Cheech Tremendous

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't paid real close attention to the NBA this year. I usually check the standings, but haven't made it through more than a handful of games. 1. Which team looks like the best bet to win the East? At this point, I'd have to say Boston. I've seen enough of Flip Saunders' coaching in the playoffs to know that an ECF choke is in the picture. 2. Which team looks like the best bet to win the West? It's still the Spurs until someone shows that they can knock them off. They've struggled a little bit this year but it's still the same team that dismantles everyone come playoff time. 3. Which team looks like the best bet to win the NBA title? The champion is going to come from the Western Conference. San Antonio is the favorite, but I wouldn't count out Dallas or even Phoenix. 4. Which dark horse has a legitimate shot at surprising us and winning it all? This is always a difficult question for me because I have a hard time defining who the darkhorses are. Is Dallas really a darkhorse? Of the teams that are somewhat off the radar, I'd say New Orleans or Cleveland. The Hornets because I believe that Chris Paul can do anything and the Cavs because everyone has sort of forgotten about them and they are still the 3rd best team in the East. 5. Who's been the best rookie this season? Kevin Durant. 6. Who's the MVP so far? Chris Paul and it's not particularly close. He has the best numbers of anyone and he had the freaking New Orleans Hornets in first place in the West. That's unbelievable. 7. Which team has the biggest disappointment? Lots of good candidates with Utah, Houston, Chicago and Miami. I'd be inclined to say Chicago because they were title contenders when the season started and have just totally imploded. But looking at their record, they could still finish .500 this year. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, have gone from 2006 champs to the worst team in the NBA. 8. As we sit at the midpoint of the regular season, which story line or situation interests you most? How will the darkhorse contenders (Blazers, Hornets, Warriors) respond in the second half of the season and how will they impact the playoff picture.

This is something we did last year at midseason and thought it would be fun to try again. 1. Which team looks like the best bet to win the East? 2. Which team looks like the best bet to win the West? 3. Which team looks like the best bet to win the NBA title? 4. Which dark horse has a legitimate shot at surprising us and winning it all? 5. Who's been the best rookie this season? 6. Who's the MVP so far? 7. Which team has the biggest disappointment? 8. As we sit at the midpoint of the regular season, which story line or situation interests you most?

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever read at TSM... and that covers a lot of ground.

Mattingly steps down as Dodgers' hitting coach

I believe that the Mets have seven outfielders under contract for next year. I'm not sure what Chavez provides over any of the the other options.

Sadly, it was the last great album they did. ...until Heaven & Hell.

How far are we from the "100 Reasons the Poster Tournament Sucks Dick" thread? I can see it coming.

It's a conspiracy and everyone* is in on it. *Except Walkin' Dude

I don't understand how anyone could like Interleague. As for the Wild Card, I can sort of see why people would like it even though all it's done is weakened the postseason and diluted the divisional races.

I can't believe there's already a Milky backlash. He hasn't even won yet.

Viva is reading the thread! This will never get old. The White Sox are pulling out all the stops to try and finish fourth this year.

I'm glad that we are all able to post as anonymous internet beings, because if this tournament was conducted in person, I'm 80% sure someone would have been stabbed by now.

CZECH'S A MAN!

I think he's saying the poster tournament is predetermined... I don't get it either.

I saw them in concert in 2006 and they played at least half a dozen new songs. The material was very good, in my opinion. That's what's so perplexing about the continued delays of the album. There is obviously enough material at this point that they could piece together an album and Axl has to at least somewhat confident in the quality of the material if he toured behind it.

About Ryan being re-hired by Davis? The news has been out there, but it was sort of swept under the rug because the Oakland PR staff denied it.

I know Lane Kiffin is young and inexperienced, but he shouldn't be treated with such a lack of respect by Davis. If you are confident enough to hire the man to lead the team, let him actually make some decisions. I know Lane is only a first year guy and may never get another shot like this, but he should have quit the very day that Al pulled this shit on him. Stand up and be a man.

Maybe I'm being slow today, but I don't understand what that's supposed to mean.

From the New York Post (Jan. 5)

Al's getting slaughtered out there. Didn't see that coming.

Monte Kiffin signed a multi-year extension to stay on with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Kiffin is probably the best defensive coordinator in football and was a hot commodity this offseason. He'll paid about $2 million a year under the new deal. This actually ties into a funny story that didn't get much press. At the end of the Raiders season, Rob Ryan was dismissed as defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders by head coach Lane Kiffin. According to those who know Lane, he already had an agreement in place with his father to step in as the new coordinator. However, Al Davis went behind Lane's back and rehired Ryan the very next day. This apparently pissed off Lane to no end and he has basically let it be known that he's available for a top college job. I swear the Raiders will never field another title contender while Al Davis is still alive.

Is there any chance that the Rays have enough fire power to finish third this year? It really seems like they've fixed enough of their weaknesses to take a stab at .500. Couple that with a Jays team that is heading in the wrong direction and whatever the hell the Orioles are doing and we could have a legit surprise contender.

Were there rumors of Dave Coulier going down on Rod Stewart in a movie theater that I just don't remember?

Good move.

I'm not hating on him. I remember Portland drafting him and sending him to Denver in a draft day swap. That is literally the last thing I remember hearing about him. I was just shocked to hear that he scored 41 points. It's completely out of nowhere.