The Diesel in a Corvette or Kerr's Hidden Genius?

The Suns were 34-14 (the best record in the west), and last year they were an Horry cheap shot away from an NBA championship. No need to do anything right? We can win the league this year. Why retool? Because the Lakers made a move. Plain and simple. And here's my first reaction: I can't believe it. Steve Kerr's an idiot. Trading Shawn Marion for an old injured Shaq is dumb. He doesn't fit in Mike D'Antoni's system at all. In a 7-second offense Shaq can't run, can't shoot, and he won't be able to play anyway cause he's injured. Then of course I'm thinking why couldn't you get someone better for Marion?! I mean Kirilenko's name was thrown around as well as Garnett and I'm sure there were others. But no the Suns rush the trade because the Lakers made a huge move.

Then I talked to Steven and a few other people who were both for and against the trade and had a few days to think this over. Plus I saw a bit of Shaq's press conference, read some articles, watched Around the Horn and waited awhile to write this post so that I could feel informed. And here's what I came up with. I don't like it. I don't like it at all. If you wanted a guy for defense you should have kept Kurt Thomas. He did great against Duncan last year and his hip doesn't need to be replaced. Plus I still feel like we could have gotten a lot more for Marion. However, I do think we can win with Shaq. I think if he is willing to "initiate the break" like he said and if he really does "love to run" (and can) then sure we'll win. He has to sit back and only expect to play 20-25 minutes. He has to be content with not being a huge offensive force like he used to be. I know he can adapt. I know his pride will kick in. I know that he might have one half year and post-season push left in him. So let's see Shaq. Let's see you run. Let's see you toss the outlet pass. Give these guys that championship experience you have and bring it home to Phoenix.

So whats it going to be? Trying to force and old broken Diesel engine into a quick Corvette? Or Steve Kerr making the move that brings that coveted trophy to the desert?

Here's what scares me the most though: 9-39. Thats the Heat's record right now, two years after winning it all. I know that they don't have much more than Wade now but if this does win a championship, Kerr can't be complacent. Shaq won't win more than that and Kerr has to be thinking ahead to that time when he'll need to replace the big guy. Anyway I hope this trade turns out well. For the sake of all Suns fans, prove me wrong Shaq.

Super Bowl

Here we go.
The biggest day of the year for football.
The biggest day of the year for sports for that matter.
Bigger than game 7s, and all the finals in golf, tennis, and soccer.
And across the United States Americans celebrate by getting drunk and raving about how their team could have won if they had the chance. Well they had their chance and now we're down to two teams. The New York Football Giants and the New England Patriots. Fighting for a chance to win their first Super Bowl since 1990 or their fourth in seven years. The Giants represent everything people want in a champion. A fighting spirit, a late season charge, and the incredible challenge of being the Super Underdogs. The Patriots on the other hand represent everything Americans want in a champion. The pursuit of perfection, unbelievable dominance, and the ability to either hate 'em or love 'em. But what will win out? The veteran quarterback with three rings or the younger brother trying to get out from under big brother Peyton's shadow.

The keys to victory:

Giants:
1. Run the ball. Control the clock. Keep Brady and his record-setting offense off the field. The Giants have had four different running go over a hundred yards this season which is more of a testament to their offensive line.
2. Pressure Brady. Hit him early, hit him often. Get him out of rhythm and force him in to tight spots. Win the turnover battle.
3. Special teams. Get some big plays on kickoffs and punts.
4. No one expects them to win. Have fun.

Patriots:
1. Do what you've done all season. Score big and stop the Giants.

The Call:
In a bit of poetic for Adam Vinatieri the last second field goal is missed by Stephen Gostkowski and Giants ruin the perfect season, in an upset for the ages, winning 34-31.

Pau Gasol

Wow. The Lakers traded for Pau Gasol today in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and some draft picks. This in my opinion turns LA into legitimate contenders. Especially if Bynum comes back strong. We'll see in the next few weeks I think how big this will end up being.

The Suns, The Kidd, The Mets, and "The Show"

I am currently watching the Suns on FSN. Its 52-33 proving one thing: the Suns can play defense when they try. They had EIGHT blocks. They are playing the Hawks but its still an improvement over previous years. They won big. Yes, I just waited until the game was over to finish this post. The Suns are a lot of fun to watch. With Amare and Marion dunking, Barbosa "The Blur" and Raja Bell shooting around, and of course Steve Nash running the whole show, it really is a spectacle. And its so refreshing to have Grant Hill back after only a few games off with an injury as opposed to half the season like in previous years. I love that he's back on a team that I can cheer for. Anyway I hope the Suns can make a deep playoff run despite being one of the leagues worst defensive rebounding teams. They allowed the Hawks 26 offensive rebounds. Thats ridiculous.

In other news Jason Kidd asked for a trade. Except for the question of is it really news? I mean people have been talking about him wanting to go to a different team for about a year now. Its just the first time he's said it. Its just too bad though. Kidd's a great player but this is the third time he's kind of forced his way off a team. Then you've got Richard Jefferson having a great season thanks in large part to Vince Carter having a bad season and well, overall I just feel sorry for the Nets.

Johan Santana is going to the Mets. Congratulations New York. Thats all. I really have nothing to say about a story that has been talked about for months now. Mostly because its all been said. The Mets get a great pitchers and the Twins get four not so decent prospects.

And for my last little rant I just have to complain about Fox Sports Net. Its great for local teams and the people who get to watch their teams play even when ESPN won't air any games from your area, but why is its main sports show called "The Best Damn Sports Show Period"? The only true statement there is "The Show." Damn and Period are just unnecessary, Sports is iffy at best since they don't just talk about sports, and "Best"...well that just plain not true. Its in fact nowhere near being the best sports show on television.

