Archive for March, 2010
Are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Ready for the NBA Postseason?
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Curtis Finchum in NBA
There's only a few weeks left in the NBA regular season, and the young, electric Oklahoma City Thunder are hanging tough in the playoff hunt.
Thus far, they sit in sixth place in the loaded Western Conference and—should they hold their place—will face either the Denver Nuggets or Dallas Mavericks in the first round.
The Thunder, however, must give praise and thanks to two key players who have experienced accelerated maturation.
Superstar Kevin ...
Going to College: Flames Could Learn From Leafs, Sens, and Canadiens
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Daniel Sallows in NHL
The Calgary Flames may not be headed to the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that is no reason to not start looking ahead for next season, and taking a dip into the NCAA free-agent pool is something they should seriously consider.
On the heels of the Ottawa Senators signing the NCAA's leading goal scorer, Bobby Butler, the Leafs signed 6'5", 205 lbs, University of Vermont forward Brady Irwin. Not wanting to feel left ...
Recent Surge Has The Miami Heat Peaking Just In Time
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Michael Pinto in NBA
The Miami Heat are sitting at six games above .500 for the first time all season and have been playing as good as any team in the league as of late.
Earlier in the month, a long home stretch that featured several lottery teams and some slumping contenders looked to be a major factor in the Heat's successful start to March.
Now, that March record reads 11-3 and Miami has won five ...
On the morning of March 31, 2010, the Toronto Raptors' magic number is seven .
It's the last day of March, with less than 10 games remaining, and the Toronto Raptors are seeded in this year’s playoff race. May all the whiners and naysayers please take a seat.
Forgotten is last year’s abysmal season. A distant memory is the 7-13 start to this season. Soon to be forgotten are ...
Are the Capitals Waiting tor the Playoffs or are they Already Done?
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Renee Perron in NHL
I don't think any Caps fans were happy last night. Only a few minutes into the first period, the Caps were already trailing the Ottawa Senators, and by the end of the first period, it was 3-1 Ottawa. The Caps had only 4 shots on goal in the first period, shocking for the offense-dominated team that usually averages over 30 shots per game.
Let's face it: it didn't look pretty.
By the ...
Kirk Hinrich: Another Chicago Bull Bites the Dust
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Christopher Murphy in NBA
The Chicago Bulls may have lost more than a game in the team's 111-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, falling to two back for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls may have lost another starter.
Starting guard, Kirk Hinrich, stepped on the foot of Joakim Noah late in the second quarter and immediately came up limping in what Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is calling ...
Phoenix Suns: Five Reasons They’re Shining Better Than Expected
Posted: 31st March 2010 by Matt Petersen in NBA
Eighth seed. Out of the playoffs. A breath away from rebuilding.
That's what all the "experts" were saying about the Phoenix Suns before this season. Certainly they didn't expect the Suns to be a game and a half out south of second place in the mighty Western Conference.
While this author had a hunch this would be the case, he was wrong about why. Sure, Phoenix is back to running, but it's ...
2009 regular season record: 65-97, Fifth place, AL Central
Major Offseason Acquisitions: Noel Arguelles (Cuba), Jason Kendall (OAK), Rick Ankiel (STL), Scott Podsednik (CWS), Josh Fields (CWS), Chris Getz (CWS)
Major Offseason Losses: Mark Teahen (CWS), Mike Jacobs (NYM), Miguel Olivo (COL), John Buck (TOR), Coco Crisp (OAK)
Projected Lineup (2009 stats):
1. LF-Scott Podsednik (.304 BA, .353 OBP, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 30 SB)
2. CF-Rick Ankiel (.231 BA, .285 OBP, 11 HR, 38 RBI)
3. ...
2009 regular season record: 86-77, Second place, AL Central
Major Offseason Acquisitions: Jose Valverde (HOU), Johnny Damon (NYY), Austin Jackson (NYY), Phil Coke (NYY), Max Scherzer (ARZ)
Major Offseason Losses: Curtis Granderson (NYY), Edwin Jackson (ARZ), Fernando Rodney (LAA), Brandon Lyon (HOU), Placido Polanco (PHI), Aubrey Huff (SF)
Projected Lineup (2009 stats):
1. CF-Austin Jackson (Minor leagues: .300 BA, .354 OBP, 4 HR, 65 RBI, 24 SB)
2. 2B-Scott Sizemore (Minor leagues: .308 BA, .389 OBP, ...
2009 regular season record: 79-83, t hird place, AL Central
Major Offseason Acquisitions: J.J. Putz (NYM), Omar Vizquel (TEX), Mark Teahen (KC), Juan Pierre (LAD), Mark Kotsay (BOS), Andruw Jones (TEX)
Major Offseason Losses: Scott Podsednik (KC), Jermaine Dye (FA), D.J. Carrasco (PIT), Octavio Dotel (PIT), Josh Fields (KC), Dewayne Wise (PHI)
Projected Lineup (2009 stats):
1. LF-Juan Pierre (.308 BA, .365 OBP, 0 HR, 31 RBI, ...