Thursday, April 30, 2009

The lesson...

In my response to my earlier column basically assuring that Orlando had no chance tonight....

The lesson, as always, is that I'm a complete and utter idiot....Thank you, that is all

Important (and Under-rated) for the Orlando Series...

Courtney Lee is out for the Orlando series with a Sinus injury....this is HUGE for the outcome IMO...you may be thinking...huh?? Well consider this....
  • The Orlando rotation for the rest of the series is: Howard (replaced by Battie/Gortat for Game 6), Lewis, Turkoglu, Pietrus, Redick, Alston, Johnson.....if you're scoring at home....that's 4 legitimate players in game 6 and 5 for game 7....They were already short-handed with using Redick (who I like but has no experience/is one-dimensional) and Johnson, and the Battie/Gortat pu pu platter behind Howard....now, they are without their best perimeter defender, and a guy in Lee who they wouldn't be leading this series without....
Let's just say...I'm higher on Lee than most...but he's their best matchup for Iguodala, and this is a bigger deal than you may hear about...

Hawks Win, Denver Moves On, etc.

To the Association out of the box...
  • The Hawks hold serve at home.... 106-91 final and it really wasn't (shouldn't have been, etc.) that close... Dwyane Wade had his explosion in the 3rd quarter...but the 20 point halftime advantage was too much....the play of the night? Josh Smith's unbelievably dumb between-the-legs dunk attempt....pretty much an indicator of all reasons I can't stand him... Joe Johnson showed signs of life and Flip Murray was what he can be...a bench scorer.... Zaza Pachulia somehow received thunderous applause throughout...I have no idea why?....Marvin Williams is missed...badly....not so much for what he does...but simply from a depth standpoint....too much Maurice Evans isn't a good thing.... One Heat observation....Michael Beasley just jacks....and it's not like "hey, i'm in the offense and I'm open" shots...it's "I'm gonna shoot this trip at whatever cost" type of shots...bad times.... This thing is going 7....Wade was embarrassed and beaten up all night....he'll get every call and probably have 45 in Miami on Friday...Game 7 Sunday at 1 at Philips...
  • Denver puts away NO.... Well New Orleans kept it close for a half (tied, actually) but Denver blew the doors off...not a real surprise as everyone had this series for dead....ho-hum...

Others...

  • There's a new report on A-Rod starting steroid use...in high school?! Jeez...is this going to end?
  • Dwight Howard will miss the game tonight in Philly....pretty much setting the stage for a 90% chance for a Game 7 back in Orlando....and you say the NBA won't punish a superstar...well, at least not when it actually benefits the league to have him miss the game and create a slam-dunk Game 7...
  • MLB Roundup: 2 spectacular pitching performances.... Yovani Gallardo (8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 K) was dominant on the mound AND created the only run of the game on either side with a solo HR in the 7th, what is he Steve Nebraska? (warning: movie reference)...and Edinson Volquez (8 IP, 1 H, 0 ER) was equally dominant and looked like his early-2008 self... is there a more underrated position player in the league than Adrian Gonzalez (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI)? I don't think so.... Zach Greinke goes to 5-0... okay, he allowed 2 runs in 7 IP...but 5-0 with a 0.50 era is nothing sneeze-worthy... Break up the Cardinals... MLB-best 15-7 mark and they're doing it without Chris Carpenter (again!).... It seems like smoke and mirrors to me...but I could be wrong....

Enjoy.......

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Dwight Howard suspended...

Dwight Howard suspended 1 game for the famous elbow he threw.....I'm not in favor of this.... It seems too strong...esp. with it not connecting? Just saying (sent via iPhone)

Spurs ousted, Celtics/Bulls, etc.

Short today...It's a busy one (game 5 tonight!!)
  • The Spurs are headed home....in a way I can't remember them being ousted....4-1? with home court? I know Manu isn't there...I understand...but Dallas isn't exactly a juggernaut squad...sort of embarrassing, and without a potential key free agent acquisition...we've seen the end of the Spurs as a title threat...yes, they'd be a playoff team with this roster (and a healthy Manu) next year...but title? ehhhhh
  • Bulls/Celtics is turning out to be an absolute classic... Paul Pierce strapped them to his back late in that one and gave them a 3-2 lead (and held home court).... BUT the real stories (overshadowed so much by Pierce) were Rajon Rondo (28 points, 11 dimes, 8 boards), Glen Davis (21 huge points), and Kendrick Perkins' man-like performance (16 points, 19 boards, 7 blocks)....How do Perkins and Rondo barely get mentioned in this one? I don't get it lol...but a huge, huge effort by those 2 guys especially....
  • Orlando takes control of the series back.....24 and 24 for Sir Dwight Howard in the first impressive performance by Orlando in the series... My Philly pick is looking bleak...
  • Portland shows a little fight... sending the series back to Houston behind (surprise, surprise) Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge....I know you're shocked....will they win Game 6? I don't think so...but if they do? Would be a hugeeee game 7 atmosphere in Portland...
  • MLB Roundup: A clutch hit for the Braves??!!? Never happens right? Well Matt Diaz squeezed one through the infield last night....hurray lol.... King Felix murdered the White Sox bats to the tune of 8 scoreless and 9 K's.... welcome.... Javier Lopez let the Red Sox 11 game win streak slip through his hands late with a costly error.... which reminds me.....
  • If you haven't heard the newest BS Report Podcast (Bill Simmons via ESPN PodCenter)... it's a must-listen if you are a die-hard sports (especially baseball) fan....the utter DISDAIN and DESPAIR in Jack-O's voice...throughout....keep in mind...this is a rational human being with a 6 figure job....and he sounds like he's about to jump off a ledge in Late April....It's beautiful to listen to....at least for someone like me that completely and utterly understands where he's coming from....

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

For all you closet Buffalo Bills fans...

My draft review of the Buffalo Bills....In an effort to preserve my rental standing...
  • First of all, I loved the Bills draft.....They went with Aaron Maybin (who will be a high-impact rookie b/c he can simply rush the passer) and Eric Wood (a center who was a slight reach but can start right away) early... Overall? I give it a B just b/c Wood was a reach...but they both start from day 1...
  • 2 fantastic late(r) round picks here...Andrew Levitre was the #1 guard in this draft potentially and they got him on the cheap...he starts next to Wood for 10 years... and underrated TE Shawn Nelson may push Robert Royal and company for time early...
  • Jairus Byrd was a reach, and probably my least favorite pick...he's an undersized corner in Round 2 that may play Nickel as a rookie and not much else....
Overall? A top-7 or 8 draft class of the 32 teams...I digress

121-63, Hawks Sneak by, Dexter Fowler....

Some crazy stories last night....
  • Denver 121, New Orleans 63....I've never seen a crazier NBA playoff score in my life (well, certainly since it's the record for largest margin).... but the thing is...this game was IN NEW ORLEANS!!! Where, normally, they are an above-average home team who just beat Denver on that same floor over the weekend... I can't wrap my head around this.... 24 points after the half for New Orleans, only 10 assists TOTAL, 27 turnovers....There are 100 stats...but no excuse...worst effort imaginable from them
  • How bout them Hawks? I'm ecstatic....not because of how they played (they were actually highly mediocre)...but because home court advantage is back on their side....and I'll be in the building for Game 5... Joe Johnson showed a little punch (encouraging), ZaZa Pachulia was everywhere (super encouraging), and Josh Smith only took 3 terrible shots....wait...is that good? At any rate... Series tied....and it's going 7
  • LA moves on....Ho-hum for the Lake show as they win the series 4-1 and join Cleveland in round 2....not alot to say... everyone knew the direction the series was taking...and it took it...Utah was over-matched and will likely (and should be) be totally overhauled roster-wise in the offseason....

Away from the NBA...

  • There was apparently a #8 over #1 upset in the NHL Playoffs....it's a shame no one saw it...
  • Steven Threet, of Michigan glory (lol), is headed to Arizona State....the Sun Devils always seem to be involved in QB transfers....he'll do fine there...has the skill set
  • Dan Haren is the man....Complete game 3-hitter last night... 5 starts....5 quality starts.... An ERA of 1.54...and somehow the man has 3 losses....don't forget how good he's been and discount the ridiculous lack of punch in his lineup when he pitches
  • More of the same for Cliff Lee...8 innings of shutout ball...and a no-decision....encouraging if you're an Indians fan though
  • Dexter Fowler.....okay, get it over with...WHO!?.... the Rockies rookie CF (hitting .302 btw) stole FIVE bases in the first 5 innings of last night's game....he didn't reach base again, but it was basically an automatic triple every time he reached....the only reason he didn't steal the 6th base (with ease I might add) is because they hit and ran on the first pitch.... the most impressive baserunning exhibition I can remember in recent times....
  • It's becoming an alarming trend at the lack of run support Jair Jurrjens gets from my Atlanta Braves as well...his ERA is 1.74...and he lost again...to Joel Piniero (who is somehow 4-0) of all people...Wake up the bats.....
  • Memo to the city of Detroit....Your baseball team is alive....and it's alive in the resurgence of Justin Verlander...remember the AL Cy Young winner from a few years ago? He threw 7 innings of shutout, dominant baseball last night...if that continues...they are the AL Central favorite...and you can quote me on that

To tonight....

  • There are four (yes, four) NBA playoff games on a weeknight... the TNT slate (and all I can watch, blast you NBA-TV).... Bulls/Celtics at 7:00 and Spurs/Mavs at 9:30..... This isn't something I'd normally say...but I'd rather have either one of the other games (Sixers/Magic or Rockets/Blazers) than the Spurs....at least they are relevant...and the Spurs have a fork in their back bigger than the one Bernie Williams used to run around Yankee Stadium with....and that is all

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Draft and NBA...

