Turning The Page In Websters Dictionary

The question 'How do you define this decade in sports?' could be argued for an entire year. One can describe this decade in a multitude of ways. So many pieces, moments, and memories. I'm posting this blog to name my absolute favorite moments. The criteria to this post is nothing more than a self-imposed brainstorm.

Like I said, so many moments, so many players, so many pieces to the puzzle.

The following stand out to me: George Bush throwing the first pitch at Yankee Stadium after the 9/11 tragedy; all the Reggie Bush "Holy goat cheese, did he just do that?" moments; the Michael Crabtree catch; January 3, 2003 Fiesta Bowl + January 4, 2006 Rose Bowl + January 1, 2007 Fiesta Bowl ... (need I say more?); the historical college basketball game (Syracuse vs. Connecticut) that went into 6 overtimes; George Mason's 2006 cinderella run in the field of 65; the '01 Duke basketball team + '05 Carolina basketball team; (Note: I would give up an arm, literally, to see those two teams play a 40-minute game of basketball.) Continuing ... Super Bowl 34 (best Super Bowl "game" I've seen in my lifetime), 38, 42, and 43; the Al Davis volcano that continues to erupt in Oakland (sorry Raider fans ... had to do it); Brett Favre; year 2000 Music City Miracle; Michael Jordan + Wizzards, Kobe + Lakers + Rings; Lebron; the 2002 Lakers-Kings playoff series; and lastly, Tiger, Lance, and Phelps.

There are several moments I have left out, but that's not what's important to me. What's important are the new revolutions and ideas around each sport. Now I will delve into those later on when I have some time in the lab.

The premise in answering the question 'How do you define this decade?' can be answered in a simplistic format from my view point.

My "larger than life" extra-long definition of the decade is this: a series of moments, a chain of extraordinary athletes -- some retired, some still playing, a link of new scandals, glimpses of greatness, pure success stories, and a magnitude of failures all locked into vault, safely. The decade can be decisively explained in one sentence. An emergence of new-founded innovation. That's it. That's how I define the decade in sports. And guess what? It's likely to be the same definition in 2019. Why? Because the sports world, like any other aspect in life, progressively develops to generate new ideas.

Of course you can pick specific "things" that stick out to you in the decade, but this was simply defining the 00's, and I hope I came up with a clear understanding.

