Playoffs Are Here, by Casey Mitchell

This is Casey Mitchell guest blogging for ST today. As the NBA regular season came to a close yesterday, it's time to take a look at some of the match-ups in the first round. Let's start with the Heat-Knicks series. This season in the East, the difference between being a seven seed or being an eight seed is almost nonexistent. Some would even argue that it would be an easier task to play the Bulls rather than the Heat in the Playoffs.The Knicks are a good seven seed, and with a healthy Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony they have a shot at upsetting the Heat it the first round. I think it will be a good series, but the power of the Heat will win it in five or six games. I think the best series in the first round will be the Hawks and the Celtics. Even though they are old, they still know how to play basketball and they have the experience to win in the playoffs. The Hawks have a couple of very good players in Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Johnson hasn't had the season he wanted to have so far, but he can still turn it around with a good postseason. Even though Atlanta has the home-court in the series, I think the experience of the Celtics will be too much for the Hawks and Boston wins in seven games. Finally, the most interesting series of the first round will be the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are another team that have a lot of experience, especially when you compare them to the Thunder. Oklahoma City has a big three of their own with Durant, Westbrook, and sixth man of the year James Harden. Never discount the fact of sheer determination of Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks, because let's be real, did anyone expect them to even make it to the Finals last year. I think it will be a great series and it could go either way, but I think the Thunder will take it in six games.

AWFUL REPORTING & THE ETERNAL PUNK by ST

Been hearing from some of you about members of the national media and commentators in other markets knocking the Ducks for the recent "whole lotta weed" story.  It's meaning less.  Those concerned about the hit Oregon or any other school in this place takes to reputation are wasting their time.  For openers that 17 to 22 age group is not a strong sports radio demographic.  Think about this.  A coach outside the U of O is trying to use that against them in recruiting.  But the kid loves the offense and visits Eugene on Game Day.  The place is packed and face it, for the most part Oregon rolls.  The attention is huge on ESPN.  It's big time college football.  Really concerned the young guy is worried about some dunderhead they don't know spewing idiotic numbers about pot?  Please!  Sure, the parents or guardians might ask a question or two but will they really conclude it's a serious problem here versus Tempe, Southern Cal or Columbus.  Each program has it's warts.  Unless the NCAA pulls schollies or issues sanctions, words don't damage a top flight program.
I'm almost ready to pity Ron Artest.  If he wasn't such a jack ass.  Seriously, at age 32 you have the exact same emotional control and maturity as you did in college?  At least when he helped ignite the Malice at the Palace in 2004 he was only 25.  What truly disturbs me about his flagrant elbow to the side of James Harden's head was it didn't follow his usual insanity.  Mostly his childish acting out is in retaliation or aimed at a player or fan who has drawn his wrath.  This was random.  The typical wack job who is so focused on their immediate emotional needs that everyone else is potential collateral damage.  Another level of idiocy exists in the timing.  So selfish & out of control he will cost his team the good things he brings to the table on the court during the playoffs.  Guys have busted butt all season to likely grab a 3 seed with a shot at the grand prize but because one ass hat put himself above the rest, their hard work suffers. 
Later this week as we approach the draft we'll shoot down some myths.

Out for the Season, by Casey Mitchell

This is Casey Mitchell guest blogging for ST today. With the playoffs right around the corner, Magic center Dwight Howard will miss the rest of the season due to a herniated disk in his back. Howard has been suffering from back problems since late March, but it wasn't until last week it was discovered that it was a serious issue. Just a few weeks after staying with the Magic, today Howard will undergo back surgery. Even though Orlando will be going into the postseason as a six seed, you have to think that they won't even put up a fight in the playoff let alone the first round. Howard is such a huge part of this team and without him, they are a below average team at best. This season he averaged a double double with 20 PPG and 14.5 RPG. It just shows you that even with all of the distractions that were surrounding Howard and the Magic this year, Orlando is nothing without him. Now with only one season remaining on his contract, they are going to have some of the same issues that they had earlier this year. If Howard decides not to come back after next year, I predict the Magic will turn into what the Cavs were without Lebron.
Speaking of Lebron and the Heat, yesterday's game against the Bulls had a great playoff atmosphere. It was a physical game that the Heat ended up winning by a score of 83 - 72. James had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Heat win. This was the last meeting of the two teams this year unless they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although Derrick Rose didn't play again due to a reoccurring issue of back spasms. The Heat are still fighting for the one seed in the East, but they still remain 1 1/2 games out but they are hot as winners of 5 straight. It  should be a great last couple of weeks of the season.

