Magic in Milwaukee

There is something remarkable brewing in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Bucks, the six-seed in the East in these NBA playoffs, are one win away from closing out the Hawks and advancing to the second round to face the Magic. Fresh off the heels of an exhilarating comeback win on the road in Game 5 against Atlanta, the Bucks are a virtual lock to win Game 6 in front of a raucous home crowd, especially considering the astonishing road futility of the Hawks. If they do win on Friday night, it will be an awesome achievement, and a testament to this team's unyielding heart and tenacity.

Watching last night's game, the discrepancy in effort between the two teams was staggering. On one side, you had a Hawks team plagued with chemistry and confidence issues, a team that looks thoroughly dejected after something doesn't go their way. One the other side, you had Ersan Ilyasova diving for loose ball after loose ball, you had rookie phenom Brandon Jennings playing with the fearlessness of a wily veteran, you had Carlos Delfino draining an incredibly clutch three as if he's Robert-Freakin-Horry. When the Hawks held a double-digit lead late in the fourth quarter, the easy thing to do would have been to quit and look ahead to Game 6. But the Bucks kept plugging away, and they were rewarded with one of the grittiest, most impressive wins in recent playoff memory.

The Bucks may not last very long in these playoffs----they will again be the heavy underdog if they advance to play Orlando----but basketball fans should savor every moment Milwaukee steps onto the hardwood. Because what Scott Skiles has done with this team is nothing short of amazing.

NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Series-by-Series Breakdown

The 2010 NBA Playoffs commence tomorrow afternoon, and this year's slate of postseason action promises to be mindblowingly scintillating, especially out West, where the pack is loaded with true contenders. With no further ado, here is my series-by-series breakdown:



WEST



1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder



The defending champs have played sluggish, complacent basketball for much of the last month. In order to persevere through the challenging Western conference and make a return to the NBA Finals, the Lakers are going to have to play with the type of inspired energy and fearless swagger that defined their 2009 playoff run. L.A. better start playing solid basketball A.S.A.P., because the eighth-seeded Thunder will give them everything they can handle. One could argue that the Thunder are the most fun team to watch in the NBA. Led by the amazing Kevin Durant, with assistance from superb young players Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, and James Harden, Oklahoma City is intimidated by no team. Of course, I'm picking the Lakers to win the series, especially if guys like Lamar Odom and Ron Artest can be productive and support big guns Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. But nothing would make me happier than to see the Thunder pull off the shocking upset. Those of you calling for a Lakers sweep are sorely misguided; this series will be far more competitive than people think.



PREDICTION: Lakers in 6



2 Dallas Mavericks vs. 7 San Antonio Spurs



A couple of months ago, I would have said the Mavs in an easy walk. There would have been no way that the seemingly decaying Spurs, led by the seemingly past-their prime players Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker, would be able to stop Dirk Nowitzki, Caron Butler, Jason Kidd, and the Mavs. Ah, but that was two months ago. The Spurs have had a late-season resurgence, thanks in large part to the dominating play of Manu Ginobli. I think San Antonio will push Dallas to the brink in what will be a wildly entertaining series. Watch out, Dallas.

PREDICTION: Spurs in 7

3 Phoenix Suns vs. 6 Portland Trail Blazers

I don't know if there is a more unlucky franchise in all of sports than the Portland Trail Blazers. A couple of years ago, the city of Portland was ecstatic in celebration when they picked Greg Oden, the dominant center from Ohio State, as the top pick in the NBA Draft. Oden was surely going to bring a championship to the Rose City. No doubt about it. Three years later, Oden is an incessantly injury-plagued flop. This season, even without Oden, the Blazers were poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. Last week, however, it was revealed that Brandon Roy would miss the entire playoffs due to a knee injury. You can't help but feel bad for the Blazers. They will still be competitive in this series----they have major talent even without Roy, and Nate McMillan is a superb coach----but it is hard to imagine them beating the Suns four times in the span of two weeks. Phoenix is rolling right now. Steve Nash is an ageless magician out there on the floor, conjuring memories of Pete Maravich. And for the first time in a long time, Amare Stoudamire is playing with boundless energy, unburdened by any distracting trade rumors.

