Bleacher Report - Articles by Benjamin Baroff

Agent Zero: Can Gilbert Arenas Finally Play More Than He Talks?

Benjamin Baroff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:06:50 -0400

Gilbert Arenas played two games last season. And he's talking as if he was the All-Star Game MVP.

"They should have held me back" Arenas said today.

Gilbert? Held you back from what? Yourself? Laughable!

Arenas is the same guy that shunned all Wizards medical advice over the past two seasons, saying he could take care of himself. Do his own rehab, get back to his level on his own.

So the Wizards listened to their superstar. He could handle it. Right?

Obviously wrong.

Gilbert has failed his two attempted comebacks the past two NBA seasons, one for a late-season playoff push in '07-'08. The other being what might have well been a "I'm still part of the team" stint lasting for two games last spring.

So Agent Zero (might stand for zero leadership, teamwork, or trust—I'm still figuring it out) went out and hired one of the best trainers in the NBA, Tim Grover.

Grover has worked with some of the NBA's biggest stars, and most frequent visitors of the IR. Namely, Dwayne Wade, Tracy Mcgrady, and OJ Mayo.

Grover is supporting Gilbert when he makes the claim the was seriously injured because the Wizards rushed him back. He pointed out that while Gilbert's injury was not career-threatening, it was a 7 or 8 on a scale to 10. But he knows what he's doing.

So Gilbert is back, feeling better than ever. He's stronger, faster, and more explosive than he's ever been. In your face, entire Wizard's organization! Ha!

Really, Gilbert? We know you're a great player. You couldn't have just gone out there and proved to us you are healthy with your All-Star play? You couldn't wait until you knew for sure that you could withstand the intensity of the NBA again?

It's like when you get a pair of new shoes and you just can't wait to wear them. You have to wear them out that very night in the rain. You know what's going to happen: The shoes are going to get dirty.

And this is exactly what might happen to Gilbert. If it does, we won't be seeing Gilbert on the All-Star team, let alone his preference of All-League, let alone the playoffs (where you become something).

Gilbert's a fun player, a great athlete, and a heck of a scorer. But his priorities have been, and still seem to be, his image.

Maybe this season Gilbert will decide to work on his team's image instead of his own.

USC at Ohio State: Fear the Shoe

Benjamin Baroff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:04:01 -0400

If you think USC is walking out of the horseshoe with an easy win you are out of your mind. There is no way.

Sure USC rolled Ohio St. 35-3 last year in Southern California. And yes Ohio St. is again coming off a poor performance against an under-matched mid-major team (Ohio St. trailed Ohio entering the fourth last year).

And I know that what I'm about to say has been said a million times before. but that was last year. The Buckeyes are not a team that overlooks something like the beating they received last year.

USC will not turn the game of the year into another channel-changer. Matt Barkley is not lighting the Buckeyes defense up for four touchdowns as Mark Sanchez did a season ago.

Ohio St. gets a bad rep for having a soft schedule, but they have played these marquee type games before. Remember the '04-'05 duels with Vince Young and Texas, an '03-'04 against a better Washington program, and played on the road against a No. 7 Washington St. in 02.

The program is ready, the team is ready, and the fans are ready, the fans most likely having the biggest impact on the game.

They are insane, and will be maniacs. Roughly 105,000 maniacs. It is going to be louder than loud at the horseshoe. I don't care how good Matt Barkley is, he is not going to deal with that like a pro. The fans are going to be on him like Michael Vick on the road. USC is going to get Yankee treatment this weekend.

And the Buckeyes will thrive.

You don't think Jim Tressel has been preparing OSU for weeks for this game. Maybe Navy was a bit looked over by the Buckeyes. He won't make the same mistake he did last year when Ohio University gave them all they could handle for 60 minutes.

What the Buckeyes don't have to worry about is a week of media attention over their superstar injury, and what USC does have to worry about, is a playmaker in Terrelle Pryor.

"Jim, how worried are you that Chris Wells, your only threat, will not be playing this week?"

"There will be no Beanie Wells questions please."

"Sorry Jim, so how long are you planning to play Chris?"

Instead, its all about Terrelle Pryor. Pryor looked more than comfortable playing at USC last year. He also managed Ohio St. like a Senior against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. I know he is not fully proven and I don't care, this kid is a college star.

And for all these reasons I am going to root for the underdog. I am going to believe in Ohio St. this week. I am going to believe in the Big 10.

And maybe I'll be congratulating Matt Barkley next week.

2009: The Games That Make You Say...

Benjamin Baroff — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:22:09 -0400

The games that make you say...

Miami @ Florida St. this decade's best opening week rivalry. A game of two not so great teams that we've seen for the last five seasons. Wow.

Back and forth for four quarters, a stud QB performance out of Miami's Jacory Harris obliterated his career high with 386 yards and a kicker side-story?

A big hit on Harris early in the fourth led to a wobbly pass that was picked off and taken to the house for a FSU lead at home with approximately nine minutes to play. From there on Harris was a stud. He went 7-9 for 122 yards and two impressive touchdowns. One of which a scrambling bomb that he put right on the money down to the 2-yard line.

Miami steals one on the road after a goal line stand which including a great defensive play by a corner on second down and a dropped game winning touchdown on fourth down.

A game I never expected to be interested in past the first couple possessions let alone until close to 1 a.m.

A game that made me jump out of my seat at least three or four times. I don't even like either team. In fact, I hate them both! I'm a Gator.

A game that made my roommate ask if they could invent a rule for a 4-point play so it could go to overtime.

The games that make you say...

Roddick vs. Federer. Federer's 19-2 lifetime against Roddick. 19-2! Federer's shut out Roddick nine times. I'll give it a shot on a early summer Sunday morning. 7-5 6-7 6-7 6-3 14-16. 14-16!

"I don't want to go to lunch anymore man."

"Dude seriously? when's this damn match going to be over!"

"...It's not dude"

And it wasn't. Honestly, while you were watching the match, it was just as great as Federer/Nadal a year ago. I couldn't get up because it each game was decisive. Roddick had to serve nine sets facing elimination. You want to talk about absolute pressure. Incredible. Unexpected. History.

The games that make you say...

Orlando at Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals. It's been Cleveland's year since January. Cleveland's lost two games at home all year. Cleveland actually rocked.

And the Magic decide to have their coming out party. Devastated the entire city after stealing Game One. And nearly Game Two. First let me set the stage. Cleveland as a team and as a fan-base was in total shock after Game One. Cleveland lost two home games all season (one in OT, in a game in which no starters played).

The Cavs rout the Magic in the first half of Game One. Lebron had five highlights on the top 10 including a monster block on Dwight Howard. A 15-point halftime lead was capped off by a 75-foot Mo Williams heave at the buzzer. The Q was rocking.

The Magic shoot the lights out in the second half and after two huuuge Rashard Lewis shots in the last 30 seconds the Cavs find themselves down 0-1. Uh-Oh, it's happening again.

So how do the Cav's respond? Just like we all thought. They busted Game Two wide open right off the bat...

After the Cavs manage to blow a 23-point lead and Hedo Turkeglu drills a pull-up jumper the Cav's find themselves down by 1 with one second left. I can't write what that made me say at that point. In fact, the arena was dead silent. I have never seen so many people so devastated all at once. Our season was over. Down 0-2 and going on the road. We were screwed.

Needless to say, Lebron comes off a screen and drills the biggest shot of his life. Mo Williams along with every fan in the building fell to their knees and thanked the Lord.

Absolute chaos. A complete 180 in a turn of emotions. We hugged every fan we saw until we got on the highway.

The games that make you say...

Easter Conference playoffs. The games two biggest stars giving their best performance of the season. Hockey.

Capitals vs. Penguins on a random spring day. Caps are up 1-0 and the city is buzzing. Hockey is finally back thanks to the most electric player we've seen in 20 years. This is the first Ovechkin/Crosby playoff matchup and their rivalry is already heated. Let's face it, they don't like each other. Awesome.

Crosby strikes first and Ovechkin answers. After a Crosby goal in the second period the game is tied 2-2 with seven minutes left in the third period. So let's see what we've got here. Playoff hockey. Second round. The games two best player's and hockey's best shot at a rivalry. Tie game. Third period.

Alexander the Great rocks Marc-Andre Fleury on a slapshot to take a 3-2 lead and just two minutes later he does it again. Hats fly onto the ice for the game first hat trick. Caps are up 4-2 and the fans are wild. Crosby follows with his third goal with about a minute left to make it 4-3. It was too little too late and the Caps hold off the Pens at home.

"Did you watch the hockey game man!?"

"...Hockey?"

This game actually put hockey back in the public eye for about a week. At least until the series was over. If the NHL can find a way to have Crosby and Ovechkin to meet every year in the playoffs they might be okay. Tim Donahue anybody?

The games that make you say...

"I've never had so much fun on a golf course in my life," said Jim Mackay, Phil Mickelson's caddy and friend.

The 2009 Masters belonged to Angel Cabrera, but Sunday, its most prestigious moment, belonged to Tiger and Phil. This round of golf was incredible.

Tiger and Phil started the day a little too far back to really have a realistic shot at winning. It's Tiger and Phil though. No love lost. You think they aren't going to give it their all when they're paired together on the last day of the Masters.

Let's not forget how big of a rivalry this was for a few years. Sure Tiger owns Phil but Mick had his three major breakthrough while Tiger couldn't buy one. It was nice just to rekindle the rivalry for a round.

