Miami Heat Brace for Game 3 Against Thunder

The Miami Heat will try to take control of the 2012 NBA Finals when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 17.

After losing the first game of their series against the Thunder, the Heat evened things out on June 14, thanks to the excellent play of the "big three," and some hot three-point shooting by Shane Battier.

"I don't know if we were any more motivated in Game 2," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "What we were was angry about our performance in Game 1. ... You want to throw your best punches out there, and may the best team win. We didn't throw our best punches in Game 1."

Given the fact that the next three games of the series will be held at the American Airlines Arena, the results of Game 3 will have a big impact on the rest of the series.

"You've got the two best teams in the league right now going against each other," Dwyane Wade told reporters about Miami's upcoming contest. "So it's going to be a very tough game, but we have to find a way to win it. And it's about taking, like I said, one possession at a time, one second, one minute at a time to make sure we reach our goal -- and that's to win the game."

The Heat have been very dominant on their home-court, and there's a decent chance they'll close out the series at home. Of course, they'll need the "big three" to continue playing well, along with their role players.
Even though the Heat played well in Game 2, they slacked off a bit during the final quarter of the contest. Fortunately for them, LeBron James took over the game during clutch time, leading Miami to its first win of the series.

"I'm enjoying it," LeBron told reporters. "I'm having fun with these first two games. I mean, this is a great opportunity for myself and for our team, for both teams. It's a lot of fun being out there and competing at a high level, you know, the intense moment where every possession counts."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Thunder-Heat Preview"

Seattle Sounders Struggle Against Montreal Impact

The Seattle Sounders FC suffered a humiliating loss on June 16, losing 4-1 to the lowly Montreal Impact. With the loss, the Sounders slide down to the fourth spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing first place Real Salt Lake by eight points.

"We need to play much better than what we did tonight," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "We gave away goals on a missed clearance, by throwing a ball in, opening up a counter for their team ... and I didn't think our pressure was good enough on their third goal. We made three mistakes on one play. We have to eliminate that."

The Impact struck early against the Sounders, thanks to a well placed shot by Felipe Martins 18 minutes into the match. They struck again early in the second half, increasing their advantage to two goals.

Things got even worse for the Sounders in the 56^th minute, when Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was ejected for a rough tackle.

Seattle's defense wasn't able to adjust to Hurtado's ejection, and the Impact made them pay shortly after, increasing their lead to three goals. Eddie Johnson cut down the Impact's lead to two goals a few minutes later. But former Sounders midfielder Lamar Neagle answered back with a goal of his own in the 87^th minute, restoring the Impact's three-goal cushion.

The Sounders will now get a few days off, before hosting Kansas City on June 20. Kansas currently holds the second spot in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, and the Sounders will be in for an even tougher contest when the two teams clash on Wednesday.

"We've been down before," Seattle defender Zach Scott said. "We know what it takes to come back and pull out a result. It's unfortunate, but we just need to get back on how we play successfully and not worry about what the other team does. We need to go back to what we're good at and play our type of possession soccer."

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Zach Scott: 'It's embarrassing to lose like that.' (postgame quotes and stats)"

Miami Heat Take 2-1 Lead in NBA Finals

The Miami Heat took control of the 2012 NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 91-85 on June 17. With the win, the Heat take a 2-1 lead in the series, with the next two games set for the American Airlines Arena.

For the third consecutive time, the Heat got off to a fast start against the Thunder. But Oklahoma fought back in the second quarter, cutting Miami's lead down to a point by the halftime break. The Thunder took over the game in the third quarter, leading by as much as 10 points.

However, Miami refused to go down without a fight. They cut down the Thunder's lead in the third quarter, and the "big three" stepped up during the final minutes of the game, leading Miami to victory.

"It's all about chemistry," LeBron James told reporters after the game. "We understand where we like to get the ball, what we like to do in close situations, and it's good to see us execute down the stretch. But more importantly it was great to see we were able to get stops. That's where the game is won and we did that."

LeBron put up another MVP worthy performance in Game 3, walking away with 29 points (game-high), 14 rebounds (game-high), and 3 assists. Dwyane Wade struggled with his shot on Sunday, but he remained aggressive throughout the game, finishing with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Chris Bosh also had some problems with his jumper, but he found other ways to help his teammates out, putting up 10 points and 11 rebounds.

As a team, the Heat shot the ball poorly in Game 3, but Shane Battier continued his hot three-point shooting, converting on his two attempts from beyond the arc.

Miami's defense certainly played a huge role in the way things turned out against the Thunder, and their role players deserve a lot of credit for their energy on the floor.

At this point in the NBA Finals, it's pretty clear Miami is the better team. I expect them to take another step closer to the 2012 NBA title when the two teams meet again on June 19.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James leads way with 29 points, 14 boards as Heat go up 2-1"

Miami Heat Look for Third Straight Win Against Thunder

The Miami Heat's offense struggled a bit during their last outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they were able to win their second straight game in the NBA Finals, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

The Heat will try to win their third consecutive game against the Thunder, when the two teams meet again on June 19.

Miami's "big three" have played well in the first three games of the NBA finals, and I expect more of the same from them on Tuesday. LeBron James in particular has been amazing against the Thunder, putting up clutch performances Miami fans will remember for years.

"The biggest evolution of great players is they always stay in constant state of being uncomfortable," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters about LeBron's impressive play. "They don't stay satisfied. And LeBron every summer has added something to his game. I've seen it when I've followed him from afar, and now that I've gotten to know him he's added two, three, four different elements now to his game, the well-documented one of the post-up game, which we needed. But he continues to try to improve and stay uncomfortable. I think that's a sign of greatness."

Shane Battier has also played well against the Thunder, stealing the role of "X-factor" from Mario Chalmers.
Miami's defense has been a huge part of their success in the last two years, and they haven't strayed away from it in their last two outings. The Heat have been effective at stifling Oklahoma's offense, and they should be able to close out the series in Miami if they keep it up.

Spoelstra has taken his share of criticism over the years, but he's managed the team very well against the Thunder. He's kept his players focused on the defensive end, while spreading out their offense.
With a win against the Thunder on Tuesday, the Heat should be able to able to close out the series at the American Airlines Arena later on in the week. They've been the best team in the NBA for the past two years, and it's about time they have some hardware to prove it.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Thunder-Heat Preview"

Miami Heat Take 3-1 Lead in NBA Finals

The Miami Heat are now 48 minutes away from their first NBA title in the LeBron James-Chris Bosh era, thanks to their 104-98 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 19.

