Western Conference: Questions and Answers

1. Los Angles Lakers
Question- Can Kobe Bryant legitimately start being compared to dare I say Michael Jordan?
Answer- This is the most complete team in the league and should be favored to win back to back championships. Yes, they lost Trevor Ariza, but replacing him with Ron Artest will be an instant upgrade. Coach Phil Jackson will get the most out of Ron Artest who combines Dennis Rodman’s antics with Scottie Pippen’s defensive swagger.{Something Jordan was familiar with} If the Lakers do in fact repeat, Kobe would only be one ring away from Jordan, and at least be allowed to be in the same sentence as “His Airness”.

2. San Antonio Spurs
Question- Does Tim Duncan and company have one more title run in them?
Answer- Richard Jefferson was not a good, but an excellent off-season acquisition. He helps make this team younger and more athletic, something they desperately needed. Health will be their major concern as the season unravels. Barring an injury to injury prone players such as Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, this team should be playing in the Western Conference Finals. Dejuan Blair will also play an important role off the bench and looks like the biggest steal in this year’s draft as a second round pick.

3. Portland Trail Blazers
Question- Can this be the year that Greg Oden starts playing like a number one pick?
Answer- He will probably never live up to the expectations set for him, because the number two pick in the 2007 NBA Draft was Kevin Durant. He is having an amazing start to his career and could possibly even win the Scoring Title this season. Oden though will be a solid pro, and may even stay healthy enough for a large stretch of the season. Add Andre Miller to this team, and they now become a complete team who were missing a true point guard. {No disrespect to the former Terrapin Steve Blake but c’mon} Brandon Roy is also the most underrated All-Star in the league and will produce huge numbers once again.

4. Dallas Mavericks
Question- Is Rick Carlisle a good enough coach to take them to the next level?
Answer- Adding Shawn Marion to a front line that already consists of Dirk Nowitzki is quite a tandem. Throw the impressive Josh Howard into the mix alongside last season’s 6^th man of the year, Jason Terry and this team has real potential. Did I forget to mention they also have a future Hall-a-Fame point guard in Jason Kidd? Remember it was only a few years ago that they had the best record in the West and went to the finals only to lose to the Heat. This team could be the sleeper team to make a big run come playoff time, and yes their head coach is qualified to take them there.

5. Denver Nuggets
Question- Was last season a fluke, or are they a legit contender?
Answer- Carmelo Anthony is an amazing offensive talent, and if it wasn’t for being in the same draft class as Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, he would get even more attention then he already does. This team has loads of talent and with the veteran Chauncey Billups leading the way, they are a serious threat once again; however, I do see them slipping in the standings this season by a couple of games to some of the teams mentioned above.

6. Phoenix Suns
Question- Can they win consistently without Steve Nash’s buddy Mike D’Antoni?
Answer- They will find a way to be back in the playoffs after missing out on last season’s festivities. A full year under Alvin Gentry, Nash’s refueled fire after signing an extension over the summer, and Amare Stoudemire trying to cash in on a big pay day, as he becomes a free agent next season, should all be reasons that motivate this team into getting a playoff berth. Losing Shaq also may not have been as bad as originally thought, because this offense clearly did not flow properly with him in the lineup.

7. Utah Jazz
Question- Who will be their future starting power forward?
Answer- Carlos Boozer becomes a free agent at the end of the season, and Paul Millsap had a breakout year. They would like to keep both for the future, but realistically will not be able to afford both. If the Jazz start losing early or find a trading partner in the middle of the season, Carlos Boozer could be shipped out. If that does become the case, then chemistry questions on the court may arise. Overall this team is solid and well-coached which should lead them to another playoff spot for Coach Jerry Sloan.

8. New Orleans Hornets
Question- Can their perimeter play improve?
Answer- Chirs Paul is the game’s best point guard. Getting Emeka Okafor will improve their interior play alongside David West {whose game reminds me of Karl Malone}, yet they have no steady outside shooting. Peja Stojakovic helped this team reach a high playoff seed two years ago, but his health always remains a question. Morris Peterson is not exactly the shot making shooting guard one great team envisions while the signing of James Posey has yet to pay off. They still have talent, but are not good enough to be a major threat in the Wild Wild West. {Especially now that they fired Byron Scott}

9. Oklahoma City Thunder
Question- Will their lack of experience ultimately cost them from missing the playoffs?
Answer- Unfortunately yes. This team may provide similar entertainment as the Phoenix Suns have with youngsters such as Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook. This team will be around for a while especially now that they added the rookie James Harden. They still need help along their front line, but after suffering a horrendous season last year, they will be a playoff team in the near future and for years to come.

10. Houston Rockets
Question- Can Aaron Brooks win Most Improved Player?
Answer- He is my early favorite to take home this award, as a career year is in store for him. The reason for this is because there are no other scorers on his team. Without Yao Ming and Tracy Mcgrady, Aaron Brooks is their only legit option on offense. Signing Trevor Ariza is a nice pickup, but he is not a 20 point scorer and is more of a 10-15 points per game type player. Luis Scola, Shane Battier, and Carl Landry are great role players, but without their all-stars in the starting lineup, it will be difficult for this team to be back in the playoffs.

