Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 14, 2013 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- The Boston Bruins overcame a 4-1 third period deficit to beat Toronto 5-4 in overtime in Game 7. They will face the Rangers who beat Washington 5-0 in Game 7. Game one between two of the "Original 6" is Thursday night in Boston.
- Commanding 3-1 leads in the NBA. Miami pounded Chicago 88-65, and Memphis beat Oklahoma City 103-97 in overtime.
- Washington's Bryce Harper crashed into the wall in Dodger Stadium. He needed 11 stitches on his chin. He also banged up his knee and shoulder.
- Tiger Woods is the heavy favorite to win next month's U.S. Open.
2. Perspective
Depending on your point of view Boston had a miracle comeback last night (the first team to win a seventh game after trailing by three goals in the third period) or Toronto had an epic collapse (Here's the Toronto Sun headline). Either way it was riveting. Check out the TSN highlights and make note of the player reactions of both teams after the Patrice Bergeron game winner, but also check out the Toronto fans. The extra police presence in downtown Toronto wasn't necessary. There were no problems. Just heartache.
3. Court-TV
An entire cottage industry emerged from the original O.J. Simpson trial. Commentators became famous, cable TV channels prospered and millions of Americans became "trial addicts." They just can't get enough of these high profile cases. So they'll be happy to know that the man who started it all is back in court. O.J. Simpson wants a new trial because he feels he received inadequate representation. He's presently serving 9-33 years for armed robbery and kidnapping. I doubt he'll get much sympathy. Many Americans feel his jail term is cosmic payback for the murders he got away with.
4. Credentials
Rutgers athletics is on a losing streak. Now it seems the new basketball coach, Eddie Jordan, didn't graduate from Rutgers when his bio said he did. Rutgers says the school is to blame, not Eddie. And in truth why does this matter? He's a basketball coach not the school president. Oh, it's a matter of integrity. They've got that in college sports?
5. Dr. Joyce Brothers
1927-2013
A nice lady passed away yesterday, the famous psychologist and TV personality, Dr. Joyce Brothers. What does this have to do with sports? She first gained fame by winning the TV quiz show The $64.000 Question. Her topic was boxing. As a result she was asked to be a commentator for the championship match between Carmen Basilio and Sugar Ray Robinson in 1958. So among all of her other achievements she was the first woman boxing commentator. Very cool!
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Happy Birthday: Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. 24.
Bonus Birthday: Now here's a tough guy to buy a present for. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. 29.
Today in Sports: The Mick hits his 500th. No cork. No batting gloves. 1967.
Bonus Event: 15 years ago today the finale of Seinfeld. 1998.
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