Still Optimistic

As I have explained before the NBA draft, I believe there is reason to be excited about the Celtics this off-season. But after the draft I am a little less confident. I'm not as opposed to the selections made by Danny Ainge as many fans are, but I do think it puts a lot of pressure on the team going forward. I think it is clear that some players will have to be moved this off-season and hopefully for strong players in return. I would not be surprised if the Celtics looked to move either Marcus Smart or James Young. Perhaps even Avery Bradley.

The biggest scare for myself, as a fan, is that Boston will come away from free agency empty handed. That cannot happen. I don't think they will come away with nothing but I do think its looking more and more like they will not be able to land an all-star type player. Demarcus Cousins via trade seems to be the most likely, and even that doesn't look promising right now.

If the Celtics could land a player like Kevin Love or Lamarcus Aldridge, good things will happen. Why Boston is no longer a destination for players is beyond me. The fans are great and so is the city, yet the weather turns players away. Despite all of them owning a home in Los Angeles or Miami anyways.

The free agent frenzy will begin this week and I sure hope Boston ends up with Kevin Love and Paul Pierce, as opposed to Al-Farouq Aminu and Greg Monroe.

Storied Franchises Get a Shot in The Draft

This year's NBA draft will be so intriguing, because of the NBA franchises involved. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks have top four picks in the draft, and many needs to fill. It seems if the Lakers keep their pick, they will be selecting Duke big man Jahlil Okafor. Okafor could be the next great big man in the storied history of the Lakers. From George Mikan to Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem to Shaq. The Lakers have always succeeded when led by great centers. Especially ones with as much offensive skill as Okafor.

The New York Knicks may be looking for a guard. D'Angelo Russell is one many think will fall to the Knicks at number four. Russell has been receiving nothing but high praise these past few weeks. Viewed as the best passer in the draft, Russell could be the next great point guard in the league. His size and sneaky athleticism makes him even more appealing. The last time the Knicks had a solid point guard was Jason Kidd, who was at the end of his career.

Both the Knicks and the Lakers have a lot of work to do, but both should take big steps towards future success with top four picks.

Should the Celtics Still Pursue Cousins?

The Boston Celtics have shown interest in Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins for the past couple of years. Going back to when they were looking to shop Rajon Rondo. As we enter the summer of 2015, the interest is still there. Just yesterday, however, the Lakers and Magic were a part of a proposed trade involving DeMarcus Cousins. Picks would be swapped and Cousins would end up in Los Angeles. It would also mean Jahlil Okafor would likely go to Sacramento or Orlando.

The Celtics fan in me hopes this falls through, but the basketball fan in me knows Boogie Cousins and the Black Mamba would be must watch television. Perhaps they add Rondo in free agency and all of a sudden you have one of the most intriguing starting lineups in the league. One filled not only with three of the biggest personalities in the league, but also with talent.

Boston will not let this go that easy. The team has ties with Cousins through point guard Isaiah Thomas. Although the two had trouble sharing the ball in the past, the friendship is still strong, and in Brad Stevens I trust.

The reason Boston should really try for Cousins is that he would immediately be that franchise player the Celtics have been searching for ever since the "big three" broke up. Cousins is a perennial all-star player who would be an MVP candidate if he played for a contender. Boston would embrace the big fella, and get behind him 100%. I still believe he should be the goal for this summer, but if he can't be obtained there are still other options.

Dwyane Wade is potentially going to be open to other teams. I think Boston should give him a call. Even if the Celtics were able to acquire a player like Cousins or Lamarcus Aldridge, Wade would provide leadership and experience in the backcourt. Something the team has lacked in recent years. Not to mention when he is healthy he is still one of the best shooting guards in the league. Wade could also help bring in other players.

There is reason to be excited for this off-season if you are a Celtics fan. I do not believe this team is in complete rebuild mode. They are close to contender than people might think.

Brady Against the League

Tom Brady is meeting with the NFL league offices today, to attempt at proving the league they were wrong in suspending him four games to begin the NFL regular season. This deflategate saga has been going on for months now. Weeks before the Patriots captured the teams forth Super Bowl. As a Patriots fan I have believed this was ridiculous from the start. This opinion has only grown stronger after the Wells Report was released along with all the information that has been released following this story.

Brady does not deserve this, it is clear that there is not enough information against Brady to warrant a suspension, but the league could not go without giving him at least one game. Not after coming down so hard on both Brady and the team.

The New England Patriots open up the season hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. A team which is always going to put up a fight, led by a quarterback who knows all about controversy, Ben Roethlisberger. A good first test for the team I believe is going back to the Super Bowl. Suspension or not, the Patriots will answer the call and make another run. The revamped Buffalo Bills squad could test the Pats, but even when the team didn't have the best roster, AFC east battles are always tough.

I am very interested to hear how these talks go, and what kind of impression Tom Brady makes on the league. I do not believe the NFL is out to get Brady, but I do think they feel they must do something after so much was made of deflategate. So many former players, coaches and GM's have let there opinion be heard. Many defending Tom Brady and many against his alleged actions.

I can confidently say that once this is all done Brady will not be sitting out four games, and the league may have to take back some of its actions towards the New England Patriots as well. Today should be a step towards that.

Celtics Offseason Begins

Now that the draft is upon us and we are officially done with the 2014-15 NBA season, it's time to start talking about the Boston Celtics. The Celtics want to improve the roster going into next season. This could be through the draft, free agency or trades. Boston only has a couple players they'd really like to hold onto, Isiah Thomas being the main asset.

A lot of mock drafts have the Celtics taking Kelly Oubre out of Kansas at the number sixteen spot. Oubre would be a nice wing player who the team could develop. At 6'7", Oubre would add more size and versatility to the wing spot. This could be a direction the Celtics want to go the way the NBA is shaping right now. The Golden State Warriors just won a title starting three players in the front court who stood 6'6", 6'7" and 6'8" respectively (Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes).

Currently the Celtics have Jae Crowder as the teams only real wing. James Young has potential, but has yet to display it at the NBA level. If the Celtics do not acquire a wing through the draft it will have to be through free agency. A pure shooter is also a need for Boston, maybe a couple of them. Rumors have swirled that the Celtics were looking to acquire one of the biggest names in free agency this summer, Lamarcus Aldridge. Aldridge's teammate Wesley Matthews is also a free agent, one who could have been up for a max contract this summer if his season was not cut short by an achilles injury. If the Celtics could acquire both they would instantly be contenders for a top seed in the eastern conference, as it stands.

There are more options for the Celtics in free agency, and a couple of potential trade targets with all of the assets Boston have to offer.

2015 Finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers put up a fight in game six, but the series was over near the end of game four. It is still shocking to me that the Cavs even won two games in this series. Two games that put them in a position to go up 3-1 in the series. I think it is safe to say we all knew the Warriors would not let that happen, and that we all knew Golden State would win the series. Not once did I believe otherwise. Not even when Matthew Dellavedova was hitting and one bank shots from the ground. I remained confident that the best team I have seen since the 2008 Boston Celtics was going to turn it around, especially against this undermanned Cleveland squad.

After game three, players like Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were simply not themselves, and looked like the spotlight was perhaps too big. Those two turned it around and played their best basketball of the series in the last two games. Green in particular with an impressive triple double in the closeout game. Something not many players have ever done in finals history.

This match up could be one we see for years in the future. I think the Cavs will be the favorites in the east as long as LeBron James continues to suit up, and Golden State have no reason to not be the favorites in the west.

Warriors Should Be Worried

The series is 2-1. Cleveland leads. It is truly shocking. I thought the Warriors would have more energy and a sense of urgency in game three. Instead the team looked lost through three quarters. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes are not only missing a ton of shots, but also do not seem to know what they're doing at times. All four guys have played tremendously through the first three rounds, but cannot seem to figure it out against Cleveland's physical play.

At least Curry did late. Curry finished the game with 27 points and hit five of his seven threes in the fourth quarter. A lot of people believe this is a good sign for the Warriors, as they will be able to use Curry's play as momentum for game four. I think that may be true, but Curry was hitting the shots, not Barnes, Green or Thompson.

Stephen Curry will lead his team to an improved performance in game four, but the rest of the starters must pick up their individual games. This team needs to force the officials to make more calls. Golden State has not been nearly as aggressive as they need to be. Cleveland is physically punishing each Warrior player as they come up the floor. Someone needs to lay out Matthew Dellavedova, or Tristan Thompson, because those two players are doing whatever they want on the defensive end, and will continue to if no one hits them back.

Hopefully Golden State will come out in came four with that killer mentality. They need to. If the Warriors come out like they did in game three, LeBron James will take full advantage and put the city of Cleveland on the brink of a championship.

Series Turns to Cleveland

The NBA finals are in Cleveland tonight for the first time since 2007, when the San Antonio Spurs completed their sweep of the Cavaliers. LeBron James has come a long way since that night. He now has four MVP trophies and two titles to his name. He has taken his talents down to south beach and back. James has an undermanned Cleveland team in a position to do something special. With the series tied at one game a piece, the Cavs have reason to be confident, because of the way they have defended the Warriors during the first two games.

