NBA Blog

If you could tell me that I could coach a team for a year, do a lackluster job at best, openly complain the whole time, get paid more than everyone else who does the same thing with more effort, and get released with a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE severance package, it would be my dream job too!  Hell, I’ve been working since August, and I’m already complaining about my work.   Where’s my huge settlement offer to go away and do nothing for four years? 

That’s just crazy.

About this past weekend, if I picked the Vikings over the Patriots (this goes to show you how much time I spent on the picks this weekend) consider me retarded.  Brady still has not lost in a dome in his career.  Ever.  Seriously, look it up.  The guy is phenomenal.  This thing that is going on between Brady and Manning (Peyton) is eerily reminiscent of the early Elway/Montana years.  Both quarterbacks put up great numbers and are the star quarterbacks of two outstanding teams with one player always getting the better of the other.  It’s really scary how similar this thing has been playing out.  The only difference is that Brady and Manning are in the same Conference so they essentially meet one or two games earlier in the postseason than Elway and Montana would meet.  Sure this story has been going on for several years, but it’s just fun to watch it play out every time which has me excited for their upcoming matchup. 

While I’m talking about random football topics, I wanted to cover the new dreadlocked duo of the NFL.  A couple of years ago it was the young Edge James and Ricky Williams (of the same draft class) running rampant on the league.  Now we’ve got Stephen Jackson and Lawrence Maroney (two drafts apart) prepared to do the same thing.  The good thing is if one of the two, Jackson or Maroney, is to falter, I think everything will be alright because Marion Barber will be there to pick up the slack.  I’m guessing that Barber will continue to take reps away from Julius Jones all year, culminating in him taking the starter’s role by the end of the season.  For some reason, Barber and Romo looks a lot better on the field making plays than Jones and Bledsoe did. 

I’ll be back later on for my NBA preview.  Here’s a teaser, the West will win it all, but it’s not who you think!!!!!!

I’m about to walk out the door to play some basketball, and don’t know if I’ll be back before the start of the first game, so here’s a quick hit of my picks for the day:

1.  Texans +3 at TITANS - big game for David Carr
2.  EAGLES -7.5 v. Jaguars - I could be way off here.  Garrard is not your typical backup.  I just couldn’t take him at Philly after the Eagles tough loss last week.
3.  Falcons +3.5 at BENGALS - I have Vick on my fantasy team.  This is a heart pick.
4.  GIANTS -9 v. Bucs - The Eagles slaughtered the Bucs statistically, and I see the same happening here.  With a Giants blowout.
5.  49ers +16 at BEARS - I see a two TD game, tops. 
6.  PACKERS -4 v. Cardinals - Favre at home, and the Cardinals are a complete mess.
7.  CHIEFS -4.5 v. Seahawks - No Green, no Hasselback, no Alexander.  I’ll take the team with the healthy stud runner
8.  SAINTS -1.5 v. Ravens
9.  Rams +9.5 at CHARGERS
10.  Steelers -9 at RAIDERS
11.  Jets +2 at BROWNS
12.  Colts +3 at BRONCOS (quick note: look for the first Jay Cutler experience)
13.  PANTHERS -5 v. Cowboys
14.  VIKINGS +2 v. Patriots

Judging by the ratings this year, I’m pretty sure that none of you know that it has already started.  Seriously, the Cardinals won again last night and stand on the verge of winning the whole thing tonight, which would bring their win total for the season to like 90 games.  I wish I were kidding about this.  Aside from the Kenny Rogers (what is the media labeling it now “dirtgate?”), absolutely nothing has happened here.  Truth be told, it has been a pretty boring postseason.  Magglio Ordonez hit a walkoff homerun against the A’s to send the Tigers to the World Series, but that series was already over.  I’m not saying that steroids should be legalized, but when every team has only one .300+ hitter, it’s no wonder that nothing exciting has happened.

