OK, so obviously my prediction in the Eastern Conference Finals was VERY wrong, and now I’m pissed, because I get to go to the NBA Finals, but I have to go to Orlando and L.A. instead of Cleveland.
Yes, that’s right, I’m the first person in the history of the world to be pissed about going to Orlando and L.A. instead of Cleveland. I’ve been to Cleveland twice -- two years ago when I was supposed to be going to the ’07 Finals, but they got swept, and last year, to see a couple of good games. But I really wanted to go this year.
So, here’s my prediction for the Finals -- Lakers in 3.
I know it’s a best-of-7. I don’t care. The Lakers will destroy the Magic so badly, they’ll have to cancel the series out of mercy.
(OK, so I’m obviously still bitter. Real prediction -- Lakers in 7).
Sunday, May 31, 2009
This Week in Buffy History: May 31-June 6
May 31
1974 - Ara Celi born (played Ampata Gutierrez on Episode 2.04, “Inca Mummy Girl”)
June 2
1972 - Wentworth Miller born (played Gage Petronzi on Episode 2.20, “Go Fish”)
1997 - Episode 1.12, “Prophecy Girl”, airs on The WB
June 3
1987 - Lalaine born (played Chloe on Buffy)
June 6
1974 - Danny Strong born (played Jonathan Levinson on “Buffy”)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
This Week in Buffy History: May 24-30
May 24
1984 - Sarah Hagan born (played Amanda)
May 26
1923 - Roy Dotrice born (played Roger Wyndam-Pryce on Angel Episode 5.07, “Lineage”)
May 28
1970 - Glenn Quinn born (played Doyle on Angel)
1982 - Alexa Davalos born (played Gwen Raiden on Angel)
May 30
1951 - Stephen Tobolowsky born (played Principal Flutie in the unaired pilot of Buffy)
1979 - Jenny Mollen born (played Nina Ash on Angel)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
LeBron James: The Cure for the Cleveland Moment
I am not a Cleveland fan by birth. In fact, save for the Cavaliers, I have no feeling either way about any Cleveland team. Some people would even argue that to this day, I’m not really a Cleveland fan, I’m a LeBron fan.
It’s a fair criticism. I became a LeBron fan back in 2002, when I started the website LeBronJamesNews.com (long since shut down, obviously). I didn’t even really start caring about the team he was on until late in his second season, when they fired Paul Silas and looked like they were getting serious about making LeBron happy in Cleveland.
So, knowing all that, you know where I come from as a Cleveland fan. I haven’t lived through the years of heartbreak. Sure, I know the stories of “The Shot”, “The Drive”, “The Fumble”, Willie Mays’ catch, Jose Mesa’s blown save, and... well, I’m sure I’m missing some, but I don’t need to go on and on. For me, these moments are things that happened to someone else. I watched some of them as an outsider, and, though it probably seems blasphemous to other Cavs fans, I was actually a Jordan fan when he hit “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo, and “The Shot, Pt. 2” over Gerald Wilkins.
Since LeBron arrived in Cleveland, the “Cleveland Moments” had been, well, non-existent. Sure, the Cavs got swept in the 2007 Finals, but the fact that LeBron carried the team that far was a minor miracle, so there wasn’t as much sting to that. However, through one game, 47 minutes and 59 seconds of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, I felt like I was experiencing my first “Cleveland Moment”. After Hedo Turkoglu hit his go-ahead shot, I couldn’t have felt more negative about the team, the series, or really basketball in general. I finally knew how Cleveland fans felt through all those other moments.
Only, there was one second left, and for the first time since the Jim Brown years, Cleveland has the difference-maker on its side. Basically, LeBron James is reversing the entire fortunes of a city, one magical moment at a time. Time will tell where this one ranks for me, but right now I have it No. 2, behind the 48-point performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. Remember, that series had its own set of “Cleveland Moments” (particularly, when LeBron passed to Donyell Marshall, who missed a potential game-tying shot at the end of Game 1), but once again LeBron came through. He’s made a career of doing that, and I hope he keeps doing it, in Cleveland, for years to come.
LeBron James FTW!
I have nothing to add to this... just let the moment wash over you... I heart LeBron...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Terminator Salvation: "Good, not Great"
Those were PooZ's exact words after we saw "Terminator Salvation" last night.Sure, he had more words, but I'll let him share them, whenever he decides to post again on this site. He is still alive, I swear. He's not just a construct of my vivid imagination.
