The Cardinals are in the World Series?  Are you kidding me!  It was crazy enough that they made it to the playoffs but no one really took them seriously did they? The Rangers on the other hand are back for the second straight season.  People don’t seem as excited about them being there but they are a really fun team to watch.  The Rangers did not get talked about too much by the masses as world series favorites throughout the season even though they were defending AL champs.

Mark Sanchez looked pretty decent vs the Dolphins on Monday Night.  The offense really took a while to get going but when it did they looked real good.  A nice balance of run and pass and the Jets look decent again.  Holy Revis by the way.  He may have gotten away with a little interference on the TD but the D never gets the benefit of the doubt, good call.

No NBA in the near future is really not cool with me right now.  I got my NBA fix and some with 2k12 lately but now playing the game is only getting me more excited about actual NBA action.

I got roped into a fantasy hockey league for the first time ever.  So glad I am in the league.  I enjoy watching hockey but I admit I am falling behind on the buzz of the league and who the players are.  Patty Roy’s Right Hook is definitely helping me out.  My new favorite player is one of my earlier picks Wayne Simmonds from Philly.  He can get after it.  Throws his body around, gets some penalties, and attacks the net with speed.  Finally got Versus network at the house and love having NHL on my television again.

World Series tomorrow night! No football, no NBA action, so you better be watching.  Its the freakin World Series people come on!  Oh and New Hampshire’s own Chris Carpenter is on the bump, very cool.

Are you kidding me! the Cavs finally won a game against my fantasy star Blake Griffin and the Clips.  I guess no one can really be surprised by the Clippers being the first victim in 26 games.  Weren’t you lookin forward to the Wizards 0 – and everything on the road vs the Cavs losing streak?  Well that game was still played and the Wiz finally won on the road.  Combine the Cavs ending their losing streak, the Wizards getting their first road W, and the Ohio State Buckeyes losing for the first time on the season, and you got quite a week for ending streaks. 

Did you watch that Kansas – Kansas St game last night? Pullins went OFF for State.  They made Kansas look like a cupcake and not the number one seed that they had gained just hours earlier.  Remember when K State was supposed to be a good team.  Top 5 to start the season.  Now they might be playin in the NIT. 

Spring Training has begun.  As exciting and happy I am for Spring Training, it does not do too much for me.  I love watching some spring training games and hearing about some baseball stories but we are still over a month away from real baseball and Spring Training just isnt the same.  Maybe I should go next Spring and catch some of the games. 

Pujols is gonna get paid  a TON of money but the question is by who?  I gotta think they Cards and Albert will come to an agreement and not let him walk.  Pujols could be the greatest player ever behind Babe Ruth.  You do what you have to do to keep that guy.  He is a once in a life time player. 

I know its been out a while but I love the Ovechkin “This is Sportscenter commercial”.  I don’t think I have ever seen one of those comercials I didn’t enjoy. 

Don’t look now but Nash is making a run at Rondo and his league leading assists per game.  In the past week Nash averaged about 3 more assists per game than Rondo and is now just over 1 asssist per game behind Rondo.  I think this is the NBA story that no one is paying attention to and will be fun to watch down the stretch. 

The biggest arguement in basketball is how to rank the top PGs.  For some reason no one likes to rank any other position.  Here is my top 7 point guards.  Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo,  Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook.  Deron and Paul I think are in a class alone.  Both can fill up the score sheet and dish out assists like nothihng.  If they were not such good scorers they would be putting up the same assist numbers of Nash and Rondo.  Rose is next.  He is one of the best scorers in the league and is so difficult to guard one on one.  Maybe impossible.  And with his pretty good jumper this year he is just too dangerous now.  I got Kidd over Rondo because he is a better passer I believe and easily a better shooter.  Rondo has the defense edge and quickness but not being able to shoot a lick just can not put you ahead of Kidd.  Nash is next for me because his offense is so well rounded as a dominate passer, offense runner, shooter.  His D is just too lacking for me for him to be top 5.  Russ is 7th because of how explosive he is.  He moves too quick and fast sometimes and gets charges called and throws up off balanced shots in the lane.  But his skills are right there with Rose and he could be on his level pretty soon.

