Mike Breen is the man.

Maybe five years ago, I got to play golf with Mike Breen. It was a great freaking day.

Hearing Breen on the I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast this week took me back.

In a charity golf tournament for my job, three dudes from my work were grouped with Breen, the celebrity.

Understand that I grew up wanting to be Chick Hearn. I watched Vin Scully all my life and any hockey knowledge I have is because of Bob Miller. I’m insane about sports and play-by-play broadcasters are a big reason why.

Imagine the feeling when the other dudes let me ride in the cart with him. I tried to play it cool, but I noticed something — one of Breen’s teeth looked black. I’m talking black like a dead tooth. Not a side tooth either. A front tooth. On the top. I’m no dentist, but I’d call it a primary tooth for someone’s appearance.

“What is that?!” I asked myself. “I guess I’ve either never noticed it, or maybe he puts a veneer on to call games on television? Whatever it is, I’m sure as hell not going to say anything to him about it.”

I acted like I didn’t see it. If it really was a dead tooth, I didn’t want to be the a-hole to bring it up.

Nobody else seemed to notice it either until about the 8th hole, when my coworker said something and Breen sheepishly took a big piece of dark spinach or something out of his mouth. In not wanting to offend him or whatever, I failed to tell him he had freaking food in his teeth.

The best part of that day was hearing Breen talk about Chick Hearn. I knew I wasn’t going to often get the chance, but Breen, the Knicks announcer for many years, had a number of wonderful Chick stories.

I also waited until Breen hit an approach shot onto the green before yelling “Bang!” Yep. I did that.

I played some of the worst golf of my life that day and flew home the next morning. When I arrived, it was like I’d been in a dream, playing golf with one of the best dudes in the profession — a play by play guy I knew and admired on television.

Last night, Breen called Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and did an awesome job. Without, as far as I could tell, anything stuck in his teeth.

When LeBron James knocked his head into a video camera in the middle of an NBA Finals game the other night, I empathized with everyone involved.

In case you missed it, here’s the aftermath with a few replays as well.

As someone who’s played basketball for most of my life, I have rolled my ankle more than once on walls that are too close to the end of the court.

Usually these thing happen to the best athletes. A less athletic player — say Matthew Dellavadova — would have just fallen on his side and never been able to start to catch himself. Given a wider berth, LeBron would have probably caught himself and been able to not hit the floor. His ability to even think about not falling down on this play was just another example of his ridiculous athleticism.

You can be athletic and fall to the floor, though. Shaq was one player who was crazy athletic for his size, but he knew how to fall really gracefully in order not to get hurt. I’m not sure that’s something LeBron’s ever learned.

What about the camera man?

I’ve shot basketball in a lot of gyms over the past three years. In high school gyms, I can choose to sit or stand, and I can shoot from virtually any place along the baseline. Sometimes there is a lot of space between the baseline and the wall, but in some places there isn’t.

At college games, I’ve also shot in about a half-dozen arenas, ranging from Mott Gym to McKeon Pavillion at St. Mary’s, to UCSB’s Thunderdome, to Pauley Pavillion, the Honda Center, the KFC Yum! Center, Maples Pavillion, and University of Dayton Arena, among others.

In the larger facilities, the set-up is generally the same. Squares that are about two feet by two feet are marked with tape on just one side of each baseline (the other half of each baseline is usually reserved for cheerleaders). The squares are generally for still photographers. Live TV cameras are often shoulder-held by camera operators on rolling chairs.

LeBron hit an NBATV camera located in one of the squares. He dove right into it, literally head-first.

So, what does the NBA do? If we are going to move the photographers, where do we move them to? The truth is, while the baseline provides a lot of good opportunities for photos, the angle isn’t always the best. That said, I don’t know anywhere that would be feasible and better. Sitting along the sideline in one of those $1000-plus seats can be more ideal for some shots, but there is zero chance a photographer gets to sit there. Sight-lines are too important to mess with in large arenas to put photographers anywhere else.

I’ve also heard people who don’t know photography calling for the NBA to have more robotic cameras. While probably really costly, this might work all right for video cameras, but would seem virtually impossible for still shots. Maybe still shots are out of fashion. Maybe people will have no use for them at some point. But I doubt it.

Honestly, getting great shots of basketball from just the right angle is the hardest of any sport, in my opinion.

Which is why there is not a great option for the NBA. The things they can change, it seems like they have. The two rows of squares have been moved back a foot or two recently. The basket stanchion has been pushed back a few feet. Beyond that, I’m not sure what else there is to do. I suppose you could push photographers farther back and give up the cost of some of those prime seats under the basket. We know the odds of that happening.

