Lakers vs. Mavericks Western Conference Semi-Final Preview

Here are my predictions for the Lakers-Mavericks series that starts May 2nd.

Game 1 Mavericks 98 @ Lakers 108

Game 2 Mavericks 87 @ Lakers 104

Game 3 Lakers 111 @ Mavericks 103

Game 4 Lakers 93 @ Mavericks 95

Game 5 Mavericks 85 @ Lakers 101

Lakers win series 4-1

The Mavericks win Game 4 after the Lakers come out uninspired and manage to hold on to avoid the sweep. However, this only inspires the Lakers to dominate Game 5.

Bulls vs. Hawks Eastern Conference Semi-Final Preview

Here are my predictions for the Bulls-Hawks series that starts May 2nd.

Game 1 Hawks 98 @ Bulls 104

Game 2 Hawks 92 @ Bulls 91

Game 3 Bulls 103 @ Hawks 106

Game 4 Bulls 99 @ Hawks 87

Game 5 Hawks 92 @ Bulls 101

Game 6 Bulls 79 @ Hawks 86

Game 7 Hawks 85 @ Bulls 96

Bulls win series 4-3

The Hawks match up really well against the Bulls. Rose wins the point guard battle over Kirk Hinrich. Joe Johnson wins the shooting guard battle over Keith Bogans. Then in the front court there is too much size on the Hawks. The Bulls are in for a tough series.

Heat vs. Celtics Eastern Conference Semi-Final Preview

Here are my predictions for the Heat-Celtics series that starts May 1st.

Game 1 Boston 95 @ Miami 99

Game 2 Boston 106 @ Miami 93

Game 3 Miami 89 @ Boston 97

Game 4 Miami 96 @ Boston 93

Game 5 Boston 95 @ Miami 103

Game 6 Miami 98 @ Boston 97

Miami win series 4-2

Game 6 will be decided off of a missed game winner by Ray Allen.

Thunder vs. Grizzlies Western Conference Semi-Final Preview

Here are my predictions for the Thunder-Grizzliesseries that starts May 2nd.

Game 1 Grizzlies 86 @ Thunder 104

Game 2 Grizlies 91 @ Thunder 97

Game 3 Thunder 89 @ Grizzlies 81

Game 4 Thunder 94 @ Grizzlies 102

Game 5 Grizzlies 76 @ Thunder 94

Thunder win series 4-1

Congrats Grizzlies you were quite a story and might drive Duncan to retirement but the Thunder are too good.

Grizzlies beat Spurs (4-2): A Series in Review

The youthful Grizzlies beat an aged Spurs team in a 6 game series where the Grizzlies never trailed in games for the entire series.

Zach Randolph shined in this series putting up amazing numbers. In the wins Randolph averaged 23 PPG and 9.75 RPG. Randolph seemed unstoppable on the offensive end and has found a home in Memphis. In the Game 4 win, which was the greatest winning margin, Zach Randolph had a +/- of +12 and in the series clincher Randolph put up 31 points, 11 rebounds, and had a +/- of +14.

Marc Gasol put up 15.5 PPG, 10 RPG, and a +/- of +9.75 in the wins. The Grizzly big men showed their brawn all series long.

This series brings up the concern about the Spurs aged stars. Their big three (Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli) have an average age of 32 and Duncan is 35. The Spurs just seemed slower out on the court. This aged line up looked like they should have been checking in to an assisted living facility instead of the game.

It starts to conjure thoughts of Duncan retiring. He is 35 and has been in the league for 14 years. In this season he had career lows in points, rebounds, defensive rebounds, made field goals, free throws made and attempted. He has been on a steady decline in PPG for the past 4 seasons until this season where it dropped 24.6% from a previous career low last year. His rebounds dipped below 10 a game for the first time in his career after barely staying over at 10.1 RPG the previous season.

Ginobli had a solid series and had an amazing shot to bring the Spurs closer in their Game 5 overtime win. However, he is 33 and is not ageless.

It seems like the Spurs will need to do some major rebuilding because their better days are behind them.

NFL Draft 2nd and 3rd Rounds Key Picks

At pick 35, the Cincinnati Bengals picked Andy Dalton. This may signal a new regime in Cincinnati. Although Carson Palmer backed out of his retiring threat with the drafting of A.J. Green it seems like the Bengals are picking up an insurance policy against him threatening this again.

At pick 36, the San Francisco 49ers picked Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is a solid quarterback and might fill that huge need the 49ers have. However, he may not be a franchise quarterback for a franchise accustom to Joe Montana and Steve Young.

At pick 51, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Daquan Bowers. No I did not do a typo and he was drafted 41 or 31, he was drafted 51. In early Mock Drafts he was slotted as a number 1 overall pick and he dropped due to knee problems. This seems like a huge steal.

At pick 74, the New England Patriots picked Ryan Mallet. Mallet is a player with a gun for an arm and great general quarterbacking abilities. He has dropped because of behavioral concerns but if he learns under Tom Brady for a few years this could be a Steve Young/Joe Montana switch for the Patriots.

