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NBA Power Rankings (Dec. 15): Streaking Celtics Regain Top Spot
Posted: 15th December 2009 by Taylor Smith in NBA
Tough crowd?
The Lakers' streak-ending loss at Utah Saturday night ended up pushing them out of the top spot in the rankings for the first time in a few weeks.
On the other coast, the Celtics have semi-quietly won 11 straight games, and are once again looking like the team that was smothering and dominating their opponents earlier in the season.
1. Boston Celtics (20-4, Last Week: 3)
The Celtics could be marching into ...
A couple of lesser-known guys (Bruce Gradkowski, Devin Thomas) were able to put up some huge numbers in Week 13.á
Will they be able to consistently perform at that level?
Who knows, as there are always guys who explode one week, only to fall back down to earth the next (think Ryan Moats).á
So, that being said, which guys are legitimate, and which guys are pretenders?
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Risers
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Ray Rice-RB-Baltimore Ravens
Ray Rice has been underrated all ...
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While the NFC playoff picture is clearing up, the AFC seems to get more and more muddled with each passing week.
If the season were to end today, the NFC playoffs would feature New Orleans, Minnesota, Arizona, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Green Bay.
If the season were to end today, the AFC playoff picture would feature Indianapolis, Cincinnati, San Diego, New England, Denver, and...Jacksonville?
It's true.
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1. Indianapolis Colts (12-0)
With their 27-17 win over the ...
NBA Power Rankings: Lakers’ Weapons Keep Them on Top
Posted: 9th December 2009 by Taylor Smith in NBA
Kobe Bryant's improbable heroics against Miami Friday night helped the Lakers' win streak stay alive.
The defending champs have now won nine consecutive games, and are the NBA's undisputed heavyweight through the first quarter of the '09-'10 season.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (16-3, Last Week: 1)
Center Andrew Bynum, now playing in his fifth NBA season, appears primed to make his first All-Star appearance.
The 22-year-old Bynum is averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds, and ...
Allen Iverson To Philly: Happy Homecoming or Epic Mistake?
Posted: 2nd December 2009 by Taylor Smith in NBA
So, Allen Iverson is headed back to Philadelphia.
I've written in the past about how he needs to accept the fact that he's in decline and nobody cares to have a whining, selfish, aging player as a franchise centerpiece.
However, I feel as though Iverson's move back to the 76ers is a perfect match for both sides.
Lou Williams, Philly's second-leading scorer, just went down for eight weeks with a broken jaw. Before ...
NFL Power Rankings, Week 12: Indianapolis Assumes Top Spot
Posted: 24th November 2009 by Taylor Smith in NFL
We have a new No. 1 in the NFL, and it should come as no surprise that the Colts' recent slew of victories over Houston, New England, and Baltimore is enough to push them just ahead of the Saints for the top spot.
Also, a pair of major AFC North upsets has the rankings shuffling around a bit heading into Week 12.
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1. Indianapolis Colts (10-0)
The aforementioned trio of wins has been ...
Texans-Titans: For the Second Straight Game, Houston Faces Must-Win
Posted: 23rd November 2009 by Taylor Smith in NFL
Coming off the bye week, the Houston Texans have had plenty of time to think about "what could've been" after week nine's crushing divisional defeat at the hands of the Colts.á
Hopefully, Houston has spent more of its time off thinking about "what will be" than "what could've been."
Tonight, the Texans will play on Monday Night Football for the second time in franchise history, and there's much more to worry about ...
Tracy McGrady Situation Is a Dicey One For Houston Rockets
Posted: 20th November 2009 by Taylor Smith in NBA
Houston Rockets guard and former cornerstone Tracy McGrady hasn't played in an NBA game since Feb. 9 against Milwaukee last season.
A few days later, it was announced that McGrady would undergo season-ending microfracture surgery on his left knee. Is it any coincidence that, immediately following the announcement, the Rockets went on to win six straight and 11 of their next 13 games?
Maybe, maybe not.
While McGrady was on the floor last ...
The NFL 's two undefeated teams certainly struggled to remain that way Sunday.
The Saints surprisingly had trouble with the one-win Rams, while the Colts needed a rare gaffe by Bill Belichick in order to keep their perfect record intact.
Meanwhile, the Bengals, it appears, are for real.
1. New Orleans Saints (9-0)
The Saints haven't been blowing teams out lately the way they were for the first few games of the season, but ...
The 2009 NFL season hasn't been particularly kind to a few of the running backs that were taken at the top of most fantasy drafts.á
Players like Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, and Michael Turner have struggled through disappointing seasons thus far.
Now, it's looking as though one of those guys can officially be marked off the list.á
Here are the top five fantasy risers and fallers going into Week 10.á
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Risers
Michael Turner, RB, ...