House of Hoops cont.

Gray

Even though I broke down the Six championship relevant teams yesterday, I still have to give you my playoff picks and individual award winners. It's all gettin placed on record this year, so at the end of this season, no one can talk noise about who's right and who's wrong. It will be documented.

East Conf Playoff Picture

x=Division Winner

1.Magic(x)Amazing at home, amazing against the West, they'll have the best record in the NBA

2. Cavs(x)They will be slightly worse by adding Shaq, not slightly better.
3. Celtics(x)Better equipped for the long run. W-L record won't be amazing, but will win division.
4. Heat-Outside the division winners, Heat are best team in the East all because of DWade, and because the Sixers and Hawks both got worse.
5. Pacers-They are for real this year, Brandon Rush will start scoring, take pressure off Granger and with hungry kids like Hanborough and McRoberts, the kids will play some D and rebound.
6. Sixers-Igoudala is enough to make the playoffs, but Royal Ivey is now their starting PG.
7. Wizards-Risky, but if Arenas plays 65 games, they will rally behind him and win much of those games, Hibachi!!

8. Hawks-Adding Jamal Crawford never helps your team, they will get in and be swept out.

Big Surprise-Pacers...I'm callin it and believing it, I really think they will be dope because of the intensity Hanborough and McRoberts will bring. Roy Hibbert is there to block shots, and with a longer more athletic team this year, the Pacers will have some D to go with their high powered O. Jim O'Brien is a good coach, and with Granger, Dunleavy and Murphy they have a nucleus of productive veterans to go with young hungry scrapers, this is their year and it will make everyone shut up about Larry Bird drafting white players, it will prove he just drafts good players.

Big Disappointment-Bulls/Pistons I hope I'm wrong but I got a bad feeling about starting the year without Derrick Rose. The kid IS the Bulls identity and with him injured I think Chicago will get off to a trademark bad start. And judging by our recent string of injuries, I feel like the Bulls season will be rife with small nagging ailments that keep our squad from playing at full strength. If I'm right about the Pacers, I'll be right about the Bulls. And it will be a set back for a team that took the defending champs to 7 games last year. As for the Pistons, they will see just how overrated the scoring of Ben Gordon is. The roster is void of any real bball IQ other than Hamilton and Prince, and with Kwame Brown as your starting Center...the Detroit city woes continue in 09.

Western Conf Playoff

1. Lakers(x)-They play 17 of their first 21 games at home, they'll start great and finish great.

2. Nuggets(x)- Say hello to the new-look Pacers of the late 90s. Great pg and leader in Chauncey, a la Mark Jackson. Great scorers at 2 and 3 in JR Smith and Melo, a la Reggie and Jalen. Active big men who also score w Nene and Birdman (brrrddlll!!!) a la Smits, and the Davis bros. But the Nuggets will never reach the NBA finals while Kobe's around, a la Pacers always being runners up behind MJ.
3. Hornets(x)-Will win the division over the Spurs because of youth, and a team reenergized by Emeka Okafur. He will board, block shots, and run the floor, like Tyson Chandler with more touch and less tip dunks. Chris Paul is going to murder the single season assists record this year, Okafor doesn't miss crips.

4. Spurs- will lose their division but have the best record otherwise because the big 3 is back and Timmay has some some big men to give him minutes.

5. Trailblazers-No surprises, the blazers will keep building on a good thing with Andre Miller, and solidfy themselves as a perrenial playoff threat.

6. Jazz- Healthy Deron Williams and a solid nucleus with AK47 and Boozer, plus an increased role for Millsap

7. Rockets-Ariza and Battier will become leaders of this team while Yao and TMac are hurt, Defense, a good coach, and Carl landry and Luis Scola inside will be enough to make postseason.
8. Mavericks-They'll win games, but Shawn Marion will take shots away from Josh Howard, and between the two of them, Dirk, Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd's wild 3-pointers, not enough baskeballs to go higher than the 8 seed.

