Five days down in the MLB Season, what do you think? Lots of teams expected to finish well (Red Sox, Angels, Twins, Brewers) not doing as well as teams like the Orioles and Royals.
(Submitted by Greg from Newburyport, MA)
Yup, lot of surprises, I was hoping to put this blog up later following a Reds loss so I could mention the FIRST PLACE PITTSBURGH PIRATES, but instead I'll just point out they're tied for the wild card. Anyways, that's a pretty good microcosm of the season so far, lots of "surprises," but you only really notice them because it's the first series so everything gets over-magnified. If the Royals take three out of four from the Angels in July, nobody notices. Still, seeing this is what it's all about and why baseball is so great. You start out with every team having hope (except the 0-3 'stros it won't get much better, sorry Houston), move on to summer (who doesn't love a ballgame on a warm summer evening) and end with a battle for the most competitive playoff spot in all major American sports. Basically, none of it means anything, but its fun to watch. Yeah, the Red Sox lost three already, well they can afford to lose 59 more and still win 100. That's a lot of games. The two series that I thought were most important was Cincinnati sweeping the Brew Crew and the Dodgers taking three out of four from the Giants. Both series saw two division favorites squaring off, which means the game basically meant twice as much if they had played random teams. The 1-3 Twins aren't in as much of a hole as the one and three Giants, because they haven't already lost a chance to capitalize against a division opponent. But that "hole" they are in isn't very deep at all and in the grand scheme of things these games are more fun than meaningful.
Just eleven days till the NBA Playoffs tip off, how do you see this one playing out?
(Submitted by Greg from Colgate University)
Well call me the Boston Celtics, but I am more than ready for this postseason to start.
I'll start out west since I usually give all the love to my Celtics on this blog. (I'll keep my answers brief here, but I may expand on it once the seeds are set)
Let's assume the seeds stay the way they are since that's easiest gives us:
1-8: Spurs vs. Griz-Gotta take the favorite and go with the Spurs here, in four.
2-7: Lakers vs. Hornets-Same thing I'll go with the defending champs (wow that hurts to write that), in five.
3-6: Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers-So tempting to pick the upset with the new look Blazers who have won 63% since they got Gerald Wallace, but if it weren't for a 2-9 stretch from Dec. 28th to January 17th, they'd be the one seed right now. The Mavs are first in assists per game and I think too many people are underrating them, Dallas in 6.
4-5: Thunder vs. Nuggets-This has great series, seven games written all over it. Two of the best home court advantages in the NBA, both teams making big moves at the trade deadline that seem to make them better. I'm going to pick the upset here, partially just because I don't like picking all the better seeds and I think this one could be a toss up. Nuggets in 7 (yup, on the road in OKC.)
On to the East.
1-8: Chicago vs. Indy-Not even a close series. Chicago in four.
2-8: Heat vs. Knicks-Not sure either of these seeds will hold, the Celtics/Heat and Knicks/Sixers are still all possibilities to play each other. I don't know which team is scarier in the playoffs for the Heat/C's, the Knicks or the Sixers, both have a lot of potential and should play either team very tough. I'll say the Knicks are the tougher team mainly because they're up 76-47 on the Raptors and they run a lot. They also beat the Heat with Melo already. Anyways, the point is, either matchup is tough, but both better teams should escape. Heat in 6.
3-6: Celtics vs. Sixers-Scary matchup for the C's, they've struggled against the Sixers all season, and Andre Iguodala gives Paul Pierce fits. The 'tics have also struggled in the first round in the big three era. But I think this team has shown they still know how to turn it on when they have to, and I think ever since the Perk trade they've been eager for the playoffs. C's come out strong and win in 5.
4-5: Magic vs. Hawks-I honestly think the Hawks are worse than the Sixers and Knicks. Magic in 5.
I'll post my predictions for the later rounds when the seeds are set for sure.
How ugly was the NCAA Championship last night?
(Submitted by Greg form Hamilton, NY)
Ugly. Three two's in the entire game for Butler, are you kidding me. I do think the defenses did a great job, watching Butler d-up the UConn inbounds plays was pretty fun to watch, but this was a pretty ugly game. Missed layups galore for Butler. I think the NCAA should look into whether or not they should continue having these games in football arenas, the backdrop is definitely tough on shooters and leads to a less exciting game. Losing 30,000 fans in the seats over three games could be balanced by adding a million viewers if the basketball were higher quality.
You promised more sports than just Basketball, Football and Baseball. Where is it?!
(Submitted by Greg from Mass)
You're absolutely right Greg. And what better week to bring that up than the start of the Champions League Quarterfinals. Big surprise was seeing Schalke 04 win 5-2 at Inter. So much for the defending champs. Schalke is currently 10th in a crazy Bundesliga (Bayern third and not going to win). Real over Totty 4-0 at home today, means both these contests are essentially decided before the second leg. I hate to see Tottenham lose, especially on a red from Crouch in the fifteenth, because it was fun to see this surprise team in the EPL doing some damage with exciting guys like Garreth Bale and Aaron Lennon leading them. With Chelsea playing ManU, only one EPL team will make it through to the semis, which is unfortunate because you definitely want to see at least one English club playing in the final at Wembley. As far as that one goes, ManU is looking too good right now, now that Rooney is back in top form. Chelsea is going to need Torres to figure it out fast and show why he was worth the money they paid if they want a chance. I'd call a draw or a one goal ManU win at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and a win at Old Trafford to seal it. The only other match is Barcelona vs. suprising Shakhtar. Looks like the clock is going to strike midnight on Cinderella, Barcelona wins this one big at the Nou Camp and puts it out of reach.
And finally out first real question:
How will taking a paycut affect Cam Newton in the NFL?
(Submitted by Harry from the Graveyard aka my Dad)
Well, it's not looking like a paycut because Todd McShay today was saying he's hearing a lot of rumors that Newton will go number one overall. Are you kidding me? Did NFL teams not learn anything from Vince Young? Athletic quarterbacks with athletic ability but questionable arms who win Heismans and National Championships but score 9 on their wonderlics don't equate to NFL success. Let's not forget his off court issues, stole a kids laptop at Florida, left Florida because of three instances of academic cheating, went to Auburn and may have gotten paid a boatload of money. I don't see how he possibly seems like a guy who could lead this (or just about any) team to success.
Alright that's all for tonight, keep sending those questions in!
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