Point Guards: Rajon Rondo > Derek Fisher = This is probably the biggest area of concern for the Lakers, but Derek Fisher, like he always does, has played great during the playoffs against other point guards. If Rajon Rondo controls this matchup it might mean a title for Boston.
Shooting Guards: Ray Allen < Kobe Bryant = Kobe Bryant is probably the second best shooting guard of all time, but Ray Allen may be top ten all time. Both should put up great numbers in this series.
Small Forwards: Paul Pierce > Ron Artest = Paul Pierce is a scorer and Ron Artest is a defender. This will be fun to watch. If Artest can shut Pierce down it may mean a Lakers title.
Power Forwards: Kevin Garnett < Pau Gasol = For their careers Kevin Garnett is much better than Pau Gasol, but right now Gasol is the better player. All of these matchups are really close and this one is no different.
Centers: Kendrick Perkins > Andrew Bynum = Many may not agree with this, but I believe Kendrick Perkins is the best defensive Center in the league. I think he’s even better than Dwight Howard. He may not get as many blocks and rebounds, but he is a great one on one defender and an even better team player. Andrew Bynum is no slouch though. This will be a fun matchup to watch.
Bench Players: Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, Michael Finley, Nate Robinson > Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Josh Powell = I like both benches, but I think the Boston Celtics have a better combination of offense, defense, and hustle. If Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis can limit Lamar Odom this might be a short series.
Team Offense: Los Angeles Lakers
Team Defense: Boston Celtics
Overall: Boston Celtics
Prediction: This is set to be a great matchup. The Los Angeles Lakers have been in the National Basketball Association Finals three years in a row now and The Boston Celtics have been here two out of the last three years. It’s essentially the same matchup as two years ago, but with some new faces. The Lakers will have Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum this time around and The Celtics have added Rasheed Wallace, Michael Finley, and Nate Robinson. I predict the Boston Celtics will win.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Superstar Treatment
Ever hear analysts on television, radio, or print talk about “superstar treatment”? Ever wonder what it is exactly? Well here is my Superstar Treatment for Dummies Article! Superstar treatment, in its simplest form, can be defined as special treatment or calls that a player receives from referees during a game. This doesn’t apply to everyone though. It only applies to superstars or the best players in a league. Not every superstar receives superstar treatment either. It’s really just a term the media likes to use when they disagree with calls that referees make during games. It does hold some merit though. The best players or superstars are supposed to be and assumed to be better than everyone else. When they don’t make routine or even difficult plays referees will occasionally give them calls. Let me use a fake basketball scene for you in order to illustrate my point.
Player A drives to the basket and takes a shot. He is lightly touched while he is in the process of shooting. He misses the shot. That touching may or may not have made him miss the shot. There is no way of knowing, but most would agree no foul should be called. The nearest referee calls a personal foul anyways. What was he thinking?
Referee A (“I’ve seen Player A make that shot a thousand times. He’s the best player in the league. How did he miss that? That light touch had to be the reason. I’m calling this!”)
Referee A blows his whistle and Player A shoots two free throws. This goes on all game long.
Referees may also give superstar treatment, because, as humans, they can subconsciously be influenced by different variables. Playing at home, being the favorite, being the underdog, having a great game, having a bad game, having a history with an official and of course, being a superstar are just some of the reasons players receive special treatment. Is this fair or foul though? I think it’s definitely foul! Every game and every player should receive the same kinds of calls from officials. No one deserves special treatment.
Player A drives to the basket and takes a shot. He is lightly touched while he is in the process of shooting. He misses the shot. That touching may or may not have made him miss the shot. There is no way of knowing, but most would agree no foul should be called. The nearest referee calls a personal foul anyways. What was he thinking?
Referee A (“I’ve seen Player A make that shot a thousand times. He’s the best player in the league. How did he miss that? That light touch had to be the reason. I’m calling this!”)
Referee A blows his whistle and Player A shoots two free throws. This goes on all game long.
Referees may also give superstar treatment, because, as humans, they can subconsciously be influenced by different variables. Playing at home, being the favorite, being the underdog, having a great game, having a bad game, having a history with an official and of course, being a superstar are just some of the reasons players receive special treatment. Is this fair or foul though? I think it’s definitely foul! Every game and every player should receive the same kinds of calls from officials. No one deserves special treatment.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
So you think you can coach?