Both of these guys were unconscious from the start. Phil murdered the front-9. He shot a record tying 30 as he birdied 6 of 7 holes. He literally couldn't miss. His miracle shot on 7 through the trees, out of the woods, that stuck within tap-in range made me clear my afternoon plans.

Tiger followed with an Eagle on 8...the game was on.

All day it was crowd roar after crowd roar after crowd roar. All day. "A couple of shots could have changed this world," Mickelson's agent stated afterwards. This is golf's "fiercest" rivalry and this performance made them congratulate each other on a shot by shot basis. Tiger's caddy Stevie Williams said a couple months ago that he hated Mickelson.

These guys made fans run from hole to hole. Literally, I'm not kidding, they ran.

Tiger was lights out on the back-9 while staying close, Mickelson slowly began to remember he was Phil Mickelson (which is always entertaining) and it was time to royally screw up again. And sure enough he did when he pulled out a terrible club choice on the Par-3 12th and plunked it into the water.

Regardless, Tiger and Phil both got to -10 and within 1 of the lead by the time they got to 17. They had both done so much to get back and sadly, both figured they had to do too much to win.

I got phone calls all day from friends who have never even watched golf let alone cared. Aside from the random highlight from Tiger they hate golf. It was truly one of those are you kidding me performances by the games two best players. Think of it as Kobe and Lebron trading amazing performances at MSG back to back games, except Tiger and Phil were playing each other.

The games that make you say...

"I've got no words," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said when asked to describe the second-longest D-1 game ever played.

Syracuse vs. Connecticut. Big East Tournament. UCONN"s looking for a No. 1 seed while Syracuse is probably off the bubble...probably. A tense regulation turned into overtime after Connecticut's smallest player laid in a loose rebound. One second left and Paul Harris's inbounds heave was deflected into Syracuse's Eric Devendorf's hands and drained it (DRRRrraiiiinnneed it) from 28 feet.

Devendorf proceeded to celebrate with the crowd on the scorer's table.

And then the two team's proceeded to play six overtimes. Six! That's an extra 30 minutes. Johnny Flynn had 34 points and 11 assists while playing 67 out of 70 minutes. Flynn wasn't that only star. Thabeet had 19, 14, and six...blocks. Paul Harris had 29 points and 22 rebounds. This game was 70 minutes of fighting by two of the best teams in the country.

Don't forget each overtime ended in dramatic fashion, too. UCONN missed an acrobatic three at the buzzer of the first overtime followed by Paul Harris's half-court prayer nearly dropping in at the end of the second.

Syracuse's Rautin's huge three with 11 seconds left capped a third overtime comeback for the Orange. And three more later it was over.

"I've never been more proud of any team I've coached."—Jim Boeheim

All of these moments have happened in 2009 and there is still about half a year left. We still have an entire college football and NFL seasons and the MLB playoffs. Let's not forget about the Pitt vs. Nova game and the crazy end to the Super Bowl. All of these moments almost make you say that '09 has been more exciting than '08.

Just think back and ask yourself what 2008 made you say...

Tiger WHOods: Season's Shortcomings Turn to Next Year's Motivation

Benjamin Baroff — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:14:31 -0400

The PGA Tour has recently released a statement regarding the identity theft of its biggest superstar, Tiger Woods.

The memo reads "Where is Tiger and who are these no namers winning our tournaments!?"

By no means is this another one of those every four years "Tiger's lost his magic" rants. Tiger Woods is still the greatest golfer to ever grace our television screens. But somehow, someway, Tiger has lost his mojo.

I don't know if Rocco secretly took it on the 19th playoff hole last year when he could only smirk as Tiger won his 15th major.

Sure Tiger has won five tournaments this year, and made a miraculous five stroke comeback on the final day of the Arnold Palmer Classic. But we all know that's typical Tiger. For crying out loud he wins five or six tournaments, even on a down year.

Sure Tiger ranks No. 1 in top-10 finishes, scoring average, and is the PGA's money leader...again.

But let's look at the unordinary. For one, Tiger has not won, let alone played consistently well, in a major this season. If not for a magical Sunday push at the Master's, Tiger would have left in the middle of the pack. Tiger played at a mediocre level at best while defending his U.S. Open Championship, and have we forgotten already that he did not even make the cut at the British Open.

That last fact is most shocking: he didn't make the cut!

Tiger blew his first 54-hole major lead in his life this year at the PGA Championship. He missed essentially a tournament tying putt on the 18th hole last week at the Barclay's. In this lifetime, we have not seen Tiger blow a lead, or miss a crucial putt.

This is a guy that holds, or shares, the records for the lowest 72-hole scores in relation to par in every major championship.

This is a guy that made 142 consecutive cuts.

This is the only guy to be under par in every event played on the PGA tour for an entire year, a year in which his scoring average was a record 68.17.

Tiger was the youngest ranked No. 1 player in the world at age 21 and he's been there ever since.

So you see, there is something strange going on this year with Tiger. There is no question that his talent, his game, and his head are still there.

"Can I have my mojo back Lucas Glover?"

..."And my Green Jacket Angel?"

Little Men on Campus: John Calipari and Derrick Rose

Benjamin Baroff — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:35:56 -0400

The Memphis Tiger's are being stripped of their 2007-2008, 38 win, runner-up season. The Tiger's season was full of memorable games, alley-oops, and steamrolling opponents.

For an entire season Memphis brought us the most exciting college basketball team in years. They gave us Derrick Rose and John Calipari, the nation's best freshman and the hottest coach money can buy.

If not for a championship game implosion the Tiger's would be our National Champions, completing a dream season.

But now its all coming unglued for the Tiger's. Derrick Rose allegedly had a stand-in take his SAT test for him and Memphis forward Robert Dozier guilty of a similar scandal in 2004.

It has not been determined what exactly has happened with Rose or Dozier yet but the prospect of the idea is plain and simple—both would not be academically eligible on their own.

After submitting a staggering SAT score of over 1200, Georgia had asked Robert Dozier to take the test again. Dozier then submitted a score of 540...

...really?

Georgia refused to take Dozier after coming to the conclusion that the two tests were taken by two different people. Two months later Memphis accepted Dozier.

Now what bothers me is not that this scandal has actually happened, I'm not surprised and I don't think anybody is. That's why this has all blown over pretty smoothly and we only had to hear about it for one full day on ESPN.

It has been the response from Memphis and everybody involved that has (as John Calipari would say) disheartens me.

At what cost are we willing to win? How much do we have to pay to get a ring? How low do we have to sink to climb up the ladder?

Those are the questions Memphis should be asking themselves today.

Now we all know that it is very likely that Memphis is not the only school in the country that is sneaking in athletes that cannot academically perform to the standards set by the NCAA. Memphis just got caught.

But never have I seen the people involved run so cowardly from the situation as Memphis, Derrick Rose and John Calipari have in the last week.

It disheartens me that Memphis president Shirley Raines believes these are unfair allegations and is in the process of appealing any penalty the NCAA can think of.

"We know the rules," Raines said. "We did our due diligence. We did everything we could to determine the student-athlete was eligible and that the rules were being followed."

Really Shirley? Hmm. Did you?

John Calipari, now the big-man on campus at Kentucky has had little to say on the matter. Calipari has been quoted that he was "very disappointed and disheartened by the NCAA's findings."

That's it John? You are compromising the last bit of academics that is left in big time college sports and all you are is "disheartened?"

I guess you didn't have time to offer more now than you are the star of a national powerhouse and have a top recruiting class to produce. As long as it's in the top five, we won't care.

Pathetic.

Derrick Rose, the third person involved in the scandal has been quoted in a statement by his attorney saying, "I think it is important for people to understand that I complied with everything that was asked of me while at the university, including my full participation in the university's investigation of this issue, and was ultimately cleared to play in the entire 2007-08 season by the NCAA clearinghouse and the university."

Not even speaking for yourself Derrick? That's really going to give you a lot of credibility in an educational scandal. Rose must not have learned how to write his own statement during his stay at Memphis.

And last but not least there is the NCAA clearinghouse. An institution in which their sole purpose is to check academic eligibility. They cleared Rose and Dozier twice.

They missed it twice!

Its alright though, Memphis won 38 games, more then they ever had!

In order for this win-at-all-costs culture to change, it has to be more than just the NCAA board taking action.

Players, fans, and coaches must has themselves how far they are willing to sink to win. Is it as far as recruiting one-and-done's? Giving a good player apparel to influence his decision? Or changing his academic scores altogether?

High School students all over the country struggle every month to pass this test. They study, they pay for tutoring, they stress day and night about the exam. But Derrick Rose can jump higher then them so he gets to go to college.

Seems pretty fair to me.

For Love of the Game

Benjamin Baroff — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:18:47 -0400

Tiger Woods shot a -9 (63) at the second round of the Buick Open Friday. If not for a bogey on his ninth hole, Woods would have posted 29 on his front nine.

Tiger was -6 under through five, thanks to a second hole eagle. If not for a slow back nine, Tiger could have gone for the course record of 61, which he set at the 2005 Buick Open.

After a stretch of doubt and disappointment since a performance of lifetime at last year's U.S. Open, Tiger has once again reminded us how good he really is.

He's not only the best there is, the best there was, or the best there ever will be...

He is the ultimate standard.

Michael Jordan was the ultimate standard.

Wayne Gretzky was the ultimate standard.

Tom Brady is the ultimate standard.

All of these athletes are on the same level of stardom, celebrity, and are as iconic as they come. However, what separates Woods from a Jordan, a Gretzky, or a Brady is he does it in an everyman's sport.

