Unless Phoenix upsets the Lakers, (Unlikely, I think) or Boston upsets the Magic, (Could happen, but I dont think so) it would seem that the likely 2010 NBA Finals opponents are going to be the same as last year, L.A. vs Orlando. This time, I think it would be cool if Orlando won, and not just because of the fact of getting revenge, because the Lakers beat them last year, but also because it would finally bring a championship ring to a pretty good guy who couldnt seem to win one as a player, a guy named Patrick Ewing, who is now an assistant coach to Stan Van Gundy on the Magic.
People who have been basketball fans for more than 20 years probably remember him. He's about seven feet tall, used to score about 20 points and grab 10 rebounds a night. Played for the New York Knicks in the 1980s and 1990s back when their team was still good. He had exactly one real chance to win a title. (In 1994, the year Michael Jordan had his first retirement from the NBA), and the Knicks, a pretty good team in those years, couldn't do it, as they fell to the Houston Rockets in seven games.
All of the other years, it seemed that Michael Jordan stood in Ewing's way of a title. The Jordan led Bulls beat Ewing's Knicks time, and time, and time again, in the late 80s and into the late 1990s in the NBA playoffs. Michael accumulated six rings, while Ewing had nary a one.
Phil Jackson already has ten championships, and Kobe Bryant has four. The Celtics and Doc Rivers won the title two years ago. I really hope Orlando does it this time. It would be nice to see Orlando win their first title, and very nice for Ewing to finally get a championship ring, even if it is as an assistant head coach.
Mitch
People who have been basketball fans for more than 20 years probably remember him. He's about seven feet tall, used to score about 20 points and grab 10 rebounds a night. Played for the New York Knicks in the 1980s and 1990s back when their team was still good. He had exactly one real chance to win a title. (In 1994, the year Michael Jordan had his first retirement from the NBA), and the Knicks, a pretty good team in those years, couldn't do it, as they fell to the Houston Rockets in seven games.
All of the other years, it seemed that Michael Jordan stood in Ewing's way of a title. The Jordan led Bulls beat Ewing's Knicks time, and time, and time again, in the late 80s and into the late 1990s in the NBA playoffs. Michael accumulated six rings, while Ewing had nary a one.
Phil Jackson already has ten championships, and Kobe Bryant has four. The Celtics and Doc Rivers won the title two years ago. I really hope Orlando does it this time. It would be nice to see Orlando win their first title, and very nice for Ewing to finally get a championship ring, even if it is as an assistant head coach.
Mitch
