I was honored to be a guest on sportsjabber radio last night.
I talked on the NBA playoffs to date.
Check it out here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sports-jabber/2010/04/29/sports-jabber-radio--nba-playoffs-and-nfl-draft-recap--wednesday-42810-at-900pm-cdt
Mark and Ben were gracious hosts. They also talked a little NHL playoffs, NFL draft and the goings on at sportsjabber.net.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Honoring an American hero
There are certain dates that when given immediately strike a cord with Americans. December 7, 1941, September 11, 2001, April 22, 2004. April 22, 2004?
Many might not recall this date. However for me and many other people across this country, this date holds significance.
I will remember where I was when I heard that Pat Tillman had been killed in Afghanistan.
It was a Friday before the NFL draft. A day after he had been killed in action that the news broke.
During lunch at work we had been talking about the draft that weekend. I mentioned how I was disgusted that Eli Manning who was projected to be the #1 draft (and he was) was whining about not wanting to play in San Diego and that he didn’t want the Chargers to draft him.
During that conversation I brought up Tillman and how many a professional athletes, not just in the NFL needed to learn a lesson or two from him. How he literally walked away from millions and went to serve our country. Little did I know that he had by that time already paid the ultimate price. And to this day, I still have no respect for Eil Manning and his whining. He could learn a thing or two from Pat Tillman.
A few hours later, one of the guys I had lunch with came up to me and asked if I had heard about Tillman. He told me he had been killed. I smacked him across the arm and told him that was not a funny joke. He told me he wasn’t joking. I went to my computer and pulled up the local news website and there it was…staring me in the face.
I was devastated. I have been a lifelong ASU fan and admired Pat for his style of play, his intensity, and the fact that he wouldn’t take no for answer. There has been more than one article written on Pat Tillman and how he received the last scholarship to ASU from Coach Bruce Snyder in 1994, who wanted Tillman to sit out his freshman year. Tillman told him he wasn’t as he was planning on graduating on time and had other things to do in life. Little did anyone know just how much more he had to do.
Tillman played linebacker and at only 5’11”, he was considered small for the position.
Pat Tillman would often climb the light posts outside Sun Devil Stadium to reflect and meditate.
He was well read and smart. He was more than just a football player. However he excelled at that as well. Pat Tillman was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the year in 1998. The year before his team went to the Rose Bowl and was a mere seconds away from claiming a National Championship. Tillman was also a gifted scholar and graduated with a degree in Marketing with a 3.84 GPA.
Pat Tillman was drafted by the Cardinals in 1998 in the 7th round-the 226th overall pick and moved to safety where again he excelled. A year after the St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl; they offered him a $9 million dollar five year contract. Tillman refused it and re-signed with the Cardinals out of loyalty to the team that drafted him. He said at the time he felt he could help the team improve.
Then on a beautiful Tuesday in September, everything changed. Pat sat mesmerized and PISSED off as he watched the events of 9/11/01 unfold on the television screen in the Cardinals Media Room.
A camera crew asked him his thoughts and a reflective Pat stated, “My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor and a lot of my family has given up, gone and fought in wars. I haven’t really done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that. So I have a lot of respect for those that have and for what the flag stands for.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBM2hiXRZA0
Pat Tillman played out the remaining games of the 2001-2002 season and eventually turned down a $3.6 million dollar 3 year contract so he could join the Army with his brother Kevin-who gave up a promising baseball career himself.
Pat made the decision to join the Army shortly after 9/11 but kept his plans secret. He advised the Cardinals and his former ASU coach and asked them to keep it quiet just long enough for him to enlist.
Kevin and Pat Tillman actually enlisted in Colorado so as to avoid media attention. Once he was safely tucked away in basic training did the story break. Pat Tillman was not content to just join the Army however, him and his brother signed up to join the elite Army Rangers and go through Ranger training.
There were multiple requests for interviews during his time in training but Pat refused them all. He felt he was not a celebrity, he was a soldier the same as the man sitting next to him going through the same training. It was this humility that Pat was known for that earned the respect of his fellow Rangers. They voted Pat to carry the flag during graduation ceremonies.
