Playoff time is Abrams time

As the school year ends and I have another semester of ranting and rambling about nothing under my belt, I sit here disappointed.\nA lot of this past semester I have not had anything truly fun to write about. There have been sporadic moments where I have had quality topics, but for the most part, this semester has been quiet. It’s been so quiet the IDS let me draw a picture and called it a column.\nAs bleak as this semester has been in the national sports column genre, the future is bright.\nThe next few weeks have two of my favorite sporting events: The NBA and NHL playoffs.\nThere are so many great things about the NBA playoffs this year that I can only cover a few.\nFirst, the games that Joe Crawford officiates are way better and more entertaining to watch than any other officiating crew. Watching his animated calls adds flavor to every game, and the mere fact that at any moment he could snap and fight a player enhances the enjoyment. It’s just too exciting for me to handle.\nNext, there are at least four first-round series that I expect to be sweeps, and I expect two to go seven games. How many times have we been blessed with such amazing matchups while also having to suffer through such terrible ones? \nFor those wondering, my sweeps are Utah, Boston, New Orleans and LeBron (I motion the NBA to change the name of the Cleveland Cavaliers to the LeBron James for obvious reasons). My seven-game series are Phoenix versus San Antionio and Philadelphia against Detroit.\nFinally, of those potential seven-game series, one has potential to be the greatest \nfirst-round matchup of all time. I would first like to point out that the Phoenix and San Antonio matchup already has two games under its belt, and it’s unfair to rank it No. 1 until a final victor is established. Because there is so much bad blood from last year’s playoff matchup, these teams hate each other. This series is set up for greatness.\nSan Antonio forward Robert Horry gave an unnecessary cheap shot to Phoenix point guard Steve Nash, Tim Donaghy officiated the controversial game three and forwards Amare Stoudamire and Boris Diaw were both suspended for a pivotal game five for the bogus leaving the bench rule. Add Shaq to the mix and we will have an all-out dogfight.\nGame one has already given us double-overtime, during which three different players hit clutch 3-point shots to extend the game, which San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili capped off with a nice game-winner . If Ginobili didn’t make that shot, the game would have still been going on. Game two was a little less exciting but still ended up being a battle to the finish.\nAs for the NHL playoffs, round one has already produced three game sevens, and round two looks just as sweet.\nThe NHL has the greatest increase in intensity from regular season to playoffs. The level of play in the playoffs is so high it is unbelievable to watch.\nUnfortunately, no one will see the playoffs until NBC picks up a few games of the Stanley Cup finals. If you enjoy a fast-paced, exciting game, I urge you to find the Versus channel on your television and enjoy the action.\nOn a side note, I don’t understand how Commissioner Gary Bettman didn’t fix the first round to make sure Washington faced Pittsburgh in round two. Alex Ovechkin versus Sidney Crosby is an NHL dream and they didn’t make it happen. NBA commisioner David Stern needs to call Bettman to teach him how to effectively run a league.\nUnfortunately, Philadelphia also launched the Capitals out of the playoffs on Tuesday night.\nFinally, as I leave you for the summer and pray I don’t get fired before next fall, I’d like to leave everyone with one last thought: If Shaq dunks and breaks down the backboard, but no one is there to see it, does it really fall down?