WSD Sports Page: Spurs outlast Heat in heat at Game 1 of NBA Finals

We cover #Crampgate, #Lebroning, where the NFL Draft could be held next year, and the best answer in Family Feud ever in today's sports page.

NBA: Spurs take 1-0 lead in Finals after dominant 4th quarter

San Antonio outscored Miami 31-9 in the final period, outdoing the Heat in the sweltering heat of AT&T Center without the air conditioning. LeBron James was helped off the court in the 4th quarter after cramping, leading to a predictable mess on Twitter that involved discussions of San Antonio fixing the game, everybody getting huffy about how serious cramps are, and everything else that was predictable and stupid that Twitter usually consists of.

What wasn't talked about was the disappearance of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the final period. The Spurs committed a boatload of turnovers during the game, but they made a six 3-pointers attempted and missed just two baskets in the fourth compared to Miami's nine. Talk about cramps all you want, all Miami had to do was hold on to the lead and that was the worst attempt ever at doing so.

NBA: President Rod Thorn says conditions were playable, even on both ends

It wasn't that long ago that NBA arenas weren't air conditioned, and Thorn played in those conditions. Temperatures eventually reached 90 degrees inside the arena, but it wasn't enough to deem it unplayable.

NBA: Gatorade trolls James and his sponsor, Powerade

Because Powerade is the sponsor of LeBron James, Gatorade decided to poke the bear in the Twitter meltdown and responded with hilarious quips. In replying to somebody that thought James was their client, Gatorade responded with: "The person cramping wasn't our client. Our athletes can take the heat." That's been retweeted nearly 7.5 thousand times.

That's the right way to use Twitter, not one to tell people how they're so wrong about cramps or coming up with a conspiracy theory.

NFL: League could move draft to Chicago or Los Angeles

Since Radio City Music Hall "will not be available next year" for some reason, the NFL is exploring other places that the draft can be held in. They also plan on extending the number days that the draft will take place, but it will happen earlier than it did this year. I, for one, will miss the New York Jets fans' loud boos.

NBA: Kevin Love has received interest from 16 teams

Quote from new head coach Flip Saunders: “We probably have 16 teams that have called us,” Saunders said, regarding interest in Love around the league. “We haven’t called anybody.”

NFL: Sam Bradford never doubted he was Rams' starter

Despite wide speculation that the Rams may move on in this year's draft, they didn't draft a QB. Bradford told ESPN yesterday that he was actively talking to the staff and they weren't ever looking in a different direction than Bradford as the starter next year. So again, much discussion over nothing happened.

Game Shows: Man gives "myself" as "fully loaded" answer, receives "my willing weiner"

The question: "Name something that might be fully loaded." The answer: "Myself." When asked to clarify, he said "my man region." The answer on the board: "My willing weiner." At least the game show didn't skip around the word! For those that think the show sunk to a new low, it only did when the next person gave an atrocious answer after the events that transpired.

Today's Slate
(Central times listed)

FRENCH OPEN (Men's Semifinals)
Djokovic/Gulbis (Semi 1) - 6:00a ESPN2
Nadal/Murray (Semi 2) - 9:00a ESPN2

CBB - SUPER REGIONALS
-Houston at Texas (Game 1) - 3:00 ESPN2
UC Irvine at Oklahoma St (Game 1) - 8:30 ESPNU

STANLEY CUP FINAL - Game 2 Saturday
Rangers at Kings (LA 1-0)

NBA FINALS - Game 2 Sunday
Heat at Spurs (SA 1-0)

MLL
Cannons at Machine - 7:00 CBSS

MLB (NL West)
Dodgers at Rockies - 7:40 SNLA/RSRM
Braves at D'backs - 8:40 FSS/FSAZ
Nationals at Padres - 9:10 MASN2/FSSD
-Mets at Giants - 9:15 SNY/NBCBA

Is the NFL Draft still necessary on TV?

Who's watching the NFL Draft on TV tonight? For those raising their hands, it's a tradition that's a complete waste of time in our current generation.

In our ever-changing world of technology, people spend more time on their phones than looking at their TVs. Take a quick gander at a group of people just chilling out around a TV. Generally, one or more of those people are fiddling around with their phone, or are in a relaxed position on their couch with their laptops in hand.

This has certainly become true when people get together to watch NFL games. With the abundance of fantasy football leagues, some juggling two, three, even more, they spend more time looking to see if their Emotionally Stunted Donkey Kongs are still up against the Crotchety Master Basters by 14 points and who the opponent has left to play.

So in a world that sees more people than ever on their phones, and especially on Twitter, why in the world is the NFL even bothering with setting up all the bells and whistles of the NFL Draft?

Twitter has essentially made television programming around the NFL Draft pointless. Despite ESPN and NFL Network not announcing the picks before Roger Goodell on the social media giant, everyone else is. If you're heading out to a bar or a buddies' place and still want to be surprised when the name first comes out of the commish's mouth, good luck. You know there's going to be that guy who sees your Jacksonville Jaguars hat and will belt out, "Ha, your dumbass got that Johnny Manziel!" and then makes the "show me the money" sign with his hands.

Personally, I haven't bothered with TV coverage in years. Sometimes I'll throw it on a side TV if there's nothing else, especially if the NBA games turn into blowouts again tonight. But since the NFL's move to primetime, I haven't seen an event in its entirety. I was working a job during my time in college when the move was made. I worked until 10 o'clock -- 11 on the East coast -- and all the juicy stories were generally over by then. There was nothing left to watch.

During that time, with social media evolving, I quickly learned there was nothing to watch. Nothing of value was ever added to watching five or so dudes around a desk rehashing everything we've read on the internet for the past three months. Nothing they say with their immediate reaction is necessary and all of that stuff we can read on the internet almost instantaneously.

Same goes to the players that showed up, walk their walk to the commish on center stage, shake/hug, and hold up a jersey. For the players? That's an incredible moment. They finally have that physical acknowledgement that they've made it to the NFL. That moment means absolutely nothing to me and you. Especially now that players can pick walk-up songs.

Actually, I take it all back. Who wouldn't want to see Manziel with his smug face coming up to the stage with "Turn Down for What" blaring through the speakers? Especially if it IS the Jaguars? People would go nuts and I'd love every second of it. That will all never happen, so nevermind.

Sure, you'll feel those emotions if a player starts balling his eyes out, but that will quickly be pushed aside the next day. Plus, I'm sure Vine videos would sprout all over the place to capture that emotion. There's no need to TV cameras to be there.

There is absolutely no reason, already at this time, that the NFL Draft even needs to be on TV. Our generation has moved on from the traditional broadcast of it, there's no value of it -- to us. But it's of certain value to the NFL, the advertisers, and all the suckers that continue to tune in to the event.

Photo: Wikimedia