I can’t talk NBA basketball these days without discussing the ridiculous run that LeBron James is on right now. As I write this article, LeBron’s run of 6 straight games with 30+ points and over 60% FG just came to an end last night. Sure, he led his team to a big road victory in Oklahoma City and shot 14-24 (58%) from the field, but one of the great streaks in NBA history came to an end. No one else in NBA history had more than 5 consecutive games with 30+ points and 60% FG. It’s a really tough feat to accomplish even two games in a row, yet alone six consecutive games, because you have to be a great scorer and shoot a high percentage from the field. Big men can shoot the high percentage, but not get the point total, while true scorers can get the points, but at the expense of the shooting percentage. Michael Jordan never did it. Wilt Chamberlain never did it. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar never did it. Get my point?

While the debate rages over who is the best ever, it seems that Kobe Bryant’s career is falling into the shadows of LeBron’s career. Now the debate centers around MJ versus LeBron. Most fans and analysts give the nod to Jordan, but the book on LeBron is still being written. Love him or not, you have to give him props for playing at such a high level right now.

Few things (other than this oppressive heat) scream summer like the Summer Olympics.  Held every four years, the Olympics pit top athletes from virtually every country against each other while the world watches the drama unfold online or on TV.  Over the years, we’ve seen Carl Lewis, the Dream Team, Flo Jo, Michael Phelps, and others become overnight celebrities on their way to winning Olympic gold.  On July 27th, and for the first time since 1948, the Summer Olympics open up in London. 

The United States will march out a competitive team in track & field, gymnastics, diving and other sports, but expects to dominate in a few sports and win the overall medal count.  For example, even though this isn’t the Dream Team, the men’s basketball team, led by LeBron James, is expected to bring home the gold.  Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are expected to haul in the most medals as they swim against each other more so than the rest of the field.  Women’s soccer is looking for a strong showing, and even the boxing team is hoping to rebound to relevance. 

Regardless of the outcome, the Summer Games can’t be beat in terms of excitement and suspense.  The summer games only come every four years, so gear up for the Summer Olympics with apparel and merchandise from FansEdge.  Shop now and take advantage of a great selection of olympic t-shirts, olympic hats, olympic jerseys and much more.

This kid below from the infamous “I Hate The Miami Heat” YouTube video is probably having an even worse time now.

The Miami Heat have become the 2012 NBA Champions, destroying two seasons of horrible media treatment, ending years of one-sided ridicule thrown at the NBA MVP, and putting an enormous band-aid on all the years the fans — and Dwayne Wade — suffered as a one-man show.

Heat President Pat Riley assembled this team in the summer of 2010 to win multiple championships. Forwards LeBron James and Chris Bosh and guard Dwayne Wade — who has a ring from leading the Heat to the 2006 title — have accepted that it’s championship or bust.

Coming into tonight’s game 3-1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals, the Heat definitely had the odds in their favor. The Heat immersed themselves into the process and focus of the game, treating it as a Game 7; and it paid off handsomely.

This past season, James was critiqued for not being a clutch player in the Finals. This year against the Oklahoma City Thunder — in the last five minutes of a game when neither team leads or trails by more than five points — James was first, with 14 points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 5-for-6 on free throws.

The voyage for the Heat hasn’t been exactly easy, but it’s not supposed to be.

They trailed the Indiana Pacers 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and won, despite losing Bosh in the series opener to an abdominal strain that put him out of commission for nine games.

They were down 3-2 against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals, Miami forced a Game 7 and won the series.

The Heat started the NBA Finals on the road and gave up Game 1 to the Thunder.

They found out how to win without Bosh, who didn’t come back until late in the series versus the Celtics. They found out how to win with Bosh coming off the bench and when he came back to the starting lineup.

Maybe, these NBA Champions have figured it all out. Well, at least for this season.

What an amazing past 2 months filled with NHL and NBA Playoff action! Almost every night had a game that came down to the final shot or overtime. In the end, the Boston Bruins and Dallas Mavericks took home the titles. Here’s a quick look back on some of the best of the 2011 NHL and NBA Playoffs.

NHL

Best Series: Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Any time a team comes back from being down 3-0 to force a game 7, you know it’s a great series. Add in the two clubs’ recent rivalry, and that both games 6 & 7 went to overtime, and you have the recipe for the best series of the 2011 playoffs.

Breakout Performance: Brad Marchand

This rookie put up 19 points in 25 games! Not enough for you? In game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, he posted 2 goals and an assist!

Biggest Surprise: The Capitals get swept in the Conference Semi’s

A year removed from being upset after having a 3-1 series lead, the Capitals again earned the #1 seed only to be swept by the Lightning.

Most Memorable: Tim Thomas’s hit on Henrik Sedin

A defining play by the Finals MVP. Thomas put a huge hit on the Canucks superstar. Henrik Sedin will never live this down. Check out the hit here.

NBA

Best Series: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies

This terrific series highlighted two up & coming teams in the West. The 7 game showdown was extra special for the reason that it showcased two small market teams with astonishing fan support. This match up should be a reoccurring series for many years to come.

Breakout Performance: JJ Barea

It’s great for the game when a guy who looks like he could be your neighbor delivers under pressure. Barea had 7 double digit point games including 17 & 15 in the last two games of the NBA Finals.

Biggest Surprise: LeBron James’ Finals performance

This will go down as one of the most puzzling events in NBA history. The 2x NBA MVP only averaged 17.7 ppg, which was the largest drop off in points from a regular season to an NBA Finals in history.

Most Memorable: Dirk Nowitzki’s Playoff performance

His playoff performance catapulted his resume from NBA superstar to NBA legend.

Congratulations again to the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins and NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. Make sure to head to FansEdge for all your championship gear!