The Byron Scott Firing, and the Brady-Manning Debate

Today, the inevitable happened. The struggling New Orleans Hornets, a team that is a mere two years removed from being a championship contender, fired coach Byron Scott in the wake of a 3-6 start to the new NBA season. This move is hardly surprising and has been expected ever since the Hornets went out with a wimper in last year's playoff series against the Nuggets. However, just because the dismissal of Scott is not a surprise does not mean that it is a good decision on the part of the Hornets front office. In fact, this is a thoroughly unjust move by New Orleans.

In sports, the head coach almost always takes the blame when a team is floundering. And in many cases, the firing of the head coach of a losing team is indeed warranted. Just not in this particular case. The Hornets' recent woes have nothing to do with Scott, a terrific coach who has reached the NBA Finals twice as a head coach, in addition to his three NBA championships as a player with the great Los Angeles Lakers teams of the 1980's. We're talking about a guy with tremendous championship experience and savvy. When Scott led a very young and inexperienced Hornets team to the Western Conference Semi-Finals in 2007, it was one of the most impressive coaching feats of the decade, considering the immense depth of the Western Conference. No, the woes of the Hornets are not due to any sort of ineptitude on the part of Scott, but rather to the shocking incompetence of the New Orleans front office. When the Hornets front office decided to treat Tyson Chandler with utter disrespect, eventually trading him to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor, they made one of the dumbest decisions in recent memory, essentially destroying the Hornets' team chemistry. Now, the great Chris Paul is all alone. Former All-Star David West has all but vanished, and it is looking very likely that the Hornets will not have what it takes to make the playoffs.

So is Byron Scott to blame? Absolutely not. Not even Red Auerbach could win in the face of such adversity.

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Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? That is the question. As the Colts and Patriots get set to renew their heated rivalry Sunday in Indianapolis, it is time to rekindle one of sports most fascinating debates: Which team has the better quarterback. The Patriots have Tom Brady, the three-time Super Bowl-winning QB who is always cool under the most pressure-packed of situations. The Colts have Peyton Manning, the three-time league MVP who is perhaps the most prolific passer in NFL history. The two quarterbacks provide an interesting contrast in style. Brady plays with nonchalant grace, while Manning swings and flails his arms at every snap. Regardless of their differing styles, however, both QB's are equally brilliant. Thus, the question of who is better is simply impossible to answer. Ask any wide receiver in the league and they will say that they would love to play with either quarterback. Sorry to come across as a wimp for deflecting the question, but it's the truth: Brady and Manning are equals.

Week 9 NFL Picks

Ladies and gentlemen, here are my Week 9 NFL prognostications (home teams in all caps):

FALCONS over Redskins
BEARS over Cardinals
Ravens over BENGALS
COLTS over Texans
Chiefs over JAGUARS
PATRIOTS over Dolphins
Packers over BUCS
SAINTS over Panthers
SEAHAWKS over Lions
GIANTS over Chargers
49ERS OVER Titans
EAGLES over Cowboys
BRONCOS over Steelers

NBA Power Rankings

Welcome to the inaugural edition of my weekly NBA Power Rankings. Every Friday I will rank each and every team in the National Basketball Association, in order from best to worst. Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's get this party started:



1. Boston Celtics (6-0)



Is there any debate? The Celtics have looked astonishingly good through their first six games. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are better than ever, and Rajon Rondo is blossoming into an elite point guard who can fill the stat sheet in nearly every category. Rasheed Wallace has been a perfect fit in Doc Rivers' system, and Marquis Daniels has provided a nice spark off the bench. Not to mention guys like Eddie House and Glen Davis, who are immensely valuable players off the bench.



2. Denver Nuggets (5-0)



We all knew Carmelo Anthony was good, but this is getting a little ridiculous. Melo has been absolutely sensational thus far, and he looks like he will be sorely disappointed with anything short of a championship. In addition to Melo, Chauncey Billups, Nene, and Kenyon Martin have all gotten off to fast starts. When J.R. Smith returns, George Karl will have another explosive scorer. And let's not forget rookie Ty Lawson, a star in the making who has Usain Bolt-like speed.