What I hope doesn’t happen is that less photographers are allowed to be there. At any given time, up to 20 or so photographers could be focused differently on a bunch of different parts of the floor at a major basketball game. Different photographers in different places allow for the game to be covered in a variety of ways, something basketball tends to struggle with more than other sports like football or baseball. The variation of where you’re located and who/what you’re focusing on can have a huge impact on the quality of a photo.

Here’s an example of why it was great to have various photographers at different points around the field during an amazing NFL play. 

Maybe some day the NBA will find ways to maintain fan experience in the arena while giving us more opportunities for various still and moving picture angles. Until then, players are going to have to learn how to fall better and photographers are going to have to be a little faster to bail on their shots.

The media and players have always figured out a way to get along, eventually.

All season long, the two-time defending champion Miami Heat have been the favorites in the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs, who lost to Miami in the Finals last season, had the best record during the regular season and have looked like a team on a mission. The Indiana Pacers, who seemed determined to overthrow their rivals in Miami started off the season hot but have slipped lately. This was supposed to be the year that some team knocked off LeBron James and the Heat and stopped them from becoming a dynasty. Thus far in the playoffs that dream seems very unlikely.

Could the NBA Finals return to the Moda Center in Portland this season? By Another Believer (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

At this point, I think the only other two teams that could give the Heat some trouble out East are the young Toronto Raptors and the veteran Brooklyn Nets, who happen to be facing each other in the first round. With the Pacers struggling to find themselves, it almost looks like a lock for the Heat to meet up with a team like the Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In other words, it’s not turning out to be as challenging as many thought for LeBron and co.

In the West, it’s a free-for-all, with some of the top teams struggling so far in the playoffs. The top-seeded Spurs are playing their in-state rival Dallas Mavericks who so far are showing the Spurs they mean some business. The two teams from the Lone Star State have split the first two games in San Antonio and Dallas could have won both games in San Antonio if not for an impressive run to end game one by the Spurs.

The second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder with MVP Kevin Durant seemed primed for another playoff run yet find themselves down 2-1 to the gritty Memphis Grizzlies. The Houston Rockets had a lot of hype after the addition of Dwight Howard in the offseason, but they are down 0-2 to the Trail Blazers heading into one of the loudest arenas in the NBA back in Portland. The Los Angeles Clippers are the only top seeded team looking like they should taking a 2-1 lead over the Warriors including winning a game in Oakland.

The NBA playoffs are far from over and anything can happen, but so far signs are pointing towards the Heat reaching their fourth straight NBA Finals and meeting up with any of the right Western Conference teams that clinched a postseason berth. Here is what I believe will happen over the course of the playoffs:

First Round:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks (Spurs in 7)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Grizzlies in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors (Clippers in 7)

4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks (Pacers in 7)

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats (Heat in 5)

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Nets in 6)

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 4)

Semi-Finals:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Clippers in 7)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Heat in 7)

Conference Finals:

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Heat in 5)

NBA Finals: 2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (TBA)

Much has been made recently about the Clippers decision to cover up the Lakers championship banners and retired jerseys during Clipper home games and I don’t understand why. When the Clippers have a home game they deserve to be able to make it their own arena and just because they share the stadium with the Lakers doesn’t mean that they need to keep Laker stuff all around.

Covering up the purple and gold is a ploy by an organization that finally is looking to step out from under the huge shadow of their big brother. The Clippers may have covered the banners up but everyone still knows what is behind the cover. As a NBA fan, I wish the Clippers luck this season as they try and become a powerhouse NBA team.

Staples Center is home to both the Clippers and Lakers but is more known because of the purple and gold. By Prayitno from Los Angeles, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

I find it extremely comical that now that the Clippers are relevant, the “fans” have started to come out of their shell and support the team. Before the “basketball reasons” incident from a few years ago, you could walk down the street in Los Angeles and not see a single Clippers anything, no billboards, no merchandise being worn, nothing. Although I will admit that the Clippers have become the most exciting team in Los Angeles, they will never be the city’s favorite. Since the Lakers moved to LA, they have built such a strong fan base that their dominance will never be broken — no matter how good the Clippers become. Even though the Clippers are now a title contender, based off their history they are still a borderline NBA franchise until they prove otherwise. One division title in the 43 years the organization has been around is not a great track record. Many people would disagree with my take on who runs Los Angeles, but until they win anything, I stand by my statement. If they do end up winning anything I will be the first to take it back.

After winning a team-record 56 games last season, the Clippers seemed to finally be able to break through and make a run at an NBA title but ended up being bounced in the first round and ended up having only two more playoff wins than a depleted Lakers team without Kobe Bryant. People might look at that statistic as irrelevant but to me that says a lot about the two teams that share Staples.

