Tuesday, October 26, 2010

2010-2011 NBA Season preview


Lets face it, the 2010-2011 NBA season might very well be the most anticipated season in the game's history. The Lakers are going for a three peat, Boston is geared up for one last run, Oklahoma City is attempting to take the next step forward and assert itself as an NBA powerhouse, oh and the Miami Heat could be interesting.
Though the NBA is lacking in parity and there are not many legit title contenders, the potential playoff matches in April, May, and June could be some of the best in league history. Here is a look at each team's chances in each division

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics (3)
Philadelphia 76ers (7)
New York Knicks (8)
New Jersey Nets
Toronto Raptors

-The Celtics should win this division relatively easily as none of the other competitors are in Boston's class. The Knicks, Sixers, and Nets should battle it out for the last few playoff spots in the weaker eastern conference. With Amar'e Stoudemire, there will be many nights in which the Knicks will have the best player on the floor. Philadelphia is a potential surprise team in East that will be featuring promising number two overall pick Evan Turner. New Jersey, under Avery Johnson, should be one of the more interesting teams in the league. Keeping Devin Harris and Brook Lopez healthy and on the the floor together is paramount. Toronto is in full stage rebuilding mode after losing Bosh and Turkoglu over the off season.

Central Division
Chicago Bulls (4)
Milwaukee Bucks (5)
Indiana Pacers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons

-With Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, and Luol Deng running the show, Chicago should be able to separate themselves from the pack in the weak Central Division. The Bucks will continue to improve after their surprising 09-10 season and will be even tougher should Andrew Bogut be healthy for the postseason. Indiana, Cleveland, and Detroit will battle it out to see which team can avoid the cellar of the division.

Southeast Division
Miami Heat (1)
Orlando Magic (2)
Atlanta Hawks (6)
Washington Wizards
Charlotte Bobcats

-Featuring Florida powerhouses Miami and Orlando, the Southeast Division will be one of the most intense in the NBA. Orlando is one of the few teams in the East that can give the Heat a run for the number one seed in the conference. Atlanta was able to resign Joe Johnson but are bringing back almost the same team as last year. Expect them to be a mid-level team in the Eastern Conference that gets bounced in the first round of the playoffs by one of the big boys. Washington should be interesting with John Wall and Gilbert Arenas on the floor together. Wall is a potential rookie of the year and Arenas will be trying to resurrect his career. Expect Charlotte to take a step back after reaching the playoffs a season ago.

Western Conference

Northwest Division
Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
Portland Trail Blazers (4)
Utah Jazz (8)
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves

-Everyone is expecting Oklahoma City to join the NBA's elite this season. Kevin Durant appears to be the front runner for the MVP award and should lead the Thunder to more then 50 wins, their total from a year ago. If Portland can stay healthy, they should be able to make some noise in the Western Conference and could challenge the Thunder for the division title. Utah is going to miss Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver but Deron Williams is good enough to carry the team to a playoff spot. Denver is a team in shambles right now and will most likely be without Carmelo Anthony by December. Minnesota has plenty of young, promising players but the division is far too tough for them to reach even 20 wins.

Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers (1)
Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings

-The Lakers should be able to dominate the weakest division in the Western Conference. The Clippers, led by former number one overall pick Blake Griffin, should be playing meaningful games as they battle for a playoff spot late in the season but will come up just short. Steve Nash has already predicted no playoffs for the Suns so obviously he believes they will miss Amar'e Stoudemire. Golden State and Sacramento have plenty of young, talented players but are still a year or two away from truly competing. Watch out for DeMarcus Cousins in the Rookie of the Year award.

Southwest Division
San Antonio Spurs (3)
Dallas Mavericks (5)
Houston Rockets (6)
New Orleans Hornets (7)
Memphis Grizzlies

-The Spurs look to be one of the few teams in the West that could challenge the Lakers. With Parker, Duncan, Ginobli, Jefferson, and Hill, the Spurs are set up for one last title run. The window of opportunity could be closing for the Mavericks, but Dirk and company should still put up a fight against San Antonio. Expect the Rockets and Hornets to have bounce back years with Yao Ming and Chris Paul back in the fold. Though they have a talented roster, the Grizzlies are quite possibly the NBA's unluckiest team when you consider what they are up against in their division.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Back From the Dead


Only two weeks ago, the New York Giants were a New York Nightmare. After an embarrassing 19 point home loss to the Tennessee Titans, the coach had lost control, the players wanted the coach gone, the star running back wanted out, and the defense had reverted back to its late 2009 form.

Since then however, the team has pulled off back to back wins against the previously 3-0 Chicago Bears and 3-1 Houston Texans. In both games, the Giants were successful in all three phases, which led to double digit victories. The once defunct, fumbling prone running game has come alive with Ahmad Bradshaw currently being 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards. Hakeem Nicks is quickly becoming one of the games best wide receivers, having hauled in a league leading 6 touchdowns. The offense, which once relied solely on Eli Manning, has become one of the NFL's best. Most of these accomplishments have come without star center Shaun O'Hara, who has missed the past three games with an ankle injury.

