NBA Finals and UEFA Champions League Finale

Heat- Mavs Final Preview

This year’s NBA Finals has various storylines that proves why basketball is the greatest sport in the world. Lebron James and Dirk Nowitzki are arguably two of the greatest players to ever play their respective positions. These two great stars have the ability to eradicate their dark past starting this Tuesday. Dirk
Nowitski was sitting at the table of basketball immortality in 2006, when all of a sudden he lost his spot. Ever since then, the first ballot hall of famer has been dying for another shot at the most coveted trophy in all of sports. Dirk has accomplished everything in basketball except possessing the
most imperative piece to the makeup of his legacy. Other players on the MaverickS roster such as hall of famer Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler hope to live out their dream by becoming NBA champions.

      Lebron James has been through a year in which he transformed into the most hated athlete in America. Ever since July 8th 2010, King James has been viewed as an ego maniac who could never fill the shoes of the great Michael Jordan. During this postseason, Lebron James has shown the world that he is
capable of hitting big shots in the most pivotal of moments. Lebron has shown a lot during the previous series because he was willing to take on the burden of defending the most exciting player in basketball in Derrick Rose. Starting Tuesday, Lebron James will be only four wins away from proving that taking his talents to South Beach was the best decision he ever made. Either Lebron or Dirk will fulfill their basketball destiny, while the other will be placed in the category of one of the best who never won a ring. Fasten your seatbelts folks, this should be an epic and memorable series.

Barcelona wins UEFA Champions League Finale

In a game where Manchester United was considered the home side the beautiful Soccer was played by the Spanish champions Barcelona. From the opening whistle most thought Manchester United would be able to keep Barcelona in check judging by how they did not allow them to play their possession game. However after the first ten minutes passed, Barcelona played how they always do; beautifully.

Barcelona had their first real chance of the game when captain Xavi Hernandez crossed low into the box to Pedro Rodriguez who mistimed his touch as the ball sailed wide. Minutes later Villa cut past captain Vidic of Man U then sliced the ball wide of the far post.

At the 27^th minutes later at the 34^th  Barcelona finally found their breakthrough as Pedro Rodriguez latched onto a gorgeous through ball from Xavi and easily hit the ball low inside the near post. 1-0 Barcelona

Just seven minutes later Manchester United grabbed their equalizer after a wuick little give and go between Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs is curled home beautifully by Rooney. 1-1

Barcelona pressed for the lead before half time as Messi rolls the ball out to Villa who gives it back one time but the little Argentine could not tap home. The first half ends 1-1 at Wembly from London, England.

Barca began the second half with a scare as Xavi takes the free kick with a neat little short pass to Sergio Busquests who then kicks the ball into the path of Pedro who once again mistimed his touch.

At the 54^th minutes Barcelona’s immense pressure finally paid off as the magician Lionel Messi dribbled towards two Man U defenders who could only admire him as a ripped a shot which curled straight down the middle of the goal to give his team the a 2-1 lead. This was Messi’s first ever goal on English soil.

After a few more unbelievable chances by the Spanish champions they finally add the game finishing goal at the 69^th minute as Busquets disposses Nani and passes back to Villa who controls, aims, and then curls the ball beyond the arms of Edwin Van der Sar. 3-1 Barca

The game would end 3-1 to Barcelona who played by far their best game of the season. The goal they allowed was nice but Ryan Giggs may have been slightly off sides when he received the pass from Rooney.

All in all, the game showed no diving, not too much complaining, and finally a well conducted game by the referee. This is a game to remember for all Soccer fans because the game was played, not paid off or ruined by play acting from the professionals. Credit goes to both teams for doing their best and putting their hearts on the line in Europe’s most prestigious Soccer competition in the UEFA Champions League.

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NBA Draft and Summer Soccer--Let the Excitement Begin

NBA Draft Combine 

The NBA held its annual draft combine showcasing the future stars of the hardwood. Projected number 1 draft pick Kyrie Irving decided to not participate in the festivities. A lot of people within the NBA society figured Kyrie should have participated because he had nothing to lose by partaking in the workouts.  I saw a lot of talented prospects at the workout, but there were a few that truly caught my eye. Enes Kanter from Turkey really showed great footwork, and has a great developing low post game. Enes Kanter was suppose to control the paint for The University of Kentucky this year, but was ruled ineligible by The NCAA. He also showed a great outside stroke which can aid him at the next level.

            I was also impressed with forward Tray Tompkins out of Georgia. A lot of NBA scouts are down on him, but I can see him as a young right handed Zach Randolph at the next level.  He doesn’t have excellent athletic ability, but he has a ready NBA body, and he has an excellent basketball IQ. The morris brothers Marcus and Markief were also impressive, but may not be stars at the next level. They both are willing to listen to instructors, and both yearn to make their own names in the NBA. Brigham Young star guard Jimmer Fredette will have to learn how to play defense because he lacks basic defensive skills, and that will hurt him transforming on to the next level. Guards in the NBA are super athletic, and you have to be able to keep them in front of you. Jimmer has a mediocre offensive game, and I just don’t see him as a legitimate NBA player. I will make my evaluations on Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, and Kemba Walker on the next episode of NateRey Sports. 

Summer Soccer

Soccer season is coming to an end in Europe, but that does not necessarily mean the excitement ends here. There are two major international tournaments approaching in the months of June and July. Our beloved United States will be hosting the CONCACAF Gold Cup which will have teams from Central and North America play it out for the title throughout the month of June. Two years ago, Mexico defeated the United States 5-0 in the Gold Cup final to lift the trophy here in the US. The US will not only look to avenge that loss but to lift the trophy once again on home soil.

The next tournament will be the Copa America where nations from South America will come together to play for the title in Argentina. The home side is automatically considered a favorite along with Brazil being that they are the two most successful Southern American nations in history. This tournament was last won by Brazil 3-0 against Argentina in Venezuela. The two guest teams outside the continent will be usual participants Mexico and Costa Rica will be replacing Japan due to their natural disaster situation.

Also, Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will be participating in the 2011 Soccer World Tour by visiting the United States to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 16^th in Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Union in Philadelphia on July 23^rd. Real Madrid will look to see what their new transfers could add to their team before their 2011-2012 Spanish La Liga season commences. The two new transfers they made are Nuri Sahin from Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Hamit Altintop from Bayern Munich also of Germany. The two players become the two first ever Turkish international players to join the Madrid powerhouse. This past season Mesut Ozil also of Turkish descent joined Madrid however he has chosen to play for Germany instead. Like Sahin and Altintop, he was born and raised in Germany but he choose to pledge his allegiance to the country of his birth.

The MLS All-Star game will take place at RedBull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey between the MLS All-stars and the Manchester United of England who have just won the English Premier League and await to face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final. A year ago Manchester United humbled the all-stars 4-1 after tying 1-1 with the Philadelphia Union. The all-stars look to avenge that disappointing result on July 27^th when they meet again.

Major League Soccer is still going strong with the Philadelphia Union leading the Eastern Conference by 1 point ahead of the New York RedBulls and the Los Angeles Galaxy clear in the Western Conference by 6.

To find out more in the World of Soccer, follow our blog and twitter @NateReySports.