The Czech Republic

I want anybody over Lakers in round one. If not Dallas, a small-town squad like the Grizzlies or Jazz. Watch Stern shit himself when the Utah Jazz knock out the mighty Lakers.

I cannot name one San Jose Shark and they're #2 in the West. Meanwhile the only Blue I know is Al McInnis and I think he has to retire...this is not a compelling series AT ALL, yet it's being televised while the Battle Of Ontario and even Devils-Flyers go unshown.

DEVILS LOSE!

I agree with you about Mormon theology disqualifying them from being considered Christians, but aren't Catholics works-based? I know it's at least a combination of works and grace. I don't quite have a religious affiliation, but I'd like to believe that being a good person, helping your fellow man, contributing to society in a positive way, and all of that, should be just as importnat as saying "Yeah I believe in God." In a nutshell, Catholic philosophy is a combination of faith plus good works. This will get you into heaven. In a nutshell, some of your more fundamentalist Protestants believe that faith alone is enough for you to be saved. Hmm, I never thought I'd say this, and my mom's side of the family would be overjoyed to hear it, but I'm digging this facet of Catholicism.

I thought this was about changing the BOARD'S name. To which I would've said "no," unless it was officially changing the board from The Smart Marks Forums to TSM Forums, so as to cut the more explicit ties to wrestling in the name, but by all means keep the wrestling folders. It's not a good idea but an idea nonetheless

This thread would not be complete without Angelslayer assessing me

NHL Center Ice... Pre-order next season now, and you get the playoffs. Nothing beats watching CBC while living in Florida. Next season, I'm living in a dorm. And still, I shouldn't have to order the whole season package to watch playoff games. I'm entitled to that much from ESPN. I don't want to pay for the rights to Panthers vs. Stars, Sharks vs. Lightning, or Predators vs. ANYBODY...I just want to see the Senators in the postseason.

I don't know..... you might want to consider hitting the panic button when Reds pitching is doing that to your hitters. I will if this hasn't changed in a month's time. That's the glorious thing about baseball, the season's so ungodly long that there's still time to turn it around for a couple of months. The Marlins, anyone? They need more patience but in addition to that, one must remember that Lee and Sosa are both notoriously slow starters, so expect to see them starting to turn it up within the next few weeks. The middle of the Cubs' batting lineup is looking a lot like the Braves' did last year (with about five spots of potentially good / great hitters). Plus, if need be, we can trade for better players. Lofton, Simon, Ramirez, Karros, Grudzielanek, anybody? Nearby Brewers fans have told me that the Cubs would be wise to acquire CF Scott Podsednik, as he's really quick in the outfield, a good hitter, and has tons of potential. Maybe Milwaukee fans just want to see another star depart so they can hate Selig even more. I think it's going to be a slow start until Prior gets back. Once Mark is in the rotation, Maddux gets rolling, and we inevitably trade away Zambrano for an established big name, things will look up.

Good to see that the Senators won. Wait, that's right, I can't see it, I'm a dumb American.

This is my cousin's band...he posted here briefly as Mr. Brook River, and has a band over in the northwest suburbs. They've gone from admittedly poor skater punk to more Ben Folds/Wilco/SoCo influenced stuff, and what's there before they change styles again is here. http://www.purevolume.com/filmore/music2 If you can give some opinion on the first song up for downloads, that'd be cool, since I'd like to hear what people think about these guys, who I think are quite a good band.

Marge vs. the Monorail, Dental Plan/Lisa Needs Braces, and above all, the Valentine's Day episode. I've been living like Ralph Wiggum to some degree lately. A girl took pity on me, I thought she liked me, so then I liked her, got nice thigns for her, only to have her hurt my feelings. Then she gets cast as my wife in the school play. But although that little nugget of dramatic irony didn't transpire until recently, that episode's been a personal favorite since at least 1996.

Mavericks are a weird sort of anti-Lakers...the league is out to get them whereas LA is way too protected and nobody likes them, but Dallas is getting a whole slew of nationally televised games because the fans love the team

I want Senators and a team that can give me a good series in the final but will still allow Ottawa to take the Cup. Colorado, Calgary? My only fear is that if two or even one Canadian team makes the Finals, coverage gets demoted from ABC to ESPN or ESPN2, or possibly off American airwaves altogether.

Fear the #4 vs #5 match up in the playoffs as it could be Lakers vs Grizzlies. Jerry West means business and will do everything he can to beat the Lakers. The Grizzlies have Lorenzo Wright and Pau Gasol who would be the big men of the formula and the white Jason Williams is the speedy point guard. I hope it's Spurs-Mavericks and Lakers-Grizzlies, and then both top teams lose. Woo

Chris, you going for the Flames to do well out of the west? I am

I can explain each. Obviously they want to televise Barry tying his Godfather Willie Mays in the homer department when it occurs. As far as the Warriors-TrailBlazers go the appeal there is the TrailBlazers. They're fighting for the 8 seed in the west and a chance to extend their consecutive playoffs streak to I believe 22 years. I'll give you the baseball one. But it's Stanley Cup playoffs compared to 10th place Portland and 11th place Oakland...they picked the wrong game to show

::Dr. Czech points shotgun at patient's heart, pulls trigger, yells "CLEAR!":: ::reads post:: Oops.

You're shitting me...you don't get to see Colorado/Dallas?? Stars and Avs are on the Deuce. Last year we were spoiled with an early AND late game on each ESPN unless it was the day the Sens were playing. Go figure. This year we lost the early ESPN2 game to Asstros-Giants and the late ESPN to the Warriors and Blazers. Hmph.

Well, no second hockey game on ESPN, because instead, its an NBA regular season game featuring the darlings of ESPN, the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS. I'm telling you guys, something is up with the worldwide leader in sports and the worldwide leader in ugly basketball uniforms.

Rocket is up

I agree with you about Mormon theology disqualifying them from being considered Christians, but aren't Catholics works-based? I know it's at least a combination of works and grace. I don't quite have a religious affiliation, but I'd like to believe that being a good person, helping your fellow man, contributing to society in a positive way, and all of that, should be just as importnat as saying "Yeah I believe in God."

Ha ha ha ha ha, Clemens is a pussy.

Here's the Rocket, let's hope we can point and laugh

What about when Nomar and Trot return? Red Sox are missing some key guys, don't forget. We'll just have to agree that the Astros deserve to lose and lose often so we can mock them heavily.

Are the Bobcats entered into the lottery? I can see them getting somebody, as well as Iverson off the expansion round of the draft when the Sixers decide not to keep him around.