Top 5 Reasons Why College Football is Better than the Pros

Now I know I might catch alot of flack for this one, because everyone and their brother will always scream about the lack of a college football playoff, but hear me out.  But in the current lockout world of the NFL, I feel like the college level should get some much deserved love.

Here are the top five reasons why college football is better than the pros:

5.  NO SUCH THING AS A LOCK - If the past few seasons of college football have taught us anything it is this: nothing is absolute.  Look back over the last few seasons and find a team that has led wire to wire from preseason #1 ranking all the way to a BCS title.  You're not gonna find it.  The college football landscape has become such a competitve minefield that the top ten acts more like a revolving door as opposed to a staunch list of contenders.  It's the unpredictability of it all that makes it so much fun to watch.  Remember Kentucky beating LSU in triple OT in 2007? How about a Stanford team coming off a one win campaign in 2006 beating USC in Pasadena the next year? Or the last few seasons where we have seen the number 2 team in the country falling in consecutive weeks?  You can't script stuff like this.  Boise State's first trip to the Fiesta Bowl?  What about Vince Young leading the Longhorns over the seemingly invincible Trojans a few years ago in Los Angeles?  Appalachian State anyone??? And the list goes on and on.  With the prospect that anything can happen (and often does), college football keeps us guessing every step of the way.

4.  ON CAMPUS ENERGY DURING GAME WEEK -  Franchise's don't have a built in fanbase that lives with the players for the entire week leading up to the game, but college programs do.  All week long, kids on campus are planning for the Saturday matchup.  At your bigger, marquee programs, it's all anyone can talk about (and that includes the profs).  The hype, the anticipation, the plans for tailgating, the "pregaming" (if you went to college you know what I"m talking about) - all of it contributes to absolute madness on Saturday.  In the pros, fans show up on Sunday, tailgate, watch the game and have a good time and then go home.  And they'll do it again the next home game, but it also doesn't compare to how the students prep during a game week.



Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech



3.  COLLEGE STADIUMS - the Rose Bowl in Pasedena; the Big House in Ann Arbor; Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA; Happy Valley, PA; Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe; and the list goes on and on and on.  Those stadiums......every college FB stadium isn't just packed on Saturdays, THEY'RE ALIVE. 

The stadium becomes a living, breathing, screaming force that you just can't compare to any other venue.  Typically, most universities reside in small towns where the entire population is devoted to that team, their success and their failures.  Alumni returning to the stands and sidelines, the undergrads, the townies, everyone in that stadium is so much a part of that hometown team......it just can't be beat!  I'm not taking away from Qualcomm Stadium or the RCA Dome or Heinz Field or even Lambeau, or any other NFL sites.  They're great too, they just don't compare.  Don't believe me?  Think back to your days in college when your school's big rival came to town, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

2.  NO AGENTS, NO CONTRACTS, JUST SPORTS - no one can honestly sit there and tell me that the huge contracts, the bonuses, the labor disputes, the holdouts, and all the other drama from some of the games prima donna players makes the sport better for the fans.  In college, you have a bunch of kids who are playing their hearts out to fullfill a dream, an ultimate goal.  FOR THE MOST PART, they aren't corrupted by the business of being a professional (just forget about Reggie Bush and Terrelle Pryor for a moment), they are filled with pride for their school, their teammates and the opportunity to be the best.  Notice I highlighted the word opportunity, because in its purest form, that's what college football is: a chance at greatness through sheer will and heart.

1.   COLLEGE FOOTBALL RIVALRIES - I know that we've got some pretty healthy rivalries in the pros; Cowboys v. Redskins, Packers v. Bears, Chiefs v. Broncos - but they are not on the same level.  The absolute intensity of a rivalry game in the NCAA is palpable, it's something you can feel in the air.  Only in college ball can you lose 8 or 9 games, yet if you beat your rival it could be considered a winning season (ala Army v. Navy).  And in the NFL, rivalries come and go along with the free agents that make up the teams.  They die down to insignificance during the franchise's slumps, not in college ball.  Remember when Jim Tressel was first hired as Ohio State's head coach a few years back?  During his remarks at his first press conference he stated the number of days until the next season's showdown with Michigan.  He knew just like everyone else how much rivalries are a part College Football and this country.  In those games - the Ohio State/Michigan game, the AZ State/ Univ of Arizona game, Auburn v. Alabama - the rivalry never dies! 
  
You may agree with me, you may disagree with me, I don't care.  But college football is better than pro football for the same reason we love the 1980 US Hockey team so much.  It's kids brought together from different backgrounds who are willing to sacrifice everything for that unknown, that chance at greatness.

MMA: The Cure for the Summertime Sports Blues

Well, summer is in full swing now, which means that we have officially entered the most boring part of the sports calendar.  It's that lull period immediately after the NBA Finals ends and we are left with nothing but two and a half months of meaningless baseball games.  Now I say meaningless because the season is six months long, with 162 games.  Most, if not all playoff spots are decided in the final weeks of the season in September, meaning that it's unlikely you'll see division winners lead wire to wire in a season.  It's just too long and taxing a time period to actually get invested in every single game along the way.  So, we can all pick up our interest again when the division races are coming to an end in September and we can start to care again in October once playoffs begin. 

But what do we do with the rest of the summer??  Normally we would have NFL offseason talk and approaching training camps to talk about, as well as the NFL Preseason in August.  We probably would also start getting our fantasy football leagues organized.  But, not so much this year.  At last check, it appears we are still about a month away from a new CBA being signed at best, which will cause a truncated free agency and offseason period.  Most likely, it will also cause some of the preseason games to go away in order to let the players adequately prepare for the regular season, and in order to start the season in time.  So how do we fill the void? 

Mixed Martial Arts is there for you my friends.  MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world (that's actual truth, not just a line that UFC Prez Dana White likes to say all the time).  It's emerging in countries around the world as the premier combat sport, overtaking long time traditional combat sports such as boxing and wrestling.  And there is no bigger stage than the fights put on by the Zuffa Corporation.  They own the UFC and Strikeforce, the two biggest MMA promotions in the world.  And the next two months are jammed with big, compelling fights that are either for world championships or will have impact on who will be future contenders for these titles.  Over the next two months, these two organizations will be putting on 6 full fight cards, which is more than enough to fit the bill and get us to (hopefully) the NFL preseason.

But I hope that if you do end up ordering any of these fights, or heading your local bar to check them out that you give it a chance.  This isn't the oldtime UFC with truckers wearing jean shorts brawling behind cheap chain link fences.  These are serious athletes that combine multiple disciplines (boxing, kickboxing, muy thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jui Jitsu) to compete in a REAL FIGHT.  I say real fight, because in MMA the fight can go anywhere.  It's not just an opponents hands you have to worry about, or his kicks, or his submissions and grappling prowess, or being slammed to the ground by his wrestling, it's all of the above.  You have to be a complete fighter to be a Mixed Martial Artist, and that's what you see when you watch these fights.  You see well rounded skill, dedication, athleticism and power.  Fighting is something every human being can relate to.  Not everyone can throw a football like Peyton Manning, or throw it down like Dwight Howard, or swing a bat like Ryan Howard, but we all can throw a punch, a kick, or take somebody to the ground (or we want to). 

