I've already put down about a month which 8 teams are going to make the playoffs. I also stated who's going to win the major stat categories. Here's my prediction of the final standings:
y-Boston 96-66
x-New York 90-72
Tampa Bay 86-76
Toronto 79-83
Baltimore 77-85
y-Detroit 88-74
Chicago 85-77
Minnesota 84-78
Cleveland 71-91
Kansas City 68-94
z-LA Angels 102-60
Texas 86-76
Oakland 82-80
Seattle 63-99
x-Philadelphia 91-71
New York 88-74
Atlanta 82-80
Florida 74-88
Washington 65-97
z-Chicago 95-67
y-Milwaukee 89-73
St. Louis 86-76
Houston 85-77
Cincinnati 73-89
Pittsburgh 69-93
x-Los Angeles 85-77
Colorado 78-84
Arizona 76-86
San Francisco 71-91
San Diego 67-95
Playoffs:
LA Angels over New York in 4
Boston over Detroit in 4
Chicago (NL) over Los Angeles in 3
Philadephia over Milwaukee in 5
LA Angels over Boston in 6
Philadelphia over Chicago (NL) in 7
LA Angels over Philadelphia in 5 (Sticking with my preseason picks to win all 6 divisions...changed my NL wild card from NY Mets to Milwaukee)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts for July 12, 2008:
-Cleveland is two wins away from a championship...in Arena Football. While this won't be embraced on any comparable level as a Cavs, Browns or Indians title, it would still be nice to see the team win it all in it's first year in Cleveland. They've played well so far in the playoffs and go up against the best team in the league (Philadelphia) Saturday at 1 p.m. They defeated Philly at home while dropping a one point game in Philly. The game is an essential toss-up as Cleveland comes in after an impressive upset over Georgia while Philadelphia needed a last play TD to avoid an upset to New York.
-The Indians season is over....even though they just beat the Rays twice in a row. Sorry Indians fans. This team might have a few good streaks of play in it but there's no way this team finishes higher than fourth this year.
-I'm liking the Cubs deal to get Rich Harden....except for the fact that the few tradeable commodities that they had were all dealt in this deal. Harden has injury troubles (to say the least) but he brings dominant stuff to the NL. This should work out in the short term for them while the Brewers will continue to reap the benefits of CC Sabathia (while giving up much more, even for essentially a rental).
-Elton Brand spurned the Clippers for the Sixers. No big deal to me. I don't think anyone would choose the Clips over the Sixers if their really interesting in winning. Sorry Baron, while Golden State wasn't really an option, enjoy the money in LA.
-Other big moves in NBA Free Agency seem to be imminent...except there aren't really big FA's still out there. Josh Smith is quality but someone will overpay for his limited skill set. Same goes for James Posey....who everyone thinks is an invaluable piece to a championship team. What is the next Robert Horry? Success follows him? I don't get it...but hey again, someone will overpay for him (I've heard the Cavs are in the discussion....great). Wouldn't be shocked to see Emeka Okafor and Josh Childress signed away from their respective teams (their both restricted FA's). They both have value and a team looking for depth could sign them for reasonable prices. Some teams may want to consider saving money for the next two summers though. The amount of stars on each list in unreal...now some of these guys will certainly resign with their current team before they hit the market. But, here's a short list of who will be available during the next two offseasons....
-2009-
Kobe Bryant, Rasheed Wallace, Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest, Richard Hamilton, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Lamar Odom.
-2010-
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd
-Cleveland is two wins away from a championship...in Arena Football. While this won't be embraced on any comparable level as a Cavs, Browns or Indians title, it would still be nice to see the team win it all in it's first year in Cleveland. They've played well so far in the playoffs and go up against the best team in the league (Philadelphia) Saturday at 1 p.m. They defeated Philly at home while dropping a one point game in Philly. The game is an essential toss-up as Cleveland comes in after an impressive upset over Georgia while Philadelphia needed a last play TD to avoid an upset to New York.
-The Indians season is over....even though they just beat the Rays twice in a row. Sorry Indians fans. This team might have a few good streaks of play in it but there's no way this team finishes higher than fourth this year.
-I'm liking the Cubs deal to get Rich Harden....except for the fact that the few tradeable commodities that they had were all dealt in this deal. Harden has injury troubles (to say the least) but he brings dominant stuff to the NL. This should work out in the short term for them while the Brewers will continue to reap the benefits of CC Sabathia (while giving up much more, even for essentially a rental).
-Elton Brand spurned the Clippers for the Sixers. No big deal to me. I don't think anyone would choose the Clips over the Sixers if their really interesting in winning. Sorry Baron, while Golden State wasn't really an option, enjoy the money in LA.
