With so much going on in the last 72 hours, I feel like a guy with a big bag of Lay's potato chips in his lap.  I can't eat just one.  

Taylor vs. Wright fight - What a fight on Saturday night!  Extremely entertaining with the two contrasting styles of fighters.  I would've given the fight to Taylor if I had to pick a winner.  Calling it a draw was justified however.  If there is a rematch, look for Taylor to be more mindful of protecting himself against the jab.  That will lead to a clear-cut Taylor win. 

Stanley Cup Finals - We know that nobody is watching this so I'll spare you the "while you were sleeping" joke.  Edmonton has come out of nowhere to grab all the momentum in this series going into Game 7 tonight.  It should be a law that sports fans must watch any game 7 regardless of sport or interest.  The NHL always provides the best game 7's anyway.  Look for Carolina to turn the tide tonight on their home-ice and take the cup to . . .Raleigh?!?

U.S. Open - Is it really that surprising to everyone that an Open defined by the course would see someone in the clubhouse take home the championship because someone was defeated by the aforementioned course?  I was surprised at the winner, but not at how it took place.  This was still not as bad as Vandevelde!  Personally, I love to see the course get the best of these guys.  Every course gets the best of me.  Payback baby! 

World Cup - I want to say that I don't care so bad I could scream.  However, whenever nations are involved, I want the U.S. to do well.  Having said that, the dream is over.  There is no way that everything happens that needs to happen for the U.S. to advance.  Watch if you want to on Thursday, but I'm telling you its not worth it.  After all, it is just soccer.

I also have grown tired of soccer fans who say that because its the world's favorite game , we Americans are unenlightened because we don't "get it".   I don't get it.  I don't want it.  You can have Ronaldhino.  I'll take Tom Brady.

NBA Finals - Last but not least, the main event.  These finals have been incredible!  I would tell you that the Heat will win in six, but if you haven't heard that pick from me yet then you just weren't listening.  If you didn't know how big the NBA playoffs were, let me clue you in to what we've learned.

The NBA season ending with a 6 man race for MVP.  With that confusion comes the natural debate of who the best player in the league is.  There were people in the corners of Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade, Duncan, Nowitzki, Nash, maybe Garnett.  Now we are down to two.  I don't know anyone that has watched these playoffs that does not believe the two best players in the NBA are LeBron and D-Wade. 

Wade is performing on a level only seen in my life by the all-time greats.  How a man can shoot as poorly as he did for three quarters, then "flip the switch" like he had been red hot the whole game, and carry his team to a huge game 5 win is what legends are made of.  Great players don't have to score 50 every game.  They have to get the buckets when their team is in the most deperate need of them.  This was obviously D-Wade's major at Marquette. 

Dallas fans, please save the drama of the timeout, Stackhouse suspension, and phantom foul on Wade.  The timeout was obviously called by Josh Howard on the floor.  Period.  End of discussion.  Stackhouse should not have been suspended for the game.  The NBA must find a way to punish the officials who make a mistake instead of the players who benefit from the mistake.  The NBA presently does everything except change the final score in this regard.  Terrible.  Finally, Wade wasn't fouled.  However, Wade gets that call.  So does Dirk.  Tell your guy to go to the basket with the tenacity and passion that Wade does, and he'll be in that position to.  However, something tells me Dirk would've choked and missed the free throws.  I don't know why I feel that way?  

For the record, again, Heat finish the deal in Dallas in game six.  Can you still dig it? 

After what feels like 6 months of the NBA playoffs, the finals start tonight.  After what feels like 6 months of blog-silence, xea76 is back in business.  I'm excited about these finals because it brings us back to the old "east vs. west tempo" series.  Miami will try to grind it out while the Mavs, however not as much as in years past, will try to push the tempo as much as possible.

The HOT factor:  Between the two teams, Miami is definately playing the best basketball right now.  Dwayne Wade has vaulted himself into the "best post-MJ player" category.  Boy I wish ESPN would not remind us of MJ so much.  I remember him.  He was great, probably the greatest.  He's gone now.  I'm over it.  You should be too!  Shaq is still dominating in spurts.  If Shaq can do that against Rasheed plus the double and Big Ben, he won't exactly be sitting up nights worrying about the Diop, Van Horn rotation.  Advantage:  Miami

The Home Court factor:  The general feeling is that this only factors in if the series goes seven games.  However, Dallas is an amazing home team.  Not only did they tie San Antonio with the best record in the West this season but they have shown the amazing ability to respond on the road when they do lose at home.  If you are an honest, non-Mavs fan, there is no way you thought Dallas would respond after losing a closeout game at home against San Antonio.  They did just that.  They are the better home team, and the better team when playing venue is the criteria.  Advantage:  Dallas

The Coaching factor:  This is the hardest for me even though its the easiest on paper.  As great as Pat Riley has been, I can't find Magic Johnson on this Miami roster.  I can't get over the fact that all of his finals success came with one group of players.  Obviously Avery is a newcomer, but how can you not love the difference you see in the post-Nellie Mavs.  These are hardnosed, athletic, tough guys that get after like . . . well . . . a Pat Riley team!  I'm giving the edge to Riles here, but as Lee Corso would say, "It's closer than the experts think".   Advantage:  Miami

 The Best Player factor:  The bottom line on this element of the series is this:  No Heat player is playing better than Dirk Nowitzki.  No Mavs player is better than Dwayne Wade.  Dirk can shoot his team to the title.  I have no doubt.  However, Wade can make the play on the defensive end that creates the ability to win the game on the offensive end.  In my opinion, LeBron James is the only player that even belongs in the same sentence with Wade.  If Kobe can get his mind right, he's right there too.  Advantage:  Miami 

In the end, this series is going to come down to a few factors beyond the ones mentioned above.  Who will be more productive, Antoine Walker or Josh Howard?  Can Shaq avoid foul trouble (both committing too many and missing too many when he's fouled"?  WIl Jason Williams contribute anything?  If Dallas has to double Shaq, will they double with "bigs" or "smalls"?  Can Miami make shots if Shaq is doubled?

I have one simple philosophy when it comes to the NBA finals predicitons.  If Shaq is in it, I'm taking his team.  I can honestly say I developed that montra after his early career encounter with Hakeem!  Shaq is not the Shaq of old, but there is still no answer for him in the league.  I would like to present to you the 2005-2006 NBA World Champion Miami Heat.  Can you dig it!?!