2017 NBA Playoff Predictions: First Round

Western Conference

1) Golden State Warriors
8) Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Warriors in 4
Why?: KD is back, Steph is on a tear and he picks it up in the playoffs (when healthy) and Portland doesn't know if they'll get Nurkic back at all and he's their best bet to exploit the Warriors biggest weakness, the front court.  Though even that isn't a huge weakness.  Perhaps the Blazers catch fire and win a game, but I'm thinking Dubs roll.

2) San Antonio Spurs
7) Memphis Grizzlies
Prediction: Spurs in 5
Why?: Spurs have a talent edge here, that should be obvious.  As well as an experience edge especially in coaching, Pop vs a first year coach.  Memphis will still grit and grind, but San Antonio doesn't try to run it down your throat, they're comfortable in a slow paced game.  Memphis steals one but not much more.

3) Houston Rockets
6) Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Rockets in 6
Why?: Russ vs Harden will be the matchup everyone focuses on.  Both guys have really been carrying their teams, the only difference is Harden has the better offense and supporting cast.  Russ will be unbelievable I'm sure but James will win the series and I doubt it takes 7 games.

4) Los Angeles Clippers
5) Utah Jazz
Prediction: Clippers in 6
Why?: This will be the first time in playoffs for a lot of key contributors for Utah, LA has been here before.  A lot.  The main concern for the clips is health as injuries have derailed them in the past, but I think they ultimately win this series in what should be a hard fought 6 or 7 games.

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Celtics

8) Chicago Bulls

Prediction: Celtics in 6

Why?: Boston won the 1 seed, but weren't exactly a dominant team this year.  They benefitted from Cleveland sucking since the year flipped to 2017.  The Bulls pose some problems with their size and rebounding, but Boston was the better team all year and the pieces fit together much better than Chicago's and they'll finally win a first round series.

2) Cleveland Cavaliers

7) Indiana Pacers

Prediction: Cavs in 5

Why?: Paul George is a great player and always performs in the playoffs.  But he just doesn't have enough around him to challenge Bron Bron.  People can pretend to be concerned about Cleveland all they want, but it happens every year.  LeBron flips that magic switch and rolls to the finals.  The brilliance of George is why I'm giving them one game at all.

3) Toronto Raptors

6) Milwaukee Bucks

Prediction: Raps in 6

Why?: Bucks fans are excited, as they should be.  Gianis has become an absolute monster and the Bucks pulled out of a tailspin in the middle of the season to pull into the 6-seed.  Unfortunately the Raps add to a core that won 50 games back to back years now, and Kyle Lowry is back.  The Raptors have struggled immensely in the playoffs with DeRozan and Lowry, despite making the East finals last year.  It wasn't pretty.  But the inexperienced Bucks, who lack depth and no Jabari Parker, will fall short but they'll definitely put up a fight.

4)Washington Wizards

5) Atlanta Haws

Prediction: Wizards in 5

Why?: Washington has finally seemed to put it together under Scotty Brooks.  I just don't trust them enough to give them the sweep over Atlanta but I don't think they'll have much trouble.  I just don't believe in the Hawks.  They've been alright but nothing special.  They can't match Washington's fire power so I have to take Washington.

2017 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: First Round

*annual disclaimer* I'm by no means a hockey expert.  In fact I'm far from it, but I do this for fun and I've done it every year I've done the blog so I'm not stopping now.

Eastern Conference

1) Montreal Canadiens

WC) New York Rangers

Prediction: Rangers in 6

Why?: The Rangers played in the best division in hockey this year and finished with only one less point than Atlantic Champ Montreal.  Lundqvist is still really good and the Rangers have been here before making deep runs as well.

2) Ottawa Senetors

3) Boston Bruins

Prediction: Bruins in 7

Why?: Tukka Rask is a good goalie, and Boston has other good players.  I know they're good because I've heard of them.  Honestly I don't know much about Ottawa other than Austin Matthews scored 4 goals in his first game and it was against Ottawa.  So I'm just picking Boston in a toss up.

1) Washington Capitals

WC) Toronto Maple Leaves

Prediction: Caps in 6

Why?: Toronto is my team.  I love the NHL playoffs but I never had a team because there's no team in Wisconsin so I picked a bad team in hopes they'll eventually be good.  Well the good news is the Leafs are already back in the playoffs.  The bad news is they play the president cup winning Capitals.  I think they'll challenge the Caps but Washington's talent and experience will win out.  If this was the second round I'd take Toronto because that's when the Caps lose.

2) Pittsburg Penguins

3) Columbus Blue Jackets

Prediction: Pens in 5

Why?: Pittsburg has a lot of star power, a Crosby looking to score (and led the league in goals), and speed.  Columbus has size.  They're like San Jose and Pittsburg picked them apart in the Finals last year so expect similar results here.

Western Conference:

1) Chicago Blackhawks

WC) Nashville Predators

Prediction: Hawks in 6

Why?: They're the Blackhawks, it's an odd year, they were the best in the West, the defense is better than last year.  Need any other reasons?  No?  Good, let's move on.

2) Minnesota Wild

3) St. Louis Blues

Prediction: Wild in 7

Why?: The Wild had one of their best seasons I can remember, now they need to prove it was no fluke and win in the playoffs.  The Blues are good, but the Wild should ultimately win the series if they're for real this year.

1) Anaheim Ducks

WC) Calgary Flames

Prediction: Ducks in 6

Why?: The Ducks are like the Caps.  Have a good season, win the division, win the first round series then lose.  Every year.  Unlike the Caps the Ducks have made the conference finals but can't seem to get any further.  They'll handle Calgary then we'll see.

