Home Sweet Home

The home teams are 8-0 so far in this semifinal round and these conference finals have been interesting to say the least. You had two series that looked to be dominated by the higher seeds in the Spurs and Heat, and had many people talking sweep on both sides. The only problem was the fact that there is no quit in the Celtics, Thunder, or referees. We'll touch on that third one later. Lets start off with a series breakdown of the Thunder and spurs series which is locked at 2 a piece.

State of the Series: Tied 2-2. Two home games left for San Antonio

After the San Antonio Spurs took a commanding 2-0 lead and had everybody talking about a 16-0 playoffs sweep. So much for that as the Thunder went home and lets just say they weren't too pleased with the hype. Kevin Durrant and the crew took over at home with a 20-point dismantler in game 3, and a game 4 where Durrant took over in the 4th for the win. Now with the series knotted at two and it is looking like anybody's series. I am sticking with my first prediction which was Thunder in 6? Why? because it still has a chance. 

What I really believe will happen is the Spurs and Thunder both win at home again and send it to 7 where the Thunder will finally prevail in San Antonio. At least that is what the NBA wants. Doesn't it make sense for the most compelling and lucrative finals? Why wouldn't the NBA want to young and potential filled Thunder to take out the veteran Spurs that have been dominant in the West for the past decade and a half? Also for the Thunder to do it in 7 games in San Antonio, this only adds fuel to the flames of the people that say the NBA is rigged, and I am not one to totally deny that David Stern has his hands on some of these games.

State of the series: Tied 2-2 but at least the officials are 4-0

Next we have the Eastern Interference Finals. I am calling them that from now on because of the huge role the referees have had in the games so far. The whole series from game 1-4 has had officials controlling the games with technical fouls, lopsided calls, and calls officials should not make that decide games. This happened too blatantly in game 4 where it looked like David Stern had a meeting with the officials and they decided they needed to push this series to 7 games. Now of course I give credit to both teams for actually winning their two games a piece, but every win came with heavy help by the refs on the home teams court. This series like the other has been dominated by the home team and since Miami has home court advantage I see them making it out alive, but after watching the way this series has gone it is clear that David Stern wants this one to go 7 games.

 We will see what happens but I have one big tip for the refs, the best referees are the ones that go unnoticed. Referees should not play a role in the game except regulating. Also the refs need to not be swayed by these home crowds and the media because it really seemed like they tried to make up for the media and Celtics fans saying the Heat got more calls. The Miami Heat were getting more calls because they were more aggressive. That’s pretty logical. We will see how this one goes, but I have the Heat in 7.

This has been the state of the conference finals. If you disagree or have another opinion, let me know what you think. Again the mock draft is coming soon. Sorry for the wait.