This season looks to be different with the addition of Doc Rivers and some new players and time will tell. When the Lakers and Clippers are talked about, many people use the words “bragging rights” pertaining to the regular season wins. For me though, the Clippers can have all the regular season wins against the Lakers they want because at the end of the day championships are what matter most. Last time I checked the tally was 16-0 in favor of the purple and gold. If the Clippers ever want to be associated with the Lakers as a great franchise, they will have to do more than cover up the Laker championship banners in the building and start adding some of their own. Fans and analysts can talk all they want about Los Angeles being a Clipper town now and they aren’t wrong about them being the better team, but Los Angeles is and always will be a Laker town.

Jonathan Toews has led his team once again to the Stanley Cup Finals. By Resolute, via Wikimedia Commons

Why isn’t anyone talking about the Stanley Cup Finals? I understand that is isn’t as highly followed as the NBA finals or any other “main” sport but at least I still consider it a top-four sport behind football, basketball and baseball. Nonetheless, the NHL and especially the Stanley Cup Finals should be covered more with more people talking about or at least put every game on national TV. The story lines this season make the series that much more enticing to watch.  Both the Bruins and Blackhawks showed

First off, it is the first time in 34 years that two of the original six NHL teams (Bruins, Blackhawks, Rangers, Red Wings, Canadeins, and Maple Leafs) have met in the Stanley Cup Finals. For the Bruins, getting to the Stanley Cup wasn’t easy, as they had to defeat the Maple Leafs, Rangers and Penguins to do so. In game 7 of the first round, the Bruins came back from a 4-1 deficit in the third period and won 5-4 in overtime.

In the second round, the Bruins routed the New York Rangers four games to one. In the Eastern Conference finals, they cemented their 2013 playoff resume by annihilating Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since they won the title in 2011. From the second the Bruins made the astonishing comeback against the Leafs in round one, I predicted the Bruins to make it to the Stanley Cup.

As opposed to the winding road the Bruins traveled, the Blackhawks were a favorite to make the finals. They stacked-up a 24 game win streak early in the season and never looked back. The Blackhawks would go on to clinch the number-one seed in the Western Conference and plow through the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. The Red Wings series was the only one that was close, including a game-7 overtime game.

As for the current Stanley Cup finals, so far the first two games have gone past regulation with game 1 going to three overtimes and game 2 just going to one overtime. Both games have been amazing to watch. They have played two games this series and as the series shifts from Chicago to Boston for game 3, both teams should feel good about themselves because this series I believe will go seven games. It already feels like one of the best series in any sport that I have watched in a long time. The games have been so close and so physical. Playoff overtime in the NHL is one of the most exciting things in sports The series is tied 1-1 right now and I seriously can’t wait to see what happens from here on out in this series. It doesn’t always happen, but hockey fans lucked out this year and actually got the two best teams playing in the finals. Considering the fact that we almost didn’t have hockey this season, this series makes up for missing half the season and if you miss the rest of it, you’ll be sorry.

It takes me the near-impossibly earned 30% down and 3 months of saved mortgage payments to ink the reward of owning my own 2 bed, 2 bath home, but winning an NBA championship earns a 200,000 dollar tab at a downtown Miami dance club.

Nine dollars a month to save a child. 200,000 dollars to spill champagne. 5 to 8 dollars an hour to pick a strawberry. $65,000 an hour to put a ball in a hoop.

While we celebrate winners we often lose sight of our losers. And I’m not talking about Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder… I’m talking about you and I’m talking about me here…

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1OO_nfFyMM

On ESPN and other networks, I’ve heard more than one analyst (in fact not one, not two, not four, not five, etc…) say that they “feel bad” for the LeBron James in this year’s finals.

So it’s a question I ask myself when Miami struggles in this year’s version of the NBA Playoffs. Can we feel sorry for these guys? Can we feel bad for a team so closely contrived by its major pieces? A team that was supposed to be a team of destiny. A team that was supposed to be, In the words of Jack Burns, “an unstoppable rebel force.”

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHSLw8DLm20

When Miami got together, it was not inconceivable that they would win multiple titles with their version of the “Big 3.” James and Bosh were still on the upside of their career and Wade was championship-tested. But something happened a year ago. The Heatles faltered when it mattered most and the public perception swung wildly away from the South Florida juggernaut.

Fast forward to this strike shortened aberration of a season. What has really changed but perception? Before the series this year, nearly every media outlet I listen to picked Oklahoma City over Miami. And, while I haven’t agreed with that pick, I’m not arguing with it. I am arguing with pity.

Analyze the game. Talk about why the Heat aren’t winning. Go ahead and dissect Chris Bosh’s injury or Dwayne Wade’s lack of explosiveness. Just don’t tell me to feel sorry for LeBron.

