ALL-NBA*
1st Team
Kevin Durant, OKC
LeBron James, MIA
Carmelo Anthony, NYK
Deron Williams, BKN
LaMarcus Aldridge, POR
2nd Team
Russell Westbrook
Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade
Rajon Rondo
Marc Gasol (more…)
Author Archive
NBA Preview – The Predictions
November 5, 2012NBA Preview – Western Conference
November 4, 2012
Southwest
1. Memphis – Losing O.J. Mayo was addition by subtraction, and bringing in Jerryd Bayless gives them a nice one-two punch at the point with Mike Conley. The frontline is nasty, and Zach Randolph figures to be even more productive now that he is healthy. Rudy Gay can shoot them out of games, but his talent is undeniaable. The bench isn’t great, but Lionel Hollins is one of the best coaches in the league. The division will come down to the wire, and the Grizz will edge out the Spurs by a couple of games.
2. San Antonio – Status quo for Pop’s crew, as they return the big 3 plus important role players Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard. But it’s too much to expect Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, both in their mid 30s, to play 70 games and be fresh enough in the playoffs to beat other elite (and younger) teams in a (more…)
NBA Preview – Eastern Conference
November 4, 2012
Atlantic
1. Philadelphia – Only one starter (Jrue Holiday) returns from 2011’s opener, and the health of newbie Andrew Bynum is a huge issue. But the minutes formerly allotted to veterans Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, and Elton Brand are now going to better fits in Doug Collins’ game plan: Evan Turner, Jason Richardson, and Thaddeus Young. They’ve added an additional two shooters in Nick Young and Dorell Wright. Promising young big men Lavoy Allen & Arnett Moultrie compliment veteran PF/C Spencer Hawes. Without Bynum, this team wins 45 games. If he plays 50 games, they win 55.
2. New York – I wasn’t a fan of the Knicks ditching Jeremy Lin in favor of Jason Kidd/Raymond Felton. You don’t let promising young PGs just walk out the door. Now you have a knucklehead starting backcourt of Felton & J.R. Smith; neither are efficient shooters and Felton has a lot to learn about
Balance of NFL Power Leaning Towards the NFC
October 16, 2012
Six weeks into the 2012 season, the NFC is flexing its muscles.
A peek at the standings show the following: (more…)
Greedy NFL Making a Mockery of the Sport
September 24, 2012
The subject of NFL officiating is now bigger than the NFL itself.
For the past two weeks, seemingly every game has been littered with refereeing follies.
I don’t blame the scabs. It’s on the NFL.
The NFL, and some of the media, will have you believe that the current refs are not that bad – they are on par with past officiating. That claim is now a joke by any kind of intelligent observation.
To wit: (more…)
NBA All-Hair Team: 1970’s & 80’s Edition
September 13, 2012
Take another look at that picture. Mike Cage has that swag due to 1) he is 6’9″ & ripped and 2) his gorgeous hair.
The 70’s and 80’s were known for outrageous hairstyles. The NBA had their fair share: (more…)
The NFL – A 6-Pack of Thoughts
September 5, 2012
Another NFL season is upon us, so lets take a look at some talking points and projections.
1. The Refs
I won’t bore you with the particulars of the negotiations. You don’t care and neither do I.
What we do care about is the game being officiated competently. Nothing that has occurred during the preseason has me confident that the scabs are going to miraculously become good officials. (more…)
Fantasy Football Preview: The Sleepers
September 2, 2012
Every year, there is value to be found outside of the first few rounds in fantasy football drafts.
Last year it was Cam Newton, Victor Cruz, DeMarco Murray, Rob Gronkowski, & Jimmy Graham.
Here’s my stab at this year’s steals: (more…)
Fantasy Football Preview: The Top Five
August 29, 2012
With an abundance of different fantasy football scoring formats, a top five overall list can vary from league to league.
Consequently, my selections are five separate #1 picks at each of their respective positions. As in real football, I’m ignoring the kickers. (more…)
Micheal Ray Richardson – A Retrospective
August 26, 2012
Quite routinely, supremely talented athletes come along in the world of sports. And some of them are also charismatic, likeable, and highly entertaining.
Unfortunately, the demons of drug or alcohol addiction can derail such promising careers. Mickey Mantle. John Daly. David Thompson. George Best. Dwight Gooden. And one-of-a-kind NBA guard Michael Ray Richardson.
Breaking Down the Howard-Bynum-Iguodala Trade
August 12, 2012
The long-awaited Dwight Howard trade has finally been completed (to the relief of basketball fans EVERYWHERE).
Lets take a look at the teams & players involved, and the impact of the trade on the 2012-2013 season and beyond.
ORLANDO
What they gave up
Dwight Howard, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark. (more…)
NBA Draft Live Blog
June 28, 2012
THE SPORTS CULT will be live blogging the NBA Draft tonight beginning at 7:30 EST.
Join us here…as we tear apart ugly suits, dumb draft picks, & the Commissioner, among other things.
