Kobe Bryant Clutch Compilation

To supplement Ramos' last post.

2011 Miami Heat Clutch Reel

The Lake Show Is Back, Chicago Is a Contender and Miami Is Nothing But Smoke and Mirrors

Today the Chicago Bulls completed their season sweep over the Miami Heat. While Miami lead most of the game, Chicago came back and in the final seconds of the game LeBron James failed to finish again. The Heat have had 1 win against a top 5 team, have lost 5 of their last 6 games,  are 5-13 in games decided by 5 or less points and have given up second place to the Chicago Bulls. The 3 seed puts them in a position to face the new-look Knicks that defeated them 86-91 last Sunday.  We could potentially see a team with the second and third best players in the world get eliminated in the first round.


It's funny, when LeBron announced he was "taking his talents to South Beach" some set the bar for wins at 72, the record set by Jordan and the '96 Bulls. They won't even win 60 this season. I expected more out of this Heat team, I thought they would finish in the low to mid 60's in the win column and first in the East, but still fall to the Celtics in the Conference Finals.



As of now I don't believe either of those teams will make it out. Since Miami's tailspin and Boston's trade, the Chicago Bulls have looked like the best in the East. Derrick Rose is without question the MVP and although I initially gave this title to Chris Paul, I am now leaning towards Rose for the honor of best point guard. Despite Boozer and Noah missing a ton of games the Bulls are only 3 games behind Boston for first. At full strength the Bulls have been nearly unbeatable which is why they are my favorite to represent the East in June.                                                                                                          
             
Out of the West, I'm sticking with the Lakers and I am totally confident in my decision after Sundays blow-out against San Antonio. I have said on this blog before that a single regular season game means shit. However, a string of well-played games against formidable opponents in the latter half of the season shows that the Lakers have finally reached championship form. The Lakers will continue their reign while LeBron remains the most talented loser in the NBA...Was that last comment objective? Hardly. I'm still right though.

2011 MLB Division Preview: AL West

This division is home to the defending American League champions. Texas dethroned the might Angels last season, after Anaheim's decade of western dominance. Despite that year off from the top of the standings, the Halo's are not going away, at least not without a fight. This division is the smallest in terms of teams but that does not mean anything when speaking of competitive balance and rivalries. Here is the early look at the American League West.

Texas Rangers

Why not start with the champ? To say the Rangers made leaps and bounds last season would be a great under statement, this team not only won its first ever playoff series but earned its first AL pennant in franchise history. Ever since falling to the Giants, Texas has been all over the hot-stove headlines and not always for the best of reasons. First, they lost out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, they made a push but he chose to return to Philly. There was not much they could do there. However, due to this loss the Ranger brass felt it necessary to get rid of off-season boredom by starting a drama feud with their face, Michael Young. Here is my full rant on this topic. Texas signed Adrien Beltre, he was coming off yet another stellar season in a contract year. Even though Beltre is often underrated, this move so far looks to be doing more damage than good. Young has accommodated his organization by moving from position to position over the course of the last decade, he played well every time and has become one of the best pure hitters in baseball. This drama seems to have cooled off recently, Young wants traded but wont force their hand anymore. That's great, still leaves me less confident in Texas this season. 

The Rangers still will hit, as usual. They still own studs, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, and Young as well as Beltre still possibly being an asset with his bat and glove. The main issue for this team is the question marks they now have on the mound. Lee's departure leaves Texas once again looking for an ace. C.J. Wilson is solid, I'd rather use him as a number 2, and Tommy Hunter is fully coming into his own. Texas has made a move attempting to fill this ace void. Brandon Webb has been added in a very low risk high reward signing. I love this move and as Ramos and I discussed he could be a AL Comeback Player of the Year guy. Webb is a former NL Cy Young winner with a 20 game season under his belt and the only thing that has hampered his career is injuries. If they are behind him he could find his way to the top of the rotation and set their staff in its proper order. The bullpen may actually be improved with veteran Arthur Rhodes becoming the bridge to Feliz. He may not be able to top last years rookie record setting season, Feliz still should continue to dominate the 9th. Keeping in the closers role and bringing in Webb instead of turning him into a starter was the right call. Hopefully the Young drama doesn't become a cancer for a team that other wise is still very talented on paper. Repeating is never easy but the Rangers are primed to have a shot. 

