The Weekend Watch

It's a big sports weekend if you're a fan of fighting and hoops. The NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, and include two very intriguing matchups.

Phoenix @ San Antonio (Sat 3:00 ABC)
The Suns acquired Shaq for this exact scenario. It's the Big Aristotle vs. the Big Fundamental. Can O'Neal turn back the clock and cement his legacy as the most dominant big man of his era? Or, will Tim Duncan lead his team to the 2nd round and put the entire nation to sleep in the process?

Dallas @ New Orleans (Sat 7:00 ESPN)
The home team won in each of the 4 regular season meetings. This is another scenario where a trade decision will be tested. It's Jason Kidd matching up against Chris Paul (my MVP choice). Holding home court will be huge for the Hornets.

Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe (Sat 9:45 HBO)
Calzaghe vs. Hopkins provides us with the best Middleweight of this era and the best Super Middleweight. The catch? The fight's happening at Light Heavyweight. This favors Calzaghe, who is naturally the bigger man. If Hopkins doesn't have the power to hurt Joe, I expect the Welshman to pressure B-Hop all night and score a Unanimous Decision.

Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra (Sat 10:00 PPV)
GSP has looked spectacular in his last two outings, which is no easy feat considering they were against Josh Koscheck and Matt Hughes. Serra caught Pierre in their first fight, but I just can't envision it happening again. GSP will dominate and all US MMA fans will have to endure weeks of gloating and "nut huggery".

Two extremely interesting fights. One is free, one costs $55 (and you could probably find a free download within hours following the event) . . . the decision is yours.

Denver @ Los Angeles (Sun 3:00 ABC)
Sunday is a little weak in the Playoff department. The only intriguing game is the 1 vs 8 matchup out west. Any team with Melo and AI is dangerous, but I don't see them being able to overcome the red hot Lakers. If Denver has upset plans, game one may be their best opportunity to steal one in Los Angeles. If the Nuggets can't pull off a win on the road, at least Melo will have a plethora of drinking spots to choose from. Iverson looks saint-like in Denver . . . who woulda thunk'it?

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2008 NFL Schedule

Break out a calendar and a Sharpie, and circle these dates . . . the NFL 2008 schedule was released on Tuesday.

The Cowboys play the Packers at Lambeau in an NBC Sunday night game (Sept. 21). Unless Favre has second thoughts about his retirement, this will be the night John Madden has an emotional breakdown on air. Expect plenty of Frank Caliendo skits leading up to this one.

Another chapter will be written in this growing rivalry, when San Diego hosts the Pats on Sunday, Oct. 12. What are the odds that a key Charger is out due to injury and SD makes more excuses for another loss to NE?

The Saints and Chargers will play on Oct. 26 in London. I'm sure the Brits are thanking their lucky stars that they don't have to watch the Dolphins again.

The defending Super Bowl champs meet the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 2. The intensity will be at an all time high for this division rivalry (assuming the Giants don't have one of those Carolina-like post Super Bowl hangovers).

And now on to the key matchups on the Colts' schedule. Indy gets five prime time nationally televised games.

Bears at Colts (Sunday, Sept. 7) (NBC)
In a rematch of Super Bowl XLI, Indy will christen their new Lucas Oil Stadium. The crowd will be raucous and I'm expecting a huge offensive performance and a big blowout.

Patriots at Colts (Sunday, Nov. 2) (NBC)
Need I say more?

Colts at San Diego (Sunday, Nov. 23) (NBC)
Playoff rematch will be big for both teams. While I suspect the Chargers win was a fluke, the Colts will have to prove they are truly the better team. If San Diego can pull off another win, it will be huge for their confidence.

Colts at Jags (Thursday, Dec. 18) (NFL Network)
It's always physical and intense when these two teams meet. The Colts have proven their superiority in this rivalry, but each year the Jags get more dangerous. This game could be key in deciding the AFC South.

World Record Slam Dunk

This is an older video, but I just came across it. I'd love to know how many people came close to killing themselves attempting a similar dunk.

Was It Worth It?

14 wins
48 games back from 1st in the East
8 home wins
1-26 over a 27 game stretch

Listed above, are just a few of the many lowlights of this 2008 Season. Pat Riley has passed on coaching actual games to scout NBA prospects, Miami hasn't even attempted to win a game in the last few months. Riley shut D. Wade down for the year, sidelined Shawn Marion, Jason Williams and Udonis Haslem with various "injuries", and gave minutes to Earl Barron, Joel Anthony, and Bobby Jones (These 3 combined to shoot 2 for 20 during the Heat's 96-54 loss to the Raptors in March). Could it be any more obvious that Miami has been tanking on purpose? Atleast try to disguise it a little bit.