Big Surprise-Rockets- they will get off to a decent start despite the fact that Yao and TMac will never see the court. Many have picked them to fail after losing Artest and their top 2 scorers being injured, but Adelman will put the pieces where the belong to make it work.

Big Disappointment-Suns- The Suns did little to make themselves better and Steve Nash is one year older. They will depend entirely too much on Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa for offense and will lose any game in which Amare gets into foul trouble. They gave Amare no help down low, and will be sorry for failing to do so as the team that was a bogus call away from being the Finals favorite in 07, will not make the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.

MVP
Lebron-numbers will be too ridiculous, league will want to promote him, esp since he's prolly going to NYC next year. Back to back MVPs forth coming, even with Shaq on his team now.
*Wade, Roy, and D. Howard will be in the discussion.

Scoring Champ
Dwayne Wade-He has the luxury of getting to the foul line anytime he falls down, easy buckets.

Def player of the year
If the world is right-Shane Battier will finally get the credit he deserves for being so lockdown.
If world is f'ed up-Josh Smith will win it for leading the league in weak side blocks.

6th Man
Lamar Odom by default, he'd start on any other team.

Coach of the Year
Jim O'Brien-I say it again because it bears repeating, Pacers are going to be dope this year.

Document your thoughts.

House of Hoops

Buse Blog followers, try not to feel bombarded by picks and predictions...but the NBA season gets under way tonight so I would be remiss to not communicate my preseason predictions for the year in hoops 2009/2010. (even if it does come on the heels of Beans world series)

Basically, this year the Gallacticos strategy reigns supreme. There are a lot of NBA teams that look to improve on seasons from last year, but as far as I'm concerned, only 6 teams are relevant in terms of taking the ship....and all but one of them are in that position solely because of their ability to sign the Galactic free agents.

So let's break em down.....
Spurs Cavs
Nuggets Magic
Lakers Celtics

The Spurs are back....
Plain and simple the big three are all healthy and when you combine that with the best X's and O's tactical head coach in the game, you get the team that has won 4 rings in the last 10 years. George Hill and Roger Mason jr are a year more experienced and will knock down more jumpers, and more importantly, Theo Ratliff and Antonio McDyess will allow the Spurs to actually rest Timmy in the 3rd quarter. This team will be in the Western Conf. finals. The NBA finals are a different story however. The Spurs are not deep enough to be the last ones standing in the West, simply not enough offense, and despite having great team defense, they lack a true lock down defender that would quell the efforts of an opposing superstar during a 7 game series.

Nuggets were on the cusp...
Denver showed how dynamic their team could be last year. All it took was Chauncey Billups to turn an athletic rec league team into the last one in the West standing in front of the Lakers. This year they will be even more established with Chauncey as their leader and Carmello believe it or not played D in the postseason last year, so I'm assuming it is his motive to bring more intensity to his everyday defensive efforts. Though they will be the third best team in the West, they will not contend for the title. The Nuggets have not changed much from last year, same players, same coach, same scheme. Conversely, the competition has gotten better.

Lakers and Phil Jackson don't have enough fingers...
This year, it's going to be a repeat for Los Angeles simply because they are just too good. They already had the deepest team in the league and when they are fully healthy this year, either Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, or Ron Artest will be coming off the BENCH....due to their ridiculous depth. Offensively, defensively they have no matchup problems and they just happen to have the best player on the planet suiting up every night. Many have questioned whether or not Artest will work chemistry wise in LA, but there is nothing to fear. Though his personality may seem quirky, obnoxious and narcissitic, on the court he is a team 1st player all the way. He doesn't care about stats, accolades, or recognition...he cares about winning, which is why outside the media, but in the halls of the NBA, GMs and players jump at the chance to get him on their team.

