NBA Playoff Update

Here's what happened in last nights slate of games and what I think will happen tonight in the NBA Playoffs.

San Antonio  86  

Memphis       104

What happened to San Antonio? When this series started nobody thought they would be doing this poorly to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies, and they surely didn't think the Grizzlies would win the series but that is what is about to happen. The Grizzlies will become only the 4th team in NBA history to beat a number one seed as an eight seed. Think about that for a second, the Grizzlies hadn't even won a playoff game before this series and now they're about to knock out the number one seed, and become one out of only 4 teams to do so ever in NBA history. I don't think the Grizzlies are going to do anything against the Thunder but they've proven they won't just sit down and take it either.

Oklahoma City  101                      
Denver              103

Alright everyone hold the phones, Oklahoma City is absolutely fine. This sort of thing happens in a best of 7 series, the Nuggets were facing a sweep and played with desperation and the Thunder thought they had the game in the bag and it slipped away from them. This loss will not hurt the Thunder that much and they will win the next game to advance to the next round



Dallas      93
Portland   82    

The Mavs got a statement win against the Blazers and put this series away. Yes I know there are still 2 games left but it was my thinking that whoever won game 5 won the series. This one is over in all but name.

Tonight

Hornets @ Lakers

I think the Lakers will win this one if they can contain Chris Paul, but with Bryant nursing a bum ankle and not at full strength I don't see a single player on the Lakers who can guard him. I don't think Chris Paul will be enough as the Lakers edge this one out at home.

Lakers lead series 3-2

Bulls vs Pacers

This series isn't even close and the Bulls put away the Pacers tonight

Bulls win Series 4-1

Hawks vs Magic

This is an interesting series, coming into it I thought the Magic would win easily but afer the lack of defense shown by the Magic the past few games I think the Hawks will win this game, and consequently the series

Hawks win series 4-1

Mavs win again, Lead series 3-2

The Mavericks are impossible to figure out. After the first two games at home I honestly thought we would win the series in four games, it wasn't even a question in my mind. Why should I be surprised that wasn't what happened? The Mavs over the past couple of years have show us that they lack the killer instinct to put away teams and that is why their games are almost always close, regardless of the lead in the 4th quarter.

Tonight however they found that killer instinct and put away the Trailblazer's for good. I don't think there is even a chance the Blazers get back into this series or win it. Even after the debacle that was game four I think this series will be decided in game six and the Mavs will be moving on to the next round. For the Blazers to have had even the smallest chance of winning the series they had to take game five and they couldn't get it done.

The Mavs were impressive last night and won by double digits. Dirk was the leading scorer with 25 points but Tyson Chandler was an absolute monster and Portland couldn't figure out what to do about him. He had 14 points and 20 Rebounds with 13 of those being offensive rebounds. Did you know that was the most offensive rebounds in the playoffs since Shaq grabbed 14 back when he was on the Magic? Needless to say, with another performance like this from the Mavs Wednesday night, this series is over.

2011 NFL Mock Draft



Well everyone, it's monday and the NFL Draft is just around the corner. Everyone wants to know who is going to go where? What trades will happen? How will this lockout affect the draft? Well there is one thing we know for sure... no one has a clue. So without any further hesitation let's get to my mock draft of the first round
Round 1

