Heisman Hopefuls

A lot of thought goes into deciding who wins this prestigious trophy (pictured above). You figure in individual statistics, team leadership and team success are just some of what voters look for in the eventual winner. Some consider the Heisman as the MVP of College Football. I never have and never will think of it as that. It goes to the best player no matter how the team he plays for performs.

Before the five finalists were announced, these were my five choices:
QB Colt McCoy Texas – 3,512 yards passing, 27 TD’s
RB Toby Gerhart Stanford – 1,736 rushing yards, 26 TD’s
QB Tim Tebow Florida – 3,272 total yards, 31 total TD’s
RB Mark Ingram Alabama – 1,864 total yards, 18 total TD’s
QB Case Keenum Houston – 5,449 passing yards, 47 total TD’s

Very similar to the final five. I could make a case for others: DT Ndamukong Suh Nebraska, RB C.J. Spiller Clemson, QB Kellen Moore Boise State. I’m very happy that Suh was named a finalist. He is the true definition of a Heisman player. A game changer at defensive tackle of all places. Nebraska has had a complete turn around for its program thanks in part to Suh. Spiller has had an impressive season. 15 TD’s and over 1,500 total yards for a decent Clemson team. Moore is worthy of consideration with 3,300 passing yards and 39 TD’s. It just isn’t fair sometimes.

Ndamukong Suh’s stats are very respectable for being a Heisman finalist. 82 tackles, 23 for a loss. 12 sacks and an interception. Compared to the last defensive player to win the Heisman (CB Charles Woodson of Michigan) Suh’s are pretty good. Woodson had 47 tackles and 8 interceptions his Heisman year.

I’d like to think Suh will get it, but I believe the voters will go with the hot hand. Mark Ingram had a great game against Florida in the SEC championship game. Tim Tebow had a good year, but no overwhelming to warrant a second Heisman. Colt McCoy had a great year, but compared to Tebow not good enough to win it over him. Toby Gerhart was unstoppable down the stretch and I believe it will be enough to get him the Heisman. First to win from the University of Stanford since QB Jim Plunkett in 1970. Congrats to the winner whoever it may be on December 12.

Tiger Needs to Find A New Hobbie (not talking about Golf)

Normally when you are great at the job you do. You make a lot of money doing it. Everybody idolizes you and respects you no matter what. You have a family and are set for the rest of your lives after you retire from your job. You wouldn’t throw that all away, right. Well, some have and will continue to do that. Tiger Woods is the latest to get caught in the web of cheating and temptation that has and will always plague athletes til the end of time. The circumstances of his though are truly rare. Rarely do they get caught by their own wife instead of having been outed by the media.

The day after Thanksgiving around 2:30 in the morning. He crashes his Cadillac just outside of his property in Florida. The concern is of course whether or not Tiger is okay. However, within 24 hours though, the paparazzi and TMZ’s of the world convened on the scene and immediately began speculation that more was at play here. The story originally was that Tiger’s SUV sped out of control hit the fire hydrant near his property and stopped after hitting a nearby tree. He was laying on the pavement with his wife hovering over him when police and paramedics arrived. His wife had used a golf club to smash one of the back windows to get him out of the car. The only injuries to Tiger were minor cuts to his mouth. The police wanted to talk to Tiger and his wife Elin to discuss the details of how the crash came about. Understandably they declined to talk to them Friday because Tiger had just gotten out of the hospital. But they also declined to talk to them on Saturday and Sunday.

Now my first thought when I heard the original story was that Tiger must have been really tired or really plastered. Alcohol was ruled out soon thereafter. Then with the matter of his wife smashing not just one, but both back windows to get him out. Have you ever heard of the spare key. Click the unlock button, you can get him out much easier that way. If alcohol wasn’t involved, they don’t want to talk to the cops and both back windows were smashed out with a golf club. What was so important that you had to go driving at 2:30 in the morning? All Tiger needed to do was explain what happened not to the public, but to the police if he had nothing to hide. Unfortunately he did.

Reports came out that he was seeing a club promoter from New York, who she denies having an affair with Tiger Woods. Another person from Los Angeles handed over a voice message that she claims is Tiger telling her to take her name off her number when she calls him. Now that all this has come out, Tiger then goes on his website and says this:

“I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”

He does not mention what he is apologizing, but does continue with this gem:

“But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.”