That's what you get with MMA.

5 Reasons Anyone With A Brain Shouldn't Draft Terrelle Pryor As Their Starting QB

Did anyone else catch Terrelle Pryor's press conference today?  All 97 seconds of it, that is.  Pryor read a prepared, soulless statement to the media in attendance which was rife with hollow apologies to his teammates & the fanbase of the institution he shredded into a million pieces, and "shoutouts" to his former head coach, Jim Tressel, whom he helped to place on the unemployment line.  If you didn't here's what Pryor had to say:

Terrelle Pryor / Photo by Amy Sancetta AP

"I say sorry to all the Buckeye nation and all the Buckeye fans across the country.  I never meant to hurt anybody directly or indirectly with my conduct off the field and I am truly sorry.....In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shoutout....I'm sorry for what all went down and I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job and place that you loved to be.  I regret the fact that you're not there any more and I regret the fact that I'm not there any more.....I'm working hard every single day on the field and off the field to be a better quarterback.  Also, one of my goals is to be the best person I can possibly be off the field."

Now maybe I'm crazy, but did Pryor ever say what exactly he was sorry for???

No, I didn't think so either.  He read his statement from a script, barely looking up to make eye contact with the crowd.  Immediately after he was finished, his newly hired agent, Drew Rosenhaus, took to the mic and blathered on about the greatness of Terrelle Pryor and simply refused to take any questions.  All throughout the conference, Pryor spent the majority of the time staring down or at his hands, not showing any semblance of a spine.  And even though Pryor didn't answer any questions and said nothing further, his silence spoke volumes to any teams out there that would possibly choose to take a chance on him during the upcoming NFL Supplemental Draft.  But here are my biggest problems with Pryor's conduct at Ohio State and his future in the NFL, particularly as a Quarterback.

1.  Like I said, I still don't know what he's sorry for.

Not one single word of his statement actually acknowledged what he did.  Pryor did not say to the world, "Yes, I sold my 2008 Big Ten championship ring, my 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and my 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university that gave me a free ride and the opportunity to play college athletics on one of the biggest stages in the world for a grand total of $2,500."  He just said he was sorry, but for what exactly?  For selling a symbol of what young men growing up in the state of Ohio dream about all their lives?  About showing as much regard for his sportsmanship award as one would a used car that you'd sell on e-Bay?  Or how about helping to destroy the reputation of a proud and prestigious program that will likely spend the next decade recovering from your selfish and greedy actions?  Now he's not completely on the hook for costing Tressel his job, as the coach as well as the three other players who also sold their memorabilia are just as culpable in all of this, but the QB is the leader on and off the field.  So the least he could have said is that he was sorry for being a a bad leader to his teammates and for the program.  But he didn't even say that.  Now with further allegations from an ESPN report on "Outside the Lines" (remember, this next part is all just accusations at this point) that Pryor has been pocketing close to $40,000 each of the last 3 years by selling autographs, the hole just gets deeper and deeper.

2.  Uh, Character Issues anyone???

Look, if Ryan Mallett was sending up supposed Red Flags all across the NFL for alleged character issues that were based purely on perceptions rather than fact, what color are those flags for Terrelle Pryor??  I mean, we have to come up with a new color, like RE-MAROO-GENTA or something like that.  This is a guy who basically pawned a championship ring that was a symbol of his team and his teammates blood, sweat and hard work for a small chunk of cash.  Oh, by the way, does anyone even know what he spent the money on??  He's a 21 year old kid, so it's not unreasonable to imagine he spent it on video games, or beer/alcohol for a party, or a night out on the town.  That's what kids his age do.  But men, and more importantly, leaders of men don't behave like this.  They set the example to follow, not the cautionary tale to be avoided.  Like I said before, the QB is the leader of the pack, on and off the field.  I believe that if he had not sold his items, then his teammates would have followed his example.  Instead, he broke some of the most serious rules that governed his sport, and that's what they followed.  If you're an NFL exec, do you really want that kind of guy being the face of your franchise????

3.  Pryor only regrets that he got caught, not what he did.

We don't yet know if the newest allegations that Pryor had been selling autographs for the last 3 years at Ohio State are true, but based on his conduct they are not out of character and have some credibility at this point.  More will come out of that, and I'm sure that if it is confirmed that he did in fact commit that kind of violation as well, then we'll see another half hearted attempt at remorse issued in a statement.  And who knows, maybe next time it will come via his Twitter account.  But let's be honest here, Pryor isn't sorry that he did any of it.  He's already looking to move on to a payday at the next level, and will do the absolute minimum that he has to do to get there.  The only thing he "learned" from all of this is to exercise more discretion and do a better job of lying.  Now, he'll be able to afford to pay an entourage to protect him from this type of situation and prevent future media bombs from going off.  Don't be fooled into thinking he learned anything from this.

4.  So after ten years, 7 Big Ten titles, a national championship, and a 9-1 record against Michigan, Jim Tressel gets a "shoutout" from Terrelle Pryor. 

Jim Tressel, from wikipedia.com

I feel like I don't even need to write anything for this one......but I will anyway.  Tressel was Ohio State Football.  The sweater vest that stalked the sideline compiled a 106-22 record in ten years and was arguably the best coach in college football, and definitely the best coach in the Big Ten.  Now think about that.  I'm talking about the same conference that includes Penn State and oh yeah, the winningest coach in college football, Joe Paterno.  But in the blink of an eye, through a few simple and very poor decisions, here we are; Tressel is gone and there is no telling when or if he'll return to coaching at the highest levels again.  Like I said before, Tressel is just as much at fault for hiding these infractions from the NCAA.  But according to Pryor's statement, he "love him like a father."  Gee, I don't know about you all, but I never did anything so selfish as to cost my Dad his livelihood and his dream job, then make a half hearted apology after the fact.  I ask you again, is this the type of guy you want give the keys to if you're an owner of an NFL Franchise?

5.  Leaving Ohio State early truly shows you what Terrelle Pryor is made of.

Now the last part of Pryor's statement really let you know what he's all about.  Here's what I'm talking about.

Pryor:  "I regret the fact that I'm not there any more.....I'm working hard every single day on the field and off the field to be a better quarterback.  Also, one of my goals is to be the best person I can possibly be off the field."

Hey Pryor, the only reason you're "not there any more" is because you are choosing to leave.  You know what would have shown true character?  Staying at Ohio State and getting your degree.  Sure, you might have been declared ineligible, or been forced to sit out more than the 4 games you were required to by the NCAA initially, but now we'll never know.  If you think that the year away from football would have hurt your draft status, try talking to St. Louis Rams DE Robert Quinn.  Quinn sat out all of last year, yet still became a first round draft pick this past year.  If you wanted to show how mature you were, or how much you had learned, how about showing everyone that you were about more than the money and finishing your education.  Last time I had checked, you were still on scholarship and had every right to attend that school, just not play for the team.  You could have still worked to become a better quarterback and you might have even had a chance to work on becoming a better person.  But, you're following the money......again.

