Yankees

Baseball season kicks off today and the Yankees season starts tomorrow.  It seems only fitting the New York's season will start against the rival Red Sox.  Last season both teams struggled and will be looking to start the new season off on a good note.

The Red Sox finished last year with an awful 93 losses and won't be 100% to start the new season.  David Ortiz is struggling with a heel injury and new shortstop Stephen Drew is out with a spring training concussion.  Boston with be pitching their lefty ace Jon Lester who also struggled last year.

New York is also injury-riddled with stars Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson on the day-to-day injury list and Alex Rodriguez out for 4-6 months.  It may be good that Rodriguez is out because he struggled a ton last year but the yankees are locked in to a contract with the aging star until he's 42.  And even though Rodriguez will be out for most of the year he will still earn 29 million dollars more than the Houston Astros payroll!  The Yanks will also be pitching their left-handed ace so get ready for a thriller, at least pitching wise.

Orange All The Way

Exactly a decade after Syracuse's last final four appearance the Orange repeat this feat of college basketball excellence.  That team was led by Carmelo Anthony the current Knicks star but this team is different.  The 2013 S.U. squad has no star no leader just a group of very talented kids who share the load.  If one person is struggling another will step up and that's how they made it this far.

Tonight they played Marquette in a game dominated by defense.  The Orange jumped out to an early lead and continued slowly running up the score for most of the first half until the shots stopped falling and they started magically creating turnovers.  But here's where the 2-3 zone that killed Indiana stepped in.  The Golden Eagles couldn't get an uncontested shot and at the half it was 24-18 with Syracuse on top.

Marquette found the achilles heel of the 2-3 zone in the beginning of the second, a little space around the free throw line and knocked down a couple of jumpers from there.  But that was as good as it got.  The Orange once again stepped on the gas with a three from James Southerland and another from Carter-Williams and didn't stop there.  Three players scored in double digits and everyone played tireless D in the 55-39 victory.

March Madness

ROUND ONE

This year was one of the most unpredictable in the history of college hoops.  No team fully dominated and the season was riddled with upsets.  So as we are headed into the Sweet Sixteen I will give you a recap of the tournament.

In the first round 64 teams were included and upsets weren't rare.  In fact the Sports Illustrated bracket predicted that 11 of the teams who were knocked out would make it to the next round of 32 teams.  Here were some of the noteworthy upsets:

Oregon the 12 seed knocked off Oklahoma state, in a win due largely to the efforts of Damyean Dotson and Arsalan Kazemi.  Damyean picked up a game high 17 points while the latter put up a double double with 11 points and amazingly 17 rebounds.

The next was maybe the most surprising, Ole Miss took out the Wisconson Badgers in a game that I would have liked to say was close until the end.  The Badgers shot a measly 7/30 from behind the arc and although Ole Miss had a great game from Marshall Henderson Wisconson gave the game up without a fight.

The next major upset was one that was less expected but still significant.  La Salle was dominant from the start against Kansas and lead by 18 at the half.  But the Wildcats still had some fight in them and a late game rally left La Salle struggling for dominance.  But the coaches message was clear and Ramon Galloway played clutch and ended with 19 points in the Explorers win.

In our last unexpected victory of the first round #14 Harvard took down #3 New Mexico showing those kids aren't just smart.

ROUND TWO

Now we advance to the round of 32 teams.  There were only a couple unexpected upsets but the great play didn't diminish.

The Oregon Ducks continued their hot streak and blew out  the favored Saint Louis Billikens 74-57.  The Ducks held Saint Louis to just 19 points in the first half and ended the half on a 24-4 run.  In the second half they scored twice as many points but it wasn't enough.  Damyean Dotson was once again the main man for Oregon and ended up with 23 points.

The Wichita State Shockers are properly named as they knocked out 1 seed Gonzaga sunday night.  The Bulldogs were the first 1 seed to get knocked out this march and it took some good play to do it.  Three-pointer after three-pointer fell to come back from a comfortable Bulldog lead and it was enough. Wichita State finished the game on a 19-7 run and finished the game on top, 76-70.

As we head into the Sweet Sixteen: FGCU, La Salle, and Oregon are all seeded in double digits so if your team's playing them you might not have the hardest time.  But who knows it's March and anything can happen.

The Jeff Green Show Got Cancelled!

Two of of the top teams in the eastern conference, the Heat and the Celtics tipped off in the TD Garden in Boston.  Miami boasts a 22 game winning streak tied for second all time and the Celtics haven’t lost in 17 at home.  But the Heat also haven’t won in the last 10 matchups in Boston.  You get the picture, big game!

The Celtics are injury stricken losing two of their starting players: Rajon Rondo with an ACL tear and Kevin Garnett with a thigh injury.  And Pierce can’t score the points by himself  so somebody had to step up.  That somebody was Jeff Green.  43 points, 7 rebounds, and four blocks tells the story pretty accurately but he also played with intensity that almost won the game.

But the big three wouldn’t have any of that.  And I’m not talking about James, Wade, and Bosh.  James, Wade, and Chalmers.  Mario Chalmers is one of the most underrated players in the league he can often score 20 points without being noticed.  And thats just what he did yesterday shooting .800 from behind the arc and playing his best in the fourth quarter.  But Lebron and Wade are who really buried Boston combining for 53 points and 48 minutes of tireless defense.  And it came down to the king, who hit a stepback jumper to win it with 10 on the clock.  Who can beat Miami?

