Heat Repeat, and Spain Flexes Muscles

Miami Re-Heats the NBA Champion

- Fittingly, for a series that went back and forth with no team winning two in a row, Game 7 between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs was not decided till almost the very end. Both teams held small leads, and the game was tied numerous times throughout. The Heat held a lead throughout the 4^th quarter, but it never got more than 6 points until the very end.

- The Spurs were once again lead by Tim Duncan (25 points and 12 rebounds) and Kawhi Leonard (19 points and 16 rebounds). However, they were done in by turnovers at very poor times, especially those by Manu Ginobili. The Heat were led by MVP Lebron James and his 37 points and 12 rebounds, and Dewayne Wade with his 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Heat were helped by a surprising outburst by Shane Battier 18 points while shooting 6-7 from the 3 point line. Surprisingly, Chris Bosh didn’t score a single point, while committing 5 fouls. He did play good defense against Duncan.

- This is the Heat’s second straight championship, and third since 2006. The Heat’s Big 3 will at least be together for one more year before all three have an opt-out of their contract. It remains to be seen how effective Dewayne Wade and Chris Bosh will be. Wade was definitely hurt, and Bosh is struggling to figure out his role amongst the two bigger stars on his team. For the Spurs, it was rumored that Duncan would retire if the Spurs had won, the 37 year old never said anything, but Duncans age, and Ginobili’s ineffectiveness this playoffs should raise some eyebrows in West Texas.

Spain obliterates Tahiti
- Everyone loves a good David vs. Goliath story, where an undermanned team or player defeats all odds to achieve unexpected success. This is not one of those stories. Undermanned Tahiti, playing in their first international tournament ever and with only one professional player, went up against Spain in the Confederations Cup and beat them by a tidy score of 10-0.
- Tahiti, which is thought of by many as an island paradise seemed to fit the bill as their goalie was seemingly alone on an island against Spain's relentless attack. Fernando Torres scored 4 goals, David Villa scored 3 and Tahiti's choice to play an aggressive style of defense well... backfired.
- Spain actually did beat Bulgaria 13-0 once so it's not their biggest victory ever, but it is for any FIFA senior national tournament. Don't worry though, Tahiti, people will still come to you for vacation.