By Eduardo Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

For FOX Deportes

It’s an analogy I’ve heard pundits and prognosticators lean on all the time when analyzing a team’s chances in an upcoming game…

“If (insert favored team here) players their ‘A-Game’ then they’re sure to win.”

Other than being a lazy analysis, its also problematic to thoroughly comprehend what in the heck exactly is someone’s A-Game. It reminds me of when Bobby Knight used to talk about showing a “gameface” then making funny contortions of his face. Cracks me up every time.

You know what didn’t crack me up? USA’s offensive explosion on Nigeria, as their 156-73 victory was as preposterous as the final tally looks. Here’s “The Five” from Thursday’s trouncing.

1. That Might Be The Greatest Shooting Performance From A Team Ever: Sometimes there’s nothing that needs to be said. This is one of those times. I’ll just let the stats tell the story.

Team USA’s field goal shooting: 59-83 (71.1%)

Team USA’s three-point shooting: 29-46 (63.0%)

Team USA’s free-throw shooting: 9-14 (64.3%)

Only 9-14 free-throwing shooting? That’s just unacceptable USA. *kicks an empty soda can in anger*

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By Eduardo Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

For FOX Deportes

 Dear James,

Its funny that I’d even address you by “James” at this point. Why, you might ask? Well, its because frankly, we the people hardly even recognize who you are in these NBA Finals. You see, we’ve resorted to calling you “Jeff Harden” (courtesy of @blewis09 and @soulonice6) these days because the James Edward Harden, Jr. that I know is a man that I used to know eons and eons ago.

Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating on the eons, but just a week and a half ago you were the third piece of the triumvirate of superstars that the Oklahoma City Thunder employ to wreck havoc on all comers. You know, the sweep of the defending champions in 4 games. The destruction of the Lakers in 5 games. The triumph over the stodgy old guard that was the Spurs in 6 games. You remember those days? They were a glorious time. As a cunning pass to a shooter, a courageous drive to the rim, and a confident rise of your jumper proved that your game was as chaotic and beautiful as an ongoing session of salsa and merengue on the dance floor.

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By Eduardo Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

For FOX Deportes

Well, we’re not actually moving to Miami. Unless I can talk to our editor about sending us on a field trip. (Rob, what up?) Let’s see how this goes…unless I don’t have a job here anymore. You know what, let’s just roll into my five points.

1. Someone please get Oklahoma City a 5-hour energy drink: I don’t want to beat this point into the ground, but the Oklahoma City Thunder simply can’t afford to keep digging holes to try and climb out of later in the game. Those moments of comeback are special, and the Thunder are well-equipped to do it. However, just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should have to all the time. Miami’s too good to allow them to be frontrunners, they were built to play that way.

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By Eduardo Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

For FOX Deportes

If you wanted your NBA finale to showcase the entity that is “Good vs. Evil” then you got it.

The Miami Heat are everything that’s wrong with the NBA. LeBron’s decision. The Big Three coming together. Everything that is Erik Spolestra’s coaching existence. The jealousy from others for not living in Miami. The beyond fashionably late-ness of the Miami Heat fan base. The Teflon Don-like qualities of Dwyane Wade. The many awkward faces of Chris Bosh. LeBron’s double-sown headband. LeBron’s hairline. LeBron’s $250 shoes. Pat Riley’s hair. Oh, did I mention LeBron’sdecision.

Compare that to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant’s tweet. A team that was organically built through the draft. The Opie Taylor-like quality of Scott Brooks. The appreciation of an NBA superpower spawning in the heartland of America. The greatest fan base maybe in all of American professional sports. James Harden’s beard. Kevin Durant being a mama’s boy. Durant’s jump shot. Durant’s price-sensitive shoes. Russell Westbrook’s emotions. Durant’s humbleness. 

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By Eduardo Maisonet, III / @edthesportsfan

For FOX Deportes

Since I have been tasked to write about all things basketball and soccer related, I will routinely roll out my new column “Tres Arriba, Tres Abajo.” The three positives and negatives of what I’ve seen transpire on the hardwood and on the pitch. Lets rock.

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