3. Orlando Magic (4-1)



Rashard Lewis is in the midst of his 10-game suspension, and Vince Carter is out with a left ankle injury. Oh yeah, and the Magic no longer have Hedo Turkoglu, their go-to playmaker from last season. But a week-and-a-half into the season, the Magic are showing absolutely no signs of decay. Stan Van Gundy's team is playing terrific basketball right now. Jameer Nelson has had a seamless return back into the starting lineup after an injury-riddled 2008-2009 season, Dwight Howard remains the most dominating big man in the game, and J.J. Redick is proving himself to be a legitimate scoring threat in this league. With Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass, Orlando also has a very deep bench that will serve them well come playoff time.



4. Phoenix Suns (4-1)



Prior to the start of the season, I predicted that the Suns would struggle and suffer from an identity crisis. So far at least, my predictions have been thoroughly wrong. After spending the last couple of years on the decline, Steve Nash has looked rejuvenated this season. Nash is averaging 10.8 assists per game, and his superb play has marked a return for Phoenix back to their high-octane ways. I still don't trust Channing Frye at the starting center position, but with the explosive athleticism of Jason Richardson and Amare Stoudamire in the starting lineup, the Suns have had more than enough talent to suffice for the weakness at the center position.



5. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)



The defending champs are 4-1, and they have been playing without the injured Pau Gasol. So how can I have four teams ahead of them in the power rankings? Well, it's because Phil Jackson's team has looked disturbingly sluggish at times . In the season opener against the Clippers, the Lakers exerted little effort in the second half, nearly blowing a twenty point lead. And at home against the Mavericks, the Lakers got torched. L.A showed tremendous poise in gritty road wins at Oklahoma City and Houston, but I need to see a little more energy from this team before they crack the top three of my power rankings.



6. Atlanta Hawks (4-1)



The Hawks are completely overlooked, lost in the shadow of the Celtics, Magic, and Cavs in the East. But ladies and gentlemen, this is a fantastic team. The Hawks have some of the best athletes in the game with Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, and Al Horford. Mike Bibby, meanwhile, has revived his career in Atlanta. I also want to recognize Zaza Pechulia, one of the most infectiously tenacious players in the league. The Hawks have been playoff darlings the last couple of years, but this season they may be able to make a deep run in the playoffs.



7. Miami Heat (4-1)



All is well right now in South Beach, as the suprising Heat are off to a great start. However, there is cause for concern. Dwayne Wade is averaging 32 points a game, and he has been the sole reason for the Heat's fast start. As spectacular as D-Wade is, though, other guys need to step up if Miami wants to continue to play winning basketball. Quentin Richardson has played well, but Jermaine O'Neal and Mario Chalmers have to be more consistent.



8. Dallas Mavericks (3-2)



They have only played five games, but the Mavs' season has already been a wild roller-coaster ride. After appearing listless in a home loss to Washington in the season opener, the Mavs flew to Los Angeles and dominated the Lakers at the Staples Center. After Dirk Nowitzki brilliantly led the Mavs to a come-from-behind victory against the Jazz with 29 points in the fourth quarter, the team failed to build any momentum, loisng the very next night to a struggling Hornets team. Eventually, I think the Dallas Mavericks will be in the upper echelon of the Western Conference, especially if Shawn Marion is a big factor. But Rick Carlisle's team has been a little too Jeckyl and Hyde to start the season.



9. Houston Rockets (3-2)



With Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady injured on the sidelines, and with Ron Artest now a member of the Lakers, all signs pointed to disaster for these Houston Rockets. But this feisty group has defied expectations so far this season, and that is a testament to the brilliance of head coach Rick Adelman. The Rockets have some serious talent (Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza), but if Rick Adelman somehow finds a way to lead this team to the playoffs, he should win a Nobel Piece Prize.



10. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)



I picked the Cavs to win the East, and they are still a definite title contender. But my goodness, these Cavs have looked completely out-of-sync to start the year. Mike Brown doesn't seem to know how to utilize Shaquille O'Neal, and his presence has made for some awkward offensive sets. The Cavs other big offensive aquistion, Anthony Parker, has not yet played up to his potential. King James is King James, but he can't do it alone. There is, however, one positive, and that is the return of Delonte West. West has brought some much-needed energy to this team, and the Cavs better hope that that energy translates to wins. (As of this writing, the Cavs are destroying the Knicks in the second quarter behind yet another brilliant performance by LeBron at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps the Cavs have re-gained their swagger).

