Heat Parade Day

Here is today's episode of The Chip Brierre Show, where we cover the Miami Heat's Championship Parade and discuss other sports topics of the day. Topics include the Clippers Celtics deal, Skywire, Stanley Cup Finals, Aaron Hernandez's situation, and where Shane Larkin will go in the NBA Draft this Thursday:

The Chip Brierre Show 6/24/13

HEAT WIN BACK TO BACK NBA TITLES

Here's my reaction to the Heat's Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs to win their second consecutive title:

The Chip Brierre Show 6/21/13

LeBron has most certainly cemented himself as one of the NBA Greats. But he still has more work to compete for the title of NBA Legend. It's going to be a loooong offseason for the Heat. Until then, Dolphins training camps, Miami Hurricanes summer and spring football coverage as well as Marlins will keep us busy until then. Congratulations to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen,   Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the Heat squad and organization for a great season and even more compelling post season. Enjoy the perks of being the Kings of Miami and the NBA yet again.

"Two Greatest Words in Sports..... Game 7"

LeBron had brought the Heat all the way back in the 4th quarter, and following a late rally by Tony Parker, it seemed the questions and criticisms that have always plagued the Heat would return for a foreboding offseason. Quickly, LeBron hits a 3 pointer, followed by a missed free throw from Kawhi Leonard, and the stage is set for what will be remembered as one of the greatest shots in NBA History.

James misses a 3 point attempt with 10 seconds left on the clock, all seems lost. Bosh, who has stepped up defensively as well as with his rebounding, desperately grabs the offensive board, while Ray Allen backpedals to his spot in the corner. Bosh gets him the ball and time slows down. Hearts are racing, fists are clinched in anticipation, eyes are wide as Allen puts up the shot over Tony Parker........ Splash. Tie game with 5.2 seconds remaining, Ray Allen showing Danny Green and Parker why he's still the best shooter in NBA History. And it couldn't have come at a more crucial point in the Big 3 Era.

With that shot, Allen saved everything for Miami. Let's go through the list of what would have either ended or been sparked should he have missed that shot: season filled with a 27 game win streak, no back to back loses since January, LeBron James 4th MVP.... DONE; questions of if the Big 3 can co-exist together, will LeBron head back to Cleveland, is Erik Spoelstra the right man for the job..... Alarms would be blaring in South Beach. But thankfully, Miami's offseason acquisition of Ray Allen, who was brought in to do exactly this, paid off in a way nobody would have imagined. The sure-fire Hall of Famer brought the magic one more time to keep the Heat alive and force Game 7. Drama at it's finest in the NBA.

Now that I'm done trying to be poetic and epic with my writing, let's examine what this all means for Game 7. Following the Ray Allen heroics, the Heat were able to withstand the Spurs desperation and win in overtime 103-100. But although the Heat deserve all the credit in the world for not giving up, they had no right to win the way they did. Before the final seconds of the 4th, LeBron James turned the ball over on two consecutive possessions, not to mention during overtime Chalmers and Wade made bad decisions defensively. But the Spurs also gave it away. Ginobli is where the fingers are pointed if I'm a fan of San Antonio. He had 9 turnovers, one of which was the deciding moment for the Heat to pull ahead for good. Gregg Popovich was LIVID, and he had every right to be infuriated. His team choked, and with the championship pedigree that the Spurs are known for, it's unacceptable to perform in that manner at that crucial point of the game.

But let's not take away from the most improbable comeback in NBA Finals History from the Heat. The catalyst was, who else, the King himself. Scoring 18 of his 32 points in the 4th quarter and overtime, he would not be denied. Even after losing his trademark headband midway through the 4th, he was too focused on forcing a Game 7. Attacking the rim, getting to the foul line, and finding the right players at the right time, LeBron looked to be back in 2012 Finals form which was missing for most of this series.  He recorded his 4th triple double in the NBA Playoffs finishing with 32 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. He became the only player other than James Worthy and Magic Johnson to record a triple double in an elimination game in the NBA Finals. I'm calling it, LeBron is now in his own legacy. What I mean by that is he validated that he is one of the all-time greats. To come back from such a deficit, to do it in the fashion that he did, to put everything on the line and come out on top when all seems lost, yep he's an all-time great. To win Game 7 would be the icing on the cake. I honestly believe that we can't measure LeBron's success with how many titles he's won, but rather how he has consistently risen to the moment and been lights out when he had to be. 