I agree we all deserve our privacy, but don’t try to think that you can brush your troubles on the media. The media didn’t have an affair (allegedly). That’s rich that he or the people giving him advice are suggesting that there is absolutely nothing bad going on here by apologizing for his “transgressions” and that this is being blown out of proportion by the media looking to ruin him. You have managed to stay one step ahead of the tabloids, but they were always two steps behind you looking for you to trip and fall. For the record, Dictionary.com defines “transgression” as a violation of a law, command, or duty. Interesting choice of words there.

This whole incident has changed Tiger. He declined to play in his own tournament in Thousand Oaks, California that benefits his own foundation. The guy actually is avoiding the one thing that would be considered his sanctuary. Fellow golfer Jesper Parnevik (he wears the colorful outfits) today got off this gem about Tiger Woods. He had introduced Elin Nordegren to Tiger.

“I would be especially sad about it since I’m kind of — I really feel sorry for Elin — since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with him,” Parnevik said. “We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologize to her and hope she uses a driver next time instead of the 3-iron.”

He added this zinger:

“It’s a private thing of course,” he said. “But when you are the guy he is, the world’s best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff … And maybe not just do it, like Nike says.”

Oh no he didn’t. Jesper doing his best stand up. That will make things interesting at the clubhouse of the next tournament they both play in. Now I’m just speculating. This is not what actually happened. It’s just a theory of mine. Elin finds out about the affair(s) during or after Thanksgiving dinner. She later confronts him. He denies and she flips. Things are said, things are thrown. It continues outside where she has a driver, Tiger gets into the car. Elin smashes both back windows. Tiger freaks out, proceeds down the driveway hitting the hydrant and tree. Realizing what was going to be perceived as a domestic disturbance, they both go with the original story explained above and try to brush it under the rug. Again this is just speculation.

Now what would make a man have an affair when he is married with two children. Ask Steve McNair or Rick Pitino. When it comes to others trying to bring you down, take Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. A frat boy releases a photo of him smoking some hippie lettuce in a dorm. The photo released just after setting Olympic records in Beijing. Phelps right away owned it and didn’t try to down play it or cover it up. Tiger should have taken a page out of that playbook and owned it first with his wife. Then tell the story to the public before others tell it for him. I could be a public relations person, but I would never have come up with a bit that included “transgressions.” That was a new one.

NFL Three Quarters Through the Season

I know it’s more than half way through the season. That’s why this is a 3/4 report of the NFL so far. Now there have been some lackluster teams this year. Seven teams don’t have more than 3 wins and another four don’t even have 5 wins. Now on the good side there are two teams at 11-0. Never happened before. Another team has 10 wins. Eight other teams could potentially win 10 or more games to finish the year. These next four weeks are going to have some great matchups and likely blowouts, but lets face it. We’ll still watch them all.

Best of the Best
Colts 11-0
Saints 11-0
Vikings 10-1

Heads and shoulders above the rest of the pack. Each of these teams have MVP quarterbacks leading them and pretty good defenses to back them up on their bad days. Indy has Peyton Manning and his knack for the comeback victories. Brett Favre is a 40 year old on a mission to shut everyone up. Drew Brees is still putting up great numbers against some of the best teams in the league. Just ask Bill Belichick.

Strong Contenders
Patriots 7-4
Bengals 8-3
Steelers 6-5
Chargers 8-3
Cowboys 8-3
Cardinals 7-4

The Bengals are the surprise here. No one had them on top of their division let alone sweeping it. Carson Palmer has the offense on a good pace. The defense is why they are winning. Kudos to Marvin Lewis turning it around so fast. The Steelers I still have here because one they are still the defending champs and two they have Ben Roethlisberger. The guy is a top 5 QB now. Admit it. San Diego has a great slew of weapons on offense and the defense is finally coming around at the right time. New England even with their problems (both on the sidelines and the field) are set to win the division. Dallas will need to have a good December to silence the critics heading into the playoffs. Arizona still has great receivers, an improving defense and a running game that actually can win games for them.

Awards (if they were given out now)
MVP: Peyton Manning Colts
Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper Saints
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin Vikings
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd Bills
Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis Bengals

Now I’m not saying Drew Brees, Brett Favre or the many other candidates aren’t worthy, but Peyton is, well, still Peyton. A darn good quarterback. The come from behind victories. It’s been a magical year for Peyton and the Colts. Darren Sharper has been the same way on the defensive side for the Saints. Eight interceptions and how all of them weren’t returned for touchdowns I don’t know. Percy has been a great find for the Vikings who have an even more explosive offense now that he has arrived. Jairus Byrd has the ballhawking mentality needed for the Bills defense. He’s taken advantage of the injuries to the secondary and emerged as a great cover safety. Can’t go wrong with Marvin as the coach of the year. No disrespect to the other worthy candidates, but did any of you have the Bengals 8-3 at this point. I didn’t either.