The Heat started poorly on Tuesday, trailing by as much as 17 points in the first half of the game. Fortunately for Miami fans, they turned things around in the second half, cutting Oklahoma's lead down to three points by halftime. Both teams went back and forth in the second half, but the Heat proved to be the better team, taking control of the game during the final minutes.

LeBron did a good job of managing Miami's offense in Game 4, playing the role of ball handler. He kept their supporting cast involved throughout the contest, finishing with 26 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds. Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers also played well on Tuesday, finishing with 25 points apiece.

Even though Miami's "big three" played well in Game 4, their role players deserve a lot of credit for their performance against the Thunder. Norris Cole carried the Heat out of their first quarter slump with his three-point shooting, converting on two of his three attempts from beyond the arc.

Shane Battier finished with only four points against the Thunder, but the numbers don't do him any justice. Battier made some big plays down the stretch, including a tip to Chalmers in the final minute of the game that sealed Miami's victory.

With a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, things couldn't be going any better for the Heat right now. The odds are certainly on their side, as no team has ever comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

LeBron will have the opportunity to win his first NBA championship when the two teams meet again on June 21, and I'm sure he'll be up to the task. He's clearly the best player in the NBA right now, with the potential to become the greatest ever if he keeps it up.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Heat overcome Russell Westbrook's 43 points, take 3-1 Finals lead"

Miami Heat Poised to Win NBA Title

The Miami Heat will try to finish off the Oklahoma City Thunder when the two teams meet on June 21, for Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals.

For LeBron James and Chris Bosh, it will be the closest they've been to an NBA title, and I expect them to bring their A-games. LeBron suffered from leg cramps during the final quarter of Game 4, but he doesn't think it'll affect his performance on the court.

"I feel a lot better than I did last night. That's clear," LeBron told reporters. "I'm still a little [sore] because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level, very tight. I'm still sore. I was able to get some treatment last night. I was able to get some treatment this morning. ... And also with the game being basically at midnight tomorrow night, I have all day tomorrow, too, to prepare. I should be fine by tomorrow night."

The Thunder won the first game of the series, but the Heat made the necessary adjustments, winning the next three encounters between the two teams. LeBron solidified his status as the best player in the NBA with his performances throughout the postseason, and he's been a huge factor in the Heat's success against the Thunder.

Last year, Miami's role-players failed them during the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, but they've been nothing short of spectacular against the Thunder. From Shane Battier to rookie Norris Cole, Miami's supporting cast continues to deliver consistently, putting the Heat in a position to win their first NBA title under coach Erik Spoelstra.

Even though things couldn't be going any better for Miami right now, Game 5 is certainly a must-win situation. We've all seen how good the Thunder can be at home, and it wouldn't be wise to take any chances against them.

Given all the unnecessary criticism the Heat have taken in the last two years, I'm sure they understand what's at stake. I expect the "big three" to put up historic numbers on Thursday, and emerge as the 2012 NBA champions.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Thunder-Heat Preview"

Sounders Settle for Draw Against Sporting KC

The Seattle Sounders FC weren't able to snap out of their slump against Sporting KC, settling for the 1-1 draw on June 20. With the results of the match, the Sounders are now winless in their last six MLS games, but they remain at the fourth spot in the Western Conference table.

"Happy with the fact that we were able to come back from going down a goal," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "I thought it was a very physical match, but I was pleased with our effort and our heart that we displayed and that we showed. I thought it was a major jump forward from the way we played in Montreal."

Jacob Peterson opened up the scoreboard for Kansas City on Wednesday, knocking a deflected shot back into Seattle's post eight minutes into the contest. The Sounders fired back shortly after, thanks to Patrick Ianni, who finished a well-played Mauro Rosales free-kick with a beautifully played side-volley.

"It was just a good ball by Mauro [Rosales] and it came a little behind the line," Ianni told reporters. "I think Zach [Scott] and Brad [Evans] were going, and maybe Eddie [Johnson] too, and brought their defenders with them and it just kind of snuck through to me. I thought, if it comes all the way through, I'm just going to get good contact on it and put it on frame and fortunately it went in."

However, both teams cooled off considerably after the early fireworks, leading to the low scoring contest.
Given how well the Sounders started off the 2012 MLS season, it's frustrating to see them struggling. It's not yet time to panic, but they'll be in serious trouble if they don't figure out a way to win games.

Fortunately for the Sounders, they'll get a chance to figure things against the Portland Timbers on June 24, and a rivalry game might just be what they need to find their groove.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Alex Caskey: 'It was just a battle -- 90 minutes of fighting.'"

Miami Heat Win NBA Championship

When LeBron James exercised his right to align himself with a competent NBA team, his decision turned him into one of the most vilified athletes on the entire planet.

However, LeBron's decision to take his talents to South Beach turned out to be the right one, as the Miami Heat hoisted the 2012 NBA title on June 21, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 at the American Airlines Arena.

"We love you Miami, thank you for your patience," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said during the trophy presentation. "We remembered last year, we wanted to make it up."

Miami's players came out with their guns blazing in Game 5, taking control early in the contest. They outscored the Thunder in every single quarter of the game, holding them to 41 percent shooting from the field, while converting on 52 percent of their field-goal attempts.

As expected, LeBron put on MVP-type numbers in Game 5, finishing with 26 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. It certainly wasn't a surprise when NBA commissioner David Stern handed him the Finals MVP award.

"It means everything," LeBron said shortly after the game. "I made a difficult decision to leave Cleveland but I understood what my future was about ... I knew we had a bright future [in Miami]. This is a dream come true for me. This is definitely when it pays off."

Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade also brought their A-game, finishing with 24 and 20 points respectively.
Mike Miller gave the Heat a huge boost coming off the bench, knocking down seven of his eight three-point attempts. He finished with 23 points and 5 rebounds.

Miami's remaining role players also played pretty well, with Norris Cole and Shane Battier knocking down some big three's.

The Heat's road to the NBA Finals wasn't easy, but it only prepared them for their showdown against the Thunder. Miami fans couldn't be any happier with the results, and I'm sure we'll have many more title celebrations in the years to come.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James, Heat dominate Thunder to win NBA championship"

Portland Timbers Escape with Win Against Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders FC's problems continued on June 24, losing 2-1 to the Portland Timbers. For the Sounders, it was their first loss against the Timbers since joining the MLS, extending their current regular season winless streak to seven games.