-Other big moves in NBA Free Agency seem to be imminent...except there aren't really big FA's still out there. Josh Smith is quality but someone will overpay for his limited skill set. Same goes for James Posey....who everyone thinks is an invaluable piece to a championship team. What is the next Robert Horry? Success follows him? I don't get it...but hey again, someone will overpay for him (I've heard the Cavs are in the discussion....great). Wouldn't be shocked to see Emeka Okafor and Josh Childress signed away from their respective teams (their both restricted FA's). They both have value and a team looking for depth could sign them for reasonable prices. Some teams may want to consider saving money for the next two summers though. The amount of stars on each list in unreal...now some of these guys will certainly resign with their current team before they hit the market. But, here's a short list of who will be available during the next two offseasons....
-2009-
Kobe Bryant, Rasheed Wallace, Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Shawn Marion, Ron Artest, Richard Hamilton, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Lamar Odom.
-2010-
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Today's Views on the Sports World
-Baron Davis's signing with the Clippers gives them a reasonable chance to believe they can win as soon as next year. Assuming they can resign Elton Brand, this team has potential next season. They will lose Corey Maggette and his 22 pts a game but that's easily replaceable by Davis. Drafting Eric Gordon gives the team offensive punch. Chris Kaman (if healthy) can get back to being a 16 and 10 guy down low with Brand. I'm not saying the Clips are going to take the division or win 45 games but they will be better because of this signing.
-JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson. The two newest Cleveland Cavaliers. Two bigs to replace (eventually) Z and Wallace. Problem is neither is a true center, leaving the team in a vulnerable position if injuries hit. It seems that they have many PF's but really only one C. Neither pick makes me jump out of my seat but I think the Cavs have to make some kind of trade (expiring contracts for talent) at some point here. They're going to sign a few players to fill the roster as well so that should be interesting to see where they go with that.
-The Indians blew another game against the White Sox. Funny how Borowski had one quality year (lots of saves, really didnt pitch that great) and the Indians expected the same out of him this year. The same goes for Perez and Betancourt. These guys had career years last year, leaving them with unreasonable expectations to meet this year. It'll be interesting to see what this team does before July 31...with saying goodbye to C.C. being the major plot.
-Tampa Bay beat Boston again. As much of a "Ray" hater as I have been, it's fun to see this team scaring the daylights out of Boston. Earlier in the year, Boston swept TB and everyone said that TB will likely fall back, never to get back into the race. Well their in first and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Carlos Pena is coming back, giving them their best power hitter back. Just great. I can hear the groans from NY and BOS from here. Don't count the Yanks out of this division....I see TB slowing down at some point while Boston hasn't looked all that flattering on the road....just enough to let everyone stay close.
-Can the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates end their 10+ year streaks of having losing seasons? (One will)
-Can Milwaukee make the playoffs for the first time since 1982? (They will)
-Is there any reason that Colorado and Atlanta to keep Holliday and Teixeira? (No, neither is making the playoffs and neither is going to resign their slugger)
-Is it just me or are there more big stars hurt now than usual? I mean counting guys like Pujols and Chipper Jones who are playing hurt.
-Can the A's really give the Angels a race out west? They are playing this week and the A's were only 3.5 out as of this morning. Texas sits 6 back as they continue to hit well. (I say no, the A's will be relegated to 80+ win status soon enough, leaving them in the second pack of the wild card race)
-JJ Hickson and Darnell Jackson. The two newest Cleveland Cavaliers. Two bigs to replace (eventually) Z and Wallace. Problem is neither is a true center, leaving the team in a vulnerable position if injuries hit. It seems that they have many PF's but really only one C. Neither pick makes me jump out of my seat but I think the Cavs have to make some kind of trade (expiring contracts for talent) at some point here. They're going to sign a few players to fill the roster as well so that should be interesting to see where they go with that.
-The Indians blew another game against the White Sox. Funny how Borowski had one quality year (lots of saves, really didnt pitch that great) and the Indians expected the same out of him this year. The same goes for Perez and Betancourt. These guys had career years last year, leaving them with unreasonable expectations to meet this year. It'll be interesting to see what this team does before July 31...with saying goodbye to C.C. being the major plot.
-Tampa Bay beat Boston again. As much of a "Ray" hater as I have been, it's fun to see this team scaring the daylights out of Boston. Earlier in the year, Boston swept TB and everyone said that TB will likely fall back, never to get back into the race. Well their in first and they are showing no signs of slowing down. Carlos Pena is coming back, giving them their best power hitter back. Just great. I can hear the groans from NY and BOS from here. Don't count the Yanks out of this division....I see TB slowing down at some point while Boston hasn't looked all that flattering on the road....just enough to let everyone stay close.
Today's Burning Questions
-Can the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates end their 10+ year streaks of having losing seasons? (One will)
-Can Milwaukee make the playoffs for the first time since 1982? (They will)
-Is there any reason that Colorado and Atlanta to keep Holliday and Teixeira? (No, neither is making the playoffs and neither is going to resign their slugger)
-Is it just me or are there more big stars hurt now than usual? I mean counting guys like Pujols and Chipper Jones who are playing hurt.
-Can the A's really give the Angels a race out west? They are playing this week and the A's were only 3.5 out as of this morning. Texas sits 6 back as they continue to hit well. (I say no, the A's will be relegated to 80+ win status soon enough, leaving them in the second pack of the wild card race)
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