There is no denying Terrelle Pryor's physical and athletic gifts.  Comparisons to Cam Newton are very just, and deserved in terms of talent and physical tools.  But talent only gets you so far, and it will only get Pryor so far as well.  To be a professional at anything, you have to have some semblance of character and integrity.

As it stands right now, he's got a ways to go before he's ready to lead anybody again.

No Denying Dirk Now

Everything was there for Miami to win the series. 

They had a smothering defense that had only allowed an opponent to score over 95 points two times out of a total of 15 games.  Each of their three stars were averaging double figures and had finally seemed to solve the "problem" of who would be the leader on the floor.  They were dominating their opponents on the glass and seemed like they were going to roll to the title.  But then they got tested by an opponent who wasn't going to back down.  They had more talent than the Mavericks and had the look of Champions.  They got pushed, and their resolve weakened.  Talent is one thing, but as it turns out team is that much stronger. 

While everyone in the media, in the stands, and on Miami's bench was caught looking to Lebron, or D-Wade to step up and make plays, Dallas just looked at their entire team.  And in those rare moments that members of the Mavericks did call each other out, they responded like champions.  Jason Terry became a force in games 5 & 6 that couldn't be stopped.  JJ Barea was seemingly unguardable in the paint.  Shawn Marion started contributing on both ends of the floor.  It was just a complete annihilation of a team that was in so many ways, better than them.


Ronald Martinez/Getty Images


Now, it's not like Miami didn't help them along the way.  In game 6, the Heat barely shot 60% from the free throw line, missing 13 out of a possible 33.  When you lose by 10 points, that's gotta sting.  But I have to admit, as much as I don't like Dallas, I am glad to see Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd get their rings.  Being a life long Phoenix Suns fan, it is great to see their careers rewarded.  Same goes for Dirk.  Look, Miami will get back to finals, and I'm betting they'll do it a couple of times in the future.  So many players have come through the league and put up some fantastic numbers.  They've gathered MVP trophies, scoring titles and set some records along the way (Steve Nash, Stockton & Malone, Charles Barkely, etc.).  The problem being is that as good as tose players are or have been, they will always have the "But" attached to the end of their legacies.  The ring is what separates good players from great ones, and to see these great careers rewarded is something that everyone can get behind. 

Ever since 2006, Dirk Nowitzki and Mavericks have had the "But" added on to their history.  Great regular season, but.....can't get it done in the playoffs. 

Now, there's no denying Dirk.

Lebron James will resond in Game 5, BIG!

This NBA Finals has, by far, been the most compelling and entertaining Finals matchup of the past decade to this point.  The total points margin between the two teams over 4 games is 15.  Games 2, 3 & 4 have all been decided by 3 points or less, and have come down to the final minute/last play of the game.  The series has had everything so far; tenacious defenses, clutch performances from star players, constant comebacks from huge deficits, physical play, you name it we've seen it.  And there's no indication that any of it is going to stop now that the series has come down to a best of 3 games.  But despite Dirk Nowitzki's heroics and Jason Terry's 4th quarter performance in response to being "called out" by Dirk, I still gotta go with Miami on this one.  And Lebron James' game 5 performance will be the beginning of the end for Dallas.

Courtesy of Getty Images

When you're one of the best players on the planet, you can't afford to have an off night.  Now Lebron's Game 4 performance was more than off, it was downright putrid.  He played 46 minutes, yet he shot 3-11 from the field against 4 personal fouls and 4 turnovers.  During the 4th quarter, he took only one shot, a missed 3 pointer, and allowed Jason Terry to make plays in the paint time and again.  But one game does not a series make for Lebron.  In the previous three games, he has averaged 20.3 PPG, 6 APG, and 7 RPG, hardly pedestrian numbers on a team that has Dwyane Wade playing out of his mind.  But the stats aren't the real reason why Lebron will go nuts in game 5........we are!  Everyone on the internet, social media, sports media, everyone who has stated that he is a non factor will end up eating crow after game 5.  All that the ESPN writers, or Dallas forward Desean Stevenson are going to accomplish by calling James out after his game 4 performance will be one of the biggest bounce back games in NBA Finals history.  Lebron has that ability, to just elevate his game on any given night, and given the amount of motivation he's been receiving from friend and foe alike, I think we're all in for a treat tonight.

Look, to this point Dwyane Wade has been Miami's best player throughout the series, bar none.  If the Heat walk away with the title, then it's almost impossible to see how Wade wouldn't be collecting his second Finals MVP award at the end of it.  But Lebron has been a factor in every single game, save the 4th quarter of game 4.  But that's the curse of being one of the best players on the planet; the media and everyone else in the basketball universe will be on your case, calling you out or calling you "soft" if you have an off night.  So, look for Lebron to explode in game 5, silencing everyone - his critics, the Mavs, even his teammates.  He will blow up big in game 5 and be the reason they'll take the lead back to South Beach.

BCS Strips USC of 2004-05 Title.......Yawn....

Does anyone really think that taking "stripping" the 2004-05 BCS title away from USC really means anything???  Oh yeah, and they "vacated" USC's participation in the 2006 National Championship game.  Is the BCS joking with this? 

They can take all the votes they want in their little power room with the board members of the BCS and just decide that the title is gone, it's still not going to erase the 55-19 throttling that the Trojans gave the Oklahoma Sooners that night in Miami.  And does that mean that Texas played no one for the National Championship? 

And just leaving the 2005 title vacated, what does that accomplish?  If we're going down this path, shouldn't they have to vacate all wins from the 2004-05 season?  Or how about this, why not take away Matt Leinart's Heisman Trophy from that season??  Seems crazy, but if we're just going to pretend that Reggie Bush didn't exist as a football player at USC, then why don't we just "vacate" his stats as well.

Here are Leinart's 2004 Season statistics with Bush (pre Bowl game):

ATT        COMP     INT      % COMP          YDS        TDs      LG   
377           267          6            .708            2990       28       69

Here are Leinart's 2004 Season statistics without Bush (pre Bowl game):

ATT        COMP    INT      % COMP            YDS       TDs      LG
336           226         6             .672             2512       21       69

Pretty big difference, right? If you took the second set of numbers, had the same Heisman voters come togther again and gave them stats only to evaluate then there is no way Leinart wins the Heisman over Adrian Peterson that year.  AP would have been the first and only freshman to win the prestigious award.  Or even better, Oklahoma QB Jason White probably would have walked away with his second award because his regular season stats would have dwarfed Leinart's in 2004.  But does any of that really matter now?  NO.  You can't unmake history, and you can't unplay games.  So what is the significance of taking a label away from a team and giving it to no one? 

Nothing.  It's just further proof of how screwed up and useless the BCS is.

The Turning Point: Game 3

How important is Game 3 of the NBA Finals?