"We made a couple of mistakes in the first half," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the frustrating loss. "They scored a good goal on a set piece; we had already given away one off the post by [David] Horst. The marking was bad on [Kris] Boyd's goal - he was behind the ball, so he's not offside - and we put ourselves in a hole. It's tough; the last seven games we've played out of the hole every time and when you're constantly playing from behind, it makes it difficult."

Fortunately for the Sounders, they'll get to hold on to the fourth spot in the MLS Western Conference rankings.

The Timbers got off to a good start against the Sounders, scoring their first goal early in the match. Kris Boyd tipped a well-played cross past Andrew Weber, opening up the scoreboard in the 16^th minute. David Horst doubled the Timbers' advantage nine minutes later, nodding one into the post.

The Sounders tried to fight back in the second half, and their offense played considerably better. Eddie Johnson brought them back into the game in the 58^th minute, firing a shot past Troy Perkins from the top of the box. The Sounders had many more chances to equalize the game, but they couldn't find a way to get the ball into the net.

To make things worse for the Sounders, Fredy Montero was ejected during the final minute of regulation, after getting involved in a shoving contest. He'll automatically face a one-game suspension.

The Sounders' next game will be against the San Jose Earthquakes - currently the top team in the Western Conference table - on June 26. Seattle's goal to become the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles will be on the line when the two teams meet, and the Sounders will be in for an even tougher contest.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Zach Scott: "To let (the fans) down, to know that they're…"

Seattle Sounders FC Advance to US Open Cup Semifinals

The Seattle Sounders FC couldn't have figured out a better time to get their act together, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on June 26.

With the win, the Sounders' goal of becoming the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles remains a reality, and they're now two games away from completing their quest. They'll face Chivas USA in the semifinals of the tournament on July 10.

"It was an important win," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "We overcame a lot of things today and that can help a team. Obstacles are there, but obstacles are there to be overcome and we can overcome those obstacles."

The Sounders struck first in the 19^th minute of the match, thanks to 19 year-old Cordell Cato, who coolly fired one between San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham's legs for his first MLS goal.

"The last couple games it was difficult because we always had to fight from the back," Cato said. "With that goal, it brought confidence to not only me, but the whole team and we were able to push forward as a whole team."

The Sounders had a few more chances during the course of the game, but Bingham refused to concede a second goal.

Seattle's defense certainly deserves a lot of credit for the victory, shutting down the number one team in the MLS Western Conference. Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Weber stepped up his game during the final minutes of the match, preventing the Earthquakes from equalizing on a few close calls.

Besides positioning the Sounders two wins away from their fourth straight US Open Cup title, their victory will serve as a morale boost, given their recent struggles. However, their win was mired in controversy, as a melee involving Eddie Johnson broke out right after the match.

The Sounders will now get a few days to enjoy their victory, before heading out to face the New England Revolution on June 30.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
SoundersFC.com, "Sounders keep USOC hopes alive"

Late Goal Forces Sounders FC to Settle for Draw Against Revolution

After securing a spot in the 2012 US Open Cup semifinals with their win against the San Jose Earthquakes on June 26, the Seattle Sounders FC were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution on June 30.

For a majority of the match, the Sounders lead the Revolution, but their defense slipped up during the final minutes of the contest. The Revolution evened out the scoreboard during stoppage time, robbing the Sounders of their opportunity to secure three points in the MLS Western Conference standings.

"Obviously, it's a difficult game for us," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We play a ton of games, playing on Sunday and coming back and playing on Tuesday and then flying cross-country and playing here, it puts a big burden on the team physically. So I was very pleased with how we responded. I was pleased with how we responded in the first half, in the second half, and we did what we had to do."

The Revolution opened up the scoreboard during the 12^th minute of the game, when Saer Sene capitalized on a nice pass from Blake Brettschneider.

Eddie Johnson evened things out 11 minutes later, nodding a cross past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis. Johnson struck again during the 35^th minute, heading another ball into the Revolution's post for his fifth goal of the season.

"It's just something we practice on, the out-back passing forward, back and then out wide," Johnson said. "One of our strengths is getting the ball out wide and serving the ball in the box. We've got guys who can score, who are dangerous on crosses."

The Sounders maintained their lead for the remainder of the game, and for a moment, it looked like they were about to snap their (then) seven-game regular season winless streak. Unfortunately for them, their defense failed them when it counted the most, allowing Diego Fagundez to head one in.

Things won't get any easier for the Sounders in their next outing, as they'll face Real Salt Lake on July 4.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Eddie Johnson: 'It's frustrating. You look around the locker room…'"

Seattle Sounders Unable to Secure Win Against Real Salt Lake

The Seattle Sounders FC didn't particularly play well against Real Salt Lake on July 4, but they managed to escape with a 0-0 draw against their Western Conference rivals. With the results of the match, the Sounder's remain winless in their last nine MLS games.

"You guys [put] a lot of attention on it," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "I think maybe our winless streak is as long as the Galaxy's one was and I know Dallas' is longer than ours, and so forth. ... But it's a thing that happens and obviously we have to get out of this streak and we have to start winning games. It will help our confidence, as well. You know, we thought we had one last week and if we had gotten away with that one, which we thought we should have, then we'd be okay right now."

Fortunately for the Sounders, they're not the only team in the Western Conference struggling right now. And they remain at the third spot in the conference standings, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes - who they eliminated from the 2012 US Open cup on June 26 - by 10 points.

Salt Lake dominated the encounter between the two teams, controlling the ball for the majority of the match. Fortunately for the Sounders, their defense showed up to play on Wednesday, and goalkeeper Bryan Meredith wasn't too shabby either.

The Sounders almost stole three points in the final minutes of the match, but Cordell Cato wasn't able to capitalize on a well-played cross by Mauro Rosales.

"It's simple. We got a counterattack and Mauro was bursting down the left side, so I was trying my best coming from the center of midfield to get there," Cato said after the game. "That's what happens sometimes man. I just got there a little late."

The Sounders inability to win games is certainly a cause for concern at this point, and it's about time they made some adjustments on the offensive end. They'll now get two days off before hosting the Colorado Rapids on July 7.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Servando Carrasco: 'We told ourselves we were going to play to zero and we did.'"

Larry Bird Commends LeBron James’ Postseason Performance

Coming into the 2012 NBA season, LeBron James received a lot of criticism for his role in the Miami Heat's loss to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2011 Finals, but it only fired up the Ohio native.

