NFL- I might have to change my commercial odds from last weeks article due to the fact that Clay Mathews did get an endorsement deal from Suave. I’m going to have to hit the film room to go over Suave’s commercials to see if they are a real contender for best commercial during the Super Bowl. Besides this there was nothing too exciting in Super Bowl build up week, but the war of words on twitter between Matt Hasselbeck and Antonio Cromartie was entertaining to say the least. Hasselbeck would have been my clear-cut winner until he backed off following Cromartie’s threat. As it stands right now I’d call it a split decision. I can only hope that there are more rounds of this in the future. Add twitter wars, the Packers decided to spice up the week by fighting through twitter about a team picture. For those that don’t follow the NFL that closely this is always a good sign leading up to the most important game of the year. The only significant news that came out this past week was that Maurkice Pouncey will miss the Super Bowl due to his injured right ankle. This is a significant blow to the Steelers offensive line and definitely something to watch on Super Sunday. In other news the NFC prevailed over the AFC 55 to 41 in a game that had viewers across America captivated. Seriously did anyone watch this game? I’m actually kind of surprised that the player’s actually play in this game. This game occurs a couple weeks after their seasons end and then there expected to come back and play a serious game? As seen by the NFC leading at the half 42-7, no one cares at all. And in depressing news Chad Ochocinco has decided to switch his name back to Chad Johnson. I don’t think this will change the fact he’s past his prime, but you never know. Why this is newsworthy I don’t know but it shows how much is going on during the build up week.
NBA- I’m just going to not mention the small forward from Denver that remains on the trading block. In other news everyone finally came to their senses and voted the very deserving Yao Ming as the Western conference starting center. Where he got all of his voting support remains a mystery to many. After LeBron left Cleveland many wondered how the Cavaliers would remain relevant in the NBA landscape but thanks to a twenty game losing streak they are very much in the league news. The good news is that they play two winnable games this week; home games against the Pacers and Trail Blazers. Yes I realize the Blazers hold the eighth seed in the West but anytime you lose to the Kings at home by fifteen points you can lose to anyone in the league. If the Blazers do fall to the Cav’s it is officially time to wave the white flag on the season. Back to the Cavs impressive streak, the scary thing about this streak is that without an overtime victory over the Knicks they would be riding a thirty-one game losing streak (I’ll be rooting for them to get there). Dan Gilbert’s claim about winning a ring before LeBron definitely looks like a good bet to come true. The Celtics beat the Lakers in Los Angeles in a game that got way too much hype. Side note I’m not too sure there is a player I enjoy watching more than Kobe Bryant right now. Kevin Durant and LeBron also are a joy to watch but when Kobe is playing like he did against the Celtics I don’t think there is anything better to watch in basketball. Of course Kobe still rates behind watching the Cavaliers. On a serious note is Ron Artest making another rap album or what? The guy has basically disappeared, it’s either the rap album or he stopped going to his psychiatrist. It has to be one of the two I know it. Or maybe he’s just drinking before games again. All the talk about the Lakers falling apart is ridiculous. This team is way too talented to not make a run to at least the conference finals plus I’m not sold on the “elite teams” of the western conference. I realize the Spurs are dominating the league right now but eventually their going to get hit with the injury bug and even if the playoffs started today I’d stick with the Laker’s. The Thunder simply don’t have the height to deal with Odom, Bynum, and Gasol and Dallas just hasn’t been the same team since Dirk got hurt. Random question but it is one that has been on my mind as of late, who is the more athletic point guard Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook? I personally would vote for Westbrook but who knows there both absolute freaks. I’m not quite sure what is going down in Utah but is it just me that thinks Deron Williams is quitting on this team? He still puts up the stats but he is saying nothing positive about the Jazz and or his future with the team after his contract runs up. Something to watch in the future. I still wonder how good the Blazer’s would be with Williams or CP3 running the point but thankfully Martell Webster turned out to be the dominant swingman we all expected. Not that anyone will listen but will someone please save Steve Nash? Phoenix isn’t going to make the playoffs and won’t for the foreseeable future, time for them to move on and trade him to a team where he’s got a shot at the title. For a guy that doesn’t talk trash at all Kevin Durant’s quotes after their loss to Heat were hilarious and quite accurate. I’ve never been a big Bosh fan for whatever reason and listening to Durant’s quotes put a smile on my face. Plus the whole Durant vs. LeBron matchup during the game wasn’t too shabby. Anytime a seven footer (looking at you Brook Lopez) can play thirty minutes and only grab one rebound you have to wonder how that is possible. I think we have found the equivalent of Monta Ellis for forwards (finally!!!). Lopez only averages 5.7 rebounds in 34 minutes so it’s not like this is some crazy fluke game, he just has the opposite instincts of Kevin Love (repping that 503). I know Love plays for a miserable team (not at all his fault look at his supporting cast), but get this man an all-star berth (even if it comes at the expense of LaMarcus Aldridge #LA2LA). My last note on the NBA don’t let ABC fool you with this lineup of games they were able to throw together on Sunday (Heat vs. Thunder and Celtics vs. Lakers). I guarantee at least three out of the next five weeks will have bad games (trust me, I think every year they have learned how to pick out good games).
