Monthly Archives: April 2011

NBA Conference Semi Picks

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The first round of the NBA playoffs finally was completed last night with the eighth seeded Grizzlies finishing off the top seeded Spurs for a stunning upset- becoming the second team to accomplish this feat since the opening round went to best-of-seven. A few years back, an athletic Golden State was too much for the Mavericks before fizzling out in the second round. Will the same fate happen to Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol?

We’re here to tell you how they’ll fare against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s Thunder while also going out on a limb with the Lakers and Mavs finally meeting up. Two fascinating match ups that should keep hoopsters locked in while the East gives us the much anticipated Heat/Celtics while the upset minded Hawks try to compete with certain League MVP Derrick Rose’s Bulls.

So, how will it all break down? Let’s take a look at who we see advancing to the NBA version of the Final Four!

EASTERN SEMIS

Bulls over Hawks in 5

Celts over Heat in 6

Why: For obvious reasons with Chicago just having too much for Atlanta to deal with. Nobody can guard Rose one-on-one. He’ll have his way. Joakim Noah should pose a problem inside for Al Horford and even Carlos Boozer should show up. Kyle Korver is money from downtown and Luol Deng and Taj Gibson provide strong support. Joe Johnson will need a repeat performance and Mr. Clutch, Jamal Crawford the same for the Hawks to stand any chance. Unless Josh Smith snaps out of it, this will be a short series. …

The Celtics and Heat are more evenly matched. Experience versus youth. Half court against transition. Old guard takes on new guard, looking to back up all the hoopla surrounding the Big Three of LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh. How can Boston slow them down? Well, they get back on D and won’t allow many dunks or fastbreaks. There’s also unique point guard Rajon Rondo, who destroyed the Knicks at MSG with a triple double and another big game in closing them out before an angry Jim Dolan. If he didn’t own our franchise, I’d be a lot more ticked. If the games are close, you have to like the Celts’ chances with reliable Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett all proven closers. Miami’s had trouble all year finishing games with the ball too much in either LeBron or Wade’s hands. At least they got it together to finish off their “breakfast.” :-\ A silly James reference to the 76ers, who pushed them despite losing in five. The fact the Celts found ways to beat us in the first two and then got down to business bodes well because it allowed their older legs to rest. The Heat will need help from Mario Chalmers, Mike Bibby and Joel Anthony, who is a key inside presence off the bench. The Celts counter with Glen Davis, Jeff Green, Jermain O’Neal and Delonte West, which should give them an edge. Shaq is back but how much will he play if the other O’Neal continues to turn back the clock? Don’t forget too that Doc Rivers is a better coach than Erik Spoelstra, which could be a factor. That’s why we’ll go with the New England Clam Chowdah over Miami Beach.

WESTERN SEMIS

Mavs over Lakers in 6

Thunder over Grizzlies in 7

Why: I know what you’ll say. Are you crazy going against Phil Jackson, Kobe, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and a healthy Andrew Bynum? Perhaps. Doesn’t anyone find it a little strange that LA was pushed by the Chris Paul Hornets minus David West? Granted. A motivated CP3 is one of the game’s best and roasted Derek Fisher and whoever else Jackson tried with Kobe even getting the assignment. Jason Kidd provides a different challenge in that he’s much older but is superb overall. This is his last chance to win along with Dirk and it also happens to be the deepest team Dallas has ever had, featuring Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, Peja Stojakovic, J.J. Barea, Deshawn Stevenson and Brandon Haywood. Rick Carlisle could also have versatile Caron Butler at his disposal, which should boost their chances. The Mavs are deep, lock down on D and don’t rely on just Dirk offensively. Terry can do damage and Barea’s a smart player who was key in closing out Portland. Stevenson is crazy enough to guard Kobe, who will get his numbers. It boils down to do the Mavs have enough to neutralize the Lakers’ size? If they rebound, there’s no reason they can’t pull it off. Dirk looks really determined. He knows he’s running out of chances. The time is now. …

