The Greatest Regular Season Night in Baseball... EVER!!!!

Anyone that was able to watch how the four most important games of the season played out last night will definitely remember it until the day they die.  The Cardinals, Braves, Rays & Red Sox were all playing for wild card spots last night and the "WOW" factor was in full effect.  Both the Red Sox & Braves 9 and 8.5 games leads respectfully, not to  mention they both had 3-2 leads over the teams they were playing against going into the 9th inning last night and blew those as well.  Unbelieveable!  How does that happen? For it to happen to 1 team in 1 season, ok we get it, but for the fate of two teams in two leagues to play out in identical fashion is quite stunning to say the least.

Now the Rays & Cardinals should get a lot of credit for fighting tooth and nail to just have a chance to have a shot at the playoffs, but the teams we have to admire the most is the Phillies and Orioles.  Philadelphia had nothing to gain in the standings by beating the Braves last night, but they played their starters for the entire series to tune-up for the playoffs.  That decision by skipper Charlie Manuel who is now the winningest manager in Phillies history, resulted in a 3-game sweep over their divison foes.  It also meant that this years Phillies won 102 games, most in team history.  Baltimore's skipper Buck Showalter motivated his team enough to compete with a far more talent group in the Boston Red Sox.  The Red Sox were playing for their playoff lives, but this was Baltimore's "Super Bowl".  When overpaid, former star outfielder Carl Crawford slid feet first instead of diving to make the catch on the game-winning RBI in the 9th, you can see the joy and excitement in all the O's eyes as they celebrated as a team that has just won the pennant.  The O's took the game to heart and kept the integrity of the game.  They didn't lay down and just let the season pass.  They made Boston work and ultimately destroyed their chances at a post season bid.  What's crazy is 3 minutes after the Red Sox blew a golden opportunity, they get to the locker room only to find out that the Evan Longoria had hit his second homer of the night in walk-off fashion.  The Yankees who were up 7-0, put in their bench and allowed the Rays to come all the way back to win. 

Now did the Yankees keep the integrity of the game in mind?  Most would say no, but I say, "GIVE ME A HELL-YEAH!" (Thank you Stone Cold).  The Yanks were up 7-0 for up to 8 innings.  They had every right to rest their players.  They have to play again on Friday.  What did they have to gain by playing their regulars in what seemed to be a blowout.  It is not their fault that the Red Sox won only 7 games all of September.  It is not their fault that the Red Sox did not win back to back games all of September.  And most importantly it is not their fault that the Red Sox were scoreboard watching and was a little too comfortable with a 3-2 lead with the last place Orioles after the 5th inning.  Don't blame The Yankees Red Sox Nation, blame your beloved Red Sox.  And Atlanta fans don't you dare blame anybody but yourselves either.  Did you guys really think that the worst team in baseball would hold up their end of the bargain?  Lets go Houston.

Seriously, that was the best night of baseball and maybe one the most exciting nights in sports in general.  So much drama, so much at stake.  I loved every second of it and I know most of you guys did too, well except for those Braves and Red Sox fans.  September 28, 2011 will go down as the best regular season night in MLB history.  Now how will the playoffs top that?  I guess we are going to have to just find out, because now we know anything can happen, I mean anything.

Blog by Haz Bey

Lincoln Finacial's Bad Investment

They Keep chasing me!!!

The Eagles had a very eventful off season with the signing of some so called big name free agents and the re-signing of the franchises best player, Michael Vick. With the money that was invested in DE Jason Babin, overrated, DT Cullen Jenkins, earning his pay, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, Jury still out, they could have maybe cut back on them and signed some vets for their sorry excuse for an offensive line and a LB that can play in space and make a tackle for their young and talentless Linebacking core. Oh yea, I forgot to mention they gave the often injured Mike Vick $100 Million in his re-signing. Now I'm no GM but I think I understand a little bit of how you show build a team and with no protection for your All Pro QB and no solid LB's how can you contend for a championship?

 I say Championship because the birds always go to the playoffs, somehow, but what they can't do is win the big one, the Superbowl. They are suppose to be in contention this season with all the acquisitions they made in the off season but a slow 1-2 start is raising some eyebrows. They lost a shootout with the Falcons who, I think man for man is not as talented as the "Seagulls" and then they comeback the next week and take a dominating loss to the G-Men. These two games showed not only do they need help, but the coaching on both sides of the ball is erratic. They did the right thing for once and spent a couple dollars but on the wrong personnel. This could backfire because next season they will not only be hesitant in spending for these names they might also be close to the Salary Cap.