Quick bullets on the draft...
  • Love what the Falcons have done...Was high on Jerry and Kiper (and others) had William Moore as the #1 safety overall....love it...and it fills needs....
  • Oakland is an absolute and utter joke...First they reach 20 slots for Heyward-Bay (who actually COULD be good...but will already be treading water based on where he was picked and the situation he's in)...THEN they take a safety in the 2nd round that most experts thought would go UNDRAFTED(!) in front of Moore and Rashad Johnson at the same position....
  • I like the Jets' boldness to go after Sanchez...I'm not in love with him... but I think the teams need to be bold when dealing with the QB spot...
  • Steals so far....Crabtree at #10, Jenkins at #14, Pettigrew at #20, Oher at #23, Wells at #31, Maualuga at #38, McCoy at #53, Moore at #55
  • Reaches so far (other than the Raiders organization lol)....Tyson Jackson at #3, Moreno at #12, English at #16, Harvin at #22, Pat White at #44
That's all I'll do for now on that....
  • I believe the Spurs "dynasty" may have ended for good today...they were exposed in pretty much every way....Parker was incredible, Duncan was Duncan....and it still wasn't enough...and now, down 3-1....I can't see how they move on....Sad day really...
  • The Hawks couldn't have looked much worse....The night started ominously as Marvin was scratched...but there's no excuse for 30 point losses....none....Josh Smith was abysmal....I can't talk about it rationally yet....
  • CP3 pushes New Orleans to a win....this'll prolly be the one they get...as I've flipped 180 on this series, and pretty much can't see how they won today much less how they'd win again...Paul's fantastic, but the rest of this team isn't gelling as they have previously...
  • Ohio State drew over 95,000 for a spring game....absurd...but you can't question their commitment...
  • Thank God for the draft and the playoffs to distract the nation from the Yanks and the Sox... that battle would've been pushed down our throats for a week under normal circumstance....
That's all for now...

NFL Draft Day....

Well, you know it's NFL Draft day...I decided not to even think about posting a mock draft....simply b/c I won't claim to know what these GM's are thinking.... but here's a short list of thoughts...
  • Guys I like more than their draft stock would indicate: Andre Smith, Michael Oher, Malcolm Jenkins, Peria Jerry, Larry English, Patrick Chung, Pat White, Rashad Johnson, Andre Brown, Travis Beckum, Sen'derrick Marks, DJ Moore, Macho Harris
  • Guys I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole: Josh Freeman, Clay Matthews, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Percy Harvin, Brian Robiskie, Jared Cook (even though I like him as a person), Tyson Jackson (anywhere in the top 6-7), Eben Britton
The Falcons you ask? I'll only accept a pick on the offensive side in the first 3 rounds if it's an offensive tackle who could play right away...otherwise....DT, LB, Secondary please....

To other stuff...
  • Matt Stafford signs with Detroit....My question is...how does he get nearly $10 million more guaranteed than anyone in history when...#1) The economy's bad....#2) Detroit made a huge deal about having the contract done and had Aaron Curry for at least $11 million less guaranteed....#3) He isn't ready to play....he's a junior who no one thinks can/should play right now..... Ah well....
  • Cleveland puts an end to Detroit....no, they didn't "advance" technically...but anytime you can score 79 points, get nothing from your guards and win by 11 on the road (because Detroit's offense was SO bad)....turn the lights out...
  • The Sixers continue to make me look smart....despite somehow not getting that foul call on Dwight Howard at the buzzer.... 
  • Houston holds off a late Blazers charge despite getting virtually nothing from Yao...it was a pretty ugly game down the stretch...personified by an utterly ridiculous pullup 3 attempt from Steve Blake in the final seconds....yikes
  • MLB Roundup: Zach Greinke is your AL Cy Young winner thus far and it isn't close....another complete game shutout?! The guy has been ludicrous.... 10 K's too....watch out for the Royals... Applause for Tim Lincecum... were you worried? You shouldn't have been (8 IP, 1 ER, 12 K).... An ugly, ugly bullpen blowup in that Marlins/Phils game....thanks Matt Lindstrom for ruining another sparkling performance from Josh Johnson (7 IP, 0 ER)..... 4 runs, 4 hits for the Braves....oh yeah, and TEN walks allowed for Cincy...7 by Volquez alone... my goodness...
Enjoy a HUGE, sporting Saturday that features the Draft (4:00 pm on ESPN), and a quadruple header of NBA playoff action (Starting at noon, Hawks at 6:30)...It doesn't get much better....

Friday, April 24, 2009

Utah/LA, Boston/Chi-town, etc.

To the pressing matter of the NBA playoffs first....
  • Utah makes an appearance in the series.... Deron Williams hits a fadeaway with 2 seconds left to take the lead and Kobe can't knock down the overly heroic 3 to win it.... Indicative stat of the night: Andrew Bynum 7 MINUTES, 5 fouls....good production young fella... It doesn't help when Kobe shoots 5-24 either, but I digress.... At least Utah got one...
  • 2 blowouts elsewhere... Boston throttles Chicago and Dallas does the deed to SA.... Rajon Rondo with a double-double (boards, not dimes), Pierce with 24 and 5 guys (including Starbury) score 13 or more.... a clinic on the road... Derrick Rose's arrival was a bit (lol) over-stated....7 TO's, 9 points last night..... In Dallas? I'm gonna say it's bad when your leading scorer has 12 points...Duncan has 4....and yea...that got ugly for the Spurs.....I won't bury them...but maybe I should
Other issues at hand....
  • NBA Early defections.... Steph Curry....You gave us a trip when you were there...best of luck at the next level.... Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington? Why did you wait so long again? That being said....I would've come back and been "the man" if I was Ellington....
  • Tony Allen getting death threats in his hometown of Chicago.... Sad story really... and I'm being 100% serious when I say I wouldn't play him if I was Doc...he's a fringe guy anyway....
  • MLB Roundup: Albert Pujols continues to absolutely mash....4-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs, and even a SB.... monster... a FANTASTIC pitchers duel between King Felix and James Shields resulting in a 1-0 M's win in which the only run was a 1st inning bomb by...Ichiro? Great duel though... and Dave Bush almost gets forgotten even though he took a no-no 7.1 IP last night....he does this alot it seems like....
  • Sox/Yanks tonight for the first time this year...let the over-hype begin...
Enjoy the day of sports...and for the record, I have this uncanny suspicion that Willie Green will shoot 15+ times tonight....

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Falcons acquire Tony Gonzalez....

Well this gets its own post b/c it's my squad...
  • Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons for their 2010 2nd-round pick.... I love this deal...yes, Tony G is up there in age, and if this was the 1st rounder, I'd be a bit wary....but a late 2nd-rounder for a hall-of-fame TE to add to an offense that lacks...only a tight end... I love it.... Ramifications for the draft? Well, this ensures Atlanta will avoid projected pick TE Brandon Pettigrew and go defense in both the first 2 rounds in a year they desperately need defense....even better.... and to end....just check out this skill lineup....
QB- Matt Ryan
RB- Michael Turner
WR- Roddy White
WR- Michael Jenkins
TE- Tony Gonzalez
  • If that isn't scary, I don't know what it is.... good luck to the NFC South...

Hawks/Heat, Detroit Lions, etc.

An extremely early start this morning...let's get it....
  • The Heat even the series.... a flat-out embarrassing showing by the Hawks at home in Game 2...Yes, Wade was fantastic with 33 (and especially in the 2nd quarter to give the Heat a double-digit lead), but it was a flat effort from a team that absolutely needed to sweep the first 2 at home....and the production drop-off of the bench was as sharp as I can remember....The Heat bench accounted for a 37-20 advantage over the Hawks unit and when Flip Murray had to shoot 4-15 to give you 15 of those 20 bench points....ugly, ugly, ugly....big-time bounceback from Daequan Cook playing a starter-like 35 minutes and hitting 6 threes too....
  • Orlando evens things up as well....I was WILDLY impressed with Courtney Lee last night in Orlando...he played with the confidence of a vet and he consistently brings above-average defensive skills to the table (despite being their youngest rotation guy)....loved the effort....Any time you get 30 points and 3 assists from Andre Miller...that's not necessarily a good line....he's not the guy you want pouring it in.... I can't defend Anthony Johnson getting twice the shot attempts (12) than Dwight Howard gets (6)...in less minutes no less.... come on.....and some advice for Sixers Coach Tony DiLeo...it's not okay to play 11 guys in a non-blowout playoff game....it's just not...
  • Seems like I swung and missed on the Denver series... I thought New Orleans would certainly steal one in Denver but neither game was really even competitive and Billups played out of his mind in his hometown... a key to me? Dahntay Jones shoots 5-5 for 11 points....that's found money....and it's comical that Sean Marks is in a playoff rotation...thought I'd tell you that
  • Jeremy Tyler, a 6'11 high school junior....will drop out of high school to play in Europe...I'm gonna say this isn't a good thing....just a hunch....I can almost see his thought process honestly...but stay in school kids....even if you're 6'11....
  • Derrick Rose named Rookie of the Year....no surprise here...but this was an above-average rookie class in a year that many people didn't necessarily feel that way going in....Rose and Mayo were supposed to be this good....but guys like Russell Westbrook, Brook Lopez and even Kevin Love exceeded expectations early....
  • MLB Roundup: Dan Haren gets off the schneid....finally tallying his first win (after a ridiculous 0-3 start featuring a 1.89 ERA)...throwing 7 shutout innings and lowering said ERA to 1.38 for the year...THAT'S my Cy Young favorite.... loud applause for Barry Zito as well who showed flashes of his old, brilliant self in 7 IP allowing 0 ER.... and the lowly Braves get a win! They still didn't score to do it...but 1-0 victories count the same....Jair Jurrjens was borderline unhittable.... I'm pretty sure I've said this before in this space....but the best pitcher (bar none) that you've never heard of is Paul Maholm of the suddenly surging Pirates...3-0 with a 2.02 ERA (and a fantasy steal of mine) he is the underrated product of that Pittsburgh market.....
  • Wake me up when the Lions sign somebody....here are the specs: Aaron Curry will take less to sign there....and made it public....Matt Stafford is the guy they presumably want....but he won't come cheap and has question marks....Marc Sanchez isn't in the discussion.... and the 3rd guy, tackle Jason Smith, may cause a riot if he's the pick from a fan revolt....hallelujah....
  • What to watch for tonight: Celtics/Bulls Game 3, TNT 8:00 pm.......Spurs/Mavs Game 3, NBA-TV 8:30 pm (if you get the channel)..... Lakers/Jazz Game 3, TNT 10:30 pm.... Rays/Mariners 6:40 pm (MLB extra innings presumably.....but any time James Shields vs. Felix Hernandez is involved...I'm sold....