In 2003 both Pat and Kevin Tillman received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from the Espy’s. The sent their younger brother to accept for them. They both felt that they were no better than the soldiers they served next to. They did not think they were doing anything extraordinary.
Pat Tillman served in both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was critical of the war. His first mission in Iraq was the rescue of Jessica Lynch. It was this mission that first made Pat critical of the war.
The details surrounding Pat’s death have been the subject of Congressional hearings. What we do know for certain is that Pat Tillman was not killed in an enemy ambush as was first reported after his death. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Some say he was murdered. Some others take it further and say he was murdered to promote the war.
To me, the reason for his death does not diminish the man to be any less of a hero. Pat Tillman literally put his money where his mouth was. He walked away from millions to serve this great country.
He knew this country had flaws, but he loved it and wanted to protect it as best he could. He was and still is a hero in my eyes and in the eyes of many others.
There have been many tributes to Tilly as he was nicknamed and his legacy. The Pat Tillman Foundation helps to give scholarships to college students who show and live Pat’s values and who set out to improve their communities and the world.
They also have a scholarship for military members and their family. As part of the foundation, I was able to get red bracelets with his number. I still wear mine.
The Arizona Cardinals retired Tillman’s #40 jersey and named the area outside University of Phoenix Stadium as Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza. On this plaza is also a bronze statue of Pat Tillman with his trademark long locks flowing.
Arizona State also retired Pat’s #42 jersey. I was at the game where his number was retired and his name added to the ring of honor. It was an emotional game where even the opposing team and fans stood, cheered and cried as his name was revealed. I made a sign to hold up that had a photo of Pat making a tackle. I had simply placed on it “God Bless You Pat”.
The tunnel entering the stadium was also named “Pat Tillman Memorial Tunnel”. There is a large # 42 that the football players run past and hit with their hands as they enter the stadium before each home game.
The NFL donated $250,000 to the USO. That money was used to build the Pat Tillman USO Center, the first USO center in Afghanistan.
There have been athletes who changed their number to #40 in honor of Pat, who grew their hair out in tribute etc.
There is a bridge being built over the Hoover Damn spanning Nevada and Arizona. A portion of the bridge will be called the Pat Tillman Bridge. The entire bridge will be called the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
A park near Pat’s hometown was named after him and the football stadium at his former high school now bears his name.
Pat Tillman touched many lives with his style of play, with his loyalty, and with his courage. There need to be more Pat Tillman’s in the world.
Each year, they have Pat’s Run here in Tempe. The run is 4.2 miles and finishes at the 42 yard line at Sun Devil Stadium where Pat had many great moments on the field. The football players, cheerleaders, and of course Sparky cheer the runners in as they complete the event. The first year many former players including Jake Plummer attended the run. Each year, there are military members who run the event in full gear.
This year’s Pat’s Run had over 28,000 participants. Next year I will run my first Pat’s Run, and my youngest son who I named in Pat Tillman’s honor will greet me at the finish line.
I can think of no greater man that my children to look up and call a hero.
April 22, 2004 will be a day I will never forget, along the lines of September 11, 2001.
Thank you Pat for being a role model I am not ashamed to have my children look up to.
R.I.P. Cpl Tillman-you are gone but never forgotten.
Many might not recall this date. However for me and many other people across this country, this date holds significance.
I will remember where I was when I heard that Pat Tillman had been killed in Afghanistan.
It was a Friday before the NFL draft. A day after he had been killed in action that the news broke.
During lunch at work we had been talking about the draft that weekend. I mentioned how I was disgusted that Eli Manning who was projected to be the #1 draft (and he was) was whining about not wanting to play in San Diego and that he didn’t want the Chargers to draft him.
During that conversation I brought up Tillman and how many a professional athletes, not just in the NFL needed to learn a lesson or two from him. How he literally walked away from millions and went to serve our country. Little did I know that he had by that time already paid the ultimate price. And to this day, I still have no respect for Eil Manning and his whining. He could learn a thing or two from Pat Tillman.