If LeBron wants to bring a championship to Cleveland, step one is winning game three. The Cavs have all the momentum right now, and it is imperative they keep up the defensive play. We've seen this story play out for the Warriors already this postseason, against the Grizzlies. Golden State not only lost game two at home, but also game three on the road, before winning the next three games comfortably. Perhaps it just takes the Warriors a few games to warm up to a team in these playoffs. Both games one and two against Houston were very close games, even though the Warriors won both.

At this point one might as well call me a Golden State homer, but I still believe they win this series. It will start on the road, that's where the Warriors will find their groove.

Game One Takeaway's

Golden State won game one last night as many expected, but Cleveland came pretty close. Iman Shumpert's off balance shot at the horn fell inches short of going in. The shot would've given the Cavaliers a huge game one win on the road, and at the same time would have prevented both overtime and Kyrie Irving's eventual injury. Cleveland did not play its best last night, but they played about as well as they could on the road in Oracle Arena. LeBron James had another great performance with 44 points, but it took 38 shots to get it. Andre Iguodala played exceptional defense on James all night, including many great stops down the stretch of the game.

While I do think Cleveland can play better this series, I think the Warriors can play much better. The team got off to such a slow start, missing a lot of shots. Golden State looked too excited for what was every players first ever finals game. As the game went on the team settled in and played much better in the second half and overtime. The Warriors are capable of so much more as this series progresses. I thought the defense was not as good as it could have been. The three point shooting did not really get going until later in the game.

I fear that this series is already over because of Kyrie Irving's injury. However, it may just be over because Cleveland missed their shot in game one. I'll stick with my prediction that the Cavaliers win get one game at home, most likely game three at the Q. The series will wrap up next Sunday night in the bay, and Stephen Curry will get the first of what could be many championships to come.

Game One Tonight

An NBA Finals prediction is tough. Series like these never seem to end up the way you thought it'd go. Whenever there is a great match up, it rarely goes seven games. This year the two best teams in the league are in the finals. No mistake about it. Cleveland tore through the east, and Golden State did much of the same against tougher competition. So, these two teams create a fun and highly competitive potential finals. Injuries are key as always. The Cavaliers have not had Kevin Love since the first round of the playoffs, after he suffered a shoulder injury. They are also dealing with Kyrie Irving's injury, one that has kept him out of multiple games this postseason and has limited him when he does play.

Golden State are feeling much healthier. Besides the head injury Klay Thompson suffered a week ago, the Warriors are in good shape going into this series. All of this is leading towards a prediction. Many people I have talked to can't seem to go against LeBron James. Everyone just won't go against the best player in the league. I would agree with that if I thought he was the best player in the league. Sure, resume wise he is far and away the best in the league, but I don't think he's the best this second. I believe Stephen Curry is the best player in basketball right now. He has stepped his game up to another level this postseason. Curry has continued to make everyone on the court better, including himself. The three point shooting is impressive, of course, but the way Curry now controls basketball games is a pleasure to watch.

I think he's going to continue to control games, and this series. Stephen Curry will lead to Warriors to a championship win in five games, and capture his second MVP trophy of the season. I see the bay area having a lot of fun this summer, and Cleveland will have to wait at least another year for the "King" to deliver.

Stephen Curry's NBA FInals

This Thursday we will see Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on the biggest stage in basketball: the NBA Finals. Curry is near the end of what would be one of the greatest seasons ever. Both the team's play and his own has resulted in an amazing 67 wins and a western conference championship. Curry's play has become infectious as he brings energy and effort to the entire building that he's playing in. Curry has brought his numbers up a notch these playoffs, and it is even more clear that he is one of the most dominant players in the league.

If Curry can pull of a championship win over the premier player in the league LeBron James, he will immediately jump into the basketball stratosphere. Stephen Curry is the best shot maker in the game and he displays it every night. As the series approaches I am more and more leaning towards picking Curry to win it all. The ability to make the correct play and still do it in an electric way is a gift.

Basketball fans are going to receive a gift when the fourth quarters come around each game. LeBron James and Stephen Curry (with some help from Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving) are going to go back and forth down the stretch of games. Do not be surprised if LeBron checks Curry a few times each game, because he is the only player on the court with a shot at stopping him off the dribble. These games are going to be a beauty to watch, and Curry is going to have everything to do with it.

LeBron is Back

Cleveland is back in the NBA Finals. The team, and especially the city, have struggled for so many years, and now here is another shot. The Cavaliers are four wins away from a championship trophy for the city. It is all thanks to LeBron James. He has once again carried a team to the finals. Each of the past three seasons LeBron has been on teams that on paper seem to be elite. However, by the end of the season it ends up being LeBron against the world.
It is true that the eastern conference is weak, and that the run has been not the most difficult, but the two teams the Cavs just beat were no jokes. Both Chicago and Atlanta were very good teams, who I believe under performed. Everyone is saying Cleveland had it easy, but I think Chicago should have beat them. I also believe Atlanta should have won at least two games in this series. That being said Cleveland may not be ready for whats up next. Not the Rockets. The Golden State Warriors will provide a different challenge. Both an offense and a defense that Cleveland has not yet seen, and an individual that no one in the east can compare to: Stephen Curry.
Cleveland has great reason to be excited about the finals, but they should not be too optimistic. The Cavaliers will need an all-time great performance from LeBron James. He will be required to not only put up the same statistics he put up against Atlanta, but also do it more efficiently, and start hitting some jump shots. This next finals will be similar to last years. LeBron will need to be all-worldly for the team to have a shot. He was not last year and the Spurs crushed him. If I'm a Cavs fan I'm worried about the upcoming series.

James Harden is Done for 2015

Tonight could very well be the end of James Harden's 2015 season. It has been a defining one for him. He began his march towards superstar status when he first came to Houston, and this year cemented himself as one of the games best players. Harden led Houston to the second best record in the western conference, an impressive feat considering the strength of the conference. At the same time there was very little difference between the two seed and the six seed in the west.
Harden put up impressive numbers, as he did not always shoot the ball efficiently from the field, but he consistently got to the free throw line more than any other player in the league. It has been an impressive year for Harden. He had to carry a team that was without its second best player in Dwight Howard, much of the season. It was hard for me to get completely behind the Harden for MVP campaign, because I just did not think it was him. I believed Stephen Curry was the MVP of the league from start to finish. I never once fell for the 50 point James Harden games here and there. In fact, I think I did not give him enough credit this season. Simply because no one seemed to recognize how good Curry was even if you did not take into account statistics.
Well, here we are before game four of the conference finals, and Harden is about to lose to the MVP. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Harden can get back to these conference finals, without a big change in the lineup. Golden State will continue to dominate the west for the next couple years, and Oklahoma City will hopefully have both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook at full strength. I think San Antonio will improve as well.
The next step for Houston is James Harden getting a little more help, and Harden himself becoming a more efficient scorer.

Game Two

Well I was way off on last nights game. Golden State got off to the start I expected, but like the Rockets did in game one, the Warriors gave up the lead and the game was tied at the half. It went down to the wire and the ball was in James Harden's hands. Unfortunately that's how it ended, with Harden ultimately fumbling the basketball as time expired. It was a great back and forth battle between Harden and Stephen Curry. The two went for 38 and 33 respectively, and hit countless big shots during the forth quarter. Again, I still believe this series is over in five, but I still haven't seen the blowout I thought was coming. Houston and Golden State are making up for my complete lack of interest in the Hawks-Cavs series.
I know the Hawks are supposed to be the Spurs of the east, which is somewhat true. They are the Spurs of the EAST. A much weaker conference with less competition. The Hawks are much less fun to watch in stretches, as their bench can struggle a lot at times. The offense as a whole goes through rough patches where they can seem to buy a basket, which never seems to be a problem in San Antonio.
LeBron James will always be enough to grab my attention, but only for stretches as his club has not been that great to watch either. With no Kevin Love and an injured Kyrie Irving, the Cavs are not as exciting as they were game one of the playoffs. I have a feeling tonight the Hawks show up and go for over 100. JR Smith does not hit every shot he takes tonight, but maybe Kyrie will hit a few. Hawks will barely win tonight by a slim margin. 105-100.