As for the East, I guess I'm just explaining why there are 3 contenders that still don't have what it takes to contend with the Lakers...so here goes

Cavs, Lebron rules with an Iron fist, not a Velvet glove...
They added Shaq, who sells tickets, tightens the floor defensively, and improves team morale because he's hilarious. They added JaMario Moon, Leon Powe, and Anthony Parker....so they have even more defense and more rebounding. Yea, it sounds promising. But they still have no coach, and that's the problem. Their offense will continue to be everyone stand around and watch Lebron...and that will be their downfall. Sure Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, and Ilgauskas can score...but they don't get the ball in the continuity of an offense, they get it when Lebron decides to pass. For the regular season, this brand of bball is good for the best record in the NBA. But in the playoffs, it simply doesn't work when the best players in the world actually play hard D for 48 minutes.

Magic addition by subtraction and subtraction by addition...
No more Turkoglu. So finally, Dwight Howard will get the ball and the offense will actually run through him. That's all well and good, but Turkoglu was a huge part of why the Magic were so great. More than anything, Hedo was a matchup problem. He did a little of everything, he handled the ball, ran the floor, played a lil D, and rebounded, plus he was 6"10". Though the majority of his game was wild shots, he was the xfactor that put the Magic over the edge. The addition of Vince Carter theoretically gives the magic a perfect inside, outside...Kobe and Shaq-esque offensive threat. But in actuality, it gives them a another gun who shoots too many 3s and doesn't play D or rebound...add him to Rashard Lewis and you now have two starters of that ilk. They will be good, perhaps dominant in the East, but for the Magic to win, Vince would have to be the all around superstar that he could be, not the highlight reel offensive superstar that he is.

Celtics, Boston 3 party is has become the new Fab 5...
Garnett's healthy, he's old, but not really only 33, and will take it easy on the knee in the regular season and peak when he should peak. (even though I hate him and his screams and mean-mugs). Paul Pierce is the king of the 15-20ft step back, couple that with hittin free throws and actually getting to the basket, he's good for a dub every night(even though i don't understand how a slow player beats ppl to the basket) Ray Allen hits every big shot, and open 3s are like layups to him(even though his head is enormous)....but wait...there's two more? Sheed...who will be hyped to be a role player instead of the key guy because he loves taking plays off, so he will be sick on O and D. And forget Chris Paul and Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo is the best point guard in this league. He literally does everything for your team and makes opposing guards want to stop playing. The Celtics will be annoying all year but they will be gritty and win games and will edge any team in the East just by being tougher.

World Series Preview

Wednesday night the first season for the new Yankee Stadium will begin its final act in style, by playing host to the 2009 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. It's the defending champions versus the 26 time world champions. Both cities are apart of America's megalopolis along the northeastern border and both teams are followed by extremely dedicated fan bases. There isn't much hype needed for a match-up between teams of this caliber, so let's just break down the match-up position by position.

Catcher- Jorge Posada v. Carlos Ruiz

While Ruiz has made great strides with the bat this year, from last, the edge still goes to Posada. Posada does stink on defense but within this line-up his bat is a more intricle part.

Firstbase- Mark Texiera v. Ryan Howard

Both are titanic superstars and despite being worse with the leather, I pick the RBI machine, Ryan Howard over TLex.

Secondbase- Robinson Cano v. Chase Utley

I love Cano, but this isn't up for debate, at all. Utley is the best second basemen in baseball.

Shortstop- Derek Jeter v. Jimmy Rollins

This is the most intriguing match-up, the future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter has made his name coming up big in the postseason and he hasn't disappointed thus far. On the other hand Jimmy Rollins is the catalyst atop the Phillies lineup, who does it all. I would say push in the regular season but this is the postseason, so the nod has to go to Jeter.

Thirdbase- Alex Rodriguez v. Pedro Feliz

This postseason, no debate is needed, ARod is being ARod. Feliz is nice but so was Byron Russell and we know what happened in '96.

Leftfield- Johnny Damen v. Raul Ibanez

Intriguing match-up but I have to pick Raul. Damen is nice with a bit more pop but will he be in the game come the 8th or 9th inning?