PREDICTION: Suns in 6

4 Denver Nuggets vs. 5 Utah Jazz

And I save the best for last. Oh my, what an unbelievable series this will be, so good in fact, that I think the winner of this series will go on to reach the NBA Finals. Ladies and gentleman, I would be surprised if this series does not go the full seven. Both teams are evenly matched. One hand, you have Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, and the Nuggets. On the other, you have Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, and the Jazz. The only advantage that I can pinpoint is the coaching. No disrespect to Adrian Dantley, who is a more-than-capable replacement for the recovering George Karl (Best wishes to Karl and his family, by the way), but Jerry Sloan is one of the all-time greats. Other than that, this series is a total toss-up. I'll go with Denver, simply because they have home court, something that is worth noting to due to Utah's proclivity to struggle away from Salt Lake City.

PREDICTION: Nuggets in 7

And before we leave, here is my quick take on the East side of things:

Cavs over Bulls in 4......Easy call.

Magic over Bobcats in 6......I'm excited for this series; Charlotte better than people realize.

Hawks over Bucks in 5......Bright lights too overwhelming for young Bucks.

Heat over Celtics in 6......Halftime is now called Nap Time for the Celtics.

Lefty, Ginobli, Lincecum. 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:

---Congratulations to your 2010 Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson. Lefty earned his third Green Jacket with a stunning array of clutch, fearless shots down the stretch at Augusta.

---I have never been a huge fan of Mickelson, but one cannot help but feel happy for the guy after his triumph on Sunday. Ever since his wife was diagnosed with cancer, Lefty has handled himself with distinguished grace and class. This win was for her.

---Mickelson's third Masters victory and fourth major championship overall puts him in very esteemed historical position. Welcome to the Top 15 of all-time, Lefty.

---As for Tiger, well, his comeback was both fascinating and predictable. It was undeniably compelling to watch Tiger's return to golf, but did anybody actually expect him not to contend at Augusta? The guy remains one of the greatest athletes of all-time. No sex scandal can change that.

---However, one thing is really starting to bother me about Mr. Woods, and that is his aloof, distant nature. It's about time Tiger starts showing some genuine charm and good humor to his millions of loyal fans across the world. I'm getting tired of the cold, charmless Tiger, the guy who throws clubs after every errant shot. It's time for Tiger to undergo a personality transformation. The game of golf, and the world of sports, would be better for it.

---One last golf note: Don't sleep on young Anthony Kim. This guy has a huge future ahead of him. He will undoubtedly be donning a few green jackets in the future.

---On to the NBA now, where the Lakers are falling faster than Jesse James' popularity.

---Sure, the Lakers have already clinched the top seed, but in the stacked and loaded West, they cannot be happy with the way they are playing as the playoffs approach. That sound you hear, it's the sound of the entire metropolis of Los Angeles holding its' collective breath.

---The Western Conference portion of the playoffs is bound to be one for the ages. I can't recall the last time so many teams had a legitimate shot at reaching the Finals. In addition to the Lakers, you've got Dirk and the Mavs, Carmelo and the Nuggets, D-Will and the Jazz, Nash and the Suns, Roy and the Blazers, Ginobli and the Spurs, and Durant and the Thunder. Buckle up, folks. We are in for one hell of a ride.

---The team that has impressed me the most in recent weeks has been the surging San Antonio Spurs. Weeks ago I declared Gregg Popovich's team old and dead, but Manu Ginobli has led the team back into contention. Even if the Spurs land the 8-seed, they will push the Lakers to six or seven games.

---Out East, a Cavs appearance in the Finals is no longer a certainty. LeBron maintains his brilliance, and Cleveland still has the best team, but the Magic are knocking on their door. I smell a preview of last year's Eastern Conference Finals. We are going to have a super showdown out East.

