R.I.P. Chicago Bulls Playoff Run

Derrick Rose tragically tore his ACL in the last 2 minutes of a game that the Chicago Bulls had already wrapped up. Tom Thibodeau put in the Bull's starting lineup after the Sixers had begun to ware down a double digit lead. Instead of dribbling the ball and killing clock, Rose attacked the drove into the lane with reckless abandon and landed awkwardly...and the Bull's championship run was over.

There has been plenty of criticism of Thib's decision to put Rose back in the game since the Bulls were blowing out the Sixers. Some of it is warranted. Rose had missed over 20 games this season with a variety of injuries and in hindsight it would have been a good idea to rest Rose. However, Thibodeau made a valid point in defense of his decision. Thibs said that he wanted to have the starters to practice closing out a game together and he has a point.

Rose missed almost a third of the season with various injuries and the starting five and the top defensive lineup have not had a chance to get into a rhythm playing with Rose. All they had to do was play solid defense and kill the clock and the victory would have been in hand. The only problem with that plan is that Rose is INCAPABLE of laying of the gas.

Arguably, the greatest part of Derrick's game is his ability to get to basket at will. The only problem with that is he ends throwing his body around and taking way to many hits. That is one of the biggest reason's why he missed so much time with injuries this season. As soon as he would recover, Rose would come back and play with reckless abandon and get hurt again and again and again.

Another great player had this same problem a few years ago. His name is Dwayne Wade. Early in his career Wade missed a lot of games (31 games in the 06-07  season and 21 games in the 07-08 season) with a string of significant shoulder injuries. Wade's former playing style was similar to Rose's current style. Then Wade learned that in order to survive and entire NBA season and have a great career, he was going to have to change the way he played. Since the 08-09 NBA season, Wade played with more control and developed his outside jumper. The rest is history. If Rose wants to have the career that Wade has now, he will need to learn how to play with some control.

Most people don't realize it, but Rose's career is at a crossroads. Will he take the path of Dwayne Wade or Pistol Pete Maravich? Only time will tell.

2012 NBA Playoffs: First Round Predictions

The NBA playoffs start tomorrow and it will be nice to focus on actual sporting events instead of the NFL draft. I have a feeling that there will be much more parody in the playoffs this year than there was last year. Teams like the Knicks and Bulls are playing together and uninjured for the first time in quite a while. The Heat have been faltering down the stretch, which is concerning. Here are my first round predictions. Let me know what you guys think.

Eastern Conference 

1. Chicago Bulls vs 8. Philadelphia 76ers
Evan Turner said that he was happy that the Sixers made the playoffs as an 8 seed because he thought his team would have a better chance of beating the Bulls. Well that may be true, the Sixers have no chance of beating the Bulls unless Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah all happen to get injured. The Sixers will play hard but they lack the talent. Prediction: Bulls in 4 


4. Boston Celtics vs 5. Atlanta Hawks
I really feel bad for the Atlanta Hawks fan. The Hawks are a solid team but they will never contend for a championship with the way they are currently constructed. Joe Johnson and Al Horford are not the kind of players that win championship, they are the kind of players that help superstars win championships. The Celtics may be old but they have enough savvy and star power to win the series. Prediction: Celtics in 6


 3. Indiana Pacers vs 6. Orlando Magic
The Magic are totally hosed without Dwight Howard, who is out of the season with a back injury. Howard does not have the heart and focus needed to carry a team to a championship and he is way too distracted by stardom. The Pacers are a really dangerous team. Roy Hibbert, Paul George, David West, Darren Collison, and Danny Granger are great core group of players. If George or Collison can step up their game and become a star in the next couple of years, they could contend for a championship. Prediction: Pacers in 4

2. Miami Heat vs 7. New York Knicks
I love the way the Knicks have been playing since Carmelo Anthony came back from injury. Now that Amar'e Stoudemire is back from injury, the Knicks are primed and ready to take down the Miami Heat. I don't know what it is with the Heat this season, but they seem to come out flat every game. I am sure that Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James will step up their games now that every game matters. I have a feeling that the Knicks will give the Heat as much as they can possibly handle and still survive. Prediction: Heat in 7

Western Conference

 1. San Antonio Spurs vs 8. Utah Jazz

This is probably going to be the most boring playoff series this year. The Spurs are a really good team that plays no frills, smart basketball. The Utah Jazz barely scraped their way into the playoffs. I get the feeling that Tim Duncan and company can handle anything that Devin Harris and the rest of the Jazz's talented young core can throw at them. This will be a trashing unless an injury chances everything. Prediction: Spurs in 4