Centerfield- Melky Cabrera v. Shane Victorino

The 'flying Hawaiian' is the superior player even though Melky is no sloutch. Shane wins because in the two hole he is much more valuable than Melky to his team.

Rightfield- Nick Swisher/Hideki Matsui v. Jason Werth

Matsui DHs a lot but he's included here. This is oging to be the push in all the match-ups because Werth is an extremely solid all around player and better defensively and on the bases than anyone the Yankees have in right. But their edge with the bat creates the push.

Starters

The Yankees aren't as deep but with C.C. it's hard to pick against them, but I will, especially if Pedro Martinez can be the Pedro he was versus the Dodgers.

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera is all I have to say. The game is 8 sometimes 7 innings long with him in the pen.

The Phillies grade out higher but the Yankees don't care. I predict a 27th Yankee championship in 6 extremely entertaining games. So that's what the head says but the heart is pulling for the Phillies because I hope ARod never wins a championship.

Dear Diary #2

Last week I spent an obscene amount of money and absolutely none of it was for recreational purposes. With each and every single cent that left my wallet, I couldn't help but wish I had listened to Jeffrey the Giraffe. He always said, he didn't want to grow up, which was cool, until I realized that meant having your dad walk in on me and my girlfriend or being told my friends couldn't come over. Times like those made me want to grow up, made me wish I wasn't a Toys-R-Us kid, so now, at 24, I'm all grown up, out living on my own and damn it's hard.

The need to grow up has cost me a clean house, groceries, cable, internet, laundry, and most importantly prepared meals. Rather than occasionally helping in providing those amenities and essentials, I decided to solely provide them. Needless to say this first month of "free living", how ironically dubbed, has been anything but. Is this why Jeffrey never wanted to grow up? Because those toys aren't all that cool, so I have to wonder what he knew about growing up when he sand his tune.

While at this point there are no regrets, I do not wish I was still living at home or anything of the sort, but I will admit to how shocked I am at the cost of living. Not living with Robin Leech but living like Cheech, it's handicapping. If you're already out in the world, throw me some tips on surviving this rat race. If you're still at home, pick up every penny you see laying on the street, you'll need them to pay your bills or if you're lucky reestablish your saving account.

Sounds of Our Lives

There are a lot of things graphic designers and video game developers must account for when trying to make a great game, this is especially true in sporting games, where a good story can't carry the game. Graphics are huge, I don't need to see necessarily need to see Kobe Bryant sweat while playing with him but it's damn cool to see him do so. Then there are features, like The Show's Road to the Show, which is great because you get to see yourself make the rounds en route to the big leagues. Next you consider game play which must be superior to last years model, otherwise why spend your money? And now the internet capabilities of a game have become even more important, as gaming takes advantage of all technologies available to the industry.

Usually when all of those are put together the game is going to be awesome and worth the $50-55. However what has been overlooked by many companies is the games soundtrack. With the exception of the NBA Live franchise, they do a phenomenal job, game makers have been letting their kid's band record the game's soundtrack in their garage for too long. The Show, for instance, hasn't had a good soundtrack in years (going back to the MVP days). And the soundtrack for Madden 10 is the worst soundtrack OF ALL TIME. If the actual game wasn't so damn amazing, I would've burned the game just to be sure that my ears are never subject to such a barrage of horribly put together noises again.

I will continue to buy games in the Madden and Show franchises, despite all the ear bleeding. But I did just want to put game developers on notice, we do know when you get lazy. But please get lazy on cover art or marketing, those things we don't care about, but stay on the grind with the soundtrack.