11. Los Angeles Clippers
Question- Does Number 1 overall pick Blake Griffin develop quickly?
Answer- No one is sure if he is a starter, star, all-star or franchise player. He plays with as Walt Clyde Frasier would say, “A reckless abandon.” In English, he is as tough as nails, but I am a little concerned that he may pan out to be similar to another number one draft pick in Kenyon Martin. Both are great players that just cannot seem to stay on the court. Blake Griffin also has to develop his jump shot to be a complete player. He seems like he will be a star, but not someone who can save an entire franchise which is what the Clippers need.

12. Golden State Warriors
Question- Can their young talent blend well with their veterans?
Answer- They have promising players in Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph, but there older guys are not the most ideal players to look up to. Monta Ellis was in a motorcycle accident last year after lying to the Warriors front office about the incident initially, while Captain Stephen Jackson {who apparently does not have a little Captain in him}finally got traded. The last time I checked, this is not the right formula for winning, and thus they will once again be a mediocre team in the Western Conference.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves
Question- How many point guards can one team have?
Answer- They signed Ramon Sessions after a breakthrough year with the Milwaukee Bucks, drafted Johnny Flynn with the 6^th overall pick, and have their 5^th pick Ricky Rubio playing overseas in Spain. They need one of these three to develop to team up with Al Jefferson to form a nice one-two punch. The T-Wolves still need help with their perimeter scoring, but are at least moving in the right direction.

14. Memphis Grizzles
Question- Will the Allen Iverson experiment work?
Answer- If I wrote this two weeks ago, when I originally planned, I would have said maybe. Ask me this question now, it’s a no brainer. A guy who still thinks he deserves 30 plus minutes at the age of 30 on a young team just does not work. Iverson can still play, but a championship contender does not want him because he takes too many shots, and a young team does not want him because he takes away too many minutes. If Iverson retires like this it is a real shame since he is a Hall-a-Famer. As far as the Grizzles season goes, Aerosmith sang it best, “Same Old Song and Dance.” More Losing!

15. Sacramento Kings
Question- How will the Jew do?
Answer- Omri Casspi became the first Israeli to be drafted into the first round of the NBA. {I am sure he celebrated with some Brisket and Matzah Ball Soup.} His development along with Tyreke Evans are the only reasons for playing this season because let’s face it; this team is not anywhere close to being in the playoff hunt. Both rookies will have successful NBA futures, but they are going to need more help around them before they become competitive.

Eastern Conference: Questions and Answers

Here are a series of important questions and answers that will help define all 15 teams in the Eastern Conference as we head into opening week of the 2009-2010 NBA regular season. The Western Conference list will be added shortly as well. The teams appear in order of where I think there standings will be at the end of the season.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Question- Will Lebron James win his first NBA ring?
Answer- Shaquille O’Neal has won with both Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, so logic would say that King James is next, though I am not quite sold. The East has two other powerhouses in both Orlando and Boston. Even if the Cavs are able to get past them, they still have the defending champion Lakers to deal with. O’Neal quietly had a productive season last year, but at age 37, is it really realistic to count on him being healthy again? The Cavs supporting talent overall I just do not trust come playoff time, yet finishing with the most wins in the regular season seems more than plausible.

2. Orlando Magic
Question- Will the loss of Hedu Turkoglu cost them their season?
Answer- While they do lose their point forward and defensively are weaker, the Magic were able to pull off well… Magic. Adding Vince Carter, the hometown hero, will make fans soon forget about the Turkish product. Having Dwight Howard in the middle, only the best center in the league, and Rashard Lewis, who stretches the floor by knocking down three pointers, could combine to make the best threesome outdueling Boston’s big three. It is also easy to forget that they are bringing back a healthy Jameer Nelson at point guard, who was only an all-star last year. They are my favorites to repeat as the Eastern Conference Champions.

3. Boston Celtics
Question- At their age, can they maintain the pace of an entire regular season?
Answer- Rasheed Wallace fits this team’s persona perfectly, but having four 30 year olds in their starting lineup could bring about mixed results. This team is clearly built for the post-season and will have experience on their side, yet they have to get through a regular season first. Garnett is already coming off a serious injury and expecting them all to be healthy at their ages is risky. If they are able to get through the marathon of a season without any lingering health concerns, then I can see this team making a serious run, considering their starting five may be the best in the game. The explosive Rajon Rondo running the show at point guard also makes them an intriguing contender.

4. Atlanta Hawks
Question- Is this the year they breakthrough to the Eastern Conference Finals?
Answer- Jamal Crawford will finally get a chance to play for a winning team who alongside Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson make for an excellent backcourt. They do have the talent and have improved in the last two seasons, but unless they add a power forward before the trading deadline, they are only advancing as far as the second round.

5. Chicago Bulls
Question- Derrick Rose is clearly good, but is it too soon to call him great?
Answer- Not too soon at all. He will not suffer a sophomore slump like many do, and is truly the real deal. As a rookie, he was able to lead his team to one of the most entertaining first round playoff series against Boston in quite a while. The loss of Ben Gordon will hurt, but Luol Deng will be back and should make up the point differential. Brad Miller and John Salmons will now have a full season to flourish while this team is still young, well coached, and hungry; all important ingredients for winning.

6. Washington Wizards
Question- Does Gilbert Arenas want to talk or play?
Answer- Both, but as a Wizards fan that is what you want. He is the NBA’s version of Chad Johnson. {I still refuse to call him Ochocinco} They run their mouth about anything and everything, but when they play well so does their team. This season, Gilbert should be healthy and have plenty of scoring help. Jamison, Butler, as well as the new additions of Randy Foye and Mike Miller will make for an explosive offense. New coach Flip Saunders will bring a winning attitude to this team and they could be a scare for opponents to play come playoff time.

