And on the 6th Day.......

Now, maybe we are all just "geeked" that the NBA is back but we have been treated some great games already.   The OKC/Mavs game had a great finish in a rematch of last years WCF.  We've seen the Heat and Bulls play well to start.  The Lakers (without Bynum) showcasing that they can play defense in almost defiance of some "experts" that are calling for their demise.  If the first 6 says of this season is any indication of how this season will be, then we are in for a wild and great ride.

It's way too early to be talking about the who the champion will be.  In this shortened and compacted season (66 games in 123 days) the door to the championship is a bit wider opened than normal.  I'm not a fan of paper champions.  There are always teams who look great on paper but haven't won a thing.  The Clippers and Knicks are much improved.  If Baron Davis shows up in a month or so in New York in some type of basketball shape, his transition into the Knick offense won't be tough.  Toney Douglas is a nice option off the bench but he doesn't really have the knowledge of the PG position the way Baron does.  Amare and Melo's strengths have always shown through the most when they have had a least a very good PG. And if you really think that Douglas is on the same level at Nash and Billups then stop reading now.  You won't be able to understand anything I talk about. If Tyson Chandler can defensively rub off on the Knicks the way he did in Dallas, then the Knicks will be a contender in the East.

The Clippers main problem so far, is they are still celebrating the team they have assembled.  Lob City is some college BS.  I don't know of any champion that won with lobs.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with watching Blake and D Jordan catching lobs from CP3 and Billups but if they need to get on them rebounds.  Second chance points killed the Clippers against the Spurs and Bulls.  If the Clippers want to assert some control over LA, then they need to commit to defense.  More importantly, Del Negro better figure that out quick or he will see himself let go again.  Its the defense that will lead to those fast break points and those amazing plays we crave from this team.  There isn't a trophy nor a banner for most highlights in a season.

All the Lakers need to do is hold the line and be smart.  They have a new system under new coach Mike Brown and Odom is now in Dallas.  Instead of worrying about if they can get D Howard, why are they not trying to get a PG?  Don't get me wrong about Derrick Fisher.  I like him but he isn't the Fisher of 2004 or earlier.  Blake and Barnes definitely aren't the answer.  Howard would be nice and maybe extend Fisher another season but the Lakers need to think beyond this season.  Missed opportunities can destroy your season.  Sorry Laker fans, right now, Bynum and Gasol are better for you than Dwight Howard.

Where do I begin with the Magic?  If you want they want to keep Howard, they aren't acting like it.  A bum foot for Brook Lopez is the only reason Howard is still in Orlando.  The Magic have the talent to contend but the front office hasn't given anyone any reason to play for anything.  Whatever you think about Dwight, you can't argue that he isn't showing up especially after back to back 24 rebound games.  Howard is saying through his play so far, "I can give it to ya but what you gonna do with it?".  To be fair, Howard needs to pose the same thing to his fellow players as well.  There is potential on this team.  Ryan Anderson is doing a good "Dirk" impression and a unexpected compliment to Howard.  Most importantly, Reddick and Duhon need to "step up they game" and be better contributors off the bench.  We don't know how long Jameer Nelson will stay healthy.  He already has a strained neck and we are only 6 days in.  Bottomline, the Magic need to shopping everyone not named Dwight Howard and show him they want to build around him.

For the Heat, its simple.  Ignore everyone not on their team and play.  LeBron was so worried about what people thought of him rather then just let his game speak.  He looks, early on that will do what he needs to in order for the Heat to win.  Instead of worrying about who takes the last shot, LeBron, DWade and Bosh all seem to agree to just play the game.  As long as this "Big 3" plays like a big 3, the Heat will be in the hunt.  LeBron has developed a nice post game which will make him even harder to guard.  Shane Battier is a nice addition mostly because he can defend and a decent 4th option in the offense.  The surprise "x-factor" is the rookie Norris Cole.  Look out for that name over the course of the season.

