Sunday, January 1, 2012

Sports Blog Net

Sports Blog Net

NBA Playoff Forecast

Posted: 01 Jan 2012 03:12 PM PST

The NBA season is young, and it's high time to make some early predictions regarding playoff seeding for the Western and Eastern Conferences. Last season ended with LeBron James and the Miami Heat falling to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. With revamped rosters across the conference, the west is wide open. There are still clear favorites however in the east, with the likes of Miami and Chicago. WESTERN CONFERENCE: 1. Oklahoma City Thunder Led by scoring champion Kevin Durant, and up and coming superstar Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City looks young and promising as a superpower out west. James Harden has elevated his game immensely this year and will look to lock down the third scoring option in the rotation for OKC. Kendrick Perkins anchors the middle, providing the defense and rebounding the Thunder have lacked for so many years. Another bold prediction: Kevin Durant will win MVP. 2. San Antonio Spurs Don't count out the aging spurs just yet. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker provide a talented big three, and coach Popovich still has a few tricks up his sleeve. DeJuan Blair is a force inside and Richard Jefferson is a consistent provider on the wing. 3. Portland Trail Blazers Top to bottom, this Portland team looks as complete as any team out west. Despite the retiring of 3 time all-star Brandon Roy, talent and depth is present at every position. Coach Nate McMillan has changed around the style of this team from a methodical, slow offense to a high speed and high-energy fast break team. Their defense is phenomenal with the likes of Marcus Camby and Gerald Wallace, and backcourt additions Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford will add much needed speed and shooting ability. Watch out for the Blazers come playoff time. 4. Los Angeles Lakers Everyone has been counting the Lakers out ever since the Chris Paul trade fell through. This is still an incredibly talented team with championship experience. A one-two punch of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasoil is arguably still one of the best in the league. Although losing Lamar Odom to Dallas and questions of depth make this an interesting year for Mike Brown's squad. 5. Dallas Mavericks The world champs have a very different team entering this season. They lost their defensive anchor in Tyson Chandler, and gained key role players in Lamar Odom and Delonte West. Vince Carter adds even more age to a very old backcourt, and it's very hard to believe that Dirk Nowitzki can work his magic yet again in the 2012 playoffs. 6. Los Angeles Clippers The "other" team in L.A. is now looking to take control of the city of angels. They landed Chris Paul in a blockbuster deal with New Orleans, and Blake Griffin is an emerging superstar in this league. The only question surrounding a very talented and deep Clippers team is chemistry, or a lack thereof. 7. Memphis Grizzlies Memphis shocked the NBA world by rolling over the number one seeded Spurs in the first round of last years playoffs. Their very talented and experienced lineup features Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Zach Randolph. If Gay can stay healthy and Randolph consistently produces, this could be a dangerous team come playoff time. 8. Denver Nuggets Ty Lawson and the Nuggets could be a surprise team out west. By resigning Nene, they kept their force in the middle to surround a myriad of great shooters and scorers. If coach Karl can preach team defense to his squad, they will do just fine this season. EASTERN CONFERENCE: 1. Miami Heat Across the board the Heat are extremely talented. The big three are hungry for a title, and despite the addition of veteran Shane Battier, Miami has hardly changed their roster. Chemistry is building, and rookie Norris Cole is a surprisingly dominant force at the point guard position. LeBron is tired of hearing all the talk about not having a ring, and he has a good chance to get it this year. 2. Chicago Bulls Reigning MVP Derrick Rose leads Chicago into 2012 with high expectations. The roster is fairly similar to last year, with a very big addition of Rip Hamilton. The shooting guard position was a concern last year for Chicago, and the answer may be Hamilton. 3. New York Knicks This is a defining year for Mike D'antoni. With Carmelo and Amare at the helm, and a defensive beast in Tyson Chandler, if the Knicks don't bring it together he will lose his job.  New York fans have been drooling over a championship ever since Patrick Ewing left. They have the talent; there is just a small question about defense and chemistry under coach D'antoni. 4. Orlando Magic This seeding is only possible if Dwight Howard stays in Orlando. With him gone, the Magic has relatively little offensive efficiency. Their team consists of an insane amount of 3-point shooters and isolation type players. Howard can be the difference between home court advantage in the first round, and owning a lottery pick. 5. Atlanta Hawks Joe Johnson is a great scorer, and a powerhouse frontcourt of Smith and Horford makes for a solid lineup in Atlanta. There are still huge questions about depth at every position. The loss of Jamal Crawford to Portland takes away a huge chunk of their scoring as well. 6. Boston Celtics The Celtics limp into 2012 with an aging and broken roster. Very little chemistry still exists from their championships of old, and Rajon Rondo will have to carry this team in every statistical category. Rebounding, age, consistency, and depth are glaring problems that the Celtics will face this season. 7. Philadelphia 76ers The Sixers are beginning a new regime under head coach Doug Collins. Many talented players surround Andre Iguodala, and coach Collins system seems like it will be effective. 8. Indiana Pacers The Pacers are steadily improving to become prominent in the eastern conference. Danny Granger is a lights-out scorer, and Roy Hibbert is coming into his own as a dominant inside force. There is still worry however that Indiana won't be able to define their third scoring option.

Getting nostalgic about classic baseball cards

Posted: 01 Jan 2012 11:01 AM PST

Today is the first day of a brand new year and while I usually simply consider the night before and this day to be just like any other, my thoughts have been turning recently and more and more to the past.  Guess it's a result of getting older and a somewhat slow baseball off season. It all started a couple of months ago when an ad for old baseball cards caught my eye.  As I scrolled down the list of this particular website, a set which I had thought no longer existed and one which I had occasionally dreamed about owning again one day caught my eye.  The 1962 Post Cereal baseball set. I can't recall how many of the actual set I had owned as a kid, (probably not more than 30 or 40 of the original 200 cards), but I have never forgotten the very first cards I cut off the back of the cereal box.  Looking at the pictures of the cards brought back a flood of memories.  I remembered the smell of the cards.  I remembered   making my mother wait (patiently?) In the grocery store while I searched for those cards I didn't yet have never mind the type of cereal it might be, and I remembered emptying the box in a bowl, not being able to wait a week or so until the box was empty. I would look at my six new cards over and over again, carefully cataloguing them with any others I might have.  I would listen to that night's game on the radio and whenever a player came to bat, or pitched, I would pull out that card.  In my mind's eye, I could see all the action on the field all those many miles away.  My card collection continued to grow and one lucky day, a friend of mine who was moving to Germany that fall, gave me a shoe box stuffed with baseball cards.  I now had Bowman and Topps and I can't remember what else, but there must have been a couple of hundred cards in that old shoe box. No one else I knew cared about baseball, Canada was then and is now a hockey country, and the only baseball game on television was the once a month Saturday Yankee or Dodger game on the French station of the Canadian Broadcasting corporation.  I didn't at that time understand any French but that didn't matter.  I really didn't know any of the players, which ones were stars and which were not.  To their credit, my parents would let me watch the game.  They had no interest in baseball and probably didn't understand my love for the game.  I probably didn't understand it either-but I knew for whatever reason, I cared about nothing else. In those days, the off season really was the offseason.  It was next to impossible to find any baseball news from the end of the World Series until that first Saturday game in April.  Sometimes there were no games until May or even June.  I suppose the information was out there in magazines such as The Sporting News and sports Illustrated, but I didn't have the money to subscribe to any of those publications.  The first baseball magazine which came out each year was Baseball Illustrated with their pre season preview and I sometimes managed to find a copy of Street and Smith.  Baseball Illustrated had color pictures of the leagues previous season leaders.  These, of course, went up on my wall first thing.  My chances of actually seeing a major league game were less than nil.  These pictures, along with my Post baseball cards, were all I had to look at and dream about. Over the past couple of months I have been purchasing the 1962 Post Cereal baseball cards from what has turned out to be an excellent and very reliable website. I don't usually go for the stars although I have purchased Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Sandy Koufax to name a few of the stars from that era.  But my most prized are the three I originally cut off that cereal box way back in 1962.  Woody Held, Vada Pinson and Lee Maye were those first.  I take those three out and look at them every day.  I have a special box for them. When I look at them, I am seven years old again. When I look at them, baseball once again is free of player salaries and steroid scandals and all the rest. I am innocent and I feel safe. I know I'm not alone.

2012 Rose Bowl Preview: Wisconsin vs. Oregon

Posted: 01 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST

[caption id="attachment_1832" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="As good as Wisconsin's offense has been, Oregon's combination of RB LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas may be too much to handle at the 2012 Rose Bowl. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)"][/caption] Tuesday's 2012 Rose Bowl matches up the losers of the previous two Rose Bowls: Wisconsin lost to TCU in 2011; Oregon to Ohio State in 2010. Each team wants a victory to replace the sour taste of the previous year's loss, and for the Ducks the feeling is doubled, having lost last year's BCS Championship. The Badgers and Ducks mirror each other in many other ways, too. Both went 11-2 in the regular season, each losing one game they absolutely should have one (Wisconsin vs. OSU, Oregon vs. USC). Both teams feature rush-first offenses, with the Ducks ranked sixth (295.7) and the Badgers 11th (237.4) in the NCAA in rushing yards per game. And both teams score a ton of points, with the Ducks ranked third in the NCAA in points per game (46.2), and the Badgers just two points behind at fifth. So who wins? Here's my preview.

Wisconsin Offense Slightly Better

Both offenses play at the extremely high level expected of two top-five scoring teams. Wisconsin's Russell Wilson connects over 70 percent of the time, averages a first down a catch and rarely makes mistakes, posting a ridiculous 31-3 touchdown-interception ratio. Oregon's Darron Thomas, meanwhile, throws with 61.4 percent accuracy and sports a 5:1 (30:6 actual) touchdown-interception ratio. Wilson's speed, especially running against a blitz, gives him a slight edge, but only slight. Wisconsin has the same slight edge at running back. Heisman Trophy-finalist Montee Ball has rushed for more yards and scored more touchdowns than anyone else in the NCAA. He could very well break Barry Sanders' record for single-season touchdowns. Ball is the best offensive weapon the Badgers have, but he's still only slightly better than the Ducks' LaMichael James, who ranks fourth in the NCAA with 1,646 and averages a yard more per carry than Ball. Ball can take over games, but so can James. Look for the Badgers to try at least one Ball-to-Wilson pass this game - it's worked twice this season for big gains, but Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema so rarely uses trick plays that this one hasn't lost its surprise-factor. At receiver, the Badgers have a bigger advantage. Both teams' top two receivers have combined for 16-17 touchdowns, but Wisconsin's Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis have racked up nearly 600 more yards than Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas and Lavasier Tuinei. If either team has to win the game in the air, Wisconsin's receivers are far more likely to make big plays. And if the Ducks shut down the actual wideouts, tight end Jacob Pederson (339 yards, eight touchdowns) might just make a play or two.

