alfdogg

1/18/07 RayCo sucking

I'd say Dallas and Phoenix are pretty much locks for the top two seeds at this point. I'm guessing we'll see Utah/LA in the 4/5 matchup, and probably SA/HOU in the 3/6. The last two seeds will come down to Denver, Minnesota, and I think Golden State has to be considered now after the trade. I don't see the Kings or Clippers bouncing back at this point.

Actually, two of those teams will be the five and six seed, since you have to figure in the NW division winner (probably Utah). Meaning, four of those six teams will end up meeting in the first round. But, I think that's how I've got to rank those teams at this point, too. LA is starting to look more and more like real threats in the West, though I still can't see myself betting on them over the Mavs, Suns, or Spurs, despite the impressive showing tonight. I just don't think they've got the experience as a team yet. At this rate, however, I think Kobe's got to be the runaway MVP. Houston, in addition to the health issues, needs more consistency in the backcourt, particularly at the point. Rafer reminds me a lot of Jamaal Tinsley, in that he's certainly capable of running a team, but he just goes into these phases, where he thinks he's still on the And 1 tour. For a good example, refer back to the OT game on ESPN against the Lakers, where he pretty much single-handedly lost the game for them with his questionable decision-making. All that aside, McGrady has to start winning and advancing in the playoffs. Most of it's not his fault, of course, but it's getting hard to justify ranking him ahead of LeBron (which I did at the start of the season) when LeBron's already threatening deep runs in the playoffs.

I want to retract my statement for now, after looking at Murphy's stats, as I had thought he had struggled with injury his whole career, but it was just one season a couple years ago. So my mistake on that one. I'd like to see Daniels start over Dunleavy, at least at first, to get some defense out there on the perimeter. But I don't know what the point was for dumping Sarunas in that deal, unless it was to match salaries. Who the hell is Keith McLeod?

Well, that was about the stupidest possible way to trade Stephen Jackson. Congrats.

I just remembered this one...Artest returns to the Palace, and no TV coverage? Come on, NBA.

This was my favorite.

Good thing the Grizzlies fired Mike Fratello!

What's funny to me, is that the "RESPECT THE PATRIOTS, IT AIN'T ABOUT LUCK" bunch is mostly comprised of the same people who insist that the Colts' two wins have had absolutely nothing to do with how good their defense has played, but rather it's due to shitty offense by the other team, or being "outchoked". And that even though Manning has gotten up the field to set up eight FG's for Vinateri, he's being picked apart for not throwing TD's on those plays. But when Brady does it, it's a "great drive." Whatever.

Arenas does it again, going for 51 points and hitting the game-winning 3 at the buzzer against Utah.

1. Dallas 2. Phoenix 3. Houston 4. San Antonio 5. LA Lakers 6. Cleveland 7. Utah 8. Minnesota 9. Washington 10. Indiana 11. Chicago 12. Detroit 13. Orlando 14. Miami 15. Toronto 16. Denver 17. Golden State 18. LA Clippers 19. New Jersey 20. Milwaukee 21. Charlotte 22. NO/OK 23. New York 24. Portland 25. Seattle 26. Sacramento 27. Philadelphia 28. Atlanta 29. Memphis 30. Boston

I just deleted "Juicy Sugarpacks" from the validating list.

I'm 8-0 in postseason picks thus far. True story.

It's been raining all week here.

