By “Nunnie” Robinson, The Westside Gazette Newspaper Sports Editor
In my finite wisdom, I picked Boston and Minnesota to play in the NBA finals. Well, I got it half right, but the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and supporting cast, proved the more resilient, resolute team. I’m not disappointed because the NBA finals will have two Black head coaches pitted against each other. The only other time two Black coaches met in the NBA finals featured K. C. Jones of the Washington Bullets against Golden State’s Al Attles, who led the Warriors to the 1975 NBA Championship.
Our Florida Panthers aka the “Cats” have reached the NHL finals for the second consecutive year. Having bought into Coach Paul Maurice’s philosophy, constant defensive and offensive pressure combined with great goaltending, has catapulted the team to the highest echelon of pro hockey. After falling behind 2-1 against the New York Rangers (2 of which were scintillating overtime battles), the Panthers prevailed, winning the series at home in Amerant Bank Arena where they will face the Western Conference champions Edmonton Oilers, who are led arguably by the best player presently in the NHL, Connor McDavid, an absolute magician with the puck and stick. The first game is scheduled for Saturday night in Sunrise beginning at 8 p.m. The favorite Cats are led by goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Borkov, Mathew Tkachuk, Gustav Forsling, and Carter Verhaeghe among others.
As a novice to the sport, I’m still learning the rudiments of the game: icing, offsides, face offs, blue line/red line et al. I’d also like to see more minority players. In the meantime, let’s enjoy another great South Florida sports gem win the highly coveted Stanley Cup.
GO CATS!
- S. If the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter had retaliated during a basketball play, the divisive controversy presently surrounding the WNBA would be a nonissue. Are there actually league players jealous, envious, or resentful of Caitlin Clark and is the situation exacerbated by the political climate in America? Would love your feedback.
Email: nunnie_robinson@yahoo.com