2011 Major League Baseball Predictions

The azaleas are blooming, and Spring is in the air. For sports fans, this can only mean one thing: the start of the baseball season. I love baseball, and this year I am even more ecstatic than usual at the start of the season. All of my fellow San Francisco Giants fans can relate to my euphoria, as Bruce Bochy's World Champs commence their quest to repeat tomorrow night at Dodger Stadium. Go Giants!!!! Now, with no further ado, here are my division-by-division predictions, listed in predicted order of finish: AL WEST 1. Oakland Athletics 2. Texas Rangers 3. Los Angeles Angels 4. Seattle Mariners AL CENTRAL 1. Detroit Tigers 2. Minnesota Twins 3. Chicago White Sox 4. Kansas City Royals 5. Cleveland Indians AL EAST 1. Boston Red Sox 2. New York Yankees 3. Tampa Bay Rays 4. Baltimore Orioles 5. Toronto Blue Jays AL WILD CARD: Twins NL WEST 1. San Francisco Giants (GOOOOOOOOO GIANTS!!!!!!) 2. Colorado Rockies 3. San Diego Padres 4. Los Angeles Dodgers 5. Arizona Diamondbacks NL CENTRAL 1. Cincinnati Reds 2. St. Louis Cardinals 3. Milwaukee Brewers 4. Chicago Cubs 5. Houston Astros 6. Pittsburgh Pirates NL EAST 1. Atlanta Braves 2. Philadelphia Phillies 3. Florida Marlins 4. Washington Nationals 5. New York Mets NL Wild Card: Phillies

Random Observations: Final Four Edition

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots: ---After two magnificent weekends of exhilarating basketball, the 2011 Final Four is set. UConn, Kentucky, VCU, and Butler will battle in Houston for a chance to cut down the nets. . ---We'll get to Connecticut and Kentucky in a moment. But first things first: The fact that VCU and Butler are playing in the Final Four encapsulates everything that I love about March Madness. With all due respect for the Huskies and Wildcats, my heart is with VCU and Butler. Go Rams and Bulldogs! . ---On Selection Sunday, college basketball analysts across the globe were shocked and dismayed at the inclusion of VCU in the field of 68. Many considered VCU's at-large bid an affront to the sport, and an unfair slap in the face to teams like Alabama and Colorado, teams that were snubbed by the selection committee. Two weeks later, nobody is doubting the Rams. Coach Shaka Smart has done an amazing job with his team. VCU isn't merely winning; they are demolishing the opposition, easily cruising by the likes of Georgetown, Purdue, and Kansas. . ---Led by the fearless inspiration and leadership of Shaka Smart and the extraordinary play of senior point guard Joey Rodriguez, VCU has been the story of the tournament. Even Ebenezer Scrooge would be moved by this VCU team. . ---VCU's opponent in the Final Four is a team with an immensely compelling story of their own, the Butler Bulldogs. Butler was one shot short of a national championship last season, but even after that remarkable run, many dismissed Butler as a fluke as they struggled through a somewhat underwhelming regular season. On Selection Sunday, nobody gave them a chance of making it back to the Final Four. Two weeks later, they are back with a chance to compete for the national title. After two straight Final Fours, Butler is quickly becoming a basketball powerhouse. . ---Unless you are a heartless curmudgeon, you have got to love this Butler team. Brad Stevens may well be the best coach in college basketball, and the brilliant, selfless play of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard has endeared the Butler program to the nation. . ---Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens are bound to get enormous offers from big-name schools this offseason, and deservedly so. They are two outstanding, elite coaches. However, here's hoping they resist the temptation to leave their current schools. I would love to see Smart and Stevens continue to excel at VCU and Butler. ---Duke is not in the Final Four. There is justice in the world after all. . ---VCU-Butler is the better story, but UConn-Kentucky is a scintillating matchup as well. I can't stand Jim Calhoun or John Calipari, but I am eagerly anticipating the duel between these two great teams. I am especially excited to see two future NBA stars, Kemba Walker and Brandon Jones. . ---I still think Arizona's Derrick Williams is the best player in college basketball, but Kemba Walker and Brandon Jones are right there behind him. Whichever player delivers the better performance on Saturday will determine the game's outcome. . ---I am worse at predictions than Jay Leno is at comedy, but I will still give it a shot: UConn over Kentucky, VCU over Butler. . ---Now it's time to sit back, relax, and continue to enjoy the beauty of the NCAA Tournament. Go Rams and Bulldogs!

My 2011 NCAA Tournament Bracket

Today was a sacred holiday for sports fans everywhere. Selection Sunday, one of the greatest days of the year. The field of 68 has been announced, and with no further ado, here are my picks that are probably bound to fail:

ROUND of 32

Ohio State
George Mason
West Virginia
Kentucky
Marquette
Syracuse
Washington
North Carolina
Duke
Tennessee
Arizona
Oakland
Missouri
UConn
Temple
San Diego State
Kansas
UNLV
Richmond
Louisville
Georgetown
Purdue
Florida State
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Butler
Kansas State
Wisconsin
St. John's
BYU
Michigan State
Florida

SWEET 16

Ohio State
West Virginia
Syracuse
North Carolina
Duke
Arizona
UConn
San Diego State
Kansas
Richmond
Georgetown
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Kansas State
St. John's
Michigan State

ELITE 8

Ohio State
Syracuse
Duke
UConn
Kansas
Notre Dame
Kansas State
St. John's

FINAL FOUR

Ohio State
UConn
Kansas
Kansas State

CHAMPIONSHIP

Ohio State over Kansas, 67-65

Let the madness begin!

Melo to the Knicks: A Win-Win for All Involved

Here are my musings on the Carmelo megadeal that went down yesterday:

---Did they give up a lot? Yes. But the Caremelo Anthony trade is a phenomenal deal for the New York Knicks. The Knicks are now equipped with one of the most outstanding duos in the NBA in Amare Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony, and while there may be a slight transition period, this trade gives the Knicks the ability to compete with the elite. People who are complaining about how much the Knicks gave up are missing the point. New York absolutely had to make this trade.

---Furthermore, the Knicks managed to acquire Carmelo without giving up Landry Fields, their best young player. If it weren't for Blake Griffin, Fields would be the runaway rookie of the year. He is a terrific player and a key part of the Knicks future. Knicks fans everywhere should be in a state of euphoria right now. The magic is back at Madison Sqaure Garden.

---Another reason why I love this trade for the Knicks is that they acquired Chauncey Billups. Billups is in the twilight of his career, but he is still a potent point guard who brings championship experience to the table.

---I can't wait to watch Melo and Amare play together. It is going to be awesome to watch.

---Does this trade make the Knicks title contenders this year? No. New York is still not up to the level of Boston, Chicago, or Miami in the East. However, I would not be shocked if the Knicks pull off an upset in the playoffs against one of the aforementioned teams. With that sensational home crowd at MSG, if the Knicks can find a way to steal a game on the road, they are a viable threat to win any playoff series.

---Still, though, I like the Celtics and Bulls to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

---As for the Denver Nuggets, this trade is also a win for them. George Karl's team no longer has to deal with the enormous distractions of the Melo saga. Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Felton are terrific young players, Timofey Mosgov has interesting potential, and the first-round draft picks will help Denver build for the future. Nuggets fans should be thrilled with this deal as well.

---The only dilemma for the Nuggets lies at the point guard position. Raymond Felton is fantastic, but the Nuggets had been grooming Ty Lawson to be the PG of the future. One of them has got to go. With all due respect to Felton, I think the Nuggets should keep Lawson. Lawson has incredible speed and athleticism, and his youth makes him the smarter choice at PG for a rebuilding franchise. Felton, on the other hand, would be an excellent addition on a contending team.

---The Carmelo Anthony trade was another water-cooler moment in this spectacular NBA season. The NBA is the best league in all of sports, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds.

Around the Association

Hoops fans, gather round the computer. It is time to travel around the greatest league in all of sports, the National Basketball Association:

---Yesterday was a very sad day in the NBA. Jerry Sloan, one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game and a true class act, suddenly resigned. The resignation of Sloan, who had coached the Utah Jazz for 23 exemplary seasons, was nothing short of shocking. Sloan may not have won a championship during his coaching career, but he is as good a coach as the league has ever seen. Whether it be the days of Stockton and Malone or the current era of Deron Williams, Sloan has coached his teams with astounding excellence and professionalism. He will be sorely missed.

---Rumors have surfaced that Deron Williams, the Jazz All-Star point guard and one of the league's elite players, is the man responsible for pushing Sloan out the door. Some believe that Williams' halftime altercation with Sloan during Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls served as the event that triggered Sloan's decision to leave. Count me among those who do not buy the rumor that Deron Williams is to blame. There is no denying the fact that the Jazz have been a frustrating bunch in recent weeks, and their inconsistent play has indeed sparked tension in the locker room. However, both Sloan and Williams know not to let a halftime squabble lead to knee-jerk, emotional reactions. I believe Sloan left because he truly felt that it was time to leave, not because he had an argument with Deron Williams.

---In addition to Sloan, the Jazz will miss the presence of assistant coach Phil Johnson, who stepped down as well on Thursday. As Kenny Smith pointed out last night on TNT, Phil Johnson was synonymous with Jerry Sloan. Sloan and Johnson worked in tandem, and the Jazz will be hard-pressed to find a coaching duo as potent as Sloan-Johnson.

---I wish the best of luck to new head coach Tyrone Corbin, but he has to be as nervous as Charlie Sheen before a drug test. All eyes are on Salt Lake City right now, and Corbin will have to earn the trust of his players if the Jazz are to hold onto their playoff spot in the West.

---Speaking of which, I'm not too confident that Utah will be able to persevere and make the playoffs this season. The Jazz currently possess the seventh playoff spot in the West, but my guess is that the Blazers and Rockets will eclipse the Jazz to make the playoffs.

---The Carmelo Anthony trade rumors persist, and he has now been linked to another suitor: the Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time defending champs are denying the rumors, but a potential Carmelo to L.A. deal is immensely intriguing. If I'm Mitch Kupchak, I would make the trade for 'Melo in a heartbeat. Carmelo Anthony is one of the ten best players in the NBA, and a Kobe-Melo duo would be absolutely frightening for opposing teams. I just do not understand the Lakers' stubborn unwillingness to part ways with Andrew Bynum. Bynum, for my money, is one of the game's most overhyped players.

---However, I hate the Lakers, and I am desperately hoping that Melo does not land in Hollywood. Now back to our regularly scheduled, unbiased programming.

---The Spurs continue to dominate. Gregg Popovich's team is having a season for the ages, and nobody seems to be noticing. I'm sure the Spurs don't mind. That's just the way they like it. I expect Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Tim Duncan and company to be back in the NBA Finals this season.

---Congratulations to the great Ray Allen, who passed the great Reggie Miller last night to become the NBA's all time three-point leader. Allen is a first-ballot Hall of Famer who continues to perform at a startlingly high level.