Enjoy the day...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A little NBA, etc.

Had a small window so I figured I'd throw up some thoughts...
  • Portland evens the series....Brandon Roy had a ridiculous, take-over, monster 42 points (against the best defensive combo in the league of Artest and Battier no less) in a game they had to win...but I'm not sure he was even the story....yes, he was awesome, but he usually is....LaMarcus Aldridge put up 27 and 12 though....that's the type of performance Portland needs to move on...Roy will be there regardless....Weirdest line of the day? Von Wafer had 21 points last night...and didn't record a rebound or an assist....that's hard to do
  • The Cavs and Lakers roll....you knew that was going to happen...
  • Dwight Howard named defensive POY....that was imminent...but a minor surprise at #2 and #3...how bout Lebron James and Dwyane Wade respectively? Hmmm....Seems like they need to explain this award a little more...lol....not gonna slam them on defense b/c they are both above-average...but not in this category if you look at a wide shot of the league...
  • I can't handle the Braves losing games to Washington....at least not in the fashion they are losing them....Men on 2nd and 3rd and 0 outs down 1 in the ninth...and they can't plate anyone...it's April and I'm going bald....
  • Welcome Ryan Braun to the party...he started slow...but 5-5 with 2 bombs will end that....and Jarrod Washburn is suddenly a dominant starter? 7 IP, 2 ER in another win to go 3-0.....And elsewhere in baseball...Cleveland turns 6 double plays....1 in each inning for 6 straight...tying the major league mark....that's just weird stuff
That'll do it for now..

Monday, April 20, 2009

Back in the swing...

My apologies on being gone for NBA playoff opening weekend (an abomination I know)...but I was confined to middle-of-nowhere, Minnesota with no cell service or wi-fi...yikes....Here's a couple thoughts
  • Derrick Rose is...awesome? Yea that...BUT don't expect his performance to continue... even prior to reading the recap (and John Hollinger's subsequent column) my first reaction is...uhhhh I've never seen him go for 30...and I was right...his season high was 27 prior to this...he's not duplicating this (against Rondo, no less)....but hey, it was awesome....
  • Dwyane Wade's supporting cast is as bad as I thought...self-explanatory...and he inexplicably avoided going to the rim and settled for 15 footers (Widespread rumors about a late-night vintage Atlanta club binge for him followed lol)
  • Biggest shock of the weekend? A tie between the Hornets and Blazers for laying absolute eggs... New Orleans surprises me a little more b/c they've been there before....Portland? i'm hoping that wasn't an indicator of future performance...yikes
  • Philly makes me look smart (at least for one night)...absolutely STORMING back...and exposing Orlando's weakness in that Orlando just simply couldn't score without making jumpshots with their lack of penetration/creativity from their guards...

Those are just a few things I gathered....quickly elsewhere...

  • Mike Brown wins Coach of the Year...what's the definition? have a guy that is better than everyone else and simply ride him? Bleh...Would've gone elsewhere....
  • Quick, name half the teams in the NHL Playoffs....yea, me neither
  • A quick glance at the MLB standings....Florida is for real (11-1) but not QUITE this good...I liked them before the season b/c their pitching is damn good....but the bats aren't this good, and neither is the bullpen.. Toronto has a +29 run differential in 14 games...let's just say that won't continue.... Kansas City? Loved them before the year...still love them...Zach Greinke is a top-10 pitcher... Most troubling development? Arizona... my NL representative for the WS has been floundering unmercifully despite the 1.89 ERA from Dan Haren...oh btw...he's 0-3!!!! How is that possible!?
  • Goodbye Greg Paulus....didn't see that one coming at all....

Enjoy

Saturday, April 18, 2009

NBA Playoff Bracket Quick Picks

I'll break the series' down as they go...but real quick I'll go on the record to the end....

Round 2
  • Cleveland over Atlanta in 5
  • Boston over Philly in 7 (even without KG and his knee)
  • LA over Portland in 6
  • New Orleans over San Antonio in 6
Conf. Finals
  • Cleveland over Boston in 5
  • LA over New Orleans in 6
Finals
  • LA over Cleveland in 6

NBA Playoff Preview: West

Here we are...

#1 LA Lakers vs. #8 Utah
  • Backcourt matchup: Fisher/Kobe vs. Williams/Brewer.... This is rather cut and dry...Williams is the #2 PG in this league behind Paul and clearly should overmatch Fisher (or Farmar) at any time...same goes for the Mamba who is the class of the league at the 2 (along with Wade) and, although Brewer is a very good defender, it really doesn't matter.... Advantage: Lakers (they have Kobe)

  • Frontcourt matchup: Ariza/Gasol/Bynum vs. Miles/Boozer/Okur.... This is going on the assumption LA is starting Bynum (I wouldn't but they likely will).... Ariza and Miles are both the clear weak-links of their front lines and should basically cancel, but Ariza is a better player based upon what I've seen...good energy on defense, gets along with Kobe (a plus), and can knock down jumpers....Gasol and Boozer....a year ago? I would've loved Boozer...now? It's easily Gasol....Pau may be the most underrated guy in the league this year, he's been great (19 ppg, 10 rpg, 57% FG) and even better without Bynum in the lineup and emerging as Kobe's Pippen...Bynum looks at least 90% and should overpower Okur in the paint....an x-factor? If Okur shoots the ball well, the Jazz are hard to stop.... Advantage: Lakers

  • Bench: Farmar/Vujacic/Walton/Odom/Powell vs. Knight/Korver/Kirilenko/Millsap.... Utah may be the only team that can match up with LA off the bench now that they've settled on Kirilenko as the 6th man.... Farmar is better than Knight and I personally like the Vujacic/Walton combo over Korver...but Utah dominates up front (even with Odom for LA since he isn't as good off the bench)....This is an x-factor for Utah simply b/c LA is used to dominating off the bench.... Advantage: Push

  • Coaching: Phil Jackson vs. Jerry Sloan....what do you say? Probably 2 of the best 3 coaches in the league (along with Pop)...but I have to take Phil b/c of the titles... Advantage (very slight): Lakers

