Hey All,
I emailed a letter to Michael Felger of the "Felger & Mazz" radio program on 98.5 The Sports Hub because I feel that the Celtics' Game Three victory was the biggest victory in the NBA for the entire season. But not for the reason you may think. Here you go:
Felger,
The Celtics win on Sunday night probably wont change the fact that there will be a Golden State - Cleveland rematch in "The Finals." It was a huge win, a great win, a win that will be remembered. But for me, this win wont be remembered as a great win for the Celtics. It will be a great win for the NBA, and it's respectability in terms of competitiveness and parity.
Don't get me wrong, the NBA lacks parity and is the only league where teams that have a losing record can qualify for the playoffs with regularity.
After last night's win against the Spurs, the Warriors SWEPT the Western Conference playoffs. Winning 12 games in a row in the playoffs is embarrassing for the NBA. For context, the Nashville Predators just clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. As an 8 seed, the Predators won their first five playoff games... the most in the NHL. The monumental difference in Parity between these two leagues is laughable. But back to the Celtics win....
If the Celtics hadn't won game three and subsequently got swept in game four, The NBA would have boasted two teams that were UNDEFEATED entering the finals. How is that good for the NBA? How is that good for sport? If you ask me, the Celtics saved the legitimacy of the NBA playoffs.
-Brian