Ducks Stronger Up Front Defensively

The Ducks have the third-best sacking defense in the league. Defensive end Dion Jordan leads the team with just 7.5 of the team's 42 total, suggesting just how many pass-rushers the Ducks have that can reach the QB. That's bad news for the Badgers' offensive line, which has suffered several injuries and allowed 20 sacks on Wilson. If the Ducks' break through the line the way they've been able to in the past, it could be a long day for Wilson. Still, even during a blitz Wilson has often show nthe wherewithal to either tuck the ball and run, throw it away or just take the hit and get back up. The Ducks intercept passes just slightly (16-15) better than the Badgers, but their pickoff-prowess lies once again in their front seven. For the Badgers, most of the pickoffs have come from the secondary, including four each from safety Shelton Johnson and defensive back Antonio Fenelus. However, opportunistic defensive backs are a double-edged sword: if they make the right moves they can often turn the game around with key interceptions, misses leave their receivers open for huge gains.

Prediction

Neither team kicks a lot of field goals, though the Badgers are slightly more accurate. This game is really going to be decided at the line of scrimmage. If the Ducks establish James' running game, James can easily match Ball yard for yard. If the Ducks have to pass, their offensive line has been much better at protecting Thomas, allowing just nine sacks. If the Badgers can get to Thomas and force some bad passes, their chances of a game-changing interception go up. Otherwise, the Ducks will pick apart the Badgers' defensive vulnerabilities. The Badgers allow nearly a touchdown fewer per game than the Ducks, but the Ducks execute on a level the Badgers rarely face. Like other opponents, the Ducks will put up big yardage totals. But unlike other teams, the Ducks will match that yardage with scores. Ducks 41, Badgers 34.

NFL Week 17 Predictions

Posted: 31 Dec 2011 03:42 PM PST

The final week of the 2011-12 season is upon us, and here are my picks for the upcoming matchups: Carolina @ New Orleans My Pick: New Orleans Chicago @ Minnesota My Pick: Minnesota NY Jets @ Miami My Pick: Miami San Francisco @ St. Louis My Pick: San Francisco Detroit @ Green Bay My Pick: Detroit Washington @ Philadelphia My Pick: Philadelphia Indianapolis @ Jacksonville My Pick: Jacksonville Tennessee @ Houston My Pick: Houston Seattle @ Arizona My Pick: Seattle Kansas City @ Denver My Pick: Denver Tampa Bay @ Atlanta My Pick: Atlanta Baltimore @ Cincinnati My Pick: Cincinnati Pittsburgh @ Cleveland My Pick: Pittsburgh San Diego @ Oakland My Pick: San Diego Dallas @ NY Giants My Pick: NY Giants  

2012 NFL Draft Watch: Bowl Games Part 5 (DEC.31)

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 04:53 PM PST

Written by: Mark Scott It's New Year's Eve Day and it is jam packed with Bowl games, except it's not overly packed with top prospects or even that many mid to late round players. Regardless there are still a handful of notable Day 1 and 2 prospects to watch like QB Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller of Texas A&M, Virginia's CB Chase Minnifield and DE Cam Johnson as well as Illinois's DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus. All rankings attained from CBSSports.com/NFLDraftScout.com, SI's Tony Pauline and ESPN's Todd McShay.   Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, December 31/2011 Texas A&M Aggies vs. Northwestern Wildcats The early game between the Aggies and Wildcats features the most prospects of any game on New Year's Eve, although all of the notable players will be playing for Texas A&M as Northwestern has just a trio of prospects fighting to earn a spot very late in the draft and trying to avoid going undrafted. Those three players for Northwestern are rSr FB Drake Dunsmore, rSr CB Jordan Mabin and rSr Brian Peters. Now on to the real reasons to watch this game and that is the Aggies' top four prospects starting with rSr QB Ryan Tannehill, who is earning late first, early second round buzz. The former Freshman All-American wide receiver burst on to the scene as a Quarterback midway through 2010 after taking over for starter Jerrod Johnson and leading the Aggies on a six-game winning streak and a bowl berth to end the season, while putting up impressive numbers during that time. Tannehill is a great athlete with excellent mobility and good arm strength while possessing the NFL prototype size for a QB at 6'4, 222lbs. He's made incredible progress in his development as a QB in just a short time, which bodes well for his future development as an NFL starting signal-caller. He still has improvements to make, namely in his accuracy and decision-making, but that will come with more experience and coaching. Sr WR Jeff Fuller is a big, very strong wide out with great hands and has the ability to make plays over the middle and go deep while also being a very good blocker, although he battled injuries and inconsistent play this season and his stock has taken a big hit from being considered a late first-rounder to start the year. He's now being talked about as a third or fourth round choice, but could move back up draft boards with an excellent combine which is expected for this physical specimen. Next for the Aggies is rSr CB Coryell Judie, a former track star, who is a tough, hard-nosed corner that rarely gets beat due to his exceptional speed. He didn't start playing football until his senior year in high school and still has some development left to make in his game, but he does have good ball skills and can make tackles by himself in open field. He is also dangerous as a returner and grades out as a late Day 2 selection. Sr RB Cyrus Gray is a productive multi-purpose back, but is still a bit of a tweener as he has yet to figure what type of rusher he exactly is. He has good strength and is a solid blocker, but is not overly big to be an inside the tackles pounding back or exceptionally fast to be a speed-demon on the outside. He still needs to develop the type of running back he is going to be and rates out to be a fourth or fifth round pick.   Hyundai Sun Bowl, December 31/2011 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Utah Utes The battle between Georgia Tech and Utah will feature a couple of prospects for both teams, although three of the five could return to school for another year. Jr NT Star Lotulelei is the player to really watch in this game as he has top-end first round potential. The huge Nose Tackle is extremely strong and has the ability to take on numerous blockers and control the line of scrimmage, while still being able to make plays in the backfield from time to time as shown by his 6 tackles for loss this season. While he is receiving very high draft grades, the rumors are that he is surprisingly leaning towards returning for his senior year. Utah also has a pair of possible Day 3 Offensive Tackle prospects in SR RT Tony Bergstrom and SR LT John Cullen. Bergstrom is a very intelligent and reliable pass-protector and run blocker, while Cullen is also good in pass protection, but will probably have to move inside to Guard in the pros. Georgia Tech also has a pair of Day 3 prospects in rJr OG Omoregie Uzzi and Jr CB Rod Sweeting.  Uzzi is a great athlete with good footwork that is an excellent blocker and shows improvement every game out. He is developing into a top interior lineman and another year of college football should shoot him up draft boards for the 2013 draft. Sweeting is a good corner and Georgia Tech's top defender. He has fantastic ball skills as evidenced by his 3 interceptions and 12 pass defenses this season and is a solid tackler. He has NFL size and continues to get better. Like Uzzi, another year of development in the college ranks should do wonders for his draft stock.   AutoZone Liberty Bowl, December 31/2011 Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores There's not a whole lot to talk about in this matchup between Cincinnati and Vanderbilt, but both teams do have some mid to late round prospects who should be drafted and make NFL teams as rotational players. Cincinnati features the top prospect in this game in Sr RB Isaiah Pead, who's back to back 1000+ yard rushing seasons have him rated among the top ten draft eligible running backs and earning a third round draft grade.  Named to the 2011 All-Big East First-Team, Pead rushed for 1110 yards and 11 touchdowns, while he also displayed excellent hands out of the backfield with 36 receptions for 304 receiving yards and 3 scores this season. He has fantastic straight-line speed that allows him to break off big chunks of yardage. Sr DT Derek Wolfe was one of the most productive and effective pass rushers in all of college football this season with 9.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in being named to the 2011 All-Big East First-Team. He is tough, physical and a relentless pass rusher from the inside. His play this year impressed scouts and moved him into an early Day 3 selection. While Vanderbilt doesn't have any early round prospects they do have a trio of potential Day 3 players who could be solid contributors as backups on NFL defenses. Sr CB Casey Hayward is an aggressive defender that plays with an edge and loves to get involved in making tackles and stopping the run. He is reliable in coverage and has very good ball skills as seen by his 5 picks and 14 pass breakups this year. Sr SS Sean Richardson is a big, intimidating safety that is a powerful hitter and good at stopping the run. A solid linebacker, rSr ILB Chris Marve could earn late seventh round consideration.   Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, December 31/2011 UCLA Bruins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Another game where one team has all of the notable prospects as Illinois comes into this matchup with a couple of potential early round selections. Their top prospect is rJr DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus, who exploded onto the scene this year with 14.5 sacks and an incredible 9 forced fumbles and may be the top pass-rusher in the draft. Mercilus has an NFL body and all the physical attributes with size, speed and strength to be a star pass-rusher in the pros. He has an explosive first step and can easily shed blockers on his way into the backfield. His size should allow him to be effective as either a natural defensive end in the 4-3 or standing up as a 3-4 OLB. Another early round and very interesting prospect, rSo DT Akeem Spence is young, but has had scouts eyeing him since stepping onto the field for the Fighting Illini and could still very likely return to school for at least another season. Like Mercilus, he is very strong with a great first step that allows him to blow past blockers into the backfield. He already has NFL size and is very similar to former Illini and Chargers' first-round pick Corey Liuget. If he enters the draft he could get some first round love and won't last past the second round. Illinois also has a pair of Day 3 prospects in Sr WR A.J. Jenkins and Sr OT Jeff Allen. Jenkins is incredibly fast and could put up a 40 time under 4.4. He has the ability to blow past defensive backs and make plays deep, although his size and strength will need to improve if he is to hold up against stronger defenders on the outside. He will also need to improve his route-running and discipline if he is to become a possession wide receiver at the next level. He could go as high as the fourth round. Allen is a talented, experienced lineman that can play both tackle positions, but probably fits best as a Right Tackle in the NFL. For UCLA, Sr SS Tony Dye and rJr Jonathon Franklin could be looked at late on Day 3, but I expect Franklin to return to school for his final year with such a low draft grade.   Chick-Fil-A Bowl, December 31/2011 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Auburn Tigers The final game of the day and the year will showcase four note-worthy prospects in Virginia's rSr CB Chase Minnifield, Sr DE Cam Johnson and JR OT Oday Aboushi as well as Auburn's Sr OT Brandon Mosely. Minnifield is an excellent cover corner and the son of former Browns Pro Bowl defensive back Frank Minnifield. He is intelligent with exceptional ball skills and the ability to eventually become a number one corner in the pros.  A solid second round selection, he may even come off the board in the late first, perhaps to the defensive back-needy New England Patriots, who have two first round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. Cam Johnson is good, but not an overwhelming pass rusher, who should fit best into a rotation with a traditional 4-3 scheme. He does have the ability to get to opposing Quarterbacks and is decent against the run. He should be a Day 2 prospect, but because he is not exceptional in any one area he may fall to the fourth round. Oday Aboushi could be the next in a long line of Virginia Offensive linemen drafted into the NFL. He has great size and mobility and can handle fast, physical pass rushers. Aboushi could stand to use another year of the college game to gain more experience and continue to fill out his large frame. Auburn's Brandon Mosley is a raw talent, who continues to improve, largely due to his great work ethic. He has long arms with a good base and is a fast learner. He could eventually become a legitimate NFL starter with some good coaching and more experience. Each team also features a possible late seventh round selection in Virginia's rSr DT Matt Conrath and Auburn's Sr FS Neiko Thorpe.