 4. Memphis Grizzlies vs 5. Los Angeles Clippers
I love what the Clippers did in the offseason by bringing in Chris Paul to pair with Blake Griffin. However, the Grizzlies are one of the toughest and talented young teams who seem to fly under the radar because they play in a small market and don't have a scoring champion (Kevin Durant). Last year, the Grizzlies knocked the Spurs out of the playoffs without their best player, Rudy Gay, who will be ready to go this time around. I think that Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will be able to ware down Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in a tough series. Prediction: Grizzlies in 7


 3. Los Angeles Lakers vs 6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets don't have a chance in hell of winning this series. They are a tough team with great hustle players like Wilson Chanlder and Danilo Gallinari, but they don't have anyone that can truly match up with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum on a consistent basis. The Lakers are going to roll over the Nuggets. Prediction: Lakers in 4


 2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 7. Dallas Mavericks
The Oklahoma City Thunder are my pick to win the West. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are a better 1-2 punch than any other duo in the league. James Harden is a phenomenal 6th man who could start on any other team. Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, and Nick Collison are great defenders that can ware down any other team's frontcourt. I know that the Dallas Mavericks are the defending champions, but they are the 7th seed for a reason. I think that Mavericks will give the Thunder a tough time, but in the end the Thunder will prevail. Prediction: Thunder in 6

My NBA Finals Prediction is the Thunder over the Heat in 6 games.


Who do you think will win it all. Let me know.

2012 NFL 1st Round Initial Analysis

This was by far the most interesting draft that I have ever watched. Teams were trading like crazy because of the new rules that limit rookie contracts which made it much more unpredictable. Here are my initial thoughts on the good, the bad, the ugly, and the ??? picks that took place today.

The Good


5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Blackmon- WR- Oklahoma State University
I love the fact that the Jaguars had the balls to go up and get an impact WR. Blaine Gabbert was underwhelming last year but the Jags WRs were by far the worst in the league. Blackmon is the kind of player that Gabbert will need if he is ever going to have a chance at living up to his potential. With a solid offensive line and a great running game, Gabbert will not have any excuses this year.

6. Dallas Cowboys
Morris Clairborne- CB- Louisiana State University
The Cowboys needed to get an impact player in this draft if they want to contend with the Giants next year and they made the trade to get the best CB prospect in the last 3 years. The Cowboys secondary could be very good next year with a CB tandem of  Clairborne and Carr.

23. Detroit Lions
Riley Rieff- RT- University of Iowa
Matthew Stafford has had trouble staying healthy in the past and the Lions offensive line is average at best. Rieff can come in right away and play guard or tackle and be a huge upgrade at either position. The Lions were lucky enough to have Rieff fall into their laps and smart enough to pick him.

The Bad


11. Kansas City Chiefs
Dontari Poe- NT - University of Memphis
I see this as Tyson Jackson 2.0. Poe is an incredible athlete who has never lived up to his ability in the past. Why does Pioli think that Poe will become more motivated after he is getting paid millions of dollars? I could see taking a gamble on a player like Poe at the end of the 1st round but not at the top.

22. Cleveland Browns
Brandon Weeden- QB - Oklahoma State University
I think that Brandon Weeden will be a solid player in the NFL and that he has Andy Dalton potential. The only problem is that he is already 26 years old. How much better can he get before he turns 30 and his physical attributes start to diminish? Has he already hit his ceiling? If the Browns took him in the 2nd round, I think it would have been a great move but 22 is way too high.

The Ugly


15. Seattle Seahawks
Bruce Irvin- ROLB/PRS - West Virginia University
I don't get this pick at all. Irvin may have the best pass rush potential of any of the players in this draft, but at 245lbs he is way too small to be an effective lineman. If the Seahawks ran a 3-4 defense, it would have made sense to be but the Seahawks run a 4-3. Maybe they think he is athletic enough to play linebacker, but it will take him time to learn the position. Irvin was a huge reach at 15.

???


30. San Francisco 49ers
AJ Jenkins- WR- University of Illinois

I am going to start off by saying that I don't hate this pick, but I am surprised. I think Jenkins is a very good player that was underrated going into the draft because he played on a terrible team. I think he will be a good number WR for a long time. However, great players like Peter Konz, Cordy Glenn, Andre Branch, Rueben Randle, Muhammad Sanu, Alshon Jeffery, Jerel Worthy, and Janoris Jenkins were available. Chances are the 49ers know something that I don't...this is a head scratcher for me. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

The draft less than a day away. It may sound lame but it is my favorite sporting event of the year so here is my 1st round mock draft...enjoy.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck-QB-Leland Stanford Jr. University

If you don't know who he is or why the Colts are taking him then you don't deserve to read this blog...sorry.

2. Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III-QB- Baylor University

Same as above, but replace Colts with Redskins. I am going to go on the record and say that I think that RGIII will be a very good quarterback, like Donovan McNabb, but he won't be a hall of famer.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil-LT-University of Southern California

This dude is a stud. He was so good as a junior that Tyron Smith played RT when they played in college  together. I think that Smith may end up being the better player but Kalil is still a stud. The Vikings have been blowing a lot of smoke on who they will take, but the smart money is on Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson-RB-University of Alabama

Richardson was a much better player than Ingram in college and he pushed Ingram for playing time when he won the Heisman. Holmgren took a back out of Alabama when he was the Head Coach/GM of the Seahawks named Sean Alexander and that worked out pretty well. I see the Browns taking the safe pick and the best player available.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Clairborne-CB- Louisiana State University

Schiano is pissed that he can't get the "bell cow" back that he wanted so he goes with the BPA (best player available) and takes Clairborne. They really need to upgrade their secondary because Aqib Talib is probably going to jail (seriously) and Ronde Barber is a 1000 years old.

6. St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon- WR- Oklahoma State University

The Rams trade out of the 2 spot and they get the player that they probably would have picked had they kept it. Blackmon was incredibly productive in college but he lacks the measurables and speed to make me think he will be Larry Fitzgerald good. I see him as a Braylon Edwards type.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Melvin Ingram- RDE- University of South Carolina

The Jags would love to trade out of this pick but I'm assuming they keep it. I think that Ingram will be a solid player and the Jags could use a pass rusher on the opposite side of Mincey. He will be a decent player but I doubt he  will be a consistent 10+ sack guy unless he plays in a 3-4 where his shorts arms won't hold him back.

8. Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill-QB- Texas Agriculture & Mining

Ross is an owner that is desperate to turn the phins into a winner, so I think that Miami will reach for Tannehill. He could be a stud but he will need to sit for a year or two and learn the NFL game or he could end up like Blaine Gabbert.

9. Carolina Panthers

Riley Rieff- LT- University of Iowa

The Panthers really need help at defensive tackle but I don't see anyone worth the 9th overall pick at that position. Jordan Gross is getting older and Jeff Otah can't seem to stay healthy. Rieff could start out at guard or RT and move over to LT when Gross starts slowing down.

10. Buffalo Bills

Mark Barron- SS- University of Alabama
The word is out that the Bills are after Barron and he would be available at the 10th overall pick. He didn't work out much during the off season because of an injury but there is enough tape available to make teams comfortable enough to roll the dice on him. The combo of Barron and Byrd could be a formidable force.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

David DeCastro- G- Leland Stanford Jr. University

DeCastro is the best guard prospect since Hutchinson came out of Michigan, my alma matter. DeCastro would be able to step in and start and solidify an incredibly talented young offensive line. The Chiefs are a healthy quarterback away from winning the AFC West.

12. Seattle Seahawks

Fletcher Cox- DT - Mississippi State University

Cox is probably the best pass rushing defensive tackle in the draft and he would be a great fit next to Red Bryant. The Seahawks could compete this year if their team stays healthy (Sidney Rice, Russel Okung, and others).

13. Arizona Cardinals

Courtney Upshaw- ROLB- University of Alabama

Upshaw is a great player who reminds me of Demarcus Ware. He plays with great hustle and looks like he would be a great 3-4 outside linebacker. The Cardinals defense is in shambles and this pass rusher could help the Cards be respectable next year.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Dontari Poe- NT- University of Memphis
Poe is as big, strong, and fast...but that's it. The only problem is that he wasn't very productive in college playing in the weak Conference USA. Jerry Jones loves elite athletes and Poe fits the bill. I think he will probably be a bust but he may work out if Rob Ryan can motivate him.

15. Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Brockers- 4T- Louisiana State University

So much for the dream team hahahaha. I can't help but love watching the most overhyped team of all time fall apart. Its like watching the Heat lose to the Mavericks but it lasts for months. Brockers is a great run stuffer and the Eagles could use somebody on their defensive line that can do something other than rush the passer.

16.New York Jets

Michael Floyd- WR- Notre Dame University

Lets see how quickly it takes Floyd to beat Braylon Edwards records for most DUI's in a career? Floyd has all of the talent in the world and he could end up being the best player in this draft but he doesn't seem to be able to stay out of trouble. The Jets love controversial WRs.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Luke Kuechly- MLB- Boston College
Rey Maluaga has been a disappointing MLB but he has played well on the strong side. Kuechly is a great value pick at 17 because he is a top 10 talent. He can step in right away a become a leader of the Bengals defense.