1. The Carolina Panthers Select: Cam Newton QB, this is no surprise because regardless of the panthers defensive woes, they need a Quarterback who can get them to the next level in the near future. They think that Cam Newton can be that  guy so they will take a chance on him and hope to address defense in the later rounds
2. The Denver Broncos Select: Marcel Dareus DE, The consensus number 2 pick if he does not go number 1 for the simple reason that he will anchor their defensive line for years to come, coupled with the fact that they released two of their former Defensive Tackles from last year this is a major need for them. Another prospect that could go here is Patrick Peterson out of LSU, if He goes at this spot it could shake up the entire rest of the draft, I think the Broncoes go with Dareus here.
3. The Buffalo Bills Select: Von Miller LB, This guy looks like the next Damarcus Ware, he is a little big for a 3-4 outside Linebacker but you'd never know it from how fast he moves, He will be a pass rushing threat from day 1 and any defense could use a kid like him who had 33 sacks in his 4 year college career which averages to about 8.5 a year. this kid is the real deal.
4. The Cincinnati Bengals Select: Blaine Gabbert QB, The other top quarterback in the draft Gabbert goes here just because of Carson Palmer's threat of retirement. My thinking is that the bengals draft Gabbert and then trade Palmer once the new CBA is reached to get good draft picks next year. They would much rather take someone like Patrick Peterson or A.J. Green in this spot but must take Carson Palmer's threats seriously and accordingly draft Gabbert.
5. The Arizona Cardinals Select: Patrick Peterson CB, This is the flat out best player in this class and I don't think anyone else even comes close, he looks like the next Darelle Revis only better because I think he is slightly faster then Revis is and he has uncanny ball location skills that make throwing to his side of the field a risk you might not want to take. Peterson won't fall any further as Gabbert has already been taken and he is the other person the Cardinals would have liked in this spot.
6. The Cleveland Browns Select: A.J. Green WR, it is a surprise that he falls this far, as most people think the Bengals would take him at 4. The Browns are thankfull to grab the top reciever in the class to provide a legitimate recieving threat for their young Quarterback Mccoy
7. The San Francisco 49ers Select: Prince Amukamara CB, The no. 2 cornerback in this draft, the 49ers would like one of the two quarterbacks to fall to them at this spot, and Peterson being taken by the Cardinals didn't help, but most people think Prince could end up being almost as good as Peterson is. He shut his doubters up with a 4.39 second 40 yard dash that makes me believe the 49ers will take a chance on him
8. The Tennessee Titans Select: Nick Fairley DT, Falling from number one where he was mocked earlier this year, the Titans will snatch him up quickly to anchor their defensive line that hasn't had a dominating inside presence since Albert Haynesworth, who Fairley emulates. the Titans take him and hope he doesn't go down the same road Haynesworth did
9. The Dallas Cowboys Select: A trade, The Cowboys trade down to no 14 with the Rams and recieve their pick in the second round as well, and with the 9th pick the Rams select Julio Jones WR, The Rams execute this trade with Dallas in order to edge the Redskins out of this pick, as they certainly would have taken Jones had he not been taken in this spot, though the Rams might feel giving up a second round pick is a little too much to move up only 5 spots they desperately need a recieving threat for Sam Bradford to throw to and to draw coverage off of Bradfords other fav target, Mark Clayton, the Cowboys are happy because the Skins lose out on an electric reciever to bolster their recieving corps while the Cowboys move into a position to select the best offensive lineman available, while also picking up an extra pick
10. The Washington Redskins Select: Robert Quinn DE/OLB, The Redskins are disappointed at having missed out on Jones to upgrade their recievers who sported an aging Santana Moss and a dinosaur Joey Galloway last year, but the thought of having Robert Quinn Line up opposite Brian Orakpo is an exciting thought for them, and they draft Quinn.
11. The Houston Texans Select: J.J. Watt DE, the Texans take a defensive lineman to anchor the side opposite Mario Williams, Defense will be the mantra in Houston, as it was terrible last year. If the Texans can get good defensive players this draft, I think they will do very well next year.
12. The Minnesota Vikings Select: Cameron Jordan DE, The defensive end from California can play virtually any position on a 4-3 defensive front and that's why the Vikings take him here, The Vikings would have liked to have Gabbert or Newton with this pick but because neither fell to them they feel safer going with one in the second round
13. The Detroit Lions Select: Tyron Smith OT, The Lions get lucky and land a premier Left Tackle to defend Matt Stafford's Blind Side, maybe he'll stay healthy this year with some better protection from his offensive line. Tyron falls to this spot because the Cowboys traded down and the lions benefitted
