For months I’ve heard so many people say, “The NBA is rigged man! It’s rigged, it’s all a set up. I could have told you what happened before it happened! It’s rigged!”
That conspiracy and plotting has brought us an NBA Finals of … the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers?
Just like everyone predicted. Right?
Look, I’m excited to watch the NBA Finals and I’m pretty sure, but not positive, there are about 10 others outside of Indiana and Oklahoma that I can find that are thrilled for this matchup. Sadly, nobody from Seattle cares.
There isn’t any local high school sports until late August, but relax! The Vallejo Seaweed are back in town! Sort of.
So there’s a lot going on between the NBA, NHL, WNBA, MLB and the Seaweed. There is also a ton of college baseball and softball, although it’s tough to predict who’s playing each day at this point. The French Open women and men’s singles finals are Saturday and Sunday respectively. So once again, with a lot going on, I’ll guide you through the week.
#### Local baseball
The Vallejo Seaweed are back this season on a part-time basis. Call Wilson Park a timeshare if you want. On Saturday, 175 people showed up for the first game of the year and were rewarded with a 17-7 win.
Now, can the public show up to more Seaweed games this year? The next one is Sunday against Bakersfield. This is a great thing for the whole family to enjoy in Vallejo and much better than the other big events in the city like sideshows — there isn’t much of a chance of getting shot at or killed at a baseball game. Apologies to Ray Chapman.
#### NBA Finals
The Thunder and Pacers begin their series on Thursday night in OKC. For four straight years we had the Warriors and Cavaliers in the finals, but now we’ve haven’t had anyone make a return appearance to the finals in back to back years since the Warriors lost to Toronto in 2019. It’s good to know that any team has a chance to win a title in the NBA.
Game 2 is on Sunday, once again in OKC. I see the Thunder winning this series, but I also see it going six games. So buckle up and learn about some players you likely never talk about, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I mean, he only won the MVP this year, so can we start discussing him a little more?
#### NHL Finals
Although I’m looking forward to the NBA Finals, I’m more excited about the finals in hockey. For the first time since 2009 we get a rematch of the year before, with the Oilers and Panthers reuniting.
Unlike last year, I think this is the Oilers’ year to shine and hoist the cup. Connor McDavid is the best player in the league, and for the first time he’ll win the whole thing. I see Edmonton winning this in six or even seven games.
Florida is looking to repeat as champs, and although the Panthers are starting on the road, don’t count them out. If they win, they’ll be the fourth team from Florida to win this decade, after Tampa Bay won back to back titles in 2020-21.
This series starts Wednesday in Edmonton and continues for Game 2 on Friday in the same city.
This series is kind of like watching the 1980 Olympic U.S.A. hockey team play only this time we’re (Florida) the Russians. So do with that what you want.
#### WNBA
The Golden State Valkyries play twice this week. They are at Phoenix on Thursday, but return home on Saturday for a matinee at the Chase Center against Las Vegas. Tipoff is at noon. Golden State is 2-4 this year and will try to even up their record with two wins.
More and more I’m seeing people wear Valkyries’ gear around town, and it’s nice to know more people are becoming invested with the squad.
#### MLB
After both teams were on the road last week, the San Francisco Giants and Sacramento Athletics are at home this week.
The Athletics will play a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins, before staying home for the weekend against the Baltimore Orioles. The Athletics have struggled of late, losing their last six games and are now 14 games under .500. so maybe some home cooking can get them back on track.
The Giants and Padres meet up at Oracle park to start this week in a battle of second and third place teams in the NL West. While the Padres were expected to be one of the better teams in baseball this season, the Giants have been a surprise. If they want to make some believers out of more pundits, they’ll have to win this series instead of just beating up on teams like the Marlins and Nationals. So this series is a big one.
The Giants play this weekend at home against Atlanta, a team that started this season slow but are a contender again, especially with Ronald Acuna Jr. back in the lineup.
Other matchups to watch this week are the Dodgers playing at home in L.A. against the Mets, the Brewers at the Reds in an important NL Central matchup, an I-70 World Series rematch of the Royals at the Cardinals, and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Atlanta. Weekend series to watch include, as always, the Red Sox and Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays at the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago Cubs at Detroit in a matchup of Central Division leaders and a Pennsylvania matchup of the Phillies at the Pirates.
#### Books to read
“Summer of ’49” by David Halberstam (for when the Red Sox play the Yankees)
“Stolen Season” by David Lamb (A book about the minor leagues to read between innings or before the Vallejo Seaweed game)
“Basketball, A Love Story” by Jackie MacMullan, Rafe Bartholomew and Dan Klores (for the NBA Finals)
“Gretzky” by Wayne Gretzky and Rick Reilly (for the Stanley Cup Finals)
#### Movies to watch
“Miracle” (On the 1980 USA hockey team)