---My thoughts and prayers are with the Cleveland Cavaliers. I feel absolutely terrible for Byron Scott's team, whose historic 26-game losing streak has put them at a stunningly bad 8 wins and 45 losses. Here's hoping the Cavs start winning soon. The fans and the franchise deserve better.

---What Kevin Love is doing in Minnesota is amazing. The T'Wolves are terrible, but Love is absolutely brilliant, averaging 15-plus boards a game. Kudos to Commissioner Stern for appointing Love to the All-Star Game. It would have been a crying shame if Love hadn't made the team.

---I will end with an observation regarding LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Yes, they are playing fantastic basketball. However, I still stand behind my belief that they will be unable to defeat the Boston Celtics come playoff time.

Super Bowl Media Day: The Questions I Wanted to Hear

Media Day at the Super Bowl is one of the most wildly entertaining days of the year, an incessantly frivolous affair that often features bizarre non-sequiters instead of serious questions. As we anticipate Super Bowl XLV between the Packers and Steelers, allow me to present a list of hard-hitting journalistic questions that I would have asked had I been in Arlington:



---"Mr. Polamalu, is it true that the movie "127 Hours" is a documentary about the length of time it takes to prepare your hair?"



---"Mr. Roethlisberger, what type of irresponsible, scandalous behavior do you have planned for this offseason?"



---"Be honest, Aaron Rodgers, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you hate Brett Favre?"



---"Hines Ward, you are a tremendous receiver, but why do you always look like you are about to cry when the cameras show you on the sideline?"

---"Coach McCarthy, how is your relationship with your daughter Jenny?"

---"Will it be tough focusing on the big game when there are so many hilarious commercials?"

---"Hey, Jerry Jones, will you consider adding another humongous jumbotron at Cowboys Stadium for the game on Sunday? After all, it is the Super Bowl."

---"The Packers players are here, but where the hell is Vince Lombardi?"

---"Seriously Mr. Polamalu, who would win a battle between your hair and Donald Trump's hair?"

---"Coaches Tomlin and McCarthy, have you considered filming videos of your wives' feet, a la Rex Ryan?"

---"Could any of you players beat Ed Hochuli in an arm-wrestling match?"

Top Ten Point Guards in NBA

In anticipation of next month's All-Star Game, I thought I'd compile a list of the ten best point guards in the NBA. The point guard position has seen a remarkable renaissance in recent years, and the depth of exemplary point guards is nothing short of amazing. There are so many outstanding point guards that narrowing this list down to ten was mightily difficult, as I was forced to leave a handful of excellent players---Chauncey Billups, Steph Curry, Gilbert Arenas, Devin Harris, Aaron Brooks---off the list. So, with no further ado, here are my picks for the ten best point guards in the NBA today, listed in order of preference:





1. Chris Paul/New Orleans Hornets





In determining the best point guard in basketball, I vacillate constantly between CP3 and Deron Williams. I am giving Paul the slight edge due to the fact that he has catapulted the surprising New Orleans Hornets back to relevance in the Western Conference. Nobody expected the Hornets to contend this season, but as of this writing they are 31-16, fourth in the West. First-year coach Monty Williams deserves heaps of praise for turning around the Hornets, and Emeka Okafor and David West deserve kudos for their strong play. However, Chris Paul is the primary reason for the Hornets' resurgence. CP3 is an absolute marvel on the court. He has the intelligence and athleticism of Magic and the toughness of Isiah. For basketball fans everywhere, it is a privilege to watch Paul dazzle with his extraordinary talent.





2. Deron Williams/Utah Jazz





As spectacular as CP3 is, I came awfully close to declaring Deron Williams the best point guard in the league. If Paul is 1, Williams is 1-A. D-Will conjures memories of the great John Stockton with his superb play as floor general for the Utah Jazz. Granted, Jerry Sloan's Jazz are currently mired in a lethargic slump, but this is no fault of Williams. D-Will is averaging 21.9 PPG and 9.4 APG. That is above his terrific career average 17.3 PPG and 9.1 APG. Also, like Paul, Williams brings gritty toughness night in and night out. Somewhere, John Stockton is smiling.





3. Derrick Rose/Chicago Bulls





With all due respect to the amazing Kevin Durant, my midseason pick for MVP is Derrick Rose. Despite nagging injuries to Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, the Bulls are 31-14 on the season, third place in the East, thanks to the brilliance of Rose. Rose is a wizard with the basketball, and while this is only his third season in the association, he already has the acumen and leadership capabilities of a wily veteran. Rose is an electrifying player, and while I still consider Boston the team to beat in the East, Rose has given the Bulls as good a chance as any to dethrone the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.





4. Rajon Rondo/Boston Celtics



Due to the brilliance of Rose in the Eastern conference, Rajon Rondo has gone somewhat overlooked. That is a shame, because while Rondo may no longer be the best PG out East, he is still an elite player. Rondo will go down as one of the greatest players in Celtics history, and for such a storied franchise, that is saying something. Rondo is the best Celtics PG since Dennis Johnson. In addition to being a consistent scoring threat, Rondo is a masterful passer. Rondo's sensational passing ability has rejuvenated the likes of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. Rondo has the perfect combination of youth, athleticism, and leadership, and he has what it takes to lead the Celtics back to the NBA Finals.



5. Russell Westbrook/Oklahoma City Thunder



Coming into the 2010-2011 NBA season, I knew Russell Westbrook was good, but I had no idea he was this good. I have been a fan of Westbrook ever since his days at UCLA, but even I have been amazed by his greatness this season. Westbrook is one of the most exciting players in the league, and his tremendous speed and outstanding talent make him a nightmare cover for opposing teams. I don't mean to sound repetitive with my emphasis on leadership, but that is what makes a point guard truly great. The Thunder is Kevin Durant's team, but Westbrook shares leadership duties with K.D., and he has handled that responsibility with remarkable poise.

6. Steve Nash/Phoenix Suns

You know the NBA is incredibly loaded at the point guard position when Steve Nash, a two-time MVP and a surefire Hall-of-Famer, doesn't even crack the top five. Nonetheless, Nash is as magnificent as ever, an ageless wonder who runs the floor with breathtaking, effortless ease. Nash is a magician with the basketball, and don't let his relatively tiny physical frame fool you: Nash plays the game with ferocious tenacity. Watching Steve Nash play remains one of the game's most satisfying delights. So while we rightfully acknowledge the greatness of youngsters Paul, Williams, Rose, Rondo, and Westbrook, we must not forget that there is a familiar face in Phoenix who continues to prove why he is one of the greatest players of all-time.

7. Tony Parker/San Antonio Spurs

If somebody had told me prior to the start of the season that the great Tim Duncan would be having a relatively ineffective year, I would have said that the Spurs would be done, with no shot at contention. However, as of this writing, San Antonio has the best record in the NBA, and they are poised to contend for another championship. Certainly, guys like Manu Ginobli, DeJuan Blair, and Richard Jefferson deserve enormous credit for keeping the Spurs atop the West in spite of Duncan's decline. But I still think the MVP for San Antonio is Tony Parker. Parker runs the Spurs offense with such methodical precision that it is occasionally easy to overlook his talent. However, Parker is as good as ever, and he and Rondo are the only players on this list with championship experience. Parker, much like the franchise for which he plays, has never received the respect that he deserves. I'm sure that's just fine by him, as he will gladly take championship rings over media buzz any day.

8. Jason Kidd/Dallas Mavericks

What I said about Steve Nash can also be said for Jason Kidd. Over the past few years, Kidd has been foolishly dismissed as over the hill, yet he is still a stunningly efficient PG. Granted, Kidd does not dazzle with his numbers, and he is not the MVP of his team. That honor, of course, belongs to Dirk Nowitzki. However, Kidd is an integral part of Dallas' success. Much like Nash, Kidd is a breathtaking passer and ball-handler, the epitome of selflessness. Much like Nash, Kidd hasn't really shown any signs of slowing down.

9. Raymond Felton/New York Knicks

Felton was always a good player with the Charlotte Bobcats, but the move to New York alongside Amare Stoudamire has propelled Felton to being one of the game's best point guards. Felton is now a legitimate All-Star player who has performed masterfully under the intense scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing in the Big Apple. The Knicks finally have a stellar point guard who has what it takes to bring playoff success to Madison Square Garden.

10. Jameer Nelson/Orlando Magic

A couple years ago, Nelson's name was mentioned alongside Chris Paul in the discussion of the game's premier point guard. Unfortunately, Nelson became plagued with injury, and for a while he resided in relative obscurity. Thankfully, Jameer Nelson is back in top form, and he is playing phenomenal basketball for the title-contending Orlando Magic. There were rumors that Nelson's role as starting point guard would be in jeopardy once the magic acquired Gilbert Arenas. But after silencing his skeptics with his play on the hardwood, Nelson has no need to worry about that. All eyes are on Dwight Howard in Orlando, but let us not forget that Nelson is of immense importance to the Magic. The Magic will need Nelson to continue his terrific play if they hope to upend the Boston Celtics in the East.

Musings on Steelers-Packers

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---And then there were two. Super Bowl XLV is set, and it will be a duel of two of football's most popular, most storied franchises. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

---Granted, I was rooting hard for the New York Jets yesterday. However, there is no denying the fact that Steelers-Packers is an electrifying matchup. It will be a great game, and a matchup of two elite quarterbacks.

---Aaron Rodgers may not have had his best performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Bears, but he is a stellar QB who has given the Packers a chance to become the first 6-seed in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. Ever since his days at Cal, Rodgers has been a consistent, unflappable presence behind center. Furthermore, Rodgers ranks amongst the most likeable players in football. I will be rooting for him to succeed in Super Bowl XLV.

---Sadly, I can't say that I will be rooting for Rodgers' Super Bowl counterpart, Ben Roethlisberger, to succeed. After all, Roethlisberger's cringe-inducing offseason behavior has turned him into an immensely unlikeable figure. Nonetheless, Big Ben is a tremendous quarterback who is vying for his third Super Bowl championship. If Roethliberger continues to perform at such a high level, he has an excellent chance of surpassing Terry Bradshaw as the greatest QB in Steelers history.

---However, while Rodgers and Roethlisberger headline two exciting offenses, one should not neglect the prowess of both defenses. Dom Capers' Green Bay D won the game for the Packers yesterday, buoyed by a wildly entertaining pick-6 from B.J. Raji. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, Dick LaBeau's defense features the dominant forces of Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor.

---Speaking of Polamalu, there was a fascinating stat from Sunday's Steelers-Jets game. Polamalu's hair had three interceptions.

---Super Bowl XLV also features two of the game's most outstanding, criminally underrated coaches in Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy. Tomlin and McCarthy are not alike in terms of personality-----Tomlin is fiery and energetic compared to the more subdued McCarthy-----but both men are masters of their craft who deserve far more credit than they receive.

---The Green Bay Packers are in the Super Bowl. Take that, Brett (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

---Memo to the NFL: Take away the damn Bye Week!!!! Everybody is brimming with excitement for Steelers-Packers, so why make them wait two weeks before the game is played?

