Spurs vs. Thunder Preview

Having just swept the Clippers, Tony Parker and the Spurs will take on the number two seed Thunder. 

After beating the Lakers, the Durantula and  Co. will take on the Spurs. 

The Western Conference Finals will be a battle of the new generation of the NBA vs the old guard. The #1 seed vs. the #2 seed. Kevin Durant vs. Tim Duncan. Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio. Thunder vs. Spurs.

The Spurs come into this series having won 8 straight games in the playoffs. First blowing out Utah, and then decimating the Clippers. Counting the regular season, the Spurs have won an astounding 18 games in a row. The Spurs have been led by its two stars, Tony Parker and Duncan. Parker has been putting up 19 points per game, and 7 assists, and Duncan has been contributing a team high 9 rebounds per game.

OKC has come in hot as well. Beating the Lakers 4-1, in a series which could have gone either way, as the Lakers lost leads in multiple games. As usual, the Durantula has been dominating the competition for the Thunder. He has been scoring 26 points, and getting 8 boards per game. As usual, James Harden has been contributing off the bench, scoring 17 points in 30 minutes.

Team Comparisons: 


Point Guard: Russell Westbrook (OKC) vs. Tony Parker (SA)
Both of these players are superb. On one hand there is Westbrook, the Batman to Durant's Robin, and on the other, there is Parker. Parker, once a supporting cast member to Tim Duncan, has now officially had the torch passed to him. He led the Spurs in points and assists, and finished third in player efficiency rating on his team.He also had the best assist to turnover ratio in his career. There is also the young Westbrook. Westbrook has, willingly or not, been second fiddle to Durant. He has of course contributed, but let's be real, Parker is the star, and Westbrook is the co-star. It should be fun to see these two go at it come Sunday.
Edge: San Antonio


Shooting Guard: Thabo Sefelosha (OKC) vs. Daniel Green (SA) 
Well this is a rather interesting battle. Despite starting each game, both of these players play less than their better known sixth men; James Harden for the Thunder, and Manu Ginobili for the Spurs. Green averaged 8 points during the season, while Thabo averaged just 4. Green got a little bit more playing time, 23 minutes compared to Thabo's 21, and did more with his time. These two are just really on the court in order for their more famous backups to play, but Green gets the edge, as Thabo has been struggling this playoffs.
Edge: San Antonio 


Small Forward: Kevin Durant (OKC) vs. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 
Sorry Kawhi, but Durant just won his third straight scoring title. This playoffs, he has constantly helped his team when they desperately need him. And what you have done? You've been a good starter for the Spurs and could be a vital part of the next Spurs Dynasty. But for now, it's Durant's time to shine.
Edge: Oklahoma City 


Power Forward: Serge Ibaka (OKC) vs. Tim Duncan (SA)
Ibaka is one of the best young players in the game. He can score, block shots, get boards, anything you need. Oh, and he's also 6 foot 10 and 235 pounds. In the other corner, is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Tim Duncan, for years he has averaged a double. Until these past two years. Where he failed to reach double digit rebounds. Does that make him worse than Ibaka? No, it does not. Duncan has played and started in 184 playoff games. Ibaka has played in just 32. Duncan has experience, Ibaka doesn't. That's all you need to know.
Edge: San Antonio 


Center: Kendrick Perkins (OKC) vs. Boris Diaw (SA) 
Perkins has the experience, and was a great addition for the Thunder. Diaw is a little small, but is still a solid player. Neither of them score, but Perkins gets some boards. Neither will really be a large factor in the outcome of the games, but Perkins has won a championship, so I'll give this battle to him.
Edge: Oklahoma City 


Bench: 
Both the Thunder and the Spurs have great benches. The most intriguing battle of all on the bench, will be James Harden against Manu Ginobili. Both of these guys can score, and shoot lots of jumpers. The Thunder added Derek Fisher this season to help bolster their point guard position. Besides Ginobili, the Spurs have Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, and Stephen Jackson. Because the Spurs have more depth in their bench, they should score more, but Harden can give Manu a run for his money.
Edge: San Antonio 


The Pick: 
Both of these teams, are really, really good. The Spurs have lots of experience in playoff games, and while the Thunder does as well, their two core players, Durant and Westbrook have never been to the finals. Parker and Duncan meanwhile, have won three championships together. This series will be really close, but the Spurs have experience in the championship, and no what it takes to win, and that should carry them over the Thunder.
Spurs over Thunder in 7

The Tale of Two Sluggers

While Pujols is struggling in Anaheim....