  • The pick? Lakers in 5

#4 Portland vs. #5 Houston
  • Backcourt Matchup: Blake/Roy vs. Brooks/Artest.... A weird set of matchups here...first, I'm a big, big, big supporter of what Steve Blake brings...but I'm also not convinced he can guard Brooks or Lowry if they are trying to be a scoring threat....Brandon Roy is this generation's Joe Dumars (but more talented)....a big-shot maker who can carry his team down the stretch... Artest is still an elite defender, but he's been playing out of position all year... Advantage: Portland
  • Frontcourt Matchup: Batum/Aldridge/Przybilla vs. Battier/Scola/Yao... Man, I like all these guys.... Batum isn't really the primary 3 (Outlaw plays the significant minutes) but he's a defensive asset who is very raw offensively, Aldridge is exceedingly athletic and can be deadly offensively when he's focused on scoring... Przybilla has been called the most under-rated player in the league (by Charles Barkley), but in all seriousness, he blocks shots, he rebounds...he helps you.... On Houston's end...Shane Battier may be my favorite player in the league...he's without question the face of the new "smart" defender, he can make jumpers, and is the picture of a guy you'd want for chemistry...Scola does dirty work, and can throw up a 25 point game if you let him....and then there's Yao....the biggest star in the basketball world (notice I said world) outside of Kobe and Lebron... the 20 and 10 automatic that will be the scapegoat if they lose and the hero if they win.... at gunpoint? Advantage: Houston
  • Bench: Rodriguez/Fernandez/Outlaw/Oden vs. Lowry/Wafer/Landry/Hayes.... This is the glaring edge for Portland...they are possibly the deepest team in the league and seemingly have unending assets (Channing Frye and Jerryd Bayless don't even make the cut)... I'm not fully sold on Sergio...but Fernandez and Outlaw are elite bench guys in the league and Oden won't kill you unless he fouls out.... Lowry is a favorite of mine and Landry does everything you'd ask...but Wafer doesn't do much if he isn't knocking down shots, and Hayes is a throw-in.... Advantage: Portland
  • Coaching: Nate McMillan vs. Rick Adelman... You'll never, EVER convince me to back Rick Adelman in a playoff coaching matchup over a decent opponent....and Nate McMillan is that.... Advantage: Portland
  • The pick? Portland in 7
#3 San Antonio vs. #6 Dallas
  • Backcourt Matchup: Parker/Mason vs. Kidd/Barea... First of all, Tony Parker is either the worst or 2nd worst matchup for Kidd in the whole league (Paul being the other)...he's going to absolutely murder him in this series to the tune of 30 ppg....and I'm not making that up.... Mason is a better player than Barea too (who teamed with Kidd forms about the most odd combination for a playoff backcourt I can remember).... You see where I'm going with this... Advantage: San Antonio in a big way
  • Frontcourt Matchup: Finley/Duncan/Bonner vs. Howard/Dirk/Dampier... Josh Howard is the key here...he's been injured/ineffective for much of the year...but has played well recently and gives them the 3rd scorer they need with Terry and Dirk.... Finley will make open shots and not much else...Duncan is Duncan BUT he's shown some signs of decline late and not everyone is convinced he's coming back (17 and 9 for the last month).... Bonner and Dampier? Both insignificant....both do one thing well (shooting and rebounding respectively).... Advantage: Dallas (slight)
  • Bench: Hill/Udoka/Thomas/Gooden vs. Terry/Wright/Singleton/Bass/Hollins.... Jason Terry is the 6th man of the year....that alone may win this for Dallas...but every other matchup? I like the Spurs...Gooden has turned it up lately and garnered the majority of the late-game minutes at the 5... Thomas is rock-solid and playoff tested...Udoka defends and makes 3's...the x-factor? Will Pop go with Hill (the rookie) or playoff vet Jacque Vaughn? Vaughn is....average....maybe not even that good.... I like Singleton and Bass alot...energy guys who defend and bring garbage buckets...but that's about their ceiling... and they don't have too much playoff gumption.... Advantage: Push (b/c of Terry)
  • Coaching: Gregg Popovich vs. Rick Carlisle...come on...Pop is the class of the league....there's no one I'd rather have...and that includes Phil Jackson.... Advantage: San Antonio...
  • The pick? Spurs in 6
#2 Denver vs. #7 New Orleans
  • Backcourt Matchup: Billups/Jones vs. Paul/Butler....Billups has been great this year....I never expected even a mini-resurgence from him...let's get that out of the way...b/c he'll get beat up mercilessly by Paul here....CP3 is the class of the position... 23 points, 11 dimes, 3 steals per....on 50% shooting.... Jones and Butler sort of cancel...Jones is a defense-first stopgap while Butler can make jumpers and not much else.... Advantage: New Orleans
  • Frontcourt Matchup: Anthony/Martin/Nene vs. Peja/West/Chandler.... This is ALL about health/injuries to me.... Peja and Chandler haven't been 100% all year for New Orleans...if they were? I'd favor New Orleans by a good margin... Carmelo has been very good, but still lacks that killer "give me the ball" that I need....Nene? He's been one of the stories of the league... 15 and 8 and a leader for comeback player of the year and most improved.... West is a 20 and 9 borderline all-star that is consistent and played well in the playoffs last year...alot of question marks you say? You'd be right... Advantage: Denver (barely)
  • Bench: Carter/Smith/Kleiza/Anderson vs. Daniels/Brown/Posey/Wright/Ely.... Interesting everywhere...JR Smith can (and often will) throw up 20 point explosions and is really the starting 2-guard on the Nuggets...Kleiza is a proven scorer...Anderson is a top-5 guy in blocks despite playing 20 minutes a night... Carter and Daniels are both veteran PGs who don't put anything on the table or take anything off...the key? James Posey...the proven winner with the ring from last year....he'll get the Smith assignment (and maybe Carmelo down the stretch?) and needs to come up big.... Advantage: Denver
  • Coaching: Byron Scott vs. George Karl.... Refer to my post about Rick Adelman above and relate it to George Karl.... Advantage: New Orleans
  • The pick? New Orleans in 6 ****UPSET SPECIAL****

Friday, April 17, 2009

NBA Playoff Preview: East

With the matchups now set...I'm busting out a preview....I'll be wayyy more in-depth with the first round series'(while still predicting the entire playoffs) and then will preview the rest of the playoffs as it goes....Enjoy....

#1 Cleveland vs. #8 Detroit

  • Backcourt Matchup: Stuckey/Hamilton vs. Williams/West.... This will ignore that Lebron is really a guard...but I digress.....This is actually a pretty even matchup....Williams has had a great year (17 ppg, 44% 3pt, 91% FT) and leads the Cleveland attack although both guys are effective offensively and at least adequate defensively (West is above-average though undersized).....You know what Hamilton brings for Detroit, he will put up his 18-20 a game in this series, but the key is the complete lack of experience with Stuckey and the questions over who is actually their best option at that spot (Will Bynum has come out of nowhere), in the end I don't trust Stuckey at all and for that...Advantage (Slight): Cleveland

  • Frontcourt matchup: Prince/McDyess/Wallace vs. Lebron/Varejao/Ilgauskas....Well this isn't close....and it wouldn't be close even if Lebron wasn't the best player on the planet (and was just an average star)....Lebron is the best player in the league and while Prince is a well-above-average defender...Lebron will average 30 in the series and be...well, Lebron....Varejao has been tremendous on the interior for Cleveland, but I'll give McDyess the slight edge based upon the double-double he's averaged for the entire 2nd half....Rasheed Wallace has quietly regressed mightily and while Big Z isn't fun to watch...he's effective (13 and 8 on 47% fg, 80% FT)....Advantage (Big): Cleveland

  • Bench: Bynum/Afflalo/Maxiell/Kwame Brown vs. Gibson/Wally/Joe Smith/JJ Hickson.... Will Bynum has been the reason Detroit has avoided missing the playoffs altogether...but I simply can't trust him to produce in the playoffs without a track record of any sort... Maxiell will provide energy and Kwame has been almost decent....but Daniel Gibson killing 3's, Wally's ability to provide scoring and Joe Smith's veteran steadiness (and automatic 15 footer) sends me their way... Advantage: Cleveland

  • Coaching: Michael Curry vs. Mike Brown.... Yikes.... I'm not the biggest Mike Brown fan as everyone knows...but Curry's complete inabililty to incorporate Allen Iverson (prior to injury), refusal to acknowledge who the lead guard is between Stuckey and Bynum, and willingness to just flounder in the 80's lead me to taking Brown in this matchup simply b/c he's figured out he can just put the ball in Lebron's hands and surround him with guys who can knock down jumpshots (even big guys like Z and Joe Smith) and just do things that way.... Advantage: Cleveland

  • The pick? Cleveland in 4
#4 Atlanta vs. #5 Miami
  • Backcourt matchup: Bibby/Johnson vs. Chalmers/Wade.... This is the key battle...and despite what you may think on paper...Mario Chalmers vs. Mike Bibby isn't a mismatch....Based upon what I've seen from Bibby this year, this may even lead toward Miami...Bibby is simply a defensive liability in the mold of Steve Nash or Jason Kidd...without the offensive firepower of those 2 gentlemen....sure, Bibby is slightly above-average offensively...but meh.... Joe vs. Wade? The best player on both teams....but Wade is clearly the better player, and will average 30 in the series with Joe somewhere between 21 and 24.... Advantage (slight): Miami

  • Frontcourt matchup: Williams/Smith/Horford vs. Moon/Haslem/O'Neal.... The key is Marvin Williams' health but he looked nearly 100% in putting up his 13 points in his return (in under 20 minutes) and should matchup favorably with Jamario Moon...I have a well-chronicled beef with Josh Smith...but he's simply a better player than Udonis Haslem and if he doesn't take 6 jumpers a game, I feel comfortable with him in this series.... Here's something you may not know...Jermaine O'Neal is done...absolutely done...I've never seen an athlete decrease so quickly at the age of 30...he's only 30! but yet, Al Horford is a clear upgrade at this point.... Simply... Advantage (big): Atlanta

  • Bench: Murray/Evans/Pachulia vs. Beasley/Cook/Jones/Magloire.... Beasley is clearly the best player on either side...but he's fairly awful defensively and doesn't matchup well with the guys he'd be playing against (namely Smith and Williams).... Murray has been the most pleasant surprise for Atlanta proving (at least in this his contract year) to be an adequate 6th man who can handle the ball and score.... The pivotal matchup here? How bout Pachulia vs. Magloire (or Joel Anthony)...Zaza was very good in the playoffs last year...and I'll hitch my wagon to him there....overall? Advantage (very, very slight): Atlanta (probably the only opponent I would say that for)

  • Coaching: Mike Woodson vs. Erik Spoelstra...Interesting one here....Quickly, I like Erik Spoelstra alot...I think he's done a very nice job (it helps to have Wade) of carrying a pretty bad roster to the 5 seed.....and Woodson? I'm higher on him than I have been...he does crazy in-game things (like playing Mario West or inexplicably ice-colding Josh Smith at times)...but uses his frontcourt rotation effectively and realizes that he has no bench and maneuvers adequately.... Advantage: Miami