Sun, Jan. 14 Dallas @ Toronto, 1:00 Denver @ Portland, 9:00 Mon, Jan. 15 Sacramento @ New York, 1:00 Utah @ Washington, 1:00 Milwaukee @ Charlotte, 1:00 Toronto @ Philadelphia, 2:00 Boston @ Atlanta, 2:00 San Antonio @ Chicago, 2:00 Indiana @ New Jersey, 3:30 Minnesota @ Detroit, 3:30 LA Clippers @ Golden State, 4:00 Phoenix @ Memphis, 7:30 TNT Miami @ LA Lakers, 10:00 TNT Tue, Jan. 16 Orlando @ NO/OK, 8:00 Houston @ Dallas, 8:30 Cleveland @ Seattle, 10:00 Wed, Jan. 17 Sacramento @ Chicago, 7:00 New York @ Washington, 7:00 New Jersey @ Charlotte, 7:00 Utah @ Detroit, 7:30 Chicago @ Milwaukee, 8:00 Philadelphia @ Memphis, 8:00 Atlanta @ Minnesota, 8:00 Phoenix @ Houston, 8:30 LA Lakers @ San Antonio, 9:00 ESPN Cleveland @ Portland, 10:00 Golden State @ LA Clippers, 10:30 Thu, Jan. 18 Indiana @ Miami, 7:00 TNT LA Lakers @ Dallas, 9:30 TNT Fri, Jan. 19 Utah @ Toronto, 7:00 Miami @ Philadelphia, 7:00 Washington @ Orlando, 7:00 Sacramento @ Boston, 7:30 New Jersey @ New York, 7:30 Charlotte @ Atlanta, 7:30 NO/OK @ San Antonio, 8:00 Detroit @ Minnesota, 8:00 ESPN Portland @ Phoenix, 9:00 Cleveland @ Denver, 10:30 ESPN Milwaukee @ Seattle, 10:30 Sat, Jan. 20 Memphis @ LA Clippers, 3:30 Atlanta @ Charlotte, 7:00 New York @ Indiana, 7:00 Sacramento @ Detroit, 7:30 Boston @ Washington, 8:00 Orlando @ New Jersey, 8:00 LA Lakers @ NO/OK, 8:00 Utah @ Chicago, 8:30 Denver @ Houston, 8:30 Cleveland @ Golden State, 10:30

Danny Ferry won a title with the '03 Spurs.

Ray Allen goes for 54, including eight 3's, against the Jazz. Also, Emeka Okafor misses a triple-double by one rebound. He had 20 points and 10 blocks.

Haha.

ALONZO MOURNING IS A WARRIOR ON THE COURT. Not really a general sports cliche, but Doug Collins seems to work it in every time he calls a Heat game.

Currently 9 spots open. Also, the X-title will be on the line.