Kemp is thriving in Los Angeles

Los Angeles. In the so-called city of Angels, there is a certain Dodger who is standing out with 12 home runs in the month of April. 

Anaheim. The Angels spent 240 million dollars, and committed 10 years for a guy who is hitting 202, and without any home runs. 

Two sluggers, two completely different stories. There are also two completely different teams. The Dodgers are in first place in the NL West, while the Angels are already 7.5 games behind Texas. Oh, and they are in last place. So much for 240 million? 

Matt Kemp is a star. The Albert Pujols signing is looking like a bust. Many Fantasy owners and even Angels fans are starting to question the amount of money, as well as the length of the contract. Meanwhile. Dodgers fans are rejoicing, and many Matt Kemp fantasy owners are in first place in their leagues. 

Numerous Angels fan are saying “Oh its early, he’ll turnaround”. Well guess what. It’s May 4, and Albert still hasn’t homered, and has under 10 RBI’s. Then you get the people who are skeptical of Kemp’s fast start. He has faced the Pirates, and Padres among others. But, he’s also faced the Nationals, and hit a walkoff home run against them last Saturday. 

It still may be early, but Matt Kemp and Albert Pujols are true symbols of their team. Kemp and the Dodgers, a fast starting, and lots of run scoring. Pujols and the Angels, not scoring much, and in last place. But then again, Jered Weaver pitched a no-hitter on Wednesday. 

Baseball Preview

New Angels Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson will lead their team to the World Series. 

Roy Halladay will lead his team to the World Series this year. 

They’re back. Stephen Strasburg, Johan Santana, Buster Posey, Kendrys Morales and more. After a long winter, Baseball is back. For Strasburg, Santana, Posey, and Morales, this season couldn’t have come faster. Strasburg pitched in just five games last year due to a Torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament. Posey, fractured his left fibula, and missed all but 45 games. Santana and Morales each sat out the whole season. The 2012 season brings a new opportunity for each of these four players. 

So, what happened during the winter? For starters, the Angels spent 500 million to get arguably the best hitter in baseball, and the best pitcher on the free-agent market in Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. As an added bonus, Wilson was the ace of division rival Texas Rangers By adding Pujols, the Angels have an extremely dangerous lineup, and the addition of Wilson, contributes to an already potent starting rotation. These two signings have many thinking the Angels could win their second World Series, and reclaim the division crown. 

The Angels will have some trouble getting back the division crown from the Rangers, however, as they signed Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish is expected to replace Wilson in the rotation. The Rangers also have former Angels catcher Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, and Nelson Cruz in their lineup. The Angels-Rangers rivalry could be one of the most interesting this season. 

Besides in the AL West, what else happened? The Brewers had some drama. Ryan Braun was accused of taking illegal drugs, and star first baseman Prince Fielder signed with the Tigers, to team with Miguel Cabrera, who is shifting over to third base for the first time since 2007, when he was with the Marlins. 

The Marlins had a spending spree of their own. Adding former White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, to rejuvenate a franchise that has won more world series titles in their 19 year history, then the Cubs have in the last 104. Owner Jeffery Loria built a lavish new stadium, and added former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, and former Padres closer Heath Bell. The Marlins also renamed themselves, in order to identify with their city. Their new name, the Miami Marlins, has also led to a new logo. 

This season also has added a second wildcard. Both wildcards will have a play-off, with the first place in the wildcard gaining home field advantage in the game. The winner of that game will face the team with the best record. This second wildcard should make for an exciting postseason. Speaking of postseason, see below for play-off predictions! 

