Western Conference Mid-Season Awards

Most Surprising Team: Portland (26-18, 7th in West)
While I certainly didn't expect Charlotte to have the best record in the West at the midway point, I have to give the nod to the Blazers. Portland is currently sitting in the 7th playoff spot, thanks in part to a 13 game winning streak. I expect Denver and Houston to move ahead of them in the second half of the season, which would put the Portland out of the playoffs. But at the halfway mark, no team has overachieved in the Western Conference quite like the Trailblazers.

Most Disappointing Team: Houston (25-20, 10th in West)
The Rockets have a superstar guard in T. Mac, and a legit center, with Yao. A team with those two key elements, as well as potential role players (Battier, Scola, Wells, and Hayes) should not miss the playoffs. The Rockets were my pre-season pick to win the West, but McGrady's injury trouble and overall poor play are making that prediction look horrendous.

Best Defensive Player: Marcus Camby (14.2 Reb, 11 Def, 3.8 Blocks)
3.8 Blocks is impressive, but when you add 11 defensive rebounds per game, I can't deny giving MC his props. Camby also manages to stay out of foul trouble, which is a huge asset for a shot blocker.

Best Coach: Byron Scott
Charlotte is the hottest team in the league, plain and simple. Charlotte does not have a roster loaded with elite talent, they get the most out of what they have. The players have bought into what Byron Scott is selling, and he deserves a ton of credit for the work he's done in the first half of the year.

MVP: Chris Paul (20.6 pts, 10.7 Ast, 2.6 stl, 4.0 reb)
Chris Paul is the next generation Steve Nash, except with more offensive skills, and more athleticism. Paul makes the Hornets what they are, which incidentally is one of the top teams in the league. Chris Paul is exciting, efficient, and he plays hard. There is no other player in the West that means as much to their team as CP3.

Most Likely to win the West: San Antonio Spurs
When it comes playoff time, I can't bet against San Antonio. The Spurs have struggled in recent weeks (5-5 in their last 10 games), and now have Tony Parker's injury to contend with. If the Spurs can put it together and peak near playoff time, I expect them to be back in the Finals.

Sunday . . . It's Peyton's Day

12:55
Welcome back Marvin! Harrison, along with a host of other Colts did not play in the regular season meeting against the Chargers. Let's hope things will turn out differently today.

1:13
Wow, extremely impressive drive by Indy to start the game off. The lowlight of the drive? Merriman's seizure . . . I mean "lights out" dance after a fluke sack. Manning goes 6 for 6, I'd love to see him break the completion percentage mark set by Brady yesterday (although I doubt it will happen).

1:23
Big pick from Hayden really kills the momentum the Chargers were building. The question is, will the play stand? Nothing like waiting through a commercial break to find out the outcome of a big play

1:26
Yes! the play stands! Now, can the Colts take advantage and improve on their 7-0 lead?

1:34
Come on 88, hold on to the damn ball. Not exactly the way I envisioned his first catch after returning from injury. A little rust is expected, but it looked like he gave no effort to protect the ball, and practically threw it to Sand Diego.

End of Quarter #1 with the Colts up 7-0 (could've been 14). It's always frustrating when you feel that you're dominating a game, but only have a 7-0 lead. That's the feeling I have right now. Indy needs to make a move now. The longer they let the Chargers hang around the more dangerous this game will become.

2:08
With a 10-7 lead and 4 minutes left in the half, the Colts D needs to come up big this drive. SD gets the ball to start the second half, and the last thing Indy needs is for the Chargers to head to the locker room with momentum on their side.

2:21
The Colts are driving. They're nearing FG position, but I wouldn't reule out a touchdown either.

2:30
Well that TD didn't happen, and neither did the FG . . . Instead Manning barely avoids a halftime deficit because of a holding penalty during an interception return.

2:51
Every fan of the blue and white has got to be feeling nervous right now (I know I am). The Colts have been just one step off all day, I'm hoping and praying that will change on this possession. We need at least a FG to slow the momentum the Chargers are building.

3:31
Watching Rivers run off the field chatting with the fans in the RCA Dome has given me reason enough to hate his guts.

HOLY LORD! Guzman, you idiot . . . DROP THE DAMN BALL before you run into the endzone! Indy could have pinned SD on the 1 inch line, but he doesn't drop the ball. My God.

3:36
11:03 on the clock, the Colts are starting at their own 43 after a nice return from TJ Rushing. It's time for this offense to step up and prove themselves once again. I believe it will happen on this drive.

3:42
Fantastic play by Anthony Gonzalez. He may have just saved the season. It's not Reggie, Manning, Harrison, Dallas Clark, or Addai that comes up huge, it's a rookie. What a play!

12:22 AM
Still in depression

O.K., This is Ridiculous!

Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get worse . . . they did. The Heat's 101-91 loss to the 5-29 T-Wolves has driven fans across south Florida past depression. This season is now officially laughable. I've watched as Miami stumbles and fumbles their way to loss after loss. The decision to bring in Ricky Davis has proven to be a horrible move, Jason Williams has nothing left to offer, and apparently Dorell Wright will never be ready to play in the League.

While everyone shares the blame in Miami's 8-27 embarrassment, I have to place a little extra on the shoulders of Pat Riley. Questionable personnel decisions have put the Heat in a salary cap bind. Not only that, but the players earning the big dollars can't perform on the court. Observe the following list of players the Heat have acquired over the past few seasons. Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, Eddie Jones, Smush Parker, Derek Anderson, and Gary Payton. Combine this list of busts with the loss of Jason Kapono, and you're left with a poor shooting team without a legit healthy big man and without a quality PG. I suppose 8-27 sounds about right under those circumstances.

NFL Playoff Predictions

Divisional Round
NFC

Washington @ Seattle
The Redskins have been through an emotional season. Combine that with my lack of trust in Joe Gibbs, equals a Seahawks victory (27-17).

NY Giants @ Tampa Bay
Will the Bucs decision to take it easy the last two weeks of the regular season backfire? If they were playing someone other than the "Jekyll and Hyde" Giants, I might think so. I'm looking for a 23-13 Tampa Bay win.

AFC

Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has home field advantage and the weather may be a factor. However, Jacksonville is built to play on a cold rainy night. If Bill Cowher were still coaching the Steelers, they would be my pick, but I'm expecting a 16-13 Jaguars win.

Tennessee @ San Diego
Vince Young is hobbled, Tennessee is lacking playoff tested talent, and San Diego has won 6 straight heading into the playoffs. This equals bad news for the Titans. Chargers win 38-13