Mariano Rivera

The closer is one of the most important positions in baseball.  It can be looked down upon by fans because it may seem like an easy job where coaches put pitchers who are struggling.  But leave aside the perfection that is needed, the stress can drive you crazy!  You are expected to knock down three batters with ease when the game is on your shoulders.

If you’ve ever been to a Yankees game you know what it’s like.  The emotions and joy clouding the air as Enter Sandman is played and number 42 walks onto the field.  Not the most physically intimidating man but he cutter will give you nightmares. Mariano Rivera easily the greatest closer of the last decade and a half retires after the 2013 season.  The 43 year old will easily make it to the hall of fame and the 42 on his jersey will probably join the retired numbers in center field.  He boasts 1119 career strikeouts  and only 65 home runs allowed!

But is Mo the best closer of all time?  Goose Gossage says that relief pitchers like himself, Rollie Fingers, and Bruce Sutter who often pitched several innings have been forgotten after the relatively new development of the one inning closer.  He later said that he did not want to at all take credit from Rivera but wants to acknowledge the roles in the history of baseball from these older relief pitchers.  

NFC West

The 49er’s and Seahawks are one of the most growing rivalries in sports.  Last year was the breakout season for their two young quarterback as well.  Colin Kaepernick for the niners and Russell Wilson for Seattle.  Kaepernick was drafted the year before but was a backup until Alex Smith suffered a concussion and stepped down from the throne.  You can bet Colin took advantage of that.  And Seattle drafted Russell Wilson who was an extremely underrated player who shone under the spotlight.

But today each team added a new weapon to their arsenal.  The first to make a deal was the Seahawks who traded a draft pick to the Vikings for star receiver Percy Harvin.  Harvin did miss the last seven games of the season due to an ankle injury but still stacked up decent stats.  After Harvin passed a physical last week the Seahawks decided to sign him.

And now San Francisco.  Later in the day the 49er’s traded for Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin.  The defending Super Bowl champs the Baltimore Ravens agreed to send their star receiver over for just a fifth round pick.  The probable reason is that Baltimore wants some salary cap space and Anquan was paid 6 million a year.  When asked what his thoughts were on why the Ravens traded him, Colin Kaepernick replied that he doesn’t focus on that kind kind of thing and is just pleased to have another option especially since Boldin is so good at working the middle of the field.

DeAndre Jordan throws it down Jordan-like over Brandon Knight!  C'mon be nice to the little guy.

NY woes

Last nights comeback victory was a great performance but also has Knicks fans on their toes wondering about the consequences of star forward Carmelo Anthony’s injury.  He had felt it hurting earlier in the game and asked coach Mike Woodson to take him out but as it was a close game and Melo was the difference maker so Mike left him in.  It turned out Anthony wasn’t the difference maker because he averaged almost a fifth of his usual baskets putting up 6 and barely contributed defensively as well.  He was taken out and the half.

The Knicks trailed by as much as 52-30 in the second but when they took Melo out there was more time for the other players to thrive and thrive they did.  The guards mainly the bench staff held the game down knocking down seven threes in the third alone.  But the big men didn’t let down either.  Struggling Amare scored 22 and pulled in 8 while Tyson secured every loose ball that came his way.  And despite Kyrie Erving’s 22 points New York hung in for the W.

But earlier today worried fans were relieved as Melo was just diagnosed with a sore knee and may not even miss Wednesday’s game.  Coach Woodson also admitted that he was being stubborn and it was a bad decision to leave the All-Star in.  Tomorrow they play Detroit in a pretty easy game but on Thursday they play dangerous OKC and they need Anthony at his prime.

Top Five NBA Teams

This has been a great year in the NBA despite the lockout.  About 5 teams are fighting to be the #1 contender and although several are more dominant all these teams are in the mix.  This is my top five.  

1. Although I hate to say it, it has to go to Miami.  The Heat are currently riding a 12 game winning streak and are the team to beat.  Earlier in the season they seemed to be playing a little lazily but as the playoffs draw nearer and nearer they can’t seem to lose.  Maybe it’s great team chemistry and maybe it’s Lebron liking the idea of a second ring and playing his heart out.  In the last five games he’s averaging about 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.  Yes he’s double digits in assists but he has been passing well all season topping the assist chart for non guards.

2. My 2nd place pick is the Thunder.  Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are making heads turn both averaging over 23 ppg, and dishing out their share as well as staying strong on the boards.  The scoring is no problem they are averaging 10 more points than their opponents 107-97 but the D is.  It has been inconsistent all season long and they will need to step up if they want to take the lead.

3. Number three has to go to the Spurs.  They boast the best record (45-14) and the only reason they’re not number two is their age.  I fear injury and they’ve been playing so hard, many of their games ending in over-time, so I think they will not have a fully healthy roster going into the playoffs.

4. Paul George and the Pacers have to be number four.  Even without one of their star players Danny Granger the Pacers are a top contender.  The definite highlight of their play is on the defensive side but their offense has been getting better as the season draws to a close.  And Granger has recently started playing after his four month drought due to a knee injury.  Lookout Spurs Indiana’s hot on your trail.

5. This was a tough pick but one person decided it.  The L.A. Clippers have to be five because of Chris Paul.  He is their team and the sole reason they are winning.  Although Blake Griffin draws plenty of attention it’s Paul who sets him up and makes most of his baskets possible.  But the Grizzlies are hot and could take this spot if L.A. isn’t clutch in the postseason!