In NBA Finals history, the series has been tied 1-1 on 33 occasions. The Game 3 winner has gone on to win 29 of those 33 series (87.8 percent).  Why is it so important?  In the first 3 rounds of the playoffs, which feature a 2-2-1-1-1 format in which teams each have two home games in a row, then alternate home games with each other.  But in the Finals, it's still the old 2-3-2 format.  That means that Dallas, following a remarkable comeback win in Game 2, has the next 3 games on its home floor, where they are 7-1 during the post season thus far.  Soooo....the winner of this game is going to be sitting pretty for the rest of the series.

Will it be Dallas or Miami?

Despite Dirk Nowitzki's brilliant performance in the 4th quarter of game 2, and a much more involved Shawn Marion & Jason Terry, I still have to go with Miami on this one.  At the 7:15 mark in the 4th, Miami led by 15 points and was dominating the painted area against the Mavs.  Dwyane Wade scored 36 points, and was 10-11 shooting inside 15 feet.  The Heat overall shot 17-26 from inside 15 feet, as Dallas had no answer for the strong drives of Lebron James and Wade.  But during the final push in the 4th, the Heat went ice cold and started settling for long pull up jumpers.  They seemed content to work the clock more than work their offense for good shots.  In the final stanza, they attempted 18 shots, but only 4 were inside of 15 feet, and in the final 6:19 of the quarter they only took one shot in that range.  That is an atrocious numbers, and it's not likely to be repeated by the Heat tomorrow night.

James & Wade won't be denied in Game 3

So often we hear players and coaches make statements like "we gave this game away" or "they didn't beat us, we beat ourselves", and most of the time things like that are just ego saving sound bites to try and downplay that you just lost a game.  But in this instance, I'd have to say that's exactly what happened.  The mistakes the Heat made can be corrected.  They just stopped running their offense and became much too concerned with running the clock down.  Last time I checked, the team that scores the most points wins.  This isn't something like the situation that the OKC Thunder or the Chicago Bulls encountered during the conference finals against these teams.  The Bulls couldn't all of a sudden just crap out another star to go along with Derrick Rose and give Chicago a chance in the series.  And the Thunder couldn't just gain playoff experience and maturity over night after having never been truly battle tested by a great team. Those problems couldn't have been fixed, and they ended both teams' seasons. Not gonna be the case with Miami.  Miami will make the adjustments and win Game 3. 

And we know what that means.

What is the obsession with Dale Earnhardt Jr. all about?



Dale Earnhardt Jr./Getty Images


Dale Earnhardt Jr.  -  For the life of me I can't figure out why HE is the sport's most popular driver.  I mean, if you actually look at his career stats during his 12 years in the Sprint Cup Series, they're far from overwhelming.  His best Series finish came back in 2003 when he finished 3rd.  In 12 years on the circuit, he has amassed an underwhelming 18 wins, 155 top ten finishes, and has taken the pole position 10 times.  Now you may look at the 155 top tens and think that is impressive, but average them out over a period of 12 years, with 36 races per season and his top ten finish percentage is 35%.  So over two thirds of the time, he finishes in the back of the pack!  Oh, yeah and the most important statistic of them all - Junior hasn't won a race in three years, with his last victory coming in June 2008 in Michigan.  In fact, the only thing that is consistent in his resume is being selected as NASCAR's most popular driver (every year since 2003). 

?????  OK, still not getting it.  It's not like he's that much better looking than every other driver out there, is it?  They all seem to be poster boys that are pretty polished.  I can only assume it is because of his father and the legacy he left on the sport.  But Junior is not his father, he's not even close.  Yet fans cling to the name because they just want to hope against hope that he will someday become the start they are all so desperately hoping for him to become.   And when he had his best chance to win this past weekend in Charlotte, he ran out of gas on the last turn of the last lap.  WOW.  I don't know if that is just bad driving, bad advice from his crew chief, bad strategy or all of the above.  But he fell flat once again, and yet everyone is still singing his praises.  I don't get it, explain it to me.  Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne; every single one of these guys has less time in the sport than Junior, but have more wins, top ten finishes and better season finishes than Junior.  I mean, both Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards have only 7 years on the Sprint Cup circuit, with Busch garnering 21 wins and 104 top ten finishes and Edwards compiling 19 wins and 127 top ten finishes. 

I get loyalty, I truly do.  I'm an Arizona Cardinals Fan for God's sake!  And I'm not saying the guy shouldn't have fans, and that those fans shouldn't be loyal.  Of course they should.  But, typically, the most popular driver is it's best, or a perennial contender for a title.  Not a middle of the pack guy who will never fulfill the overblown expectations that are synonymous with his name.

A Soldier's Story: Remembering Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman was many things: a college graduate with a degree in Marketing, a college football star (1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year), professional football player with the Arizona Cardinals (drafted 227th in 1998), a husband, a brother, a son, an American, and a soldier.  A soldier is a person who has made a choice. They will never call themselves a hero, ever. What they will tell you is that they have a duty, a mission, a task, a purpose......and they have made the choice to see it through. What is this mission? Simple - defend freedom and liberty wherever and whenever it is threatened. They do so without the thought of reward or personal fame, they do it because it is their job. Pat Tillman was a soldier in every sense of the word, and this Memorial Day weekend we should pause to remember, to appreciate, and to thank him.

A rising star in the NFL, Sports Illustrated football writer Paul Zimmerman named Tillman to his 2000 NFL All-Pro team after Tillman finished with 155 tackles(120 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 9 pass deflections and 1 interception for 30 yards. Not many may be aware of this fact, but at one point in his NFL career, Tillman turned down a five-year, $9 million contract offer from the St. Louis Rams out of loyalty to the Cardinals. Loyalty, that is something unheard of in sports today and is a true testament to Pat Tillman's character.  He finished his career with totals of 331 tackles(242 solo), 2.5 sacks, 3 interceptions for 37 yards, 3 forced fumbles, 16 pass deflections, and 2 fumble recoveries in 60 career games. In addition he also had 1 rush attempt for 4 yards and returned 3 kickoffs for 33 yards.

Following the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Tillman enlisted in the US Army in May of 2002, turning down a 3 year-3.6 million dollar contract offer from the Cardinals. He chose to go through the toughest training the Army has to offer, opting to become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's elite infantry unit. As I am an active duty Army officer and have been in the service for 13 years, I can tell you that this was no easy task. Only a select few can be professional athletes, and only a select few can be Army Rangers; Pat Tillman is the ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAY THAT HE WAS BOTH!

Lost due to a friendly fire incident on April 22, 2004 while on a patrol in Afghanistan, many people have seemed to focus on the events surrounding his death. But I say, to honor him, we remember the way he lived!! I will always remember going to Sun Devil stadium on Saturdays while I was in High School, watching this 5'11", 200 lbs guy play with more heart than anyone I had ever seen. I will always remember the emotion he played with, his competitive spirit. I will always remember watching him play on Sundays, wearing Cardinals Red, playing a game he loved, with the team he loved, for the community he loved.  This Memorial Day Weekend, take the time to remember Pat Tillman. Take the time to remember his sacrifice and the sacrifice of millions of Americans who stand up and say "SEND ME."

Today I say, "Thank You, Pat Tillman, you embody everything that makes this nation great, and I salute you."