---What is the over-under on how many punts will hit the enormous Cowboys Stadium jumbotron in Super Bowl XLV? This is surely to be one of the most popular bets in Vegas.

---And lastly, if I'm Jay Cutler, I'm watching the Super Bowl somewhere other than Chicago.

Jackson, Arenas, Auriemma, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---They are calling it the New Miracle at the Meadowlands. Micheal Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles orchestrated one of the greatest fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL history on Sunday afternoon at New Meadowlands Stadium, shocking the Giants en route to a 38-31 win for the ages. Down 31-10 with less than eight minutes remaining, Vick calmly led Philly to victory. It was another astonishing performance from the Eagles quarterback. Tom Brady is great, but make no mistake: Michael Vick is the Most Valuable Player in the National Football League. He has been electrifying this season.

---Speaking of electrifying, how about DeSean Jackson? Jackson has always been a marvel on the football field, and his thrilling punt return for the game-winning TD yesterday may well be the seminal moment of the 2010 NFL regular season. Many people decry Jackson's incessant showboating, but with the way he continues to excel on the field, he deserves to carry himself with some swagger.

---For my money, the Philadelphia Eagles are the favorites in the wide-open NFC. The defending-champion Saints are mired in inconsistency, and the NFC North-leading Bears still strike me as underwhelming. Thus, look for the Eagles to be playing in the Super Bowl.

---As for the Giants, anything is possible, and it is just one loss. However, it is hard to imagine the G-Men bouncing back from such a brutal defeat. Big Blue looked like they had just attended their own funeral in the aftermath of Sunday's stunner, and Coach Tom Coughlin certainly didn't boost his team's morale by publicly lambasting punter Matt Dodge after Dodge's ill-advised punt to DeSean Jackson in the game's final seconds. Coughlin has every right to be upset at Dodge for his glaring mistake, but screaming at him in plain view only made matters worse. Coughlin should have checked his emotions and talked to Dodge in the privacy of the Giants' locker room in an effort to spare Dodge from further embarrassment.

---All is not lost in the Big Apple, however, as the New York Jets came up with a huge win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. The Jets are now back in business, and the victory in the Steel City has rejuvenated Rex Ryan's team with newfound swagger, swagger that will carry them into the playoffs.

---How about that NFC West? As a Niners fan, I am embarrassed to say that the NFC Worst is enduring an absolutely egregious season. Am I excited that the Niners still have a chance to host a playoff game if they win the division at 7-9? Hell to the no. I am completely disillusioned with Mike Singletary and company. The Red and Gold need a complete overhaul this offseason. As much as I like Singletary personally, he has got to go, as does quarterback Alex Smith. The Niners need a new regime if they are to rise out of their current awfulness.

---On to the best league in sports now, the National Basketball Association. There was a blockbuster trade over the weekend involving the Magic, Suns, and Wizards, sending Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu to Orlando. In return, the Magic shipped Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, and Mikael Pietrus to Phoenix, and sent Rashard Lewis to Washington. Wow. So much to digest here, so let's break down the trade team-by-team.

---Ultimately, I like this trade for Orlando. It remains to be seen whether the artist formerly known as Agent Zero can return to his elite ways playing alongside Dwight Howard, but Gilbert Arenas will definitely be a productive force for Stan Van Gundy's team. With a fresh start in Florida, Arenas should be able to put that gun debacle behind him and focus solely on basketball. However, as integral as Arenas will be for the Magic, the real stroke of genius by G.M. Otis Smith is the acquisition of Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. As a Warriors fan, I have long been a big admirer of J-Rich, one of my favorite players. Richardson is a superb, savvy, electrifying player, and he is a steal for the Magic. And while Turkoglu has struggled these past two seasons in Toronto and Phoenix, my guess is that his return to Orlando will have an invigorating effect on his game. Look for Turkoglu to once again be a clutch sharpshooter capable of winning games for the Magic. I still like the Celtics in the East, but my goodness, Orlando is one hell of a deep team.

---However, before Magic fans start celebrating in the streets, they should be cognizant of the fact that they gave up a lot of terrific talent in this deal, and that is precisely why I also love this trade for the Phoenix Suns. Granted, losing J-Rich hurts, but the additions of Marcin Gortat, Mikael Pietrus, and yes, even Vince Carter make the Suns better equipped for playoff-style basketball. In other words, the presence of Gortat finally gives Phoenix a formidable center, something they have been sorely lacking for quite some time. Furthermore, Pietrus is a versatile scorer and top-notch defender. If he can get healthy from a knee injury that has hampered him this season, Pietrus will be a big part of the Suns' success. And while I have always believed Vince Carter to be amongst the game's most overrated players, Steve Nash will bring out the best in V.C.

---The trade is less monumental for the Washington Wizards, but it is still a positive deal for Flip Saunders' team. The departure of Arenas means that the Wizards can finally usher in John Wall as the face of the franchise. Wall is now the sole leader of the franchise, and that should excite Wizards fans. The addition of Rashard Lewis is also crucial for the Wizards. With Wall, Lewis, and Nick Young, the Wizards now have three significant scoring threats. Washington is in rebuilding mode, but this deal moves them a step in the right direction.

---Congratulations to Geno Auriemma and the incredible UConn Huskies, as the Connecticut women have won 88 consecutive games, tying the record previously held by John Wooden's UCLA Bruins. While women's college hoops would benefit if there were more teams of UConn's caliber, there is no denying the fact that this is an amazing streak, a remarkable feat that deserves to be applauded.

Crawford, Brady, Wilbon, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---The American League has a new team to beat. Just days after signing slugger Adrian Gonzalez, the Boston Red Sox inked versatile outfielder Carl Crawford to a 7-year, $142 million deal. Crawford, who had been an integral part of the Tampa Bay Rays' success the last few seasons, is one of the best, most well-rounded players in the game. Say what you want about the absurdity of awarding a player a cool $142 million, but there is no denying the fact that the Crawford and Gonzalez signings make Terry Francona's team the favorites not only in the American League East, but in the American League.

---In addition to dealing a major blow to the Rays, who with the departure of Crawford have lost one of their most vital players, the Crawford acquisition for Boston also serves as a forceful taunt to the rival Yankees. The Yankees, fresh off an embarrassingly public spat with Derek Jeter, better sign Cliff Lee, or they risk entering the 2011 campaign at a notable disadvantage to the Red Sox.

---However, one thing Red Sox fans no longer have a right to do is complain about the big-spending ways of the archrival Yankees. As evidenced by the enormous contract awarded to Carl Crawford, Theo Epstein and the Sox are now just as likely as the Yankees to succumb to excessive contracts.

---The Crawford signing comes days after the Washington Nationals signed Jayson Werth to a 7-year, $126 million dollar megadeal. While Werth is a terrific player who makes the Nats an infinitely better team, the spending in baseball this offseason is getting a little out of hand. What's next, 8 years and $150 million for Johnny Damon?

---On to the NFL now, where the New York Jets are still nursing their wounds after an astonishing 45-3 loss to the New England Patriots. I love the bravura of Rex Ryan and the Jets, but that was an old-fashioned ass-kicking on Monday night.

---In addition to asserting their place as the best team in the AFC right now, the Patriots' dominating performance against the Jets also proved that there is still a gaping discrepancy between Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez. Even after his nightmarish outing in Foxboro, I remain a big fan of Mark Sanchez. However, Tom Brady is the best quarterback in football, and Sanchez still has a ways to go before joining Brady's elite realm. Brady was in full command on Monday night, picking apart the Jets' D with effortless ease.

---The Brady-Peyton Manning debate isn't so much of a debate right now. Peyton Manning, like Brady, is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, but he is enduring one of the worst slumps I have ever seen an elite player go through. Manning's woes continued this past Sunday against the Cowboys. I have complete faith that Manning will turn things around, but he is throwing so many interceptions right now that even Jake Delhomme is saying: "Now that is too many picks, Peyton."

---The Albert Haynesworth-Mike Shanahan saga continues in D.C., and it is impossible to take a side in this feud. On the one hand, you have an incessantly lazy and petulant player who is never shy to put his glaring immaturity on full display. On the other hand, you have a once-great coach who has looked inexplicably incompetent this season at the helm of the Redskins, a coach who has seemingly lost the trust of his players.

---On to the best sports league now, the National Basketball Association, where the Miami Heat are starting to hit their stride, much to my chagrin. Miami delivered its' best performance of the season last night in Salt Lake City, where they convincingly beat a terrific Jazz team in front of the tremendous Jazz fans. The Heat successfully combated a hostile environment, thanks in large part to the efforts of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. When Wade or James has an off night, Erik Spoelstra's team is hard-pressed to find a victory. But when Wade and LeBron work in tandem, the results are frightening for Miami's opponents. Bummer!

---On the bright side, the Heat are still only the third-best team in the East, behind the Celtics and Magic. Boston and Orlando continue to play brilliant basketball, and what stands them apart from the Heat is their remarkable depth. If Rondo, Pierce, Allen, or Garnett are struggling, the Celtics can turn to Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, and Shaq to buoy them to victory. If Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, or Rashard Lewis are struggling, the Magic can turn to J.J. Redick, Marcin Gortat, and Brandon Bass. So while the Heat are starting to play better basketball, they are still unable to match the depth of Boston and Orlando, and that will prevent them from making a deep run in the playoffs.

---The Denver Nuggets need to settle the Carmelo Anthony situation, A.S.A.P. In terms of motivation and energy, something is amiss for 'Melo right now, and the weight of the trade rumors has caused immense dysfunction and frustration for George Karl's team. The Nuggets are a tremendously talented team that has what it takes to challenge for a top-tier playoff seed, but they will be unable to reach their full potential as long as the 'Melo rumors persist.

---Everyone knows about John Wall, the phenomenal rookie for the Washington Wizards. But while watching Tuesday's Wizards-Lakers game, I was struck by another superb young player for Washington: Nick Young. Young is an explosively athletic player with star potential, a true joy to watch. With Wall and Young, as well as fellow youngster JaVale McGee, the future is bright for Flip Saunders' team.

---The Mavs are playing outstanding basketball. Amar'e Stoudamire, Raymond Felton, and the New York Knicks are on a roll. But no team is playing better than the San Antonio Spurs. Aside from the slight disappointment of Tiago Spliatter, who has yet to fulfill his potential, there is nothing to complain about in San Antonio. Sorry Lakers fans, the Spurs are my pick to win the West.

---The college football coaching carousel has returned, as Urban Meyer shocked the sports world yesterday by announcing his resignation as coach of the University of Florida. Meyer's announcement comes just one year after he took a brief leave of absence due to health issues. Meyer cites his desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for his resignation, and I have no reason to doubt his sincerity. However, Meyer should have given the Gators more notice, as his sudden departure jeopardizes Florida's future recruits and future success as a program. Why do so many coaches find it acceptable to announce their departures in shocking, untimely fashion?

---In college basketball, what has happened to the North Carolina Tar Heels? Rumor has it that Carolina loves listening to Tom Petty in the locker room before games. What is there favorite song, again? Oh yeah: "Free Fallin'".