Game 7 is Thursday at 9 pm. I should say don't miss it, but in reality I should be saying who wants to? This has been one of the greatest, most competitive, most emotionally charged series the NBA has offered. To miss the final game between the best player on the planet and the wily veterans looking to sneak away with an NBA Title as they ride off into the sunset, I don't know how you can. Get excited Miami it all comes down to this, and as Erik Spoelstra said last night, "After a win like that.... everybody fights to get to this stage. It's the two greatest words in sports..... Game Seven." 

Here..... We..... Go

Just to show how busy I was.....

Here are some videos that show what I've been up to over the past couple of months. I'll upload them as they are aired so we can stay up to date from now on. Hope you enjoy everything!!

(Note: The TV programs are all student run and we are all in a learning environment. So try to enjoy them regardless!)

                                         

Marlins and Canes Fall Face Flat on the Diamond.... Again

It was another rough day for baseball in South Florida. For the Marlins, Jose Fernandez the only spotlight that can be found on the roster pitched a great first start only to have it taken away by a bad closing effort from the defense. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Steve Cishek only had to get one out to secure the win for Fernandez but instead lets up a liner from Marlon Byrd down the 3rd base line and it would prove to be the walk off RBI single. Just when it seemed Miami might get something good, it finishes expectedly bad.

Yes it's early and there's still a lot of baseball, but already through two series and the Marlins only have one win to take away from it. Clearly Marlins fans are right to boycott going to games, this team is the worst in baseball. Lots of prospects, inexperienced staff and an All-Star, Giancarlo Stanton, that in some time will start to check out from the season. The only reason for me to go is to check out the other teams, already got my ticket behind home plate to watch the Upton brothers come to town. It will most likely be a batting competition for which one will have the most RBI's and highest batting average at the end of the series. Plus my friend who's a Braves fan says beers and driving is on him, so there's that. But if you are actually going to the games expecting to get a great baseball night in, night out I envy your commitment. Right now I've got none of it until this team and organization can prove they have the fans and city's best interests in mind. 

In the Gables, the Hurricanes didn't fare much better. After tying the 3 game series with #5 Florida State last night 6 - 0 and bringing hope back to Alex Rodriguez Park, Miami went back to looking sloppy at the plate and committing errors in the Infield resulting in Runs. It was tied at one a piece in the second inning, then a wild pitch from left hander Andrew Suarez got the ball rolling for FSU, then a couple of singles and an error later it's 5 - 1. Miami, 21 - 14, now sits at the bottom of the ACC Coastal Division behind Duke with a conference record of 6 - 9; and for the first time in decades might actually miss out on the NCAA Tournament this season. Hurricanes fans are slowly losing faith in head skipper Jim Morris who is a legend in Canes Baseball, but it seems he's losing his touch and now faces an angry fan base demanding a winner. And rightfully so, over the past couple of years Morris has not been able to make a deep run into the postseason resulting in early exits and missed opportunities with exceptional talent. Now as names such as Dale Carey, Brad Fieger, and David Thompson struggling to get their footing halfway through the season, it's up to Morris to find the winning solution in an equation that has so many question marks and variables it would make any mathematician scratch his head. 

With baseball out of the picture, it's up to the Miami Heat to keep Miami sports fans in the green; not to mention the Miami Hurricanes currently undergoing Spring Practices. But ever since the emergence of the Canes basketball program and the Heat's streak, it would seem Miami has officially moved on from America's favorite past time. If both teams have any hope of keeping their fans changes will need to be made, and most importantly, they'll have to REALLY shake the boat to gain back popularity. Two things that don't seem to be coming anytime in the near future.

Keep It Classy

Forgot about my Blog!!

Whoa been so busy with school forgot about this blog! Hopefully I can get back to writing. If not I'll keep the link open for the future. Miss putting thoughts down on paper, let's get back to blogging!

- Chipper