New Super Bowl prediciton:
Saints vs. Chargers

Now my original pick was Chargers vs. Seahawks. I know don’t remind me. The Saints are a fun team to watch. It would’ve been great to see them in Super Bowl 41 against the Colts instead of the Bears. Now I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Colts back again, but I think that the Chargers have finally found their groove and will continue the climb to a first round bye. Great games to look forward too the rest of the way.

NBA Preview 2009-10

* – indicates playoffs
(R) – indicates rookie
# – indicates new to team
MVP – LeBron James – Cavaliers
Rookie – Tyreke Evans – Kings
Coach – Nate McMillan – Blazers
Defensive Player – Dwight Howard – Magic
Most Improved – Josh Smith – Hawks
Sixth Man – Ben Gordon – Pistons
Executive – Ernie Grunfeld – Wizards

Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers*
2. Boston Celtics*
3. Orlando Magic*
4. Washington Wizards*
5. Atlanta Hawks*
6. Toronto Raptors*
7. Philadelphia 76ers*
8. Miami Heat*
9. Detroit Pistons
10. Chicago Bulls
11. Charlotte Bobcats
12. Indiana Pacers
13. New York Knicks
14. Milwaukee Bucks
15. New Jersey Nets

Cavaliers – 1st in Central
Projected Starters
C Shaquille O’Neal#
F Anderson Varejao
F LeBron James
G Anthony Parker#
G Mo Williams
Three man rotation
F Jamario Moon#, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, G Delonte West

The best in the east last year have gotten considerably deeper this year. Parker and Moon are good players that will help against bigger lineups eg: Orlando. Shaq has now found his newest best friend in LeBron who both expect nothing short of a championship. Is this LeBron’s last year in C-town?

Celtics – 1st in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Kendrick Perkins
F Kevin Garnett
F Paul Pierce
G Ray Allen
G Rajon Rondo
Three Man Rotation
F Rasheed Wallace#, F Glen Davis, G Eddie House

The Celtics really didn’t, but had to improve to keep up with the other contenders moves. Bringing in Rasheed was the right move, yes I said it. He brings more front court depth to a team that needed it last year with the injury to Garnett. Oh and KG is healthy too.

Magic – 1st in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Dwight Howard
F Brandon Bass#
F Rashard Lewis
G Vince Carter#
G Jameer Nelson
Three man rotation
G Mickael Pietrus, F Matt Barnes#, C Marcin Gortat

The defending champs of the Eastern Conference dropped off a little bit. It’s hard to believe, but Hedo Turkoglu (Raptors) is a better fit than Carter. This team is still formidable with Howard and a healthy Nelson. Bringing back Gortat was big and Barnes was a nice pickup to strengthen the bench.

Wizards – 2nd in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Brendan Haywood
F Antawn Jamison
F Caron Butler
G Mike Miller#
G Gilbert Arenas
Three man rotation
G Randy Foye#, G DeShawn Steveson, F JaVale McGee

This team got better with one trade. Getting Miller and Foye for four players that wouldn’t have done much for the Wizards was the steal of the offseason. New coach Flip Saunders has those two plus a healthy Arenas to work with. The Wizards will give the top three in the east nightmares before the season ends.

Hawks – 3rd in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Al Horford
F Marvin Williams
F Josh Smith
G Joe Johnson
G Mike Bibby
Three man rotation
G Jamal Crawford#, G Maurice Evans, C Zaza Pachulia

It’s time for this team to come into it’s own this year. Last year they realized with a good bench to complement the starters, they could be a top four contender. They improved the bench with the acquisition of Crawford from Golden State. Smith is looking to bounce back this year and bringing back Bibby will help keep the balance on offense.

Raptors – 2nd in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Andrea Bargnani
F Chris Bosh
F Hedo Turkoglu#
G DeMar DeRozan (R)
G Jose Calderon
Three man rotation
G Jarrett Jack#, G Antoine Wright#, F Amir Johnson#

Toronto can go with a big lineup or a small lineup and either would still work. The bench has a lot of new faces, but getting Jack was big. He can spell Calderon on the point and can be counted on to score as well. Turkoglu is a big piece missing that will help take pressure of Bosh. Being in a contract year, will Bosh perform to standards before he tests the market?