Blog by Mike McClendon

Parody?..Too Early to Tell

Stevie Baby!

So the NFL is three weeks in and of course we will talk surprises and all that nonsense we do early in sports seasons, but we can point out a few interesting things to watch the rest of the season. For one, the Buffalo Bills are 3-0, as well as the Lions, and they beat 3 quality teams. Chiefs, maybe not significant now RB Jamaal Charles is done for season, Raiders in a thriller and the Patriots. Both the Raiders game and Pats game the Bills trailed in the second half and fought back to win. Reminiscent of Jim Kelly and all those Run n Gun comeback games he had in his prime. The Bills are showing "moxy" and bravado and with the "Bungals" (Bengals) on the schedule for next week they have a chance to be going into a tough match up with the "Seagulls" (Eagles) 4-0. I highly doubt the Bills will win the AFC East though because the Pats and Jets will be focused and revitalized once the season is in its "winner" weeks, and what I mean by that is teams who are use to winning or have the talent to win start winning games they are suppose win. The beginning of the season and ladder parts of the season all great teams are primed for the upset. The verdict is still out on the Bills but I think whole heartily they will fall back into the pack and maybe have 7 or 8 wins.

MEGATRON!!!

Soon to be, in my eyes, Americas favorite team to root for the Detroit Lion's are 3-0 and gaining momentum going into this weeks match up with the Cowboys. Detroit is full of young talent across the board and if QB Mathew Stafford stays healthy and WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson can also stay healthy and continue to do work then they have an outside chance of getting a wild card spot in the NFC. They won't contend for the division yet because the defense has to improve in the secondary and Packers will exploit that and at times maybe the Bears too. But what they have proved is that they can win and their 3 wins against the Buccs', Chiefs (common win for teams), and Vikes, showed the world this team is exciting and ready for the big stage. They just have to stay healthy, get more of a consistent running game, and keep playing hard and with heart. I will go as far to say they will make a playoff appearance, THIS SEASON, if, and it's a big if in the NFL, they can stay healthy. It is a exciting team to watch and if they can beat the, "I can't get the snap count right because the D-Line is yelling at me" Cowgirls (cowboys), then we will be talking more Lions all season.

State of the Game

Three remaining teams are undefeated at 3-0, and one of which is the defending champs Green Bay Packers, the other two haven't seen the playoffs since the turn of the new millennium, they also share the longest current playoff drought at 11 seasons. There is a stable of teams at 2-1, of the 15 teams at that mark 9 of them were not in the playoffs last season, I know only 6 make it from each conference but you get my point. The 2011 season has shown some sort of parody but again it is extremely early and like I mentioned earlier, when the season gets into its "winner" weeks then the strong teams will leave the pack and some will fall back. 

Blog by Mike McClendon

The Best of the West vs. The Beast in the East

E-A-G-L-E-S  Eagles!!!

The so called beast of the NFC right now is everyone one's favorite "trending topic" Philadelphia Eagles. They stacked their roster with overpaid talent and spent a couple extra bucks than normal. So this makes the world think this is their year. (Laugh out Loud) Michael Vick took over last year and showed the world his black ass by putting together highlight after highlight last season. With him at the helm from the start of training camp the Eagles could possibly soar high and get it done, maybe. It all depends on health and keeping wide out DeSean "Action" Jackson happy, but I digress, I'll let my partner in crime Haz Bey tell you why the Birds are for-real.

HAZ: The Birds are for real for only one reason, Michael Vick.  In his short time as the Eagles starting quarterback, Vick has change the culture throughout the whole organization from a team that is good enough to compete with the elite teams in the league to a team that is ready to buy themselves a championship now.  Some may argue that during the "McNabb" tenure the Eagles held back on giving McNabb what he needs to get the franchise over the hump, but now with Vick playing at an all-time level, the Eagles management feels like they must capitalize on Vick's talent and maximize their chances on bringing a Super Bowl title to Philly.  Vick's presence alone attracted the services of Nnamdi Asomugha, the most sought after free agent in football this off season.  Not to mention with Vick running the show, Kevin Kolb needed to go, which made way for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to be part of a 3 headed monster at cornerback teaming up with Pro Bowlers Assante Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha.  The Green Bay Packers are still the team to beat, but the Eagles will be one of the teams ready to dethrone them.