Question of the day

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 03:57 PM PST

It's the last week of the NFL regular season coming up, and some teams don't have much to play for. Teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans have nothing to gain or lose in terms of playoff positioning; their spots are already clinched. This means that they have the option to rest starting players or pull players after a quarter or a half of football. My question to the public is "Should the teams that have nothing to play for be obligated to play their players for all the games?" Personally, I feel like they should because they're getting paid millions of dollars. This is their job and they have a whole off season to recover. With that said, I do understand that the teams who are in that position have earned the right to what they want with their players. I feel like this is an interesting discussion because you can come from a lot of angles on both sides. I want to hear your opinion. Please respond.

NBA season has some intrigue

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 02:40 PM PST

Now I know that a lot of was upset because of the NBA Lockout. With the economic times that we have experienced in the last few years, the last thing that we want to hear about is billionaire owners going against millionaire players. But let's be honest. Once they get all the legal mess sorted out and the games start, everything is forgiven and we're all about watching the product. America is a forgiving public, and once things get back to normal nothing else really matters. This is the case with the NBA as well. One thing that I can't deny is that the fallout from the lockout has produced a season that hasn't had this must intrigue since the last lockout season in 1998-'99. We are all interested in how all the teams will handle this compressed 66-game schedule. Teams will have to play five games in six nights. That makes for some exciting games to played. It hasn't even been a week yet and they're has been all kinds of questions asked about certain teams when it comes to the playoffs. I haven't been this excited about NBA basketball in December in a while. I can't wait for the rest of the season to play itself at. Look at all the questions we are asking. Are the defending champion Dallas Mavericks in panic mode? Will the Los Angeles Lakers be able to stay in the elite class of teams? Are the Miami Heat unbeatable? Is this the year the Oklahoma City Thunder will max out that young potential and turn it into a title? Will the Los Angeles Clippers become a force with the addition of PG Chris Paul? Will Dwight Howard stay in Orlando? Will the New York Knicks return to prominence? That's just a few of the questions that we are waiting to get answers to. I was one of those guys who was upset about the lockout, but I knew once they start playing I would forgive and want to go to check the games out. There's no way I'm going to stay away from NBA games because I like the sport too much. A lot of fans are like that. If you like something a bunch, there will come a time that you will start to miss the product. If that wasn't the case, there wouldn't be so much intrigue. So let's just enjoy the season. The games are going at a high pace and we love it. This is great and I can't wait to write about it in the very near future.

The Red Zone: Chicago Bulls 2011-2012 Season Preview

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 09:21 AM PST

The Bulls are a trendy pick to win it all this season, and for good reason. Their starting five is the best in basketball, boasting a near-perfect mix of talent and teamwork. The cornerstone this year is Derrick Rose, one of the NBA's best players and last season's league MVP. The 23-year-old point guard is a scoring machine who finds a way to the basket no matter how heavy the traffic. Rose is joined by newcomer Richard Hamilton in the backcourt, and while the former All-Star has lost a couple steps at the age of 33, his addition brings valuable playoff experience to a team that desperately needs to get over the postseason hump. Luol Deng is the least-talked about player in Chicago's starting lineup, but the eigth-year small forward has serious game. He averaged 17.4 points a game in 2010-11 to go with nearly six rebounds a contest. This could be the type of breakout year that gets Deng to the All-Star game in February. Power forward Carlos Boozer, last season's biggest offseason addition in the Windy City, was an impact player when he stayed healthy. He missed more than 20 games due to a fluky hand injury, and his biggest goal will be to bring his 17.3 career scoring average to United Center on a nightly basis. Everyone will be watching Joakim Noah in 2012 to see if his ankle is fully healed from an injury he sustained in March. The Bulls are certainly concerned; they gave Noah a $60 million contract extension before last year, and Noah has missed 52 total games the last two years. When Noah does get on the court, he is a fierce emotional leader who plays good defense and puts the ball in the basket when he is called upon. The Bulls' weakness this year will definitely be the post players on their bench. Although Boozer and Noah are more than stellar options in the starting lineup, the depth is lacking at the big man positions. Omer Asik and Brain Scalabrine are the only options down low if something happens to the starters, which is very bad when you remember that they both missed significant amounts of time last season. Asik, a 25-year-old center from Turkey, played in all 82 games last year, averaging 2.8 points per game. Scalabrine only appeared in 18 contests, managing a measley 1.1 points per contest. Taj Gibson, a 6'9" small forward who played almost 22 minutes a game in 2010-11, will most likely see extensive time at the 'four' position.  The third-year man from USC played well last season, but is not really the best answer in the post. While the frontcourt depth is lacking, the backcourt has the talent to pick up the slack. Kyle Korver is always ready to hop of the bench and drain a three, while Ronnie Brewer also offers a solid offensive output. C.J. Watson is a nice option at point guard when Rose needs a rare breather. He offered a spark off the bench in the playoffs, dishing out seven and five assists in games against Indiana and Miami, respectively. Rookie Jimmy Butler won't do a whole lot this year besides ride the pine and get into some deep conversations with John Lucas, who also won't see much action. Tom Thibodeau returns as head coach after an excellent rookie season on the bench. He compiled a league-best 62-20 record on his way to the Coach of the Year award in 2010-11 and looks to secure the top seed in the East for a second straight year.

Somerville Girls’ Basketball Takes Third Over O’Bryant in Eleventh Annual Highlander Hoopfest

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST

(written, shot, edited and narrated for Somerville Patch) http://youtu.be/Ty4nlPyjptc Led by sophomore forward Melissa Baptista's double-double and junior guard Indira Evora's game-high 12 points, the Highlanders beat the O'Bryant Tigers in the consolation round of the 11th Annual Highlander Hoopfest, 53-37, Wednesday at the SHS Field House. Needham defeated Fontbonne Academy later that night, 44-43, winning the tournament. Melissa McGovern sank a layup on the opening possession of the game, giving the Highlanders the only lead they'd need. The Tigers' strong interior presence frequently put them on the foul line, but they could only chip at the Highlanders' lead, never tying or actually taking the lead. "This tournament is always a learning experience for the kids, because the teams out here, most of them are from the suburbs," said Tiger coach Gertrude Fisher. "They're a different breed of team." Tiger free throws also usually keyed long scoring runs by the Highlanders. When the Tigers cut the lead to 7-4 in the first, the Highlanders scored the next six, highlighted by Baptista grabbing her own rebound following a miss and putting it in for the 11-4 lead. Two second-quarter Tiger free throws cut the Highlander lead to 16-13, but the Highlanders scored the next five, highlighted by a perfect three-pointer from junior Chyenne Miles. And when a third-quarter Tiger free throw made it 25-21 Highlanders, the Highlanders put the game away for good. Junior Esther Joseph knocked down a three-pointer, senior Marie Koutsoubaris hit a layup, then Evora grabbed an offensive rebound and drained it to put the Highlanders up 34-22. Evora's rebound came following a terrific defensive play by sophomore Taylor Machado, who batted away a dribble and took off for the basket, missing the shot but setting up Evora for the easy put-back. Somerville stole 16 passes Wednesday, with senior Lorenza Etienne leading the team with four. Sometimes Somerville batted away dribbles, sometimes they intercepted passes, and sometimes they just ripped the ball away from O'Bryant players. "In the second half, our defense improved, and our offense at the point of attack improved," said Highlander coach John DePasquale. "We were being passive against their in-our-shirt defense in the first half at the point of the attack. In the second we stopped that, and we started attacking that, and that made a big difference." The Highlanders scored 16 points in the fourth, by far their most prolific quarter. Half those points came at the free-throw line. Though the Highlanders shot just 27.2 percent (including shots missed due to fouls) from the floor Wednesday, they went 20-for-29 at the line. The Highlanders also played a strong interior offensive game. Baptista scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Koutsoubaris backed her up with 10 and seven. Though Baptista is taller, Koutsoubaris' maturity and experience has made her a consistent, sure-shooting forward. "She has the best understanding right now – because she's a senior, more experienced – of how to use her body to get a good catch," DePasquale says. "And then, she's got a wonderful touch." Despite the victory, Somerville showed a troubling vulnerability to backcourt pressure. The Highlanders turned the ball over five times on inbound passes, usually throwing the ball out of bounds untouched. "Our kids don't yet understand how to pass the ball to a closely guarded teammate," DePasquale said. Somerville also struggled with defensive rebounds, allowing the Tigers 20 second-chance opportunities. With three practices scheduled before their game against Notre Dame Academy next Thursday, DePasquale said the team would definitely work on controlling the rebound fully before passing.

