So this time, against the Knicks, LeBron actually takes that last shot to tie the game with Miami trailing 89-86. Maybe he should keep deferring to Eddie House. Because it was nothing but a clank for BronBron, and the Heat fell short against the new-look Knicks, 91-86. It's not that I'm happy the Knicks won, but happy that the Heat lost.
Seriously other than that shot against Orlando in the '09 playoffs, a series which the Cavs lost anyways, has LeBron ever made a big shot? Even without Perk in the middle, I still don't fear the Heat. Not even a little bit. Every game against them is close, sure, but when you have closers like Ray Allen and Paul Pierce isn't that the swing vote? Celtics are still the team to beat in the East.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sheriff Shane Hnidy
If for no other reason than we get to hear Jack Edwards say "Sheriff Shane Hnidy" again, it's great to have him back in black and gold. Bruins signed him to a contract for the rest of the year yesterday. And sure, he'll just be the seventh defenceman. But he'll be out there. Never a bad guy to have on your side. Also notice the Canadian spelling of "defenceman".
Friday, February 25, 2011
Danny Strainge
I get in the car yesterday, pulling out of campus, turn on the radio. WEEI was on but I was looking for some classic rock for the ride back up to Hingham. I was about to start scrolling around when Glenn Ordway mentions "Kendrick Perkins" and "traded" in the same sentence..........then I hear "Jeff Green" in the next.
Hold up.
Obviously, my heads spinning here. On the one hand, "Jeff Green? The dude we traded for Ray Allen? Who's only 24? Not only can he help us now, he can replace Paul Pierce down the line!"
Or, "Kendrick Perkins? One of the only centers in the league capable of shutting down Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum defensively? Who's absence in Game 7 last year damn well may have cost us the title?"
Immediately the latter theory takes hold. Haven't the Celtics been priding themselves on the notion that with a healthy lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Perkins, they've never lost a playoff series? And then all of a sudden, just as Perkins gets back from his torn ACL in the Finals last year, he's gone with no viable replacement?
Sure, the Celtics are fine offensively without Perkins. And fine is undercutting it. They're actually substantially better without Perk clogging the lane and taking forever to go up to the hoop. Big Baby may be undersized, but he's still more sound around the rim than Perkins, and is a much better shooter from mid-range and the foul line. Shaq can still provide some great scoring touch inside. And Nenad Kristic, who's also coming over in this swap, is a more refined shooter than Perk.
But this isn't about offense. When you already have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo, do you even need an offensive-minded center? Of course not. This is all about defense, or, suddenly, a lack thereof. Currently, the Celtics are the NBA's most efficient defensive team. That's not likely to change substantially, but again, the Celts' main competition, Miami aside, all have elite centers. And we're going to rely on a 38-year old Shaq and a 6'7" Glen Davis to shut down the Dwight Howards and Andrew Bynums of the world now?
I keep hearing "oh it's alright, they'll just sign Troy Murphy when he gets bought out by Golden State". So Troy Murphy is our Lord and savior huh? The dude's put up some solid rebounding numbers over the years with the Warriors and Pacers, but he's never played in a playoff game, doesn't play a lick of defense, and, for what it's worth, is a career 44% shooter compared to Perkins 56%. So please, spare me with this Troy Murphy garbage. And if this in any way leads to even a conversation about luring Sheed out of retirement, well, at least we have the Bruins.
The sad part of this deal is that even though Jeff Green is uber-talented and a star in the making, he's not what we need right now. Sure, a respectable backup for Paul Pierce would be nice, but that's not the be-all, end-all. Green, the no. 5 pick in the 2007 draft whom the Celtics traded for Ray Allen, is a career 14.2 ppg scorer, a number that could certainly be higher if not playing in the shadow of Kevin Durant. He's a small forward capable of player power forward, and can shoot the occasional 3-ball. His shooting percentages aren't anything to write home about, at a career 44% pace, but remember, the man's 24. So down the line here, assuming the Celtics plan on re-signing him (and if that's not the plan, then I don't know which way is up or down anymore), he and Rondo can form the nucleus of the next generation of the Celtics once the Big 3 have come and gone.
At the end of the day, though, this isn't about 2013 or 2014. Danny Ainge took a huge gamble with this deal. Maybe he saw the writing on the wall that Perkins wasn't going to re-sign here at the end of the season? I don't know. Maybe any chance you have to get a 24-year old star-in-waiting, you do it. I applaud him for that. But the Celtics were perhaps the only contender other than San Antonio with no visible weaknesses. Now, there's a big gaping hole right in the center. I hope I'm wrong. Prior to this trade, I knew the Celtics could win a championship. I still think they can. But I certainly don't know it anymore.
Hold up.
Obviously, my heads spinning here. On the one hand, "Jeff Green? The dude we traded for Ray Allen? Who's only 24? Not only can he help us now, he can replace Paul Pierce down the line!"
Or, "Kendrick Perkins? One of the only centers in the league capable of shutting down Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum defensively? Who's absence in Game 7 last year damn well may have cost us the title?"
 |
| Perkins was apparently devastated upon learning of his trade. I wouldn't want to live in Oklahoma either. But life can't be too bad playing with Kevin Durant. |
Sure, the Celtics are fine offensively without Perkins. And fine is undercutting it. They're actually substantially better without Perk clogging the lane and taking forever to go up to the hoop. Big Baby may be undersized, but he's still more sound around the rim than Perkins, and is a much better shooter from mid-range and the foul line. Shaq can still provide some great scoring touch inside. And Nenad Kristic, who's also coming over in this swap, is a more refined shooter than Perk.
But this isn't about offense. When you already have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo, do you even need an offensive-minded center? Of course not. This is all about defense, or, suddenly, a lack thereof. Currently, the Celtics are the NBA's most efficient defensive team. That's not likely to change substantially, but again, the Celts' main competition, Miami aside, all have elite centers. And we're going to rely on a 38-year old Shaq and a 6'7" Glen Davis to shut down the Dwight Howards and Andrew Bynums of the world now?
I keep hearing "oh it's alright, they'll just sign Troy Murphy when he gets bought out by Golden State". So Troy Murphy is our Lord and savior huh? The dude's put up some solid rebounding numbers over the years with the Warriors and Pacers, but he's never played in a playoff game, doesn't play a lick of defense, and, for what it's worth, is a career 44% shooter compared to Perkins 56%. So please, spare me with this Troy Murphy garbage. And if this in any way leads to even a conversation about luring Sheed out of retirement, well, at least we have the Bruins.
 |
| Just the thought of a Sheed reunion tour makes me want to light myself on fire. |
The sad part of this deal is that even though Jeff Green is uber-talented and a star in the making, he's not what we need right now. Sure, a respectable backup for Paul Pierce would be nice, but that's not the be-all, end-all. Green, the no. 5 pick in the 2007 draft whom the Celtics traded for Ray Allen, is a career 14.2 ppg scorer, a number that could certainly be higher if not playing in the shadow of Kevin Durant. He's a small forward capable of player power forward, and can shoot the occasional 3-ball. His shooting percentages aren't anything to write home about, at a career 44% pace, but remember, the man's 24. So down the line here, assuming the Celtics plan on re-signing him (and if that's not the plan, then I don't know which way is up or down anymore), he and Rondo can form the nucleus of the next generation of the Celtics once the Big 3 have come and gone.
At the end of the day, though, this isn't about 2013 or 2014. Danny Ainge took a huge gamble with this deal. Maybe he saw the writing on the wall that Perkins wasn't going to re-sign here at the end of the season? I don't know. Maybe any chance you have to get a 24-year old star-in-waiting, you do it. I applaud him for that. But the Celtics were perhaps the only contender other than San Antonio with no visible weaknesses. Now, there's a big gaping hole right in the center. I hope I'm wrong. Prior to this trade, I knew the Celtics could win a championship. I still think they can. But I certainly don't know it anymore.
Chris Bosh is good
1-18. One made shot, seventeen missed tonight vs. Chicago in a 93-89 loss. Miami is 1-7 vs. Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and the Lakers this year.
There'll be a bigger piece tomorrow on why this Perkins trade bothers me, but this simply had to be mentioned. Apparently it's the worst night by a player taking at least 18 shots since 1973? Just another reason why I don't fear the Heat. At all.
There'll be a bigger piece tomorrow on why this Perkins trade bothers me, but this simply had to be mentioned. Apparently it's the worst night by a player taking at least 18 shots since 1973? Just another reason why I don't fear the Heat. At all.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Melo to Madison Square
Yawn. If I'm the Knicks brass (which may or may not include Isaiah Thomas right now, so I'd like to think my opinion at least carries some value over theirs), why give up your starting point guard (Raymond Felton), starting small forward (Danilo Gallinari), and a key sub (Wilson Chandler) to get Carmelo Anthony right now when you could have gotten him this summer without giving anything up? The Knicks still aren't a championship caliber team, they aren't getting past the Celtics/Heat/Bulls, but they weren't getting past any of those teams as previously constituted anyways. Sure, Chauncey Billups comes over in the deal too, and while he might be an upgrade over Felton right now, is he still going to be there by the time these Knicks might be able to contend for a championship? He's 34 now, and while the successes of Ray Allen and Steve Nash beyond that age may cause us to look the other way, the bottom line is that Allen and Nash are the exception to the rule. Billups could still be productive for a few more years; history tells us it's extremely unlikely.
Moving forward, the Knickerbockers currently sit at 28-26, 6th in the East. Maybe they catch Atlanta at number 5. Beyond that? This season I really don't see it. We're seeing with the Heat right now that a lack of depth doesn't necessarily show up in the record, but make no mistake, Melo/Amar'e/Billups isn't LeBron/Wade/Bosh. So basically, the Knicks plan here has left themselves as Heat Light. And since the Celts are 3-0 against Heat Heavys, this is nothing I'm losing sleep over. We're still the team to beat in the East.
It's too bad Denver couldn't work out that deal with the Nets that would have landed them 4 1st round picks, Devin Harris, and Derrick Favors. That trade proposal had Herschel Walker written all over it.
