How good am I?

Just looked at an old post of mine, fact checking, and here's what I said:

• Carolina Hurricanes in five games
• Miami Heat in six games

Well, I was off on the amount of games for Lord Stanley's Cup, with the Hurricanes needing a Game 7 to clinch against the Oilers. However, here's the overwhelming thought about the NHL finals: it was long and boring. Sure the heroics of Cam will go down as one of the best goalie performances by a rookie in the playoffs. However, temper that with the fact that the goalie position in the NHL seems to be a transitory position of esteem, where this year's Neely can easily become the once-feted Giguere. What I mean is, players seem to jump up and down in "skill" level each season. This results in a zero-sum gain. None of the big names played in the Stanley Cup series. There were no quintessential moments where casual fans like myself can really "ooh" and "aah." Nope, this was a solid hockey, zero intrigue matchup that lasted for over 2 weeks, and now North Carolina will get that hockey trophy its been clamouring about since...never. Ranked in NC sports interests, I'm sure the Carolina Hurricanes win the Cup is sandwiched between Duke Football and the Charlotte Bobcats. Yawn. Still, I picked the winner and that means you all owe me recognition...word.

Second, Shaq has his fourth ring, Pat Riley gets his fifth, and D-Wade joins an elite group of players to win an NBA championship in their first try. Here's the problem: where do you go now, D-Wade? Do you use the championship to motivate you to learn how to shoot free throws, medium range floating jumpers, and a three-point shot? Or will you instead parlay your insta-fame for movie deals (Kazaam anyone?), entouraged nights at South Beach's eliteratti destinations, and scoring a Desperate Housewife? Too often, athletes get theirs, and then forget what made the great ones great: perseverence through difficult times, waiting for their assension into greatness. What do the Michael Jordons and Larry Birds do while they wait for glory? They sweat in the gym, shooting 18 footers until they no longer have to think about the seperation of ball from basket. They dribble like Steve Nash in the empty arena, listening to the echos of Havlichek and Cousy, Magic and Stockton. Some, like the latter and Barkley, never get the celebrated moment holding up the finals trophy. D-Wade, please work at the game and become the next Whomever, and don't let the celebration get to your head. I want to see the next MJ, and God knows, Carmelo too busy stopping snitchers to learn to play ball. Then again, Wade, if you fail, we still have LeBron.

So, in closing, I'm lamenting current sports, which is what pessimistic sports fans have done since sports were invented. However, I'm the king at pickin' the winners.

M - I'll take my winnings in singles, please!