---I will end with an appreciation of the great Michael Wilbon. Wilbon, one of the very best sportswriters in the nation and the co-host of "Pardon the Interruption" on ESPN as well as an NBA analyst for the network, has left the Washington Post to take on a wider role at ESPN. In addition to his "PTI" and NBA analyst duties, Wilbon will be a columnist for ESPN.com and ESPNChicago.com. I urge sports fans to seek out every one of Wilbon's columns, and to watch him on "PTI" and on ESPN's NBA coverage. There are very few people in sports journalism as knowledgeable or as entertaining as Wilbon.

LeBron, Newton, Gonzalez, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Once again, my heart goes out to the great sports fans in Cleveland. Haven't they experienced enough torture already? In what amounted to cruel and unusual punishment for a loyal fan base that has endured an immeasurable amount of sports devastation over the years, LeBron James made his long-awaited return to Cleveland on Thursday night. The fans did their part, loudly booing LeBron at every turn and coming up with a myriad of brilliantly clever chants. The electricity in the building was palpable. Forty-eight minutes later, however, LeBron's masterpiece was complete, and the Heat won in an absolute rout. Is life fair? No, my friends, it is not.

---As painful as it is to admit, Thursday's win may be a defining turning point for the Miami Heat. LeBron had easily his best game of the season, Dwayne Wade was on top of his game, and Chris Bosh finally stopped underachieving. If the Heat continue to play like they did on Thursday night, and in another impressive victory against the Hawks on Saturday night, then they truly do have a chance at achieving greatness.

---Here's hoping they flounder in mediocrity all season long, however. Miami remains the league's chief villains. In his postgame interview with TNT's Craig Sager, LeBron was as arrogant as ever, at one point referring to his greatness. C'mon LeBron, even Terrell Owens thinks your act is getting old.

---As for the Cavs, Thursday's shellacking was an utter embarrassment. The Cavs failed to respond to the energy of the fans, delivering a completely lethargic performance. Making matters worse, players like Jamario Moon were joyfully yapping with LeBron on the sideline. As Charles Barkley rightfully pointed out at halftime, the Cavaliers showed no fire or passion.

---Here come the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs followed their hugely impressive road win at the Jazz on Friday night with a gutsy comeback win at Sacramento on Saturday. Dirk Nowitzki is having one of his best seasons, Jason Kidd is an ageless wonder, and Caron Butler and Jason Terry are part of a deep, incredibly talented supporting cast. Rick Carlisle's team is an astonishing 8-1 on the road this season. But.......haven't we seen this before from the Mavs in the regular season?

---Year in and year out, Dallas is an elite regular season team. During the regular season, there are very few shots of Mark Cuban growling on the sideline, because the Mavs typically win. But when the playoffs roll around, the Mavs have a disturbing tendency to underachieve. So while I am undeniably impressed by their superb play so far this season---Friday's win at Utah was especially striking----the Mavs need to perform well in the playoffs before I shed my skepticism.

---Derrick Rose is incredible. Rose single-handedly carried the Bulls to a much-needed overtime win over the Rockets at the United Center on Saturday night. Rose drained a preposterous three with two defenders in his face to send the game into O.T., and he continued his heroics in the overtime period. Make no mistake: Rose is an elite player, and an elite point guard along with the likes of Paul, Williams, Rondo, Westbrook, and Nash.

---Speaking of the Bulls, there is further reason to be excited in Chicago, now that Carlos Boozer has made his debut. Boozer appeared somewhat rusty in his first couple games back from injury, but he should get back to his old self in no time. Now that Boozer is in the fold, the Bulls should start playing at a significantly higher level.

---On to college football now, where the BCS National Championship Game is set: Oregon and Auburn will battle on January 10 in Glendale, Arizona. My disdain for the BCS aside, this should be a magnificent, exciting game that will come down to the final seconds.

---Say what you want about his controversial off-the-field scandal, but there is no denying the fact that Cam Newton is an electrifying player. Much like quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Denard Robinson of Michigan, Newton is a breathtaking talent, a surefire soon-to-be star in the NFL.

---However, as an Oregon resident, my allegiances lie with the Ducks in the title game. I am happy for Oregon, and have been thoroughly impressed with the dominant manner in which Chip Kelly's team has played all year. I hope Oregon beats Auburn, but can they at least get some better uniforms? The Ducks never fail to appall with their garish unis, and Saturday's game at Oregon State was a new fashion low. How can a team wear a uniform that features none of its school colors?

---On to the NFL now, where Week 13 promises to be thrilling and compelling. As a Niners fan, I will be selfishly glued to the Niners-Packers game in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. But there are other huge games with playoff implications that I am giddy for as well, namely Falcons-Bucs, Steelers-Ravens, and of course, Jets-Patriots.

---My quick takes on those three affairs: Matt Ryan will wear down the Bucs defense as the Falcons win to all but end Tampa's playoff hopes.....Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the bruising Baltimore D overcomes a valiant Pittsburgh effort to give the Ravens the victory.....and Mark Sanchez continues his strong play to bolster the Jets over Tom Brady and the Pats in what will be the best game of the week. So I like the Falcons, Ravens, and Jets, which means you should bet on the Bucs, Steelers, and Patriots.

---Baseball's winter meetings are this week in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and the first team to make a giant splash is the Boston Red Sox. Boston's signing of Adrian Gonzalez is a master stroke by Theo Epstein that should be enough to catapult the Red Sox back into the playoffs in 2011. Gonzalez, the former San Diego Padre, is a powerful hitter and a terrific defensive player who has never received the credit he deserves for being one of the game's best players. If the Red Sox stay healthy, they should leap ahead of the Rays and Yankees in the AL East.

---I will end with an appreciation of college basketball. The NBA is far and away my favorite sports league, but I still love the awesomeness of college hoops. College basketball is back and better than ever. In the words of the great Dick Vitale: "Yeah baby!!!!" Gotta love it.

Griffin, Freeman, Pacquiao, and random observations on the wonderful world sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:



---There he was, posterizing young Knicks center Timofey Mozgov en route to a spectacular 44-points, 15-rebounds, 7-assists performance on Friday night. Blake Griffin continues to have an amazing rookie season. However, lost amidst the Griffin domination is this sobering fact from Clipperville: The Clippers, despite Griffin's near-triple-double, lost again, falling to an atrocious record of one win and thirteen losses.



---As the great Bill Simmons noted recently, even the great Blake Griffin is starting to wear the frightened look of dismay that comes with being a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clips have some terrific talent. With Griffin, Eric Gordon, Eric Bledsoe, and Al-Farouq Aminu, there is absolutely no rational explanation for the Clippers' 1-13 start. A paralyzing culture of losing permeates the Clippers franchise. Once again, the Clippers have a talented team that also happens to be far and away the worst team in basketball.



---Every year, the Spurs are overlooked and dismissed as a symbol of old age. Every year, the San Antonio Spurs defy their critics. Prior to the season, I wrote that the Spurs were essentially done with contending for titles. Wrong again. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and company are off to an 11-1 start, and they have every intention of making another deep run into the playoffs. The Spurs are the best-run organization in all of professional sports. In the aftermath of Tony Parker's less-than-shocking pending divorce from Eva Longoria, many made the laughable assertion that the Parker-Longoria split would be a worrisome distraction for Gregg Popovich's team. The Spurs are too focused, too motivated an organization to be affected by such an occurrence.



---Thank you Rudy Gay! Gay's exemplary play continued on Friday night as he hit a game-winning, fade-away buzzer-beater over the outstretched arm of LeBron James to give the Miami Heat yet another loss. The supposedly mighty Heat are now 8-5, and underwhelming performances are now a frequent sighting for Miami. Gotta love it!

---Meanwhile, in Portland, Greg Oden is out for the season. Sigh.

---On to the NFL now, which featured incredible drama in Week 11. In the Meadowlands, Mark Sanchez and the Jets garnered yet another thrilling win in the final seconds. In Foxboro, Tom Brady and the Pats edged Peyton Manning and the Colts in another compelling edition of football's best rivalry. And in Philadelphia, Michael Vick continued his brilliance, leading the Eagles to a tight win over the New York Giants. Sanchez, Brady, and Vick will dominate the quarterback conversation today, and rightfully so. However, there is one quarterback of a playoff-caliber team that is getting completely overshadowed. Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Freeman deserves more respect.

---The Tampa Bay quarterback is the leader of the surprising Bucs, who thumped the 49ers on Sunday (Ouch) to improve to 7-3. Freeman lacks the stardom and name recognition of Brady, Manning, Vick, Roethlisberger, McNabb, Romo, and pretty much every other QB in the league. However, Freeman is quietly having a tremendous season. It's about time the nation starts singing his praises.

---Having the Lions and Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving Day is a tired tradition. I will gladly watch the games on Turkey Day---after all, football is football---but it is time for the NFL to showcase some fresh blood on Thanksgiving Day.

---On to college football now, where the BCS is an absolute disgrace. I know it seems like I am beating a dead horse on this issue, but it cannot be said enough: Oregon, Auburn, Boise State, and TCU all have a legitimate argument that they belong in the title game, yet two of those teams are bound to get screwed by computers. Meanwhile, in the Pac-10, Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal are in danger of getting bypassed for the Rose Bowl, and that is a shame.

---The awesomeness that is college basketball is now underway, and here is my Final Four prediction: Kansas State, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse.

---I will end with an appreciation of Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is absolutely amazing, bringing a level of excitement to the world of boxing not seen since the days of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Now if Floyd Mayweather would just accept the challenge, that would bring the sport to an even higher level of excitement. C'mon Floyd, take the risk: A Pacquaio-Mayweather fight is what the nation is waiting for.

Around the Association

Hoops fans, gather round the computer. Here are my musings on the best sports league in the world, the National Basketball Association:

---So, in order to break the all-time regular-season wins record held by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat will have to finish this season with a record 68-5. The Heat may well get their act together and have a great season, but there chances of being an historically great team are all but dead.

---I am taking great joy in Miami's early season struggles, so perhaps I am overreacting to their shaky, 5-4 start to the season. However, Erik Spoelstra's team has some serious, serious flaws. Their biggest weakness is a complete lack of depth, as evidenced by the home loss to the Celtics on Thursday night. In that game, Dwayne Wade was shockingly off, and while LeBron was terrific, the Heat had no one to help him. With the exception of Eddie House and the injured Mike Miller, Miami has an ineffective supporting cast. Compared to the remarkable depth of Boston and Orlando, Miami's supporting players are stunningly soft.

---Judging by Chris Bosh's underwhelming play so far this season, it's about time we stop calling the Heat "The Big 3".

---Meanwhile, kudos to Paul Pierce for coming up with this brilliant shot at LeBron after the Celtics beat the Heat for the second time this season. Pierce, via twitter, said the following: "It's been a pleasure to bring my talents to South Beach." Hey-ohhhhhhhh!

