A Great 24 Hours of Sports (and the bad officiating that went with it)

Thursday night and Friday morning were what being a sports fan is all about.  Two huge games that were battled to the very end by teams that left everything they had on the court (or pitch).  Since it came first, lets talk about the NBA Finals Game 7 first.  I haven't written about this series at all, so let me go ahead and say I desperately wanted the Celtics to win.  Not because I really like the Celtics, but because I just really don't like the Lakers.  But regardless, this game was exactly what defensive basketball is all about.   That is why it pained me as a sports fan to see the horrendous officiating in the 4th quarter.  The Celtics couldn't help but foul the Lakers with the way the refs were calling the game.  Towards the end there was a possession where Garnett "fouled" Gasol even though he had his hands tucked into his chest to avoid fouling at all costs. And this was far from an isolated incident.  I'm not saying the Lakers didn't deserve the title, I'm just not happy with the way it happened.  I've got a couple other observations from the game as well.  Even though he played well, the Celtics did the smart thing by putting the ball is Artest's hands in the 4th quarter.  If you watch him for any length of time, it becomes clear that he is not fundamentally good at the game of basketball.  Yes, he is a great defender and very athletic, but when it comes to shooting, passing, and dribbling, Artest is a gamble every time he touches the ball.  Also, even though he is an awful shooter, Rondo's 3-pointer at the very end of the game was absolutely incredible.  He got the rebound about halfway between the basket and the 3-point line, dribbled out, and immediately turned around and drilled a huge shot without really squaring himself up.  If he can ever develop a jump shot, he could entire the Lebron-Kobe-Wade level of superstardom

I was going to make this post all about the NBA Finals, but then I watched the USA soccer game today.  That game serves as a perfect example of how our team operates.  We always play to the level of our opponent.  And we can only play well when no one believes in us.  During the first half, when we were supposed to be doing well, our team was just short of terrible.  Slovenia easily had the game in hand.  But in the second half, with the game already out of reach, we came out and absolutely dominated.  That was a second half for the ages.  Donovan's goal was exactly the type of performance we need from our best player if we are going to be serious contenders.  And Altidore's header to Bradley's foot for the second score was one of the prettiest goals I've seen since I started really watching soccer.  And then there was the third goal.  The goal that was going to cap off one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history.  The goal that would have propelled us into the knockout rounds.  The goal that got absolutely robbed from our boys.  I totally agree with the referee that there was holding on that play (I really don't think play is the right term, so if someone know better, please let me know).  And it was on Slovenia.  Bob Bradley says he saw three separate US players being held by Slovenian players.  I don't know enough about soccer to recognize that many, but I know what the Slovenian player was doing to Michael Bradley stopped just short of assault.  And much like in football where holding happens on every block during every player, in soccer holding happens on every player during every set piece.  The rule for the refs is you only make the call if the penalty is blatant.  And there is no blatant USA holding on that play.  Regardless of the fact that it should of been a win, we should still be proud of our team's comeback in the second half.  We are still in a great position to advance and make it to the knockout rounds, where anything can happen.  Go USA!