As fans, we ridicule referees more than anyone else involved with the game but half the time we're being hypocritical or don't know what we even want with our criticism.

For most of us, if a game is close at the end, and a call could be called or not called, that ref better swallow his whistle and let the game play on. Unless its absolutely blatant, we don't wanna hear any type of stoppage, unless its a timeout, in the last 2 minutes.......except for when your a fan of the team that doesn't benefit from the non-call.

For example, if you're a Spurs fan, rooting for the Spurs, or have money on the Spurs in the Finals, you were on twitter along with myself last night complaining that Manu didnt get to shoot free throws with 5 seconds left in overtime and that Danny Green didn't get 3 free throws after the Bosh closeout at the end of overtime. At the end of the day, if that call would've been made with 5 minutes left in the 1st quarter, you should call it now. Be consistent right?

On the other side of the spectrum, if you are a Ravens fan like myself, you would've crucified the refs for making that possible pass interference call on 4th down in the end zone with 30 seconds left. In that situation the refs better say play on and let it slide because we'll be damned if the refs decide the game in a situation like that.

So the question is, what do we want? Do we want the consistent officiating where a call in the beginning is the same call at the end? Or do we want the circumstantial officiating that allows more than the normal in what I like to call "clutch time"?

Both have their positives and negatives and as fans we have to have someone to blame when the result isn't in our favor. Whether we realize it or not, we are the most hypocritical individuals involved with the game because of this issue. From now on maybe we should decide what we really want first and once we make that decision, we can't be mad if a call is made at the end of the game based on those guidelines whether it's in your favor or not.

By at least Thursday the NBA Finals will be complete at which point in time, sports will be over in the eyes of, to put it bluntly, most black people, until probably the FIBA Championship later this summer.

In actuality, baseball will be in full swing, hockey is finishing up with the Stanley Cup Finals, and soccer teams around the world are fighting to qualify for the World Cup to be held next summer. Personally, I'm looking forward to every one of those events coming up, in fact, I'm watching Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals as we speak. I call myself a sports fanatic and I'm quick to tell you that sports is my passion. Golf, soccer, hockey, NASCAR, baseball, you name it and I watch it, hell I played and coached lacrosse, a sport that used to be known as the whitest to exist.

My biggest question for the majority of the black community is why. Why is it that unless its basketball, football, or a Mayweather or Pacquaio fight, you don't pay any attention to sports but you can easily turn around and actually call yourself a sports fan? I mean unless you watch something that involves more than Floyd or Manny, I can't even respectfully call you a boxing fan.

Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that I am in a significant minority by watching just about every sport out there, however, what's wrong with boxing other than Mayweather and Pacman. Hockey and Lacrosse have just as much physical contact as football, I mean really, you can fight in hockey without getting in trouble. As far as soccer goes, I've noticed that the interest is growing within my peers and I hope one day it's close to the top. Baseball is the one sport you have to have the most patience to watch because it can be such a slow game but it you haven't tried watching it, sit down one summer evening and just give it a shot.

That's really my message for all of the sports. Instead of sitting around whining and waiting for the NFL season to kickoff in September, give other sports a chance. Try baseball, support our national soccer teams as they try to qualify for the World Cup next summer, lacrosse has 2 professional leagues, watch at least one.

Believe it or not, the is only one day every year that doesn't have a baseball, football, hockey, or basketball related event. It's the 2nd Wednesday of every July, the day after the MLB All-Star Game. It's okay to still come home to football and basketball but expand your horizon and become a true sports fan if you choose to call yourself one.

Here we are, the last series of the playoffs and the season. No more basketball until October after one of these teams get 4 more wins. Okay I'm done with the depressing part.

I'd like to thank the Miami Heat for forcing me to wait til the last minute to finally be able to break everything down in this series, nonetheless, we're here so here it goes.


WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: MIAMI HEAT

I'm going to do things a little differently this time. Normally I breakdown the series and then tell you who I'm picking. This time I'll give you my pick first, and then break it down and tell you why.

The San Antonio Spurs will win the Larry O'Brien trophy and NBA Championship in 7 games.

STAR POWER:
Tony Parker is probably playing at the highest level on either roster, and that's with multiple lagging injuries. Tim Duncan is still the fundamentalist and is still providing 15 points and 10 rebounds a game in the playoffs AT AGE 36!!!! Manu Ginobili is playing his worst basketball of his postseason career and he is doing so on a torn hamstring.

Lebron James is Lebron James, there's nothing else that needs to be said regarding the 4-time reigning MVP. Despite having an overall abysmal series in the Eastern Conference Finals, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade decided to show up in Game 7 when it absolutely mattered most.

Notice I've only brought up 3 players on each team, oh yeah the Spurs have a big 3 too. So who's big 3 will prevail in this series? The Spurs are older and will have had 10 days off by time tipoff arrives Thursday night. After 10 days off, it's hard to imagine that Parker and Ginobili aren't 100% now. Aside from that point, the banged up Spurs have been more consistent than the quicker and younger Miami superstars. With Lebron admitting revenge for 07 is on his mind, I'm afraid he might forget he has 2 other superstars on his team and go to Cleveland mode. He got swept in Cleveland.
Advantage: San Antonio

BENCH PLAYERS:
Another instance of a lack of consistency coming from Miami. You never know what you're going to get offensively from Ray Allen and Shane Battier. One night they can come out and hit a combined 8-9 3's and the next night they'll be lucky to score a combined 8-9 points. Norris Cole, Mike Miller and Birdman have been 3 relatively consistent role players off the bench for Miami. Cole has an opportunity to win the starting job from Mario Chalmers next season if he proves worthy in this series as he will see alot of time aganist Tony Parker. Miller is going to come in and drain as many 3's as you ask him to. His stamina and defense however are suspect due to whatever injury may be bothering him that particular night. Let's face it, Chris Andersen isn't going to put up the same remarkable FG percentage that he did in the last round. At the same he does give Miami what they always need; energy, rebounding, and a defensive presence in the paint.

San Antonio has a guy named Boris Diaw coming off the bench who came into the league as a PG and is now a built power forward who knows his role and plays it on offense and defense. They also have the RED MAMBA who can drain any shot outside of 22 feet with his eyes closed if he wanted. The Heat better not leave Matt Bonner open at all during this series. If Pop took notes from Indiana in the East Finals, he learned that Miami doesn't like physicality down low; cue Dejuan Blair.

Both benches are very respectable and filled with experience. This aspect is going to come down to Miami's 3 ball vs San Antonio's defense.
Advantage: Draw

COACHING:
I really feel bad and as if I'm insulting Gregg Popovich by comparing him to Erik Spolestra so I'll make this quick. 4 rings to 1. 4-0 finals record to 1-1. Proven history and respected league wide. I could go on and on talking about how great Pop is, and it's no disrespect to Spo, but he just doesn't compare.
Advantage: San Antonio


Those are the main factors that I feel will determine the outcome of this series. Just a couple extra stats if you somehow still aren't excited enough.

Teams coming of a conference finals sweep vs teams coming off a 7 game conference finals series are 4-2. Teams that have 66 regular season win and reach the finals are 9-2. Personally, I'm undefeated when not picking against Pop.

Starting tonight at 9, something's gotta give.