11. Chicago Bulls (3-2)

Technically, the Bulls should be ranked ahead of the Cavs after their impressive road win at Cleveland last night. But I still need to see more from this young team before I declare them better than Cleveland. Nonetheless, Vinny Del Negro's Bulls have looked good thus far. Derrick Rose looks more confident and assertive in his second year, as has John Salmons. And there may be no player more fun to watch than the endlessly spunky and agressive Joakim Noah. The Bulls, however, will have to make do for the next four to six weeks without the athleticism of Tyrus Thomas, who broke his left arm in a weight training accident today.

12. San Antonio Spurs (2-2)

Obviously, I expect the Spurs to rise to the top of these power rankings as the season progresses. Gregg Popovich's teams are notorious for their slow starts, and this year is no different. After a near-perfect season opener against the Hornets, the Spurs have looked awfully rusty, and that rust was evident in their blowout loss to the Jazz last night. But don't worry Spurs fans, your team will be just fine. Player to watch: DeJuan Blair. The rookie has the potential to be a great player in this league, and his NBA career is off to a stellar start.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (2-2)

That 32-point embarassment against the Celtics notwithstanding, Eddie Jordan's Sixers have looked pretty good. We saw flashes of how good this team can be last week when they scored 141 points against the Knicks. Granted, it was against the Knicks, but it was still an extremely impressive display of offense from Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, and Samuel Dalembert.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2)

This team is bound to experience some growing pains, but they will never stop being exciting. The trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook has shown why this Thunder team is expected to be a prominent player in the West in the years to come. Even in a tough overtime loss to the Lakers, the Thunder played well and provided some hope to their loyal fans in Oklahoma City.

15. Portland Trail Blazers (2-3)

Some were anointing the Blazers championship contenders before the season began, but reality has now set in for Nate McMillan's team. The Blazers are a good team, and with Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez they will be competitive in every game. But there is far too much uncertainty on this team. Nate McMillan needs to make a decision at point guard. Who will it be, Andre Miller or Steve Blake? And at center, it is time to give Joel Pryzbilla the majority of playing time. It pains me to say this, because he seems like a nice guy, but Greg Oden has been a complete flop. Sadly, I don't see much of a future in the NBA for Oden.

16. Utah Jazz (2-3)

That was a statement victory for Deron Williams and company last night at home against the Spurs. Carlos Boozer finally played with spirit and motivation, and Wesley Matthews had a coming out party in the national spotlight. All good news for Jerry Sloan. But the Jazz will never, ever be a top-tier team unless they drastically improve their performance on the road. Utah has struggled mightily away from Salt Lake City, and their utter fourth quarter collapse in Dallas on Tuesday night was indicative of their road woes.

17. Toronto Raptors (2-2)

When everything is rolling, the Raptors can be fun to watch, as evidenced by their season-opening win against LeBron and the Cavs. But there is an odd sense of inevitability hovering around Toronto. It is only a matter of time before Chris Bosh departs, a move that will leave the Raptors in shambles. For now, they better hope that Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu find a way to convince Bosh that Toronto has title aspirations in the future. I just don't see that happening.

18. New Orleans Hornets (2-3)

Byron Scott's team has taken a major step back this season. Chris Paul continues to amaze, but the Hornets will be in a difficult fight to make the playoffs this season. David West needs to step up his game. He was awesome in 2007, but West has since been inconsistent. CP3 needs West to be a reliable wingman, or the Hornets will be in for a long season.

19. Golden State Warriors (1-2)

My beloved Warriors got off to a horrible start, but played well in a win against the Grizzlies. Now is the perfect opportunity for the W's to make their move, with their next couple of games against lottery opponents. I like what I see from Stephen Curry, as the rookie guard has developed a nice rapport with Monta Ellis. Still, I'm slightly worried with Don Nelson's handling of Anthony Randolph. Nellie has placed Randolph behind Mikki Moore on the depth chart, and that is not the right move. Randolph is indeed a raw talent, but Nellie needs to have more faith in him.

