Should This Kid Be In The NCAA Dunk Contest?

This is Jacob Tucker, a senior from D-3 Illinois College. Tucker is just 5-11 but he has some hops!

Rich Eisen 2011 40 yard dash

Thursday's Picks

St. John's -2 vs Seton Hall: The Red Storm can grab a double bye in the Big East Tournament with wins in their final two games. St. John's has not won at Seton Hall in 13 years, but are just flat out better than the Pirates. The Red Storm have won six straight entering tonight's game and covered in each of them. Seton Hall on the other hand have lost five of six and covered in just three of those. Dwight Hardy is the guy to watch for in this game. Hardy has scored 28 plus points in four of St. John's last seven games, if he is on the Red Storm will win going away. For the Pirates to have any chance they will need to keep Hardy in check and have a big game from their senior, Jeremy Hazell. Hazell is averaging 18.5 points per game and can fill up the box sheet. St. John's depth and talent is too much here and I expect for them to end their 13 year drought.
Pick: St. John's

Wisconson -6.5 vs Indiana: The Hoosiers have lost six games in a row and have failed to cover in five of them. Wisconsin on the other hand have won seven of their last eight, but covered in just four of those games. Wisconsin is by far the more talented team here and should have no problem winning this game by double digits. The combination of Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor is too talented and too athletic for Indiana to deal with. In their last game against Northwestern Leuer and Taylor combined for 42 points on 15-27 shooting. These two schools have already played once, a 69-60 Wisconsin win. The Badgers failed to cover that 13.5 spread, I expect them to cover this one.
Pick: Wisconsin.

Season: 24-18-2

Wednesday's Picks

Trail Blazers-3 vs Kings: Portland has lost two straight games, the latest being a 16 point home loss to the Rockets. LaMarcus Aldridge really struggled in that game scoring just 14 points and grabbing 3 rebounds. The Blazers however have great depth with Brandon Roy and Gerald Wallace coming off the bench. Of late the Blazers have been bad against the spread, going 0-4. The Kings have not been much better going just 2-5 ATS. Beno Udrih has had to carry the Kings since Tyreke Evans went down. He scored over 18 points in three of his last four games. In the end Portland is the deeper team and the fact that they got blown out last night may actually be a good thing. Look for them to come out energized, especially because the last time these two teams met up Sacramento won by 15.

Pick: Trail Blazers

Warriors -1 vs Wizards: The Warriors come in losers of four in a row and failed to cover in each of those. Three of those four losses were all by double figures. The Wizards may actually be colder than Golden State as they have lost six in a row. Their most recent loss was a 28 point home loss to the Bulls. Monta Ellis really struggled in the Warriors last game scoring just 13 points on 5-16 shooting. John Wall is also coming off a bad game. Wall finished the game with nine points on 3-14 shooting against Derrick Rose and the Bulls. This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Golden State does not play much defense so expect a high scoring game. This will come down to who is on, Nick Young or Monta Ellis. I like Ellis a little more in this game and with the recent re ad mergence of David Lee the Warriors are the better pick.

Pick: Warriors

Season: 22-18-2

Power to the Players

The 2008 Boston Celtics have inspired a trend that will have a profound impact on the future of the NBA. Superstar players have now discovered the power they have over their organization's front-offices and are shaping their own destiny.



Summer 2007: The Minnesota Timberwolves and their frustrated franchise player, Kevin Garnett decided to part ways after getting his best seasons. He was traded to Boston where he joined their new acquisition Ray Allen and long-time franchise player Paul Pierce. This union resulted in the greatest turnaround in NBA history (28-54 to 66-16) and an NBA championship. The conception of the Boston 3 Party has made Ray Allen a surefire hall of famer, elevated Pierce's super-stardom and validated the career of one of the 20 greatest players of all time, Kevin Garnett. Since then the Celtics have had 1 other Finals appearance, a probable Finals appearance marred by a Garnett injury in 2009 and they are currently on pace for their third 60-win season.

Summer 2010: Amare Stoudemire headed East from Phoenix to the Big Apple. Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors  had signed with Miami to team-up with Dwayne Wade and after his second play-off elimination at the hands of Celtics trio, LeBron James' contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers was up. Chicago, New Jersey, New York, and of course Cleveland were in the running for the most coveted free agent of all time. Months of speculation ended with an ESPN special and what will become one of the most famous quotes in the history of basketball "I'm goin' to take my talents to South Beach." Basketball fans across the country cheered, cried, gasped and set jerseys ablaze as 3 elite players in their primes joined forces in hopes of creating a dynasty. Days later Chris Paul proposes the formation of another big 3 at Carmelo Anthony's wedding.


Winter 2011: Carmelo Anthony bitched and moaned his way into being traded to the Knicks and Amare Stoudemire with Chauncey Billups disrespected as a throw in. New York now waits patiently for Chris Paul or Deron Williams to make yet another big 3 and end New York's nearly 40 year title drought.