NFL Week 16 Picks

Overall: 149-75

Previous Week: 7-9

1. San Diego @ Tennessee - San Diego

2. Buffalo @ Atlanta - Atlanta

3. Kansas City @ Cincinnati - Cincinnati

4. Oakland @ Cleveland - Cleveland

5. Seattle @ Green Bay - Green Bay

6. Houston @ Miami - Miami

7. Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - Baltimore

8. Carolina @ New York G. - New York G.

9. Jacksonville @ New England - New England

10. Tampa Bay @ New Orleans - New Orlenas

11. St. Louis @ Arizona - Arizona

12. Detroit @ San Francisco - San Francisco

13. Denver @ Philadelphia - Denver

14. New York J. @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis

15. Dallas @ Washington - Washington

16. Minnesota @ Chicago - Minnesota

NFL Week 15 Picks

Overall: 142-66

Previous Week 10-6

1. Jacksonville @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis

2. Dallas @ New Orleans - New Orleans

3. New England @ Buffalo - New England

4. Arizona @ Detroit - Arizona

5. Houston @ St. Louis - Houston

6. Cleveland @ Kansas City - Kansas City

7. Miami @ Tennessee - Miami

8. Atlanta @ New York J. - New York J.

9. Oakland @ Denver - Denver

10. Cincinnati @ San Diego - San Diego

11. San Francisco @ Philadelphia - Philadelphia

12. Tampa Bay @ Seattle - Seattle

13. Chicago @ Baltimore - Chicago

14. Green Bay @ Pittsburgh - Green Bay

15. Minnesota @ Carolina - Minnesota

16. New York G. @ Washington - New York G.

NFL Week 14 Picks

Overall: 132-60

Previous Week: 14-2

1. Pittsburgh @ Cleveland - Cleveland

2. New Orleans @ Atlanta - New Orleans

3. Detroit @ Baltimore - Baltimore

4. Green Bay @ Chicago - Green Bay

5. Seattle @ Houston - Seattle

6. Denver @ Indianapolis - Denver

7. Miami @ Jacksonville - Miami

8. Buffalo @ Kansas City - Kansas City

9. Cincinnati @ Minnesota - Cincinnati

10. Carolina @ New England - Carolina

11. New York J. @ Tampa Bay - New York J.

12. St. Louis @ Tennessee - Tennessee

13. Washington @ Oakland - Washington

14. San Diego @ Dallas - San Diego

15. Philadelphia @ New York G. - Philadelphia

16. Arizona @ San Francisco - Arizona

Tiger: Take One

Now that the media has -- somewhat -- dimmed down, with the exception of sporadic new reports, I have decided to voice my take on the Tiger Wood's saga.

The media has done exactly what every meddlesome consumer always ask for: What is Tiger "really" like? And now, your criticizing the media? TMZ.com, Deadspin, and TheBigLeague.com are doing their jobs promoting self-exposure and highly regarded news. Plus, why are "you" complaining when "you" are the one's buying the magazines and going to Esquire.com everyday. The story has to play out, and fans need to let it play out.

For one to flamboyantly ridicule any piece of the media out loud -- the magazines; the tabloids; and the websites -- are completely expressing ludicrous verbal acts. Considering the circumstances -- the most recognized billionaire athlete worldwide -- Tiger Woods will never be camouflaged under any stipulations. Anything -- and everything! -- Tiger does, will (eventually) be unsealed.

So, Tiger stumbled for once, and the audience is questioning while euphoria sits into those who are the "I told you so" type. For once, he had an "Oh My God" moment not involving some incredible 63-foot birdie putt.

The truth: The majority of the audience never thought Tiger had this in him. No one would have predicted this dedicated, untouchable, transcendent athlete could do the unthinkable -- cheat on his wife. As most fans tend to think professional athletes like Tiger do no wrong, we are constantly reminded that these athletically, crafted professionals that make millions -- in Tiger's case billions -- of dollars are just like any other human being. Don't believe me? See: Kobe Bryant (accused with rape), Ray Lewis (once indicted for murder) Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez (steroids), Ron Artest (The Palace Mele), Chad Occhocinco, both Michaels (Vick and Phelps), and so on. All of these guys are more popular than ever. Tiger, in essence, hit a fire hydrant.

Truth number two: The majority of fans have been suffocated with obedient sports news. (Note: it's the reason why I love sports so much. 75 percent of sports news is on the positive side.) From ESPN's essays on Sportscenter to heart-warming columns Sports Illustrated, the endowment of watching, listening, and reading about sports is what makes all of us fans. But once we are out of our comfort zone -- example: athlete X executes a poor act that fans are suddenly shocked by or news comes out about player Y that fans find offensive -- we are vulnerable.

So many questions ponder into the floating minds of not just sports fans, but non-sports fans.

Did Tiger do wrong? Of course. Is Tiger a terrible person after his alleged affair allegations? Depends on your views of the situation. Is Tiger's legacy ruined? No. Not at all. Should fans question Tiger for who he really is? That's your own choice. Can Tiger get over this? Yes.

An unconventional amount of questions will be answered in the matter of time.

The gratifying part of the story to me is how Tiger's world has spiraled in less than two weeks. For a guy who is the most charismatic athlete in the world (and the most recognized), we, as humans, should respect what Tiger has done for us. He's captivated our attention while we enjoy watching his gravitate to The Best Ever on the golf course. For someone to question the media is foolish and inexplicable.

If you don't like reading, watching, or listening about the Tiger Wood's saga, then turn your television and/or radio to a different channel, put down the magazine, don't go to the websites, and delve into something else.

Yes, it was a surreal moment that captured the world's attention. But the "This is getting old!" argument is one that should quit circulating throughout schools, work pods, and home.

You can ignore the story. That's fine. Just remember, the story has to play out. So, let it.