He is the ultimate standard in a standard-less sport.

Before you say "what the hell is an everyman's sport?" or a "standard-less sport" let me tell you, it's quite simple.

Golf is played by the widest and random people in the world. There is no qualifying standard like there is in the NBA.

Everybody knows to have a chance of playing professional basketball, you must be a minimal 6'1", 185lbs, and freakishly athletic. There is no such standard in golf.

Basketball, Hockey, and Football are generally not played by a 5'8", 163 pound, grade school teacher.

You will not see the neighborhood UPS man owning the court on Saturdays, but you will see your local doctor coming into the clubhouse every now and then.

No 67 year olds play basketball, no middle age women play hockey, and no accountants play football.

I'm 5'10", white, weak, light, and Jewish. Am I even aloud to dream about the NBA?

Maybe if it's LeBron winning a championship in 2010...

Golf brings society together. White and Black, Young and Old, Americans and Europeans and Asians.

The list goes on.

There's husband and wife, grandparents and grandchildren, father and son, fans, athletes, co-workers, neighbors, friends and enemies, skilled and unskilled.

For crying out loud, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady played in a scramble last week!

Golf is more than just a game, more than just a hobby, it's a lifestyle.

Rain or shine you know somebody will be teeing off at the local course on Saturday and Sunday. Nobody is canceling anything until the Club Pro sounds the lightening horn.

Golf gives you more.

It gives you meeting the family for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. It gives you a challenge every round. It gives you goals that can be accomplished throughout a lifetime like shooting your age.

What are you going to do, make 88 consecutive three-pointers?

Golf gives you an excuse to gamble, an excuse to compete on a Wednesday night, and an excuse for a new shirt.

Golf gives you a reason to shop. Girls believe guys don't shop. Man are they wrong.

There is always another club, ball, or shoe to try next. When we say we're going shopping, we're not taking a stroll through Macy's or Old Navy. It's straight to Dick's or Golf Headquarters.

"Honey did the new Golf Digest come yet?"

or is it, "Dad, did the new SLAM come yet?"

...didn't think so.

"Dude! You got the new Taylor Made R7!?"

"Yeah dude!!! I haven't hit the ball this straight since 'nam"

When was the last time you freaked about your friends new basketball, or his football cleats?

And then, Golf also takes from you.

Golf can take your morals, it can take your soul for an afternoon, and it can take your wallet.

A new driver usually will cost upwards of $300, and a set of Iron's $600. For Godsake, if I three-putt six holes in a round, I'll drop $130 on a new Odyssey!

But we'll do it anyways. Just to get better, just to feel better, just to be better.

When were you best at basketball, 18..19..23? When was the last time you threw a football 40 yards?

But as a golfer, all I have to say, man I cannot wait 'til my 40s roll around!

Golf is the one sport you can put yourself in the same position as the pros. You don't have to look over your shoulder to make sure you are alone before counting down an imaginary clock to win the national championship.

You get to play the same courses, hit from the same tees, and read the same greens as the pros. And then after shooting a 78 you can ask yourself, "I wonder how well Tiger and Phil would have played here today?"

It must be a bummer to retire and travel the country playing holes you watched on TV. Every fan dreams of one day playing at Augusta, or walking the shore at Pebble Beach, getting a feel of the history at St. Andrews, or plunging three in a row in the water at TPC.

How often do you get to play 3-on-3 at Madison Square Garden, or go to the batting cages at Yankee Stadium?

I am not saying that Golf is the best sport known to man, or that only a handful of people can play basketball or football. I am simply saying, Golf is slowly becoming a game for everybody. Something we all can enjoy together.

And together, we all look up to one man, a man who we all aspire to be like, but know we never will.

I'm not sure why it took another Tiger Wood's masterpiece to spring this thought...but am I really surprised?

Beginning or Cementing a Legacy: Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard

Benjamin Baroff — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:16:19 -0400

As many good story lines that would have came out of a LeBron vs. Kobe finals, there is still enough star power to carry this series.

Aside from the Magic and Lakers clearly being the two best teams in basketball, they carry along with them two of the five best players in the league.

Kobe Bryant is the don and LeBron is the apprentice, but in between, there is Dwight Howard.

While Howard is not the complete package just yet, he has before our eyes developed into a leader this postseason, and is on the brink of becoming the next Shaq in the NBA.

Thats right, I went there: The next Shaq.

Howard has the potential to not only put up monstrous (Shaq-like numbers) but carry the you can't guard me, you can't double me, you can't stop me image.

Dwight Howard has averaged 21 points 14 rebounds and 3 blocks a game in each of the past two seasons, while being the greatest defensive force in the league.

Those numbers have increased to 22/15/2 this postseason as Howard has led the Magic to their first NBA finals appearance since Shaq did so in 1995.

While the Magic have shot the lights out (47 percent) this postseason, Howard has been the deciding factor in every decisive playoff game. Lets take a look.

Game Five vs. Philadelphia (2-2) - Howard puts a strangle hold on the series with an outstanding 24 points and 24 rebounds, gets suspended in the process and the Magic cruise in game six.

Game Six vs. Boston (3-2 Celtics) - Howard puts up instead of shuts up after calling out Van Gundy after a game five fourth-quarter meltdown with 23 points 22 rebounds 3 blocks and a +10 +/- ratio. The Magic go on to cruise in game seven at Boston which is almost unheard of.

Game Six vs. Cleveland (3-2 Magic) - Howard plays the best game of his career putting up 40 and 14 in a must win for the Magic perplexing them to the NBA finals which was almost unthinkable after fellow all-star Jameer Nelson went down in February.

All of this after all the talk about Howard disappearing in the playoffs in his career. It's almost as if a UFO just flew across the sky and everybody said "did you guys see that!"

So far Dwight Howard has simply been the lovable fan favorite for his dunking ability and otherworldly physical physique.

Nobody saw Dwight Howard coming into his own just yet. Just admit it, you didn't. He's ahead of schedule and he truly is where amazing is happening right now.

If Dwight Howard can carry the Magic to an NBA championship at the age of 23 over Kobe Bryant and a deeper Lakers team, he will not only earn his spot among the leagues elite, he will begin a legacy that has not only hall-of-fame potential, but that comparable to the greats of all-time.

Did I mention Kobe Bryant?

The time has finally come. Last year the Lakers were one year away, and now they are ready. Phil is ready, Pau is ready, even Lamar Odom is ready.

Last year, the Lakers ran into a Celtics team that was simply destiny since the bombshell dropped on ESPN that Kevin Garnett was traded to Boston.

Kobe is more focused than ever and is playing out of this world right now again...again.

If Kobe finally gets the Shaq monkey off his back, he will jump into the four-plus-title group where no other shooting guard compares to the talent, accolades, and rate of achievement as Kobe.

Kobe will cement his legacy as the second greatest shooting guard of all-time at the age of 30 and if the Lakers are able to keep a team of this caliber around him for the next three seasons the chances of him winning again are very, very good.

Kobe has to win No. 4 before we talk about five, but five!? Is that Jordan territory yet?

Kobe is as close to Jordan as it gets, ever. Nobody else even comes close to being as close to Jordan as it gets yet. LeBron is a ring away which is mind boggling that it may only take one ring.

Same style, same intensity, same pure stroke.

Same hang time, same leadership, same trash talking.

Kobe is one of the best two-way players ever at any position, he has the best jump shot in the game and is far and above the best closer we've seen since Jordan and maybe other than Jordan.

His performance against the Nuggets spoke for itself. In a series swaying game three Kobe drops 41 including a stop talking after every jumpshot I just won the game in your face three pointer to JR. Smith (yes, that's JR., not J.R.).

Then a game-six performance that rivaled Lebron's triple double the night before. Thirty-five points 10 assists and extreme efficiency (+31 +/-) all with ease.

Three times this postseason that Kobe has not led the Lakers in scoring and six times he did not lead the team in assists.

Kobe has mastered all facets of the game and is still getting better.

He is the best all around player in the NBA since Jordan and is truly the first challenger to MJs throne.

If Kobe can get No. 4 without Shaq, we may start to rethink who was the greater asset to that magical three-peat the Lakers had.

Last year's title was reserved for the big three and this year's title is reserved for Kobe.

It would almost be bittersweet to see the Magic win.

After this years finals we will see a legacy.

Will it be beginning or cemented?

Cleveland Cavaliers: Your Time Is Now

Benjamin Baroff — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:11:06 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers will win the NBA championship.

BAM! It's on the table. Take it or leave it, it's going to happen.

As a fanbase, we are witnessing something not just special, not just incredible, but important.

The importance of what LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are doing as a team is so significant that we may not realize it until years from now.

The brotherly love, the determination, and the ability to understand how to be ambassadors of the game has not been brought to the table in the NBA since the 1980s.

This revelation is so important because it is willing an inferior team to the top of the NBA, and it is going to change the way teams in the NBA, and all sports for that matter, build their teams.

The New England Patriots did the same thing in the NFL, running with a star in Tom Brady and building correctly around him, by bringing in players based on personality and determination. The entire NFL has followed the same method since the Pats won their second super bowl.

We all know the Cavs are bringing the word fun back to the NBA, but many don't understand that this has been going on since LeBron entered the league in 2003.

Cleveland has always had the best locker room chemistry, and it has translated onto the court. There is no other explanation for the 2006 Cavs taking the Pistons to seven games, the 2007 Cavs reaching the finals, and the 2008 Cavs taking the eventual champion Celtics to the final minute of a game seven.

