Game 6 Reaction- A Surprising End To A Surprising Series
Well, I did not see this coming- the Orlando Magic eliminating the Cavaliers and advancing to the NBA Finals.
This is not the outcome I predicted when the series started, but Orlando earned this win tonight, IMO.
Got a LOT of thoughts:
1. See the three, be the three. When the Magic are hot from three-point range, it can be frightening (game 4 of this series, that 22-three game against Sacramento)
2. Missed shots by the Cavs. It can doom any team- just ask the Nuggets.
3. I can't imagine what HD's feeling like, but I know this feeling. In 2006-07, my Buffalo Sabres had an eerily similar year- best record overall, lose in Conference Finals.
4. IMO, Orlando winning one on the road was the most important (and crucial) game of the series. Given how home-court usually holds up in the NBA Playoffs, that was a big thing. Most teams can win a series by stealing one on the road and holding serve at home (see Nuggets/Mavs and Lakers/Jazz- they also got that one road game they needed)
5. Superman was in the building. When Dwight Howard was on his game (games 1, 4, and 6), it was pretty damn scary at times. When he took down that shot clock in game 1 with that big dunk- could that have been an omen of what was to come?
6. The Cleveland sports drought. Unfortunately, it's going to continue, but Cleveland fans are not alone. I am a Buffalo sports fan- I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I haven't been spoiled with titles myself, so we're in the same boat.
7. Sometimes, a team has to go through a tough loss before triumphing.
Sandra, your Rangers went through similar heartbreak- best-record overall in 1992, surprising playoff loss, but won it all in 1994.
Jimbo, your Red Wings has a record-breaking 62 win, 131-point season in 1995-96, but lost in the Conference Finals. They came back to win it all the next year.
BillD- 2003 Red Sox followed their heartbreaking ALCS loss with a World Series win a year later.
Cybok- 15-1 Steelers lost the AFC Title game on their home-field- won it all a year later.
8. Finally, I have to give props to Orlando. As someone who picked the Cavs to win the series, I'm not going to be a sore loser like I was with Michigan State and Villanova during the NCAA Tournament. Orlando is a VERY good team- I think they have a good nucleus- Superman, Hedo, Rashard- and Stan Van Gundy will get a chance to win an NBA Title after he got very close 2005 and got screwed out of one in 2006 when Riley swooped in.
This is going to hurt for Cleveland- again- but someday, it'll happen... I hope.
