Ready the Musselman Resume

There's been some good stuff written on True Hoop the past two days.

Ryan, remember when I was wondering aloud why teams fire the head coach only to replace him with the assistant coach. It doesn't rally the troops, it only turns out to be a joke. If you really want a philosophy change, maybe you should hire a new coach instead of replacing him with someone remarkably similar?

This article points out that the interim coaches aren't doing so hot. I'm more in favor of what the T-Wolves did in pushing the G.M. downstairs to work with the players he put together. At least it makes it a matter of accountability. I watched some of the Knicks and Kings game the other night. The Knicks scored 49 in the first quarter without seeing a single defensive rotation. So while the firing of the coach from Hangtime didn't surprise me, maybe the Kings should fire the G.M. instead.


What would it be like to work in a cubicle next to Kevin Garnett? This is a good read. Add this to the list of the differences between our workplaces and theirs.

No Mo

Mo Cheeks was fired today by the Sixers. He's a good guy that was the victim of unrealistic expectations, but the post is just an excuse to show one of my favorite clips.

Make Room for King James

I've been following the Knicks this year for several reasons. First, they hired a coach in D'Antoni that has brought a fun Euro spread offense to the NBA. Second, the Stephon Marbury saga should happen more often. Third, the local media coverage is great. And, finally, they are playing for 2010 in 2008, and they are not apologetic.

I thought the Knicks had a lot of talent last year, but Isaiah was a disaster, and the team had no direction. For anyone who thinks coaching in the NBA doesn't matter, this season may be hard to explain. While they have taken advantage of a soft schedule, the philosophy, energy, and results are completely different than the dud they were last year. Coaches in the NBA are enablers, whether it leads to better or worse play.

Not that I like the undue attention an overpaid Loser gets, but too many teams are hijacked by bloated player contracts in a players league. It's about time a team makes a decision based on heart and not expenditures. Marbury quit on D'Antoni in Phoenix, which has not been forgotten. Word on the street in New York is that Stephon may be more talented than Duhon, but he is a ball-hog loser. He'll be moved or rot on the bench before he stifles the offense, and infects the whole team with me-itis.

I've got both the New York Times and Daily News on my quick links list, and their guys are as good as it gets.

Last night the team traded its leading scorer, second best scorer, and best rebounder in exchange for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley ... and it was a great move. While Harrington and Thomas fit the run-and-gun style, the reason for the trade was to clear space under the cap for the 2010 free agent class that includes Wade, Bosh and King James. Screamin' A reported last night that the space available would be enough to sign two max contracts! I don't know much about the cap, but that would make the Garden rock again.

Side Notes:

Go Blue

How do the Utah/BYU alums watch the game if it's on the mtn network. Is that even broadcast in California?

First Blood

I'm writing this post in response to the Donovan Mcnabb overtime mishap. Overtime is a vexing issue in both college and pro football. At the pro level, a win or loss comes down to the flip of the coin, rather than athletic ability and intelligence. At the college level, the game is given a botched face-lift and transformed into some demented form of football. Think old Kenny Rogers turning into new Kenny Rogers.

So how should football solve this problem? I have an idea.

Allow me to introduce First Blood, a balanced system of college and pro football overtime that also retains the element of murder in the title and reinvigorates Sylvester Stallone's career. The worst part about Sudden Death overtime, is just that--it's sudden, and it's over before the other team gets a chance. In the First Blood format, you play the entire 15 minutes, more points wins, but in the event of an overtime tie, whichever team scored first (or draws first blood) wins. No ties. No cointoss victories. No 50/50 soccer-style penalty kicks. (If nobody scores in OT, whoever drew first blood in regulation wins. Another incentive for intense play.)

So, the First Blood format provides huge motivation not only to score first, but in the event of falling behind early, there is huge motivation to catch up fast and take the lead. Imagine the offensive innovation...imagine the defensive intensity. And you thought Ray Lewis hit hard now...

The closest link I can make with First Blood is with soccer. Any soccer fan knows that the most action-packed part of the match occurs when a team is down a goal or tied in the last few minutes. For five-plus riotous minutes, all 11 players are sprinting, passing, and shooting like there's no tomorrow, because for some, there ain't. And not only do the players pick it up, the fans are on the verge of hooligan head explosions for all five minutes. Now, transfer that intensity to a football field and make it rain, so to speak.

It also makes sense from a business perspective (more minutes = more commercials = more money), but to me it makes sense from a football perspective. Today's fan sits at the kiddy table of the Thanksgiving dinner of modern sports; this might get us closer to the grown-ups.

Let the Search End Here

I found Bobby Fischer.

Batting Stance Guy

If you're any kind of baseball fan, you need to visit the newest Man-ologue link: Batting Stance Guy. My buddy Sean told me about him, saying he can perfectly imitate the batting stance of any noteworthy major league ballplayer in history. From the most famous (Barry Bonds) to the most random (Dwayne Murphy), this guy is remarkable.

I've only had time to check out my hometown teams, the Giants and the A's, but everything from the most memorable, awkward swings to the most basic made it worthwhile.

Thanks to Sean for letting the Man-ologue know. You can hear Sean's voice calling the batting order of his St. Louis Cardinals.

"With My By Myself!"

If this SNL skit were a professional sports game, ESPN would dub it an Instant Classic.

See the full-size clip here.

F23F8317-4A92-05DC-7374-9F2F813E4FCD

1.02.05

Reggie Who?

Mario Williams and Reggie Bush: Each one just as surprised, but for much different reasons

In 2006, the Houston Texans shocked the world by selecting Mario Williams ahead of Reggie Bush in the NFL Draft. No one except Houston's front office had Williams ahead of Bush, and the sports media world hounded them for it. Coming out of USC, Bush was the most heralded college runningback since Barry Sanders. In my opinion, Bush was the second best college football player ever (only to Alabama's Forrest Gump). Sports fans and media outlets everywhere knew Reggie would have an illustrious NFL career; it was easy money. However, since then, many would say Williams has had a better career than Bush. Whether that is true or not, it's too early to tell. Let's wait 7 more years before we decide if the Texans were right. My beef is with every analyst and expert who talks about Reggie Bush as somewhat of a disappointment, forgetting the fact that they and every other expert had Bush 1st on their board with sure-fire comparisons to the best RBs ever. I think every talking head should have to state some kind of Reggie-disclaimer before they begin ranting, explaining how he or she was one of the millions who foresaw Bush as the next Walter Payton, and that the Houston Texans were cat-lady-crazy for skipping Reggie to get Mario. Maybe the Bottom Line could scroll along the screen reminding us where that analyst stood way back then. All I'm asking is for everyone to remember how jaw-dropped they were over #25 when he donned #5.