2) Edmonton Oilers

3) San Jose Sharks

Prediction: Oilers in 7

Why?: Nobody expected the Oilers to make the playoffs.  They thought they'd set a new NHL record with 11 seasons with no playoffs.  Well they were wrong, and the prize is playing the defending runner-ups.  The Oilers will have the best player on the ice in second year man Conner McDavid and it'll be on his shoulders to carry them to the next round.  I think he can and will in what should be a good series.

NHL Says They Won't Break For 2018 Winter Olympics

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-will-not-participate-in-2018-winter-olympics/c-288385598

So this news broke yesterday and I have gathered my thoughts and am ready to give a well thought out, level response.  This.  Fucking.  SUCKS.  And I know diehard NHL fans don't care, there was a poll and most were in favor of not breaking up the season, but as a very casual fan I watch NHL players 3 times.  The playoffs, when there's nothing else on/I'm in Minnesota, and the winter olympics.  I get owners and fans don't want players to get hurt trying to win a medal, but I don't really care about the winter olympics.  I'll watch because it's the Olympics, but I only really pay attention to hockey.  The rest is various types of sledding and skating and the winter x-games.  If I really gave a shit about all that I'd watch the winter x-games because they're on every year.  But I don't.  People complain about how boring swimming and some of the other sports are in the summer games, but you think fucking curling is any better?  And I'm sure amateurs or junior players will do a fine job, but T.J. Oshie went from NHL super star to American hero with his shootout performance in Sochi.  People called him T.J. Sochi if you forgot.  You won't get to see good players from bad teams if you (like me and a lot of people) watch pretty much just the playoffs.  Now I probably won't pay any attention to the 2018 games at all.  I can only watch a guy sled so many times before I'm over it.  Nothing against those who prefer the winter games but I'm just not big into them.

PS-Alex Ovechkin already says he doesn't care what the NHL is doing he's playing in the Olympics.  Classic communist mindset, always doing things for the benefit of mother Russia.

PPS- But seriously good for Ovi, hopefully some other guys follow suit.

I'm Over Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski steals Tom Brady's Super Bowl LI jersey at #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/BCoRGP01ej

— Tyler Sullivan (@TylerSully) April 3, 2017

So today Gronk hilariously stole Tom Brady's jersey he just got back that was stolen after the Super Bowl aaaaaaand I'm over Gronk's shenanigans.  It's just all too played out now for me.  Nothing he ever did was really that funny, if I laughed at him it was more of a chuckling you would do at a goofy middle-schooler.  But the reality is he's a twenty something year old multi millionaire who, at 6'8" 265lbs. is one of the most physically gifted tight ends of all time with the brain of a goofy middle schooler.  It's just lost it's charm for me.  The love of the number 69, the juvenile sense of humor.  It's all good and well but it's been happening for years and I just don't get why everyone is still so in love with it.  I don't hate Gronk by any means, I just don't think he's that funny.  He's a monster on the field for sure, but I just don't care what hilarious thing he just did, because it almost always isn't hilarious.  Also, I hate seeing joy on Tom Brady's face and the faces of Pats fans because they only become more and more insufferable with every title.

Ugh.  Disgusting.

LeBron's Apology To Tristan Thompson Embodies Why I Don't Like Him

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=19063047

“I have to do a better job of not showing up my teammates out on the floor. I had the right intentions in my mind, but I had the wrong intentions come out of my mouth.” -Sir King James

LeBron James and Tristan Thompson jawing pic.twitter.com/VafULbBo2t

— ⓂarcusD2.0 (@_MarcusD2_) April 3, 2017

So the above video is what prompted the further above comments by LeBron himself.  I know I've voiced my displeasure with LeBron on the blog before and this is a prime example of exactly why I can't stand the chosen one.  His talent on the court is undeniable, but what I hate is the inconsistencies with who he actually is and who he claims to be/wants the public to think he is.  All the greats were assholes to some degree.  Jordan and Kobe come to mind immediately because those are two guys who had a pretty big influence on LeBron.  I don't know if LeBron is an asshole, or how often he is.  But he wants everyone to think he's this shining example of the perfect teammate.  The ultimate team player. He'd rather get a game winning assist than score the game winner himself you know.  You didn't?  Oh well he mentions that every chance he gets because he is just that much of a team guy.  Real team players let you know they're team players they don't just do it and let people see they just want to win.  Real team guys tell you, that's just a fact.  But anyway, if you're gonna be a dick to your teammates then just do it, don't then apologize because you were called out on it.  Jordan and Kobe were notorious for being dicks, but it didn't matter to people because they owned it.  They didn't try and hide it.  They were gonna try and dominate no matter who was on the court with them and if they liked them or not.  You really think Tristan Thompson is buying any apology public or private (apparently LeBron did both) from King Bron?  Hell no!  So why not just be honest?  Just say you were pissed because he kept fucking up, don't tuck your tail and play the nicest teammate card.  What's the point?  The kids might think you're setting a bad example?  If he really believed that he wouldn't do the gun celebration (I hate to admit it but that's a good one) or smoke a fat cuban EVERY time you win the title.  Smoking and guns are bad LeBron.  You should know, you're a father after all.  So spare us all this phony bullshit and just be you.  This whole acting one way on the court and another way off it is infuriating.  It's not genuine and anyone can see right through it.

And about the apology itself, what the hell is that?  It's a clear fake apology and it's barely english to boot.  The wrong intentions came out of your mouth?  I know you didn't go to college, but did you go to middle school?  He basically said he has to tone down his greatness so his teammates look less shitty.  I know he's referring to the whole berating them thing but still.  What a joke.  The worst part of all this is that despite all the "drama" in "the land" Cleveland is still going to roll right to the finals and put up a fight against (probably) the Warriors.