Eastern Conference Finals - Game 1

The largest margin of victory in franchise history set the tone for what was supposed to be an exciting series.  Or at least I hoped it would be.

It also didn't help that the so called "King James" shot 85% from the field.  His windmill dunks, steals, and aggressive play, embarrassed the Toronto Raptors tonight.

I held out a shred of hope when the game was close during the first quarter.  Maybe a renewed Kyle Lowry could put up a fight.  Maybe DeMar DeRozan would make a big stand in what perhaps might be his last series as a Raptor.

But the Cavaliers weren't having any of it.  Forget the great performance of both James and Irving.  Toronto simply couldn't compete with the reigning Eastern Conference champs, and it showed.  

Forget the regular season.  Forget the momentum of a broken regular season record by the Warriors.  The playoffs are their own unique beast one might even say is a season unto its own.  And to win, you need to gel.  To gel, you need to be firing on all cylinders.  And that's exactly what the Cavs are doing and having a blast in the process.

One might hope that Jonas Valanciunas of the Raptors might be a difference maker if he's able to return from the ankle injury he sustained during the semi-final match-up against the Miami Heat.

We won't know if that will be the difference, but I hope that this Raptor team at least puts up a fight.  Because if they don't, King James, Uncle Drew (Irving) and K-Love, will be skating into the finals with plenty of rest to face a formidable opponent from the West - Oklahoma City or Golden State.

Game 2 is Thursday back in Cleveland.  I just hope it's more of a fight than the 31 point shellacking we as sports spectators bore witness to this evening. 

Until then, I can't wait to see how Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals goes tomorrow night.

It will be a sad time in June when the season is over, but until then, I'll savor the last few games of this very sport I've always loved for a few more weeks.

Man you can't beat the NBA playoffs.

Du-Par's Pancakes

There comes a time when a diet is made to be broken.  

A donut.

A bagel.

A Mexican Coke.

Whatever you fancy, it's ok to take a break and enjoy the treats that make us feel like a kid again.

And today's treat for me was Du-Par's pancakes.  It's not the most ideal food to eat after a workout.  And coupled with an omelette of spinach, bacon and cheddar cheese, you feel less guilty.

But I savored every last bite of that pancake I shared with my mother at Du-Par's and reflected on a time when I was a kid, and was introduced to a tradition I hope to pass onto my children.

It's the one time I drizzle butter mixed with maple syrup into a swirl that would make any cardiologist angry.  And I will continue to indulge where and when I can.  

If you haven't had the pancakes or french toast at this Los Angeles landmark, I strongly encourage you to make a date with anyone who will appreciate the little things that put a smile on your face and help you forget about the stress that bogs us down.

Go enjoy that treat with less guilt.

PS  I know my mother will have a field day with my children statement, but I digress.

Inaugural post

A roundtable of white staring at the palm trees blowing in the wind.

This is Palm Springs on a Sunday in May, where the sunshine is abundant and a pool is only a short distance away.

I sit writing my inaugural post with some excitement and fury.  Excitement at the journey that lies ahead, but fury at an article that I read in one of my go-to publications that won't be named,

My fury lies in the copying of an idea that I had pitched to the anonymous publication about an article that wound up getting published by a different writer.

I saw an angle.  I saw a story.  But they didn't hear my voice.

But that's how it goes in the world.  And I take to the pages of my own venture to humor the muse inside that's been itching to make its way into the pages of greatness.

As I walk outside to the Palm Springs sun, to enjoy my last few hours before heading back to the busy lifestyle that Los Angeles breeds, I leave with excitement and a renewed outlook.  Because one unpublished idea, doesn't mean you can't make your mark.