— SPORTS Sports Smorgasborg Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor and Spring-time Enthusiast For the true enthusiasts, there is no better time than now to be a sport fan. With a steadier dose than a hospital I.V., the months of May and June are jammed packed with post-season action that provide us the adrenaline rush that we need. Like John Holmes, the NBA, and the NHL are in deep...into playoffs, and—on the cusp changing history— Major League Baseball is in full swing. National Sports—Silver Lining for BC teams The Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association recently held its National Championships in Kitcherner/Waterloo, Ontario. With a plethora of players on the men’s and women’s BC provincial teams represent- ing Canada’s National program, BC felt confident in their chances at a National title, especially after tripping at the finish line of last year’s competition. Team BC men had waited an entire year to avenge the collapse that occurred in the 2005 gold medal game in Edmonton, AB. Supporters watched in dismay as Team BC’s late double-digit lead dissipated and ultimately result- ed in an overtime loss to rivals Ontario. The win for Ontario resulted in their sixth consecutive National Championship title...but that was last year. With the possibility of establishing the longest consec- utive championship title run (seven), Ontario came out fir- ing on all cylinders behind their top gun Pat Anderson. Finishing with 44 points and probably a dozen assist, Anderson dictated the game in every facet and lead Ontario to their record setting seventh consecutive national championship title as they defeated Team BC 78-62. Team BC was lead by tournament all-stars Richard Peters and Jaimie Borisoff. On the women’s side, Team BC look poised to take a run a National Champion title as they cruised through the preliminary rounds and easily bounced their semifinal opponent to advance to the National Championship game against the defending champions, the Edmonton Inferno. The two teams had met several times throughout the year, with the Inferno winning three out of four games. However, in each of losses, the games were decided by a slim margin of two or three points, which boosted Team BC’s outlook going into the championship game. Unfortunately, it was the Inferno that blazed the game, defeating Team BC by a score of 62-36. BC’s Carrie Linegar was named a tournament all-star. Pro Sports Baseball—Bonds...Barry Bonds. Surrounded by a shroud of controversy, Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds tied the legendary Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record by hitting his 714th career dinger during 42 victory over the Oakland Ass. Bonds, who has had his name switled more times than an Oreo in a DQ Blizzard amidst the baseball doping scan- dal achieved the milestone on Monday, May 20, and attrib- uted his accomplishment to the American baseball icon. “This is a great accomplishment because of Babe Ruth and what he brought to the game of baseball and his lega- cy in the game of baseball,” Bonds said. Another home run would place Bonds second on the all-time career home runs list behind Hank Aaron who hit 755 home runs during his career. Basketball—Rash, Flash with a Hint of Nash. The NBA has enjoyed it most exciting playoffs in years and the fans are tuning in. With three out of four confer- ence semi-finals going to a final ‘do-or-die’ elimination game 7 and a one man show put on by Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, NBA Commissioner David Stern couldn’t be happier with the increased TV ratings. In the Eastern Conference semis, the Miami Heat’s Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne “Flash” Wade advanced to the conference finals after suffering a little indigestion from their first round match up against the Chicago Bulls. In a series that many critics felt it could have gone either way, the Heat managed to pull out 42 series victory. Against the Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets, the Heat cruised to victory in five games. In the other semifinal match up, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers had the defending Eastern Conference champions, Detroit Pistons performing “rope-a-dope,” as they narrowly escaped an early exit from the 2006 playoffs. After guaranteeing a win in game four, Rasheed Wallace fell short on his promise and his big mouth as the Detroit Pistons loss not only game four, but also game five, result- ing in the Pistons first three-game losing streak this season. In his first playoff appearance, LeBron was nothing short of sensational. Leading the Cavaliers in points (26.5 ppg), tebounds (8.5 rpg), and assists (6.0 apg), LeBron solidified his position as one of the best players in the game and as a legitimate MVP runner up. In the western conference semis, the playoffs were a blaze with excitement. In the battle for Texas series, the Dallas Mavericks faced their nemesis, the San Antonio Spurs. Determined to get the monkey off their back, the Mavericks were led by their 7’0 all-star forward, Dirk Nowitzki who averaged 27.1 ppg and 13.2 rpg enroute to defeating the Spurs 4-3 in the best of seven series. In the Phoenix Suns/ LA Clippers series, the “Clips” surprised the fans and the Suns as they pushed the series to a final game seven. Led by their all-star forward, Elton Brand, the Clippers were the new team of “La La Land” as the Hollywood stars with all of their integrity, bum rushed the band wagon to become supporters of the once-laugh- able Clippers. In a show of support, the most “Shining”example of a Lakers’ turncoatism was none other than Lakers’ number- one fan, Jack Nicholson. The Oscar award-winning actor flew on a private jet to the desert to watch LA lose a heart mclennonb@douglas.be.ca breaker in double overtime. Pushed to a second consecu- tive seven-game series, the Suns rose to the occasion once again as they destroyed the Clippers in game seven. NBA MVP and Victoria native, Steve Nash will now face off against his old teammates and best friend Dirk Nowitzki in Conference finals. NHL Hockey—Deep Fried With the whole the nation behind them, the Edmonton Oilers have become Canada’s hockey team. After serving up a heaping batch of Hot “Wings” with a victory in the first round against the top-ranked Detroit Red Wings, the Oilers changed the menu to include fish n’ chips as they doused the San Jose Sharks in six games. As the sole remaining Canadian franchise still vying for the Stanley Cup, the Oilers are hotter than a deep fryer in the local pubs. “There’s still plenty of room on the [band] wagon,” said Erica of the Douglas College bookstore, who is a native of Edmonton. Proudly displaying her Oilers’ jersey in her office, she understands the local Vancouverites need to “something” to cheer about. Despite the subtle jeering from Alberta infiltrates, everyone (including Canucks’ fans) is happy to see the Oilers gain momentum in their quest for the cup. In the western conference finals, they are currently leading the series 3-0 and are favored to sweep Anaheim...Peking ‘Duck’ anyone?