Bleacher Report - Articles by Nikil Ramanathan

Why Melky Cabrera Should Be the New Face of the Yankees

Nikil Ramanathan — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:08:30 -0400

I have always been a fan of the New York Yankees. I loved them through the dynasty, through the early 2000s, and I still love them today. But sometimes you just get frustrated with an organization, especially one that is inarguably the greatest franchise in all of sports.

Yesterday's win against the Phillies epitomizes everything that is right with the Yankees and yet everything that is wrong with them. This is a star-powered offense that can't hit for eight innings, but breaks out against none other than Brad Lidge.

And while Alex Rodriguez came up with the clutch two-run home-run that tied the ballgame, it was truly the young Yankees that WON it for them.

First, Robinson Cano hits a single. Then he steals second, and keep in mind this is just Cano's second stolen base of the year. And then Melky Cabrera hits a looping single into right-center to seal the deal.

Melky Cabrera has been a great addition to the Yankees since they brought him up over a year ago. Here's a guy that has brought back the idea of winning baseball games with small ball. He's a guy that has given them great defense in the outfield.

He has five walk-off hits in his career, more than any other Yankee in that span. It is quite incredible to even think that the hero behind many of these Yankee wins has been Cabrera, particularly when you think about who else is on their team: the Jeters, the A-Rods, the Teixeiras, the Damons, the Posadas, etc

Now this is taking nothing away from any of them. Jeter has earned his pinstripes from day one, as has Posada. A-Rod has been incredibly clutch in the regular season, though his postseason struggles and his steroid use will still always dominate his image. And Damon has been the sole producer for the Yankees this year from April to now.

But the Yankees teams of the late '90s were never about having the big names, and hitting home runs. They were about great pitching from "good" pitchers. They were about big hits from "good" players. They were about winning games, no matter how they do it. And they were about team chemistry.

Think about the great innings the Yankees got from guys like Moose and Clemens. Guys like David Cone, and David Boomer Wells. The great production all year from Andy Pettitte.

Then think about the clutch guys. Paul O'Neill. Tino Martinez. Bernie Williams. Derek Jeter. Jorge Posada. Scott Brosius. The list goes on and on. These weren't guys that they had to PAY to play. These were good players that became great, perhaps legendary when they played TOGETHER.

Think about the farm system of the Yankees. Now look at it today. There is no comparison. The fact is no one was complaining about the Yankees spending money when they won any of their 26 world series championships. But now, ironically, when they can't win, they are getting complaints about buying their teams.

The farm system is what made the Yankees great. It was never about buying players, it was about growing them up to become great. Nowadays the Yankees are quick to sell out young talent if it means getting a "big name" player.

But that's the problem here. The Yankees have messed up on nearly every acquisition of this type. Gary Sheffield? Alex Rodriguez? Jason Giambi? Carl Pavano?

Soon the Yankees must realize a couple of things. It's about winning games, not personal wants. All these guys are me-first players. Even yesterday, you could see the difference between a "true Yankee" and Mark Teixeira, who struck out on three straight pitches, likely because he was trying to tie up the ball game rather than make contact.

It's time the Yankees go back to their farm system and build it up. Look at the future of the Yankees in Robinson Cano, a fantastic second basemen. Melky Cabrera, the new Mr. Clutch, Phil Hughes, a more than adequate fifth starter in the big leagues if you give him the chance, and Joba Chamberlain, a lights-out starter or reliever.

For once, The Yankees must admit the Sox have done it right. They never spend as much as the Yanks, yet they get the same if not better production from "worse" players.

They get better postseason production from Lowell than the Yanks do from A-Rod.

They get the same production from guys like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, and Jonathan Papelbon, people they have groomed into top-notch players.

How good are the New York Yankees? They have been great this year. But they can be even better. They need to go back to their old habits of building team chemistry first and foremost. And then, from there, they need to bring more Melkys, more Canos, more Jobas and more Hugheses to the team.

So as far as I am concerned, yesterday's win was less about A-Rod, and more about Cano and Cabrera. It was more about showing that the young Yankees can do it just as well as the big name ones. And it was more about showing that Melky Cabrera should be the face of this franchise just as much as the rest of these guys.

Make no mistake, The Yankees are Derek Jeter's team. But as the real Yankees like Posada and Jeter and Rivera slowly age and fade away, it's time the new Yankees pick up the slack.

And I'm not talking about Teixeira and A-Rod.

