Hey there guys,
Well guys it is almost time for the NFL Draft Combine (Feb 24-Mar 2) and it's sometimes hard to focus on other sports. That may be why I messed up some yesterday. I went 2-3 in the NBA as Gerald Wallace dropped 32 points and 15 boards as the Bobcats blew an early 4th quarter lead in a 98-94 loss to the Clippers, Andrew Bogut pulled down 20 rebounds and scored 24 points and the Bucks upset the New York Knicks on the road yesterday, and the Atlanta Hawks upset the Utah Jazz behind Joe Johnson's game leading 28 points. Today we've got some good games including Tennessee traveling to Florida as both teams look to lock up some NCAA invites, and then in the NBA we've got some great games as the Phoenix Suns travel to the OKC to take on the Thunder in a battle of likely playoff teams, the Lakers travel to Memphis as the Grizzlies try to get back on track as they take on the best team in the NBA right now, and then a couple of good games between some of the lower end teams as Detroit takes on Sacramento and Philadelphia takes on Golden State. Those games should be pretty good as well. Well as always guys I hope you enjoy.
-Olympics, Hockey and Such
Man what a great Olympics so far. No matter how I feel about other people not watching this has still been fantastic, the United States holds a slim lead over Olympic Favorites Germany in the overall Medal race and there are great stories such as Apolo Ohno becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian in United States history, Lindsey Vonn winning Gold while competing hurt, Shaun White dominated again, JR Celski not just competing but winning a Medal after slicing open his leg only months ago, and no one can forget the United States hockey teams great upset of Olympic Favorite Team Canada on their home ice. Man what a game. Ryan Miller dominated, the defense was great, and when the game was on the line the United States made the plays that mattered. It gave this young team, that has only been together about a week, some much needed confidence, but more importantly it gave them a bye in the first round. Most people tend to forget that this team is full of NHL players. Players who have played at least 60 games in the NHL season so far and did not get a break before they had to start practicing. This rest will go a long way in how this team does in the Quarterfinals. A lot of people have been comparing this upset to that of the Miracle on Ice back in 1980, I'm sure you have all seen the movie, when the United States pulled off what may be the greatest upset of all time when they upset the Soviets in the Semifinals in Lake Placid on their way to winning Gold. I don't see it. Yes this was a great upset and I was completely stunned and excited, really a healthy mix of the two, that we had pulled it off, but it is not even close to the upset that the 1980 squad pulled off. For starters the team this year is full of professionals, the 1980 team was full of college players. Big Difference. The 1980 team had watched the Soviets come over to American and just destroy the NY Islanders and NY Rangers. I mean embarrass the piss out of them. Canada is a team that is loaded with Veterans. And pressure. I'll be honest, as surprised as I am that the United States pulled it off, I really don't feel that surprised that Canada lost a game. The pressure this team is facing to win is just ridiculous. Which is why I think that they'll win the Gold in the end. Don't get me wrong I have some renewed faith in this United States team, but they didn't knock the Canadians out of the playoffs. Oh no. They just took some of the pressure off. Now they don't have to worry about going undefeated throughout the entire Olympics. They are still facing a lot of pressure but I fully believe that some great teams can learn more from a loss than they can from a win. Not to mention Canada is just a different team come finals time. I just get the feeling that we are going to see a more relaxed team come out and play their game and win the Gold in the end. That does not mean I want them to win. Hell No. The United States Hockey team, with that win over Canada, is now the most famous United States group up there. More famous than international phenom Shaun White, Pre-Olympics darling Lindsey Vonn, All American Winter guy Apolo Ohno, and even Mr. Nightlife Bode Miller. People in the United States are now going to pay attention to what this team is doing. And I hope they pull it off. I don't know if anybody remembers a few days ago where I said if the United States is going to get anything done it is going to happen behind the mask of Ryan Miller. Man what a game he had. For regular Americans who might think I'm talking about the downhill skier with a night life, no, I am not talking about Bode Miller. I am talking about one of the best goalies I have seen right now. That guy was just barraged with shots by the Canadians as the US was out shot 14-4 in the 3rd period. All of the shots on goal were leaning towards the Canadians. But he only gave up 3 goals. What a terrific job by Miller who out-dueled one of the All Time great goalies in Marin Brodeur (NJ Devils). I for one hope he continues up his great job and maybe, just maybe, the United States can finish this tournament off and shock the World. USA.
-NFL, Old Man Randy
Being an Ole Miss fan has provided me with a lot of football memories. Some good. Some Bad. Some worse than that. But one of those that sticks out is one of my earliest memories of football at all. The 1997 inaugural Motor City Bowl. Ole Miss vs. Marshall. What a game. Ole Miss opened up with a long strike and a score and got a quick early lead. Marshall followed with a deep pass to..Randy Moss. He just torched our best corner. And he did it for most of the game. Even though Ole Miss won. It makes me feel old to think that I saw the beginning of a player's fame begin, as Moss was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1st round in 1998, see him now in his early thirties with "experts" talking about the last years of his career. He was 32 years old this past season and now he enters in to the final year of his contract with the New England Patriots. So what do you do with Mr. Moss at the end of the 2010 season? He is beginning to enter into that age where some of the all time greats have began to lose their edge. Marvin Harrison saw his receiving numbers take sharp drop at 35, Michael Irvin retired at the age of 33, Terrell Owens has either been exposed or age is taking a factor on him as his play began to fall through around 34, Torry Holt hung 'em up at 34, Steve Largeant saw a large decline of his numbers at 32, Rod Smith at 33, James Lofton at 32 (despite a 1 year revival at age 36), Isaac Bruce at 33, and Raymond Berry at 32. There have been two notable receivers that have continued to get the job done for a few more years. Tim Brown, who did not see his numbers begin to decline until he was 37, and the Best Receiver of All Time, Mr. Jerry Rice, enjoyed success every season until he was around 38. The big question now is Randy Moss one of the Great Receivers who just start to lose it in the early to mid 30? Or is he one of the All time greats that last until he nearly 40? We have no way of knowing right now but there is an added factor with Randy Moss. He has been a major off the field problem in both Minnesota and Oakland, and even though the Bill Belichick has been able to keep him calm and happy, any team that makes a run at Moss after this next season will have to keep that in mind. And Randy loves it in New England. Hell he WANTED to be traded to Oakland. What I think will happen if Randy Moss can put up a productive injury free season is that New England will resign him for 2-3 more years until they think he is no longer worth his contract. And then he will retire. I do not see Randy Moss playing anywhere outside of New England. I am not sure that anyone is risky enough to take a chance on him. And I do not think he wants to be anywhere else. Besides he is on of the 4 greatest QB-WR combos in all time NFL History, as the Tom Brady to Randy Moss combo can be put in with the likes of Manning to Harrison, Young/Montana to Rice, and Brees to (insert New Orleans Sainst WR/TE/RB). Brady and Moss just seem to have that connection, which is yet another reason why he will stay in New England.