This has been some New Year's Eve ramblings.  I hope everyone stays safe and drinks responsibly this evening.  No need to ring in the New Year in the emergency room.  Beginning Jan 2, I will begin a series of division breakdowns in the NBA.  I will do a division every day for 6 days and start with the Pacific Division.



Happy New Year,
D!

To All Sports Fans.......Calm Down!!

I wake up this morning to Twitter and Facebook posts about the Mavs and Lakers being 0-2.  The Bulls losing to the Warriors or the funniest thing I have heard: If the playoffs started right now, the Clippers are the #1 seed in the west.  Really people?  After the second day of the season, where not every team has even played yet, folks are talking about the playoffs?  Take a good look at these people, because they are the ones who don't have a clue about sports.

Two weeks ago, the question on football fans minds was if anyone could be the Packers.  Now, after the Chiefs beat the Packers, the question being asked is if the Packers are vulnerable?  The answer is yes.....but.  You don't have a 14-1 record heading into the final week of the season by accident.  You can make an argument that Green Bay got lucky and caught teams on a good week but that is just stupid.  The great thing about sports is everyone can have an opinion, no matter how dumb it may be, but the games still have to be played and the chips fall as they do.  It is fine to say what you believe will happen but all of us have to wait and watch.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with expressing your opinion.  If you do, make sure your opinion makes sense.   Green Bay is the team to beat.  Their play shows it and so does their record so quiet that mess down. 

As for the NBA, the season just started.  The Lakers will be in the playoffs and as we all know, once a team is in the playoffs anything can happen.  Keeping things in perspective for the whole season, this 66 game season has a long way to go.  With teams so many back to back games and 3 games in 3 days as well, injuries will happen.  Its unfortunate but its also a reality.  Player movement isn't over either.  We all just have to wait and see.  Remember, there was no real training camp and only 2 preseason games.  That does little to help teams be ready for the season.  Going forward, there will be surprises in the NBA.  At the end of the day, the teams that will make the playoffs will be the teams that we expect to.  There might be one or two new teams competing but nothing that will change the landscape to the likes of which we have never seen.  For those of us old enough to remember the '99 season, the Knicks were the 8th seed in the east and they made it to the NBA Finals.  Anything can happen!  My advice is to enjoy that we have basketball.  

There are 16 NBA games on Saturday and Sunday to go along with a full slate of NFL games.  Of the 16 NFL games this weekend, 7 have huge playoff implications.  Sports fans all over the world should be beside themselves.  If you're like me, I don't plan on going anywhere New Years weekend.  This weekend will be every fans dream and it doesn't stop there.  Almost every weekend from now until February will be the same way.  With playoff football games and the NBA season heating up, this is Sports Mecca!!  If you're not fired up now, you need to check your pulse because you might be dead.  By the way, for MLB fans, pitchers and catchers report February 18th.  Its closer than you think.

Side Note: To all the female sports fans, I'm talking about the real ones and not the ones frontin' trying to catch a guy, keep doing what your doing ladies.  It doesn't go un-noticed.  There is nothing sexier then a woman who can hold her own in a sports conversation.  

D!

What a Christmas Holiday.......

As a sports fan, if you aren't "geeked" coming out of this Christmas weekend, then you're not a sports fan.  So much has happened and things are just heating up.

At the same time as the NFL playoffs are about to begin (for some, they have already started) the NBA season has tipped off.  What a weekend indeed.  The Lions are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  That is a big deal in itself.  After stumbling earlier in the season, the Lions pulled together and clinched a playoff spot when they easily beat the Chargers 38-10.  They are a very dangerous team entering the playoffs.  I'm not saying that the Lions will beat the Packers in week 17 or in the playoffs, if they get that far.  I am saying don't sleep on the Lions.  They can score with anyone and have a very talented defense.  I won't be surprised if the Lions beat the Packers.  Green Bay isn't the juggernaut that some have said they are.  They can be beaten as we saw when the Chiefs beat them and ended the undefeated season.  If the Lions can establish a consistent running game, then lookout because Stafford will be able to sit in the pocket and pick Green Bay apart.  Yeah, I Said It!!