Anderson Cup, LI bracket (4) Team Canada vs (5) Los Diablos de Fuego

[i]Tom Sawyer[/i] hits, and Team Canada makes their way to the ring. COLE Anderson Cup action, on the way! Let's go to Michael Buffer! BUFFER [i]The following contest is a first-round contest in the Anderson Cup tournament! Making their way down the aisle, accompanied by their manager, Rick Heyross...at a total combined weight of 485 pounds..."AFTER HOURS" FELIX STRUTTER, and KEN PANTERA, TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMM CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!![/i] COACH You know, this is an injustice, Cole! How can Team Canada, the greatest tag team in the WORLD, be ranked #4 in this tournament? They should be the #1 seed! COLE That's a question you'll have to ask the tournament committee, as Team Canada prepares for their opponents! [i]It's Raining Men[/i] hits, and the Diablos make their way to the ring. BUFFER [i]Their opponents...hailing from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at a total combined weight of 340 pounds...LOS DIABLOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS DE FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUEGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!![/i] COACH That's OK, though, this one shouldn't take long! Diablos jump into the ring, and the referee calls for the bell. *DING DING DING* Moracca starts the match off with Ken Pantera. Pantera goes in for a tieup, but Moracca ducks under, and slaps Pantera on the back, then goes into his corner. COLE And this is what the Diablos need to do, they need to use their speed against Ken Pantera! Pantera goes for another tieup, and gets the same result! They circle the ring, and finally tie up, with Pantera immediately backing Moracca into a corner. Pantera goes for a big forearm, but Moracca ducks out of the way, then starts biting Pantera right on his rear end! COACH Oh, that's disgusting! Strutter comes in, but is cut off by Mariachi, who floors him with a flying forearm! The Diablos take Pantera out of the ring with a double dropkick! Mariachi then turns around, to find Strutter getting up on all fours. COACH Oh, no! Mariachi hops on, and starts riding Strutter around the ring as the crowd goes crazy! Strutter squirms free and goes for a clothesline, which Mariachi ducks, then Morocco catches him with a foot to the gut. The Diablos whip Strutter into the ropes, and catch him coming back with a DOUBLE TILT-A-WHIRL FACE-FIRST SLAM~! Strutter rolls out of the ring, as the Diablos dance provocatively around the ring. COLE And it's the Diablos in the driver's seat early, which is a surprise to me! COACH You're not kidding! Team Canada catches their breath, then Strutter slides in, as Mariachi catches him with a drop toehold! Mariachi then gets to his feet and runs to the ropes, catching Strutter with a spinning flying headscissors! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Mariachi sends Strutter into a corner, then charges, but Struttes avoids the charge, and Mariachi crashes into the corner! COLE And Felix Strutter able to dodge that blow! Strutter slowly picks up Mariachi, and delivers a snap suplex! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! COLE And now Felix Strutter trying to slow the pace here, which is a smart tactic! Strutter backs into the ropes, and goes for a rolling senton, but Mariachi moves out of the way! Mariachi moves over to his corner, but Strutter hooks the leg, then reaches back and tags Pantera. Pantera lifts Mariachi, delivering a PRESS SLAM~! Pantera puts a foot on Mariachi's chest, and does a double bicep pose... 1... 2... Mariachi pushes the foot off. COLE Very arrogant cover there by Ken Pantera, and Mariachi able to escape! Pantera backs Mariachi into a corner, and delivers a couple big forearm shots, then lifts him in a Canadian backbreaker! COLE And now a submission hold applied! Pantera holds him for a few seconds, then tags Strutter back in. Strutter goes to the top rope, and comes off with a chop for Mariachi! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Strutter picks up Mariachi, posing for the crowd and drawing boos, and delivers a DDT! Cover... 1... 2... Shoulder up! COLE The Diablos still hanging in there! Pantera tags in once again. He scoops up Mariachi, and delivers a shoulder breaker! Cover... 1... 2... Kickout! Pantera grabs a rear waistlock, but Mariachi is able to jump up and hook his legs around Pantera's waist. Mariachi then falls forward, pushes himself back up, and delivers a bulldog to Pantera! COLE Now's your chance to make a tag, Mariachi! Pantera gets up and tries to drop an elbow, but Mariachi rolls out of the way, and makes the tag to Moracca! COLE And a tag is made! Moracca fires away with right hands on both men, then floors each with a dropkick! Moracca picks up Strutter, and delivers a FAME-ASSER~! Cover... 1... 2... NO!!! Strutter gets a shoulder up! Moracca picks up Strutter, and delivers the SLIPPERY WHEN WET~!!! COLE One of Morocca's patented moves! Cover... 1... 2... NO!!! Pantera makes the save! Moracca rakes the face of Pantera, then Mariachi comes in with a clothesline, taking both himself and Pantera over the top to the floor! COLE Mariachi and Pantera out to the floor! COACH And Pantera's hurt out there! Pantera reaches down for his knee in agony, as Morocca continues to hammer on Strutter in the ring. COLE And it's Pantera and Morocco the legal men! The referee starts to count Pantera on the floor. 1!!! 2!!! 3!!! 4!!! Moracca floors Strutter with a clothesline! 5!!! Moracca scoops up Strutter, who slips behind the back... 6!!! ...delivers a foot to the gut... 7!!! ...and drills Moracca with the THUNDER BAY THROTTLE~!!!111 Cover... COLE Strutter got it, but he's not the legal man! 8!!! 9!!! 10!!! COLE That's it! *DING DING DING* COACH You've got to be kidding me. Strutter slowly gets up, then slides out to check on his partner. BUFFER [i]The winners of the match as a result of a countout, advancing to the second round...LOS DIABLOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS DE FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUEGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!![/i] COACH I don't believe this! COLE The Diablos advance, but Pantera really hurt outside the ring! Strutter waves to the back, and the EMT's emerge with a stretcher. COACH Boy...you may not like Team Canada, Cole, but you hate to see this happen! COLE Absolutely, Pantera appears to have suffered a knee injury, we hope to get more on that later, as the Diablos score a major upset, and advance to the second round to take on The Heavenly Rockers, and what a match that should be! Let's go to...

One thing. If you want someone in the Rumble, but don't want it spoiled yet, just PM me and let me know who it is, and I'll add in the "spot reserved" entry like you see above. (I still don't know who that one is, either, so someone fill me in on that, thx.)

"Make sure that the jump shooter comes down directly on the foot, kids!"

If this is our NBA Finals preview...Yeesh.