Instead of folding under the pressure, LeBron put up impressive numbers throughout the 2011/12 regular season, leading the Heat to the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. His performance was enough to earn him the regular season Most Valuable Player award, but "King James" was far from done.

Given the Heat's struggles against the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls during the regular season, many didn't think they'd be able to win the east. However, the Heat cruised past the New York Knicks in the first round, and they overcame adversity against the Indiana Pacers thanks to James' impressive play. Miami found themselves in some more trouble in their next series against the Celtics, trailing 2-3 after five games, and for a moment, it looked like their season was about to come to an end.

However, LeBron carried the Heat on his shoulders, putting up some historic numbers in the process. He kept up his impressive play during the finals, securing his first NBA title and the Finals MVP award.
Without a doubt, LeBron has earned his place as one of the true greats, and he's clearly the best player in the NBA right now. Even Hall of Famer, Larry Bird, was impressed with LeBron's performance during the postseason.

"He [LeBron] actually carried them all the way through the playoffs," Bird said during an interview with ESPN. "If you go back to the beginning of the playoffs, has anyone ever had a better run? It'd seem like you'd have a bad game once in awhile. He never did have a bad game. He was so focused. You just saw his confidence build and build and build. He should go down in history as one of the top players and maybe he can get close to Michael [Jordan]."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Brian Windhorst, "Bird weighs in on LeBron and the Heat"

Sounders Hope to Snap Winless Streak Against Rapids

The Seattle Sounders FC haven't been playing too well lately, failing to win a single game in their last nine MLS outings.

Fortunately for the Sounders, they always seem to snap out of their funk when it's time for US Open Cup play, but they'll want to have a little momentum going into their July 11 semi-final match against Chivas USA.
For now, the Sounders are focused on their next game against the Colorado Rapids on July 7. Colorado is right behind fourth place Seattle in the MLS Western Conference table, and it should be a very competitive match.

"Yeah, definitely. We'd like to win, for sure," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters when asked about snapping their current winless streak. "We want to be a tough team to beat and I think we've gotten back to that. I think we lost that for a couple of games and we've gotten back to that, which is very important. Now it's a matter of the soccer catching up and us playing better and walking away with a win."

Even though Seattle's defense has had its share of problems during their winless streak, they've turned things around in their recent outings, holding their last three opponents to only two goals. Unfortunately for the Sounders, they continue to struggle on the offensive end, blowing multiple goal scoring opportunities in their last few games.

"We know we have very good players who can turn this around," Sounders forward Fredy Montero told reporters about their upcoming contest against the Rapids. "We know what we need to do for the next game at home. We need to get three points; doesn't matter how we play. If we play good or bad, the most important thing is the three points."

Given how well the Sounders started off the 2012 MLS season, it's a little disheartening to see them struggle. However, it's not too late for them to salvage their season, but their forwards will have to step it up a notch.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Servando Carrasco: 'We told ourselves we were going to play to zero and we did.'"

Seattle Sounders Snap Nine-game Winless Streak Against Rapids

The Seattle Sounders FC snapped their nine-game winless streak on July 7, defeating the Colorado Rapids 2-1 at CenturyLink Field. With the victory, the Sounders hold on to the third spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by only seven points.

"It's nice to get three points," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "I guess the rumors of our demise were maybe a little bit premature, but I thought for at times today we played some good soccer. The soccer caught up a little bit, which is what I had been saying. As long as we keep fighting and battling and become a tough team to beat our soccer will get back to where it was and tonight for good stretches of time I thought our soccer was good."

Both teams started off slow on Saturday, with neither team scoring any goals in the first half. The Sounders finally opened up the scoreboard in the second half, thanks to Alvaro Fernandez, who nodded in a Mauro Rosales corner-kick in the 52^nd minute. The Sounders doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Eddie Johnson headed in a cross from Rosales.

The Rapids didn't go down without a fight, and they cut the Sounders' lead down to a goal in the 79^th minute. Omar Cummings capitalized on a nice cross by Luis Zapata, tapping the ball past Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. The Rapids gave the Sounders a serious scare in the 85^th minute when Jeff Larentowicz fired a shot past Meredith, but he ended up being ruled offside.

After being sidelined for over a year, Seattle midfielder Steve Zakuani made his long awaited return in the 86^th minute. The 24 year-old received a standing ovation from the Seattle faithful, and he even shared an embrace with Colorado midfielder Brian Mullan - who broke Zakuani's leg with an unnecessary rough tackle during the 2011 MLS season - after the match.

"I tried to kind of take it in and just compose myself, thinking, 'Just enjoy the moment,'" Zakuani said. "There honestly was a time when I thought I would never play football again. Honestly. ... To be back there was, for me, the biggest achievement. I just took it in. I just said, 'No matter how it goes ... just enjoy yourself.' Tonight was just about crossing that white line and being happy that you did it, and taking it in."

The Sounders will now return to US Open Cup play, where they'll face Chivas USA in the semifinals of the tournament on July 11.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sigi Schmid: 'I guess the rumors of our demise were maybe a little bit premature.'"
SeatteTimes.com, "Sounders' Steve Zakuani thankful to be back in game action"

LeBron James Glad to Have Ray Allen on Board

The Miami Heat's front office continues to do everything possible to improve the team's roster, and the recent addition of former Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen is a perfect example of that. They'll have to wait until July 11 before Allen officially signs with them, but it's pretty much a done deal at this point.

The Heat dominated the NBA in 2012, securing their first title in the LeBron James era. Allen's addition to the Heat's roster makes them a better team, as it allows them to spread out their offense even more.
LeBron seemed pleased with the Heat's move to sign Allen, and he shared his thoughts during a recent interview.

"I'm excited. I'm excited. It was someone that we really wanted," James said. "It was someone that we pursued and we have a lot of confidence in our front office and they went and did it, so we're excited to have Ray. Another guy that can stretch the floor for us, another guy that can make plays not only for himself, but for others, and [he's] a champion. So he's going to fit right into what we want to do as a team and it's exciting."

Allen should fit it nicely with the Heat, considering the fact LeBron and Dwyane Wade get double-teamed a lot. It resulted into many open looks from long range for players like Mike Miller, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers - who helped Miami's "big three" with their solid three-point shooting during the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Allen is arguably a better three-point shooter than anyone currently on the Heat's roster, and he'll make teams think twice about double-teaming any of their superstars.