I am trying not to be unbiased about the AFC west.  The Raiders seem to have a slight edge considering they host the Chargers while the Broncos host the Chiefs.  The Chiefs are playing for interim coach Romeo Crennel and are slowly getting healthy.  The Broncos are realizing that Tebow can't just will his way to wins anymore, if ever.  I'm not trying to take anything away from Tebow but if you really look at the games the Broncos won, the other teams often shot themselves in the foot and the Broncos took advantage (Raiders, Miami and the Bears to name a few).  The Raiders have mental and discipline issues.  Most of the penalties the Raiders have gotten (155) are false starts and offensive holding.  That is a lack of attention to detail but the Raiders still find themselves in a position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.  Its' simple, win and a Broncos loss or a Bengals loss and they are in.  Of course, the Raiders want the division title because that means they host a playoff game.  My pick is the Raiders win the division but the Broncos get in because the Ravens still have something to play for and will beat the Bengals.

After the first day of the NBA season, we saw some great games.  The Knicks decided to show the world that they are serious contenders in the east.  The Celtics didn't look too bad either.  Very close game and KG missed a shot that would have tied the game with no time left.  Melo
played his ass off and Rondo showed he will let his game speak after all the trade rumors.

While LeBron looked good with his new post up game, I'm not going to crown the Heat champs.  This game went exactly the way I thought it would.  There is a history of the defending champs losing opening night when raising the championship banners pre game.  Even the Bulls of the 90s lost opening night on a couple of occasions.  One game doesn't make a champion, especially the first game of the season.  Once again, Miami looked good but they looked just as good after the first game last year.  Look at the numbers, LeBron and DWade combined to go 22-40 shooting and no one else attempted more then 9 shots.  With this compacted season, Miami can't win playing games where LeBron and Wade are the offense.  While on paper, the Heat look stronger, the depth of this team is still suspect at best.  Dallas didn't shoot well at all shooting 37% from the field for the game.  Chalk this up as a bad game for the Mavs and we'll see what happens.

The eye raising moment came in the Bulls/Lakers game.  No one really expected the Lakers to play the defense they played on Christmas day.  It was a pleasant surprise for Laker fans.  The Bulls didn't play their normal pressure defense that they are known for until the fourth quarter and mounted a comeback for the one point win.  Derrick Rose took advantage of the defense we all have seen the Bulls play and got the Bulls the lead with 9 seconds to play with a beautiful floater over Derrick Fisher and Pau Gasol.  All in all, both teams looked good for the first game of the season and I wouldn't be surprised if these two teams met again in the Finals.  Of course, that could be wishful thinking.

I was not impressed at all by the Magic/Thunder game.  For one, Howard looked uninterested.  For that matter, everyone on the Magic team except for J Nelson looked like they didn't want to play at all.  There was no attempt at defensive play and a whole lot of standing around watching.  I don't care what rumors are out there, as a professional basketball player, you have to show up every night.  On the other side, Durrant and Westbrook seem to have ended whatever "feud" they had from last year.  They had such chemistry on the floor like they new where the other one was the whole game.  Big ups to James Harden, he played great in 32 minutes off the bench scoring 19.  Getting to the rim and getting to the foul line.  Harden hit 10-12 free throws and adding 6 boards and 3 ast.  Production off the bench is needed for any team going for a championship.  OKC

I have to give the Warriors credit.  They didn't just allow the Clippers to make a highlight film of this game.  Bad shooting nights for Curry and Wright hurt this team.  In the end, the Clippers played and inside out game with Griffen's 22 points and Billups scoring 21.  Chris Paul had 20 pts and 9 ast in his Clippers debut.  With scoring like this from these 3, it will be hard to beat the Clippers going forward.  The interesting note is Billups missed 7 three point shots and Jordan missed 8 free throws.  I'm sure Deandre Jordan will work on his free throws going forward and Billups won't miss 7 threes either.  Look out for the Clippers to do some damage this season.  Can't wait!!!

