Smith, Burke Leading Candidates for Final Four MOP

April 4, 2013 | Author: Eddie Griffin

For American sports fans, March Madness is one of the most heavily anticipated times of the year. Over the years, the NCAA Tournament has seen so many memorable moments, games, and individual performances, and this year is no different. Michigan’s Troy Burke-inspired comeback against Kansas and Wichita State’s shooting blitz in the final minutes against Gonzaga will go down as two of the most memorable moments in this year’s tournament, and those two teams, along with Syracuse and tournament top seed and favorite Louisville, will be looking to make even more memories in the next few days as the tournament and the college basketball season comes to a climax in Atlanta.

The Final Four has been the stage for many stars and star performances, with the likes of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan all being an integral part of championship teams on the college level before going on to reach great heights on the next level. Time will tell whether any of the premier players on show this weekend will reach such heights, but it’s quite likely that the Most Outstanding Player award will go to one of those players. So, if you like to bet on March Madness and want to throw down on some MOP futures, you know who your best bets are.

Russ Smith is the leading scorer of the tournament favorite, so it’s no surprise that he’s the MOP favorite at 4/5, especially given the big numbers he’s put up thus far. In four games, he’s averaging 26 points per game and is shooting 54% from the field, and in the Sweet 16 against Oregon, he scorched the Ducks for 31.

You’d have to figure the top pro prospect left in the field and the likely winner of all of the major national Player of the Year awards would be up there in the mix, and you would be correct, as Michigan point guard Trey Burke is the second favorite behind Smith at 7/4. Burke’s shooting only 35% from the field thus far in the tournament, but he got hot when it mattered against Kansas in the Sweet 16. And when he hasn’t shot well, he’s certainly distributed it well, notching 31 assists in four games.

Those two are far and away the best bets, but if you’re looking for a value bet, a trio stand out, in Michigan’s Mitch McGary (12/1), Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng (15/1), and Syracuse’s C.J. Fair (20/1).

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Will Anyone Beat the Heat?

March 21, 2013 | Author: Eddie Griffin

You don’t have to be a basketball fan, casual or fanatical, to be in awe of the run that the Miami Heat are on at present. It looked like their run might come to an end last night, as they trailed by 27 early in the second half at Cleveland, but they rallied and then held on for a 98-95 victory to take their current win streak to a remarkable 24 games.

As it stands, the streak is already the second-longest in NBA history, and if they can tack on nine more, they’ll match the 1971-72 Lakers, who won a record 33 in a row from November 1971 to January 1972 on the way to a 69-13 record and an NBA title. And if they do equal that hallowed mark, they’ll have a chance to break it on April 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks, the same franchise that ended the Lakers’ streak on January 9, 1972. Road games against the Bulls and the Western Conference-leading Spurs loom in the next nine games, so having a chance to tie or break the record likely won’t come without a challenge, but it’s fair to assume that sportsbooks around the world, whether books in Vegas or online books like Unibet will have the Heat favored to win even those games if the streak continues.

As much as it will be done this year and well beyond, especially if it surpasses the Lakers’ record, comparing this streak to that one or to others in other sports is a fruitless endeavor, given the mass of factors at play, but from a statistical standpoint, it’s hard to argue against it already having a lofty place in NBA history and in the history of sport in general.

Of course, the streak, even it hits 34, 44, or more, won’t matter much if the Heat don’t finish the season with a second straight NBA title. And therein lies a question that’s far more important in the short term than long-term immortality: Will the Heat be stopped?

If a challenge to their throne is going to come, it likely won’t come until the NBA Finals. The East has several good teams, but it’s woefully short on realistic challengers. It’s a realistic possibility that Derrick Rose doesn’t play for the Bulls at all this season, and even if he does return, it‘d be a tough ask for him to produce to the level required for Chicago to take down Miami.

Among the rest of the East’s likely playoff participants, the only team that inspires any confidence are the Boston Celtics. Sure, their record isn’t sparkling, and there’s a chance these two could meet in the first round, but were it not for the Heat rallying from a 13-point deficit in the final eight minutes in Boston on Monday night, the Celtics would have won the last two meetings between these two. Boston pushed Miami to seven in the Eastern Conference finals last season, and while one of the key parts of that series, Ray Allen, is now with the Heat, the Celtics still maintain that same confidence and experience that would give them a chance to pull off a postseason stunner.

But as mentioned, the toughest challenge is likely to come in the NBA Finals. Any of the top five teams in the West could make a run to the Finals, and it’d be foolish to discount the Lakers as long as Kobe Bryant is around. But out of that mix, the Spurs, with their experienced core and the hunger as high as ever, and the Thunder, provided the right Russell Westbrook shows up, rival the Celtics as the most credible contenders.

