NBA 2014-2015 Preseason Kick off Predictions

The much anticipated NBA season is just right around the corner as October nears, basketball is back. This off season has been filled with injuries, free agency, and everything in between. The best player, the King himself returning back to his roots of Akron, Ohio is just the beginning of the eventful offseason. As we look forward to the kick off to the preseason this weekend the quest for the crowning of a new champion begins. Although it will be the start to the preseason and not the regular season, this will give a glimpse or a idea of teams that have the true potential of making it all the way. Turning to the Eastern Conference and the amount of talent that centers this entire conference it is very difficult to predict who will be in the Eastern Conference finals this season. With the return of Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose and the lost of Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, this has altered my predictions for the Conference finals. As once said I believe that the Cavaliers will make it to the conference finals, because they will be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Their opponent in the conference finals is questionable, but now with the lost of Paul George it will be the Chicago Bulls spot to lose, they have a clear path to the finals. This could all change if the bulls have to play the cavaliers in the earlier rounds. Turning now to the Western Conference. In this conference there is no clear favorite. Although the Spurs have made it to the finals for the past two seasons, I do not think that will happen for a third time. I'm positive with the lessons learned by the OKC Thunder they have a strong possibility of going all the way and a young Houston Rockets team could challenge them for the spot. Not to discount the Golden State Warriors they might also be in the shuffle for getting to the conference finals. This conference, I will have to watch throughout the season to see what player will make a statement or be the X-factor and will be a reliable role player. Going forward to the NBA finals I do not believe the Cavaliers will win the title, I think they still will have that stage of immaturity and lack of chemistry as they have a young roster. The team that comes out of the Western Conference will more then likely beat a young unexperienced Cavaliers roster to take the NBA title .

NFL week 4 recap

Week four of the NFL season continued this past weekend, as teams stepped into the bright lights once again. A match-up that was the staple for week four of the regular season were the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS. These teams came into sunday with a clear mission. The chiefs came into week 4 1-2, after dropping the first two game to the titans and broncos. The patriots different then that of the chiefs began the season rocky losing to the dolphins but would quickly find them selves the next few games. This made for a much anticipated between two great teams. First quarter both teams would get off to a slow start but the chiefs would end the quarter with a strong touchdown drive as chiefs running back Jamaal Charles would run 2 yards into the end zone. In the second quarter the focus would remain on the Chiefs as their momentum would grow. Quarterback Alex Smith would take the chiefs down the field, for yet another touchdown drive as Jamaal Charles would catch a 5 yard touchdown pass to give the chiefs a 14-0 lead. By the end of the quarter both teams struggled in making scoring drives up the field ,but the chiefs would squeeze out  with Cairo Santos kicking a 22 yard field goal to give the team a 17-0 lead ending the first half. Second half things did not change much as the chiefs would score mid way through third, as Alex Smith would throw another touchdown pass to Jammal Charles. Charles would receive a 8 yard pass into the endzone putting the chiefs up 24-0. The chiefs were not finished, following the touchdown drive, chiefs Cairo Santos would kick a 31 yard field goal. The chiefs were up 27-0 shutting out the patriots for the entire first half and nearly the second half ,but that would all change at the end of the third quarter. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would lead his team throwing a 44 yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell. This would give the team their first points of the game ending the third quarter and avoiding being shut out three quarters. Fourth quarter the chiefs would get back to things as they would open the quarter with yet another touchdown drive.Quarterback Alex Smith would throw a 2 yard pass into the end zone to connect with receiver Travis Kelce. The patriots would answer back with a drive up the field but that would all be cut short as chiefs safety Husain Abdullah would run the ball back for a 39 yard interception/touchdown (A pick 6). The patriots would answer back with quarterback  Jimmy Garoppolo throwing a 13 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski. The chiefs would go on to take this prim time match-up under the bright lights 41-14, giving them a 2-2 record.

