Month: June 2016

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Warriors losing the NBA Finals hurts but that’s the unpredictability of sports

The Golden State Warriors had everything in place for them to win the NBA Finals. They had the all-time record. They had the unanimous MVP. They survived the Thunder. Everything pointed out to them winning the championship again.

But  they didn’t.

This is what makes sports so interesting. The Cleveland Cavaliers were poised to write their own history and against all odds, won the final three games to take that title. The city of Cleveland, a city I have visited and enjoyed, deserve a champion and I am glad that they get to celebrate. It sucks that they did it on behalf of my team, but the Warriors had their chance and lost.

It can be said that the league was under some conspiracy to suspend Draymond Green for Game 5 and have some sketchy officiating for Game 6. Regardless, the Warriors are better than that. They played well enough to win Game 7 but the Cavaliers matched them.

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Sacramento Kings unveil new uniforms and I love the black alternate

We had seen the Kings logos rebrand and I thought it was OK. Now we get to see their uniforms and they still remain OK.

I don’t understand the point of two purple uniforms that look very similar. I don’t even understand the font or the over heavy balance of gray/silver to their identity. But it’s here and I just think it is more of a lateral rebrand of their identity. It’s OK.

However, the black alternates should be celebrated. If you look closely at the design, it’s supposed to mimic the city flag. OK, I can roll with that. I love the lion at the collar and the white text over black is simple with the purple trim.

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San Jose Sharks gave us a season that I will never forget

The final handshakes.

The hardest thing about about being an NHL fan is that the road to the Stanley Cup is so hard. And being a Sharks fan, it’s even harder. There is no history of the team having won it. Their past playoff success had been limited. The West Coast isn’t much of a hockey country.

Yet what the Sharks did this past season was something to be cherished. After a heartache of an exit two years ago, the team entered the season with a new coach, new goalie, new faces and not a high expectation. They didn’t look so great in December and it sure didn’t seem like they would make it far.

The team rallied and found their way into the playoffs playing some of the best hockey. The power play was amazing. The passing was crisp. Martin Jones played at an elite level. And finally, the team made it to the Stanley Cup Final. In 25 years, the first trip was so sweet.

But it was not meant to be. It wasn’t supposed to be easy. It was going to be a fight and in the end, the Penguins were better. It sucks because we may never know what the future holds and if the Sharks will ever sniff this glory in the near future. I believe that one day they will. But I don’t know when. I will cherish what they did this year. It was the best they ever did and I hope that maybe even next year, they’ll finally reach the top.

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Here is the problem with the Draymond Green suspension

When the NBA handed Draymond Green a one-game suspension for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, I was baffled by the decision. This is the accumulation of four flagrant fouls, which the league deemed was worthy after what happened above.

The officials didn’t rule it that way during the game and it only came after nearly two days of reviewing.

“The cumulative points system is designed to deter flagrant fouls in our game,” NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Kiki VanDeWeghe said in statement. “While Draymond Green’s actions in Game 4 do not merit a suspension as a standalone act, the number of flagrant points he has earned triggers a suspension for Game 5.”

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My experience attending Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final

I haven’t been to a Sharks game in some time and the last time I attended a Sharks playoff game was back in 2007.

Getting to the game was a journey since I drove up to San Jose the day of Game 4. The city was buzzing with people all wearing Sharks gear and the place was excited for the game. As I got to the SAP Center they had different little booths for photos, prizes, music and even the stage was set for NBCSN where fans and cameramen were around.

Inside the arena was pretty nice. But there was a sense of uncertainty. After all, this is the first time the Sharks have been here.

But once we got to our seats, the hype was real strong as the introductions came and Metallica performed.

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New Florida Panthers identity isn’t that exciting for me

Chris Creamer has a great post about the new Florida Panthers’ look. I don’t have much to say but after checking his update and looking at what the Panthers have unveiled, here are some quick thoughts.

  • Fine, I get it. You want to the honor the military. You’re copying the same idea as the Jaguars with your crest logo. But in place of that jumping Panther? What a shame. I know that jumping Panther is on the helmet now, but that logo is superior to this.
  • I think it’s OK to copy the stripe across the chest that is similar to the Habs. In fact, that it looks good all things considered. But I just feel it’s unnecessary.
  • The addition of gold and the removal of their dark yellow is a downgrade for me. I like the a lot more and it fits well with the Sunshine State.
  • The sleeve patch I can do without. But it’s different than the traditional designs so I can roll with it. And having it different for captains will be interesting.
  • I like the laces. Still, there are way too many teams with laces but I like this modernized version.

Overall it’s a decent look but I am not jumping and celebrating it. It still feels a little plain to me and so traditional like. I guess with a previous look of a jumping panther I was hoping something would be “in-your-face” with this new look. But I don’t feel it.