No team with Eric Snow, Damon Jones, Sasha Pavlovic, and Flip Murray should be competing deep into the playoffs. Not to mention Drew Gooden and Donyell Marshall taking turns at power forward.

The Cavs now face the challenge of the Orlando Magic who have been proclaimed as the most talented team in the NBA by TNT's Kenny Smith. While the Magic lack spectacular guard play, they make up for it with a front-court of 6'10", 6'11", and 7'1" in Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard.

The Orlando Magic have given the Cavaliers problems all season, winning the series 2-1. The only factor preventing a series sweep was another unbelievable fourth quarter performance by LeBron James in a game in which he scored 43 points, dished out eight assists, and had 12 rebounds.

Orlando won the other two contests easily by double digits as the Cavaliers struggled to score more than 88 points in both games.

However, Cleveland will win. It's teamwork, it's trust, it's destiny.

Not many fans realize this because it is hard to follow a team that is not local for an entire season, but the Cavaliers raise their game dramatically in the playoffs.

The last time the Cavs truly did not put up a fight in an NBA playoff game was back in 2007 against the Spurs during the NBA Finals: a Spurs team that was dominant in every fashion of the game, being the championship pick since training camp.

The Cavs have exceeded expectations each of the past four seasons they have been in the playoffs, taking superior teams to the brink of defeat, if not actually defeating them (Ask Paul Pierce about last year's series).

The Cavs have added an All-Star point guard in Mo Williams, and while he has not been playing at an All-Star level this post-season statistically, he has played with All-Star effort and continues to remain poised as a shooter.

Cleveland also has a premier defender in Delonte West, whether he is recognized as one or not. West has been asked to guard opposing teams' best guards all season and has done a tremendous job, contributing offensively by increasing his ppg to 15 and 3-point percentage to 43 in the playoffs.

The ability of the Cleveland front-court to shoot the mid-range jump shot will bring out the big men of Orlando clearing room in the paint for LeBron to penetrate, dish, or finish.

Orlando is a terrific team with an incredible amount of talent, but they are a year behind in chemistry, leadership, and experience. While taking a big step the last two games of the Eastern Conference Semi's, Dwight Howard has not yet matured into the young leader that Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Paul have.

His team does not trust him the same way the Cavs believe in Lebron. Lebron is the most unselfish superstar in the NBA and is still able to demand the ball from his teammates without question at any given point in a game.

Not many other players will defer to a teammate the way the Cavs will to LeBron, knowing 100 percent that he will make the right call in crucial situations.

This matchup can be broken down into so much further depth and it will be by analysts, fans, and commentators over the next two weeks of play.

But if there is one factor in determining a winner, believe in the Cavs the way they believe in each other.

Boston Celtics: Concentration, Will, and a Fast Metabolism

Benjamin Baroff — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:14:05 -0400

Being a mere two quarters away from the NBA Conference Finals, you may have already asked the following question several times this postseason: How the hell are the Celtics still alive?

Don't worry, you are not alone. Even Kevin Garnett has mouthed this on the sideline on several occasions in TNT's effort to catch him cursing.

The Boston Celtics are currently down seven heading into halftime of their second Game Seven of the playoffs.

The Orlando Magic, who are clearly more deep, talented, and athletic once again had Boston down and nearly out. However, after a quick Ray Allen sighting and a few great hustle plays by Rajon Rondo, the Magic find themselves up a mere seven points at halftime.

Somehow, the Celtics are surviving without Kevin Garnett, the method behind their madness.

Without KG, Glen Davis finds himself in the starting lineup. On several occasion,s Doc Rivers fields a lineup of Stephon Marbury, Eddie House, Paul Pierce, Brian Scalabrine, and either Davis or Kendrick Perkins.

How the Celtics survive with this lineup is astonishing, but explainable.

You see, there is a formula that allows the Celtics to compete with younger, more talented, and faster teams. I like to break it down into three categories known as Concentration (the brain), Will (the heart), and a Fast Metabolism (hunger).

It starts with the core of veteran leadership—Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and goes as far as KG constantly preaching in the ears of teammates on the bench from warm-ups until the players return to their homes to sleep at night.

If you notice that when the Celtics are down by 14 in the first half (every game this postseason), there is no sense of panic (ask Shaq). They don't jack threes, Pierce doesn't go into ball-hog mode, and most importantly, everybody touches the ball.

They stick with their set plays and live with the decision making of Pierce, Allen, and Rondo. Doc will tell you it will work, it always does.

And then there is the heart of the Celtics. The pride, the tradition, the glory of wearing a Celtics uniform. It cannot actually be proved that any team has more heart in the NBA.

Having heart is surviving a first-round series that the Celtics could have easily folded after being punched in the mouth several times by the fearless Chicago Bulls.

Don't tell me the Mavericks, Magic, Jazz, or Hornets would have survived that series.

Doc Rivers was able to maximize his teams already gigantic heart by not asking anybody to become something they are not.

Glen Davis was not asked to become Kevin Garnett overnight, Eddie House was not asked to become Manu Ginobli, and Brian Scalabrine was not asked to turn into Robert Horry.

They were merely asked to grow up, play smart, and play hard: Do the little things right and we'll get our shot.

So unlike the Magic, the Celtics do not constantly find themselves in foul trouble, turning the ball over, and blowing 15-point, fourth-quarter leads.

While Glen Davis has not outperformed Dwight Howard, who is averaging a game-altering 20/17/3, the combination of Davis and Perkins has been able to hold that in check with a combined 28/17/3.

Throw in a couple of momentum shifting threes by Scalabrine in the 21 minutes a game he is playing, and we have ourselves a superstar. But instead, he is in three places on the court instead of one (Dwight Howard).

By being the role players playing alongside Garnett through last seasons championship run, the trio of Davis, Perkins, and Scalabrine grew together as teammates, gained confidence, and have been able to conquer this challenge together, as a unit, not as one individual trying to replace one of the best big men of our time.

Finally, there is the everlasting hunger for victory that the Celtics bring to the table night in and night out.

Looking at the match-ups on paper before this series started, it appeared nearly impossible for the Celtics to advance.

Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and the cast of Alston/Pietrus/Leea growing JJ Reddick and a veteran Anthony Johnson going up against a Paul Pierce that has played nearly 200 games since the start of last season, an 80 percent Ray Allen who notoriously disappears during the playoffs, and the cast of Rondo/Davis,Perkins, and Scalbrine! Brian Scalabrenie! I thought he was Michael Rapport!

But it all spawns back to the 17 banners hanging above the Parquet floor of the Garden, turning careers into legacies, and the desire to be repeat (the dream of every true) champions.

The point guard having 16 rebounds and four steals in a game, the third-string shooting guard scoring 31 points in a must-win game, and a player who cannot play screaming louder than any fan in the arena.

I doubt I even have to bring up Paul Pierce.

Or Ray Allen.

Leaving us with this:

The Celtics are going to fall short currently being down by 15 points with 9 minutes left to play and Orlando shooting free-throws.

And that I completely jinxed them by writing this article.

...Or are they right where they want to be?

Early NBA Playoff Predictions

Benjamin Baroff — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:59:14 -0500

The first half of the NBA season has taught us a few important things.

First off, we have learned what the Western Conference has learned. And that is it is a marathon not a sprint. They are still loaded despite early season slumps.

Secondly, we have learned that Shaq (now self-proclaimed 'Shaqovich') still cannot shoot free throws, no matter how long his latest streak has surprised us.

And finally, we have learned that the Magic are for real...And man are they scary right now.

The point of all this knowledge is this; it's anybody's ring.

But there is a catch.

There are eight legitimate contenders left with a chance to win it all. With eight being the least likely and one being the best chance, they rank as followed.

8. Houston Rockets—We know the Rockets have the talent, the depth, and the favorable matchups. But after several years of this being obvious, they still haven't developed the chemistry or the point guard.

However, they have shown enough improvement after a slow start to put them back into contention. Once again, this team will go as far as T-Mac takes them, which I finally say, will be past the first round.

7. New Orleans Hornets—Many of us expected the Hornets to be running away with one of the top records in the league this season, and despite a slow start they have still been impressive. Chris Paul and David West are one of the best guard/forward combinations in the league.

With CP3 throwing alley-oops to Tyson Chandler like it’s his job, the Hornets are looking like the team that took the West by storm last season. If they continue to gel at the rate they are as of now, they can beat anybody in the league.

However, they cannot be moved ahead of the remaining teams until they cut out losing to lower-tier teams at home such as the Knicks earlier this week. Friday night at Cleveland will give us an idea of who the Hornets really are.

6. Phoenix Suns - My oh my, what a difference a year makes. Many were quick to criticize the Shaq trade last season, but it seems the Suns knew what they were doing when they decided to build for the postseason instead of a 60-win regular season.

This year's acquisition of Jason Richardson was huge. He is a great scoring weapon that does not need Nash to create a shot for him (e.g. Shawn Marion). Look for the Suns to continue to win games and but also rest Shaq and Nash. This may cause them to be seeded lower in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean they cannot win.

5. Orlando Magic—It was only a matter of time before the Magic decided to put themselves on the map. Hell, they were on the map last season and we didn't notice. So by raining threes and slamming dunks in everybody's face, we have finally started to give them a little respect. We all know how good Dwight Howard is, but has anybody noticed Jameer Nelson?