What’s not to love about this other match up between two young athletic teams with one ensured of the Conference Finals. This is great for basketball. Fresh blood finally! So, why do we like Oklahoma City over Memphis? His name is Kevin Durant and he can ball. The kid from Texas is ultra smooth and cannot be guarded. The Grizz’ size should help but Durant can make shots from anywhere, using his wingspan. He’s not afraid to take the ball to the rim late as he did in carrying them in Game 5 over the Nuggets. Randolph had his way with the Spurs, abusing Antonio McDyess and even making Tim Duncan look old. A sad sight but that’s still the greatest power forward to ever play the game. Zebo is a tough cover because he’s silky smooth, beating you with his back to the basket or facing you. However, shot blocker Serge Ibaka provides the Thunder with the kind of athletic big that can make it tougher on the game’s most disrespected superstar. His nine blocks were one shy of the NBA playoff record shared by Akeem The Dream and Mark Eaton. James Harden can light it up from the outside. While Memphis will be doubling Durant, that will leave the dangerous Westbrook to go one-on-one with Conley. Though the Ohio State product’s made huge strides, that’s a tough assignment. Kendrick Perkins provides additional beef inside against Marc Gasol, who will need a big series for the Grizz to string the upset. Unlike his brother, Marc’s a conventional center who can finish inside and rebound. That match up should be fun to watch. Thabo Sefolosha provides gritty D and Eric Maynor important minutes when Westbrook needs a breather. It’s hard not to prefer the deeper Grizz with athletic Tony Allen, high riser Darrell Arthur, scorer O.J. Mayo and Shane Battier all key contributors. Sam Young can also shoot it from three. The strategy seems obvious. Try to wear down Durant/Westbrook. I just feel that if they can make life difficult on Zebo, Memphis will have a tough time prevailing. It’s Durant’s time and he’s ready for that next step.

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Another Homophobic Episode In Sports

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It appears that there is another homophobic incident involving a major sports figure.  Apparently there was an incident before last Saturday’s game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants where Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell was spouting homophobic comments towards some fans in the stands.

When another fans spoke out to him and stated that there were kids in the stands, McDowell apparently said that kids don’t belong at the ball park, picked up a bat, and asked the fan “How much are your teeth worth?’  The incident prompted several parents to come down to where the incident was happening and retrieve their children.

The fan that was threatened by McDowell, Justin Quinn, then filed a complaint with both Giants personnel and police.  Quinn’s attorney has also asked that Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig launch an investigation and take appropriate action.

McDowell issued an apology on Wednesday stating, “I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday.  I apologize to everyone for my actions.”  Commissioner Selig said that the allegations are troubling and that he will take actions after getting all the facts.

This is the second incident in as many weeks of sports figures spewing hate at others in the form of homophobic comments.  Kobe Bryant’s offense was defended as something that was done “in the heat of battle.”  McDowell tried to pawn it off on responding to heckling fans.

Let me get this straight.  You respond to adversity by insulting someone’s manhood and slurring a sector of the population.  How can anyone think that this is appropriate.  If McDowell had dropped the N bomb or Kobe some other racially charged phrase, he would have probably been instantly suspended most likely.

But it seems that Bryant and McDowell’s incidents are getting “smoothed over” for the most part.  I am not a gay man, but I recognize hate speech when I see it.  I don’t care if this type of talk is tolerated on team or has been tolerated in the past.  It is still unacceptable.  Those hooked to online gambling and prostitutes don’t get the same stigma as gay men and women do.  Why do you think that is?

Whether you like the people or not, these are still your fans, and in the case of Bryant, your colleagues and co-workers.  They deserve the respect that the world tries to throw your way.  Are these players truly getting caught up in the heat of the moment and saying something that is emotionally charged or are they showing their true colors?  You decide.

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Food For Thought

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There’s so much happening in sports these days. It just never seems to end. What. With the exciting Masters that saw Tiger fail while younger competition stepped up, the Knicks back in the playoffs versus the hated Celtics, the Rangers battling old nemesis Washington, plus the plight of two New York baseball teams who only play in the same city but sure aren’t the same, it never stops.