---After a sluggish start, the Utah Jazz are finally starting to hit their stride, thanks to remarkable resilience on the road. On Tuesday, the Jazz rallied from 22 down in the second half on the road to beat the aforementioned Heat, thanks to a 46-point masterpiece from Paul Millsap. The very next night, the Jazz rallied from 18 down in the second half in Orlando to stun the Magic. In the aftermath of these two incredibly impressive wins, I am thoroughly convinced that the Utah Jazz are back on track to finish near the top of the West again this season.

---The sterling play of Jerry Sloan's team is almost enough of a temptation for me to declare Deron Williams the best point guard in basketball. However, there is another point guard in New Orleans who is every bit as worthy of that title. Chris Paul has been brilliant this season, and he is the primary reason why the New Orleans Hornets are the only remaining undefeated team in basketball.

---As amazing as CP3 is, however, the Hornets will need to continue to receive superb productivity from Emeka Okafor if they want to truly contend in the West. Okafor is playing the best basketball of his career, and the Paul-Okafor duo is starting to conjure memories of the Paul-Chandler tandem that was so unstoppable a couple of years ago.

---Prior to the start of the season, I was merciless in my criticism of the Hornets, and I gave them essentially no chance to contend. So far at least, that prediction has been a giant swing and a miss on my part. They still need to show me more to eradicate my skepticism, but there is no denying that the Hornets have looked phenomenal this season.

---Maybe Carmelo Anthony will stay put in Denver after all. Maybe, just maybe, the 'Melo trade rumors were much ado about nothing. Granted, Denver embarrassingly yielded 144 points in a blowout loss to the Pacers on Tuesday night, but they responded with a passionate performance last night against the Lakers, handing the defending champions their first loss of the season. Carmelo poured in 32 points and 13 rebounds, and he sounded genuinely elated in his post-game comments, a notable contrast to the disillusionment he exuded in the offseason. Personally, I would love to see Carmelo stay in Denver, because when George Karl's team is at full strength, they are a joy to watch. Now, it appears as if 'Melo may indeed stay in a Nuggets uniform.

---'Melo was the MVP for Denver last night, but the Nuggets would not have won that game had it not been for the excellence of Ty Lawson and J.R. Smith. Lawson is an exhilarating young star-in-the-making who flustered the Lakers with his lightning-fast speed and athleticism. J.R. Smith, meanwhile, sparked the defining rally of the game with some clutch threes in the fourth quarter. Smith was undaunted by the defensive presence of Kobe Bryant, and his unapologetic swagger is key to the Nuggets' success.

---As if the incessant injury woes of Greg Oden weren't enough, the Portland Trail Blazers are now forced to deal with the shaky right knee of Brandon Roy. Roy, the Blazers' best player and one of the ten best players in the game, has asked the Blazers for less playing time due to a right knee injury. Nate McMillan's team is thus faced with a frustrating dilemma. Obviously, Roy's health is of utmost importance, but in the loaded Northwest Division and in the loaded Western Conference, the Blazers can't really afford to limit Roy's playing time. Can't wait to see how Nate McMillan handles this situation.

---I will end with some praise for Michael Beasley. Beasley caused quite the stir in the offseason when he declared that the T'Wolves are the team to beat, and he still deserves to be derided for that laughable claim. But Beasley deserves credit for backing up his words with his play on the court. Beasley, who underachieved in his time with the Heat, is finally showing great promise. He has been great for Kurt Rambis' team. The Timberwolves are really, really bad, but if Beasley continues to improve, the Kevin Love-Beasley duo could signal a bright future for the Timberwolves.

Musings on the National Football League

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---What a magnificent game between the Colts and Eagles yesterday in Philadelphia. In addition to being a huge win for the Eagles, it also served as one of the finest performances in Michael Vick's career.

---I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am a big Michael Vick fan, and I am rooting for him to succeed. I have been thoroughly impressed by the sincere, mature manner in which Vick has expressed his remorse regarding his dogfighting past, and I am thrilled that Vick is performing at such a high level for the Eagles. Vick's dominance on Sunday against Indy was absolutely thrilling to watch. Keep up the great work, Michael Vick!

---As big as that win was for the Eagles, however, they should not be considered the favorites in the NFC East. That honor belongs to the New York Giants. After a rocky start to the season, Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, and company are now firing on all cylinders. The G-Men went into the hostile environment of Qwest Field and steamrolled the Seahawks. The Giants have as good a shot as any team to make it back to the Super Bowl.

---Another team that is playing superb football: The Oakland Raiders. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs in overtime yesterday in a richly compelling battle. In recent years, the Raiders have been in total disarray, a dysfunctional organization under the wrath of irascible owner Al Davis and hot-tempered head coach Tom Cable. Now, however, the Raiders are a legitimate contender in the AFC West, and the Black Hole is rocking yet again. Yesterday's atmosphere in Oakland was spectacular, conjuring memories of the Rich Gannon-Tim Brown days.

---Yesterday's Raiders-Chiefs game featured one of the most amazing receptions in recent memory: Jacoby Ford making a game-saving catch at the tail end of the fourth quarter to allow for Sebastian Janikowski to send the game into overtime. A remarkable play by Ford, a catch that was of David Tyree-type difficulty.

---Yes, I am a diehard 49ers fan, but at the risk of angering my fellow members of Niners Nation, I must admit that I am happy the Raiders are doing well. The Raiders' resurgence is great for the Bay Area, and as a Bay Area native, I am rooting for them to succeed. If the Niners continue to falter this season, you can reserve my place on the 2010-2011 Silver and Black Bandwagon.

---Last week's elections may have been a disaster for the Democrats, but it was nothing compared to the stunning train-wreck that is the Dallas Cowboys. Sunday night's 45-7 embarrassment at the hands of the Packers was a new low for the Cowboys. It seems to me that the 'Boys have quit on their coach. Thus, it is time for Wade Phillips to be replaced. Seems like a really nice guy, but he is too soft a coach to succeed as a head coach in the NFL.

---Don't let that 27-24 win over the Cardinals fool you. The Minnesota Vikings are still a team rife with dysfunction. First, there was the Brett Favre cell phone scandal. Then, there was the Randy Moss craziness. And now, rumor has it that Coach Brad Childress had a near-physical altercation with WR Percy Harvin. Sunday's win does not change a thing for the Vikings. Brad Childress has lost control of his team, and the Vikings have no shot to reach the playoffs.

---My guess is that the Bucs, fresh off a tough 27-24 loss to the Falcons, will now start to fade, but there are still two significant reasons for Bucs fans to remain optimistic. Those two reasons are quarterback Josh Freeman and Coach Raheem Morris. Freeman may have stumbled a bit on Sunday, but he is bound to have a stellar NFL career, and Morris is a terrific, charismatic coach whose energy is reminiscent of former Bucs Coach Jon Gruden. The future is bright for Tampa Bay.

---I will conclude with a plea to the national sports media: Enough with the Cowboys. They stink. The NFL is full of compelling stories. This year, the Cowboys are not one of them.

Around the Association

Alright hoops fans, gather round the computer. Here are my musings on the best league in all of sports, the National Basketball Association:



---Here is something I haven't said in a while: The New York Knicks are really good. Seriously. Anybody still doubting this fact need look no further than last night's thoroughly convincing road win in Chicago. The Knicks dominated a Bulls team that many people, including myself, expect to contend for a championship this season. Mike D'Antoni's lightning-fast offense was in full effect, as the Knicks put up 70 points in the first half. Dare I say that the Knicks are an absolute lock to make the playoffs this season?



---Obviously, the additions of Amar'e Stoudamire and Raymond Felton will pay enormous dividends for the Knicks. But New York's secret weapon may well be Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari was a lights-out shooter last night, and he was perfect from downtown. If Gallinari can maintain that smooth shooting touch from outside the perimeter, he may well conjure memories of former Knick Allen Houston, one of the most underrated shooters NBA history.



---As for the Bulls, that was an extremely discouraging effort. I was baffled by Tom Thibodeau's refusal to put Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah back in the game late in the fourth quarter. The Bulls, thanks to some timely threes from sharp-shooter Kyle Korver, were making a significant run, but Rose and Noah remained on the bench during crunch time. Thibodeau probably wanted to save Rose and Noah so that they could be fully healthy for Thibodeau's return to Boston tonight against the Celtics. But it was certainly surprising to see Chicago's two best players as bystanders with the game on the line against the Knicks.



---After the Knicks earned a stellar road win, the Oklahoma City Thunder followed suit in Portland, beating the Blazers in a thrilling, overtime affair. Fresh off a complete dud against the Clippers the night before, a game in which Kevin Durant looked shockingly human, the Thunder responded with a gutsy, resilient performance at the Rose Garden last night.



---Durant responded nicely after his poor performance against the Clips, but last night's MVP for OKC was Russell Westbrook. Ladies and gentlemen, it is official: Westbrook is one of the game's best point guards.



---In Boston, controversy is surrounding notorious trash-talker Kevin Garnett. After last week's dominating win at the Pistons, Pistons' forward Charlie Villanueva took to his twitter page, accusing K.G. of calling Villanueva a "cancer patient" during the game. K.G. denied the accusation, saying that he called Villanueva "cancerous to your team and to our league." Oh ok, well that's better.

---Look, I believe K.G. when he says he did not call Villanueva a cancer patient, as that would be one of the most heinous, tasteless pieces of trash talk ever utterred. Still, K.G.'s version of what he said is still over the top. I love the intensity and passion that Garnett brings to the table night and and night out, but his incessant trash talking is tiresome and foolish. K.G. needs to realize that when his team is up by 20-plus points, there is no need to unleash any cruel verbal diatribes toward Charlie Villanueva.

---Villanueva, however, also deserves criticism in this incident. The fact that he made such an accusation through his twitter page showed a stunning lack of class. There was no need to bring this incident into the public spotlight. If Villanueva truly had a problem with K.G., he should have handled it with K.G. directly, behind closed doors.

---The Wizards haven't exactly looked all that sharp to start this season, but John Wall has been absolutely brilliant. Prior to the start of the year there seemed to be a growing consensus that Blake Griffin would be Rookie of the Year. Not so fast, my friends. Nothing against Griffin---who has indeed been outstanding, the lone bright spot for the Clippers so far this season---but after watching him play, my money is on Wall to win R.O.Y., especially if he can somehow find a way to bolster the Wizards into the playoffs.

---If the San Antonio Spurs are to overcome their age to contend in the West this season, they will need major productivity from young Tiago Splitter. Splitter's NBA career is off to a decent start, but he is still a raw talent. Splitter needs to be a fast learner in the NBA if San Antonio wants to ascend back to the top of the Western pack. Because as great as Tim Duncan is, he is not going to be able to play the same amount of minutes that he once did.

---Once again, I am overcome with gleeful optimism regarding my beloved Golden State Warriors. Monta Ellis has been sensational, Dorell Wright has been a wonderful surprise, David Lee has been solid, Reggie Williams continues to improve, and with a healthy Steph Curry, the Warriors are going to make noise in the West! Not that I'm biased or anything.

---My two least favorite teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, are also the two best teams in the NBA right now. Kobe Bryant has been frighteningly great, as always, and Phil Jackson's team looks poised for another three-peat. In South Beach, the Big 3 is finally starting to hit their stride. Bummer. One can only hope that the Lakers and Heat fall apart, but that appears unlikely.