2012 NFL Draft Watch: Bowl Games Part 4 (DEC.30)

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 09:48 PM PST

Written by: Mark Scott Bowl Mania continues and while the day will start out slowly with just one possible first-round talent in Rutgers WR Mohammed Sanu along with a handful of mid to late round prospects in the early games, the day and number of top prospects will quickly get better when Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Iowa take the field. Prospects like DT Fletcher Cox, OT Riley Reiff and QB Landry Jones will all be first round picks and possibly even Top Ten selections in Reiff's and Jones' case. All rankings attained from CBSSports.com/NFLDraftScout.com, SI's Tony Pauline and ESPN's Todd McShay.   Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, December 30/2011 Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Brigham Young Cougars There are just three notable prospects playing in this matchup between Tulsa and BYU, including one who now probably wishes he had entered the draft last year. That prospect is Cougars' rSr OT Matt Reynolds.  The Left Tackle passed on the 2010 draft to play his final season at school, a decision he likely regrets after he struggled through a very disappointing season that saw his draft stock plummet from a Top 100 selection, even getting some first round buzz, to now falling as low as the fifth round grade he is currently receiving from most sources. Reynolds is a large, thick-bodied athlete that looks more like an NFL Right Tackle or Guard, where he'll most likely end up playing in the pros, than the Left Tackle position he's played for the majority of his career. He has been successful for the most part playing on the blind side because of his quickness and a very good set of feet that allows him to handle the faster pass rushers coming at him. He is a very experienced and mature player with the size and skills to play in the pros, he just needs to get his game back on track to live up to the expectations bestowed upon him. BYU's other top prospect is another extremely large man, but on defense. A former USC-transfer, rSr NT Hebron Fagupo is massive at 6'1, 331lbs. and knows how to use that size to his advantage. Fangupo takes up a ton of room in the middle and is very good at stopping the run and taking on multiple blockers. He is still a bit of project right now, but has a ton of upside and could end up being a lot better than most of the other twenty Defensive Tackles currently rated above him. For Tulsa, only Jr FS Dexter McCoil appears to be draft-worthy, though he could return to school for another year to try to improve his fifth-round rating. McCoil is a big, hard-hitting safety that is exceptional against the run, while also having the ball skills to be effective in pass defense as evidenced by his 4 interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He has a lot of upside and could see his stock move up the board as the draft nears. New Era Pinstripe Bowl, December 30/2011 Iowa State Cyclones vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Like the Bowl game that plays before it the matchup between Rutgers and Iowa State will also feature three notable players that will be in the 2012 NFL Draft. It all starts with Scarlet Knights Jr WR Mohammed Sanu, who obliterated the school and Big East conference single-season record for receptions with 109 catches this year in being named to the 2011 All-Big East First-Team. The big wide receiver has a great set of hands that allows him to make the tough plays over the middle and the highlight-reel catches deep, while being a serious threat in the red-zone. He's not Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd, but he is quickly moving into late first round discussions along with the likes of Kendall Wright and Alshon Jeffrey and won't last past the second round.  The Scarlet Knights also have two players in rSr OG Desmond Wynn and rSr OLB Manny Abreu, who could work their way into the seventh round. The other two notable draft eligible prospects in this game come from Iowa State's side of the field in rSr OG Kelechi Osemele and Sr CB Leonard Johnson. A Day 2 prospect, Osemele is a huge athlete with big-time potential and a ton of experience playing in all 49 of Iowa State's games over the past four seasons and was named to the 2011 All-Big 12 First-Team. He has the strength and talent to play right away and has the ability to destroy oncoming defenders, although he does seem to take plays off from time to time and will need to change that. He's played at both Left Tackle and Guard during his time in school and is probably best suited to play on the interior of the line in the NFL. Sr CB Leonard Johnson is a complete corner that can cover and tackle with good ball skills that plays with an edge. Scouts love him, though his lack of height will hurt him from going earlier in the draft, but he still should be selected by the late third round.   Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, December 30/2011 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons There are two early rounds studs playing in this game for the Bulldogs, while both teams also have a couple of mid to late round prospects each. Mississippi State Jr DT Fletcher Cox is skyrocketing up draft boards all the way up to the middle of the first round ahead of players like Michigan State's Jerel Worthy and Clemson's Brandon Thompson after a career year in the SEC. Named to the 2011 All-SEC First-Team after a season is which he recorded 49 tackles, 12.5 for loss (most by any SEC DT) and 4 sacks, Cox staked his claim to being the best Defensive Tackle in the entire SEC. An exceptional athlete with the strength, size and speed to fit into any defensive scheme at a multitude of positions along the defensive line, Cox is still getting better and might have more upside than any other defender in the draft. A for sure first-rounder, teams will be clamoring amongst each other to get him. One of the top corners in the draft, Jr CB Jonathon Banks has scouts salivating at the chance to plug him into their defensive backfield. Along with the size NFL teams want, Banks is a complete corner with elite skills in all areas as evidenced by his fantastic season that saw him record 64 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions (1 INT TD return) and 9 pass breakups, as well as displaying returner skills with 16 punt returns for 166 yards and a score. He may find his way late into the first round, but will definitely come off the board early on Day 2. Along with Cox and Banks, Mississippi State has four other player that should be drafted in the mid to late rounds in Sr RB Vick Ballard, rSr C Quentin Saulsberry, Sr OT James Cameron and Sr SS Charles Mitchell. Ballard a tough, physical runner and could go as early as the fourth round. For Wake Forest, rJr WR Chris Givens and Sr OG Joe Looney could be drafted in the third round or early on Day 3, while rSr OLB Kyle Wilber will get seventh round consideration. Givens really came into his own with a great season this year that saw him make 74 catches for 1276 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He has the size and receiving skills to be a productive third wide out in the pros. Looney is big with great agility that has displayed a solid work ethic while being a very productive lineman for the Demon Deacons throughout his collegiate career. An intelligent, hard-working guy, Looney is a player that teams can play right away and not have to worry about him doing something stupid or being out of position. Insight Bowl, December 30/2011 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa Hawkeyes The game of the day, Sooners versus Hawkeyes will feature two of the top prospects in the draft in Landry Jones and Riley Reiff, along with a large contingent of others from these two big time programs. Oklahoma's rJr QB Landry Jones appears destined for the Top Ten of the draft should he choose to enter it. While his stock has taken a hit over the past two months since his safety net and go-to wide receiver Ryan Broyles got hurt, Jones should still be drafted very early with so many QB-needy teams among the Top 15 of the draft. Remember that in last year's draft, teams reached for players like Jake Locker and Christian Ponder, who had similar grades to Jones.  The Oklahoma product is a pocket-passer with the NFL prototypical size that teams want, as well as a good enough arm to make all the throws necessary in the pros. He does however struggle with his accuracy at times and still needs to improve his decision-making when facing pressure. He has the strong will and the skills to become an NFL starter, he just needs to polish his game up a bit and become more consistent. The Sooners also feature two outstanding outside linebackers, Jr Ronnell Lewis and rSr Travis Lewis. Although he will sit out this game due to academic issues, Ronnell Lewis is still worth mentioning as he could be taken in the late first round, but will probably come off the board early on Day 2. Lewis is an extremely athletic pass rusher that makes a ton of plays behind the line of scrimmage, but also has the ability to chase down ball-carriers all over the field. He appears to just be finding his form and only stands to get that much better with more experience. Due to his lack of size, he probably fits best as pass-rushing 4-3 weak side linebacker similar to the type of role Denver's Von Miller plays, he's just not as explosive. Travis Lewis has had scouts drooling since he stepped on the Oklahoma campus, reminding folks of the legendary Brian Bosworth, minus most of the flash. He does possess the same physical abilities as Bosworth with excellent speed, strength and agility. Lewis may be the definition of a complete linebacker as he can play any and all of the linebacker positions without missing a beat. He is an intelligent player with fantastic instincts and great tackling ability. He can explode through the gaps to stop the run and has no problem dropping into pass coverage and chasing down speedy wide receivers. Lewis won't last long on Day 2. After both linebackers, Oklahoma has a trio of possible Day 3 selections in rSr CB Jamell Fleming, rSr WR Ryan Broyles and rSr OT Donald Stephenson. While Stephenson will have to work his way into a late spot in the draft, Fleming and Broyles should be selected somewhere in the fifth or sixth rounds. One of the most successful receivers in Sooners history, Broyles appeared to be well on his way to earning a second round grade, but a devastating knee injury has left his future in doubt and if he can't show that he is healthy or on his way to being healthy in pre-draft medicals, he could unfortunately go undrafted, though some team probably will take the risk on him that he will return to his former self when fully recovered. Just like Oklahoma, the Hawkeyes feature an amazing six draft eligible prospects starting with early first round pick rJr LT Riley Reiff, the next in a long line of star offensive linemen from Iowa. Reiff is excellent in pass protection and continues to get better as a ferocious run blocker. He's athletic, nasty and agile with solid footwork and a ton of upside as a long-time franchise Left Tackle. After Reiff is a group of Day 3 selections in Sr CB Shaun Prater, rSr OLB Tyler Nielsen, rSr WR Marvin McNutt, rSr OT Markus Zusevics and rSr Mike Daniels. Prater is a speedy corner that is solid in coverage with good ball skills and can make tackles in open space. McNutt is the most interesting prospect among the group  as a big, strong possession wide receiver that can make all the tough catches over the middle, while still being able to beat his man deep from time to time.

Week 17 Rankings: K

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 02:21 PM PST

  Start the highest ranked player 1. David Akers 2. Dan Bailey 3. Mason Crobsy 4. John Kasay 5. Stephen Gostowski 6. Sebastian Janikowski 7. Robbie Gould 8. Jason Hansen 9. Alex Henrey 10. Mike Nugent 11. Neil Rackers 12. Rob Bironas 13. Nick Novak 14. Matt Bryant 15. Dan Carpenter 16. Matt Prater 17. Nick Folk 18. Billy Cundiff 19. Steven Hauschka 20. Grahm Gano

Week 17 Ranks: Defense

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 02:13 PM PST

  Start the highest ranked player 1. 49ers 2. Steelers 3. Ravens 4. Seahawks 5. Bears 6. Falcons 7. Eagles 8. Texans 9. Bengals 10. Dolphins 11. Jets 12. Lions 13. Packers 14. Titans 15. Cardinals 16. Jaguars 17. Broncos 18. Chiefs 19. Chargers 20. Giants

