1. The NBA playoff first round was arguably the best first round of all-time. We saw five series got to game sevens, a handful of overtimes and an unexpected amount of four point plays. Which series was the best in your eyes and why?
Spencer-
No series was better than the Oklahoma City, Memphis series...nothing. The number of times I caught my self saying "What just happened?" throughout those seven games was crazy. Russell Westbrook was slamming crazy dunks, there was that Durant four point play. Tony Allen was locking KD down, while Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph did work in the paint. It was just a fight! Add in the fact that there were four overtime games, I mean it just doesn't get any better than that. It's going to be tough for the second round to live up to these first round games but I'm excited for it.
Ty-
A week ago I would have agreed with Spencer about the Thunder and Grizzlies but the last 2 games ended in blowouts so idk If I can pick it. I think I would go with the Portland v. Houston series. All the games were close. It had 3 overtimes and it although it ended in 6 it came down to the last shot of the series to end it. Although the Rockets got down 3-1 you could have argued that they could have easily been in the up 3-1 because of how close the games were and how each game turned on maybe one or two bounces to decide it.
2. Now as the NBA teams are set for round two who wins each series to advance to the conference championship round and in how many games?
Ty-
The second round match ups should hopefully live up to the first round of games as well.
In the west I have
the Thunder over the Clippers in 7 games. These teams love to play a very fast pace so they end up playing very similar styles. The difference is that I think that the Thunder can play better defense for longer stretches of time. Blake Griffin usually struggles against the Thunder and they wont have the size advantage they had against the Warriors. In the Spurs v. Trailblazers matchup
I have the Spurs in 7 as well. I'm only saying seven games because Portland is very resilient. I do think that they can score on the Spurs at any point but The Spurs are capable of playing defense and I don't trust the Blazers D at all. I will say if the Blazers get hot or play better D than they can win in 6.
In the east the Pacers v. Wizards match-up is interesting because the Pacers were the better team for most of the year but imploded. The Wizards are close to contenders now that they got Nene back.
I have the Wizards winning in 6. Finally I have the
Miami Heat beating the Nets in 7. This is because the Heat have Dwayne Wade for now and that makes the difference. Now if Wade gets hurt, which is still a good chance. Then all bets are off because I do feel like this Miami team is not as good as they were last year.
Spencer-
The match-ups for this round should be insane if we're basing it off of the first round and how the teams stack up. I think there are two that on paper have game seven potential and that's the Thunder and the Clippers and the Pacers and the Wizards. Thunder, Clippers, I just get the sense is going to be a battle. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan down low will give Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins some trouble down low, I don't know if it will be as much as Marc Gasol and Zach Randoph did, but it will still be impactful. Then you got the match up of Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook too. In the end
it will go seven and the Thunder win. For the Pacers, Wizards series I just can't trust the Pacers enough yet to believe they are back to their dominant form and the Wizards are a force to be reckoned with. If Roy Hibbert continues to put up 0's it could be the end in this round, but going small has worked for them in big moments so we'll see what strategy they go with. In the end I think the
Pacers hang on in seven again. I may regret that, but I just have the feeling when the Pacers are in survival mode they get it done. The other two series (Heat vs. Nets and Spurs vs. Blazers) are tougher for me to pick. On one hand you got Brooklyn who swept the Heat in the regular season, but on the other you got a rested Miami team who we all know coasted in the regular season. Then you have the veteran's in the Spurs against the young up and coming Trailblazers.
Miami should win their series but not as easy as round one, this time it will take six games. As for San Antonio and Portland, I just don't see the disciplined and experienced Spurs team letting Damian Lillard go off like he did against the Rockets.
Spurs in five.
3. The Stanley Cup playoffs are well into the second round now, who do you like to advance in each series and why?
Spencer-
In the East I think, as I've said in past Monday Spread Options, the Bruins are the best team still in the playoffs, I mean look at how relentless they are! They were down 3-1 to Montreal and went on to score four goals in the third period alone to win 5-3. Unreal. I think they will get back to the conference championship for sure. Between the Rangers and Penguins I think if the Pens play like they did last night in their 3-0 win, they will win the series. Fleury looked like the 09 Fleury in the shutout and not to mention the penalty kill unit killed off six penalties in the game. If they can continue to do that then we'll have a rematch of last years
Eastern Conference Championship, Boston and Pittsburgh. On the Western side
I think Chicago is just too good for the Wild. They are already up 2-0 in the series and neither game has felt very close by score or in the teams play. I just don't think Minnesota is stopping the defending champs. The Kings and Ducks series could end up being the best series of the four because its two scrappy teams. On one side you got Kopitar leading the league in points for the playoffs and on the other you got Hiller with the best postseason goals against average. You've got two defensive minded teams that can score, so that should make for a solid series. I
think in the end the Kings will come out on top though. The Ducks have had some shaky goal tending at times, which is the reason Hiller started playing in the first place. I think LA feels confident with Quick in net and that will give them confidence to go full steam ahead on the offensive end.
Ty-
I could pretend to know alot about hockey but I do not. From what I do know I got these picks. I doubt you want my analysis but let's see if I get it right. The Rangers have played 5 games in 7 days and at some point has to be exhausted so I'm going
Penguins over Rangers. Then I have the
Bruins over Montreal. They seem like the better team. In the West I have the the
Blackhawks over the Wild just because they have looked great against them and they are up 2-0. Also although my gut tells me the Kings will win,
I'm going to take the Ducks just because I just had a flashback to my childhood of me watching the Mighty Ducks cartoon show. So there is obviously an edge there I guess.
