The Best Basketball Player Alive arrived in camp showing nothing but grins and optimism. What else could he do? Perhaps more than anything, Kobe is trying to sell himself on the idea that this Laker team can go far.
I won't discount the team totally. Kobe is good enough to lead them anywhere. However, tough as it is to believe sometimes, the man his human, and he needs some pieces around him.
And no, Shawn Marion is not the answer.
________
The Spurs enter the season as deservedly heavy favorites. Beyond that, the league seems pretty wide open for five or six teams capable of winning it all: The Celtics, Suns, Pistons, Mavs, Cavs. Your 2008 NBA Champion will come from that group. The Rockets aren't as good as people think and won't stay healthy, the Bulls could conceivably win the East but could never get past any of the West's powerhouses, and the Jazz, Warriors and Raptors are at least a year away from being contenders. Seriously, if you could lay down even money on either the Spurs, Celtics, Suns, Pistons, Mavs or Cavs winning the title, how much would you bet? Your mortgage? Your college fund? The NBA is the anti-partity league. When was the last time we saw an NBA Champ that wasn't ranked in the top 5 or 6 in the preseason? Even baseball gives us the occasional surprise. Don't get me wrong, I love the NBA more than I love any other league, and it will be a fantastic and fun season, but we won't be seeing any 2000 Rams or '03 Angels anytime soon.
________
One last basketball note: You owe it to yourself to check out the greatest dunk you've probably never seen here. It's from a real game, no And1 or Globetrotter nonsense.
________
It's unfortunate that the best team in the National League didn't make the playoffs. There's no possible excuse, but an incredibly poorly timed bad stretch doesn't take away severl months of great baseball (well, actually, it does take it away, but you know).
I have no idea why the Mets are hanging on to Willie Randolph. I don't blame him soley for their epic collapse, but someone has to take the fall here, and the team is too good to blow up. What happens next year if the Amazins are 5 games up with 10 to play, and they lose two games in a row? Their September to Forget will haunt them no matter what, but retaining every piece of the fall may not be the most prudent option.
________
Three series open on Wednesday. Angels-Red Sox promises to be well played, but without home field advantage, the Angels will lose in 5.
Cubbies-D'Backs is being marketed here in Chicago as an incredibly lopsided series -- in the Cubs favor! Now, on paper I'd have to agree with them, but on paper the Cubs should also be winning close to 100 games. Also on paper, a team that gives up more runs than they score shouldn't have the most wins in their league. Arizona gets it done in 4, and Chicago fans turn to a Bears team that won't win 8 games.
Phillies-Rockies is a fantasic, exciting matchup between two blazing hot teams. Jimmy Rollins (who will rightfully win the NL MVP) made good on his promise way back when and is as close to unstoppable as anyone in the majors. Matt Holliday, meanwhile, has continued to play out of his mind. The series will go 5 games, feature a tight finish, and my money's on the improbably Rockies, the joyous flipside of the '07 Mets, keeping their season going.
________
Oh, and No, I don't think Holliday touched home plate. Let's just say I'm glad the catcher dropped the ball.
________
Week 4 NFL commentary and the rest of the MLB playoffs coming soon.
Feedback and questions are always welcome. Comment below or Contact me at jsh4211@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment