly successful as a collegiate coach.  According to Wikipedia, "Under Izzo, the Michigan State program has been one of the most successful in the country. Izzo has led the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship, six Final Fours, and six Big Ten Championships in his first 15 years at Michigan State. The winningest coach in school history, Izzo's teams have been invited to the past 13 consecutive NCAA tournaments, in addition to setting the Big Ten record for the longest home winning streak."

Great.  That's fantastic.  However, anyone (i.e. who has love for the game) can tell you that success in the NCAA does not equate to future success in the NBA.  Must I remind everyone of Rick Pitino's stint as a Celtics coach and P.J. Carlesimo's stint as a Golden State Warriors head coach?!?!  I hope not, because I'm almost positive both men would want to forget those career moves. 

As a Cavs fan, I think it might be time to panic.  It doesn't take a genius to realize that this is a stressful time for the cit of Cleveland.  I was just in Cleveland on Friday, and I only saw one billboard/sign that could be inferred as a LeBron please stay sign.  I think that's good, because I liken LeBron's relationship with the city as a boyfriend and girlfriend type union.  Do you respect your partner when they beg you to stay when you say you need/want time?!?!  No, you don't.  I'm glad that Cleveland isn't begging.  OK, I must also confess that I think I read that Akron might be holding a "LeBron please stay day" ~ but they're not sure LeBron will show up.  Like I said, I'm no genius ~ but that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

With management, ownership, season ticket holders, and citizens waiting on LeBron's every sound and trying to read body language ~ if I were LeBron I'd buy one of those old school jackets that has every NBA team's patch and logo on it.  For a man who's being enabled by an entire country of basketball fans and has never been recruited, this is the time to go all out.  However, it'll all be for nothing, if he never wins a championship.

I'm an Ohio girl.  I don't like that the Cleveland Cavs are becoming the Michigan Cavs.  If I were a Cavs season ticket holder, I'd seriously consider listing my tickets NOW ~ to beat the rush (i.e. just in case) before the market gets flooded...  I really wish my team and the city of Cleveland "good luck", but ) I hate to admit that this ship might be sinking...

Ugh... 2:30...  IZNO!!!!! :(


THE WIRK