As for my thoughts, well, I have to agree with him. Most of the reviews of the movie have focused on the lack of a plot. Look, it's a "Terminator" movie. The less plot the better. The only plot I need is "machines trying to kill John Connor and everyone around him, humans fighting back against machines." It's a pretty simple concept. Throw in some cool action and I'm happy.
For the most part, that's what they did. Yes, there is a story about a character who is part-human/part-machine, and I thought it was handled pretty well. Was John Connor a fully-developed leader? No, but he wasn't supposed to be by this point. He WAS further along than the John Connor of T2 or T3, which is what I expected.
At the end of the movie, PooZ and I both agreed that this was better than T3, but it wasn't T2. Then, as we were sitting there watching the credits, the strangest thing happened. A bunch of people sitting a few rows behind us were discussing the movie, loudly, and one of them was listing off all his complaints about T2. PooZ then turned to me and said sarcastically "and that's why I like Terminator 3". No joke, less than 10 seconds later, we hear this guy say to his friends, "that's why I liked the third one better." We couldn't help but laugh.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Quick Thoughts on Last Night’s Cavs Loss
Look, obviously I’m disappointed about what happened in Cleveland, but it’s not the end of the world. The Cavaliers did not get eliminated Wednesday night. Now they just HAVE to win a game in Orlando, whereas before, it would have been nice if they did.
A couple observations from the game:
-The Cavaliers primary problem wasn’t offense, it was defense. Specifically defense on the perimeter players (primarily Rashard Lewis). Cleveland can let Dwight Howard get his -- well, “let” isn’t the right word, but it’s not terrible if Howard is scoring a lot. The Magic aren’t as good when they’re running their offense through him. They need to figure out something on Lewis. Maybe it’s playing LeBron at the four and going semi-small, to neutralize Lewis’s impact (you can’t go too small, otherwise Turkoglu will go off).
-I love that LeBron gets his teammates involved, and I love that he trusts them in key situations, but he HAS to take that shot at the end of the game. Particularly, when he gets under the basket with just a few seconds left, he has to realize that Dwight Howard is already out of the game, and the worst thing that happens if he goes up with the ball is he gets fouled, makes one of two free throws, and the game goes into overtime.
-That said, Delonte West had just made that same wide open shot from the corner a minute earlier, and has made it multiple times in the past season and a half. Also, even after the miss, the Cavaliers won the ensuing jump ball, and Mo Williams got a great look at the basket, and nearly won the game for Cleveland. Yes, I believe Williams got fouled on that last shot, but you’re NEVER going to get that call in an NBA game, so I’m not mad about that. I’m mad about Cleveland’s second half defense, which was atrocious.
-It came in a loss, so the impact is lessened, but take another look at LeBron’s final stat line: 49 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals. That’s nuts. He also shot 66.7% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range. His postseason PER is now an absurd 43.39, which is 17 points higher than any player still playing this postseason. If the Cavs do win this series, and eventually the title, a statue in Cleveland won’t be enough. Rename the arena, the team, hell, the city, after him. They can be the Jamesville LeBrons, playing their home games at King James’s Palace, 1 Chosen Ave, Jamesville, OH (and my offer from 2007 is reinstated -- if the LeBrons win the title, I’ll get a 23 tattoo).
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
NBA Conference Finals Predictions
Well, I got 3 out of 4 right in the Conference Semis, and correctly predicted that the Magic-Celtics series would go seven games (I just picked the wrong team to win Game 7). It’s time for my conference finals predictions, which I could have made at the start of the playoffs (at least, the winners).
Eastern Conference
1 Cavaliers vs 3 Magic
Cavaliers in 5
- I think Cleveland will take care of business at home, and take one of two in Orlando, leading to a five-game series. Yes, Orlando did take 2 of 3 in the regular season, but Cleveland is a better team in the postseason, and has been every year since LeBron James arrived.
Western Conference
1 Lakers vs 2 Nuggets
Lakers in 6
- Yes, Denver has looked like the better team this postseason, taking care of New Orleans and Dallas with ease, but those were both much better matchups for the Nuggets than the Lakers provide. I think you’ll see the two teams split the first four games, then the Lakers will win Game 5 at home, and close out the series when they get the chance in Game 6.