Because when you feel sorry for him, you are giving pity based on a personnel situation that was orchestrated by the three best players on the team, especially LeBron. James, Wade, and Bosh took ownership, leadership, and put a bulls-eye on their backs when they joined forces two summers ago. The Decision, the ensuing rally, the smoke machine, and LeBron’s deteriorating image as an entourage-wielding, self-absorbed loser have not helped the perception of the Heat’s chances of winning a title. If James had planned to make himself more and more unlikable, I would argue, he couldn’t have done a much better job.

And now the Heatles are feeling the unanticipated burning eyes as they are on the brink of losing another finals series. Down 1-0 after Game 1, everyone was ready to throw dirt on their grave.

One year ago, public perception of the Heat shifted to mostly negative. They ripped the title of most-hated team from the Lakers. And at the center of the negative pushback was the most talented player that the NBA has possibly ever seen. Only an NBA Championship will turn the tide again.

Which brings me back to Wade, James, and Bosh. James is the best player in the league and he cares too much about public perception to let this go on. He has seemingly tried every other way to improve public perception and, I would argue, come to this conclusion. The only way to really do it is to win. Just ask Kobe.

As Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said recently, “Nobody likes getting dirt thrown on your face before you’re not even dead.”

LeBron isn’t dead yet and neither are the Heat. And what will there be to feel sorry other than the pundits who will say they knew Miami was going to win all along.

LeBron James’ career has burst into flames, after his self-aggrandizing title prophecies with the Miami Heat ended Sunday in a game six loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The NBA’s darling just one year ago–a mild tempered family man, with the dribble speed game of MJ, and the passing and rebounding finesse of Magic, is not only the league’s most wanted but is now left for another off-season to ponder his lowly 2-8 record in NBA Finals games and dismal 2-6 record in must-win elimination games.

As much as the league has tried to endorse James as the predecessor to MJ’s greatness, one is left to wonder whether he will go down as the games biggest bust. Despite this ever-evolving debate in the eight year relationship fans and critics have had with James, the man himself seems undeterred.

“I pretty much don’t listen to what everybody has to say about me or my game or what I’ve done with my career,” James said. “I don’t get involved in that. This is year after year after year for me. Me as an individual, people write or say what they want to say about me. It doesn’t weigh on me at all.”

This is yet another form of kindling for the LeBron hatred across the country, and is the type of thing that has taken the “King” mantle from James and placed his name among the all-time villains. Something LeBron seems indifferent towards.

“All the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today,” James said. “They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that.”

Despite the criticisms, LeBron’s mantra is simple: his life is better than yours. Today the man woke up to a multi-million dollar mansion with his family, and is currently sipping prepared pina coladas by an aqua lagoon furnaced by his own personal natural hot spring. As his wife kisses his forehead, his children have the best education money can buy, and his hard-working mother — the one who worked day and night as a single mother — is doing just the same.

So what gives?

“It hurts of course,” James said. “ I’m not going to hang my head low. I know how much work as a team we put into it. I know how much work individually that I’ve put into it, when you guys are not around. That’s something people don’t see. I think you can never hang your head low when you know how much work, how much dedication you put into the game of basketball when the lights are off and the cameras are not on.”

LeBron’s confidence in his work ethic is the saturation necessary to help him get past this on-going bout of losing when it matters most. In fact LeBron seems half-right. In eight elimination games in the playoffs, his career numbers of 29.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assist would argue his point.

Yet for Cleveland fans and many across the country the problem has never been LeBron’s abilities, rather his inabilities to close out games in the final minutes. Cavs fans are left to ponder not only James inappropriate decision parade on national television, one in which took them from title hopefuls to cellar dwellers, but his final game against Boston in the Conference Semi-Finals where James looked as if he’d quit on the franchise and aloof thereafter.

This loss, whether it be just another loss in a long seemingly successful hall of fame career for James, is vindication for many across America. For Cavs owner Dan Gilbert it was everything he needed to move on with his career. After the loss, Gilbert tweeted: “Old Lesson for all: There are NO SHORTCUTS. NONE.”

The longtime friendship Gilbert and James had, rooted in the franchise selection of the Akron native, continued its bitter feud. Gilbert has never waned from admitting his disappointment in the player he believed was faithful and would help change the course for Cleveland fans’ long drought without a professional title.

This is like the “Young and the Restless,” but better–it is Brokeback Mountain the sequel, starring Jamie Foxx and business mogul Bill Gates. But jest aside, this is the life of a man left to wonder whether his career will ever culminate into anything more than best greatest loser of all-time.

For James and any other NBA great, the tiers of hall of fame stars is a real topic, one of which none of these player can run from. It is like having your name sprawled next to MJ, Magic, or Bird instead of Iverson, Dominique, or Ewing.

