Pacquiao-Diaz Ready for History

Manny Pacquiao promises a good fight for the boxing fans, while David Diaz vows to end the Pacman’s winning streak against Mexican boxers. The last of which was former super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Their match, dubbed as Lethal Combination, is one of the most anticipated fights in the history of boxing.

It will be Pacquiao’s first fight at the lightweight division and a historical attempt at that – the first Asian ever to win four championships at four different divisions. It is interesting to note that Pacquiao is untested at the lightweight division where he will be slugging it out with a champion.

For Diaz, it is his second title defense of his WBC Lightweight Championship. As Pacquiao is known as the ‘Mexicutioner’, Diaz will not want to be another Mexican on Pacquiao’s list. Diaz said that this fight is even larger than life, as he will try to floor Pacquiao, a feat no Mexican boxer has ever done.

Fight night is on June 28, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rivals Face Off

And so it’s them once more. But this time, there are no no-look passes from Magic Johnson, no sky hooks from Abdul-Jabbar, no elbows from McHale, and no game-winning shots from Bird. Those things were remnant of what transpired more than 20 years ago.It’s the same rivalry, though different. A different generation but determined just the same.

For the Boston Celtics, the NBA Finals Championship is measure of their worth, especially for Kevin Garnett. The 2004 NBA MVP desires a championship more than anything else. With him, the Boston Celtics transformed into one the league’s most dominant powerhouses. And they have proven a lot. But winning the NBA Finals is not just the icing on the cake; it is certainly more than that. Victory at the Finals will end the 22-year championship drought.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the NBA Finals will only prove one thing. They do not need Shaq. 2008 NBA MVP Kobe Bryant has a circle of able-bodied men to bolster the Lakers’ chances of securing the crown: Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. These three men will be their core. Utah didn’t beat them. Defending champs San Antonio Spurs was overwhelmed by them. And the Celtics will just have to get through them.

It’s them once more.

Celtics blasted Pistons, will face Lakers

Celtics-led Paul Pierce triumphed over the Detroit Pistons, 89-81, to win the 2008 Eastern Conference Championship and secure the Finals spot against Lakers. Pierce notched 27 points, while Ray Allen added 17 and Kevin Garnett 16.

This coming NBA Finals rekindled the Lakers-Celtics rivalry in the 1980’s, bannered by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Surreal is the word KG used to describe the coming showdown with the Kobe and the Lakers. The Celtics’ last NBA Finals appearance was in 1987 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics were defeated.

Chauncey Billups garnered 29 points while Rip Hamilton managed to score 21 points, despite a strained right elbow. The other Pistons’ performances were mediocre at best. Especially Rasheed Wallace. Detroit was eliminated in their own court for the first time since 2002.

The 2008 NBA Finals will commence on June 5, 2008, Thursday.

Lakers Demolish Spurs, Head to the Finals

After starting the game on the wrong foot, the Lakers battled a tough 17-point deficit and clutched the Finals ticket over the defending champions San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

Lakers main scorer, 2008 Season MVP Kobe Bryant scorched the floor with 39 points, 17 nailed in the fourth period. Though the Spurs attempted a comeback, the Lakers held them off in the final stretch of the game.

Lamar Odom scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, while Pau Gasol chipped in 12 markers, a career playoff-high of 19 rebounds and 5 assists.

Tim Duncan, in a vain effort to bring the series back to San Antonio, delivered 19 points, crashed 15 boards, and dished 10 assists. 2007 Finals MVP Tony parker was the high scorer for the Spurs with 23 points. Michael Finley notched 13, while Brent Barry and Kurt Thomas both had 11 points. Manu Ginobili, who scored 30 points in Game 3, was shut down completely, scoring only 9 points.

The Lakers now advance to the Finals and await the winner of the Eastern Conference Championship between Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. Celtics will come to Game 6 leading the series 3-2 over the Pistons. Game 6 is on Friday, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Finals Scenarios

Inevitably, only two teams will face off to be named the 2008 NBA Champions. But each of the four teams that remain provides a pack of excitement and a sense of thrill, especially to a hardcore basketball fan such as yours truly. Whether it’s the Lakers versus the Celtics or the Spurs against the Pistons, no matter who faces who in the Finals, every face-off is a dream match-up for anyone.

Scenario #1

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It’s the best of the West versus the best of the East and the league itself. More than just the standings, more than just the numbers, this face-off will relive the once loved rivalry that sparked the league in the 1980’s: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Jerry West against the crew of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.

Scenario #2

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This is going to be a hell of a grudge match. 2004 NBA Finals saw the Pistons stomped the Lakers all-star line up of Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gary Payton. The Lakers will be in it for the payback.

Scenario #3

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This will be a showcase of championship veterans. Both teams have role players with championship experience. Both teams are defense specialists. It’s just a matter of who wants the championship more.

Scenario #4

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It’s the defending champs against a younger, inexperienced bunch of people who happens to be the best team in the league. Will the Spurs take the Celtics to school, or will the Celtics finally end a championship drought and bring the glory back to Boston?

Nearing the NBA Finals

So we are now down to four teams vying for the 2008 NBA crown. As of this writing, defending champions San Antonio Spurs are in the brink of bowing out to the Los Angeles Lakers, who leads the Western Conference Finals series 3-1. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics will have the chance snip Detroit Piston’s chances of making it to the Finals in 4 games to 2.

Though the Lakers look mighty strong with their lineup, anyone in the world of sports knows that is plainly wrong to underestimate the heart of a champion. The Spurs will give it their all come Game 5 this Thursday, May 29. But can the Spurs win Game 5 and bring the series back to San Antonio? Or will the Lakers wrap the series? We will find out tomorrow.

The acquisition of KG and Ray Allen proved to be a very good move for the Celtics franchise. And the Green men might close the series in six games this Saturday. But personally, I think the Pistons have the upper hand. Their core players have championship experience in contrast to the young gunners of Boston. And the Pistons will be playing in their own turf. From every angle, it’s anybody’s ball game.