MIKE: I agree with you that Vick is a great talent, but to me he is the Dominique Wilkins of the NFL all highlights, all stats, and always injured. Like "Nique" Vick is going to "oooh" and "awwe" the crowd but also like the "human highlight film" Vick will come up short of getting the job done on the field. To me it's not just the Packers they need to worry about. They should keep in mind that the Saints are only two seasons removed from being champions, the Bears, believe me or not, were one game and one "wimpy" ass QB from being in the Super Bowl last season, and the whole NFC East is going to be gunning for this ,back up QB Vince Young,  proclaimed dream team. Haz the birds are not going to get it done behind Vick and his $100 Million arms and legs.

HAZ: Dominique Wilkins, great name drop, but not good enough my friend.  The Eagles produce too much talent on offense for Vick not to be successful.  Your hatred for the Eagles blinds you from the fact that Philly has a very favorable schedule which will automatically land them anywhere between 13-3 and 11-5.  That means playoffs and another division title.  No one team, not even the mighty Green Bay Packers wants to see Philly if they are clicking on all cylinders come playoff time.  Vick strikes fear into a defense not seen since the likes of Randall Cunningham and Steve Young.  So let's see what happens when I prove you to be wrong, Michael.

MIKE:Yea Yea, I've herd it all before. I will admit this though the birds are "flocking" together as a unit this year and the most electrifying man in the game Mr. Vick will probably take them deep in the playoffs, but like I always say the NFC is a toss up and who ever is hot at the right time usually prevails.

RAIDER NATION

The laughing stock of the NFL from 2003-2009 has been the Oakland Raiders, not Lions, not Browns, and not even the St. Louis Rams. It has been one of the most popular and one of the winningest teams in football history the Oakland Raiders. With a bunch of no-names and a "soft" talking and playing QB in Jason Campbell the Raiders took a couple of steps in the right direction last season by going 8-8 overall and undefeated in division play at 6-0. If running back Darren McFadden can stay healthy and the Raiders can continue to play good to great defense then they have a shot to win the lowly AFC West.

MIKE: If Jason Campbell can stay average and not at any point of the season drop below average then the Raiders have a great chance of winning the division because they already have a great ground attack in McFadden and Michael Bush and in a pass happy league the Raiders are really good at rushing the passer. The only other flaw that worries me outside of Jason Campbell is the Raiders run defense. It has always ranked low in the league since 2003 but with 2nd year player Rolando McClain improving off his rookie season last year I think he will rally all the other young guys in that LB and DL core. Last year Raiders ranked 3rd in pass defense and even with the loss of Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to the Eagles I don't expect that to change. Michael Huff and Tyvon Branch ranked high among safeties in interceptions and sacks and with a young CB group led by Standford Routt the Raider can stay in contention all season.

HAZ: Now the fact that you are saying that Jason Campbell will lead the Raiders to the AFC West title is ludicrous, he is the forth best quarterback in the AFC West which consist of 4 teams, plus I am pretty sure Phillip Rivers will have plenty to say on the field about it.  For the Raiders to win the division they will have to be lights out on the defensive side of the football, period.  With McFadden and Bush in the backfield, they should be able to control the clock with there above average running game, which will give the defense the rest they need to beat up on the opposition.   I do not think the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha will devastate this team at all.  There is plenty of speed on defense to contend with the likes of San Diego, Denver and Kansas City, but at the end of the day Jason Campbell is going have to make plays that will decide the outcome of a hand full of games this season and I do not trust that he will get the job done more times than not.  San Diego will rebound with a determined Phillip Rivers and capture the AFC West.

MIKE: LOL, laugh out loud! The fact that the Raiders went 6-0 in the AFC West last season is yesterdays history, I agree. But my point to you Mr. Bey is this, with a young and talented defense and one of the best front 7 in the league, check the stats, how can you bet against the Raiders to win the division when nobody else in the AFC West did anything this off-season to improve.? So I say your train of thought is absurd because Jason Campbell won't have to make plays to win the Raiders games, he will have to not lose games for the Raiders by being what he already knows he is, and that's an average QB. The main focus for the Raiders is to stay healthy and then I believe they can win the AFC West division and get back to the playoffs and get back to being the BLACK & SILVER of old.

HAZ:  Did you just tell me to check the stats? Jason Campbell doesn't have to win games, but he just can't lose games?  Oh you're telling jokes now, but seriously the Raiders are outmatched.  San Diego will not lose the AFC West again.  So now the Raiders must focus on the wild card.  Teams like the Jets, Steelers and Bills seem to be the early favorites to claim 2 wild card spots available come season's end, but if the Raiders can somehow win 10 games, they might just get there, which would be great for the league.