After looking at this series of events it is clear that the players have finally figured out how to work the system and put themselves in the best possible situation to win a championship. With 4 small market franchises loosing their franchise players and more to come. I discussed this issue on Asti's radio blog, The Howitzer and Buzzsaw Show. Mike asked if I thought this was good or bad for the NBA


My answer: I like it, I think it's good.


It will hurt the league in terms of overall depth. Most of the small market teams will likely take a huge hit. I personally don't care about professional basketball in Memphis, Toronto, or Cleveland and not many do. Even when the small-market teams do well it's not good for the league. Take the San Antonio Spurs, for example. Despite winning 4 titles, having a player that is in one of the most popular celebrity/athlete marriages, and one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history, the Spurs are a ratings nightmare. Their last Finals appearance in 2007 against Cleveland was one of the lowest rated ever.


It's the marquee teams like the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers that make the NBA. 
Last years Finals series was the highest rated since Michael Jordan's last Finals appearance in 1998. Even though everyone hates Miami now, it's great for the league. You need a the villains to compliment the heroes (See also, 80's Pistons). 







So what if there are 6 or 7 powerhouse teams and the rest are sub-par? It's not like the NBA has been super competitive in terms of championships. In the post-Jordan Era the the Spurs and Lakers have combined for 11 of the last 12 Finals apperances, winning 9 total (Spurs 4, L.A. 5). The 90's saw Jordan's Bulls win 6 championships, the Rocket's winning two in his hiatus and the Spurs beginning their dynasty after his retirement. In the preceding decade Larry Bird and Magic Johnson appeared in every single Finals from 80-89'. The 70's were sort of wide open but the 50's and 60's were dominated by the Minneapolis Lakers and Russell's Celtics. On top of all of that, the Celtics and Lakers combined for more than half of the total championships won. So if there are 6 and 7 serious contenders that alternate Finals appearances in the next decade, the league won't be as competitive overall, but the title hunt will more competitive than it has ever been.


It's good for the players too. I'll admit, I was quick to condemn LeBron, but maybe I shouldn't have. Charles Barkley shouldn't have either. Did Sir Charles forget that he joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler to form a big three in an unsuccessful title chase in the latter part of his career? Magic Johnson was drafted to the Lakers that happened to have Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, arguably the greatest player of all time at that point. Larry Bird was complemented by 3 other hall of famers in Boston.


The way LeBron and Carmelo handled their situation was shameful, but you can't scrutinize them for wanting to play with other superstars. The players have finally decided to place themselves in the best possible situation in order to win a title. Were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are more honorable because they were drafted to large-market teams and  it was their front offices who built these juggernaut teams rather than themselves? Bullshit. Why should 'Melo and LeBron's title hopes be encumbered by crappy management? Sure, a pretentious ESPN special and bitching and moaning all season to be traded back to your hometown isn't admirable and they could have went about it with a little more discretion but ultimately the move had to happen. Otherwise they risk being included in the same category of Barkley, Stockton and Malone as the best players to never win it.


I cannot believe I just stuck up for LeBron. I need a shower.

Cuban Interested In Stars

Mark Cuban and the NHL's Dallas Stars are in the midst of a flirting period that could lead to the Texas billionaire adding a second professional sports team located in the heart of the lone star state to his list of properties.  

I will rule the sports world, try and stop me! 

He may have recently lost out to a baseball legend, Nolan Ryan, for the Rangers, but if at first you don't succeed try to buy, buy again.

Would Cubes joining the ranks of NHL owners be good or bad for the iced sport? 

Tuesday's Picks

Mavs -1.5 vs Sixers: The Mavs and Sixers are two of the hottest teams in the NBA, so no shocker this is a low line. Dallas is 16-1 in their last 17 games while Phily has won six out of their last seven. The Mavs have been a good bet of late going 6-1 ATS, Philly as also been solid going 5-2. The Mavs are certainly the better team here and already beat the sixers by nine back in November. The sixers have turned the page under Doug Collins and are now one game over .500. This is a tough test however, Dallas is rested last playing two days ago in a blowout win against the Raptors. Jrue Holliday will have to have a big game to keep them close and Philly will have to keep Tyson Chandler off the boards. I don't see either of those happening however and expect Dallas to continue to stay hot.
Pick: Mavs

Knicks +7 vs Orlando: The Knicks are coming off a very impressive win in South Beach and put that bad loss against the Cavs behind them. Now they get to go against Dwight Howard and the Magic who will be ready for them. The Knicks have been great as a underdog of late going 6-2-1 ATS. The Magic on the other hand have not been a good bet when they are favored by seven or more points, they are just 14-12 ATS. Orlando already beat the Knicks by nine earlier this year, so look for a little payback this time around from the new look Knicks.
Pick: Knicks

Season: 20-18-2