And speaking of cheating, let’s get back to the Gambler.  His name is Kenny Rogers and he’s 41 years old.  Last year he was hammered for beating up (read pushing) a cameraman, which I’m sure EVERY MLB player has wanted to do at least  once in their career.  Other than that story, and his perfect game in Texas when nobody could pitch for the Rangers (they still can’t, by the way), he’s been known for his three horrendous seasons in New York with the Yankees and Mets.  (At least that’s what he’s known for because the media only covers things related to New York, and have pounded us with that news.)  Now the story is coming out that he (begin sarcastic quotes, a la Chris Farley) “cheated and used pine tar on his pitching hand.”  Well, no s***.  I’m not sure why people are suprised.  I’m not sure he’s even been drug tested.  He’s hopping around like Dennis Eckersley on speed right now, and considering he’s been as close to a Stoic (look up what that really means if you don’t know) as anyone throughout his career, maybe he’s on something.  And if he is, should we really be suprised?  This is baseball.  It’s a game of cheaters.  Seriously.  If you are fast, the object is to steal stuff.  Players are taught to watch other teams’ coaches to steal signs.  People are constantly stealing stuff throughout the game.  Baserunners steal catcher’s signs.  Infielders steal third-base coach’s signs.  Hell, I did it too when I played.  Occassionally, I’d peak at the catcher’s signal while I was up at the plate.  I’d even try to catch their signals when I was on the basepath to pick a good pitch to steal third.  Our coaches would assign two pitchers in the dugout to watch the other team’s pitching coach to catch his signals to the catcher.  We all did it.  Sure, we never took steroids, or even greenies for that matter.  But I don’t know what I would have done if I were given the opportunity.  I’d like to think I was above that, but I was pumping creatine, protein shakes, and energy boosters at the time.  So, who’s to say. 

Anyway, everybody in baseball is doing something underhanded.  It’s been the way of the game for as long as it’s been played.   And right now, these teams are robbing me of my enjoyment of the game for their complete and utter ineptitude to take advantage of situations.  Aside from David Ecstein (who has 1 shoulder left at this point), nobody has had any clutch hits.  The Tigers pitchers are completely retarded at fielding their position (with the exception of the aforementioned Rogers).  I blame the weather, because I still refuse to believe that its been the collective pitching efforts of guys like Suppan and Weaver.  Craig Monroe botched a flyball by Eckstein that should have been a routine fly ball.  What makes things even worse is the fact that when these teams finally do get runners on base, they don’t do anything with it.  Sure, Manager Genius LaRUssa has bunted, but where is the baserunning.  If you can’t hit for pop, why aren’t there more hit and runs?  Make something happen.  (Maybe this is a little bit directed towards the Tigers, but the Cardinals aren’t doing much on the basepaths either.)  Ugh.  It’s just ugly.  It’s been so bad that I actually watched wrestling after the Clemson game ended last night, and occassionally flipped to the baseball game.  AND I NEVER MISSED ANYTHING. 

 Phew.  I’m glad I got that out.  There will be another set of moronic NFL picks coming up tomorrow followed by my NBA preview.  I think it is just about time to hit the ‘rents up with my annual early Christmas gift of the NBA League Pass.

Yesterday afternoon, I made the scenic drive through God’s country here in Kentucky to watch my Trinity Tigers defeat the Centre Colonels.  While there, yours truly actually got to do the internet broadcast for the first half.  It was a lot like the celebrity cameos on Monday Night Football, except exactly the opposite.

Last week my picks took a huge hit when I went 4-7-2 leaving me 23-27-6 on the year.  Obviously, I’m an idiot, so I’m taking a much simpler approach; picks and no analysis.  If I’m right, maybe I guessed, maybe I didn’t.  Who knows.  Besides, I’ve got to go to Home Depot today, I don’t know if I’m gonna have time for in depth analysis.

1.  Chargers (-5.5) at CHIEFS
2.  Jaguars (-8) at TEXANS
3.  Patriots (-5.5) at BILLS
4.  Steelers (-3) at FALCONS
5.  Packers (+5.5) at DOLPHINS
6.  Eagles (-6) at BUCCANEERS
7.  Lions (+4) at JETS
8.  Panthers (+3) at BENGALS
9.  Broncos (-4.5) at BROWNS
10.  COLTS (-8.5) v. Redskins
11.  SEAHAWKS (-6.5) v. Vikings
12.  Cardinals (-3) at RAIDERS
13.  COWBOYS (-3) v. Giants

Wow, I almost took every road team this week.  Seriously, I’m not sold on the Seahawks.  I would have taken the Redskins and the points if their entire secondary wasn’t injured.  Oh well, we’ll just have to wait and see how things work out.  Root for the Cowboys everybody.  Even I’m rooting for them now, which pains me a great deal. 