---Baseball is back, and I am giddy with excitement regarding the superb start of my San Francisco Giants. Tim Lincecum has been brilliant in his first two starts, new acquisitions Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff have made strong first impressions, and Edgar Renteria has been on fire to start the season. Goooooooooooooooo Giants!!!!!!!!!!! (Now back to regularly scheduled, unbiased programming).

---One team that has every reason to worry is the Los Angeles Angels. The Halos have been the class of the AL West for almost the last decade, but this year poses serious danger for Mike Scoiscia's team. Despite the welcome addition of Hideki Matsui, the Angels appear to be the worst team in the division right now. One can safely assume that the Angels will be able to eventually surpass the A's with relative ease, but I'm not sure they will be able to keep up with the Mariners and Rangers in the AL West race.

---I'll end on an NFL note: The Philadelphia Eagles are absolute morons for trading Donovan McNabb to the division rival Washington Redskins. Need I say more?

Baseball Is Back, And It's Better Than Ever

The azaleas are blooming, the sun is shining, and the grass is getting green. These signs of spring can only mean one thing: Baseball is back. And in 2010, our beloved national pastime promises to be as exciting as it has ever been. Never has Major League Baseball had such a compelling influx of young talent. Alas, 2010 will be a season where youth springs eternal on the diamond.

In Atlanta, power-hitting rookie phenom Jason Heyward has given Braves Nation hope that they may in fact be able to challenge the mighty Phillies for the NL East crown. In Tampa, young studs B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, and David Price look to propel the Rays past the Yankees and Red Sox and back into the postseason. In Washington and Cincinnati, the lively arms of Stephen Strasburg and Aroldis Chapman have shown the light at the end of the tunnel for two heretofore suffering franchises. And in San Francisco, the youthful brilliance of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Pablo "Kung Fu" Sandoval has instilled in this diehard Giants fan very high expectations.

Still, this year's division races will likely be decided by the veterans. In the American League, familiar names Jeter, Teixeira, and Rodriguez will lead the defending World Series champs to yet another 90-plus win season. Out West, veteran ace Cliff Lee will bring a division title to the Mariners, while Vladimir Guerrero will keep the exciting Rangers in contention all season long. In the National League, you will once again see Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Carlos Zambrano, and Chipper Jones be the leaders of their respective teams. So while youth may be the topic du jour, steady veteran leadership remains as important as ever.

As for my predictions, I like the Yankees, Twins, Mariners, and Red Sox to play October baseball in the American League. In the NL, my money is on the Phillies, Cardinals, Giants (Go Giants!!!), and Braves to make the playoffs. But at this point, predictions are meaningless. All 30 teams will enter Opening Day with hope and optimism, and over the course of 162 games, certain teams will surprise us, and certain teams will disappoint us. Nobody knows what will occur. So let's just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. This season is going to be great.

Final Four Observations and Predictions

America's most thrilling sporting event is heading into its stretch run. Duke, West Virginia, Butler, and Michigan State are all vying for a chance to cut down the nets in Indy. Here are my musings and prognostications:

---The Final Four is set, and Indianapolis will be rocking on Saturday night, thanks to Butler's stunning wins over Syracuse and Kansas State.

---The run to the Final Four by the hometown Butler Bulldogs serves as a reminder of the beauty of the NCAA Tournament. While I definitely prefer the NBA to the college game (let the hate mail begin!), there is no denying the fact that March Madness is extraordinarily compelling television, a true gift for sports fans everywhere.

---Butler may be thought of as a Cinderella, but this team is capable of winning the championship. Led by a superb coach in Brad Stevens, whose boyish, High School Musical-looks are startling, and by sharpshooter Gordon Hayward, the Bulldogs are a major threat to upset Michigan State on Saturday night. Go Bulldogs!

---However, beating a Tom Izzo-coached team in the Final Four is a monumental task. Izzo is, for my money, the best coach in college basketball. Even better than Coach K. Even better than Roy Williams. Izzo has had astonishing success in the NCAA Tourney over the years, and that is a testament to his unparalleled leadership and intelligence. There is no one better.