  • The pick? Atlanta in 7
#3 Orlando vs. #6 Philly

  • Backcourt Matchup: Skip Alston/Courtney Lee vs. Andre Miller/Willie Green.....Let me say this....Yikes....Okay now that that is over... Andre Miller is the only legitimate NBA starter out of these 4 (at this stage of his career) and will likely swing this by himself....but alot of this series hinges on how Skip Alston plays.... Willie Green will give you what he gives you...bad shots, chances at instant offense and not much else....and Courtney Lee can't be relied upon on the offensive end at this point but is an above-average defender that will likely get the Andre Iguodala assignment alot.... Advantage: Philly
  • Frontcourt Matchup: Turkoglu/Lewis/Howard vs. Iguodala/Young/Dalembert....well, this isn't as far away as you may think thanks to how Thaddeus Young has played lately....but Howard is still Howard and dominates the paint battle.... Alot of this has to do with the health of Turkoglu and Lewis...if they aren't 100%, that alone can swing the series.... I'm a big fan of what Iggy can bring, and although he isn't a "go-to" guy in my opinion, he'll do enough.... Advantage: Orlando (Smaller than you may think)
  • Bench: Lou Williams/Royal Ivey/Reggie Evans/Marreese Speights vs. Anthony Johnson/JJ Redick/Mickael Pietrus/Marcin Gortat.... Boy this looks bad on paper.... Pietrus and Williams are legitimate rotation guys....and Speights has that upside....but this could get ugly.... Anthony Johnson is what he is...a stop-gap who won't absolutely kill you.... Royal Ivey is and has always been a trainwreck...I can't talk about it rationally.... JJ Redick has a discernable skill....you know what it is....kid can shoot.... but the key to this is the big man matchup between Speights and Battie/Gortat.... Leans toward Philly for me... Advantage: Philly
  • Coaching: Stan Van Gundy vs. Tony DiLeo.... Do you know who Tony DiLeo is? Me neither...but he has done a reasonably good job and has this team going down the stretch... that said, Van Gundy is a legit coach of the year candidate and has been here before.... Advantage: Orlando
  • The pick? Philly in 6 ****UPSET SPECIAL****
#2 Boston vs. #7 Chicago
  • Backcourt Matchup: Rondo/Allen vs. Rose/Gordon.... Now this is more like it.... A battle between 2 of the best 5 young PGs in the league... I'm a big Rose fan...but this will be a true test for him in a battle-tested defensive stopper like Rondo.... Allen should handle Gordon on one end, but you know Gordon is good for at least one 30 point outburst in the series... Advantage: Boston 
  • Frontcourt Matchup: Pierce/Powe/Perkins vs. Salmons/Thomas/Noah....Well, you know the story here... this is suddenly not a favorable matchup for Boston like it would've been pre-KG injury.... Pierce is still an elite player and should have his way with Salmons...but Ty Thomas has been playing well and Joakim Noah won't give anything away to the offensively challenged Perkins... Advantage: Push
  • Bench: Marbury/House/Davis/Moore vs. Hinrich/Tim Thomas/Brad Miller/ As well as Marbury has been playing (under the radar he's been GREAT lately), and knowing what Eddie House can give in crunch time....I love Chicago's depth...Hinrich has always been a guy I've supported and any time you can bring him off your bench, you have something there...  Brad Miller is a former all-star who can still bring you jumpshooting and rebounding.... and frankly, I don't trust Big Baby or Mikki Moore to produce anything (especially without KG to slap them around)....The only caveat? Chicago is only 8-deep...now that seems fine...but they are ONLY 8 deep...that's the only possible field of players lol Advantage: Chicago
  • Coaching: Doc Rivers vs. Vinny Del Negro....the solitary reason I can't pick Chicago in this series is b/c of how bad Vinny D has been....and Doc has been masterful for the better part of 18 months...and yes, I know he has the players....Advantage: Boston (big)
  • The pick? Boston in 7

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Paulus, Jones-Drew, etc.

Just a few thoughts..
  • Greg Paulus will NOT be the Michigan QB....I don't care what anyone prints... it's not going to happen....he may be on the team because it's basically the equivalent of a "free" flier b/c it doesn't affect next year's recruiting and he was (at one time) a top Michigan recruit for football...but he's not playing (and if he does, get ready for 2-10)....he hasn't played football in 5 years....please, please, please stop this....
  • Maurice Jones-Drew signs the big deal....as he should...he's a HUGE fantasy player this year too since Fred Taylor has moved on....and a top 7-8 back in the league....and he's 5'6...gotta love it
  • Oscar De La Hoya retires.... Been hearing alot of talk about this is the last "big-time" fighter...don't believe that hype at all...and he hasn't been relevant in years anyway....but, on the other side, he's a big name and the sport needs big names badly....
Not a whole lot going on today....anything drops, you'll hear about it...

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

NBA Award Picks....

It's almost that time....and before the regular season ends on Wednesday, I wanted to share my Award picks....enjoy


  • Rookie of the Year- Derrick Rose, Chicago PG - 17 points, 6 dimes, 4 boards a game and the single catalyst for Chicago's minor resurgence into the playoffs once again.... He is possibly the quickest player in the league and electrifying to watch off the dribble...and never hit that rookie wall....I'm excited for the potential of a Paul/Williams/Rose battle for the 2 spots on the 2012 olympic team lol....Runners-up: Brook Lopez (13 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.8 bpg), OJ Mayo (18, 4, 3), Eric Gordon (16 ppg and the lone Clipper bright spot), Russell Westbrook (was as hot as anyone in the middle third of the year, and the best defender of them all)

  • Most Improved Player- Danny Granger, Indiana SF - He made "the leap" more than any other this year...and those are the guys I generally reference for this award.... 25.7 ppg (up from 19.6), 5 boards, 3 dimes, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks per....Impressive line for really the only brightspot for the Pacers this year...he became a legit all-star and a top 7-8 scorer in this league....He was already a star....but now he's legit..... Runners-up: Rajon Rondo (8 assists per, stifling D), Devin Harris (2nd biggest "leap" guy), Tony Parker (showed he can carry the load with multiple 40 point efforts), little Nate Robinson (5 ppg higher in the same number of minutes, go-to guy all year)
  • 6th Man of the Year- Jason Terry, Dallas Guard- This is probably the easiest of them all....he was the best player on that team for a good stint this year (apologies to Dirk) and clearly their go-to-guy late in games....almost 20 ppg off the bench is nothing to sneeze at and with Manu out of the running with an injury...this one is a slam dunk..... Runners-up: Nate Robinson (aforementioned 17 ppg and go-to status), Flip Murray (the solitary reason Atlanta has home-court in a series when no one on the roster, save Al Horford was better this year than last)
  • Coach of the Year- Gregg Popovich, San Antonio- You're thinking..."huh?"...hear me out....Quickly...take Manu out of the equation with multiple injuries causing him to play only 44 games and average under 28 minutes per...who's the 3rd option on the Spurs? Answer: Roger Mason....Again....How many games did "Best PF ever" Tim Duncan play in? 74...and that doesn't include games he was rested significantly in....Basically...that roster is nowhere near being worthy of the 53 wins they currently have...and yes, I know Duncan is the greatest winner of this era, and I know Tony Parker took a step forward....but just because Pop is openly regarded as the best coach in the league (save Phil Jackson maybe) doesn't mean he can't be considered for this award based upon what he's faced this year.....He gets the nod.... Runners-up: Stan Van Gundy (awesome job especially considering Nelson's injury exit), Nate McMillan (has them in contention without a single veteran in the rotation), Rick Adelman (great coaching job without McGrady finding the points elsewhere, credit to Darryl Morey too)
  • Defensive POY- Dwight Howard, C Orlando- This is the hardest category every year...so I'll take the guy who basically makes up for the deficiencies of his entire wing cast and the league leader in blocks.... He's dominant in a league without dominant centers and deserving of this..... Runners-up: Chris Andersen (2.5 blocks per in only 20 minutes), Chris Paul (the best ball skills, and great in the passing lanes), Rajon Rondo (the premier on ball-defender, sooooo long), Tyrus Thomas (great on the backside, and long)
  • MVP- Lebron James, Cleveland- I've been swayed....and not by the coverage but by my own eyes, and my own research.... he's clearly the best player in the game today, it's not a debate anymore to me... the reason? The jump in his defensive effort and the way he's elevated his team....the credit is being given to Mike Brown...but honestly, Mike Brown is strategically overmatched in pretty much every matchup...and Lebron just takes it over...correspond that with his rise in FT% and slight jump shot improvement....I'll take him.... Runners-up: Dwyane Wade (My clear 2nd place....single handedly carried them to the 5 seed with a cast of guys who pretty much have no business being there while leading the league in scoring), Dwight Howard (Reasons above), Chris Paul (the only, ONLY reason they are in playoff contention, and clearly the best point guard in the league), Kobe Bryant (obligatory, he's been himself all year...and without Bynum, they didn't miss a beat)

Well there you have it...just one man's opinion lol

Josh Beckett suspended...

This gets it's own post b/c it's the middle of the day and I'm semi-outraged by this....he threw a pitch over Bobby Abreu's head....not disputable....but a 6 game suspension!? I know, I know...he'll only miss one start....but you gotta be kidding me either way.... just eject him....it didn't even make contact...I don't understand this one at all.... It was any more or less blatant than any retailiation/brushback you'll ever see....I'm a little scared that this will take this part of the game away by the (what I see as) absurd suspension length......On one hand, I can see them sending a message b/c of the way he took on the team, but I honestly feel like if this wasn't against the Angels this close to the tragic death of Nick Adenhart, this wouldn't be this long of a suspension, as insensitive as it sounds, that's how I see it....Rant over

Harry Kalas, Isiah, etc.