20. Charlotte Bobcats (3-2)

The future is most definitely not now for Larry Brown's Bobcats, but in Friday night's 103-83 win over the Hawks, the Bobcats showed great promise. With guys like Gerald Wallace, Raja Bell, and Boris Diaw, the Bobcats will keep fans intrigued.

21. Washington Wizards (2-3)

I expect the Wizards to make a huge rise in these power rankings in next week's edition, but Flip Saunders' team has not looked good after their impressive season-opener in Dallas. This team misses Antawn Jamison, but they are better than they have showed. C'mon Gilbert Arenas, Mike Miller, and company, it's time to step up your game!

22. Milwaukee Bucks (1-2)

It goes without saying that the Bucks are in for a long year, so I'll stick with the positives. Brandon Jennings has been sensational for Milwaukee, taking some of the weight off of Michael Redd's shoulders. Jennings is a big-time playmaker who has gone a long way in rebuilding his once-tarnished reputation.

23. Detroit Pistons (2-3)

The good news? Ben Gordon has been everything the Pistons had hoped he would be. The bad news? This is a team completely devoid of cohesion and chemistry. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

24. Indiana Pacers (1-3)

Other than Danny Granger, who can the Pacers turn to for big plays? Troy Murphy? Perhaps. Dahntay Jones? Nah. Mike Dunleavy? Hell no!

25. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-4)

The young duo of Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer have provided hope in an otherwise dismal start to the season. It was especially fun to watch Flynn go head-to-head with Steve Nash last week in Phoenix. Flynn was undoubtedly the student and Nash was the teacher, but Flynn showed why he will be a great point guard in the NBA for years to come.

26. Los Angeles Clippers (1-4)

Baron Davis is in great shape, and Chris Kaman continues to play better than we'd expect from a guy who looks like a 40-year old overweight couch potato. Other than that, there is not much to be happy about.

27. New York Knicks (1-4)

Can somebody tell me why I picked the Knicks to make the playoffs? I don't remember drinking any alcohol, but that seems to be the only logical explanation of that prediction.

28. Sacramento Kings (1-4)

Now that Kevin Martin is out for two months with an injured wrist and Andres Nocioni has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, the Kings have gone from bad to worse. There is no way that this young and inexperienced team will be able to compete in the face of such overwhelming distractions.

29. Memphis Grizzlies (1-4)

It took one game for Allen Iverson to prove once again why he is a selfish jerk, complaining about coming off the bench. There is no getting around it, folks: The Grizz are a freak show.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-5)

The Nets put up one of the most humiliating offensive performances in recent memory against the Bobcats this week. At this point, Devin Harris has to be longing for the days he played in Dallas.

John Sterling's Gorilla Chant, and Hating Brett Favre

Today is a day of celebration for the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers are deserving world champions, and by no means do I want to dampen the celebratory mood. However, the organization has one glaring flaw that needs to be addressed immediately, and that is broadcaster John Sterling. The radio voice of the Yankees has always been a joke, known for his excruciatingly cheesy home run calls and embarrassing gorilla chants at the end of each Yankee victory. Sure enough, when Mariano Rivera recorded the final out of the 2009 World Series, Sterling failed to do the moment justice. Rather than delivering a spontaneous ode to the Yankees' 27th championship, Sterling proceeded with the same tired, staged shtick, yelling like an inebriated caveman the words, "Thuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh Yankeees win! Thuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh Yankees win! This is a disgrace. An organization as iconic and celebrated as the Yankees deserve a better announcer.

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Much to my dismay, Brett Favre continues to silence his skeptics. He has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 7-1 start, and no win has been more satisfying than the Vikings Week 8 victory in Favre's triumphant return to Lambeau Field. With the electrifying greatness of Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, the Vikings are an elite team. And as much as I would like to say otherwise, Brett Favre has been playing fantastic football.