76ers – 3rd in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Samuel Dalembert
F Elton Brand
F Thaddeus Young
G Andre Iguodala
G Louis Williams
Three man rotation
G Willie Green, F Jason Kapono#, F Marreese Speights

They went back to the classic logo and are looking to make some noise in the conference. Brand has to be healthy to do that. Kapono was a great addition to the bench. His 3 point shot will be a welcome sight. At the point is Williams who is not a traditional point guard, but can score when needed. Iguodala must build on last season emerging as the team leader.

Heat – 4th in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Jermaine O’Neal
F Udonis Haslem
F Quentin Richardson#
G Dwayne Wade
G Mario Chalmers
Three man rotation
F James Jones, F Michael Beasley, G Daequan Cook

With Wade the Heat will always be contenders, but can he really do it without a legitimate number two with him? O’Neal is no longer in his prime, but can still contribute. Richardson was acquired for his scoring ability and his expiring contract. Will Beasley emerge after a tumultuous offseason? That could be the deciding factor in the free agent class in 2010.

Pistons – 2nd in Central
Projected Starters
C Kwame Brown
F Charlie Villanueva#
F Tayshaun Prince
G Richard Hamilton
G Rodney Stuckey
Three man rotation
G Ben Gordon#, C Chris Wilcox#, F Jason Maxiell

Besides the Wizards, the Pistons have improved drastically with their moves. Gone are Rasheed and Iverson. In are Villanueva and Gordon. Wilcox and Ben Wallace were great additions that will shore up the depth in the frontcourt. This is the make or break year for Stuckey to prove he is the point guard now and for the future. Prince and Hamilton are the constants that will not disappoint.

Bulls – 3rd in Central
Projected Starters
C Joakim Noah
F Tyrus Thomas
F Luol Deng
G John Salmons
G Derrick Rose
Three man rotation
G Kirk Hinrich, C Brad Miller, G Jannero Pargo#

It’s the same team from last season and that’s why they’re hear. Everyone above them made moves, but the Bulls made their move last year acquiring Miller and Salmons at the deadline in February. Signing Pargo was a nice move, but they will miss Gordon (Pistons). Hinrich will have to accept his role or start looking for a new residence this February.

Bobcats – 5th in Southeast
Projected Starters
C Tyson Chandler#
F Boris Diaw
F Gerald Wallace
G Raja Bell
G Raymond Felton
Three man rotation
G D.J. Augustin, F Vladimir Radmanovic, G Gerald Henderson (R)

Usually by the second year, if it gets to that, Larry Brown has found his rotation that suits his style. He might have found it this year. Unfortunately it won’t get them far in a deep conference. Chandler is a nice player, but now they don’t have a low post scoring option (Okafor). The bench has depth, but Henderson and Radmanovic can’t be counted on as the lone scoring options.

Pacers – 4th in Central
Projected Starters
C Roy Hibbert
F Troy Murphy
F Danny Granger
G Dahntay Jones#
G T.J. Ford
Three man rotation
G Mike Dunleavy, C Jeff Foster, G Earl Watson#

This is actually one of the deeper teams in the east. The only things lacking are experience and chemistry. Bringing in Jones will ignite them on the defensive side. Bringing in a veteran point in Watson was the right move. Granger should continue to develop into one of the rising stars in this league. Dunleavy be will out for the first two months, but should be a great bench play for the Pacers.

Knicks – 4th in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C David Lee
F Al Harrington
F Jared Jeffries
G Wilson Chandler
G Chris Duhon
Three man rotation
G Nate Robinson, G Larry Hughes, C Darko Milicic#

It will be amazing to see the over turn this roster will see next season. For now though they have to rely on Duhon and Harrington to ignite the offense. Mike D’Antoni has no defensive stoppers and has to outscore to win games. Robinson is a great bench player, but the rotation will suffer because not many players can keep up in the uptempo system in place.

Bucks – 5th in Central
Projected Starters
C Andrew Bogut
F Hakim Warrick#
F Luc Mbah a Moute
G Michael Redd
G Luke Ridnour
Three man rotation
G Charlie Bell, F Kurt Thomas, G Brandon Jennings (R)

You would think that any team that gets its two best players back would be primed for a great season. Not for Milwaukee which is still in rebuilding mode. Bogut and Redd will be back to their old selves, but who will carry the load? Warrick was a nice find, but not what they needed. Bell is great being the sixth man, but will Scott Skiles give rookie point guard Jennings the time to develop into the player this team needs?