Week 17 Ranks: TE's

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:46 PM PST

  If you have any questions on who to start, select the highest ranked player to put in your lineup. 1. Rob Gronkowski 2. Jimmy Graham 3. Antonio Gates 4. Jason Witten 5. Aaron Hernandez 6. Tony Gonzalez 7. Vernon Davis 8. Brent Celek 9. Brandon Pettigrew 10. Jared Cook 11. Dustin Keller 12. Jermaine Greisham 13. Jermichael Finley 14.  Kellen Winslow 15. Greg Olsen 16. Owen Daniels 17. Scott Chandler 18. Heath Miller 19.  Evan Moore 20. Mercedes Lewis Quick Hits: You don't have to be an expert to know you should start Rob Gronkowski this week. This guy is an absolute beast and is unquestionably the best tight end in pro football, bar none. He's caught 15 tds this year (an NFL record) and has had at least 50 yards or four receptions in every game but one. He's the model of consistency and torched the Bills for 109 yards and two tds in the first meeting. He hasn't scored in two weeks, so expect a big day to end the season in an effort to help the Pats wrap up home field throughout the AFC playoffs. I also like Aaron Hernandez, who is ranked 5th this week and is fresh off being snubbed for the Pro Bowl in favor of Antionio Gates. Therefore, I think Hernandez will be out to prove he deserved a Pro Bowl selection, so look for a good week from him. Jason Witten is another guy im high on this week. He has a great matchup as only four teams give up more fantasy points to tight ends than the Giants, so even though Witten only had one catch for 12 yards in the first matchup, he has always been a safety net for Tony Romo, so expect him to get plenty of targets and has about a 50/50 chance to reach the end zone, in a do or die game that will define the season for Dallas. Jared Cook was a guy I was really high on as a sleeper before the season and ended up drafting in five leagues, unfortunately my faith wasn't rewarded as he went over 50 yards only three times and scored only twice in the first 14 games. However, Cook has been the player I thought he could be the last two weeks, going over a hundred yards in each game and racking up 22 fantasy points last week against the Jaguars  (standard format) after notching 169 yards and a td. The matchup isn't great as the Texans allow the fourth fewest fantasy points to tight ends but Cook has looked like a beast the last two weeks and if you need a big week from your tight end, he may be your guy. Deep Sleeper: Scott Chandler - Chandler may not get alot of yards but does have six td catches this year and has a chance to find the end zone this week against the Pats, so if you're desperate, you could do worse. For any other lineup questions or strategic advice leave a question or comment here at the blog, email me at chrispeterson270@yahoo.com or follow me at twitter @ATRMovesFantasy.      

Howlin' to Relevancy: Minnesota Timberwolves season preview

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 11:27 AM PST

"Change" is a word that gets more action than Lindsay Lohan and a jail cell. President Barack Obama used it as a way to ease into the presidency back in '08. It's also a six-letter utterance that has been murmured countless times among Minnesota Timberwolves fans in regards to the upcoming season. But what exactly does it mean? Surely it can't be bad change. After all, the club has lost 100 more contests than the gruesomely low amount they've won in the last two years alone (which is 32, if you must ask). Alas, general manager and oft-time butt of jokes David Kahn had his best offseason in his three years at the helm, bringing in a trio (sorry, Malcolm Lee, but you're no Ricky) of players who are ready to mesh with the rest of the Timberwolves' rotation. The T'Pups (which is the name I give my beloved team when they tick me off) are on the rise, make no mistake. They have the best rebounder in Kevin Love since prime Ben Wallace, who by the way made his biggest mistake by cutting his fletch-like afro five years ago (that thing gave him at least six inches on his vertical, I swear). They have a good shooter, slasher and token criminal in Michael Beasley. They have some solid post defense to make up for the liability that is Love in Anthony Tolliver and Darko "More One-Dimensional than the Original Pong" Milicic. They have a myriad of speedsters now that can hopefully run a more effective offense. It's all there. Experience over the next few seasons will be key. Other than "Kahn", the word that is associated most with trouble and the Timberwolves is "defense". Actually, I'm not entirely sure that word even existed in former coach Kurt Rambis' dictionary. All-Star Kevin Love's "defense" was just about as mind-numbing as a Betty White feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Other than Tolliver, starting shooting guard Wesley Johnson, Millicic and maybe Rubio if he develops some lateral quickness, it's going to be another tough season in that department. Love's improvement is key. Hopefully new coach Rick Adelman, a proven winner no matter the circumstance, helps out young guns like Beasley and the ultra-athletic and underachieving Anthony Randolph with their awareness. Offensively, they're set. Newcomer J.J. Barea is a terrific slasher who displayed his talents on the game's biggest stage in June. Beasley and rookie Derrick Williams have an assortment of offensive moves. Love has range like a deer hunter. Incumbent point guard Luke Ridnour has the ability to knock down the three-ball from the corner in Jason Kapono fashion. Rubio might be the biggest question mark here, as his apparent inability to put the ball in the hoop has been documented in Rajon Rondo-esque fashion, but that's not something we should discuss at great lengths before games are played. What it all comes down to is whether or not the team will use its pieces to perform at a contending level. For guys like Rubio, scoring isn't as important as it is to ballers like Beasley or Love. If everyone uses their brains and meshes well, Minnesota might have its' first playoff-contending basketball team since the Big Ticket shipped off to Boston. If not, we'll see another season that produces less wins than my youthful age. The reason I'm being so harsh on this team has to do with my abundant love for them. I will never stop yelling and cussing at the television every time a Beasley slash goes a wry. I will never stop loving my team. We stand united. Predictions: Record: 29-37, 11th in the West All-Star(s): Kevin Love, PF Over/under on times I punch a hole in my wall: 3.5 Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/JosephFafinski

The Last Hurrah of the Real Big Three: Boston Celtics Week in Review

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 11:07 AM PST

Boston Celtics fans were hoping that the Big Three would have one last run in them. With the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks all getting better, time is running out on the Celtics title window. This is most likely their last year of competitive basketball in the Eastern Conference. It hasn't started out well. Jeff Green found out, before the season, that heart surgery would sideline him for the entire year. He expects to survive and return to basketball, but that doesn't help the Celtics much this year. Rajon Rondo was dangled as trade bait for the weeks leading up to the season. Now, he is still in Celtics green. Luckily for Danny Ainge, he's taken the disrespect and motivated himself, playing out of his mind.. Despite Rondo playing like the MVP (and actually hitting jump shots), the rest of the Celtics have looked pretty mediocre. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett do not look like the players they have been, and Paul Pierce has yet to come back from a nagging heel injury. I think the Pierce injury is a blessing in disguise, because until the entire team comes together, it will be tough to see how much trouble the Celtics are truly in. It's only the first week of the season. They are only 0-3. Unfortunately, they've only looked competitive in 1.5 games (most of that Heat matchup was brutal). They have a long way to go. Their biggest problem is that they're missing a true scorer. Considering that's the most important thing in winning basketball games, I think we can give them a pass. Once Pierce comes back, we'll know more about the Cs. They almost stole the game from the Knicks and from the Heat, which I think is a good sign. After not being competitive for a half, they came back in both games and had serious chances to win. All Boston needs to do is make the playoffs. Once they get in, anything can happen. A healthy, hungry, desperate Celtics team would be a nightmare matchup for most teams in the playoffs. Everyone should be doing their best to bury the Celtics. Because, despite their ugly start, Boston is still one of the most talented teams in the league, and they are hoping to go out with a bang. Message to the rest of the league: don't let them hang around. That's how the Celtics season will play out. People will be writing them off all year. Still, once they make the playoffs, they could get hot. Once they get hot, a second title could demonstrate that they are the real Big Three.

Week 17 Ranks: WRs

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:32 AM PST

  Start the higher ranked player in you have a lineup question 1. Wes Welker 2. Steve Smith 3. Calvin Johnson 4. Victor Cruz 5. Larry Fitzgerald 6. Hakeem Nicks 7. Roddy White 8. Miles Austin 9. Brandon Marshall 10. C.J. Spiller 11. Steve Johnson 12. A.J. Green 13. Dez Bryant 14. Malcom Floyd 15. Mike Wallace 16. Marques Colston 17. Percy Harvin 18. Jeremy Maclin 19. Brandon Lloyd 20. Dwayne Bowe 21.  Desean Jackson 22. Demaryius Thomas 23. Julio Jones 24. Jordy Nelson 25. Santonio Holmes 26. Jabar Gaffney 27. Michael Crabtree 28. Laurent Robinson 29.  Nate Washington 30. Torrey Smith 31. Denarius Moore 32. Reggie Wayne 33. Antonio Brown 34. James Jones 35. Santana Moss 36. Andre Johnson 37. Randall Cobb 38. Nate Burleson 39. Vincent Jackson 40. Darius Heyward-Bay Quick Hits: You may noticed Malcom Floyd shoot up the rankings this week all the way to the 14 spot, this is due the questionable status of Vincent Jackson, if Jackson can't go, Floyd is a borderline WR1 this week. While some have ranked Calvin Johnson outside the top five, I still expect a big week from him. Hse is questionable but should play and Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz has said his team is playing to win, which they should. A win by Detroit means a road game against either the Giants or Cowboys, each a winnable game, a loss means a return trip to the Big Easy, to face the Saints (not a winnable game) so the Lions have plenty to play for, meaning you can expect good production from Calvin this week. One of the most interesting matchups this week will be Brandon Marshall up against Darelle Revis. While this matchup moves Marshall out of the top 5 where he was last week, I still like him. Matt Moore and Marshall have a good thing going and Revis has not been unbeatable this year, I don't expect Marshall to get 100 yards but wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he found the end zone for a 3rd straight week, plus he did have 6 catches for 109 in the first meeting with the Jets (don't let Revis scare you play Marshall). What to do, what to do. What do you do with Andre Johnson, who has been a colossal bust this year in terms of fantasy mainly because he simpy hasn't been on the field. Personally, even if he plays I don't think I would treat him as anything more than a flex option as this point same goes for Vincent Jackson. For any other lineup questions or strategic advice leave a comment or question here on the blog, send me an email at chrispeterson270@yahoo.com or follow me on twitter @ATRMovesFantasy.