Raiders vs. Eagles Superbowl!!!

Will the Eagles and Raiders meet in the Super Bowl this year?  Probably not, but in the NFL anything can happen.  Both teams have a lot to prove, but for very different reasons.  The Eagles have put themselves in position to win a Super Bowl now and will have very high expectations to live up to all season long.  The Raiders on the other hand lost a lot close games last season and still wound up with an 8-8 record.  Now Oakland looks to take the next step of their progression and reach the post season by winning the AFC West.  It will be a very tough task, but it definitely not out of their reach.  The new season is upon us, so lets see where these two teams are at come January or even February.  Like Kevin Garnett said after beating the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals... "ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE!!!"

Mike McClendon

Haz Bey

This Blog was written by both Mike McClendon & Haz Bey of  M & H SPORTS
                                           

The Wrath of Tom Brady

Haz Bey

Tom Brady's performance last Monday Night was absolutely amazing.  He had me literally screaming at the T.V.  Not because I was so excited to see him put up "God-like" numbers, but because he caused me to have my first loss in fantasy football this season.  I was playing in my money league against my friend Kyle and I had a commanding lead on him.  I called his cell midway through the 4 o'clock games last Sunday to talk trash.  I told him "Tom Brady would have to have the game of his life to beat me."  Now, me saying this to him must have angered the "Sport Karma Gods", because it would have been virtually impossible for Tom Brady to make up the huge deficit that my friend Kyle was facing.  Tom Brady has always struggled to beat the Dolphins in Miami only going 4-5 in his trips to South Beach in his career.  So I had no doubt that my week was won and it was on the next 1.  Wrong, wrong! Somehow a higher being gave Tom Brady the power to tap in to his inner quarterback and display a performance of a lifetime.  Much like Mike Vick's Monday night in D.C. last year and Brett Favre's memorable performance in Oakland a many years back, Tom played the quarterback position as if he was man amongst boys.  Just about every throw was on the money.  Every time he called a run it seemed to pick up 8 yards plus, then he would hit one of his targets for big gains down the field.  He looked like Peyton Manning out there running that offense up and down the field leaving the Miami defenders gasping for air.  517 yards passing.  Did you read that right? 517 yards passing.  He also threw for 4 tds and a fluke interception.  Nothing killed my spirits more than seeing Tom Brady in shot-gun formation from the 1 yard line with an empty backfield and seeing the formation that Miami was in knowing that they can easily get beat if Tom recognizes it.  Oh he did in a big way and when Tom let the ball in the air, I seen a safety for the Dolphins try to jump the route as if Tom didn't get enough air on the ball instead of playing back not allowing Wes Welker to receive the pass.  Then Wes gets the ball runs right threw a lame attempt at a tackle and runs up the sidelines for a 99 1/2 yard score.  I was yelling "NOOOOOOOO!" as the ball left Tom's hand all the way until Wes scored.  Tom Brady did it.  He made up the huge deficit I had on my friend Kyle causing him to beat me in fantasy in by only 4 points.  I had been humbled by Tom Brady.  It was full circle.  I said he couldn't do it and he proved me wrong.  He personally snatched victory right from my hands.  Much like his early career Tom had to prove people wrong that doubted him and 3 Super Bowl rings later what do they have to say about him now.  Nothing and that what I have to say about him, nothing.  You know though, let me say this.  Tom Brady is the best quarterback I have ever seen, seriously and I didn't need last Monday night's game realize that.  That is just what I have seen from him over his entire career and if you want to bet against him, be my guest, but more times than not he will prove you wrong.  That's just what he does, period.

Who Can Stop the Phillies



Smoking Aces

Blog by Haz Bey
The Philadelphia Phillies are on a mission.  They are tearing up the league and are taking no prisoners.  The Braves recently came into Philadelphia for a series down 7.5 games in the NL East with an opportunity to cut the lead all the way down 4.5 games, which would have gave the young Braves all the confidence in the world to make a serious run at the NL East crown.  Let's just say that did not happen.  The Phillies swept the Braves, then took 3 out of 4 from the Brewers in Milwaukee while the Braves struggled to keep up.  With the Phillies clinching a playoff spot last night with their win in Houston on a 1-0 shutout by "Doc" Halladay, their lead in the NL East is at 11 games.  The Atlanta Braves do not have a shot to make up enough ground at this point, so the Phillies will win their fifth straight NL East title. 

