NBA Playoffs 2008

I do not care too much for the NBA, but nonetheless here are my predictions:

WEST

Round 1
1. Lakers over 8. Nuggets in 6
7. Mavericks over 2. Hornets in 7
3. Spurs over 6. Suns in 7
4. Jazz over 5. Rockets in 6

Quarterfinals
1. Lakers over 7. Mavericks in 6
3. Spurs over 4. Jazz in 4

Semi-finals
1. Lakers over 3. Spurs in 7

EAST

Round 1
1. Celtics over 8. Hawks in 4
2. Pistons over 7. 76ers in 6
3. Magic over 6. Raptors in 5
4. Cavaliers over 5. Wizards in 4

Quarterfinals
1. Celtics over 4. Cavaliers in 6
2. Pistons over 3. Magic in 7

Semi-finals
1. Celtics over 2. Pistons in 7


NBA FINALS
1. Celtics over 1. Lakers in 6

(Yes, I have picked the most obvious finals matchup ever.. simply because I think the NBA wants this to happen so bad for ratings that it will happen.)

Playoff MVP- Kevin Garnett, F Celtics

"Oh How SWEEP It Is!"

Last year the Pittsburgh Penguins stood at center ice, in single file, shaking the hands of the victorious Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in Kanata, Ontario. That was a year ago. That was then. That was "those Penguins." "These Penguins" are different. This year produced a similar scene. The Penguins stood in that all too familiar single file line shaking hand with the Senators. But, this year the Senators shook the hands of the victors, the Pittsburgh Penguins. If there was any doubt who the better team was going into this series it was all but removed by a convincing 4-0 sweep by the Pens.

The Penguins went storming out of the gate in game one with a 4-0 victory in a game where the Senators really were blindsided by a much better team on the ice. Game 2 had a similar start, with the Penguins jumping out to a 3-0 lead. But the Sens showed resolve for really the only time in the series, rallying to tie the Pens at 3 in the 3rd period. But, a rap-around goal by Ryan Malone with 1:02 left in the game, as well as an empty-netter by the Pittsburgh native #12 sealed the deal to give the Pens a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 moved the series to Ottawa, and brought the return of Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson. His obviously still injured body only hindered the Senators attempts to get back into the series, as they fell behind 3 games via a 4-1 Penguins victory. Game 4 was the chance for the Penguins to sweep a series since they won the Cup in 1992. They did just that. Evgeni Malkin handled a phenomenal pass from Sidney Crosby and stuck it in the net to go up 1-0. The Sens would tie it up shortly after. A breakaway spin-a-rama goal by Jarko Ruutu and an empty-netter gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead and the sweep of the series.

NCAA Tournament

It's the Sweet 16... and my bracket is destroyed. Here's a look at the matchups and my predicted winners to move onto the Elite 8, Final 4, and National Championship.

EAST- Easily the toughest bracket still remaining. All four teams could make the Final 4.

4. Washington St. Cougars @ 1. North Carolina Tar Heels.
This matchups features 2 teams that in 4 total games have outscored their oponents by 121 points, an average of over 30 points/game. The Cougars have been very impressive in their wins, but Carolina has been pure dominant.
Winner: North Carolina

3. Louisville Cardinals @ 2. Tennessee Volunteers.
Tennessee is coming off an overtime victory, while Louisville is coming off an old school whoopin' of Oklahama. Louisville has looked very good as of late, but Tennessee's speed and shooting ability is what can move them onto the Round of 8.
Winner: Tennessee


2. Tennessee Volunteers @ 1. North Carolina Tar Heels
Winner: North Carolina



MIDWEST- A region of high seed surprises, and a guy named Stephen Curry.

12. Villanova Wildcats @ 1. Kansas Jayhawks
The 'Cats have been a suprise from the start, but have yet to beat a considerably good team. Clemson seemed flat and over-rated, and Siena was just not at Big East compition standards. The Jayhawks have a ton of talent and will be too much for Nova.
Winner: Kansas

10. Davidson Wildcats @ 3. Wisconsin Badgers
Two words... Stephen Curry. He is averaging 35 ppg for the Wildcats, who have been a giant surprise in this years Tourney. The Badgers though sport one of the premier defenses in the Nation. In the end, Curry hits the game winner to move on.
Winner Davidson


10. Davidson Wildcats @ 1. Kansas Jayhawks
Winner: Kansas



SOUTH- All of the top teams still remain... except Pitt.