I have always been a Yankees fan and I always will be. But I feel like the team has strayed from the prestigious title of "Yankees" and have truly become "The Evil Empire". And the only way back is to bring back the aura of the "New York Yankees" which existed in the late '90s.

It's certainly a tough road ahead, but I have no doubt the Yankees will be a better team even without spending bundles of money every offseason. Yes, even if it does mean a year of "rebuilding" and not "reloading."

Fantasy Football's Keys to Winning Your League

Nikil Ramanathan — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:34:08 -0400

I started playing fantasy football back in 2000. At the time, I was unfamiliar with the strategy surrounding the game. It seemed easy enough: create the best team possible. However, the task proved far harder to accomplish than I ever dreamed of.

As a high-school student, I enjoy playing fantasy sports. Each year, a bunch of friends and I would get together and participate in a fantasy basketball, baseball, and football league. I found myself taking the title in two leagues each year and a couple others that I participate in on Yahoo.

Fantasy sports, particularly fantasy football, has grown on me ever since. It seems to be the perfect mix of strategy and fun. I find fantasy football comparable to your favorite class in school.

It requires strategy and homework in order to craft a great team. It also requires vast research. Yet, the work does not seem burdensome. In fact, it feels the exact opposite.

Because of the love and appreciation I have for the game of football, I enjoy nothing more than kicking back on the coach with a cup of coffee and skimming through a fantasy football magazine.

But when it comes to the actual rankings themselves, it is clear the best names in sports don't know much.

Whether it's ESPN, Sporting News, CBS sports, or you name it, the rankings just don't cut it. I find the most valuable information for draft day to be the mock drafts and the ADP or average draft position.

The idea is mainly to trust your own instincts. The rankings are made for complete newbies. That is, people who have just learned that a touchdown is worth six points should follow these rankings strictly. Otherwise, the rankings aren't going to give you a leg-up on the competition.

The truth is, first-year players that draft players from their favorite teams have as good of a shot as the next guy drafting the best available player off of a Sports Illustrated cheat sheet.

Am I telling you, if you are a Miami Dolphins fan, to take Ronnie Brown first overall? Absolutely not. Am I telling you to do the opposite of what the rankings indicate? No. What I am telling you to do is use a balance.

The goal is to create that perfect balance between your perceptions and those of the writers of these rankings.

Here is a coherent plan to help you start your preparation.

Buy a magazine or look at some rankings online from a relatively reputable resource. Good examples are Athlon Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo, and Fanball. Places to stay away from are Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Obtain the following from said magazine or website or another trustworthy source:

1. Player rankings by position, including projections and three-year statistics

2. Top 300 players overall

3. Cheat sheets (just names of players)

4. Ranking of best offensive lines in the NFL

5. List of sleepers

6. Two or three mock draft results with the same number of teams as your league and similar settings run by expert analysts

7. List of ADP (average draft position) of players from reputable source

8. List of league roster positions

9. List of league settings

10. Red pen

11. Cup of Coffee (no decaf)

Once you have obtained the following, set aside No. 2, 5, and 8. They are solely to use on draft day only.

Then set aside No. 6 and 7 in a different pile. You will need to glance at these fairly quickly, but it is important that you do so before the draft.

Then take No. 3 out in front of you. Using No. 1, start to group players into tiers based on how close one guy will be, production-wise, versus the guy directly below him. Then use No. 9 to move certain players up or down depending on a certain league.

For example, in a league that awards you a point per reception (ppr), I would place Westbrook ahead of Peterson and move Reggie Bush into the low to middle-teens area rather than the high teens or low 20s.

Start this process with running backs and use No. 4 to help you. Any running backs on teams with good offensive lines should be looked at highly, and conversely, any running backs on teams with poor offensive lines should be scrutinized.

Personally, I prefer a guy like Clinton Portis over Larry Johnson because he has a better offensive line and has shown he can produce even when his O-line has been injury-depleted. Johnson, meanwhile, has been a guy who may have simply benefited from the Chiefs' previously brilliant offensive line, but is an unproven runner himself.

To start you off, here is how I would rank running backs in a typical league.

Tier One:

L. Tomlinson

A. Peterson (MN)

B. Westbrook

S. Jackson

J. Addai

Tier Two:

F. Gore

C. Portis

M. Barber

M. Lynch

L. Johnson

I proceed to use the rankings as a way to measure where specific players are ranked relative to others. I then take sheets No. 6 and 7 to help group these players into specified tiers that combine personal preference and typical preference.

This allows me to target players that I like, but prevents me from reaching for them and taking them too soon. By knowing their ADP, I can judge at what pick I need to pick them and when such players will typically be available.