Mavericks beat Trail Blazers (4-2): A Series in Review

The Mavericks finally got past the first round beating the Trail Blazers in 6 games.

Dirk Nowitzki dominated the series putting up 29.75 PPG, 9 RPG, and a +/- of +12.5 in the wins. In this series, his offensive prowess showed why he is almost impossible to guard.

Jason Kidd provided a major jolt of energy at the point guard position. As a good point guard should, Kidd facilitated putting up 13.25 PPG, 8 APG, and had a +/- of +9.25 in the wins.

Jason Terry was huge off the bench putting up over 20 points in 2 separate games and he put up 22 points and 8 assists in the series clinching Game 6. In the wins, Terry put up 15.5 PPG, 3.25 APG, and had a +/- of +12. His +/- was the 2nd highest, in the wins, behind Nowitzki.

Shawn Marion also provided a solid effort at small forward putting up 10.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG, in the wins.

The trade for Gerald Wallace by the Blazers proved prosperous averaging 15.17 PPG and 9.17 RPG during the course of the series and put up 32 points and 12 rebounds in Game 6.

In the wins, the biggest contributor on the Blazers was Brandon Roy with 20 PPG, 4.5 APG, and had a +/- of +11.5. In Game 3, Wesley Matthews had a breakout performance with 25 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals. In Game 4, LaMarcus Aldridge put up 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Both Game 3 and Game 4 were wins for the Blazers.

The Blazers look to have a promising outlook for the upcoming years with the young players stepping up.

Lakers beat Hornets (4-2): A Series in Review

The Lakers played traditional Laker basketball keeping the 6 Game series win stressful, yet pulling it out decisively.

The Lakers struggled through their series as they always do dropping not only Game 1 but the jaws of everyone watching.

The Lakers proved why they have the most well balanced team in the NBA. In the 4 wins they had at least 4 players in double digits.

Kobe had true Kobe form in this series. Among the starters he was the leading scorer, however, he was 4th in APG, the only player with less was Andrew Bynum. As for rebounds, he was also 4th amongst starters, the only player having less rebounds was Derek Fisher.

In the New Orleans wins, Chris Paul avergaed 30 PPG, 10 RPG, 14.5 APG, 3 SPG, and a +/- of +8. He showed why he is still one of the most dominant point guards in the game.

The Lakers look like they are on a collision course for the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. For the Lakers to win they need to be lightning and show up before the Thunder. They can’t afford to lose a home game against a Thunder team who last year gave them a run for their money and are now greatly improved with the addition of Kendrick Perkins.

Hawks beat Magic (4-2): A Series in Review

The Hawks beat the Magic in 6 games in a series marked with great coaching.

The Hawks let Dwight Howard do whatever he wanted. The Magic’s offensive scheme is designed around teams collapsing around Howard and him kicking it out to the outside for 3-pointers.

The Hawks passed their basic math classes and realized that to get to 100 points, which is an average score for an NBA team, you need to score 50 2 point shots but only 33 (rounded) 3 point shots. That is an extra 17 possessions the Magic would need to get to 100 points. If any NBA team gets 17 extra possessions to score they will win. This almost acted as a turnover without actually turning the ball over.

In the loses, Dwight Howard averaged 30.25 PPG and 16.5 RPG. In the decisive Game 5 victory he only had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Dwight Howard showed that despite being one of the most dominant players in the NBA he is better used when he is not being used.

On the Atlanta end of the series Jamaal Crawford and Joe Johnson were the most influential on the outcome for the Hawks.

In the wins Joe Johnson put up 22.25 PPG, 7.25 RPG, and 3.75 APG. Jamaal Crawford put up 22.5 PPG, 2 RPG, 3.75 APG in the wins.

The Hawks are looking good and match up well against the Bulls.

2011 NFL Draft First Round

The NFL Draft started with a statement from the fans. A little over 20 minutes before the draft Roger Goodell came out trying to get a moment of silence for the tragedy in Alabama, however, before he could get a word in edge wise he was booed and greeted with chants of “Let them play!” and “We want football!”

But to the actual draft, the picks are as follows with my personal grades and justification for those grades.