Postseason Predictions: 

American League:                                             National League: 

Wild-card Playoff:                                             Wild-card Playoff:

Yankees over Rangers                                      Giants over Marlins

Division Series:                                              Division Series: 

Angels over Yankees                                    Phillies over Giants 

Tigers over Rays                                           Diamondbacks over Reds 

Championship Series:                                Championship Series: 

Angels over Tigers                                       Phillies over Diamondbacks 

World Series: 

Phillies over Angels 

Final Four Preview

Thomas Robinson and Kansas take on Ohio State tomorrow. 

Anthony Davis and the rest of his squad take on Louisville. 

We’re finally here. 64 teams have been eliminated, to leave us with four. These four teams have demonstrated that they are the best in college basketball. From the South region we have Kentucky. Kentucky has beaten everyone this year. Everyone except Indiana, whom they avenged in the Sweet 16, and Vanderbilt, who were eliminated in the third round. They have dominated their opponents in this tournament, beating Western Kentucky, Iowa State, Indiana, and Baylor by at least 12 points. Facing Kentucky, is number four seed Louisville. Louisville has surprised everyone this tournament to become the West Region champs, beating Bradley Beal’s Florida squad. 

In the other matchup, Thomas Robinson and Kansas take on Jared Sullinger and Ohio State. Kansas, which finished with a 27-6 record this season, including a victory over the Buckeyes, who were without their star forward Sullinger. The Jayhawks have won every game in this tournament, but have had to fight in each and every game. The Buckeyes on the other hand, won an East Region, in which despite being the number 2 seed, were predicted to lose. Sullinger along with Aaron Craft have led this strong Buckeye team. 

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Louisville Cardinals 

The question isn’t if Kentucky can win, it is can they lose? Rick Pitino will attempt to find the answer to this question tomorrow afternoon. Pitino has led his birds a long way, and they did beat the heavily favored Michigan State Spartans and star forward Draymond Green. Louisville is led  by guards Kyle Kuric and Peyton Siva, who average about a third of the team’s points. Also contributing is 6-11 sophomore Gorgui Dieng. Dieng averaged 9 points and 9 boards on the season, as well as 3 blocks. Meanwhile, Coach Calipari and his Wildcats will try to score as much as they can, against a defense that allows just 60 points per game. The Wildcats have averaged 88 points per game this tournament. No team has been able to figure them out, with their five starters, as well as Darius Miller averaging in double figures. The only way for Louisville to beat Kentucky, is to slow them down. Hold Davis to single digits, get him into foul trouble. Unfortunately for Louisville, these things are very hard to do. And as a result of that, their NCAA tournament run will conclude. 

Kentucky over Louisville 

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Ohio State Buckeyes 

Who wants it more? Is it Thomas Robinson, who a year after losing his mother, and two grandparents, is leading Kansas in the final four? Or, is it Ohio State Buckeye Jared Sullinger, who chose to stay in school for another year, and drove his team back to the national semi-finals? Choices, choices. Ultimatley, it will come down to who has the best supporting cast. Or, it could come down to luck, like most NCAA tournament games. The Buckeyes have averaged 77 points per game in this tournament, while the Jayhawks have just scored 67 points per game. So obviously, Kansas needs to slow down the potent attack of William Buford, Sullinger, and Deshaun Thomas. Kansas has a great defense, however. So it won’t be to big of a problem. They have allowed just 58 points this tournament, holding North Carolina to just 67 last week. The Buckeyes have been solid, but not as great as Kansas has been, allowing 65 points per game in this tournament. The bottom line of this game, goes back to who wants it more. Whoever wants it more, is going to get it. If Robinson can get Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson to play hard, and step up, Kansas will romp. But if Sullinger, Buford, and Aaron Craft can play well enough, the Buckeyes will come back to the final. I’m betting on Robinson to reach the title in honor of his mom and grandparents. 

Kansas over Ohio State 

Bye-Bye Fish

Below this picture, is a letter which could have been written by Kobe Bryant to Derek Fisher. 