And lastly, how hilarious is it that one of the throw-ins in the deal going from Denver to New York is Renaldo Balkman? If you don't know who Balkman is, that's very understandable. But he was the Knicks 1st round pick in 2006 during the height of the Isaiah Ineptitude, a move that was lauded as one of his very worst at the time and like the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, has just looked even more laughable with age. So if that aspect of the deal isn't a sign Isaiah is back with a vengeance, than I don't know what is.
Moving forward, the Knickerbockers currently sit at 28-26, 6th in the East. Maybe they catch Atlanta at number 5. Beyond that? This season I really don't see it. We're seeing with the Heat right now that a lack of depth doesn't necessarily show up in the record, but make no mistake, Melo/Amar'e/Billups isn't LeBron/Wade/Bosh. So basically, the Knicks plan here has left themselves as Heat Light. And since the Celts are 3-0 against Heat Heavys, this is nothing I'm losing sleep over. We're still the team to beat in the East.
It's too bad Denver couldn't work out that deal with the Nets that would have landed them 4 1st round picks, Devin Harris, and Derrick Favors. That trade proposal had Herschel Walker written all over it.
And lastly, how hilarious is it that one of the throw-ins in the deal going from Denver to New York is Renaldo Balkman? If you don't know who Balkman is, that's very understandable. But he was the Knicks 1st round pick in 2006 during the height of the Isaiah Ineptitude, a move that was lauded as one of his very worst at the time and like the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, has just looked even more laughable with age. So if that aspect of the deal isn't a sign Isaiah is back with a vengeance, than I don't know what is.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Bruins Overhaul the Power Play
In probably their biggest mid-season acquisition since the 2004 trade deadline (the separate deals for Sergei Gonchar and Michael Nylander), the Bruins have shored up a dreadful-of-late power play unit as well as deepening the defensive corps by trading for Maple Leafs blueliner Tomas Kaberle for Providence center Joe Colborne, the Bruins' 1st round pick this year, and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2012.
Besides the obvious boon of picking up Kaberle, the Bruins were able to keep the Maple Leafs 1st round pick in this June's draft which they already owned from the Phil Kessel trade. As of now the Leafs have the 6th worst record in the NHL so the Bruins could be looking at picking up another blue-chipper along the lines of Tyler Seguin. But with Toronto in full firesale mode, their record should only continue to head south. Who knows, maybe we win up with a top-2 pick again.
Anyways, Kaberle has so far posted a 3-35-38 line this year in Toronto, with a -2 rating which is actually fairly impressive considering how bad the Leafs are. He has 22 of his assists on the power play, which is great news for a Bruins unit middling at 18.1%, good enough for 14th in the NHL. The B's are near the top of the league in 5-on-5 goals, but it'll take good special teams play to make it farther into the post-season.
In a separate move the Bruins sent Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart to hockey oblivion (Atlanta) in exchange for Rich Peverly and Boris Valabik. It's tough to see Stuart go, but it's a sight for sore eyes to see Blake Wheeler sent packing. Since a promising rookie year in 2008-09, Wheeler has been maddeningly inconsistent since then, only occasionally showing flashes of physical play around the net that would make him a much more effective player. Maybe playing under less of a microscope in Atlanta will light a fire under Wheels's ass, but I doubt it. If he can't make plays with the centers he has in Boston, what makes you think Atlanta will cure his woes?
Great start to this road trip for the Bruins, beating teams they're clearly superior to in the Islanders and the Senators. With the exception of the Canucks, the Bruins face off against a flurry of non-playoff teams on the remainder of the road trip, including two stops in Alberta and a rematch with Ottawa. With 4 points so far, a reasonable goal would be coming back to Boston with 10 out of a possible 12.
Besides the obvious boon of picking up Kaberle, the Bruins were able to keep the Maple Leafs 1st round pick in this June's draft which they already owned from the Phil Kessel trade. As of now the Leafs have the 6th worst record in the NHL so the Bruins could be looking at picking up another blue-chipper along the lines of Tyler Seguin. But with Toronto in full firesale mode, their record should only continue to head south. Who knows, maybe we win up with a top-2 pick again.
Anyways, Kaberle has so far posted a 3-35-38 line this year in Toronto, with a -2 rating which is actually fairly impressive considering how bad the Leafs are. He has 22 of his assists on the power play, which is great news for a Bruins unit middling at 18.1%, good enough for 14th in the NHL. The B's are near the top of the league in 5-on-5 goals, but it'll take good special teams play to make it farther into the post-season.
In a separate move the Bruins sent Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart to hockey oblivion (Atlanta) in exchange for Rich Peverly and Boris Valabik. It's tough to see Stuart go, but it's a sight for sore eyes to see Blake Wheeler sent packing. Since a promising rookie year in 2008-09, Wheeler has been maddeningly inconsistent since then, only occasionally showing flashes of physical play around the net that would make him a much more effective player. Maybe playing under less of a microscope in Atlanta will light a fire under Wheels's ass, but I doubt it. If he can't make plays with the centers he has in Boston, what makes you think Atlanta will cure his woes?
Great start to this road trip for the Bruins, beating teams they're clearly superior to in the Islanders and the Senators. With the exception of the Canucks, the Bruins face off against a flurry of non-playoff teams on the remainder of the road trip, including two stops in Alberta and a rematch with Ottawa. With 4 points so far, a reasonable goal would be coming back to Boston with 10 out of a possible 12.
 |
| It's not all bad news, Blake. No one will notice you suck in Atlanta. |
Friday, February 18, 2011
MLB Spring Training Power Rankings
It's 52 degrees and sunny in southern Rhode Island today. If that doesn't get you ready for some baseball, then I don't know what does.
Maybe a Red Sox team that's being hailed as the most improved across baseball still after winning 89 games last season? Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez now calling Fenway their home park? And if you aren't a Red Sox fan, Spring Training signals a beacon of hope for just about every other team (except the Pirates, Indians, and Royals). But hey, it's a 162 game marathon, not a sprint. All kinds of crazy stuff can happen.
And we haven't even gotten to the fake games that don't count yet, where the single-A players you've never heard of are getting you excited by posting a 23-12 record. For what it's worth, that was the San Francisco Giants Cactus League record from a year ago, the most wins in the pre-season. And they went on to win the World Series. Then again Cleveland (19-9, .732) posted the second-highest winning percentage overall, so you never know with these things.
The rankings I'm about to unveil are not necessarily a projected order of finish in baseball this year, just an ordering of "least hopeful" to "most hopeful". And these are subject to change after the Exhibition season comes to a close, before the first pitch of the regular season is thrown. So let's do this already.
30. Pittsburgh Pirates
Last Season: 57-105
Remember that Brett Favre feature I ran in December? Here's something else I could have added to the list: 1992 was the last time the Pirates finished with a winning record. And while Favre's streak might be over, don't expect this one to end in 2011.
29. Cleveland Indians
Last Season: 69-93
At least LeBron and the Cavs.....ah the Browns have the no. 6 pick in the draft.....nevermind.
28. Seattle Mariners
Last Season: 61-101
Seattle does possess the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Felix Hernandez. The only question is for how much longer.
27. Kansas City Royals
Last Season: 67-95
It's not all bad news in Kansas City. The Royals have the top-ranked farm system in all of baseball. So for the first time in a long time, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Just don't expect any big jump this season.
26. Houston Astros
Last Season: 76-86
The days of the Killer B's are but a distant memory. Roy Oswalt is gone. The cupboard is bare in Houston, and it could be awhile before these guys are relevant again.
25. New York Mets
Last Season: 79-83
It's not all Bernie Madoff's fault. He's not the one who signed Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, or the ghost of Johan Santana. The Mets still have the pieces to have an interesting lineup, which is good because they'll need all the runs they can get. Don't expect many games of the 2-1, 1-0 variety this year in Queens.
24. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Season: 65-97
So how exactly would trading Justin Upton make these guys better? And that rotation isn't exactly hearkening back memories of the Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson days.
23. Washington Nationals
Last Season: 69-93
So you go and throw $126 million at Jayson Werth, and then let Adam Dunn walk and trade Josh Willingham? Isn't that just an expensive lateral move? It'll be a summer full of lobbying for Bryce Harper on Capitol Hill.
22. Toronto Blue Jays
Last Season: 85-77
They'll still score plenty of runs in Canada, but as great as it was to rid themselves of Vernon Wells' contract, he was an integral part of this lineup. Then again it's not like this group was going anywhere special, so starting from scratch just might be the best option. How they spend the money they saved, however, will determine how smooth the operation goes down.
21. Baltimore Orioles
Last Season: 66-96
This team kind of has an '06 Tigers feel to it. So bad for so long, but finally there seems to be just enough pieces in place to at least make you curious. Then there's the Jim Leyland-Buck Showalter parallels. But these Orioles face one huge challenge those Tigers didn't: they play in the AL East.
20. Florida Marlins
Last Season: 80-82
When will it end? Trading an established star (Dan Uggla) for a career backup (Omar Infante, who did make the all-star team last year in some sort of travesty) is just the latest salary purge in South Florida. Aren't they moving into a new ballpark soon?
19. Chicago Cubs
Last Season: 75-87
Team undoubtedly improved by importing some Rays: Matt Garza and a low-risk, high-reward flyer on Carlos Pena. And the NL Central is just wide-open enough to give these guys a shot. But expectations can't get too high on the North Side or else this season will just end like every one of the past 102: without a World Championship.
18. Detroit Tigers
Last Season: 81-81
The Tigers were in contention last season until an August swoon dropped them to irrelevancy. And if Miguel Cabrera gets suspended for his latest problems with alcohol, that just could be the way the Tigers stay.
17. San Diego Padres
Last Season: 90-72
The Pads were the darlings of baseball a year ago, winning 90 games amidst zero expectations and falling just short of the post-season. But they finished 22nd in runs scored last year, and that was with Adrian Gonzalez. In other words, it's back to Earth for the classy folks of San Diego.
16. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Season: 80-82
Mets of the West Coast? There is simply too much talent on this roster for them to be this far down, but like the Muts, ownership and financial issues have them stuck in no-mans land. Fortunately for them, they play in the NL West. Which isn't quite the NFC West. But it warrants mentioning.
15. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last Season: 80-82
2010 was the first time Mike Scioscia's club had finished with a losing record since 2003. One of the most consistent clubs in baseball over the past decade, have they also gotten too complacent? Texas lapped them last year, and Oakland finished a game up on them.