Miami fans couldn't be any happier with Allen's signing, and the team's future looks very bright right now. It's funny how the Heat were criticized for having one of the weakest benches in the NBA a year ago, yet they've turned themselves into the most complete team in the NBA.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Nick Friedell, "LeBron 'excited' by Ray Allen addition"

Sounders Advance to 2012 US Open Cup Finals

The Seattle Sounders FC are now one win away from becoming the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles, thanks to their 4-1 victory against Chivas USA on July 11. They'll face Sporting Kansas on Aug. 8, for the 2012 US Open Cup title.

"It's real now, so we can talk about trying to win four in a row," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "Obviously, it'll be difficult being away from home, playing at Kansas City. It would've been great to play at home, because I think we would've had more than we had last year. I think to set the record of four in a row, who knows, maybe we would've sold out the whole place at 60,000. But we're going to Kansas City. It means the first one we won on the road, and we're going to try and win the fourth one on the road."

After struggling in their last few outings, the Sounders' offense came to life against Chivas USA. They did start off a bit slow, but Eddie Johnson opened up the scoreboard in the 31^st minute, firing one past Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

Osvaldo Alonso doubled the Sounders' lead a few minutes into the second half, thanks to rough tackle by Chivas defender Rauwshan McKenzie on Fredy Montero inside the box. Alonso converted on the ensuing penalty kick, but the match was far from done.

Chivas scored their only goal of the game in the 74^th minute, but Brad Evans fired right back nine minutes later, capitalizing on a nice pass by Mauro Rosales. Sammy Ochoa gave Seattle some extra insurance in the 88^th minute, guaranteeing the Sounders' spot in the 2012 US Open Cup finals.

"It's a win. We win tonight and we advance to the finals," Alonso told reporters. "I'm very happy for myself and the team. We're looking forward to the finals."

Seattle's next game will be against the New York Red Bulls on July 15.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Brad Evans: 'Just the chance isn't good enough for us …'"

Ray Allen Looks Forward to Bright Future with Miami Heat

NBA veteran Ray Allen couldn't be any happier with his decision to sign with the Miami Heat, and he's looking forward to helping his new teammates win their second consecutive NBA title. He has no regrets about his decision to leave the Boston Celtics, and he feels at home with his new team.

Given Miami's star-studded lineup, Allen will no longer enjoy starting privileges, but that doesn't seem to be an issue with the three-point specialist.

"You mean I'm not starting? I wish they would have told me that last week," Allen joked when asked if he had any qualms about coming off the bench. "Going into this process, I never said whether I wanted to start or come off the bench. That was never really an issue. Whatever is going to be best for me in this situation is going to figure itself out. This team won a championship without me. I'm not going to come in and expect for Coach [Erik Spoelstra] to cater to who I am and what I do. I have to make it work on the floor with my teammates. I always said whether you start or come off the bench, the best compliment is who you finish the game up with."

With the addition of Allen to the Heat's roster, competing with Miami during the 2012/13 NBA season won't be an easy task. The Heat already have four serious super stars in LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Mario Chalmers, who'll be a lot more difficult to contain with Allen roaming around the perimeter. Opposing teams will now have to think a lot harder before committing to double teaming any of the Heat's superstars.

To make things better, the Heat have also secured the services of Rashard Lewis. Lewis fits into the Heat's style of play, and I personally can't wait to see the improved Miami team in action.

A year ago, the Miami Heat had one of the weakest benches in the NBA, yet they now have a future hall-of-famer coming off their bench. Mickey Arison and Pat Riley definitely deserve a lot of credit for aggressively doing everything in their power to improve the team, and I expect the Heat to dominate the NBA for years to come.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Michael Wallace, "Ray Allen's words ... and what they mean"

Can Today’s NBA Players Compete with the Legends of the Past?

LeBron James carried the Miami Heat to their second NBA title in franchise history during the 2012 NBA Finals, and he currently has his sights set on some more hardware. He'll represent team USA with fellow NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul, in his quest to secure his second Olympic gold medal.

The current USA team will be without the services of some of the biggest superstars in the NBA right now like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard due to various injuries, but they're certain they'll be fine with their current squad.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have even stated that they think the current USA men's basketball team can compete with the legendary 1992 Dream Team.

"As a competitor you never want to say that you will lose, no matter who you are going against," LeBron said when asked about a potential matchup between the two squads. "The '92 Dream Team paved the way for all of us ... We understand what they did for our game, but we also are big-time competitors as well, so if we got the opportunity to play them in a game we feel like we would win, too."

The original Dream Team put up some historic numbers, defeating their opponents by an average of over 43 points on their way to the gold medal. We'll soon find out how good the current men's basketball team is, but they probably won't put up Dream Team type numbers. Not because they aren't as good as the original Dream Team, but because the sport of basketball has grown tremendously around the world since then.
NBA great Michael Jordan didn't agree with Kobe's and LeBron's assessment that they would have been able to compete with the original Dream Team, but I actually agree with "King James."

While I hold the original Dream Team in the highest regard, it's rather silly to think that a team made up of the best NBA players right now couldn't compete with their counterparts 20 years ago. Without a doubt, the level of play in the NBA has increased over the years, and today's basketball players are capable of competing with any of the past generations.

Team USA will suit up for the first time at the 2012 Olympics against France on July 29.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
ESPN.com, "LeBron: We would beat Dream Team"

Seattle Sounders FC Defeat Colorado Rapids 2-1

The Seattle Sounders FC defeated the Colorado Rapids on July 28, walking away with the 2-1 victory. With the win, the Sounders stay put at the third spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by 10 points.

The Sounders struck first two minutes into the match, thanks to Eddie Johnson, who nodded in a well-played corner kick by Mauro Rosales.

"It was a superb header," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters about Johnson's goal. "Obviously he got a good assist as well. Himself [Johnson] and Fredy [Montero] has found some goals in a couple of other games, and he'll find goals again. I was pleased with that."

The Rapids fired back a minute later, when Drew Moor finished off a corner kick with a nice touch.

Both teams stayed aggressive on the offensive end, but the scoreboard stayed still until the 65^th minute, when Osvaldo Alonso volleyed a Johnson cross past Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens. The Rapids had a few more chances to equalize the game, but Seattle's defense wasn't having any of it.