Quickly this morning...
  • RIP Harry Kalas...famous for NFL Films and the Phillies...a legendary broadcaster passes....are there any left from that "legendary" era? Vin Scully is....but that's pretty much it...
  • Isiah Thomas takes a college job....at Florida International....Hmmm, this could...work? No pressure...I'm sure he can recruit just by being Isiah Thomas....Probably smart
  • James Harrison signs for $50 million+.....he had a GREAT year last year (not just the Super Bowl) but that's a helluva lot of money....but he doesn't seem like the guy who would chill out now that he's rich
  • Flip Saunders signs with Washington....you know my take....but $4.5 million a year on top of it? Get outta here...
  • If you're wondering why I haven't brought up the NBA much...there's really nothing to talk about until the playoff preview....all the seeds are so fluid that it would take me too long to explain...I'll have my previews when the matchups set
  • MLB Roundup: Chien Meng Wang gets blasted....8 ER in 1 IP...that's 2 straight bad starts and he's reportedly throwing in the mid-80s...trouble in NY.... How bout Ted Lilly taking a no-hitter to the 7th and only allowing 1-hit? Big-time.... Albert Pujols has 4 homers....shocking.... To be fair to the Yanks, Jon Lester got roughed up as well.... he's now 0-2 with an ERA of 9.....he joins Lincecum and Cliff Lee on the all-"is this a mirage?" team....and finally, The Mets open Citi Field with a loss....as they should.... lol
That'll do it

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Lots to get to....Fl

Sorry for the brief hiatus....
  • Angel Cabrera outlasts the field at the Masters....Sunday was shaping up to be one of the all-timers as Phil and Tiger charged...but it wasn't sustainable and it ended up in a fairly anti-climactic 3-way playoff....still a very entertaining day of golf, but I almost feel robbed...The world was gearing for either Tiger or Phil to grab that one...but hey, congrats to Cabrera and I still appreciate high-level golf even if it's Tiger-less....The only thought I have? I can't decide whether this will be known for Kenny Perry's collapse, Tiger and Phil's charge, or Cabrera...
  • Cleveland smacks Boston around....I know Boston didn't have much on the line but any time you lose by 31 to the team you'll likely play in the playoffs...that means something....Line of the weekend: My god...CJ Watson hung 38 and 9 dimes on Deron Williams and company last night...read that again....runner up in the making? At press, Dwyane Wade has 42 points in the 3rd quarter....jeez
  • Big time pitching duel in the NL East today...both Johan Santana and Josh Johnson were masterful...but Johnson won this one....CG 5-hitter for Johnson vs. 7 innings/13 k's for Santana....Give me the innings....but hey, quality pitching is quality pitching (Kyle Lohse retired 24 batters in a row today too, impressed)
  • Speaking of pitching....bad news for my preseason NL Champion D-Backs as Brandon Webb goes to the DL.....and today... Tim Lincecum got roughed up again...sophomore slump?
  • Byron Leftwich to Tampa...it's about time...he should start for them....
  • Who is more fun to watch play basketball than Chris Paul? Really...who? 31 points, 9 boards, 17(!) dimes....AND he held Jason Kidd to 3-13 shooting...
  • The Braves are 5-1...and the one loss was (hopefully) a ridiculous bullpen aberration...I'm satisfied...and when is it reasonable to have 2 triples in one game like Francoeur did today? That never happens...
  • Flip Saunders in the running for the Wizards job....the Wiz management is the gift that keeps on giving...first you lock up Arenas (knee and all) to that ridiculous contract...then you fire Eddie Jordan b/c his guys aren't healthy, replace him with a guy who utterly refuses to play their young guys even though they are 20 games out....and now you want Flip Saunders? Good luck with that....
That'll be all

Friday, April 10, 2009

Masters, Bynum, etc.

  • The Masters move on to Round 2.....Tiger shot a respectable 70 (-2) yesterday but couldn't make any putts....actually a good sign for his fans to be honest b/c putters can come and go, but he hit the ball well.....Chad Campbell started with a blistering -9 through 15 holes but stumbled to settle on a -7 65...Still a helluva round....Should be a fun Friday
  • Andrew Bynum returns with a bang.... 16 points, 7 boards in 21 minutes....it was a spotty line b/c he looked bad at times (comes with rust) but I was generally impressed...and Pau Gasol seemed to excel along side him with 27 and 19...but he wasn't the issue....Lamar Odom? 7 points, 9 boards....he is the key to all of this....keep an eye peeled
  • NBA Draft early defections: The Syracuse trio all leaves.... Jonny Flynn is a consensus mid-first rounder so I understand that one...but Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris? Eassyyyy fellas.... Jrue Holiday of UCLA also leaves....his upside is at the PG spot...but he didn't play there all year...and you'll definitely hear the Russell Westbrook comparison but the difference is Westbrook played 17 games at the point while Darren Collison was out.....and was more of a contributor than Holiday was..... and James Johnson of Wake Forest makes it official....
  • MLB Roundup: Chris Carpenter dominates....that came out of nowhere but taking a no-no to the 7th and exiting with 1 hit? impressed.... Joey Votto is mashing....A good sign for the Mariners? How bout Jarrod Washburn throwing 8 scoreless innings....That could be huge for them... and I think I may have mentioned by love for the Royals... Kyle Davies (former Brave, now good) threw 7 scoreless....if he's even decent...look out
A mini-rant on the Masters....how does live coverage not start until 4:00 when Tiger tees off at 10:45? That's ludicrous....More later

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Masters, Braves Bullpen, etc.

First... Thoughts and prayers to the family of Angels rookie P Nick Adenhart who was killed in a hit-n-run car crash this morning in Fullerton, CA....Tragic...RIP sir...

To less important things like sports...
  • The piano is playing the full tune as the Masters are underway....Tiger Woods tees off in under 2 hours from press time here...I'm excited....It's the golf tournament that suddenly becomes a major sporting event even if you don't watch golf....
  • Bills RB Marshawn Lynch suspended for the first 3 games by Roger Goodell....I'm not surprised...the tyrant that Goodell has become keeps on ticking...but I'm actually in agreement with this one....
  • 38-1....that's the Cavs home record...looking to match the Bird Celtics record of 40-1....I think it's a foregone conclusion....impressive
  • The Braves bullpen IMPLODED yesterday...I could rant about this all day....but aside from the shear obviousness of the fact they couldn't throw a strike....there were 2 curious decisions by Bobby Cox... #1) Why start the inning with O'Flaherty (up 10-3) when he's your only left-hander and he pitched 1 1/3 innings the day before? It was almost like he was matching lefty-lefty...with a 7-run lead....no idea....why not pitch Bennett or Campillo (your long relievers)....try to get 2 innings out of them while you have a lead and save your horses.......and #2) Blaine Boyer? Really? The guy who has a history of control problems and is the last guy to make your team? That's who you bring in with the bases loaded and 1 out in a game that's slipping away? I don't understand....Bringing in Moylan is defensible b/c he hadn't pitched yet, and you wanna see what you have....but yikes.....
  • Miggy Cabrera on the way to the MVP already...2 HR yesterday, 4 RBI....and the other guy with 2 HR yesterday? Mr. Nelson Cruz....a bigggg-time prospect for the Rangers in the OF...keep an eye out....and can somebody, ANYBODY get Nick Markakis out of Baltimore purgatory? 3-3 with a bomb yesterday...standard for one of the most the most under-rated hitters in the majors...
  • The Spurs did something they never do....blow a 20-point HOME lead to the Blazers (who are a terrible road team) and end up losing...by 12? I don't know how that happens....
  • NBA early defections: James Harden, Jordan Hill and Demar Derozan....all of these were pretty much considered locks to leave....Harden is a top 3-5 pick who is the standard at the swingman spot (as of now)....an explosive scorer with athleticism question marks....Hill is a consensus top-10 pick b/c of his athleticism....but he's a one-year wonder who I'm highly skeptical of....Derozan is the best athlete in the draft...period....but right now, lacks an NBA jumpshot and is very raw....still may be the #2 wing off the board after Harden (battling with Earl Clark and others)

That'll do it....tune in to Augusta...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Ramblings today...

Nothing too huge going on....but some scattered thoughts...
  • UConn Women go 39-0....in a dominating fashion.... you've heard me discuss this....they averaged over 30 points per game in winning margin.....30!! (A new NCAA record for women OR men btw).....and that number, along with the shear ease in which they did it, and the ridiculous talent they've assembled (with or without 08 #1 recruit Elena Donne Donne) makes this the best college basketball team (male or female) in my lifetime....take it in...(and yes I know I just led with Women's hoops)
  • The Masters is tomorrow....can you hear the piano? I sure can....Tiger Woods is the story (as always) and the Tiger vs. the Field argument is in full swing...How can you not pick Tiger? He has an almost 60% winning percentage in his last 31 PGA starts....IN GOLF! That's literally absurd....So, I'll take him....I know I'm stepping out on the limb...
  • MLB Roundup: Josh Beckett was dominant with 10 Ks through 7 IP and now the Red Sox fans are in a full frenzy....Jair Jurrjens takes the scoreless streak by Braves' Starters to 13.2 IP...A rather large turnaround from last year if you followed that team.... Tim Lincecum only went 3 IP? Yikes if you're a Giants fan...but along with Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Brandon Webb....they cant ALL be this bad.... The World Champs are 0-2 and send Joe Blanton to the mound tonight....I, for one, love this lol.... Remember when Bobby Cox said the Marlins had the best rotation in the NL? He may not have been lying...Josh Johnson was dominant last night...and Ricky Nolasco is the truth.... and finally.... My Man Brandon Morrow got off a bad start...he mowed down the first 2 guys...then walked 3 straight, and wasn't bailed out by Miguel Batista who promptly gave up the 3-runs with 1 pitch to Denard Span.... his ERA now? over 40....
  • DeMarcus Cousins, consensus top-5 recruit previously verballed to Memphis....will now go to Kentucky....to team with Patrick Patterson to form a top 3 front-line in the country immediately (with Georgia Tech and UNC)....huge coup for Calipari (who may lose Jodie Meeks however)
  • I've heard this ridiculous theory that Detroit should just simply let a few teams pass them in the draft and still get Matt Stafford at a "discount"....there are several reasons this is utterly stupid....#1) Stafford's agent will simply say...you wanted him at #1....you have to pay him #1 money..... #2) The PR hit, in an already dreadful sports position in Detroit, would be too enormous for even the Lions....#3) The #1 pick was earned....in a negative way... for them to just simply say "naaaa we're good" would be the craziest thing I've ever seen.....
  • To the Association.... where both 8-team conference representatives are pretty much set (although Charlotte is the closest at only 2.5 games behind Detroit, who's tumbling)....it's all about seeding here.... In the East... the real battles are between Miami and Philly (for the right to avoid Orlando in the first round) and between Chicago and Detroit (for the right to avoid Cleveland and play Boston without a 100% KG).... I'm going to take Miami and Chicago respectively....#1 because they are the better teams and #2 because of their easier roads... In the West.... Dallas and Utah are separated by a game to avoid LA in round 1 (the biggest factor clearly)...but 2-8 in the West are separated by.... 5.5 games....that's just crazy (compare it to 21 games for 2-8 in the East).... and the entire situation is about matchups....the Spurs are suddenly a more appetizing matchup sans Ginobili...Utah needs homecourt to compete (and Portland probably does too)...Denver is far from a sure thing at the 2 seed (in fact I'd probably pick New Orleans or Utah at this moment)....it's a mess...but a lovely mess....

