Thursday, June 23, 2016

Foul Territory: Balls and Ballers

By Jeffrey Boswell

* Cavalier Aptitude, or the King and III — The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 93-89 to win the NBA Finals 4-3. The Cavaliers became the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the title. If it were a boxing title fight, James and the Cavs won by "decision."

* Crossing the Line — Sunday's Game 7 was the most heavily bet NBA game in history according to multiple Las Vegas bookmakers. The Cavaliers, 5-point underdogs, beat the home-standing Warriors 93-89. The biggest bet was a large six-figure wager on the Cavs to cover. So, according to Steph Curry's wife, Ayesha, bets on the Cavs were much like the Finals officiating team, in that they were paid off.

* Major Johnson, or It Was a Ballsy Win — Dustin Johnson won the U.S. Open on Sunday despite losing a stroke to a penalty that occurred on the fifth hole. Johnson was penalized later after it was deemed his ball moved as he addressed a putt on the fifth green. The USGA subsequently apologized for the impending penalty being a distraction, meaning that like a true penalty, they dropped the ball.

* Just For Kicks — Golden State forward Draymond Green accepted an invitation to play for the U.S. in the Summer Olympics in Brazil. Green said he'd like to add a gold medal to his vast collection of family jewels.

* Don't Cry For Them, Argentina, or Oh Say, Can You See (Where This is Going?)- — Argentina whipped the United States 4-0 in the semi-finals of the COPA America on Tuesday. Lionel Messi assisted on Argentina's first goal four minutes into the game, and the rout was on. So, it got "Messi" for the Americans. Luckily, since there is not a Hall of Fame hockey legend on the Argentine side, it didn't get any "Messier."

* First to Last — The Philadelphia 76ers, who won ten games last season, selected LSU's Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. After being announced as the first pick, Simmons said "Thank God," as did No. 2 selection Brandon Ingram, who went to the Los Angeles Lakers.

* While it Could Be a Financial Windfall For Them, MLB Will Probably Intentionally Walk Away From It — Major League Baseball said it was okay with the idea of a team playing in Las Vegas, but not while Pete Rose was staying in Las Vegas.