Now that the business is out of the way, let’s get to the fun... my LeBron second round highlight reel.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
This Week in Buffy History: May 17-23
May 18
1999 - Episode 3.21, “Graduation Day, Pt. 1” airs on The WB
May 19
1997 - Episode 1.11, “Out of Mind, Out of Sight” airs on The WB
1998 - Episode 2.22, “Becoming, Pt. 2”, airs on The WB
2004 - Angel Episode 5.22, “Not Fade Away”, airs on The WB
May 20
1956 - Dean Butler born (played Hank Summers, Buffy’s dad)
2002 - Angel Episode 3.22, “Tomorrow”, airs on The WB
2003 - Episode 7.22, “Chosen” airs on UPN (series finale).
May 21
2002 - Episode 6.21, “Two to Go”, airs on UPN
2002 - Episode 6.22, “Grave” airs on UPN
May 22
1974 - Sean Gunn born (played Lucas on Angel Episode 1.09 - “Hero”)
2002 - Episode 5.22, “The Gift” airs on The WB (final “Buffy” episode on The WB)
2002 - Angel Episode 2.22, “There’s No Place Like Plrtz Glrb”, airs on The WB
May 23
1971 - Laurel Holloman born (played Justine on Angel)
2001 - Episode 4.22, “Restless” airs on The WB
2001 - Angel Episode 1.22, “To Shanshu in LA”, airs on The WB
Monday, May 11, 2009
Cavaliers Move Into Conference Finals Undefeated
To paraphrase the Staples commercials, “that was easy.”
OK, well, maybe Game 4 wasn’t easy, but so far, the Cavaliers are 8-0 in the postseason having won every game by at least 10 points. They’re rolling so far, and it’s been crazy fun to watch. So much fun, that I had to throw together some videos, that I posted up on YouTube.
First up, a highlight reel from the first round, set to Kanye West’s “Amazing”:
Then, I made my own version of a “Where Will Amazing Happen This Year” commercial using LeBron’s first-half buzzer beater in Game 2 against the Hawks.
I’ve already got a second-round highlight reel in the works for the series against the Hawks, and I hope to have it posted by the end of the week (I need to wait until I can grab the Game 4 video).
Star Trek - Surprisingly Good
On the last podcast, I mentioned that one of the summer movies I was still excited about -- on a lesser level than "Terminator" and "Transformers" -- was the reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise.I admitted on the podcast that having read the outline of the story, I didn't have high expectations for the movie, mostly because I thought the whole time travel/alternate timeline story was a cop-out.
Well, I'll admit, I was wrong. I saw the movie last night, and it was actually really good. The movie was incredibly enjoyable, with just enough of a mix of homages to the old timeline and development of a new story.
Now, as for whether "Trekkies" will like it or not, well, I can't really say. I'm sure some people will be pissed at the continuity changes (which are constantly explained by the whole "alternate timeline" thing), but it's pretty damn cool to actually see Kirk and Bones meet, or to watch Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru (though that scene is played with a little too much flippancy by Chris Pine).
I can safely recommend this to anyone who likes sci-fi movies in general, and anyone who enjoyed some of the classic Star Trek movies, but doesn't consider him/herself a Trekkie (I fall into that category -- I have all the movies, but I've never watched the shows).
That said, I'm still pretty sure I'm not going to be able to get PooZ to see this one. Or, ya know, ever post anything on this blog again. Hell, had I not spoken with him on the phone last night, I'm not sure I could confirm his continued existence. PooZ? Are you out there?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Covington Curse #1 - Friends and Foes
As many of you may know, I like to write in my spare time. I’ve written screenplays, poems, short stories and pieces of novels, most of which I’ve never really shared with anyone.
A few years ago, I had an idea for a comic book series about a man who was cursed with the essence of a demon dimension inside him and had to keep the forces of evil at bay so he could figure out how to reverse the curse before his death (upon which the demon dimension would be released on Earth).
I pitched my story to PooZ, who was intrigued enough to agree to draw it. Of course, drawing a comic -- especially a brand new one in which you didn’t come up with the characters -- takes a lot longer that writing the stories. In the year in which I worked on this project, I wrote 17 scripts, but we never completed an entire issue of the comic.
Well, fast forward to last week, when I came across the old scripts on my hard drive, plus an outline for another 15-20 possible stories. I decided I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I decided to share them on this blog.
Of course, the scripts are written with little descriptive text, outside of art directions to PooZ. So, I’m going to have to tweak them a little bit before I can post all of them.
