San Antonio Poses Only Championship Threat To Miami

Miami flat out owns Oklahoma City with or without James Harden. Clearly when it comes to the Heat led by James and Wade, Westbrook and Durant struggle to get the Thunder over the hump. Last season OKC lost 4-1 during the NBA Finals to Miami. Thunder this season were swept in a pair of regular season meetings. For OKC when it comes to Miami they are not just defeated on the scoreboard but mentally and physically. San Antonio despite the fact of losing 4 in a row after winning 1st 2 games vs. Oklahoma City last spring during the West Finals, have the league best record and if they can get out of the West, and have to play Miami it could be an excellent series. OKC has it all speed, power, shooting, leadership, coaching and a championship resume. Personally I think Lebron and company win another NBA title if they win the East and OKC is waiting. However if the Spurs were waiting, not so fast...hold on, Wade and friends may not go back to back in terms of winning the championship. As usual only time will tell.

Jordan & Barkley Turn 50

One grew up in Leeds, Alabama. The other grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. One was born February 20, 1963. The other was born February 17, 1963. One played college basketball at Auburn University. The other played and won a NCAA Championship while playing college basketball at the University of North Carolina. Both players were drafted in the top 5 of the 1984 NBA Draft. Each played for the original 'Dream Team' during the 1992 Olympics. I'm obviously speaking of Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. Jordan Bulls would go on to defeat Barkley Suns 4-2 in the 1993 NBA Finals. Barkley won regular season MVP while Jordan won NBA Finals MVP. Charles never won a NBA title and only played deep into June once. Michael won 6 championships, 6 Finals MVPs and the rest as they say is history. Nevertheless both of these long time friends are also in the basketball Hall of Fame collectively and individually as well. Jordan arguably is known as the best player in NBA history. While Barkley is arguably considered one of the best power forwards in NBA history. Each former All Star enjoy turning 50 years old and playing golf while continuing their respective relationships with Nike.

Air Jordan III 1988 Nike Air Is Back Find Out What's Missing From These Retros...

I love Nike Air Jordan's, as a kid my grandmother, aunt and mother would not pay $150 or more for a pair of Jordan's. So I didn't acquire my 1st pair until I begin to work while in 11th grade in 1998. The following year while in 12th grade at Parkway (Gamma), I purchased my 1st pair of Jordan's they were the XIV's which are now known as the 'Last Shots'. The XIV's alone will always have a special place in my sneaker head heart. They were my 1st ! I'll actually stopped buying actual Jordan's from that year, just three years later after buying the XV's in 2000, XVI's in 2001 and XVII's in 2002. To me I didn't like the visual way the Jordan Brand was going, now that I look back at it, I should have got the 'Bred' XX's. I begin to collect retros in the summer of 1999 when the IV's (Breds) were released which are my 2nd favorite Jordan of all time behind the 'Playoff' XI's. I loved the Nike Air that was placed on Air Jordan I - Air Jordan VI from a visible standpoint. Probably after the early - mid 2000's retro releases Jordan Brand didn't place Nike Air on those sneakers that were previously mentioned. Fans like myself wanted it back badly Nike Air, Nike Air instead of the Jumpman ! February 6, 2013 Nike Air was back literally on the Air Jordan III OG 'Cement'. Well kind of, many who were able to log onto various online accounts to make the $200 or more purchase, may not have noticed something is missing despite the fact Nike Air returned to the back of the sneaker. On the sole their is still Jordan written, where with true OG's makes of the III's there is Nike on the sole, similar to the photo in this article from the original releases and 2001 'Bred' releases. I made the purchase back in 2001. So just keep in mind Jordan fans, Nike Air is back, just not all the way.

Joe Flacco Superbowl XLVII MVP Time To $ The Man

I'll open this article up, by personally apologizing to the 5th year quarterback from Delaware, Joe Flacco. I made this similar apology a year ago to Eli Manning. For years I said I didn't trust Joe Flacco, I thought the Ravens had enough around him on offense and defense yet, I didn't know if he could get the job done and eventually lead Baltimore to the promise land. The Superbowl XLVII MVP showed me and many of his critics : 11 TDS vs. 0 INTS during this postseason, those are similar single season playoff numbers to Joe Montana. Tack on the fact he went into Denver and New England and won respectively vs. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in consecutive weeks. Then played a heck of a game vs. San Francisco with all the money on the table (literally) in the Superbowl. Now as a potential free agent Flacco and his agent are in the drivers seat. Also Joe Flacco has made the playoffs each of his 5 seasons in the Charm City, winning at least 1 playoff game each year. Also he helped lead the team to 2 AFC North Division titles during that time as well as 3 AFC Championship Game appearances. Joe also holds the record for most career road playoff wins with 5. You see the difference in him with Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator, who allows him to stretch the defense and throw the football down the field, he wasn't given that chance in the past. He now has 1 Superbowl win and 1 Superbowl MVP like his peers : Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, the hardest part is done. Simply continue to add stats to the resume during the remainder of his career and he'll be Canton bound.

Destiny Fulfilled For Ray Lewis And The Baltimore Ravens Superbowl XLVII Champions

Sunday evening the Mercedes Benz Superdome was the host of Superbowl XLVII. New Orleans was Superbowl host once again, 1st time since February 2002 when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots defeated the defending champion St. Louis Rams. Ray Lewis didn't play great in the Superbowl as 49ers tight end got behind him at will on pass patterns. Nevertheless the Ravens defense was able to hold late on a goal line stand to prevent the 49ers from scoring the game winning touchdown. Baltimore won the game 34-31 winning the 2nd championship in franchise history and their 1st in 12 years. San Francisco lost their 1st Superbowl in franchise history falling to 5-1. Shortly after Beyonce performed during halftime along with her Destiny's Child mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the lights literally went out on half of the building. SF trailed 28-6 as Jacoby Jones opened the 2nd half in record style 108 yard kickoff return touchdown. The delay was well over 30 minutes, the 49ers gained momentum just as quickly as the Ravens lost it. Nevertheless despite some questionable red zone play calling by SF and lack of call by the officials on the final offensive play for the 49ers as WR Crabtree appeared to be held. Baltimore hung on, they were survivors even if the 49ers didn't give up, the Ravens worked harder and they made it. If my readers noticed that was a little Destiny's Child humor.