NBA Finals Get Started

The NBA Finals get started tonight in L.A., with the Orlando Magic facing off against the L.A. Lakers. While many are asking the question of whether Kobe needs to win this to validate his career, citing that he only won the other three because of Shaq, I believe it is a silly question. I am not a huge fan of Kobe, personally, but I do know that he is one of the best players to ever put on a basketball uniform, and the last time I checked, you do not win any team championship by yourself. You have to have the right pieces in place to make it work. Shaq was just one of those pieces. Now, when people are talking about how he can't win it on his own, they just need to shut up. I look at it this way, could Michael win without Pippin and the rest of his team, or Magic win without Kareem and the star studded Lakers of the '80's, maybe, maybe not, but it is unfair to put that weight on Kobe's shoulders, and make declarations that his career was not exceptional because he did not win "the big one" without Shaq. He is one of five players on the court, and no matter what he does, if the rest of the team does not step up and do their job, then the Lakers do not win, with or without Shaq.

In baseball news, the Cardinals offense is still struggling, and other than Pujols, there just does not seem to be another bat in the lineup that is going to really help them right now. Nick Stavinoha has done a remarkable job off the bench in getting clutch hits, whether he starts or not, but can he keep that up as an everyday player. Who knows? While I do know that it is still the first half of the season, we are only one month from the All Star break, and the Cardinals need a right handed bat badly. I think that Rick Ankiel is a wonderful, feel good story, and I am certainly a fan, and want to see him succeed, but right now, he is not getting the job done. Ankiel is hitting only .223, and that number is sinking daily. I would love to see him do well, but right now he is a liability and a sure out. I don't know what the answer is as far as what to do with him, but playing him everyday is not one of them. The bats need a pick up and Ankiel is not going to be the one to do it.

Those are my thoughts for now. Rock and Roll Sports Fans!!