Tag Archives: PICK of the DAY

PICK of the DAY

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PICK of the DAY

Pick of the Day – Mountaineers @ Cardinals

West Virginia Mountaineers @ Louisville Cardinals

Cardinals (-3.5)

Thursday, March 8th – 7:00 PM ET

Looking to punch their ticket to the Big Dance, the Mounties came out firing last night, hitting a conference tourney record 17 threes in a rout. Today, the get to duel it out with the red hot Cardinals. What a game.

Bottom Line: The Mountaineers won’t stand a chance in this NCAA showdown. One thing that often happens after a record setting shooting spree, the record team slows down in the next game. It happens everywhere, and I hope it doesn’t kick the Mounties out fo the big dance, but the best team here is Louisville, and they are hot. Not only will they win this one, they’ll push it all the way to their conference championship on the way to a nice Big Dance showing. Rick Patino knows how to coach them kids, never doubt that.

Fantasy King – Pick of the Day

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Fantasy King

Pick of the Day – Bulls @ Bucks

Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks

Bulls (+2.5)

Sunday, March 4th – 3:00 PM ET

The recently hot Milwaukee Bucks, winners of 3 straight, host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday in the NBA. Chicago looks to continue their push to the top of the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks look for their second 4+ game win streak of the season.

Bottom Line:After just 3 wins in their previous 25 games, the Bucks have won 2 straight games coming into this home contest with the Chicago Bulls. That’s fine and all, but don’t expect their first streak in sometime to continue. The bulls are playing nice ball of late, winning 5 of their last 7, and 4 of their last 5 games away from homeBen Gordon & Luol Deng have shown why it was a good idea not to trade them, as both have come out with their triggers on automatic since the All Star break. Look for the Bulls to pull away from the Bucks early in the 2nd half, getting an underdog win easily in Milwaukee.

From a (fantasy) King’s Persepctive: Regardless of where I pick, which of the top three sports I’m playing, in a seasonal format or a dynasty league, I am all but guaranteed to have my team finish in the top 4 of any fantasy league I play in. The concept is easy, as its just like the stock-market. Sure, like the market, a move here and there can hurt you, but if you play it smart, you’ll be yelling TJ Houshamazoolee, Championship! in no time. In this quick little rundown, let me give you the three keys for winning your fantasy league. 1- During the draft, start out with a promise to yourself, that unless a super steal comes on board, you’ll select the most important positions first. In all sports, here’s how you determine what those positions are. Take the one position that you use the most, and then look at the star depth at that position, if the supply doesn’t meat the demand, go for the gusto until that position is locked up for you. For example, in the NFL, running backs are proven to be most important. You almost always start 2, sometimes 3, and there are only 25 or so “real” starting backs in the NFL. So now, you have 12 teams competing for 25 backs. Supply doesn’t meet demand. Get the best ones you can right off the bat, maybe even 3 in a row. That’ll be a great start for finishing in the money. 2- Know your rules. If your baseball league is pitching stat friendly, or HR and RBI heavy, go with that kind of guy. If your football league is a point per reception deal, or quarterbacks touchdown passes are equal to rushing and receiving scores, your draft should change slightly. Like every game in life, the more you know about the game you’re playing, the easier it is to walk away with the trophy. 3- Buy low, and sell high. If you have the first pick, take LT, and don’t trade him and piss your season away, most of the time, it’s tough to lose that kind of production. But if you get Peyton, Rudi Johnson, and Steven Jackson for LT, feel free to take home the trophy without the Charger RB on your squad. The bottom line is, don’t every trade for a guy after he had the day, week, month, or season of his life, that’s when you stay ahead of the curve and trade your weekly superstar. You’d be amazed how easily most owners will fall in and out of love with a player. They’re like high schoolers for God’s sake. Always be ahead of the game. Look at schedules, player’s ability, and see if it looks like a guy will begin to awake from his slump. If you think he is, try to acquire the guy for this week’s super hero. Don’t be afraid to ask on a trade, it could get you the league #1.

Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money – Pick of the Day

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AP in Oak-Town?

Pick of the Day – Clippers @ Sonics

LA Clippers @ Seattle Sonics

Clippers (+8)

Thursday, March 1st – 10:30 PM ET

The Seattle Super Sonics host the LA Clippers in a Western Conference showdown, Thursday Night in Seattle. As stunning as it is, both the Clippers and Sonics still could make runs at the playoffs, especially with how poorly the bottom half of the Western Conference has been lately.

Bottom Line:I just flat out don’t believe the Sonics should be favored by 8 against anyone. Not that the Clippers have been good, but they have 4 proven scorers, as Sam Cassel, Cutino Mobley, Elton Brand & Corey Magette have all shown that they can get the job done. Ray Allen has been shooting just as poorly as Gilbert Arenas lately, and the Sonics just aren’t consistent. Luke Ridnour has take steps back this season, while Rashard Lewis is still looking to get back to 100% after his most recent run in with the injury bug. I’m not sure the Sonics will lose this game, but they have a knack for either losing big or winning small. Eight points against them is a nice bet regardless of who they’re up against. Take the Clippes all the way to the bank.