This is the first of those 17 completed stories, in which we meet Jackson Jennings, the main character, and get a little bit of his back story. I hope you like it.
A few years ago, I had an idea for a comic book series about a man who was cursed with the essence of a demon dimension inside him and had to keep the forces of evil at bay so he could figure out how to reverse the curse before his death (upon which the demon dimension would be released on Earth).
I pitched my story to PooZ, who was intrigued enough to agree to draw it. Of course, drawing a comic -- especially a brand new one in which you didn’t come up with the characters -- takes a lot longer that writing the stories. In the year in which I worked on this project, I wrote 17 scripts, but we never completed an entire issue of the comic.
Well, fast forward to last week, when I came across the old scripts on my hard drive, plus an outline for another 15-20 possible stories. I decided I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I decided to share them on this blog.
Of course, the scripts are written with little descriptive text, outside of art directions to PooZ. So, I’m going to have to tweak them a little bit before I can post all of them.
This is the first of those 17 completed stories, in which we meet Jackson Jennings, the main character, and get a little bit of his back story. I hope you like it.
This Week in Buffy History: May 10-16
May 10
1954 - Michael G. Hagerty born (played bartender on Angel Episode 2.13 “Happy Anniversary”)
May 11
1975 - Riff Regan born (played Willow in unaired pilot episode)
1999 - Episode 3.20 “The Prom” airs on The WB
May 12
1948 - Lindsay Crouse born (played Professor Maggie Walsh in Season 4)
1997 - Episode 1.10 “Nightmares” airs on The WB
1998 - Episode 2.21 “Becoming (Part 1)” airs on The WB
2004 - Angel Episode 5.21 “Power Play” airs on The WB
May 13
2002 - Angel Episode 3.21 “Benediction” airs on The WB
2003 - Episode 7.21 “End of Days” airs on UPN
May 14
1983 - Amber Tamblyn born (played Janice in Episode 6.06, “All the Way”)
2002 - Episode 6.20, “Villains”, airs on UPN
May 15
1982 - Alex Breckenridge born (played Kit Holburn in Episode 7.01, “Lessons”)
2001 - Episode 5.21, “The Weight of the World”, airs on The WB
2001 - Angel Episode 2.21, “Through the Looking Glass”, airs on The WB
May 16
1969 - David Boreanaz born (played Angel)
2000 - Episode 4.21, “Primeval”, airs on The WB
2000 - Angel Episode 1.21, “Blind Date”, airs on The WB
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Ready for Cavs-Hawks Game 2
The Cavs and Hawks are 30 minutes away from tipping off Game 2 in their playoff series, and I think, with five wins in the books for the Cavs this postseason, it’s time for me to share some thoughts on this postseason. I’ve been holding back so far in fears of jinxing things, but I’ve got too many things to share about Cleveland.
First off, as pictured, LeBron received his much-deserved MVP trophy Tuesday before Game 1. It probably shouldn’t have been his first -- I feel like he should have won in 2006 and maybe even in 2008 -- but it was, giving the Cavs a rare trifecta. They’re only the fourth team since the ABA-NBA merger to post the outright best record in the league, have the coach of the year and the MVP. That’s no guarantee of a championship though, as only one of the previous three teams to do so won the title -- of course, that team was the ’95-96 Bulls.
Now, I’m not saying this team is comparable to that team, which won 72 games, but maybe its time to start giving them their due as one of the great teams in league history. All season long, the Cavs were grouped with the Celtics and Magic as the “Big 3” of the Eastern Conference, but Cleveland finished the regular season four games clear of Boston and seven games up on Orlando. They even finished a game ahead of the Lakers for the best record in the league, becoming just the 12th team to win at least 66 games. Now, they’ve started the postseason by winning five consecutive games all by at least 10 points. They’re just the third team to do that in NBA history (and the first of those 12 66-win teams).
Because of the way the Cavs have been winning, there hasn’t been much talk about them. In the first round, while they were dispatching the overmatched Pistons, the whole NBA world was focused on the exciting Bulls-Celtics series (and rightfully so), and now, for some reason, there are more experts talking about the Nuggets “dominance” rather than the Cavaliers. Well, the the Cavs are the only team with a 0 in the loss column in the playoffs, and they haven’t even been seriously challenged yet.