5. Michigan St. Spartans @ 1. Memphis Tigers
This may be the most physical matchup of the tourney. Memphis has a great physical presence. State looks like they are on a mission after knocking off the hottest team in the nation, Pitt. It will be a close one... but...
Winner: Memphis

3. Stanford Cardinal @ 2. Texas Longhorns
Both teams squeaked out wins in the last round. Both teams are phsical and quick. Texas seems like a more rounded team and a little more ready for the run they are on. Plus, I have them in my Final 4. So...
Winner: Texas


2. Texas Longhorns @ 1. Memphis Tigers
Winner: Texas



WEST- Some surprises in this one. But a guy named Love holds it together.

12. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers @ 1. UCLA Bruins
The Toppers have had an amazing run to the Sweet 16, but they haven't faced anyone like the Bruins. With wins over the 5 Seed (undeserved) Drake, and the surprising San Diego, WKU isn't in the same league as UCLA, and K-Love.
Winner: UCLA

7. West Virginia Mountaineers @ 3. Xavier Musketeers
WVU pulled off some solid victories against Arizona, who didn't deserve to be in the tourney, and Duke, who doesn't deserve to be Duke anymore. Xavier beat the SEC Champs and a good Purdue team. Yet, i think that Joe Alwxander will be the difference.
Winner: West Virginia


7. West Virginia Mountaineers @ 1. UCLA Bruins
Winner: UCLA



FINAL 4

1. Kansas Jayhawks @ 1. North Carolina Tar Heels
Winner: North Carolina

2. Texas Longhorns @ 1. UCLA Bruins
Winner: UCLA



CHAMPIONSHIP

1. UCLA Bruins @ 1. North Carolina Tar Heels
Winner: North Carolina

MVP: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

Hossa Trade

They deadline was coming up, and it seemed that the Penguins were going to stay put. When, suddenly, they shocked the hockey world, by acquiring all-star Marian Hossa in a trade with Atlanta. The Penguins sent forwards Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen, as well as first round draft pick Angelo Esposito and a first round draft pick next season. The Penguins got back wingers Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. Also, the Penguins traded 2nd and 5th Round draft picks to Toronto for veteran defenseman Hal Gill.

First, I will start with the negatives of this trade. The Penguins gave up an emotional locker-room leader and Sidney Crosby's best friend Colby Armstrong, who had recorded 24 points this season. Then, they gave up Christensen, who is tied for shootout goals this season and is a promising young player. Then there is Angelo Esposito, who was considered by some to be the best player in last years NHL Draft. Then, the Penguins gave up a first round draft pick, to go along with the 2nd and 5th round picks for Gill. So, a lot was given up by the Penguins to acquire Hossa. Also, ther eis some doubt of the Penguins ability to resign Hossa for a long-term deal this summer.

Now for the positives. This, in my opinion, is a fantastic move by the Penguins. First, Colby Armstrong is a great leader and has a great personality. He is funny and is close to our star player. I love what Colby brought to the team. But, this is hockey, not a social club. While I will miss Colby greatly, I am excited to see what Hossa brings to the table. We are talking about a 30+ consistent goal scorer. He already has 56 points this season. Armstrong and Christensen have combined for 44 points this season, 12 less than Hossa. Christensen has not really produced, except for in shootouts. Well guess what? There are no shootouts in the playoffs. Plus, Dupuis is a promising player, who skates fast and bring a great presence to the wings. Then there is Gill, who was traded for draft picks. Gill brings a big body (6'7"- 255 lbs) to the defense. He is a tough player who will be a perfect match for Gonchar or Whitney. Then, there is Angelo Esposito. Last year, we drafted Jordan Staal first. He produced. Esposito is a lazy player who might never amount to anything. His potential went from great to questionable. Finally, there is the first round draft pick. If the Penguins go deep into the playoffs, which they should, that draft pick wil be so late that it doesn't really matter.