Key Subtractions: Lee (Phillies), Vladimir Guerrero (Orioles), Bengie Molina (FA)

Key Additions: Adrien Beltre, Arthur Rhodes, Brandon Webb, Mike Napoli, Dave Bush 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (still hate writing that)

The might finally fell in 2010. The Angels did not stand pate and certainly improved since last season ended. Missing out on the playoffs is unacceptable in LA and they have made moves to make sure it does not happen again. The big addition was the second time in recent memory they added an all-star center fielder. Vernon Wells leaves the Blue Jays and joins Tori Hunter. Wells may fill the void in the lineup left by Vlad after 2009 as well as greatly helping the defense. The ironic part in this is that neither will be playing center this year. It looks as if Hunter will shift to right permanently and Wells will cover left. This will allow the young Peter Bourjos to wall climb the way they used to do. The defense is always up to par, this could make this team one of the best at stopping runs. 

Offensively, if Wells can return to form, the order will be full again. It has speed and experience yet may lack a big power bat. If Hunter, Wells, and the always underrated Abreu can combined for that pop they should be fine. Morales can be a 30 home run guy too just as long as his teammates don't swarm him at home plate again. Pitching wise, LA is loaded. The mound performance may be what beats out Texas. Weaver, Haren, Kazmir, and Santana are the top 4, that gives LA several guys with ace stuff. The main question mark lies in the pen. Fernando Rodney will be the closer, something tells me he may not hold on to this job long. Rodney has always struggled as the guy and is a much better set-up man. Look for Scott Downs and Francisco Rodriguez to get shots at the closer role as well. 

Key Subtractions: Mike Napoli (Rangers), Juan Rivera (Blue Jays)

Key Additions: Vernon Wells, Scott Downs 

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics are one of the most historic franchises in MLB history, yet are far removed from the dynasty days of Reggie Jackson and Dennis Eckersley. Not only those great years, La Russa's squads of the late 80's and early 90's are far in the rear view mirror. Most of the past decade, despite some playoff births at the beginning, were spent loading up with aging veterans knowing full well they would be traded for young prospects. This year they certainly have some more trade bait but could also prevent that by surprising in the standings early. If this teams wins it will because the pitchers mature even further. Braden and Anderson gave hitters fits last year at times and have the potential to be stars. Trevor Champill is no slouch either, he won 18 in 2010. The relievers are often over looked in Oakland and that could be a big mistake. Andrew Bailey, Grant Balfour, and Brad Zeigler have each showed promise in time as the closer in the past, at the same time, all would be a better fit getting holds in front of a proven door stopper. Brian Fuentes has been brought in to be that stopper they have been desperately needing. Fuentes has done well in Colorado and then LA as the closer, so why not Oakland? 

Coco Crisp and David Dejesus will flash leather in the outfield and Josh Willingham will provide some extra protection in the order. Matsui has several 100 rbi seasons and a World Series MVP on his resume, if healthy he could be the power guy this lineup would otherwise lack. Kurt Suzuki continuously gets overshadowed as one of the best hitting catchers in the AL, that should end this season with another common campaign. I would not be shocked if this team stays near the race come June. With that said, they just do not have enough to get by the Angels or Rangers after 162. 

Key Subtractions: Rajai Davis (Blue Jays), Jack Cust (Mariners), Ben Sheets (FA), Justin Duchscherer (Orioles), Eric Chavez (Yankees)

Key Additions: Coco Crisp, Grant Balfour, Brian Fuentes

Seattle Mariners

A year ago today Seattle was the king of the off-season, adding Figgins and Lee along with some others. Let's just save time and say things did not exactly work out in the Pacific North West. Things were so bad franchise icon and future hall of famer, Ken Griffey Jr., decided he didn't even want to stick around and stay awake long enough to see the final result. Well good call Jr., the Mariners went from being one of the best teams to miss out on the playoffs to one of the worst. Literally every single player had their worst year of their career (with the exception of Ichiro of course). Now this organization looks to move on in the post-Griffey era and try to rebuild itself all over again. The Kid will still be around to help mentor and teach the craft he perfected so well during his first Mariners stint, hopefully he will not regret not leaving for good. The only plus side of last years squad is the defense, they actually were in the top 5 in fielding percentage in all of MLB. Offensively was and still is the problem. Ichiro tied the record (with Pete Rose) with his 10th 200+ hit season last year. He continues to amaze each and every day and has never put together an under .300, sub 200 hit campaign so far in his Major League career. While all that is true and he is an absolute beast, he can not get on, steal every base, and then steal home every night. Ichiro needs help! Milton Bradley was supposed to be that guy, maybe he still could be, but don't ever count on him (him and Eric Wedge have history). At least this season the load is not solely on the deranged one. Jack Cust has 30 homer pop and if he gets every day at bats will provide some power.