 

I have recently been informed that my former teammate Jerheme Urban has worked out with the Dallas Cowboys.  There has also been some rumors flying that he is actually going to be signing with the Cowboys (or may have already signed) in the next couple of days.  If any of you loyal readers have heard anything about him signing, I’d love an update.  Sometimes the NFL transactions page doesn’t update that quickly.  If Legend does sign with the Cowboys, it will be a dream come true for him.  It’s where he always wanted to play, and his dad, brother and wife will be able to check him out without having to go too far.  I’m excited for him.

On the writer’s front: I’ve been bombarded with assignments at the office, which has seriously limited my opportunities for posts this week.  I had been making a conscious effort to get at least three posts up here per week, but that doesn’t look like it will happen this week.  I’m hitting it hard today to get ready for tomorrow’s picks.  For now, I’ve got a question for you my loyal readers.  It’s for fantasy football.  Here we go; if you could keep only 1 defense for the rest of the year, who would it be, Pittsburgh or San Diego?  Check out their schedule the rest of the way.  Our playoffs end Week 16, and we get more points the less yards and points their opponents score.  We also get 2 points per turnover and sack.  I’m torn, but I’ve got to deal one of them for Michael Vick, because the tandem of Kurt Warner and Alex Smith ain’t winning the BFL cup for me (waited WAAAAY too long to draft a QB this year, but I’m still in first in my division).  Post your opinions today, because I’ve got to get this deal done today.

-I don’t like the Detroit Tigers and never have, but my goodness those uniforms are suh-weet.  The hat is awesome.  With the Red Wings, Pistons and Tigers, Detroit would be the front runner for best uniforms in professional sports, if the Lions weren’t holding them back of course. 

After getting that little ditty off my chest (before the Tigers make it to the World Series and I come off like a huge bandwagon jumper), I feel ready to make some picks.

Last week I went  6-6-2 with two pushes (Patriots and Rams).  At this point, I’m close to considering pushes as wins, because if you had them in your parlay, you still won money.  I’m barely treading water here at  19-20-4, but hopefully I will improve as the season progresses instead of breaking down.  Sort of like the bizarro-Todd Heap/Jeremy Shockey.

This week:
1.  JETS (-2) v. Dolphins - Say it with me people. I WILL NOT BET ON JOEYANUTE CULPEPPERINGTON!
2.  Chargers (-10) at 49ERS - San Diego is real good folks.  I’m telling you; they are my pick to win the AFC.  For whatever that is worth.
3.  STEELERS (-6.5) v. Chiefs - If Larry Johnson were 100%, I’d take the Chiefs.  Instead, I’m going with a struggling and banged up Steelers squad.  Yikes.
4.  Bengals (-5.5) at BUCS - Off of a bye week against a down-and-out Bucs team, I’ll take the Bengals on the road, especially with a defense that thrives on turnovers against a rookie.
5.  Titans (+10.5) at REDSKINS - The Redskins are going to continue to kill me this year.  No matter which way I go with them, I’m going to lose.  So I flipped a coin here and am going to stick with my man Vince Young and hope he can keep it within 10.
6.  Texans (+13) at COWBOYS - I don’t like the Cowboy karma right now.  They’ll win, but not by two touchdowns
7.  Bills (-1) at LIONS - The Lions are too banged up to get their first win of the season this week.  The Bills front seven should dominate this game.
8.  RAMS (+3) v. Seahawks - The Rams and ‘Hawks are both 4-1, but only the ‘Hawks have played 1 quality opponent (Giants).   No Alexander, no Engram, and yet the ‘Hawks are favored by three on the road.  I’ll take the home team in this case.
9.  FALCONS (-3) v. Giants - Scenario: Home team that pounds it versus a team that can’t decide to play for or quit on a coach they hate.  Go with home team.
10.  Eagles (-3) at SAINTS - The Eagles are my favorite to win the Super Bowl.  They’re tough, and Donovan McNabb has been the BEST player in the league so far.
11.  Panthers (+3) at RAVENS - I really can’t back a Steve McNair quarterbacked team right now.  He has looked dreadful so far this year.  Instead, I’ll go with Jake Delhomme on the road.  At least he’ll just keep heaving it to Steve Smith.
12.  BRONCOS (-15) v. Raiders - Keep riding the Art Shell money train.
13.  Bears (-10.5) at CARDINALS - The Cardinals don’t know how to win yet, and the Bears are rolling right now.  Take the hot team in primetime.

 

I’m out for the weekend.