1.  Vince Carter – Phoenix Suns

Vince was amazing as a high flying new star of the NBA and fulfilled my every need in an entertaining athlete.  It helps that Vince is a former Tar Heel like Jordan. As Air Jordan left Air Canada arrived and has held this top spot for a while now.

      2.     Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls

Because of my love for Jordan, I obviously turned into a Bulls fan.  I enjoyed their dynasty as a youngin and suffered through many MANY years of the “baby bulls” with players like Elton Brand, Ron Artest, and Jamal Crawford entering and exiting.  When the Bulls were fortunate enough to get Rose at number 1 I was so pumped.  Now Rose is an MVP candidate, is a simply fun player to watch play, and carries himself like a pro.  There is nothing not to like about Rose and when he has your favorite team looking like a top team in the league its hard not to love the guy.

      3.     Monta Ellis – Golden State Warriors

Small guys doing amazing things is always enjoyable.  Monta is a little dude with a big game.  Speed, quicks, a smooth stroke, and a lot of hops are some of the things that Monta brings to the table.  I began to like Monta when I saw some youtube videos of him hitting over the head shots from the seats during practice.  To make him seem even cooler, he followed these shots up with a slick handshakes with what looked to be an arena employee.  Creative handshakes is always a plus, creative handshakes with non teammates is even better.  Monta has skyrocketed up to number three in just the last year.

      4.     Dirk Nowtizki – Dallas Mavericks

Dirkus Circus is one of those freaks on the baseketball court.  I guess in the real world all NBA players are freaks with their size and athleticism, but Dirk stands out amongst them.  He is a 7 footer that knocks down threes and has an outside game of a small forward.  When he lets his golden locks flow and his jumper is wet, he tempts me to put him near the top of this list.  For now Dirk is a little banged up, has short hair, and is hit or miss on his jumper.

       5.    Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant is one of the few guys that I, and the rest of us, got to watch a lot in college and knew he was going to be a star in the NBA.   Durant’s laid back team first attitude intrigues all of us.  Rarely does such a young kid with so much talent carry himself the way he does.  Durant is a unique player and makes my starting 5 for favorite players at the moment.

       6.     Wesley Matthews – Portland Trailblazers

I admittedly knew next to nothing about this guy this time last season.  Since he signed a big contract with a team I love to watch, Trailblazers, and is now getting a lot of minutes with half the team in suits during the game.  Wes can fill it up on any given night and flashes the three goggles which I am a HUGE fan of.

        7.     Matt Bonner – San Antonio Spurs

As a kid who grew up ( and still growing up I guess ) in the great state of New Hampshire, it is exciting when anyone or anything happens in New Hampshire.  Unlike most states across the country, New Hampshire rarely gets national attention aside from winter storms (sweet) and the Primaries.  The only thing rarer than NH making national news, is an athlete making it big from NH.  Matt Bonner is one of those guys.  After winning the NBA Championship Matt Bonner didn’t announce his plans of going to Disney Land, he excitingly proclaimed how he was, “Going to Canobie Lake Park”,  a staple for any New Hampshire resident.  Bonner has a sweet nickname (Red Rocket), a knack for sandwich making, and a decent game.  But mostly, Bonner is from New Hampshire.

         8.     Brandon Roy – Portland Trailblazers

This guy is clutch, underrated, and everytime I see the highlight of his game winner against Houston with the crowd going nuts I get the chills.  Roy is sooooo talented but just can not stay healthy anymore.  A healthy Roy could be in the top three on this list.