The Core

No team in the National League competing for a playoff spot currently has what it takes to beat the Phillies in a playoff series.  The team that could slow them down though, the defending Champion Giants are on the outside looking in.  They have the pitching to frustrate the Phillies' hitters and the ball park that the Phillies historically do not perform well in.  Let's not forget that they beat Phillies to get to the World Series last year, but the Giants lack of offense has kept them out of contention this season. 





Will they do it again?

The Phillies pitching staff is as scary as they come.  Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Worley & Oswalt are just too much to handle on a nightly basis.  No matter when a team faces the Phillies they do not get a break with their rotation.  Then there is the Phillies hitting.  Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Pence, Victorino, Ibanez, Ruiz & Mayberry off the bench.  The Phillies are balanced and stacked all at the same time.  The core of this team has already won 1 World Series title and won 2 National League titles, so winning it all is already in their DNA.  With younger teams like The Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers rising, winning now is top priority.  At this point I don't know who can stop the Phillies, but the playoffs are all about who is playing their best ball at that particular time and if one of these other teams catch fire and are not intimidated by Philadelphia, we might be in for some great baseball come October.

Killa Cam

                    

Killa Cam's first rushing touchdown

Blog  by Haz Bey
Cam Newton was amazing in his NFL debut.  The rookie threw for 422 yards with 3 touchdowns (2 passes, 1 run).  Cam only threw 1 pick early in the third quarter.  All in all a historic performance which will be remembered for a longtime.  Cam's play resurrected the career of former pro-bowler Steve Smith who was on his NFL "Death-Bed" playing with underachieving quarterbacks his last few years in Carolina.  Steve Smith was the best wide out of the league in week 1 with Cam throwing him the ball. 

Killa Cam's laughing at the critics

"Killa Cam" has a swagger to him that most rookies don't have.  He expected to win his first game, he expected to complete his passes, he expected to make plays.  So much confidence, so much potential, so much to look forward to.  I couldn't believe what I was watching on Sunday.  I found myself rooting for the man on every play, because he even made me feel that something special was going to happen.  If you watched the highlights from week 1 on the NFL season when they show the Panthers vs Cardinals highlights, they only show Carolina's plays even though they lost the game.  Cam's effect on that game made it unimportant on who actually won the game.  It was Cam's performance that people was concerned about, not how Kevin Kolb did in his first game as a Cardinal.  Does anyone remember how well Kevin Kolb played?  Probably not.  

Cam Newton is going to have some up and downs this season.  As well as he played against Arizona in week 1, he has bigger fish to fry in week 2.  The defending Champion Packers roll into town for a visit and it will not be easy for Cam like it was in week 1, but he will be playing at home for the first time.  There will be a buzz in that stadium that hasn't been felt in a long time and the fans of the Carolina Panthers can thank Cam Newton for it.  He made their franchise relevant again and if Cam can stay healthy, that buzz will stay around for a long time.

The NFL is Back & in a Big Way

Birds sign Namdi



Blog by Haz Bey

With the lockout finally at an end, big moves have been made with big names in new places.  Reggie Bush has took his talents to South Beach, Chad Ochocinco & Albert Haynesworth have joined Tom Brady in New England, Donovan McNabb has found new life with Vikings & Matt Hasselbeck is now a Titan.  I mean I am just scratching the surface on all the moves that actually went since the NFL & the players have reached an agreement to end the lockout.  But there is one team in the league that has acted completely out of character this "short" offseason... That team is the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The "Vick" Effect

The Eagles have the most exciting & probally the most popular football player is quite a while in quarterback Michael Vick.  His pressence alone has attracted the likes of "shutdown corner" Namdi Asomugha, "pass rusher" Jason Babin, "wildcat extraordinaire" Ronnie Brown, "Super Bowl Champ" Cullen Jenkins & lets not forget how Vick with his play made it possible to ship disappointing quarterback  Kevin Kolb to Arizona for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

The Eagles have not brought in so many pro bowl players since the offseason of 2004 when they brought in Terrell Owens, Jovon Kerse & Jeremiah Trotter.  That resulted in a collision course with the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.  Should we be shocked if that is the match-up in this season's Super Bowl?  Absolutely not.  Now don't get me wrong, Green Bay is the team to beat, but with moves that Philly & New England have made, baring injury, these are the 2 most dangerous teams in football.  They each have elite quarterbacks, big time playmakers on offenses & both teams has upgraded their defense with All-Pro talent.