-NBA, Playoff Look
I have really become fascinated with the NBA as of late, normally I would just watch my Orlando Magic and I was oblivious as to what else was going on in the Association, but I have found out that there is just some great stuff in the NBA. And right now, as the closing weeks are upon us, just over 7 weeks remaining, the playoff race is really tightening up. So it makes one wonder, what will the playoffs look like when it is all said and done for the regular season. Well here is how I have it playing out:
The Eastern Conference will seeding should look something like this:
1) Cleveland Cavaliers 2) Orlando Magic 3) Boston Celtics 4) Atlanta Hawks 5) Toronto Raptors 6) Miami Heat 7) Chicago Bulls 8) Charlotte Bobcats. This would make for some interesting match ups especially with the Cavaliers playing against the Bobcats, a team that has beaten them 3 times out of 4 opportunities this season. Orlando vs. Chicago would make for an interesting series, remember that the Bulls gave Boston all they could want last season in the playoffs, I REALLY want to see Boston vs. Miami and Atlanta vs. Toronto. Those would be wonderful series to watch, as both lower seeds can take them all the way to the deciding game. After it is all said and done I see the Cavaliers and the Magic separating themselves from the rest and playing for the conference title. This is turning in to quite the rivalry isn't it? With Orlando beating the Cavaliers in a classic series back in 2009, and the battle of the Supermen in the Post. With the addition of Jamison, and Lebron wanting it even more this season I just see the Cavaliers pulling it out and making it to the finals to face....
Someone from the Western Conference (snicker). This is how I see the regular season playing out: 1) Los Angeles Lakers 2) Utah Jazz 3) Denver Nuggets 4) Oklahoma City Thunder 5) Dallas Mavericks 6) Phoenix Suns 7) San Antonio Spurs 8) Portland Trail Blazers. There is no such thing as an easy series in these playoffs. When the #8 is Portland. These teams better be prepared for a long road. I do think the Lakers will be able to take care of Portland but the rest of the games should make some great series. In the end I think that the Lakers of Course will make it. But... What about the Oklahoma City Thunder? Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are turning this team into an elite Basketball team. It is very possible to see them take out the Mavericks and than upset the Nuggets. No matter who emerges the Lakers have been proving that they are just too tough for other teams, defeating the Utah Jazz IN UTAH WITHOUT KOBE. That is just ridiculous. No. That is Ridonkulous. And I just don't see a team being able to hang with them for a full series.
Lakers vs. Cavaliers. While this would be a very highly promoted Finals by the Media, I don't see this being a great Finals Match Up. Don't get me wrong I like Antwawn Jamison and Shaq. But Jamison, (old) Shaq, and Varejao vs. Bynum, Odom, and Gasol? Ron Artest is one of the best defenders in today's game, he is big, quick, and stays in the opposing players face. He'll be on Lebron. Kobe + whichever of the PGs that LA is playing is far and away better than Mo Williams and Delonte West. Trust me this would not be fun to watch. I would much rather watch Kansas vs. Kentucky. Hell I'm a College kind of guy anyway.
My Picks.....
SEC Men's Basketball
#19/#17 Tennessee 20-6 (8-4) @ Florida 19-8 (8-4)
8:00pm
ESPN
Line: Flo -2.5
Players to Watch: Tenn F Wayne Chism 13.1ppg 7.2rpg 1.5bpg, Flo G Erving Walker 13.0ppg 5.1apg 1.4spg, Flo F Alex Tyus 12.5ppg 7.0rpg 1.0bpg
Preview: This is a huge game game as it is big for both team's March future. Tennessee is really not worried as much about getting in as they are about seeding and a win on the road against Florida would do wonders for that. Florida on the other hand is on the right side of the bubble, but are still just on the bubble. They need a win. In their last meeting Tennessee won by 1 in Knoxville. I expect a similar game. With a different winner.
Florida by 2
NBA
*Game of the Day*
suns @ THUNDER (-6.5) by 3
The Rest:
hornets @ CAVALIERS (-11.5) by 10
knicks @ CELTICS (-10) by 13
timberwolves @ HEAT (-7) by 12
TRAIL BLAZERS (-7.5) by 13 @ nets
LAKERS (-4.5) by 6 @ grizzlies
pistons @ KINGS (-2.5) by 1
76ers (push) @ WARRIORS by 1
Alright guys if you have any topics or games you want me to go in to more detail with or just have any ideas or just something on your mind let me know and I will do what I can.
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