Even if the offense does improve (it can't get any worse). The lack of pitching depth will most likely keep this team in the west basement. King Felix received a much deserved AL Cy Young, he only won 13 but lead in pretty much every other category and can't exactly be expected to pitch a shutout every start. Behind him the M's bring the likes of Doug Fisher and Jason Vargas to the mound. Impressed? Me neither. The only hope of Felix getting a partner to replace what Lee gave Seattle in the first half last year is Erik Bedrard beating out Webb for the comeback honors. Bedard was once an ace in the making in Baltimore and even though it looked great at the time, Seattle needed pitching back then, the Bedard Adam Jones trade has become fully one sided. Erik Bedard had 13 wins in his last Oriole season and 15 the year before, he has blasted a grand total of 11 victories in two injury plagued campaigns for the Mariners. If healthy he should return to form. I see a bright future in Seattle but it is basically a fact they are still a couple years away from truly contending once again.

Key Subtractions: Ken Griffey Jr. (retired), Jose Lopez (Rockies), Casey Kotchman (Rays), Russell Branyan (Diamondbacks), Ian Snell (Cardinals), Ryan Rowland-Smith (Astros)

Key Additions: Miguel Olivo, Jack Cust, Hopefully the sane Milton Bradley's (this person may not exist)

Just for the heck of it, here is my KGJ career retrospective: A Tribute to "The Kid"

AL West Prediction:

1. LA Angels
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners

They Are Who We Thought They Were!

The Bulls and Heat tip off in just a couple hours and I really think this is the most important game of the Heat's season.

It's bad enough they blew a 24 point lead at home against Orlando, then they followed that up by getting crushed at San Antonio. Now they have another tough test against one of the leagues best teams.

The Bulls could very well be the best team in the East and three months ago we would have been saying "wow that is going to be a big game for the Bulls." Now were saying it's a big game for the Heat. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade will most likely come out firing in this game and its about time, really.

So why is this game so important? Well the Heat are hearing all the questions of if they can beat a good team and well now their playing another good team. If they come out flat and get run off the floor, the pressure will be on them like it was when they started 9-8. But if they come out swinging and dominate it will take the pressure off them and they will show people, even if for just one game that they can beat a quality opponent.

Now listen Mike Bibby was good...five years ago. This team is at it's best when Wade and James are attacking the basket at full speed. It was evident in the first have against Orlando when they jumped out to an 18 point lead. If they want to beat a very good Bulls team they will need to take it right at Noah and Boozer and try to get them in foul trouble.

So you can see there is a lot at stake here for the Heat. Pride being one, respect the other. They are 0-2 already against Chicago, losing back in February without LeBron 93-89 and then most recently 99-96. The glaring problem in both of those games? Rebounds. In the first meeting the Bulls won the rebounding battle 42 to 30, in the second game 53 to 39.

Pat Riley no doubt assembled a rock band of talent. Chris Bosh however may be the odd man out. Bosh plays soft against tougher/bigger defenders and that will be the case today most likely when he goes against a more psychical player in Carlos Boozer. The Bulls are going to pound the ball inside to their four seven footers. The real question is how will the Heat's reserves handle Gibson and Asik? I think they is where the game will be won and loss.

Miami has lost five in a row to winning teams, doesn't help that their playing one of the best teams in the NBA today. It also does not help them that their next eight games are all against teams above .500.

I am not writing off Miami just yet, I mean how can you when they have two of the five best players in the NBA. It's not impossible for them to put it together and win a championship, however it is improbable.

Bob Knight Swears On Gameday!

I don't know what's funnier Bob Knight swearing or Rece Davis apologizing for it. Im actually surprised it took Bob Knight this long to swear on TV.

Saturday's Pick

Kansas -3.5 vs Missouri: Missouri is just 8-7 in conference this year, but they are 17-0 at home. The Jayhawks have won four straight since losing by 16 at Kansas State back in February. Despite the four game win streak, Kansas has failed to cover in their last two games. A side note however, those spreads were 13.5 and 14 and they won by 13 and 12, so they are still blowing teams out. Missouri on the other hand has lost two straight, both losses coming by double digits. Prior to this recent skid, the Tigers won four in a row but those wins were against the bottom of the Big-12 teams. In order for Missouri to pull the big upset they will need someone other than Marcus Denmon to step up. Laurence Bowers is the guy that needs to step up. Bowers has scored 16 plus points in three of his last four games. For Kansas its very simple, ride the Morris twins to victory. Combined they are averaging 31 points and 15 rebounds. This will be a rematch of 103-86 Kansas win back in February. I don't expect Kansas to win by 17, but I do expect them to win.
Pick: Kansas

Season: 25-19-2