To
keep things moving on the blog, I will be starting a weekly post to be released
on either Sunday or Monday called "Hindsight and Foresight" where I
will be reflecting on the previous week of sports, and looking forward to the
coming week.
HINDSIGHT:
---Lost
some respect for Lionel Messi after his post-final announcement
Retiring
from international play after a few tough losses in international tournaments?
No matter who you are, I can't respect that, and it's especially a shame coming
from a player like Messi. I watched the entire COPA America Final, and Messi
played a phenomenal 120 minutes before absolutely butchering it all in his
postgame announcement to retire. You can argue that it’s because of the AFA or
that Argentinians are flat-out crazy, but I am pretty confident on the fact that
more people worship the ground Messi walks on than threaten him. Regardless, part
of the reason he is retiring is because he cannot win, and for that reason, he
needs to learn how to handle losing better. He’s one of the greatest and most
exciting players to ever step foot on the pitch so I truly hope that he
rethinks his poor decision. I hope he comes back to play and that this was a
heat-of-the-moment statement, but if he doesn't, his career legacy and his reputation
will suffer.
---Praying
that this offseason will enable a team to save the Eastern Conference
The
Eastern Conference in the NBA is a joke. Really. It is. Every year, it’s the
same thing. A few teams improve slightly and there are a few surprises here and
there, but it’s always Lebron and company walking over the competition (hence
why he has been to the Finals six years in a row with two different teams). I’d
bet my tuition on the fact that the Cavs make it again next year if nothing
changed.
With
that being said, I hope that this offseason can/will improve a few teams in the
East, especially the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. So far, the Knicks
have added Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Courtney Lee with the potential of
signing Dwayne Wade or Kevin Durant. The Celtics have added 8 draft picks
(including #3 overall, Jaylen Brown), and Al Horford, with the potential of
signing Durant. Both of these teams have made significant improvements so far,
and appear to be a star away from actually competing with the Cavs.
In
addition to these teams, don’t sleep on the Pacers either. They’ve already
signed Al Jefferson, and they now boast a lineup that could also pose a threat
to the conference. Remember, this was a team that took the two-seeded Raptors
to a Game 7 this past postseason. While the NBA is paying most attention towards
the Celtics and Knicks, don’t forget about the Pacers.
Regardless,
these moves are getting fans excited for the season already. I hope that the
Eastern Conference is at least a little more competitive than it was last year,
because as much as I hate to say it, the Raptors are no match for the
Cavaliers. Another team needs to step up or else the dynasty of Lebron will
continue.
FORESIGHT:
---The
Durant decision, and why I think Durant signs with the Celtics
Obviously,
Durant is the most valuable NBA free agent out there. He has the Lebron-type
effect to make any team a contender. He has completed his interviews with
Oklahoma City, Golden State, San Antonio, Boston, New York, Miami, and the Los Angeles Clippers (who he has told he will not sign with), and now, the big decision is
the only thing that awaits. According to Chris Broussard, Durant said that he will make his decision either tonight or tomorrow.
I don’t
know what it is, but I have had a gut feeling for the past few months that he
is going to sign with the Boston Celtics. I feel that he believes he has a
better chance of reaching the Finals in the East, and that the Celtics are the
team to do it with.
Oklahoma
City exceeded all expectations this past year, and STILL didn’t even reach the
Finals (may I add-they were only a #3 seed despite the exceeded expectations).
With San Antonio and Golden State still clearly at the top, it’s going to take
literally everything for Durant to win in the West. With a good enough team in
the East (which will be the Celtics if he joins), he only has to worry about
Lebron and the Cavs. Additionally, Durant was supposedly recruiting Al Horford
to Oklahoma City - Horford signed with the Celtics last night.
Though
OKC is the most likely suitor for Durant, I just have had a feeling that he
will choose Boston. It just makes sense to me. I guess we will find out tonight
or tomorrow morning.
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