Additionally, if you know the managers in your league, sometimes you can determine their tendencies and that will give you an even better gauge of when players will be drafted.

For example, let's say I am indeed a Miami Dolphins, fan and I have the third pick in a 12-team league. By checking ADP and sample mock drafts, as well as rankings, I figure my man, Ronnie Brown, will still be available at pick 27, my third-round pick.

Thus, I pick a better player in the second round, rather than stretching for a player I desire too early.

After completing a grouping of running backs, proceed to do such rankings next with receivers. Here are my tiers in this area to start you off.

I have six wide receivers that I consider elite this year, in order: Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald, and Andre Johnson.

I then have the next tier of guys that I consider low No. 1s, but still desirable, such as Colston, Houshmandzadeh, and Burress, followed by strong No. 2 wide receivers, like Welker, Holmes, Chad Johnson, Torry Holt, and Anquan Boldin.

Again, league settings play a big role. If you are in a point per reception (ppr) league, a guy like Wes Welker will be of greater value than a Holmes. Once again, the right combination must be used and that comes with experience. But this philosophy can work to great lengths.

Then do the same for quarterbacks. I'll start you off again.

Tier One:

Brady

P. Manning

Tier Two:

D. Brees

T. Romo

C. Palmer

B. Roethlisberger

Tier Three:

M. Hasselbeck

D. Anderson

J. Cutler

D. McNabb

If you are truly ambitious, you can do the same with tight ends. There is no need to do so with team defenses and individual kickers.

By ranking this way before a draft, you have a much better idea of who to take at a given selection. For example, if the last tier-one wideout remains, but five tier-three running backs are left, take the wideout and get the running back with your next pick.

Without this strategy, at times, managers will second-guess themselves and will ultimately end up making a wrong selection.

Finally, I will leave you with some quick tips to help the average fantasy manager.

1. Take a placekicker with your final pick (or do not draft one at all and pick one up before Week One, using your last pick for a high flier).

2. Draft running-back depth over wide receiver depth (WR will always be available on the waiver wire, while it is hard to find that same quality at the running back position).

3. Use you list of sleepers wisely on draft day, but don't reach for them.

4. Handcuff your top running backs. That is, take their backups and stretch for them if necessary.

5. Always be active on the waiver wire once the season begins. Be on the lookout for injury replacements. At the very least, they can end up being great trade-bait.

I hope you enjoyed this article, and I hope my strategy proves valuable to the rest of you fantasy addicts. Good luck to all, and may my tips help you bring home the hardware.

Asante Samuel: With Him, Philadelphia Eagles Primed for Super Bowl Berth

Nikil Ramanathan — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:28:33 -0400

After finishing dead last in the NFC East with a record of 8-8, the Philadelphia Eagles finally realized it was time to start spending money.

The Eagles proceeded to sign All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel to a lucrative six-year deal worth $57 million. The signing makes Samuel one of the highest paid corners in the NFL.

But more importantly, it makes the Philadelphia Eagles one of the best teams in football.

A big reason why the Philadelphia Eagles have underachieved for the past couple ofyears is due to injury problems. The Eagles always seem to be one of the most injury-prone teams in the league.

Last year was no different.

Injuries piled up for this team, on both the offensive and the defensive side of the ball. While McNabb found himself riding the bench for two games, A.J Feeley was able to step in admirably and nearly lead the squad to a shocking upset over the New England Patriots.

(Ironically, it was none other than Asante Samuel who picked off two of Feeley's errant throws to preserve the Patriots' then-perfect season)

But defensively, it seemed as if no player could fill the voids. With injuries to guys like Kearse on the front line and the secondary crumbling with injuries to Pro Bowlers Lito Sheppard and Brian Dawkins, as well as emerging safety Sean Considine, the defense was never really able to establish itself.

Consequently, the team found itself in many close games that came down to the wire. Without the depth in the secondary, the Eagles were unable to pull out victories, particularly against the likes of Chicago, Seattle, and New England.

While the offense was subject to blame in numerous cases, it was the underlying instability in the pass defense that was the real cause of the losing. And while the three-game win streak to finish the year is worthy of note, the Eagles knew it was time to make a move.

In comes Asante Samuel.

Samuel established himself as a shutdown corner in New England and he brings his skills to a team in Philadelphia that desperately needs his talent.

In just the past two seasons, Samuel has made 16 interceptions. Just to put that remarkable number in perspective, I should mention that perennial Pro Bowl corners Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson have picked off 13 and 12 passes, respectively, during that two-year period.