And despite the majority, who are beginning to wonder whether James is the latter, the star is limitless in his drive. “The only thing that weighs on me is when I don’t perform well for my teammates and the guys that I play for every day,” said James. Which as of now, seems like the theme to his rocky unabashed career.

The hyped hoopla of the NBA all-star break is long gone (thank God). Now as we push through the final eight weeks of NBA regular season play, it is fitting to look forward to the postseason.  This article is as objective as possible. What I mean by this, is that no matter how much I hate the Lakers(this is true..want to be honest), they are a legitimate champion with the fire power to win championships for the next two to three years.

Before I continue with the rankings, I want to answer some of the questions the average fan has mused over this season:

1) Are we seeing the decline of Kobe Bryant? Yes and No. Kobe is 32. Whether we want to admit it, the guy has played professional hoops for fourteen years.  There has been a lot of wear and tear on the knees, which can be atributed to the lack of lift on his jumpshots, explosions toward the hoop, and that tired look in the closing stretches of big games. Nonetheless we are talking about one of the greatest this league has ever seen, and like MJ or Magic, Kobe is smart and should be able to find ways to turn it on come playoff time.

2)  Can the Heat beat the elite teams (top 5)? It should be noted that as of today, the Heat are 0-6 against the top five teams in the NBA.  Yet I think we can all admit that when a lineup boast the likes of Bron, Wade, and Bosh, the likelihood of that zero remaining in the win collumn come playoff time, is a silly assertion.

3) Is a power shift occuring from West to East? Yes. The East is the strongest it has been in quite sometime with the “mighty 3” in Miami, a healthy Boston, Chicago’s flowering from young promise to seasoned reality, Atlanta’s firepower, Orlando’s depth, and now, the rebirth in New York.  I believe that the biggest shift is occuring with the Knicks resurgence. Two superstar faces like Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony joining the Eastern Conference not only enhances the Knicks as a team, but switches some popularity from West to East. Not to mention the trade of Deron Williams to the Nets, continues in a trend of big name stars exiting  the Western Conference.  The West from seeds 6-8 in the postseason is still legitimately stronger, but that gap is closing.

NBA Rankings

1. L.A. Lakers (40-19): I know, I know, this seems cliche. But like the Bulls dominated stretches in the 90’s, the Lakers have been nearly as dominant in the 21st century’s first decade. The last ten years the Lakers have won five titles, been in seven finals, and are built with a team now that can find ways to win come playoff time. This year’s team has underachieved, no doubt.  Yet how dominate is a team that underachieves at 40-19? They remind me of the first three-peat Bulls team that limped to a 57-25 finish and a #2 seed in the East. No Kobe is not Michael, but Michael never had the likes of Pau, Odom, Artest, and Bynum.

2a. Boston Celtics (41-15): This team wins when it matters most.  This is the best this team has looked in three years, as each of their “big-3” are healthy and playing the best ball of the season. Pierce has increased his shot production–which was down the last two years–attributing to his increase in points per night by nearly two. Allen is smooth as silk and KG is playing with the fire necessary to drive this unit. Add in dime dropping Rondo, a somewhat motivated Shaq, bench sparks like Big Baby, and this team will be tough to beat at home this postseason.

2b.San Antonio Spurs (47-10): The most fad and cliche pick this season is San Antonio. Why? Their dominate start at 47-10, does not spell championships.  Having three guys like Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili leading the way is huge. They have won three titles in the Century’s first decade, and have the poise necessary to help their young stars stay calm in the postseason. At the same time, this team has relied on the thirty three year old Ginobili like never before. With Duncan having his least productive scoring season of his career (13.6), the Spurs have become more of a run n’ gun team with isolation sets for the aging Ginobili. Ginobili has been brittle for most of his career, which scares me come playoff time. But with Pop at the helm,  three guys hungry for their fourth ring, and the best record against the top ten teams this season (.688),  I have to give them the cred necessary.

3. Miami Heat (42-16):  If this was a ranking for most intriguing and dramatic, then the Heat would rank atop this list.  The league learned a huge lesson in 2004, when the Lakers, boasting the likes of Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton, lost to a group of role guys — the Pistons. The inconsistency of this method makes me question whether or not the Heat’s big three will know when and where to demote their shot to one another. I also wonder whether or not the lack of a post presence will burn them when facing a team that plays tough perimeter defense.  Who scores inside? Until that is answered, I cannot in good faith put a team with no post presence and an 0-6 record against the top 5 teams at the top of this list.