Perception is Reality

Thorough Thursday: Michael Vick

The whole Michael Vick debate has been raging since 2007 when he was arrested and subsequently sent to prison. (for a ridiculously long time) Upon his release, he immediately stated his plans to reenter the NFL and those plans were met with expected resistance. Various animals rights groups did what they always do, protest, and many Americans felt that playing in the NFL is not a right, but a privilege, one that Vick is no longer worthy of. Vick had to engage in the PR strategy of showing sincere contrition for his acts in order to gain readmittance. So weeks pass, he plays for the Eagles now, but the same sentiment still exists because just yesterday, when news came out that Vick will star in a new reality series called the "Michael Vick Project" set to air on BET, everyone was up in arms again, saying that Vick is lucky to even be in the NFL, he doesn't deserve to be promoted on TV.

The idea playing a professional sport in America is a privilege and not a right is proposterous, yet pervasive among American sports fans, and I am bothered by that and continuously wonder why. Why do we hold athletes to such high moral standards? Better yet, why do we punish athletes more harshly when they break the rules? One need look no further than the cases of Plaxico Burress or Michael Vick to see that when prominent athletes get in trouble, especially black ones who seem a little arrogant, we as a society like to rule with an iron fist. Legally, we throw the book at them and socially we demonize them. I simply do not understand why.

For there to be this much opposition to Vick having a reality show, it implies that what he did to those dogs makes him a bad person, unworthy of fame or fortune by any means. But if Michael Vick were torturing rats, raccoons, or opossums, sure PETA would be upset, but he would have never spent 2 years in Leavenworth for it. The masses would not have cared, and I not even sure if he would of been breaking any laws by doing so. If Michael Vick were a plumber, who was arrested and convicted of dog fighting, served a prison sentence, and tried to regain his plumbing license,...no one would stand in his way. But because he earns his living as a quarterback, he shouldn't be allowed to make a living anymore? And his attempts at coming back to the field in which he makes a living are met with protest and vehement hatred?

It all boils down to the whole higher standard idea. The notion that prominence and wealth should be accompanied by greater moral and social responsibility. Well I think that makes no sense when it comes to pro athletes. Politicians, elected officials....yes they should held to a higher standard, because they literally work for the people, represent our issues and dedication to the community they represent is in their job description. Teachers, priests....yes they should be held to a higher standard in the course of doing their job they provide the framework and develop the mindsets of children who are impressionable and are dependent upon authority figures. Athletes...NO, because they do not work for you. They work for themselves to put food on the table for their families, and for the organization to put trophies on the wall and generate a profit. Just because their table is in a mansion does not mean higher moral standards should apply. It's time we stop being so appalled by athletes that don't embody the a Utopian sense of values and responsibility, and simply be impressed by the few athletes that do.

Back the Bid

At 1:30 am, local time, Chicago will be making their final presentation in their bid for the 2016 Summer Games. And come Friday morning an answer of Rio de Janero, Chicago, or Tokyo will be announced. In Chicago there is dissension between those who want the Games and those who don't. Many of those who are opposed to the games would rather see the time, energy, and money put into something that either they're interested or involved in. Screw that, I am a backer of the bid but not because I believe in the economic promise, I back the bid because how cool will it be if come 2016, the world's best athletes all converge on our city for the Games?

I'm no economist, so I'm not going to dabble in the economic promises and such that hosting the games provide, but I am a fan of sport. What the Olympics do is take all sports and shine a bright light upon them. Sports that are otherwise ignored by the masses such as, gymnastics, swimming, and track & field, suddenly produce athletes are lovable and larger than life. All participants are incredible athletes, and with the games being played here you would then have a chance to see them live. You would get the chance to Mr. Bolt run faster than any man ever has or see Michael Phelps try and do the unthinkable once again. Knowing how Chicagoans 'Love it Live', I'd imagine this is an opportunity one can't argue against.

The once in a lifetime chance to get to witness, first-hand, feats comparable to other games is something I can not imagine letting go by the wayside. The Games represent nationalism, athleticism, and competition all at their highest and finest levels. So here's to hoping the International Olympic Committee, IOC, selects the greatest city in the world to host the 2016 Games.