14. Colorado Rockies
Last Season: 83-79
One key difference between the Rocks and the previous two NL West teams in these rankings? A bona fide ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, who took the baseball world by storm in last season's first half (15-1, 2.20 ERA) before "tailing off" to finish at 19-8 and a 2.88 mark. With Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup, Colorado also boasts two MVP candidates. So keep an eye on Coors Field. It wouldn't shock me to see this team wind up on top of the NL West.
13. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Season: 96-66; Lost in ALDS
Unlike their Florida counterparts, the Rays will stay competitive in the aftermath of a firesale. Make no mistake, they won't come even close to winning 96 games again, but the "Devil" Rays aren't about to jump back on the scene either. Jeremy Hellickson is the real deal in that rotation to go along with David Price, and Evan Longoria is still wreaking havoc in that lineup. Not to mention a few other idiots.
12. Texas Rangers
Last Season: 90-72; Lost in World Series
No longer the answer to "only MLB team to never win a post-season series", the Rangers hope to maintain these winning ways people aren't so accustomed to in Arlington. But much like in the NFL, the championship loser always seems to have a tough time making it back to the promised land. Realize this though: Texas was a popular pick to win the West in March last season, when Cliff Lee was still in Seattle.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
Last Season: 86-76
LeBron 2.0? Phat Albert doesn't seem the type to drag this out and make it a big issue, but there's no question that until he signs his name on a new contract, there'll be wide-spread panic under the Arch. Which may or may not last until next off-season.
10. Milwaukee Brewers
Last Season: 77-85
Might seem a little high for the Brew Crew, but any rotation which already had Yovani Gallardo and then added Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, particularly in the National League, is poised to make some noise. Not to mention the sense of urgency is high in Milwaukee, with the Pujols Lite situation they find themselves in with Prince Fielder.
9. Oakland A's
Last Season: 81-81
It's generally in the third year where young pitchers make The Leap, and Oakland has plenty of candidates primed for a breakout 2011 on that staff. Adding Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham to the lineup just might be enough to put the A's over the top in the AL West.
8. Chicago White Sox
Last Season: 88-74
Picking up Adam Dunn was a very smart move to bolster an already stout offense (not to mention bringing back Paul Konerko), and if Jake Peavy can overcome his latest shoulder troubles, that rotation has the potential to be scary good.
7. Cincinnati Reds
Last Season: 91-71; lost in NLDS
Really no true weaknesses on a roster which includes reigning MVP Joey Votto, pride of Canada. And no one's quite yet sure what Aroldis Chapman's role will be, other than throwing 105 MPH heat. But in a vastly improved NL Central, Reds need to strive to improve on last year's record.
6. Atlanta Braves
Last Season: 91-71; lost in NLDS
Freddie Freeman could be this year's Jason Heyward, which is perfect because the Braves already have Jason Heyward. Like the Reds, no true weaknesses on the roster. Chipper Jones's comeback will be an interesting story to watch, as he plays for just his second manager in his illustrious ATL career.
5. Minnesota Twins
Last Season: 94-68; lost in ALDS (to the Yankees for the 10th year in a row)
The Twins World Series hopes hinge on the M & M boys, Mauer and Morneau. Joe Mauer needs to rediscover the power that made him the AL MVP in 2009, and Justin Morneau needs to continue the arduous road of recovery from his concussion last year. It's easy to forget now, but Morneau was leading the charge for his second MVP award before he went down last year with a .345-18-56 line in just 81 games, to go along with a 1.055 OPS.
4. New York Yankees
Last Season: 95-67; lost in ALCS
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves: even though their starting rotation is thinner than Lindsay Lohan, there's still a murderer's row-caliber lineup in the Bronx. Robinson Cano was a true MVP candidate last season (.319-29-109; .914 OPS). And they've still got guys named Rodriguez and Teixeira kicking around the corners.
3. San Francisco Giants
Last Season: 92-70; won World Series
It's hard to argue with having the defending champs up so high, even though their roster may not have been so glamorous to begin with. But bringing back an entire World Series-winning roster in tact, while upgrading at SS (Juan Uribe gives way to Miguel Tejada), means that if the Giants tank this year, they weren't that good to being with. But it was worth the wait by the bay.
2. Boston Red Sox
Last Season: 89-73
Again, without Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, this team managed to win 89 games. Without Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia for most of the second half. If one of the Josh Beckett/John Lackey tag-team can turn it around, here's your AL favorite.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Season: 97-65; lost in NLCS
Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Best pitcher alive in Roy Halladay? Check. Former World Series MVP in Cole Hamels? Check. Best post-season pitcher of the past 3 or 4 years in Cliff Lee? Check. Oh and Roy Oswalt. Here's your NL favorite, and by an even wider margin than the Red Sox in the American League.
Maybe a Red Sox team that's being hailed as the most improved across baseball still after winning 89 games last season? Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez now calling Fenway their home park? And if you aren't a Red Sox fan, Spring Training signals a beacon of hope for just about every other team (except the Pirates, Indians, and Royals). But hey, it's a 162 game marathon, not a sprint. All kinds of crazy stuff can happen.
And we haven't even gotten to the fake games that don't count yet, where the single-A players you've never heard of are getting you excited by posting a 23-12 record. For what it's worth, that was the San Francisco Giants Cactus League record from a year ago, the most wins in the pre-season. And they went on to win the World Series. Then again Cleveland (19-9, .732) posted the second-highest winning percentage overall, so you never know with these things.
The rankings I'm about to unveil are not necessarily a projected order of finish in baseball this year, just an ordering of "least hopeful" to "most hopeful". And these are subject to change after the Exhibition season comes to a close, before the first pitch of the regular season is thrown. So let's do this already.
30. Pittsburgh Pirates
Last Season: 57-105
Remember that Brett Favre feature I ran in December? Here's something else I could have added to the list: 1992 was the last time the Pirates finished with a winning record. And while Favre's streak might be over, don't expect this one to end in 2011.
29. Cleveland Indians
Last Season: 69-93
At least LeBron and the Cavs.....ah the Browns have the no. 6 pick in the draft.....nevermind.
28. Seattle Mariners
Last Season: 61-101
Seattle does possess the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Felix Hernandez. The only question is for how much longer.
27. Kansas City Royals
Last Season: 67-95
It's not all bad news in Kansas City. The Royals have the top-ranked farm system in all of baseball. So for the first time in a long time, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Just don't expect any big jump this season.
26. Houston Astros
Last Season: 76-86
The days of the Killer B's are but a distant memory. Roy Oswalt is gone. The cupboard is bare in Houston, and it could be awhile before these guys are relevant again.
25. New York Mets
Last Season: 79-83
It's not all Bernie Madoff's fault. He's not the one who signed Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, or the ghost of Johan Santana. The Mets still have the pieces to have an interesting lineup, which is good because they'll need all the runs they can get. Don't expect many games of the 2-1, 1-0 variety this year in Queens.
24. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Season: 65-97
So how exactly would trading Justin Upton make these guys better? And that rotation isn't exactly hearkening back memories of the Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson days.
23. Washington Nationals
Last Season: 69-93
So you go and throw $126 million at Jayson Werth, and then let Adam Dunn walk and trade Josh Willingham? Isn't that just an expensive lateral move? It'll be a summer full of lobbying for Bryce Harper on Capitol Hill.
22. Toronto Blue Jays
Last Season: 85-77
They'll still score plenty of runs in Canada, but as great as it was to rid themselves of Vernon Wells' contract, he was an integral part of this lineup. Then again it's not like this group was going anywhere special, so starting from scratch just might be the best option. How they spend the money they saved, however, will determine how smooth the operation goes down.
21. Baltimore Orioles
Last Season: 66-96
This team kind of has an '06 Tigers feel to it. So bad for so long, but finally there seems to be just enough pieces in place to at least make you curious. Then there's the Jim Leyland-Buck Showalter parallels. But these Orioles face one huge challenge those Tigers didn't: they play in the AL East.
20. Florida Marlins
Last Season: 80-82
When will it end? Trading an established star (Dan Uggla) for a career backup (Omar Infante, who did make the all-star team last year in some sort of travesty) is just the latest salary purge in South Florida. Aren't they moving into a new ballpark soon?
19. Chicago Cubs
Last Season: 75-87
Team undoubtedly improved by importing some Rays: Matt Garza and a low-risk, high-reward flyer on Carlos Pena. And the NL Central is just wide-open enough to give these guys a shot. But expectations can't get too high on the North Side or else this season will just end like every one of the past 102: without a World Championship.
18. Detroit Tigers
Last Season: 81-81
The Tigers were in contention last season until an August swoon dropped them to irrelevancy. And if Miguel Cabrera gets suspended for his latest problems with alcohol, that just could be the way the Tigers stay.
17. San Diego Padres
Last Season: 90-72
The Pads were the darlings of baseball a year ago, winning 90 games amidst zero expectations and falling just short of the post-season. But they finished 22nd in runs scored last year, and that was with Adrian Gonzalez. In other words, it's back to Earth for the classy folks of San Diego.
16. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Season: 80-82
Mets of the West Coast? There is simply too much talent on this roster for them to be this far down, but like the Muts, ownership and financial issues have them stuck in no-mans land. Fortunately for them, they play in the NL West. Which isn't quite the NFC West. But it warrants mentioning.
15. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last Season: 80-82
2010 was the first time Mike Scioscia's club had finished with a losing record since 2003. One of the most consistent clubs in baseball over the past decade, have they also gotten too complacent? Texas lapped them last year, and Oakland finished a game up on them.
14. Colorado Rockies
Last Season: 83-79
One key difference between the Rocks and the previous two NL West teams in these rankings? A bona fide ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, who took the baseball world by storm in last season's first half (15-1, 2.20 ERA) before "tailing off" to finish at 19-8 and a 2.88 mark. With Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup, Colorado also boasts two MVP candidates. So keep an eye on Coors Field. It wouldn't shock me to see this team wind up on top of the NL West.
13. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Season: 96-66; Lost in ALDS
Unlike their Florida counterparts, the Rays will stay competitive in the aftermath of a firesale. Make no mistake, they won't come even close to winning 96 games again, but the "Devil" Rays aren't about to jump back on the scene either. Jeremy Hellickson is the real deal in that rotation to go along with David Price, and Evan Longoria is still wreaking havoc in that lineup. Not to mention a few other idiots.
