The NHL and NBA seasons started way back in October, before any presidential primaries or Larry David impersonations, and we have finally reached the championship series in both sports. The next two weeks will determine bragging rights for the coming year and then, That’s All Folks!
Whether you live in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Cleveland or Oakland/Bay Area, or your friends are fans of these teams, it’s game on through mid-June. This week at TINK, we’re blowing off championship steam with some of our favorite cartoon catchphrases.
Lest we forget, Monday was Memorial Day. Check out this tribute to the troops by Jimmy Fallon and Adam Sandler.
National Basketball Association (NBA)
LeBron James, like Tony the Tiger says: he’s Grrreat…The four-time MVP, led his Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals with a series-clinching win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. This will be LeBron’s sixth straight NBA Finals. Is that impressive? You betcha, especially considering it hasn’t been done in 50 years. The rumor that LeBron will be driving his Kia to the arena is still unconfirmed.
Good grief. Despite having three major sports teams, Cleveland has not experienced a championship since 1964. Throughout eastern Ohio fans are pulling for the Cavs to finally win one for #TheLand
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder battled the defending champion Golden State Warriors in an exciting seven-game Finals matchup. The Warriors found themselves down 3-1 in the series and pundits were writing the champs off. Not so fast, as the Golden State won three straight games, capped off with a 96-88 win Monday night in Oakland to take the series.
The Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, sons of former NBA players, played out of their minds, each breaking the record for three-pointers made in a playoff series. Cowabunga, dudes!
This championship series is a rematch of last year’s 4-2 Warriors victory over the Cavs. The Cavs, however, are healthy this year with the return of All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, who also co-star in the funny clip: Uncle Drew Chapter 2.
The NBA Finals start Thursday in Oakland, and will be broadcast on ABC.
National Hockey League (NHL)
The Stanley Cup Finals began Monday night and the Pittsburgh Penguins jumped out to a 1-0 series lead over the San Jose Sharks with a 3-2 game one victory on a late goal by Nick Bonino. Pittsburgh’s super duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are looking to repeat their 2009 title run.
Unlike Pittsburgh, San Jose has never been to an NHL Finals. The cast of Silicon Valley and Bay Area fans are taking the next couple weeks off from late night hack-a-thons as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and NHL’s San Jose Sharks will be playing in the Finals virtually every night. #BayAreaPride
Tennis
Clay specialist (like Patrick Swayze in “Ghost”) and nine-time champion Rafael Nadal withdrew from the French Open last week with a wrist injury. This makes the road easier for Novak Djokovic, the world’s #1 rated tennis player, to win his first French Open, the only Major championship missing from his stellar resume. Just like Pinky and the Brain, Djokovic is going to: Try to Take Over the World.
Sister, Sister…On the women’s draw, #1 seed and favorite Serena Williams is seeking her 22nd Grand Slam title, which would tie legend Steffie Graf. In her way, though, is her sister, #9 seeded Venus Williams, who is seeking to win her first French Open title. Wonder Twin powers, activate!
Soccer
Ay Caramba…The Super Bowl of European Soccer, the UEFA Champions League Final, took place on Saturday. The match had a distinct Spanish and familiar tone. With teams all across Europe vying for the title, Real Madrid, the big brother took down Atlético Madrid, the little brother, in penalty kicks (5-3) to win their record 11th European title.
This was a rematch of the UEFA title game two years ago, also won by Real Madrid. Whatever the outcome, there was a reason to party in Madrid. Partido en Madrid!
Auto Racing
I Tawt I Taw a(n),,,Uber driver in training? In Memorial Day weekend tradition, Sunday brought the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Roughly 300,000 people watched in the stands as Alexander Rossi, a 24-year-old rookie, won the race. (Quick recap: drivers go around the 2.5 mile oval track 200 times at an average speed of about 160 mph. Who wants to go glamping “glamorous camping” with us next year?). In Indy racing tradition, the winner inexplicably drinks milk, and also kisses the racetrack’s bricks. Yabba Dabba Doo!
National Football League
And now, here’s something we hope you really like. In a feel-good gesture, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced at the Naval Academy graduation that Navy’s Keenan Reynolds can defer his military service to play in the NFL. Reynolds is free to join the Baltimore Ravens and play out his dream before restoring order on The Last Ship.
Remember at TINK Sports we watch the games so you don’t have to.
See you next time…
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