That being said, it’s hard to see anyone but the Heat taking home the title this season. When they assembled their talented trio three summers ago, many speculated that they could be set to dominate the NBA for some time. For those hoping that wouldn’t happen, their worst fears are looking a good bet to come to fruition.

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Despite Issues, Manchester United in Strong Position to Reclaim Premier League Title

February 1, 2013 | Author: Eddie Griffin

Given how regularly Manchester United have challenged for and won the English Premier League title over the last two decades, it should surprise no one that they’re in position to do so again heading into the last few months of the season. With 14 matches remaining, United hold a seven-point lead at the top of the EPL table, after following Tuesday’s goalless draw between QPR and second-placed Manchester City with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Southampton on Wednesday.

United were unable to close the deal last season after holding an eight-point lead over City with only six matches left, so it’s much too early to say that the title race is over. At this point, the only thing that seems to be a certainty is that United will continue to regularly feature in goals galore tips for today, tomorrow, and the rest of the season.

However, most don’t expect lightning to strike twice, even though United have often lived dangerously defensively this season. In 24 Premier League games, United have allowed 31 goals, two less than they allowed all of last season. That total would be higher if not for a few cases of good fortune, some poor finishing by the opposition in numerous situations, several cases of defensive heroics in the nick of time, and many superb saves by the much-maligned David de Gea, who’s done far, far more good than bad, even if the media have made it seem otherwise.

However, most don’t expect lightning to strike twice, even though United have often lived dangerously defensively this season. In 24 Premier League games, United have allowed 31 goals, two less than they allowed all of last season. That total would be higher if not for a few cases of good fortune, some poor finishing by the opposition in numerous situations, several cases of defensive heroics in the nick of time, and many superb saves by the much-maligned David de Gea, who’s done far, far more good than bad, even if the media have made it seem otherwise. They’ve actually tightened up defensively in the last couple of months, allowing multiple goals only once in their last eight league matches after doing so eight times in their first 16 games of the season. Still, even with Serbian stalwart Nemanja Vidic fit again, they’ve still found themselves in more than a few troublesome situations in that recent stretch.

For all of their bumbles and stumbles at the back, United have managed to stay afloat and then some due to their ability to find the back of the net with league-leading regularity. Spearheaded by the prolific form of superstar summer signing Robin van Persie, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has scored 59 league goals already, which puts them on pace to top the 90-goal mark in a Premier League campaign for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, when they scored 97 goals. That total should be higher, given how many opportunities have been gone begging and how they’ve often enough stepped off of the gas when they’ve had a lead, but it‘s a highly impressive total nonetheless.

So, can United make the most of the strong position they’re currently in and take home a 13th Premier League title? Last season’s dud of a finish gives some pause, and so does the rollercoaster ride they’ve taken fans on this season. However, it’s hard not to be confident that they’ll be celebrating in May.

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Does Joe Flacco Deserve the Deal He Desires?

January 31, 2013 | Author: Eddie Griffin

In just three days, the NFL season will reach its conclusion, as the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers battle it out in New Orleans in Super Bowl XLVII. Millions and millions of diehard NFL fans are eagerly anticipating Sunday night’s showdown, and so are the bookies, who currently favor the NFC champion 49ers to claim a record-tying sixth Super Bowl win.

But even though this season’s not quite over yet, it’s never too early to look ahead. In almost a month and a half, the NFL’s free agency period will get underway, and teams are already looking at not only which soon-to-be free agents they may pursue if/when those players hit the market, but also which of their own soon-to-be free agents they’ll be looking to hold on to.

One potential free agent who’s all but a certainty to remain with his current team is Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who’ll be looking to go into the off-season a Super Bowl champion and start next season as a Super Bowl champion with a fat new contract. According to reports, the former Delaware star and the 18th pick in the 2008 draft, is seeking a deal with an annual salary of $20 million a year.

Now, Flacco has earned a sizable upgrade from the five-year, $30 million rookie contract that paid him $6.76 million this season. That much is true. In his five seasons under center, Flacco has a 54-26 regular-season record as a starter, he’s led the Ravens to five consecutive playoff appearances, two consecutive AFC North titles, three AFC Championship game appearances, and an AFC title, and he’ll be able to tack on a Super Bowl title if the Ravens triumph on Sunday. Individually, he’s thrown for 17,633 yards, 102 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions, and he’s posted an 86.3 passer rating and a 60.5 completion percentage.

That all adds up to a nice return on the Ravens’ investment. But is it worth a likely nine-figure deal? In a word, no. He’s asking for elite money, and he’s not yet in that echelon. It could be argued that there are at least ten veteran starting quarterbacks that are above him on the ladder, and that doesn’t include quarterbacks from the last three NFL draft classes who are already established starters (Sam Bradford, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson). Flacco’s certainly not a bad quarterback, and at 28, his best years are likely ahead of him. So, he could definitely reach the point where he’s referred to in the same vein as the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees.

