"Principal: Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." 
 -Billy Madison

WIth a Mavericks-Heat Finals coming up, there have been some comparisons thrown around involving the two hottest superstars left, Lebron James and Dirk Nowitzki. It started when Dirk Nowitzki was compared to Boston's own Larry Bird. Then, just yesterday, Scottie Pippen said that he thinks Lebron is the best all around player ever, over his former teammate Michael Jordan.

In considering these comparisons, one word comes to mind, and that is blasphemy. It is complete and utter blasphemy. Jordan and Bird are my two favorite players ever so I am very passionate about this subject and I will debate this until the end of time. Let me start with the Bird-Dirk comparison.

I like Dirk, he is a great player and the best shooting seven footer ever, but he is just not on Bird's level. Essentially, the comparison stems from their style of play. Very rarely do we see successful NBA players that are white,and relatively unathletic. Bird and Dirk are two of the best to fit that description. But, if you look at both of their careers, it is just impossible to honestly think of Dirk as superior. At age 32 (Dirk's current age) Bird had won three championships and was a three time MVP. Dirk currently has zero championships and one MVP. Stats-wise, Bird is also superior. For his career he averaged a 24-10-6, 2 steals, and one block per game while Dirk for his career averages a 23-8-3, one steal, and one block per game. Looking at the stats, you can clearly see that they have similar scoring abilities, but Bird was a better rebounder (despite being 3 inches shorter) and a much better passer. What you can't see is Bird's vast advantage in basketball IQ, toughness, and defensive ability. Bird's stats are impressive and better than Dirk's but Bird is one of the few players whose game transcended statistics. Bird provided all of the intangibles, something Dirk is not able to do.

All that being said, DIrk is having a Bird-esque playoffs. He is averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists a game compared to Bird's 24-10-8 at age 33 in the playoffs (he was injured at 32). Dirk is great, and I want him to win it all this year and continue his dominance. He is also arguably the hottest player left, but he is not Bird. But he is as close as we may ever see and that is still very good. And I hope he plays exactly like Bird in The Finals, because I do not want to see the Heat win it all.

Now onto the main attraction, Jordan versus Lebron:

For someone like Scottie Pippen, who played with Jordan and rode him to six titles, to say this is ridiculous. I could take it from the ignorant fans, but from Scottie? 
The fact that the comparison is coming out now that he made the Finals with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh should show the flaw in it. If he had done this with Cleveland, then I can understand the comparison (it  would still be ridiculous). Lebron hasn't won anything yet, Jordan has won 6 championships. Lebron has won two MVP's Jordan has 5 (should have won more). And if you think that's the only argument, then you're crazy. In these playoffs Lebron is averaging 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. At age 26 (Lebron's age), Jordan averaged 37 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals a game. Lebron, or anyone, can't touch those stats. 
Also, keep this in mind, I know that this doesn't matter in a basketball sense, but when you are talking about best ever it does. Show me one Jordan hater, and I'll show you one hundred Lebron haters. People love Jordan, and most people don't like Lebron (myself included).
Jordan is the greatest, and even if Lebron wins a championship he still won't even be close. Bottom line is, Lebron will never be Jordan, ever.

The Bruins are returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.  They defeated the Lightning 1-0 in Game 7, off of who else but Nathan Horton's goal, and punched their tickets to Vancouver to face off with the Canucks. Obviously, it's a big deal that they have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, but their work is far from over. We can celebrate now, but keep in mind, they are still four wins away from the Stanley Cup and if and when that happens, then it will be time to celebrate. But bottom line for now, the Bruins are going to the Stanley Cup Finals! Go Bruins!

Coming into a pivotal Game 5, Tim Thomas made a bold move and guaranteed a Bruins victory.  And if you guarantee a win, you better make good on your promise, otherwise you will be subject to criticism. True to his word though, the Bruins did win, and none was better, or more important, in that win than Tim Thomas. With the exception of an early goal he let in, he held the Lightning scoreless for nearly the entire game. In the end, he allowed just that one goal and had 33 saves including, without exaggeration, the best save of the year. This came at a pivotal time in the third period. With the Bruins holding on to a one goal lead, the Lightning were set up in perfect position to tie the game when a slap shot went wide, right to Downie who was a foot away from the empty left side of the net in perfect position to score, Thomas dove to the other side of the net extending his stick and deflecting the puck out. Incredible! This all propelled the Bruins to the 3-1 win and 3-2 series lead, leaving them just one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals.

"Seth: Hey Greg, why don't you go piss your pants again? 
Greg the Soccer Player: That was like eight years ago.
Seth: People don't forget. "
-Superbad

I think I'm going with Durant's dunk, just because it got his team going and won the game for them. But it's a tough choice.

The Thunder did not play well in the beginning of Game 2 and had an early 11 point deficit. This dunk by KD turned that all around, and the Thunder went on to win 106-100 and tie up the series.