7. Miami Heat
Question- Does Michael Beasley become a legit number two threat for Dwayne Wade?
Answer- {I hope so because I just drafted him on my fantasy team.}We all know what the MVP runner up can do in Dwayne Wade, but without a successful sidekick this team is not too good. Jermaine O’Neal is constantly hurt so it is up to Beasley, in only his second season to become a star. The depression issues should obviously raise serious concerns about his state of mind, but with more opportunity and getting starter’s minutes, he will improve enough to help out the explosive Wade, and at least give this team a playoff berth.

8. New York Knicks
Question- Can they become competitive so free agents actually want to come to New York?
Answer- The answer’s probably not, {but I am biased so I’ll say yes.} Danilo Gallinari needs to prove to his critics that he can stay healthy while being productive for an entire season. Wilson Chandler’s role is also important as the Knicks look to improve under D’Antoni’s system. It is reasonable to think that another season under D’Antoni leads to additional wins and they were only 7 wins away from making the playoffs last year. The real mystery that remains is their roster next year. I don’t want to start speculating, {but it is too tempting not to.} The Knicks have actual money to spend on free agents next year which includes a list of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and many others. I’m not saying they get any, but one seems possible, and if their current players show improvement, we could be looking at a respectable team for the future.

9. Detroit Pistons
Question- Have they lost their identity?
Answer- Yes, adding Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are great {from a fantasy perspective.} As a team though, they lost exactly what brought them their NBA Championship which was their defensive swagger. Without Billups and Rasheed Wallace, they will have no tenacity and leadership. They did bring back Ben Wallace, but he was talking about retirement and has never been the same since he originally left. They will have good individual play, yet no team chemistry and thus miss the playoffs.

10. Philadelphia 76ers
Question- Can rookie Jrue Holliday replace Andre Miller?
Answer- Andre Miller is one of the most under rated players in the league which is why I believe he makes Portland an instant contender while hurting his former team. Jrue Holliday may become a star, but not this quickly and Louis Williams is a shoot first guard which is not what they need from their potential starting point guard. Elton Brand has also never really fit into this squad and health always remains a question with him. On the bright side, Philly fans might get a chance at enjoying back to back World Series victories.

11. Indiana Pacers
Question- This team plays hard, but does it have the talent to make the next step?
Answer- They have a smart team, similar to their President Larry Bird, except one key difference is that they lack Larry Legend’s skills. Rookie Tyler Hansbrough and second year man Roy Hibbert will be solid pros but nothing incredible. While Danny Granger is a player who fills up a stat sheet, he has no real help around him. Similar to the Heat with Wade, if Granger doesn’t get a second star around him, another losing season is in store for them.

12. Toronto Raptors
Question- Can they keep Chris Bosh happy?
Answer- The Raptors need a quick start to their season, because if things get ugly early they will turn from potential buyers to sellers in the market early. I see them as being the most active team come mid-season with the potential of them giving up on Bosh, realizing that as a free agent he could be gone after this season. Bringing in Turkoglu should help with the improving Bargnani, but at the end of the day I do not think they can make the playoff push that many are predicting.

13. Charlotte Bobcats
Question- Who is going to score their points?
Answer- No one, which is why as much as you would like to argue on behalf of one of the greatest coaches, it once again will be a long season for the North Carolina connection of Larry Brown and Michael Jordan. Getting rid of Emeka Okafor for the offensively challenged Tyson Chandler seems puzzling. Their leading scorer may have to be Gerald Wallace who averaged a respectable 17 points last year, but he should not be the best player on your squad. The rest of their team plays great defense and are role players, yet they lack a true star to stay competitive for the course of an entire season.

14. New Jersey Nets
Question- Can their new Russian owner play for the team as well?
Answer- The Nets are in as big of a mess as Steve Phillips. Devin Harris will be an all-star in this league for years to come; however, they are also playing the wait until 2010 game and have no other stars around him. Sure they have some young guns in Courtney Lee and Brook Lopez, but they do not have nearly enough experience to compete even in the bottom half of the measly east.

15. Milwaukee Bucks
Question- Will the rookie set a future NBA trend for going abroad instead of going to college?
Answer- Brandon Jennings will have an opportunity to prove himself and silence the critics because he and Michael Redd are about the only positives the Bucks have to offer. If he has a successful rookie campaign, you may start seeing other prospects drop out of school to make money while playing overseas. I think Jennings will have a nice season, but going to college will still be the preferred choice for most youngsters and playing in Europe will be a rarity rather than regularity. As far as their season goes Drew Rosenhaus said it best… Next question?

Running Backs

Are you ready for some football? While all of you have probably already done your fantasy drafts{except if Mike Simpson is your commissioner}here is my list of the best Running Backs in the NFL this season. Last year I wrote about fantasy Quarterbacks, but this latest addition looks at the half back position. I decided to continue the theme of comparing fantasy players to stars in the music business, so I hope you enjoy.