The Texans knew that not only could Mario rush the passer, he could shoot fireballs, unclog the pipes, and save princesses from giant lizards.

F23F8317-4A92-05DC-7374-9F2F813E4FCD

1.02.05

Back to the Booth

Let the football world rejoice: 

Matt Millen has finally been fired.

Week 3 Winners -- Brad

I meant to do this weekly, but last week just didn't happen. I promise that I haven't read a single NFL related article, or watched an NFL themed show. This is all sure to go wrong.

1st week: 7-8

Chiefs +5.5 @ Falcons
The Chiefs have been any good

Raiders +9.5 @ Bills
The Raiders are a strange organization. Al Davis continues to wear matching windbreaker top and bottoms. If that isn't a clear example of questionable decision making, I don't know what is.

Texans +5 @ Titans
Remember when Vince Young was on top of the football world? The Houston native was rumored to be the Texan's 1st overall pick after securing the national title. Now he is being booed, seeking help for depression, and contemplating retirement.

Dolphins +13 @ Patriots
Who needs quarterbacks with starting experience? The Pats sure like to mold them to their style.

Bucs +3 @ Bears
I shouldn't bet against the Bears after the proved me wrong in week one. Although I did see Devin Hester limping on t.v.

Rams + 9.5 @ Seahawks
Seattle's 12th Man is all I really know about either team.

Panthers +3.5 @ Vikings
I heard Minnesota benched their starter for Gus Ferrotte. It's that bad?

Lions +4 @ 49ers
I think the 49ers played well last week. The Lions will begin positioning themselves this week to draft another wide receiver.

Bengals +13 @ Giants
I was legitimately disappointed Ocho Cinco can't print it on his jersey.

Steelers +3 @ Eagles
McNabb is really good, but not really good. Whatever that means.

Cardinals +3 @ Redskins
The cross-country trip and early start is not what Kurt Warner needs.

Jaguars +5 @ Colts
Manning is still better than anyone the Jags might have.

Browns +2.5 @ Ravens
I don't know much about either team.

Saints +5.5 @ Broncos
Shanahan's call for two at the end of the game displayed his faith in Cutler - who I thought was the best quarterback in his class but the Cardinals passed on.

Cowboys - 3 @ Packers
This should be a good one, much like Dallas's last game. They are becoming must see t.v. I almost root for any owner who values winning over finances.

Jets +10 @ Chargers
This telecast will be the most predictable of all time. The two topics that will be brought up are Brett Favre, and last week's blown call.

Week 2 Winners--Ryan

Green Bay -6 @ Detroit
Green Bay's D stuffs a sans-Martz Detroit offense.

New York Giants -9 @ St. Louis
Eli will get protection and pick apart St. Louis. Is it me or does Chris Long have to go with the Howie cut one of these days?

Tennesse @ Cincinnati--pick 'em
I'm a Bengals homer. And I can't believe in a quarterback named Kerry.

Chicago @ Carolina--pick 'em
I'll take the team that beat up on a solid San Diego Defense last week over a team that beat up on an out-of-sync Indy Offense.

Oakland +3 @ Kansas City
I hate the Raiders.

Indianapolis -1.5 @ Minnesota
Losing Saturday (Jeff) means losing Sunday for the Colts. And Tavarus Jackson has the wheels to outrun Indy's pass-rush.

New Orleans -3 @ Washington
I'll take New Orleans to win by a Jumbalayan margin.

Buffalo @ Jacksonville--pick 'em
I'm gonna say last week was not the norm for either of these teams.

San Francisco +3.5 @ Seattle
I think the 49ers are more than capable of losing by a field goal to a team that got blown out last week.

New England @ New York Jets--pick 'em
The Pats passing attack is not one that relies on precise timing a la the Colts, it relies on deep balls to Moss and underneath drags to Welker. Matt Cassell can handle that.

San Diego @ Denver--pick 'em
I'll give SD more credit for playing a tight game with Carolina last week than I will Denver for blowing out Oakland.

Atlanta +2.5 @ Tampa
I'll take Atlanta. I may have a man-crush on Matt Ryan.

Miami + 4.5 @ Arizona
Let me get this straight. Miami goes toe-to-toe with the Jets last week, while the Cards need 5 turnovers from the Niners to win, and the Dolphins are Dogs?? I must be missing something.

Pittsburgh -7 @ Cleveland
Hmmm, I don't know who's gonna show up--the Cleveland of 07 or the Cleveland of Week 1. I'll go green and say they'll be a Hybrid. A slow, powerless hybrid.

Philadelphia +3 @ Dallas
Philly will hang with Big-D for 2 and a half quarters and disappear. If only Jessica Simpson would do the same.

1st Week Winners

Cincinnati -2 At Baltimore - Baltimore lost Boller, which doesn't sound bad until you realize he was the best available. Viva Ocho Cinco.

NY Jets -3 At Miami - Pennington's revenge falls short.

At New England -16 Kansas City - 16 points are a lot, but the Chiefs are awful.

At Pittsburgh -6.5 Houston - I don't know a single player for Houston other than the defensive end that was drafted first.

Jacksonville -3 At Tennessee - Both teams could be sleepers, but home field advantage is worth 3 points.

Detroit -3 At Atlanta - This game is televised? Detroit have offensive weapons.

At Buffalo -1.5 Seattle - Have Seattle dropped this far in two seasons? I'll take the fight'n Hawks. This game will be held in Toronto in 3 years.

At New Orleans -3 Tampa Bay - Home openers are the Saints specialty.

At Philadelphia -8.5 St. Louis - the stadium has an operable court for crazy fans during home games. That's a reflection of the environment.

Dallas -6 At Cleveland - Anderson's health is shaky, and the weather won't be cold/bad enough to derail the Dallas aerial assault.

At San Diego -9.5 Carolina - The Panthers keep it close, even without Crazy-Man-Smith.

Arizona -2.5 At San Francisco - The Cardinals always disappoint.

At Indianapolis -9.5 Chicago - Since Chicago won't score, Indy only needs to score 10 points.

