2010 NBA Preview: Look to see 2009 rematch

Eastern Conference
Miami (55-65 wins)
Orlando (50-60 wins)
Boston (50-60 wins)
Chicago (45-55 wins)
Atlanta (50-60 wins)
Milwaukee (40-50 wins)
Charlotte (40-50 wins)
NY Knicks (35-45 wins)

Outside looking in
Toronto (35-45 wins)
Washington (35-45 wins)

Eastern Conference Finals- Orlando over Miami

Western Conference
LA Lakers (55-65 wins)
Dallas (50-60 wins)
Oklahoma City (50-60 wins)
Portland (45-55 wins)
Phoenix (45-55 wins)
Utah (45-55 wins)
Golden State (40-50 wins)
Memphis (40-50 wins)

Outside looking in
Sacramento (35-45 wins)
Denver (40-50 wins)
LA Clippers (35-45 wins)

Western Conference Finals- LA Lakers over Oklahoma City

Finals- LA Lakers over Orlando
MVP- Kevin Durant, OKC
Rookie of the Year- DeMarcus Cousins, SAC
Defensive Player of the Year- Dwight Howard, ORL
Coach of the Year- Keith Smart

LeBron's Most Overlooked Narcissistic Stunt

Lebron James was the most coveted free agent in recent memory in early July.  Then the decision happened.  He was the biggest public enemy in recent memory.  His act seemed as if he shown the finger to the whole city of Cleveland...and also Boston?  Possibly.  When he "brought his talents to south beach", he didn't bring the number 23 with him, citing that it is Michael Jordan's number, the 2nd greatest player in NBA history behind Lebron (at least in Lebron's mind).  This is where the other finger goes up.  Am I saying Jordan wasn't a great player or in the conversation for the best ever? Not at all.  What I am saying is that Lebron maybe should have maybe taken a NBA history lesson before deciding on his new number.  Because the number he took (6), was the number of another NBA immortal, Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in 13 years, 8 of which were consecutive, the NBA's 56-game hitting streak.  There is no way Lebron is unaware of this, which is why I call this another "narcissistic stunt" by Lebron.  He is totally disregarding the Celtic's legacy, showing no respect for the team that has virtually owned him over the course of his career.  To say all he has about MJ, and change his number to 6, the number of Russell, who did just as much and maybe more than Jordan, in my mind is nothing more than a total insult to the Boston Celtics franchise and everything it stands for.  Don't fool yourself- Lebron was definately up to something when he made this number change.

Bruins Looking Awful Lot like 2008-2009 Team

Two years ago the Bruins came within one point of winning the President's Trophy, led by Phil Kessel's 35 goals, as well as Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara, and Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas.  Last season, following the trade of Phil Kessel (which eventually brought Seguin to Boston), the Bruins could not make up for the loss of Kessel's 35 goals, as well as injuries to Savard, Sturm, and Krejci, the Bruins had the worst offense in the NHL.  Now this season, through five games, last season looks an awful lot like a distant memory, with the team being in the top 10 in the league in many categories, including goals/game, goals allowed/game, plus/minus, PP%, and PK%.  To add to that the line of Krejci (6 pts), Horton (7 pts), and Lucic (6 pts), have been one of the most productive lines in the NHL, and TT has 133 saves on 136 shots through 4 games.  If they continue this roll, and stay healthy, this team is going to be very hard to beat, especially come playoff time with all their depth, especially at the blue line.

NHL Preview Part 2: Sid the Kid raises second cup, gets Hart Trophy

Stanley Cup Champions- Pittsburgh Penguins
Presidents Trophy- Washington Capitals
Hart Memorial Trophy- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Vezina Trophy- Jimmy Howard, Detroit
Calder Memorial Trophy- Tyler Seguin, Boston
Art Ross Trophy- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
Norris Trophy- Christian Ehrhoff, Vancouver
Jack Adams Award- Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay
Maurice Richard Trophy- Alexander Ovechkin, Washington

NHL 2010 Preview: Vancouver, Pittsburgh will be the last 2 standing

 
Eastern Conference  
1 Washington- The powerhouse offense will get them lots of wins, but lack of toughness and goaltending will keep them from raising the cup
2 Boston- added Horton and Seguin to help league-worst offense, if young blue line can stay healthy and play to potential, the Boston may very well see their first cup in 39 years.
3 Philadelphia- Will build off strong playoff run with a solid team led by young guys in Carter, Richards, and Giroux, as well as veterans Briere, O'Donnell, Pronger, and Timmonen
4 New Jersey- With the improvements at blue line with signings of Volchenkov and Tallinder, as well as the first full year with Kovalchuk and Brodeur in net, New Jersey might have what it takes to win their first cup since 2003
5 Pittsburgh- They have the best player in hockey in Sidney Crosby, a healthy Malkin with a blue line led by Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Paul Martin, followed by Fleury between the pipes, Pittsburgh looks to be a frontrunner for the cup
6 Buffalo- very good offensively, with Ryan Miller between the pipes.  If they can build a defense around 2010 Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers, this team will be scary.
7 Ottawa- This is another very strong offensive team, led by young guns Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek, as well as Alfredsson, Fisher, and Kovalev.  The addition of Gonchar should help their blue line, but questions still linger regarding goaltending.
8 Tampa Bay- This could be the surprise team in the East with Stamkos, St. Louis being two of the best playmakers in hockey, as well as Lecavlier when he wants to be.  They also brought in veterans Brett Clark and Pavel Kubina to help their blue line.

Outside looking in
Montreal- A team that has seemed to have taken a step back with no true goal scoring threat outside of Piekanic (70 pts.) and Cammallleri (50 pts.), and a lack of depth at the blue line behind Markov and Spacek.  Between the pipes, Carey Price will have to rebound from a tough 09-10 season if Montreal expects to contend.
NY Rangers- A team with several holes in their lineup, led by Gaborik (86 pts.), Prospal (58 pts.), and Dubinsky (44 pts.), suffers from lack of depth, epsecially on the blue line, but do have one of the best goalies in hockey in Lundqvist.
Carolina- A team that struggled most of last year before coming on strong late, and are led by Eric Staal, Eric Cole, and Cam Ward, the same players that led them to a stanley cup just 4 1/2 years ago

Eastern Conference Finals- Pittsburgh over Boston

Western Conference

1 Vancouver-  Looks to be the best of the west with a strong offense led by the Sedin twins, Alex Burrows, and Ryan Kesler, as well as one of the best defenseman in hockey in Christian Ehrhoff.
2 San Jose- Another offensive powerhouse, this team has been a regular season dynasty since the lockout, with at least 99 pts. every year since the lockout has yet to do much in the postseason.  Niemi and Nittymaki replacing Nabokov could help
3 Chicago- The defending champs will need another Niemi-like run by Turco in the spring if they want to repeat
4 Detroit- After a rough 09-10 season, Detroit need to build off a strong second half and carry it through 82 games.  A full season with Jimmy Howard in net should help.
5 LA Kings- The youth movement of Brown, Kopitar, Doughty, and Quick reminds me much of a young Chicago Blackhawks team a couple years ago that was led by Toews, Kane, Seabrook, and Keith.  This Blackhawks team eventually won the Stanley Cup, but LA needs a better blue line if they want to get to the promised land
6 Colorado- A sleeper team in 09-10, they will look to build off that season and make some noise in the postseason.
7 Phoenix- The best team that nobody watches, shocked the hockey world last year with a 50-win season.  They may not replicate that this year, but look for them to still be successful behind Bryzgalov, one of the game's best goalies.
8 Calgary- Iginla is still a very good player, Kiprusoff is still a very good goalie, and there are pieces around them which will allow them to contend.

Outside Looking in

St. Louis- This team made the bick pickup getting Jarislov Halak, and if they get in watch out because they could possibly be what Philadelphia was last year.
Nashville- An all around well balanced team offensively and defensively, that can sneak in and make some noise.

Anaheim- A healthy Ryan Getzlaf along with Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry will make for a lethal first line, maybe the best line in hockey, but the retirement of Neidermayer and the trading of Giguere could cause uncertainty at the blue line and between the pipes

 Western Conference Finals- Vancouver over San Jose

Give The Pats an A+ with their handling of the Randy Moss situation

It is official now, the Randy Moss era in New England has come to an end, and to a certain extent, an ugly end.  Unfortunately, it was the way it had to end, but at the same time, we must praise the Pats for allowing it to end that way, and not letting the situation escalate and have him leave in an even uglier fashion (see Manny Ramirez).  Instead, Moss left with nothing but good things to say for the team and coach Bill Belichick, and the coach with nothing but good things to say for Randy after the fact.  It had come to a point where it was necessary for both sides to go their separate ways, and it was able to be done by getting a third rounder in return, as well as sending one of the NFL's premier deep threats to the NFC.  So to those who criticize the Pats for getting so little in return, the alternative most likely Moss being released, and possibly going to Miami, Indy, Houston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, the Jets, or another AFC playoff contender, which would have made the path to Dallas, or the playoffs for that matter, that much harder.