12. Texas Rangers
Last Season: 90-72; Lost in World Series
No longer the answer to "only MLB team to never win a post-season series", the Rangers hope to maintain these winning ways people aren't so accustomed to in Arlington. But much like in the NFL, the championship loser always seems to have a tough time making it back to the promised land. Realize this though: Texas was a popular pick to win the West in March last season, when Cliff Lee was still in Seattle.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
Last Season: 86-76
LeBron 2.0? Phat Albert doesn't seem the type to drag this out and make it a big issue, but there's no question that until he signs his name on a new contract, there'll be wide-spread panic under the Arch. Which may or may not last until next off-season.
10. Milwaukee Brewers
Last Season: 77-85
Might seem a little high for the Brew Crew, but any rotation which already had Yovani Gallardo and then added Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, particularly in the National League, is poised to make some noise. Not to mention the sense of urgency is high in Milwaukee, with the Pujols Lite situation they find themselves in with Prince Fielder.
9. Oakland A's
Last Season: 81-81
It's generally in the third year where young pitchers make The Leap, and Oakland has plenty of candidates primed for a breakout 2011 on that staff. Adding Hideki Matsui and Josh Willingham to the lineup just might be enough to put the A's over the top in the AL West.
8. Chicago White Sox
Last Season: 88-74
Picking up Adam Dunn was a very smart move to bolster an already stout offense (not to mention bringing back Paul Konerko), and if Jake Peavy can overcome his latest shoulder troubles, that rotation has the potential to be scary good.
7. Cincinnati Reds
Last Season: 91-71; lost in NLDS
Really no true weaknesses on a roster which includes reigning MVP Joey Votto, pride of Canada. And no one's quite yet sure what Aroldis Chapman's role will be, other than throwing 105 MPH heat. But in a vastly improved NL Central, Reds need to strive to improve on last year's record.
6. Atlanta Braves
Last Season: 91-71; lost in NLDS
Freddie Freeman could be this year's Jason Heyward, which is perfect because the Braves already have Jason Heyward. Like the Reds, no true weaknesses on the roster. Chipper Jones's comeback will be an interesting story to watch, as he plays for just his second manager in his illustrious ATL career.
5. Minnesota Twins
Last Season: 94-68; lost in ALDS (to the Yankees for the 10th year in a row)
The Twins World Series hopes hinge on the M & M boys, Mauer and Morneau. Joe Mauer needs to rediscover the power that made him the AL MVP in 2009, and Justin Morneau needs to continue the arduous road of recovery from his concussion last year. It's easy to forget now, but Morneau was leading the charge for his second MVP award before he went down last year with a .345-18-56 line in just 81 games, to go along with a 1.055 OPS.
4. New York Yankees
Last Season: 95-67; lost in ALCS
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves: even though their starting rotation is thinner than Lindsay Lohan, there's still a murderer's row-caliber lineup in the Bronx. Robinson Cano was a true MVP candidate last season (.319-29-109; .914 OPS). And they've still got guys named Rodriguez and Teixeira kicking around the corners.
3. San Francisco Giants
Last Season: 92-70; won World Series
It's hard to argue with having the defending champs up so high, even though their roster may not have been so glamorous to begin with. But bringing back an entire World Series-winning roster in tact, while upgrading at SS (Juan Uribe gives way to Miguel Tejada), means that if the Giants tank this year, they weren't that good to being with. But it was worth the wait by the bay.
2. Boston Red Sox
Last Season: 89-73
Again, without Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, this team managed to win 89 games. Without Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia for most of the second half. If one of the Josh Beckett/John Lackey tag-team can turn it around, here's your AL favorite.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Last Season: 97-65; lost in NLCS
Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Best pitcher alive in Roy Halladay? Check. Former World Series MVP in Cole Hamels? Check. Best post-season pitcher of the past 3 or 4 years in Cliff Lee? Check. Oh and Roy Oswalt. Here's your NL favorite, and by an even wider margin than the Red Sox in the American League.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
It's Called Bruins
Two in a row against Detroit? Sure, shit happens. Toronto? There was absolutely no excuse for the Bruins to come out of this 3-game stretch (Leafs, Islanders, Senators) with anything less than 6 points and now they'll be lucky to get 4. And of course it had to be fucking Kessel with 2 goals tonight.
I'm not saying push the panic button but Timmy T hasn't been himself these past 3 games (6 goals vs. Montreal, 4 vs. Detroit, 4 tonight). But it doesn't help matters that Tuukka is a deer in headlights right now. Maybe some time on the road will do this team good, as for whatever reason they're better away from the Garden. I just don't get this team. 15-12-3 at home, 16-7-4 on the road. This 6 game road trip that starts Thursday on Long Island could damn well make or break 'em, so stay tuned.
I'm not saying push the panic button but Timmy T hasn't been himself these past 3 games (6 goals vs. Montreal, 4 vs. Detroit, 4 tonight). But it doesn't help matters that Tuukka is a deer in headlights right now. Maybe some time on the road will do this team good, as for whatever reason they're better away from the Garden. I just don't get this team. 15-12-3 at home, 16-7-4 on the road. This 6 game road trip that starts Thursday on Long Island could damn well make or break 'em, so stay tuned.
Monday, February 14, 2011
A-Rod's Greatest Hits
Absolutely fantastic gallery on Sports Illustrated which sums up A-Rod as the scumbag he is. Remember when we could have traded Manny and Jon Lester for him after the '03 season? I guess that thing they say about sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make applies here. Yeah I know Manny was eventually outed for roids too but any Manny gallery they've ever had up on SI has been more hilarious than embarrassment. Plus Manny's wife is way more smoking than freaking Madonna or even Cameron Diaz.
Curt Schilling said it best, "we wouldn't have won with A-Rod here" (in 2004). Amen Curt, Amen.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Who's gonna take that last shot for the Heat?
LeBron or Wade? Aren't they two of the best closers in the game? Nope Mike Miller, who is quite possibly the first WNBA player to play in the NBA. Gotta love BronBron missing the first free throw after having a chance to tie the game with about 12 seconds left. Just the fact we can beat the Heat with Paul Pierce scoring 1 freaking point shows how much deeper we are than them. 3-0 on the season now head-to-head. There's no question we're in their heads, had to love the sequence of Rondo hovering around the Heat's huddle and getting shoved off by LeBron and Bosh.
Bottom line is if anyone's gonna beat the Celtics in May and June, it ain't gonna be the Heat.
Bottom line is if anyone's gonna beat the Celtics in May and June, it ain't gonna be the Heat.
Who needs football?
Yep so it's 4:50 in the morning and I'm still up. Why not blog?
Yeah I realize football season's over and Sunday's officially blow hard now, but that certainly won't be the case tomorrow (later today actually). We've got a great slate of action with the Celtics taking on those frauds the Heat, while the Bruins complete a home-and-home series with the Red Wings out in Hockeytown USA. For the Celtics, it's a chance to sweep the season series with Miami, which would be a huge mental edge in a potential playoff matchup down the line. It's also a chance to reclaim the top spot in the East, with the Heat currently holding a half game advantage.
As for the B's, it's a chance to continue to separate from Montreal in the Northeast before they go on a hilariously easy stretch of games in which they could really pull away. But we know how the B's tend to play down to their competition, so nothing's guaranteed on that front. And as much as I hate to say it, I think what was left of Tuukka Rask's confidence is gone after allowing 5 goals through two periods to Detroit on Friday. Obviously it's not a huge issue with Timmy Vezina holding strong, but I'm getting awfully tired of hyped-up young Bruins goaltenders who flame out into something like this or like that. Aren't you?
Lastly, in music news, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are up for the "Best Rock Album" in the Grammy's tomorrow night for last summer's "Mojo". So tune on in and root for Petty to collect his 4th Grammy.
Yeah I realize football season's over and Sunday's officially blow hard now, but that certainly won't be the case tomorrow (later today actually). We've got a great slate of action with the Celtics taking on those frauds the Heat, while the Bruins complete a home-and-home series with the Red Wings out in Hockeytown USA. For the Celtics, it's a chance to sweep the season series with Miami, which would be a huge mental edge in a potential playoff matchup down the line. It's also a chance to reclaim the top spot in the East, with the Heat currently holding a half game advantage.
As for the B's, it's a chance to continue to separate from Montreal in the Northeast before they go on a hilariously easy stretch of games in which they could really pull away. But we know how the B's tend to play down to their competition, so nothing's guaranteed on that front. And as much as I hate to say it, I think what was left of Tuukka Rask's confidence is gone after allowing 5 goals through two periods to Detroit on Friday. Obviously it's not a huge issue with Timmy Vezina holding strong, but I'm getting awfully tired of hyped-up young Bruins goaltenders who flame out into something like this or like that. Aren't you?
Lastly, in music news, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers are up for the "Best Rock Album" in the Grammy's tomorrow night for last summer's "Mojo". So tune on in and root for Petty to collect his 4th Grammy.
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| Petty's still got it at 60. |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
There's a new 3-point champion of all-time
And it's Ray Allen. How badass is this right now. No gloating on his part, no embellishing the applause, just going right back out there and looking to get another. A consummate professional.
2,561 may not have carried the same luster as 756 or any of those baseball numbers, but it's damn impressive nonetheless.
Oh yeah and the Celts are looking to sweep the season series with the Lakers tonight. Nick package deal eh?
2,561 may not have carried the same luster as 756 or any of those baseball numbers, but it's damn impressive nonetheless.
Oh yeah and the Celts are looking to sweep the season series with the Lakers tonight. Nick package deal eh?
South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week: Matt Henriksen
A shout out to Hingham's own, Matt Henriksen, for winning the Division II South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honors, in just week 1 of the season.
What a torrid start to the season for the kid eh? Check out this line of 4-9, 3 HR, 7 RBI. That also adds up to a very impressive 1.556 slugging percentage, which for you non-stat lovers is damn good.
And ladies, have no fear, Hendu is single and ready to mingle. So try latching on to this future major league star while you still can.