NFL Week 13 Picks

Overall: 118-58
Previous Week: 12-4

1. New York J. @ Buffalo - New York J.

2. Philadelphia @ Atlanta - Philadelphia

3. Tampa Bay @ Carolina - Carolina

4. St. Louis @ Chicago - Chicago

5. Detroit @ Cincinnati - Cincinnati

6. Tennessee @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis

7. Houston @ Jacksonville - Jacksonville

8. Denver @ Kansas City - Denver

9. New England @ Miami - New England

10. Oakland @ Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh

11. New Orleans @ Washington - New Orleans

12. San Diego @ Cleveland - San Diego

13. Dallas @ New York G. - New York G.

14. San Francisco @ Seattle - Seattle

15. Minnesota @ Arizona - Arizona

16. Baltimore @ Green Bay - Green Bay

NFL Week 12 Picks

Overall: 106-54

Previous Week: 9-7

1. Green Bay @ Detroit - Green Bay

2. Oakland @ Dallas - Dallas

3. New York G. @ Denver - New York G.

4. Tampa Bay @ Atlanta - Atlanta

5. Miami @ Buffalo - Miami

6. Washington @ Philadelphia - Philadelphia

7. Seattle @ St. Louis - Seattle

8. Carolina @ New York J. - New York J.

9. Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Cincinnati

10. Indianapolis @ Houston - Houston

11. Kansas City @ San Diego - San Diego

12. Jacksonville @ San Francisco - San Francisco

13. Chicago @ Minnesota - Minnesota

14. Arizona @ Tennessee - Arizona

15. Pittsburgh @ Baltimore - Baltimore

16. New England @ New Orleans - New Orleans

NFL Week 11 Picks

Overall: 97-47

Previous Week: 7-8

1. Miami @ Carolina -Carolina

2. Indianapolis @ Baltimore - Baltimore

3. Washington @ Dallas - Washington

4. Cleveland @ Detroit - Detroit

5. San Francisco @ Green Bay - Green Bay

6. Buffalo @ Jacksonville - Buffalo

7. Pittsburgh @ Kansas City - Pittsburgh

8. Seattle @ Minnesota - Minnesota

9. Atlanta @ New York G. - New York g.

10. New Orleans @ Tampa Bay - New Orleans

11. Arizona @ St. Louis - Arizona

12. San Diego @ Denver - San Diego

13. New York J. @ New England - New England

14. Cincinnati @ Oakland - Cincinnati

15. Philadelphia @ Chicago - Philadelphia

16. Tennessee @ Houston - Houston

NFL Week 10 Picks

Overall Record: 90-39

Previous Week: 6-7

AWFUL WEEK LAST WEEK. I'm sorry. Here are some winners for 'yia this week.

1. Chicago @ San Francisco - Chicago

2. Atlanta @ Carolina - Atlanta

3. Tampa Bay @ Miami - Miami

4. Detroit @ Minnesota - Minnesota

5. Jacksonville @ New York J. - New York J.

6. Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh

7. New Orleans @ St. Louis - New Orleans

8. Buffalo @ Tennessee - Buffalo

9. Denver @ Washington - Denver

10. Kansas City @ Oakland - Oakland

11. Seattle @ Arizona - Arizona

12. Dallas @ Green Bay - Green Bay

13. Philadelphia @ San Diego - San Diego

14. New England @ Indianapolis - New Enlgand

15. Baltimore @ Cleveland - Baltimore

Week 9 Picks

Overall Record: 84-32

Previous Week: 8-5

Coming off my worst week ... guaranteeing 11 wins this week.

1. Washington @ Atlanta -Washington

2. Arizona @ Chicago - Chicago

3. Baltimore @ Cincinnati - Cincinnati

4. Houston @ Indianapolis - Houston

5. Kansas City @ Jacksonville- Jacksonville

6. Miami @ New England - New England

7. Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - Green Bay

8. Carolina @ New Orleans - New Orleans (Again ... my theory has NOT changed since Week 1 ... I refuse to pick against them until they lose!)

9. Detroit @ Seattle - Seattle

10. San Diego @ New York G. - San Diego

11. Tennessee @ San Francisco - San Francisco

12. Dallas @ Philadelphia - Philadelphia

13. Pittsburgh @ Denver - Pittsburgh

NFL Week 8 Power Rankings: Menu Style

We are heading into Week 9 of the NFL season -- virtually, half the season has been completed -- which means it's time that I bang out a Power Rankings Column. I deliver these rankings via Menu Style counting down from the unsatisfactory to the optimum.

