I Hope It Was Worth It, Bill

     In 2001, Bill Simmons was starting to come into his own at ESPN. Still new with the company, his Page 2 Column started to take off. In the 10 years since, Bill has been a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, moved to LA, become the biggest writer for ESPN, produced huge documentaries, and now launched his own site, grantland.com. Besides his accomplishments, sports and entertainment from Boston has exploded. Take a look at this:

• New England Patriots, 3 Time Superbowl Champs
• Boston Celtics, 1 NBA Title
• Boston Red Sox, 2 World Series wins
• Boston Bruins, 1 Stanley Cup
• Dana White and UFC explode
• Jay Leno gets his job back from Conan
• The Departed wins best picture
• The Fighter and The Town, also about Boston come out
• John Cena (from West Newberry, Mass) wins estimated 45,000 matches and 1,000 WWE championships
• Sam Adams beer becomes super popular
• People listen to the Flogging Mollys

     I think I can attribute this all to one thing. Bill Simmons has sold his soul to the devil. And maybe not just his, maybe his whole family is involved Paranormal Activity 2 style. I can't prove it, but this list over the last tens years screams out that something is definitely wrong.

     Even if my theory isn't true, I think Boston has become what we always pictured New York to be. The city that has all the winners, the city that can put something over your head because they are better than your city. One day, I plan to meet Bill Simmons and ask him myself if this is true. And if it is, I'm going to then find Jerry Springer and find out why he did the same thing but only got a trashy talk show and a few years as host of America's Got Talent.

Game 7

     A few summers ago I went to a Cyclones hockey game. The game happened to start around the same time as the Reds were playing next door. A Cubs fan looked at my jersey and asked me if there was a playoff hockey game going on. I told him yes, it was Game 7. When I told him it was Game 7, he told his friends there was a change of plans, they were going to see two minor league hockey teams play a Game 7 instead of his favorite team playing the Reds.

     That is one story of how big a Game 7 in hockey is. I have more, and any hockey fan can tell you how big these games are. Game 7 isn't just the final game in a series, its the most intense 60 minutes (or more) in sports. Hockey players are already wired differently. They are mentally and physically tough. They always play with intensity and that ratchets up in the playoffs. And for Game 7? For the greatest trophy in pro sports? To have your name forever etched on Lord Stanley's Cup? Hide your kids, hide your wife...

     The Canucks play the Bruins tonight in Vancouver at 8pm on NBC. Or CBC, watch it on there if you can. Don Cherry is awesome. He's like a reverse Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier on crazy looking suits. The entire spectacle of the Stanley Cup Final is fantastic to watch. And as for the teams, there is a TON of side storys.

      USA versus Canada. Will Luongo look like games 1, 2, and 5 (2 goals) or 3, 4, and 6 (15 goals)? The Canucks are the faster team, and came in statistically better. But Boston has shown to be very tough. And in the playoffs, toughness and goal tending is the name of the game.

      I think this game will be decided by one man. Roberto Luongo, the Canucks goaltender. When he has been on, they don't lose. But when he is off, man is he off. So far, he's been able to handle the pressure when he's at home. But will those 15 goals allowed, and the Boston crowd chanting his name all night Monday. That has to get to him, that has to break him down eventually. And in the biggest moment of the biggest game of his life, will he be able to handle it? We will find out tonight. Game 7.