"I thought we worked hard, we had to block some shots, and we had to throw our bodies in front of things," Schmid told reporters after the match. "I thought the guys did that. I didn't think we did as good a job cutting out some crosses. Obviously that's something that we probably need to work on a little bit better. Hats off to Colorado though, they're a team that's obviously trying to get wins and they were desperate. They were throwing people forward, they played with a lot of energy and they made it difficult for us at the end."

With the win, the Sounders improve their unbeaten streak (MLS) to five games, and they'll need all that momentum going into their next match against Caledonia AIA on Aug. 2. It'll be their first match in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, and they'd like to get off to a good start.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Sounderatheart.com, "Sounders vs Rapids Highlights, Stats, Quotes"

Erik Spoelstra Offers Miami Heat Players Some Advice

Even though the Miami Heat secured their second NBA title in franchise history a few months ago; coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't want his players to get complacent.

Having been a part of the 2006/07 Heat team that struggled after winning an NBA title the previous year, Spoelstra understands that things will be a lot more difficult for his players during the 2012/13 season, and they'll need to play a lot harder if they want to achieve the same results.

"If we learned one thing from the 2006 title, it was that you need to continue to reinvent yourself and improve as a basketball team," Spoelstra told reporters during a recent media session. "That year we brought the exact the same team back, we thought it would be the same path and same journey. It never is. … It's always going to be different. And we ended up losing the first round and we were swept in four games. Another year later, we only won 15 games and we were the worst team in basketball. That's how fragile this game can be."

Spoelstra definitely makes some valid points, considering the fact most championship teams in the NBA don't repeat the following year.

The Heat's players have had targets on their backs ever since LeBron James took his services to South Beach, and things won't get any easier now that they've added a championship banner.

Fortunately for them, Pat Riley and Mickey Arison have been very active during the offseason, bolstering their lineup by adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. With their improved firepower, the Heat have a good shot at securing back-to-back NBA titles for the first time in franchise history, as long as they stay focused throughout the season.

They'll get some stiff opposition from other powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, but I expect the Heat to dominate the NBA for years to come.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Ira Winderman, "Spoelstra: Key to defending title is to 'reinvent yourself'"

Seattle Sounders FC Brace for Caledonia AIA

The Seattle Sounders FC will play their first match in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League when they face Trinidad's Caledonia AIA on Aug. 2.

"They're probably the team right now going into the Champions League that we're going into the most blind," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said about their upcoming contest. "They are not in their season yet. They've changed their roster, so they have different personnel than they had. We've seen clips of past games that they've had, but a lot of those are with players that aren't on the team right now."

The Sounders were a little inconsistent during their previous stint in the tournament, but they did make it all the way to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately for them, they didn't have any answers for Santos Laguna during the second leg of their quarterfinals matchup, and they ended up losing to the Mexican side via aggregate.

The format of the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League will be slightly different this time around, with only four games for each team in the Group Stage of the tournament. Instead of four teams per group, it'll be three teams this time around, with only the winner advancing to the championship stage.

The Sounders and Caledonia will be in Group 4 with Honduras' CD Marathon.

Given the compacted format of the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, the Group Stage matches will be a lot more significant. Fortunately, the Sounders seem to be the best team in Group 4 on paper, and I expect them to make it to the championship rounds.

"Obviously, they're an athletic team," Schmid added. "They got a couple of big center-backs, so they're very dangerous on set pieces. Because when those guys get forward, they can cause some problems. They got a center-forward who's decent at holding up the ball; he's got some good size that we have to be aware of.

We have to make sure we don't get caught with the counter, that we don't get over exuberant. … The main important thing for us tomorrow night is to get the three points at home."

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Matt Gaschk, "Who is Caledonia AIA?"
SoundersFC.com, "Interview: Sigi Schmid 8/1"

Seattle Sounders FC Cruise Past Caledonia AIA

The Seattle Sounders FC couldn't have asked for a better start in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, defeating Trinidad's Caledonia AIA 3-1 at CenturyLink Field on Aug. 2.

Sammy Ochoa opened up the scoreboard in the 19^th minute, capitalizing on a nice pass by Andy Rose. Fredy Montero doubled the Sounders lead 11 minutes later, thanks to another well-played ball by Rose. The Sounders increased their lead at the end of the first half, with Rose sending a rebound into the back of the post.

"You need that first goal to really settle down and once we got that it felt like we started to dominate possession," Rose said after the match. "Overall, I thought it was a pretty impressive first half."

Early on in the second half, Caledonia was awarded a penalty kick due to a shove by Jhon Kennedy Hurtado on Jamal Gay inside the box. Kareem Joseph made the ensuing penalty kick, scoring Caledonia's only goal of the match.

With their lead reduced, the Sounders' focus shifted towards the defensive end. They kept Caledonia's strikers away from goalkeeper Andrew Weber, preserving their two-goal lead.

"The accomplishment we wanted to achieve was to win the game," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said after the game. "We didn't get any injuries, so it was good. … It was great that we got the early goals and we had a three-nothing halftime lead, so as a result the work we put in the second half was not as great as the work we would have had to put in if we were tied or if we were trying to make up the deficit. So from that standpoint it was good."

With the win, the Sounders take the top spot in Group 4. Their next game in the tournament will be against Caledonia on Aug. 30, in Trinidad. They'll now get two days off, before returning to MLS play to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 5.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
SoundersFC.com, "Rose shines in 3-1 victory over Caledonia AIA"

Seattle Sounders Manhandle Los Angeles Galaxy

The Seattle Sounders FC increased their MLS unbeaten streak to six games on Aug. 4, handing the Los Angeles Galaxy a 4-0 thrashing at a packed CenturyLink Field. With the win, the Sounders move closer to the first place San Jose Earthquakes on the MLS Western Conference table, currently trailing by only seven points.

"Obviously, the scoreline was great," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We're happy about that. Today, being able to build a one goal lead and score three in the second half was good. We felt in the first half we were getting inches away from getting some combinations and connections together behind them. … I'm very happy with our character and what we displayed in the second half. Overall I'm just pleased with the performance."

Eddie Johnson opened up the scoreboard in the sixth minute of the contest, nodding a Mauro Rosales cross past Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders for his tenth goal of the season.

Seattle's offense slowed down a bit for the remainder of the first half, but they came back to life early in the second half, thanks to Fredy Montero, who sent a blocked Alex Caskey shot into the back of the post in the 52^nd minute. Caskey scored the Sounders third goal nine minutes later, and Andy Rose gave the Sounders some extra insurance in the 88^th minute, capitalizing on a nice pass from Marc Burch.