<a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&task=siteviewaltcast&altcast_code=6cbd6110f0&height=550&width=470” target=”_blank” >Click Here</a>
Heat – Thunder: A Finals Rivalry Born?
June 11, 2012
LeBron-KD
The NBA Finals kick off tomorrow night, and it should be a great series. Hardcore hoops junkies and casual fans alike should find it highly entertaining.
Both OKC & Miami play an engaging style of basketball, and there promises to be plenty of memorable moments.
There are multiple story lines: (more…)
Manu Ginobili & James Harden – Brothers from Another Mother?
June 3, 2012
A few weeks back while watching OKC in the first round of the playoffs, I started to realize that James Harden’s game was a lot like that of Manu Ginobili. I began to refer to Ginobili as “White Harden”, and to Harden as “Black Ginobili”.
I decided to explore the comparisons a little closer; the similarities are uncanny…right down to unflattering areas of their games’. (more…)
76ers – Celtics: A Rivalry Reborn?
May 15, 2012
The 76ers and Celtics are meeting in the playoffs for a record 19th time, and their storied rivalry has included many notable regular season and postseason games.
This year’s matchup is only the second in the last 17 years; from 1980 to 1985, they met four times in the Eastern Conference Finals. Historically, only Lakers-Celtics is on the same level as a rivalry.
This series is shaping up to be a tight, grind-it-out affair. Could this renew what was once one of the fiercest rivalries in sports? Before we look forward, lets look back.
Here are my five most memorable games: (more…)
Brian Dawkins: Player for the Ages
April 23, 2012
Brian Dawkins retired today. A wonderful playing career is over, and I feel compelled to sing his praises.
First, the numbers: (more…)
Is NFL Armageddon on the Horizon?
March 28, 2012
An article was referred to me today that raised some legitimate questions about the future of the NFL, and it got me thinking about the long-term possibilities. (more…)
Six Pack of Thoughts – First Weekend of NCAA Tournament
March 21, 2012
With the initial two rounds of the NCAA Tournament (I refuse to comply with the NCAA calling the 5th through 36th game the “second round”) behind us, here are some of my thoughts : (more…)
March Madness Live Blog
March 16, 2012
You’re likely at work on Friday. That sucks.
I’m going to be at the Styles Inn watching all 16 games of Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament.
Beginning at 1:30, I will also be providing game updates, unsolicited opinions, & bias observations. Join me here so we can get sick with it.
UPDATE: That was fun. Thanks to everyone that checked in and contributed. Let’s do it again next year.
Ranking the Voices of the NCAA Tourney
March 15, 2012
CBS and Turner Sports will continue to cover The Big Dance this year, and they have rounded up the usual suspects to call the games.
In honor of the legendary Gus Johnson, who tragically parted ways with CBS, here are my top five play-by-play and color guys for the upcoming tourney. (more…)
Sporting Hedonism is Upon Us
March 13, 2012
In a few hours, the NFL free agency frenzy begins. And with it, five days of sports euphoria.
Am I being too dramatic? (more…)
Selection Sunday Tweaks
March 10, 2012
Tomorrow afternoon, CBS will continue its yearly tradition of announcing the teams that will play in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Anxious fans of the 10 or so bubble teams will be nervously watching, ready to exhale with relief…or smash the remote.
The show does a pretty good job of building the drama. They only show a few matchups at a time, and they take plenty of commercial breaks. If you’re a fan of a bubble team, (more…)
Let’s All Feel Sorry for the NFL’s Golden Boy Peyton Manning
March 8, 2012
Peyton Manning was released by the Colts yesterday. Poor lil fella. Predictably, ESPN led the crotch-nuzzling.
You would have thought he retired, with all the attention he is getting. I heard an ESPN voice (and former QB) say he “deserved better”.
He deserved better? He was paid $25 million this year to play quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts sit on the couch like you and me.
He talked Indy into NOT putting him on IR in September. Instead of a 53-man roster, the Colts operated with a 52-man roster the ENTIRE YEAR. That’s not selfish at all. (more…)
Larry Bird’s 60 vs the Hawks
March 4, 2012
Lots of nostalgia surrounding Wilt’s 100 point game. It got me thinking about Larry Bird’s 60 pt game he had vs the Hawks in the mid ’80s.
I remember a couple of things from that night: Dominique Wilkins also went off; Bird was unconscious; and my old man (a Celtics fan) telling me “he could do this every night, but he’s too unselfish”.
I decided to do a little research, and it was well worth it. (more…)
Basketball Players No Longer “Score” – They Now “Score the Basketball”
March 2, 2012
Exactly when and why did basketball analysts, commentators, journalists, and talk show hosts begin using the silly phrase “score the basketball”? And how do we get them to stop?
Can a short sports phrase be any more redundant? “…he has the ability to score.” That’s the same as “…he has the ability to score the basketball.”
It sounds DUMB. (more…)
JM
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Jeff Gehring
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