NCAA.....WTF??!!

Now we all have had our take on the NCAA and its "inconsistencies" but at some point a foul must be called.  I am in no way condoning breaking of rules, no matter how stupid they are.  Having said that, the NCAA has now crossed a line.  It doesn't matter what side you are on concerning student athletes being compensated but you are not supposed to have rules if you're going to punish offenders differently.  That just doesn't make sense.  But then again, this is the NCAA we're talking about.

Today, the NCAA handed down its sanctions against the Ohio State University.  In addition to OSU self vacating the 2010 season, returning the bowl money and 5 scholarships (over 3 years), the NCAA added a ONE year bowl ban that includes the Big 10 conference championship game.  Increased lost scholarships to 9 over 3 years as well.

In June of 2010, USC was hit with a 2 year bowl ban and loss of 30 scholarships over 3 years.  The Trojans were hit with some of the most severe penalties in NCAA history because Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Reggie Bush and basketball star O.J. Mayo accepted thousands of dollars in improper benefits from sports marketers and agents.

So, Pete Carroll didn't lie to his bosses and lie to the NCAA like Jim Tressel did but because OSU fully cooperated and Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo (in the NFL and NBA respectively already) didn't want to further speak to the NCAA means a lighter sentence?  WTF NCAA??!!  Only the NBA and NFL are allowed to punish however they want.  I want an answer for why the two punishments more then anything.  Is the NCAA saying that one school is worth more then another?  This farce of a punishment says that.

As fans, we can always claim a "west coast bias" but that isn't applicable.  The rules are the same for every school in the NCAA.  You break one and there are consequences.  Today, the NCAA told us that depending on the school and the cooperation, the punishment will be softer.  What's worse, is that the NCAA also sent a message to the school presidents and chancellors.  That message is to continue to break the rules, just don't get caught.  I'm sure that OSU will never get over this scandal.  Punishment being so severe.

The NFC East Playoff Chase

I've just been in a football mood today.  The NFC East is facing some crazy scenarios in the next 2 weeks and the Eagles aren't out of it either.  I know, between the Cowboy, Giants and Eagles, Philly has the smallest chance but its a chance none the less.  Especially after the way the Eagles have been playing the last couple of weeks.

It's simple for the Cowboys, win and you're in.  Easier said then done considering they get the Eagles at home then have to go to New York and play the Giants.  Talk about having to earn your way in.  However, the Cowboys aren't known for playing big when it matters.  For Dallas, the playoffs have started.

The Giants have squandered every opportunity they have been given.  The Giants have been an inconsistent playoff contender.  Coming off a near win against the then unbeaten Packers, the Giants went to Dallas and beat the Cowboys and take control of their playoff destiny.  The task at hand was to beat the Redskins at home and keep pace with the Cowboys.  Washington won 23-10.  So now, the Giants have to been the Jets and hope the Cowboys lose to the eagles.  Then, find a way to beat the Cowboys in week 17.  It can happen but that depends on which Giants team shows up.

After a supreme let down for most of the regular season, the Eagles find themselves in a position to still make the playoffs.  They need to win out and then get a lot of help.  Best case for Philly is to beat the Cowboys and hope the Jets beat the Giants.  Then, the Eagles must beat the Redskins and have the Giants beat the Cowboys.  In this case, the Eagles would have the tiebreakers over both the Giants and the Cowboys.

After the way this season has gone, is the scenario for the Eagles too far fetched?  Not at all.  Of the 3 teams, the Eagles are the team that is playing like they want to win.  Michael Vick is healthy and LaShon McCoy is playing lights out at the RB position.  McCoy is 2nd in the league in rushing and trailing Jones-Drew by roughly 60 yards.