Menacin’ Venison: Milwaukee Bucks Season Preview

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:13 AM PST

Menacin' Venison                                                 Bretton J. McIlrath - @Boiler_B_Mac Power Ranking: 14th in the NBA, 8th in the Eastern Conference. Offseason moves: Drafted: Tobias Harris #19 overall (trade), and Jon Leuer #40 overall. Traded away: Corey Maggette, John Salmons, and Keyon Dooling. Traded for: Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston, Beno Udrih Signed in free agency: Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute ("LRMaM") Starters: Brandon Jennings Stephen Jackson Carlos Delfino (or Mike Dunleavy Jr., sources currently conflict on this) Drew Gooden Andrew Bogut Key Bench Players: Jon Leuer, Shaun Livingston, LRMaM, Beno Udrih, Ersan Ilyasova, Jon Brockman Season Preview: To be clear, the "menacing" part of the name is in reference to the Bucks extremely tough defense. They ranked 3rd in Opponent Points Allowed, blocked nearly 5 shots a game, and averaged 7.5 steals per game as a team last season. But, we're talking about the worst team in the league offensively last year (92 ppg). The poor production was namely due to injuries to the starters and a resulting lack of cohesiveness. Bogut (18), Jennings (19), Gooden (47), and Delfino (33) missed a combined 117 games last year. Milwaukee made a number of offseason moves to bolster their offense while still keeping their high level of defense. They already have a premiere center, and a high-potential PG, but they added Stephen Jackson (perimeter defender and scorer), Beno Udrih (ditto), Mike Dunleavy Jr. (double ditto, but more scorer), and resigned defender Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (who will further be referred to in this blog as "LRMaM," because come on, that's an obnoxious name to type). That's not to mention their draftees, Tobias Harris out of Tennessee and hometown college star Jon Leuer, out of Wisconsin. They also added Shaun Livingston who is a quite competent backup PG that is an excellent passer, shoots a high percentage, and does not turn the ball over frequently. All-in-all Milwaukee added efficient scorers who may not be lauded as "premiere" defenders.  However, they are indeed more than serviceable, and all fit in the hard-nosed system Head Coach Scott Skiles is known for. Reports during this short preseason have indicated that Bogut looks much healthier, as well as in the best shape of his career. Other notes from training camp are that Ersan Ilyasova has arguably looked sharper than any other players on the team. He is coming into his third season, and is just 24 years old. Ilyasova played this summer in Turkey, so he is already in game-shape. The 6'10" PF shoots fairly efficiently, rebounds well, and makes his free-throws. He will likely be a very important piece of the Bucks rotation at PF, especially if Gooden has any of the same health issues he had last season. The Bucks have plenty of bigs to play at the 4 and 5 positions this season, Gooden, Ilyasova, Larry Sanders, Tobias Harris, Bogut, Leuer, and Jon Brockman. While the general public may not recognize a lot of these names, those in NBA circles know that this shapes up to be a formidable and bruising frontcourt. So, what can we expect out of the Bucks this season? Expect this team to continue to be difficult to play every night during this shortened, yet accelerated schedule. When teams are playing 5 games in 7 days and have the Bucks on the docket for game 5, they will not enjoy the style-of-play. I see this team winning a good portion of their games in the fourth quarter by simply wearing down opponents with their defense. In a division with fairly weak teams (other than the Chicago Bulls), the Bucks have a great chance to return to the playoffs and be a tough out for a higher seed in the weaker (at the bottom) Eastern Conference. I think we can expect Bogut and Jennings to make progress this year, as opposed to what we saw out of them last season. When you have a Point Guard and Center playing well, the rest of this veteran-laden team will follow. Prediction: 36-30, 7th Seed in East.

Week 17 Rankings: RBs

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 09:56 AM PST

  If you have a question on who to start, start the higher ranked player. 1. Maurice Jones-Drew 2. Ray Rice 3. Marshawn Lynch 4. Reggie Bush 5. Lesean McCoy 6. C.J. Spiller 7. Ryan Mathews 8. Frank Gore 9. Reshard Mendenhall 10. Michael Turner 11. Michael Bush 12. Arian Foster 13. Ahmad Bradshaw 14. Chris Johnson 15. Kahlil Bell 16. Felix Jones 17. Willis McGahee 18. Shonn Greene 19. Toby Gerhart 20. Beanie Wells 21. Darren Sproles 22. Steven Jackson 23. DeAngelo Williams 24. Peyton Hillis 25. Ben Tate 26. Evan Royster 27. Johnathan Stewart 28. Pierre Thomas 29. Kevin Smith 30. Brandon Jacobs 31. Chris Ivory 32. Benjarvus Green-Ellis 33. Donald Brown 34. Legarrette Blount 35. Maurice Morris 36. Mike Tolbert 37. Kendall Hunter 38. Roy Helu 39. Ryan Grant 40. Darren McFadden Quick Hits: Week 17 is tricky for running backs as there are lots of injuries as well as the possibility of players getting rested. On the injury front, I have Roy Helu and Darren McFadden ranked at 38th and 40th respectively, however, if either one is given the full go and does end up playing I would move them up considerably, especially Helu. Arian Foster is a guy who is looking at possibly being rested but Houston is still in the hunt for a first-round bye, so I still see Foster getting enough touches to justify starting this week, however his running mate Ben Tate is also going to be a decent play. One guy I love this week is C.J. Spiller. He's averaging 152 total yards and scoring three tds in his last two games and should have another big day against the Pats defense, so If you have this guy he NEEDS to be in your lineup in all formats. For any other lineup questions or strategic advice post a question or comment here on the blog, email me at chrispeterson270@yahoo.com or follow me on twitter @ATRMovesFantasy.

Week 17 Rankings: QBs

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 09:27 AM PST

  Here are the weekly rankings for week 17, if you have a question on who to play, start the higher ranked player. 1. Tom Brady 2. Cam Newton 3. Tony Romo 4. Matthew Stafford 5. Drew Brees 6. Eli Manning 7. Michael Vick 8. Phil Rivers 9. Matt Ryan 10. Ryan Fitzpatrick 11. Tim Tebow 12. Carson Palmer 13. Joe Flacco 14. Mark Sanchez 15. Matt Moore 16. Ben Roethlisberger 17. Aaron Rodgers 18 Andy Dalton 19. Josh Freeman 20. Matt Hasselbeck 21. Rex Grossman 22. Kyle Orton 23. Alex Smith 24. John Skelton 25. Christian Ponder 25. Matt Flynn Quick Hits: You might have noticed I have Aaron Rodgers ranked 17th this week. This ranking in no way reflects his play, he is still the best player in Fantasy Football, it's just unlikely that he plays more than a quarter and almost a sure thing that he doesn't play into the second half, so unless you have to or are in a two quarterback league, I'd probably stay away from Arod this week. Drew Brees is also lower than his customary top 3 position because we simply don't know if Sean Payton plans on playing Brees for the entire game or not. The Saints still have an outside chance at taking the first-round bye away from the 49ers, but you get the feeling that if Payton gets a chance to rest Brees, he is going to take it. I have Eli Manning in a league which I also own Brees and I will have a very difficult decision to make come Sunday. Right now, I'd go with Brees, but its really, really, close. My sleeper of the week is Ryan Fitzpatrick, he has a great matchup against the Pats and figures to be throwing the ball ALOT! So if you need a qb this week check into Fiztpatrick, who is owned in many leagues but may be on the waiver wire because he hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire recently. However, he had great success against the Pats in their first matchup (throwing for 369 yards and two tds), who give up the most passing yards in NFL, so if you're in need of a starter, look to Fitzpatrick. One final note: Monitor the status of Big Ben closely this week, the matchup against the Browns is good and the Steelers have plenty to play for with the AFC North Divison title and a first-round bye on the line. If Ben is healthy enough to start, he is a solid play but make sure you have another option just in case (but not Charlie Batch).    

Ryan Fitzpatrick's Football Intelligence Not Up to Harvard Standards

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST

[caption id="attachment_1829" align="alignleft" width="218" caption="The Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick just hasn't been the same since signing his six-year, $59 million contract on Oct. 28, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns and struggling against weak competition. (AP Photo/David Duprey)"][/caption] Humorist Dave Barry once wrote that Harvard University "for more than three centuries has produced graduates who, no matter what their philosophical differences, are all dedicated to the lofty goal of subtly letting you know that they went to Harvard." Former Harvard Crimson and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn't needed to purse his alma mater's self-gratification. Instead, football commentators and analysts have done the work for him, pointing out at every opportunity possible that Fitzpatrick did indeed once play for Harvard. And based on his play since signing a six-year, $59 million contract, Fitzpatrick may still think he's playing in the Ivy League.

Lots of Money, Few Results

Since Fitzpatrick signed his deal on Oct. 28, his success in the NFL has plummeted. His accuracy dipped from over 67 percent before the deal to under 60 percent after. His 2:1 touchdown-interception ratio became 1.3:1 in the opposite direction. His QB rating has dropped from an average of 95.4 through the first six games to 71.4 for the final nine. Since the Bills basically bet the farm on Fitzpatrick, the team's success has died with Fitzpatrick's. Of Buffalo's six wins, four came in the first week. Buffalo has gone 2-7 since extending Fitzpatrick, at one point losing seven consecutive games and plummeting from first all the way to third in the AFC East. Despite the incredible beginning of their season, the Bills could actually finish last in the division: They play a Patriots team seeking home-field advantage on Sunday, whereas the Dolphins play the Jets. The Dolphins hold the tie-breaker over the Bills.

Weak Competition Weakens Bills

As disappointing as the Bills' collapse has been for their fans, what's strange is that it's come against weaker teams than they played before Oct. 28. Pre-contract Bills opponents have a current average winning percentage of .555; post-contract opponents average .459. Since Fitzpatrick's extension, the Bills have played the God-awful Redskins, the equally awful Dolphins twice and the sub-.500 Chargers. The Bills went 1-3 against what should have been their easiest opponents all season, only beating the Redskins. Fitzpatrick really struggled against the Dolphins and Chargers, completing just 53.3 percent of his throws and throwing just two touchdowns to seven interceptions. The Dolphins and Chargers stink, but they both feature decent pass-defenses. The Dolphins tie for ninth in the NFL with 39 sacks. Chargers linebacker Antwan Barnes ranks 11th in the NFL with 11 sacks, and safety Eric Weddle shares the league-lead with seven interceptions. As a team, the Chargers rank 10th in the NFL in allowed passing yardage, giving up 212 yards per game. A good pass-rush will disrupt even the best quarterbacks. Patriots fans need only look at last Sunday's game against the Dolphins for proof of that. But Fitzpatrick, it seems, is even more vulnerable to pressure than an average NFL quarterback. Get in his face and he melts. The Patriots nearly melted him in their first meeting, picking off Fitzpatrick twice in the first quarter and building a 21-point lead. Unfortunately, Tom Brady also threw a couple of picks, then suffered a far greater meltdown at the hands of the Bills defense. Every once in awhile, Brady just loses it, and his Week 3 game against the Bills was just such a game. Fortunately for Pats fans, Brady's meltdowns are the exceptions, not the norm. Fitzpatrick's are becoming more and more commonplace: he's thrown three picks in two game since his new deal. He hadn't thrown three picks in any 2011 game before the deal, and he'd only done it three times since entering the league in 2005. The Bills didn't make a mistake by extending Fitzpatrick: he's easily been the most dynamic, exciting player they've had in quite a few years, and the fans have rallied around him enough to show management he can fill Ralph Wilson Stadium. But anyone hoping Fitzpatrick can restore the Bills to their late-90s glory (four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, all losses) is delusional. Fitzpatrick isn't at Harvard anymore. The NFL is faster, stronger and smarter than Division I college football, and the Crimson play at the back-end of that division, not the forefront. For Fitzpatrick to succeed, he needs to bring his football IQ up to the same level as his regular IQ. Fans are sick of hearing about Harvard all the time. Think how much more tired of it his opponents are.