         9.     Gilbert Arenas – Orlando Magic

A couple seasons ago Gilbert was one of the best players in the NBA.  He had a humorous and insightful blog on NBA.com, and about thirty anecdotes that made him the most loveable guy in the NBA.  Then injuries happened, the gun thing happened, and the silent Agent 0 happened.  If the original Gilbert comes back he could be my next Jordan.  Until that time, I will continue to display my autographed Gilzero’s and Agent 0 uni on my wall until he returns to glory.

         10.   Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies

Randolph makes the top ten for me mostly because of fantasy sports.  Like Vince, Z-Bo has been a part of Jordan’s 3^rd Comeback for every season of its existence.  Every year other owners pass on the automatic 18 and 12 and he falls right in my lap.  Z-Bo can barely jump over a dollar bill but remains one of the top rebounders in the NBA.

         11.    Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns

Nash is one of the most skilled ball handlers and creative players in the league.  Year after year people expect him to fall off yet he is quietly having one of his top seasons of his career.  Thanks to twitter his awesomeness has grown.  The many videos he has made have been comedic gold and definitely help him in these rankings.

          12.    Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat

You do not know how badly I wanted Wade to sign with the Bulls this past off season.  Wade carried a team on his back for a couple seasons and might be the best player in the NBA right now.  If he were on the Bulls he would probably have to be my favorite player right now.  His complete game is so much fun to watch and is THE reason I watch Heat games.

          13.     Brandon Jennings – Milwaukee Bucks

Fear the Deer!  Jennings at first was the guy that played in Europe for a year.  Now he is the skinny little lefty that lights it up in Milwaukee.  His double nickel a year ago caught my attention followed by his gumby hair cut during the All Star break. 

          14.     Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers

“Mamma there goes the man” Kobe plays, acts, and carries himself similar to Jordan and is close to catching him in titles.  He is just as competitive and fearless on the court.  The Black Mamba is the NBA and has been for some time.  I love this guy, and his lower jaw.

           15.     Luke Walton – Los Angelas Lakers

This one occurred mostly because of anti Walton talk from my friends.  I am always intrigued by NBA greats spawns in the NBA so I flocked to Walton once he hit the NBA.  Walton is an underrated passer and does the dirt dog stuff because he has to.  Hes not gonna win you a game, make the headlines, or even play minutes but I love when he comes in the game.  One of my friends hates Luke Walton so that only makes me “love” him more.  In 2K8 he was ridiculous from beyond the arch and won me some tight games in the dorms.

No I am not confusing the MVP award for the Rookie of the Year award, Blake has already wrapped that one up.  I am indeed talking about the league’s Most Valuable Player going to the Rookie for the Clippers.  I know every part of that sentence does not have to try at all to be wrong but let me prove to you that you should at least think about it for a minute.

First off Stats

The first thing you look at in a box score, after who won the game, is probably the leading scorer or the compelling player’s stat lines.  Did Kobe go for 50?  Did Rondo reach 20 assists?  Did Kevin Love get another 30 30?  Stats are one of the biggest indicators of how valuable a player is.  It is not the only thing but it is a big and accepted way of evaluating players.

At exactly the half way point for the Clippers, Blake Griffin has played in and started 41 of his team’s 41 games.

PTS – 22.7 – Good for 12^th in the league

REB – 12.7 – Good for 4^th in the league

AST – 3.4 – Good for tied for 55^th with the likes of Paul Pierce and Lou Williams

BLK – .63 – Good for tied for 91^st with Derrick Favors

Double Doubles – 33 – Good for 2^nd in the league

To highlight his MVP worthy numbers…

22.7 – 12.7 – 3.4

News and Notes

Blake Griffin has surpassed 40 points twice on the season including a league high 47 points in a game vs the Pacers this week.

Griffin had a 14 game 20 and 10 streak end to the Lakers in a 18 point 15 rebound victory over the Lakers.

Blake just had his 27 game double double streak end to the Timberwolves with a 29 point 8 rebound 6 assist win.

Blake is Trending

One of the biggest stats Blake Griffin has going for him is just how quick he is improving during his rookie year.  Check out his per game stats by month and how every one of them is trending upward.

