By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Thursday 6-1 Due to the fact that I vacated to Miami for Memorial Day weekend, the dynamic world of sports nearly went unnoticed in my eyes. That's until Miami turned up the Heat on Detroit in game's 3 & 4, Bonds passed the Babe, and there were a few notable arrest on South Beach. Talk about a vacation I still found myself in my room glued to ESPN to keep up with the latest happenings in Sports....All that and more in this week's edition of Thoughtful Thursday. NBA Thus far the NBA playoffs has been full of surprises. The Heat struggled with the "Baby" Bulls, the Pistons struggled with a "Baby" LeBron, The Suns burned the city of L.A. (twice) without Amare, and the Mavs' put their foot down against the defending champs...And people thought it was a shoe in for the Pistons to face the Spurs in the finals...Everyone except myself. Here's a complete breakdown of the conference finals. Eastern Conference Finals • (1) Pistons vs. (2) Heat: (Miami 3-2) After the Pistons defeated the Cavs' in seven games, and the Heat thrashed the Nets in 5, many felt as if the Pistons were still the favorite to win the series. But now they face elimination, here's why. Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O'Neal have proven that they are the tandem that many thought they would be. The two average nearly 47 points (Wade 27, Shaq 20) per game. Due to their energy in the first 4 games they were fortunate enough to come out 3-1. But game 5 displayed why many feel the Heat will eventually lose. Their shooting is inconsistent, due to poor shot selections, they shot 20% from behind the arc (4-19) and a lousy 30% from the free-throw line (6-20). As a team they must remain aggressive attacking the basket putting the Wallace's (Ben & Rasheed) in foul trouble. Then the two-man game of Shaq and D-Wade can take advantage of the Pistons disadvantage of lack of interior backups. Also, the Heat reserves must attack the basket and not settle for jump shots, Miami had 10 bench points from (5 from Mourning & Posey) 0 from Gary Payton. All in all Pat Riley must use his many years of experience to make the ultimate adjustments for game 6, because without a Heat win this could mean an extended Fishing trip for the Heat in the Keys. Prediction: Pistons 4-3 Western Conference Finals • (2) Suns vs. (4) Mavericks: (Suns 2-2) My favorite series is the Suns and Mavericks, and how could anyone disagree. Three of the four games were decided by seven points or less, both teams have 5 players that average double figures in scoring, the Suns possess the league's MVP in Steve Nash who averages 21 points and 10 assists against his old team, and best friend in Dirk Nowitzki...And many wonder why the series is tied...For starters the Mavericks possess a player in Josh Howard who averages 18 points and 7 rebounds, he also has the ability to defend the perimeter. On the opposing bench the Suns possess an Atlanta Hawk cast-off in Boris Diaw that has turned into a match-up nightmare for his opponents. He is slated as the center due to injuries and causes players such as the Mavs' Diop and Dampier to leave the paint to man him on the perimeter. This opens up passing and cutting lanes for the rest of the team. With that being said the Suns must continue to do their best impersonation of a track meet in an attempt to outlast the Mavs'. But Dallas has finally utilized the "D" in its name, so in the event that the Suns shooting turns cold, this could spell trouble for Phoenix. On the other hand the key to the Mavs' success is transition defense. In every game the third quarter has opened up tight and that is when the Suns try to turn it up a notch. The Mavs' have to do a better job of playing defense for 48 minutes. The difference in this series came be summed up into two words "Home-Court". Prediction: Mavericks 4-3 Sports Vent • "You can't arrest me, I'm a NBA player" says Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, who was arrested in South Beach for "disobeying the Police". Apparently that doesn't work as he was detained after defending his teammate Awvee Storey, G/F who averaged 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists per game. I guess Arenas really is the leader of the team. • Anything NBA players do, NFL players has to prove that they can do better. Also down in South Beach this weekend was Steelers first round pick, WR Santonio Holmes was also arrested for disorderly conduct at a South Beach Hotel. I know stars like to use their status to gain an advantage but no one is above the law... • ...Just ask Dwight Gooden, legendary MLB pitcher. He has been dealing with a drug and alcohol addiction for two decades. He currently sits in jail on drug charges, and was recently quoted as saying "I'd rather get shot than come back here." Well, I would rather get shot than have to fill up my vents with athletes and criminal charges, but it doesn't stop there... • ...Bengals rookie Line Backer A.J. Nicholson was recently charged with theft from an ex-teammate's (Lorenzo Booker) apartment at Florida State. Apparently he and a former FSU receiver Fred Rouse (who was dismissed from the team) stole over $1,700 worth of electronic equipment from his apartment. This raises a couple of questions; 1. This took place after the draft, so why didn't he buy a stereo. 2. If Booker is in college how can he afford a $1,700 stereo? • The charges don't stop there; Cassandra Johnson, wife of Mavs' coach Avery Johnson, was involved in a dispute with two Suns' fans during the first quarter of game 4. She has been accused of assault, a fan stated that Johnson hit her twice in the shoulder during the altercation. Charges have not yet been filed. • Same series different woman: Carrie Mae Stoudemire, mother of Amare Stoudemire was sentenced to three years in prison for an aggravated DUI charge. She was already on probation for two previous counts of aggravated DUI. Either she obviously needs Alcohol intervention, and a Bus Pass. • Lastly in this addition of "Judge Ventz", Gloria James, mother of LeBron James plead ""No-Contest" and was found guilty on Friday of four charges after her SUV nearly hit an unmarked police vehicle and she kicked a window of a patrol car. Although she was spared of jail time, she faces fines totaling $550. I can see her now, LeBron you got change for a thousand?