14. The Dallas Cowboys Select: Anthony Castonzo OT, Castonzo is a very good and versatile player as he can play any position on the line other then center, the Cowboys like his versatility and will take him as Tyron Smith did not fall quite far enough to reach them. He will plug in at Right Tackle and hopefully bolster the line with a younger more athletic player on that side.
15. The Miami Dolphins Select: Mike Pouncey G/C, Though earlier mocks had this pick as Mark Ingram across the board Pouncey has risen because of the need of the Dolphins. When Free Agency happens it will have a lot of good running backs and the Dolphins will address those problems there, Pouncey gives them a player who can play all of the inside positions and will be an upgrade from what they had last year
16. The Jacksonville Jaguars Select:Ryan Kerrigan DE, The Jaguars had one of the worst run defenses in the league last year and pick up Kerrigan to play opposite of Aaron Kampman and give them a young and powerful defensive line.
17. The New England Patriots Select: Cam Heyward DE, The Patriots continue their trend of going defense in the first round and add Heyward to fill the hole left by Richard Seymours exit. Heyward plugs in nicely and could rotate with Wilfork for the nose position
18. The San Diego Chargers Select: Phil Taylor DT, a player who could have easily been the best in this class without Dareus and Fairley and is the best nose tackle, the Chargers add Taylor to upgrade their defensive line
19. The New York Giants Select: Gabe Carimi OT, Carimi a solid player at Wisconsin for four years will come in and be an upgrade for the Giants line that had many injured players last year, another attractive trait of Carimis is that he might be able to transfer to guard if required
20. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select: Da'Quan Bowers DE, Bowers has really fallen far after being the predicted number one pick in the draft earlier this year, the Bucs get the biggest steal of the year if his knee holds up over the course of the season, as it is the Bucs add the most dynamic pass-rushing Defensive End to bolster their new-look young defensive line lining up next to Gerald Mccoy
21. The Kansas City Chiefs Select:Akeem Ayers OLB, The Chiefs would have liked Phil Taylor but he doesn't fall far enough and the Chiefs add a young pass-rushing linebacker opposite Tamba Hali to improve their pass rush
22. The Indianappolis Colts Select: Nate Solder OT, Originally thought to be the best Offensive Tackle in the draft, the Colts take Solder to upgrade their Left Tackle Position that hasn't been the same since Tarik Glenn left.
23. The Philadelphia Eagles Select: Jimmy Smith CB, A player who could easily be in the Amukamara/Peterson Level of talent, Smith falls to the Eagles because of off the field issues. The Eagles take a chance to fill the hole left by Sheldon Brown.
24. The New Orleans Saints Select: Muhammad Wilkerson DT, The Saints need a Defensive lineman to improve their pass-rush and Wilkerson gives them that while also being able to play any position on the 4-3
25. The Seattle Seahawks Select: Jake Locker QB, The Seahawks will need a Quarterback next year and Charlie Whitehurst isn't the answer, with the uncertainty of Free Agency and Hasselbeck ageing the Hawks take Locker to be their Quarterback of the Future
26. The Baltimore Ravens Select: Derreck Sherrod OT, With neither defensive lineman the Ravens like, Wilkerson and Heyward falling far enough for them to take, the Ravens pick a solid right tackle to improve the right side of their line and give them an upgrade over Jared Gaither
27. The Atlanta Falcons Select:Kyle Rudolph TE, Rudolph is expected to do big things next year in the NFL, and with Tony Gonzalez getting older and closer to retirement, the Falcons grab him here
28. The New England Patriots Select: Mark Ingram RB, the Patriots get solid additions on both offense and defense in the first round. Ingram provides them with a legitimate every down runner that they haven't had since Corey Dillon. The Pats take the best running back in the class with this pick.
29. The Chicago Bears Select: Marvin Austin DT, The Bears have to replace Tommie Harris and they do here adding Austin to anchor the middle of the defense and play alongside Julius Peppers, their other potential pick, Derrick Sherrod was taken by the Ravens and didn't fall far enough to be taken here.
30. The New York Jets Select: Justin Houston OLB, The Jets add another pass rusher to their relentless defense by adding Houston, with their lock down corners taking another pass rusher makes their already dangerous defense just a little bit more dangerous
31. The Pittsburg Steelers Select: Aaron Williams CB/S, The Steelers need a corner to play opposite Ike Taylor and William Gay will just not fit the bill this season, the Steelers add Williams to improve their secondary that was a weak point of their defense last season
32. The Green Bay Packers Select:Brooks Reed DE/OLB, The packers add a relentless pass rusher to play opposite Clay Matthews, Reed improves this spot and starts from day 1