There is an epidemic going on in sports. No, it’s not performing enhancing drug use. It is people putting too much emphasis on athletes and coaches winning championships. Don’t get me wrong. Winning a championship should be the ultimate goal of every athlete and coach, but it isn’t the only way to determine greatness. This epidemic is a little more prevalent in coaching though. All too often coaches get fired when they don’t produce championships. Why is this? Is it because replacing a coach is easier than replacing the team’s players? Possibly. I pose another theory though.
I think the reason that coaches receive pink slips so often is because of uninformed fans, media members, owners/front office personnel, and players. I don’t think a lot of these people know what good coaching is. It may seem like a crazy theory, but unless you’ve played a sport at a high level, watched countless hours of play, and been through technique clinics or practices with coaches than it is impossible to determine if a coach is really good or not.
-Playing a sport at a high level means that you’ve had success and know what it takes to win. It also probably means that you’ve received some solid coaching/training.
-Watching countless hours of play means that you know how good coaches coach during live game situations and how players react to their coaches when it counts.
-Going through technique clinics or practices with coaches mean you understand the training, drills, and situations players are put through on a daily basis. This also shows how coaches motivate and interact with players.
Just because a coach doesn’t win a championship doesn’t mean they aren’t great. A coach can’t win without the proper players around them. It’s the same for star players. Star players need good role players in order to win. Winning and losing in team sports never comes down to one player or one coach. It is always a collective effort between front office personnel, players, and coaches. Stop firing good coaches just because they don’t win championships. Too many careers have been ruined because of uninformed fans, media members, owners/front office personnel, and players complaining about things they know nothing about.
Here is what makes a good coach in my book.
-Knowledge of the game/sport.
-Knowing how to show proper technique and training habits.
-Using drills to develop a player’s skills.
-Ability to motivate and inspire.
-Scouting your team and your opponent’s team.
-Handling in game situations.
-Winning.
These are the qualities that make up a good coach. Winning makes a coach good. Winning a championship makes a coach great. Winning multiple championships makes a coach legendary. Just remember though. Players play and coaches coach. This means even if a coach does everything perfect it still takes players to win games. Players and the general managers/owners who bring in the players need to be held more accountable.
I think the reason that coaches receive pink slips so often is because of uninformed fans, media members, owners/front office personnel, and players. I don’t think a lot of these people know what good coaching is. It may seem like a crazy theory, but unless you’ve played a sport at a high level, watched countless hours of play, and been through technique clinics or practices with coaches than it is impossible to determine if a coach is really good or not.
-Playing a sport at a high level means that you’ve had success and know what it takes to win. It also probably means that you’ve received some solid coaching/training.
-Watching countless hours of play means that you know how good coaches coach during live game situations and how players react to their coaches when it counts.
-Going through technique clinics or practices with coaches mean you understand the training, drills, and situations players are put through on a daily basis. This also shows how coaches motivate and interact with players.
Just because a coach doesn’t win a championship doesn’t mean they aren’t great. A coach can’t win without the proper players around them. It’s the same for star players. Star players need good role players in order to win. Winning and losing in team sports never comes down to one player or one coach. It is always a collective effort between front office personnel, players, and coaches. Stop firing good coaches just because they don’t win championships. Too many careers have been ruined because of uninformed fans, media members, owners/front office personnel, and players complaining about things they know nothing about.
Here is what makes a good coach in my book.
-Knowledge of the game/sport.
-Knowing how to show proper technique and training habits.
-Using drills to develop a player’s skills.
-Ability to motivate and inspire.
-Scouting your team and your opponent’s team.
-Handling in game situations.
-Winning.
These are the qualities that make up a good coach. Winning makes a coach good. Winning a championship makes a coach great. Winning multiple championships makes a coach legendary. Just remember though. Players play and coaches coach. This means even if a coach does everything perfect it still takes players to win games. Players and the general managers/owners who bring in the players need to be held more accountable.