But if he gets the kind of money he’s seeking, or something close to it, that’[s going to set the bar pretty high for when, say, Aaron Rodgers, gets a contract extension in the near future, or when the likes of Luck and RGIII outperform their rookie contracts, which they’ll do by a large margin if they continue at their current trajectories. As it is, it could play a role in the impending contract negotiations between Atlanta and Matt Ryan, who was the first quarterback taken in that 2008 draft. Ryan’s playoff success doesn’t match Flacco’s, but the team’s resume under him is nothing to shake a stick at, and he’s coming off of three straight highly impressive seasons statistically. So if Flacco wants $20 million a year, Ryan has a fair few reasons to ask for the same.

Speaking of statistics, it has to be mentioned that Flacco has seen a downturn in a few statistical areas over the last couple of seasons. He can point to his resume, especially if it includes a win on Sunday, and say he deserves $20 million or thereabouts a year, and he’d have a pretty convincing argument. But the Ravens can point at the downturn in his numbers as a deterrent. Also, the Ravens are built less around their QB in comparison to a few other contenders.

Ultimately, Flacco will likely have a $14.6 million franchise tag placed on him, which will ensure he’s in a Ravens uniform next season even if the two sides fail to agree a long-term deal by July, which is how long they’d have to hammer something out if the franchise tag is used. And ultimately, the Ravens will make him a well-compensated man in the future, and it could be for the amount or close the amount he‘s currently seeking. But ultimately, at this point in time, he’s not quite worth it, no matter what happens on Sunday.

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Turning to Dynamic Kaepernick a Justified Gamble for Harbaugh, 49ers

January 29, 2013 | Author: Eddie Griffin

There’s always a risk involved with handing the reins to an inexperienced player, no matter how talented that player is. You can’t predict how they’ll do, even if they appear to be ready for the role. But when you hand the reins to an inexperienced player in an important stretch of the season, that gamble is heightened even more.

But just like someone can hit the jackpot at 888 casino sites on a daily basis, Jim Harbaugh looks to have hit the jackpot with his gamble on taking the reins from veteran and former #1 draft pick Alex Smith and handing them to second-year signal-caller Colin Kaepernick.

The change was initially a forced one, as Smith went down with a concussion in the first half of a Week 10 showdown against the rival Rams. At that point, the 49ers were 6-2 and in first place in the NFC West, and Smith, who was 7 of 8 for 72 yards and a touchdown vs. the Rams before he went down, was one of the league leaders in passer rating and on pace to top the career highs in passing yards and touchdowns that he had set in 2011, when he led the 49ers to the cusp of a Super Bowl berth. In these situations, the starter usually retains his place when he’s healthy again, even if the backup plays very well.

In this situation, Kaepernick did indeed play well, so well that Harbaugh elected to proceed with him as the starter even when Smith was cleared to play before the following week’s game against the Bears. And if you’ve been tuning in to the NFL on even a semi-regular basis over the last couple of months, you’ll see that Kaepernick hasn’t done anything to relinquish that spot, and when the 49ers meet the Ravens in Sunday’s Super Bowl, it’s all but a certainty that the second-year pro will be running the show.

Since Kaepernick took over, Harbaugh has offered few definitive comments publicly in regards to the quarterback situation, but it’s pretty clear who the guy is for Sunday and going forward. Smith is seeking a release before the free agency period starts, and there’s really not much sense in returning to the 49ers, even if the door was somehow open for him to compete for the starting role.

Smith took some time to develop, but he overcame injuries, struggles, coaching changes, and multiple previous quarterback controversies to become a reliable starting quarterback. In Harbaugh’s two seasons as head coach, Smith’s 19-5-1 as the starter, and in that time period, he’s had few truly bad games. His maturation, relative youth (he’ll only be 29 in May), and success over the last couple of seasons means some decent offers should come his way, and he has a good chance to be a starter somewhere next season, even if it’s as a one-year guy.

However, he hasn’t had many truly great games either. With a highly productive rushing attack and a highly destructive defense, he wasn’t required to be Joe Montana or Steve Young (or even Jeff Garcia, when he was at his best with the 49ers), but he’s more game manager than playmaker.

On the other hand, Kaepernick is a playmaker, and that only adds to the potential of what the 49ers can do. Not only can he get it done through the air, but he can break off chunks of yardage on the ground with regularity and can take it to the house on any play. Smith is certainly no slouch with his feet, but Kaepernick is far, far superior in that area.

There’s no telling how he’ll fare on Sunday, and there’s no telling how he’ll fare going forward as the man in San Fran. But he’s more than justified Harbaugh’s gamble to this point, and with bags of talent, potential, and confidence in his pocket, there’s no reason to think that he won’t continue to do so.

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