It Will Only Get Better for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors survived a game one battle last night, narrowly defeating the Houston Rockets by four points. It was a very interesting game, as the Rockets got off to a great start, going up by 16 with just five minutes to go in the first half. Then the Warriors began to turn it around, thanks in no small part to their versatile backup point guard Shaun Livingston. Livingston had 16 points in the first half and sparked the run late in the second quarter that helped the Warriors take the lead. The MVP Stephen Curry ended the half in typical Curry fashion, letting go of a step back jumper with no time on the clock and watching it fall through the net. The Warriors held a 58-55 lead at the half, after Houston had played so well.
James Harden had one of his better playoff games in my opinion. He finished with 28 points 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Harden was getting his step back jumper to go, a shot that had failed him recently. When Harden is not hitting his isolation jump shots, he does not have efficient nights from the field, but 11-19 was a great sign for the Rockets.
Houston played well last night which is another good sign, but the Warriors did not. Game one does not change my opinion of how this series will go, I think the Warriors did not come close to their best last night, and the Rockets did about as well as they could without Dwight Howard being effective. Going forward it is important that the Warriors begin to clamp down more defensively. Continue to let Josh Smith shoot threes, and put more pressure on ball handlers other than Harden. The defense will lead to even more fast break opportunities for the Warriors. As always they can cut down on the unforced errors when they try to make the home run play, but those never seem to be too big of an issue, just limiting them is key.
I think game two will be a blowout. I don't see Harden scoring as efficiently as he did in game one, and I think the injury to Dwight Howard is a real concern going forward in this series. The splash brothers will be too much. That and an improved defensive performance will help give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.

The Rockets Are Here

The other side of the Clippers-Rockets series are the Rockets. The Houston Rockets did in fact win this series, and did so almost out of nowhere. We all have heard the story of how they came back, so let's move on. The Rockets now take on the best team in the league. A team that just had their first challenge of the year, trailing 2-1 against Memphis. The Warriors came back, because of the MVP. In contrast the Rockets came back, and without their MVP. Yes, Harden had a lot to do with game five and seven wins, but he was nowhere to be found during the decisive game six comeback.
So, during the regular season the Warriors won all four games by an average of 15 points. You can throw out any regular season numbers, but it was four blowouts, so something to at least keep in mind. The match-up on the surface is simply not great for the Rockets. The Rockets defense is not that great. The Warriors defense is elite. The Rockets can score a lot of points. The Warriors score the most. The Rockets have the runner up in the MVP race. The Warriors have the MVP. Not only of the regular season but also during the playoffs. Stephen Curry has been great for the Warriors, and most impressive during the two closeout games.
To me, the Rockets only have a chance if Josh Smith continues to play the way he has in the past two games, and Harden plays like an MVP. Not the 27, 6 and 8 guy, but a 35ppg guy. Harden must try to score 40 every night. I think he can drop 40 a couple of times, but it won't be enough. My prediction is that Houston will win either game three or four at home, but ultimately lose the series in five games. Houston is a very good team, and I don't want to discredit the amazing turnaround they pulled off against the Clippers, but they shouldn't be here. The Clippers blew it more than the Rockets won it in my opinion, and it will show when Houston gets blown out of the conference finals.

Clippers Fail Again

The Houston Rockets pulled off a great comeback, finishing it today with a game seven win at home. They were down 3-1 in the series and trailed by 19 late in game six, but were able to turn it all around with the help of role players. Josh Smith and Corey Brewer led the way in game six and were instrumental in the game seven victory.
One part of the story is the unlikely turnaround by the Rockets, and the other is the collapse of the Los Angeles Clippers. They blew a 3-1 series lead. The team, many would say, have underachieved in the playoffs once again. Last year the team should have won game five against the Thunder, if it wasn't for an epic late game collapse. I'm not sure who to blame for this. Everyone always says that you can't blame Chris Paul for not reaching the conference finals yet. I don't know what else one would say. Once again Paul put up great numbers throughout the playoffs and in this series, but there was something missing. People used to always be very quick to blame LeBron James for failing to win big series. They would say that despite the numbers he was not clutch, and could never win a championship. Now, saying he was not clutch wasn't fair, but giving him the blame was. James should have taken the responsibility, as he did, for the many losses early in his career. As a superstar, franchise player and future hall of famer, that was the expectation. To be able to carry his team, when he had the opportunity, past tough opponents in late playoff rounds.
The same applies to Chris Paul when talking about the conference finals. He has not been able to reach the round yet. I am not saying his game to game play has been poor, certainly not statistically, but he lacks a certain ability to carry his team to victories. Let me preface what I'm saying. If a LeBron James led team, whether it be the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers, was leading a series three games to one, and then was up by 19 late in a game six, and went on to lose the series, would we not say that LeBron chocked? I know I would have said LeBron should have finished it off. Especially in the game six. Superstars should be able to will their team to win, whether it is scoring themselves or creating chances for others.
Blake Griffin must take some of the blame too, because this is his team as well. He was statistically very good these playoffs, I think he has been the second best player thus far behind Stephen Curry. At the end of game six he was a non-factor, and game seven he played well, but was not that aggressive. Los Angeles has a lot to figure out this offseason, with Deandre Jordan being their biggest priority. I'm not sure that there is a big need for change on this team at the top, but the supporting cast could use some work. Austin Rivers showed some great promise during the playoffs, but the rest of the bench is not too good. Matt Barnes could be replaced as the starter. His three point shot is just not consistent enough for someone who almost only shoots perimeter shots. The Clippers should look to sign or trade for a more dynamic wing player.
Perhaps Chris Paul will simply be one of these all time greats who never wins a championship. I think the Clippers will still have plenty of opportunities in the coming years, but the pressure will only rise.

Is Memphis Already Done?

Golden State did what I thought they would, and won by double digits in game four. The Warriors are now tied up in this series, with a game on their home court tonight. Memphis played so well in their back to back wins in this series, but I have a lot of doubt going forward for them. Like many of these second round series, it seems the Grizzlies blew their chance at the series as the underdog. Both Chicago, Memphis and Washington all hosted game fours on their home court. All were up two games to one, and all lost. Most now believe that Cleveland, Golden State and Atlanta respectively, will go on to win the series'. Cleveland took a big step with a game five win at home last night, and Golden State will look to do the same tonight.
On of the main reasons the Warriors were able to pick up the play on Monday night, was the improved play of Stephen Curry. Everyone knew he was not going to go 2-10 or 2-11 from three again, but he also stepped up his leadership. Curry did not attempt a shot in the first eight minutes of game four. He let the game come to him and then proceeded to tear apart the Grizzlies defense scoring 33 points. Curry did it all. He played his game. In game five he must do exactly the same. Not necessarily score 33 points again, but have that same bounce to his step and confident play that has made him so good all season. The energy he has is infectious for this Warriors team, and with the home crowd there to support tonight, Memphis could be in for a long one.
Now, I don't exactly agree with the notion that Memphis is done for good after game four, but its close. If the Grizzlies want a shot they better show up tonight. The team will need something to take back home with them even if they lose this game. I can see Memphis forcing a game seven, and everyone always says anything can happen in a game seven, but come on. More often than not the home team wins a game seven, even if the game is competitive. Especially with the home crowd the bay area has been able to produce all year, I'm picking them in seven.
The Grizzlies could still win this series, but it will have to start tonight. I'm afraid I just can't see them winning these next two games.

Why Tonight is Not Do or Die for the Warriors

Tonight is not a must win for the Golden State Warriors. Although this is a very good Memphis team, that has clearly found a way to beat this high powered offense, the Warriors do not have to win. The team which won 67 games, and has the MVP of the league is capable of coming back from down 3-1. There is reason for concern, but no reason to doubt the ability of this team. I think Steve Kerr needs to challenge the officials. The Warriors have been beaten up the past two games. Not only by the big men down low, but also by the elite perimeter defending of Tony Allen and Mike Conley. Kerr needs to challenge the officials to make more calls. Help give his shooters more space to get shots off. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have been forced to take very difficult shots the past two games, and have not been able to hit most of them.
Its easy to say Golden State needs to simply pick up the pace, and start to play faster, but that is easier said than done. The Warriors will step up tonight. I think Curry is too good to not shoot the ball well again. He will tonight. Game four is going to be a close one, but the Warriors will pull away and tie up this series. Similarly to what happened yesterday to the Bulls, the Grizzlies will miss their chance to win this series tonight.

What a Shot

LeBron James has just evened up the second round series with the Chicago Bulls with an amazing shot at the buzzer. James game winner not only ties up the series, but it also gives Cleveland hope for this season. LeBron's chance of getting Cleveland its first championship is still alive this season. To all who "witnessed" the shot could probably have seen it coming. James was given the entire side of the court to step back catch and shoot a fade away shot in the corner. To most a very difficult shot. Not that it was not, but James is one of the few ever to make it look so easy. Game five should be a treat.

Baseball?

So, the Boston Red Sox kind of suck this year. I've been all wrapped up in the NBA playoffs, and have not been keeping up too much with baseball, but I know that much. The team has really struggled with pitching. The team has already fired their pitching coach and hired a new one. The offense for the most part has been pretty good, but not as great as expected thus far.
I'm not the only one in this situation, as many others like me have been less and less interested in baseball. It is simply not as entertaining as it used to be when players were on steroids. I think the game needs some adjustments to bring in more young fans like myself. I'm not quite sure what that is, but it needs to happen fast. If your team is not in the race most people simply are not interested in the baseball.