Remember? Jameer Nelson? St. Joe's superstar who came out of nowhere to become a household name. Well, he's developed now and he is really, really good. Averaging 16 points, five assists, and three boards a game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep.

The Magic have five players scoring in double figures, and are now four deep on the bench with the emergence of J.J. Redick. Look for the Magic to give either the Celtics or Cavs a scare in the playoffs, and don't be surprised if they wind up in the Conference Finals.

4. San Antonio Spurs—We know three things about the Spurs. They are the most experienced team in the league, they have the best trio in the league, and they can win on the road. It took them a few months to remind us of that, but now they are a perennial favorite to come out of the West.

We all saw last night that they are on the Lakers’ level, but the question remains will their age be able to withstand the length of the elongated NBA season and playoffs?

3. Boston Celtics—The defending champs no longer have the best chance to win the title. They are no longer the best team in the league. And they no longer intimidate the top teams in the league.

With that being said, they are still really good. We know the big three will take care of business and Rajon Rondo can handle his own. But we have also learned that their bench is weak. They are not very deep and the loss of James Posey and P.J. Brown is going to hurt them in the post season.

If it had not been for a 20-foot jumpshot with two seconds left on the shot clock, the Cavs would have won the East last season. With the emergence of the Magic and the dominance of the Cavs, the Celtics need to finish with the No. 1 seed to have a smooth path to the Conference Finals.

If they matchup with the Magic, or even the Cavs in the second round, a repeat is not likely.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers—The Cavs have finally found a player to compliment LeBron James. Not only on the offensive end, but on the defensive side of the court and intensity wise.

There is not a loose ball that Mo Williams is not diving for, no moment when he does not keep his cool, and not a free throw that hits anything but net. Ben Wallace has revived his career, and Anderson Varejao, while being in a contract year, has developed a jumpshot and looks better than ever.

The Cavs are not at full strength without Z, but look for them to keep him on the sideline as he is a big part of their postseason strategy. The Cavs have finally learned how to not play down to their competition which has plagued them in the past.

This is largely due to the knowledge and determination of LeBron James and the coaching of Mike Brown. The scary part is, the Cavs are a much better team in the playoffs. I believe they are the favorite at this point to win the East and compete with any team that comes out of the West.

1. L.A. Lakers—The Lakers are on cruise control. Coming away with a win last night against the Spurs would have been nice, but don't expect Kobe to lose sleep over it. If you think the Lakers made it through the West last year without Bynum, wait 'til you see how dominant they are with him.

The Lakers go 10 to 11 deep and have four players in double figures consistently with Odom and Ariza bringing in nine apiece off the bench. Kobe and Fisher have been there and done that. Now that the rest of the group got a little taste, you can bet the best of the west won't be blowing any more 24-point leads.

Sure the Spurs, Suns, and Hornets pose threats but are you going to take Tiger or the field?

Donovan McNabb: Finding His Place in History

Benjamin Baroff — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:38:34 -0500

Being a professional athlete comes with many perks and burdens; perks such as millions of dollars, fame, and celebrity status. And burdens such as over exposure, responsibility, and criticism.

Athletes and fans today can almost all agree that a quarterback takes in more criticism and ridicule than any other position in sports. It basically comes with the territory when signing up for the job these days.

In football, the NFL especially, fans get so caught up with their teams success that when they fail there has to be a scapegoat. This often leads to the exile of a player or coach.

Which leads me to my next thought. Wasn't Donovan McNabb on his way out of Philadelphia during the offseason? I thought I heard something about a trade to the Vikings? Some sort of rumors huh?

Well look where D-Mac is now. The NFC Championship game. Sound familiar?

If it doesn't ring a bell, then you have not been watching football this decade.

In the last eight years, every year McNabb has been healthy or did not have Terrell Owens destroying the team, the Eagles have made it to at least the NFC Championship.

In that span the Eagles have reached one Super Bowl, coming within three points and one drive of a world championship.

The year before this streak began, McNabb won a road playoff game at Chicago in the NFC Wild Card round.

Yet, Donovan continues to be the most under appreciated player in all of football.

The Eagles are back in the NFC Championship again! It must be because of Brian Dawkins and their tenacious defense or their multi-talented running back in Brian Westbrook.

Yes, all of these have contributed to the Eagles' late-season run, winning six out of their last seven games to make it this far.

But without McNabb, the Eagles would have caved midseason, probably after their tie with the Cincinnati Bungals.

Donovan is not having a career season, has not performed miracles or saved lives. He has simply been Donovan, throwing for 3,900 yards, 25 touchdowns (two on the ground) to 11 interceptions.

Pretty solid for a guy booed by his own fans on draft day.

"They're pointing and booing. It pissed me off to the point that my motivation was so high, I couldn't wait to get started." Donovan said about being booed by Eagles fans of draft day.

Ten years later, McNabb is once again one game from the Super Bowl, after being benched halfway through this season. Sounds like he's pretty resilient, too.

How many quarterbacks can say they have been to a conference championships, let alone 5?

I like to compare McNabb to the likes of Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley or Dan Marino. Each of whom never had that great sidekick to win championships.

All of these players listed are in the Hall or Hall of Fame caliber. The thought of Donovan McNabb in the NFL Hall of Fame? Sounds a little ridiculous doesn't it.

If McNabb takes the Eagles all the way this season don't be surprised when he's on the ballot 10 years from now. It won't be that ridiculous.

While Donovan has not out performed any of these greats on paper, he has out performed them in one important quality that may count the most: Leadership.

You don't see anybody knocking Dan Marino these days do you? Barkley was a monster on the court right? Thought so.

If you want to knock McNabb for not winning a championship that is fine. But nobody has the right to knock Donovan for his work ethic, leadership, and determination that he has displayed throughout his entire career.

A stand up guy, a class act, and tremendously under appreciated. That equation doesn't add up right to me.

In an era when kids idolize players such as Adam Pacman Jones and Michael Vick, there is a lack of support for a player like McNabb. That doesn't make sense either.

With many popular teams out of the playoffs, I urge you to root for McNabb in the upcoming weeks unless you are otherwise obligated to root for one of the other three remaining teams.

While I am not predicting an Eagles championship right now, I sure am hoping they win it all.

And if the Eagles fall short, don't be surprised when you see them playing on championship Sunday again next season.

College Basketball: Play Hard or Go Home

Benjamin Baroff — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:33:39 -0500

If you find yourself bored, unimpressed, and or disinterested in the game of basketball today, then you are probably watching the Charlotte Bobcats play a weeknight game against the Oklahoma City Thunder (hopefully they get the memo that arena football has been suspended this season).

If you find yourself criticizing the style of play, bad attitude, disrespect for authority, and complaining to the refs, then you are probably watching the Los Angeles Clippers play the Golden State Warriors.

If you find yourself jumping to these conclusions, then you are not watching true basketball: College Basketball.

If you cannot tell by now, this is a rant against those who do not appreciate today's game of basketball.

College Basketball offers games every night of the week. It is non-stop basketball from November through April, allowing for no complaining about the lack of games.

Big Monday, Super Tuesday, ACC Wednesday, Throwdown Thursday, a full schedule every Saturday, and late season Sunday games...what more can you ask for.

Well, you can ask for:

Top 10 matchups, the passion, the gameday halfcourt shots, the atmosphere, Erin Andrews.

During the NBA season, unity is rarely noticeable among teammates and coaches. Watch any NCAA game, please, and tell me you do not instantly notice the team bond between teammates.

Every free throw, both groups of players will huddle together, encourage each other between shots, and sprint over to listen to their coach. These are the forms of respect, friendship, and will that are found in every game.

The nation is full of coaches that teach their players the right way to play the game and the right way to act off the court. Indiana's Tom Crean graduated 26 of 26 seniors during his tenure at Marquette. Coach K will not play players that are slack in the classroom. These are only two of the many coaches that enforce values such as education.

Not only is there an abundance of games, but the diversity of these games is so great that anybody can turn on the TV and become interested. You have traditional powerhouses taking on mid-majors, the North Carolinas playing the Michigan States, and the lower level teams battling each other for a spot in the big dance in March.

The beauty of it all is the intensity that is brought night in and night out.

One night last week offered Oklahoma vs. Davidson and Texas vs. UCLA—easily a possible preview of two Sweet 16 matchups in March. Let me tell you, bodies were flying all 80 minutes.

After a back and forth first half, Oklahoma took a four-point lead to 20 in the second half. With about 10 minutes to go and still facing a major deficit in a seemingly meaningless regular season affair, Davidson battled fearlessly back to cut the lead to three with minutes to play.

With just over eight minutes to play and the lead still double digits, a loose ball inspired several players to dive, scramble, and fight for possession. This sparked the Davidson run that made the game even more enticing.

Two player of the year candidates, Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin (both true pleasures to watch play the game), dueled the entire game—Curry tying a career high with 44 points, and Griffin putting up a dominating 37 points and 21 boards.

After the horn sounded and hugs and handshakes were exchanged, ESPN instantly switched to the tip-off between Texas and UCLA, easily a potential Final Four matchup.

With nothing more then a top five ranking and pride on the line, the two teams ran each other back and forth the entire game, UCLA looking to avenge a last season buzzer-beating loss to the Longhorns.

With one minute to play, Texas was clinging to a one-point lead. UCLA had possession and a full shot clock to work with.

You would think after 39 minutes of non-stop, back and forth action, UCLA would be able to find a path to the basket.

Wrong!