1. Adrian Peterson-Dave Matthews Band

They can both put on one amazing live show

2. Matt Forte-Santana

Elevate the level of their surrounding talent

3. Michael Turner-Sting

Have proven they can be a superstar on their own

4. Maurice Jones Drew- O.A.R.

I love how now they are becoming more main stream

5. DeAngelo Williams-Kayne West

Yep, they are both going to be around for a while

6. Clinton Portis-Red Hot Chili Peppers

Consistently deliver quality work

7. Brian Westbrook-Jay-Z

When performing they are the best in the business; however, one takes time off due to injury, the other takes time off to be with Beyonce

8. LaDainian Tomlinson-Green Day

Unlike fine wine, as they get older, their talent diminishes

9. Frank Gore-Rob Thomas

Both gifted, yet have no real help around them

10. Brandon Jacobs-Earth Wind and Fire

Wind left for Tampa Bay, but Earth will be just fine, especially now that Fire gets thrown into the flames {this was already the nicknames given to the Giants tandem of running backs last year just in case you didn’t know where I was going with this one}

11. Steve Slaton-Sean Paul

They be “burnin” their opponents whether it’s on the football field or dance floor

12. Marion Barber III-Aretha Franklin

Successful, big {figuratively and literally}, tower over their competition, and you better show them “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.”

13. Chris Johnson-Milli Vanilli

Ok so maybe he did not fake his identity, but they kind of have the same hairdo going

14. Steven Jackson-Justin Timberlake

Better off going solo for any future success

15. Ryan Grant-Eminem

Trying to make a comeback, but who knows how that will go

16. Knowshon Moreno-Taylor Swift

Young, new, and potential for future success

17. Kevin Smith-Motley Crew

Isn’t being a part of a winless team the definition of a “Motley Crew”

18. Thomas Jones-Metallica

Whether it has to do with a new contract or Napster can you guys please stop complaining

19. Reggie Bush-Ozzy Osbourne

Sure they are entertaining to watch, but it’s hard to take them seriously as being part of the elite

20. Willie Parker-Will Smith

Incredibly successful who share awesome nicknames, “Fast Willie” and “Big Willie”

21. Ronnie Brown-Puff Daddy

Multi talented individuals who can do a plethora of things including running and throwing for touchdowns, orchestrating the wildcat offense, raping, producing, fashion, etc…

22. Joseph Addai-Stevie Wonder

Versatile entertainers but can’t seem to SEE open running lanes

23. Marshawn Lynch-Marilyn Manson

Just two hideous looking individuals {sorry, I speak the truth}

24. Darren McFadden-Kings of Leon

Might take longer then expected, but will eventually breakthrough

25. Derrick Ward-Sonny Bono

I’m just not sold that they can take their act solo

26. Chris Wells-Rihanna

Have unfortunately already taken too much of a beating

27. Laurence Maroney- Will. I. Am of Black Eyed Peas

It’s too crowded for them to enjoy individual success {Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and Fergie of course}

28. Willis McGahee- Coldplay

“You know how I know you’re gay, you listen to Coldplay,” or root for a player with a gay sounding last name… McGahee

29. Larry Johnson-Bobby Brown

Famous for beating up their spouses and way past their prime

30. Cedric Benson-Lil Kim

Complete jokes that are only famous for getting in trouble with the law

31. Jamal Lewis-2Pac

Both dead… I think?

32. Julius Jones-Garbage

An explanation really isn’t necessary

Meet the Mess

The New York Mets have been beaten and battered around like a girl after a night out with Chris Brown. The good news {I guess} is that the Mets DL is more formidable then some opposing teams actual lineups; however, it’s a sad state of affairs when it is actually better than their own squad. The players missing from the Mets everyday lineup includes Jose Reyes and both Carlos’s {Beltran and Delgado} who have a combined 9 All-Star appearances. They are also missing starting pitchers John Maine, Fernando Nieve, and reliever J.J. Putz. While the Mets have been notorious for choking in the month of September, this season they might not even field an actual squad come September. Of course injuries come with any sport, but losing 3 out of their 4 best hitters is something no team is able to withstand. Especially when David Wright looks more like David Wrong.{only 5 Home Runs} They currently sit below .500 as we enter the second half of the season. Winning the NL East now, would be as surprising as Angelina Jolie giving away one of her African babies.

One can make the argument, that these Mets are in fact the most frustrating team to root for in all of sports. Of course you have your perennial losers such as the Lions, Pirates, and Clippers, but there remains a key difference between these franchises and the Mets. These losing franchises have minimal hope and optimism before each year starts, and in their heart of hearts realize they are not going to win a championship. The Mets, at least in recent memory, are always predicted to do great things {Pre-Season Sports Illustrated Pick to win it all} but then always disappoint like a box office sequel.

Then you have the category that incorporates competitive teams that just fall short which consists of the likes of the Jets, Eagles, any professional team located in Cleveland, and most famously the Cubs. The major difference between this group of teams and the Mets are that their fan base while supporting and passionate about their club, is used to their team’s long history of losing. The Mets are close to being in this group, but they at least won a championship in the last 25 years.{1986}The other teams I just mentioned either won their last title in the 60’s, when American Bandstand rather than American Idol was popular, or never won it at all. The Mets have just slightly separated themselves from this category because they cannot use the excuse of “We have never won it before” or blame their losing because of a “Curse.” Instead their losing is a result of poor luck mixed with poor play though not poor talent because that is something they are rich in.