Perhaps the greatest turnaround, however, has been the defense. After being shredded by Peyton Manning and Chris Johnson in weeks 2 and 3, new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has led a comeback of Steve Spagnuolo like proportions. The defense is currently ranked 1st in the NFL against the pass and 9th against the run. Star pass rushers Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Mathias Kiwanuka have combined for 14 sacks, applying overwhelming pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Are the Giants one of the NFL's elite? Certainly not right now. However, in the NFC there are no elite teams. Before the season, everyone pegged the Saints, Packers, Vikings, and Cowboys as the Super Bowl favorites, yet, those teams have a combined 8-10 record.

The NFC East is currently wide open as three teams sit atop the division at at 3-2. The Giants are in the best position to be alone in first place come Monday morning. This weekend the Giants have a home date with the 1-4 Detroit Lions (Calvin Johnson may miss the game), while the Michael Vick-less Eagles play host to the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons, and the Redskins welcome Peyton Manning and the Colts.

As always, it appears there was a bit of overreaction after the Giants 1-2 start. The NFL is a league of ups and downs and the Giants appear to have left their lowest lows in the past. Their resurgence has come as fast as a New York minute.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Put Him On His Back


Monday night will offer Jets fans the closure they have long desired in the Brett Favre saga.

Since he jogged off the field after an embarrassing 24-17 loss to the Dolphins on December 28, 2008, Favre has been an afterthought in Jets history. His arrival was one of the biggest stories in the history of New York sports and his selfish departure left much to be desired.

The 2008 New York Jets are most certainly the most disappointing team in the history of the franchise. After beginning 8-3 and lighting the world on fire, Favre stumbled down the stretch, throwing 2 touchdowns compared to 9 interceptions, which culminated in a 1-4 finish and no postseason. The Jets finished behind the Tom Brady-less Patriots and the Chad Pennington-led Dolphins. The entire "Brett the Jet" project could not have ended any worse.

It has been well documented that Favre played the last month of the season with a supposed "bum shoulder." He was hurt and chose not to tell the team. He refused to allow his consecutive starts steak to be broken and his selfishness cost the Jets a spot in the playoffs. Rather then think about what is in the best interest of the team, Favre did his usual routine, making it all about himself. Contrary to popular belief, many of Favre's late season interceptions were the result of bonehead decisions, not an injured arm. After going back and rewatching the game highlights, one can see that Favre's decisions to throw the ball into double/triple coverage caused the interceptions, not an injured wing.

During the 2009 season, Favre told the media that the Jets refused to place him on the injury list. Again, the team did not know Favre was hurt. This cost the Jets $125,000 dollars in fines. Thanks Brett.

Favre never embraced New York. Though he knew the Packers would never trade him to the division rival Vikings, his dreams of playing in Minnesota disallowed him to be open to playing for the Jets. The Jets gave him a chance when only 2 other teams would (Tampa Bay and Minnesota), they changed their offensive philosophy to make him happy, they gave up a high draft pick to acquired him, they allowed him to dishonor the team's dress code, yet their efforts were never fully appreciated.

Favre treated the Jets like a stepping stone. His lack of leadership late in the season showed he did not care about the team's future. He "retired" on February 11th, 2009 and claimed he would "never play in another NFL game" when talking to ESPN's Ed Werder. All the while he knew he would be going to Minnesota. The Jets, thinking Favre was truly finished, drafted Mark Sanchez in the 2009 NFL Draft. Two days later, Favre asked the Jets for his release so he could "retire as a Packer." Even after the Jets publicly stated that they would welcome Favre back, despite his disastrous finish, they still were not good enough. Rather then come back and give the Jets one more year, Favre was simply finishing the final stage of his grand scheme.

This Monday night, however, the Jets players and fans get one last chance to let Favre know how they feel. Many players spoke of their dislike for Favre during his time with the team. There were many reports of his reclusiveness, lack of leadership, selfishness, and special treatment. He never wanted, or tried, to be a Jet, and his teammates knew it.

Jets fans will rightfully boo the team's departed quarterback. Rex Ryan will add in a few extra blitzes and hopefully Favre will be knocked on his back. The Jets were always the afterthought in the Favre-Green Bay-Minnesota drama, and Monday night will allow New York to finally extract some revenge on "Good Ole Number 4."

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

ALDS and NLDS Predictions


National League

Phillies over Reds in 3 games
-Though Cincinnati had a great season, the majority of their damage came against the Cubs, Brewers, Astros, and Pirates. They did not have a winning record against any 1st or 2nd place teams. The Phillies have the offense to match the Reds and a much better rotation.

Giants over Braves in 5 games
-Though the Braves have a very strong 1-3, the Giants have an even stronger one. Lincecum bounced back after an awful August, while Cain and Sanchez have looked great lately as well. Without Chipper Jones, the Braves may not have enough offense to knock off the Giants top 3. This is the toughest series to predict

American League

Rays over Rangers in 5 games
-Texas deserves plenty of credit for making the playoffs for the 1st time since 1999. However, they are not ready to defeat the best team in the American League. Josh Hamilton is coming back from injury and Cliff Lee is the only sure thing in the Rangers rotation.

Yankees over Twins in 4 games
-The Yankees struggled mightily down the stretch, settling for the AL Wild Card. The Twins have lost the last 3 playoff series to the Yankees and will continue to be over matched. Look for Jeter, Pettite, and Rivera to each have their playoff magic at some point in the series.