At Green Bay -2 Minnesota - Packers are overrated.

Denver -3 At Oakland - Not sure what to think.

NFL 2008 Preview

AFC East
1. Patriots--an obvious pick, but the real question is whether or not they'll go 19-0 this year.
2. Jets--Favre was a great pick-up, but he's also their biggest question mark on offense. Will he be the Favre of '07 or '06? A great left side will foster a solid year for Thomas Jones. Look for Jericho Cotchery to be Brett's main man.
3. Bills
4. Dolphins--They'll win more games this season, but Parcells' culture needs 1 or 2 more years to cultivate before big results show. Ricky Williams does well this year...as long as he doesn't cultivate any illegal substances in the back of his locker.

AFC North
1.Steelers--They lost Alen Faneca, but a healthy Willie Parker and an non-motorcycle-accident-recovering Big Ben will get them into the playoffs.
2. Bengals--Most have them finishing last, but I'm a Cincy fan. With Ocho-Cinco hurt, look for T.J. Housh to blow up. He'll lead the league in catches (insert joke about the Bengals leading the league in arrest warrants here).
3. Browns--AFC North's feisty defenses have had a year to learn Derek Anderson's weaknesses. Although a strong left side could still carry them into the first round of the playoffs.
4. Ravens--Kyle freaking Boller...nuff said.

AFC South
1. Jaguars--Yes, I'm picking them to win the division. David Gerrard rarely turns the ball over, and their backfield combo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew will dominate once again.
2. Colts--I just don't think they have it this year.
3. Titans--Call me when Vince Young stops throwing like a seventh grader.
4. Texans

AFC West
1. Chargers--They'll easily win the division, but is this their year to go big?
2. Broncos--They finish second by default--the same way the Jets finish second by default.
3. Raiders--I think they'll edge out the Chiefs for third, I just can't wait to see Reggie McFadden (fellow Irishman, probably a relative) run the ball.
4. Chiefs

NFC East
1. Cowboys--I still don't buy Tony Romo, but their firepower is amazing, but Wade Phillips reminds me a little too much of Ralph Wiggum.
2. Eagles--They'll be better than last year, and Desean Jackson (Cal) might just make the Pro Bowl.
3. Giants--With a spotty D-line and weak/aged CBs, Eli would have to play like Payton to get them into the playoffs.
4. Redskins


NFC North
1. Packers--Their strong defense will allow Aaron Rodgers to flourish. By the way, Rodgers may not be Brett Favre, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Rodgers wouldn't have thrown that OT interception in the NFC Title game last season.
2. Vikings--Their defense got better, their running game and O-line are superb, but what if they need to throw the ball?
3. Bears--No one will be doing the Super Bowl shuffle this year in Chicago.
4. Lions--Am I the only one left who thinks Barry Sanders still might come back?

NFC South
1. Saints--I think the Saints will do better than most people think. Deuce is back, which will help Reggie do his thing. And Kim will be out in LA, so Bush will get to focus on football.
2. Buccaneers--This might be the year Jon Gruden's head explodes.
3. Panthers
4. Falcons--In a few years we'll be talking about how Art Blank rebuilt his team, but not this year...On a mostly unrelated note, can you imagine Michael Vick in one of today's college Spread Offenses? I can only dream.

NFC West
1. Seahawks--I think any of these 4 teams are capable of finishing first or dead last. Holmgren goes out on top.
2. 49ers--Again, I can see them winning the division. A strong D and an improved offensive scheme will keep them around .500.
3. Cardinals--Should Kurt Warner be allowed to wear a glove on his throwing hand, let alone the Barry Bonds old arm-guard? By the way, whatever happened to Immokalee's own Edgerrin James?
4. Rams

Rookie of the Year: Desean Jackson
MVP: Randy Moss
NFC Champions: Packers
AFC Champions: Patriots
Super Bowl Champions: Patriots

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Last Saturday night at 11:30, I, like a lot of the world, watched the United States Men's Basketball team beat Spain in the Gold Medal game. I was surprised at the coverage of the game's result--most media outlets incorrectly blurbed that Spain provided only a "scare" to the US. However, the victory didn't come easily. Spain played much, much better than they did in the Preliminary round, when their impression of a fainting goat was spot on. And for three quarters and some change, they played better than the Americans. In the end, USA's athleticism and Kobe Bryant's Satanically inspired compettitiveness outlasted the Spaniards. Even though the US won, they should have won by a lot more. Which takes me back to one of the best nights of my life....

In August of 2006, I experienced one of the greatest nights of my life. My in-laws got tickets to the Team USA exhibition game vs. Puerto Rico, and they let my wife and I tag along. From the minute we sat down, everywhere I looked I saw basketball legends. Let alone the coaching staff and the loaded roster, imagine being in the same arena as Dr. J, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Pat Riley, Chuck Daly, Lenny Wilkens, Tark the Shark, and John Thompson, Jr. The game was great too, a plethora of fast breaks and windmill dunks, but the precision was lacking. Carmelo Anthony was shooting the ball as if he were trying to earn enough tickets to get a stuffed LooneyTunes character; 7' forward Chris Bosh never entered the key and launched (and missed) a million three point shots; the American guards (CP, Kirk Heinrich) were unselfish, but Carlos Arroyo zipped by them all night and their court vision was blurry at best.

Since that night, I've followed the progress of Team USA to see if they would fulfill Coach K's vision for what USA Basketball should become--committed, team-oriented, and lethally compettitive. Seeing them play in the Olympics had been, in my opinion, a near fulfillment of that vision. Their backcourt, inspired by the hustling Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant, was everywhere. Their undersized frontcourt, led by Bosh, Dwight Howard, and Tayshawn Prince overacheived in almost every way.

So when I sat down on Saturday night to watch the Gold medal game, I expected to see a culmination of the vision--the Beijing Opening Ceremonies of basketball, if you will.....not exactly. Spain, even without star guard Rudy Fernandez, played good enough to win and their fundamentals were precise. 17 year old phenom Ricky Rubio asserted himself as the next Pistol Pete, flying past an aging J-Kidd, an uncreative CP, and a balding Deron Williams, dishing beautiul passes to his Bigs. Pau Gasol drew a lot of attention from the American frontcourt, which allowed little brother Mark (a beefier, harrier, uglier version of his bro) to make jumper after jumper.