Not in the city that never sleeps where beloved April baseball is front and CENTER. Who cares about the prayoffs playoffs?!?!?!?!?! The Knicks and Rangers both in at the same time means Hell must have frozen over or perhaps 2012 really is the acopalypse for mankind. James Dolan actually gets to steal more money from loyal fans because his two Garden main attractions with apologies to the Liberty, are playing meaningful games this Spring for the first time since ’97. Some 14 years ago before this blog and so many others along with the radio madness that’s become WFAN with callers ready to jump off the Verrazano after 15 games are played of a 162-game season.

The Yanks are in first after their great comeback over the Birds assisted by Buck Showalter, who didn’t load the bases to set up the force at home for Jorge Posada. Who cares if his homer tied it off immortal closer Kevin Gregg? Posada was a perfect double play candidate. Instead, the great Uncle Buck watched Mr. Clutch, Nick Swisher’s sac fly score Mark Teixeira for the Bronx Bombers’ two-game sweep to get back into first.

But Jeter’s finished and Phil Hughes needs to be taken out of the rotation for Old and Older Bartolo Colon. Brett Gardner sucks! Get him outta here borrowing a classic line from Jerome of Manhattan. Imagine if these pampered fans rooted for the Mets. There’s nothing Amazin’ about what’s going on in Flushing where you can probably hear the sound of toilets, signifying the putrid homestand under new skipper Terry Collins. The Mets won one game and lost six, falling to a suicidal 4-9. We kid. They can’t be this bad. Can they? Well, if Pelfrey continues his inconsistencies and Jon Niese isn’t a lock, then that rotation sure weakens in a hurry. Even R.A. Dickey’s looked human.

Jose Reyes is hitting and reaching base daily but not stealing much. David Wright looks primed for a big year but his fly to the warning track left the bases jacked with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Colorado to escape in the first of a doubleheader. Instead, it was all for naught as they blew leads in all four games, allowing the Rockies to sweep highlighted by Troy Tulowitzki’s four home runs.  But the season’s ovah! Well, if you believe that Family Guy skit.

Folks. Baseball’s long and teams can turn it around. The Mets at one point last year were eight over .500 with Jerry Manuel in the dugout laughing to every paycheck. Relax!

Besides, there are bigger things going on. Knicks/Celts for the first time since Ewing and Jackson in ’89. And the Rangers/Caps with King Henrik looking to even it up tonight. Paging Marian Gaborik! This is a fun time to enjoy playoffs for both Garden teams when it only happens every 14 years. Better cherish it.

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Baseball Picks

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On Day Three of what’s been called Opening Weekend by MLB.com, the Yankees look to go 2-0 with a battle between former ’03 Marlins A.J. Burnett and Brad Penny going off soon on Fox. Meanwhile, the Mets look to bounce back from a 6-2 Opening Day defeat to their Kryptonite the Marlins, who got a John Buck grand salami off losing Met Mike Pelfrey.

The Amazin’s hope to swing the lumber better than getting no-hit for six innings by Josh Johnson before familiar vet Willie Harris came to the rescue. They can at least take solace in Carlos Beltran doubling home their first run. On the mound will be second year southpaw Jonathon Niese taking on Ricky Nolasco.

Before we get to some baseball picks, already Kyle Drabek has had a great major league debut, going seven strong permitting only a run and a hit while walking three and fanning seven Twinkies to push the Blue Jays to 2-0. They are The Program’s own Chris Wassel’s surprise team. If you want to hear some fun back and forth stuff on the baseball, plus New York Ranger suicide watch, be sure to check out last night’s No Goal Sports Show courtesy of The Program. It was Wassel and host Brian Sanborn along with yours truly and Dan “The Man” Wheeler making our quirky predictions. Be sure to check out the replay! We’ll be on every Friday at 11 ET/8 PT. Catch us over at Blog Talk. Next week, an NFL Draft Preview featuring the one and only Rob “Kraze” Davis with perhaps an actual Jeff Bashlor sighting and possibly John “JPG” Giagniorio.