Nets – 5th in Atlantic
Projected Starters
C Brook Lopez
F Yi Jianlian
F Bobby Simmons
G Courtney Lee#
G Devin Harris
Three man rotation
G Rafer Alston#, C Tony Battie#, G Chris Douglas-Roberts

The pieces are in place for the future. It won’t be this year for the Nets. Harris and Lopez are potential All-Stars on this team. That’s as far as you go though. Lee was a nice addition in the Vince Carter trade, but Alston and Battie will probably not be around long enough to make an impact. Douglas-Roberts could emerge this year as a great perimeter player.

Western Conference
1.Los Angeles Lakers*
2. San Antonio Spurs*
3. Portland Trail Blazers*
4. Dallas Mavericks*
5. Denver Nuggets*
6. New Orleans Hornets*
7. Utah Jazz*
8. Oklahoma City Thunder*
9. Phoenix Suns
10. Houston Rockets
11. Los Angeles Clippers
12. Golden State Warriors
13. Memphis Grizzlies
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Sacramento Kings

Lakers – 1st in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Andrew Bynum
F Pau Gasol
F Ron Artest#
G Kobe Bryant
G Derek Fisher
Three man rotation
F Lamar Odom, F Luke Walton, G Shannon Brown

The defending champs have actually gotten better. That’s hard to say now a days in the NBA. Gone is Ariza and in is Artest. Age is the big difference between the two. So is attitude, but Artest should fit in nicely with the rotation of Odom and Walton at forward. Kobe and Phil Jackson have their work cut out for them, but in Phil’s last season they really don’t have to do much.

Spurs – 1st in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Matt Bonner
F Tim Duncan
F Richard Jefferson#
G Roger Mason Jr.
G Tony Parker
Three man rotation
G Manu Ginobili, F Antonio McDyess#, G Michael Finley, exception(F DeJuan Blair (R)

If the Lakers didn’t bring back Odom, the Spurs would be the favorites. That’s how good these guys are. When the Spurs got bounced from the playoffs by Dallas, everyone including me wrote the Spurs off as contenders. Oops. Jefferson was a great acquisition. As was McDyess, but how did they end up with Blair in the second round of the draft? Parker and Duncan have new toys and are looking to play with them often.

Trail Blazers – 1st in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Greg Oden
F LaMarcus Aldridge
F Nicolas Batum
G Brandon Roy
G Steve Blake
Three man rotation
G Andre Miller#, F Travis Outlaw, G Rudy Fernandez

The breakout team of last year is looking for a division crown this year. Oden is healthy. Aldridge and Roy have extensions. Miller was added as the veteran presence they sorely needed last year. The deepest team in the west has a chip on their shoulder that will be hard to break come playoff time.

Mavericks – 2nd in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Erick Dampier
F Dirk Nowitzki
F Shawn Marion#
G Josh Howard
G Jason Kidd
Three man rotation
G Jason Terry, F Drew Gooden#, F Tim Thomas#

This team seems to always stick around and contend. Credit to the front office to not give in and continue to put a winner out there. Nowitzki heads into a contract year that should give him a happy retirement. Bringing in Marion was the right move. He takes pressure off Howard to score and also brings a needed defensive presence Rick Carlisle has been looking for. Gooden and Thomas are great additions for a bench that relies heavily on Terry to produce.

Nuggets – 2nd in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Nene
F Kenyon Martin
F Carmelo Anthony
G Aaron Afflalo#
G Chauncey Billups
Three man rotation
G J.R. Smith, C Chris Andersen, G Ty Lawson (R)

The team that rose to second place in the conference last year will fall slightly this year with the Spurs, Blazers and Mavericks all making significant moves to their rosters. The loss of defensive stalwart Dahntay Jones (Pacers) will hurt them, but as long as Billups and Anthony continue their consistent production they should be fine.

Hornets – 3rd in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Emeka Okafor#
F David West
F Julian Wright
G Morris Peterson
G Chris Paul
Three man rotation
F Peja Stojakovic, F James Posey, C Hilton Armstrong

The Hornets look different this year as they try to incorporate the youngsters they have into the rotation. Stojakovic will come off the bench this year to reduce the wear and tear on his back. Okafor was a great pickup that takes pressure off West to be the low post scorer. Paul will have the reigns to find the open teammates that make him the best point guard in the game today. Expect big seasons from Okafor and West with Paul giving them the ball.