UCLA could not enter the paint if they tried. Texas played some of the most impressive man-to-man defense I have noticed in a long time, forcing Darren Collison, a preseason All-American and a tenacious defender (not to mention shooting an incredible 60 percent from the field and 70 percent from deep on the season) to take an ill-advised shot.

The ball bounced off the rim and was lost out of bounds after an all-out scramble for possession. The ball remained with UCLA...one more chance for redemption.

Yet once again, UCLA could not pass a Texas defender if they wanted to.

Another tough jumpshot led to another fight for possession, resulting in a jump ball, giving possession back to the Bruins.

After two of the most impressive defensive stands a coach could ask for, the Longhorns were asked to give one more.

Too tired? Nope.

Texas held the UCLA for a third straight time, edging them out for a four-point win after stud guard A.J. Abrams sank his free throw.

If that isn't enticing enough, last night offered Davidson/West Virginia and Texas/Villanova: more top 25 teams, more tournament previewing, and more intensity.

The best part is, it's not even conference play yet! The most intense basketball is yet to come.

What more can you ask for?

Well, how about:

Buzzer beaters galore, being carried off the court, rushing the court, coaches crying, players crying, heartbreak, Cinderella, runs at a perfect season. Freshman Phenoms.

Don't enjoy watching players disrespect their coaches, teammates, and fans?

Well then, why don't you pay more attention to Tyler Hansbrough—a complete workhorse that returned for his senior season?

Why pass up millions of dollars to play for free?

Well, not only is Hansbrough having the time of his life, being an on-campus celebrity, a villain on every opposing court, and an icon of the sport—he also wants to reach his goal for himself and his team.

Back to back season with disappointing finishes didn't cut it. Failure is not an option.

So Hansbrough came back for one last year to do it the right way, the only way he knows: working hard every day, every practice, every film session. Running plays to perfection and pushing his team to the limit, not to mention playing through injury and scoring a routine 34 and 11 in his first full game back during a rout of red-hot Notre Dame in the Maui Classic championship game.

Hansbrough will probably be a mid-first round draft pick, riding the pine for an average NBA team for the next three seasons. Enjoy it while you can, buddy.

Still hate the new generation of basketball?

If so, then you probably notice during the NBA season that unity is rarely noticeable among teammates and coaches.

You don't find four players living together for three years as the starting lineup of the Florida Gators did three years ago.

There is no shoving cameras and reporters out of the way in the locker room. Every player embraces the media, not to mention says all the right things.

Also, the talent required to play at the college level is incredibly underappreciated. Sure, you see the players perform on the court, but did anybody see Lee Humphrey make 28 consecutive three-pointers without touching the rim in a shoot-around before a Final Four game against UCLA two seasons ago?

Lee Humphrey is yet to step on the floor for an NBA team.

This brings me to the biggest factor of it all. Over 90 percent of NCAA players will not play basketball after college. This is their one shot, and they want to make the most out of it. They play their heart out every practice and every game.

If you cannot appreciate that, seek therapy.

Matt Ryan, Chad Pennington MVP Candidates in NFL's Year of the Underdog

Benjamin Baroff — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:40:34 -0500

Hope is a very personal word with much meaning involved. Sports is great because it gives hope to everyone—hope for a winning season, a comeback for the ages, and a championship celebration.

Everyone has hope at the beginning of the season: fans, players, coaches, teams. But that hope dwindles away after an 0-3 start, a low preseason ranking in ESPN's polls, or the criticisms of fans before the team even takes the field.

After Tom Brady went down with the most shocking injury in recent memory, Peyton Manning and the Colts came slow out of the gates, and LT struggled through injury, the NFL has hope for somebody to step up and claim the MVP.

Without any prime time names available to win the award by default, the NFL can have a true MVP this season. In the truest sense of the term Most VALUABLE Player, the finalists should include Chad Pennington and Matt Ryan.

What?

Answer this question truthfully. Who in the world of sports had hope for Chad Pennington this season. Hope that he could win the starting job? Maybe. Hope that he could improve upon a 1-15 season? Maybe. But hope that he could lead the Dolphins to a first place tie with three weeks to go in the regular season!? Never.

With Miami Dolphins and Chad Pennington fanatics and experts excused, I cannot believe that anybody had hope for Chad Pennington this year.

Chad Pennington, exiled by his former team, the New York Jets, has revived his career and the hopes of the Miami Dolphins with a steady, unexpected, and inspiring season. Who would have thunk it!

In a season where nobody's numbers really jump out, and Pennington's certainly don't, the Dolphins are in pursuit of a comeback season for the century, a division title, and a run at the Super Bowl. Thanks to the play of Pennington, the Dolphins have the inside track to the AFC title with games remaining against the 49ers, Chiefs, and division-leading Jets.

On a team without a standout side receiver, Pennington has his second-best passer rating of his nine-year career at 93.7 and his most yards per game at 235.5. Pennington is also on pace to set his highest total of passing yards and lowest total of interceptions.

While these numbers do not scream MVP, Pennington's inspiring play does. Going into the season with not only a chip on his shoulder from being pushed out of New York for arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, and also an immense amount of criticism from experts and fans, Pennington has used his leadership to carry a 1-15 team to first place.

What?

Chad has taken criticism for his inability to throw the deep ball, spread the field, and make the big play his entire career.

''This offseason, I really took a look at the criticism I was receiving,'' Pennington said. 'I looked at it and saw, `Hey, some of it was probably true. How could I change that?' ''

So far this season, in the midst of fascinating efficiency, Pennington is quietly proving he also is capable of spreading the field more effectively than he did in the past. Against the Patriots, he averaged 11.3 yards on his 17 completions. Against the Chargers, he averaged 7.9 yards on 22 completions.

Big games, big throws, big wins has been the motto of Chad Pennington this season.

It would truly be a great story if Pennington is able to lead the Dolphins to a 3-0 finish and beat the Jets in week 17 to secure the team's first playoff appearance since 2001.

However, as great and inspiring a story as Chad Pennington has been this season, there has been one better.

This brings me to Matt Ryan.

The odds have been against Matt Ryan since being selected number three overall in the 2008 NFL draft. Many believe Ryan was only selected that high because of the weak quarterback class to start with.

By being selected by the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan was plagued with the task of making bitter Falcon fans forget the Michael Vick disaster that last season was.

Ryan has answered the call, outplaying all of the previously quarterbacks selected high in the draft. The Falcons rookie quarterback has outperformed Jay Cutler, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, and I won't even go near JaMarcus Russell.

Not only has he outperformed them, leading the miserable Falcons of 2007 to a possible playoff berth, but he has also done it all while putting up more than solid numbers.

No. 2 has a pass completion percentage of 62, a passer rating of 92, 14 TDs to seven INTs, and nearly 3,000 yards with three games to play.

Like Pennington, these do not scream MVP numbers, but Ryan's inspiring play, especially under pressure, does.

Under pressure has been the rookie's forte. Ryan has led the Falcons in wins over the Panthers, Saints, Packers, and Bears this season, all teams still fighting for the playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons were projected by The Sporting News to finish 1-15 this season.

The Falcons are nowhere near 1-15—they are currently tied for a wild card spot in the NFC playoffs. If Ryan can lead the Falcons through the final three games against the division-leading Bucs, the division-leading Vikings, and the erratic Rams, the Falcons will secure their first playoff berth since 2005 and only their third in the last 10 years.

Not only has Ryan given Falcons nation hope, but he has also erased the memory of the Michael Vick era and has instilled a bright outlook for the future of the organization.

Without Ryan, it is unlikely that Roddy White, Michael Turner, and Michael Jenkins would be having career seasons. White and Turner may very well likely make the Pro Bowl, along with Ryan.

If Ryan had been overlooked by the Falcons as he was by many others heading into the 2008 NFL draft, The Sporting News may have very well been correct with their 1-15 projection.

This is why my vote for MVP goes to Matt Ryan, and respectively, comeback player of the year to Chad Pennington.

Thanks to their leadership, inspiring play, and unexpected poise under pressure, two teams selecting in the top three of the draft just several months ago are now in position to make a run at the ultimate prize, the Super Bowl.

This truly has been the year of the underdog.

College Football Is the Real Fall Classic

Benjamin Baroff — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:00:05 -0400

After watching nearly the entire World Series, also known as the "Fall Classic," I once again found myself incredibly disappointed. This year's MLB postseason was one of the worst in recent memory. While we had the Cinderella story of the Tampa Bay Rays and the excitement of Manny Ramirez, that was about as far as it went.

Speaking of recent memory, the last truly entertaining "fall classic" was seven years ago, when the Arizona Diamondbacks ended the Evil Empire's streak of three world championships.

Since then we have been fortunate to see a series go five games. We got lucky and got to see five-and-a-half...or what I like to call a joke.

I almost found myself missing the big market teams in the postseason. While putting an end to the disparity argument in baseball, the small market Cinderella stories have choked under the big stage each of the past three seasons.

The Tigers went down 4-1, the Rockies missed the memo the series started, and the Rays could never string anything together.

After finally blowing off all the steam I have built up while being so disappointed with baseball's postseason, I can finally get to my main point: The real "Fall Classic" is college football.

College football is as entertaining as it gets over the course of an entire season. As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats March Madness, but many cannot follow college basketball over the course of an entire season as they can college football.

Why is this? Because it is thrilling week after week, game after game, upset after upset. Nothing ever gets old. It's a different story every week, every year, every rivalry game. So Florida has beaten Georgia 16 out of the last 18 meetings—this year still could be the most important meeting between the two.