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| Ladies, this could be you. |
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
26 and beyond
In other news tonight the Cleveland Cavaliers have matched the North American sports-record with a 26-game losing streak, matching the ineptitude of the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What a damn shame. The good people of Cleveland deserve better than this, don't they? I mean maybe they can look at it this way from now on: any team that defeats the Miami Heat in the finals counts as a title for Cleveland? Has it reached that point? They can wear those shirts like the Red Sox fans used to wear: "I support two teams, the Red Sox and whoever beats the Yankees".
In a related story the Indians just signed a 16-year old catcher from the Dominican Republic for just $80,000, and the Browns released Shaun Rogers (who was once traded for Leigh Bodden). Hey whatever gets you excited right?
In a related story the Indians just signed a 16-year old catcher from the Dominican Republic for just $80,000, and the Browns released Shaun Rogers (who was once traded for Leigh Bodden). Hey whatever gets you excited right?
Bruins 8, Canadiens 6
If the Dallas Stars could bring out three fights in the opening four seconds against the Bruins, what could the Montreal Canadiens be capable of?
In a game featuring 192 total penalty minutes and an 8-6 score reminiscent of an old Red Sox-Expos interleague duel, the Bruins took it to the Scabs not only on the ice, but in the ring as well. Safe to say any lull which had developed in the B's-Hats rivalry can be thrown out the window. Remember the name P.K. Subban. He'll be mentioned a few more times here down the line. Same with Travis Moen, Jaroslav Spacek, and James Wisniewski. All those brawls were something else, with the Bruins holding a decisive advantage in all of them I'd say. Yeah Tim Thomas didn't fare so well against Carey Price, but still, it was a freaking goalie fight! I'm guessing you'd have to go back to the Lord Byron Dafoe era for the last time a B's netminder got tangled up in one of those.
After blowing their last contest with the Canadiens first in the final minute of regulation and then in OT to fall into an 0-2-1 record against Montreal this year, the Bruins were adamant to send a message that they aren't afraid of the Canadiens in any facet, and more importantly to create a little space in the Northeast Division. Milan Lucic continues to blossom into a legitimate all-around player, notching his 23rd goal of the season (his career high is 17 and it's just past the Super Bowl here). Michael Ryder continues to rise from the dead and notch his 15h and 16th on the year, while Brad Marchand, Dennis Seidenberg, Adam McQuaid, and Nathan Horton also tallied for the B's. It was a great night for Horton, who also had 4 assists and was tied for a team-high +5 rating, as he scored for just the third time since December 11. Zach Hamill notched his first point of the season on a nifty pass to set up Ryder's first goal, and played a solid defensive game to boot.
The B's improve to 3-1 post all-star break, with a huge chance to make a statement with a rare upcoming home-and-home series with the Red Wings on Friday night in Boston and Sunday afternoon in Hockeytown USA. The schedule softens considerably after that, with their next three games against the Maple Leafs, Islanders, and Senators. So if such a statement can be made against the Red Wings, the Bruins have a real chance to create some distance between themselves and the Canadiens coming up here.
In a game featuring 192 total penalty minutes and an 8-6 score reminiscent of an old Red Sox-Expos interleague duel, the Bruins took it to the Scabs not only on the ice, but in the ring as well. Safe to say any lull which had developed in the B's-Hats rivalry can be thrown out the window. Remember the name P.K. Subban. He'll be mentioned a few more times here down the line. Same with Travis Moen, Jaroslav Spacek, and James Wisniewski. All those brawls were something else, with the Bruins holding a decisive advantage in all of them I'd say. Yeah Tim Thomas didn't fare so well against Carey Price, but still, it was a freaking goalie fight! I'm guessing you'd have to go back to the Lord Byron Dafoe era for the last time a B's netminder got tangled up in one of those.
After blowing their last contest with the Canadiens first in the final minute of regulation and then in OT to fall into an 0-2-1 record against Montreal this year, the Bruins were adamant to send a message that they aren't afraid of the Canadiens in any facet, and more importantly to create a little space in the Northeast Division. Milan Lucic continues to blossom into a legitimate all-around player, notching his 23rd goal of the season (his career high is 17 and it's just past the Super Bowl here). Michael Ryder continues to rise from the dead and notch his 15h and 16th on the year, while Brad Marchand, Dennis Seidenberg, Adam McQuaid, and Nathan Horton also tallied for the B's. It was a great night for Horton, who also had 4 assists and was tied for a team-high +5 rating, as he scored for just the third time since December 11. Zach Hamill notched his first point of the season on a nifty pass to set up Ryder's first goal, and played a solid defensive game to boot.
The B's improve to 3-1 post all-star break, with a huge chance to make a statement with a rare upcoming home-and-home series with the Red Wings on Friday night in Boston and Sunday afternoon in Hockeytown USA. The schedule softens considerably after that, with their next three games against the Maple Leafs, Islanders, and Senators. So if such a statement can be made against the Red Wings, the Bruins have a real chance to create some distance between themselves and the Canadiens coming up here.
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| A True Classic |
Sunday, February 6, 2011
I've Got a Feeling....that the Halftime Show is going back to classic rock
Yeah yeah, I know, I'm like a 55 year old man when it comes to my taste of music. I've heard it all, "Lev what're you gonna do when Tom Petty and Mick Jagger die tomorrow?" Welp I'll tell you right now. If it wasn't for Fergie's bangin' appearance, that has to be the worst halftime show of all-time, right? Will.i.am pulling a T-Pain and going all autotune on us? Are you shitting me? I don't care what kind of music you like, you cannot tell me the Black Eyed Peas put on a better show than The Who did last year. And The Who were terrible last year! Let's go back to the musicians who know how to put on a helluva halftime show.
I thought Aerosmith should have done it this year, with Steven Tyler being on American Idol and what not, but I'm calling it right now, Aerosmith will be the show at Super Bowl XLVI. I can Dream On, can't I?
PS-Fergie gettin' all up in Slash's face during his solo had to have been a 10 out of 10 on the awkward scale, right?
I thought Aerosmith should have done it this year, with Steven Tyler being on American Idol and what not, but I'm calling it right now, Aerosmith will be the show at Super Bowl XLVI. I can Dream On, can't I?
PS-Fergie gettin' all up in Slash's face during his solo had to have been a 10 out of 10 on the awkward scale, right?
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| I'll give Fergie a pass on her voice.....I guess. |
Super Bowl XLV: The Pick
In terms of pure history, dating back to the very beginnings of the NFL in the 1920's, does it get any richer than Packers vs. Steelers? I mean, both of these teams are named after either companies or workers in their respective cities. Combined, they've won 18 NFL Championships dating back to yesteryear. The Packers have won the most NFL titles overall if you include those pre-Super Bowl days, while the Steelers have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy more times than any other team.
Both teams enter today's match-up in Dallas with no shortage of backstories, subplots, and other intriguing items that makes Super Bowl XLV the chance to be one of the very best we've ever seen. There's a lot at stake for both Green Bay and Pittsburgh, two very evenly matched teams. From the front offices on down to the field, legacies can be firmly entrenched in the annals of the NFL today. How do the teams stack up?
What's at stake?
For Pittsburgh, the chance to rival the Patriots as the second 21st century dynasty by winning their third Super Bowl in six seasons. Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to tie Tom Brady with his third ring, and would also move just one behind Terry Bradshaw for the most in Steelers history. Head coach Mike Tomlin can win his second championship, and in the process become the youngest coach ever with two titles. James Harrison, James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and Casey Hampton have a chance to be remembered as the corps of a Dynastic defense, while Polamalu and Harrison in particular can further cement their cases as Hall of Famers one day. Hines Ward and Heath Miller, along with Ben Roethlisberger, are the offensive starters who have played in the previous two Super Bowl teams of the decade. They can cement themselves as legendary offensive stalwarts on a Dynasty. Lastly, Roethlisberger can continue the rehabilitation of his shattered image. If he wins the third ring, it'll give him a 3-2 lead in Rings vs. Sexual Assault Accusations.
For Green Bay, they can become the first 6-seed from the NFC to win the Super Bowl since the playoffs expanded in 1990. The front office, led by GM Ted Thompson, can achieve full vindication for the way the Brett Favre situation went down in 2008. Aaron Rodgers makes The Leap from "very solid quarterback" to "elite quarterback", and gets mentioned in the same breath as Brady, Manning, Brees, etc. heading into next season. Despite losing Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley on offense early in the season, Rodgers was still able to preside over a top 10 offense in terms of both passing and scoring. He has the highest passer rating so far in the postseason (109.2) after finishing with the third highest in the regular season (101.2, behind only Brady and Rivers).
The Steelers have a chance to complete a dynasty. The Packers may have a budding one. Obviously, you have to go with what's already been established.
Advantage: Steelers
Quarterback
Roethlisberger, with two championship rings under his belt, trails only Tom Brady among active quarterbacks. For whatever reason though, Roethlisberger always seems to slip between the cracks whenever an elite QB conversation is started. Is he as pure a passer as any of the other guys? Probably not. But you know what? Since coming into the NFL in 2004, statistically speaking, he can rank right up there with anyone. Let's look at his passer ratings for example. Throwing out two down years in 2006 and 2008, he has ranked 5th, 3rd, (21st), 2nd, (24th), 5th, and 5th. This season, he threw a career low 5 interceptions (albeit in just 12 games, that's still a pace for only 7 over a full 16). And what transcends the numbers is his ability to make something out of nothing, the ability to consistently make plays outside of the pocket, scrambling, etc. No one in the league, not even Mike Vick, does a better job of that than Roethlisberger.
Despite all that praise I just laid on the Steelers' QB, how can you ignore what Rodgers has done since he came into the league? Since becoming a full-time starter in 2008, he's never thrown for less than 3,900 yards (and if he hadn't missed time with a concussion this year, that number would be at least 4,000); has thrown 28, 30, and 28 touchdown passes respectively (compared to 13, 7, and 11 INT's); his completion percentage has improved each season, up to almost 66% this year; and as I mentioned earlier, did his job this year without his top running back or his top tight end. Really, this might be the biggest advantage the Packers have. And that's saying something.
