R.G.'s Weekly Sports ReCap: Saturday 6/8 - Friday 6/14

 

Notable happenings in the sports world this past week:

NBA: The NBA Finals got underway between the defending champion Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs....As of Friday, 6/14, the series is deadlocked at two games apiece, with Game 5 taking place on Sunday night 6/16 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas....Head coaching hires - Jason Kidd, Brooklyn Nets; Maurice Cheeks, Detroit Pistons.

NHL: The 2K13 Stanley Cup Finals began between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins - the first 'Original Six' championship matchup since 1979, when the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens faced off....As of Friday, 6/14, the 'Hawks hold a 1-0 series. Game 2 is on Saturday night 6/15 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois....The Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign All-Star and reigning league MVP Evgeni Malkin to an eight-year, $76M contract extension.

Pro Tennis: 31-year-old and top-ranked Serena Williams ousted Maria Sharapova to win the French Open - the 16th Grand Slam title of her career....On the men's side, Spaniard Rafael Nadal defeated fellow countryman David Ferrer and made history by winning his eighth career French Open championship - the 12th major title of his career.

NFL: Much-maligned and scrutinized free agent quarterback Tim Tebow signs a two-year deal with the New England Patriots....The New York Giants sign their All-Pro wide receiver Victor Cruz to a one-year, $2,879M tender. Cruz is hoping for a huge pay raise if his 2K13 season is yet another productive one for Big Blue.

Horse Racing: Palace Malice won the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes. Preakness winner Oxbow took second place and Kentucky Derby winner Orb placed third.

Pro Golf: The PGA Tour's second major tournament - The U.S. Open - got underway for the men at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania....As of Friday 6/14, both Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel are tied atop the leaderboard at one under-par. Tiger Woods is in the hunt at three over-par - four shots behind Mickelson and Horschel....In women's action, Inbee Park of South Korea won her second major tournament of the year by capturing the LPGA Championship in Pittsford, New York. Park also won the Kraft Nabisco title back in early April.

 

WNBA: Players of the Week....Eastern Conference - G Ivory Latta, Washington Mystics; Western Conference - F Rebekkah Brunson, Minnesota Lynx....President Barack Obama invited the defending champion Indiana Fever to the White House in honor of their victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the 2K12 WNBA Finals.