June 17, 2008

Before I get into the NBA Finals, I just came across this article. While this is just one owner's opinion, I hope that MLB doesn't take it too seriously.

I don't see what the problem is. Pitchers should have to bat. They pitch (starters) once every five days, so they have the time to develop that skill, and for the extra BP. (batting practice) The league wants to move away the steroids era, and making the National League adopt the DH rule seems counter-productive to that goal.

Some pitchers (Zambrano, Webb, Willis) can actually hit the ball and if more emphasis was placed on hitting, more pitchers would be hitting.

Furthermore having different rules places an added element during the World Series. How will the managers' strategies change under the different rules? None of the other four major sports have this quandary, which is another one of baseball's special qualities.

Tonight's Game 6 of the NBA Finals can be the end of the 2007-2008 season. The most exciting regular season in years gave way to a postseason of spectacular performances and now a rivalry re-visited. The Celtics have a 3-2 series lead, but they need to finish this off now. A Game 7 would bring all the pressure back to Boston. Kobe would be salivating at the idea the he could be the first to lead his team back from a 3-1 Finals deficit. The Lakers would have the momentum, and the Celtics, already physically wounded, would have their already fragile psyche come back into the forefront.

That's all one game away for now. Game 6 will come down to what this whole series has focused on: inside play. Will Kendrick Perkins be able to play and how effective will he be? How much longer can P.J. Brown play at such a high rate? Will Lamar Odom continue his recent efficient play? Which Kevin Garnett will show up? How hurt will Paul Pierce's knee be after the cross-country flight, one that was delayed no less. Will Doc Rivers continue to push all the right buttons?

We shall see. I picked the Lakers to win in six games, and while it certainly looks bleak, I'm sticking with my pick. Games 2-5 were all one or two possessions away from having a different outcomes. So the Lakers will win tonight, setting the stage for a Game 7 for all the marbles.