Many thoughts on sports

The Celtics and the Lakers are tied at 2 games each. The Lakers won Game 3 with some key baskets by Derek Fisher down the stretch and the Celtics were led in Game 4 by strong bench play by Nate Robinson and Glen Davis. Game 5 is Sunday night at 6 p.m. MT on ABC. If the Celtics are to have any realistic chance of winning the series, I think they have to win Game 5. Robinson's energy was a big boost for them off the bench last night and if he can bring that again the Celtics will be in good shape at home.

The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night behind a Patrick Kane overtime goal in Philadelphia in Game 6. Like everyone else, I didn't see the puck go in right away but after looking at the replay it was clearly a goal. It was kind of an anticlimactic ending in a way because it took a while to verify, but the Blackhawks were still rightfully excited. They were definitely the most consistent team throughout the playoffs and deserved to hoist the Cup. I thought Flyers goalie Michael Leighton let in a couple more soft goals in Game 6 and it's tough to win a championship when you have stuff like that happening. It was the Blackhawks first Cup since 1961, so now maybe there is hope for my Toronto Maple Leafs winning it for the first time since 1967. Okay, so maybe there's not much hope right away. But a guy can always wish.

The FIFA World Cup is officially underway now. Host country South Africa and Mexico got things under way earlier today with a 1-1 draw. South Africa isn't expected to make it past the group stage so earning the draw is quite an achievement, but they are disappointed they didn't get the win after having chances late in the match. Right now Uruguay and France are just underway and are scoreless about 11 minutes in. The big one for early in the tournament is tomorrow when England the United States go at it at noon MT on ABC. I'm pretty stoked for it. The USA has shown promise in international play in recent matches and now has a chance to prove it on the biggest soccer stage against a highly ranked international foe in England.

The San Francisco Giants (32-27) are coming off a split of a four game series against the Reds (35-26) in Cincinnati. It's disappointing to only get a split after taking the first two, but the Reds are a good team. The Giants now take on their rivals from across the bay, the Oakland Athletics (32-30) this weekend at AT&T Park. I will be at least one and possibly two of the games. I'm pretty excited to see my team in person and I think they should perform well as they are at home where they have a strong 19-11 record so far this year and have the top 3 of the rotation (Lincecum, Zito and Cain) lined up to pitch the three games. The first game is tonight at 8:15 p.m. MT.

Speaking of the Athletics, they did indeed get their split with the Angels (33-30), although the Rangers (33-27) still have a hold on the AL West after taking three straight against the disappointing Mariners (23-37). Contrary to my prediction, the Rays (39-21) cooled off the Blue Jays (34-27) by taking two of three at Tropicana Field. I know it's still the first half of the season, but the Rays are tearing it up and I don't see any way that team doesn't make the playoffs. The Reds and the Braves (35-26) are atop their respective divisions in the National League but I still don't see either of them taking the crowns as the Phillies (31-27) and Cardinals (33-27) are not far back. The Dodgers (36-24) continue to play well and swept the Cardinals this week just as they did in last year's NLDS. The Padres (35-25) are a game back and lead the Cardinals by 2 games and the Giants by 2.5 in the Wild Card. Interleague play is in full force this weekend and there are some exciting match-ups going on. If you have some time you might want to check them out as well as soaking in some of the World Cup.