The other good news (or really GREAT news) is that Angela and I are finally officially done with our long distance relationship. As of today, she came down from Idaho and this time for good. I am so excited to leave the talking on the phone behind. We were together most weekends this semester, but now it will be awesome to have her around everyday. She is a special girl and I am so excited for the next 35 days (and even more stoked of course for the days after that 35).
I'm sure we'll keep a blog after we're married (I really want one now after seeing my sister-in-law's; she does a great job with their blog and does really well with taking pictures in the right moments to document their life), but it probably won't be this same account. So this could be one of my last blog's on this page. Or maybe I'll keep it just to ramble about sports sometimes.
Speaking of that, I introduced the NBA one-on-one tourney and never got to give my predictions. I thought my last one would be an appropriate time for that.
One-on-one tournament rules - They go to 21 by two's and three's with no "make it take it" (not with how good these guys are). They start at the top of the three-point line (NBA). A sideline ref on a volleyball stand calls out-of bounds, traveling, and goal-tending only. Offensive players only get one offensive rebound per possession. Offensive players also call their own fouls and get it back up top, but the opponent can challenge a call and consult a referee if the game is within five points and one player has at least 18 points. Players must win by four points with a cap at 31, but no cap in the final four games. Alright, let's do this...
Round 1
1. Lebron defeats 16. Steve Nash - Yeah, I changed this first round match-up. I decided Ellis didn't deserve to be on here, especially since I don't even think he's the best player on his team anymore (Steph Curry), and they are no where near being a contender for even the playoffs. Plus Nash is an MVP candidate (well no one's really a candidate except LBJ) this year. Other guys who deserve to have their name's mentioned for the tournament after this year are Zach Randolph, David Lee, and Chauncey. Anyway, onto the game; this is no match-up for one-on-one. Lebron gets the closest to a shutout for any game, but Steve pulls off a few crafty shots and a three on him after Lebron's 12-0 start. Final score is 21-7.
2. Kobe defeats 15. Duncan - Some may think Timmy doesn't deserve to even be here, but it's Tim Duncan. He will be a top guy until he's gone. Like his team, you can never just forget about him. In this game, he puts up a valiant effort, but falls short. Kobe wins 23-18 by hitting an unnecessary three to clinch it. This game also featured the most fouls called of any of the games.
3. Durant defeats 14. Roy - I switched this with Wade's game. I don't think Roy deserves to be below some of these other guys, but Durant is definitely the third best player in the league right now. Plus Roy going down at the end of the year allows him to fall a few seeds too. Durant wins pretty easily. He's a little too long for Roy to compete. Final is 21-13.
4. D'wight defeats 13. Amare - Amare puts up a fight with his offensive skills and energy early, but once Howard stops goofing around and plays ball, he proves to be a little too much for Stat. Ending on a 12-4 run, D'wight takes it 22-18.
5. Melo defeats 12. Joe Johnson - No way do I think Melo is a better player than Wade. Wade is my boy! But Melo is a heck of a one-on-one scorer and this helps the second round match-ups all stay the same. This game is a close one with seven of the first nine shots made being three pointers. Then Melo proves to be too much as he makes a bucket on each of his last five possessions, winning 23-18 in the end.
6. D Wade defeats 11. D Rose - I don't think Rose is this high (#11) yet, but he is getting up there and is one of my top five guys I love to watch. This is my favorite game of the first round. It also features the most "gotta-see-that-again" plays. Rose puts up a good fight, but Wade is too strong and too experienced, which helps him beat Rose 24-20.
10. Bosh defeats 7. Dircus - This is my least favorite game to watch. It is also the quickest game of the round due to little defense played. Dirk ends up winning the less defensive effort battle, but loses the game 16-21.
9. D. Will defeats 8. CP3 - This game is extremely exciting. It is the only one to be played to the cap. Chris Paul continually beats Deron off the dribble, and Deron consistently scores on him in the post. Eventually, Deron boldly takes a three for the win when they are tied at 28 and sinks it. The final is 31-28, Deron. Good luck with Lebrun next round . . .
. . . But we'll save that for later. This is too much for one night.