It's Time for James Harden to Step Up

For all the people who wanted to see James Harden win this years MVP award, tonight is the night he needs to prove he deserved it. With an almost must win game tonight in Los Angeles, the burden falls on Harden to tie up the series at two games a piece. Harden has to step up the scoring that made him such a tough player to handle throughout the regular season. Harden has been doing a great job of getting everyone else involved this series, but it might take one of those 40 point efforts from him tonight, if Houston wants to get back in this series.
With Chris Paul back in the lineup for the Clippers, life does not get any easier for the Rockets. One thing that has been really tough for Houston has been the point guard play. Jason Terry has done a great job of knocking down threes, but Harden does most of the play-making on offense, like he has much of the season. The big issue is defense. Without Patrick Beverley, Houston does not have a point guard capable of playing lock down defense for stretches. Terry is almost a liability on that end of the court.
I'm not sure that the Rockets can win game four if Harden does not go off. I think too much Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will be enough to beat Houston tonight.

LeBron Time

This is a defining moment for LeBron James and his second stint in Cleveland. A game four on the road. Trailing the Chicago Bulls two games to one. This is also a big game for Kyrie Irving. We have seen James come through in these situations so many times before, but will he be able to do it again with an undermanned squad. The Bulls may not have Pau Gasol this afternoon which would be a huge break for the Cavs. Even if he is absent, the pressure will still be on James to put on one of those vintage LeBron performances. Chicago has to be careful for this reason. The mindset has to be the same as it was in game three if they want a chance at winning this game. You know that LeBron will do whatever it takes. I think it's inevitable that the Cavaliers will tie up the series today and it will be because of LeBron James. The Cavs will win today 100-93 with LeBron going for an easy 30 and many rebounds and assists to go with it.

The NFL's Uneccessary Attack on Tom Brady

I hope the NFL realizes that by suspending Tom Brady for anything more than a game (and there are reports of 6-8), the league is opening a door for many NFL teams to do exactly what the Indianapolis Colts did. By accusing the Patriots of deflating the footballs during the AFC championship game, they created a mess in football. It has become clear to me over the past few months that all quarterbacks like to adjust their footballs to their personal liking. Brady apparently deflates, while other quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers prefer inflating. The point is it seems most if not all quarterbacks in the league do a little tinkering before the game starts. So, because it seems probable that Tom Brady did this the league is going to suspend him half the season? It's ridiculous. Ray Rice just last year initially was suspended just two games for assaulting his then fiance. So, to think that the NFL will suspend one of the faces of the league for probably telling the ball boys to slightly deflate the balls is beyond me. The NFL better get this right.

What the Rose Shot Means

Last night many witnessed the greatest playoff moment to date for Derrick Rose. In a tie game after a game-tying three from J.R. Smith, Rose stepped back from way downtown and banked in a shot at the buzzer to give Chicago a two games to one lead in this second round series. 99-96 was the final, and it ended any talk of a statistic being thrown around a lot this week. The Bulls twice in the past four years have won game one against a LeBron James led team in the playoffs, and both times went on to lose the next four and the series. That won't be happening this year, as Chicago has taken control of the series with a game four on tap for Sunday afternoon.
So far in the series Rose has not shot the ball particularly well, but in the teams two wins he has been very aggressive and created a lot of scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. If the game last night had gone to an overtime I would've put my money on LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to close it out after forcing an extra period. However, Rose's shot shows both the city of Chicago and the rest of the league that this team is for real. A team that many picked to make it to the Finals at the beginning of the season has caught an undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers squad. They have four games to win two more, let's see what happens. I'm starting to think that Rose may have opened the door to the rest of the eastern conference, not just this year but for years to come.

Have the Warriors Been Exposed?

Last nights win for the Memphis Grizzlies was a shocking one. We all know how good the Golden State Warriors have been this season, and especially on their home court. So, for Memphis to go into the Bay area and steal a game two on the raod was ultra impressive. The manner in which they did so was the most impressive. They were able to dictate the tempo of the game, and hold the Warriors to only 90 points. Stephen Curry, who had been named MVP earlier that night, went only 2-11 from three adn finished with 19. The Grizzlies had their point guard Mike Conley back in the lineup, and he delivered with a very efficient 22 points.
Now the question is, can Memphis do this again? Because if they in fact can, than the Warriors are in big trouble. They way Memphis won last night is the blueprint for beating Golden State. Slow the game down, be efficient on offense, and limit the Warriors three pointers. Easier said than done, and especially tough to do all three in the same game.
Have these Warriors been exposed? I guess. The thing is we already knew what it took to beat this team, it was a matter of can anyone execute, and the Grizzlies could on Tuesday night. This shows that it can in fact be done, but I still think the Grizzlies win lose this series. The Warriors are too good on both ends, and have been all season both at home and on the road. The "Grind House" won't be an easy place to get a win, but the Warriors have what it takes. Curry will not go 2-11 again, and I can't see the Warriors being slowed down again, at least not as much as they were.
Game three sure will be interesting, and a must watch for basketball fans. We'll see how Golden State responds to its first taste of adversity this season

Best Series of the First Round Continues Tonight

Tonight two sub-par series resume, and a series worth watching every minute continues. In San Antonio the Spurs and Clippers will battle for control of the series, after splitting the first two games in Los Angeles. The Athleticism of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan was too much for the rusty Spurs on Sunday night, but come Wednesday the Spurs put on a vintage road performance led by their future hall of fame power forward Tim Duncan. Duncan scored 28 points including clutch baskets in overtime helping San Antonio tie the series. Clippers star Blake Griffin was tremendous once again posting a triple double, but made a few errors down the stretch including a turnover late in regulation that led to the game tying free throws. Tonight's game is important for the Clippers, because they have yet to prove themselves as road warriors when it comes to the playoffs. We all know the Spurs can win a game 7 on the road, we've seen it before. Game 2 was bigger for the Clippers, because it gave home court advantage to San Antonio. If the Clippers go down 2-1 with a game four on the road, I don't love their chances in the series. Now, that does not mean they can't do it. This Clippers team is very good, but their stars have yet to prove it on the biggest stage, against the biggest opponent, a team that has dominated the better part of the past 15 years. Everyone has been talking about how bad the Clippers bench is, besides Jamaal Crawford. I think the bigger issue for the Clippers is that Tony Parker has been awful. Parker is questionable tonight, but if he starts to play anywhere near 100% look out Clipper fans. I think this series is headed for a game 7, but it is way closer to becoming a comfortable series win for the Spurs than it is for the Clippers. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul cannot afford any sort of set back on the road, they must continue their elite play if they want to give their team a chance.

Monday Night Game Two's

Day three of the NBA playoffs provides a couple of game two match-ups, with the home teams both looking to take commanding 2-0 leads. The first game is in Chicago, where the Bulls host the Bucks, and will look for their point guard to replicate his game one performance. Derrick Rose had 23 points and 7 assists in his first playoff game since 2012, and even more impressively attacked the basket with no fear. Rose was also able to knock down three shots from downtown, and was getting great lift on his jump shot, and good arc. Rose's three point shot has looked flat all year, almost like a line drive, but on Saturday night, Rose's stroke looked great. Jimmy Butler had a great game as well, scoring 25 points and dishing out six assists. It was great to see him have a strong game, because this is his first playoff game since becoming more of a scorer this season. The Bucks will have to shut down Chicago tonight if they want a chacne at stealing a game on the road. Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a stronger night offensively, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for 20 points tonight after scoring 12 in game 1.
The second game of the night will be a game 2 in Oracle Arena, where the crowd apparently was so loud on Saturday afternoon that Pelicans coach Monty Williams challenged whether or not it was "legal". Sounds like someone is searching for an excuse to help his team out, but I don't think he'll get what he wants. The best crowd in the NBA will be at it again tonight, and I have a feeling they will cheering non-stop in game two. Stephen Curry and the Warriors were in control much of game one, despite Anthony Davis making it interesting down the stretch. I don't think Golden State will allow the Pelicans to score as much in the second half as they did on Saturday, and will win comfortably to take a 2-0 lead to New Orleans.

The Spurs May Be Poised For Another Run

The NBA playoffs begin tomorrow afternoon with the Washington Wizards visiting the Toronto Raptors. That series along with the entire first round should be very entertaining, with so many great match-ups. Most will be in the western conference, but the east should provide some excitement as well. The series everyone seems to be most interested in is that between the Los Angeles Clippers and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs thought they might grab the second seed, but instead lost on the last night of the regular season and ended up with the six spot. This is not a great situation for the Spurs, not having home court advantage at all during these playoffs, but not the end of the world. As we all know this team can beat any team in any place. If they are to win three straight series on the road and advance to a third straight NBA finals, it will take maybe an even better team performance than last year.
20 years ago a team was in the exact same situation as these Spurs. The team had not been in the playoffs for 18 straight years and already have five titles, but that year had been very similar. The Houston Rockets limped into the playoffs as the number six seed in the conference. Just the season before, the Rockets had defeated the New York Knicks in seven gams to capture the NBA chmapionship. The team, led by hall of famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Cylde Drexler, started off by beating the third seeded Utah Jazz, who had a great point guard power forward combo in John Stockton and Karl Malone (remind you of a certain duo in LA?). In the second round the team had to battle to defeat a strong Phoenix Suns team led by the great individual play of Charles Barkley (perhaps James Harden's Houston Rockets?).
Then came the conference finals, where the team took on the league MVP and the team with the best record in the NBA. The 1995 Rockets played the 1995 San Antonio Spurs (in case this is confusing), who had thrived all season behind the incredible play of their MVP David Robinson (similar to Golden State and Stephen Curry this year). The Rockets beat the Spurs and went on to sweep the Orlando Magic in the finals, and claim the teams second straight title.
This situation for the Spurs is potentially so similar to that Rockets team, if all the the right things happen. I still believe that the Warriors will come out of the West, but there is no way I would be surprised if the Spurs ended up back in the finals.