4.Chicago Bulls (39-17): The Bulls are like a wine that has finally fermented to a perfect age. Plenty of tannin: 3rd in team defense, Robust flavors: increased scoring, Flowering nose: go to guy like Derick Rose, and Complexities: better depth–Boozer, Deng, Noah, Brewer. The ascension of Derick Rose from semi-star to a top 3 point guard in basketball, has legitimized the Bulls come playoff time with a serious scorer who has the ability to put this team on his back. When you add in a healthy Boozer (19.9 pts a night), and the comeback of defensive minded Joakim Noah, this team has the components to challenge anyone. The addition of Carlos Boozer has given the Bulls a legitimate 2nd scorer and the post offense they have lacked the last three years.  One concern? 25-4 at home, but just 13-13 on the road.

5. Dallas Mavericks (41-16): This is where things get murky.  I know the Mavs are arguably the most disappointing franchise of this Century’s first decade. Their collapse against the #8 seed Warriors in the 1st round of 2007 still lingers in many peoples minds. But this is not 2007. The Mavs have the 2nd best record against the ten best teams in the league, 4th best against the top five. They are the most balanced team at Home (22-8) and Away (19-8), which means they can beat anyone, anywhere. They are in the top-5 defensively and can score, ranking top-10 offensively. Add in a winner like Jason Kidd, a go to guy like Dirk, sparks like Marion, Terry, and Stojakavic, and this team realistically could make a deep run in the playoffs.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder (36-20): The trade for Nate Robinson and Kendrick Perkins from Boston, gives the Thunderdepth on their bench and solidifies a struggling defense. With Perkins now in the front court, the Thunder can defend any big in the postseason. One question though, is who scores besides Durant and Westbrook? Trading Jeff Green to the Celtics, proves the Thunder were not willing to continue giving  the underachieving Green a shot. Yet without Green, the Thunder will look for scoring from Jeff Harden, who has yet to develop into the scorer we thought he would be in the pros.  At the same time, this team thrives on defense. Their dip in this area is the reason for the trade and should re-center them defensively come postseason. Not to mention they are confident, after nearly knocking off the #1 seed Lakers last season in the 1st round.

7. Orlando Magic (36-22): It seems the Magic are once again lost in la la land. After losing in 1995  to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals, the Magic splintered and went into a fourteen year drought. Now nearly two years later since losing to the Lakers in the Finals, the Magic are the worst they have been in three years. They are still very good defensively (top 5) , but struggle offensively at times. Why? Their reliance upon the defensive-minded Dwight Howard proves such. Despite Howard’s career year (22.4 pts), the Magic are scoring nearly seven points lower this season and shooting the three-point shot eight percent lower than last season. Attempting to run a post offense has never been who this team is; a run and gun, fast paced, three point shooting team. Incredibly deep, it seems the Magic are deep with the wrong players: shoot first, oft injured point guards in Gilbert Arenas and Jameer Nelson, a one-hit wonder forward in Turkoglu, and an erratic scorer in J-Rich. I argue that the move for Vince Carter a year and a half ago set this team back a few years.

8. Portland Trailblazers (32-25): Despite Brandon Roy’s banged up body, the Blazers continue to stay afloat with great defense (top 7), an emergent star in Lamarcus Aldridge, and a group of roll guys like Rudy Ferndandez, Andre Miller, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Mathews and Marcus Camby.  They are tough to beat at home, and play with a poise necessary to win tough games on the road in the postseason. The trade for Gerald Wallace from Charlotte, should take pressure off of Roy offensively and gives the Blazer another  facet on a dangerous unit.

9. Atlanta Hawks (34-23): It seems every year, we wait for the Hawks to become a dominate force in the Eastern Conference. This year is not the year. Once again, they are a middle of the pack team with the elements  to beat anybody. The trade for Hinrich from the Wizards is silly, considering they lose a talented veteran point guard in Mike Bibby for a disappointing, aloof point guard in Hinrich. Nonetheless a lineup withguys like  Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, and a bench with the likes of super- sub Jamal Crawford, gives this team the ability to beat much of the top teams comes postseason. Unfortunately ability is not reality, and I don’t think Joe Johnson is right star to lead them to greatness.

10. New Orleans Hornets (34-25): Yes the Hornets are renewed after their disappointing 09-10 season. But they still lack a true post presence with the a more defensive minded Emeka Okafor. Disappointments like Trevor Ariza, have caused the Hornets to take a step back offensively, after being one of the top teams two years ago.  The leagues top team defensively, the Hornets cause a bunch of turnovers and can get in the open floor. Chris Paul and David West drive this team, but they lack the cohesiveness on offense to make a  run.

11. Memphis Grizzlies (32-27): I love this team. They are still two years away from really competing. But when you boast a lineup with a star in Rudy Gay, an up- and- coming point guard in Mike Conley, a front court with two tough nosed guys in Zack Randolph and Marc Gasol, you’re destined to be really good.  I like the Battier trade, because it further strengthens their defensive prowess and gives them the veteran necessary come playoff time.