Advantage: Packers
Running Game
Neither team has an elite running game per se, as both finished 2010 ranking in the bottom half of yards per carry. Based on name recognition alone, you'd be inclined to take Rashard Mendenhall of the Steelers over anyone Green Bay can throw out at you, although Mendenhall's production slipped to under 4 yards per carry this season. The Packers come at you with a ragtag team led by rookie 6th round pick James Starks, who turned heads with his 123 yard performance against the Eagles in the wild-card round. Aside from Starks, the Pack can throw out Brandon Jackson and fan favorite John Kuhn on any kind of set. But I'd be shocked if either of them got more carries than Starks tonight. So while Starks may be the hot hand right now, Mendenhall has still proven to be more reliable over the course of a full season.
Advantage: Steelers
Receivers
Each team has plenty of targets to the outside, both speed receivers and the possession types. For the Steelers, Hines Ward is the marquee name. Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL, is nearing 1,000 career receptions. But this season, his 59 catches were his fewest since 2000, and his 755 receiving yards were his fewest in a full season since that same year. Mike "60 Minutes" Wallace is emerging as a true star in the league. Despite catching just one more ball than Ward this season, he finished with 502 more yards receiving than his counterpart. A deep threat in the truest of forms, he averaged 20.1 yards per catch on the year.
The Packers have a very similar tandem in their top 2 targets, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. Driver, the savvy vet who dates back to the middle of the Favre Administration, mirrors Ward of the Steelers. While one of the more underrated receivers of the 2000's, Driver's production undoubtedly fell off a bit this season, with his reception and receiving yards totaling their lowest points since 2003. Unlike Wallace, however, the Packers already have a bona fide star in Jennings. He finished in the top 5 in the NFL this season in receiving yards, touchdown receptions, and catches of more than 20 yards. Wallace may be able to match him with the whole deep threat thing, but there may not be a more complete receiver in the NFL right now than Greg Jennings.
The scales continue to tip in the Packers direction with James Jones and Jordy Nelson being the secondary targets behind Driver and Jennings. The Steelers simply lack the depth at receiver to match the Pack.
Advantage: Packers
Defense
No shortage of playmakers for either team on this side of the ball. The core of the Steelers unit has been together for several years now, and Polamalu and Harrison undoubtedly rank at among the best at their respective positions. Clay Matthews simply isn't a human being for the Packers. He can turn up at any point on the field and make a play, but he's most known for his relentless pass rushing. Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams are about as good a tandem of cornerbacks as you're going to find in today's NFL, so the Packers definitely seem to have the advantage locking down the Steelers receivers.
Both units ranked in the top 5 in the regular season in yards per game, with the Steelers taking the top spot. The Steel City also boasted the top overall rushing defense. But what's really telling is this tidbit right here: The Steelers and Packers ranked no. 1 and 2, respectively, in points per game allowed. The old "Defense wins championships" mantra may seem a bit outdated, but since this is a Super Bowl clash of historic franchises, it's only fitting, right?
So basically, what it comes down to, is who will make a big play when it matters most? The game could well be decided on a Polamalu pick or a Matthews sack. Picking which defense is better is a great debate that could rage on for hours on end. It's like a Hitler vs. Stalin, Kim Kardashian vs. J-Lo, Charlie Sheen vs. John Belushi, you name it. Do I have to pick one unit?
Advantage: Dead even
Coaching
Mike McCarthy is a skinnier version of Andy Reid. And he's by no means skinny. Mike Tomlin currently ranks as a top-tier coach in the NFL. With a win tonight, wouldn't he have to be mentioned in the same breath as "Belichick" or "Payton"? This one's as easy as the defense was difficult.
Advantage: Steelers
Special Teams
Neither team boasts an elite return man per se, on kickoffs or punts, so there's no need to be on the lookout for the Devin Hester effect.
The Adam Vinatieri isn't exactly in play here either, with Shaun Suisham kicking for Pitt and Mason Crosby handling the duties for Green Bay. Suisham is known for missing a 33-yard field goal while with the Redskins in 2009 that would have ended the New Orleans Saints's perfect season. While he did finish the regular season 14-15 in field goal attempts, he doesn't exactly have a history as a clutch performer. Crosby, meanwhile, can boot the ball a mile, but accuracy has always been a question here. He's got the top rated leg in Madden after Sebastian Janikowski though. That has to count for something, right?
Advantage: Packers
So by my calculations, the Packers have an advantage in three categories, as do the Steelers, and one category was a wash. So what do when all of your highly scientific analysis results in a tie? You follow your gut. And my gut is telling me that the Green Bay Packers (-2 1/2) will win, 37-34. Yes, I know that seems highly out of character for the top two scoring defenses in the game this year. But I'm counting on at least one defensive touchdown per side, possibly even more. Take the over on 46, and give me Charles Woodson as the game's MVP.
Both teams enter today's match-up in Dallas with no shortage of backstories, subplots, and other intriguing items that makes Super Bowl XLV the chance to be one of the very best we've ever seen. There's a lot at stake for both Green Bay and Pittsburgh, two very evenly matched teams. From the front offices on down to the field, legacies can be firmly entrenched in the annals of the NFL today. How do the teams stack up?
What's at stake?
For Pittsburgh, the chance to rival the Patriots as the second 21st century dynasty by winning their third Super Bowl in six seasons. Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to tie Tom Brady with his third ring, and would also move just one behind Terry Bradshaw for the most in Steelers history. Head coach Mike Tomlin can win his second championship, and in the process become the youngest coach ever with two titles. James Harrison, James Farrior, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and Casey Hampton have a chance to be remembered as the corps of a Dynastic defense, while Polamalu and Harrison in particular can further cement their cases as Hall of Famers one day. Hines Ward and Heath Miller, along with Ben Roethlisberger, are the offensive starters who have played in the previous two Super Bowl teams of the decade. They can cement themselves as legendary offensive stalwarts on a Dynasty. Lastly, Roethlisberger can continue the rehabilitation of his shattered image. If he wins the third ring, it'll give him a 3-2 lead in Rings vs. Sexual Assault Accusations.
For Green Bay, they can become the first 6-seed from the NFC to win the Super Bowl since the playoffs expanded in 1990. The front office, led by GM Ted Thompson, can achieve full vindication for the way the Brett Favre situation went down in 2008. Aaron Rodgers makes The Leap from "very solid quarterback" to "elite quarterback", and gets mentioned in the same breath as Brady, Manning, Brees, etc. heading into next season. Despite losing Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley on offense early in the season, Rodgers was still able to preside over a top 10 offense in terms of both passing and scoring. He has the highest passer rating so far in the postseason (109.2) after finishing with the third highest in the regular season (101.2, behind only Brady and Rivers).
The Steelers have a chance to complete a dynasty. The Packers may have a budding one. Obviously, you have to go with what's already been established.
Advantage: Steelers
Quarterback
Roethlisberger, with two championship rings under his belt, trails only Tom Brady among active quarterbacks. For whatever reason though, Roethlisberger always seems to slip between the cracks whenever an elite QB conversation is started. Is he as pure a passer as any of the other guys? Probably not. But you know what? Since coming into the NFL in 2004, statistically speaking, he can rank right up there with anyone. Let's look at his passer ratings for example. Throwing out two down years in 2006 and 2008, he has ranked 5th, 3rd, (21st), 2nd, (24th), 5th, and 5th. This season, he threw a career low 5 interceptions (albeit in just 12 games, that's still a pace for only 7 over a full 16). And what transcends the numbers is his ability to make something out of nothing, the ability to consistently make plays outside of the pocket, scrambling, etc. No one in the league, not even Mike Vick, does a better job of that than Roethlisberger.
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| Hard as it is to fathom, Rodgers could match Favre in Super Bowl victories with a win tonight. And what would the 2010 NFL season be without Brett Favre somehow being involved in the Super Bowl? |
Advantage: Packers
Running Game
Neither team has an elite running game per se, as both finished 2010 ranking in the bottom half of yards per carry. Based on name recognition alone, you'd be inclined to take Rashard Mendenhall of the Steelers over anyone Green Bay can throw out at you, although Mendenhall's production slipped to under 4 yards per carry this season. The Packers come at you with a ragtag team led by rookie 6th round pick James Starks, who turned heads with his 123 yard performance against the Eagles in the wild-card round. Aside from Starks, the Pack can throw out Brandon Jackson and fan favorite John Kuhn on any kind of set. But I'd be shocked if either of them got more carries than Starks tonight. So while Starks may be the hot hand right now, Mendenhall has still proven to be more reliable over the course of a full season.
Advantage: Steelers
Receivers
Each team has plenty of targets to the outside, both speed receivers and the possession types. For the Steelers, Hines Ward is the marquee name. Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL, is nearing 1,000 career receptions. But this season, his 59 catches were his fewest since 2000, and his 755 receiving yards were his fewest in a full season since that same year. Mike "60 Minutes" Wallace is emerging as a true star in the league. Despite catching just one more ball than Ward this season, he finished with 502 more yards receiving than his counterpart. A deep threat in the truest of forms, he averaged 20.1 yards per catch on the year.
The Packers have a very similar tandem in their top 2 targets, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. Driver, the savvy vet who dates back to the middle of the Favre Administration, mirrors Ward of the Steelers. While one of the more underrated receivers of the 2000's, Driver's production undoubtedly fell off a bit this season, with his reception and receiving yards totaling their lowest points since 2003. Unlike Wallace, however, the Packers already have a bona fide star in Jennings. He finished in the top 5 in the NFL this season in receiving yards, touchdown receptions, and catches of more than 20 yards. Wallace may be able to match him with the whole deep threat thing, but there may not be a more complete receiver in the NFL right now than Greg Jennings.
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| By the way, the Patriots chose to draft Chad Jackson over Jennings in 2006, the same year Maroney went over Jones-Drew, Addai, and DeAngelo Williams. But I digress. |
Advantage: Packers
Defense
No shortage of playmakers for either team on this side of the ball. The core of the Steelers unit has been together for several years now, and Polamalu and Harrison undoubtedly rank at among the best at their respective positions. Clay Matthews simply isn't a human being for the Packers. He can turn up at any point on the field and make a play, but he's most known for his relentless pass rushing. Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams are about as good a tandem of cornerbacks as you're going to find in today's NFL, so the Packers definitely seem to have the advantage locking down the Steelers receivers.