Championship Duo?

Teams like the Jets, Cardinals & Bears have also made some impactful moves to improve their teams as well.  Which means we just might have the most exciting season of football we've have in quite some time.  The NFL is back & in a big way.

NFL Lockout... 100 Days Plus

Lock-Down!!!

Blog by Haz Bey

I love football, I mean I really love football, but if this lockout doesn't end soon, the type of football we will watch once it is over will be a mere shadow of it's former self. Don't get me wrong, if we do lose games & have a shortened season, it's a million times better than having no games at all, but I, like all other Americans, are used to a certain standard of quality of play associated with the NFL.  If you have ever played competitive organized football of some sort, semi-pro or what have you, then you know that just preparing for a season takes a lot of hard work & is very time consuming.  So just imagine preparing for an NFL season.  The Super Bowl ends first week of February, then next thing you know you are in late April, the draft has just passed & you are right back on the field doing mandatory OTAs.  Not to mention having access to team facilities to keep your body fit or to rehab nagging or serious injuries.  We on the outside just take that stuff for granted.  We just get excited for training camp, because we believe that is the 1st true sign of the upcoming season looming.  Well, sorry folks.  An NFL season is truly 365 days a year.  It's non-stop.  With complex offensive & defensive strategies, asserting incoming rookies & free agents to build chemistry is a job all in itself. 

No Comment Necessary

Now with the NFL Lockout 100 days & some strong, all we got was to see & hear was that the players taking responsibility by getting together on their own, running plays half-assed in a non-structured environment.  These players need their coaches to help them correct mistakes that the players themselves just would not recognize. 

Lately the talks between both the owners & the players have been heating up, but if they don't get a deal done soon,  then we are going to get some sloppy-played football.  We will get a rushed training camp, preseason & possibly less then 16 regular season games.  Which would also force teams to shrink their playbooks & run more basic sets.  We will still get the big plays & big hits, but the flow of the game would comprimised due to the stubbornness of the two sides struggling to get the deal that they want.  Both sides don't want to give in, but they both know that they will in some way, eventually.  I don't care how much money you make, when you start to miss pay checks, then you realize there's a huge problem & it still hurts your pockets.  So, yes, the Lockout will end, we will have our football, but it is just a matter of when.  And once we know when, we will see if we get the brand of football we are acustomed to or see if we get a watered-down version with low scores & sloppy plays.  Only time will tell.

The 2011 NBA Draft is...History

Were Dreams are Made

Blog by Mike McClendon

The 2011 NBA Draft is June 23rd and 60 Young men will hear their names called and their journey and dream of becoming a NBA star has begun. Congrats to all those who's names are called Thursday night and huge words of encouragement to those who are not because players like Ben Wallace, Avery Johnson, and Bruce Bowen were all Undrafted and won championships as vital contributors to their respective teams. Now on the "flipside" those drafted aren't always big time players. Look at these former Lottery picks: Michael Olowokandi and Keon Clark 98' Draft, Stromile Swift and Jerome Moiso 00' Draft, Joe Alexander and Anthony Randolph 08' Draft. Just to name a few, Bum's. With certain drafts the talent level isn't really that high or the scouts and GM's evaluating those guys aren't doing a good job. Here are some 2nd round names in those drafts that had better careers, not neccessarily great or good but definitively better: Rashard Lewis Cuttino Mobley 98' draft, Eddie House and Michael Redd (before the Knee issues) 00' draft, Mario Chalmers and DeAndre Jordan 08' draft. In my eyes these 2nd round guys capitalized on their NBA opportunity.

The two most talked about names in this years NBA Draft are Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams. Most people say it's because there is no true stars in this years draft. I mean drafting a play maker like Irving or talent like Williams isn't like drafting those former 1st round BUM's I previously named, I hope not anyway. I do agree with names like Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones, Jared Sullinger, and John Henson not being in this years drafted has lifted Irving and Williams to the top. To me this years draft is lacking depth and the momentum of the foreign players is a bit questionable.This is similar to the 04' and 06' drafts that lacked star quality names and had 6 foreign players taken in the first round and 16 total taken in the drafts. I am not against foreign players but there has been more foreign players taken early in the draft that didn't pan out then those who have.