The Appetizer That's So Large In Proportion, It Ruins Your Main Course: ladies and gentleman your 32) Oakland Raiders. Al Davis's team (once again) has all the tangibles too be classified in a league of it's own. Too name a few of the problems: the quarterback has officially reached the "I have created a new grading scale to evaluate 'QB Rating'" status; all kinds of reported allegations toward head coach Tom Cable; and players who just don't care -- repeat: DON'T CARE -- (see: Quarterback Jemarcus Russell). The truth is this: everyone knows how bad this franchise has been since the Super Bowl XXXVII.

The Normal Appetizers: 31) Tampa Bay, 30) Cleveland, 29) St. Louis, 28) Detroit, and 27) Kansas City.

All five teams are abysmal in almost every statistical category. Personally, I predicted the Buccaneers to win one game which you can look at in my 2009 NFL Prediction piece here: http://numonefan.com/locker_room/view/207.

As for the Browns, Rams, Lions, and Chiefs -- these teams could possibly be right in Tampa Bay's wheel-house at the end of the season. So, without further-ado, what should I set the Over/Under at for total wins in this category. Let's say 10, and I'll take the under. Good deal. Moving on ...

The Salad and The Dressing: 26) Tennessee and 25) Washington tie for the Salad selection, and at 24) Seattle is your fat-free dressing.

The Titans have switched quarterbacks and the Redskins have changed play-callers. Can you blame either team. At this point, these teams are trying to find any tweaks they can to either A) save their coach or B) make players with the "Hope" instinct.

The Seahawks have lost a number of people to injuries. At this rate, Matt Hasselback is playing behind five guys (the offensive ine) who were picked off the local Seattle high school rugby team. However, this team could still somehow win the NFC West. Which brings up the, "Don't We Always Have This Talk About How Bad You Can Be And Still Win The NFC West" conversation. Seriously. Enough.

The Lengthy Soup Selection: 23) Carolina, 22) Buffalo, 21) Jacksonville, 20) Miami, 19 )San Francisco, 18) New York Jets, and 17) Chicago.

Why is this particular list so long? It's like one of those restaurants that have an extraordinary amount of coup selections ... it's very hard to choose. Which means all of these teams could still win 10 games (including Carolina and Buffalo), but you can't decide which two will satisfy your appetite and come through.

"Sorry I Almost Forgot Your Drink" 16) New York Giants 15) Houston, 14) Arizona 13) San Diego, and 12) Green Bay.

Sometimes we forget how good these teams can be because they have left us with a question mark. Questions like: Are the Giants still good, or are they just bad and we didn't want to admit it? This definitely is NOT the year the Texans break out -- we thought wrong -- or not ... ? (Still up in the air by the way.) Or the teams leave statements to be said such as these: This is the last time I take Ladainian Tomlison in a Fantasy Football Draft! Or ... This is the last time I predict the Chargers to win the Super Bowl! I've had it! Seriously! (OK, that was a personal statement.) And lastly, Green Bay's offensive line is so bad, you could not hide the anorexic Olsen twins behind them and get away with it.

"It Comes With Sides" 11) Atlanta, 10) Dallas, 9) Pittsburgh, 8) Cincinnati, 7) Baltimore, 6) New England, and 5) Philadelphia.

We all know that extra corn or that extra bed of rice we leave out so we can leave room for our entire entree and dessert. Where am I going with this analogy? Well, one (or a couple) of these teams WILL BE left out come playoff time. Most of these teams have prolific offenses or defense and great coaches, but I GUARANTEE that one of these teams will NOT make the postseason. Moving on.

Entree For Two: 4) Denver and 3) Indianapolis

I wanted to include the Eagles in this list to make it a party of three ... (because they are in my "Predicted Super Bowl" -- Chargers vs. Eagles), but I resisted. Somehow. Can we just admit that these are two of the biggest surprises.

I don't have an agenda. This is what I know: at this point, I do not know if the Colts have a head coach. Seriously. Jim Caldwell is not a real person in my mind, and Peyton Manning is the coach. Meanwhile, the Broncos have a kid raking in wins as a first-year head coach. No need to elaborate. This is WHY we love the NFL.