Don’t forget, two years ago, an inferior Cavaliers team started 6-0 in the postseason and reached the NBA Finals. Now, this team is already 5-0 (and a much better 5-0) and looks to be on the same path to the Finals, while their supposed top opposition (Celtics, Magic, Lakers) are all embroiled in tough series.
Some other random nuggets (no, not Dahntay Jones) about the Cavaliers dominance so far in this postseason:
-LeBron James is averaging 32.4 PPG and 11.0 RPG in the Cavs 5 wins. The last player to average 30-10 for an entire postseason was Shaquille O’Neal, who did it in the Lakers championship runs in 2000 and 2001. The last non-center to average 30-10 and advance beyond the first round? Well, you have to go all the way back to Elgin Baylor in 1963!
-Along the same lines, only one player in NBA history has averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for an entire postseason. Not surprisingly, that was Oscar Robertson, also in 1963 (apparently defense was optional for, well, much of the early 60s in the NBA). LeBron is currently averaging 32.4, 11.0 and 6.6.
-LeBron’s PER (a measure of overall efficiency) is an absurd 41.72. For some perspective, the regular-season record is held by Michael Jordan, at just under 32. The playoff record is 38.95 by Hakeem Olajuwon, but that came in 1988, when the Rockets were knocked out in 4 games in the first round. The record for someone that played more than one round is held by George Mikan, who posted a 33.58 (or more than eight full points below LeBron) way back in 1954!
-The Cavs have never lost a best-of-seven series after winning Game 1. And the last team to win a series after losing Game 1 by at least 25 points was the 1985 Lakers. And, sorry Hawks fans, but Joe Johnson is no Magic Johnson.
Look, I’m not saying the Cavs are a lock to win the NBA title. They’re not, and will probably be challenged in the Eastern Conference Finals (and the NBA Finals, assuming they get there). But I’m saying they’re doing some special things, and shouldn’t be ignored just because they’re not playing a ton of overtime games or drawing blood in every game.
Manny being... suspended?
Well, just in case you thought there were no more steroids users to be uncovered in baseball, the word comes down today (from the LA Times) that Manny Ramirez is going to be suspended for 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.Manny is BY FAR the biggest name to be suspended for PED use -- remember, A-Rod's positive test came before suspensions were being handed out, and Bonds never tested positive for PEDs, only amphetamines. I'm not sure what this does to his legacy at this point, but it definitely tarnishes the game. Manny was a larger-than-life character, and I think everyone assumed he did it naturally (and crazily, but that's a different story).
What will be interesting is if we find out Manny's been using steroids for an extended period, particularly dating back to his Red Sox days. Will that tarnish Boston's two titles, or possibly implicate other members of the Red Sox as PED users? Maybe. Am I bringing up these questions in the hopes that PooZ (a die-hard Red Sox fan) will post something on this site again? Likely.
UPDATE: Manny has released a statement, saying the positive test resulted from a drug prescribed by a doctor to treat a personal health condition. While that seems like a fair explanation, it also starts to veer into the Rafael Palmeiro territory of excuses. At least Manny is taking his punishment like a man and not going to court, appealing, etc.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Britney Spears’s “Circus” Comes to Connecticut
Last night I got to attend the delayed Britney Spears “Circus” concert at Mohegan Sun, and it was phenomenal.
For those that aren’t aware, originally this show was scheduled to take place on March 27th, but it was delayed to May 3rd after a second show had been added at Mohegan Sun. I actually considered buying tickets to both shows, but instead just stuck with my original ticket.
My seats weren’t that close to the action (section 107) but were center stage, so I had a great view of the whole show.
Now, I’ve been to every national Britney tour since ’99, and until this one I’d been to all of them multiple times (I saw the “Oops I Did it Again” Tour at four different stops). I didn’t think any show would ever top the “Dream Within a Dream” Tour (the one in which the grand finale was a performance of “Baby One More Time” with 500 gallons of water pouring down onto the stage), but this one did.
First off, this was the first time I had the opportunity to see Britney perform any of her songs off “Blackout” and “Circus”, her two most recent albums, both of which are fast moving up my favorite albums lists. Also, this show featured amazing performances of my two favorite Britney songs: “I’m a Slave 4 U” and “Toxic”. In fact, some of the post show buzz on the ‘net has suggested that her performance of “Toxic” on Sunday might have been the best of the entire tour.