Does this mean that I've changed my view of Favre? Absolutely, 100 percent no. I still take great pleasure in hating Number 4, and his recent success has only added more fuel to my dislike of him. Brett Favre's success on the football field does not change the fact that he is a petulant egomaniac who holds teams hostage every offseason. The adoring sports media portrays Favre as a holy saint, but don't let that fool you. Brett Favre is every bit as selfish as Terrell Owens. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, regardless of how many touchdowns he throws or how many wins he brings to Minnesota.

Utley, Cable, Iverson, 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:


---Thanks to the heroics of Chase Utley, the 2009 World Series will return to the Bronx for a Game 6. Chase Utley has been downright spectacular in this World Series, belting five home runs, three of which were hit against CC Sabathia. With Ryan Howard struggling, the Phillies desperately needed Utley to deliver, and he has delivered in a big way. If the Phillies somehow find a way to come back and win this series, Utley is the surefire MVP.

---Still, the Yankees are in the driver's seat. If they hang on and win the championship, the franchise should give a special nod of appreciation to Johnny Damon. Damon had one of the most resilient at-bats in World Series history in the ninth inning of Game 4, fouling off pitch after pitch against Brad Lidge, eventually getting a base hit. Damon followed his single with one of the most heads-up baserunning plays I've ever seen. After stealing second, Damon had the awareness to recognize the defensive shift being put on by the Phillies with Mark Teixeira at the plate, and he immediately stole third. It was an incredibly intelligent play that drastically altered the momentum of the series.

---A-Rod keeps on getting clutch hit after clutch hit. How much do you think the Yankees are paying Kate Hudson?

---Has there ever been a more inconsistent starter than A.J. Burnett? Burnett followed up his brilliant Game 2 performance with a god-awful meltdown in Game 5. When Burnett takes the mound, all Joe Girardi can do is cross his fingers and hope and pray, because you never know what you're going to get.

---With all due respect to Peyton Manning and the undefeated Colts, the best team in the NFL right now is the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees and company put on another electrifying offensive display against the Falcons last night on Monday Night Football, essentially clinching the NFC South with nine weeks to play. If the Saints meet the Colts in the Super Bowl, the score will be something like 128-125.

---What has happened to the New York Giants? After a 5-0 start, the G-Men have lost three consecutive games. Eli Manning has looked terrible, and the once-stout defense has struggled mightily in three straight losses to the Saints, Cardinals, and Eagles. Tom Coughlin's team was once declared a Super Bowl favorite. Now, due to the resurgence of the Eagles and Cowboys, their playoff hopes are very much in doubt.

---As a Niners fan there isn't much to brag about right now. We have lost three straight, and are once again in the midst of a quarterback controversy between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. But there is one positive, and that is Michael Crabtree. Crabtree has had an instant impact at the wide receiver position, and he has not shown any sort of rust after missing all that time.

---Is there a more dysfunctional sports franchise than the Oakland Raiders? I don't think so. The latest saga in Raiderville is regarding head coach Tom Cable. Nothing has been proven, but in light of the overwhelming accusations, it appears that Cable is a violent thug. Just another season of fun and games for the Raiders.

---It's that time of year again, when the BCS comes and absolutely ruins the tremendous excitement of the college football regular season. Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Boise State, Iowa, and TCU all have an argument that they belong in the national championship game. But instead of letting it play out on the football field, the BCS will ensure that six of the aforementioned teams get screwed. Wake up college football, you need a playoff.

---Tim Tebow is having another stellar year, and the Florida Gators are again the favorites to win the national championship. However, it is not all smiles in Florida right now after the disgusting behavior of linebacker Brandon Spikes, who attempted to gauge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in Saturday's game. Coach Urban Meyer has suspended Spikes for the first half of their next game, but that penalty is not severe enough. Spikes should be ashamed of his actions, actions that warrant at least a one-game suspension.

---He's only played one game, but Allen Iverson is already complaining. A.I. criticized the Grizzlies after their overtime loss to the Kings last night, saying that he should not be coming off the bench. If I were Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, I would start taking some Advil, because Iverson is going to be a major headache this season.

---I know I'm a professional Laker hater, but I can't be the only person who is annoyed with the staged antics of the Lakers bench. Whenever the Lakers score, the players on the bench do this ridiculous choreography with their feet. It's dumb and juvenile behavior that shouldn't be expected from a championship-winning team.