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| He'll be all over the place again today. On his feet, upside down, or even sideways, as shown here. |
So basically, what it comes down to, is who will make a big play when it matters most? The game could well be decided on a Polamalu pick or a Matthews sack. Picking which defense is better is a great debate that could rage on for hours on end. It's like a Hitler vs. Stalin, Kim Kardashian vs. J-Lo, Charlie Sheen vs. John Belushi, you name it. Do I have to pick one unit?
Advantage: Dead even
Coaching
Mike McCarthy is a skinnier version of Andy Reid. And he's by no means skinny. Mike Tomlin currently ranks as a top-tier coach in the NFL. With a win tonight, wouldn't he have to be mentioned in the same breath as "Belichick" or "Payton"? This one's as easy as the defense was difficult.
Advantage: Steelers
Special Teams
Neither team boasts an elite return man per se, on kickoffs or punts, so there's no need to be on the lookout for the Devin Hester effect.
The Adam Vinatieri isn't exactly in play here either, with Shaun Suisham kicking for Pitt and Mason Crosby handling the duties for Green Bay. Suisham is known for missing a 33-yard field goal while with the Redskins in 2009 that would have ended the New Orleans Saints's perfect season. While he did finish the regular season 14-15 in field goal attempts, he doesn't exactly have a history as a clutch performer. Crosby, meanwhile, can boot the ball a mile, but accuracy has always been a question here. He's got the top rated leg in Madden after Sebastian Janikowski though. That has to count for something, right?
Advantage: Packers
So by my calculations, the Packers have an advantage in three categories, as do the Steelers, and one category was a wash. So what do when all of your highly scientific analysis results in a tie? You follow your gut. And my gut is telling me that the Green Bay Packers (-2 1/2) will win, 37-34. Yes, I know that seems highly out of character for the top two scoring defenses in the game this year. But I'm counting on at least one defensive touchdown per side, possibly even more. Take the over on 46, and give me Charles Woodson as the game's MVP.
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| The only defensive player to win the Heisman could soon have another trophy on his mantle. |
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Bruins vs. Stars
So all that praise I laid on the Stars the other day as the "surprise team"? Just a reverse jinx for tonight. That's right I just went Bill Simmons-style and mastered the art of the reverse jinx. Ever since his Red Sox-Yankees column pre-2004 ALCS he's just been on a roll with the maneuver, so I figured why not get in on the action.
Alright so that's not what actually happened but still Dallas deserves credit for not only coming back from a four goal deficit to cut it to one, but also from shrugging off three full-fledged ass-kickings in the 1st period (sorry but Greg Campbell earned a split decision at best).
Bottom line Bruins are two games down, four points up in the second half of the season. I thought Claude made the right move by not yanking Rask when the Stars cut it to 4-3 as well. Can never underestimate what a vote of confidence will do for a struggling goaltender.
One last thing.....Good to see Andrew Raycroft hasn't changed a bit after all these years.
Alright so that's not what actually happened but still Dallas deserves credit for not only coming back from a four goal deficit to cut it to one, but also from shrugging off three full-fledged ass-kickings in the 1st period (sorry but Greg Campbell earned a split decision at best).
In the end though Tuukka made enough plays when he had to and the Bruins survived the scare and wound up winning 6-3. Terrible officiating at certain points in the game, namely Adam McQuaid's disallowed goal, denying the Prince Edward Island's native of his first goal of the season. And the 10 minute misconduct Chara was slapped with for tangling up with all-world punk Steve Ott took the Bruins penalty-killing all out of sync. Definitely benefits Dallas there by taking Chara out of the equation instead of a pest like Ott.
Bottom line Bruins are two games down, four points up in the second half of the season. I thought Claude made the right move by not yanking Rask when the Stars cut it to 4-3 as well. Can never underestimate what a vote of confidence will do for a struggling goaltender.
One last thing.....Good to see Andrew Raycroft hasn't changed a bit after all these years.
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| Real life: Andrew Raycroft was once named the NHL's Rookie of the Year. |
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
NHL Mid-Season Awards and Outlook-Part II
Had to take a break and watch the Bruins game. A nice 3-2 victory. Forgive me. Moving on:
I've named the most valuable player thus far in the NHL, the best goalie, the best rookie, best defenseman, etc. What fun would all that be without naming the opposite versions? You know, like if this were Seinfeld, this would be the "bizzaro world".
It'd be too difficult to go through all the defenseman out there and anoint one of them the worst, and it's unfair to go after a rookie who's presumably only going to get better. But in terms of veteran skaters and goaltenders? Different story entirely. In homage to the Bruins of yesteryear, I'll be naming the Least Valuable Player (LVP) the Alex Zhamnov Memorial Trophy, after the Bruins "big signing" coming off the lockout. And for the goaltending award, I will combine two of the very best Bruins netminders of the past into one, and will dish out the Hannu Raycroft Award for the worst goaltender. Don't worry, I didn't forget about Rob Tallas, Felix Potvin, John Grahame, or Steve Shields. But if you recall, both Andrew Raycroft and Hannu Toivenen were the "next big thing" around here at one point in time. Kind of like Tuukka Raskcroft is right now. Alright enough about the Bruins post-lockout it's just getting depressing.
Alex Zhamnov Memorial Trophy of the Half-season
I've named the most valuable player thus far in the NHL, the best goalie, the best rookie, best defenseman, etc. What fun would all that be without naming the opposite versions? You know, like if this were Seinfeld, this would be the "bizzaro world".
It'd be too difficult to go through all the defenseman out there and anoint one of them the worst, and it's unfair to go after a rookie who's presumably only going to get better. But in terms of veteran skaters and goaltenders? Different story entirely. In homage to the Bruins of yesteryear, I'll be naming the Least Valuable Player (LVP) the Alex Zhamnov Memorial Trophy, after the Bruins "big signing" coming off the lockout. And for the goaltending award, I will combine two of the very best Bruins netminders of the past into one, and will dish out the Hannu Raycroft Award for the worst goaltender. Don't worry, I didn't forget about Rob Tallas, Felix Potvin, John Grahame, or Steve Shields. But if you recall, both Andrew Raycroft and Hannu Toivenen were the "next big thing" around here at one point in time. Kind of like Tuukka Rask
Alex Zhamnov Memorial Trophy of the Half-season
Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, Devils
Watch that video real quick and it tells the whole story. Kovalchuk, the NHL leader in goals since he broke into the league in 2001, just hasn't been able to catch a break. After a tumultuous summer in which his 17 year, $102 million free agent signing with the Devils was voided, followed by signing an equally laughable 15 year, $100 million deal, Kovy has become the whipping boy for what ails the once-proud New Jersey Devils. Right from his acquisition at the deadline last spring, it just felt weird seeing Kovalchuk, not exactly a defensive-minded player, on the defense-first Devils.
Kovalchuk has put up a 14-15-29 line thus far, which is fine until you realize who he is, what he's being paid, and then look at his plus/minus rating: -29, far and away the worst in the NHL by 6.
The Devils have had their share of problems, including Zach Parise's long-term injury and Father Time finally catching up with Marty Brodeur, but Kovalchuk has been an even bigger problem when he was supposed to be a solution.
Off the hook: Simon Gagne, Sergie Gonchar, Phil Kessel, Chris Phillips, and Blake Wheeler. Just kidding about Wheeler. Sort of.
Hannu Raycroft Memorial Trophy of the Half-season
The Devils have had their share of problems, including Zach Parise's long-term injury and Father Time finally catching up with Marty Brodeur, but Kovalchuk has been an even bigger problem when he was supposed to be a solution.
Off the hook: Simon Gagne, Sergie Gonchar, Phil Kessel, Chris Phillips, and Blake Wheeler. Just kidding about Wheeler. Sort of.
Hannu Raycroft Memorial Trophy of the Half-season
Nikolai Khabibulin, Oilers
The Bulin Wall edges out a strong crop of terrible goalies for the inaugural Hannu Raycroft award. Which is really a shame, considering his pedigree as a Stanley Cup winning goalie with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. But when you rank in the bottom 5 in both save percentage (.891) and goals against average (3.45), all while manning the bottom dwellers of the Western Conference, the choice becomes a fairly simple one. And The Wall has played more games than your average terrible goaltender, 32, which means he's had more time to improve his numbers but has failed to do so.
You'd think Edmonton will go with a younger goalie in the 2nd half, so Khabibulin may well escape, but he's set the tone for ineptitude between the pipes thus far.
Off the hook: Martin Brodeur, Rick DiPietro, Steve Mason, Marty Turco, Jonas Gustavsson
Adrian Beltre "Pleasant Surprise" Team of the Half-season
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| Oh right they moved to Dallas |
Mike Modano, franchise icon dating back to those iconic days in Minnesota? Gone. Marty Turco, rock solid goaltender for the better part of the last decade? Exiled. Brad Richards, best player? Due to be a free agent, deemed likely to be traded for prospects.
Yet through it all, it's been a magical season in the Big D thus far. Richards has, as expected, been dynamite, posting a 20-37-57 line thus far, despite the constant trade winds that have surrounded him. The goaltending has been a surprise of epic proportions with Thrashers castoff Kari Lehtonen leading the way and, wait for it, Andrew Raycroft playing solid in relief.
The supporting cast in Dallas has been stepping up as well, with rising stars James Neal and Loui Eriksson both making solid contributions, while captain Brendan Morrow is turning in his usual solid performance. Even former Canadiens great Mike Ribeiro has been getting in on the act, placing third on the team in scoring behind only Richards and Eriksson.
Add it all up, and Dallas is leading the Pacific Division, third overall in the West. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Richards. The guess here is they milk him for all he's worth and let him play out his contract and try to win the Cup this season. But if a desperate team comes calling, offering up a king's ransom, can the Stars turn it down? Definitely a storyline worth watching.
Also a pleasant surprise: Atlanta Thrashers, Nashville Predators.
John Lackey "Biggest Disappointment" Team of the Half-season
New Jersey Devils
As mentioned earlier, leading goal scorer in the NHL since 2001? Check. Arguably the best goaltender of the past 20 years, and possibly even all-time? Check. Another perennial 35 goal-scorer, not to mention several players left from the glory days of New Jersey?
This could be a 30 for 30 documentary some day. What if I told you Ilya Kovalchuk, Martin Brodeur, Zach Parise, Patrick Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Brian Rolston would stumble out to the worst record in the NHL?