Potential Lottery Pic

For every Tony Parker there is 5 Jiri Welsch's (1st round pick by 76er's traded to Warriors 02 draft), for every Dirk Nowitzki there is 8 Nickoloz Tskitishvili (1st round pick by Nuggets 5th overall 02' draft). We could say the same for American born players but to me it is just harder to find a Tony Parker or Dirk when they play in another country and they play against tough but lesser talent. This years draft brings us guys like Enes Kanter, Dontas Montiejunas, and Jan Vessley, just to name a few. There are about 5 to 6 more foreign names that will be moving up and down GM's drafts boards mainly for what they have seen in workouts but don't think for a second that Dirk's play in the finals won't have one of these pro scouts and GM's salivating for a foreign prospect. 

To me this years draft is just to familiar to drafts of the past with only a few big time names at the top and a whole bunch of NBA role players or Bum's. The draft is how teams build for now and into the future and all teams have to trust their GM and scouts to make the right evaluations and decisions. The Cavs taking Irving over Williams to me isn't the right call but every scout and GM thinks Irving is the next CP3 but again nobody knows. With Kemba, Jimmer, and Brandon Knight available why not take Williams at 1 and then one of those serviceable PG's with their other top 5 pick? Just a thought. Taking a Foreign player like big man Bismack Biyombo might be a stretch as a lottery pick but it could happen and probably will because what other player on the board will fit a teams needs like a future foreign big that probably can't play in the NBA for at least one more season, apparently none of them.  I think this draft will make a big splash in the late 1st round and early to mid 2nd round. Names like Norris Cole PG from Cleveland St., Kenny Faried PF from Morhead St., Keith Benson C from Oakland, Jimmy Butler F from Marquette,  and Sharp shooter Jon Diebler from Ohio St. All can and in my eyes will play at the NBA level. Maybe not stars but definitely can be contributors to winning teams in their careers.  We shall see.


Sleepers, Overrated players and Position Ranks coming soon.

Winning is the only Cure

Two Stars Different Directions

Blog by Mike McClendon

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in 6 games to win the world championship, which is a surprise by many. The way they did it also came at a surprise. They played with more heart determination and will then the more talented Miami heat did. It's like the opening act to a Lil' Wayne concert performing better than Lil' Wayne the headliner would, not hard to do by the way, but I digress. The heat are younger and probably will be in this situation again and again or at least until they trade one of the 3 stars but for the Mavs the time was now and they played with that sense of urgency in every game of the series. Dirk hands down was the best player in the series even though he didn't play well in the first half of game 6, reminiscent of Kobe Bryant's Performance against the Celtics in 2010 Finals where he shot 6-24, just like Kobe in that game, Dirk came up big in the clutch with 10 4th Quarter points. Speaking of the 4th Quarter....

Two of the Best

Mr. James and D. Wade are going to go down as one of the best 1-2 punches to play the game of basketball. The problem is who is 1 and who is 2? Somebody has to be Scottie, damn that, Who the hell was Jordan in this series? Both players went into this series with extreme confidence but neither showed it in clutch moments which is in the 4th period not the first few minutes of the game or the first half. Dominique Wilkins was called the Human Highlight film but all his highlights never got him a ring (He did have to beat MJ, Bird, and Isiah). These two tremendous talents have to mature their already breath taking games and turn them into clutch moments or they will leave a legacy of all was falling short of their goal of a title, I'm sorry, multiple titles. Neither player stepped up and took control of games 4-6. Mr. James getting most of the blame because Wade at least was playing a more consistent "brand" of basketball in this series. We can argue the million and one reasons why these two phenoms came up short but at the end of the day it was simply that the Mavs had the sense of urgency and took control of the series.

Heart of a Champion

Dirk Nowitzki cemented himself in anybody's top 5-10 Power forwards of all time with his performance in this years playoffs and the finals especially, one more ring and he can be considered in the top 3. He was dominate in late clutch moments and proved to his teammates and fans that he had what it took to lead his team to a championship. One of the best purest floor generals in the game, Jason Kidd, was nowhere near what he was when he went to back to back finals in 02' and 03'. They lost both of those series but J. Kidd was, at that time, a little more consistent and aggressive. He did just enough though to help the Mavs in game 5 and 6 after not doing much of anything but taking up space in the previous games. Shawn Marion won't get much "pub" but he was also a key contributor to this championship run for the Mavs, along with the little guy with the big mouth Jason "Jet" Terry. Terry was phenomenal in the last two games and backed up is big heart with his those two big games. Much deserved and warranted championship for the Dallas Mavericks, even though some say Miami loss this ring others believe Dallas took it. I say the best TEAM won and that is usually what happens in a best of 7 series. On to the Next one!

