Predictions

One thing is for certain - this will be a great, perhaps even classic, NBA Final.

I think Oklahoma City is the better team.  But they've never been to the finals, and unless a team has been there, you never really know how they'll react to that kind of pressure.

Miami is star-crossed, and continues to pay dearly for the ridiculous expectations they set for themselves when Lebron turned his decision into a spectacle that resulted in thousands of fans who might otherwise have rooted for them to hope with passion, almost desperation, that they would lose in the most painful manner imaginable. 

And yet, in Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals Lebron became a force of nature, seemingly discovering the dark side of the force, and imposed his will on a team that had shown historic character and camaraderie.  It was as if he finally came to grips with his past mistakes, and faced them down once and for all.  If that's truly the case, it's hard to pick against the Heat.

But I'm going with OKC in 7, because of the resolve they showed in coming back against Duncan, Ginobli and Parker in the Western Conference Finals.  And if the Thunder weren't intimidated by that trio, they're not going to be intimidated by the arrogant avatars of South Beach.

As for the U.S. Open, I just can't see Tiger Woods winning at the Olympic Club.  The course requires a level of consistency and mistake-free golf that I just don't think he's ready to deliver yet - if ever again.  For the same reason, I don't see Phil prevailing.

Truth be told, I have no idea who will win.  I'm going to pick Luke Donald, for no particular reason at all.  Just remember where you heard it first.