Too Much Money is the CRY!: As NFL Free Agency begins, their are annoying cries that claim too much money is about to be had. First of all, let me say this, BS! Sure, some guys that aren’t as good as other guys will be getting paid because they’re free agents, but surely, in relativity to the salaries in the 3 other major sports, football players make nothing. Sure, they’re professional athletes, and people love to say they’re overpaid, but these guys don’t smack a little white ball around a beautiful grass field, or shoot an orange (synthetic/leather?) ball into a hoop, the smash the hell out of eachother, dive, bleed, break bones, and tear ligaments. And they may only play 16-19 games a year, but that shouldn’t have jack to do with it. When you look at the money aspect, the NFL brings home the bills, and now the players who make the league go are going to start getting paid. Sorry to say, but that’s how it should be.

AP in Oak-Town? Pick of the Day

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AP in Oak-Town?

Pick of the Day – Suns @ Pacers

Phoenix Suns @ Indiana Pacers

Suns (-5)

Tuesday, February 27th – 7:00 PM ET

Right in front of our eyes, you can see Steve Nash slinging passes to and fro, on way to his 3rd straight MVP award. On Tuesday Night, Nash and the Phoenix Suns run their way to Indiana to play the Pacers in an East/West showdown.

Bottom Line:First of all, the Suns haven’t lost a game since MVP, Steve Nash came back from his injured shoulder after the All Star break. Steve gets his squad going, something the Pacers desperately need. Too bad, so sad. Indiana just doesn’t have the offensive fire-power that will keep them battling with Phoenix. In the Suns’ recent 4 game win-streak, the haven’t scored less than 115 points, and have won those games by at least 10 points. Amare Stoudemire & Shawn Marion have been playing out of their minds, while key contributors like Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell have been adding consistent scoring and on the ball defense. While Phoenix is hot of late (4 in a row, 3 of which were on the road), the Pacers have lost 5 of their last 8 contests (including 4 losses at home). Jermaine O’Neal had been very solid, but he can’t do it by himself. The game will start off with a quick Sun jab to the mouth of the Pacers, and in the end, the repetitive beating will break down Indy at home.

Adrian Peterson on his way to Oakland?:All this talk about which quarterback the Oakland Raiders should take with their 1st pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell, is really starting to make me think, are the Raiders really pondering this decision? Not that the choice between Quinn and Russell is a particularly easy decision, because its not, both have their upside, and both should be considered great prospects. (I personally love Russell’s game, but I have always considered him a top prospect, while Brady Quinn has only proven that he can do amazing things when given a sufficient amount of time to throw) But I’m not wondering if the Raiders are considering either young signal caller, because I think there’s a far greater debate they are weighing; Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson? Yes, both will be better NFL players than either Quinn or Russell, and both are absolute physical specimens in the mold of exactly what Al Davis loves. Calvin Johnson is, to put it frankly, the best wide receiver prospect ever (and I’m not making a Bill Walton blunder here) while I can’t argue that their has been more talent out of a running prospect than what Peterson has shown. Sure, Johnson can’t throw himself the ball and Peterson has shown a knack to get injured. But don’t be confused. Johnson succeeded against all competition, and that was with Reggie “I couldn’t throw a ball accurately if my life depended on it” Ball as his quarterback, while Adrian Peterson damn near won the Heisman as a freshman, and has shown an uncanny collection of power, vision, and elite speed. While both Quinn and Russell are fine prospects, there will be upgrades at the QB position throughout the first day, and I say the Raiders pick up their next signal caller then. As for two all time elite prospects at skill positions, there’s only one place to get players like AP and Calvin, and that’s right at the top of the 1st round. Expect this idea to become more and more of a reality as the draft nears. Can Al Davis pass up on what a player like Bo Jackson did for his Raider team? As for the Detroit Lions expect them to ignore the chance to get an elite skill player, because the Lions rarely make the right decision. However, Joe Thomas should be a great player in the League. But like Mario Williams’ inability to shake the label of being taken over Reggie Bush, he’ll never live up to being selected over Calvin Johnson.

Looking for Miss Pacman – Pick of the Day

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Looking for Miss Pacman

Bucks @ Knicks- Pick of the Day

Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks

Knicks (-3)

Over (206.5)
Friday, February 23rd – 7:30 PM ET

The New York Knicks host the recently healthy Milwaukee Bucks on Friday Night. Both teams have struggled throughout the year, but the Knicks have been solid of late and the Bucks are starting to get their pieces back, so expect a competitive game.

Bottom Line:I often find it difficult to risk money on the Knicks basketball program, because if anything, they are up and down, and therefor a risky bet. But not only have the Knicks played well at home for much of the season, but recently, they’ve been very good. The Knicks have won 4 of 5 in New York, while the Bucks have 8 wins and 24 losses on the road this season. Michael Redd coming back gives the Bucks a chance, but more importantly he all but assures this game will hit the over. Both teams play the majority of their games in the over, the Bucks have been over 32 times this year. Eddy Curry has been playing out of his mind, and Jamal Crawford his really stepped up his game in the last 10 contests. I’m betting a Knick win also results in reaching the over. Should be a fun game to watch!