Dear Fish,

Thank you. Thank you for your 13 years of service. Thank you for always being a team player, playing your heart out, doing what needed to be done. Sure, in the past few years you’ve been struggling, but you were a vital part of the Lakers. Thank you for your help in winning five championships. I liked having you as my point guard all these years. Thanks for making the shot. You know which shot. Against the Spurs, Game 5? It was a great play. Thank you for always being there for me, always standing by me. I will miss you so much. Those three years when you were gone were hard. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I needed my point guard. Fish, I hope that Houston will be a great place for you, and know that you are a fantastic player, and I will relish every moment that I have spent on the court playing with you. 

Much love, 

Kobe B. Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers 

Skills or Championships?

While Eli has just won a Superbowl, Peyton Manning's career could be in jeopardy.

He’s gone. After 208 games and 7,210 passes, Peyton Manning was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. What will happen? Will anyone sign him? Or, will the countless amount of neck surgeries force him into retirement?

 If Peyton either retires voluntarily, or no team signs him, a debate will begin. The debate of who is a better player, Peyton, or his brother Eli. There are different opinions for either of these brothers. Some say Peyton’s better because of his four MVP awards. Others say that Eli has won more Superbowl Championships, (2, to Peyton’s single championship) and thus is the better player. 

Peyton obviously has had a better career stats wise. It took Peyton only three years to throw thirty touchdown passes, while it took Eli seven. Peyton also threw for 4000+ yards in his first season, and Eli was playing for six years before he finally threw for that many yards. 

But, it all comes down to championships, and Eli has two of ‘em. Eli and his Giants have come from behind to beat the Pats twice. Peyton is 1-1 in his Superbowl appearances. Beating the Bears in his first appearance, but losing to the Saints in his next. 

All in all, Peyton and Eli are both great quarterbacks. Peyton has the edge on the skills side, while Eli has the advantage on the championship side. And who knows, the Washington Redskins are one of the teams in line to sign Peyton, so we could be seeing more Peyton and Eli battles in the future! 

Kobe Bryant: The Greatest Player in the Game Today?

Not even a concussion and a broken nose could stop Kobe Bryant!

“He’s the best player in the game, it’s just that simple, there is nothing that Kobe Bryant can’t do”, raps Lil Wayne in his song “Kobe Bryant”. Weezy wrote this song in 2009, the year after Kobe had won his fourth championship. People thought that the Black Mamba was on fire. 

Fast forward to the end of last year. His Lakers, Kobe’s Lakers, had just lost four straight games in the NBA playoff semifinals to the Mavericks. People thought Kobe’s reign at the top was finished. That LeBron is the new king of the court now. Well, think again. After LeBron choked in the finals against the Mavs, Kobe knew that he had to do something. 

And this past season he has. When Lakers’ management pondered trading Lamar and Pau, and then they didn’t, he told them it was a distraction. They traded Lamar, which Kobe was a bit unhappy about Then a few weeks ago, he told the management to trade Pau or don’t trade him. Just decide, he said.

Meanwhile, Kobe has flourished this year. He is leading the NBA in scoring with 28.5 points per game. And how old is he? He is 33 years of age. In third place on that list, Mr. LeBron James. The so-called “King”. 

Yeah, Yeah. Call Kobe a “ballhog”. So maybe he doesn’t pass the ball to often. But he doesn’t need to pass very much. Five assists per game is fine. As long as he can play well, that’s what matters. 

Uh Oh. That’s the feeling that Lakers’ fans had when Dwayne Wade elbowed Kobe in the All-Star game. Lakers’ fans became even more worried when they found out that he had a concussion and broke his nose. 

So what does Kobe do? How many games does he miss? None. That’s right, none. A true champion. In fact, in his first game back, Kobe drops 31 on the Timberwolves, all while wearing a mask. 

Kobe is a true baller. Five championships. If he can get one this year, the MJ/Kobe debates can finally begin. Who knows what we will say in June?