Heat at Spurs
8:00 pm Central
ABC
The Finals are here. A rematch of last season's classic won by Miami in seven games. There is an argument to be made that San Antonio is a little better than they were last season and Miami a little worse. On the other hand, Miami still has the best player in the world, so that helps. Tony Parker's ankle is reportedly OK after he missed most of game six against the Thunder; the Spurs need him at his best.
I'll have a more complete preview article up later, though it is becoming more and more clear to me that I should just point you in the direction of all the much smarter people than me who have written about it. We'll see.
As noted yesterday, Kevin Love was named to the All-NBA second team for the 2nd time in his career. The All-NBA teams are as follows:
First Team
Chris Paul
James Harden
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Joakim Noah
Second Team
Tony Parker
Stephen Curry
Kevin Love
Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard
Third Team
Damian Lillard
Goran Dragic
Paul George
LaMarcus Aldridge
Al Jefferson
Congratulations also to Al Jefferson for making his first All-NBA team.
In requisite Kevin Love rumor news, a good article from Jackie McMullen on ESPNBoston suggesting that the Wolves already have better offers than what the Celtics have, and specifically mentions Chicago.
Darren Wolfson seems to think he's onto something in the coaching search, as he tweeted:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>2) Stated that I can see coaching news late next week or the week of the 16th. Now wouldn't be surprised if it's much sooner. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23twolves&src=hash">#twolves</a></p>— Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/statuses/474390183756853248">June 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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He must think or know the Wolves have narrowed things down to a specific candidate. Who that is, I have no idea.
In draft news yesterday, Zach LaVine jumped really high.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Here is Zach LaVine jumping higher than Andrew Wiggins (and Vince Carter) did: <a href="http://t.co/Jw9FLuQxmQ">http://t.co/Jw9FLuQxmQ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakers">@Lakers</a> <a href="http://t.co/3qrsvAdtyj">pic.twitter.com/3qrsvAdtyj</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/statuses/474300023081955329">June 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Also, the adidas Eurocamp gets underway this weekend. This is the big pre-draft camp featuring European based draft eligible players and future potential draftees. Draft Express has tons of info on the camp, including the fact that Ricky Rubio (as an adidas guy) will be present for at least some of the camp.
At some point before the draft, cough, ahem, cough, RBE will have a breakdown of European-based potential draftees. Or so he promised me.
A year ago on Canis Hoopus: the daily thread (with 2 musical birthdays, man was I profligate back then), with a massive politics/economics digression that featured early worker drone, and a rather well done if I do say so myself analysis of available shooting guards in free agency and the trade market. Lots of love for Kyle Korver and Jared Dudley.
Today in history
1661: Isaac Newton begins studies at Trinity College, Cambridge
1827: Turks take Athens in Greek war of independence
1849: Denmark becomes a constitutional monarchy; day is celebrated as Danish National Day
1855: No Nothing Party holds first convention
1888: Grover Cleveland nominated for President by Democrats
1917: WWI draft gets underway in U.S.
1944: Allies march into Rome
1956: Milton Berle Show last airs on NBC
1967: 6 Day War begins
1968: Sirhan Sirhan shoots Bobby Kennedy
1981: US Ctr. for Disease Control reports on pneumonia in five homosexual men...
I really shouldn't have given two musical birthdays last year; nothing else appeals today. It's OK, I'll do a repeat because she deserves it: today's musical birthday is Laurie Anderson, born in 1947.
Let's open up that Thursday.