18. San Diego Chargers

Cordy Glenn- G/RT - University of Georgia

Glenn is a mountain of a man who could fit in at RT or LG, both of which are areas of need for the Chargers. AJ Smith really needs to hit on this pick or he could be out of a job. I'm not sure what happened to him. Smith was a genius before he hired Norv Turner and ever since then he has gone down hill in terms of the draft.

19. Chicago Bears
Whitney Mercilus- University of Illinois
Outside of Julius Peppers, the Bears don't really have a true pass rush threat. Even though Mercilus was a one year wonder, he was by far the most productive pass rusher in college football last year. He has the size, speed, and strength combo to dominate the NFL.

20. Tennessee Titans
Quentin Coples- RDE- University of North Carolina
The Titans have had trouble obtaining an elite pass rusher since Jevon Kearse left way back in the day. Coples is by far the most talented defensive lineman in the draft, but he also the most lazy. He takes way to many plays off and seems to lack the competitive drive necessary to make it in the NFL. If he puts it all together he will be as good as fellow Tarheel Julius Peppers. .

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Chandler Jones- RDE/PRS- University of Syracuse
Jones has been flying up the draft boards recently and the Bengals could use another pass rusher. Jones has a great size and speed combo, but he doesn't play with great burst. He is still a solid player who can step in and help the Bengals right away on passing downs.

22. Cleveland Browns
Kendall Wright- Slot WR- Baylor University
The Browns have a lot of holes to fill WR is one of the them. Wright is the most explosive WR in this draft but his lack of height and soft body is troubling. I think that he can become a Wes Welker kind of player if the Browns can put in a position to succeed and build around him.

23. Detroit Lions
Peter Konz- C- University of Wisconsin
The Lions finally made the playoffs...holy shit. It is weird to say/write. Dominic Railoa is not very good and the Lions really need to protect Stafford because he is somewhat injury prone. Konz is the best player on the best offensive line that I have ever seen play in college. He will be a stud.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dont'a Hightower- MLB- University of Alabama
The Steelers cut James Farrior and they could use a talented linebacker to help fill the void. Hightower is a beast against the run and he fits the MO of Steelers linebacker. He is not athletic enough to cover TE in space, but he won't have to playing in a 3-4 alignment next to Timmons.

25. Denver Broncos
Dre Kirkpatrick- CB- University of Alabama
Kirkpatrick slips because he was stupid enough to get caught with marijuana before the draft...sucks for him. The Broncos end up getting a really talented player who can step in right away and start opposite Champ Baily. Kirkpatrick can tackle and he has great instincts.

26. Houston Texans
Stephen Hill- WR - Georgia Tech University
Hill is a freak athlete who reminds me of Demariyus Thomas. He may need some time to develop and isn't likely to step in right away and contribute but he can become a good player is coached properly. The Texans have no one who can get open opposite of Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots
Shea McClellin- ROLB - Boise State University 
McClellin has been flying up teams draft boards in the last couple of weeks. The Patriots secondary is terrible, but that is partially due to the fact that their defense has a weak pass rush. McClellin has a Belichick feel to me and I think that he will fit well in their system.

28. Green Bay Packers
Harrison Smith- FS - Notre Dame
I know this is a reach but the Packers really need to upgrade this position since they released Nick Collins. The Packers have a weak secondar and Smith is a smart over achiever who can learn the Pack's complicated system quickly. He may be too athletically limited though.

29. Baltimore Ravens
Amini Silatolu- G - Midwestern State University
The loss of Ben Grubbs to the New Orleans Saints really hurts the Ravens offensive line. Lucky for them, there is a great guard available who can step in help. Silatolu reminds me of Iutapi  of the San Francisco 49ers.

30. San Francisco 49ers
Coby Fleener- TE - Leland Stanford Junior University
Fleener may not be able to block very well but that doesn't seem to matter much in the NFL these days. He is a great athlete in the mold of Greg Olsen. I think that he will fit well in Harbaugh's two TE offense. The 49ers will be able to destroy linebackers in coverage if they can pair Fleener with Vernon Davis.

31. New England Patriots
Kendall Reyes- 5T- University of Connecticut  
Chances are the Patriots will probably trade this pick to a team for a 2013 first round draft pick and a third round draft pick this year. If they keep the pick I think that they will take Reyes to help bolster their defense. He has the size, speed, and strength to play in their hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive scheme.

32. New York Giants
Jerel Worthy- 3T- Michigan State University
The New York Giants love drafting pass rushers and that is a big reason why they won the Super Bowl this year. This team is a little bit weak at defensive tackle and Worthy is the best player available at the DT position.