Well, Those are my opinions on what will happen in the first round of the draft. Check back soon as I will have a Second Round Mock soming up as well as an NBA Playoff Update. Check Back soon

Mavericks Keep On Rolling

Who would have thought at the start of this series the Mav's would be up 2-0 at this point? I know I didn't, as much as I hate to say it I thought they were going to lose last night. Up until the beginning of the second half they hadn't led once in the whole game. Let me repeat that just in case you didn't quite get the message. They hadn't had a single lead THE WHOLE GAME.

They were down 52-50 at halftime which was quite an achievement considering how horrible Dirk was playing, and was anyone else begging for Jason Terry to be taken out of the game. He took a lot of shots and had a lot of misses in that first half. Well the Trailblazers let the Mavs hang around a little too long and they paid for it. I mean Jason Kidd scored the opening nine points of the second half and the Mavs never looked back.

While we're on the topic, Jason Kidd has just been a beast these first two games. Who would have thought resting him the last week of the season would produce production like this from him? He scored 18 last night and scored 24 the first game, in both games he shot at least 50% from 3 point range. Where did this come from? Is this the same Kidd who was a nonexisting scoring factor during our other matchups with the Blazers? It sure doesn't seem like it. This Kidd looks like one from 10 years ago back in his prime and Peja was on fire last night but let's be honest with ourselves. They're not going to be able to keep this up forever.

Other players on the Mavs are going to have to step up also. One important thing to note about this series is this, the "soft" label the Mavs have had, you need to roll that up and toss it in the trash. This Mavs team is tough and knows how to put a team away in the 4th quarter. though Dirk hasn't scored much in the opening 3 quarters of either game he has been an absolute monster in the fourth in both games. He scored 18 in the 4th the first game and then 14 last night. He has gotten much better at driving to the hoop during his career which was not a strong point of his 5 years ago in the Finals. That is one thing the Blazers just can't defend against. How do you defend against a 7'0" guy who can drive the hoop and make 3's, while also having the best fadaway turnaround shot in the league? How do you defend that? If the Blazers want to win, they're going to have to figure out how to do it in the 4th.

For now though the Mavs are sitting pretty with a 2-0 series lead while the Lakers and Spurs the two seeds above them are sitting at 0-1 and seriously wondering how long their series' are going to last. The Spurs could get knocked out, and I know that the Grizzlies have only won one playoff game in their franchise history but they looked REALLY good in that win and the Spurs just looked terrible. I don't think the Lakers will lose their series but I do think it could go to 6 or even 7 games before they wrap it up. A 5 game series isn't going to happen. The Hornets will win at least one more game at home and this could get really interesting if the Hornets win game 2. Then the Lakers will have to really fear for their playoff lives.

This is all a great oppurtunity for the Mavs. Can you imagine what could line up for us. We get a depleted Lakers team in the second round facing a Mavs team that won in 4-5 games for their series and had a lot of rest. Then we face the Grizzlies, Nuggets, or Thunder. If the Spurs get knocked off and the Lakers series goes to 7 the Mavs could be looking at their easiest road to the Finals they've ever seen. And that's a very good thing for us Mav fans.