Samuel is also a versatile coverage man. He can drop back in zones and pick off passes, which is where he is at his best. But he can also play man-to-man defense exceptionally well. His uncanny ability to get in front of the receiver and his long arms are a lethal combination.

Samuel also brings to the Eagles something they are in dire need of: championship experience.

The Pro Bowl corner is a two-time Super Bowl winner, part of a dynasty in New England. During these championship years, Samuel earned tremendous respect from teammates and opponents.

More importantly, he played under one of the greatest coaches of all-time in Bill Belichick, and under defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. With this opportunity, Samuel gained a wealth of knowledge at a young age which has helped him mature into a developed star in just five years.

Samuel now steps into Philadelphia, where he is expected to be a star. Alongside Lito Sheppard, the Eagles now have the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Add in safeties Sean Considine and the hard-hitting Brian Dawkins and you have a secondary that no quarterback wants to go up against.

But it will not be easy for Samuel. The City of Brotherly Love is certainly a misnomer when it comes to Philly sports.

With years of choking and failing to live up to expectations, Eagles fans are eagerly awaiting the 2008 season, but they will not be forgiving. Samuel will need to come ready to play football.

It is now or never for these Philadelphia Eagles. They have a healthy McNabb for the first time in ages. Brian Westbrook is in the prime of his career. The trio of Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, and DeSean Jackson is as good as, if not better than, the wide receiving corps of the early 2000 Eagles' teams.

Jackson also gives the Eagles their first real threat for special teams since Brian Mitchell.

And the defense, thanks to the acquisition of Samuel, is as strong and healthy as it has been in years.

With this combination, all is set for the Eagles to return to the top of the NFC and make another run at the Super Bowl.

Open Mic: The Mental Toughness to Succeed

Nikil Ramanathan — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:37:36 -0400

There are so many great athletes in all of sports that sometimes, even for a sports buff like me, it is hard to keep track of all of them.

The best of them, however, have a determination, a work ethic, a focus that separates them from the pack.

Which sport requires the most mental toughness? It is tough to determine this, since all sports require their athletes to possess some kind of mental toughness in order to succeed.

I will now examine a number of sports and the athletes who are toughest mentally.

Football

In order to succeed in football, you have to be incredibly strong mentally. Over the course of a 16-game season, for most everyday players, it can be very easy to be benched for poor play.

You must play at the top of your game at all times, and you must be ready to hear it from the media if you are a player with high expectations.

That being said, the position that must be tougher mentally is clearly quarterback. Quarterbacks are the leaders of teams, and they hold the responsibility of controlling the rest of the team.

Many times, right or not, the expectations rest on their shoulders and they must step up and deliver.

A great example of a mentally tough player is Tom Brady. He remains cool at all times, as we have seen countless times in the playoffs and down the stretch in the Super Bowl. He comes ready to play every Sunday, he isn’t afraid to take the blame for the team, and he handles the media exceptionally well.

Basketball

In order to succeed in basketball, one must be strong mentally and physically. Yet, most solid players can muscle their way with the best of players.

What separates the great from the good is the focus possessed by the great. They stay calm in pressure situations and deliver when called upon. They also handle themselves well with the media and play hard until the buzzer sounds.

Additionally, they don’t worry about the crowd or what else is happening. They continue to shoot the ball, even if their shot isn’t falling, maintaining a high level of self-confidence.

A prime example of a mentally tough player is Tim Duncan. Unlike many of his fellow players, Duncan is selfless. He never expresses his emotions in a negative manner and is only concerned with himself and his team.

He has constantly been criticized for being a “boring” player, but he couldn't care less. He has great self-confidence, and despite my dislike of his game, I have tremendous respect for him.

Baseball

Baseball, in my opinion, requires a bit less mental toughness than the other sports. In baseball, it seems there is less of chance of being pulled or being benched.

Also, after a bad at-bat, you have a couple of innings to regroup. After a bad pitching performance, you have a couple of days to regroup and fix things. You don’t have this same reflective period in other sports, meaning you must be more mentally tough to keep things together.

That being said, the best of the best are still mentally tough. Take, for example, Mariano Rivera. As a closer, his only goal is to get the three outs he’s expected to.

He couldn't care less if they are three strikeouts or three fly outs at the warning track. He knows that when he comes to the mound, he is being counted on to save a game and he cherishes this opportunity.