Best Player or Best Athlete? Jordan & James

Okay, so two days ago Scottie Pippen came out and got the whole sporting world stirred up with a few choice words about his former teammate and the basketball world's current superstar.  Here's what Pippen actually said during an interview on ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" Radio Show:

"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game, but I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved.  No guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score with LeBron James out there. Not only will LeBron dominate from the offensive end as well, but he's also doing it on the defensive end, which really makes him the complete package. He's able to get in those passing lanes, shoot those gaps and create transition opportunities where he is pretty much unstoppable."

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Now, hold on a second, there's more.  That was followed by words from another of Jordan's former teammates, Horace Grant, who said the following while a guest on ESPN 1000 in Chicago the next day:

"Pip is my man, and we will always be close but I totally disagree.......LeBron is going to be one of the top players to ever play the game. But Michael Jeffrey Jordan, who we bumped heads with at times, is I think in my era, the best who ever played the game."

Since his inital comments, Scottie has somewhat backtracked on his statements by basically saying the Lebron isn't at Michael's level, but that he someday could be if he keeps on his current pace, more or less.  Now, since both of these guys have a pretty substantial ring collection entirely due to MJ and their time on HIS team, they both have alot more credibility than most when it comes to this subject.  Also, it's hard to argue against Scottie's praise for Lebron.  The man knows what greatness is and looks like, having played next to Jordan for so long and having the Hall of Fame credentials to back him up in his analysis.  But I think Pippen's comments were just a little misplaced.  Michael was, is and will always be the game's greatest player.  Hands down, no question, no arguement, that won't change.  We could spend hours talking about his stat line; he's a 14x NBA All star, 6x Finals MVP, 5x NBA MVP, Highest Scorer in NBA History, and that's not even half of it.  His accomplishment speak for themselves.  But this is where Pippen was just a little off; Lebron James is, as it stands right now, the best pure athlete to ever play the game.  Notice that I said best athlete, not best player.  Jordan combined his rare athleticism, skill, hard work and talent to become the greatest player the world had ever seen.  And his drive to be the best is what solidified that position.  But Lebron is an athlete that the game has never seen before.

MJ ran about 6'6" and was pretty slight at 215lbs.  He moved gracefully and could also show bursts of explosiveness and power when he needed to, but his game was very fluid.  James runs about 6'9" and is a solid 250 lbs.  His vertical abilities are without question, and just as explosive as Michael's.  His body type and frame allow him to do things that Michael probably couldn't have done.  James can defend anybody on the court because of his size.  If you had matched up Karl Malone on the blocks against MJ, it would have been a tough night for Jordan defensively.  Not so for James.  The added dimension he brings on the defensive end makes him a matchup nightmare on the other end of the floor as well, because a typical PF doesn't have the speed or the quickness to stop James on the perimeter or in the open court.  Most SFs are too small for him, so they struggle against him as well.  Lebron has become a master and exploiting his physical stature and abilities to his advantage on the court, and it's something that the game has never seen before.  That's what Pippen should have said.  Michael Jordan is the Everest, he's the top, you don't get any better than that.  It's actually not possible.  Lebron is just a freak of nature, he truly is.  He's the greatest athlete the league has ever seen.  But best athlete doesn't equal best player, only Michael Jordan does.

Redemption vs. Validation: Nowitzki & James

Believe it or not, Dirk Nowitzki and Lebron James are more alike than you would think. 

Just take a look.

Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks (7'0", 245lbs)

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1st Round Pick, #9 Overall, 1998

NBA MVP Award: 2007

10x NBA All-Star:  2002-11

11x All-NBA Team: 2001-11
NBA 3 Point Shootout Champ: 2006
11 Straight Playoff Appearances: 2001-11
1 NBA Finals Appearance: 2006
FIBA World Championship MVP: 2002
EuroBasket MVP (2005)  
7x European Player of the Year

Lebron James, SF, Miami Heat (6'8", 250lbs)



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1st Round Pick, #1 Overall, 2003

NBA MVP Award: 2009 & 2010

NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004

NBA Scoring Champion: 2008

7x NBA All Star: 2005-11

2x All Star Game MVP: 2006 & 2008

7x All-NBA Team: 2005-11

3x All-Defensive First Team: 2009-11

7 Straight Playoff Appearances: 2005-11

1 NBA Finals Appearance: 2007


Kind of eerie actually.  Maybe Lebron has a few more notches on his belt like a scoring title and ROY honors, but we can all agree these are two of the premier players in this league.  However, the legacy of great players is defined by one simple thing; how many rings you got.  That is also something the both share, zero.  It may be unfair or unjust to make it so simplistic, but a ring is the ultimate prize.  MVP awards are nice, scoring titles are great, and all the other accolades look great on the mantle, but it's the ring that drives these guys.  For Dirk and Lebron, this finals match up will be the defining moment for one of their careers, and for two totally different reasons.

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For Dirk, the name of the game is redemption.  No one will ever really bring up the 2006 collapse if the Mavericks are able to finish their remarkable run with a title this year.  Does anyone even remember when Michael Jordan's Bulls used to get owned by the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s??  Or Jordan's postseason struggles for his first 6 years in the league, losing to Boston or Detroit every season??  Or even the fact that during his initial comeback with the Bulls (when he wore the weird number 45 jersey) they got ousted by Orlando in 1995 during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals?  Noooooo!!!  All we can remember are the two 3-peats and 6 rings!  In terms of greatness and where a player ranks in the annals of the game, a ring is the ultimate equalizer.  Karl Malone will never be mentioned when anyone makes a case for the greatest Power Forward of all time, nor will John Stockton when we talk about Point Guards.  They're top 10 for sure, but can never be considered a #1 candidate at their position.  Dirk has been in the league for 13 years, with 11 playoff appearances and only 1 finals appearance.  This is his last, best hope at that elusive title that will ultimately be the deciding factor of where he will rank in the basketball world long after he stops playing., for redemption from the ghosts of finals past.

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For Lebron, it's the ultimate opportunity for validation.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we were hooked on "The Decision" last summer.  It was good drama that played out before the entire country.  Fans were burning his jersey in the streets of Cleveland.  The Cavs owner issued bold proclamations and outlandish statements bashing the former hometown hero for deserting the city and claiming Cleveland would hoist a trophy before James would ever sniff one.  People from all over the country chimed in with their opinions, bashing Lebron for his "selfish" behavior and "grandstanding" by holding a prime time special to announce his moves.  But I ask you, what did the man really do wrong??  He saw he was in a hopeless situation in Cleveland.  If you don't believe me, just take a look at this year's series against the Bulls.  Derrick Rose was essentially playing the part of Lebron James from his last two years in Cleveland; he was the league's best player on a team with nothing but bit players whose success depended entirely on his own performance.  Just like they did to James, they turned all of their defensive efforts towards Rose and shut Chicago down.  In a 7 game series, teams need to have options, but the Bulls had none.  It was the same for Lebron during his time with the Cavaliers.  It wasn't about the money, the Cavs could have matched any offer in the league.  It wasn't about notoriety, he was the King of Ohio and essentially of the basketball universe in the Northeastern United States.  It was about being in a situation that would lead to a title.  He never stood a realistic chance in 2007.  They were just the best team in a horrible conference that year and got destroyed by the Spurs in a four game sweep.  But he got there, and he saw what it would take to win a championship.  Lebron did what he did for the right reasons, to become a champion.  But until he actually gets that ring on his finger, his "decision" will never be seen as anything but a betrayal to his hometown. 