Goodnight

The Australian Open

Well I don't know if you've been following it but this years Australian Open has been great so far...at least on the mens side. The biggest upset was when Amelie Mauresmo lost in the third round to Casey Dellacqua in three sets. On the mens side though there have been some great matches. Ever heard of Janko Tipsarevic? Well he won 2 five-set matches before going up against Roger Federer in the third round. Well you figure after that tough start the 49th ranked Tipsarevic would go down easy to the undisputed world number one. He most decidedly did not. He pushed Federer to five sets and held serve in the final set until the 17th game. Federer pulled it out but Janko Tipsarevic I admire your amazing effort. Then later on that same court Lleyton Hewitt defeated Marcos Baghdatis in a marathon five-set match that lasted until 4:43 in the morning. There were other great matches but I won't recap them all. I'll just say this: Except for James Blake, American men have disappointed again. Blake is into the quarterfinals but has Federer coming up. That'll be a great match.

On a different note congratulations to the Giants and the Patriots for making to the Super Bowl. I'll be back later for more on that.

Statements

Eli Manning has arrived even if he doesn't win next week.

I still don't like Philip Rivers.

Where did Ryan Grant and his 6 straight 100 yard games come from?

Sid the Kid is awesome.

Detroit's bullpen makes me nervous.

I love that the press knew that Darren McFadden was entering the draft before his dad did.

The Celtics lost two in a row...finally...of course both were to the Wizards.

Props to T.O. for the show of emotion...even if it might have been faked...

As a new tennis season starts the big question is: can Federer beat Nadal on clay?

Kaka is more awesome and you probably don't even know who he is.

AC Milan is in 12th place because Ronaldo hasn't gone to the MLS yet.

Two more things:

An ESPN college basketball analyst's big reason on why Kansas won't undefeated this season: complacency....thats it? thats all you could come up with? This is your specialty and your job and all you come up with is complacency?

And here you go Steven: I do not hate the Patriots. I've just never really liked them. Sure I like Brady because he's from Michigan and sure I wanted them to win against the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII but other than that I've never really liked them. Anyway I'm definitely not on the pats-haters bandwagon.

Later.

Predictions

Game 1 Saturday: Seattle vs Green Bay
Seattle and Mike Holmgren bring a good team into Green Bay, but Favre works some playoff magic...oh yeah, plus Ryan Grant gives the Packers a running game that'll be useful in the cold at Lambeau Field.
Packers 24 Seahawks 17

Game 2 Saturday: Jacksonville vs New England
I think that the Jaguars can put points on the board. Their backfield played better than most down the stretch. The problem is that I'm not sure that their defense can stop Tom Brady. No snow in the forecast means that the Patriots will probably be able to throw, and if Brady has the ball in his hands last, the Patriots will win in a shootout.
Patriots 35 Jaguars 31

Game 1 Sunday: San Diego vs Indianapolis
This game is really pretty simple. The Colts will not repeat their performance from earlier this season. Peyton Manning will not let that happen. Phillip Rivers is helped by L.T. giving the Chargers a lift but just not enough. And Bob Sanders is really good.
Colts 24 Chargers 10

Game 2 Sunday: NY Giants vs Dallas
This one intrigues me. See last week doesn't really assure me that Eli Manning has arrived. This week will really show what he's made of. Dallas will be doubling up on Plaxico Burress but with Brandon Jacobs running so well it might matter. In 1998 Dallas beat Arizona twice during the regular season but lost to them in the playoffs, but as much as I really want Dallas to lose I don't think they will. They just have too many weapons. But it will be close.
Dallas 21 Giants 20

P.S. I'm rooting for the Packers...then the Colts.

P.P.S. I did this late last night and looking at it now (Saturday morning) I can't believe I picked all the favorites. Oh well, I stand by my decisions, but I will say this: I'm pulling for the Giants and the Jaguars as underdogs (sorry bro). All right I'm out. Have a great weekend.

Detroit

I watched the Detroit Pistons beat the San Antonio Spurs today 90-80 and was reminded so much of the 2005 NBA finals. Lots of defense, post play, and intense dislike for everyone on the Spurs team. After two straight losses to Boston and Dallas the Pistons bounced back today. They went on a 22-2 run early and the Spurs never came closer than six the rest of the game. But with Parker cutting and Ginobli flopping it got kind of tight late. Lindsey Hunter helped them pull it out with tough defense and veteran presence. The Pistons are playing the best basketball I've seen them play in a long time. If they continue this way, with the help of a developing bench and a healthy Antonio McDyess, they will make it deep into the post-season. Also, any team coming out of the west, has a hard path ahead. Whereas the east has to probably only go through Boston or Detroit.

Lesser know these days is how ridiculously good the Red Wings are playing. They have 16 more points than second place Dallas; a team that has one more game played than Detroit. It defies logic how they can be so good year after year. Chris Chelios is now the second oldest player ever in the NHL behind the great Gordie Howe. This is also incredible. Players come and go with the Red Wings and yet Chelios and Lindstrom remain. And with Chris Osgood back and playing great hockey, maybe Detroit can get past the first round...maybe.

Just one more thing for now. I love it when newscasters report things and then the very next day it changes. I'm not talking about predictions but rather about, say for example, "Les Miles is going to Michigan." Then he goes and says that he never was and all the reports were false. Anyway yesterday ESPN reported that Terrell Owens might not play because of his ankle. Today he practiced with barely a limp. So much for accuracy.

I'll be back tomorrow with my predictions for this weekend...