NBA, NHL, NFL Draft

The NBA Playoffs are captivating this season. Kobe, LeBron, Chauncey, Arenas, Dirk, & the Clippers are now must-see TV. If I had DVR still, I'd be setting it to record nearly every game on TV. I know, the NBA has declined in popularity in recent years. NASCAR, MLB, and the NFL have each grown. But mark my words: the NBA is on its ways back. In ten years, it could very well be back to the level it was in the late eighties, early nineties. I firmly believe that to be possible. But, the future aside, tune in to the playoffs in the present and watch the drama. And, scroll on down and read my feature on Kobe below this entry.

People have been quick to count the Suns out after Kobe's game four winner. I figured I should hold off writing about Kobe's greatness until the Lakers advanced, but I do not think his greatness is necessarily contingent on one series at this point. But, it would help. I am very surprised at the Kings' success against San Antonio. Artest has been great, but Bonzi Wells is the real deal right now. Double-doubles all of a sudden for the former Ball State star. The Clippers and Mavs both looked dominant, but that's easy to do when your opponents give in as easily as Denver and Memphis did.

In the east, Detroit is expending just enough energy to win and will probably finish off the Bucks in game five. The Heat are in a battle with the deep, athletic Bulls. I still think Miami will win, mainly because they have a guy who can take a game over. But, it may take seven games to do so. I have seen none of the Indiana vs New Jersey series because it has been televised mostly on NBA TV. Apparently it has been a good series, but I have seen none of it. Finally, LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas are going back and forth, both doing their best to raise their games and lead their teams to victory. Captivating television for sure.

The "other" playoffs, the NHL, are also going strong. Already, Detroit and Dallas, the top two seeds in the west, are hitting the driving range for the summer, as their seasons were ended courtesy of Edmonton and Colorado respectively. San Jose has also advanced out west, with Calgary and Anaheim playing a deciding game seven Wednesday night. In the east, my Hurricanes advanced with an exciting 2-1 OT victory last night, eliminating Montreal. The Senators and Devils had already moved on while the Sabres blew out the Flyers last night to finish the series. I have seen only the Hurricanes' series, as OLN is not part of my cable package. I need civilization so I can get a decent cable hookup going soon, as losing out on post-season sports is killing me. But, at least I have Turner South (Bravos baby).

Finally, some quick NFL Draft thoughts. Passing on Reggie Bush is being blown up by the media, but it seems that NFL teams are not as high on the guy. After all, no one offered a great deal to either New Orleans or Houston in order to get the guy. One would think that if NFL Scouts thought he was truly a can't-miss prospect that people would have been falling over themselves to acquire him. It just seems that fans and the media are infatuated with him because he is more familiar than Mario Williams. Me? I've been driving the Reggie Bush Bus of Infatuation for three years now.

On the flip side, I did not realize Mario Williams was so new to most of the nation. Being an ACC fan, especially knowing Carolina had to prepare for Williams in the yearly matchup with the Wolfpack, I just assumed he was more well-known to people than it turned out. Obviously my "center of the universe is Chapel Hill" problem reared its head there. My only question in this situation is whether Mario Williams will impact a football game enough to garner the number one pick, especially when taken over Bush. Julius Peppers is the comparison most people make for many reasons. However, on the field in college, Peppers was clearly a dominant player. Williams showed flashes of being that type of player, but did not do it consistently. If you gave me Peppers coming out of college or Reggie Bush coming out of college, I'd have taken Bush. That being said, I think Peppers may have been a more productive prospect than Williams.

Ok enough of that. The Panthers took DeAngelo Williams in the first round, proving me to be exactly what I claimed to be: an idiot with no clue about the NFL Draft. In discussing the pick with friends, I have expressed concern over his size and running style fitting into the Panthers' offense. They have each defended the pick, stating that the Panthers need a gamebreaker, a back with explosive abilities. They may well be correct, as it seems this pick and the signing of Keyshawn Johnson are signs that the overly-conservative offensive days are numbered. Fact is the Panthers will probably not win the Super Bowl sitting on the ball and the addition of Williams will help add to the explosiveness of the offense. I have nothing against Williams, I think I was just higher on Maroney or White. Oh well, got to trust the Panthers front office I guess.

Quickly, I loved the Jeff King pick late. Solid blocking TE with excellent hands from what I've seen. Now if they'd just sign David Noel...Richard Marshall is an exciting player, but I only remember seeing him a few times in live action. He certainly has a ton of confidence. Hopefully he will not only be a solid DB, but also a dangerous return man. Finally, drafting Will Montgomery (C from Va Tech) may also be a good move. He is "just a football player," which translates as "he tries real hard and has the proper nasty lineman attitude."

Wrapping things up here, tune in to the NBA Playoffs and, if you have OLN, the NHL Playoffs as well. This is why everyone should have multiple TVs for optimal viewing purposes. Got to maximize your sports. Play on playas...