Jazz – 3rd in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Mehmet Okur
F Carlos Boozer
F Andrei Kirilenko
G Ronnie Brewer
G Deron Williams
Three man rotation
F Paul Millsap, G Kyle Korver, F Matt Harpring

This is no doubt the last year this group stays together. Boozer and Okur will be free agents. Harpring will most likely retire. That means the future is really in the hands of Williams and Millsap. Utah was lucky to get Millsap back. They will be a force to be reckoned with, but they will probably be an early first round exit in the playoffs.

Thunder – 4th in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Nenad Krstic
F Jeff Green
F Kevin Durant
G Jame Harden (R)
G Russell Westbrook
Three man rotation
F Nick Collison, G Thabo Sefolosha, G Shaun Livingston

Yes the Thunder will make the playoffs. The teams behind them have dropped off. Houston doesn’t have Yao. The Suns are a better version of the Knicks. The Clippers and Warriors are well, the Clippers and Warriors. Durant is ready to take the scoring title from the likes of Wade, LeBron and Kobe. Westbrook is poised for a repeat of last years rookie campaign. Harden was the right pick for this team in need of scoring at the wing. The bench is the lone weakspot, but they can score with the best of them.

Suns – 2nd in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Channing Frye#
F Amare Stoudemire
F Grant Hill
G Jason Richardson
G Steve Nash
Three man rotation
G Leandro Barbosa, F Earl Clark (R), F Jared Dudley

The Suns after the half season experiment of a half court offense changed in the middle of last year to the fast break offense that made them famous. It was too little too late, but it did get them 50+ wins every season. It won’t happen this year though. Nash and Stoudemire are the best pick and roll players in the game today. Richardson needs to be more active on both ends. Hill isn’t getting any younger. The entire bench scoring rests on Barbosa’s shoulders.

Rockets – 4th in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Chuck Hayes
F Luis Scola
F Shane Battier
G Trevor Ariza#
G Aaron Brooks
Three man rotation
G Tracy McGrady, G Kyle Lowry, F Carl Landry

If Yao was healthy, these guys would be in the playoffs. That’s how far they drop without him. McGrady won’t be around til December at the earliest. He would better serve them coming off the bench I believe. Scola and Brooks got them through the first round of the playoffs last year, but Ariza will be counted on to score as well. With the big contract come big expectations.

Clippers – 3rd in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Chris Kaman
F Marcus Camby
F Al Thornton
G Eric Gordon
G Baron Davis
Three man rotation
G Ricky Davis, G Rasual Butler#, F Blake Griffin (R)

All the hopes and dreams of a franchise can’t rely on one players shoulders. Especially a rookie. These are the Clippers though. Griffin will come off the bench and will contribute immediately on the boards. Kaman needs to stay healthy to lessen the blow to the front court. Baron Davis needs to bounce back in a big way. Thornton needs to continue to develop into a rising star before he most likely leaves when the time comes.

Warriors – 4th in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Andris Biedrins
F Anthony Randolph
F Stephen Jackson
G Stephen Curry (R)
G Monta Ellis
Three man rotation
F Corey Maggette, G Anthony Morrow, F Ronny Turiaf

So much talent is going to waste here in Oakland, California. Jackson and Ellis have publicly questioned the coach and front office. Things can only go up from here. They won’t though for the darlings of the league two seasons ago. Curry was a good pick for them. It probably wasn’t the right fit though. Ellis plays the same way as Curry. Score first, pass later. Without a true point guard this team will struggle to stay consistent.

Grizzlies – 5th in Southwest
Projected Starters
C Marc Gasol
F Zach Randolph#
F Rudy Gay
G O.J. Mayo
G Mike Conley
Three man rotation
G Allen Iverson#, F Darrell Arthur, C Hasheem Thabeet (R)

Lots of offense from the Grizzlies this year. Will it result in more than 25 wins? Probably not. Iverson’s attitude will be a key for them. He says he’ll come off the bench. What happened in Detroit though? Mayo, Gay and Randolph can score 20+ a game. Defense is and will always be their achilles heel though. Memphis could surprise, but they are a year or two away.