---Terrific article on ESPN.com by the great J.A. Adande on Nuggets Coach George Karl. Karl is a superb coach and a class act. The deeply moving article is a must-read.

Euphoria in the City By the Bay: The San Francisco Giants are World Series Champions!

What a moment, what a night. When Edgar Renteria blasted a towering three-run home run off Cliff Lee in the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie, you could feel an entire city collectively holler screams and tears of gleeful joy. When Brian Wilson recorded the final out of the 2010 World Series, those sounds of happiness only grew louder and more emotional. As a lifelong, diehard Giants fan, I can honestly say that this is one of the greatest nights of my life. The San Francisco Giants are 2010 World Series Champions. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

From the very outset of the 2010 season, nobody gave the Giants a chance. Even when the Giants clinched the National League West, they were viewed by many as nothing more than a charming cast of misfits. But throughout the postseason, Bruce Bochy's team proved to the world that they belong atop the baseball pantheon. The beautiful thing about the 2010 Giants is that they epitomize the true meaning of "team". Unlike the Giants of years past, with Barry Bonds as the clear face of the franchise, these Giants had multiple heroes. On any given night, any given Giant could deliver heroics. And that sense of teamwork made this Giants season sweeter than any other in Giants history.

On Wednesday in San Francisco, there will be a parade down Market Street. It will be the perfect culmination of a perfect season. So to the 2010 San Francisco Giants, I want to say thank you. Thank you for an incredible, unforgettable season. World Series Champions. Gotta love it.

Bumgarner, Rose, McNabb, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Thank you Madison Bumgarner. The young Bumgarner delivered a masterful World Series performance for the ages in Game 4, dominating the Rangers over the course of eight shutout innings. It is remarkable to see a pitcher as youthful as Bumgarner display such incredible poise on the mound.

---Bumgarner's mastery has the Giants one win away from a World Series Championship. Just typing that gives me the chills. Yesssssssssssssssssss!

---So, are there still haters out there who say the Giants don't have an offense? With the exception of Game 3, the Giants have pounded Rangers pitching. I love Nolan Ryan, but every time the FOX cameras cut to an angry, morose Ryan, my heart fills with joy.

---One more win. That is all the Giants need to give the city of San Francisco one of the greatest moments in city history. Goooooooooooooo Giants!!!!!

---We now return to our regularly unbiased programming.

---On to the best league in sports now, the National Basketball Association. The big story of the weekend was the thoroughly convincing shellacking dealt to the Orlando Magic on Friday night, courtesy of the Miami Heat.

---After a listless opening-night performance at Boston, the Heat seemed to restore order in their home opener. D-Wade, LeBron, Chris Bosh, and company destroyed the Magic by 26-points, a terrible omen for Stan Van Gundy's team. Still, cool down Miami bandwagoners. It was just one game.

---While I still believe the Heat have depth issues, Erik Spoelstra has to be encouraged by the superb play of Eddie House. House has always been a reliable force off the bench, and he is a lights-out shooter. House will be a major factor for Miami this season.

---As for the Magic, it was a tale of two halves for Dwight Howard. I was delightfully startled by the overpowering offensive assertiveness of Howard in the first half against Miami. But just as soon as I was starting to get convinced that Howard had finally matured on the offensive end, Dwight reverted to his old, offensively inefficient ways in the second half.

---The Bulls' comeback win on Saturday night against the Pistons served as proof that Derrick Rose is blossoming into one of the game's best point guards. Rose was stellar down the stretch for Chicago, the key catalyst in a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback that left Detroit stunned and helpless.

---Saturday night's win for the Bulls was also a showcase for James Johnson. Johnson was all over the court, grabbing loose ball after loose ball and rebound after rebound. Very impressive play by the second-year forward out of Wake Forest.

---Huge win by the Utah Jazz on Sunday night at Oklahoma City. Just when I was starting to wonder if the Jazz were fiercely overrated after two terrible performances to start the season, Deron Williams and company crushed an outstanding Thunder team in a hostile environment on Sunday night. Sanity has been restored in Salt Lake City.

---On to the NFL now, where Mike Shanahan has some explaining to do. The Redskins coach inexplicably benched Donovan McNabb late in the fourth quarter of a 37-25 loss to the Lions. I have long been a Shanahan admirer, but I am baffled by the McNabb benching. Ummmmm, Coach, do you honestly believe that Rex Grossman is a better option at quarterback than Donovan McNabb?!

---Another person with explaining to do: Mark Sanchez. The Jets QB threw two interceptions in a sloppy performance that resulted in a 9-0 home loss to the Packers. I am still a Sanchez believer, but he needs to be a more productive leader on the field if the Jets are to be true Super Bowl contenders.

---Don't look now, but here come the Oakland Raiders. Tom Cable's team improved to 4-4 on Sunday with a win over the Seahawks, fresh off last week's 59-14 thrashing of the Denver Broncos. Call me crazy, but I think the Raiders will overtake the Chiefs to win the AFC West. Jason Campbell is a terrific quarterback, and Darren McFadden finally seems to be coming into his own in the NFL.

---Once again, the college football regularl season is thrilling and compelling. Once again, we are going to have more BCS outrage and controversy. Oregon, Boise State, Auburn, and TCU are all undefeated, and they all have a valid argument that they belong in the title game. So rather than deciding the champion on the field with a playoff system, college football will once again let computers run the show and rob at least two deserving teams of a chance to play for a championship. The BCS: Big Crappy System.

An Epic Clash of the Aces, and NBA Opening Night Musings

Dare I say it's the greatest World Series pitching matchup ever? Tonight in beautiful San Francisco, the Fall Classic commences with two spectacular pitchers taking the mound. On the one side, you have Cliff Lee, the overpowering lefty who has to be considered one of the most outstanding postseason pitchers in MLB history. On the other side (the good side, of course), you have Tim Lincecum, the dazzling, dominant, long-haired flamethrower we call The Freak. The likes of Josh Hamilton, Aubrey Huff, Ian Kinsler, Buster Posey, Nelson Cruz, and Cody Ross are likely to appear completely flummoxed at times tonight. Lee and Lincecum can make the best sluggers look absolutely helpless at the plate. This should be fun. Gooooooooooooo Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The world's greatest sports league made its' 2010-2011 debut on Tuesday night, and it did not disappoint. After last night, I am thoroughly convinced that this NBA season will be one for the ages. I am downright giddy. My thoughts on opening night:

---The supposedly mighty Miami Heat looked completely out of sorts last night in Boston. LeBron was dominant in the third quarter, but his eight turnovers showed that he is not a natural point guard, no matter how hard the Heat want him to adapt that role. Dwayne Wade, coming off an injury that sidelined him for most of the preseason, struggled all night long, and Chris Bosh did not have enough size down low to hold his own against Shaq. Granted, it is just one game, but for a team that wants to be historically great, the Miami Heat left an enormously underwhelming first impression. And that put a giant smile on my face.

---That was a statement win by the Celtics. Boston came out with fiery passion last night. Paul Pierce was terrific, Ray Allen showed that he still has that silky-smooth shot, Rajon Rondo was brilliant, Kevin Garnett played with renewed energy, and new fan-favorite Shaquille O'Neal showed flashes of his old self. Make no mistake: The Celtics have every intention of making it back to the Finals.

---Great crowd last night in Boston. They booed LeBron every time he touched the ball. Gotta love it. Celtics fans are amongst the best fans in the NBA.

---Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Lakers edged the Rockets in a thrilling game on ring night at the Staples Center.

---The Rockets-Lakers game was tremendously compelling. I've long been a critic of Steve Blake, but I have to give him credit: That was a clutch shot to win the game for the Lakers.

---Despite the loss, I was impressed by the Houston Rockets last night. Yao Ming is not yet in pristine shape, but he gave a very encouraging performance last night. Kudos to the Rockets for holding Yao to a strict playing time limit of 24 minutes. It must have been tempting for Rick Adelman to keep Yao in the game late in the fourth quarter against the Lakers, but Yao's health is far more important than one game. In order for the Rockets to make some noise in the West this season, they need a fully healthy Yao.

---I was also delighted by the play of Brad Miller and Aaron Brooks. Miller brings an Artest-like toughness to the Rockets, while Brooks is an absolute joy to watch.

---Nice win by the Blazers last night. Brandon Roy took over in the fourth quarter, and Portland outlasted Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. Roy is Mr. Clutch, and it is a shame he doesn't get the credit he deserves for being one of the game's best players.

---Nate McMillan had to be encouraged by the play of Wes Matthews. Matthews will never live up to his ridiculously gargantuan contract, but if he gives the Blazers 22 points a night, as he did in the season-opener against the Suns, he will be a major asset.

---The rest of the league starts playing tonight. There are plenty of outstanding games, most notably a potential Finals preview in Oklahoma City between the Bulls and Thunder.

The Giants Win the Pennant! The Giants Win the Pennant!

This is why I choose to live and die with my teams. Some people think I'm crazy for being such a diehard fan. And granted, there are nights after a tough loss where I literally have stomach indigestion. But for every brutally painful defeat, there is a moment of incredible euphoria. When the San Francisco Giants defeated the Phillies 3-2 in Game 6 of the NLCS, a win that sends the Giants to the World Series, I jumped in celebration. I have been a diehard Giants fan all my life. Right now, I am in a state of unbridled, gleeful ecstasy. What a moment.

The 2002 pennant-winning Giants team provided me with some of my greatest memories as a sports fan, but for me, this 2010 season has been even sweeter. Nobody expected Bruce Bochy's team to contend for a championship in 2010. They were viewed as a collection of also-rans. Guys like Pat Burrell and Aubrey Huff were considered past their prime. The experts said that the great pitching would not be enough to overcome a meager offense. That was back in April. Six months later, the Giants are four wins away from a World Series title. And I am basking in the glow of the moment. This is awesome.

A significant challenge awaits. The Texas Rangers are an outstanding team, and beating them four times will be tough. The Giants, though, are up to the task. I cannot wait for Wednesday. Gooooooooooo Giants!!!

P.S.: Thank you Juan Uribe!!!! Uribe's game-winning home run will go down as one of the greatest moments in Giants history.

2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: Western Conference

Ladies and gentlemen, the best sports league is back. Tuesday marks the start of the 2010-2011 NBA season, and I am more giddy with excitement than a teen girl at a Justin Bieber concert. I can't wait for Tuesday. The 2010-2011 NBA campaign has the potential to be one of the greatest, most compelling seasons in league history. Yesterday, I previewed the Eastern conference. Now it's time to shift our focus out West. So with no further ado, here is my preview of each and every team in the Western conference, listed in projected order of finish:















1. Los Angeles Lakers/Head Coach:Phil Jackson















Emotionally, I am in the same position with the Lakers as I am with the Heat. I desperately hope the Lakers fall stunningly short of expectations and have a disastrous season. But I am living in dream land if I honestly think that has a chance of happening. The reality is that this Lakers team is even better than the teams that won the championship the last two seasons. Phil Jackson's squad is loaded, with an excellent shot at a 3-peat.