While the Cowboys have an advantage in this division, all 3 of these teams have much to prove.  None of them have played consistently up to expectations.  Injuries have much to do with it but lack of consistent play is the main reason.  Eli Manning has made mistakes even with him being on pace to to break Marino's yards passing record for a time this season.  I'll talk about that record next time.  Tony Romo has the skills to get the job done but he doesn't show the will to get it done.  When will Romo decide that he is the man and then play like it?  No one but Romo knows.  Michael Vick has shown how well his skills at QB have improved.  If he can stay healthy, then lookout NFL.  Vick has all the help he needs to take the next step in his game.  Having a quality running game has proved great for QBs.  Look what happened for Elway when he got one: finally a super bowl champion, twice.  With McCoy and an O-line that seems to want to block now, the Eagles seem to be the team to beat.  These next 2 weeks should be very interesting.  Can't wait....

Battle: LA

*Before any Laker fans want to call me a hater, I like the Lakers.  I am a Bulls fan and have always been a Bulls fan.  You can't be a fan of a team that you hate at least twice a year. I call it as I see it.  I am a fan of basketball, period.

Once free agency started, we all expected the LA to make a splash to get back to its winning ways.  What we didn't expect was it to be the Clippers who made the splash.  They paid D Jordan, brought in C Billups and C Butler, and finalized a trade for C Paul.  WTF?!  Yeah, you read that right.  The Clippers starting five could look like this: Jordan at center, Griffin at PF, Butler at SF, Billups at SG and Paul at PG.  Lets all be honest, doesn't this starting five scare you at all?  Sure there are still questions considering that Butler and Paul are coming off injuries and Del Negro is the coach and this is the Clippers we are talking about.  This is a good story right now but given Sterling's past, how long should anyone expect this to last?  That is an answer for another time but I just wanted to put it out there.

Now, the Lakers, who have run LA, are slowly giving away pieces that won them championships.  Overspending has finally caught up with them and stupidity is taking over.  Say what you want about the vetoed trade but the Lakers were not a better team with that trade.  As much as Laker fans may cry about collusion and hatred toward the Lakers, the main reason Laker fans are wrong is that the trade with the Clippers allows the Hornets to field a decent team and gives stability for the next few years while it rebuilds.  Also, if the Lakers had gotten Chris Paul, basically they would have traded a solid front court for a solid back court.  The Lakers would have even more problems and wouldn't have been able to be in a position to go after D Howard.  So I have to credit David Stern for that.  Remember, the Hornets are still looking for an owner to buy the franchise and keep it in New Orleans.  I understand why the Lakers may feel slighted, considering they haven't had a PG since Ron Harper left, who really wasn't a PG so then that leaves Van Excel.  No knock on Derek Fisher but he can't keep up with the Rose, Westbrook's and Paul's of the NBA.  Even old man Jason Kidd ran circles around Fisher last season.  It seems the Lakers forgot that a new CBA is in place and getting good talent was seen as stupid compared to getting big names and raising their costs.  If the Lakers could have gotten both Paul and Dwight Howard, how could they have paid them both?  Even if they took less money, your still looking at paying them $17 mil a piece and then tack on the $24 mil that Kobe is getting, that is $58 mil right there.  They become the Miami Heat of last year.  Three great players and no depth.  Teams have won with a little depth but no team has won with no depth.  I can't name one.  Just like every great team of the past, time has caught up with the Lakers.

On paper, the Clippers have closed the gap between themselves and the Lakers.  The Clippers are in a position to finally fight to got deep in the playoffs and possibly win the division.  No, I am not crowning the Clippers the best in the west.  Only time will tell that story but at the same time, how can you not have higher expectations for the Clippers?  The answer is that you can't.  Health now becomes the main issue for the Clippers.  If all can stay mostly healthy, the Clippers will be top 4 in the West.  Yeah, I said it.  Dallas, OKC, Denver and the Clippers as it stands right now.  Now, the Spurs can make some moves before Christmas as well as the Lakers.  With Howard being off the table, for now, what will the Lakers do?  That is the magic question, no pun intended.  With only a 66 game schedule, the five games Bynum will miss will hurt a little more.  Now, Gasol has to show up but probably won't.  Gasol has benefited from having Odom and Bynum, more so with Odom.  With Odom gone and Bynum missing at least 5 games, plus whatever injury he will have, the Lakers must now rely on Blake and Barnes to help out with the scoring and defense.  Neither of which are known for any consistent defensive play.  Argue with me if you want, but if I'm so wrong, then why did the Lakers get embarrassed and bounced from the playoffs by the Mavs last year?  NO DEPTH and lack of any physical presence.  If you disagree then your lying to yourself.

