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TSN Basketball Analyst

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FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTs:

1. MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA (Cavs): I like how teammate LeBron James has stood up for him and his style of play. I watch the guy play and he does something really well - he plays the game exceptionally hard. Dirty Player? No. Aggressive and rugged player? Yes and what's wrong with that? I don't know of a team out there that wouldn't want a guy like him who plays his heart out on every play. The folks that complain should toughen up and try playing the game with a little more grit. Some of today's NBA players have gotten way too soft and sensitive.

2. GAME 4 - WARRIORS at ROCKETS: An amazing 45 first-quarter points for the Rockets and it was essentially over with the Warriors having to play catchup the whole night. It's remarkable what force a team brings in the opening quarter does to the personality of a game. You come to play and it gets your fans in a frenzy, dictates officials calls and you start having breaks come your way with your overwhelming effort. Warriors will still win the series but terrific fight from the Rockets.

3. NBA FINALS: For the life of me I can't understand and don't agree with the NBA being firm on Game 1 of the NBA Finals not starting until next Thursday, June 4. If Cavs/Hawks ends tonight or even in five games and the Warriors/Rockets closes in five games tomorrow the NBA Finals should be starting next Tuesday, June 2. More than or close to a week is entirely way too long for teams playing at their peak to sit around and wait to play again. Hurts the quality of play in games one and two.  By the way, Game 2 isn't until Sunday, June 7 - another two days off.

4. TOM THIBODEAU (Bulls): No announcement of his departure yet to coach another NBA team. With the Bulls on the hook for the next two years and it being apparent that neither side wants anything to do with the other, Thibodeau is in a position to just say that he's going to coach the Bulls and if fired, sit out the next two years on their full dime. The Bulls get no off-set of contractual dollars or compensation from the next team either. I'm sure negotiations of this divorce are far from pleasant for a guy who has done a terrific job overall in the Windy City.

5. TRISTAN THOMPSON (Cavs): LeBron James supports him as well and says the Cavs need to hook him up with a new deal this off-season before he tries to leave as a restricted free agent. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'd love him in a Raptors uniform and what he brings is a lot of what the Raps lack. Do the Cavs miss Kevin Love that much? From my vantage point, no. They have adjusted to life without him and Thompson is a much better defender and tougher guy than Love. He makes the winning plays and allows the star(s) to do their thing. You think the Cavs might be regretting holding on to Andrew Wiggins? Love can potentially walk on July 1 with no compensation and they're now on the hook for even bigger financial committment to Thompson. Better keep winning.