Any player/Any era: Cesar Cedeño

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:01 AM PST

What he did: Cedeño may rank as one of the great "What If?" players in baseball history. Not long after Cedeño debuted with the Houston Astros in 1970, Leo Durocher declared him the next Willie Mays. And while the centerfielder had power good for 199 homers and speed that netted him 550 steals to go with a .285 batting average, he didn't come close to reaching his Hall of Fame potential. In fact, Cedeño received just two votes out of 430 ballots in 1992, the only year he was eligible for Cooperstown with the writers. Many things hurt his cause, including: 1) A reckless temper and style of play that led to injuries and legal problems; 2) Playing his best years in the cavernous Astrodome; 3) Having his career in the 1970s and '80s, no great time for hitters. Era he might have thrived in: With his speed and contact, Cedeño would have appealed to Branch Rickey. Cedeño might not have had the temperament to stand in for Jackie Robinson at Rickey's behest and stoically break baseball's color barrier in 1947. But assuming we suspend disbelief about Cedeño's dark skin color keeping him from the majors prior to this, he might have been a hit with Rickey's other dynasty, the Gashouse Gang-era St. Louis Cardinals of the 1930s. And considering he'd be playing with future Veterans Committee head Frankie Frisch, who famously enshrined several of his teammates, Cedeño's place in Cooperstown would probably be assured. Why: The projected numbers speak for themselves. In 1972, Cedeño hit .320 with 22 home runs, 82 RBI and 55 steals, his OPS at .921, among the best ever by a Houston starter in the Astrodome years. On the 1931 Cardinals, these numbers convert to a .349 batting average, 25 home runs, 100 RBI, 62 steals and a 1.001 OPS. Cedeño might need to play right field since Pepper Martin and Chick Hafey wouldn't be going anywhere, but otherwise, nothing would prevent Cedeño from playing a vital role on a championship team. He'd also be a young player in an offensive golden age, playing for a general manager who might help his attitude, too. That or he'd be just another one of the boys on those Cards, a fun-loving, hard-drinking club. Are the projected numbers infallible? I doubt it. While Rickey signed players in part for foot speed and the Cardinals stole a lot of bases for their era, 114 in 1931 alone, it seems unlikely Cedeño could go for 62 steals that year. Granted, Ben Chapman led the American League with 61 steals in 1931, but it was somewhat aberrational. From the dawn of the Live Ball Era around 1920 to Luis Aparicio and Maury Wills revolutionizing the base paths 40 years later, stolen bases were a largely forgotten art in the majors. Frisch led the National League in 1931 with 28, and that's not even the lowest total for a leader in that generation. All the same, Cedeño could have a shot at 30 steals. A 40-40 season more than a half century before Jose Canseco doesn't even seem out of the question. There's also a question of whether a 21-year-old Cedeño could find a spot in St. Louis's batting lineup. Rickey famously developed his teams through his farm system and rarely brought up young starters or kept old players around. The '31 Cardinals exemplify this: Aside from 25-year-old shortstop Charlie Gelbert and 36-year-old third baseman Sparky Adams, every starter was in his late 20s or early 30s. Still, there were occasional exceptions, like Johnny Mize who became the Cardinals' starting first baseman as a 23-year-old rookie in 1936. Perhaps Cedeño could follow his lead. Regardless, Cedeño would shine whenever he got his moment with those Cardinals. Any player/Any era is a Thursday feature here that looks at how a player might have done in an era besides his own. Others in this series: Al Simmons, Albert Pujols, Babe Ruth, Bad News Rockies, Barry Bonds, Billy Beane, Billy Martin, Bob Caruthers, Bob Feller, Bob Watson, Bobby Veach, Carl Mays, Charles Victory Faust, Chris von der Ahe, Denny McLain, Dom DiMaggio, Don Drysdale, Eddie Lopat, Elmer Flick, Frank Howard, Fritz Maisel, Gavvy Cravath, George Case, George Weiss, Harmon Killebrew, Harry Walker, Home Run Baker, Honus Wagner, Hugh Casey, Ichiro Suzuki, Jack Clark, Jack Morris, Jackie Robinson, Jim Abbott, Jimmy Wynn, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Posnanski, Johnny Antonelli, Johnny Frederick, Josh Hamilton, Ken Griffey Jr., Lefty Grove, Lefty O'Doul, Major League (1989 film), Matty Alou, Michael Jordan, Monte Irvin, Nate Colbert, Ollie Carnegie, Paul Derringer, Pedro Martinez, Pee Wee Reese, Pete Rose, Prince Fielder, Ralph Kiner, Rick Ankiel, Rickey Henderson, Roberto Clemente, Rogers Hornsby, Sam Crawford, Sam Thompson, Sandy Koufax, Satchel Paige, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, The Meusel Brothers, Ty Cobb, Vada Pinson, Wally Bunker, Wes Ferrell, Will Clark, Willie Mays

"S" On His Chest... For Now.

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 11:19 PM PST

Every so often, and I mean only every great once in a while, a rookie sensation will live up to somewhat reasonable and comparable expectations of the hype that surrounds them in their first year at the highest level of competition, and even fewer times are we fortunate enough to watch a rookie exceed our predetermined foretelling of success. He was pigeon holed by many into the category of quarterbacks who were going to struggle because of a running philosophy from the pocket, and drafted into an offense that lacked firepower, to say the very least. But before Cam Newton erupted for over 400 yards passing the first time he ever played an NFL game, the only thing you had to prepare for when playing the Carolina Panthers was the two back threat of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, and the deep ball ability of Steve Smith. That is, if he had anyone who could complete a pass downfield to him. There is not one living person who accurately foretold the kind of success that first year sensation Cam Newton has had in the NFL. This was a newcomer to the league who was getting under center with no training camp, familiarization with his offensive schematics, and seemed to be another off the assembly line of quarterbacks who made their name and won at their levels with a rush then pass philosophy. Certainly, Newton was not viewed as one among many with absolutely no distinguishable traits. He wasn't just a runner, he was the leading rusher in the SEC last year. He compiled distance on the ground greater than power backs like Knile Davis, Marcus Lattimore, and Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. And, as for the 'Bama hammers, he out-totaled them both individually and combined. His breathtaking ability to break tackles in the open field and bust a big run for a needed score is absolutely worth our attention as fans, and, even more importantly, worth some preparation time in the film room. Aside from wins, his rushing abilities did nothing better than camouflage his passing skills. While at Auburn, he threw for almost 3,000 yards with 30 touchdowns to only 7 picks. At the NFL level he has learned the difficult way that safeties can cover ground like no one's business and his interceptions thrown reflect that. But of this breed of quarterback -the exceptional passer who is an even better athlete and can score with his feet- have we ever seen anyone do it better? I don't see how we can say yes. Michael Vick included. I say that because Michael Vick is the man who revolutionized a quarterback's chances to be successful as a prominent runner and passer, and is therefore viewed as the measuring stick for success in this area. Take nothing away from Steve Young, but the game has changed a great deal in this regard since he was the man in the league. Granted, Vick has some staggering rushing yardage numbers, but Newton has set a new record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in his first year. Newton is bigger, stronger, and a more balanced player at the position, and has shown the ability to utilize his size even better than Vick could his speed, especially in the red zone. Even if you cast the running aside, at this stage, with a game left in his first season, Cam Newton has almost 1,000 yards passing more than Michael Vick has ever thrown in a single season. He also has the ability to spread the ball very thin across the field. He has one receiver among the league leaders in Steve Smith. Over 1,300 yards receiving is a stellar year for any wide out. Next to Smith is Brandon LaFell. Any idea where he lands on the big gainer chart? He is 69th in the league with 586 yards. Only a few positions behind him are tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey. When LaFell develops or the Panthers surround him with more weapons, does anybody have a realistic roof for this guy's passing ability? The Carolina Panthers have some work to do. Job number 1 at this point has got to be to get everyone healthy on defense, but the Panthers have landed their guy. Even if Cam comes back to a hangover in his sophomore year, the residual effect of initial success will wear off, and we at least know he has the tools and raw material to lean on should, in fact, he return next year and struggle. In the broader picture, if they win this weekend, they will finish the season plus 5 in the win category from a year priot. To even be close to .500 after a 2 win season last year is a benchmark all its own. Too often we crown a kid as the next great thing before he ever gets the chance to prove himself. I think there's some guy named Andrew Luck out there who would support that. Look at some of the greats we have in the league now. Who among those we regard as the best started their careers by exploding onto the scene? Very few. Peyton Manning among them, whom Newton recently surpassed for most passing yards as a rookie. Most of the ones who run the show developed at a pace or seized their opportunities off of another's injury. It's just so rare that we have an athlete start hot and stay hot, consistently improving and staying hungry to become better every season, making strides in his game day in and day out. After only a single year at the professional level, Cam Newton has a long way to go to prove himself worthy of some his predictions of future greatness. For now, there is nothing to dispute that he has had a rookie year for the ages and carries the potential to be something special in the league. But right now, it's just that: a mammoth well of potential, and all the time in the world to see if the "S" he flashes is a sticker that's going to peel off with time, or it really is engraved on a man of steel. How hungry is this kid? How much better can he drive himself to be? An off season is a long time to figure out how to better make contenders out of the Panthers, and more importantly, will be a huge revelation into how much untapped talent and ability to learn this game he actually has.