There is nothing more thrilling than the college football season, especially the last few weeks.

Remember 2006, when USC just had to show up against Oregon St. to secure another National Championship bid? Whoops! Big mistake there as Oregon St. pulled off one of the most shocking upsets of the decade.

Recall last season, when West Virginia found themselves one win away from the National Championship. Well, what was an "explosive" offense all season long managed nine points and fell victim to unranked (5-7) Pittsburgh (just happened to be one of those rivalry games).

The BCS may have its flaws, and it certainly does. But one positive the system does provide us with is the importance of every single game.

Had Florida not botched an extra point or a fourth down call against Ole Miss, it's safe to say they would be in the top two in the polls. However, they are still considered a top team, but they may not even be able to work their way back into title contention.

"PLAYOFFS!? You want to talk about PLAYOFFS?...I want to talk about winning a damn game!"

The beauty of college football and the BCS system is that EVERY game is a playoff game. There are no walk-through games and no looking ahead—and when a team does look ahead...BAM! Season's over.

I think the excitement of college football has at least earned itself the right of not being bashed by its somewhat flawed system on a daily basis.

How many weeks out of the year do you find yourself disappointed with every single game?

How many times do you find yourself disappointed with the three playoff games on each night and disgusted by the four or five-game blowout in the World Series?

Maybe we should strip MLB and its postseason of its prestigious title and give it to a sport that deserves it.

That might be a little too harsh, now wouldn't it?

Dwayne Wade: Don't Call It a Comeback

Benjamin Baroff — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:24:03 -0400

A standard ticket for the Miami Heat's home opener vs. the Sacramento Kings costs $80. Please, residents of Miami, treat yourselves after a hard day’s work to an evening of fun, excitement, and basketball. Now why would anybody rush to see last year’s worst team with a pathetic record of 15-67?

Because Dwayne Wade is back, making his return from season ending shoulder surgery, and he is one of the absolute treats in all of sports to watch play. Wade is one of a handful of athletes that is worth the price of admission himself.

His smooth, lightning quick, high flying moves seem effortless while he splits the double team, and glides to the hoop for an up-and-under lay-up. Or he draws the double team, pivots, and throws a no look to a teammate wide open in the corner for three. These are only a few examples of what you'll get when you watch Wade play.

After jumping on the bandwagon in 2006, many fans were quick to forget how great, and how important Dwayne Wade is after a slow start in ‘07. After being swept out of the playoffs by the Bulls the following year, many were completely off that bandwagon.

"Wade is nothing without Shaq."

"Wade can't carry a team himself like Lebron and Kobe."

"Dwayne Wade can't come up in the clutch."

This is the nonsense being said heading into the 2007-08 season. Wade was unable to overcome this criticism due to being plagued by injury all season. He eventually had to call it quits so he could compete in China and for Miami next season. But his taking the rest of the year off for surgery and recovery only led to more criticism.

Dwayne Wade has never been one to let criticism keep him down. Just watch his new Converse commercial in which it displays Wade going through several acts of his day while being subjected to different criticisms of his game. One of which stuck out to me particularly is when a Miami sports radio host ripped Wade by calling him, "a monumental waste of a draft pick."

Let’s go back to Wade’s college days—before he was drafted. At Marquette, Wade led the team with a career average of 20 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and 4 apg. Wade not only produced numbers but was a unanimous first team All-American, led Marquette to a conference USA championship, and Final Four berth.

Not to mention Wade posted the third ever triple-double in Tournament history against heavily favored Kentucky in the Elite Eight.

Wade Went on to be selected fifth overall by the Miami Heat. Still under the radar, Wade was a unanimous All-Rookie selection and hit a game-winning shot in his first ever playoff game that season.

So much for not being clutch...

Wade's stock skyrocketed from that point on and he was named 2006 sportsman of the year by Sports Illustrated and NBA Finals MVP leading his team back from 0-2.

My question is this: Why does Dwayne Wade still have to prove something to us? For crying out loud he's averaged over 24 ppg, 4 rpg, and 6 apg as a professional—"throw him a fricken bone."

Converse has launched a campaign ad for Wade's new shoe concentrating on the criticism that Wade has endured over his career.

Wade commented, "No matter how many times I proved myself in college and the NBA, I've felt like every day is the same because no matter how far I go, the criticism and doubt is still there."

Dwayne Wade will be named comeback player of the year by default. It would be like giving the MVP to Larry Hughes over Lebron James if he is not. But Wade probably doesn't care about adding this award to his trophy case. He is extra motivated to make it back to the playoffs and prove the critics wrong.

"I've always felt that my ability is way stronger than anything people can say about me. After winning gold in Beijing, I'm excited to take the court again this season and continue to prove the doubters wrong." Wade stated earlier this month.

Well doubters, all I have left to say is that, "Wade's belief is stronger than your doubt."

The West's Best: NBA Conference Preview

Benjamin Baroff — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:17:55 -0400

The Western Conference is so fast-paced, so crazy, and so unpredictable that the only way to break it down is by taking a look at the facts.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's top five point guards—Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's most valuable big men—Yao Ming and Amare Stoudamire.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's most underachieving player—Tracy McGrady.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the MVP—Kobe Bryant.

Feeling any more sure of your preseason predictions now? Maybe I can help you out.

Regular Season

1. Los Angeles Lakers (62-20)

The Lakers are experienced, healthy, and LOADED. In 35 games last season, emerging star Andrew Bynum averaged 13 and 10. Bynum is now healthy and has emerged.

The Lakers will throw alley-oops to Bynum like it's their job—and with Gasol and Odom finishing out the frontcourt, I don't see anybody being able to slow them down. Oh yeah, Kobe Bryant plays for the Lakers too.

2. New Orleans Hornets (60-22)

The Hornets are going to run, shoot, and play for four quarters—and have fun while doing it. Its not a job to this team, especially while Chris Paul is running the team and filling the arena with energy.

James Posey is the perfect pickup for the Hornets. He has been there and done that and is not big enough to overshadow any of the teams stars from last year. The Hornets are going to pick up right where they left off last season.

3. Utah Jazz (56-26)

The bad news is that the Jazz will start off slow without the injured Deron Williams. But the good news is that the ankle injury does not seem to be a lingering injury. Virtually the same team as last year with a entire year with sharp shooter Kyle Korver will remain at the top of the West, under its disciplined coaching and wild home crowd.

4. Houston Rockets (58-24)

Ron Artest waisted no time in his arrival in saying anything less then a championship is unacceptable for "the new Big Three." He does have a point, though. T-Mac is still a major threat on offense and Yao is the most dominant center in the league when healthy. Add the leagues most tenacious defender to a team that won 22 straight without all three...I like their chances.

5. Phoenix Suns (57-27)

The Suns are aging and slowing down. True, but they are also getting hungrier. With a relatively-young roster and an experienced core, the Suns will not have to worry about chemistry issues this year.

Shaq was the baddest at 25 and is still the baddest at 35. Amare will carry the load in the regular season with redunkulous numbers and the Suns will be able to rest up going into the playoffs...again.

6. San Antonio Spurs (55-27)

It's crazy that that maybe the best team in the league will be going into the playoffs without home court advantage.

7. Dallas Mavericks (53-29)

The Mavericks find themselves in the same position as the Suns—their corps is aging and they finished the season with chemistry problems. The Mavs will overcome their chemistry issues and find their form in the regular season.

8. Portland Trailblazers (51-31)

Brandon Roy and Greg Oden are going to show signs of Shaq/Kobe. Roy thrives under pressure and Oden will be a force. The only problem in this giant relationship is that you have to take baby steps first. A playoff appearance for the Blazers will cap an exciting year.

Playoffs

First Round

Lakers over Blazers

The worst thing the NBA ever did was go away from the five-game first-round format. It gave teams like Portland a chance. Golden State and Atlanta completely proved that statement wrong the last two seasons—but realistically, it's not going to happen. Portland will steal a game but the Lakers have too much firepower. Lakers in five.

Hornets over Mavericks

In another playoff rematch, the Mavs find themselves in the same position—too old to keep up with Chris Paul and the run-and-gun Hornets. CP3 and co. win in six.

Spurs over Jazz

I think this potentially could be the best first-round series. The Spurs want to prove they can still do it, and the Jazz want to prove they have what it takes. A loss to either team will be devastating. Spurs in seven.

Rockets over Suns

I take that last statement back—this will be the best first-round series. Think about the names—Nash, Mcgrady, Amare, Yao, Artest, Shaq. These two teams are also looking to prove they have what it takes.

In a series that is impossible to predict, I'll take the player that can do the most in a one-play scenario. T-Mac finally gets out of the first round. Rockets in seven.

Western Conference Semifinals

Lakers over Rockets

Kobe is the best closer in the league. In this series, that's what its going to come down to—the determination to win. Bynum, Gasol, and Odom (if he is still around) are big enough to control the paint while Kobe takes care of everything else. Lakers make it back to the conference finals in six.

Hornets over Spurs

After being unable to overcome the experience of the Spurs in Game Seven last year, the Hornets will prove to be the more polished team. Adding James Posey is going to pay off in this series with his ability to lock up and shoot well under pressure. New Orleans in seven.

Western Conference Finals

Lakers over Hornets

The Lakers are playing with a chip on their shoulders, after—quite frankly—getting embarrassed in the Finals last year. Phil Jackson has already questioned their toughness publicly this offseason. In a back and forth series that will go the distance, I like Kobe over Paul this year. Lakers in seven.