With all that said, this torturous season could have a light at the end of the dark (very dark) tunnel. Miami is in prime position to get either the #1 or #2 pick in the NBA draft. Should the Heat land in the top 2, they will take Beasley (at #1) or Derrick Rose (at #2). Each player has huge upside, and I don't see Miami going wrong with either pick.

Should Miami fall to #3 the smart selection lies with Brook Lopez. While Lopez won't achieve the same level of NBA success as Beasley or Rose, I see him being a solid NBA center (think Chris Kaman).

Now here's where the trouble begins. God forbid the ping pong balls slot the Heat at #4. Sure, they could get lucky and still land Stanford's Lopez at the 4 spot, but it's unlikely. That would leave Miami to chose between OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, and Eric Gordon. Danilo Gallinari may deserve some consideration here, but he's European, so that immediately eliminates him from Riley's draft board.

OJ Mayo doesn't make much sense, considering they have Wade and Marion at the 2 and 3, and Mayo can't play the point. The same can be said for Eric Gordon. This leaves Jerryd Bayless. I don't claim to speak or all Miami fans, but a shoot first point guard wasn't exactly what I had in mind when looking at a 14 win season.

The year's already a complete disaster. The only consolation prize will come with one of the top 3 picks. A #4 selection will surely drive Riley into retirement and slow the rebuilding process even further.

NBA Draft - Confirmed Early Entries

Darren Collison (6-1, 170, PG, UCLA, Jr)
Kevin Love (6-9, 260, PF, UCLA, Fr)
Eric Gordon (6-4, 220, SG, Indiana, Fr)
Marreese Speights (6-10, 250, PF, Florida, So)
Chase Budinger (6-7, 215, SG, Arizona, So)
Anthony Randolph (6-10, 200, SF, LSU, Fr)
Donte Green (6-10, 226, SF, Syracuse, Fr)
Ryan Anderson (6-10, 235, F, California, So )
Jerryd Bayless (6-3, 182, PG, Arizona, Fr)
Derrick Caracter (6-8, 260, PF, Louisville, So)
Earl Clark (6-8, 220, SF, Louisville, So)
Richard Hendrix (6-8, 260, PF, Lousiville, So)
JJ Hickson (6-9, 235, PF, NC State, Fr)
Lester Hudson (6-3, 190, PG, UT-Martin, Jr)
Brook Lopez (7-0, 260, C, Stanford, So)
Robin Lopez (7-0, 255, C, Stanford, So)
Javale McGee (7-0, 237, C Nevada, So)
Ronald Steele (6-2, 185, PG, Alabama, RSSr)
Robert Vaden (6-5, 224, SG, UAB, Jr)
Shawn James (6-10, 225, PF, Duquesne, Jr)

Who's Making a Mistake

Marreese Speights - The stats look decent (14.5 PPG, 8.1 REB) and Marreese has the frame to play in the league, but Speights is not NBA ready. He averaged only 24.3 minutes per game due to poor conditioning, which doesn't say much about his work ethic. His demeanor on the floor doesn't impress me, and he is prone to turnover trouble at times. This jump has disaster written all over it.

Derrick Caracter - Unbelievable! Scored in double figures only once in his last 14 games, and averaged only 17 minutes per game. I don't see much upside in Caracter, as he is already fully developed physically. I feel sorry for any team who gambles on this pick (it'll probably be Miami)

JJ Hickson - He's long, athletic, and a decent scorer (sounds good so far). I question his mental toughness, and ability to take the punishment of an entire NBA season. Of all the players on my list of busts, I see the most potential for success in Hickson.

Robert Vaden - Volume shooters from average teams rarely materialize into successes in the NBA. Vaden can score, but will see a different level of defense as a pro. Vaden is not a great passer or rebounder. I can't see a one dimensional scorer of his caliber being anything other than a bust.

Ronald Steele - Steele is presently just "testing the water" and does not plan to hire an agent. This is a very smart move on his part. He has shown no signs of being ready for the draft. If an agent gets ahold of this kid and somehow convinces him to sign, it will be the biggest mistake Steele could make.

Richard Hendrix - There is potential here, but one more year could do wonders for Hendrix. He's statistically improved in all of his 3 seasons, and I see no reason why that trent wouldn't continue into his senior season. Hendrix can develop into something if he finds the right situation, but I feel like he's taking a big gamble by coming out now.