The average sports fan feels at least slight sympathy for Cubs or Cleveland fans who have never tasted victory while no one, other than Mets fans, seem to share their pain and frustration after losing. The New York Mets have an added disadvantage, and are treated more like second class citizens because the Yankees are in town. Even when they premiered Citi Field, it was overshadowed by the new Yankee Stadium. Maybe they should change their mascot from Mr. Met to Mr. Mess because it is extremely difficult to continually root for a ball club that always falls short. Trust me I share your grief Mets fans… because after all I love the Knicks.

Best Ballers According to Balls

After Kobe Bryant winning his 4^th NBA ring, and the recent news of O’Neal moving once again to team up with King James, the question remains where do these NBA legends rank in NBA history? Of course this is meant for debate so feel free to share your comments, but here are the Best Ballers according to Balls:

10. Oscar Robertson

The 12 time All-Star surely makes the list. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple double for the course of an entire NBA season. This stat is absurd; the equivalent would be winning the Triple Crown in either baseball or horse racing, or dating the three hottest Jessica’s {Simpson, Alba, and Biel} all in the same year. A Rookie of the Year Award, MVP, and NBA Championship also help cement his greatness in NBA history.

9. Tim Duncan

He could be the most boring player to watch of all time, yet the Big Fundamental is the greatest power forward to ever play the game. Duncan is a 4 time NBA Champion, 3 time NBA Finals MVP, and 2 time NBA MVP. He also won Rookie of the Year and is an 11 time All-Star with that number surely to increase. The new addition of Richard Jefferson can also help Duncan and the Spurs compete for their fifth championship in the last 10 years.

8. Shaquille O’Neal

He has been referred to as the most dominant player to ever play the game. He has more nicknames than the amount of husbands Elizabeth Taylor had, which includes The Diesel, The Big Aristotle, Superman, The Big Cactus, The Big Shaqtus {and I’m sure I’m missing some but you get the idea.} More than just a great basketball player, he became a media icon. Even non-sport fans know who Shaq is. He raps {His YouTube video asking Kobe how his ass tastes}, movies {remember Kazaam} and was even given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal Title. Besides his popular off the court antics, he is a superstar on the court as well. He has 4 NBA rings to go along with 3 Finals Most Valuable Player Awards. He has won the Regular Season MVP Award in 2000, Rookie of the Year Award, and 3 All-Star MVP Awards to go along with his 15 All-Star appearances.

7. Kobe Bryant

He is not Michael Jordan, but he is the second best shooting guard, at least in my book after winning it all this past season. Boy did the Hornets look dumb {with Jerry West looking like a genius} for trading the 13^th pick Bryant to the Lakers on draft day for Vlade Divac. Kobe Bryant’s resume consists of 4 Championships, 1 Finals and Regular Season MVP trophy, and 11 All-Star appearances and counting. His greatest individual accomplishment had to be scoring 81 points in a game against the Raptors. Maybe less awards then the previous two players mentioned, but the Black Mamba has the better chance out of the two to complete his entire hand with NBA rings. With also the greatest potential to raise his stock in the upcoming years, Kobe Bryant has certainly turned his NBA career around after avoiding a sexual assault allegation.

6. Larry Bird

Larry Legend is the lone white player to make the list and the greatest small forward in NBA history. He is only one of three players to win the NBA MVP for three consecutive years from 1984-1986. Bird is a 3 time NBA Champion with 2 Finals MVP awards. The rivalry between his Celtics and Magic’s Lakers captivated the league throughout the entire 1980’s. He was a 12 time All-Star and Rookie of the Year winner who epitomized the true meaning of Celtic Pride.

5. Wilt Chamberlain

Can you say Beast? He scored 100 points in a game against the Knicks and these were not today’s Knicks under D’antoni who give away points like Michael Jackson gave away candy to eight year olds.{R.I.P.} In fact one season he averaged 44.8 points per game to go along with 24.3 rebounds. He won 4 MVP Awards, 2 NBA Championships and 1 Finals MVP {he would have won a second Finals MVP for the 67’championship however this award was not created until 1969} A 13 time NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year Award in 1960, and most Total Rebounds in league history were also a part of the many accomplishments obtained by the former Harlem Globetrotter.

4. Bill Russell

As the old adage goes, “Winning isn’t everything; it is the only thing.” That pretty much sums up the career of the greatest player to ever wear the green and white. Winning 11 titles in his 13 seasons of playing is absolutely remarkable. The best defensive player the NBA has ever seen was also a 5 time recipient of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player trophy. He served as player-coach winning three titles during that span. Russell was apart of 12 All-Star teams. When you think of the 60’s you may think of the Beatles, but in the Basketball world, Russell and his Celtics dominated winning the title every year in the 60’s except in 67’.

3. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Some players’ statistics do not tell the whole story; nevertheless, with Lew Alcindor they indeed do. He has the most points in league history with 38,387. His list of accomplishments is as long as Michael Jackson’s list of play dates.{Last time, honestly} He is a 6 time NBA Champion and 6 time MVP. Winning 2 Finals MVP awards and Rookie of the Year Award are a few of his many highlights during his 20 year playing career. He made the All-Star roster a record 19 times. Probably the coolest recognition of his overall talent was that he created his own shot known as the “Sky Hook.”

