Jack Morris should be well-rested for game 8

Maybe this will represent the beginning of a wave of semi-frequent posting, or maybe it won't. But I have too many half-formed thoughts not to turn a few of them into half-thoughtful internet content. Anyway...

The number one cliche on the List of Sports Cliches That Irritate Me is officially getting out of control. Like any good cliche, a simple internet search reveals countless examples:

"The series doesn't start until someone wins on someone else's home court." -Lebron James after game 4 against Boston

"[Pat Riley] always said 'a series doesn't start until someone loses a home game.' '' -Stan Van Gundy after game 4 against Toronto

"They told me the playoffs don't start until you win on the road." -Rajon Rondo after game 2 against Atlanta

Really? We're just going to accept this without questioning it? In fact, the opposite is closer to the truth--playoff series often end due to a road win or two. But when the home team wins every game, the series tends to just keep on going. So far in round 2 of the NBA Playoffs only Detroit has won on the road; apparently the Boston-Cleveland, LA-Utah, and New Orleans-San Antonio series have yet to commence. Not coincidentally, those series are also on the verge of a game 6 to be hosted by the team that's down 3-2 and desperate to avoid elimination, to be potentially followed by a game 7 hosted by the favorite, desperate to avoid an upset.

Some of the other playoff series which, apparently, we're still waiting on:

• The 2004 NLCS between St. Louis and Houston, including the classic 12-inning game 6.
  
• The Miami-New Orleans first round series in the 2004 NBA playoffs, in which 6 of 7 games were decided by 9 points or less.
• Two first round series in the 2002 NBA playoffs in which 4 of 5 games were decided by 10 points or less: Detroit-Toronto and Boston-Philadelphia.
  
• The 2001 World Series between Arizona and New York, which featured four one-run games, two extra-inning games, all that "Mr. November" nonsense, and Rivera's blown save in game 7.
• The 1995 ALDS between Seattle and New York, which featured two extra-inning games, 68 runs in five games, and Griffey's winning run in game 5.
• The Greatest World Series of All Time, Minnesota-Atlanta in 1991, which I'd rather not talk about right now.
• And of course, the 1955 NBA Finals between the Syracuse Nationals and Fort Wayne Pistons.