NBA Blah Day: Some Helpful Tips

Blah.
Blah.
Blah.

Original photos from NBAE/Getty Images.

It's not a good day for the Suns and Mavs (but then again, in these times we live in, these two teams don't have many good days. I would have to say that no other teams in the league have had to deal with more heartbreak than these two). I'm not saying that these series are over, but it sure isn't looking good.

On one hand, you have the Phoenix Suns, a team many pundits picked to win it all this year (with Marion), and converted even more post-Shaq. They were looking good in their match-ups with the Spurs late in the season, and although we could count on an entertaining series, not many were picking against them. Still, they failed to win two very winnable games on the road in San An, and now it must seem like the series is over.

Then on the other side, you have the Dallas Mavericks, a team that had to claw and fight just to make it into the post-season. After beating the Hornets in the last game of the regular season to avoid a first round battle with the Lakers, you had the phrase "best seventh seed ever" being thrown around quite a bit. This team is definitely capable of playing at a higher level than they are playing now. Still, Chris Paul is taking the same faults that have troubled the Mavs year after year and shoving them down Dallas's throat. Aside from the Suns, they were the most likely to "upset" their first round opponent (at least according to the wide assortment of media I have digested).

So here we are, on April 23rd, and both Dirk and Shaq are likely sticking their heads in the sand right about now. Both players have played well in their respective series, I would say, but there are serious problems in both (namely, both teams' abilities to defend quick point guards). Steve Nash has never been a great defender, and seems even slower against an inspired Tony Parker. Jason Kidd used to be a very good defender, and yet still seems like he's moving in slow motion against the emergent Chris Paul. So as a fan of the Suns or the Mavs, what is the agenda for this ye NBA Blah Day?

1. Sleep in.
This is probably the most important part of your blah day schedule. If you tossed and turned all night with images of Tony Parker teardrops or Chris Paul first-quarter buzzer beaters, stay in bed. Call in sick. Change whatever plans you had for the morning. It'll cut the day in half and hopefully help you avoid the "day that never ends" grogginess.

2. Eat. A lot.
Find your favorite comfort food, and dig in, be it ice cream, an assortment of fried delights, of whatever your poison may be. Whoever says food doesn't make you feel better is probably lying, or might just be Vegan.

3. Participate in some ball of your own.
What better way to avenge your team's shortcomings than to show them how it's done? Go crazy over whoever is at your local pick-up venue of choice: bicker over the score, call traveling or carrying just to see how people react, or just show them up.

4. Avoid depressing media outlets.
You might want to think twice about watching ESPN today, where Stephen A. or Skip Bayless are likely saying that your team is done. Although it might make you angry, it's not going to help you. Think twice about what you're checking out from Ballhype, and in general just consider the consequences of all basketball related content. Will it make you incredibly angry/clinically depressed? Yeah, might want to skip it. (Thought: maybe you should read about another team's troubles? For Suns fans check out Mavs coverage, and for Mavs fans check out Suns coverage. You might realize that you're not the only one Blahing on this tragic day in playoff history.)

Don't worry, Blah Day participants, the sun will rise tomorrow (I'm not sure if that's an accurate metaphor...but you get the point). Friday may yet yield your ultimate redemption. Keep your head high and do your best to survive a day full of mumbles under your breath and deep sighs.