Last Night in the League

The last day of the regular season is upon us, and there is still much to be determined in the playoff picture. Four teams are battling for the last two playoff spots tonight (Indiana, Brooklyn, New Orleans and Oklahoma City), and even more teams still have games to be played for seeding. The game most people will have their eyes on is between the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans. If the Pelicans win, they're in, but if they lose and the Thunder beat the Timberwolves (what are the chances....) then they're out. The Spurs have something to play for as well. If they win then they will get the number two seed in the west, and if they lose could fall in the standings and not even get home court advantage in the first round. In all honesty I hope the Pelicans do win tonight, because I don't want to see the Thunder play the Warriors. Sure it would be nice to see Russell Westbrook play four more games, but what's the point? The Thunder defense is horrible, especially without Serge Ibaka in the lineup. I don't know if I really want to watch Golden State outscore the Thunder 140-100 every game.
Indiana and Brooklyn are battling for the last spot in the east, and a match-up with the Atlanta Hawks. Indiana is a game ahead, but the Nets own the tiebreaker and the Pacers have a tough game tonight at Memphis. I personally would much rather see the Pacers in the playoffs, because I think a match-up with the Hawks would be a very intriguing one. A rematch of last years first round battle, in which the then top seeded Indiana Pacers escaped in a seven game series. The Pacers could challenge the Hawks in the opposite position this year, especially with the return of Paul George. George has been playing limited minutes the past week, but has looked solid and has been productive in those minutes.
In the west Houston, Memphis, Los Angeles (Clippers) and San Antonio are all battling for the second seed in the western conference and home court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
A lot of fun hoops to watch tonight, and playoff basketball starting Saturday.

Andrew Harrison Controversy

Tonight is the night of the National Championship game in college basketball. Duke up against Wisconsin in a match-up of two of the best teams, and two of the best coaches in the sport. This could go down as one of the all-time classic championship games, but lets talk about Kentucky. Well not exactly Kentucky, but comments that were made by one of Kentucky's star players this weekend. After the loss to Wisconsin Andrew Harrison was overheard using a racial slur when referring to Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky. This story was blown way out of proportion, which to be honest was not a surprise. Now, Harrison should not have said what he said on national television during the post-game press conference, but what he actually said was really not all that offensive. Anyone who has played basketball before, whether pick up or organized, knows that the "n word" is thrown around constantly by players, and not always in a negative way. Harrison clearly was just upset that his team lost, and that Kaminsky had a lot to do with it. So, when asked a question about Frank, Harrison responded naturally. Now, it is not how he should have responded on a national podium, but he later apologized and that is that. There should be nothing more made of these innocent comments, and anyone who does so is not conscious of what goes on day to day on any basketball court in the country.

NBA Playoffs Are Around the Corner

The final four is a little less than 24 hours away from us, and as excited as I am for the weekends games, the anticipation is making me even more excited for the upcoming NBA playoffs. We are just two short weeks away from the beginning of the postseason, and there are a lot reasons to be excited.
One reason is the playoff intensity and atmosphere. Plenty of teams have great fans who show support every game, but even the teams who don't have the best regular season support always have fans come out for the playoffs. While the Warriors are perhaps the standard for the loudest and most energetic crowds in the league, there are many other great ones. The Memphis Grizzlies always have great support in the postseason, as well as the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. Toronto is another great one, we all got to see it firsthand in last years playoffs when the entire country of Canada seemed to show up to each of the teams four playoff games it hosted. The crowd I'm most interested to watch is that of the Cleveland Cavaliers. With LeBron back in Cleveland, these will be his first home playoff games as a Cavalier since 2010, when his team got knocked out by the Boston Celtics.

Celtics Formula Smarter than 76ers

I think what the Boston Celtics are doing is admirable. Instead of tanking every year as a form of "rebuilding", they have decided to obtain assets. The Celtics have acquired many draft picks over the past couple years, and now are set up to do great things in the future. This team could very well make the playoffs, and maybe even give a team like the Atlanta Hawks a run for their money in the first round. The team is getting better, the coach is showing signs of improvement and the team will have many opportunities in the near future to improve through the draft and free agency. The chances of landing a franchise player in the draft are slim, we have seen many times teams like the Bulls and Cavaliers receive the number one overall pick and were no where near the worst team in the league. There is no point in tanking if the team is good enough to make the playoffs, even in the weak eastern conference. Go for it now, and continue to improve, make your team a more attractive spot for free agents, that's what the Celtics are doing.

A Few Reasons Why Kentucky-Wisconsin Could Be One of the Best Final Four Games Ever

Saturday's marquee match-up has to be between Kentucky and Wisconsin. with all due respect to the great programs of Duke and Michigan State, led by two all-time great coaches, the Kentucky-Wisconsin match-up is simply better. Not only does the game feature two of the best teams in the country, but it also provides great theater. It is a chance for Wisconsin to knock off the undefeated Wildcats team that is full of NBA talent. A chance for a great coach like Bo Ryan to upset John Calipari, with a cast of great players, but not quite an all-star studded cast like the Wildcats. Kentucky is by far the most talented team in the country, but Wisconsin may hold the best player, Frank Kaminsky. All this plus the fact that it is a rematch of last years Final Four game, a game that Kentucky won. The greatest stage in college basketball is set, and Saturday night should provide the game of the year.

Western Conference Contenders

Funny how a conference like the west is considered so deep and so good, yet when you really consider what teams can make a run to the finals, the list is short. As of now, because of so many injuries to so many key players, I can say that there are three contenders. The Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. These teams are experienced (especially the Spurs), and deep teams who play well and as a team on both ends of the floor. Come May the western conference finals will feature two of these teams.

Potential NBA Players

Another reason to be excited for this weekends college basketball games is the potential pro prospects playing. Obviously Kentucky is loaded with them, but other schools like North Carolina and Arizona have great future pros. Stanley Johnson of Arizona is an athletic wing with size, who I believe will be a strong NBA player. Marcus Paige of UNC is an interesting prospect, because of his potential as a combo guard. Paige could be a great point guard or a skilled and undersized shooting guard in the NBA. Look to see how these players, along with Frank Kaminsky and everyone on Duke, perform this weekend.

Don't Forget About Chicago

The Chicago Bulls have been relatively quiet since the injury to Derrick Rose, and then Jimmy Butler. Chicago is still in the three seed in the east, three games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but with Jimmy Butler back and the potential for a Rose return (how many times have we said that?), the Bulls could have a shot come playoff time. The team is still great defensively and probably the most talented team coach Tom Thibodeau has had since he took over the team. This team could really give both Atlanta and Cleveland a run for their money in the playoffs, even if Rose is not at the top of his game. Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic are enough offense for the Bulls to be a real threat to win the east this spring.

Should the NBA Get Rid of the One Year Rule?

It is no secret that college basketball has become a one year showcase for many freshman looking to enter the NBA draft. This is happening at all of the big time programs across the country, most notably the University of Kentucky. The rule that players must wait at least one year after high school before they can declare for the NBA draft seems pointless to me. Players without a doubt get a lot better in college, but how much of a difference can one year make? There are great coaches in the NBA too. I think the NBA should either get rid of the rule, or make it like the NFL, where players must complete their junior year before being able to declare. Recently coach Rick Pitino of Louisville said that he thought there is no point in holding back players from going straight to the NBA is that' what they want to do. We'll see what happens in the future, but I would be very surprised if this rule is not revisited often over the next six months and potentially revised.

MLB Needs a Change

Kind of funny how the sport of baseball has seemed less and less interesting over the last couple of years. It really seems to have become a regional sport. When the Boston Red Sox were making a world series run a couple of years ago, I followed every second. However, last year the team was in last place, and I could care less. Meanwhile sports like Football and Basketball have grown in popularity. In football the teams are throwing for more yards and more touchdowns than ever. In the NBA the teams are scoring more and more points, and taking even more shots from downtown. Meanwhile baseball has started to hit less and less home runs. The big plays matter to the casual fan, and if those big plays don't happen as much, then the casual fan will stop watching. Baseball needs to do something if they wan people to start watching again, and not just the old men who still consider it America's pastime.

