Mid-February: NFL is done, basketball All-star break, hockey is in its playoff push, catchers and pitchers report in baseball, college basketball March Madness right around the corner, Golf Grand Slam to be played, Tennis French Open/Wimbledon blitz close at hand. There's a blur of sports activity coming up, and the guru's gonna get you prepared.
NBA:
2-time defending champ Lakers "in trouble," but lemme ask all Lakers fans this: would you rather they be in trouble at this time of the year, or during playoff time? NBA playoffs such a different animal.
The East is gaining momentum and may prove to be the better conference by year's end. I see 4 big-time teams in the running at the top: Boston, Miami, Chicago, Orlando. Call me a homer, but BIG statement game by the Bulls over the Spurs right before the Break. Predicting HUGE showdown between Bulls-Heat or Bulls-Celtics in 2nd round of playoffs, easily could go seven.
The West: It'll be Spurs-Lakers again ( how many times have they faced off
College Basketball:
Don't be folled by the Mist, the smokescreen: Kansas, Duke, and now Ohio State are the best teams in the country. Big East is almost too good for its own good: They'll send a zillion teams to the tourney, but only one will probably make it to the tourney. I'll still pick two of them in my Final Four, probably. Texas? Not so much. BYU and San Diego State? I wouldn't bet the farm on them.
Bubble teams: Who cares? Bubble teams almost NEVER make it to Elite Eight, much less Final Four. It's always the #3 or #5 seeds that lurk beneath the surface, away from all discussion.
Feel like this is more of an all-chalk year......put 1 and 2 seeds down on the lines and hope for the best. Can't predict cinderellas; don't bother.
Tennis:
Nadal's in danger, man....feeling the hinges coming off with this injury business. His biggest enemy becoming his body (like Spiderman when he's genetically mutating).
Djokvic might be better than Federer NOW......he'll certainly be better in a year or two. Roddick.....is a big server who doesn't win the big one.
Women's bracket: a wasteland of talent without Serena Williams......Bet on Clijsters in any tourney until they come back. At some point, Venus is gonna retire......
Hockey: I know nothing about hockey other than hot goalies can carry playoff teams. And that unlike NBA, more upsets happen.
The Ten Commandments of ESPN Streak for Cash:
1. Thou shalt never pick a road team in college basketball (neutral courts don't apply).
2. Thou shalt stay away from NBA picks (too random, takes too long)
3. Thou shalt never pick props you don't know anything about (NASCAR, "whether Puxsatawney Phil will see his shadow") actual prop.
4. Thou shalt never pick a game just to "add to your streak."
5. Thou shalt never flip a coin to determine whether to pick a game or not (hasn't worked out for me).
6. Thou shalt not pick soccer goal differentials (Ex: Chelsea wins by 2+ goals) or LARGE point spreak basketball games (Kansas wins by 20+ points).
7. Thou shalt not pick a game "cuz my friend told me to pick it."
8. Thou shalt consult the Vegas lines (smart people) to determine who is the most likely winner if a line exists.
9. Thou shatl NEVER, EVER pick Memphis Grizzlies to win (never again, the Grizz have busted way too many of my streaks.
And, most importantly,
10. Thou shalt play to have FUN, not for the highly unattainable goal of achieving great wealth (highly unlikely, like hitting the lottery).
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
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