Catch of the Day.

HOOK:

“Situational.”

The hockey game last night was one that featured huge swings for periods of time where it almost felt like the sheet of ice was taking turns slanting a certain way.  Overall, well played, and fun to watch.  Here is the thing.  Much of the overall stats ended up evening out, but I blame the loss last night on situational scoring.  Last night in Chicago, the Lightning did so, and the Blackhawks did not.  For years, whether it was Kane, Toews, or Hossa (more recently), Chicago has the guys who answer the bell when needed.  They owned the flow last night at certain times, but couldn’t quite get it through more times than the opponent.  They might need a lucky bounce, but they were close to that last night.  Not scared overall for the series of them losing, and think they take Game 4 and even things up going back to Tampa.  One thing NEEDS to change before Game 4.  This is the second team in a row giving the Blackhawks HUGE problems with their forechecking.  Anaheim did it last series, and Tampa is following that mold.

LINE:

“Equilibrium.”

As in, equilibrium will return tonight in Game 3 of the NBA.  NOT saying Cleveland won’t take Game 4, but saying Curry does NOT shoot that bad as last game, the refs are locked on, and the shooting touch returns.  So, I see Golden State pulling away late while James still has about 40 points. At some point in a series, the better team steps up, and Cleveland is too depleted.  Their defensive energy is magnificent, their strategy of using offensive rebounding as a plan is smart, but shooting takes over Game 3.  Not saying these two teams are at the level of Georgetown-Villanova in 1985 as LeBron IS the best player in the land, but this can’t really happen in a seven game series.  If it does, LeBron commands my eternal respect (more than he already does).  Cleveland-GS Game 4 will be HUGE.

By the way, I love you Mike Greenberg, but quit talking about LeBron winning the Finals MVP if this thing only goes 5 or 6 games and the Warriors win.  That would be ridiculous.

SINKER:

There haven’t been a HUGE imbalance of bad players getting into the MLB All Star Game over the years.  Overall, people have done it right.  How the barely in first (in their division mind you) Royals have SEVEN players lining up to START the All Star Game is borderline ridiculous.  Let’s hope order resumes before the polls close on July 2nd.