Rivera, as a closer, also must regroup after a tough outing. Blowing a win is a tough thing. Rivera is one of the best at regrouping and quickly forgetting the past, concentrating on the next game and cashing in on his next opportunity.

Tennis

Tennis isn’t as popular as the sports listed above, but I recognize it as one of the best games. It is unique in that it is an individual’s game and thus relies on great mental toughness.

The best players need to be incredibly mentally fit. Many times, you won’t be on your game in an early round of a tournament, playing a player you are supposed to beat. You must persevere and find a way to win.

Thus, you must bring yourself together and battle to the end. You must change your game; craft it to your liking on that given day. You cannot lose focus at the hurdle in front of you, because you have no teammates to pick up the slack.

You cannot become rattled, because your play will reflect it. Few players, aside from John McEnroe, are able to use anger to help them on the court.

Tennis players have coaches not only to help tone their games, but to keep them mentally prepared for the next match.

Nobody in tennis is mentally tougher than Roger Federer. Playing without a coach at times in his career, he has shown that he can withstand the toughest of battles.

He is simply focused on winning every match and unlike other players, never shows his anger on the court. In matches where he falls behind, he remains calm and cool and works his way back into it.

Golf

Yes, I know what you are probably thinking. Golf? Anyone can hit a golf ball. There’s no mental part of the game. But that is a faulty assumption.

Golf requires an incredible amount of toughness. Like tennis, you are on your own, with the exception of your caddy. In golf, it is inevitable that you will have some good shots, some poor shots, and some really bad shots.

The best of the best recover from these bad ones with ease, forgetting about them as soon as they hit them and always thinking about the next shot.

But it is not easy, because a round of golf takes close to five hours. It can be grueling on a hot, humid, midsummer day. Couple that with a few errant tee shots, and anyone in his/her right mind would be fuming.

Yet, the greatest golfers must have great command over their actions. They must have great control of each shot. They must know when to raise their emotions and when to keep them at a low level.

Tiger Woods is the quintessential example of a mentally tough athlete. I have never seen anyone in all of sports who is so precise, so accurate and so focused every second.

His focus on every shot is astounding and he is able to ignore the cheers that surround him and the applause from a nearby hole.

He is somehow able to shield his mind from everything except the shot in front of him, whether it is a tee shot, a second shot from the deep rough, a third shot from the bunker or a long, uphill putt for par.

Yes, Woods is a phenomenal athlete and an incredible golfer. There is no question about that. But so much of his game is reflected in his no-nonsense demeanor. He knows what has to be done, and that is as much reason as to why he gets respect on tour as his number of PGA Tour victories.

So which sport truly requires the most mental toughness? Even after examining five sports, it is tough to say. The greats of every sport have tremendous concentration and focus, which translates to great mental toughness.

If I had to pick one, it would be golf. Why? Because you are alone on a golf course, facing 18 daunting holes in front of you with just a caddy and a bunch of clubs by your side.

The crowd is watching your every shot. One errant shot and your tournament chances could be ruined. Every shot requires precision and accuracy. Every player must be ready to take on this challenge.

There is no doubt that the mentally fit are the best athletes.

And there’s no question that if you stay mentally tough, you can accomplish extraordinary things.

If you don’t believe me, just ask Tiger Woods. Or better yet, just ask his competitors.

Los Angeles Lakers: 10 Reasons Why They Will Be NBA Champions

Nikil Ramanathan — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:42:17 -0400

It's the matchup of the fans' dreams.

The beast of the East. The best of the West. Celtics vs. Lakers.

The two storied franchises have a combined 30 NBA titles. The rivalry originated in the 1960s and has continued for a near half-century. Greats like Russell, Baylor, West, Bird, and Magic have been featured in this intense rivalry.

Now future Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett have the opportunity to etch their names in the record books and create their legacy on this historic rivalry.

The Celtics and Lakers have met 10 times in the NBA finals, with Boston taking the first 8 and Los Angeles the last 2. I fully expect the Lakers' winning ways to continue.

Here are 10 reasons why the Lakers will be crowned NBA champs in 2008.

10. Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom is one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA. After emerging as a formidable threat with the Clippers while battling drug addiction, Odom was traded to the Miami Heat. There, he played in the shadow of Dwyane Wade and suddenly found himself in Los Angeles.

Despite struggling to establish a connection with Kobe early, following Phil Jackson's arrival, Odom emerged as a solid No. 2 man alongside Bryant. Odom served a great purpose on this year's team, and has continued his strong play this postseason, playing hard on both sides of the ball.