12. New York Knicks (29-26): The Carmelo trade makes things interesting out East. Melo gives this team the star wing player they’ve been lacking. Add in a veteran winner like Chauncey Billups, and return- to- dominance Amare Stoudamire, and this team has the trio necessary to bounce a higher seed early. The Knicks are my definite dark horse come playoff time.

13. Utah Jazz (31-27): Did I like D-Will in Utah blue? Absolutely. Do I think the Jazz made out well in the trade? Yes. I am never a proponent, as most of you aren’t, for sending your franchise guy in a flash trade. But the Jazz got a looming star point in Devin Harris, a project talent in Derrick Favors, two first round picks, and a nice pod of  three million. With bigs’ like Al Jefferson, and Paul Milsap, this team has the players to compete for the next five years.

14. Philadelphia 76ers (28-29): The Sixers are balanced: middle pack offensively and defensively. They have an exciting crowd pleaser in Andre Igoudala, and a nice blend of veterans–Elton Brand, with young talents–Thad Young. No point guard, and the disappointing rookie season of Evan Turner have this team looking on the outside in when it comes to seriously competing.

15. Phoenix Suns (28-27): Steve Nash just gets better and better with age. But who are we kidding? You have no shot when it comes to tired and old Vince Carter, and shoot first role guys like Channing Frye and Jared Dudley. And why trade for another bomber in Aaron Brooks?

16. Denver Nuggets (34-25): “Who needs Melo?”. Okay Denver, I loved that chant last night in a win over Boston. But…you went in the opposite direction with a trade that brought you an nonathletic wing in Galinari and a me-first wing in Chandler.  Your two central figures for the future should be Felton and Nene.

17. Golden St Warriors (26-30): The Warriors will not make the playoffs. And I don’t think the more you shoot the more you win. Except for Monta Ellis and Steph Curry, this team is awash in no-namer raw talents.

18. Indiana Pacers (26-30): What is the hype with Indiana? I cannot figure it out. Collison is not a franchise point guard, and just because you have a seven footer in Roy Hibbert averaging 13.3 pts, 9.0 reb, does not mean you are going in the right direction. Is it just me, or is the streaky shooting Danny Granger becoming the most overpaid wing in hoops?

19. Houston Rockets (28-31): This team is multi-talented and can win without a guy like Yao. But that was when they had a point guard–trading Aaron Brooks to the Suns for Goran Dragic is silly, and a wing like Ron Artest. I also think the trade of Battier to Memphis is perplexing, considering Battier was their defensive heart and soul. Sorry Scola, you are now stuck in a bad situation.

20. Los Angeles Clippers (21-37): Finally this team is going in the right direction, with two franchise players in Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin. Ditching Baron for Mo Williams and JamarioMoon was smart. Davis was overpaid and screwed with the Clippers chemistry. Watch out next year, when they get Chris Kaman back from injury and gel for an entire off-season.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (25-32): They start Kwame Brown–nuff’ said.

22. Milwaukee Bucks (22-35): I am a fan of the Bucks. They are a team of role guys who make it happen. Things caught up to them this season with the injury to Bogut and Jennings innability to rise into a star point.

23. Detroit Pistons (21-38): Hey,  how bout them Tigers?

24. Toronto Raptors (16-42): All I can say is that I like Calderon and their young prospect DeMar DeRozen.

25. New Jersey Nets (17-40): Things in Jersey are sad. Yes they just acquired Deron Williams from the Jazz, but they gave away their entire team doing it.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-45): I know it sounds far-fetched but this team does have three good pieces to build around in Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, and Johnny Flynn.

27. Washington Wizards (15-41): The only bright side to things is that I truly believe John Wall will be a top five point guard in two years.

28. Sacramento Kings (14-41): Tyreke….ahhhhhhhhh…how can a multi-talented guy like you play so awkward?

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-47): It is comical when your biggest franchise face is Baron Davis. Bron Bron–bad on you.

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James over Derick Rose, though my heart believes it is Rose’s to win this year. Imagine the Bulls without Rose. Now imagine the Heat without James. Nonetheless it is more economical for the league to give James his third MVP in a row.

Rookie of the Year: Can you say Mr. Griffin in L.A.? Wow.

Most Improved Player: Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers. Numbers have doubled from last season, and he is now considered an up-and-coming franchise center.

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich. Hard to argue with his team’s 47-10 start, considering they hardly cleared 50 wins the last two years. Their evolution proves Pop’s ability to quickly route a franchise into the right direction.

Playoff Darkhorse Eastern Conference: New York Knicks. It will be interesting to see if this team gets into a four v five matchupin the first round. With Melo, Amare, and Billups, they have the veterans and star power to surprise someone.