A few hours later, one of the guys I had lunch with came up to me and asked if I had heard about Tillman. He told me he had been killed. I smacked him across the arm and told him that was not a funny joke. He told me he wasn’t joking. I went to my computer and pulled up the local news website and there it was…staring me in the face.
I was devastated. I have been a lifelong ASU fan and admired Pat for his style of play, his intensity, and the fact that he wouldn’t take no for answer. There has been more than one article written on Pat Tillman and how he received the last scholarship to ASU from Coach Bruce Snyder in 1994, who wanted Tillman to sit out his freshman year. Tillman told him he wasn’t as he was planning on graduating on time and had other things to do in life. Little did anyone know just how much more he had to do.
Tillman played linebacker and at only 5’11”, he was considered small for the position.
He was well read and smart. He was more than just a football player. However he excelled at that as well. Pat Tillman was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the year in 1998. The year before his team went to the Rose Bowl and was a mere seconds away from claiming a National Championship. Tillman was also a gifted scholar and graduated with a degree in Marketing with a 3.84 GPA.
Pat Tillman was drafted by the Cardinals in 1998 in the 7th round-the 226th overall pick and moved to safety where again he excelled. A year after the St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl; they offered him a $9 million dollar five year contract. Tillman refused it and re-signed with the Cardinals out of loyalty to the team that drafted him. He said at the time he felt he could help the team improve.
Then on a beautiful Tuesday in September, everything changed. Pat sat mesmerized and PISSED off as he watched the events of 9/11/01 unfold on the television screen in the Cardinals Media Room.
A camera crew asked him his thoughts and a reflective Pat stated, “My great grandfather was at Pearl Harbor and a lot of my family has given up, gone and fought in wars. I haven’t really done a damn thing as far as laying myself on the line like that. So I have a lot of respect for those that have and for what the flag stands for.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBM2hiXRZA0
Pat Tillman played out the remaining games of the 2001-2002 season and eventually turned down a $3.6 million dollar 3 year contract so he could join the Army with his brother Kevin-who gave up a promising baseball career himself.
Pat made the decision to join the Army shortly after 9/11 but kept his plans secret. He advised the Cardinals and his former ASU coach and asked them to keep it quiet just long enough for him to enlist.
Kevin and Pat Tillman actually enlisted in Colorado so as to avoid media attention. Once he was safely tucked away in basic training did the story break. Pat Tillman was not content to just join the Army however, him and his brother signed up to join the elite Army Rangers and go through Ranger training.
There were multiple requests for interviews during his time in training but Pat refused them all. He felt he was not a celebrity, he was a soldier the same as the man sitting next to him going through the same training. It was this humility that Pat was known for that earned the respect of his fellow Rangers. They voted Pat to carry the flag during graduation ceremonies.
In 2003 both Pat and Kevin Tillman received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from the Espy’s. The sent their younger brother to accept for them. They both felt that they were no better than the soldiers they served next to. They did not think they were doing anything extraordinary.
Pat Tillman served in both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was critical of the war. His first mission in Iraq was the rescue of Jessica Lynch. It was this mission that first made Pat critical of the war.
The details surrounding Pat’s death have been the subject of Congressional hearings. What we do know for certain is that Pat Tillman was not killed in an enemy ambush as was first reported after his death. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Some say he was murdered. Some others take it further and say he was murdered to promote the war.
To me, the reason for his death does not diminish the man to be any less of a hero. Pat Tillman literally put his money where his mouth was. He walked away from millions to serve this great country.
He knew this country had flaws, but he loved it and wanted to protect it as best he could. He was and still is a hero in my eyes and in the eyes of many others.
There have been many tributes to Tilly as he was nicknamed and his legacy. The Pat Tillman Foundation helps to give scholarships to college students who show and live Pat’s values and who set out to improve their communities and the world.
They also have a scholarship for military members and their family. As part of the foundation, I was able to get red bracelets with his number. I still wear mine.