Odom averaged a double-double this season with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. In fact, following the trade for Pau Gasol, Odom played the best basketball of his career, overshadowed by Kobe's MVP season. Odom averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists per game following the blockbuster deal which leads to...

9. The acquisition of Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol had made a name for himself in Memphis. With the Grizzlies, he set numerous franchise records and became an All-Star.

Earlier this year, however, Gasol was traded to the Lakers in a deal that solidified Los Angeles' status as the best team in the Western Conference. Gasol immediately jelled with Bryant to form a 1-2 punch that was as formidable as any in the NBA.

Gasol averaged close to 19 points and eight rebounds in the 27-regular season games with the Lakers, while shooting at a ridiculous 59 percent clip. Gasol's impact proved invaluable in the playoffs as well providing a foil to the Cambys, the Boozers, and the Duncans that stood in the Lakers' path.

Gasol has been equally impressive in the postseason and is a big reason why the Lakers are in the NBA finals. His acquisition has allowed Kobe to be more free on the offensive side of the ball and has made the entire team stronger and deeper.

8. It ain't Boston's year

Yes, the Celtics had the best record in the NBA. That is, of course in the regular season. That is, of course in the Eastern Conference. That is, of course, in the lowly Eastern Conference.

The fact is another Boston team also thrived in the regular season. The New England Patriots went 16-0. But they failed to live up to the lofty expectations they created when losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Come to think of it, once 2008 rolled around, the Patriots were a different team.

Yes, the Boston Red Sox took the World Series crown this past year. But that was 2007. This is 2008. The Celtics had a great start to the season in 2007, and looked as if they may approach the 72-10 mark of the '98 Bulls.

In fact, the Celtics were 26-3 at the end of the calendar year. But by January of 2008, the Celtics were suddenly 36-8.

The Celtics have also struggled mightily in the postseason, playing seven-game series with the Hawks and Cavs and taking six games to outlast the Pistons. The Celtics' 12-8 postseason record is a pale comparison to their 66-16 record in the regular season.

It was inevitable that the Celtics would reach the finals, just as it was for the Patriots to reach the Super Bowl. But the Celtics most certainly won't be celebrating in June.

7. Bench Play

Throughout the entire NBA season, the media has hyped the Big 3 in Boston. Garnett, Allen and Pierce have even starred in Sportscenter commercials. However, the teams that win championships have great depth.

Look no further than the past couple of years. The Spurs' winning teams had great depth, especially with their guard rotation. The Pistons were one of the deepest teams in basketball history, with role players such as McDyess, Hunter, and Arroyo.

The Lakers bench has been the strongest of any team all season. With a starting lineup featuring Kobe, Odom and Gasol, not to mention Radmanovic and Fisher, the starting five has great balance.

But in addition, the bench features great role players. Sasha Vujacic is an excellent three-point shooter who provides the Lakers with great range. Luke Walton is a very versatile forward that can score, rebound, pass and defend, a rarity from a bench player. Turiaf gives the Lakers a good defensive presence inside.

Together, these players give the Lakers the edge they need to beat the Celtics.

6. Lookin' Good in the Playoffs

The Lakers have stepped it up another notch in the postseason.

The Lakers completely destroyed the Nuggets in four quick and easy games to advance to the second round.

Then in the second round, they faced an underrated Jazz team that had lost just four games at home all season. The Lakers defeated Utah in six games, closing out the series at EnergySolutions Arena in Utah.

Finally, in the conference finals, the Lakers dispatched the defending champion Spurs in five games to advance to the NBA finals. Kobe Bryant showcased his talent and showed why the Lakers are the best team in the league.

Meanwhile, the Celtics went the distance in the first two rounds against two average teams in the Hawks and Cavaliers. Then against the Pistons, the Celtics finally woke up, but still took six games to take care of their opponent.

Clearly, the Lakers have been the sharper of the two teams.

5. Best in the West

The Lakers made an incredible turnaround from last year's lackluster squad. Los Angeles were the Western Conference's best with a 57-25 record. That, in itself, is an incredible accomplishment considering that the Lakers had to face the Western Conference's best all season while Boston and Detroit feasted on the weak teams in the East.

The Lakers come out on top of a wealth of quality teams. The Hornets, the Spurs, the Jazz, the Rockets, the Mavs, and the Suns were all in the jam-packed Western conference. Still, the fiesty Lakers claimed the best record.

The West prepared the Lakers for a tough road through the playoffs and prepared the team for any battle they may face. LA is fully ready to take on the Celtics and it has the confidence needed to defeat them.

