TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the NBA Finals, the Rockets big name free agent pursuit, the next step for Jason Kidd, officiating and coaching vacancies. 1. The NBA Finals: I picked the Heat in seven and after watching two games of this series so far, Im even more convinced that its going to go seven games. I still like the Heat but the margin of error between the two teams is quite small. Both teams make good adjustments and both have excellent coaching and smart veteran players who can adapt on the fly which is so critical this time of year. Its so important to keep an eye on two areas that are developing as major points of emphasis for both teams: the usage of the three-point shot and the turnover margin battle. The team that wins these categories is going to have a terrific chance to win that nights game due to the style of play that both employ. There will be less prep time between Game 2 & Game 3 and between Games 3 & 4 so these upcoming games in San Antonio are more about what your seasonal habits (both good and bad) have been and less about the extensive attention to detail that both teams thrive on. 2. The Houston Rockets: They are being mentioned in the free-agent pursuit of both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Whether the chatter is legit or not its the right approach for the Rockets. Its very important for them to get it into the minds of agents, media, opposing teams and - most importantly - those two players. They must show others that they mean business in this thing and to swing for the fences. That always helps with selling your message and creating a perception that the Rockets are going places. Will they land one or both? Its too early to tell. But theyll surely get their attention and an audience. You gotta be in it to win it. 3. Jason Kidd: I respect the wonderful career that he had as a Player. Reports are now swirling that hes going to sit down with the Nets to address his interest in being their head coach. With Mark Jackson having an excellent second year after a rough first one in Golden State as well as ex-players like Doc Rivers and Larry Bird having early success as head coaches after retiring it helps his argument if he surrounds himself with qualified assistant coaches rather than some buddies. Ill say this though, if youre an owner, president and/or general manager of a team, youve got tons of cash invested in your business. Are you willing to take the risk to see if it might work with a novice coach? Im not saying it wont work. You just dont see this approach too often in the NFL, NHL and MLB. Must make sure hes the right guy for your particular challenge and he must have an excellent staff not a bunch of guys on lifetime scholarship. 4. Joey Crawford: He officiated Game 2 last night and on the whole there were no real issues. Yes, we all remember his showdown with Tim Duncan and that he has a penchant for being strong minded but to be perfectly honest with you, Ive watched this guy officiate for 15 years in my time as a broadcaster and if I were coaching again, Id have no reservations whatsoever with him calling my games. He loves the game, works hard at it, knows what hes doing and isnt afraid to make the big call. Particularly if Im the road team, I have complete faith that he wont allow the home crowd and/or the home coach to sway him into making a call. I want a guy like that on a big game. 5. Coaching Vacancies: Its been open game on NBA head coaches this season. To whom much money is given, much is expected. I get all that. Ill say this, though, some folks in many NBA markets need to come to grips and be more realistic. Only one team wins it all. Were all obsessed reaching the Holy Grail of winning an NBA Title, yet its important to remember that there are so many factors that go into that special/unique season and few ever experience it. Simply put, the fact that you win a bunch of games and then dont win it all doesnt make you a failure. You came up short. Not every team is blessed with great talent and the proper ingredients. Im not saying that Coaching changes arent necessary at times but I do think that more often than not its a matter of a lack of realism about what a Team truly has at its disposal and what they can/cant accomplish. Crazy Business. Wholesale Jordan 8 . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Cheap Jordan 8 Retro . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. http://www.cheapairjordan8.com/ . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Cheap Jordan 8 Wholesale .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Jordan 8 Wholesale . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cleveland Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin has gone from unbeatable at the start of the season to winless in August.And that potent Indians offense is suddenly struggling to score runs.Tomlin allowed two three-run homers, the first to Carlos Gomez making his debut for the AL-best Texas Rangers, and gave up eight runs without making it out of the fifth inning as the Indians lost 9-0 in the opener of a four-game series matching division leaders Thursday night.My job is to give us a chance to win, and right now Im not doing my job, said Tomlin, 0-5 with a 10.80 ERA in his five August starts.While Tomlin (11-8) failed to get past the fifth inning for the fourth time this month, the Indians managed only two singles in eight innings against left-hander Cole Hamels (14-4), who struck out eight without a walk.We havent swung the bat the last four games, but I think were third in the league in runs, manager Terry Francona said. Its not realistic that youre going to hit the ball out of the ballpark all year. It happens. Just got to fight through it together. We will.Cleveland (72-54) was shut out for the fourth time this season, and that came after the AL Central leader had been held to exactly one run in each of its three games at Oakland earlier this week -- the opener of that series being a 1-0 victory.You keep working, second baseman Jason Kipnis said. I wouldnt be surprised if we come out of it here soon.Hamels retired 19 batters in a row after Francisco Lindors solid two-out single to left in the first. The only other baserunner for the Indians against the lefty was Carlos Santana after a leadoff single in the eighth, though he was stranded at second after advancing on a passed ball.Had all pitches, all locations in play. Had the swing and miss, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. He had the ability to do what he wanted to.After Gomezs homer in the second, Adrian Beltre and Rougned Odor also homered for the Raangers (75-53), who matched their largest winning margin of the season.ddddddddddddTomlin is scheduled to start once more before the calendar turns to September, next week at home against Minnesota. The right-handed Texas native was 7-0 through eight starts and 9-1 at the end of June, but now hasnt won since July 30.He was crisp, Francona said. He made a bad pitch to Gomez, and unfortunately its three (runs).LOFTY MARKSHamels is 21-5 in his 38 starts since the Rangers acquired him last season when he was coming off a no-hitter in his last start for the Philadelphia Phillies. His eight innings Thursday were the longest scoreless outing for a Texas starter this season.SHORT HOPSIndians 1B Mike Napoli had two errors in the fifth, one throwing and one fielding. ... Tony Barnette pitched a scoreless ninth, after giving up a leadoff walk, to wrap up only the third shutout this season for Texas. ... The Rangers had eight hits, one each by eight different players. The only starter without a hit was Carlos Beltran, who is in an 0-for-28 slide.FRESH STARTGomez made his Rangers debut five days after signing a minor league deal with the team and playing three games at Triple-A Round Rock. The 30-year-old two-time All-Star outfielder hit .210 with five homers in 85 games this season with the Houston Astros before being designated for assignment and then last week given his unconditional release.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Instead of activating reliever Tommy Hunter from the disabled list next week as planned, the Indians released the right-hander who has been out since the All-Star break with after a back issue.UP NEXTIndians: All-Star RHP Corey Kluber (13-8), the 2014 AL Cy Young winner, is 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA his last eight starts.Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (8-9) is 7-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 13 home starts this season. ' ' '