The Arizona Cardinals retired Tillman’s #40 jersey and named the area outside University of Phoenix Stadium as Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza. On this plaza is also a bronze statue of Pat Tillman with his trademark long locks flowing.
Arizona State also retired Pat’s #42 jersey. I was at the game where his number was retired and his name added to the ring of honor. It was an emotional game where even the opposing team and fans stood, cheered and cried as his name was revealed. I made a sign to hold up that had a photo of Pat making a tackle. I had simply placed on it “God Bless You Pat”.
The tunnel entering the stadium was also named “Pat Tillman Memorial Tunnel”. There is a large # 42 that the football players run past and hit with their hands as they enter the stadium before each home game.
The NFL donated $250,000 to the USO. That money was used to build the Pat Tillman USO Center, the first USO center in Afghanistan.
There have been athletes who changed their number to #40 in honor of Pat, who grew their hair out in tribute etc.
There is a bridge being built over the Hoover Damn spanning Nevada and Arizona. A portion of the bridge will be called the Pat Tillman Bridge. The entire bridge will be called the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Each year, they have Pat’s Run here in Tempe. The run is 4.2 miles and finishes at the 42 yard line at Sun Devil Stadium where Pat had many great moments on the field. The football players, cheerleaders, and of course Sparky cheer the runners in as they complete the event. The first year many former players including Jake Plummer attended the run. Each year, there are military members who run the event in full gear.
This year’s Pat’s Run had over 28,000 participants. Next year I will run my first Pat’s Run, and my youngest son who I named in Pat Tillman’s honor will greet me at the finish line.
April 22, 2004 will be a day I will never forget, along the lines of September 11, 2001.
Thank you Pat for being a role model I am not ashamed to have my children look up to.
R.I.P. Cpl Tillman-you are gone but never forgotten.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Weekly NBA Power Rankings 04/12/10
It's the last few days of the regular season and the playoffs will be upon us shortly.
I just want to point out that when I do these rankings, I don't neccessarily do them on a "season as a whole" basis but more of a week by week basis.
There will be some major reshuffling in my rankings this week based on performance the past week. This does not mean I think a team is better than another. This is not 100% about overall record. This is about play as of late.
With that being said, here are my rankings for this week:
1. Magic-
Now I know there are plenty of you who are going to let out a collective "WHAT!!?" but bear with me here for a minute. The Magic's win on Sunday gives them a 1 game home court advantage over the Lakers should they meet in the Finals again. The Magic are a league best 21-5 since the All-Star break and have been playing well (boy is that ever an understatement). The Cavs and the Lakers are not even in the top five of that list. And yes, I know the Cavs were without King James when the Magic beat them, but they still beat them.
2. Cavs-
Life sure is good in Cleveland right now. Hopefully LeBron sticks around after the season. The Cavs have been playing so well that they have allowed James to get a 4 game rest before the playoffs. The first few games of the playoffs will also allow Shaq to get back into playing shape before the next series and beyond starts.
3. Suns-
Behind the Magic, no other team has had a better record since the All-Star break. And they still keep finding a way to win without Robin Lopez. Home-Court advantage does not mean more to any team more than the Suns. The Suns are just 2-9 on the road against the other playoff teams. They are almost 9 points better at home than on the road. The games against Utah and Denver are key this week.
4. Lakers-
I could easily drop the defending champs further on the list based on their play of late. I don't think anyone saw the "Champs" finishing so far down the list as it is but their record of 15-11 since the All-Star break leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, they may be saving themselves for the playoffs, but it is often hard to get back on track when you've gotten off. And if the Lakers are truely saving themselves for the playoffs, I don't think we would have seen Kobe in uniform like we have been.
5. Jazz-
Utah has been better off offensively than defensively since Kirilenko has been out the past month. Just a side note I found interesting...the Timberwolves have only beaten three teams more than once this season...The Nets, the Kings, and...the Jazz. If Utah does not finish the season in the second seed in the West I am sure they will be kicking themselves pretty hard.