Make Your Case, Tracy McGrady

Benjamin Baroff — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:14:51 -0400

True or False: Tracy Mcgrady has lived up to his hype?

False.

This year's MVP race has boiled down to four of the leagues best, i suppose five if you still consider Kevin Garnett a part of the race. Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Lebron James, and Tracy McGrady have all had fabulous seasons. In the past these players have been known for their ability to score at will, take over a game, and accumulate SportsCenter highlights on a nightly basis. This season has been different, especially for Tracy McGrady.

True or False: Tracy McGrady is the most talented player in the NBA?

False.

McGrady proved to us last year that he cared about winning by shedding tears in the locker room after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. A player that has never been out of the first round while having championship expectations should not be satisfied with mediocrity. Now its time to do something, and McGrady has.

T-Mac, known for his high flying, smooth jumper, and ability to score at will has been his mark on the NBA for the last 10 years. McGrady has posted a solid 22 points 6 assists and 5 rebounds this season. While those numbers do not scream most valuable player, they do represent something else. They represent a superstar that brought a me-first attitude who has changed his game...completely.

We know the Houston Rockets have won their last 20 games. Possibly 21 with a win tonight against the woeful Bobcats. But lets face it, aside from McGrady and without Yao Ming, the Rockets are a team of role players. McGrady has revamped his game to suit them, and it has worked beautifully.

If you have watched T-mac this season, you will have noticed that he no longer forks up tough shots, he no longer feels the need to beat a double team by himself, and he no longer plays as if the world is on his shoulders. McGrady now lets the game come to him. The sequence is now beat the man off the dribble drawing the help defense, dishing to Shane Battier for the 3 and the dagger with 3 minutes left in the 1st quarter.

So what if he doesn't win scoring titles anymore and throw alley oops to himself. He is winning, and that's what matters to him and his city. That's right, i said city. The Rockets will live and die with what McGrady brings to the table and that's what the biggest quality of an MVP candidate is. The main question is, can McGrady finally carry a team, a city, and a playoff race on his shoulders?

True or False: If he is able to do the above, Tracy McGrady will be your 2007-2008 NBA Most Valuable Player?

True.

Make Your Case: Kobe Bryant

Benjamin Baroff — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:49:08 -0400

"Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet"—LeBron James

If you don't know how good Kobe Bryant is, let me tell you.

He is a three-time NBA champion, two-time scoring champ, 10-time All-star starter (two-time MVP), nine-time All-NBA, and seven-time All-Defense.

But the 2008 MVP award is not about past accolades, and it's all about the 2008 season.

If you were paying close attention then you may have noticed that in all those listed credentials of a Hall of Fame career in the making, there is no MVP award. And yes, it is a shame.

But for all of the Kobe supporters out there, here is his case for this year's Most Valuable Player honors.

Before the start of every season, fans of the sport all subconsciously make predictions of where their team conference will turn out.

Where would you have had the Lakers in the Western Conference playoff picture on October 29th (the eve of the 2007-08 season)? Sixth? Seventh? Out of the playoffs? Probably as high as fifth.

"I don't want to go anywhere, this is my team"—Kobe Bryant

Turmoil was the scene in L.A. before the start of this season. It continued through October, despite a good start to the season for the Lakers.

Many thought it would only be a matter of time before the Lakers fell apart, or Kobe was having a photo shoot in a Chicago Bulls 24 jersey.

However, neither of those came to pass. The only thing that came was an 18-10 record and the emergence of Andrew Bynum as a top center in the league.

Bynum soon went down with an injury that still has him sidelined. There is no way the Lakers could stay in the playoff race with such strength in the West is...right?

Wrong.

"He can score, he can defend, but he cannot make his teammates better."—ESPN

Not that it was ever not Kobe's team, but Kobe began to take over games.

However, he did it without scoring 30 or 40 points per night.

Sure, there were those nights when Kobe exploded, but he seemed to lead the Lakers with his presence, not his jump shot.

It came out that Kobe was asked by the Lakers to consider getting surgery on his injured finger, a surgery that would most likely sideline him until the playoffs...if there still were playoffs.

Kobe pretended to consider during All-Star weekend, and then he decided to put his Lakers into the top seed in the wild wild West.

"He's untouchable."—Phil Jackson

Many say that Pau Gasol is the reason the Lakers are on top.

Many say that Kobe should not win the MVP because the Lakers have such a good team.

But the truth is, the Lakers would not be anywhere close to where they are now without Kobe.

Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, and Lamar Odom are not a solid enough core to get through the West. They are all nice players, but their numbers, intensity, and knowledge are all increased by having Kobe Bryant on the floor and in the locker room.

Pau Gasol was a nice player in Memphis. In fact, he was too nice. Kobe has morphed Gasol into the same intense big man he morphed Andrew Bynum into in the offseason.

Kobe Bryant has put up the numbers, put his team in the top spot in the toughest conference, and finally made his teammates better. Recently ranked the second best shooting guard in the history of the game by ESPN.com, he is still without an MVP award.

"I would be honored to be your 2007-2008 MVP."—Kobe Bryant

We're Sorry, Dwyane Wade

Benjamin Baroff — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:58:21 -0400

We're sorry, Dwyane. We're sorry for your pathetic excuse for a professional basketball team.

We're sorry that your Hall of Fame coach would rather scout college basketball games than give you his all.

And we're sorry, Dwyane, for questioning your not playing the last 21 games of this dreadful season for the Miami Heat.

Every year the NBA watches at least one superstar miss the playoffs because he has the misfortune of being on a bad team. Sadly, this year it is Dwyane Wade.

Wade is not just a big name player. He is a superstar, a competitor, and a class act.

Two years removed from an NBA championship, Wade has found himself at the bottom of the league. And let us remember that there would be NO championship without Wade carrying the Heat on his back to win the 2006 Finals series, 4-2 after trailing 2-0.

We're sorry that management decided that since they had won a championship, there was no reason to keep up with the team. True, they were built to "win now," but bringing in players such as Ricky Davis and Smush Parker was not a very smart decision.

I am disappointed that Wade is not playing the rest of the season. That's because I love to watch him play, not because I (the fan) think I am bigger than the player.

We, as fans, have many gripes with athletes. Some decide to sit out games when they don't feel well, others sit out when they have minor injuries.

But Wade doesn't do that—he plays through it. In fact, he plays his hardest night after night. Season ticket holders should be thankful they are only losing 21 games, and not an entire career.

Some will bash Wade and Yao Ming for their desiring to become Olympic champions instead of struggling through an 82-game season with major injuries. I, instead, commend them.

How many times do we hear fans complaining that we don't care enough about the Olympics, that we don't do enough to represent ourselves properly? Well, fans, you can no longer make that claim.

In the end, it is Wade's decision. He has the support of his coach and teammates. And the bottom line is, he's earned it.

Wade is the first person in the gym and the last one out—and he's worked this way since high school. When we put the time, work, effort, and heart into our lives that Wade puts into his, then, and only then, will we have the right to gripe.

AL Central Preview: Can the Indians Repeat as Division Champs?

Benjamin Baroff — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:47:07 -0400

The American League Central was looked at as the most competitive division in baseball heading into the 2007 campaign.

With the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers coming off World Series births, the Minnesota Twins a regular playoff contender, and the upcoming Cleveland Indians, there was no division in baseball that could compete with that caliber of talent.

While the entire season boiled down to a race between the Indians and Tigers, the 2008 season will likely see the entire division have a say in who will be crowned champion.

Tigers' Jason Verlander will be a Cy Young candidate while being backed up by what is now the most feared lineup in baseball.

The Detroit Tigers shocked the baseball world by landing Dontrelle Willis and four-time All-Star Miguel Cabrera in the offseason. Adding a big time pitcher and MVP-caliber player to a veteran lineup and intimidating pitching staff should validate the Tigers to be the front-runner to win the division.

The city of Cleveland may no longer be the home of Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field), but it is still home of the division champions.

The Cleveland Indians bring back every piece to their near-World Series birth and have added experience and maturity to their lineup after a season of many hard fought games.

While making no dramatic changes to the lineup or rotation, the Tribe still has Cy Young pitcher C.C. Sabathia and one of the leagues most talented players in Grady Sizemore—not to mention Travis Hafner, a monster of a hitter who comes up big in the clutch.

A team that finished one win away from a World Series birth will be backed by a city desperate to win a championship. The Indians will be in the race for the long haul and have an equal shot at a Wild Card, if not a division championship.

The rest of the AL Central is made up of the White Sox, Twins, and Royals.

Ozzie Guillen vowed the Sox would return to prosperity this season after a disappointing 2007 campaign.

With a solid lineup and pitching staff the White Sox should not be counted out of the division race, but 2008 is not their year.

The Twins will be backed by Francisco Liriano, a franchise player that will be in the same position as Johan Santana was the last few seasons. He is a great player on a good team that will continue to come up short.

If the Twins can avoid a slow start to the season their history of second-half success may fuel a playoff run, but it is not likely to last into October.

As for the Royals, sorry to say, they will finish last again. But they're making improvements to their lineup and adding a lot of young talent. Those moves should help them gain respectability around the league and have a bright future ahead.

The American League Central does indeed have the potential to be the best division in baseball.

With an incredible amount of talented players in Grady Sizemore, Miguel Cabrera, and Curtis Granderson, there will be a lot of publicity surrounding these teams, compared to what is normally a home-crowd division.

While I do not see that likely this year with the strength of the AL East and NL West, I do see it being more then a two-team race through August, as it was last year.