NBA Playoffs News and Notes

Perhaps the biggest headline heading into Thursday's night NBA action is that the Orlando Magic will be taking the court in Philadelphia without all-star center Dwight Howard. David Stern slapped Howard with a one game suspension for throwing an elbow under the rim in game five. This is very big news, especially since the Magic have a chance to close out the series with just one more win. All of this, combined with the fact that the game will be played in Philadelphia is why you got to take red hot Andre Iguodala and the Sixers to beat the Magic. Count it, write it down, and get ready for game seven in Orlando, this time with Howard playing.

The other game we have to look forward to is game six of the Bulls- Celtics series. Or should we just call it Derek Rose and Ben Gordon vs. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, reason being in the fourth quarter it basically comes down to a 2 on 2 game. The record setting game one by Derrick Rose, the late game heroics of Gordon down the stretch in each game, matched by Allen's huge 3 point field goals, and Paul Pierces who seemed to not miss a shot in game five has made this one of the best series in NBA playoff history. Not even to mention that four of the five games have been decided in overtime. But for tonight, we shift to Chicago, and if this series has taught us anything it is that it is coming down to the last possession. My prediction? Bulls. This series is too good to get anything less than 7 games, also expect Rose to limit his turnovers and have a good game in front of the home fans. 

Hughes' Return Brings Much More Than a Win To Yanks

Feel that Yankee fans? Last night was one of the first times in this young season in which something has gone the way Joe Girardi wanted it to. Phil Hughes pitch 6 scoreless innings, showed his great breaking ball, and got out of trouble when we needed to. So just any old win for the Yankees? No way. This start along with Hughes' domination in the minors may mean that he is finally here to stay. Now if just Chien Ming Wang can find himself and become some kind of the pitcher we all know he is, you might as well start sizing the Yankee players for their rings. That would mean the rotation would look somethings like this : Sabathia, Burnett, Pettite, Wang,  and then Hughes. And yes, that means the return of Joba back where he belongs, the 8th inning. With Bruney on the DL for just a couple weeks would mean a set up of Bruney, Joba, and then Mariano. That coupled with the rotation of five above average starters will give opposing managers nightmares. Now I know this is only one start by Hughes, but his success if vital to the set up of this team. 

Not to mention the best player in the league, Alex Rodriguez, he'll be back in two weeks. That Yankees will be just fine. 

NFL Draft Breakdown

As a huge fan of football at levels, any life of the game that you can get in April is exciting, and that is what the NFL draft brings us. Kiper vs. McShay....Big name trades....and following our favorite college players as they move on. So here is my breakdown

Team with best draft-- Philadelphia Eagles......By getting wide receiver Jeremy Maclin with pick 19 is an absolute steal, seeing how some had him projected as high as 7. Maclin was a 2 year standout at Missouri with blazing speed, and a ability to return kicks. Putting Maclin along with last years rookie stud DeSean Jackson will give defensive coordinators many sleepless nights. Then coming back in the second round, Andy Reid and the Eagles picked up running back LeSean McCoy out of Pittsburgh. To me, another steal. If McCoy decided to stay in school for another year he would of most likely been a Heisman Trophy candidate and top 15 pick in next years draft. And what area did the Eagles struggle in last year? short yardage. Putting McCoy in there, with is pure running style, will make moving the chains much easier for McNabb and the offense. McCoy will also give Westbrook some help and we all already know how dangerous he is when healthy. The first two picks along with good players like Cornelius Ingram and Victor "Macho" Harris will undoubtedly have the Eagles fighting for a division title at the very least.

Team with the worst draft--Tampa Bay Buccaneers--When John Gruden was fired at the end of last season, Tampa Bay decided to go the route of rebuilding the team back up again, which is why players like Derrick Brooks were let go. So why I ask would your first pick at number 17 be quarterback Josh Freeman from Kansas State? Freeman is a 2-3 year project at best. Following that with Roy Miller (Texas) and Kyle Moore (USC) who are overrated because they benefited from the talent around them. Making the choice to rebuild and then only getting seven picks is not the way to go. The only right thing the Buccs have done so far this off season is picking up Kellen Winslow Jr, who is one of the best, if not the best tight end in the league.

Memorable Quotes from Draft Day-

1. Texas Tech coach Mike Leach's record-setting quarterback, Graham Harrell, wasn't among the 256 players picked in the seven rounds of the NFL draft. Meanwhile, Texas A&M's Stephen McGee, who didn't start much of his senior season, went in the fourth round (the 101st pick) to the Dallas Cowboys. "I'm happy for Stephen McGee," Leach told The Dallas Morning News. "The Dallas Cowboys like him more than his coaches at A&M did."
2. Meanwhile, Leach said that Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini is to blame for former Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree falling to the 10th pick in the first round. Reports out of Cleveland said that the Browns didn't like Crabtree's attitude when he visited the team prior to the draft. "My definition of a diva is someone who's loud and self-absorbed," Leach told the Bee. "Michael Crabtree is the furthest thing from loud that I've seen. ... Let's see how all those non-divas do up in Cleveland this year."
3. And just how did new Oakland Raiders safety Michael Mitchell respond to Mel Kiper saying he was drafted to early? By saying, "My 9 year-old nephew can watch film."

And yes we all know that MY Oakland Raiders drafted Darius Heyward Bey over Michael Crabtree with the 7th overall pick. At first I was in shock, but now after thinking about it, who is to say who will be good or not. Ryan Leaf stunk and Tomy Brady is one the best ever, which no one thought coming out of college. I guess what I am tryin to say is, please Oakland win some games this year!!!!

Kobe vs. Lebron

Kobe or LeBron? the question that has the young generation divided entirely, which is much to the displeasure of men 25 years+ who seem to believe anyone who plays now could have never made it in 80's or early 90's. But that is an argument for a different day. I am the first to admit I am a Kobe guy...why?...simple.....3 rings (and counting), MVP, and the killer instinct that only can be compared to Jordan's. People then begin to say, "well Kobe had Shaq," yes well Shaq also had Kobe and Dwayne for his championship runs. LeBron on the other hand, is an average shooter at best, who gets the majority of his points simply because he is a freakish athlete. So why does society always give people things before they deserve it (NFL rookie contracts, Obama as the Savior, and now LeBron as the best). Can we wait until things play out and actually see some results first? There is no need to rush to say that LeBron is better, he may win the MVP this year but that is because Kobe does not care about that award, he is on a mission and that is to earn his 4th ring. Maybe I need to break it down a little clearer, I am in know way a LeBron hater, but let Kobe have his time on top before we title LeBron as the best, when there is simply no reason to do so.

If you do not believe me, just wait for the NBA finals, and we will see....