Okay this got long....More tomorrow

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Title Game, Manu Exits, Early defections, etc....

Leading off....
  • UNC dismantles good ole Sparty.... Well, It's pretty simple..I turned it on...it was 32-11...it was never close....the talent disparity was huge, and when UNC shoots almost 60% and Ty Lawson has 7 steals in the first half? Night night....Congrats to the Heels on fulfilling their preseason hype....
  • MLB Roundup (Opening Day Version): Johan Santana....lights up Cincy to the tune of 3 hits...dominant....Felipe Lopez bombs from both sides of the plate in the same game.... Cliff Lee gives up more runs in 1 start than he did in his first 7 starts last year (7 to be exact).... and Joe Saunders actually proves me wrong for one night.... 6.2 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER....dominant....but that's more of an indication of how bad Oakland's offense could be lol...
  • Manu Ginobili out for the year....unceremoniously ending the Spurs chances to win the West and eliminating (in my mind) the chief competitor to the Lakers in the West....Insert...Roger Mason? Yikes....Stick a fork in them....and I never want to do that....and I STILL think they could make the conference finals (as long as they dont fall to the 4 seed and draw LA in the 2nd round)....but any thoughts of an upset ended with Manu's ankle...

Quick thoughts on the early defections to the NBA....

  • Blake Griffin....Come on, really? lol
  • Ed Davis returns....The biggest prospect on UNC stays....will take over for Hansborough and be the go-to-guy...huge for them
  • Jodie Meeks leaves....This one caught me off guard.... I don't see why he leaves other than trying to capitalize on his big year....he's still not a lottery possibility....
  • Devan Downey (South Carolina) leaves...like his game...not his upside
  • Dejuan Blair....Absolute non-shock in my mind as he leaves school...he's too small but has the gerth, the hands, and the rebounding ability to be one of those successful undersized PF's a la Paul Millsap/Craig Davis
  • They'll be many more to come.....

Coaching changes....

  • Sean Miller to Arizona...it's official now.... Love this for Arizona and hugely heart-breaking for Xavier....
  • Memphis stays in house and hires Pastner.....Not overly shocked, but this will certainly hate recruiting immediately....but I like the prospect of a homegrown guy...

Monday, April 6, 2009

NCAA Finals, Opening Night, UConn Women, etc.

Well folks...it's opening day...a landmark of the sports year and the only time you can watch baseball (without the baseball package I mean) ALLLLL day long if you want to.....enjoy.....BUT!
The biggest event on the radar is the National title game tonight...9:21 tip....be there

  • UNC/Michigan State....contrasting styles (UNC runs, Michigan State dominates the glass and defends)....2 big-time coaches....2 big-time point guards....If there is anyone who can take this Spartan roster and match them up to the Heels, it's Tom Izzo.....but I don't see it.... It won't be a blowout by any means, too much fight in MSU, but I see a 8-10 point win for UNC...just too many athletes on the wing BUT the x-factor for Michigan State (if they indeed have one) is that UNC can be beaten on the offensive glass...undersized Villanova plucked 19 offensive boards....and Michigan State is the best rebounding team in the land....that could keep them around longer than we think...
  • Derek Lowe dominates the Champs.....8 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 0 ER.....dominant, dominant line from Mr. Lowe...and 3 homers in the first 2 innings? Don't get used to that...but it can't be a bad thing....I take from this a renewed confidence in Lowe, but I don't really get too excited about the HRs from Schafer and Francoeur...it's one game...but I still hope it continues....Brett Myers was semi-awful early but rebounded, so that's a good sign for the Phillies.....1 of 162 though Braves fans....
  • Sean Miller turns down Arizona....I loved this fit for Zona so this one hurts....The once-storied job has taken a Kentucky-like hit when people openly turn it down to stay at...Xavier? I don't get that one to be honest....but it's getting to crunch time in that coaching search....
  • Portland and Utah clinch playoff berths.... 2 different stories here...the up and coming Blazers and the stalwart, consistent Jazz....I just thought their was some symmetry there....and they have a similar personality...neither can win on the road....at all.....
  • Jason Kidd passes Magic Johnson for 3rd all time in assists....and became the oldest player to notch 20 of them in one game.....Well, put an asterisk by the 2nd one b/c they played Phoenix and scored 140(!)...but the first one? Wow....Seems pretty crazy....but then you realize Mark Jackson is in 2nd and it loses a little luster...lol
  • UConn Women roll....again.....and face Louisville for the marbles.... Oh btw....They have won the 2 meetings previous by a total of 33.5 points a game.....good luck to the Cards...
  • One baseball note....if there is one pitching matchup on opening day I'd pay to see.....it's definitely Felix Hernandez vs. Francisco Liriano....just keep that one in mind for me

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Final Four, Maya Moore, etc.

The big story...obviously the Final Four...
  • My suspicions on UConn were confirmed in a big spot....Michigan State out-toughed them and UConn just couldn't put the ball in the basket in big spots and the closest thing they have to a go-to-guy in 23 year old AJ Price? 5-20 shooting and only 1 assist from the PG spot... I was very impressed with Izzo's gameplan defensively, and they were able to hang evenly (41-40) on the boards with a team that was much, much bigger....Hasheem Thabeet must have had the quietest 17 points I've ever seen, he was an offensive non-factor throughout, I just don't see how anybody thinks he'll be even average on the next level offensively.... UConn basically played 6 guys and I think that hurt them down the stretch....Kalin Lucas was great again....no real surprise there from a top 5-6 PG nationally...and they get?
  • UNC....who trounced Villanova (with some help from bad shot selection/connection by Nova in the 2nd half)....If Wayne Ellington shoots like that, they won't lose....Corey Fisher of Villanova came off the bench and played 25 minutes.....and took 19 shots....19! Doesn't help when he went 5-19 either....Weird line from Danny Green too....4-11 FG....4-10 threes....jeez Danny I thought Wayne Ellington was the spot shooter....and I'll never understand how Bobby Frasor gets 7 rebounds (5 offensive!) in 19 minutes....but in the end, too much UNC offense and if they play their B game they shouldn't lose to Sparty either...
Other things....
  • Maya Moore wins Women's player of the year nationally....I saw this girl play as a freshman in high school and predicted as such....she's the most impressive high school athlete I've ever seen other than maybe Jeff Francoeur on the baseball field....and she hasn't lost a step in her progression...big ups....
  • Dwight Howard's 21-23-5-4-3 game beats the Hawks....What do you say? He's the beast of the league at this point....
  • Gary Sheffield signs with....the Mets? Yikes...Well, that's probably not good for the Braves simply b/c he turns into a cheap flier and if he hits, it can only help them....
  • Andre Miller had 21 points, 12 dimes, and 10 boards last night....bet you didn't even hear about it...
  • In the last 2 months, Mike Conley is averaging 16 and 7....welcome back to my crushdom Mike...We missed you....
Alright, that'll do it for today.....Opening day tonight! Let's go Derek Lowe...earn that paper...

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Final 4, Plax, etc.

EXTREMELY low on time today....
  • Final 4 picks you ask? I'll take UNC and Michigan State...the Heels look like a gauntlet with a healthy Lawson and Michigan State (playing at home no less) matches up extremely well with UConn in matchups and coaching...
  • Plax released by NYG....I say he goes to Chicago..why not?
  • Vick to file bankruptcy? umm....this is a given right?
Sorry for the brevity...more later

Friday, April 3, 2009

MLB Preview: Playoff/Award Predictions

For the record, the other 6 parts of this MLB preview can be found on the right side of the page in the archives....Hit em up!

NL First....
  • Cubs over Dodgers (Wild Card)

  • Diamondbacks over Mets

  • D-Backs over Cubs for the Pennant

  • MVP: Albert Pujols (Unless Hanley gets dealt to a contender)

  • Cy Young: Dan Haren

  • ROY: Cameron Maybin, OF Marlins

AL

  • Red Sox over Indians

  • Angels over Yankees (WC)

  • Red Sox over Angels for the Pennant

  • MVP: Miggy Cabrera (or Josh Hamilton depending on who's team is better)

  • Cy Young: Francisco Liriano

  • ROY: Elvis Andrus, SS Rangers

World Series pick? Red Sox over Diamondbacks in 6......Take it for what it is folks, it's April

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Cutler to the Bears, etc.