Warriors Dominance

How many games will these Golden State Warriors win? With 13 games to go in the season, the Warriors sit at 56-13 with a healthy 7.5 game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies for the number one seed in the west. A couple of weeks ago I thought that they would finish with 68 wins, but seeing as they will probably give away a game or two i think 65 is probably more likely at this point. The team has been so dominant all season, this is one of the better regular season teams we have seen in a while. Even if the team matches up with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round I believe they would be favored, Durant or no Durant. I really think that this Warriors teams is destined for an NBA Finals appearance this season.

Sweet 16

The Sweet 16 is set for tip off this Thursday, and the teams involved make for some great match-ups. Wichita State plays Notre Dame in the first game. Notre Dame should end Wichita's run in this game. The play of Jerian Grant should be able to lead a great offensive team to victory this week. For the rest of the Thursday games I have Wisconsin beating North Carolina, Kentucky over West Virginia, and Arizona over Xavier. On Friday UCLA plays Gonzaga, and I believe the Bruins run will come to an end. Louisville will defeat NC State, Duke will beat Utah and Michigan State will defeat Oklahoma. So by the time Saturday rolls around we will have elite eight match-ups of Kentucky-Notre Dame, Wisconsin-Arizona, Duke-Gonzaga and Louisville-Michigan State. Cannot wait for the weekends games.

Who is the best?

The best player in the NBA right now, still has to be LeBron James. Just last year I thought that Kevin Durant has surpassed him and become slightly the better player, but his injury-plagued season has caused a relapse. What is different about this year, and more fascinating is that when I think about who is the best player in the league today, many names come to mind. Last year, and for the last couple years, it has been a two man competition between Durant and James. This year I can say that we have even more competition. Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Stephen Curry have all entered this conversation. Not simply because they are all MVP candidates, but also because they have stepped their individual games up to superstar level.

Clippers Playoff Hopes

The Los Angeles Clippers have been playing very well of late, thanks in large part to point guard Chris Paul. Paul has led a team missing one of its best players, Blake Griffin, to an impressive record. The team is currently number one in offensive efficiency, and clicking on all cylinders. I still do not trust this team come playoff time. Even if Griffin is healthy I don't think this team is tough enough on the defensive end, and I believe they do not match up well against the best teams in the west (Golden State, Memphis, and San Antonio). We will see come April, but right now I see this team as a first round exit squad, maybe second round.

Did Philly Make the Right Move?

Chip Kelly's controversial trade for Sam Bradford may not be a horrible move, like everyone is making it out to be. Sam Bradford is a former number one overall pick out of Oklahoma, a man who who the Heisman trophy and led his Sooners to the national championship game. Bradford ran a fast paced offense using a lot of quick throws, similar to the kind of offense Chip Kelly uses. Bradford could really be a great fit with the Philadelphia Eagles. The real questionable part about this move is the fact that Bradford has been injured much of his career, rarely able to play a full season. He is also a much more expensive player than the man he was traded for Nick Foles. Folks makes around $600,000 a year, while Bradford costs around $13 million. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out, but I'm not one to question Chip Kelly yet, he has won everywhere he's coached thus far.

What's Next For Kevin Durant?

What's happening with Russell Westbrook's recent play is intriguing. He has elevated his game so much to the point that he is officially in the MVP conversation. A conversation that was led by his currently injured teammate Kevin Durant. The former MVP is still out of the Oklahoma City lineup, but hopes to be back before the playoffs start. When he does return it will be interesting to see how the team reacts. Obviously there is no denying how great Kevin Durant is, but Westbrook has become the leader of this team, and has been keeping in the playoffs. Regardless of what happens this year, what does the future hold for the former MVP? In recent days I have started to hear rumors that Durant could be traded next season. It seems almost insane that the Thunder would trade such a great player, but crazier things have happened. The man was considered the best player in basketball last year, so to think he would be content with taking a backseat to Russell Westbrook seems questionable. Especially a man represented by hip-hop legend Jay Z. Where would he go? Back home to Washington? The big apple? or maybe even Los Angeles? The point is Kevin Durant could be on the move even sooner than we may have expected, due to the elevated play of Russell Westbrook.

Patriots Lose Revis

Darrelle Revis signing with the New York Jets is a big blow to New England's secondary. Bill Belichick will find replacements that will get the job done this season, but there is no denying that Revis is one of the top two corners in the league. For a team that has been so dominant over the past decade plus, it really felt like Darrelle Revis and a healthy roster were the reasons this team finally won another Super Bowl after a ten year drought. Now, I still believe the Patriots will win the division and likely make it back to the AFC championship game, but I really wonder how big of a difference Revis' play was for them. Going forward we'll see if New England picks up a corner or at least a replacement for Shane Vereen (Reggie Bush, Roy Helu, CJ Spiller). New England will still be one of the best in the league, but it will be important that they hit on a couple draft picks this spring.

Who Should Really Win MVP?

Now I already gave my prediction as to who I believe will win and why I think they are MVP, but the criteria for this award is still not clear. Many like to argue that it is awarded to the best player. That simply is not true, otherwise Kobe Bryant would have multiple MVP's and Michael Jordan would have the award named after him at this point. Another argument is the best player on the best team, but that does not work either. Tony Parker was probably the Spurs best player last year and he was not ever really considered, Kevin Durant won. So, the award is given to one of the top five players in the league during that year. Now let's say that the top five players in the league this year are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Marc Gasol (sorry John Wall, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Lamarcus Aldridge). Now, taking those players which plays on the best team? Stephen Curry and the league best Golden State Warriors. That is your MVP. It still feels strange giving the award out like that because an argument can be made that Russell Westbrook is the best player in the league right now. I also did not even mention the Atlanta Hawks, because they do not have a true star, yet they brought four players to the all-star game. The award is a confusing one, but I believe they will get it right this year if it is awarded to Curry.

Spurs Creeping Up

The San Antonio Spurs are quietly just a game and a half behind the five seed Clippers in the west. The team that has been to back to back NBA Finals has struggled to really get going this season, but with around 20 games to go, they may be hitting their stride at just the right time. A game and a half is nothing in the loaded west, where the top teams seem to beat up on each other. So, its not so far fetched to see the Spurs getting to that five seed and even grabbing home court advantage if Houston or Portland start to slip a bit. It will be interesting to see, but if the Spurs go into the playoffs red hot and with home court in the first round? Look out Golden State...the Spurs know how to win come playoff time.

Will Revis Stay in New England?

It seems like a no brainer, but with free agency approaching the question is out there. The New England Patriots must re-sign Darrelle Revis as he became the best defensive player for the Super Bowl winning team. Without Revis this team may have to scramble to find a replacement. No offense to Logan Ryan or Brandon Browner, but neither are Revis. We know what the Pats will do, they never offer some crazy amount to any player, so it will be up to Revis to decide. Does he want more money, or does he want to stay on the team that brought him the most team success? We will see.

Why Kobe Bryant's New Film is a Must See

This past Saturday evening Kobe Bryant's documentary "Muse" aired on Showtime. Now I cannot say that I watched it live, I instead found a way of watching online recently, and it is great. The focus is all on Kobe, of course, and it is fitting. Bryant explained in a recent interview that the original film contained interviews with many people who had been involved in Bryant' life, but in the end Bryant himself is the only person featured in the film. It's all Bryant all the time. From the beginning of his life following his father around as he played in both the NBA and Italy, to his recent injury plagued seasons, Muse truly captures Bryant's essence. He is a control freak who will do anything to be the best and will not stop until he is. At the same time he is a caring father who is able to provide an honest and interesting perspective on his career. While I do not want to give much away, there was a part of the film that particularly stood out to me. During the 1996-97 NBA season Bryant was a rookie for the Los Angeles Lakers who did not receive consistent minutes. He explains that he even questioned whether or not he made the right decision to go pro straight out of High School, when he could have been at UCLA getting to college experience. In the teams last game of the season (Game 5 of the Western conference semi-finals vs. the Utah Jazz), Bryant air balled 4 TIMES in overtime as his team was eliminated from the playoffs. He goes on to explain that when he got back to Los Angeles at three in the morning he went straight to the gym and did not leave all day. It was this obsession with being the best that led the future hall of famer to becoming one of the best in league the next year. The film is great (especially the part focused on the Boston-LA rivalry), and it provides a very unique perspective on the drive and will of Kobe Bryant. This is a must watch for any basketball fan.

NBA Predictions Part VIII

This years MVP is Stephen Curry. James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, even Marc Gasol all have had great years, but Curry is the one. He plays on the best team in the league and means so much to what they do on offense. His energy is infectious, and its big momentum changing plays from Curry that give the team an extra boost every night. He has also picked up his play on defense as players are shooting around 40% when being defended by him. Curry is what the traditional MVP is: he is the best player on the best team, he has great statistics, and that "it" factor. The plays he makes are unlike anyone in the league.

