Magic 107 Cavs 106

I never intended myself to be a sportswriter on this blog, but I have too much to say about the epic Game 1 between the Cavs and Magic.  During the first three quarters I was fuming and preparing my rant on how David Stern must have told the refs to make sure that both the Cavs and Lakers advance to the finals, but I don't think that's true.  Stern may have more on his mind than a Kobe-Lebron showdown.  But both the Lakers and Celtics did seem to get a lot of help from the officials on the way to the finals last year, though.  So we'll have to see how this series goes.

If I had the chance to say one thing to the officials, I would tell them that Lebron James is already the best player in the world and doesn't need every call to go his way.  He's the last player that needs it.  Dwight Howard's 6th foul was a joke.  I think it's wrong for refs to overlook fouls to keep stars in the game, but I can't believe they would call that on Dwight. Lebron's spin move didn't draw a foul either.  Charles Barkley pointed both of those out in the post game.  And you Cav sympathetics- don't you dare try to use Dwight Howard's screen on Mo Williams as an example of a call that went Dwight's way; that was just being consistent. Every shot Ray Allen took in the playoffs was opened up by a moving screen.  Refs aren't calling moving screens and shouldn't start now.

If I had the chance to say one thing to David Stern, I would advise him to be more liberal in enforcing the "flop fine."  The NBA announced that it would review all games and fine players for flopping.  There have been so many flops gone unpunished (*cough* Rondo *cough*).  A good place to start might be with Lebron with about 28 seconds left in the 3rd.  Pietrus drives on Lebron (who DID have good position) and gives him a little bump which send Lebron FLYING.  Not that any fine would make much of a dent in Lebron's pocketbook, but making the fine public would set an example and hopefully cut down on flopping in these playoffs.

Two final thoughts.  Lebron had some great, clean blocks on Dwight Howard.  But he was able to do so be playing away from Rafer Alston.  How dangerous would the Magic be with Jameer Nelson?  Lebron could maybe match up on Courtney Lee and leave him open, but Lee can score and if he doesn't, Van Gundy can sub Pietrus (who is playing GREAT).  It's too bad that Nelson can't play now.  He could be a great part of a CHAMPION Magic team if he were healthy.  But even without their All-Star PG, they've got a great chance.  I love how this team is playing now.

Final thought.  Play of the game: Courtney Lee stealing the ball and DUNKING on Lebron on the open court.  If that was in Orlando, the building would have gone ballistic.