COACH SUMMITT AND WACKY WEED STORIES by ST

Gotta be honest, I caught the Pat Summitt press conference announcing her stepping down as head coach at Tennessee and had the box of kleenex at the ready. Turns out she was the pillar of strength and composure you'd expect from a true titan. Sports media, like it's bretheren tends to get caught up in the hysterics or hype story of the day. Nothing was more substantial than coach Summitt retiring. She's on that list with John Wooden, Vince Lombardi and...you tell me.
I don't buy all of this Ducks on weed story. We know college students and athletes toke. The percentage is a tad sketchy. I can't imagine it's as high as the 60% the stoner reported or minimal. I love the fact random testing is out because of state law. If probable cause exists, grab the pee cup. Otherwise we fought and beat the Nazi's in the 1940's. We always hear about how awful math skills have become. So now all of a sudden some Stoner McGee blazing up is offering specific statistics? I bet a majority of students couldn't use the proper formula to even determine how many of their teammates equals 40 or 60%. I'd be very surprised if Oregon players were substantially different than the average D1 program.

CLOSING THE ERA ON CLOSERS by ST

It's rare you'll direct someone from your website to another, but baseball fans must read the piece by Tom Verducci on the Sports Illustrated site. Just navigate to Inside Baseball. It's time to rethink an issue that's never sat right with me. The automatic 9th inning move to the closer. I used to scream at Lou Pinella from the right field bleachers during many a game at Yankee Stadium when he was the skipper. New York on the lead. Top of the 9th. In comes Dave Raghetti. I believe this mentality cost the Yanks the East title in 1985 & a shot to catch Boston in 1986. You do have exceptions. What Mariano Rivera is doing borders on insane for durability and productivity. Otherwise, it's rare you see lights out over anything more than a 3-4 year period, if that. The article I alluded to presents a great case using the massive data now available. I compared it to how we must now view football with the information available on concussions, head & neck injuries and related issues.
One of the funniest cracks I've heard in weeks came from a writer who covers the A.C.C. Says the conference hasn't had a legit Heisman contender in a decade. He blamed Midwest & West Coast media bias. I just loved that remark. Shine a light on how ridiculous it is to blame the media for your team or program's shortcomings.
I'm I the only one who responded "DUH" when word came down Saints coach Sean Payton was not permitted to have any kind of contact with any one in the NFL? Kind of the point of the suspension for this kind of action no??

WRONG GUY, WRONG JOB by ST

Laughed pretty hard when I heard new Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine tear into Kevin Youklis for his attitude. Been saying since day one that Valentine is completely ridiculous in this posistion. Certain managing & coaching gigs require more than a knowledge of x's & o's. This is clearly one of them. Operating in this kind of fish bowl is a different deal. The manager of the Bosox must form a reflective shield for his players. Success will breed a good reputation for the manager, not throwing his best players in front of a bus to the media. Bobby V has always been about Bobby V. I've mentioned it before but no one in the solar system has a higher opinion of this guy than this guy. Calling out Yook for his work ethic or approach to the game is obscene. The guy brings a fire that is reminiscent of the all time greats. He takes outs and poor at bats personally. That hasn't changed, just the knucklehead putting his name in the lineup. They had the perfect guy in Terry Francona. He was to the Bosox what Joe Torre was to the South Bronx. He stood between the media, irrational fans and his guys. Let them do their thing. I get that Boston came unglued a bit last September, but much of that went to pitching. It's not like they rolled over and played dead. They remained in the playoff hunt until the final pitch of the regular season. I'm thinking the curse is back on. Yes, that's a really big smile on my face.

Week 1 Story Lines, by Casey Mitchell

This is Casey Mitchell guest blogging for ST today. The MLB season is underway and there have been some big story lines. Ozzie Guillen was suspended for 5 games after his comments on a very touchy subject in Miami. For the second straight year, Boston's struggles in April continue. Last season they started out 0-6 and this year 1-5. The way I am looking at it is, if they would have started out 1-5 last year, they would have made it into the Postseason. Theo Epstein would still be the GM and Terry Francona would still be there. A lot would be different. A team having different fortunes this year is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have started out 6-1 and they are riding a three game winning streak. Even though it is early, they are making a statement that they are going to be contenders in the NL West. Another contender in the West is the Giants. Usually known for their pitching, the Giants have the worst ERA in the National League. Two time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum looks like he forgot how to pitch. Lincecum has posted an ERA of 12.91 and suffered the shortest start of his career, after giving up 8 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings of work. The only thing keeping the Giants from a disaster is the hitting. They are averaging over 5.5 runs per game. So far, it's certainly not the Giants of the past couple of years.

The coaching situation for the Saints has been resolved, and Bill Parcells is not a part of it. For the first six games of the season, it will be offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. After Joe Vitt serves his suspension for those six games, he will be the new interim head coach.