Hillel @ HCA 2008 Highlights

The Knights improved to 3-2 with a 14-6 win over Hillel. The torrential downpour, that lasted throughout the game, limited both team's offensive output. The win was the third in a row for Highlands Christian.

NBA Playoffs Update

I can't believe the Hawks and Celtics are tied 2-2. It's been an eventful series filled with gang signs and possible suspensions. Don't listen to the hype, you be the judge. Is this Paul Pierce throwing up an Inglewood blood sign?


Now, on to the possible suspensions. Marvin Williams (Atlanta) and Kendrick Perkins (Boston) both stepped a foot on the court during the game 4 skirmish. I for one, don't feel that either player should be suspended.

Kevin Garnett shoved Referee Eddie Rush, while Rush was trying to restrain KG. Shoving a referee during a may lay is dangerous territory. If the NBA doesn't suspend Garnett, they are opening up a dangerous can of worms. The NBA would essentially be stripping the referees of their power to break up confrontations or brawls. If roles had been reversed and Zaza Pachulia pushed an official, I guarantee a suspension would be handed down. Let's see if the same holds true for superstar, Kevin Garnett.




I seriously underestimated the lower seeds in the East. Philly and Detroit are tied 2-2, and Philadelphia is extremely entertaining to watch. The Sixers hustle, run the fast break, and have the best motion offense I've seen in the NBA. Watch closely in game 5, there is constant motion, with great utilization of the back door cut.

Philadelphia is exposing Detroit in this series. I still think Detroit will pull it out, but they're showing that they don't have what it takes to reach the Finals this year. The Pistons are aging, and seem to lack the desire needed to be successful in the playoffs. It wouldn't shock me to see Detroit go out in round 2.

All season long we heard about how competitive the West was, and how the East only had Boston and Detroit. Meanwhile, Boston and Detroit are locked into serious battles, while in the West the Lakers have swept Denver, and the Spurs, Jazz, and Hornets have cruised to 3-1 series leads. Looks like the West wasn't as balanced as we all thought.

Are the Wizards still running their mouths about LeBron? Really? Even down 3-1? Here's a link to Brendan Haywood's comments on LBJ's "whining" over rough play.

Did anyone else notice the horrendous officiating in game 4 of the Rockets/Jazz series. Luckily the poor officiating didn't determine the outcome, but I haven't seen so many missed calls late in a playoff game since the referees flat out cheated for the Lakers during the Kobe/Shaq era.

The Suns fizzling out has been very disappointing. This was shaping up to be a great series before Phoenix blew 2 big leads in San Antonio. If the Suns can pull out a win tonight, at least this will turn in to a legitimate series.

Making the Grade: Colts Draft Recap

Rd 1: No Pick
Rd 2: Mike Pollak (59th Overall)
Center, Arizona State

Pollak gives the Colts depth and a much needed backup behind Jeff Saturday. Pollak will be ready to contribute in 1 or 2 years.
Grade: B-

Rd 3: Phillip Wheeler (93rd Overall)
ILB, Georgia Tech

Wheeler's a decent athlete, but I don't see him being an NFL LB. He can help the Colts on special teams immediately.
Grade: C+

Rd 4: Jacob Tamme (127th Overall)
TE, Kentucky

I love this pickup! Scouts say he's not a great run blocker, but Tamme's an immediate threat in the passing game. I can envision Indy using him in goal line/short yardage passing situations.
Grade: B+

Rd 5: Marcus Howard (161st Overall)
OLB, Georgia

Marcus Howard is small for the position, but has great speed (sounds like the entire Colts D). On a unit built around quickness, Howard will be a great fit.
Grade: B

Rd 6: Tom Santi (196th Overall)
TE, Virginia
Santi will be a special teams player, perhaps being utilized in short yardage situations (to take advantage of his above average blocking). I don't see him making headlines, but he could be a solid role player for the Colts
Grade: C

Rd 6: Mike Hart (202nd Overall)
RB, Michigan

Another great pickup by Polian and the Colts. Hart will be a great compliment back to Addai. He's smart, which will help him learn the Colts complex offensive scheme.
Grade: A

Rd 6: Pierre Garcon (205th Overall)
WR, Mount Union

He dominated Division III, but will it translate to NFL success? Only time will tell, but he could see the field as a kick/punt returner this season.
Grade: C

Rd 7: Jamey Richard (236th Overall)
Center, Buffalo
I'm not entirely sold on the idea of picking up 3 centers in the draft. I don't see Richard making the team. This pick could've been better utilized on another position, specifically D-Line depth.
Grade: D-

Random 1st Round Observations

What are the odds of two Longs going 1 and 2 in the NFL draft?

How long will it take for Atlanta to live down the Michael Vick fiasco? They take more heat than Vick, which makes absolutely no sense.

Showing Matt Ryan and Glenn Dorsey on the phone grinning ear to ear minutes before the 3rd and 5th picks were announced kinda killed the suspense. Makes me wonder; what's the purpose of the pre-pick phone calls? Is it that important to talk to the player 60 seconds before the pick is announced? Just wait 'till after he has your team hat on, then give him a call. Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't get it.

It's only pick 11 and I've already lost interest.

I'm interested (it's back) to see if Joe Flacco pans out in Baltimore. I like to see small school guys have NFL success.