4. They want it more

At the beginning of the season, all we knew about the Lakers was that they had a disgruntled star in Kobe Bryant. As fans, we were waiting to see the team self-destruct, waiting to see the team crumble to pieces, waiting to see Kobe kill the team.

Then by early December, the team had fallen to 12-12, and we were certain it was about to happen.

But it didn't. Instead, Kobe took the team on his shoulders and led the Lakers from that point to a 45-13 record. Bryant never let the team fall and brought everyone together. He served as a mentor to the young team and truly became a leader for an inexperienced team that was in dire need of one.

Kobe Bryant's passion and desire has never once been questioned. He instilled this same determination and heart in his teammates and now the Lakers see their hopes from the beginning of the season just four games away. For Bryant, it's a chance to remove himself from Shaq's shadow, and show that he can win a championship on his own.

3. Phil Jackson

Need I say more?

Jackson is considered one of, if not the greatest coach in NBA history. His statistics stand alone when compared to other coaches. His nine NBA titles tie him with none other than Celtics' coach Red Auerbach.

Jackson established a name for himself with the Bulls, winning six titles in a span of eight years. Following Jordan's retirement, Jackson vowed to never coach again. But his love and passion for coaching brought him back after just one year to the Lakers.

He coached the Lakers to three consecutive titles with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal starring for the squad. He was able to utilize the triangle offense to keep both involved, along with players such as Rick Fox and Robert "Big Shot" Horry.

Jackson's legacy is questioned sometimes due to his inheritance of great players (Jordan and Pippen in the 90s, Shaq and Kobe in the early 2000s), but his coaching ability cannot be doubted. Jackson was able to take this great amount of talent and turn it into something special.

in Chicago, he created an offense that centered around MJ, but that depended on other players as well. In doing so, he avoided making the team one-dimensional and contributed to the Bulls' winning ways.

In Los Angeles, Jackson did a remarkable job in getting two superstars, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, to coexist. Jackson helped mature the star we now know as Kobe and crafted Shaq into one of, if not the most dominant big man to ever play the game. Regardless of the talent he had, his coaching prowess should not be questioned. He can certainly serve as a difference in this series, with his experience of winning.

2. Kobe

I could go on forever about the impact of Bryant, but I will try to keep it as short as possible.

Kobe Bryant is undeniably one of the greatest players to ever play professional basketball. He has three championships from the early years of his career and has matured into a bonafide star.

This 2007-2008 campaign has made Kobe a true legend. Winning the MVP award was just one of Bryant's great accomplishments. Kobe has been a tremendous player for years, and it was about time he received the award.

Bryant has always been a remarkable scorer. His 81-point performance in Toronto is a clear cut example of that. Any time Kobe takes the court, he has the potential to light up the scoreboard.

But this year Bryant established himself as a team player. He became a leader for the young players on the Lakers. After demanding a trade over the summer, Kobe left himself in a precarious situation. It would be very easy to break down, especially with the Lakers' early season struggles. Bryant, however, rose above and inspired his team, invigorating a confidence that fueled the entire team.

The numbers don't speak enough and yet they are still ridiculous. Bryant had a down year in scoring, averaging just 28.3 points per game at a 46 percent clip. Some of his other numbers increased, though, as he approached 6.5 and 5.5 rebounds and assists per game respectively. Also, Bryant continued to drive to the basket, getting to the charity stripe nine times per game.

In the postseason, Bryant has realized what is at stake. With his desire to win a championship, Bryant has risen his game to another level, if that is even possible. He is averaging nearly 32 ppg, over 6 rebounds per game and nearly 6 assists per contest. Even his shooting percentage is at a ridiculous 51%.

Bryant proved to his loyal LA fans this season that he truly is the next Michael Jordan. He is a true leader, a great scorer, a fantastic defender and a legend in the making. After this June, he'll notch the fourth championship of his career.

And, oh yeah, he won't even have turned 30 yet.

1. The better team wins

This idea is quite simple. In the game of basketball, there are four quarters, 48 minutes of hard fought action. Two teams face off against each other, each with five members on the court at a given time. Points are awarded when each team makes the ball in the basket. Thus, the team that records the most points wins.

Common sense will tell you that the team that scores the most points will win. But which team will score the most points? Well, common sense also tells you that the better team will win.

But who is the better team?

The better team is the team that is stronger, that is smarter, that is more powerful that the other. The better team is the one that is more passionate, more determined, more strong-minded than the other team. The better team leaves it all on the court for that small chance that maybe, just maybe, they can finish ahead of the other team.