NBA Predictions Part VII

This years defensive player of the year is Draymond Green. The man has meant so much to Golden State and teams success, especially on the defensive end. Green starts at the power forward position for the Warriors and is able to guard almost anyone on the court. He is averaging eight rebounds and a little more than a block and a steal per game. His defensive rating is near 100, and doing all this for the best team in the league makes him a clear candidate. Players like Anthony Davis, Tim Duncan and Tony Allen should get consideration, but none play for the best team in the league, and none guard as many different positions as Green.

NBA Predictions Part VI

My sixth man of the year goes to Louis Williams out of Toronto. The Raptors are having a great season, and it would be a shame for the team to not get any recognition, not that its a requirement for good teams. I'm giving it to Williams over Jamal Crawford, simply because his team has been better. Toronto need some bench scoring this year and they got it with Williams. He's averaging 15 ppg off the bench, and gives them a big time clutch performer down the stretch of tight games. Of course, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are go to guys, but Louis Williams has always been clutch wherever he plays. Don't be surprised if he hits a big shot or two come playoff time.

NBA Predictions Part V

The NBA's coach of the year is Steve Kerr. In just his first season as an NBA head coach, Kerr has led his team to the best record in the league at 45-11. He has taken a team that already had the talent, and turned them into one of the best offenses and defenses in the league. The team is more exciting to watch than it had been in recent years, and much of that is due to Kerr's coaching style. He wants his team to push the pace and move the ball in order to get great shots, and so far this season that has worked out. He also took players who were already great, like Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, and made them even better. Thompson is averaging career highs across the board, and Curry has gone from an exciting young player to an MVP candidate.

NBA Predictions Part IV

This years most improved player should be Jimmy Butler. It sure is tough this year with so many great players making such great strides in their respective games. Players like John Wall and Klay Thompson who were already established players have stepped up their games so much that they should too receive consideration. Butler's improvement has been so great, that he gets the nod for me. He went from a 13ppg 5rpg and 2apg guy, to a 20ppg 6rpg and 3apg guy in just one year. Not only are those numbers up but his shooting percentage has improved as well. Butler went from 40% from the field to 46%, and from 28% from three to now 35%. Butler also plays some of the most minutes in the league, and plays tenacious defense every night. His responsibility on offense is another reason he should get the award. Even before Derrick Rose went down with another knee injury, Butler had become a go to guy for Chicago. A player that they can rely on for big time plays in big time moments.

NBA Predictions Part III

I believe the rookie of the year will be Andrew Wiggins, and I do not think I am alone on this one. Wiggins was the number one overall pick of course, and was a part of the trade that brought Kevin Love to Cleveland shortly after. After getting off to a relatively pedestrian start, the young man has stepped up his game going for over 20 points on multiple occasions. Wiggins is averaging just under 16 points per game this season, shooting around 44% from the field and 35% from three.  For a rookie who was not thought to be a great shooter, 35% from three is pretty impressive. Just recently he went for a career high 30 points in a loss to Houston. The now Minnesota Timberwolves rising star is well on his way to becoming an all-star type player and maybe a future face of the league. His only real competition was Jabari Parker at the beginning of the season, but Parker's injury ruined any chance he had.

NBA Predictions Part II

Executive of the year I believe should be awarded to the Atlanta Hawks front office. I do not believe Danny Ferry should directly receive credit after the infamous email that leaked this past summer. However, the Atlanta Hawks have done an exceptional job putting together a team that holds the best record in the Eastern conference. Much of the team is the same as last year, but there were key acquisitions made to help boost the supporting cast. Players like Kent Bazemore, and the injured Thabo Sefolosha have been instrumental in creating the team atmosphere and chemistry. Credit is due for a team that was just an eight seed last year and considerably below .500.

Predictions for NBA Regular Season Awards

We have about a quarter of the regular season to go, and the battle for title favorite has really heated up. The Golden State Warriors still hold the leagues best record, but the Atlanta Hawks are hanging around along with the Memphis Grizzlies. Teams like Houston and Cleveland are really starting to catch a lot of peoples eyes because of the teams success, along with the elevated superstar play of MVP candidates James Harden and LeBron James. While the recipients of home court advantage are yet to be determined, individual awards are what is the focus today. I will predict, at this point in the season, who I believe will win the individual awards for the NBA regular season.

Kevin Durant Might Be Back

The Oklahoma City Thunder won in Denver last night with the help of Kevin Durant's 40 points. The win combined with a New Orleans loss to Utah without Anthony Davis, and the teams are now tied for ninth in the Western conference. Durant now seems to be back from his injury and ready to go on an MVP type run. Look for this next month, including the all-star, to be Durant's best so far this season. I wouldn't be surprised if the team gets back in the playoff picture and Durant averages 30 over the stretch. Russell Westbrook will still be dominant at the point guard but much like last night, he will look to feed the beast that is Kevin Durant more often, especially now that his legs seem to be back.

New NBA Playoff Systems

Adam Silver this past week expressed that the league could look at changing the playoff system in the future. One idea I have heard of is taking all of the division winners and have those teams automatically earn a top six seed. Then, the ten remaining teams would be seeded in order of the best records. This would eliminate the bottom teams in the east from making the playoffs, and allow teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder to make the playoffs despite being in the loaded Western Conference.

Brady vs. Montana

It is tough to compare eras, but I think Tom Brady has surpassed Joe Montana now. Not only his Super Bowl appearances and wins, but also his statistics and accolades have helped him jump Montana for that title of greatest quarterback of all-time. Peyton Manning is perhaps the greatest regular season quarterback, John Elway the most talented and Montana the most clutch, but Brady put all of those together to make up one of the most remarkable stories in sports history. Drafted just 199th overall, and now one of the faces of the league.

Still Waiting on the Celtics

The Boston Celtics are in a strange position of being a subpar team, yet still in position to make a run for one of the bottom two seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The team has looked solid over the past coupe of weeks, winning some tough games on the west coast and giving the best team in the NBA a run for its money in Golden State. The coach and some of its young players give hope to Celtics fans that this team could be right in the middle of the playoff hunt next year, and perhaps even stronger in the years following. If a few draft picks and free agent signings workout, the team could be back where it wants to be a little sooner than expected.

Pats Next Season

I wonder if the Patriots will be just as good next year. I don't see why not, unless the team is not able to re-sign any of the free agents it has. Although, that has never been a problem in the past. The Patriots have a history of letting players leave for more money, and those players not being as successful. The Pats will still be playing in the AFC East, and still have one of the best quarterbacks and coaches of all-time. So, I think they'll be fine. In fact, look for the team to improve on its regular season record of 12-4 and perhaps win another game or two.

MVP Race

If the season were to end today, I still believe that Stephen Curry is the MVP of the NBA. However, LeBron James is not too far behind now. The impact he has had during the teams recent 12 game winning streak (which ended at the hands of the Indiana Pacers last night), was incredible. Not just scoring but playmaking, defense and leadership. All traits that make James so great. I also think James Harden is not far behind, nor are players like Marc Gasol, Jeff Teague and John Wall. I think that Curry and James are the clear top 2 right now, but all it takes is a strong week long run by Harden or Gasol to change my opinion.

Brady's Best Yet

It was important for Tom Brady and the Patriots to win the Super Bowl Sunday night. Not only for the organization, but for the legacy of Brady. If the Seahawks would have run the ball on second and goal, and went on to win the game, Brady would be three and three in Super Bowls. That record would simply not do justice for how good both he and Bill Belichick have been over the course of this 15 year run. Now the two are 4-2 in Super Bowls, and two incredible plays by New York Giants away from being 6-0. This Super Bowl was perhaps Brady's best, as he carved up the NFL's best defense going 37-50 and throwing for four touchdowns to four different receivers. His fourth quarter is on the short list of all-time Super Bowl performances, and (if it was not official) cements him as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time.

NBA All-Star selections

I'm excited for the NBA all-star game. Well, maybe not for the actual game, but to see who makes the team. It's always interesting to break down who made it over who, and especially the guards who will inevitably be left out in the western conference. Hopefully those who deserve it will make the team, but there will be some who will not due to players like Carmelo Anthony, who have the statistics, but not the wins to show for it. If Atlanta has three guys make the team I'm happy, and if Draymond Green makes the team I'm even happier.

Key to Super Bowl Sunday

How can the Patriots win this weekends Super Bowl? It can't be simply Tom Brady's greatness, or Belichick's genius. There has to be more. At the end of the game, if the Patriots are victorious, of course those two will receive much of the credit. However, the play of New England's defense will be the key to a victory on Sunday night. It is important that Chandler Jones and Vince Wilfork create pressure both on the quarterback and in the middle. Holding Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch to a sub-par game is critical. It will also be key that the New England linebackers contain Russell Wilson, and do not let him break out for any big plays outside of the pocket. Lastly, the secondary will be imperative. Darrelle Revis and other cornerbacks must make sure they continue to cover well, even when Wilson is able to extend plays with his feet. If the New England Patriots defense are able to do all this, they may not even need an MVP performance from Brady, just a solid one.