NHL- As has been stated before not a big NHL fan but there all-star game format is phenomenal. A player draft for the teams is a great idea and there skill competitions are on par with the NBA’s. Plus anytime you can get twenty-one goals in a game it pretty much has to be exciting (not that I watched but I’m assuming it was).
NCAA Basketball- The Big East is good. Is any team more athletic than St. Johns? I swear when I watch them there team consists of 6’5” to 6’9” forwards that try and break the rim every possession. The NCAA might as well have the NCAA tournament be the Big East tournament (I think I’d be ok with that). NCAA Basketball is the only sport where I’m fine with the East Coast bias; it’s well deserved. How does a top ten matchup not make national TV? I know its San Diego State vs. BYU but still this was a great game and a shame that it was only on CBS College Sports. For those that didn’t watch, both these teams are legit and should be looked at as contenders in March. Jimmer Fredette is awesome to watch, the guy has no conscious and can hit from anywhere in the gym. Continuing to go with the Mountain West love, my roommate, a Colorado State fan (yes they exist), is predicting a Colorado State victory over San Diego State on Wednesday (CBS College Sports).
P-Money’s Reserves 69 Wet Bandits 45- I’m not quite sure how we gave up 69 points in a two twenty minute half’s with a running clock but we did. Probably some sort of karma for bagging on the Knicks defense but I think it’s safe to say we will not be winning the free intramural champion t-shirts (very depressing). This game’s highlights would consist of P-Money’s Reserves (how good are P-Money’s starters?) players getting wide open lay-ups and nothing else. Our team consists of one point guard (not me) and one big that rebounds (not me) everybody else stands on the perimeter waiting to get the ball so they can isolate (me plus 5 others). Basically imagine a team with Jason Kidd, Ben Wallace, and everybody else being a Monta Ellis clone. I’m sure this is giving you a headache just imagining watching us play. Yours truly had six points on three of four shooting in fifteen minutes. You should now be dropping me from your fantasy team because I’m quite sure I contributed nothing else stat wise besides a turnover and a steal. As for the rest of our season I’m not sure where we go from here, but it’s safe to say our coach is under intense criticism after that debacle. I think the best course for the next couple games is to tank it for next years draft but I’m not too sure about the incoming University of Oregon freshman class for next year.