What made this show even better was the fact that I had my new digital camera, a Nikon P80. I got it last holiday season and I used it during the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament in February, but that was really just a test run. This was the real deal, and the camera totally delivered. I ended up taking more than 200 pictures (thanks, 8 GB memory card!) and shooting nine videos -- eight of Britney and one of the opening act, the Pussycat Dolls. If you click the two song links above, you’ll be taken to the videos directly. I’ve also set up a nice YouTube playlist for all the videos I shot.
If you want some instant gratification, I’ve embedded my “Womanizer” video below. It’s actually the final song she performed on the U.S. leg of her tour, which is pretty cool when you think about it. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the photo gallery too.
For those that aren’t aware, originally this show was scheduled to take place on March 27th, but it was delayed to May 3rd after a second show had been added at Mohegan Sun. I actually considered buying tickets to both shows, but instead just stuck with my original ticket.
My seats weren’t that close to the action (section 107) but were center stage, so I had a great view of the whole show.
Now, I’ve been to every national Britney tour since ’99, and until this one I’d been to all of them multiple times (I saw the “Oops I Did it Again” Tour at four different stops). I didn’t think any show would ever top the “Dream Within a Dream” Tour (the one in which the grand finale was a performance of “Baby One More Time” with 500 gallons of water pouring down onto the stage), but this one did.
First off, this was the first time I had the opportunity to see Britney perform any of her songs off “Blackout” and “Circus”, her two most recent albums, both of which are fast moving up my favorite albums lists. Also, this show featured amazing performances of my two favorite Britney songs: “I’m a Slave 4 U” and “Toxic”. In fact, some of the post show buzz on the ‘net has suggested that her performance of “Toxic” on Sunday might have been the best of the entire tour.
What made this show even better was the fact that I had my new digital camera, a Nikon P80. I got it last holiday season and I used it during the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament in February, but that was really just a test run. This was the real deal, and the camera totally delivered. I ended up taking more than 200 pictures (thanks, 8 GB memory card!) and shooting nine videos -- eight of Britney and one of the opening act, the Pussycat Dolls. If you click the two song links above, you’ll be taken to the videos directly. I’ve also set up a nice YouTube playlist for all the videos I shot.
If you want some instant gratification, I’ve embedded my “Womanizer” video below. It’s actually the final song she performed on the U.S. leg of her tour, which is pretty cool when you think about it. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the photo gallery too.
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| The Circus Starring Britney Spears - 5/3/09 - Mohegan Sun |
Sunday, May 03, 2009
AdamReisinger.com NBA Second Round Predictions
Technically, the first round is still going on, but the second round starts later today. So, before we get to those picks, let’s review how I did in the first round.
Eastern Conference
Cavaliers-Pistons
Pick: Cavs in 4
Result: Cavs in 4. This was the easiest series on the board to pick.
Celtics-Bulls
Pick: Celtics in 7
Result: Celtics in 7. I didn’t expect this series to be so exciting, but I did call it going the distance.
Magic-76ers
Pick: Magic in 4
Result: Magic in 6. The 76ers performed much better than I thought they would, at least until their no-show in Game 6.
Hawks-Heat
Pick: Hawks in 6
Result: TBD in 7. Game 7 is going on right now, and the Hawks seem to have it under control.
Western Conference
Lakers-Jazz
Pick: Lakers in 4
Result: Lakers in 5. In my original predictions, I wondered how the Jazz would win a game in this series. Well, it took a last-second shot in one of Kobe’s worst playoff games ever.
Nuggets-Hornets
Pick: Nuggets in 6
Result: Nuggets in 5. Wow, the Hornets were a no-show in that series.
Spurs-Mavericks
Pick: Spurs in 7
Result: Mavericks in 5. I was right in saying the Mavs wouldn’t be able to stop Tony Parker. What I didn’t count on was no one else from the Spurs doing anything positive for the entire series.
Blazers-Rockets
Pick: Blazers in 5
Result: Rockets in 6. I just whiffed on this one, focusing too much on the Blazers’ late-season success, instead of the full-season numbers.
So, using the TrueHoop scoring system (5 points for right pick, 2 points for right number of games), I’ve got 29 points, with another 5 points possible if the Hawks hold on. That places me above three of the official entrants in TrueHoop’s Stat Geek Smackdown.