2. Magic Johnson

The greatest Point Guard in NBA History who led the “Show Time” Lakers under Pat Riley in the 80’s to 5 championships. He won 3 Regular Season and 3 Finals MVP Awards while winning the Finals MVP in just his rookie season. Magic, a 12 time All-Star, had the versatility to play all positions of guard, forward and center. The flare that Johnson played with on the court was matched by his personality and charisma off the court even as he continues to battle against HIV to this day.

1. Michael Jordan

Do I really need to explain myself with this one? Besides his many accomplishments which include 6 NBA Championships, 6 NBA Finals MVP Awards, 5 NBA MVP Awards, 14 All-Star appearances, and Rookie of the Year Award, he transcended basketball from sport to entertainment. He was a marketing machine with corporate sponsorships making the NBA popular for fans all across the world. Air Jordan was so admirable even Larry Bird in the famous Gatorade commercial even wished he could be “Like Mike.”One of if not the most famous athletes of all time who was the epitome of clutch, has to be at the top of any list when it comes to basketball and greatness.

Stan the Man

Shaq called him the “Master of Panic”. Dwight called him out after a Game 5 loss to the Celtics. Heck even the Magic’s backup center, Marcin Gortat, had the nerve to rip his own head coach. The media makes Van Gundy out to look like Joe Biden, the target of all jokes who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. Yet with all of the criticism he has received by outsiders and within his own locker room, Stan Van Gundy has the chance to win the Orlando Magic its first ever NBA Championship. He must be doing something right.

Van Gundy started out his career by learning from one of the best in the business. He was an assistant and the heir apparent to Pat Riley within the Miami Heat Organization. After taking over for Riley he turned the Heat into a playoff team; however, Riley surely wanted to come back to coach once he was able to acquire Shaquille O’Neal from the Lakers. Riley basically told Van Gundy to “Stan” down or else he would be fired. Van Gundy then announced he was taking a leave of absence to spend more time with family which sounded as believable as OJ Simpson announcing he was going to search for the real killer. He finally found the job he wanted in Orlando only to be passed on by Billy Donovan, the Florida Gators coach who led the program to back to back championships. It was only after Donovan decided to go back to school {to prove to dad that I’m not a fool} that Van Gundy got offered the job. And now in only his second year as the Magic head coach, they are Eastern Conference Champions.

Part of being a great head coach is the legacy you leave behind. Hiring Patrick Ewing as an assistant coach after he previously worked for the Houston Rockets, proved to be valuable. After elevating the careers of both Yao Ming and Dwight Howard, Patrick Ewing will now have the opportunity to become a legitimate candidate for a head coaching position. Dwight Howard became the unquestioned, most dominant center in the NBA. This season, Howard won Defensive player of the year after leading the league in rebounds and blocks. He finished second only to David Lee with 63 double-doubles, and in the two years Ewing coached him he averaged 20 points per game.

Van Gundy’s team is playing unconventional basketball. Dwight Howard is the defensive guru while not necessarily their main offensive weapon in the closing minutes of a game. They rely mostly on the one NBA rule you are never supposed to follow. {They live and die on the three point shot} They have the most versatile front court in the NBA headlined by Howard. Rashard Lewis at 6’10 is an extremely tough cover for any opposing forward who can make threes while also having the quickness to drive to the basket. Hedo Turkoglu also at 6’10 from Turkey has the ability to put the ball on the floor and even plays some point forward during crunch time. I forgot to mention that for the second half of the season, Van Gundy’s team has been missing their all star point guard Jameer Nelson. There are not many teams that can survive a playoff run without having one of its all stars playing.

Sure it is easy to make fun of the guy who looks like porn star Ron Jeremy, but let’s give credit where credit is due. Stan Van Gundy is only one of three current NBA coaches not in their first year of coaching who has made the playoffs in every season. {Mike Brown and Phil Jackson are the other two}He was a finalist for Coach of the Year but the award was given to Mike Brown instead, who was badly outcoached by Van Gundy during their series. Of course for Van Gundy’s story to have a fairytale ending, he needs to defeat the Lakers for the NBA championship. Getting a ring before his brother Jeff Van Gundy, who will be at courtside announcing all the games for ABC, would just be icing on the cake.

Shall We Dance?

Some may look forward to their 5^th grade dance. Others are anxious about their Prom or their wedding day dance, but my favorite time for dancing occurs in March. Ask anyone what their favorite sport is and you will get many different answers but phrase the same question in March and an overwhelming portion will lean toward saying college basketball. Even the President is getting in on the act, as he already filled out his own bracket on ESPN. It is full of twists and turns with storylines that captivate our attention with a variety of mixed emotions that last more than just the month of March. Duke’s Christian Laettner catching a pass from across the other side of the gym only to turn around and sink a jumper to win it; The mistake that defines Chris Webber’s career as he called a timeout only to realize he did not have one, costing Michigan a national title, and a name that sounds more like your history teacher than it does a university as George Mason, the number 12 seed, defied all odds making a run to the final four defining what it means to be a Cinderella story. All of these many moments and more are what describe March for me. Of course it has an element of madness but more importantly it is the tournament of memories. College basketball and March just seem to go together like Christopher Walken and more Cowbell.