Points – 16.7 – 20.9 – 23.0 – 27.8

Boards – 11.0 – 11.7 – 13.5 – 13.6

Assists – 2.3 – 2.7 – 3.9 – 4.3

Blake is showing that his ceiling is limitless.  In just his first season of NBA action, Blake is making improvements in just a couple of months that most times take big men that first enter the league a couple seasons.  And it is not just the numbers that are improving,  its how hes getting to those numbers.  It is not just dunk after dunk, oop after oop, fast break after fast break that is getting his points.  He is starting to use more than just his athleticism to get to the basket and to rebounds.  His spin move rivals Dwight Freeney’s of the NFL,  he can handle the ball up and down the court like no other big man, and he has court vision and touch on the ball that just should not be allowed at his size.  His mid range game is not great but it has definitely improved.  In his 47 point night vs the Pacers, Blake scored just two points on dunks while knocking down 82 percent of his free throws.

Human Highlight

Apart from the stats and always improving game, Blake Griffin has the Clipper more than just a watchable team.  They are now a must watch team for NBA fans and at times leading SportsCenter on a weekly basis.  Every single night he has a highlight or two that you have to send a link to all your friends.  The Clippers have always been second fiddle to their arena mates in the LA Lakers.  In fact, they have often been 4th fiddle in LA when the circus comes to town and USC is playing football.  Blake is trying to change that.  I’m not saying the Clippers are on the same level or close to the same level as Kobe and his Lakers (Despite Blake leading his Clips to a victory in their latest meeting), but for stretches they  are my choice in team to watch in LA.

Winning Games

Besides the highlights and fall off your couch moments Blake brings on a nightly basis, he has the Clippers winning games.  Two seasons ago the Clippers won a total of 19 games followed by just 29 last season.  With Chris Kaman on the shelf for most of the season, Blake has his Clippers at 16 wins at the half way point and on pace for the teams most victories since the 2006 season.  Measuring the value of a new player on a team can be as easy as the win loss difference since the player joins the squad.  Blake is certainly impacting the win column for the “other” team in LA.

Former MVPs

The Last two traditional Big men to win the MVP were Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves in the 2003-2004 season and Tim Duncan in the 2002-2003 season.  Here is a comparison of Garnett, Duncan, and Griffin’s stats

Garnett – 24.2 pts – 13.9 reb – 5.0 ast

Duncan – 23.3 pts – 12.9 reb – 3.9 ast

Griffin – 22.7 pts 12.7 reb – 3.4 ast

As you can see his stats are just about where Duncan and Garnett’s were during their MVP seasons.  With Blake’s game and stats trending upward,  it’s not crazy to expect his season averages to close in on these two MVP seasons b two future hall of famers.  I know the Clippers are not going to sniff the Finals and probably won’t even have a view of the playoffs, but the Clippers are improving and Blake is a huge reason why.

Griffin is putting up MVP stats, has a buzz around him and his team on a nightly basis, and most importantly is bringing wins to LA.

Now, will you at least think about Blake next time you and your friends argue about who is the NBA’s MVP?

Stats and info found at basketball-reference.com

Here are the leaders per game over the last week

Points – Monta Ellis – 31.3

Assists – Rajon Rondo – 13.0

Rebounds – Zach Randolph – 16.7

Steals – Tyreke Evans, Corey Brewer, Alonzo Gee – 3.0

Blocks – Dwyane Wade , Al Horford – 3.0

Three Pointers Made – Nick Young – 3.8

Free Throws Made – Amare Stoudemire , Dwight Howard – 9.8

There are only two different point values you can achieve while making a shot on a basketball court. A two pointer and a three pointer. Anything beyond that 23 foot 9 inch arch is worth 3 points. Whether it is an inch beyond that line or 50 feet, it is still 3 points. But that doesn’t mean that the excitement level is not through the roof when you back it up to the half court line. Maybe once a game a team inbounds the ball with about a second to go and has to heave a half to full court shot to try andsteal a couple more points before the quarter ends. Many times the score is not close and the basket does not make any difference in the games final tally yet everyone stands up off their seat in anticipation as the ball leaves the hands at three quarters court.