Any conversation with the Lakers begins with Kobe Bryant. I have been a harsh Kobe critic over the years, but even I must admit that he is the best player in basketball. No player since Michael Jordan has played with a more dominating ferocity on both ends of the floor. Do I still think Kobe is an arrogant, below-average teammate? Yes. But his basketball ability is astonishing. When he is on top of his game, there is no stopping him. But the scary thing about the 2010-2011 Lakers is that they are so much more than just Kobe Bryant. I still question Andrew Bynum's toughness, and I don't yet consider him an elite center, but he is still a major contributor. The more he works with Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, the more he will continue to improve. Pau Gasol is an amazing player, and he does belong in the conversation of the NBA's best big men. Gasol is a dominant scorer, a fearsome defender, and an effortless passer. He is the Robin to Bryant's Batman. Loyal readers know that I love Ron Artest. Artest is one wild and crazy dude, and he has a tendency to be pretty clumsy on the offensive end. But Artest makes up for all of that with his defensive mastery. Artest is a lockdown defender, capable of shutting down any of the league's top scorers. Not to mention his toughness, which is unparallelled. Thus, Artest is a modern-day Dennis Rodman. Lamar Odom is an inconsistent player, but he has seen drastic improvement in the last couple seasons, and he is a significant asset for Phil Jackson's team. Just don't trust Odom at the free throw line with the game on the line. Very few players are as clutch as Derek Fisher. Fisher has an Horry-like ability to knock down huge shots in pressure-packed situations, and he will undoubtedly do just that this season. The offseason acquisition of Matt Barnes is also huge for the Lakers. Barnes is a great shooter and an awesome defender. I'm not as high on Steve Blake, the Lakers' other key offseason pickup.























The only glaring weakness on this team remains Sasha Vujacic, the most overrated player in the NBA. Vujacic is absolutely horrendous, a guy who wanders aimlessly outside the three-point line and hoists brick after brick. The fact that he calls himself The Machine is laughable. Vujacic is my least favorite player in the NBA. Aside from Vujacic, however, the Los Angeles Lakers are a great team that will likely find themselves back in the NBA Finals, with a chance at their third consecutive title. Just the thought of Phil Jackson's third 3-peat of his career is enough to give me stomach indigestion. As I said with the Heat: Boy do I hope I'm wrong about the Lakers.















2. Oklahoma City Thunder/Head Coach: Scott Brooks















The one team in the West that gives Laker haters like myself hope is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Normally, I am wary of young teams that enter the season with gargantuan expectations, but I am buying all the hype with the Thunder, and then some. The Thunder have the ability to knock off the Lakers in the West. They have the ability to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy when all is said and done. I truly believe that Scott Brooks' team is that good.















Kevin Durant is the second-best player in the NBA, and as he continues to improve---a frightening thought for Thunder opponents---Durant is poised to surpass Kobe and become the best basketball player in the world in the very near future. Durant is so good that even if he was hampered with a lowly supporting cast, he would still make the Thunder a threat out West. However, what makes the Oklahoma City Thunder such a potent team is that Durant has a stellar supporting cast around him. Russell Westbrook is a fantastic point guard, and by the end of the season, Westbrook will be mentioned in the same breath as Rondo, Williams, Paul, Nash, and Rose. Jeff Green is a terrific player, and Durant-Westbrook-Green is amongst the best trios in basketball. Furthermore, James Harden will build off his superb rookie season last year and continue to put up big numbers. Serge Ibaka may not be a household name yet, but he will be by season's end. Nick Collison, Morris Peterson,and Nenad Kristic give the Thunder great depth. And don't sleep on Eric Maynor. He has the potential to be a significant contributor this season.















Add all this to the fact that the Thunder have a great coach (Scott Brooks), and one of the best fan bases in all of sports, and they have what it takes to challenge the Lakers in the West. I can't wait to watch this team play.















3. Utah Jazz/Head Coach: Jerry Sloan













In the immediate aftermath of Carlos Boozer's departure to Chicago, I must admit that I was down on the Jazz. Boozer was a hugely important part of Utah's identity, the leading force behind their bruising physicality in the paint. I didn't think there was any way Utah could contend for a championship without Boozer's presence. But then Jazz General Manager Kevin O'Connor came through with two strokes of genius, acquiring Al Jefferson and Raja Bell. Jefferson has spent the majority of his career floundering in the futility of the Timberwolves organization, so he has never received the recognition he deserves for being a dominant big man in the NBA. Jefferson is a great player who will fill the void left by Boozer. Now that Jefferson is playing on a good team with a great coach, he is going to have the best season of his career, and that's saying something. The toughness of Boozer will also be filled by Raja Bell, a tenacious defender who thrives against the league's top scorers. So no Boozer, no problem for Utah.













Let's not forget the most important player on the Jazz, none other than Deron Williams. D-Will is arguably the best point guard in basketball, and his brilliance in Utah has conjured memories of John Stockton in his prime. Williams has plenty of dangerous weapons around him as well. Andrei Kirilenko was the subject of trade rumors in the offseason, but the Jazz were wise in keeping him. AK-47 is a double-double threat each time he steps onto the floor. Mehmet Okur, the big man who also happens to be one of the best pure shooters in the game, returns, as does Paul Milsap, who is a powerful presence down low. The Jazz always have a couple of surprise breakout performances from young players each season, as evidenced by the outstanding play of Sundiata Gaines and Wesley Matthews last season. Both Gaines and Matthews have departed, but don't be shocked if rookies Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans pick up where Gaines and Matthews left off.













Jerry Sloan's Jazz teams are always good for 50-plus wins, and this season will be no different. Salt Lake City is a phenomenal basketball city, and the great fans will see playoff basketball yet again.













4. Dallas Mavericks/Head Coach: Rick Carlisle













Much like last season, I anticipate great regular-season success for the Dallas Mavericks. At 7 feet tall, Dirk Nowitzki is the most offensively gifted big man in the NBA, and he is a double-double waiting to happen each night. Caron Butler and Shaun Marion are two veteran forwards with plenty of gas left the tank, and they will turn in excellent seasons. The center combo of Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood will be tremendously effective. Say what you want about Jason Kidd's age, but he is still an excellent starting point guard. Should Kidd succumb to age or injury, the Mavs would have more than enough weapons (Jason Terry, Jose Barea, Roddy Beaubois) to suffice. So Rick Carlisle's Mavs will once again be a top-tier team in the regular season.













But when it comes to the playoffs, this team does not lead me to believe that they will be able to overcome their perennial shortcomings. In order to win the West, the Mavs will have to overcome the likes of Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Utah, and I just do not see that happening. So while Dallas will again be a symbol of excellence in the regular season, I think that Mark Cuban (whom I love, by the way) will be sporting another dissatisfied scowl come playoff time.













5. Portland Trail Blazers/Head Coach: Nate McMillan













The offseason firing of G.M. Kevin Pritchard was one of the most egregious front office decisions in NBA history. Pritchard may have whiffed in his selection of Greg Oden over Kevin Durant in the Draft, but he was one of the best G.M.'s in the league, the master architect behind the resurgence of the Blazers franchise. That horrific decision aside, though, the Blazers have much to be excited about in the 2010-2011 campaign.













As long as the Blazers have the great Brandon Roy, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Roy is a star, and he will only continue to get better. Surrounding Roy is a nice collection of very talented players: Wesley Matthews, the superb young guard who will be out to prove to the world that he is worthy of the enormous contract that was awarded to him in the offseason; Andre Miller, the veteran guard who brings great savvy and leadership; LaMarcus Aldridge, the skilled forward who should continue to make immense strides of improvement. Under the guidance of Nate McMillan, one of the best coaches of the league, the Blazers should win 50 games relatively easily.













However, this team is still not equipped for playoff success. Aside from the 6-11 Aldridge, all of the aforementioned players are small guards. The Blazers lack a strong big man, so the frontcourt is virtually punchless. Granted, Portland does have the veteran shot-blocker Marcus Camby, but something tells me that Camby will start to really show the effects of age this season. Joel Pryzbilla had a breakout season last year, but he is recovering from a major knee injury. The Blazers just signed Fabricio Oberto, a good player, but not a difference-maker. And don't get me started on Greg Oden. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Oden is a nice guy, but he has been an astonishing flop in the NBA. Oden starts the year injured, yet again. What a shock.













I don't mean to come across as too pessimistic. After all, the Blazers are still a fun team to watch, and they are a lock for the playoffs. But my guess is that another first-round playoff exit is in their future.

















6. Memphis Grizzlies/Head Coah: Lionel Hollins

This may be too wildly optimistic an assessment, but I think the Grizzlies are poised to make a significant rise in the Western conference this season. Last year, Coach Lionel Hollins and company impressed me with their scrappy, resilient play. With an extra year of maturity and experience under their belt, I have the Grizzlies penciled in as the 6-seed in the West. That would be a remarkable achievement for a franchise that has lived in complete futility since the departure of Pau Gasol.

Speaking of Gasol, let's start the discussion of the Memphis roster with Pau's brother Marc. Marc will always live in his brother's shadow, and that is a shame, because Marc Gasol is a pretty damn good player in his own right. My guess is that he will merit All-Star consideration this season. Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph are also poised for big seasons. I am especially intrigued to see how Randolph fares this season. In past years, Randolph had a knack for having long stretches of complacency on the court. Last year, though, Randolph brought awesome energy every night, delivering the best season of his career. My bet is that Randolph picks up where he left off. If that is the case, the Grizzlies will have a fearsome frontcourt with Gasol and Randolph. I also love the addition of veteran Tony Allen. Tony Allen was a crucial part of the Celtics bench the last few years, and he will be a nice spark off the bench for Lionel Hollins' team.

The only glaring weakness for the Grizzlies is Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet has had the same struggles in the NBA that plagued him during his time at UConn. Thabeet is an outstanding defensive player, but he is incredibly clumsy at the offensive end, and that makes him a major liability for the Grizzlies. Still, I anticipate big things for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2010-2011.

7. San Antonio Spurs/Head Coach: Gregg Popovich

The Spurs enter 2010-2011 with the same key personnel that shaped their championship teams of 2003, 2005, and 2007. They enter the 2010-2011 campaign with the best coach in the NBA (Gregg Popovich). So what's not to like? Well, in a word, age. Unlike the Boston Celtics, the Spurs do not give off the vibe that they have another championship run left in the tank.

However, they are still the San Antonio Spurs, perennially overlooked and disrespected, so it would be foolish to count them out of the equation in the West. Tim Duncan still carries himself with stunning efficiency night in and night out. Duncan is one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and while he is nearing the end of his career, he is still good for 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. I am not sure if Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli can match his excellence this season, though. Parker is still a solid starting point guard, but in the age of the young point guard, I have a feeling that Parker's prime has passed him by. Manu Ginobli is still a greatly entertaining player (even if he flops way too much for my liking), but in the last few years he has been more prone to injury, and that is not a good omen. Richard Jefferson is an excellent player, but does he have what it takes to propel the Spurs back atop the West? I don't think so. And while I have tremendous respect for Antonio McDyess, his career is in its final days. The one player that could single-handedly carry the Spurs back to elite status, however, is DeJuan Blair. Fresh off a stellar rookie campaign, Blair will only get better this season.