In a battle between two bitter rivals, between the leagues best teams, between two storied franchises, both will exemplify these characteristics that label them as "better".

The difference in this series will be the other nine reasons I mentioned. The Lakers are "better" because they have Jackson, they have Gasol, they have Kobe, etc.

In any case, I've got the Lakers in six.

Kobe Bryant Closing in on Michael Jordan: the Air Apparent

Nikil Ramanathan — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:08:35 -0400

“If that’s the last image of Michael Jordan… How magnificent is it?”

I still remember Bob Costas’ words as I watched Jordan sink the shot to give the Bulls their sixth title in eight years.

At the time, I was still learning much about the evolving game of basketball, but even then, I could see that I had witnessed something remarkable, something extraordinary, and something unprecedented.

Jordan possessed a combination of talent and skill that I feared I might never see again. Fortunately, that is not so, for there is one player who holds the same gift that Jordan did in his prime. The man they call Kobe.

Kobe Bryant possesses many of the gifts in which Michael Jordan was blessed with. Both have the uncanny ability to score at any moment, both are superior defenders and tremendous leaders, and both have mid-range jumpers that they could sink in a moments notice.

Surely, Bryant is not yet at Jordan’s level, but he is quickly approaching it.

On offense, Bryant is comparable to Jordan. He has the best range of any shooter I have ever seen. His jumper is lethal and his ball handling is superior to that of most point guards. As far as his ability to get to the line, he is, by far, the best in the league.

Like Jordan, when Bryant’s jumper isn’t working, he can drive or draw the foul. In fact, he is arguably a better free throw shooter than MJ ever was. However, when it comes to taking it to the hole, he still isn’t at the point where Jordan was. Jordan took it to the basket stronger than anybody, but Bryant is still improving, and once he gets to the rim, he finishes with authority.

On the defensive side of the ball, it is much of the same. Michael Jordan, although recognized for his offensive play, was a tremendous defender. He was a member of the NBA all defensive first team an astonishing nine times.

Kobe Bryant, with many years left in him, has made the first team six times and the second team twice. He is known around the league as one of the top perimeter defenders, though his defense is not quite as superb as Jordan’s was. But I see in Bryant that same anticipation and footwork that made Jordan so great. Defensively though, Jordan still has the clear edge.

Even looking purely at leadership, Bryant seems to be the apparent heir to MJ. Jordan was a great leader during his tenure with Chicago where he won a plethora of awards. Jordan’s leadership was almost as amazing as his play on the court. He was a true team player who learned to coordinate with another Hall of Fame player, Scottie Pippen. Jordan took hold of the Bulls and made them true contenders for a decade. His premiere leadership led everyone to play their individual role on the team. Not once did Jordan place his arrogance above the team. Bryant is slowly, but surely developing these skills.

After his debacle with Shaquille O’Neal in the early years of the decade, Bryant has now taken over the Los Angeles Lakers and has become the face of the franchise. He is learning to play with his teammates, and because of this, his overall game has risen.

Bryant has become a mentor for young players like Andrew Bynum and is now the “de facto” leader of the ball club. This leadership is a big reason why the Lakers are having so much success this season.

What Bryant brings to the game of basketball is unique in its own way. He possesses those same qualities that made Jordan the best player to play the game. He has range that not even Jordan had. He has developed a jump shot that Jordan only crafted by the end of his career. He has the remarkable ability to score whenever he desires.

The truly scary part is that Bryant continues to get better. He is a budding star in his prime, and he's not even 30.

Kobe Bryant still has a long ways to go before he catches up to Jordan. MJ has won the NBA title six times, league MVP five times, and was an All-Star fourteen times. He has won the scoring title ten times, the NBA finals MVP award six times and has a career scoring average of 30.1 points per game, all of which are NBA records. Bryant still has some work to do on his résumé.

I remember watching Bryant’s 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors and being simply dazzled by his array of shots in which he pulled up five feet beyond the arc; he was hitting fadeaways over two defenders, making shots that one wouldn’t sink in video games.

It was the greatest single-game scoring performance I have ever seen and may ever see. That game alone illustrated the profound ability of Kobe Bryant. It shows that Kobe Bryant is unquestionably the heir to Michael Jordan.

Today, I reflect upon the great performances of Jordan. But I can live happily knowing that there are more of these feats to come.

Jordan’s retirement simply signaled the end of his era. Now Bryant symbolizes a new era – an era of greatness. And I can’t wait to watch it unfold.