Winning cures everything, and makes amnesiacs of sports fans.  It can provide redemption for those who squandered opportunites in the past, or it can confirm and validate the choices we make against what may be considered popular at the time.  Only one will get what they're looking for.

Who's it gonna be?

Down and Out in South Beach

Is it just me or is it incredibly ironic that in a pivotal game 4 of the conference finals, a game that the Chicago Bulls had to have to stay alive in this series, the NBA MVP and NBA Coach of the Year got outplayed, outhustled and outsmarted in crunch time?  You can talk all you want about the Heat's stellar play, Lebron James' electric performance making up for a subpar offensive game from Dwayne Wade, and the rise of Chris Bosh, but the real story was the poor decisions made by Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau in the last 8 seconds of regulation. 



The look on Thibodeau's face says it all...
 (from cbssports.com)


Throughout the series, it has been apparent that unless Rose plays well, Chicago is not deep enough to make up for his lack of offensive production.  Their defense has been shredded by the Heat over the last three games, and the Bulls have only managed to stay competitive in those games by simply trying to match Miami shot for shot.  If Rose can't get his game going by creating space off of the dribble and being able to get into the paint when he wants to, then Chicago sputters.  His teammates just sit around the 3 point arc or down on the blocks waiting for something to come their way.  They have shown no ability to create their own shots or scoring opportunites, unlike the Heat.  Game 4 was different though.  Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah were moving well without the ball when Rose cut in the lane.  They showed great awareness and made consistent plays on the interior, taking the pressure off of Derrick Rose.  And last night, Rose needed their help in the second half.  Heat coach Erik Spoelstra made the decision to put Lebron on Rose, effectively eliminating him from the game.  Rose had no way to counter Lebron's strength and quickness which prevented him from getting to the rim, or his length and ability to contest every jump shot that Rose attempted.  Rose had no room to breath in the fourth quarter, and it was a brilliant move by Spoelstra.  And the coach of the year's counter move??  To do nothing.  For most of the 4th quarter, Rose tried and tried again (with no success) to take Lebron off of the dribble.  Instead of challenging Lebron and possibly forcing him into foul trouble, Rose settled for step back jump shots which drew iron over and over.  Thibodeau had no set plays to run and called for no specific offense; hardly a counter strategy when your guy can't get anything going. 

However, Chicago still had a chance.  After a generous offensive foul call on James with only 8 seconds put the Bulls in a chance to head back to Chicago with the series all knotted up.  So after a quick huddle to game plan, and after inserting knockdown shooter Kyle Korver into the line up following the timeout, what did Thibodeau dial up?  Another clear-out isolation play.  No offensive movement, no pick and roll, no screens or any type.  Another step back jumper that resulted in an air ball from Rose due to great defense from James and overtime.  But this abortion of a play can't all be laid on Thibodeau's shoulders.  Miami was over the foul limit.  Derrick Rose is a wizard at getting to the basket and at a minimum, drawing contact for chance at free throws.  8 seconds is an eternity to set something up.  And it is plenty of time to set up your dribble and get your defender off balance before taking it to the hole.  Rose showed his immaturity in the league on this play.  He showed an inability to find a way to use Lebron's aggressiveness against him, which led to a step back, fadeaway jumper that was more of a prayer than a shot.  Those 8 seconds, and the execution (or lack thereof) of the Bulls' offense effectively ended their season and any hopes of advancing.

Not something you expected to see from the current league MVP and his coach of the year. 

Westbrook is a Victim of the Derrick Rose Effect

When you imagine the all time great point guards, what names pop up in your head?   Maybe Magic Johnson or John Stockton?  Steve Nash perhaps?  What about Jerry West (the LOGO!)?  Pistol Pete?  Bob Cousy?  Some might make the argument for Jason Kidd.  Anyone of these individuals in the prime of their careers would be an ideal point guard for any team.  Now, why do we think of these players when we imagine our prototypical point guards?  Because of their ability to run an offense, and to create opportunities with the ball.  They were (or are, depending on which name you like) masters of the game of basketball, and understand that its the sum of the parts that make up the whole.  If you have a player that is touching the ball nearly 100% of the time on every offensive play, then you need to have a player that is unselfish, with incredible court vision and an ability to create plays off of the dribble.  That's what guys like Nash, Magic, Stockton and the other great ones all possessed.  Sure, they could score if they wanted/needed to.  But their understanding of the game allowed them to fulfill the needs of their position.

Recently, OKC point guard Russell Westbrook has been catching a ton of flack due to his shooting woes and overall play throughout the postseason.  His shot totals have been unbelievable in some instances, taking over 30 shots in a game while accounting for less than ten assists.  His most recent benching during Game 2 has had the blogosphere and media buzzing about how he will respond for the rest of the playoffs.  Many are calling for Westbrook to change his game, and become a more traditional point guard by distributing the ball and creating more opportunities for his teammates.  But there is an inherent flaw in that way of thinking.  Westbrook can't all of a sudden change the way he plays the game.  He is a scoring guard, he uses his athleticism and blinding speed to create instant offense.  It is one of the main factors that has allowed the Thunder to be so successful throughout the year.  Westbrook isn't the problem, he's the victim of the Derrick Rose effect.



Derrick Rose


The Derrick Rose effect is a problem faced by several teams right now.  It basically boils down to a team's best offensive player/scorer being their point guard.  It causes his teammates to become bystanders rather than participants in the game.  The Milwaukee Bucks have this problem with Brandon Jennings, the Washington Wizards are going to experience this even more next year with John Wall, and more teams in the future will experience this effect.  Rose is the quintessential athlete at the point guard position.  His abilities are unbelievable at the point of attack in the lane and he brings a dimension to the court that is a nightmare for defenses to handle.  Westbrook is the exact same type of players.  The problem is that Westbrook is not the best player on his team, Kevin Durant is.  Derrick Rose is the best player on the Chicago Bulls, which is why no one bats an eye when he tosses up +25 shots at the rim.  That's the expectation of your star, to take the most shots.  Westbrook is the second fiddle to KD, no matter how you slice it.

The D-Rose Effect will end up costing the Thunder in this series, because you can't ask Westbrook to change who he is as a player.  It's what has made him an all star and what has gotten his team to the Western Conference finals.  But, when the game is on the line, you want your best player to either take the shot or make the decision with the ball.  Chicago will always put the ball in Rose's hand and they know they will live and die with his decisions.  Teams like the Thunder or the Miami Heat......well, they're not so sure. 

And that's why Chicago and Dallas will advance.

A Journey of Faith - Jeff Grabosky

Photo courtesy of  JeffRunsAmerica.com.  All rights reserved.