NFL WEEK 4 Prediction

The thursday night NFL week four matchup is between a long rivalry of the NEW YORK GIANTS vs WASHINGTON REDSKINS. The Giants are coming into this game with a record of 1-2 and the Redskins are entering this difficult matchup 1-2 as well. The Giants at home in week three claimed their first victory, as they took on the Houston Texans and knew that this game was more important then ever. The Redskins are coming into this game suffering from injuries obtained in week three of the season, the biggest from quarterback Robert Griffin III.The redskins are crumbling right infront of our eyes and its just the beginning to week four of the season.  The redskins know that a win in week four will be anything short of a miracle. Based on the momentum from the giants in their week three win, I believe they will easily take the win over the redskins thursday night 10 plus over the redskins. The redskins are fighting a 17 player injury report roster that is limiting them from practicing for one of their biggest match-ups for the season, which has lead me to the giants being the clear winner of the match-up.  The winner of this game will determine who will be the last place finisher in the NFC East, thus making for a interesting "sprint" to the end of the season, that is weeks from unfolding.

NFL WEEK 3

Week 3 of the NFL season was full of surprises to say the least. It brought new dynamics to different that were particularly singly offensive minded or defensive minded teams.The teams that showed a new dynamic to their team were the CHICAGO BEARS. The bears were to take on the NEW YORK JETS in week 3 of the season. The bears came into this game with a 2-1 record. The jets came into this game with a record of 1-2. The bears offense in game three had something prove. First quarter the bears would come out in minutes with a touchdown as Ryan Mundy would have a 45 yard return. This would give the jets a 7-0 lead by the middle of the first quarter propelling them to make another touch down as Martellus Bennett would receive a 7 yard pass from quarter back Jay Cutler. The jets would answer back with a 43 yard field goal to end the quarter , putting the Bears ahead 14-3 by the end of the first quarter. Second quarter the bears would come out very strong putting up a quick field goal within the first minutes. The jets would slowly catch back up ending the half with a 28 yard field goal and a touchdown by Jeremy Kerley. The bears would have the edge leading the jets 17-13. Second half the bears would begin the quarter with a 13 yard pass from quarter back Jay Cutler to Martellus Bennett. Following up with a jets 22 yard field goal from Nick Folk leading into the fourth quarter. The jets knowing it was crunch time came out very strong in the fourth getting a early 42 yard field goal making the score 24-19, giving them a viable chance to make a big comeback. The bears would answer back with a scoring possession of their, Robbie Gould scoring a 45 yard field goal. The bears go on to win it 27-19.

NFL WEEK TWO RECAP

This past week in the NFL has been an absolute night mare for not just the front office but for frustrated fans, with or against the decisions of the NFL. The indecisiveness of the NFL has shown as they have tried to keep their composure and professionalism through this hectic and confusing time. Adrian Peterson was announced monday to be reinstated by the Vikings for week three against the Saints, after being charged with child negliate and abuse to his son. This comes after a few years prior Peterson was facing the death of his youngest son, do his Ex's boyfriends abuse to his son. In the Ray Rice case, tuesday things turned. Ray Rice and the NFL players union decided tuesday, they would appeal the "indefinite suspension" of Rice. This comes after commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the running back indefinitely following the release of the domestic abuse tape of Rice beating his then fiance. The NFL has alot of business that has been dealt with within the last week and this seems to be the beginning to addressing some even larger issues within the organization.

Now continuing on the week two match-ups in NFL. There were alot of interesting comeback stories and games in week two of the NFL season but one game that particularly stood out to me was the NEW YORK JETS vs GREEN BAY PACKERS. The jets came into this game 1-0, after winning week one against the Raiders. Week two they would be playing on Lambeau Field as they took on the Packers. The Packers different then that of the jets, lost week one against the Seahawks and hoped that week two would have a different game outcome. First quarter the jets go out strong as they would put up two touchdowns within the first minutes of the ball game forcing the Packers to go back to the drawing board. By the end of the first the packers would respond with a 31 yard field goal by Mason Crosby. Second quarter the the jets would begin strong but the Packers would eventually come to their senses, scoring on three consecutive drives to end the first half. The second half would be thriller as the Packers would begin the third quarter strong. Packers Aaron Rodgers would throw a 1 yard pass to Randall Cobb for the touchdown giving the Packers their first lead of the game. The jets would respond with a scoring drive of their own as Nick Folk would kick a 52 yard field goal. The packers would follow up with a scoring drive, as quarter back Aaron Rodgers would throw a 52 yard pass to Jordy Nelson for the touchdown. Both teams would even out in the fourth as exhaustion would set in, and the Jets would miss a possible game tieing field goal to close the fourth quarter. The Packers would come back to win the thriller 31-24.

