Finals

[Donald_A_Liles@mail.bankone.com (Donald A Liles)]

     As I sat watching the last few minutes of Game 6, barely a few hours 
     after discussing with a friend how I thought that the Stanley Cup 
     playoffs and trophy presentation were light years better than all 
     other sports due to the emotional, all or nothing approach by its 
     players. Not to mention the coolest trophy in all of sports. I have 
     always loved watching the players carry the cup around the ice, in a 
     way bringing the fans closer to each player as they share the 
     excitement. This is not to say that players do not like to win, but 
     think about it, they retreat to their locker rooms upon winning and 
     celebrate there. When they don't they tend to embarrass their selves 
     in my opinion (see 86 Mets) by celebrating perhaps too much. 
     
     What to my wondering eye would appear but superman yet again (why are 
     we still surprised?) showing the rest of the world how easy he can 
     make the game of basketball look. Earlier in the day my discussion 
     focused upon how , in my opinion, most athletes not caring as much 
     about winning and sharing it with their fans. Yet there was MJ 
     absolutely loving the moment and loving sharing it with the Windy City 
     fans. It made me smile even chuckle as Michael was dancing on the 
     scorer's table flashing his fingers and a mischievous grin, 5,6,7,8... 
     
     The fanfare surrounding the presentation I must admit surprised my 
     cynical self. I can understand the Rangers fans, the Red Wing fans, 
     but the Bulls fans? Don't they know that they just won last year? 
     These are the same fans often criticized (and rightly so) for sitting 
     in the United Center too busy on their cell phones to watch the game, 
     were going absolutely crazy. I was stunned. 
     
     Forgive me o basketball gods for I have strayed...
     
     Don