Timberwolves – 5th in Northwest
Projected Starters
C Al Jefferson
F Kevin Love
F Ryan Gomes
G Ramon Sessions#
G Jonny Flynn (R)
Three man rotation
F Damien Wilkins#, F Corey Brewer, G Wayne Ellington (R)

New coach in Kurt Rambis and a new lease on life. With the fiasco in the draft over Ricky Rubio, the Wolves look to develop what they have if Rubio does decide to come over. Flynn was a great pick in the draft. Sessions is an underrated signing that will help offset the expectation of Rubio’s arrival. Getting Jefferson back healthy is huge for them. He is developing into one of the best post scorers in the game. He has to be there for the Wolves to have success.

Kings – 5th in Pacific
Projected Starters
C Spencer Hawes
F Jason Thompson
F Desmond Mason#
G Kevin Martin
G Tyreke Evans (R)
Three man rotation
F Andres Nocioni, G Francisco Garcia, G Beno Udrih

The Kings really have no where to go but up after last season. Worst record in the NBA and losing out on the first pick. Evans though was a solid pick. Considering he’s not a true point guard, he is a good ball handler. Hawes needs to be involved more in the offense. He has the potential to be a 20-10 a game center. Martin is the leading scorer and lone star for the Kings. Nocioni is well suited to being the sixth man. This is still a learning curve for Sacramento.

Playoffs

Eastern Conference Finals
Boston vs. Cleveland
Celtics in 7

Western Conference Finals
San Antonio vs. LA Lakers
Lakers in 7

NBA Finals
Boston vs. LA Lakers
Lakers in 6

Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant

2009 MLB Playoff Preview

American League

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

Offense: The Twins are a pesky team. They can score on the Yankees in a hurry, but can they do it for an entire series? Joe Mauer is the force in the lineup and Michael Cuddyer has been great down the stretch for the Twins. The top of their lineup is solid with Denard Span and deadline acquisition Orlando Cabrera. After that, the lineup is a little thin. They will miss Justin Morneau. The Yankees have the best lineup in the postseason by far. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez bring constant production to the lineup. The keys for New York will be Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. They must be productive to take pressure off their big three. Advantage: Yankees

Pitching: There is no Johan Santana for the Twins. Just a bunch of no names (no offense) that pitched great down the stretch for the underdog Twins. Lefty Brian Duensing, righties Nick Blackburn and Scott Baker are the top three in this series. Blackburn and Baker will be the ones that Minnesota will need to be at their best to have a chance. Minnesota’s bullpen is and always has been their strong suit. If they can get to closer Joe Nathan, it is a likely win. New York has the over $200 million dollar combined starters at the top in C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Andy Pettite is a nice addition, but all eyes will be on the big money pitchers. The Yankees pen is deeper, but unless they get to Philip Hughes and Mariano Rivera late. It could be a long day for the pinstripes. Advantage: Yankees

Prediction: Clearly on paper this looks like a one sided affair. The Yankees play three of five in the jet stream that is Yankee Stadium. The Twins after spending so much emotion and energy just to get here, are looked at as the road block to the mighty Yankees. This is not an ordinary team or organization for that matter. The Twins are a good team. You don’t get here by being average. The Yankees will win the first two, but I think Minnesota will make it a series back in the twin cities. By that I mean winning one game. Yankees in 4.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

Offense: The Angels led the majors in average and were second to only the Yankees in runs. All the analysts have said that Boston has their number and the Angels have in the back of their heads the past two years of being beaten by Boston. Well this year looks to be different. The Angels from top to bottom have a great lineup that can hit for base hits, homers and can steal a base at any given moment. Chone Figgins is looking to capitalize on a career year with a great postseason. Bobby Abreu has been a fantastic pickup and with Torii Hunter and Vlad Guerrero both healthy, the lineup is stacked. Boston doesn’t have any slouches either. Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia at the top are as good as any 1-2 hitters in the game. Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jason Bay will be a problem if runners are on base. The Red Sox are a different team on the road than at home. The same can be said when the Angels play in Boston. Six of the nine games between these two this year have been decided by one run. Advantage: Angels

Pitching: Boston has a great rotation to deal with. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz will be the first three. Daisuke Matsuzaka could go in Game 4 depending on the state of the series. The Angels don’t have any average starters. John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders would be a number one or two starter in most rotations. These four with Ervin Santana were the pitching for the Angels this year. Bullpen definitely goes to Boston. The Angels have had success, but they are young and the inconsistency of closer Brian Fuentes has been troubling. The Red Sox have Hideki Okajima and Billy Wagner to go with closer Jonathan Papelbon. There is no doubt Boston has the advantage late, but will it ever get to that? Advantage: Red Sox

