NBA Wrap

Well, that was kind of predictable

'Melo scored 28 and Iverson dropped 22 and picked up 7 assists in their first game together. If you didn't think that they'd be buddy-buddy for their first few game(s) together, you don't know sports stars one bit; but give it time. Two players with their style of play are bound to butt heads; the only question is "When?" And when it happens, the media will, without a doubt, blow it out of proportion.

Kobe has an off night

A year ago, January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant aka "Black Mamba" dropped 81 points on a pathetic looking Raptor's team. This year, Kobe was only able to score 42 against Golden State. Has Kobe lost his game? Well, no, everyone has off nights; even Kobe. It's a shame his scoring average for January 22 games over the past two seasons has dropped to 61.5.

David Stern's power tripping again

After the tragic murder of NFL player Darrent Williams in outside a Denver nightclub, NBA commissioner David Stern is, according to the rumour mill, researching popular night clubs in major cities in an effort to ban his league's players from going to them. While this can be construed as a precautionary measure, it is a violation of the player's freedom to disallow them from going out to certain places in certain cities. Drive-by shootings can happen anywhere, not just outside popular clubs. Who's to say that uber-white boy / Ashton Kutcher look-alike Kyle Korver won't be out for a walk in a nice neighbourhood when a drunk driver accidentally runs him down while yelling, "You got punked!" Accidents will happen at any time and Stern should realize this.

'Melo Back Tonight

After serving his 15 game suspension for sucker-punching and then subsequently running away from Mardy Collins, Carmelo Anthony is eligible to return to the Denver Nuggets line-up against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Finally, we'll get the answer to a question that's been out there for weeks now; can Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony coexist? Will two of the leading scorers and shot-takers in the NBA be able to play on the same floor? I can hardly wait to find out but it will be interesting to say the least.

Weekend Wrap Up

Patriots Fall!

Even after going up by 18 and having the potential to run away with the game, the Patriots couldn't hold down Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. New England straight up blew it and the Colts beat them down, that's all that can really be said for that.

Tom Brady didn't display his usual clutchness and the debates should now begin about if he's lost it. I don't think so but a case can be made. Especially after that brutal game-sealing interception he threw. If you're one of the people out there who says that Tony Romo blew his team's playoffs because he was distracted by his off-field drama, you shouldn't be sparing Tom Brady any heat for his much publicized hook-up with Giselle Bundchen.

And what did I say about Reche Caldwell? Turns out I was right on the money about how bad he actually is. Maybe this loss wasn't all Brady's fault.

What conspiracy theory now?

The Saint's Cinderella season has come to an end after losing in Chicago on Sunday. Many conspiracy theorists attributed the Saints run of luck this season to planning by the NFL head offices. Everything from the Texans passing on Reggie Bush to the Dolphins signing Culpepper over Brees to everyone passing on Marques Colston until New Orleans grabbed him the seventh round. Really, who wasn't cheering for them after last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster? Well, it was a good run while it lasted.

Also, have you heard of that Reggie Bush guy? He's going to be quite something.

Indy named early favourite

Will defense conquer offense like the adage says or will Rex Grossman play like, well, Rex Grossman? Vegas look like they're counting on the latter as the early line has the Colts giving 7 points for Super Bowl XLI.

What you really have to keep in mind is that Chicago's vaunted defense has been sieve-like recently and Peyton Manning should be able to tear into them given the chance.

My early pick: Indianapolis 30, Chicago 20. But I'll probably flip-flop over the next two weeks.

Fighting Irish receiver goes pro

Jeff Samardzija decided to turn pro after two outstanding season catching Brady Quinn's passes at Notre Dame; only he's going to be the one pitching instead of catching in the majors. Samardzija signed a 5-year deal with the Chicago Cubs and figures to be a possible ace of their staff after some development. I'm just excited to see a potential two-sport star again. It's been too long since the days of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.

Parcells done in Big D

After a decidedly unsuccessful four years with the Dallas Cowboys, the Big Tuna has called it quits. Parcells has announced his retirement from football; this time for good he says. If he's really gone for good remains to be seen as if, I recall correctly, he said the same thing the last time he retired.

The real question now is, "who's going to be the next Cowboys coach?" But that could also be read, "Who wants to put up with Terrell Owens?"

It's just too bad that former offensive coordinator Sean Payton left last off-season and became coach of the year for the Saints. He would have been a great choice to lead Dallas now.

Conference Championship Picks

New Orleans (+3) over CHICAGO

If you think about it this way, when you add up that Dallas should have beaten Seattle who barely lost Chicago, do you think Dallas would have any chance at beating New Orleans? Of course not because we remember what happened when New Orleans walked into Dallas and killed the legend of Tony Romo. So after considering that, is there still a reason why you would pick Chicago this weekend? Their defense isn't as healthy as they need it to be, Devin Hester is a non-factor if you kick the ball away from him and Rex Grossman is, well Rex Grossman.

Also, don't forget that everyone in America outside of the Chicago area is rooting for New Orleans after last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Pick: New Orleans 24, Chicago 13

Patriots (+3) over INDIANAPOLIS

This weekend, we're all lucky enough to witness the nearly annual Pats-Colts playoff game. The worst part about this is the media coverage that has been going overboard on the hype-machine. I also realize the hypocrisy of myself writing about the game, but how else am I supposed to make a pick?

On paper, the Colts look like they have a superior team. New England's linebacker core is as slow as molasses. In their secondary, Rodney Harrison is banged up but will probably play even though he's still nursing shoulder and knee injuries. Their wide receivers may very well be cut if they played on the Colts and Corey Dillon looks like he's moving in slow-motion. Also, don't forget that Adam Vinatieri is on the Colts side of the ball.

So why would I pick the Patriots? Well, first of all, this is going to be a close game, trust me. This game is most likely going to come down to a field goal and while Vinatieri is kicking for the Colts, the Pats rookie kicker Gostkowski has been on the money as of late. Secondly, Belichick and Brady are 12-1 together in the playoffs. Most of the time, it's easy money putting your money behind them. Last but not least, I actually flipped a coin assigning heads to the Colts heads and tails to the Patriots. It came up tails, ergo, I'm taking New England.

Besides, the game will probably come down to a field goal; in that case, everybody ties with a +3 line if Indy kicks the game winner.

Pick: New England 23, Indianapolis 20

As for Alyssa, she's going with New England and New Orleans. Is this good luck or a curse for my picks? We'll see.