The Week Moving Forward
Steelers 31 Packers 28- To be honest I’m a little confused how the Packers were started as three point favorites but that’s for Vegas not me. Big Ben just doesn’t lose in the playoffs, time for me to accept that fact seeing as I’ve picked against him every step of the way. It may not always be pretty but Roethlisberger always finds a way to get the Steelers a victory. The Steelers’ best play I think is having the pocket break down and having Roethlisberger run around for five seconds and then find a wide receiver open for fifteen yards. Surprising to me that more teams don’t utilize this strategy but what do I know. Back to the actual game I expect this game to resemble the Steelers Cardinals Super Bowl in 2007. Hopefully the last play of the half ends up being as exciting as James Harrison’s touchdown prior to halftime in that game. This isn’t expecting too much is it? I’m picking the Steelers because they seem to have the better hair endorsement and because they have a quarterback that you would have to kill to get him off the field (Jay Cutler everyone). Anyway the real reasons I’m picking the Steelers would be the lack of a running threat for the Packers, the ability to get to Aaron Rodgers, and a couple of long play to Mike Wallace. Also wouldn’t hurt their chances if they can get Rashard Mendenhall going like he was going against the Jets. I was kind of tempted to pick against the Steelers just because of the footage of Mendenhall humping Big Ben near the conclusion of the Jets game, but thankfully I came to my senses. Unfortunately for Mendenhall the AFC Championship game was on national television (crazy right?). Of course making this all the more humorous was Big Ben being the recipient of Mendenhall’s actions. Is this the way teams celebrate in the locker room? Curious minds want to know. On second thought I’m not sure I really want to know. Last thought what do you think the odds are that Mike Tomlin accepts the trophy and doesn’t smile? One to one?
The Packers definitively have the ability to win the game (they didn’t get here based on luck besides “knee gate”) but I’m pretty confident in saying that I expect the Steelers to win. For the Packers to win Aaron Rodgers can’t play like he did against the Bears and they are going to have to get a couple turnovers from their defense. Of course I’m rooting for B.J. Raji to get in the end zone again to see what he pulls out as his celebration. It’s going to be pretty tough to top his last celebration but he does have a plethora of options due to the fact that he is a frequent touchdown scorer. Unfortunately I think that Raji will not get to reach the end zone in this one but we can hope. Also bringing the heat at Big Ben and containing him would greatly help their chances. I don’t see them as being able to do this but that’s why they play the game. Regardless this should be a great game and the NFL can’t be complaining about this matchup.
NBA- A player wearing number fifteen in Denver won’t be traded but will still be talked about way too much. If I’m his teammate why do I want to play with this guy again? The All-Star reserves will be named, unfortunately I have been notified that the coaches will not put me under consideration for a spot. I don’t know how many have noticed this but the last two spots on the East are going to be filled with players that wouldn’t get consideration from the Western Conference. No matter what a deserving forward from the West will be left off barring a trade of number fifteen on Denver to the Knicks. Luckily enough for the Cavalier’s the NBA has announced that their players are eligible for the D-League all-star game. Nothing has been mentioned about the D-League wanting any Cavaliers players though. In real news though I think the Cavaliers will break their streak (praying its not against the Blazers), hopefully LeBron will say something witty on twitter for this occasion and then blame it on somebody else. I’m really enjoying the whole athletes on twitter thing right now due to the almost daily trash talk between athletes and or teams. Fake tough guy Chris Bosh will say something really lame in response to Kevin Durant’s postgame interview (surprising no one). Lastly China will declare war on the NBA (yes the NBA) once they realize Yao Ming will not be playing in the all-star game.
Wet Bandits (-.333) over Unnamed Opponent- Still have yet to find out how to locate the intramural homepage so once again I’m referring to the other team as unnamed opponent. On second thought maybe this is a bad idea because I get the feeling that P-Money Reserve’s used the whole unnamed opponent thing as bulletin board material. Regardless unnamed opponent will have to do. Hopefully its not P-Moneys Starters, that thought will give me nightmares for the rest of the week. Don’t ask too many questions about the spread, I swear we will cover by more than a third of a point. How we plan to achieve this I don’t know but I guarantee we will do it. Sorry to those that lost money on last weeks game where I pegged us as twelve point favorites, I think we watched film of the wrong team. Also I feel pretty confident that someone on our team will finally cross the double-digit scoring barrier in a game (how this hasn’t happened really is mind boggling).
PS- I wrote most of this article on while listening to a YouTube Akon play list (why I don’t know) so I apologize if the article doesn’t make any sense. Highlights of the Akon play list, Tupac and a couple of Akon songs. Lowlights of the Akon play list, most Akon songs and all other artists besides Tupac. I promise in the future I will be smarter in picking out the play list. For those that haven’t done this already Wikipedia search Akon, he actually might be crazy. There are about as many strange things in his life as you could come up with. I would go into detail but that would take up way too much of your time. Definitely something to look at if you are bored beyond belief.
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