6. Spurs-
San Antonnio is tied for second in the West for average point margin, just set an NBA record by finishing with a winning ROAD record for the 13th straight season, and they are the only WESTERN team to be ranked in the top 10 both OFFENSIVELY and DEFENSIVELY. Don't sleep sleep on the Spurs come playoff time saturday, even if they are facing the Lakers.
7. Mavs-
Dallas has the LOWEST point differential than any other West team, and history has shown that this in fact a big deal. However, if holding both the Grizzlies and Blazers to a combined 161 points the Mavs had one of their best defensive showings yet. Even more impressive was they did it without their best defensive player Shawn Marion.
8. Blazers-
Portland should be celebrating thier win against the Lakers on the Lakers home court, however with Brandon Roy out with an bruised knee, the celebration was short lived if even that. They have a critical game against the Thunder later tonight, with Roy expected to sit the Blazers could end up as the 8th seed in the West.
9. Thunder-
OKC is simply not playing their best basketball of late. The good news is that Durant only needs 26 ppg is LeBron stays sitting to win the scoring title. The bad news is with the collapse against Golden State, the Thunder could have easily set themselves up for a baptism by playoff fire against the Lakers.
10. Hawks-
Atlanta had a shot at thier first winning road record in 11 years but lost to both Charlotte and Detroit. They have had a trend of getting worse defensively each month and April did not see that trend stopping. The Hawks are also 1-6 against the East's top 2 teams. Will this make a differnce when they face the cavs without LeBron? Will that number be more important than winning 50 games for the first time since 1997-1998?
I just want to point out that when I do these rankings, I don't neccessarily do them on a "season as a whole" basis but more of a week by week basis.
There will be some major reshuffling in my rankings this week based on performance the past week. This does not mean I think a team is better than another. This is not 100% about overall record. This is about play as of late.
With that being said, here are my rankings for this week:
1. Magic-
Now I know there are plenty of you who are going to let out a collective "WHAT!!?" but bear with me here for a minute. The Magic's win on Sunday gives them a 1 game home court advantage over the Lakers should they meet in the Finals again. The Magic are a league best 21-5 since the All-Star break and have been playing well (boy is that ever an understatement). The Cavs and the Lakers are not even in the top five of that list. And yes, I know the Cavs were without King James when the Magic beat them, but they still beat them.
2. Cavs-
Life sure is good in Cleveland right now. Hopefully LeBron sticks around after the season. The Cavs have been playing so well that they have allowed James to get a 4 game rest before the playoffs. The first few games of the playoffs will also allow Shaq to get back into playing shape before the next series and beyond starts.
3. Suns-
Behind the Magic, no other team has had a better record since the All-Star break. And they still keep finding a way to win without Robin Lopez. Home-Court advantage does not mean more to any team more than the Suns. The Suns are just 2-9 on the road against the other playoff teams. They are almost 9 points better at home than on the road. The games against Utah and Denver are key this week.
4. Lakers-
I could easily drop the defending champs further on the list based on their play of late. I don't think anyone saw the "Champs" finishing so far down the list as it is but their record of 15-11 since the All-Star break leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, they may be saving themselves for the playoffs, but it is often hard to get back on track when you've gotten off. And if the Lakers are truely saving themselves for the playoffs, I don't think we would have seen Kobe in uniform like we have been.
5. Jazz-
Utah has been better off offensively than defensively since Kirilenko has been out the past month. Just a side note I found interesting...the Timberwolves have only beaten three teams more than once this season...The Nets, the Kings, and...the Jazz. If Utah does not finish the season in the second seed in the West I am sure they will be kicking themselves pretty hard.
6. Spurs-
San Antonnio is tied for second in the West for average point margin, just set an NBA record by finishing with a winning ROAD record for the 13th straight season, and they are the only WESTERN team to be ranked in the top 10 both OFFENSIVELY and DEFENSIVELY. Don't sleep sleep on the Spurs come playoff time saturday, even if they are facing the Lakers.