As for my baseball prognosis, I tried to be fair and objective. Ironically, we didn’t get to World Series picks. But I think I’ll get to that good stuff along with awards and where your team(s) will finish in 2011. Just remember. These aren’t etched in stone. So, don’t jump off the Verrazano just yet unless you’re a Mets fan. :P

AL East

1.Yankees

*2.Red Sox

3.Devil Rays

4.Blue Jays

5.Orioles

AL Central

1.Twins

2.White Sox

3.Tigers

4.Royals

5.Indians

AL West

1.Athletics

2.Rangers

3.Angels

4.Mariners

NL East

1.Braves

*2.Phillies

3.Marlins

4.Mets

5.Nationals

NL Central

1.Reds

2.Brewers

3.Cardinals

4.Cubs

5.Pirates

6.Astros

NL West

1.Rockies

2.Giants

3.Padres

4.Dodgers

5.Diamondbacks

*wildcard

AWARDS

AL ROY-Kyle Drabek, Blue Jays

NL ROY-Brandon Belt, Giants

AL Cy Young-Jon Lester, Red Sox

NL Cy Young-Yovani Gallardo, Brewers

AL MVP-Robinson Cano, Yankees

NL MVP-Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies

Why the Yankees over Red Sox: Both possess superb lineups but each have questions surrounding their rotations. Boston packs a nice 1-2 punch of Lester and Clay Buckholz but after that it gets shaky with Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Dice K with the latter trio headed in the opposite direction. Unless that changes, the Sox could get into a lot of slugfests, taxing pen arms Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks and fading closer Jonathan Papelbon. The Yanks have their own questions in A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia. Not exactly positive when Hughes averaged 89.1 on his heater in a 10-7 loss to the Tigers Sunday. However, the Bronx Bombers are better equipped in the pen with Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Boone Logan, new setup Rafael Soriano and Hall Of Fame bound Mariano Rivera. Even if they get nothing from burnt out Pedro Feliciano who Brian Cashman blamed the Mets for him signing (simply amazing), they should be very strong from the seventh on with Soriano also able to spell Mo in save situations.

If the Rays get any hitting from Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, they could spoil it with arguably the deepest rotation in the Junior Circuit, featuring Cy candidate David Price, James Shields, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann and rookie Jeremy Hellickson. They need a monster year from Evan Longoria, who already is banged up, and B.J. Upton to fulfill potential.

Keep an eye on the White Sox, who with the addition of slugger Adam Dunn, could lead the majors in homers- boasting Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez. Vet southpaw Mark Buehrle heads a rotation that features Edwin Jackson, John Danks, Gavin Floyd and former Met farmhand Phil Humber. They subtracted closer Jenks but Matt Thornton’s capable of filling the void while having solid setups Jesse Crain (Twins), Chris Sale and Tony Pena. They’ll push the Twins for the AL Central.

In the Senior Circuit, the Phils have the best rotation- featuring NL Cy Young Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton. The loss of Jayson Werth and no Chase Utley until probably the second half will impact the lineup. Closer Brad Lidge is on the DL, meaning Jose Contreras is finishing games with Ryan Madson setting up. Hardly reassuring. If the offense struggles, it wouldn’t be shocking if they get off slowly before the Dream Rotation carries them to a trademark strong second half with Utley back along with Lidge and rookie outfielder Domonic Brown. That means they could battle the Braves for the NL East with both the Marlins and Mets competitive.

The NL Central should be the Reds to lose with competition coming from the Brewers once Zach Greinke gets healthy. Don’t count out the Cards despite no Adam Wainwright. Albert Pujols will have a monster year playing for a new contract and the rotation’s still solid featuring Cris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and rookie Kyle McLellan. Just what is Jake Westbrook doing in it?

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