Brad’s Best/Worst Sports Moments of 2011

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 11:08 PM PST

For the third year in a row, I am publishing an account of my top 10 best and worst sports moments of the past year.  (Click here for the 2010 and 2009 editions)  Keep in mind that these are given from a purely subjective viewpoint.  When I say "best/worst moments" I'm not talking about great or horrible sporting events.  I'm talking about moments that affected me the most positively or negatively. Best Moments: 1.  Kentucky finally beats Tennessee in football (November 26, 2011)- The HIGHLIGHT OF MY 2011 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON came in Lexington, KY in late November when Kentucky finally ended their record-setting 26 game losing streak to Tennessee.  I was literally three weeks in my mother's womb the last time Kentucky beat the Vols, and I really thought that I may live my entire life as a Kentucky fan and never once be alive for a Wildcat victory over Tennessee.  As many of you know, my four life goals as a sports fan are to see:  (1) A 16 seed beat a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, (2) Wake Forest win a football or basketball national championship, (3) a horse win the Triple Crown, and (4) a British tennis player win Wimbledon.  Well, a couple of years ago I started an auxiliary list of secondary goals which included things like seeing: (1) a non-AQ team win an undisputed football national championship, (2) a senior PGA tour player win a golf major, and (3) Kentucky beat Tennessee in football.  These secondary milestones aren't quite as important as the big four, but they are still things that would be the icing on the cake to a great life as a sports fan.  Well one of those items can officially be checked off the list as the Wildcats beat the Volunteers in an ugly 10-7 slugfest. 2.  Wake Forest plays in the Music City Bowl (December 30, 2011)- I am writing this column prior to this bowl game, but even in Wake does lose to Mississippi State then this moment still ranks near the top of this list.  This is the one bowl game with an ACC tie-in that I have always wanted Wake Forest to play in, and I am absolutely elated that they got a bid into it this season.  I will be the first to admit that Virginia Tech had no business getting a BCS at-large bid, but I am so glad they did because otherwise the Deacs would be stuck in Shreveport for the holidays. 3.  Greensboro Grasshoppers win South Atlantic League Championship (September 17, 2011) – Got to give a plug to my local minor league team who won their first league title since 1982 this season.  Just like the St. Louis Cardinals, the Hoppers were a strike away from losing the championship series before coming back to win it all in the deciding game.  To even get to the league playoffs, the Hoppers had to win 11 out of their last 12 regular season games.  It was purely stuff of legend. 4.  South Carolina wins second-straight NCAA Baseball National Championship (June 28, 2011)- I must admit that the first championship is always the best and most memorable, but this one ranks right up there given the dramatic way this Gamecock team won most of its tourney games. 5.  Boise State beats Georgia in College Football Season Opener (September 3, 2011)- Two of my top three favorite college teams (Kentucky and South Carolina) play in the SEC, but I hate the SEC hype just as much as anyone.  That's why I am so glad that the Broncos went down south and shut up all the SEC Supremacists with their dominant road win over Georgia.  After this game, the immediate response we heard from BCS Elitists is how Georgia really wasn't a very good SEC team.  Well that argument clearly fell through after the Dawgs won the Eastern Division and led # 1 ranked LSU at halftime of the SEC Championship Game a couple of weekends ago. 6.  Dallas Mavericks beat Miami Heat in NBA Finals (June 12, 2011)- The Mavs have always been one of my top 4 or 5 favorite teams in the NBA thanks to their charismatic owner Mark Cuban.  Thus, it was great to see them finally win a championship, but it was even better to see them do it against the evil Lebron James and his Miami Heat. 7.  Morehead State upsets Louisville in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament (March 17, 2011)-  I live for the first round NCAA Tournament upset, but this one was particularly satisfying in that it involved a mid-major from Kentucky beating one of my most hated sports rivals. 8.  South Carolina beats Clemson (November 26, 2011)- The Gamecocks have now won an unprecedented three straight over their in-state rival.  I have to admit that it kind of sucks the Tigers got into a BCS Bowl, but at least it's the worst BCS bowl of all-time (see my bowl rankings below). 9.  Jimmer Fredette gets drafted by Sacramento Kings (June 23, 2011)- The Jimmer gradually became one of my favorite athletes in the world throughout last year's college basketball season.  I was planning to adopt whichever organization drafted him as my new favorite NBA team, as long as it was a squad who met all of my underdog criteria (never won a championship, small-market, not many fans, etc).  My dreams came true when the Sacramento Kings, the ultimate NBA dark horse, selected Jimmer with the 10th overall pick in this year's draft.  Now I just have to decide whether I want to shell out the big bucks and order NBA League Pass to see him play all season. 10.  Mike Leach gets hired as Washington State Head Coach (November 30, 2011)- After a two year hiatus, my favorite coach in sports has a job again and this time it's in Pullman, WA.  I think this is a great fit all around, and I'll have no problem switching my Pac-12 allegiances from Arizona State to Wazzu.   Worst Moments: 1.  Nightmare Saturday (November 12, 2011)- Last year, the worst day of the season for me was the Friday after Thanksgiving when Auburn came back to beat Alabama, Oregon stomped Arizona, and Boise State lost a heartbreaker to Nevada.  This year on the second Saturday in November I sat through an even more disheartening day of college football.  It all began at noon when my beloved Wake Forest Demon Deacons lost a heartbreaker to Clemson to fall just short of an improbable ACC Atlantic title.  After that, I had to watch as Georgia ended South Carolina's hopes of winning a second straight SEC East title.  Then the lowlight of the day took place as Boise State lost its chance at a national title with a gut-wrenching loss to TCU.  It was utterly demoralizing to realize that the Broncos weren't going to get a shot at the national title, but I decided that I would just have to cheer for Stanford to get there instead.  After all, they are the ultimate antithesis of the SEC and all the corruption and stupidity it represents.  Well, four hours later Oregon dashed the Cardinal's national title hopes and left me and my entire life in complete disarray.  One of my friends texted me after the Boise game and said simply, "Not your day man."  That's a pretty good summation of November 12th, as I can't even fathom what a worse 24 hours of sports would look like. 2.  Auburn and Scam Newton win BCS National Title (January 10, 2011)- Despite my desperate prayers for Newton and Auburn to fall short of the national title, it wasn't meant to be.  An Auburn team that should have lost 3-5 games last season squeaked out a tight one over Oregon to win the crystal trophy.  Their title game victory was particularly cheap because the Tigers won it on a fluke play. On the game's final drive, the Oregon defense stopped playing after Auburn's Michael Dyer appeared to be tackled following a short gain.  In fact, Dyer's knee never hit the ground, so he was able to get up and bolt into Oregon territory to set up the game winning field goal. 3.  UConn knocks off Butler in NCAA Basketball National Championship Game (April 4, 2011)- I loved and cherished every minute of both of Butler's magical runs to the national title game.  Nevertheless, it was utterly demoralizing to see the Bulldogs fall just short of the ultimate prize for a second straight season.  This year's run was even more astonishing than the 2010 edition because the Bulldogs entered the tourney as an eight seed.  After five impressive and victories, Butler became just the second eight seed ever to advance to the national championship game.  The first was of course Villanova who shot over 80% en route to their shocking title game victory over Georgetown in 1985.  The Bulldogs, however, managed to shoot a mere 18.8% in their 12-point loss to UConn.  If only Butler had access to that cocaine Nova's players were snorting prior to their '85 title game… 4.  Rafael Nadal beats Andy Murray in Wimbledon Semifinals (July 1, 2011)- Another year without a Brit taking home the Wimbledon title.  This loss was even more upsetting than Murray's past semifinal defeats because he actually looked in control of the match for the first set and a half. 5.  Rematch Announced for BCS National Championship Game (December 4, 2011)- Oklahoma State's huge victory over Oklahoma gave me and other college sports' fans a final glimmer of hope that we might be able to avoid the horrifying scenario of having a rematch of a 9-6 regular season game decide college football's mythical national champion.  The BCS Elitists and SEC Supremacists wouldn't allow it however, and in the end we got stuck with the biggest joke of a title game anyone could ever imagine.  Here are just a couple of stats for you to consider as you prepare for this abomination of a title game: (1) if Alabama wins the national championship, they will have the worst non-conference wins of any national champion in any college sport ever!  (2) This is also the first time there has been a national title game between two offenses who rank in the bottom half of FBS in passing. 6.  Joe Paterno Gets Fired as Penn State Head Coach (November 9, 2011)- The whole Penn State sex scandal was so sad on so many levels.  I have always been a big Paterno fan and still believe he should have been given a chance to finish the season as head coach.  Nevertheless, Joe Pa's epic 46-year tenure as Penn State head coach came to an end when he was fired just a game after he passing Eddie Robinson as the winningest coach in this history of Division 1 Football. 7.  Boston Bruins win Stanley Cup (June 15, 2011)- Not another championship for Boston!  I really wanted to see Vancouver get its first-ever championship as well.  Can't believe Canada still hasn't won a Stanley Cup since 1993. 8.  Texas Rangers choke away World Series (October 27-28, 2011)- It's unfathomable that a team could come a strike away from clinching the World Series on two different occasions in Game Six and then go on to lose the series in 7.  The Rangers aren't my favorite team or anything, but I love most any squad who has never won a championship before. 9.  U.S. Women's Soccer Team loses World Cup Final to Japan (July 17, 2011)- The Women's World Cup team took us on quite a ride this summer, but they couldn't close the deal against Japan.  This loss was particularly heartbreaking given that the U.S. held a second half lead on two occasions before eventually falling in penalty kicks. 10.  Dustin Johnson loses British Open (July 17, 2011)- This choke job pales in comparison to the other golf heartbreaks I've experienced in recent years, especially in the British Open.  Still, I really thought this could be the major that Dustin Johnson would finally breakthrough and win.  And yes you read that correctly… my worst moments # 9 and 10 both occurred on the exact same day.  It's pretty amazing I passed the bar exam considering such a horrible day took place just nine days before the test. Here's to a wonderful 2012 full of a great sports moments for everybody!

Seriously? No suspension, no fine?

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 04:48 AM PST

You know, I kinda miss the old Timberwolves KG...the guy has always been an intense individual, but lately, meaning over the last 3 years or so, it just seems the dude is mad.  What happened?  We all saw the "choke shove" on Billy Walker right after throwing up a brick to lose that first game, but was that necessary? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXSfZnoXBx8  Its the first game of the season Kevin! Walk away and start focusing on the next opponent, which just happened to be the Heat.  Guess you can get caught up in the moment, however KG is seemingly having many of these 'moments' and is known around the league for taunting...he just got a dose of what he's been serving and reacted to that.  I'm fine with the no suspension part, but throw the guy a fine so the rest of the league gets the message Mr. Stern

NBA Forever

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 04:18 AM PST

Check out this amazing video from TNT coming just before tip off on Christmas day. http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bcMnq ... exciting, inspirational, u decide...
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