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.