NBA All-Star Starters

The NBA all-star game starters will be announced tonight on TNT, and if the early voting results are of any indication, one may be upset with a couple of the selections. The two that come to mind are Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. Both have been scoring this season, but no very efficiently. The two also play on very bad teams and have missed a considerable amount of games. Still, I believe this is ok because it is an all-star game. It would be nice if the players who really deserve it go the nod, but these type of games require the personalities of stars like Bryant and Anthony. With the game being at Madison Square Garden, it would be nice if the two all-stars were able to play well in front of the country. We all know this will be the only relevant game to two play in this season.

Deflategate....Who Cares?

Hopefully by the time Monday rolls around next week this whole "deflategate" issue will go away. But as of today it does not look like that will happen. More and more reports are surfacing about the Patriots using slightly deflated footballs during the AFC championship game this past Sunday. Now, I do not believe anyone can dispute the outcome of the game, deflated balls or not, but these reports are interesting. It is not uncommon for a team like New England, with so much success, to be ridiculed and accused in times like these. All I have to say on this issue is that I do not care. Not only because I am a Patriots fan, but also because it seems all teams do things like this. Whether it is inflating or deflating footballs, or spying on other teams. Every team in sports tries to get an edge. Just appears that the Patriots will not get away with it.

A Super Bowl for Legacy

There will be plenty of time over the next couple weeks to talk about legacies, especially that of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Brady is already without question one of the best quarterbacks of all time. However, it is interesting to compare Brady to Russell Wilson. If the Patriots lose to Seattle I will be very upset for many reasons. One of which will be that Wilson will be on track to become the next Brady. With two Super Bowls in his first three seasons, he will have a very similar resume to that of Brady's first three years in New England. It would also leave Brady at 3-3 in Super Bowls, which does not seem to give justice to his career. Still two weeks until the game, but at this point I'm leaning towards picking Seattle. Part of that may be my fear of jinxing my team, and also my fear of the Seattle defense.

Where are the Best Teams in the NBA?

Here we are, around the mid-way point of the NBA season, and still waiting for some of the premier teams in the league to get going. The list of these teams is relatively short for me. Two teams in the east and two in the west. First are the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team just recently got LeBron James back from injury, and are waiting for Iman Shumpert to come back from an injury. A win last night against the Chicago Bulls could get this team going on a run. The Bulls are the other team in the east that I find myself waiting for. Chicago is doing better than Cleveland, but in the last two weeks has been struggling. Right now sitting in the fourth seed, the team would like to finish with the one or two seed, but being healthy come playoff time is most important. 

In the west the two obvious teams are the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are still currently out of the playoffs, while the Spurs have just not been as dominant, sitting in the seventh spot. While the Thunder need to simply focus on even making the playoffs, each of these teams need to step their games up. The only team with a free pass is probably the Spurs. Just because of the teams recent history, and the fact that home court advantage does not really matter to the team. Going forward, even if it is just for my personal enjoyment, I hope these teams begin to play as well as they are capable.

Thunder's Playoff Chances

The Oklahoma City Thunder got a big win last night against the Golden State Warriors, yet they still are on the outside of the playoff picture. The team is currently tied for ninth in the western conference  at 19-20, and three and a half games behind the number eight spot. A long win streak is in order for this team, as they have the talent to win the conference. That of course is impossible if they do not even make the playoffs. The addition of Dion Waiters should help give the bench enough firepower offensively to compete with the best in the west. Having two of the best players in the league also helps. If Westbrook and Durant can step their game up, the team should finish the season with at least the seventh or eighth seed. Rumors have been swirling about a potential trade between the team and the Brooklyn Nets involving center Brook Lopez. Although Steven Adams has been playing well in a starting role, Lopez is an established NBA center and former all-star. He would most certainly be an upgrade over veteran Kendrick Perkins, who is a solid backup at this point in his career. I believe this team will at least leap the Phoenix Suns for the eighth and final seed in the west. Do not be surprised if the team ends up making a run to the finals either, especially if the Brook Lopez deal is executed.

Future of Boston Basketball

It is tough to see where the Boston Celtics are headed right now. Although its clear that Danny Ainge is interested in assets and draft picks, it is not so clear what exactly he plans to do with all of them. With about 11 first round picks over the next four drafts, the Celtics have a lot of "assets". Will the team keep all of those picks or use them to trade for something more. The team has also cleared up a lot of cap space, giving them money to spend on a big time player. Problem is no one seems to want to come to Boston right now. The team took a run at Kevin Love last summer, but without a top 5 pick the team did not have enough to offer Minnesota. So for now it seems the team will simply have to hit on the next couple of drafts, and hope that players like Marcus Smart and James Young really come into their own over the next year or so. If the team keeps Brad Stevens and believes in his philosophies as a coach, the team has a real good chance to build something great from the ground up. The key will be not missing on some of these draft picks, and eventually being able to trade some picks for established NBA stars.

New Team, Same Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan is at it again. The new coach of the Buffalo Bills held his first press conference the other day and it was much of the same for Ryan. The man who multiple times predicted that his former team (the Jets) would win the super bowl, started off his Bills career by promising playoffs for Buffalo. The team has not seen the playoffs in 15 years, but with a strong defense, many believe that the team is just a quarterback away from being a sleeper in the AFC. I appreciate the enthusiasm from Ryan, but haven't we seen this before? When Ryan took over the Jets he led a team with a great defense to back to back AFC title games. Ever since his teams have been mediocre and have never carried good offenses. Ryan has always been the out going head coach who makes big statements to the media in support of his team, but in a place like New York City he just got destroyed. I believe that Ryan is a great defensive coach and he will be fine in Buffalo but I do not think he got off on the right foot by saying what he did at his press conference.

The College Football Playoff Comes to an End

The new College Football Playoff format is a huge success. There is an unreal amount of buzz surrounding this game and its meaning to college football. It is not like this is the first national championship to create excitement, but everything from the SEC going down to the game being played in Jerry's world helps make this game even more intriguing. The coach of Ohio State, Urban Meyer, could solidify himself as one the best to ever coach at the college level with a win tonight. While Oregon and its Heisman Trophy winning quarterback could finally capture that title that has held the school back from being considered one of the best programs in the country. All of this and more add to what has been one of the best couple weeks of football in recent memory (college and pro). Tonights game will be remembered in history as the first National Championship played in the CFP format, displaying a progression from the previous format.

For the second year in a row, both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will participate in the NFC and AFC championship games respectively. These teams were predicted by many to be here when the season began, and now they indeed sit with just one game between them and Glendale. Tom Brady will take on Andrew Luck and the Colts for the second consecutive year. Last year the team dominated Indianapolis in the divisional round and now look to end Andrew Luck's playoff run. He has now reached the championship game and is one step closer to reaching the ultimate goal of a Super Bowl. This run will likely end next week in Foxborough. Although the team looked good against the Broncos, the Patriots are a different animal and will give the Colts much more problems defensively.
Seattle will host the NFC championship and take on a slightly hobbled Aaron Rodgers. The key matchup will be Rodgers against the great defense of Seattle. If Rodgers can make some big plays and does not receive too much pressure, the Seahawks could be in trouble. Can't wait for an exciting Sunday next week.

NFL Divisional Round: Pats-Ravens

A rematch of the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens headlines the start of Divisional weekend in the NFL. These teams have met up in the playoffs three times in recent years, with the Ravens winning two of the three. The Patriots are favorites playing at home, but are aware of how dangerous this Ravens team could be. Joe Flacco was impressive in last weeks win over the Steelers, continuing his impressive postseason play that led the team to a Super Bowl win just a couple years ago. The Ravens also have a great pass rush with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. The Patriots should win this game by a touchdown or so, but if they fall behind early it could be a different story. If the Ravens start out with the lead and are able to unleash the pass rush it could be a long day for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. Still I think the Patriots will handle the Ravens and win this game 31-21.

Warriors: Current Kings of the NBA

Is there any doubt who the best in the NBA are right now? The Golden State Warriors won another game last night, this time against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now there was still no LeBron James, but the win continued a great early season run for the Warriors that has them at 29-5. Not only are they at the top of the league but they are also dominating some of the leagues best. Although the west is tough, I would be surprised if a team is able to knock off Golden State come playoff time. If the team ends up with home court advantage it will be incredibly difficult to win a game on that floor.

Cavs Moves

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a few moves this past week in an attempt to improve their current roster. This resulted in acquiring a couple of shooting guards (Iman Shumpert and JR Smith), as well as center Timofy Mozgov. These moves immediately improve the Cavs roster, but I'm not so sure this makes them anymore of a contender. Hard to tell until LeBron comes back from injury, but I can't see this team making it to the NBA Finals right now. I would like the Cavs chances in a matchup against the Raptors or Hawks, but I could not see them beating the Bulls or the Wizards in the playoffs. Shumpert will help out the perimeter defense and will bring some athleticism to the backcourt. Smith should be exactly what he's always been, and thats a streaky shooter who can win a game here and there because of his great scoring ability. Mozgov is a huge upgrade at center after Varajao went down with injury. So, we will see how these moves end up playing out. I expect the team to improve and start winning more games, but when LeBron comes back.