Playoff Darkhorse Western Conference: Portland Trailblazers. They fly under the radar because of the injury to Brandon Roy. But this team has enough without a healthy Roy to upend a conference elite. With Aldridge playing like he is, and the addition of Gerald Wallace, the hard nosed Blazers could make some noise come playoff time.

Finals Prediction: It will be an L.A. Lakers v. Boston Celtics rematch. Boston will have home court, which is huge. Series goes seven. I say it is a toss up. What do you think?

Let me explain.

The sports media is there to show me a game or talk about a game. If there is some analysis, fine. Especially when it’s Charles Barkley or Charlie Sheen doing the analysis, and especially when they’re analyzing the game itself. The media should be, well, the media – a conduit – through which sports can be transmitted to my eyes and then into brain.

Charlie Sheen’s Baseball Analysis pt. 1

Charlie Sheen baseball analysis part 2

Love when Barkley’s on TV.

Sometimes, though, the media forgets their role. Sometimes they think they ARE the story. Sometimes, unfortunately, they report on themselves.

For people with dissenting opinions, there is one main time that it is OK for the ratings to be reported on—the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is an event bigger than just the game, so reporting on how many people watched it (over 100 million this year, according to Yahoo! Sports) is fine. The ratings for the Super Bowl are a newsworthy story.

Here is another example of where reporting on ratings is OK—in a magazine in the Business section. Ratings affect the business of advertising, and so it would be appropriate to have an article in the Business section of, in this case, Time Magazine.

Let’s look at inappropriate places to report ratings. The first, is on a sports page of a newspaper or a sports website. In this case, Yahoo! Sports reported on ratings like it’s something that should matter to me as a sports fan. In the story, they give the facts, that the viewership for the World Series was down this year. Great. What the hell am I supposed to do with that information? How should I interpret it?  Should I feel bad because I did not watch it (and am still trying to forget)? Should I feel badly for Major League Baseball? Should I have a worse impression of the sport because other people do not watch it? Should I be worried for the players? The owners? The network that carried that sport? Should I watch a certain network more, to make up for the guilt I feel from knowing that their ratings weren’t good?

Like everything else, there are shades of gray when it comes to reporting on ratings. A blurb like this one in the LA Times probably wasn’t in the Sports section, so might pass my litmus test of being OK. But again, it’s borderline. Crossing that border here, a Times blogger talks all about the ratings for Game 7. I like Diane Pucin and the Fabulous Forum, but it’s inappropriate.

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is reported-on, non-stop, for the revenue it makes the NCAA. If it is reported on as part of an illustration of the effect gambling has on viewership or to illustrate why NCAA players should be paid for their services, then that is fine. When it’s reported on just to be reported on, then we have an issue.

Print media reports on the ratings, but sports radio may be the worst of all offenders. When I hear someone making a point about sports by using the ratings that particular sport gets (here’s looking at you Herd), I can’t stand it. It is almost instant cause for station surfing. For someone to make the point, for instance, that College Football is better off without a playoff because regular season games get more viewers, is like saying it is better for someone to be heinously injured in a car accident because it causes more people to slow down and look.

If my career was in advertising, information about ratings might be meaningful and useful to me. I would consume it, then I would move on. If I was an “Advertising Fan” and not a “Sports Fan,” then I might even need the information about the World Series ratings or NBA Finals ratings, or overnight ratings after a big Sunday in the NFL. But I’m not an advertising fan. I am a sports fan.

Side note- I would love to see something along the lines of Terry Tate—Office Linebacker for fans of advertising… but I digress…

Ratings can be a good way to tell which sport is most popular. Here is a blog from the Washington Post talking about whether the Capitals or the Wizards get better ratings. Again, unless you’re trying to decide where to advertise, why would it matter?

As a fan, I either like the team/sport or I do not. I watch the team/sport or I do not. I will follow the team/sport or I will not. The more important question than ratings, is whether a sport is on TV and in this day and age, the answer is usually that it is. If not, I can probably find it online.

As a consumer of sports, I do not need ratings to tell me what to do. I will not watch sports based on its high ratings, nor will I not watch it if because other people don’t. This is not a popularity contest. It makes no difference to me and (for me) makes the sports websites that feature ratings articles, the equivalent of 24-hour news networks: in other words, media diarrhea. And media members that continue to spout out ratings stats to back up their opinions about sports either a) have an all-advertising industry audience or b) are narcissists. What other conclusion could I come to for a media that uses its power of reporting to report on… itself.

As I conclude, I wonder to myself, “If I hate media talking about ratings, isn’t my blog (when I post this) going to be media talking about media talking about the ratings?” We need to stop the madness. Please.