The bottom line is that team USA did the least they had to do in order to get the Gold, and I wanted them to do the most they could possibly do. Ussain Bolt, the Jamaican Blur, also did the least he had to do in order to win the Gold by jogging the last 10 meters of the 100m dash. Bolt did finish with a world record 9.69, but had he done his best, he could have run an unbreakable 9.59 and possibly outshined Michael Phelps. And yes, Team USA did go undefeated and win the Gold, but instead of winning by 11, they could have won by 30. Instead of fulfilling Coach K's vision, they largely ignored it. Instead of emerging from these Games as the best basketball team ever assembled, they will forever be silver to the Dream Team's gold.

Premier League Picks

1. Manchester United - No surprise for me here. They are still working on signing Berbatov to bolster a thin front line. Regardless, I see Nani and Rooney having a needed great start until Ronaldo comes back in October. Fans sing "Paul Scholes scores goals"

2. Chelsea - Deco adds to a crowded midfield, but should lend some creativity to an attack that was less than impressive. Look out if they sign Robinho while Drogba recovers. Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, reportedly worth $23.5 billion. The team hasn't turned a profit since his tenure began, not that he cares. Good times!

3. Arsenal - Nasri looks to be a good addition to a perpetually young squad, and Walcott seems to be ready to have a breakthrough season. The team recently completed the very impressive Emirates Stadium located in North London.

4. Tottenham Hotspur - The trendy pick to break into the top four. Add me to the list, although the league website lists "Lilywhites" as one of their nicknames. That can't be good. Steve Nash's father played for them back in the day.

Others

Liverpool - Manager Benitez has not proven to be successful in league play, and continues to rotate players to "keep them fresh," only to drop games they shouldn't. One of the unique aspects of the sport is the way players move from one club to another. There are no trades or a league imposed salary cap, so players are literally sold from one club to another. Benitez has clashed with American owners Gillett (Canadiens) and Hicks (Stars and Rangers) over funds to buy players. Keane and Torres make for a formidable front line.

Aston Villa - I am seeing good things from this side. Gareth Barry seems to be staying, which gives them experience on the international stage. Intangible factors include a sweet shirt, charity sponsorship to a children's hospice, and the nickname Villans. Nice!

Manchester City - Owner and former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is a fugitive seeking asylum in England having refused to return to Thailand after attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing. He was ousted by military and royal elites under allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, tax evasion, and other offenses during his reign. While they have yet to find evidence to support anything other than tax evasion, he has received death threats and has been labeled "a human rights abuser of the worst kind" by Human Rights Watch. His assets have been frozen, and charges are still looming in Thailand. This should get interesting.

The Olympics are on Fire!

Ratings are up even though the games are on the other side of the world. The opening ceremonies were spectacular, but were they on the up and up? Typical.

Phelps Phenomenon is taking over the games, but there are other performers that are worth following - including the beach volleyball team that lose wedding rings in the sand. Do they really need to play with them on?

Really? Europe would be very fun to live, but he can't be serious. Although when you combine a generous exchange rate and crazy rich owners it could happen. It would be nice to not pay taxes.

Fun "Grammar-Nazi" Blog

Favre

I haven't posted an opinion in a while mainly because I just haven't had one. This summer has been pretty slow, the constant Favre watch being evidence of that. I saw Wendy Nix got the short end of the stick by spending days in Green Bay bored to death getting the Packer side of the story. I think Pedro Gomez should feel slighted. By the way, what ever happened to Pedro? Maybe he is still following Bonds around.

The summer saga has finally drawn to a close. Favre will be playing football this year, but not in the familiar Packer Green. The New York Jets have recently gained attention less for their play on the field than the behavior of drunken unruly fans that can't keep their tops on. Men, AND women. With the acquisition of the grizzly veteran, the starving New York media will surely be stirred into a frenzy - not that they need help. They had been struggling to gain attention after the Giants just won the Super Bowl, but the time seems right now that the Yankees and Mets are in third place, and the Knicks stink. The fans have reacted well. Jersey sales have been up.

How good will the Jets beon the field? They were 4-12 last year, and still play in a tough conference. They may finish second in their division behind the Patriots, but ahead of Buffalo and Dolphins. the Steelers, Chargers, and Colts will probably win their divisions. It seems like the Browns, Bengals, Broncos, Jaguars, Titans, and Jets will contend for 2 playoff spots.

At least Jets fans have an optomism now that their quarterback can make a deep out pass.

Appropriate beard of the week.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

This is my new favorite band.

Links

This lull in the sports scene has given me plenty of time to obsess over this silly game. There's a link on the right, but it's worth emphasizing. My high is 241.

14 claps per second? Don't even tempt French Toast.

It takes me about 7 days to launch this hedgehog into space. There is a learning curve, but worth a look.

Novel pitch, but not the best ever.

Beard of the week.

You Know it's Bad When. . .

I'm writing about tennis. College and professional basketball are over. Euro '08 is over. The MLB pennant race doesn't start for another 6 weeks and the NFL doesn't start for another 3 months. So, yes, I'm writing about tennis.

Well, technically I'm not writing about tennis--about tennis commentators, specifically. You'd think there'd be a surplus of likeable analysts and former pros to turn to the booth or go behind the desk to commentate on the sport. Why? Tennis players seem intelligent, there's not a lot of nuance to the sport, and you're actually supposed to be hush-hush when calling the game--sounds like an easy gig.

Jensen in his Hay Day

For the past ten years or so though, ESPN's head tennis dude has been Luke Jensen. Through the years, we've seen Jensen's personality cause millions to change the channel, and we've seen his hair range from Color Me Badd pony-tail, to Steven R. Covey, to "AAAAHH!!" The other day, however, I was watching coverage of Wimbledon on The Deuce and I didn't see Luke (or his hair) anywhere. Instead, I saw a cool Patrick McEnroe, former pro and brother of Jon, sitting in the I-run-the-show seat. He's made the transition from athlete to awesome desk jockey pretty seamlessly, and his cool factor blows Jensen out of the water. Turns out Luke is still doing segments for The Network, but as long as there's someone else to buffer his neuroticism, I'm cool.

So that's it. Do your thing *Patty Mac!


*Every Irish person named Patrick automatically gets renamed Patty

Anything is Possible?

