Here’s what I’ve learned so far during these NBA Finals

• Don’t bother predicting stuff. The consensus changes every game.
• People still love to hate LeBron at any opportunity.
• You should never count the Spurs out.
• To be fair, you should never count the Heat out either.
• Except that Mario Chalmers seems to have forgotten how to play basketball.
• If some stadium utility fails, it must be a conspiracy.
• Large portions of people think you can actually play through a full leg cramp.
• Gregg Popovic is starting to become a cliché.

Coach Fisher

The Knicks have got their man. Derek Fisher has retired to take up the vacant NYK coaching gig where no doubt he’ll work closely with Phil Jackson. The Zen Master and Apprentice. Funny that Fisher, a guy with zero coaching experience, was the headhunted so strongly after Steve Kerr, a guy with zero coaching experience, passed them by. Both of those men were key role players on one of Phil Jackson’s great dynasties. Jackson doesn’t want the stress of coaching but you’d expect he’ll have plenty to say on how Fisher does things. And let’s be honest, who would you rather have interfering with your job than the greatest to ever do it. If Cormac McCarthy wants to edit my columns, he can make all the changes he wants. It’s already pretty clear how much power Phil Jackson has in this franchise, now he’s just gotta do something about that roster.

Throw of the Season?

NBA Free Agency

The three biggest stories of the NBA offseason are becoming pretty clear: Melo, Love & the Lakers. Potentially all three could be connected but not likely. Carmelo Anthony can opt out of his contract and become a free agent, a decision that he has basically confirmed he’ll take. So where does he end up? The Phil Jackson thing was about all that could save his chances with the Knicks but at least there’s a chance. Melo is apparently pretty picky over where he’ll head. The Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are all teams that he would consider and word is the Heat are planning a swoop too. That’d require the big three to all opt out of their contracts and work out restructured deals (or maybe Bosh or Wade leaves?) but that may well happen. He has until the 23rd of July (US Time) to tell the Knicks his decision on the contract option and negotiations can begin from the start of free agency (July 1).

Meanwhile Kevin Love is starting to look a little more likely to stay miserable in Minnesota for another year. The Wolves are understandably reluctant to trade him for anything less that decent value while other teams seem prepared to wait a year for his free agency. The Wolves are running the risk of letting him go for nothing. Love himself is dodging questions though he’s admitted his frustration at never yet having played in the playoffs and also his admiration for Phil Jackson. Love to NY?

And the Lakers have been interviewing coaches left, right and centre but the process seems to have stalled. Even though they said they had no interest in Derek Fisher, seeing their former player linking up with their former coach must have been grating. They don’t want a college coach or anyone with no experience. Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry and Lionel Hollins have all been interviewed, and George Karl has gone through the prelims, but six weeks after Mike D’Antoni was sacked, the post remains open. Byron Scott is the favourite. Don’t expect them to be in any rush though. Chances are they go into the draft – and possibly even free agency – with an empty helm.

Top (Realistic) 2014 Free Agents:

1. Carmelo Anthony
2. Kyle Lowry
3. Eric Bledsoe
4. Luol Deng
5. Pau Gasol
6. Lance Stephenson

Quote of the Week:

Good Week:

Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs) – Actually, he was pretty bad for most of the week. But then in Game 3 he plays one of the best games of his life, scoring 29 points on 10-13 shooting. He is the future of the Spurs and this is the player he’ll be.

• Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns) – While currently living it up Texas, Johnny Football was ceremoniously drafted by the San Diego Padres in the MLB as a shortstop. It’s the same token gesture that the Texas Rangers did with Russell Wilson. People are clearly all in on this guy as a future superstar.
• Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners) – Still one of the top 5 pitchers in all of baseball. His last two starts have seen him dominate the Yankees for a win before icing the Rays for a no-decision, all in all throwing 23 strikeouts and just a single walk in the pair of games (for two runs). King Felix has an 8-1 record with a 2.39 ERA to start the year. As good as he’s ever been.

Bad Week:             

• Manny Machado (Baltimore Orioles) – A five game ban for the third baseman after he inspired an all in brawl by throwing his bat on the field late in the game against Oakland the other day. Not clever, son. Machado was pissed that pitcher Fernando Abad had been throwing high and tight to him despite Machado’s team being well out of the game at that point.

• Tampa Bay Rays – Shut out for the third straight game by Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals, Tampa have now lost 14 of their past 15, with a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.099 during that stretch. From a playoff berth last season, they’re currently languishing dead last in the Major Leagues with a 24-42 record.

Player of the Week:

Lonnie Chisenhall (Cleveland Indians) – In a 17-7 rout of the Texas Rangers, Lonnie went from bit part player to club icon in one incredible day. He had 3 home runs and 9 RBI in a 5/5 hit game – the first recorded time in baseball that someone had hit all three of those marks. The last guy with 3 homers and at least 9 RBI in a game was A-Rod in 2005. Chisenhall went 10/17 with 4 HR and 13 RBI in the series with Texas this week.

Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):

June 27 - NBA Draft Held

July 16 - MLB All Star Game

August 4 - NFL Preseason Begins