Given how much the Sounders have struggled during the 2012 MLS season, it's nice to see them playing like the best team in the league once again. They'll need all the momentum they can get from their impressive victory against the Galaxy, as they'll try to make history when they suit up against Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 8, for the chance to become the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles.

"It's just basically for ourselves - a statement for ourselves," Schmid added. "It's us knowing, 'Hey, here's what we can do, here's the commitment that we have, this is the potential that we can achieve, and this is what we do as we continue to move forward.' It's about ourselves. It's about ourselves getting confidence in our ability to be able to take on big challenges, big games - we have another one on Wednesday - and respond well to those challenges."

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
LaGalaxy.com, "Postgame Notes & Quotes: Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy"

Will the Lakers and Heat Meet in the 2013 NBA Finals?

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant seemed to get along fine at the 2012 Olympics, helping Team USA secure gold in men's basketball. They probably won't be as chummy once the 2012/13 NBA season starts.

After struggling during the 2012 postseason - getting manhandled by the Oklahoma City thunder in the second round, the Los Angeles Lakers made some pretty big moves during the offseason, adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their lineup.

"Well, it looks like Superman has found a home," Bryant posted on his Facebook page after Howard was picked up. "I wish nothing but the best for Big Bynum. I hope he follows what was a great season last year with an even better one next year. I know LA is excited about the deal and rightfully so. The Lakers landed a piece that will hopefully carry the franchise long after I'm gone. I have spoken to Dwight Howard already and we are locked and loaded to bring back the title."

Obviously, Kobe and the Lakers want to add a few more championships to their impressive collection, and I wouldn't be surprised if they earn a spot in the NBA Finals.

However, the Heat have also been busy during the offseason, and the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to their lineup gives them more than enough firepower to deal with any team that dares to oppose them.

While I'm pretty confident the Heat will make their way to the 2013 NBA Finals, the Lakers will have a much tougher path. The Western Conference is still the dominant conference in the NBA, and the Lakers will have to go through powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs on their way to the finals.

Even though some basketball fans thought that LeBron's move to Miami would be bad for the NBA, it's actually had the opposite effect. The Heat's constant efforts to sign the very best players in the league, has forced other teams to do the same.

I know it's a little early for predictions, but I think the NBA is about to have one of its best seasons in a while.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
ESPN.com, "Sources: Dwight Howard to Lakers"

Earthquakes Snap Sounders’ Unbeaten Streak

The Seattle Sounders FC tried to bounce right back from their devastating US Open Cup Finals loss to Sporting Kansas City, but they ran into more problems against the San Jose Earthquakes, losing their Aug. 11 encounter. With the loss the Sounders' six-game unbeaten streak (MLS) came to an abrupt end.

"We've played a lot of games," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "At the end of the day, I'm proud of what we did and proud of our ability to come back. There were times when we gave up territorially a little bit more than we would have liked, but at the end when you look at good, clean chances, we had as many as San Jose did."

Fortunately for the Sounders, they still get to hold on to the third spot in the MLS Western Conference table, but they're now tied with Real Salt Lake.

Both offenses struggled throughout the match, but the Earthquakes finally opened up the scoreboard in the 71^st minute, when Simon Dawkins fired a shot past Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning.

However, the Sounders evened things up at the end of regulation, thanks to Fredy Montero, who headed in a goal, a few minutes after coming in as a substitute for Andy Rose.

Unfortunately for the Sounders, they gave up another goal shortly after. Steven Lenhart capitalized on a corner kick, nodding the match-winning goal past Gspurning. For the Sounders it was one of their toughest losses of the season, as it looked like momentum was starting to shift in their favor when Lenhart secured the win for San Jose.

"I don't know - I have no words for what happened this week," Gspurning said after the match. "Losing two times in one week is not normal, but from the performance we can keep our head up high. We had two targets and we didn't reach both, so we have to speak about this, but in the end we can't change anything."
The Sounders will now get some much needed rest before hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps on Aug. 18.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Jeremiah Oshan, "San Jose Earthquakes Vs. Seattle Sounders: Highlights, Stats, Quotes"

LeBron James Talks About 2012/13 NBA Season

After leading the Miami Heat to their second NBA title in franchise history, LeBron James didn't exactly take a break. Instead, "King James" lead Team USA to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics, displaying his leadership abilities throughout the tournament.

With the Olympics behind him, LeBron can now shift his focus towards the 2012/13 NBA season. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers have already made some big moves during the offseason, adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to their lineup. And it's safe to say the road to a second consecutive NBA title won't be an easy one.

However, LeBron seems really confident in himself and his teammates, and he doesn't seem overly concerned about the changes going on in the league right now.

"I want that feeling again," LeBron said during a recent interview with ESPN. "That champagne bash, the confetti, it was very quick. It didn't last long, and I want that feeling again. I look forward to the next challenge, and us trying to defend our crown."

The Heat have also made some changes of their own during the offseason, signing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Both are reliable scorers, and they'll make opposing teams think twice about double-teaming Miami's "big three."

Even though the Heat will get some serious competition from teams like the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder, they're still the favorites going into the 2012/13 NBA season.

Unfortunately for LeBron, regardless of his accomplishments, his critics aren't likely to go away anytime soon.

"I don't even get involved with that anymore," James added. "I don't look for it. I don't shy away from it. I just kind of roll with what's going on. For me, it started before last season, I came in with a different mindset and a different attitude and it didn't matter if you believed in me or not, I was still going to be how I was and stay true to who I was and who I am. And that's all that matters."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
ESPN.com, "LeBron James eyes Rio Games"

Seattle Sounders Hand Chivas USA 6-2 Thrashing

Fredy Montero put on a remarkable performance on Aug. 25, propelling the Seattle Sounders FC to a 6-2 win against Chivas USA.

With the win, the Sounders are now tied with Real Salt Lake for the second spot in the MLS Western Conference table. They're now trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by only seven points.

"We knew it was going to be a strange game just because of where they are at on the standings," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We knew that we would have to take some risks and go forward, and one thing we talked about was the desire to go forward; we knew it was going to present us opportunities, which it did."

Sounders midfielder Brad Evans opened up the scoreboard early in the match, firing one past Dan Kennedy inside the box. Montero doubled the Sounders' advantage in the 27^th minute, capitalizing on a well-played pass by Mauro Rosales. Montero struck again in the 34^th minute, chipping in another nice pass from Rosales.