I have long been opposed to private marketing infringing upon sporting events. I think it is a place reserved for pure pursuits, rather than contrived schemes aimed at my spending pension. The Three Stripes may be at it again as Kevin Garnett's 'crazy guy on drugs' post championship interview nearly turned into a commercial. Darren Rovell (whose blog is really good) had a good explanation for an otherwise awkward moment. Garnett is with Adidas whose slogan is "Impossible is Nothing."

The Boston C Party

Well, it's all over. A great NBA Finals, especially since the team that defended better and played together took down the nets. For me, game 6 was three hours of pure joy. I swear the Celtics made every shot, grabbed every rebound, and stole every ball, if my shamrock-rimmed lenses were in focus, that is. It really was a slaughter though. It looked like a high school basketball practice with the Varsity team dominating the JayVees, or, even worse, Billy Madison versus Ms. Lippy's first grade class in dodge ball. (minus Ms. Lippy and the paste, of course)

Originally this post was going to cover lots of specific in-game analysis, but doing that two days after-the-fact would feel like drinking milk 2 days after the expiration date. It's not so sour that you can taste it, but once you see the date, it doesn't matter. All I want to know now is how the Celtics won. Everybody had the Lakers coming in, but that didn't exactly pan out. Here are my "BIG 3" reasons why the Celtics won:

1.) They played consistently tougher. This is comprised of how well your bench plays against the other team's starters, and how well you rebound, defend, and hustle. It was obvious that Boston edged out LA in these areas. I have to give props not only to the Big 3, but also to what I'm calling the Little 3 (Eddie House, James Posey, and P.J. Brown). These free agent veteran pickups made a crazy amount of clutch shots and played stifling defense against the Lakers starters. The Big 3 don't win a title without the Little 3.....Not only did Boston out-rebound LA, but they were out-tipping them too--it seemed like every missed jump shot was tipped on it's way down by a series of Celtic players until one of them eventually handled the rebound. It looked like keep-away with how often they tipped potential Laker rebounds into the hands of their teammates....FYI, Rajon Rondo had twice as many assists as Derek Fisher...I'm pretty sure Pau Gasol's bones are made of elementary school pipe cleaner. Consider the contrasting inspiration factor between Pau and KG. Garnett in my mind is pounding his chest and slamming the ball down the rim's throat. Gasol is sitting outside a bistro, wearing a beret and smoking one of those plastic-tipped lady cigarettes.



2.) They had a significantly better home-court/crowd advantage. It's pretty simple if you think about it--the fans at the Garden were a significant part of the experience. You could hear them scream and feel their passion. In LA, you couldn't even see what the fans were doing because the Staples Center shuts off the house-lights past the 4th or 5th row. I'm not sure why they do this--when it's dark, people get tired--but I honestly believe it had a huge impact on the series. I did some digging and created a stat to back this up. The Lakers had 8 QTs (Quarters in which their point-total was in the Teens), while the Celtics only had 4. Now, that's huge right up front, but there's something beneath that. While all of the Celtic's QTs naturally occurred on the road (games 3, 4, and 5), half of the Lakers QTs occurred at home. So not only did Boston have a home court advantage, LA didn't!



3.) They consistently stopped Kobe in quarters 2, 3, and4. I wish I could find more official stats to support this but they're not available yet. Kobe was on fire in the first quarter in so many of the games during the Series, only to fizzle out down the stretch. Blame this on fatigue and Tom Thibodeau's brilliant five-on-one defensive scheme. Bryant's poor offensive game not only had a direct effect on the games themselves, but a negative psychological effect on his teammates and fans. You could see them put it in neutral when he early on appeared to be going "MJ" on the Celtics, expecting him to carry them the rest of those games. Once Kobe fizzled though, it was too late.

And finally...
Don't you think the connection between the Shamrock (3 becoming one) and the Celtics Big 3 becoming one this season are eery?

Goosebumps...pale, freckly goosebumps.

Donaghy Strikes Again

Donaghy has recently dropped another bombshell ... or dud on the NBA. Has revealing a conspiracy surrounding game 6 of the 2002 series between Sacramento and L.A. compromise the integrity of the league, or as Stern stated recently "The reality is that … he's a singing, cooperating witness who is trying to get as light a sentence as he can?"


While nearly everyone remembers that game as one of the worst officiated games they have ever seen, Donaghy has summarily been dismissed because of his background as a convicted felon. There is no denying, however, the reputation the officials of the league have.

From Mark Stein: "All of San Antonio is convinced the Spurs have no shot at a W if Joey Crawford is in the building, just as anyone who follows Dallas can tell you that when Danny Crawford has a whistle, the Mavs have a 2-14 record in the playoffs since Mark Cuban bought the team."The game itself included the Lakers shooting 27 free throws in the final quarter and scoring 16 of their last 18 points at the line.

Seeing replays of that series on T.V. reminded me of just how much character was on that Kings team. Arizona's Mike Bibby, chain-smoking Vlade Divac (who I still believe was a foreign astronaut in the movie Armageddon) and Chris "I need a timeout" Webber. I should take it easy on Chris, as he gave impetus to a Michigan obsession that I'm coming to grips with. This may be a subject for a separate post, but is rooting for a college team that you neither went to, or live
next to, acceptable?


I don't think Donaghy will bring down the league with his timely accusation, but this would be a good time for Stern to address the referee situation in the league. He has already concurred the dress code, bumbled rules during the playoffs, and rescinded a bad idea. Now it's time to fix the Knicks and reform the refs.

WNBA Fun

Comet Boy

NBA Finals Update: Game 2

As I was watching the Boston Celtics annihilate/barely-squeak-by the Lost Angeles Lakers last night, I couldn't help but be inspired to write a post. There isn't any rhyme or reason to this post--just some basketball and non-basketball related nonsense.

Ray Allen has picked a good time to remind us all that he's still a great player. I'm mesmerized with how clean he gets his shot off--it's the most beautiful release in the league. And by the way, Ray Allen is on a very short list of people who have out-acted Denzel Washington.

If the Celtics win the series be prepared to hear the comparisons between St. Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes and the Celtics ridding Boston of the Black Mamba (Kobe Bryant's nickname). Remember you read it on Man-ologue first. And when Paul Pierce becomes Series MVP, he'll forever be known as St. Paul. And with a nickname like that, he'll nuzzle his way into the hearts of the NBA writers and secure a controversial spot in the NBA Hall of Fame.