Is this the year of the defense?  Look at the best teams in the league, and then look at their quarterbacks.  Sure, some of them are first round picks, but they don’t exactly have a lot of seasoning to their careers.  Rex Grossman is just now breaking into the double-digits for career NFL starts, and Phillip Rivers isn’t even close to 10 career starts yet. 

Then in Baltimore, you’ve got Steve McNair short-hopping balls all over the place.  The Ravens need to sign Derek Lee and J.T. Snow as wideouts to catch those throws.

Let’s not forget Denver’s inept offense behind Jake Plummer, who may or may not be wasted by gametime for every start.  At least his beard makes it look that way.  Somewhere Dan Fouts thinks of the glory days when he sees that beard.  Two Dan Fouts references in one day, not bad. 

The only quality team with any semblance of quarterback consistency has been the Philadelphia Eagles, behind the play of soon-to-be MVP, Donovan McNabb. 

I would say the Colts, but I can’t call them good after the 14-13 win/debacle against Tennessee.  There I go, I just pissed off every Titan fan who thinks they still have a shot at the postseason.

Ladies and Gentlemen, without further ado, I present the petition to get the San Diego Chargers’ management to go back to the powder blue home uniforms full time.  Just click on the comments and add your name to the list.  I’ll even start it off for all of you.  If this is successful, next I’m taking on the Milwaukee Brewers.  (Note: I’m not even a Chargers’ fan.  I just really think this needs to be done.) 

1.  David Rose

Whenever you have these words in the same sentence: professional athletes, strip clup, and 3:00am; it never ends well.

Perhaps the riverboat gambler, Tommy T, should have waited to beat an unranked Arkansas team at home before making his “the SEC gets hosed because our conference is so hard” claim.  Then again, maybe the SEC teams should try to schedule a non-conference opponent every once and a while.  Or, maybe they should recognize the fact that EVERY person seems to think they have the greatest football conference ever despite the fact that perennial bottom of the bottom feeders Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Kentucky play there.  Anyway, getting outrushed at home 279-60 against an unranked team that was destroyed by USC at the beginning of the season never helps your odds at remaining in the top 2. 

I was watching sports with my dad last night, and with the ALCS going on with Nate “Johnny Cakes” Robertson on the hill for the Tigers, Barry “I like Nat King Cole” Zito (I can’t take him seriously as a pitcher after FOX showed his interests), my dad was the loudest when he saw that Steve Nash cut his hair as we flipped over to the Suns v. Sixers preseason game.  He went to West Point, obviously he doesn’t think people should show up to work with a mop attached to their head.  But the haircut brought up another question for me; is Steve Nash really the lead singer for Maroon 5, or am I seeing things?

Ravens v. Broncos: Are their defenses REALLY THAT good or were they aided by the fact that the other matchup was McNair v. Plummer?

It’s finally here! NBA season is getting ready to start soon.  I cannot wait, even if the Spurs centers are Fabrico Oberto, Francisco Elson, and Jackie Butler, and Manu Ginobili hasn’t taken a day off from basketball since 2001.  Oh, and Tony Parker may or may not be dating Eva Longoria still; I don’t even know at this point, but I do know he’s in every tabloid across the globe………Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth.

On a side note, I’m starting a petition for the San Diego Chargers to officially switch back to the powder blue home uniforms.  They look so much better than the navy uniforms, and the Chargers seem to play better in the powder blues.  And, I think the world would be a better place if their fans were reminded of Lance Alworth, Kellen Winslow and Dan Fouts instead of Bobby Ross and Stan Humphries.  Maybe I’m just talking crazy here.

So, it’s been a hectic  week.  I’ve already been in a couple of courtrooms.  To make matters worse, I don’t know what the heck I’m doing.  So that’s nice.

On a much brighter note, I’ve learned that Terrell Owens is writing a children’s book.  Wait, it gets better.  The title is “Little T Learns to Share.”  I really wish I had a joke here.  Not really, because I don’t need one.  If there is anyone who has NOT learned how to share in life, it’s T.O.  He sure as heck can’t share the limelight.  Just ask Jerry Rice, Jeff Garcia, Ray Lewis, Donovan McNabb, et al.  Apparently, it will be released in November with three more books to follow in the series.

Before I get to my picks there is just one more thing I’d like to discuss.  Gun control.  Sure, people have the right to bear arms and that is specifically granted in the Bill of Rights.  And, I’ve never begrudged any of my friends from Texas from hunting on a regular basis.  In fact, I’m a Republican and have absolutely no problem with the NRA.  However, when the craziest man in the NBA, Stephen Jackson (who I thoroughly loved to watch play and ham it up in S.A.), can have a concealed handgun license, maybe we need to rethink some things.  That’s all I’m saying.

