We Talking Playoffs

Finally, it's playoff time! The matchups especially out West are intriguing. Here are some initial reactions:
Mia/Mil: ugh blowout
NY/Bos: should be a good one, veteran celts led by knick killer Pierce vs melo fuelled MSG
Chi/Bro: kinda intriguing, will the nets choke?
Atl/Ind: Hawks fold Pacers roll
Okc/Hou: the Harden bowl, he'll explode in this series
SaS/LaL: Are the Spurs healthy? Battle of the big men in this series
LaC/Mem: Grizz roll Clippers shame continues
Den/Gs: Salivating! Scoring! Up and down! I have no idea who will win this one think it all rests on Lawson.

Once the series begin (after game one) I will make some predictions for each. Back at ya on Monday. Time constraints hurt!

The Dregs

Now we wait!  Yippee!  NCAA b-ball ended on Monday night with a great game between Michigan and Louisville.  The NBA season is winding down and literally crawling to the finish.  Hockey is doing the same.  Baseball has begun, yet it is too early to take seriously as of yet.  The Masters is on the weekend but unless Tiger is in it at the end it is well, golf.  During slow periods like this all we can do I reflect on what we’ve seen and look ahead to what might be in the world of sports. 

-There has to be more to the Rutgers story right.  Another firing?  Evidence of a coverup?   I trust ESPN will get to the bottom of this.  The Sandusky mess certainly fuelled the desire in reporters and consumers for such a story on big time college athletics.  There’s nothing like seeing the big fall. 

-College athletes need to be paid.  They make their schools millions, pay them. 

-Skip v. Luke!  Who saw that one coming in the national championship game?  Reminded me of the movie Hoosiers. 

-Tough to gauge who will have solid pro careers out of the top players in the Final Four.  Carter-Williams is a poor man’s Shaun Livingston.  McGary did it for a 10 game stretch but he would be insane to now got pro, next year’s draft is strong.  Burke and Dieng probably are safe bets to be solid rotation players.

-The NBA draft looks weak.  Wow.  No given talent in this one.  Smart and Noel are the only ones that stick out to me. 

-Do think the Shaq retirement jersey snafu was intentional?

-Melo is on fire! Can the Knicks do some damage in the playoffs?  Book it.  They will get to the conference finals.  Our expectations for a high quality tilt with the Heat will be at a fervor pitch.  Sadly, for us all the Knicks will be steamrolled.  Thus, letting all of America down. 

-Geez my Dallas #8 seed pick was way off.  Looks like the Lakers will get it as Utah has shown no heart over the past week.  I for one am disappointed.  Imagine Kobe’s comments should the Lakers miss the players.

-MWP to the surprise of everyone is back.  The guy is a warrior.  Or is he looking for employment next year? 

-Hockey!  Ovechkin is back.  Wondered a few weeks ago if he still elite, a flash in the pan? 

-Ottawa is fading fast.  Like the young talent though. 

-Will Crosby be back?  My guess is yes just in time for the playoffs wearing a cage. 

-Love the intensity of playoff hockey. Can’t wait!

-The Red Sox are off to a good start.  I can’t bring myself to judge or make any declarations yet about this team.  Except.  Farrell will help with Bucholtz and Lester. 

-Justin Upton MVP. 

-Does anyone care about NCAA spring football?  Not me. 

Boom B Ball Time

  Love this time of year.  College Basketball is in full meltdown hysteria mode and the NBA Playoff picture is coming into focus.

NCAA
-The Kevin Ware injury was horrific.  Never thought it was possible to do that on a court.  Ughh.  Football maybe but hoops no.  No one was prepared for that.  Wishing the kid a speedy recovery.
-Louisville might as well have had a home game considering that crowd in Indy.  Yes I am a bitter Duke fan.
-Onto the Jabari Parker era.
-Where is Maple Jordan aka Andrew Wiggins going to school next year?  I hope it's not Carolina.
-Louisville seems to be in steamroller mode.  Siva and Smith are forces of nature and Dieng covers the rim.
-Love the Shockers.  Wichita State has depth and boards.
-Louisville wins it.
-Michigan needs to solve the Syracuse zone.  Will Stauskas get open looks?  Will the zone neutralize McGary?
-Orange win behind swats from Keita and a big game from Fair.
-Louisville beats out the Orange in the title game.
-Alford at UCLA.  Good luck Steve.
-It's NBA Draft declaration season.  This class is weak and unpolished.  Bennett from UNLV seems raw but he has the skills.  It will be between the ears with him but he seems like a fine Canadian product.  The rest aside from Noel of Kentucky really don't register as NBA talents with me.  We will see.

NBA
-The streaks are over.  Both Miami and Denver lost last week.
-Would have been nice to see the Heat streak make it to San Antonio but instead we treated to sitting stars by the Alamo.
-Miami's streak was out of this world like Lebron.  Wow.  The Heat will not be challenged until the conference finals.  Indy or NY might have a chance to test them a bit.
-Rooting for a MIA/SA final.
-Clippers seem to be falling.  Just like last year's, is Del Negro the issue, end to the season?
-I think CP3 is a bit overrated.  A great player no doubt.  But top five in the league?  I'd rather have Irving, Rose, and Rondo when healthy.
-The race for #8 in the West is a dandy.  I can't imagine the Laker's will hold onto it given the year they've had.
-Utah has some depth but can Mo Williams be trusted late in games?
-The number 8 seed will go to the Mav's-  Dirk wants it as much as Kobe and he has a better roster around him by a hair.
-Loved typing that last one.  Go Celtics!