Prediction: The saying goes third time is the charm. This is the third straight season that the Angels have played against the Red Sox in the postseason. Boston plays different around this time as does the Angels. Specifically Boston finished below .500 on the road. The Angels looked good everywhere except in Boston. The key is in Anaheim. Lackey and Weaver must be on their game to give the Angels a chance to go up 2-0. Kendry Morales must continue the career year with his great power numbers. Boston will need the pitching to be their catalyst to keep the Angels speedsters of the bases and their big bats quiet. Angels in 4.

National League

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Offense: The Rockies are the same team except for the fact that they no longer have Matt Holliday in the middle of their lineup. They’re a younger and faster team that relies on the small ball. Which playing in the National League you have to. Outfielders Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez are solid for the top of their order. Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe complement each other well in the middle of the order. They have a deep bench that will serve them well in key situations against the Phillies who are vulnerable in the bullpen. Philadelphia has to score to have a chance at repeating. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are their RBI machines. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino have to get on base consistently. They don’t have as deep a bench as last year, but the offense is still formidable with Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez able to get hits in the clutch. Advantage: Phillies

Pitching: Colorado doesn’t have the greatest pitching, but it gets them results. Ubaldo Jimenez is a stud, but after that it gets dicey. Aaron Cook has to be able to get 6-7 innings for his starts. Their bullpen is deep and the reason why they are back in the postseason. Closer Huston Street was shaky down the stretch, but is capable of getting the job done in his first postseason. Colorado will need to keep the Phillies bats quiet. Philadelphia has two great pitchers to start this series in lefties Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. It is safe to say that Philadelphia would be a lock to win the first two games, but Colorado was doubted two years ago and swept the favorite Phillies out of the Division series. Who will be the closer for the defending champs? Brad Lidge? Ryan Madson? Heck, why not Pedro Martinez? Charlie Manuel will be going with Madson, but how long will it last? This is a big weak spot that wasn’t addressed before the postseason. Things will get dicey late in games for the Phillies. Advantage: Rockies

Prediction: The Rockies have the advantage in the most important categories, pitching and defense. Philadelphia is not terrible, just not better than Colorado there. Can Colorado take away home field from the Phillies? Will the Phillies be able to contain the speed threat of the Rockies? Those are just some of the questions that will be interesting to see the answers to in this series. I like the underdog factor that Colorado brings, but the defending champs are too talented to lose to the Rockies. Phillies in 5.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Offense: It starts and ends with Albert Pujols for the Cards. He is the most likely MVP and a definite Gold Glove recipient. With Matt Holliday batting behind him, the Cards have a great lineup that warrants no intentional walks. Ryan Ludwick and Mark DeRosa need to produce for the Cards to not rely so much on Pujols and Holliday. The Dodgers have a balanced lineup that starts with Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier. Manny Ramirez was out of sync down the stretch and if it weren’t for Matt Kemp and Casey Blake, the middle of the order would’ve suffered. The advantage would go to the Dodgers if Manny was his old self, but a team with Pujols has to be favored. Advantage: Cardinals

Pitching: The Dodgers have a shaky rotation at best. Rand Wolf and Clayton Kershaw are good starts, not great for an opening round series. Vicente Padilla is going to start in Game 3? Yikes Torre. I feel sorry for you. The bullpen though is where it’s at for LA. Two lefties, George Sherrill and Hung Chi Kuo to set up closer Jonathan Broxton. Can’t get better than that. The Cards have two Cy Young candidates in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright to start this series. Joel Pineiro to go in Game 3 is a good move to. The Cards pen is shaky leading up to closer Ryan Franklin, but it got them a division title and a chance to get the best record in the National League. Advantage: Cardinals

Prediction: Now with the advantage going to the Cards in almost every category, you would think that they would be the favorites. Yes they are, but I can’t go with them. The bullpen is suspect, not as bad as Philadelphia, but still not great. After Pujols and Holliday the lineup is vulnerable. The Dodgers have too much balance on offense and the rotation will be helped by their deep bullpen. Hopefully Joe Torre didn’t overwork the pen during the season because he will need them to bailout his starters. Dodgers in 5.

ALCS
Angels in 7

NLCS
Dodgers in 7

World Series
Angels in 7