7. Mavs-
Dallas has the LOWEST point differential than any other West team, and history has shown that this in fact a big deal. However, if holding both the Grizzlies and Blazers to a combined 161 points the Mavs had one of their best defensive showings yet. Even more impressive was they did it without their best defensive player Shawn Marion.
8. Blazers-
Portland should be celebrating thier win against the Lakers on the Lakers home court, however with Brandon Roy out with an bruised knee, the celebration was short lived if even that. They have a critical game against the Thunder later tonight, with Roy expected to sit the Blazers could end up as the 8th seed in the West.
9. Thunder-
OKC is simply not playing their best basketball of late. The good news is that Durant only needs 26 ppg is LeBron stays sitting to win the scoring title. The bad news is with the collapse against Golden State, the Thunder could have easily set themselves up for a baptism by playoff fire against the Lakers.
10. Hawks-
Atlanta had a shot at thier first winning road record in 11 years but lost to both Charlotte and Detroit. They have had a trend of getting worse defensively each month and April did not see that trend stopping. The Hawks are also 1-6 against the East's top 2 teams. Will this make a differnce when they face the cavs without LeBron? Will that number be more important than winning 50 games for the first time since 1997-1998?
Santonio Holmes traded for 151st pick
NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Jets sure know how to make headlines.
In their latest big move of a busy offseason, the Jets acquired talented but troubled wide receiver Santonio Holmes(notes) from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night for a fifth-round pick in this month’s NFL draft.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ApgTKs3T1bC6z2j3uCzT47o5nYcB?slug=ap-jets-steelerstrade
My take on this trade:
Santonio Holmes is no stranger to off the field issues. From a 2006 domestic violence issue, to a 2008 marijuana possession arrest. Holmes is also facing a lawsuit down in Florida.
There is rumor that Holmes is also going to be suspended the first 4 games of the 2010 season for violation of the leagues substance abuse policy.
If true, it helps to explain how the Jets were able to get Holmes for such a low price. Anyone with half a brain knows Holmes is worth much more than a 5th round pick.
I believe that the Rooney's were sick of the issues. The Rooney's don't just want a good football team on the field, they want a team with character people OFF the field.
The Rooney's may have just said, "Screw it" and washed their hands of Holmes.
So, the question begs, what does this say for Big Ben and his future with the team?
Only time will tell, but he may also be on borrowed time. If Ben puts himself in any other situations such as he has faced in Nevada and Georgia, he could also find himself shipped off to a new team.
Or maybe the Rooney's figure a WR with off the field issues is more expendable than a QB with off the field issues?
As for the Jets, they have made some great moves this off season to shore up both the offense and defense. The defense was fantastic last season, and is really what won them all the games. By getting a real deal WR in Holmes, adding LaDananian Tomlinson at RB, and with Braylon Edwards, and Jerricho Cotchery at WR and Dustin Keller at TE the Jets offense is looking pretty darn good on paper from where I stand.
Monday, April 5, 2010
NBA Power Rankings 04/05/10
Many of the top teams suffered losses this week, was it enough to shake up the rankings?
As we are winding down the season, things are getting closer in the West. There are 4 teams tied for 2nd place in the West (Suns, Jazz, Mavs, and Nuggets). With these teams squaring off against each other it will make for some interesting jockeying for seeding.
On to the rankings for this week:
1. Cavs-
Loss to the Celtics aside, they are crusing into the postseason and are anxious to being play as they strive to bring the title to Cleveland. History is on their side as only 11 other teams have gone into postseason play with a 60 win record (the Cavs are the 12th). Of those, 9 have brought home the championship. Clevland is hoping to become the 10th.
2. Magic-
Graciously stole this bit from Mark Stein on ESPN:
-that says it all.
3. Lakers-
They still have the top spot in the West and will most lilely go into post season play as the #1, however they have not yet clinched it. On paper, they still look great, but several recent losses including to the Spurs at home has some Laker supporters getting in a panic. Others feel they will be just fine come playoff time. They will be getting Bynum back and that could be the boost they need.
