The Inland Echo

By Steven Mallory

Dwight Howard put his coach on notice after game 5, “Climb on my back and let’s go.” Howard then proceeded to lead his team to two straight victories over the defending champs. It appeared as if Boston had the series won until Howard decided that he wanted it more. That only earned him the right to face the new, wanna be champ, LeBron. What a potential series this might turn into. I think that Howard’s magic will confound the James gang for the first couple of games, but then talent will come to the forefront and I think Cleveland will win in six games. Out west, the Lakers meet the Nuggets. The last time the Nuggets made the conference finals was also against the Lakers of Magic Johnson and Showtime. This time the man is Kobe and he is four wins away from another shot at a ring. While I like the Nuggets and think they are a great team, I also see the Lakers as being on a mission and after the Rockets played them so tough, I look for the Lakers to get out of the gate quick and then close it out in six games. Then, finally, Kobe vs. James. The first of many?
 
* * *
 
Quick salute to Tony Stewart for his victory in the All-Star race. With the victory, Tony breaks his maiden as a team owner early. That will take a lot of the internal pressure off and I look for good things out of his stable. NOW, CAN WE GET BACK TO RACING? PLEASE!!!
 
* * *
 
The NHL is down to its final four and the Pittsburgh Penguins won their opener at home. Carolina needs to sneak a win in game 2 or I think it will be a real short series as the Penguins seem to be on a mini roll with three straight wins. Pittsburgh in five, maybe six games. The Red Wings opened with a strong 5-2 victory, letting the Black Hawks know that they better bring their A game. Even if they do, I think the Red Wings are too tough and win in six games.
 
* * *
 
In MLB, the Toronto Blue Jays are tearing up the league. Sporting a 27-14 record, they lead the 2nd place Red Sox by three and a half games. The Yankees appear to be hitting their stride and are another game back. In the Central, Detroit leads Kansas City by a game and out west the Texas Rangers sport the leagues second best mark at 23-14 and lead the jelling Angels by four games. The NL east has the Phils out in front at 20-16 over the 21-17 Mets. In a big surprise, the Brewers are 24-14 and two games over the Cubs and three over the Cards. Their record is second only to the Dodgers in the NL. Out west, the Dodgers continue right along without Manny and own baseballs best early season record at 27-13. They lead the Giants by six and a half games. Albert Pujols BA has slipped a bit but he is still at .321 and leads in RBIs with 37 and is second in HR with 13. Starting next month we will highlight individual players that are having good seasons. With 40+ games in the books, baseball is over 25% of the way through its season so its time to admire the players that are having great seasons.
 
* * *
 
Congratulations to the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, Rachel Alexandra. She ran a great race and beat the Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird, by a half-length. It will be interesting to see what happens in the longer Belmont Race in a few weeks. Mine That Bird seems to be the real deal with a victory and a second with two different jockeys. He may have a third different jockey if Rachel runs. If not Calvin may get him back for the Belmont.
 
 

Related posts:

1. High school football playoffs going down to the wire; NHL reaches the quarter mark; NBA heats up; NFL playoffs starting to come into focus
2. Sports roundup – football, basketball, and hockey
3. Looking back into a different time in baseball
4. Playoffs heat up on the ice and on the court; ‘The Big One’ could it claim your favorite driver?; Baseball Fever is catching
5. NBA play-offs running smoothly; NHL playoffs may have an upset or two in the making; Baseball suffering steroids again