"Care For Dessert? ... um ... YES!" 2) Minnesota and 1) New Orleans Saints.

If you looked at my Prediction Column, you know that I said this ... "NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Note: I absolutely love New Orleans, but just could not DO IT!)" Well I have to say that I regret that now.

Take it for what it is, because it is what it is. I have said a million and one times since Week 1, "I am NOT picking against the Saints until they lose!"

Week 8 Picks

Overall Record: 76-27

Precious Week: 10-3

1. Denver @ Baltimore - Baltimore

2. Houston @ Buffalo - Buffalo

3. Cleveland @ Chicago - Chicago

4. Seattle @ Dallas - Seattle

5. Miami @ New York J. - New York J.

6. San Francisco @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis

7. New York G. @ Philadelphia - Philadelphia

8. St. Louis @ Detroit - Detroit

9. Oakland @ San Diego - San Diego

10. Jacksonville @ Tennessee - Jacksonville

11. Minnesota @ Green Bay - Minnesota

12. Carolina @ Arizona - Carolina

13. Atlanta @ New Orleans - New Orleans

'09-'10 NBA Predictions

**EAST**

1 seed - Orlando Magic

2 seed - Chicago Bulls

3 seed - Boston Celtics

4 seed - Cleveland Cavaliers

5 seed - Atlanta Hawks

6 seed - Washington Wizzards

7 seed - Philadelphia 76ers

8 seed - Toronto Raptors

Just missing: Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Bobcats

Team that will have the worst season: Indiana Pacers

**WEST**

1 seed - Los Angeles Lakers

2 seed - San Antonio Spurs

3 seed - Denver Nuggets

4 seed - Portland Trailbazers

5 seed - Houston Rockets

6 seed - Dallas Mavericks

7 seed - Utah Jazz

8 seed - Oklahoma City

Just missing: Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orlenas Hornets

Team that willhave the worst record: Minnesota Timberwolves

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION

Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizzards

MAGIC

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs

LAKERS

FINALS PREDICTION

LAKERS in 7

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

MVP: Kobe Bryant

Scoring Title: Kevin Durant

Rookie of The Year: DeMar DeRozan

Coach of The Year: Flip Saunders

Defensive Play of The Year: Dwight Howard

6th man: Rudy Fernandez or Paul Milsap

Most Improved: (Greg Oden is dying for this ... too friggin bad!) Andrew Bynum

Here were my 2008-2009 NBA Predictions ... an older post from my last blog.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Final NBA Predictions

If you have not seen my NBA preview post - - - they were written Wednesday, October 22. Scroll down and you will see what I have to say about the East and West. These are the FINAL predictions for the 2008-09 NBA Season.

WEST EAST

1 seed- Los Angeles Lakers 1 seed- Boston Celtics

2 seed- New Orleans Hornets 2 seed- Cleveland Cavaliers

3 seed- Houston Rockets 3 seed- Detroit Pistons

4 seed- Utah Jazz 4 seed- Chicago Bulls

5 seed- San Antonio 5 seed- Orlando Magic

6 seed- Phoenix Suns 6 seed- Philadelhpia 76er’s

7 seed- Dallas Mavericks 7 seed- Miami Heat

8 seed- Denver Nuggets 8 seed- Toronto Raptors

EAST - Just missing the playoffs- Washington Wizzards, Atlanta Hawks, and Milwaukee Bucks.

WEST- Just missing the playoffs- Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors.

Defensive Player of The Year- Marcus Camby (Los Angeles Clippers)

Scoring Title- Kobe Bryant/Lebron James - - - (split)

Most Valuable Player- Kobe Bryant

Eastern Conference Champion- Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - Cleveland

Western Conference Champion- Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz - Los Angeles

NBA World Champion- Los Angeles Lakers

Coach of The Year- Jerry Sloan (Utah Jazz) (Do not be surprised if Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks)

6th Man of The Year- Too early … but when Manu Ginobli is back…he could win it back to back.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- This is so hard to choose from. If Oden is healthy who knows. I am going out on a limb and taking either KEVIN LOVE or OJ MAYO- both can do wonders for their team.

PEACE I WILL BE IN CT this weekend for the WVU football game.