4. Suns-
They had a NBA best 10 game win streak come to an end against the Bucks. During that time they played 8 teams that had a sub .500 record. Their final stretch into the post season will not be as "soft". During these games we will really see how the Suns react to having Lopez out with a herniated disk. He is responding well to treatment but will he back before the regular season ends? Doubtful
5. Jazz-
Finishing up the season strong. The quality of teams in the West will make for an exciting and interesting Round 1 in the playoffs that is certain-who will come out alive is not so certain!
6. Spurs-
This kills me to write this, but they are starting to look like the Spurs of old. They have had great wins recently over such top teams as the Magic, Cavs, and Lakers. Can't count out the win against the Celtics either. Manu is playing some of his best games in recent memory-will it be enough come playoff time?
7. Hawks-
A lot of people were looking forward to see who would face the Bucks in the playoffs, the Hawks or the Celtics. With the Bucks' Bogut injured and out for the season does anyone care anymore?
Good news for Hawks fans, the team is playing well-can they make a playoff run though?
8. Thunder-
This team is fairly young and inexperienced yet they are not playing like that. They have a shot to win their division and are scaring a few teams in the West.
9. Mavs-
They had a 13 game win streak going at one point. How long ago that seems now. They are in a 5-6 slump and their normally tough D is not looking quite so tough. Bad time for a slup guys.
10. Blazers-
Ever since the Blazers traded for Camby, they have gone 15-6. This is the team NO ONE wants to face in the first round of the playoffs.
As we are winding down the season, things are getting closer in the West. There are 4 teams tied for 2nd place in the West (Suns, Jazz, Mavs, and Nuggets). With these teams squaring off against each other it will make for some interesting jockeying for seeding.
On to the rankings for this week:
1. Cavs-
Loss to the Celtics aside, they are crusing into the postseason and are anxious to being play as they strive to bring the title to Cleveland. History is on their side as only 11 other teams have gone into postseason play with a 60 win record (the Cavs are the 12th). Of those, 9 have brought home the championship. Clevland is hoping to become the 10th.
2. Magic-
Graciously stole this bit from Mark Stein on ESPN:
The Magic are on a quiet 15-3 roll and rank as the only team in the league to beat the other 29 teams. Even more unique: Stan Van Gundy actually sounded satisfied (pleased, even) when someone gave him that stat.
-that says it all.
3. Lakers-
They still have the top spot in the West and will most lilely go into post season play as the #1, however they have not yet clinched it. On paper, they still look great, but several recent losses including to the Spurs at home has some Laker supporters getting in a panic. Others feel they will be just fine come playoff time. They will be getting Bynum back and that could be the boost they need.
4. Suns-
They had a NBA best 10 game win streak come to an end against the Bucks. During that time they played 8 teams that had a sub .500 record. Their final stretch into the post season will not be as "soft". During these games we will really see how the Suns react to having Lopez out with a herniated disk. He is responding well to treatment but will he back before the regular season ends? Doubtful
5. Jazz-
Finishing up the season strong. The quality of teams in the West will make for an exciting and interesting Round 1 in the playoffs that is certain-who will come out alive is not so certain!
6. Spurs-
This kills me to write this, but they are starting to look like the Spurs of old. They have had great wins recently over such top teams as the Magic, Cavs, and Lakers. Can't count out the win against the Celtics either. Manu is playing some of his best games in recent memory-will it be enough come playoff time?
7. Hawks-
A lot of people were looking forward to see who would face the Bucks in the playoffs, the Hawks or the Celtics. With the Bucks' Bogut injured and out for the season does anyone care anymore?
Good news for Hawks fans, the team is playing well-can they make a playoff run though?
8. Thunder-
This team is fairly young and inexperienced yet they are not playing like that. They have a shot to win their division and are scaring a few teams in the West.
9. Mavs-
They had a 13 game win streak going at one point. How long ago that seems now. They are in a 5-6 slump and their normally tough D is not looking quite so tough. Bad time for a slup guys.
10. Blazers-
Ever since the Blazers traded for Camby, they have gone 15-6. This is the team NO ONE wants to face in the first round of the playoffs.
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