Each week I'll talk about the world of sports…
• The Lakers extended the Finals to a sixth game after a hard-fought win in L.A. Sunday night. Now the Celtics return home with two shots at winning championship number 17. My friends, the trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are so close to the dream finish, leading a franchise in a 42-game turnaround. That said this is a best of seven series and something tells me Phil Jackson and company can still pull this off. It would be a reversal for Boston fans who remember being down 3-0 to the Yankees and winning four straight. Can the Lakers actually win three in a row and rally from 3-1 down to take the title? It is possible, though winning two in Boston is a real challenge. This is like a tennis match, when two Goliaths meet and one is up 5-2 in the 5th set of a match. It is so tough to close out the set and win the championship, baby!
• Did anyone expect Tiger Woods to miss on the 18th hole on Sunday at Torrey Pines? Come on, he has been writing Hollywood endings for years. Look at what he did on Saturday on the 17th (chip in for birdie) and the 18th (eagle putt) to take the lead entering the final round. Tiger faces another fan favorite, Rocco Mediate, in an 18-hole playoff on Monday. We should see more drama and great shots.
• The Chicago Bulls hired Vinny Del Negro as head coach and many people were surprised. There were fans in the Windy City screaming, but let me tell you, he is a great communicator. I remember when a guy named Pat Riley left the broadcasting booth and went to the sidelines in Los Angeles. People were questioning that move and he ended up winning championship after championship. I am not saying Del Negro will have the same success, but Bulls fans should give him a chance. This is a young and talented team; be patient and give the guy a break.
• It seems like the trend for hiring NBA coaches is new blood. Besides Del Negro, Michael Curry was given the chance to coach the Pistons, and Erik Spolestra was named coach of the Heat. First-year guys will need some time to adjust to the challenge, but I think it is good for the sport to have coaches with new ideas.
• Where would the Yankees be without the success of veteran pitcher Mike Mussina? Think about it; he won 11 games and had an ERA over five last season. There were whispers from fans and media in the Big Apple that his better days were past him. The New Yorkers are over .500 and one of the main reasons is Mussina. People were saying he had to get it together and he certainly has. He is having a phenomenal year and one reason the team is still in the hunt. Mussina has 10 wins already, marking the 17th straight season he has posted double-digit victories. With 260 career Ws, maybe it is time for people to think about him as a Hall of Fame candidate!
• Interleague play certainly brings a lot of excitement. It gives the fans an opportunity to see teams that they normally wouldn't enjoy. I know a lot of purists criticized the idea when it first started, but interleague play has created a lot of excitement in the sport. I know the Tampa Bay Rays are excited to have the Chicago Cubs coming to town for the first time and this series is creating a buzz. There is great anticipation as over 90,000 fans are expected for the three-game series at Tropicana Field.
• I don't understand what Chris Henry was thinking. The former Bengals wide receiver was suspended for the 2008 NFL season for yet another rules violation. It is sad to see guys throwing away their talent. I have said it many times and I will say it again, it all comes down to decision making, and in this instance Henry has again made the wrong one. He will be paying the price again.