Someone please remind Kevin Garnett that he's 7 feet tall and that there are plenty of other Celtics that can shoot the 20 footer. Since KG and I share the same birthday, we have a connection, so I'm sure you'll see him get down low and bang with Pau Gasol. (Note: I also have a similar connection with Andre the Giant, Malcolm X, and Ho Chi Minh.)

Did anyone else catch the shot of Magic Johnson shoveling popcorn into his mouth?? It was right after his trainer gave him a bucket of fish for swimming around the tank and splashing everyone in the first five rows. It should surprise no one that he married a woman named Cookie.

Like most of you I've enjoyed the NBA split screen ads this postseason. Although I'd still love to see one featuring Kevin Mchale and Kurt Rambis. Why? Because of this. Or how bout Kobe with an actual Black Mamba...Luke Walton & Bill Walton...Bill Walton and the kid from Mask...Sam Cassell & E.T....Pau Gasol & TeenWolf....any reader suggestions??


And finally...
If Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson had a love child, it's name would be Dr. Phil.

Enjoy the rest of the Finals!

2008 NBA Finals Preview

I never realized keeping up a blog would be such hard work. Looking at my most recent post, it's been over 40 days; God could have flooded the earth in that time. I guess my wife and I balance each other out--she posts about 4 (million) times a week, and I'm on pace for roughly 4 times a year. I do have plenty of reasonably good excuses: I had finals, I bought a Wii, and have been reading "for pleasure" the last couple of weeks. The last excuse being the most surprising. I don't read for pleasure and here I find myself racing through Moneyball and The Fellowship of the Ring like it's fun or something. But, when you're supposed to be spending your summer writing your Master's Thesis, anything else can sound fun.

I thought I'd give all of our dedicated readers (Brad and Jessica), and even our semi-active readers (Melissa and Kara), an outsider's look into the NBA Finals. I say outsider mostly because I haven't seen hardly any playoff games b/c I don't have ESPN or TNT. I also say it because it makes me feel like more of a Greaser than a Soc (Two-Bit was the coolest).

First of all, how ironic is it that in our day of celebrities re-making their 80s classics (e.g., Rambo, Rocky, Indiana Jones, Die Hard) the basketball gods have provided us the ultimate 1980s rivalry in the Los Angeles Lakers v. Boston Celtics in this year's Finals. And just like First Blood was way better than whatever the new Rambo movie was called (Last Blood??), this year's Finals simply can't match those in the 80s. But despite the fact that they're not walking through that door, this 08 Finals should be, at least, more entertaining than Rambo.

So let's break down the Lakers-Celts matchup piece by piece:

Coach: LA
Even if Doc Rivers went to Harvard and got a PhD in coaching, he'd still be miles behind Phil Jackson. He seems more concerned with his hairline being a series of extremely straight lines than with his coaching style being anything close to consistent, or good.

Point Guard: LA
I only give this nod to Derek Fisher over Rajon Rondo because of the experience factor. D-Fish has it, and Rondo doesn't. Yes, the experience factor is over-rated, but less so in the Finals. (And why couldn't Rondo could have gone to LSU? Not only could he have gone to the Final Four, he could have had one of the most fitting college nicknames ever--Rajon Cajun)

Shooting Guard: LA
Kobe v. Ray Allen: enough said. Unless Shuttleworth's jumper magically appears out of nowhere (cue the Lucky Charms commercial), Jellybean Jr. definitely has the advantage. And is it me, or is Kobe becoming MJ right before our eyes?

Small Forward: Boston
If we were matching up vowels per player name, Vladimir Radmanovic would edge out Paul Pierce 7-5. Talent-wise, you obviously go with Pierce. While Pierce will probably guard Kobe a lot of the time, he wins this matchup. (Again, why couldn't Inglewood's own Paul Pierce have stayed home to attend UCLA? Few nicknames would have been slicker than his, which would have been Pauly Pavilion (or Pauly's Pavilion) and even fewer players could be called after their school's home arena)

Power Forward:Boston
It actually wouldn't surprise me if Lamar Odom has a more productive Finals than Kevin Garnett. On the other hand, the Finals are Garnett's perfect match. It will be the first time in his career when Garnett's fist-pounding-on-heart style of play won't seem overly dramatic. Don't get me wrong, Garnett is the fan's ideal player (just imagine two die-hard basketball fans starring in Weird Science), but the natural environment of the Finals will meet his own intensity. I think Garnett goes off.

Center: LA
Pau Gasol beats Kendrick Perkins in body hair and basketball ability.

Bench: LA
The LA bench seems to have a certain amount of chemistry, and Phil knows when and how to use each of them much better than Old Man Rivers.

Overall: LA
Personally, I'm rooting for the Celtics. Not because I'm still bitter over what happened to my beloved Kings in the 02 Western Conference Finals, but because I'm Irish. And as an Irishman, I'm allowed to jump onto (and off of) the Celtics bandwagon anytime I please. And how could I root against the team whose logo is the official symbol of Ireland. Sadly though, the Lakers win matchup by matchup, and will win this series in 6 games.

Now if you'll excuse me, Frodo and company are on their way to Rivendell.

Who Framed Roger...Clemens?

When Roger Clemens was first linked to steroids I had no real interest in the story. Maybe it was because most of his noteworthy accomplishments happened while I still received sports highlights during ten-minute local news sports reports. Maybe it was because after hearing the Bonds story for so long, and knowing it was pervasive among baseball players of his generation, I wasn't surprised - he did express some rage in the World Series. In addition, aside from Nolan Ryan, men just didn't keep throwing heaters into their forties. Although soft-tossing lefties are the exception.


What has caught my interest has been the story beyond the accusation. I wasn't so concerned about whether he did, or didn't. I wanted to hear what he would say, or wouldn't. How would a man who has ridden an image as a bigger than life alpha-male react to an accusation that would reveal his secret to success? Brian Roberts, Jason Giambi, and his good friend Andy Pettitte all gave way to the mounting pressure to take responsibility, albeit forced and contrived, for taking performance enhancing substances. Clemens decided against this tactic, perhaps because of his need to justify his legendary legacy which would be soiled by any concession to the findings of the Mitchell Report. And while I believe that had a lot to do with his current stance, I just don't think his personality allows him to adopt such advice.

The latest news has Clemens apologizing for personal conduct as a result of some unflattering revelations of infidelity (gross). Before this there was an awkward phone call, and a 60 Minutes interview. I don't know what's to come during the defamation suit he filed against former friend turned finger pointer, or even the investigation of his testimony before a Grand Jury, but the time to cut his loses may have come and gone.