Today is a bit of a break from the normal posts I throw up on here, but I had to honor a remarkable feat of athleticism, determination and strength by a friend and former co-worker of mine, Jeff Grabosky.  Jeff just completed a run across the United States......that's right, this man ran from Oceanside, CA to Smith Point, NY in 120 days.  He carried everything that he needed with him in a jogging stroller, his clothes, sleeping bag and tent, and every other item that he would need to get by.  Sometimes he camped in the middle of nowhere, or sometimes he was able to make it to a hotel for the night.  He ran through the weather, through the long stretches of lonely roads, up and over mountains and completed a journey that only 42 people before him had ever completed.  And why did Jeff do this?

To encourage prayer.  As simple as that.  I had the good fortune to get to know Jeff for a little while when we worked together a few years ago.  He is as down to earth as they come.  He enjoys all kinds of sports, drinking, having a good time, all the typical stuff that any guy in their 20s would enjoy.  Which makes his story all that more remarkable to me.  He simply made a decision that he was going to this, that he was going to move across this country and inspire people with his feet.  And everywhere he went, he made little connections along the way with people in towns and cities across the country.  He showed them that by simply putting one foot in front of another, people could see that with a little faith and heart, human beings are capable of great things.  You can read about Jeff's story and his journey at his website: http://jeffrunsamerica.com/. 

I am just happy to say that I know a man of his character.  Congratulations Jeff!

Universal Justice - Cleveland Awarded Top Pick in the Draft

July 8, 2010.  That was the date of the now infamous "Decision" special that aired on ESPN in which Ohio's native son, Lebron James, declared he would be taking his talents to South Beach.  What immediately followed was a media frenzy of fan reactions ranging from those of jubulation in Miami to near riots in Cleveland and other Ohio towns, complete with Jersey fueled bonfires.  But, perhaps most notable of the reactions stemming from Lebron's departure were the words of anger and venom spewed by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on the very next day after his franchise player, his golden goose, his link to immortality, flew the coop.  In a letter to the fans on 09 July, Gilbert let loose on James, calling James' move "bitterly disappointing" and a "shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown 'CHOSEN ONE' ".  But out of all of the frustration and feelings of betrayal that Gilbert expressed in his letter, what got the most eyebrow raises were his declarations that the Cavaliers would bring home the championship gold before Lebron ever brought Miami a title.



Dan Gilbert


And to be honest, I don't think that you can really be upset with Gilbert's comments.  He said what every fan (save those of you in South Beach) wanted to say.  Lebron was living the so-called dream; playing for his hometown team, in the state he grew up in and had called home all his life.  Lebron stated that his decision wasn't motivated by money, since Cleveland could match any offer Miami made, but rather by a desire to win.  That probably cut Gilbert and the Cleveland faithful more than anything.  No one, and I mean no one, wants to win championships more than Ohio professional sports teams and their fans.  They are the most snake-bitten ball clubs in the world, and their fierce loyalty and determination get put to the test year in and year out by the futility of the Bengals, Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians.  Lebron, as a product of this culture, should have understood that more than anyone.  I think Gilbert, along with all the fans in Cleveland, were counting on that understanding to bring him back.  He was hometown hero who would make good on all of their devotion and reward them with that long awaited title.  When he bolted for a warmer climate and better views, Gilbert reacted honestly and said what every fan of the Cavs wanted to say.  He should never have to apologize for what he said.

However, after a 19-63 campaign in the immediate aftermath of the Decision, which also saw the team set a new NBA record for futility by losing an amazing 26 games straight, you almost have to look at Gilbert's comments and laugh.  But, guess what?  After struggling through such a horrendous year in which the Cavs faithful never dwindled and the team still sold out their home games night after night, Cleveland was awarded the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery.  Not only that, thanks to a mid season trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, they also hold the 4th overall pick.  Now you have to look at this set of circumstances and see that Karma Gods shining down on Cleveland just a little bit here.  For them to have a pick as high as #4 is one thing, but to have a #1 in addition to that is the universe's way of telling Cleveland that even the sun shines on a dog's ass somedays. 

Unlike other sports, draft picks in the NBA can have an immediate and definitive impact on a franchise from Day 1.  Basketball is one of the few "team" sports where one individual can be so decisive.  Three years ago, Derrick Rose went to Chicago and took them to the playoffs immediately while winning rookie of the year honors.  Fast forward to today, and he's the youngest MVP in league history and led the Bulls to the league's best record and (most likely) an NBA Finals appearance.  The league is full of stories just like that.  Even Lebron's time in Cleveland ran the same course, with him winning ROY and two MVP awards as well as three division titles for a club that had never known consistent success.  One player can truly make the difference in basketball; the Cavs have a chance to get two top 5 talents in the same draft and immediately return to legitimacy.   

Now that's karma for ya!       

Know You're Role: Westbrook vs. Durant

                                                                                                                                                

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Let's first state the facts; Russell Westbrook is an all star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has incredible athleticism, quickness and an innate ability to use his physical talents to get to the rim. He is a good all around shooter with good range and is a tenacious defender. But here are some other facts; Westbrook is not the 2-time back to back league scoring champion, Kevin Durant is. Westbrook does not have the smoothest shot in basketball, Kevin Durant does. Westbrook is not the franchise player, no matter how much he wants to be because that title is reserved for (you guessed it) Kevin Durant.

Now, with Westbrook's scoring average and relative field goal percentage, it's hard to argue with his production on the court.  But take a closer look at the numbers and you'll be able to see how he is hurting his team more than helping it.  In 9 postseason games, he has taken a staggering 199 shots of the teams 400 total shots.  In just the Conference Semi Finals, he has accounted for 30% of the teams total shots to Durant's 25%.  And, most telling of all, his assist per game average is a pedestrian 5.8, whereas during the regular season he averaged 8.2 per game.  He is supposed to the be the point guard, the facilitator.  It would be different if most of Westbrook's shot attempts resulted from hard drives to the basket, or points from free throws as a result of strong takes, but they're not.  He is settling for pull up, mid to long range jumpers, often times without even committing a single pass.  That is not what a point guard is meant to do.  His failure to involve his teammates in the offense, mostly by choice, has continued to plague his team in the late stages of games. 



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His struggles have a domino effect.  He lacks the maturity or the ability to see the big picture team concept.  If he's struggling to find his range, he needs to distribute the ball to keep the offense running until he can get high percentage shots.  Since he doesn't do that, he just keeps throwing it up there, which causes Durant to get frustrated.  Durant's frustrations have been glaring during the series as both he and Westbrook have the worst poker faces in the league.  When they are frustrated, they don't conceal it well, and it's infectious to their team's psyche. 

When the team's take to the court tonight, it will be interesting to see who Westbrook comes out as:  the Derrick Rose wanna-be that has continued to keep tunnel vision on the basket or the second half of one of the best one-two punches in the league.

