Breaking (Well-Conditioned) Hearts

     In my recent bowling league night, I bowled a total of thirteen consecutive strikes, and while only twelve is needed to bowl a perfect game, I didn't get one because my 13 strikes were split between two games.  I bowled 7 to finish the first game and 6 to start the second.  To make matters worse, I missed the cash prize given for games over 255 because neither of my games were over 255 (242 and 253)! What a heartbreaker!  

     My own heartbreak got me thinking about sport's biggest heartbreaks.  Here are some that I find to be history's biggest heartbreakers and heartbreaks.

Heartbreaker: Steffi Graf

Victims: Jana Novotna and Martina Hingis

     Both Novotna and Hingis, chasing the prestigious French Open Championships, both played tremendous first sets and second sets to bring their finals match to match point.  Graf, however, refused to wilt under the pressure and displayed the fiery form that won her 22 Grand Slam titles.  In both instances, Graf escaped the second set, and then thoroughly dominated the third set, much to the delight of the crowd and the chagrin of the other finalist.  While Novotna and Hingis both retired with their respectve Grand Slam Titles, I'm betting neither will ever forget how Mrs. Andre Agassi broke their hearts.

Heartbreaker: Los Angeles Lakers

Victims: Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings

     On their way to three NBA Championships and numerous trips to the NBA finals, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by the trio of Phil Jackson, Shaq O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, made sure they broke several hearts along the way.  The first to experience the pain would be the Blazers of the 2000 season.  Leading big in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, it would seem the Rasheed Wallace-Steve Smith led Blazers would get to taste the NBA Finals.  Unfortunately, the ultra-talented squad, which also featured Bonzi Wells and Arvydas Sabonis, went through an inexplicable dry spell in the last four minutes of the game.  This paved the way for a historic comeback by the Lakers, including a tremendous ally-oop from Kobe to Shaq.  That loss turned out to be last hurrah for the Blazers as that same talented team soon began to implode.  In the coming years, that team became known as the Jail Blazers and soon after that, Portland missed the playoffs for the first time in over two decades.

     The Sacramento Kings were also a talented bunch who fell victim to the Lakers date with Destiny.  The Kings, led by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, looked to have the Lakers number and needed Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to take the Lakers to the brink.  However, a broken play by the Lakers resulted in a bad shot, a ball tapped to the outside and alas, that dagger three by Robert Horry.  The Kings and their fans never lived that shot down and never really challenged for the title again. 

Heartbreaker: Shawn Michaels

Victims: All wrestling fans in the universe

     It is only fitting that the Heartbreak Kid would be in this list.  While wrestling is entirely scripted, it doesn't mean the fans won't have their hearts broken.  When Nature Boy Ric Flair, a former 16-time World Champion, was punished by Vince McMahon, he couldn't afford to lose a match, lest he be banished to retirement.  Despite this, the Nature Boy still yearned to battle the best, who at that time, he deemed to be Michaels.  So in Wrestlemania 24, Flair fought tooth and nail against the younger Michaels, almost to a tie, until Michaels finished him off with a super kick to the face.  While almost everyone expected the WWE Hall of Famer Flair to lose and retire, his loss that night still triggered tears to fall from the thousands in attendance, including the victor, Michaels.

Heartbreaker: Bal David

Victims: San Miguel Beermen

     Despite a depleted line up propped up only by import Jeff Ward and Nelson Asaytono, the San Miguel Beermen still managed to put up a tremendous fight against sister team, the Gordon's Gin Boars (Ginebra).  The two teams engaged in a fierce semi-finals knockout match, which even went into overtime.  With the Beermen in the lead with just seconds to go and the Boars having no timeouts, it seemed the underdogs were about to steal it.  The Flash, Bal David, however, threw up a seemingly-impossible half court shot that drilled a dagger into many a beermen fan's heart.  While San Miguel and Jeff Ward would be reunited for another go the following year, they never did win a championship together.

     Do you know any heartbreakers more gut wrenching than these? Comment or send me an email at plated_thrills@yahoo.com 

NBA All Star Line Ups (Rants and Rave)

     As much as I claim to be a different and unique individual, there are some things that I enjoy doing just like everyone else.  Take the line ups for the 2009 NBA All Star Game in Phoenix, for example.  Just like everyone else, I've got my rants and raves about them too.

West

Starters: C Yao Ming, F Tim Duncan, F Amar'e Stoudamire, G Kobe Bryant, G Chris Paul

Rants and Raves: Not too many rants actually.  I think the fans got it right this time.  While I would have liked a small forward to be a starter, these five guys have been playing at a high level, especially this year.

Reserves: C Shaquille O'Neal, F David West, F Dirk Nowitzki, F Pau Gasol, G Brandon Roy, G Chauncey Billups and G Tony Parker

Rants:  David West has indeed morphed into a great player for the Hornets, but his inclusion this year leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  I think forwards Al Jefferson (23.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game) and Paul Millsap (15.1 points, 9.5 rebounds 1 block and 1 steal per game) have had amazing years and either would have been better than West.  West may be a great player, but not this year.  Tony Parker may be playing great, but maybe I'd feel better if he had played more games this season.  I would have loved it if Kevin Durant, who has been on a scoring tear (22.6 points 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks), was given the spot instead.

Rave: I definitely love the inclusion of Chauncey Billups instead of Camelo Anthony.  Obviously Mr. Big Shot is the main reason for the Nuggets' surge and he deserves an All Star slot for doing what Melo has not been succeeding in (leading the Nuggets).

East

Starters: C Dwight Howard, F Kevin Garnet, F Lebron James, G Allen Iverson and G Dwayne Wade  

Rants: I was hoping that the same populace smart enough to vote an African American genius into the White House would be smart enough to not vote in Allen Iverson, but you can't have everything.  Young point guards like Jameer Nelson (17.5 points 3.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists) and Devin Harris (21.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists) deserve that spot that AI currently has.

Rave: Thank goodness KG has enough fans to prevent a Yi Jian Lan travesty.  Late into the voting process Yi, aided by votes from China, actually threatened to overtake KG for a starter spot. Whew.

Reserves: C Chris Bosh, F Paul Pierce, F Danny Granger, F Rashard Lewis, G Jameer Nelson, G Devin Harris and G Joe Johnson

Rants: Paul Pierce was, is and will be Boston's main man and hero, but he has been less "The Man" and more "The Invisible Man" lately, especially in Boston's slide in early January.  Rashard Lewis is just a beneficiary of Dwight Howard's dominating presence and Stan Van Gundy's three point shooting system so I think the East should have dropped these two forwards and instead taken in Antawn Jamison, who has been a true professional (21.1 points, 9.1 rebounds,1.3 steals), toiling and toiling for the Wizards.  Another great pick would've been G Mo Williams (17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists) who has been instrumental in helping Lebron make the Cavs dominant.

Rave: I'm glad that Joe Johnson is being more and more recognized for the stud that he is.  Atlanta is significant only as far as Johnson makes them.  Year in and year out, he has been the main man for the Hawks and it's always nice when a non-flashy but great player gets an All Star nod. I was also glad to see the Pacers' do-it-all guy Granger get a nod.  He has been carrying the Pacers all year and it's a nice reward for him.

     I know that while I have my rants against the All Star Picks, many will have their own rants and raves about my choices.  Let me know by commenting here or at plated_thrills@yahoo.com