1. CAR – Cam Newton/QB/Auburn/B-
   Cam Newton is too risky to give an A grade to. He could be a bigger and more unstoppable version of Michael Vick or he could be Jamarcus Russel.
2. DEN – Von Miller/OLB/Texas A&M/A
   Von Miller is simply one of the most explosive players in the draft. He is an insane talent.
3. BUF – Marcell Dareus/DT/Alabama/B
   I mainly gave him a B because I was unaware of this guy but he seems to have pretty good numbers behind him. Although numbers can be deceiving.
4. CIN – A.J. Green/WR/Georgia/A-
   A.J. Green is a great talent that was vital to Georgia. However, I do not like a pick this high in the draft because wide receivers simply do not get that many touches throughout a game.
5. ARI – Patrick Peterson/CB/LSU/A-
   Many considered Patrick Peterson the best player in the draft, however, Whisenhut’s stead fast views of take the best player available may have hurt them here considering they desperately need a quarterback.
6. ATL – Julio Jones/WR/Alabama/B-
   No disrespect to Julio Jones, in fact, his skills are what made this grade even a B-, but Falcons, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? You have Roddy White! You don’t need a wide receiver.
7. SF – Aldon Smith/DE/Missouri/C-
   Someone please explain this pick to me because I don’t get it.
8. TEN – Jake Locker/QB/Washington/C
   Jake Locker could be a very good talent but you good have easily waited on him. This is a big reach.
9. DAL – Tyron Smith/OT/USC/B-
   He is a very good tackle and the Cowboys need a tackle. The only thing is he might be to skinny and might be pushed around.
10. JAC – Blane Gabbert/QB/Missouri/B+
    Blane Gabbert has great skills but can he adjust to the NFL game. This was a solid pick because he can learn under Garrard for a couple of years, take over, and be turned into a franchise QB.
11. HOU – J.J. Watt/DE/Wisconsin/A
    A great, great player out of Wisconsin. He is incredibly impressive and could be a stud for a Houston defense that needs some serious help.
12. MIN – Christian Ponder/QB/Florida State/D+
    Very smart guy but a HUGE reach. He might have dropped all the way to the third round. Saying this is a questionable pick is being nice.
13. DET – Nick Fairley/DT/Auburn/A+
    Although this does not fill a need I do not see anyone running inside on the Lions anymore. Fairley was considered the best player after the last College Football game in the draft. Due to some behavioral problems he dropped, however, his attitude might be a problem but he is a terrific talent.
14. STL – Robert Quinn/DE/North Carolina/B
    Quinn was a top prospect but had to sit out the year for NCAA violations. Will that affect him? If not he seems promising.
15. MIA – Mike Pouncey/C/Florida/B-
    A solid player although he is definitely the lesser of the two Pouncey brothers. He won’t be a bust but he wont be a star.
16. WSH – Ryan Kerrigen/DE/Purdue/B+
    A guy with a tireless work ethic. He will be constantly improving and constantly getting better. He’s already pretty solid and just needs to work on a little more to become a stud.
17. NE – Nate Soder/OT/Colorado/B-
    A solid player and I never question Belichick after he draft Tom Brady in the 6th round.
18. SD – Corey Luiget/DT/Illinois/A-
    Luiget is legit! You know when you draft him you get a solid player. The Chargers got a steal here.
19. NYG – Prince Amakumara/CB/Nebraska/A+
    Personally, I think Amakumara is the best corner back in the draft. He shut down Jake Locker who was picked 11 spots ahead of him. This was a huge steal.
20. TB – Adrian Clayborn/DE/Iowa/B+
    Again, a solid pick, and a great guy. He overcame Erb’s Palsy and if he didn’t have this as a child he might have been picked in the top 10.
21. CLE – Phil Taylor/DT/Baylor/B
    He will stuff up the middle against a division that runs the ball furiously. Holmgren knows what he is doing.
22. IND – Anthony Castonzo/OT/Boston College/B
    Castonzo will day in and day out give you his all and you need that with someone protecting Peyton Manning. Castonzo was a great need filler for the Colts.
23. PHI – Danny Watkins/OG/Baylor/C-
    I don’t want to bad mouth a service man too much so I’ll just say, I don’t see him being that amazing.
24. NO – Cameron Jordan/DE/California/B+
    The Saints needed a pass rusher and they got a good one in Jordan.
25. SEA – James Carpenter/OG/Alabama/F
    I hate giving an F because I don’t think you can fail with a pick. This was a fail. He was slotted late second round. I do not understand.
26. KC – Jon Baldwin/WR/Pittsburgh/B
    Dwayne Bowe seems solid. Maybe they want some height. Not a bad pick, not a good pick.
27. BAL – Jimmy Smith/CB/Colorado/B+
    He dropped this low because he had behavioral problems, however, the Ravens might be the best situation for him with having Ray Lewis as a mentor.
28. NO – Mark Ingram/RB/Alabama/A+
    A Heisman Trophy winner at 28. Enough said. Great pick.
29. CHI – Gabe Carimi/DT/Wisconsin/A-
    Big Wsiconsin man at 29. That sounds good to me.
30. NYJ – Muhammad Wilkerson/DE/Temple/B-
    A guy with a huge wingspan, quite the physical specimen. The Jets know defense, lets see how this works.
31. PIT – Cameron Hayward/DE/Ohio State/B
    A nice pick here as I said with the Jets they know defense, although, do they need a defensive player.
32. GB – Derrick Sherrod/Mississippi State/B+
    The rich get richer. Sherrod is a very solid player and will greatly impact the Packers from the get go.

Important things to note:

There were 12 defensive lineman pick. That is an NFL record.

Andy Dalton and Daquan Bowers are still on the board.