NBA Conference Finals, Stanley Cup Finals + Random Rants

Ok, so I'm behind...oh wellz.

Here it goes: Did not expect Ottawa to beat Buffalo, let alone in 5 games. Also did not foresee Gary Bettman putting in 6 off-days between the end of the conference finals and the Stanley Cup finals. Way to let all the excitement from the past series slowly dies. If this was like a Toronto/Calgary, or some sort of bigger matchup, then sure, you can make the argument of letting the excitement build. But its Anaheim for crying out loud! I love their team, but the interest there is no where close to what it would be had it been Calgary, or even Detroit. Be that as it may, prediction.

Anaheim 4 - 3 Ottawa

Both teams have been playing well throughout the playoffs, but Ottawa definitely have been more dominant. You can even argue that Anaheim got lucky to make it this far. I STILL don't think Ray Emery is the real deal, and I think the top 3 defencemen for Anaheim will shutdown the big 3 offencesive threat for Ottawa, with the secondary scorers being the difference in the series. I would say Anaheim in 6, but I think Ottawa has played so well that they will make this an interesting series.

NBA Conference Finals:
I know I'm behind, with Detroit already winning 2-0 in the series, but like I have stated in the past, Detroit is head and shoulders above every other team in the East. Especially a team like the Cavs, where the team's success really depends on one player. To a certain degree, I thought the Nets would put up a better fight against the Cavs, and definitely thought they would be able to contain Lebron, maybe not to a degree which they shut down Bosh, but definitely make him less of an impact in the series.

I have no clue how Detroit let Chicago almost made a series out of that series. Felt like they just let their foot off the pedal and it almost went the distance. I don't see the same mistake from the very experienced Detroit ball-club. Taking Detroit in 5.

The suspensions in the Spurs/Suns series totally became the vocal point of a series that could've been better than any potential NBA Finals. And then you get David Stern sticking his nose in and disrupting the series. With that said, Spurs in 6. No team have been able to find an answer for Tim Duncan so far this playoff, and I don't see any of the Utah defenders being able to either. Utah will win a couple of games by simply out-scoring the Spurs, but experience and excellent coaching will lead the Spurs to the finals.

Other random thoughts:
Is it just me, or does anyone else think Bud Selig is...for a lack of a better word...a moron? He sets up a commission to investigate into the whole steriod issue without success, and suddenly Jason Giambi steps-up and admits to taking "stuff". Bud Selig, could've easily put his foot down, and applaud Giambi for "being-a-man" and admitting what he did, and then turn around and offer anyone and everyone who is willing to come clean to the commission a pardon. One, the commission will actually have something and someone to work with, and two, Bud Selig could potentially be THE guy to clean up baseball from performance enhancing drugs.

But no, Bud Selig wanted to sit back and react based on how the public reacts. He wanted to make sure his decision and statement follows the way the public feel. He takes his time, saying he will have a meeting with Giambi, and nothing more. All that does, and will do, is simply to assure those who have taken "stuff", to not come clean, in order to avoid a meeting with the boss which could potentially lead to another issue. So what happens is that the commission, will simply sit on their butts while they could've easily had more people testify then they can handle, simply based on Bud Selig's stupidity.

With Barry Bonds getting closer and closer to the record, I could careless whether or not he beats Hank Aaron's record or not. Now Bud Selig has another brain-fart moment, and decide to state publicly that he will not be in attendance for if/when Bonds break the record. Now I will admit that I have not been a Bonds fan, and probably will never be, but being the commissioner of a league where one of the most prestigious record is being broken, it simply does not make sense for you to have excuses and not attend. It doesn't matter whether or not his personal opinion of Bonds is regarding the usage of performance enhancing drugs. The fact of the matter is, one of the players, probably one of the best in the history of the league, is about to break one of the most prestigious record in your league. You (and many other people) believe he might be breaking the record "with help", but you have yet to prove that Bonds is guilty, and you should be there, like you would if Albert Pujols breaks Bonds' single season home-run record. Until you are able to prove that Bonds used performance enhancing drugs to break the record, the event should be treated with the respect it deserves.

Ok...now that these issues are off my chest...a couple more

-Man Utd. in HK in August will a full team...=(
-And I need a vacation...

ttow! (yes, its back!)

NHL Playoff Round 3

Round 2 Predictions (results)
Sabres 4 - 2 Rangers (4 - 2)
Devils 4 - 3 Senators (1 - 4)

Red Wings 3 - 4 Sharks (4 - 2)
Ducks 4 - 2 Canucks (4 - 1)

Certainly didn't think Senators could finish off the Devils in 5. Alfredsson has done his share this year to downplay his performance in previous playoffs. I still don't think Ray Emery is the real deal, and Buffalo is certainly the best in the East IMO.

As far as the West, Canucks, like predicted, did not generate enough offence to push them beyond the first round. I did not expect the Sharks to melt down the way they did after game 3. I think Detroit's age will catch up to them in this series.

Sabres 4 - 2 Senators

Ducks 4 - 2 Red Wings

NBA Round 2 Predictions

Round 1 Results in ( )

Detroit 4 - 0 Orlando (4 - 0)
Cleveland 4 - 0 Washington (4 - 0)
Toronto 4 - 2 New Jersey (2 - 4)
Miami 4 - 3 Chicago (0 - 4)

Dallas 4 - 2 Golden State (2 - 4)
Phoenix 4 - 1 LA Lakers (4 - 1)
San Antonio 4 - 2 Denver (4 - 1)
Houston 4 - 3 Utah (3 - 4)

So...4 out of 8, nothing to brag about thats for sure. Certainly didn't expect Chicago to sweep Miami, and no doubt the Warriors over the Mavericks is another surprise. Houston and Utah was a coinflip, but I thought with Yao and McGrady, they can pull off a big game in game 7 but guess it didn't happen.

So...round 2. I know it isn't fair how Detroit played Chicago today, but the score didn't change my mind.

Detroit 4 - 1 Chicago
Cleveland 2 - 4 New Jersey

Suns 4 - 3 Spurs
Utah 4 - 2 Warriors.