On to the picks:

College: After last Saturday’s debacle, I got nothing.  Of course, I could pick some games for the rest of you to go the other way.  Maybe that’s what I’ll do next week.

NFL: Home team in CAPS
1.  COLTS (-19) v. Titans - The Titans are in for a rough week.  They’ll try to run the ball, unsuccessfully I might add, against the the Colts soft run defense.  I just don’t think it will work, and the Colts will score at ease to make this, at the least, a three touchdown game. 
2.  Redskins (+4.5) at GIANTS - I have no idea about what could happen here.  I just know that I don’t like the way the Giants are/have responding/responded to Tom Coughlin.  They’re gonna quit on him.
3.  Lions (+6.5) at VIKINGS - The Vikings seem destined for a 9-7 record and the Lions seem destined for a 5-11 or 6-10 record, and neither one of these teams will win or lose big. 
4.  Bucs (+6.5) at SAINTS - Oh, the Saints will win this one.  I just don’t think it will be by a touchdown, even with Bruce Gradkowski making his first start on the road. 
5.  Rams (-3) at PACKERS - I hate picking against the Packers at home when they’re underdogs.  Then again, I hated doing it last year too.  But I still did it, and won.  A man’s gotta eat.
6.  PATRIOTS (-10) v. Dolphins - I feel like Bart Simpson at the beginning of every episode of ”The Simpsons” : I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  I WILL NOT BET ON CULPEPPER EVER AGAIN.  Get the point.
7.  Browns (+8.5) at PANTHERS - The Panthers will win, but they don’t seem to want to blow anybody out, even the teams they are much better than.  I see them winning by 6.
8.  BEARS (-10) v. Bills - The Bears, on the other hand, have shown a penchant for destroying inferior teams. 
9.  EAGLES (-2) v. Cowboys - T.O. with a broken hand in Philly against an extremely angry (as opposed to a typically angry) Philly fanbase and defense.  Add in all the potshots at Donovan McNabb (the current offensive MVP of the league), and you’ve got the makings for a battle that Philly is going to win.
10.  Jets (+7) at JAGUARS - The Jets are a tough team this year, which has really shocked me.  The Jaguars are a much better team, but they, too, seem unwilling to open up on teams.  This will be close on until the end, and the Jaguars will pull it out.  Then again, nobody has had a tougher schedule than the Jaguars thus far, and they may be ready to let loose on someone.  I’ll believe it when I see it.
11.  Chiefs (-3) at CARDINALS - With all the offensive weapons the Cardinals have, will this game really be that different from the 49ers game last week?
12.  CHARGERS (-3) v. Steelers - Memo to Marty Schottenheimer: “STOP ALLOWING YOURSELF TO KILL YOUR TEAMS!!!!!!!!!”  This team is loaded everywhere.  Vincent Jackson is the best receiver you’ve never heard of because Marty won’t throw the damn ball downfield.  He should be doing things that Colston, Jennings, and Berrian are doing.  Seriously, he’s a monster and Phillip Rivers throws a great deep ball.  Antonio Gates can’t even get the ball.  Imagine what the Chargers defense would do if they had the backing from their offense.  Let’s make a list real quick: LT (best running back in the game), Gates (best receiving tight end in the game), Merriman (a top 3 linebacker, and possibly the best rush linebacker), and monsterous offensive and defensive lines.  Heck, they’ve even got a cocky and talented young kicker.  Kind of like what Mike Vanderjagt USED to be.  They should be the best team in the AFC, but Marty won’t let them.  He’s the guy that just won’t let himself have fun. 
13.  49ERS (-3.5) v. Raiders - I almost skipped over this one.  Can you blame me?  You know who I’m taking.  Always go big against the Raiders.
14.  Ravens (+4) at BRONCOS - Plummer and McNair must love having Culpepper in the NFL.  No one has noticed how awful they’ve been because of Daunte.  Now we get to see them on Monday Night.  Yippee.  Take the under.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  I think I must put a disclaimer in light of the recent events.  These lines are not encouraging you to gamble.  If I ever did make a wager, it would be for an extremely minimal amount of money.  These lines are purely speculative and meant to encourage banter at this site.  Thanks for your time.  Online wagering is evil. (okay that last part may have been a bit much.)

Good living people.  I’m out.