Now if you are going to a dance, what is the best thing to do before hand? Pregame of course. And that is why there are the conference tournaments. They wet are appetite just enough as we yearn for more basketball until we cannot get enough of it. Syracuse and Uconn needing 6 overtimes to settle it out in the World’s Most Famous Arena, do I need to say more? Here in the conference tournaments are also when schools such as Radford and Robert Morris, who we did not even know existed, get their chance to enter into the spotlight. As fun as pregaming is, the party is always more fun. So the next 34 at large teams are decided upon to make a field of the most deserving 65 teams. Now I know how we get to this next point can be debated and criticized on for days because there are many snubs; however, at the end of the day the committee who picks these 34 at large bids are usually correct. Sure one or two teams could be argued over another one or two but the college basketball tournament is the most fun, compelling, and entertaining tournament on a yearly basis in all of sports which is why there is no reason to expand the field.

Of course you now want my picks and last year I did have all 4 number one seeds reaching the final four but was robbed by a Mario Chalmers buzzer beater that defeated my Memphis Tigers. So here are my final four picks and get ready to put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the party.

{1 Louisville over {2} Memphis {1} Pittsburgh over {4} Gonzaga

Louisville beating Pittsburgh in the championship game.

I know 3 of these picks do not need much explanation and are pretty much chalk so I will just skip right to Gonzaga. Gonzaga has a legit NBA player in the middle who is a 6-11 senior, Josh Heytvelt that matches up well against Tyler Hansbourgh. They have 4 wins against tournament teams, won their last 9 games in a row and are being overlooked by many which is usually when they thrive under the radar. Ty Lawson, North Carolina’s best player is also hurt and his status remains uncertain throughout the tournament. In addition, everyone is taking North Carolina and as we saw against Florida State in the ACC Tournament, they are more vulnerable then we once thought.

Steroids Should Still Mean Hall of Fame

What do these names McGwire, Bonds, Clemens, and now A-rod have in common. Besides having their rear ends injected with syringes, they are some of the greatest players to ever play the game. McGwire is one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. Bonds is the greatest home run hitter of all time and A-rod has the chance to become the greatest home run hitter of all time. Oh and Roger Clemens may just be the best pitcher of all time. In my opinion, shouldn’t that entitle each of them a trip into to the Hall of Fame? It should not be based off judgments of character or take moral stands like they did against Pete Rose. {I still find it hard to believe that the all time hits leader is not in.} The Hall of Fame should include the very best players that define a generation. Unfortunately for baseball, all players that make it to Cooperstown within the last 20 years will be under a cloud of speculation no matter if they did use performance enhancers or not.

My major concern with Hall of Fame voting is that voters are too focused on athletes who have been linked to banned substances when in reality Major League Baseball was the problem. Bud Selig said in a recent statement that A-rod “shamed the game.” I’m sorry commissioner who makes 18 million a year, but you in fact “shamed the game.” It took until the year 2005 to finally make steroids a punishable offense, and HGH is still being used because your league has not found a way to test for it yet. So technically every athlete who used a banned substance, while it might have been unethical, did nothing legally wrong that could be punished by the league. Baseball ignored steroids as an issue during the 90’s when Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were competing for the single season home run record. Why you might ask? That’s a good question. The reason is because baseball used their record setting race to generate revenue from the fans. Baseball became a relevant sport again from an economic aspect since it just went through the turmoil of a strike in 1994. You would think baseball had to have known that their players were on some sort of “juice” for a long time but decided to handle that issue for a later day. Well, that day has come and it is not leaving us anytime soon.

Many players who have actually admitted to using steroids in their confessions often say “It was part of the culture.” That is true, yet it took baseball quite a while to understand that. What seems to be lost in this whole A-rod scandal is that he was just 1 of a 104 players who tested positive for a banned substance. The greater problem is an entire league has been plagued by this issue and not just a select few. It is easier to focus on the great ones because they make more money, become instant role models, and we feel like we deserve better from them. Though there still remains 103 other players on a list somewhere who have also “shamed the game”, but nothing imminent appears as far as tracking them down. That might be because once again at the time of these testing’s, steroids were not a punishable offense by Major League Baseball.

Rather than trying to go back and time, I and many other fans just want to know that the current game we are watching is in fact clean. It is Major League Baseball’s responsibility {that would mean you Bud} to have regular testing for all, not just some or the ones that are testable, but I mean all banned substances. Most fans are tired of congressional hearings that seem similar to the Salem Witch Trials. Besides doesn’t congress have bigger issues to solve like the economy?

Super Prediction

Maybe it is because I admire Kurt Warner’s journey.*{for those that do not know his story I found it online and decided to post it at the end of my blog because it is quite intriguing}Maybe it is because Kurt Warner helped me win fantasy football two years in a row. Maybe it is because these Arizona Cardinals have never reached the Super bowl and it is fun to root for the underdog. Whatever the reason may be, I have jumped along the Arizona bandwagon and honestly believe they will be the next NFL champions and here is why.

1. The Cardinals Coach is a former Pittsburgh employee and if anybody wants revenge on his former team for not giving him the head coaching job when Bill Cowher left it is Ken Whisenhunt. As an Offensive Coordinator for Ben Roethlisberger during their Super bowl win three seasons ago, he knows his strengths and weaknesses better than anybody. The coach also knows and surely discussed plays that Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau likes to call. It should not be extremely significant to the outcome of the game; however, knowing the opposing quarterback’s flaws and being familiar with plays that the defense will call should surely play some sort of role throughout the course of the game. Shouldn’t it?