Some how, some way, the New Jersey Devils have plummeted from 103 points last year to a 61 point-pace this season, currently sitting in dead last with 37. Langenbrunner has since been traded back to the Dallas Stars, where he helped them win a Cup in 1999. As mentioned earlier in the Kovalchuk section, injuries and time have simply caught up to the Devils. One must think the Devils will rebound to an extent in the second half, right? There are simply still too many talented players on this team to be mentioned in the same breath as the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Oilers, etc. But if this is indeed the end of Marty Brodeur as a top-flight goaltender, the Devils are going to have a lot of decisions to make between now and the trade deadline.
Off the hook: Islanders, Maple Leafs, Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings
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| It's been yet another long season on Long Island. |
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| There are many Bruins season ticket holders, like the one above, who have longed for Lord Stanley's return to Boston for the first time since 1972. Is this, finally, the year? |
Moving forward, who exactly is the clubhouse leader in the race for the Cup? Out West, it's hard to pick against current leader Vancouver. With the Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler leading the charge offensively and Bobby Luongo between the pipes, it's hard to see them relinquishing the pole position. Although Luongo has been known to fade in the post-season before, so it's by no means signed, sealed and delivered. And never count out the Detroit Red Wings.
Back East, of course I think the Bruins have a chance. With Tim Thomas playing well enough to win not only the Vezina, but perhaps the Hart Trophy as well, the Bruins can hang with any team in the National Hockey League on any given night. They've got great depth at every position, with no true weak links.
That being said, when at full strength, I just don't know if I can see anyone getting past the Pittsburgh Penguins. I hope I'm wrong, I really, really do. But as of now, I think we're staring down a Vancouver-Pittsburgh Stanley Cup Finals. And if you think everything is all shits and giggles in the Steel City right now, with them being in the Super Bowl and all, just remember this: they still have the Pirates.
NHL Mid-Season Awards and Outlook
I've made it clear in the past: that the Carolina Hurricanes belong in Hartford as the Whalers. I could go on and on, etc. But the people of Raleigh put on a helluva show this past All-Star weekend, providing some great festivities and a memorable game that featured 21 total goals. Team Lidstrom defeated Team Staal, 11-10. And most importantly, people tuned in; ratings were 50% higher from the NHL's previous All-Star endeavor in 2009.
Now that the unofficial halfway point is behind us, let's take a look back at the first 50 or so games from the first half or the season, and try to come up with some idea as to who the favorite is. I'll be handing out some hardware, while throwing in a few "awards" of my own, and identifying which teams have surprised the most, in addition to which have been the biggest disappointment.
Being realistic, I can count only 5 teams who have absolutely zero chance at making the post-season. Those teams would be the Maple Leafs, Islanders, Devils, Senators, and Oilers. So with 25 teams still having a puncher's chance at raising Lord Stanley's Cup, it's time to drop the puck on the season's second half.
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) of the Half-season
Sidney Crosby, C, Penguins
Think of it this way: Sid the Kid has played in just 41 games so far, accumulating 32 goals in those contests. Compare that to a down year (by his standards) in 2008-09, when he reached just 33 goals through 77 games. Crosby's play this year has helped keep the Penguins among the NHL's elite, despite at times inconsistent goaltending from primary netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.
Crosby has missed the past 9 Penguins games with a concussion, and unfortunately for the Pens, has yet to be cleared for game action. So come the end of the season, Crosby's numbers may not look quite as strong compared to some of his competitors for the award. But also consider this: Pittsburgh is just 5-4 without Crosby in the lineup, compared to 26-11-4 with his services. So despite the relatively small sample size, there's definitely some correlation between the Penguins with Sid and without him.
Assuming Crosby can return by the middle of February, he should still have about 25 games to play in, which would give him 66 for the season. Despite what will have amounted to 16 games missed, he's still on a torrid pace for 52 goals and 55 assists for 107 points. Come April, it's likely Steven Stamkos will have a sizable lead on The Kid in nearly all offensive categories. But for the first half of the season, no one meant more to his team than Crosby did to the Penguins.
Still in the running: Stamkos, the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler, Tim Thomas
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie) winner of the Half-season
Now that the unofficial halfway point is behind us, let's take a look back at the first 50 or so games from the first half or the season, and try to come up with some idea as to who the favorite is. I'll be handing out some hardware, while throwing in a few "awards" of my own, and identifying which teams have surprised the most, in addition to which have been the biggest disappointment.
Being realistic, I can count only 5 teams who have absolutely zero chance at making the post-season. Those teams would be the Maple Leafs, Islanders, Devils, Senators, and Oilers. So with 25 teams still having a puncher's chance at raising Lord Stanley's Cup, it's time to drop the puck on the season's second half.
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) of the Half-season
Sidney Crosby, C, Penguins
Think of it this way: Sid the Kid has played in just 41 games so far, accumulating 32 goals in those contests. Compare that to a down year (by his standards) in 2008-09, when he reached just 33 goals through 77 games. Crosby's play this year has helped keep the Penguins among the NHL's elite, despite at times inconsistent goaltending from primary netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.
Crosby has missed the past 9 Penguins games with a concussion, and unfortunately for the Pens, has yet to be cleared for game action. So come the end of the season, Crosby's numbers may not look quite as strong compared to some of his competitors for the award. But also consider this: Pittsburgh is just 5-4 without Crosby in the lineup, compared to 26-11-4 with his services. So despite the relatively small sample size, there's definitely some correlation between the Penguins with Sid and without him.
Assuming Crosby can return by the middle of February, he should still have about 25 games to play in, which would give him 66 for the season. Despite what will have amounted to 16 games missed, he's still on a torrid pace for 52 goals and 55 assists for 107 points. Come April, it's likely Steven Stamkos will have a sizable lead on The Kid in nearly all offensive categories. But for the first half of the season, no one meant more to his team than Crosby did to the Penguins.
Still in the running: Stamkos, the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler, Tim Thomas
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie) winner of the Half-season
Tim Thomas, Bruins
Martin Brodeur. Patrick Roy. Dominick Hasek. Ed Belfour. Ken Dryden. Tony Esposito. Michel Laroque. Bernie Parent. Those are the names of goaltenders who have won multiple Vezina Trophies in the NHL's Expansion era (1967+), awarded each year the most outstanding goalie in the NHL. Not too shabby of a list, is it? And boy, is Thomas primed to join them or what. Of course, you can't tell Thomas's whole story without going back to this time two years ago.
Thomas was in the midst of a career year, with the Bruins sitting pretty atop the Eastern Conference, primed for their first division title since 2004. Near the end of the campaign, Thomas was awarded a 4 year, $20 million contract extension. At this point, he was a shoo-in for the Vezina. But a 4 year extension? For a 34 year old goalie who had only been a starter for two years?
Immediately, there were all kinds of criticisms for Thomas's new deal. And last season, in the first year of the extension, Thomas was supplanted as starter by phenom Tuukka Rask. It looked as though his magical 2008-09 season was just lightning in a bottle, and he cashed in big time while screwing the Bruins cap situation in the process.
But alas, Rask struggled from fatigue as the Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Semis last spring, and was promptly lit up for 5 goals in the Bruins season opener this season. Thomas got the start in the B's second game, and wound up starting 7 of the next 8 contests overall. Thomas won all 7 of his starts, posting 3 shutouts along the way, while allowing just 5 goals overall.
And he's done anything but cool down from that start. Timmy's overall record is 24-5-6, leading all NHL goaltenders in both save percentage (.945) and goals against average (1.81), and is tied for the league lead in shutouts with 7.
The real clincher for Thomas is the rest of his competition. Or lack thereof. Pekka Rinne of Nashville, who is second in both SV% and GAA, is closer to 10th place in save percentage and 23rd place in goals against, than he is to Thomas in both categories. Tim Thomas is indeed primed to join the hallowed company of multiple Vezina winners.
Still in the running: This one's over, Johnny.
Calder Trophy (Best Rookie) of the Half-season
Jeff Skinner, C, Hurricanes
Welp, so much for Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin taking the NHL by storm. Weren't they supposed to be a slightly younger version of Crosby vs. Ovechkin? While Hall has performed about as well as one can be expected to perform in the doldrums of Edmonton, Seguin has struggled to find any semblance of consistency. Granted, the Bruins haven't been in a position where they need Seguin to turn into Crosby 2.0, but he's more or less looked lost as sea for a good portion of the season.
Meanwhile, the 7th overall pick of this years draft, Jeff Skinner, has helped bring the Hurricanes to the brink of playoff contention, and perhaps giving Carolina a second top-flight forward to go with Eric Staal. Skinner was the only rookie selected for the All-Star game, especially notable due to playing in front of his home crowd. He leads all rookies in scoring and assists, while placing second in goals behind only Logan Couture of the Sharks.
Perhaps the scariest part about Skinner is his age: 18. While many rookies traditionally hit the so-called wall around this time of the year, Skinner actually had his best month of the season in January, putting up a 9-5-14 line. So while this award may not be as set in stone as some of the others, Skinner is definitely in the driver's seat.
Still in the running: Couture, Corey Crawford (Blackhawks), Hall, and just for the hell of it, Brad Marchand of the Bruins.
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman) of the Half-season
Dustin Byfuglien, Thrashers (pronounced Buff-lin)
While not necessarily a scoring competition amongst defensemen, Big Buff has had an undeniable impact on the Thrashers that simply can't go untold. A casualty of the Blackhawks' salary cap woes following their Stanley Cup run in June, Atlanta swooped in and acquired Byfuglien and several other members of the Chicago Championship-winning squad to install a new attitude around the team. And no one has had a bigger impact than Buff.
During training camp, Thrashers coach Craig Ramsey made the controversial decision of moving Byfuglien from right wing to D, a move which many thought would hinder some of Byfuglien's strengths, such as his play in front of the net.
But his overall game hasn't suffered a bit, and it's hard to argue that he can't contribute the most on the blue line. 18 of his 41 points have come on the power play, making him a valuable asset on that front, while his 16 goals lead all defensemen.
Atlanta, for the first time, well, ever, seems to care about hockey. And with Big Buff leading the charge, the Thrashers are poised for their first post-season berth since 2007.
Still in the running: Zdeno Chara, Lubomir Visnovsky, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Letang.
Stay tuned for Part II later on tonight.
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