Since December 9th, the defending champs lost a few pieces but gained replacements in Odom and Vince Carter.  While your laughing about Carter, his role isn't to be "Vinsanity" but to be a role player.  The Clippers upgraded.  Denver resigned Nene and the Grizzlies kept Marc Gasol (the better defending Gasol).  OKC stayed intact and even Golden State has added to their young squad.  Six western conference teams have all upgraded and none of them are named the Lakers.  I am not saying the Lakers can't or won't compete but with so many holes, I can't pick them as favorites.  Dallas won and didn't get worse while the Lakers lost and have taken a step back.

Now, some Laker fans will say that the Lakers will find a way.  I don't see how.  There is a lot of youth in the west outside of the Spurs and Mavs.  Teams are not adding to their rosters with a "win now" mentality anymore.  With the new CBA Steph Curry coming to the Lakers for nothing will not happen.  The Lakers have won championships by getting over on lesser teams, now its the Lakers turn to feel the pain.  I'm not taking anything away from the Lakers because all they could do is beat the teams in front of them.  Not made at that at all.  That is the nature of sports.   Kobe will still be Kobe but he only has 3 or 4 more years left.  Its time for the Lakers to be realistic.  The Lakers have been great over the last decade but all good things come to an end.

Ok NBA, let me get this straight...

So, we went through all of this and you had to try and have the last laugh. One more "fuck you" to the fans? Katt Williams said that there is nothing worse than a smart, dumb nigga. Well Katt, we have it. The NBA owners are worse. They got a much bigger piece of the BRI. Maube not as much as they may have wanted but much more then they had. Definatly more then they deserved. All to now try and control player movement. Delusional comes mind.

As long as a player is willing to take less money, big market teams will always land free agents. That is how it always has been and will continue to be. Contract size and length may be different but that's it. What's ironic is that the owner of the Cavs, Dan Gilbert, enjoyed all the benifits of "big market" money for seven years. Nowhere crying because LeBron left and took less money under the old agreement. People may not like how he left but we all understand why. No one wants to play in Cleveland. If this were not true then LeBron would still be there along with some superstar(s). I'm not knocking the city of Cleveland at all but there is no draw to that city like LA, New York or Chicago. If NBA history shows is anything it's that no teams wins championships without some sort of superstar tandem. I would have to go back to the '77 Blazers to even begin to find one but one could argue for Maurice Lucus and Bill Walton but you get my point.

Now, the league owned Hornets are about to loose their star Chris Paul. This is where delusions come into play again. The best deal the Hornets could get was vetoed for "basketball reasons". Whatever that means. The next deal win the Clippers fell apart because the Clippers ,smartly, turned it down because the Hornets were asking for way more the Paul is really worth. The flip side is that the Clippers actually did something right. When you compare the two deals, the NBA vetoed a deal that would have given the Hornets the better level of players in return for Paul the the players they were trying to get from the Clippers. All that's left is that since the Lakers were involved then it couldn't happen. So yet again the NBA has shot itself in the foot. Now Paul will leave after this season and the Hornets get nothing in return. Way to go NBA!

This lockout was about money. There is no doubt about that. Now the owners wha to gain control over player movement. Delusional once again because a free agent can go wherever he pleases. The owners will never be able to control that. A player can choose to sign or not sign extentions. Once again, the owners have no control. So I ask, what control are they trying to have? The control is always with the free agents.