Fortunately for Chivas, they were awarded with a penalty kick shortly after, when Seattle defender Adam Johansson was called for a hand ball inside the box. Juan Agudelo converted on the ensuing kick, firing up Chivas' offense.

"The Goats" cut the Sounders' lead to a goal early in the second half, thanks to Miller Bolanos, who fired a shot past Seattle goalkeeper Michael Gspurning in the 64^th minute. However, Montero was far from done, and he redoubled the Sounder's lead three minutes later, once again making the most of a Rosales assist.

Sammy Ochoa added to the scoreboard in the 80^th minute, and Ante Jazic' own-goal gave them a four goal lead in stoppage time.

Given Seattle's struggles early on in the 2012 MLS season, it's easy to appreciate how well they're playing right now. With their offense firing on all cylinders, the Sounders are once again establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the MLS.

I really like the chemistry between Montero and Rosales right now, and that can only lead to good things in the future.

The Sounders might have failed in their quest to become the first team to win four consecutive US Open Cup titles, but I have a feeling they'll make some history when the MLS Cup rolls around.

Their next game will be in Trinidad against Caledonia AIA on Aug.30. It'll be the second leg of their first round series in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League.

Follow me on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: 'We have a really good team. We have players…'"

Five Reasons the Miami Heat Will Repeat in 2013

The Miami Heat secured their second NBA title in franchise history earlier in the year, dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2012 Finals. They're clearly the most dominant team in the NBA right now, and I expect that trend to continue.

Here are five reasons the Miami Heat will win their second consecutive NBA title next year:

1. LeBron James has found himself
"King James'" decision to take his services to Miami, rubbed some basketball fans the wrong way, but it certainly was the right choice for LeBron. With the Heat, James finally got the opportunity to play with other superstars, and that turned him into a better player. The intense backlash he received from fans toughened him up, and he solidified his role as one of the NBA's greats with his many clutch performances during the 2012 postseason. Like it or not, LeBron is the best player in the NBA right now, and won't change for quite some time.

2. Erik Spoelstra proved he can coach at the highest levels
Even though Spoelstra put together a decent coaching record before the Heat acquired LeBron and Chris Bosh, many still wondered whether he was the right man for the job. However, he's managed the "big three" well, keeping everyone on the same page. With Miami's dominant performance in the 2012 NBA finals, questions about Spoelstra's coaching abilities will no longer be a distraction.

3. The addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis
As if Miami needed any more firepower, they've added two decent scorers to their lineup. Allen will help the Heat spread their offense, with his three-point shooting; while Lewis gives them another player that can drive to the basket (he's decent from downtown as well).

4. Mario Chalmers will only improve with time 
Chalmers is arguably the most underrated player on Miami's roster, and he'll only get better with time. He contributed to the Heat's success during the 2011/12 NBA season, and I expect him to play a bigger role next year.

5. Weakened Eastern Conference
The NBA's Eastern Conference hasn't been as weak as it is right now in quite some time, but that will only make Miami's road to the Finals that much easier. Besides the Chicago Bulls (who'll be without the services of Derrick Rose for the first half of the season) and Boston Celtics, I can't see any team in the east competing with the Heat.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 

Sounders FC Secure Second Straight Victory Against Caledonia AIA

The Seattle Sounders FC improved to 2-0 in the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League, winning the second leg of their group stage match against Caledonia AIA 3-1 on Aug. 30. With the win, the Sounders are now three-points away from guaranteeing themselves a spot in the championship round of the tournament.

"Getting six points was important to us because now we've put ourselves in a position that we need to win just one of our last two games," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the match. "We've got one game at home and we've always said winning games at home is the key, and getting some points on the road, but now we know if we win one of our last two, we win the group. It was a position we wanted to be in at the end of the day."

The Sounders' last two matches in the group stage will be against Honduran club, C.D. Marathón on Sept. 19 and 26.

The Sounders started off a little sluggish against Caledonia, but Alex Caskey opened up the scoreboard at the end of the first half, finishing a Zach Scott pass with a beautiful shot. They doubled their advantage in the 60^th minute, thanks to Sammy Ochoa, who lobbed a Fredy Montero pass into the post.

However, Caledonia didn't go down without a fight, and they caught a break in the 67^th minute. Seattle defender Zach Scott was called for a rough tackle on Jamal Gay inside the box, and Kareem Joseph converted on the ensuing penalty kick.

Fortunately for the Sounders, Fredy Montero - who scored three goals in his last outing - gave them some extra insurance two minutes later, finishing a Caskey cross with a nice touch.

Seattle's defense held up for the remainder of the game, preserving the victory. They've now won six of their last eight matches, and things couldn't be going any better for the Sounders right now. Their defense has been consistently solid throughout the 2012 MLS season, and their offense is starting to come along.

The Sounders will now return to MLS play, where they're currently tied for the second spot in the Western Conference. They'll face Dallas FC on Sept. 2.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sigi Schmid: 'Now we know if we win one of our last two (games), we win...'"

Five Teams to Watch During the 2012/13 NBA Season

The NBA is poised to have one of its most entertaining seasons in years, and I for one look forward to Oct. 30. Here are five teams to look out for during the 2012/13 NBA season:

1. Miami Heat
No surprise here, the Heat secured their second NBA title in franchise history during the 2012 Finals, and they're clearly the team to beat right now. With consistently solid role players like Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem, plus the signing of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Miami's "big three" have all the support needed to secure consecutive NBA titles for the first time in franchise history.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been busy during the offseason, turning themselves into a serious championship contender once again. With the addition of Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, and Antawn Jamison, the Lakers will definitely shake things up in the Western Conference, and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up battling the Heat in the 2013 Finals.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder dominated the NBA's Western Conference last season, but they ran out of steam when they ran into Miami in the Finals. Fortunately for Oklahoma, they're a very young team, and their experience in the 2012 Finals will only make them better. The Thunder didn't lose any of their superstars during the offseason, and I expect them to have another impressive season.

4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs were manhandled by the Thunder during the 2012 offseason, but I'm sure we haven't seen the last of this group. Their "big three" all have championship experience, and they've been one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the NBA for quite some time. It won't be easy making it to the Finals in the west, but I wouldn't count this team out.

5. Boston Celtics
The Celtics might have lost Ray Allen to the Heat, but they picked up Jason Terry and Brandon Bass during the offseason. The rest of their core superstars remain intact. The Celtics are still one of the toughest teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference, and I expect them to make their sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter.