It's starting to fall in place

The NBA regular season is down to about 10-12 games left for each team and many teams have earned playoff births for this years playoffs.



Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers earned their second consecutive birth to play in the playoffs seeking that ever so coveted Championship trophy. The Cavs became just the second East team so far to clinch, joining division foe Detroit, trailing them by only 2.5 games. Will the Cavs take it easy now down the stretch, or will Lebron and co. try to earn the division crown and most likely be the 1 seed in the East?



On the other side of the league, the Western conference has already seen 5 teams clinch playoff spots, which is pretty impressive. One team has clinched their division title, the Phoenix Suns. So there are 3 spots left out West and about 5 teams who have a shot at earning 3 of those spots. Now is the time to play sharp, stay focused and give it all you got. Teams started the season with one goal and that was to win a championship and to do so you have to prove that you are an elite team and can win down the stretch in important situations.


The East has been a different story all season. Teams have been struggling, up and down, up and down and there's a possibility that 1 or 2 teams could make the playoffs with a sub .500 record, which is shocking to say the least. There are 6 spots left and about 8 or 9 teams fighting for a birth. Should be interesting down the stretch.


Who remembers the 2004 Olympics in Athens? Now who remembers US swimmer Michael Phelps? (Evidently I looked like him back in those days; I never saw the resemblance) The guy is not only setting World records, he is breaking his own World records. Preparing himself for next years Olympics, Phelps is not only making a statement, who is showing everyone what the hype was about and more.
I don't know if you remember Australian Swimmer Ian Thorpe, aka Thorpedo, but he was the hot shot before Phelps breaking World records and everyone was amazed by him. Now Phelps just keeps getting better and better, winning Gold medal after Gold medal at the World Championships. I am amazed every time I watch championship swimming at how ridiculously great swimmers are. Even in interviews Phelps states that even he is shocked at his record breaking performances.
Will he just continue to improve over the next year and stay in shape and on top of his game? Or will he be caught by up and coming unknown swimmers? Only time will tell and until then, keep the good times flowing.

NBA MVP Debate

Before I get into the heated debate, I want to share something absolutely hilarious with you.

Some of you may have heard about or seen this past Saturday's Saturday Night Live and if not the host was Colts Quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning. Well many of us know how hilarious the guy can be from his commercial experience of recent memory, but after seeing highlights of the sketches he did, I just love the guy more. He is by far my favorite QB in today's league and from his sweet acting, you can tell he's got to be a great guy too. Enjoy the video!

Now lets get into some Smak shall we. I was left a comment on yesterday's blog regarding MVP status for a couple of players. So in the spur of the moment and as there is now less than a month left in the NBA regular season. Here is my first edition of MVP debate as the season winds to a conclusion.

I'm going to go right ahead and name my Top 3 candidates to win the MVP as of right now, no particular order... Mavs Dirk Nowitzki, Suns Steve Nash and Lakers Kobe Bryant. They are my top Most Valuable players to the moment and here's why.

Dirk: Mavs hands down have had an outstanding season, along with Dirk who ceases to amaze me as he improves his game and numbers year by year, yet he seems to be runner up year after year. Not to mention how the team as a whole has continued to improve and impress everyone throughout the league. Dirk is their go to guy most of the time. He can shoot the 3 ball, shoots 90% from the foul line and he is 7 feet tall so he basically has every advantage and he has proven this season that he Deserves his first MVP award.

Nash: Just like Dirk, Nash has been in the top of the MVP class year after year (winning the award the past two seasons) and is right back there again. Point guard for the Suns is scoring the most in his career and averaging 11 assists a game. And once again the Suns are an elite team in the league seeking that next step to the Championship. He leads the leagues best running offense and when he has been out with injuries, it is obvious the Suns are a little out of sink. He is valuable to their team and would be to most teams in the league.

Kobe: How is he not valuable to the Lakers? Four consecutive games with 50 plus points and now averages 31 points a game and the Lakers have won 5 straight after a stretch that had them a game above .500 basketball. Without Kobe, the Lakers suffer heavily. As I mentioned in a previous post, he is the NBA's most prolific scorer and has that killer instinct to score when he wants whenever he wants. Not only that, his rebounds and assists are up this year too, which is a good sign for him as a player as a whole. When a players scores 50 plus points in 4 straight games and they win all those games, how is that not Valuable.

There's my take, what do you think?

I was told Jermaine O'Neal should be in the MVP debate, but not when your team is under .500 and struggling in the EAST to even earn an 8 seed. Not this year my man.

Other players having great seasons who could also be in contention...
Wizards Gilbert Arenas, Cavs Lebron James, Jazz Carlos Boozer (dude is ballin this year, until his injury), Rockets Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Spurs Tim Duncan (two time MVP), Raptors Chris Bosh (what a season his Raptors are having).

So there it is, the first NBA MVP debate. Agree, disagree, agree to disagree? Feel free to leave some comments.

Later

Fantastic 4...?

Men's College Basketball is down to only 4 teams and 3 games left. I really don't want to talk about it but, 2 and a half hours later my heart is still thumping from the outrageous UNC-GTown game.

So here it was less that 10 minutes left in the second half and UNC maintained a 8-10 point lead the whole half and I was on the phone making hotel reservations for next weekend in Atlanta for the Final Four.

Just like that, BAM! Click, time to end that phone call because it was Georgetown not UNC headed to Atlanta. I can't even speak, everything is just in slow motion. Even now all I can think is how did it happen? I think UNC imaged themselves headed down the interstate on the way to Atlanta and were about 5 miles there and that 5 miles turned into 500 miles headed in the wrong direction.

Their execution down the stretch, Crunch time, was none existent and if they got a look, it didn't fall. The headline you have heard all season... UNC's youth is their biggest weakness, that headline became true the last 10 minutes of the game, including overtime. Georgetown's size, poise, and more experienced go to guys showed how a team should win a game down the stretch in the most important game of the season.

So I'm going to leave it at that. I could bash UNC or I could praise Georgetown. All I will say is Georgetown stayed sharp the whole game, even being down most of the game, and executed late in the game when the game was on the line.

For all of those who I told to watch out for Georgetown in the tournament, sadly I must say I told you so.

So the Final Four is set. Georgetown faces Ohio State and a rematch of last years championship game, defending champ Florida against UCLA.

Good season UNC, lets hope everyone returns so you can make another run and learn from your mistakes.

Let's move on to something that isn't depressing... my man Tiger Woods won his 6th tournament overall at Doral today and is poised for the seasons first Major tournament coming up in about a week. Tiger is ready for to seek his 5th green jacket at Augusta National and 13th major overall, trailing only The Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus who has 18 total majors.

Kobe Bryant is still on a tear as he goes for his 5th straight game of scoring 50+ points.

Have a good Monday!

Lovin this weather

Hello sports fans or just supportive followers of my new interest. Got to love early spring (minus the allergies) and the beautiful 70 degree days.

First off today, Tubby Smith departs Kentucky for Minnesota; NO not the Timberwolves of the NBA, but the Golden Gophers of the Big Ten conference. Shocking! is all I can say. Leave one of the nation's best programs for Minnesota. I guess it was his time to move on, but my opinion thinks it was a bad move. Good Luck coach.

In other news Radford University names Brad Greenberg its new Men's Basketball coach and sophomore Mark walks on... Oh wait that's just the headline scrolling through my head. Still a possibility though, I'll be sure to keep you posted.

For all you Kobe fans out there, here's some positive news. Kobe Bryant joined an elite group last night becoming just the Fourth NBA player in history to record three consecutive games of 50 points or more in a single game. Does anyone know the other three? Stay tuned, the answer comes later.
I have never been a Kobe fan, but all I can say is wow. Really impressive, 65,50,60 points total in 3 Consecutive games! I hate to say it, but Kobe is the most prolific scorer in today's NBA period. That's tough for me to say, but I'll be honest when the truth and facts are obvious.

Who saw those college basketball games last night? WOW weren't they exciting. Southern Illinois put up an impressive effort but couldn't pull off the upset of Kansas. Texas A&M gets cheated out of time to potentially win the game. UCLA with a good solid victory over Pitt and Ohio State pulls off one of the best comebacks in NCAA tounrney history to just barely edge a brilliant effort by Tennessee. But boy did I think SIU was going to beat Kansas; their defense was ferocious all game long but Kansas survives in the last minute to move on the the Elite 8 to face UCLA. Four games tonight and then only the Elite will remain in the college basketball world.

Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan...

OH, that's the list of the other players who have scored 50 or more in three consecutive games. Now that's joining All Time Great company.

BREAKING NEWS! The NCAA tourney is now officially over as all remaining teams have forfeited their games for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to take homes its second crown in three years!

HAHAHA I wish.

Enjoy the tounrey and the weekend!

What's that... McRoberts declares?

Intriguing news out of Durham, NC today. Duke star Forward Josh McRoberts, who just finished his sophomore season at Duke, declares himself Eligible for this summers NBA draft in June. You have to wonder if McRoberts was unhappy with Duke's season and he felt like it was time to move on or maybe he believes he can make it at the next level. Of course he has the size and skills, but the question always is, is he mature enough? After ending the season with his career high is points, 22, against the VCU Rams in a heart breaking lose in the first round of the NCAA Tourney, McRoberts is chasing his Dream. Good luck kid.

Sad story of the day is out of the baseball world. World Series Champs, the St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa is caught asleep at the wheel and gets charged with a DUI. After staying at a local Florida Jail for a few hours, he posted a $500 cash bond and he was on his way back to the Cardinals Spring facility. Not a good way to start off a season looking to defend their title.
More MLB news for the day, the Boston Red Sox have decided to place young ace Jonathan Papelbon back into the closer role after their current closer, Mike Timlin, hits the DL with a shoulder problem. After Papelbon's rookie season as a closer last year posting 35 saves, he has been practicing to join the main rotation for the Sox's... now that position will have to hold off for a while.

Agent Zero was at his old habits again last night hitting the game winning shot for the Wizards. But this time it wasn't a three ball from downtown, it was a driving effort past Sonics guard Earl Watson with a little kiss off the backboard as the buzzer sounded. Good win for the Wizards who are now in a dog fight with those Miami Heat for the Division title.
Showdown of the night comes out of Cleveland, with the Cavs taking on the team to beat Dallas Mavericks. This was the second time these two teams have met this month and many were hoping for a repeat performance from the previous game which was decided by three points down in Dallas, where Lebron James posted one of his best scoring outputs for the season, but came up a little short. This time around Dallas jumped out to an early lead, like they do just about every night, and left it up to their frustrating defense to bring how the victory. James struggled early couldn't get anything to fall and his late fourth quarter push, on his way to 31 points, didn't get the win as Dallas wins 98-90, improving their league best record to 56-11. Who will step up to the challenge this post season to try to spoil Dirk and the Mavs quest for the NBA Championship? Stay tuned.

The NCAA tournament kicks off the second weekend of action with the Sweet 16 as four of the eight games are played tonight and the other four tomorrow, and then we will be down to the Elite 8. Defending champs the Florida Gators are still alive and seeking back to back titles, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the 91-92 season when Duke pulled off the Feat. I can't stand the excitement!
Enjoy the Games!

Got to Start somewhere...

Hello, it's your main man MJ here and get ready for the future of sports publishing. If you like, are interested, or LOVE any type of Sport like I do, then prepare yourself for your new favorite Sporting news.

We're heading to the end of March and that means the NCAA Men's Final Four is right around the corner, as is the NBA and NHL playoffs and the MLB is back in full swing; and the most glorious Golf tournament in the World, The Master's. For me, March is an exciting month; from college basketball, down the stretch to NBA Playoffs to getting ready for another long Baseball season; ah I love it. There is so much going on in the world of sports during the late winter into the spring time, and that's what makes it so exciting and interesting. I just wanted to get my feet wet to fill you in on what will be coming in the future. Thanks and let the learning begin...

Here is the story of the day in my opinion, found it on ESPN...
Yes that is correct folks, the Carr days are over and in comes the most highly sought after back-up QB in the league; Matt Schaub. After riding the pine for 3 seasons in the ATL, he finally has the opening to show the league the true talent and leader he can be.

The Sweet 16 kicks off tomorrow, should be interesting... hope my Tar Heels can keep battling for the long road ahead of them.