So, all in all I give this trade an A-. If not for the fact that the Penguins lost a great leader this would be an A for sure. Hopefully the Penguins can mesh this late into the season and make a run towards the Cup. With top players like Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Gonchar, Fleury, Staal, Conklin, Whitney and Sykora (gasp) this team has to be considered the best team in the East now.

NHL Top 10 Power Rankings

1. Red Wings- NHL's version of the Patriots?

2. Senators- Heatley+Alfredsson+Spezza=Magic.

3. Stars- "Hey y'all, let's play some puck!"

4. Flyers- If you buy them, wins will come.

5. Sharks- Here comes the Cheechoo train!

6. Penguins- They are 6 without Crosby... yikes! (3rd with him)

7. Devils- Still finding ways to win with no fans and new roster.

8. Wild- Representing Canasota very well.

9. Canadiens- Great PP means a lot of wins.

10. Flames- Iginla is a consistent leader for Calgary.

2008-2009 Outlook

Ouch... the Steelers enter the 2008-2009 campaign facing a brutal schedule, with not much sunshine in any week of the season. Here is a look at what they face:

Home Games:
Browns, Bengals, Ravens, Texans, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants

Away Games:
Browns, Bengals, Ravens, Jaguars, Titans, Patriots, Eagles, Redskins

No game in this lineup is a cupcake by any means. The Steelers face 8 playoff teams. They only face two teams that had a losing record (Ravens, Bengals) last season. Their opponents combined record is 131-77, which is just daunting. They go up against 3 of the 4 Conference Championship Round teams and both Superbowl teams. They have to go on the road against the only team that beat them at home last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, I understand that all the NFL cares about is TV ratings, but when it was determined that the Steelers would have to play the 2 strongest divisions in the NFL, you would think that the two bonus games would be a little easier (maybe the Raiders or Chiefs). But no, they gave them an away game against the New England Patriots and a home game against the Chargers. With this schedule, i feel as if the Steelers will be an 9-7 team, which might be enough to actually win the division this year. The Browns, who will probably compete for the division with the Steelers, face much easier bonus games, with the Bills and Broncos on the schedule. It is important that the Steelers win all their games in the division, if they want any shot at winning the division title and making the playoffs again. But, every team has that shot (Giants) at winning it all, and hopefully we will se a familiar sight at the end of next season:

The Dream... Come True. 18-1*

In what looked to be one of the more boring Superbowl's in recent history, quickly turned into one of the most thrilling and amazing finishes to any NFL game. Eli Manning, took a 10 minute opening drive down the field, only to kick a FG. The Patriots would answer that score with a Lawrence Maroney touchdown from one yard out, making the score 7-3. The score would stay the same until the 4th Quarter, where the action picked up. Manning drove the Giants down the field, hitting David Tyree with the go-ahead TD, making the score 10-7. The Patriots, led by Tom Brady, would rush down the field and hit Randy Moss for the touchdown, making the game 14-10 Patriots. With a couple minutes left in the game Eli Manning started the biggest drive in Superbowl history. After a few nickle and dime plays to get the Giants near midfield, Eli Manning connected on an enormous pass to David Tyree, after sneaking away from the Patriots charging blitz. What is debatable is which part of the play was more impressive: Tyree's catch, which he out-jumped Rodney Harrison for, and pinned against his own helmet, keeping it from hitting the ground, OR Eli Manning's remarkable escape from certain doom to make a bullet pass to Tyree. After this play, Manning connected on a 3rd and 11 to pick up the first down. Then, with 39 seconds left on the clock, Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a fade route to put the Giants up 17-14. The Patriots would try 4 Hail Mary's (3 incompletions, 1 sack), all failures. Mannning took over with 0:01 left on the clock, nealt down and secured the Giants first Superbowl win in 21 years.

From a Steelers fan to the G-Men, I say congrats. We know what it's like to run the table on the road and come out victorious, so I salute you. I was rooting for you the entire time. Not because I necessarily wanted you to win, but because I didn't want the Patriots to win.

18-1*.

Stay tuned for some variation to new sports, as well as an early outlook on next football season.