The Spurs will continue to carry themselves with class and professionalism, and I think they will make the playoffs as a 7-seed. But I fear that the time of San Antonio contending for championships has come to an end.

8. Golden State Warriors/Head Coach: Keith Smart

What?! Am I insane?! In the words of Jim Mora: Playoffs?! For this Warriors team?! Ladies and gentlemen, I am not insane. I am just a diehard Warriors fan brimming with dreamy optimism. My biases aside, however, am I really that farfetched in thinking that the W's can make the playoffs? Think about it: Golden State has one of the best young duos in baketball with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. Last year, Monta Ellis professed dissatisfaction with playing alongside Curry, but all signs during the offseason seem to have pointed to the blossoming of real chemistry between the two. And that is a beautiful thing for Warriors fans. Furthermore, the Warriors have a legitimate All-Star in David Lee. I've always been a Lee admirer, and the kinetic energy that he brought to the Knicks will translate well to the high-octane Golden State system. Andris Biedrins is coming off a down year, but if he stays healthy this season, he will return to being a rebounding, shot-blocking machine. Reggie Williams is an underrated player who will make a name for himself this season. Dorell Wright has been a beast this offseason, and he will continue his productivity in the regular season. And while both start the season injured, Ekpe Udoh and Lou Amundson bring some much-needed defensive presence to a team that has long suffered in that regard. Playoffs, my friends, is not out of the realm of possibility.

Even if I am just a wildly optimistic fan, and even if my dreams of playoffs do not come to fruition, there is still plenty of reason to be excited in the Bay Area. This is the start of an exciting new era for Warriors basketball. With all due respect to the great Don Nelson, it was time for a coaching change. Nellie seemed tired and disillusioned last season, and new coach Keith Smart (absolutely the right man for the job) brings a fresh jolt of energy. Meanwhile, the disastrous ownership of Chris Cohan has come to an end, and new owners Peter Gruber and Joe Lacob seem to be fiercely committed to presenting a winning product on the basketball court. And did I mention the stylish new unis? Gotta love it.

Am I biased? Yes. But don't be shocked if the Warriors do indeed make the playoffs.

9. Denver Nuggets/Head Coach: George Karl

On paper, this is still an incredibly dangerous team. But the vibe is all wrong is Denver right now. In other words, the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors will sap any chance the Nuggets may have of contending in the West.

Count me among those who question why the Nuggets are so eager to trade Carmelo Anthony. Melo is one of the five best players in the NBA (Kobe, Durant, Wade, LeBron, Carmelo), and he is especially dominant on the offensive end. With a healthy and motivated Melo, the Nuggets could make serious noise in the West. But Anthony's mind seems to be elsewhere right now. Don't be surprised if Carmelo is in a Knicks uniform by December.

Still, even without a motivated Melo, the Nuggets have the pieces to challenge for one of the final playoff spots in the West. Chauncey Billups is nearing retirement, but he is still a superb point guard, a true leader on the court. Ty Lawson, the fastest player in the NBA, is also one of the most exciting. He will continue to blossom into one of the game's best young players. J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, and Nene return, as does the wildly entertaining Chris "Birdman" Andersen, so the Nuggets will still be a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention the fact that the great George Karl is one of the league's best coaches. But something tells me that the Nuggets will be hampered with chemistry problems all season long, weighed down by the Carmelo trade rumors. My guess is that they will miss the playoffs, just barely.

10. Phoenix Suns/Head Coach: Alvin Gentry

This low ranking is in no way a reflection of the great Steve Nash. As he showed in last year's postseason, Nash is as prolific as ever. He truly is an ageless wonder, a magnificent point guard who plays the game with remarkable grace. Rather, this low ranking is a reflection on the departure of Amare Stoudamire. Amare has been the subject of seemingly constant trade rumors the last couple seasons in Phoenix, and I have never understood why the Suns were so eager to dispose of him. Stoudamire was a hugely important part of the Suns' success over the years. This year, the Suns will realize that they took Amare's talents for granted. He will be sorely missed, so much so that I think the Suns will be on the outside looking in come playoff time, only one year after they pushed the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

Nonetheless, Alvin Gentry's team still has the talent to contend for a playoff spot. In addition to the great Nash, expect big things this year from Goran Dragic. Dragic' explosive play in last year's playoffs, more specifically his dominant performance in Game 3 of the West semis against San Antonio, marked his arrival as a legitimate force in this league. When Nash needs a rest, Dragic is more than capable of carrying the load at point guard. Jason Richardson, one of my favorite players, returns, as does Grant Hill, Channing Frye, Robin Lopez, and Jared Dudley. I am particularly interested in watching the developments of Lopez and Dudley this season. Dudley may look unathletic, but he is a fantastic player who plays with fiery swagger. Lopez had a coming out party on the national stage during last year's playoffs, and it will be fascinating to see if he continues that strong play this year. Channing Frye, however, is mediocre at best. His horrific play in last year's Conference Finals against the Lakers was a frighteneing sight. Suns fans can only hope that he improves in the 2010-2011 campaign.

The Suns have major talent, but ultimately, the loss of Amare Stoudamire will be too significant to overcome.

11. Houston Rockets/Head Coach: Rick Adelman

The good news: The return of Yao Ming, the most offensively gifted center in basketball; the continued development of Aaron Brooks, a player who is always a delight to watch; the return of Shane Battier, a defensive mastermind who is capable of shutting down the likes of Kobe and Durant; the return of Coach Rick Adelman, one of the league's best.

The bad news: The tenuous state of Yao's helath: Will he be able to stay healthy for a full season? The attitude of Kevin Martin, who has expressed his dissatisfaction in the offseason regarding his perceived lack of sufficient playing time; the tenuous state of Brad Miller's health.

If everything goes swimmingly for the Rockets, then they are capable of being a top-tier team in the West. But that is one giant if. I hope I'm wrong, because I love Yao, but I would be surprised if he can stay spry and healthy for the entire season. And if Yao does succumb to injury, the Rockets will become a far less dangerous team. Another issue working against the Rockets is the immense depth of the Western Conference.

I could be completely wrong here. The Rockets could make the playoffs with relative ease. Heck, they could even make a deep run into the playoffs if all goes right. But in sports, very rarely does everything go as planned for any team. My bet is that the Rockets stay in the playoff hunt up until February, only to fade in the stretch run.

12. Los Angeles Clippers/Head Coach: Vinny Del Negro

After his stellar preseason, all signs point to Blake Griffin being an absolute star in the NBA. After missing all of last season due to injury, Griffin is the clear favorite to be Rookie of the Year this season. Playing alongside Griffin is Eric Gordon, a superb young player who proved with his play for Team USA over the summer that he himself has what it takes to reach star status in the NBA. So this is the year for the Clippers to finally assert themselves as a relevant, playoff-caliber force in the West, right? Not so fast, my friends.

Aside from Griffin and Gordon, the roster is riddled with question marks. When fully healthy and motivated, Baron Davis can be an elite player, but when was the last time B.D. was fully healthy and motivated? The answer: The 2007 "We Believe" Warriors team, where Davis was the heart and soul of Don Nelson's team. Since then, Baron has been incessantly erratic. He will undoubtedly have nights this season where he wows the crowd with magnificent play. But for every one of those nights, there will be a game in which Baron plays in a lazy, sleepy daze. If the Clippers are to make the playoffs, they are going to need a little more consistency. Chris Kaman can fill up a stat sheet, but I'm sorry: His stunning lack of athleticism has got to catch up with him at some point, and my guess is that he will start feeling the ill-effects of that this season. The Clips have two wily veterans in Rasual Butler and Jarron Collins, but they are unlikely to have much of an impact this season.

There is no doubt that the future is bright for the Clippers. Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon alone are worth the price of admission night in and night out. And the departure of the clueless Mike Dunleavy, replaced by Vinny Del Negro, ensures that the Clippers will be a far better-coached team in 2010-2011. The Clips, though, are a year or two removed from returning to the playoffs.

13. Sacramento Kings/Head Coach: Paul Westphal

There is a lot to like with Sacramento. Reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans is brilliant, and there is no chance of him experiencing any sort of sophomore slump. In fact, I expect Evans to be even better in 2010-2011. Young Omri Casspi has great promise, and in the future Kings fans can expect the Evans-Casspi duo to conjure memories of the Mike Bibby-Chris Webber duo that defined the great Kings teams of the early 2000's. Rookie DeMarcus Cousins may be an immature headcase, but he has enormous talent, and he will have a stellar rookie campaign. But for all of their talent, Sacramento is still an extremely raw work in progress. In two or three years, the Kings will be dangerous contenders in the West. This season, though, more growing pains await.

14. New Orleans Hornets/Head Coach: Monty Williams

It is a shame that Chris Paul, a sensational star who will go down as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, is playing for a franchise that features the most woefully ignorant front office in the NBA. First, Hornets' management traded away Tyson Chandler just when the CP3-Chandler duo was blossoming into one of the best tandems in the league. Then, Hornets' management inexplicably fired Byron Scott, a brilliant coach who was fired after a 3-6 start. Firing a great coach just because of a 3-6 start has to be considered one of the most egregious knee-jerk reactions by a front office in NBA history. And now, the geniuses running the Hornets franchise seem to have every intention of trading Chris Paul. Un-freaking-believable.

The futility of the front office has cast a gloomy shadow over the team, but that is not the sole reason why the 2010-2011 campaign will be a disappointing one for New Orleans. The mediocre roster will be the main deterrent for the Hornets this season. CP3 does not have much to work with. Trevor Ariza benefited from playing on an incredibly deep Lakers team two seasons ago, but with few weapons around him, Ariza is a merely decent player who doesn't make much of a difference. The same can be said for Emeka Okafor, a good player who is nonethless a perennial underachiever in the NBA. David West is a shell of the player he once was, the terrific wingman who helped lead the Hornets to the Western Conference Semi-Finals in 2008. So is Peja Stojakovic, a once-flawless shooter who has declined in recent years.

I like the addition of Jerryd Bayless, and he will become the starting point guard should Paul depart. I also like new coach Monty Williams. But it will be a rough year for basketball in the Big Easy.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves/Head Coach: Kurt Rambis

When Michael Beasley, a player who has been a shocking underachiever in the NBA, was acquired by Minnesota, one of the first things he said was that the T'Wolves are the team to beat this season. No word yet on whether Beasley is still suffering the effects of the concussion.

The truth is that this is the worst team in the West, perhaps even the worst team in the NBA. Aside from the terrific Kevin Love, and the tremendous potential of rookie Wes Johnson, who do the T'Wolves have? Jonny Flynn? Kosta Koufos? Sebastian Telfair? Darko Milicic?! Kurt Rambis is a good coach, but my goodness, this is one lousy team.