On to the Round 2 picks:
Eastern Conference
Cavaliers vs TBD
Pick: Cavaliers in 5
Reasons: Both the Heat and Hawks are good homecourt teams, so I don’t see the Cavs sweeping either one. That said, I don’t see either team winning a game in Cleveland, or taking multiple games at home.
Celtics vs Magic
Pick: Celtics in 7
Reasons: I don’t really have any statistical proof to back this up. This is all gut feeling.
Western Conference
Lakers vs Rockets
Pick: Lakers in 6
Reasons: Yao Ming and Ron Artest can give the Lakers some problems, but LA has enough weapons to take this series.
Nuggets vs Mavericks
Pick: Nuggets in 5
Reasons: Unlike the first round, this isn’t a good matchup for Dallas. The Nuggets swept the regular season series, and shouldn’t find too much resistance here.
Eastern Conference
Cavaliers-Pistons
Pick: Cavs in 4
Result: Cavs in 4. This was the easiest series on the board to pick.
Celtics-Bulls
Pick: Celtics in 7
Result: Celtics in 7. I didn’t expect this series to be so exciting, but I did call it going the distance.
Magic-76ers
Pick: Magic in 4
Result: Magic in 6. The 76ers performed much better than I thought they would, at least until their no-show in Game 6.
Hawks-Heat
Pick: Hawks in 6
Result: TBD in 7. Game 7 is going on right now, and the Hawks seem to have it under control.
Western Conference
Lakers-Jazz
Pick: Lakers in 4
Result: Lakers in 5. In my original predictions, I wondered how the Jazz would win a game in this series. Well, it took a last-second shot in one of Kobe’s worst playoff games ever.
Nuggets-Hornets
Pick: Nuggets in 6
Result: Nuggets in 5. Wow, the Hornets were a no-show in that series.
Spurs-Mavericks
Pick: Spurs in 7
Result: Mavericks in 5. I was right in saying the Mavs wouldn’t be able to stop Tony Parker. What I didn’t count on was no one else from the Spurs doing anything positive for the entire series.
Blazers-Rockets
Pick: Blazers in 5
Result: Rockets in 6. I just whiffed on this one, focusing too much on the Blazers’ late-season success, instead of the full-season numbers.
So, using the TrueHoop scoring system (5 points for right pick, 2 points for right number of games), I’ve got 29 points, with another 5 points possible if the Hawks hold on. That places me above three of the official entrants in TrueHoop’s Stat Geek Smackdown.
On to the Round 2 picks:
Eastern Conference
Cavaliers vs TBD
Pick: Cavaliers in 5
Reasons: Both the Heat and Hawks are good homecourt teams, so I don’t see the Cavs sweeping either one. That said, I don’t see either team winning a game in Cleveland, or taking multiple games at home.
Celtics vs Magic
Pick: Celtics in 7
Reasons: I don’t really have any statistical proof to back this up. This is all gut feeling.
Western Conference
Lakers vs Rockets
Pick: Lakers in 6
Reasons: Yao Ming and Ron Artest can give the Lakers some problems, but LA has enough weapons to take this series.
Nuggets vs Mavericks
Pick: Nuggets in 5
Reasons: Unlike the first round, this isn’t a good matchup for Dallas. The Nuggets swept the regular season series, and shouldn’t find too much resistance here.
This Week in Buffy History: May 3-9
May 3
1978 - Christina Hendricks born (played bar maid on Angel Episode 1.15 “The Prodigal”)
May 4
1999 - Episode 3.19 “Choices” airs on The WB
May 5
1926 - John O’Leary born (played a watcher in Episode 5.12 “Checkpoint”)
1979 - Vincent Kartheiser born (played Connor)
1997 - Episode 1.9 “The Puppet Show” airs on The WB
1998 - Episode 2.20 “Go Fish” airs on The WB
2004 - Angel Episode 5.20 “The Girl in Question” airs on The WB
May 6
2002 - Angel Episode 3.20 “A New World” airs on The WB
2003 - Episode 7.20 “Touched” airs on UPN
May 7
2002 - Episode 6.19 “Seeing Red” airs on UPN
2003 - Angel Episode 4.22 “Home” airs on The WB
May 8
2001 - Episode 5.20 “Spiral” airs on The WB
2001 - Angel Episode 2.20 “Over the Rainbow” airs on The WB
May 9
2000 - Episode 4.20 “The Yoko Factor” airs on The WB
2000 - Angel Episode 1.20 “War Zone” airs on The WB
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