DEVASTATING

It feels good to be back after an 11-day self-imposed hiatus brought about by the observance of Holy Week.

As I watched three NBA games yesterday over cable TV, I was awesomely struck by the performance of a particular team and was kind of disappointed too on another team and an individual, both of whom I honestly believe were clearly denied of much deserving prestige.

If there is one word to describe the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the defending champions Boston Celtics yesterday, then it is DEVASTATING. Racing to an incredible 39-1 win-loss card at home, LeBron James and his band of brothers walloped the men in green, 107-76. They are just a game away from tying the all-time best in home record for a season which ironically was posted by the Celtics in 1986 at 40-1. The only blemish at QLA coming off a heartbreaking loss to the “streak busters” Los Angeles Lakers in February. They will have their shot at history in their season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday morning (Manila time).

*****

I could not blame Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat if he feels bad despite scoring a career-high 55 big points in their 122-105 home victory against the New York Knicks. He is a just a point away from the franchise all-time scoring high of 56 points posted by Glenn Rice.

Heat coach Fil-American Erik Spoelstra was kind of “killjoy” as he relieved Wade with more than a minute left in the game to the consternation of the Heat fans and Wade himself. D-Wade could have easily scored a basket with that much time left. The only consolation Wade got on his way out was the non-stopping chant of “MVP! MVP!” from the Miami crowd. Spoelstra maybe oozing with confidence that Wade can score 57 points anytime next season. But still, the damage has been done and no one can take away D-Wade’s frustration.

Well, we just look at it as a rookie coach mistake on the part of Spoelstra. He may have learned a lesson or two from that point.

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The Sacramento Kings had suffered a lot of heartaches this season. They were having a miserable year as they are currently running at the cellar of the league at 16-65 with a game to go on their 2008-09 campaign. But to add insult in their home finale brought about by a stupid no-call of the refs in the dying seconds of their game against the San Antonio Spurs is a bitter pill to swallow for the Kings.

The game was tied at 92-all when the Spurs’ Michael Finley connected on a three-point basket with a second left in the game. That basket proved to be the winning points for the Spurs, 95-92. But to the horror of Sac-Town fans and to all those viewing the game on TV, the ball clearly was still in Finley’s hands when the Spurs 24-second shot clock expired. What is really frustrating is that the refs did not even bother to use the TV monitor to review the shot. Thus, the Kings were denied of a king-size upset.

Now I’m about to believe that discrimination really do exist even in the NBA.