Monday, May 24, 2010
UFC 114 Predictions
-Rashad Evans over Quinton Jackson by = Split Decision = Rashad Evans is younger and faster. He also tends to use his wrestling better. The long layoff may affect Rampage too.
-Michael Bisping over Dan Miller by = SD = Dan Miller will get a takedown or two, but The Count will still win the stand up battle.
-Todd Duffee over Mike Russow by = Technical Knockout = Mike Russow will try to use some wrestling against Todd Duffee, but I see Duffee connecting with a punch and finishing with some ground and pound.
-Antonio Rogerio Nogueira over Jason Brilz by = TKO = This may look like the Duffee vs. Russow fight. I don’t Jason Brilz wanting to stand up with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
-Diego Sanchez over John Hathaway by = Unanimous Decision = This is a possible Fight of The Night candidate. Diego Sanchez is moving back up to 170 and John Hathaway gets his first taste of elite competition. This is a very interesting fight.
-Amir Sadollah over Dong Hyun Kim by = UD = I’ve always thought Dong Hyun Kim has been a little over rated. Amir Sadollah will expose his weaknesses.
-Efrain Escudero over Dan Lauzon by = TKO = Efrain Escudero should win this fight as long as he is healthy. Dan Lauzon probably gets cut after this loss.
-Melvin Guillard over Waylon Lowe by = Knockout = This is the biggest mismatch of the night. Waylon Lowe is in for a rude welcome to the UFC.
-Luiz Cane over Cyrille Diabate by = SD = Cyrille Diabate is better than his record, but Luiz Cane is a tough fight for anyone. People also need to remember that, debut fighters normally don’t win unless they are elite level fighters or elite level prospects.
-Aaron Riley over Joe Brammer by = TKO = Neither of these fighters is really UFC quality, but I suppose that is why they are being matched up against each other. The loser will be cut.
-Jesse Forbes over Ryan Jensen by = TKO = Neither of these fighters is really UFC quality, but I suppose that is why they are being matched up against each other. The loser will be cut.
Fight of The Night = Rashad Evans over Quinton Jackson
Knockout of The Night = Melvin Guillard over Waylon Lowe
I don’t see any submissions happening, but you never know. Predicting outcomes is hard. Predicting specific outcomes is even harder.
8 – 3 last UFC event
40 – 18 Overall for 6 UFC events
19 – 8 in Main Card fights
-Michael Bisping over Dan Miller by = SD = Dan Miller will get a takedown or two, but The Count will still win the stand up battle.
-Todd Duffee over Mike Russow by = Technical Knockout = Mike Russow will try to use some wrestling against Todd Duffee, but I see Duffee connecting with a punch and finishing with some ground and pound.
-Antonio Rogerio Nogueira over Jason Brilz by = TKO = This may look like the Duffee vs. Russow fight. I don’t Jason Brilz wanting to stand up with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
-Diego Sanchez over John Hathaway by = Unanimous Decision = This is a possible Fight of The Night candidate. Diego Sanchez is moving back up to 170 and John Hathaway gets his first taste of elite competition. This is a very interesting fight.
-Amir Sadollah over Dong Hyun Kim by = UD = I’ve always thought Dong Hyun Kim has been a little over rated. Amir Sadollah will expose his weaknesses.
-Efrain Escudero over Dan Lauzon by = TKO = Efrain Escudero should win this fight as long as he is healthy. Dan Lauzon probably gets cut after this loss.
-Melvin Guillard over Waylon Lowe by = Knockout = This is the biggest mismatch of the night. Waylon Lowe is in for a rude welcome to the UFC.
-Luiz Cane over Cyrille Diabate by = SD = Cyrille Diabate is better than his record, but Luiz Cane is a tough fight for anyone. People also need to remember that, debut fighters normally don’t win unless they are elite level fighters or elite level prospects.
-Aaron Riley over Joe Brammer by = TKO = Neither of these fighters is really UFC quality, but I suppose that is why they are being matched up against each other. The loser will be cut.
-Jesse Forbes over Ryan Jensen by = TKO = Neither of these fighters is really UFC quality, but I suppose that is why they are being matched up against each other. The loser will be cut.