How the West Will Be Won: Dallas' Long Road Back

Call this one instinct as well; I see a Dallas vs. Chicago NBA Finals match up.  The Eastern Conference finals is a little tougher to call, as the Miami Heat and their "Big 3" have more than enough talent, offensive firepower, and playoff experience to give Chicago a tough go of it.  And even though the Bulls pulled away in impressive fashion in the second half last night, it's easy to say that their series could go either way.  I just have to go with Chicago based purely on the opinion of Chicago being a better overall team and more importantly, being better at playing TEAM BASKETBALL.  My reasoning for picking Dallas is much more simplistic;  the Mavericks are just that much better than the Thunder.

First things first, you always gotta go to the numbers because they don't lie.  As a team, Dallas is shooting 47% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc and 52% in two point field goals along with 22 assists per game.  They have 5 players averaging double figures in points and have held home court advantage throughout the post season.  The Thunder, on the other hand, are shooting 41% from the field, 32% from the 3 point line, and 47% from inside the arc.  And in the playoffs, their assist per game has gone down by three to an average of 17 per game.  With only 3 players averaging in double figures, it's obvious to see how inequitable their scoring is.  Despite having the league's scoring champ in Kevin Durant, it's hard to see this one going to a game 7.  The Mavericks have the Thunder outmatched in every facet of the game.

It's been a tough road for Dallas and more specifically their superstar, Dirk Nowitzki.  After being up 2-0 in the 2006 Finals, the Mavericks folded like oragami under the offensive onslaught of Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat, losing the next 4 straight in one of the greatest collapses in NBA post season history.  Now I did say one of the greatest collapses because after an appearance in the finals, the following year the Mavericks were ousted as a number one seed by Baron Davis and the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors in six games during the first round.  Ironically, this happened to be the same year that Dirk won his MVP award and the Mavs won 67 regular season games.  In fact, in the the next four seasons after their finals debacle, we saw Dallas post over 50 wins each year during the regular season but never make it past the second round of the playoffs, with three of the past four playoff runs ending in the first round to supposedly "inferior" teams.  And Dirk Nowitzki, as the face of the franchise, bore all of the blame.   

But this year seems to be different.  To use one of the most overused phrases in sports, the Mavs look like they have turned the proverbial "corner".  You don't get lucky and sweep the two time defending NBA champs, you have to be THAT good.   This is their year, this is their time.  Jason Kidd is playing his best basketball at the exact right time.  Both Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic are such legitimate knock down shooters that they are drawing defenders away from Dirk.  Tyson Chandler is utilizing all of his athletic talents and bringing that added dimension to the Mavs' interior game to compliment Brendan Haywood's interior defense.  And Shawn Marion always gives you that X-factor (along with the ugliest jump shot in the history of basketball), whether it's on the defensive end against the opponent's top scorer or running the fast break to perfection.  Their bench is contributing in a big way and have outscored their opponents in the first two rounds by an average of 10 points.  Bottom line is that this team is hitting on all cylinders and looks very poised, and polished.  That's something we could never say about Dirk's Mavs before.

Oklahoma City has accomplished a great deal to get to this point, and they are a very young and athletic team with a ton of potential.  But Dallas will mow them down in 5 games, I'm calling it right now.

Clash of the Titans: Wade & Lebron

So the Eastern Conference Finals are set: the Chicago Bulls vs. the Miami Heat; it's exactly the match up that everyone wanted to see. You've got young, explosive talents on both teams and high energy offenses that play an uptempo style of game that will be as fan friendly a match up as we've had in the playoffs in recent memory. This year's MVP, Derrick Rose, dueling against the two time MVP in Lebron James, but that is not the match up that will define this series.

As you can probably deduce from the title, King James and D-Wade will create the most headlines from this series, but for all the wrong reasons. This isn't a beaten down Celtics team with nagging injuries and poor depth that the Heat are coming up against this time. It's a young, fast, athletic group that has quality depth and knock down shooters in Kyle Korver & Luol Deng to compliment Rose's ability to get to the basket at will. They fight for every loose ball and contest every shot. But more importantly, not only did the Bulls sweep the season series, but Chicago has shown a consistent ability to win close games.

The of the Heat's 24 losses, 19 were decided by less than ten points and 13 of them by less than five points. Tough, grind out games have been the story of the Bulls' postseason so far against Indiana and Atlanta (except for game 6) and Chicago has displayed the tenaciy to battle out of those games while the Heat have not just yet. The Bulls' front court of Boozer, and Noah are younger, stronger and more physical than the Celtics. They won't allow Wade or Lebron to get to the rim like they did in the first two rounds. The defense of Chicago will turn the Heat into a perimeter jump shot team, and that's where the problems will come up for Miami.



Photo by Mike Ehrmann/ Getty Images North America


These aren't throw away games like the regular season. Every possession counts. You don't have the luxury of having an off night, and both Wade & James know this as much as anybody on the court. So when they won't be able to get to the bucket with ease like they did in rounds 1 or 2, they'll be trying to find their rhythm with their jump shot. Now if I'm right, and they're forced to do this, how do two superstars that each average over 20 shots per game make each other happy each time down the floor? Better question, (and it's one that people have asked all year) with the game on the line in the waning seconds, who takes the last shot? Wade? It's his team still, right? But what if Lebron's got the hot hand, does Wade still let him decide the game? This is the true dilemma of the Miami Heat. The Bulls have their superstar, and a great supporting cast of role players that compliment Rose's talents. The Heat, with all of their weapons, still don't have a true identity.

I'm going to say it right now....I think the Bulls are going to win the East and go to the finals. Do I think the Bulls are more talented than the Miami Heat? No. But they are the better team.

"Big 3" are Big Time in the Playoffs

Alright, after their game 4 performance I'm sold. The Miami Heat, much maligned all year long for not being able to hang with top competition, now stand one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. After all of the hype following "The Decision", this team is living up to all of the expectations at exactly the right time. And the numbers don't lie.

Mike Fuentes - Associated Press

Miami's Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are averaging a combined 65.2 points, 25 rebounds and 11 assists per game. Compared against the entire team averages, it means that they're accounting for just under 70% of the Heat's points and assists along with 57% of their rebounds. That is unbelievable production. But it's not just on the offensive side of the ball. Their opponents are averaging a pedestrian 88 points per game, often times not being able to run with the Miami on fast break opportunities or maintain their breakneck pace.

But the most telling aspect of their game isn't going to show up in the stat line; their poise and composure has shown through in the playoffs. After a disheartening loss in game 3 against Boston, many wondered how the Heat would respond in game 4. They were facing a veteran team with Championship experience that wasn't prone to panic in the postseason. And everything was there for the Heat to fold. Late game heroics from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, followed by a turnover by Lebron almost let the Celtics walk away with it. But in another close game coming down to the wire, the Heat did something they failed to do most of the regular season; their defense held on and forced OT. Indeed, it was their defense that carried the way in the late stages of the game. Between the 4th quarter and OT, the Heat outscored the Celtics 29-17.

These kinds of performances are what we expected of the Miami Heat when the season started. We all expected them to contend with the big boys from the start and when they fell flat at first, everyone in the media wanted to lump this team with some of the other great hype trains in sports (2008 Detroit Tigers anyone??). But this is the playoffs, and the playoffs are all about be able to play your best ball at the right time of year. That's what the Heat are doing now, and it's because of the "Big 3".