---This 2010 Michigan State Spartan team may be the team to beat. Yes, they will again be without their star Kalin Lucas, but guys like Durrell Summers, Raymar Morgan, and Korie Lucious have done a nice job of picking up the slack in Lucas' absence. My heart is with Butler, but something tells me Sparty will be back in the title game.

---And then there is Duke and West Virginia. I have been accused of being a Duke hater over the years, and I plead guilty to that charge. However, there is no denying the fact that Coach K's Blue Devils are an outstanding team. Led by Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and Brian Zoubek, this Duke team is the best Duke team in a long time, and that's saying something.

---But call me biased, close-minded, whatever: I like West Virginia to win this game. Some would say the Mountaineers got lucky with the 3-ball against Kentucky, and that's just how Coach Bob Huggins likes it. Huggins' team has been flying under the radar all year long, and with Duke favored to win, West Virginia will feed off the fuel of their skeptics on Saturday night. If point guard Darryl Bryant is healthy, look for the Mountaineers to advance to the title game.

---If Michigan State and West Virginia do end up duking it out for the national championship, I would give the slight edge to Tom Izzo's team. Though they may not look like the best team on paper, the Spartans under Izzo always seem to get it done.

---My predictions: Michigan State over Butler; West Virginia over Duke; MSU over WVA

---My hopes: Butler, Butler, Butler, and anybody but Duke.

An Instant Classic in Salt Lake City

The basketball fans in Salt Lake City are used to a display of excellence on the hardwood. Home of the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake has been home to some incredible professional hoops action over the years. However, this Utah metropolis has never really been associated with basketball at the collegiate level. After Thursday night's insanely exciting double-overtime affair between Xavier and Kansas State, that has changed.

The Xavier-Kansas State showdown had a lot to live up to after Syracuse and Butler put on a thrilling show earlier in the evening at EnergySolutions Arena. That game, won by Cinderella Butler, was a reminder of why madness is associated with the NCAA Tournament. It was absolutely stunning to watch the amazing comeback by Butler, and the astonishing collapse of the Orange. That game would be a tough act to follow. Little did we know that it was only the warmup act. Xavier and Kansas State proceeded to deliver a wildly entertaining, double-overtime affair, won by Frank Martin's gritty K-State team.

The Wildcats' 101-96 victory made for a magical viewing experience for sports fans across the globe. It had all the makings of an instant classic: euphoric triumph for one team, devastating heartbreak for the other. It was a seemingly impossible test of endurance that featured undeniable greatness from a player on the losing team (Jordan Crawford). And the fact that the game featured the orgasmic awesomeness of the great Gus Johnson, calling the game for CBS alongside the terrific Len Elmore, made it all the more sweet.

I prefer the pro game to the college game, but Thursday night's classic served as a reminder of why March Madness is the most exciting event in all of sports. It was yet another chapter in a tournament that has already been filled with unforgettable stories and images. What a night.

My March Madness Bracket

Yesterday was Selection Sunday, one of the greatest sports days of the year. The 2010 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday, and with no further ado, here is my bracket. Let the madness begin!

ROUND OF 32

Kansas
UNLV
Michigan State
Maryland
San Diego State
Georgetown
Georgia Tech
Ohio State
Syracuse
Gonzaga
Butler
Vanderbilt
Xavier
Pittsburgh
BYU
Kansas State
Kentucky
Texas
Cornell
Wisconsin
Marquette
New Mexico
Clemson
West Virginia
Duke
Cal
Utah State
Siena
Notre Dame
Baylor
St. Mary's
Villanova

SWEET 16

Kansas
Michigan State
Georgetown
Ohio State
Syracuse
Butler
Pittsburgh
Kansas State
Kentucky
Wisconsin
New Mexico
West Virginia
Duke
Siena
Baylor
Villanova

ELITE EIGHT

Kansas
Georgetown
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
Kentucky
West Virginia
Duke
Baylor

FINAL FOUR

Kansas
Syracuse
West Virginia
Baylor

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Kansas over West Virginia