Rick Hates Rudy

How many homo-erotic statements can Rick Majerus unknowingly make in :57 seconds?

PS: Big ups to JonnyCat for sending me the link.

Bend it!

Despite not having cable (and thus, no ESPN) in the Mills household, we were somehow blessed to receive ESPN2. And although the Deuce sometimes garbage like poker and nascar, last night I got to see David Beckham lead the LA Galaxy over the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS. Beckham played beautifully (1 goal, 1 assist) and would have had at least two more dimes if he was dishing to Wayne Rooney rather than Andy Rooney.

The problem with America's reception of Becks is that most thought Beckham was a goal scorer when he crossed the pond last year. Yes, Beckham can score when he needs to; in reality though, he's the Steve Nash of soccer--not the Kobe Bryant. Also, he played last season on a new continent, with two injuries, and a wife planning a comeback. So expect a season of beautifully sewn passes from a guy who's slightly better looking than me.

Kudos to you David Beckham. You played last season on a jacked up knee and ankle, you're unselfish, and a good sport.

How would you change soccer to increase its popularity in the US?

It was a long year for the basketball program as the winds of change blew into Tucson for the first time in a generation. Like most seasons, my opinion of the team changed several times during the course of the year, but this one was unique.

In May, Lute hired Kevin O'Neal (former coach of the Raptors, Marquette, Tennessee, and Northwestern) to be the defensive guru, bringing intensity to a team that was porous, and soft. I thought this infusion would allow the team to really utilize the size and quickness of the team on defense. His role, however, changed significantly when Lute took a leave of absence for the year.

The quasi-Physics professor meets potty-mouth general drew a lot of criticism from fans for his deliberate pro-style offense, and lack of bench development (Not that this is new. I've never seen Lute use more than 7 guys consistently.) The offense centered around set plays for Bayless and Budinger in order to take advantage of mismatches. This style fits the NBA, but the college game thrives on keeping the opponent off balance - just ask Pitino whose Louisville team does just that, yet couldn't make it happen with the Celtics. The offense this year was inconsistent, there were too many mistakes, and the players just weren't polished enough.

What is in store for the future? Enter the Silver Fox, rested and ready for another run. His first matter of business was to visit with the families of Budinger and Bayless to re-recruit them. Each is projected to be first round picks in the draft if they choose to leave. Incoming All-American freshman Brandon Jennings heads a class that includes another San Diego product in big man Jeff Withey.

Baseball '08

NL
East

1. Mets - Can they rebound from the late season collapse of last year? Adding Santana doesn't hurt, and their young stars will only get better.


2. Braves* - I don't love them as much as Andrew Jackson does. Tom Glavine is back!
   
3. Phillies - I'm sure sure how I feel about Ryan Howard. Is he a monster young player ready to carry this team into the playoffs, or is he a strikeout waiting to happen? Either way, they don't have enough to get over the top.
4. Nationals
5. Marlins

Central

1. Cubs - FU-KU-DO-ME! Love the guy so far. Kara thinks his name is inappropriate. He needs to be a solid OBP guy for the big sticks. Hopefully the pitching doesn't do them in.


2. Brewers - I don't like this team. Meet Prince Fielder. I hope they lose every game, and the Chorizo wins every race.


3. Reds - These uni's are sweet!
4. Cardinals
5. Astros
6. Pirates

West

1. Diamondbacks - Great young players should be fun watch develop. Byrnes may be one of my favorite people in baseball. I just want to hang out with him.


2. Rockies - Are they as good as the last few months of last season? I'd pick them for the wild card if they didn't flaunt so much purple.


3. Padres - It's all about pitching north of the border.
4. Dodgers - Andruw Jones is overrated, Jeff Kent always seems like he's in a bad mood, and Joe Torre hasn't managed in years.
5. Giants

AL

East

1. Red Sox - Some good young talent combined with mashers in the middle. I like their chances


2. Yankees - Just when I was feeling nostalgic for the good old crazy Yankee owner quotes, Hank Steinbrenner proves he's just like George. This team is nearly eligible to receive a reduced rate at Denny's - not that they'd need it. More on this with Detroit, but this should be addressed
   
3. Blue Jays
4. Rays
5. Orioles

Central

1. Indians - Love the pitching staff. Since we are fond of nicknames, it's hard to not root for Pronk.


2. Tigers* - They may outscore every other team in baseball, but is Todd Jones really the guy they plan to bring in to close? Another culprit of non-uniformity. Take for example, our friend, Todd. Cap and jersey logos are different, not to mention the sleeves.


3. White Sox
4. Twins
5. Royals

West

1. Mariners - Bedard and Hernandez anchor a solid staff for a weak, yet productive lineup


2. Angels - Missing pitchers John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Scott Shields make this team vulnerable.
3. A's
4. Rangers

Knee to the Brain

Last night in a churchball game, I took a knee to the temple, so with that in mind, here are some random thoughts that shook loose when I took the blow to the brain:

First off I'd like to thank the good people of IcyHot. For years when men got sore from playing basketball, softball, or any other sport, they had to rub something called "Ben Gay" on their sore calves, hammys, and quads. As a guy let me tell you, there's nothing more awkward then rubbing a cream with the word "gay" in it on your upper thighs. It eliminates any sense of pride or machismo achieved by playing sports. Thank you Icy Hot.

Earlier this week, Chris Webber retired. Some people say he's one of the greatest underachievers in the history of the league, but compare his career to the rest of the 1993 draft class. Btw, I'm completely biased on this topic (and most others)--I loved the fab five, grew up a Warriors fan, been a Kings fan for the last 9 years, and have sympathy for guys who fail in the clutch.

My favorite sports radio host is Colin Cowherd, but I'm losing faith fast. He used to be so good at cutting through B.S. and giving a truly unique take on sports. In the last 6 months though he's sounded more like Sean Hannity or Chris Matthews than the Colin I know (I don't really know him) and love (it's not like I LOVE love him). Can anyone refer me to someone who can take Uncle Colin's place? 

Watching UCLA the last few rounds has enlightened me on the best new 'au natural' nickname in sports. The key is having a nickname that doesn't require the And1 Mixed Tape Tour treatment. Andre Kirilenko (AK-47) used to hold this title, but ladies and gentlemen we have a new champ. The last name of Kevin Love's backup, Lorenzo Mata Real, can roughly be translated as "He truthfully kills", or even "True Killer." Just imagine if the True Killer someday plays alongside AK-47--quite the lethal combination. 