Legacy

Blog by Mike McClendon

First and foremost I want to say that we are all critics, not judges or juries, but critics. We criticize the mailman for not delivering mail on time when we need it, we criticize the waiter or waitress for not doing their job right, as if we can do better. We do it all the time and it's in our nature to let people know how they are performing at their job. We shouldn't judge others and say nasty things about them but in sports that is what many people do. It's their purpose to humiliate or discourage because they do not like that player or team. None of which makes it right it is just what most people do. For the most part it's for fun and competitive banter and that is what this blog is about, it's fun and it's all about competitive banter. Nobody is right or wrong, nobody is king or a know it all. It's about having a thought and making sense of it, so please make sense when you start to criticize me or what I am writing about. Now with that said lets talk Sports!

Pryor to Michigan..Thankful it Didn't Happen

Just Buried myself

Blog by Mike McClendon

A few years ago Michigan and Ohio State fans were on the edge of their seats to see where the All-World Terrelle Pryor was going to go to College. He chose Ohio State over Michigan after many had thought he would be a Wolverine. The drama leading up to his decision was indicating that he wanted to be in Ann Arbor, fools gold basically. Man with hindsight being 20/20 Michigan dodged a bullet there. Terrelle Pryor has been in the news for the last 6 or 7 months and not about whether he is going pro or not but all about allegations about receiving improper benefits, selling memorabilia, and receiving money for autographs. All of which supposedly was known by former Head coach Jim Tressel, who resigned last month because of all the heat the program and himself was receiving, much to the dismay of the team and Buckeye community.

Peace be with you my Son

Some college players and even pro players feel a since of entitlement and feel they are above the team and even the sport itself. So they do things here and there and feel it will leave no traces. they hang around the wrong crowed and get dollar signs in their eyes, all of which leads to them hurting their families, teammates and coaches. Pryor was suspended for the first five games of this upcoming season, but was still under investigation on a lot of other allegations. When coach Tressel resigned it was a lot of backlash towards Pryor and that led him to decide not to return to school and try to become a pro player. Whether it's NFL, CFL, or UFL, who knows but one thing we all know is that if we have gone to Michigan this would have never happen. Maybe, he would have gotten the right guidance and not just use for his talents. Maybe they would have gave a great support system and have him focus on his academics and life after football. Or, Maybe he is a knucklehead and would have been this type of guy where ever he landed. Who knows?

Money is the root of all Evil or a Corvette

DeShawn Stevenson just "Checked In"

Blog by Mike McClendon

You can't feel your face because you are not touching it!

DeShawn Stevenson aka Mr. I can't feel my face or better known as I can't find a team that loves me had some interesting words about Mr. James after Game 4 of the NBA Finals. "He Checked out", that is what Stevenson believes Mr. James did in the final moments of Game 4 Tuesday night. He later said that he feels the Heat are still getting know each other on the court so Mr. James was a little out of place in clutch time. Stevenson also thinks Mr. James can boost himself a little bit with some more media attention and fuel his fire with it and feed his ego a bit more. Really?? More media attention? Well, most people thought Jason Terry's southpaw right hand jab at Mr. James about guarding for 7 games would roast his nuts and get him to play hungrier and with the passion we all know he has for Tuesday's game 4 but that didn't quite work out the way the Bandwagon fans wanted it to, I think. We shall see what happens in the decisive game 5 but, If I'm the Mavs I would never want to wake a sleeping giant and it seems that is what they are trying to do, or do they know something we don't'? Maybe they feel Mr. James will crack under pressure and leave D. Wade to carry the load. Too late that's whats' happening now. Decisions, Decisions.

Trying to find my Talents and take them to Dallas

The Finals... 3 Games Down... How Many More to Go?

D-Wade has definitely put his stamp on this years NBA Finals, much like he did in 2006.  This time around he has another superstar in his prime along-side him to ease some of the pressure off him.  D-Wade is the Heat's captain, he is their leader & he is not bashful about it.  D-Wade the last few days has been letting the world know that he is the "Alpha-Male" of the pack.  D-Wade even got in "King" James' face late in game 3 & told him "what's up?"  Like Wade said in game 3, he's been there before & if he keeps playing like he has in the first 3 games, there is nothing Dirk & the Mavs can't do anything about it.  Look for Dwayne Wade to win MVP honors as the Heat end the NBA season in South Beach with the Larry O'Brien Trophy presentation.  Miami wins in 6 games

Blog by Haz Bey