4. The wait will finally come to an end this week as the NFL Draft is set to get underway Thursday night. There has obviously been a lot of talk leading up to now about who will get drafted where, give your mock draft for the top five picks and why?
Ty-
1. Houston: J. Clowney, DL
The Texans can't pass on this guy. Plus if Teddy Bridgewater is truely slipping out of the first round, they can grab him with the first pick in the second.
2. St. Louis: Greg Robinson, OT
The Rams might move down. I think they should take Watkins to give Bradford an actual #1 reciever. but I think they pink Robinson if they stay here.
3: Jacksonville: S. Watkins, WR
The Jags probably don't need a WR. They could take Bortles here but I think they go with the sure thing.
4: Cleveland: J. Manziel, QB
There has been a lot of hype and for some reason I think the Browns bite on it. I guess if Bortles is here too he can be an option as well.
5: Oakland: K. Mack, ILB
The Raiders would be in the running for Watkins and either of the quarterbacks as well but I think they go defense.
Spencer-
1. Houston: Trade Down
I don't think Houston wants to justify paying Jadeveon Clowney at the number one overall pick salary and will trade down to get potentially more picks from a team to help improve their depth, which is something they lack greatly. They need a QB obviously and taking one a few picks later if they trade down would make sense. Falcons could be a potential suitor for the first pick and they need to improve their defense immensely and may want Clowney badly enough.
2. St. Louis: Greg Robinson, OT
This is probably the easiest top five pick to predict. Rams want to put their faith in Sam Bradford and to do that they need to protect him. I expect them to look for other receiving options later in the draft because Bradford doesn't have a ton to throw to right now. That's the next step for the Rams in my mind.
3: Jacksonville: Sammy Watkins, WR
Jaguars have a decision to make. They need a lot but first thing they need is someone to get fans energized around this team. I think they should take Johnny Manziel because he will have the most immediate draw being a thrilling player and former Heisman winner. That being said I think the take Watkins and look for a quarterback later. We'll see what happens.
4: Cleveland: Johnny Manziel, QB
Cleveland once him bad and I think the way things will shake out they will get him. He will be someone who adds immediate excitement and high expectations, or in other words he'll put butts in seats for Cleveland. Not only that but if he becomes a great player like some expect he could help lead a much improved Browns team to the promise land. We'll see if he does, or if he becomes another name on the long list of QB failures in Cleveland.
5: Oakland: Khalil Mack, LB
Oakland needs a lot of help defensively and Mack is expected to be the highest linebacker taken. I think Mack can learn under a guy like Lamarr Woodley who the Raiders signed in the off-season and gain some great experience to become a solid future player for an Oakland franchise looking to be revived.
5. What We Learned:
Spencer: The Kentucky Derby is still one of the nations best sporting events
This past Saturday marked the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl of horse racing. California Chrome ran away with it, pulling ahead by several lengths at the end to win the race. As it is quite commonly known as "the best two minutes in sports" it lived up to the title, not to mention it drew the second largest crowd in the events history as 26,211 people packed into Chruchill Downs. Even more people watched from the comforts of their own home and placed bets on the horses amongst family and friends.
All in all I think the Kentucky Derby is so different but so historic it still works for America! It isn't your usual game of football. It isn't an obscure Olympic sport like trampoline. It's horse racing. A sport with a deep history and a sport that thrives on chance. The trainers train their horses for years to get to this stage. The owners buy the horses with the hope of chasing a triple crown and proving it was a wise investment. And the Jockey's work hard getting to know the horses and working hard to build a winning relationship with it. It is a delicate and unique system unlike anything else in sports.
On top of the romanticism of the sport itself I think it appeals to a wider American audience because of the gambling aspect of it, because well gambling on sports is basically an American pastime, and because of its viewing accessibility. On a Saturday where there were three NBA playoff game sevens going on as well as the Stanley Cup Playoffs and baseball games, the nation stopped what they were doing to watch this race. It is so simple to just turn it on 10 minutes before, see them break down the horses one at time as they get to the starting gate and get an understanding of the best horses who is expected to win and all that. Then you watch the two minute race and it's over and you can go back to watching what you were before. The quickness of it all benefits the audiences interest and we saw that again this year when Twitter blew up with posts about the race and the winning horse California Chrome.
From what I understand though there is nothing like being there in all-day at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby and taking it all in. I for one hope to get there some day.
Ty- The Draft Still Hasn't Happened Yet?
There has been complaints about the draft being pushed back by many because all the mock drafts have become dry. I hate the length between the season and the draft because it gives to much times to over think on players. Guys that were 1st rounders by scouts at the end of the season has been scrutinized into later rounds.
The only guy who might be immune to this is Johnny Manziel. But he is said to maybe go early in the 1st but also could drop out of the 1st round. The guy who has fell the most was Teddy Bridgewater although I think it could help the Texans because I still feel like he is a good player.
The draft should have been moved earlier in my opinion and not later although I get they did the move to get more ratings I guess. But it should also be about maximizing the talent on the teams and I think more time actually hurts that because scouts find more reasons to hate players they already didn't like and more reasons to like players that they were already fond of. I do know that scouts know what they are doing but everybody is human and sometimes people are bias.
I honestly just want the draft t be over. I'm not excited for it all now, I'm more tired about hearing about it and mock drafts and people's stock. I just want it to be over with and know who has been drafted to each team.