 

Links

Here are some sites that have caught my attention while watching my bracket fall apart.

An RV isn't just a vehicle. It's a lifestyle.

Space...the final fronteir. Check out the special features, including Mars (inspired by the Greatful Dead), the not so dark side of the moon, and a handy historical overlay. The first one to find the Big Dipper wins!

Ever wonder what band has the best logo? Feel free to add one on the comment section if it was passed over.

What Yuppies Like is on the links to the right. You're sure to find several that describe you (or someone you know).

A New Barry in Town

I just wanted to take a moment away from school stuff and say how wonderful it is that Barry Bonds won't be playing for the San Francisco Giants this season. For over a decade Bonds carried the franchise on his pimple-popped back, and it was obviously a bumpy ride. Barry Bonds was Ike and Giants fans were Tina. We knew he was bad for us, but we stuck with him. As Gladys Knight sweetly sang, "I'd rather live in [Barry's] world, than live without him in mine."

Don't get me wrong, Barry did some nice things for Giants fans. For one, he saved the franchise from moving to Florida. Trust me, you DON'T want to move to Florida. Two, his power from the left side was the inspiration for AT&T Park, one of the most beautiful stadiums in MLB. Three, he helped get the Giants into playoff contention year after year and even to the '02 series (Which I'm still bitter about since I entered the MTC 2 weeks earlier). Four, Giants baseball did NOT matter before he got there. Nobody's recalling the Roger Craig era, or fighting to get Rick Rueschel into Cooperstown. Even Will the Thrill wasn't as big as Barry.

In the end though, despite every good thing Bonds brought to the Bay, I'm glad he's gone. An article in SI a week or 2 back mentioned that a new Barry (Zito) has emerged as the team leader. They're playing Guitar Hero in the clubhouse and actually looking forward to coming to the yard. For the first time in a while, there's covalent chemistry in the Giants organization, and not nuclear warfare. So while it is sad to see Pedro Gomez out of work, Giants fans can now look forward to a new day......

 unless Ike comes calling again.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama.

Who else see the leprechaun, say YEAH!

What The World Eats

TIME

This picture gallery is awesome. It is fun to find items that I recognize from local supermarket shelves that are also eaten by people on the other side of the world. The amount, cost, and type of food is also fun to compare.

Favre and Away

I know the whole world (well at least Jon Madden and Bristol) is mourning the loss of number 4, but I wanted to give a different take for why I'm sad that he's gone. Sure I hate to see the NFL's Ironman go, I hate to see the guy retire who holds the all-time record for six AND picks, I hate to see the QB leave the game who smashed helmets with Sapp and Strahan, who loved to play in Lambeau, and who ran down the field sans helmet in the first quarter of SB XXXI.

Despite all those reasons, I'm sad because Brett Favre was the last major athlete who I grew up watching as a kid still playing in pro sports.While Elway, Marino, and Young called it quits in the 90s, Brett just kept on playing. The guy came in the league in '91 and was still dominating! I'll give MJ credit for making it to '03, but I'd like to forget that comeback more than my hemorrhoids examination last year.

I realized my childhood was almost over in 2005 when Reggie Miller called it quits. It caught me way off guard, but I knew I still had guys like Roger Clemens and Favre to help me cling to my youth. I'm not sure what happened to the Rocket, but now, the simpler days of my youth are undoubtedly over.

So while I'll still enjoy watching the Gen-Y talent of Vince Young, Adrian Peterson, Lebron, and CP3 for years to come, it'll never be the same.

PS- I have the strange urge to wear some Wrangler jeans right now

The greatest club competition in the world is in the middle of the knockout round, and features some intriguing match ups on Tuesday.




Barcelona vs Celtic

Barca is loaded with international stars including Henry, Ronaldinho, and another member of my fave-five, Messi. the first leg in Ireland saw the home team put up a fight before going down 3-2. The Hoops, not that Hoops, need to pull off a small miracle to not only win on aggregate, but also surpass the away goal differential. Aesthetic appeal comes down to whether you like vertical, or horizontal stripes.



AC Milan and Arsenal

These two giants of European football provide the most anticipated match up of the round of sixteen. Milan starts a lot of old Italian guys that look menacing and dangerous. Their coach wears nothing but black. Arsenal is the most diverse club in England, who's French coach loads the team with cheap young talent. He's like Europe's Billy Bean. They play a very attractive style which is fun to watch. The Gunners and Rossoneri tied 0-0 in London, and now head to Italy and the San Siro where either team could win. Look out for Kaka.





Lyon vs Manchester United

The game has been canceled because French team Lyon has raised the white flag. Just kidding. The Red Devils welcome Lyon (pronounced Lay-on, which can't be good) to Old Trafford. Ronaldo is playing like the best player in the world, and the rest of the squad is deep and talented. I honestly don't know anything about Lyon, but their kit is pretty bland.

Prediction: Barca, Arsenal, and Man Utd.

Western Conference Ranks

With the daily movement within the Western Conference ranks, I thought it would be fun to place the teams in a personal preference order and provide some fodder for the comments section.

They've been on fire since the Pau trade. I'm looking forward to the return of
Bynum (a member of my fave-five.)

I'm no Jazz fan, but this team looks really good. Solid interior play, a fantastic point guard, and a sharpshooter makes for a tough out in the playoffs. AK47 seems to be the piece that would really put them over the top.

This team just doesn't have the same inevitability they have had in previous years. I don't know if they are showing some wear and tear, or if it is the six legitimate contenders in the West that are displaying more resistance. Is it me, or does Manu not know how to dribble with his right hand?

Ladies and Gentlemen, your league MVP Chris Paul (CP3 another great nickname.)

Can they prove anything before the playoffs start?

Why do I have them higher than the Suns? Because if these two teams meet in the playoffs, I would pick Golden State. This team would literally run Shaq off the court, and I loved the they way they played in the playoffs last year. Man-ologue fully endorses their point guard.

Not the post-trade start the team was looking for. I do appreciate Nash playing in "trash."

I was on the Nugget Bandwagon before the season, but it hasn't fully come together for the team this year.

Honorable mention:

Rockets, Kings and Blazers