Pacman Jones:This guy is one of the bigger idiots I’ve ever come across in life. Not kidding. Somewhere, Mr. Jones decided that he was going to live life like an early century mobster. And oh my has he succeeded in his quest. In what could be described as Jones doing his best to cause a commotion so his buddy can come in to a club and shoot somone; Pacman is trying to say that he was just being kind to some young beautiful ladies. But then again, everyone knows that Pacman wasn’t just looking for his likeness with a red bow. I’m disgusted with the people actually trying to believe this garabage. Pacman lives in this little movie life, where he thinks he can get away with anything, kind of like he does. I won’t be surprised if he gets off OJ free from this one, but sooner or later, this little gangster will take a wrong turn, and the ghosts, err, I mean, Cops will get him. Throwing money up in the air to create a diversion, what an idiot. What day in age does he think this is? Not going to be any cameras? I have a hard time believing Pacman isn’t a main character in the next B-Movie cop flick. But then again, I can believe Pacman was just trying to find Miss Pacman. Perfect.

One for the Money: Duke @ Clemson – Pick of the Day

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ONE for the MONEY Duke @ Clemson – Pick of the Day

Duke Blue Devils @ Clemson Tigers

DUKE (-2)
Thursday, February 22th – 9:00 PM ET

The Duke Blue Devils look to get their championship step back in their walk, while the Clemson Tigers have to make a push right now if they expect to make a run at the Big Dance. No game is easy in the ACC, so expect this one to go down to the wire.

Bottom Line: I’m not a Blue Devil fan, (I’m the anit-fan) but I’ll take any kind of win when I can get it. The Blue Devils have looked better of late, while Clemson has stumbled hard, loosing 7 of their last 9 contests, going from a sure Tourney team to a shot at the NIT. They’ll need some big wins late to get into the show. Josh McRoberts is too good not to dominate this game. One of these days, Coach K will have to take the reigns off Josh, and let his skillset dominate. Greg Paulus, and John Scheyer have been very solid over the last feew games, and big time performances from McClure have come often. Expect the Dukies to step up their game and come out of Clemson with yet another win.

The State of the NBA

The story on the street, prior to today, was the possible trades of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Corey Magette, Pau Gasol, Mike Bibby, and many other possabilities. And then, Dwyane Wade went out and busted his shoulder, possibly being out for 6 weeks. You mix that with the play of Lebron James, Gilbert Arenas, Mike Miller, and Steve Nash, not to mention the struggles of Allen Iverson, and the Celtics and you have to admit, the NBA seems like one crazy place. However, don’t be fooled, big names rarely move, Wade will be back just in time to run the Miami Heat through the playoffs, Labron’s always good, Gilbert is the real deal, Mike Miller is streaky, and Steve Nash is an MVP, so that’s not surprising. Allen is hurt, but he’ll come back and light up the house, and the Celtics want to lose, but no lottery is a sure thing, so the NBA is just like it always is; Tons of talk, and threats to be great, but it will almost never measure up to its own hype. There it is. I said it.

Here’s to the NFL Draft… CHEERS!

Hornets @ Bobcats – Pick of the Day

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Hornets @ Bobcats – Pick of the Day

New Orleans Hornets @ Charlotte Bobcats

Hornets (-2)
Tuesday, February 20th – 7:00 PM ET

The Charlotte Bobcats look to vastly improve over the second half of the season, while the Hornets have playoff hopes in the West. Expect this game to be chalked full of young athletic players, and their highlights.

Bottom Line: I like the youth in Charlotte, but I can’t see them winning more than 2 out of 10 games against the Hornets, even if the games are in Charlotte. Chris Paul is too good of a leader, and the Hornets, though they too are young, have more strengths on offense. Paul struggled just before the All Star Break, but he should be healed after getting a nice 5 day rest. Expect the Hornets to capitalize on Charlotte’s mistakes while limiting their own turnovers. Even with the absence of a true scorer, the Hornets still have Paul, David West, and Raual Buttler… 3 players, that when given a chance, can drive and dish, post up and hit jumpers, and bust threes, in that order. Look for an 8-10 point win out of the Hornets.

Look for Charlotte to improve, but not this year!

As reported early Monday morning, the Chargers have hired Norv Turner to be their next head coach. Believe it or not, I think the Chargers will be solid next season, even when looking at Norv’s obvious failure thus far as a head coach in the NFL. First of all, the Chargers’ young nucleus will make if very difficult to fail, and offenses under Turner have only improved because of his ability to teach details and understanding to his skill players. LT, and most of all, Phillip Rivers will both grow under the guidance of Turner. Also, often failure is the best teaching tool, so I expect Turner to be much improved this year. All of these things are important, and I think they’ll really help the Chargers improve, but the biggest thing is the signing of Ron Rivera, from the Chicago Bears, to help out with the defense. He’s not the D Coordinator, but you can bet his input will be heard on and off the field in San Diego.