---Kudos to the Boston Celtics for re-signing Rajon Rondo. Rondo may be a step behind Chris Paul and Deron Williams, but he is still an elite point guard who will be a major player in the Celtics organization for years to come.

---So we all knew the Nets were bad but, my goodness, I didn't know their offense was this bad. The Nets put up a mere 68 points in an embarrassing loss to the Bobcats last night. With guys like Devin Harris, Rafer Alston, and Brook Lopez, New Jersey should be able to score a lot more than that.

---Quick NBA programming note: Look for the inaugural edition of my NBA Power Rankings, coming to a computer near you on Friday. The power rankings will become a Friday tradition.

---I'll conclude with my thoughts on the recent revelations regarding tennis great Andre Agassi, who admitted past meth use and a deep hate for the sport of tennis in his recent autobiography. I admire Agassi's candor, and as a huge tennis fan I will always hold him in high regard. But these revelations just make me sad. Tennis fans always viewed Agassi as a happy-go-lucky guy with a passionate love for the game, when in fact he was an unhappy man making a living at something he hated. Sad.

Around the Association

Here are my random observations on the first week of NBA action:



---I picked the Cavs to win the East, but I'm starting to reconsider. The Fighting LeBrons are fresh off two consecutive wins against the lowly T'Wolves and Bobcats, but Cleveland's flaws were seriously exposed in their first two games against the Celtics and Raptors. The additions of Shaquille O'Neal and Anthony Parker are supposed to give LeBron adequate help, but King James was all alone in losses to Boston and Toronto. As of this writing, the Celtics look unstoppable and the Magic look strong. It's far too early for real concern, but the Cavs are falling behind the pack in the East.



---We all knew the Celtics were great, but I didn't expect them to look this great. The C's looked stunningly good in their commanding win at Cleveland, a win followed by a blowout victory against the Bobcats. The Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett is now a Big 4, thanks to the superb point guard play of Rajon Rondo. If Danny Ainge and the Boston front office are smart, they will reward Rondo with a contract extension now. Meanwhile, the new acquisitions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels have payed enormous dividends. Daniels has looked especially sharp, providing Doc Rivers' team with another explosive scorer and fierce defender off the bench.



---It was painful to watch Greg Oden down the stretch in the Blazers' home loss to the Nuggets on Thursday night. Oden continues to look like he's sixty, limping his way from baseline to baseline. The fact that Oden missed two clutch free throws in the final seconds further exposed him as not ready for primetime. Sad.



---Speaking of that Nuggets-Blazers game, what a spectacular performance by Carmelo Anthony. Brandon Roy was playing terrific defense, but Melo just could not be stopped. Anthony looks like a man on a mission this season, and he should scare the hell out of the rest of the league.



---They may have looked bad in a loss to the Bulls on Thursday night, but it is evident that the Spurs made a brilliant move by acquiring Richard Jefferson. The addition of Jefferson adds years to the playing careers of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan.



---What an impressive win by the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. After a disappointing opening-night home loss to Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards, the Mavs rebounded with a dominating road win against the defending-champion Lakers. If Friday night's performance was any indication, the Dirk Nowitzki-Shawn Marion duo will be hard to beat.



---Things are not looking good for the Pistons. First, they looked helpless against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, they were soundly defeated by Michael Redd and the Milwaukee Bucks. Detroit has some big-time talent (Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey), but they have no chemistry whatsoever. Detroit used to be an elite NBA franchise, but ever since they traded away Chauncey Billups the Pistons have been floundering.



---From the department of ugly uniforms, say hello to your 2009 Charlotte Bobcats! The addition of pinstripes to the Bobcats uniforms was a horribly ill-advised idea.



---Well, Stephen Curry has showed great promise, but other than that it has been a rough start for my Golden State Warriors. If I were Don Nelson, I would play Ronny Turiaf more minutes. Turiaf is not a perfect player by any stretch, but he is an endlessly tenacious and energetic competitor who gives his team a spark every time he is on the floor.



---So Brandon Jennings has looked solid for the Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings was labeled a brash, immature hot shot after he handled himself poorly at the NBA Draft, but he has a chance to endear himself to NBA fans with his play.



