TheOriginalOrangeGoblin

Forwards: Penguins have had all 4 lines contributing and playing great hockey. Staal and Talbot have been great tertiary scoring (Crosby, Malkin, Malone, Hossa, Sykora should be enough to consitute primary and secondary scoring) while Laraque's line has been excellent at controlling the play and cycling the puck down low. Flawless play from pretty much everyone (outside of Gary Roberts). The Red Wings top unit of Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom has been the best line in the playoffs but they're other lines have not been too consistant. They've been lucky enough to have SOMEONE show up every game outside of the big 3 but never more than other line. Eventhough, right now, I'd say Datsyuk and Zetterberg are playing better than Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins have are quite a bit stronger, with or without Franzen playing. EDGE: PENGUINS Defence: The Red Wings defence has been phenomenal. They have the best defenseman in the league and a lot of other good defensemen who fill needs (Kronwall, Rafalski etc.). The Penguins have a solid top 2 in Gonchar and Whitney (eventhough Whitney has little range outside of being an offensive defenseman) and the others have been playing beyond expectations. However, no match for the Red Wings. EDGE: RED WINGS Goalie: Fleury has been solid and that's all he's really needed to be. The Penguins generally outshoot opponents bu double figures so Fleury gets by making 18-20 saves a game. He's held up when necessary but that hasn't been often and he definetely has not faced an attack like this yet. Take the same exact two sentences and apply them to Osgood. EDGE: DRAW Coaching: Therrien has been solid, making adjustments when necessary and doing a good job of not overplaying the big guns, however he still makes rookie mistakes (sending Crosby in the last minute of a blow-out) that could cost the Pens against the Wings. Babcock isn't Scottie Bowman but he, generally, avoids making any glaring mistakes that could cost his team. EDGE: RED WINGS Power Play: Both teams have been excellent. EDGE: DRAW Penalty Kill: Both teams have been great however the Red Wings have a knack for timely shorthanded goals so the edge is theirs. EDGE: RED WINGS OVERALL: It'll be a great series, possibly the best in a very long time and should be close throughout but the experience and defence of the Red Wings should put away the Penguins who have been playign slightly over their heads. RESULT: RED WINGS IN 6

Ok after MUCH thought into which direction to go in (my ideal 6th man who may or may not be around when I pick again or the guy I really want on my team), I've decided: The guy who Isiah feared, who got drafted before Bird, who Magic couldn't guard.../AKA the definition of prime over longevity... Micheal Ray Richardson. G - The perfect pooint guard to bring in off the bench. He was an elite defender (2 time all-Defensive first team; 2nd all time in steals per game; led the NBA in steals in 4 of his 8 NBA seasons), a phenomenal passer (won the assist title in his 2nd season; top 10 in 3 other seasons) and could score, almost, at will when he wanted too. He was clutch and a great leader (one of the main reasons the "never won a NBA playoff series before" Nets upset the defending champion 76'ers with Erving/Moses). His only downfall is his off-court drug use but there are enough strong character guys on the team to keep him in line. Coming off the bench for Archibald he'd be great leading the second unit or even playing 2-guard to create an electric backcourt (he was pretty big for a point guard anyway). A steal in my opinion.

Raiders and Last Crusade are tied for my favorite. I don't like Temple of Doom too much although that mine chase is the most suspenseful sequence in the series.

Mookie Blaylock is a great choice. Argh, I currently have the toughest decision I've had during the draft (and Mookie getting already taken makes the decision tougher), it's frustrating.

I don't like him but I can't deny how good he is: Martin Brodeur, G

Yah you get 2 picks.

If this goes through, the big question is who gets Lebron? The Knicks? Nets sure as hell won't pay Lebron, Vince AND Melo. Not to mention how Lebron would enjoy playing with two ball hogs who have no heart.

Bastard. I wanted Rice.

The Nets get better although they basically turn into Denver East now with 2 scorers, Marcus Camby and nothing else. Interesting trade for the Nuggets but they, undoubtably, give up a lot more talent than they receive. However, there's a good chance this never happens.

The gretaest leader in NHL history: Steve Yzerman, C

Sampson is a great pick since a player's prime is what counts. He's one of the best examples of prime over longevity (along with Penny Hardaway).

Lebron vs Pierce is turning into another Bird vs Dominique. Awesome game 7.

So does anyone think LeBron takes the next step to Jordan territory today and has one of those games where he single-handedly puts the Cavs into the East finals? I don't think so but ESPN seems to disagree with me.

Iron Man STILL pulling in over $30 million is amazing. That's what great word of mouth does.

FUCK! I knew I shouldn't have waited for Manu.

And there goes the one I was surprised was still on board. The one who I said last year would've been gone by round 3. My pick: MJ's personal bodyguard... Charles Oakley, F - One of the toughest and most tenacious rebounders of all-time and one of the most punishing defenders of all-time. He'll give my team character and be a big guy to send in if somebody decides to cross the line with Duncan. A solid scorer as well who was good from the free throw line and could pass the ball reasonably well. He'd be a great 6th/7th man on my team and someone I can bring in for Allen when I want to play big. A front line of Thurmond/Duncan/Oakley is one not many teams would excel against and, easily, one of the best defensive front lines possible.

There's one coach I wanted (Popovich) but with him gone, I'm thinking along the same lines as you. I'd rather get guys who can adjust to nay system than find the ideal coach for them, then to grab a coach and to try and find guys to fit his system.

Great pick Slim. So many great Marvin albums.

I just realized Czech's team could be a pretty legitimate 1990's All-star team, all the way down to the coach.

Argh! Another one of my guys gone. He was my favorite player in the mid-90's and the only guy to be more popular Jordan (according to some survey in 1996 - Jordan had never lost since they started it until Penny finished ahead of him) in the mid-90's.

You slimey bastard! My team was built for Gregg Popovich, I knew I should've taken him last round.

No he definetely wouldn't of. I had him pegged for next pick.

Ditto. If this was last year, he would've been gone by round 3.

Webber is perfect for something like this. He doesn't have to be clutch or do much one on one defending. His ability to play any style also helps him a lot. He's a very good choice here. EDIT: I really like that idea about the rankings.

I was wondering how much longer ol' Red would last.