NFL Week 1 Recap

Week one of the NFL 2014-2015 season if officially in the books. From actual game time to domestic violence among players and their spouses, this has grown to be a week of twist and turns. As we focus on the pure game time of the NFL some teams came and showed out. First beginning with the match-up between the WASHINGTON REDSKINS and HOUSTON TEXANS. The Houston Texans came into this season, finishing as the worst team in the League for the NFL 2013-2014 season. Making things uncertain for the future of the team. It seemed as if all the components were there, just weren't coming together and becoming one cohesive unit. This made for a very interesting week one match-up as the redskins also faced similar trials in their 2013-2014 season. From the kick off, both teams showed their determination, as each defense held to their own. As the second quarter progressed, both teams would begin to warm up to each other; the redskins would score the games first touch down. Darrel Young would run 1 yard to solidify the tough drive by the redskins putting them up 7-0. The Texans would return the favor by scoring a touchdown as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 76 yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins for a the Houston Texans touchdown. Before the end of the half the Texans would have a wild change of events as rookie Alfred Blue returned a 5 yard punt blocked resulting in a Texans touchdown. Texans Randy Bullock extra point would be blocked. Second half, the battle of the defense would take full force once again, but that would change in the fourth.  The fourth quarter would start similar to that of the third as the Texans would grow their momentum, ending the game with a 42 yard field goal by Randy Bullock. The Houston Texans would go on to win it 17-6. 

Now as our focus shifts, not to game action, but to the legal disputes of the domestic violence cases in the NFL, bringing up the question, how much focus should the NFL pay to the safety and influence of its players?  As reported Ray Rice has been suspend from the NFL because of his recent release of a tape involving the domestic violence to his wife. The biggest question out of the story is , Is Ray Rice to blame for his absurd behavior?  Being very mindful, he is not the first or last NFL player to be involved in a case such as this, he is the first to be caught on tape doing it. We constantly encourage the typical NFL player to "crash the opponent to the ground" but should we be angry with them when they don't know, how to separate that from personal life to professional life? It is a very complicated issue to address, when all fans  and franchises want is a player that can beat the opponent on the field, not a player who is weak or average and is respectful to their spouse. The mental and physical state of the player is not put the for front. NFL players are human beings.  What is failed to be addressed is the subject that not every player comes from the same background. So when it is told to them to "crash the opponent to the ground" , separating that phrase from the football field and family can often be difficult and could possibly lead to them knocking their spouse unconscious. This issue isn't new to the NFL, it's just the first time that we have physically been able to capture the shots on a tape. So where does the NFL go from here? Not just addressing this case, but addressing all domestic violence cases involving NFL players, Ray Rice is definitely not the first player to do something like this and won't be the last.  

NBA off season updates

As the NBA off season heads toward its final weeks, last minute trades are being finalized. September has arrived and that means basketball season is just around the corner. The set date for the start to the NBA Preseason is October 28th.
The month of August has brought all of this back into prospective trade agreements have been finalized. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the appeared front runner in free agents this off season, has yet picked up two key players in their quest for the NBA title. One of which was Shawn Marion,  former Dallas Maverick forward,finalized a minimum deal with the Cavaliers Sunday, August 17th. Following the development of this deal the Cavaliers also traded their number one draft picks from the 2013 draft and 2014 draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves to receive a huge contributor in their starting line up, Kevin Love. Love has been one of the NBA 's top centers in the league over the past few season, so this was a huge gain for the Cavaliers roster. Love will receive 16.7 million during the 2016-2017 season and will play through the last season of his contract. Lebron James was a huge contributor of the deal as Love expressed, "Lebron signed to come back, and a few hours later he called me and said I'm in, That had alot to do with my decision. It means alot to be a part of this organization.. Everything in my entire life for the last six years had led me to this opportunity." This has helped the Cavaliers become the clear front runner in the Eastern Conference and for the NBA Championship. Another player who also has a new place to call home is Hasheem Thabeet. Thabeet, has spent the past two seasons playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, after being drafted number two over all in the 2009 draft. According to sources close to the process Thabeet, has been traded to the 76 ers and some cash for a 2015 second round draft pick and a trade exception. Based on the agreement the thunder have exactly one season to use the trade exception before it expires. With all these curve ball presented over the past few weeks in the NBA what will happen next?