2. There are not too many injuries worth mentioning for either team because after all it is the Super bowl so if you have a heart beat chances are you’re playing. {Even Dick Chaney would be considered healthy enough to play] It is worth noting though that Hines Ward has an injured right knee and will probably not be that effective. He is the heart and soul of this offensive with his run blocking and pass catching abilities and was also the Super bowl XL MVP when they won a couple of seasons ago. His limitations on the field should really hurt the Pittsburgh offense as they try to play catch up to the potent and high scoring Cardinals offense.

3. Usually the best player on the football field will let it be known to the entire world with practically the entire world watching. So who exactly is the best player between both teams? Larry Fitzgerald. 419 receiving yards, 23 receptions, and 5tds in just three post season games. Do I really have to go further? These numbers are absolutely astonishing over a three game span in the playoffs. A healthy Anquan Bolden, after getting an extra week of rest, and Steve Breaston makes it nearly impossible to double Fitzgerald, which means the Steelers defense will have to pick their poison. Fitzgerald should continue to dominate like he has all season long even if he is going up against the number one ranked defense in the NFL because he may just be the best wide receiver in the NFL.

4. If the game was being played in cold, rainy conditions I might change my opinion, but the game is in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida and this should only play into the Cardinal’s advantage. A warm weather atmosphere type game should logically favor a team that plays its home games in the desert you would think.

5. Finally the one and only thing while watching the big game that should be expected is the unexpected. Did you think that the new comer onto the scene, Tom Brady, would be able to win his first Championship by defeating “The Greatest Show on Turf” in the Rams? Remember when Oakland was favored only to get destroyed by the Tampa Bay defense. Those who say defense always beats offense, how about the Colts two years ago beating “Da Bears” and their dominant defense. And honestly did you believe that the undefeated New England Patriots were going to lose to the New York Giants? Whatever you believe might happen surely could occur, but all I am saying is I would not count on it.

*KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy was busy working when a new voice
came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was
almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the
call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the
new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26 and he was
only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find
out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card
and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only
to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left
the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again,
outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a
baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted
his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived
at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The
baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well,
let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not
taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet
her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis
thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a
paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't
come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman
with two kids, especially if one had disabilities just like her first husband
and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary, he had a
different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the
movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he
needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and
brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda
knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life
with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children.
Since then they have added two more kids.

Road Warriors Should Win on Wildcard Weekend

Kurt Warner was an early MVP favorite {and I appreciate him helping my fantasy football team} but his team decided to stop playing competitively after they clinched the NFC West division. They went 2-3 in their last 5 games and were defeated by an average of 30 points in those losses. Their two wins came at home against the struggling Rams and Seahawks. While they are 6-2 at home their two losses came against NFC playoff opponents. Michael the Burner Turner should be able to run all day against a porous Arizona defense. Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan as well as rookie head coach Mike Smith will not be fazed by the national exposure of playoff football. In the battle of the birds, the falcons will come away victorious.

In the most compelling of the wild card weekend games, the hottest two teams in the league will collide where somebody has to lose. The Chargers at 8-8 have won their last 4 games to overtake the Broncos in the AFC West while the Colts have won their last 9 games to get the number 5 seed. They come into the playoffs as an extremely dangerous team as they continue to get healthy with Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders returning to the lineup. They have the post season experience necessary, after winning a super bowl only two seasons ago, and have a chance to do some real damage after seeing the Giants win the Super bowl last year from the same # 5 seed. With the consistency of Peyton Manning, who should win MVP, the Colts will continue their successful season by defeating the Bolts in a close but exciting high scoring game.

Sunday has two great games as well. The first features two teams that last season had a total of 26 losses. Now with both teams finishing at 11-5, the Ravens and Dolphins make for the most unlikely of matchups heading into the year. New coaches and new quarterbacks have allowed both of these teams to improve drastically. Joe Flacco won the job by default and has exceeded expectations as a rookie by playing excellent football. Chad Pennington was gift rapped to the Dolphins after the Jets let him walk. He won his second comeback player of the year award and has helped to ignite the wild cat offense which was unseen in the NFL before. In another close game the key question will remain can the Ravens force enough turnovers to win the game? My answer is yes. While the Dolphins actually lead the league in fewest amounts of turnovers, this is the number 2 ranked defense in all of football. With Ray Lewis 117 total tackles and Ed Reed’s league leading 9 interceptions, the defense will be the great equalizer and give the edge to the Ravens.

Alright Scott Silverman I am finally going to give one of your Philadelphia teams some respect. After getting some much needed luck {Oakland yes Oakland beat the Buccaneers and Chicago lost on the road} they humiliated the Cowboys to earn the last playoff spot. After tying the Bengals earlier in the year, the season seemed all but over. Andy Reid made a gutsy decision to bench Donovan McNabb in Baltimore and now looks pretty smart for doing so. Since then, the club has gone 4-1 and McNabb has only thrown one pick after previously throwing 10 interceptions in 11 games. Having a healthy dose of Brian Westbrook and an effective Jim Johnson schemed defense of heavy blitzing have also helped in this late season turnaround. Minnesota’s head coach Brad Childress plays his former employee in what should be a defensive contest with few points to show. As good as Adrian Peterson is, he cannot do everything for his team. A young Tarvaris Jackson will look his age against this Eagles defense that strives on playing inexperienced quarterbacks. As they play a tough Minnesota opponent, the Eagles in the end will prove to be too much for the Vikings to handle.