The Tri-State Playoff Run

As of today, the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks are tied for the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference just two games out of the 8th seed. Philadelphia, Detroit, and Milwaukee are currently the last 3 teams in but they have lost a combined 9 in a row. The Detroit Pistons after a bad midseason move are falling fast as they have lost 5 straight.

The Tri-State teams are led by a young core with a good veteran. Devin Harris and Brooke Lopez lead the younger core of the Nets with veteran superstar, Vince Carter while the Knicks are led Krypto-Nate, who is playing with so much heart that the Knicks are playing like a playoff team. He is surrounded by Mr. Double Double, David Lee, and veteran pickup, Al Harrington, who currently averages 21 points. 

So who has the edge, The Knicks. The talent level the Knicks have to finish the year against is extremely lower than the Nets. The Knicks meet only two good teams in the Hornets and Orlando, who they play twice. Orlando is starting to struggle though with the loss of Jameer Nelson. The Nets schedule though is much tougher as they come down the stretch. The Nets have to play Boston, Orlando and Cleveland twice. They also play New Orleans with the dominant CP3.

So as the two teams we expected to share dead last fight for the post-season, we have to sit back and just watch Nate fly over 7 footers.

The Soap Opera Which Is Alex Rodriguez

He was went through a divorce, Madonna, 500 home runs but the next chapter is titled February 2009.

His positive test has led to a meeting with Peter Gammons and a press conference with 200+. He has been haunted by his nickname of A-Rod which has been made fun of and changed in every possible was besides A-Nice Guy. Rodriguez very hyped up arrival to spring training has only turned into more people doubt his credibility. The man has PROBABLY told some lies to the public but who knows maybe it's all true but America wants him to look bad. A-Rod has made the sports section full of rude headlines and no forgiving him. Rodriguez wants to focus on baseball and contribute to the run for championship number 27.

So will the country that only forgives celebrities cannot forgive a future Hall of Famer. The only way that A-Rod could be forgiven sadly is if the Bronx Bombers bring one back to the new Yankee Stadium.

XLIII: The Score, The Prediction

The Arizona Cardinals will play the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight. 

There are many aspects that will take place in this game. 'Zona rarely wins on the east coast but plays well in warm weather. The dome they play in is warm and the weather will be 66 degrees with 5 MPH of wind tonight. Also how intense could the '08 version of the Steel Curtain. James Harrison will be at his best and hopefully Big Ben will be also. Kurt Warner has sensational as of late, but the real Arizona story is Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz hasn't been the superstar of the Cards in the past few weeks taking the spotlight making for an unhappy Anquan Boldin. Boldin is a free agent at the end of the game and then the bashing will begin. Boldin left the celebration at the NFC title game after being a leader in his whole Cardinal career. While Fitz is out catching passes, and Boldin will be yelling at the coordinators, but Fitzgerald's father will be reporting at the Super Bowl. When Fitz was younger he shared a practice facility with Hines Ward, his opponent and nut case Plaxico Burress. Also as a kid he worked as a ball boy for the Vikings and spoke with stars such as Randy Moss and Cris Carter. 

So down to the point I have predicted my final score of Super Bowl XLIII and here it is:

Pittsburgh Steelers

31

Arizona Cardinals

17

 

After Pittsburgh wins the MVP is...

Hines Ward who catches 7 passes for 150 yards.

Enjoy the venue of the year.

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What Comes Around, Goes Around?

A few days after he rejected the Yankees 5 million dollar contract with bonuses, Joe Torre's book deal was announced. The book is written by SI's, Tom Verducci. The latest reports in the New York papers say that Torre blasts the team that he won 4 championships with. The book reveals the foolish nickname the Bombers called A-Rod, A-Fraud and his rivalry with teammate, Derek Jeter. Torre was embarrassed with the deal from the Yankees and then later signed with the Dodgers in November of 2007.

When the book releases, on February 3rd, Torre appears on Letterman that night, as the beginning of a long journey of being the talk of the sports wold. Torre will then begin spring training soon after being stalked by the media. With the bad publicity from New York, the two teams do not have a schedule match (thank gosh) but they could be a meeting in October.

LA has lost Derek Lowe, Rafael Furcal, Jeff Kent, Greg Maddux, Brad Penny, and possibly Manny Ramirez but the set of young and talented pitchers (Corey Wade, Chad Billingsly, Jonathan Broxton, and Clayton Kershaw) could take them deep in the playoffs. Their lineup is even better then there staff featuring a good set of outfielders (Matt Kemp and Andre Either) and the fast infielder, Blake DeWitt along with Casey Blake, Andre Eithier, and Gold Glover, Russell Martin. They may be very young but Joe Torre took a young team to 4 titles, I think he can do it in a new town. Maybe Joe is hoping he is treated better this time.

One Ring On, The Other One Gone

After partying last season about the arrival of their Super Bowl rings, the New York Giants this season won't be getting those.

Yesterday afternoon the Giants fell to the smokin' hot Eagles, 23-11. The twelve point loss ended the repeat season. That was the beginning of new things in the orginization.

Most likely coach Steve Spagnoulo will not return with Big Blue. Also the chances of Plax returning are unlikely. Also premier big back, Brandon Jacobs is a free agent along with Amani Toomer and Derrick Ward. So new faces will be in NY in the 2009-2010 season.

The nightmare of the '09 year isn't over yet as the Eagles fly to Arizona, just a game away.

Divisional Playoffs Picks

As the real NFL playoffs get under way, it wouldn't be complete if I didn't make my picks. Here we will begin with the Saturday games:

Titans 24, Ravens 28

I don't know how I just wrote that but maybe Reed and Lewis with Captain Flacco will pull off a win against a beat up Titans team.

Panthers 41, Cardinals 27

Another time for a Cardinal loss, another place on the east coast.

Giants 28, Eagles 31

I believe they can fly, all the way to Miami.

Pittsburgh 24, Chargers 23

In the closest game the red hot bolts fall.

Get ready for the conference championship picks next week.