Uncle Mo & the NHL, Cole Hamels, and the NBA Finals

Momentum is a powerful thing. It is more powerful than Barry Bonds on steroids that he never knowingly took. It can singlehandedly decide games more decisively than even Cole Hamels (see below) can. If you don't believe me, just ask anyone (player, management, fan) that follows the Edmonton Oilers. This team stumbled into the playoffs as the last (#8) seed, and then proceeded to find Uncle Mo, and rode in his car all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. They did it behind the hot goaltending of Dwayne Roloson, the veteran leadership of Michael Peca and Chris Pronger, and the magic of momentum. Momentum is usually a bigger factor in college sports, where it can make Florida SEC and NCAA Champs in a season where they did little to distinguish themselves during the bulk of the season, but it clearly is a difference maker in the pros as well. On an aside, speaking of difference makers, is there any position in any sport even close to as important as goalie in hockey? Nope. Not quarterback, when Trent Dilfer can win a title. Not point guard. Not pitcher. Nothing. But I digress.....

Back to the Oilers. They had it all. On top of everything I said above, they dominated Carolina in Game 1 of the Cup Finals, leading 3-0 in Raleigh and in general looking like the Champions of the World. Then ex-Flyer Rod Brind A'Mour, who has nothing if not for the biggest heart in the game, cut it to 3-1 just before the second intermission. More important than the goal, Brind A'Mour did what great players do at great times, he stole Uncle Mo. Then they tied the game 3-3, Roloson got hurt, and the Oilers made one of the worst boneheaded plays of all-time, letting Brind A'Mour (who else?) score the game winner on a broken play. Game over. Series Over. Edmonton followed that devastating loss with a 5-0 clunker last night. Plain and simple, they are done. They had their shot, but once you let Uncle Mo get away, he does not come back. Just ask the USC Trojans, who let Uncle Mo and a 12-point lead slip away to Texas in the Rose Bowl this year. They had as much chance of stopping Vince Young on that fateful 4th down play as I do of getting hit on by Jessica Alba. In other words, not very good. Edmonton will be lucky to win one game back above the Canadian border, although I expect a sweep is likely at this point. Bottom line: if Uncle Mo and Tony Soprano are in a battle for "control of the family", I am not betting on the fat guy. I am betting on the phat guy! I am just glad Rod Brind A'Mour, one of my favorite Flyers of all-time, found him before it's too late. There is a guy who deserves his name on the best trophy in sports, and I will rejoice for him when that reality occurs in a few days.

Speaking of momentum, the big league career of Philadelphia hero and savior Cole Hamels certainly has it. Barring injuries, this kid is destined for greatness. His stuff is electric, his makeup is sound. Hopefully his body will cooperate, and he will avoid any more off field problems. This kid will be the best pitcher in Philly since Carlton; it will be awesome to have a top of the line starter for the first time since Schilling, and that will ultimately make Brett Myers the best #2 starter in the league. Who knows, maybe once the Philberts fire Jolly Chollie and send him to the Shopping Malls to play Santa Claus this off-seaosn, this team really can and should contend next year. Really. Hamels, Myers, Floyd, and Madson could be a nice staff. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will be superstars. Jimmy Rollins is a great shortstop. All Hail, King Cole!!!

Oh, yeah, by the way, the NBA Finals start tonight. I will not be watching. But, all I hear is the Mavs are too fast, too big, too deep, too everyting for the Heat. I look at it this way. The Heat have Pat Riley, who has been there a lot longer than Avery Johnson. They have Dwayne Wade, one of the top 5 players in the league, who can match Dirk number for number. They have the Diesel, who smells the Championship, and mortal supremacy over one Kobe Bryant (and if you think that does not matter, you are crazy). He will turn it up about five notches for this series, getting that old body to respond one more time. And, thanks to David Stern, who cannot possibly let Mark Cuban win, they I am sure will have Dick Bavetta for a couple key games. Heat will win in 5 or 6.

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