What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
A recent column in the Los Angeles Times mentioned how one of the triggers for Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s feud was Shaq spotting a five-story billboard displaying an advertisement for Bryant while driving into downtown Portland from the airport.
The story continued that O’Neal observing said billboard made him realize that, despite being more accomplished than Bryant at the time, he would never be as popular.
Supposedly, this helped fuel the ego-driven grudge that ultimately broke up the two future Hall of Famers and relegated the Lakers to semi-irrelevance for three years.
A coincidence that it happened in the Pacific Northwest?
Or was the advertisement just a brilliant move by Blazers fans, who despise the Lakers more than anyone?
2
There were reports on Twitter that 100 percent of the patrons in certain sports bars in neutral cities were rooting for the Mavericks on Sunday.
Yes, most of the country got what it wanted when Miami fell in six games, and Talking Points thinks the NBA did, too.
During the season, as long as the Heat are in the playoffs, David Stern and his minions are happy.
However, as long as the Heat continue to chase their first championship, Stern and friends are even happier.
The NBA needs to prevent a lockout next year, or at least one that cuts to deep into the season. The league is as hot as ever, and it can thank the Heat for that.