Felix Jones is a nice pickup at #22. In regards to the Dallas having Pacman and Felix as punt and kick returners; Berman says the Cowboys are "pushing the envelope" . . . How?

On ESPN they have fan's comments running on the screen. Why do I care what TheJakester1768 thinks about the Cardinals' pick?

NFL Draft 2008: What's the Big Deal?

Call me crazy, but I don't get too excited over the NFL draft. Before you question my fanhood, hear me out.

First, the NFL Draft is excruciatingly long, 2 days (7 rounds) long to be exact. Even the most die hard draft fanatics don't watch all 7 rounds, do they?

Second, I just can't convince myself to care what the other 31 teams (besides Indy) are doing with their draft selections. Sure, if a big name college star (D-Mac) goes somewhere, I'm interested. But, truth be known, I don't know every college lineman (aside from the 3 or 4 college teams I follow very closely, I actually know very few), and therefore don't give two hoots where they go in the NFL.

And, third, the Colts have the 59th pick. I absolutely refuse to sit through the previous 58 selections, just to see who Indy picks up in the 2nd round. I have no doubts that the Colts will make a solid choice (and I have no problem reading about that choice after day 1 of the Draft has concluded). The Colts have a knack for picking up solid late round picks, and Bill Polian most certainly has a solid track record, when it comes to the draft.

Possible 2nd round selections for Indianapolis include Early Doucet (WR, LSU) and Ray Rice (RB, Rutgers). The Colts need depth at both the WR and RB positions. Marvin Harrison isn't getting any younger, and last year's injury riddled season doesn't exactly instill confidence in his longevity.

Early Doucet would give the Colts another deep threat, as well as a solid run blocking wideout (which is key in the Colts stretch running game). Should Ray Rice still be available, he would be a huge addition to the Colts backfield. While Joseph Addai will still get the majority of the workload, Rice provides speed and big play ability that Joseph Addai lacks. I'd be thrilled with either guy at #59.

Quick Hits: NBA Playoffs

I couldn't have been more wrong on the Rockets. This series is once again proving that the regular season is . . . the regular season, and it doesn't mean anything come playoff time.

Love him or hate him, LeBron probably isn't as overrated as Deshawn Stevenson thought. Oh, and Deshawn, as much as you probably wish you were invisible right now, we still see you. Taunting when down by 20 really shows a person's true character . . . and you clearly have none.

Why do the "experts" have Cleveland winning in 6 or 7? They've eliminated the Wiz the past 2 years, and this time Gilbert Arenas is nowhere near 100%, and the King is extremely motivated. I will be stunned if this series makes it to game 6.

Could the Eastern Conference 1st round be any worse? It's an absolute lock that all the top seeds will advance. The only thing even remotely interesting, is how big of a scare can the Sixers give the Pistons? I'd rather watch the NHL playoffs . . . almost.

Philadelphia and Atlanta are in the Playoffs, while the Heat are crossing their fingers for a #1 draft pick. That's a statement I never would've anticipated making heading into this season.

Tim Duncan . . . for 3?

Chris Paul is a one man show. There are better scorers, but no one carries their team the way CP3 does. The ball is always in his hands and nothing positive happens, unless he orchestrates it. He's more fun to watch than J-Will in Sacramento, and that's saying a lot.

NBA Playoffs Round 1

Western Conference

(1) LA Lakers
(8) Denver Nuggets
Denver is dangerous, but I can't see them winning more than 1 game in LA, and I know they won't hold home court. When Melo and AI are hot they'll steal a couple games, and when they're cold they'll get blown out.

LA Lakers 4-2

(4) Utah Jazz
(5) Houston Rockets
T-Mac's notorious for not getting the job done come playoff time. Will things be different this time around without Yao? Call me crazy, but I'm going with Houston. I expect this to be the most closely contested first round series.

Houston Rockets 4-3

(3) San Antonio Spurs
(6) Phoenix Suns
Phoenix took a huge gamble when dealing for Shaquille. The team has slowly started to mesh and build chemistry. Shaq will neutralize Tim Duncan just enough, and Nash will out play Tony Parker.

Phoenix Suns 4-3

(2) N.O. Hornets
(7) Dallas Mavericks
I've never felt so uneasy about a 2 seed. I'd love to see New Orleans move on because they play an exciting style of basketball, and CP3 is always fun to watch . . . But, Dallas has too many weapons. These teams held home court during the regular season, but Dallas will steal one of the first 2 and go on to win the series.

Dallas Mavericks 4-2

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics
(8) Atlanta Hawks
Boston's a legit team and Atlanta stinks. It's an embarrassment that a team this bad is actually in the playoffs. Boston could get lazy and blow one game, but I doubt it.

Boston Celtics 4-0

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers
(5) Washington Wizards
Cleveland, specifically LeBron, seems motivated for this series. As much as the Wiz don't want to believe it, they'll be ousted for the 3rd straight year by the Cavs.

Cleveland 4-1

(3) Orlando Magic
(6) Toronto Raptors
This will be a highly competitive series. Look for plenty of offense, with the winning team scoring over 100 in each game. Home court will be served, with Orlando winning game 7 at the Amway Arena.

Orlando Magic 4-3

(2) Detroit Pistons
(7) Philadelphia 76ers
Just like Atlanta, Philly should not be in the post season. Detroit will end this quick, and be the 2nd Eastern Conference team to sweep in the 1st round.

Detroit 4-0