Fight of The Night = Rashad Evans over Quinton Jackson
Knockout of The Night = Melvin Guillard over Waylon Lowe
I don’t see any submissions happening, but you never know. Predicting outcomes is hard. Predicting specific outcomes is even harder.
8 – 3 last UFC event
40 – 18 Overall for 6 UFC events
19 – 8 in Main Card fights
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wizards win The Draft!!!!
It’s impossible to know who will be available when the Wizards select at #30 and #34, but here are the 3 players I would love for the Wizards to be able to get. I think these three players are reasonable choices and should probably be available.
#1 – John Wall (PG – 6-4 – 195 – Kentucky – Fr) = Don’t mess this pick up Washington. Don’t worry about Gilbert Arenas. Force him to play the 2. His style is more of a shooting guard than point guard anyways. John Wall is the only correct choice here.
#30 – Willie Warren (PG/SG – 6-4 – 207 – Oklahoma – So) = He would have been a lottery pick last season if he came out. He can back up both John Wall and Gilbert Arenas. He also has great sleeper potential.
#34 – Dexter Pittman (C – 6-10 – 290 – Texas – Sr) = He reminds me of Kendrick Perkins with the Boston Celtics. Even though he is a Senior, I still think he can develop. He’ll never be an offensive force, but he’ll be a good solid defensive back up Center. He’s the opposite of JaVale McGee, which is a good thing, because that means they would compliment each other well.
Others who I wouldn’t mind having at #30 and #34 = Gani Lawal, Jordan Crawford, Greivis Vasquez, Dwayne Collins, Tiny Gallon, Sherron Collins, Hamady Ndiaye
When free agency begins here is what the Wizards will have.
*I don’t think they will keep their restricted free agents. I also don’t think they will exercise their team option on Josh Howard.
PG – Gilbert Arenas
SG – Nick Young
SF – Al Thornton, Quinton Ross
PF – Andray Blatche
C – JaVale McGee
Add in the 3 draft picks and here is the depth chart
PG – John Wall, Willie Warren
SG – Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young
SF – Al Thornton, Quinton Ross
PF – Andray Blatche
C – JaVale McGee, Dexter Pittman
It’s not a great team, but it is a start. The starting line up should be able to run, score, get steals, and block shots, but they probably won’t play very good one on one or team defense and could turn into selfish number’s getters. The 3 back ups outside of Quinton Ross are solid though.
#1 – John Wall (PG – 6-4 – 195 – Kentucky – Fr) = Don’t mess this pick up Washington. Don’t worry about Gilbert Arenas. Force him to play the 2. His style is more of a shooting guard than point guard anyways. John Wall is the only correct choice here.
#30 – Willie Warren (PG/SG – 6-4 – 207 – Oklahoma – So) = He would have been a lottery pick last season if he came out. He can back up both John Wall and Gilbert Arenas. He also has great sleeper potential.
#34 – Dexter Pittman (C – 6-10 – 290 – Texas – Sr) = He reminds me of Kendrick Perkins with the Boston Celtics. Even though he is a Senior, I still think he can develop. He’ll never be an offensive force, but he’ll be a good solid defensive back up Center. He’s the opposite of JaVale McGee, which is a good thing, because that means they would compliment each other well.
Others who I wouldn’t mind having at #30 and #34 = Gani Lawal, Jordan Crawford, Greivis Vasquez, Dwayne Collins, Tiny Gallon, Sherron Collins, Hamady Ndiaye
When free agency begins here is what the Wizards will have.
*I don’t think they will keep their restricted free agents. I also don’t think they will exercise their team option on Josh Howard.
PG – Gilbert Arenas
SG – Nick Young
SF – Al Thornton, Quinton Ross
PF – Andray Blatche
C – JaVale McGee
Add in the 3 draft picks and here is the depth chart
PG – John Wall, Willie Warren
SG – Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young
SF – Al Thornton, Quinton Ross
PF – Andray Blatche
C – JaVale McGee, Dexter Pittman
It’s not a great team, but it is a start. The starting line up should be able to run, score, get steals, and block shots, but they probably won’t play very good one on one or team defense and could turn into selfish number’s getters. The 3 back ups outside of Quinton Ross are solid though.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
How to get LeBron James a Championship
Cleveland is going about winning a Championship all wrong. If you are going to build around LeBron James, then you have to surround him with players who compliment him. This means you have to have players who have some similarities to him and make up for his short comings. This is what Cleveland needs to win a Championship with LeBron James as the center piece:
-Younger veteran players in their prime
-Long, athletic players who can run the floor
-Good defenders
-Good rebounding and shot blocking big men
-Players who can create their own shot
-Players who can drive to the basket
-Players who can shoot 3's
-Players who can play in the post
-Players who make a high percentage of their free throws
How many of those things does LeBron James have?