---Everyone knows that Mike D'Antoni is an offensive-minded coach, but does he do any defensive drills in practice? His Knicks looked absolutely helpless defensively as Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand led the Sixers to a 141-127 win over New York last night.



---There is serious cause for concern in New Orleans. No disrespect to Emeka Okafor, but the absence of Tyson Chandler has left the Hornets in a state of total disarray. The Hornets were thrashed by the Spurs last Wednesday night, and they had to scratch and claw their way to victory at home against the lowly Kings on Friday night. The front office in New Orleans has done a poor job. A team that was a title contender two years ago will now have to fight for a playoff spot. Chris Paul deserves better.



---And finally, it's great to see E.J., Kenny, and Charles back in action. "Inside the NBA" is the best sports show on television, a must-see every Thursday night.

The Mastery of Lee and Burnett, and Pigskin Prognostications

Prior to the start of the 2009 World Series, sports fans across the nation were talking about the offensive prowess of the Yankees and Phillies. After all, this was supposed to be a slugfest. New York has A-Rod, Teixiera, Jeter, and Matsui. Philadelphia has Howard, Rollins, Utley, and Ibanez. Fans sitting in the outfield bleachers were advised to bring their gloves to the ballpark, for there were bound to be several baseballs launched into the stands. There was no doubt about it: The Yankees and Phillies were going to put on a home run derby.

Two games later, our assumptions and predictions have turned out to be woefully misguided. Games 1 and 2 were tremendously compelling pitching duels, a far cry from the rounds of batting practice that we had all anticipated. In Game 1, Cliff Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, dominating the powerful Yankees lineup in stunning fashion, leading the Phillies to a 6-1 victory. Last night, A.J. Burnett and Pedro Martinez put on a show. Pedro was great, but the frequently inconsistent Burnett was better, delivering seven stellar innings in a 3-1 Yankees win. The pitching has shined the brightest in the 2009 World Series, and both offenses have been stymied. As the series shifts scenery to Philadelphia for games three through five, I expect these offenses to pick up the pace. But I'm excited to see what kind of show will be put on by Cole Hamels and Andy Pettite in Game 3. They certainly have tough acts to follow.

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Week 8 in the National Football League brings forth several juicy storylines, most notably Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field, where he will hopefully be greeted with a shower of boos. Here are my Week 8 picks (home team in caps):

RAVENS over Broncos. Denver is absolutely as good as their undefeated record. But they're not going undefeated. Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, and the Ravens are in desperate need of a W, and they will get it.

Texans over BILLS. After a bumpy start to the season, Gary Kubiak's Texans are starting to gain some steam. The Bills, meanwhile, lost to the Browns 6-3 in their last home game. Enough said.

BEARS over Browns. Okay, Jay Cutler, it's time to step up. After an embarrassing loss to Cincinnati last week, Chicago needs a big win over the hapless Browns.

COWBOYS over Seahawks. Dallas, reinvigorated after a surprising Week 7 win over the Falcons, will roll over the thoroughly mediocre Seahawks.

LIONS over Rams. Hide the children! This is going to be one ugly football game.

49ers over COLTS. Yes, this is a completely biased pick. I'm hoping Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree can rejuvenate the San Francisco offense. Go Niners!

JETS over Dolphins. The ridiculously silly hot dog controversy will go away after Mark Sanchez leads his team to victory.

Giants over EAGLES. The G-Men can't possibly lose three straight, can they?

CHARGERS over Raiders. How do you think Richard Seymour is feeling about that Oakland Raiders playoff prediction?

TITANS over Jaguars. Tennessee will get their first win of the year against the forgettable Jags.

CARDINALS over Panthers. As a Niners fan, I'm pulling for Carolina. But let's get real.

PACKERS over Vikings. Obviously, this is the game of the week, thanks to a certain Number 4. Here's hoping that Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk combine for a thousand sacks against Favre.

Falcons over SAINTS. Upset alert. The New Orleans offense, led by Drew Brees, has been unstoppable. But I get the sense that Matt Ryan and the Falcons will redeem themselves after a sloppy performance at Dallas last week and hand the Saints their first loss.