Young Giants Fan Sent Brandon Jacobs $3.36 to Stay

Letter and money sent from 6-year-old Joe Armento. (@GatorBoy45)

6-year-old Joe Armento is a huge New York Giants. He couldn't understand why Brandon Jacobs was no longer going to play for his team. Joe reminded his mother that the Giants are of course the reigning Super Bowl champions. His mother informed him that the Giants didn't have the money to keep Jacobs. That is when Joe decided to do his part to help out his favorite team. He emptied his piggy bank. Joe sent all of his $3.36 he had and a letter typed by his mother to Brandon Jacobs.

Jacobs was moved deeply by the young boy's efforts. He tweeted, "I almost cried; I am still trying to hold it in. I may have to pay him a surprise visit." He also tweeted a picture of the letter and money. Jacobs plans on doing something with Joe as soon as he returns to New Jersey.

This is the type of story that makes me proud to be a sports fanatic and blogger. This boy gave all he had monetarily to help his favorite team and one of their players. Jacobs was understandably moved by the youngster's gesture. His plan to do something with boy shows he really cares. This is a display of true fandom demonstrated in the proper way. No matter who your favorite team is, you have to admire young Joe Armento and his love for the Giants.

Thunder Earn First NBA Title Appearance Since Relocation

Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have plenty to be excited about. (Sue Ogrocki)

After winning Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs became just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 20 games in a row. Experts and analysts were calling them unbeatable and the complete package. I guess the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't get the memo or buy into it. They dominated the Spurs in Game 3 and closed out Games 4 and 5 exquisitely to take a 3-2 advantage, heading into Game 6 back in San Antonio.

The Spurs knew the game was a must-win, and they displayed it from the onset. In the first half, they basically had their way offensively and forced many turnovers as a result. The Spurs advantage at the half was 15 points. However, the Thunder came out in the second half looking like a different team. They outscored the Spurs 59-36 from that point on. Kevin Durant led the way with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Russell Westbrook added 25 emphatic points.

The fact that the Thunder basically swept a Spurs team who had just won 20 games in a row is remarkable. What is even more incredible is when you consider where this franchise was just a few years ago. Three seasons ago, they started out 3-29, on pace for the worst record in NBA history. Add in the fact in the fact that in the playoffs, the Thunder beat they the only three Western Conference teams to reach the NBA Finals since 1998, the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Spurs. It is extraordinary what they have accomplished to get to this point. Now, they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals. No matter who they play in the NBA Finals, you can be assured that this young team and their enthused fan base will be ready to put forth their best.

Celtics Take Crucial Game 5 Behind Garnett and Pierce

Kevin Garnett helped lead the Celtics to their Game 5 win. (Mike Ehrmann)

When the Miami Heat came from behind in Game 2 to win, they took a commanding 2-0 lead and all the foreseeable momentum to Boston. My how the tables have turned since then. In Games 3 & 4, the Celtics took large leads early and demonstrated poise as they held on to level the series at two games a piece. Tonight, the series shifted back to Miami for the decisive Game 5.

The Heat came out strong in the first quarter, led by LeBron James. The Celtics struggled on the offensive end, as the Heat built the lead to as much as 11 in the first quarter. Midway through the second, the Celtics offense started to come alive. The third quarter saw back and forth action as the teams traded punches. However, it was the Celtics who locked down to close out the quarter on a 8-0 run to take a five-point lead into the fourth.

The fourth quarter turned into a classic battle. Both teams knew what the win would mean. With a minute to go, the Celtics led by one with the ball. Paul Pierce had the ball in his hands. From 25 feet out, he simply rose up and shot the three over LeBron's outstretched arm. Nothing but net. It didn't matter how much Pierce had struggled in the game prior. He turned to the Celtics' bench and shook his head. They knew how big the shot was. The Heat tried to come back, but clutch free throws by Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett sealed the Celtics' crucial road victory.

Three games ago the Celtics were too old. Now, they are one win away from a return to the NBA Finals. Garnett finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds. While LeBron may be the regular season MVP, I believe at this point Garnett deserves the Eastern Conference MVP. Following the game KG talked about the toughness of his team, "We stayed with it. We had a rough first quarter, first half. We got our stops and made our run ourselves. And when we had to, we had stops. He also commented on the teamwork the Celtics display, "We do it together; we don't do it individually...When we do it together, we look pretty darned good."

Pierce nailed another clutch shot, showing once again that he is one of the game's best closers. Game 6 returns to Boston with the Celtics needing just one win to advance. The pressure is on the Heat, who looked good early, but really didn't play well beside the efforts of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. They will need more of a team effort to have a chance in Game 6. Coverage of Game 6 is scheduled to begin Thursday night at 8:30 on ESPN.