Let's get it...
  • Jay Cutler dealt to the Bears for Kyle Orton, 2009 1st rounder (#18) and 2010 first rounder.....Hmm...I'm a bit confused by this deal for Denver...In theory, they get 2 first rounders, an '09 3rd and a starting QB....then you realize it's a below the middle 1st rounder this year and the QB is KYLE ORTON! You just dealt a young, top-10 in the league QB for Kyle Orton...I understand you got the picks....but for this year? you're basically writing the year off at the QB spot and you're forced to try to either trade up for Sanchez, or try to hit on Josh Freeman or something....and as a sidebar, how mad are Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal today? lol On the other end....I love this move for Chicago...your defensive window is closing if not already closed and he gives you an infinitely better chance to win now....if only he had someone to throw to?....
  • But at least the Bears blocked his blind side..... Orlando Pace signs...if healthy? still a near-top-level LT....I love that move....
  • Tim Floyd passes on the Arizona job....First of all Ryan Wilson pumps his fist....2nd of all...makes no sense if I'm Floyd.... 2nd best job in the Western US (behind UCLA)? Arizona and it isn't close to be honest....he must love LA
  • BJ Raji fails combine drug test....the #1 DT on the board....will that hurt him a la Warren Sapp? I have no idea
All for now...

MLB Preview: NL West

To the last division....

  1. Arizona Diamondbacks- Maybe the best rotation in the National league and what forces me to pick them.... Brandon Webb and Dan Haren is a scary 1-2 punch, Jon Garland is under-rated AND he's moving to the hitting-challenged NL, Max Scherzer is so hyped it's scary, and Doug Davis is ultra-solid...there are no holes there on paper.... The lineup is young and potentially dynamic with respect to Stephen Drew (My favorite Non-hanley young SS), Justin Upton, Chris Young, Conor Jackson and the like (Even the ultra-underrated Chris Snyder at Catcher)...they have issues with strikeouts (hm, Mark Reynolds, hm) but overall....very, very good top-to-bottom....sounds too good to be true so far right? We haven't reached their question mark bullpen....There are some guys you can count on to get outs (Chad Qualls, Jon Rauch, Scott Schoenweis) but who closes? right now the money is on Qualls, but that doesn't inspire confidence....but in the end, I love this team... X-Factors: Scherzer, Upton, What to do with Jackson/Chad Tracy
  2. Los Angeles Dodgers- Potentially the best OF in the major leagues is what jumps out to me...You know about Manny...but Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are both extremely talented and will produce....and Juan Pierre is a good 4th outfielder even if he can't throw the ball to the infield... How bout this for underrated pickups? They snatched Orlando Cabrera for next to nothing, and teaming him with James Loney, and a healthy Rafael Furcal....nice double play combo.... oh yea...and they have a top-3 catcher in Russell Martin...basically, easily the best lineup in this division...the problem? Pitching... After Chad Billingsley and Hideki Kuroda...nothing but questions...Clayton Kershaw could be very good, but we don't know yet...Randy Wolf is spotty.... and in the 5 slot? Eric Milton maybe? Yeesh.... and the bullpen isn't set either...Broxton will close and do it well...but their once-reliable bridge is gone (Saito to Boston, etc.)....They'll challenge.... X-Factors: Kershaw!, 3rd base production, Bullpen outside of Broxton

  3. San Francisco Giants- Hmmm, I know I'm high on this division this year when I like the 3rd place team.... They can pitch with anybody...Lincecum is dominant, Cain is solid, Randy Johnson and Zito (who pitched decently in the 2nd half) should be consistent.... and Sanchez has upside in the 5 hole... The problem, as always, lies with the lineup...I liked the Renteria pickup (though they overpaid) and they'll get decent production from Rowand, and Randy Winn...but too much of the pop falls on unproven Pablo Sandoval, and Travis Ishikawa....I'll pass.... Brian Wilson anchors a semi-questionable pen...I love pitching first and foremost so I won't sleep on them...but not quite contenders... X-Factors: Zito and Johnson being healthy/productive, The corner IF kids, bullpen

  4. Colorado Rockies- As much as I'm down on them, I'm down on San Diego more lol.... Atkins and Hawpe will hit as they always do...and I think Tulowitzki bounces back in a big way...but what else is there? Helton is suspect at this point, and the other 2 OF spots are being manned by guys who have never produced at this level... and the pitching is always a mess... I like Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez...but 3-5.....My god....Jason Marquis could be okay, but Jorge De La Rosa and Company don't do it for me....a brightspot? They have 2 guys that could both close in Huston Street, and Manny Corpas...so that's not bad....and that's the reason I'll keep them out of the basement.... X-Factors: Todd Helton (is he alive?), Tulo's bounceback, Rotation backend

  5. San Diego Padres- Wanna know what I'm sure of in San Diego? Jake Peavy can pitch and Adrian Gonzalez can hit....that's all....everything else is ?????? Chase Headley in LF has good reviews but is unproven and Jody Gerut and Brian Giles are...mediocre.... the middle infield provides good defense but no pop, and Kevin Kouzmanoff is nothing above average at 3rd.... Chris Young is a decent #2 in the NL...but 3-5 consists of 4 guys with nothing proven between them battling for 3 spots.... the bullpen? Most indicative of their unwillingness to spend money....there are 4 major leaguers on the roster out of the pen...they need at least 7 guys down there....i.e. guys making the minimum....a total mess....X-Factors: Everything that isn't Peavy and Gonzalez...right?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

MLB Preview: NL Central


    Part 5 of the 7-part MLB Preview goes to the NL Central....and the winner is?



    1. Chicago Cubs- This was in a dead-heat with the AL West for "easiest division to pick the winner in"....Clearly the best team....Best lineup (slightly edging the Brewers) AND best starting rotation in the division.... Any offense that sports exactly 1 semi-weakness (Fukudome in Center) and nothing else glaring? Impressive....What about the rotation? Zambrano-Lilly-Dempster-Harden is the best top 4 in the National League when healthy and Sean Marshall could be good in the 5 spot.... throw in Jeff Samardzjia, Aaron Heilman, and Carlos Marmol (who SOMEHOW didn't beat out shaky Kevin Gregg for the closer job) and I'm impressed mightily from top to bottom....they should win 95-97 and have homefield throughout the NL.... X-Factors: Harden/Zambrano health, Fukudome production

    2. Milwaukee Brewers- They have the bats (Braun, Fielder, Hart, Hardy) to match anybody...we all know that....but it really comes down to the 1-5 pitching....period...I'm actually going to give them more credit than most (for now).... I'm a Yovani Gallardo supporter, Dave Bush is competent, and Manny Parra is talented...but they are suspect as best 1-5.... Trevor Hoffman was brought into close games and is already on the DL.... This team being my #2 is more on skepticism of the rest of the division than confidence in the Brew Crew.... X-Factors: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching, Prince Fielder, Pitching


    3. Cincinnati Reds- I really, really like the Reds roster....let me say that now....I just don't trust them fully yet....the rotation is young and promising...Volquez was great last year, Harang can't possibly be that bad again...Arroyo is more than competent in the NL, Cueto/Bailey/Owings have potential if nothing else...I'm high on them....The bats? I love Joey Votto's upside, Brandon Phillips, and Jay Bruce...but there really isn't much else...Willy Taveras provides speed and nothing else, Alex Gonzalez can't hit, left field is a mystery.... Francisco Cordero is lock-down in the 9th, but they have no one proven and/or dependable to bridge the gap in the 7th and 8th....they are a year away.... X-Factors: Jay Bruce's progression, Johnny Cueto/Homer Bailey, Non-closer Bullpen


    4. St. Louis Cardinals- I keep seeing articles picking St. Louis and I can't see it....Chris Carpenter is back, but can he be trusted? I know how good Adam Wainwright is (and you should too) but Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer don't scare anyone... The lineup is good on paper until you realize that Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel are both 1-year wonders at this juncture and outside of Pujols (who is the surest of sure things) the infield is suspect at best....Khalil Greene is in a contract year and away from Petco he is usually productive.... But add in the bullpen questions (no proven closer, etc.) and I can't see them competing for the 2nd spot much less challenging the Cubs... X-Factors: Carpenter's health, Bullpen, the outfield not taking a stepback
    5. Pittsburgh Pirates- Not gonna lie....I have no idea how this team isn't last....but it happens...This team, on paper, really isn't as bad as it usually is....the payroll is still strikingly low but there is some young talent...Andy Laroche is highly touted (and his brother will hit 30 HRs), Nate McLouth is all-star caliber, and Ryan Doumit may be the best hitting catcher you've never heard of....There are some definitely holes in the lineup (LF for example) but they have some talent....the rotation is better than you'd think too....Paul Maholm was quite good last year (and noone knew it) and Ian Snell has the talent and the pedigree... after that? Yikes...Zach Duke is the only guy you'd likely recognize and that's probably for the wrong reasons....Bullpen? Matt Capps throws 98 and shuts folks down (when he has the lead) but the bridge is suspect....I like them more than most, so I won't bury them at 60-100....More like...72-90 ish? Unless they firesale....then all bets are off.... X-Factors: Maholm's encore, The Laroche brothers, Brandon Moss in RF

    6. Houston Astros- Weird to have them this low...but there is a reason....Quick...name a non-Roy Oswalt starter.....hmmm...there's Mike Hampton.... Wandy Rodriguez....Briah Moehler...Russ Ortiz....what do they have in common? None of them are even competent much less above-average.... Pencil in Berkman, Lee, and Hunter Pence for big years...but there are holes everywhere in the lineup (especially with Tejada's legal stuff)...I just don't trust them..... X-Factors: Anyone that pitches that isn't named Oswalt or Valverde, Miguel Tejada