The only players I would keep from this year’s team would be:
LeBron James, Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, J.J Hickson, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, and Leon Powe
This would be my Depth Chart
PG – Mo Williams, __________
SG – __________, Delonte West, Daniel Gibson
SF – LeBron James, __________
PF – Antawn Jamison, J.J Hickson, Leon Powe
C – Anderson Varejao, __________
The blank spots I left open are where I think Cleveland needs to upgrade if they want to win a Championship…….. and that’s being generous. I’m not sure Anderson Varejao is a starting Center, but he does play good defense and can run the floor. I’m also not sold on Delonte West and Daniel Gibson as Championship backups, but they know how to play with LeBron James.
The major problems I saw with this year’s team were that Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas were old and slow at the Center spot. Mo Williams doesn’t have a true Point Guard backing him up. Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon were also not good role players. On top of those, everyone underperformed in the Playoffs.
Fix the Depth Chart and find the right kind of players and LeBron James will win multiple Championships.
-Younger veteran players in their prime
-Long, athletic players who can run the floor
-Good defenders
-Good rebounding and shot blocking big men
-Players who can create their own shot
-Players who can drive to the basket
-Players who can shoot 3's
-Players who can play in the post
-Players who make a high percentage of their free throws
How many of those things does LeBron James have?
The only players I would keep from this year’s team would be:
LeBron James, Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, J.J Hickson, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, and Leon Powe
This would be my Depth Chart
PG – Mo Williams, __________
SG – __________, Delonte West, Daniel Gibson
SF – LeBron James, __________
PF – Antawn Jamison, J.J Hickson, Leon Powe
C – Anderson Varejao, __________
The blank spots I left open are where I think Cleveland needs to upgrade if they want to win a Championship…….. and that’s being generous. I’m not sure Anderson Varejao is a starting Center, but he does play good defense and can run the floor. I’m also not sold on Delonte West and Daniel Gibson as Championship backups, but they know how to play with LeBron James.
The major problems I saw with this year’s team were that Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas were old and slow at the Center spot. Mo Williams doesn’t have a true Point Guard backing him up. Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon were also not good role players. On top of those, everyone underperformed in the Playoffs.
Fix the Depth Chart and find the right kind of players and LeBron James will win multiple Championships.
Friday, May 7, 2010
UFC 113 Predictions
Lyoto Machida over Mauricio Rua by Unanimous Decision
Josh Koscheck over Paul Daley by Technical Knockout
Jeremy Stephens over Sam Stout by Split Decision
Matt Mitrione over Kimbo Slice by TKO
Alan Belcher over Patrick Cote by UD
Tom Lawlor over Joe Doerksen by TKO
Marcus Davis over Jonathan Goulet by TKO
Johny Hendricks over TJ Grant by UD
Tim Hague over Joey Beltran by UD
Mike Guymon over Yoshiyuki Yoshida by TKO
John Salter over Jason MacDonald by SD
5 – 4 Last UFC event
32 – 15 Overall for 5 UFC events
15 – 7 in Main Card fights
Josh Koscheck over Paul Daley by Technical Knockout
Jeremy Stephens over Sam Stout by Split Decision
Matt Mitrione over Kimbo Slice by TKO
Alan Belcher over Patrick Cote by UD
Tom Lawlor over Joe Doerksen by TKO
Marcus Davis over Jonathan Goulet by TKO
Johny Hendricks over TJ Grant by UD
Tim Hague over Joey Beltran by UD
Mike Guymon over Yoshiyuki Yoshida by TKO
John Salter over Jason MacDonald by SD
5 – 4 Last UFC event
32 – 15 Overall for 5 UFC events
15 – 7 in Main Card fights
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