On the rare occasion that the ball clanks off the backboard and finds its way through the cylinder causing fans to explode with joy. Its as if everyone in attendance just found the winning lottery ticket in their pocket. The basket still counts as 3 but to us it is so much more. This is a H.O.R.S.E shot that we get the treat of seeing happen in an actual game. Whether its Jordan, Lebron, Love, a High Schooler or your dad, the unimportant half to full court shot is suddenly Important. For all of you who sacrifice three point percentage for entertainment and a chance at hitting the full court lottery, we thank you for giving us another reason for loving sports.

The win streaks of the Bulls, Celtics, Heat, Knicks, and Mavs are the talk of the league

Paul Pierce goes trip dub in Rondos absence

Joakim Noah goes down for most of the season

Shaq conducts the Boston Pops

Ron Artest visits the Ron Artest art exhibit… and approves

The Hornets are falling back in the Western pack

JR Smith adds his name in to the hat for Dunk of the Year

Yao’s career may be over

Darko hurts himsef on a jump ball

and Manu the “poo god” quietly is making a run for mvp.

Gilbert Arenas is back.  He may not be Agent Zero or Gilzero but his game is back!  With or without John Wall he is scoring the ball like its 2006 again.  Basketball is just better when the new number 9 is a top player.  I am not just saying this because I have his autographed shoe and jersey, but he is just an entertaining player to watch.  Its good to see his game talking for him and not his over the top antics.  The funny stories and practical jokes are cool but we all know he went over the top with the whole gun thing.  The Wizards have a nice little group of guys this year even if one of them (Arenas) is making more than the Florida Marlins.  Gilbert and Wall make a good pair of guards with Hinrich off the bench.  JaVale McGee is having a year closer to the expectations when he came into the league.  Blatche has continued his good play since Gil went down last year.  If you haven’t selected all 7 of your league pass teams take a look at the Wiz.

Derek Anderson and the Cardinals had an embarrassing showing on Monday Night Football.  If you have a TV, internet, or twitter, I am sure you have caught the video of Derek Anderson laughing on the sidelines during a blowout and then blowing up (Mentos and coke style, not Mount Vesuvius style) during the post game presser.  For one I don’t think laughing and joking on the sideline is that big of a deal even in a losing effort.  Yea this is their job and they are getting paid big money to do what most of us would love to do on a weekly basis, but its ok to have a laugh, smile, or chuckle despite whats happening on the field.  Maybe he should just wear all black (they were wearing the alternate black tops last night) and mourn until next Sunday.  Your watching a grown man playing a game!  What do you expect.  Hes playing a sport for a living, its not the most serious and important thing in the world.  The Cardinals were not losing a playoff game or an early season game, they have 3 wins and its week 12.  Probably not going anywhere this season.

Blake Griffin is a bona fide all star.  In a league with not a lot of dominate centers, Blake Griffin is making his case for starting in the all star game.  He is not just dominating the highlight reel with send all your friends youtube clips dunks, he is putting up around 20 and 10 daily, nightly, and ever so rightly.  Blake has been well worth the year long wait.  Their is finally a reason to watch the Clipp show even if they lose by 10 or 20.

Besides Derek Anderson’s laugh on the sideline last night, MNF was the stage for a premier player going down for the season.  That would be San Fran’s bulldozer Frank Gore.  The Niners were ripping off 10 yards a clip with Gore in the back field as he was well on his way to a career game.  On just 5 carries in the first quarter Gore had 52 yards.  Suddenly Gore was seen jogging to the locker room.  Gore came back the next possession for one carry for about 11 yards and looked like he would come back to get the 150 to 200 yards  he was on pace for.  Then he was seen shaking his head, helmet off, talking to coach Singletary back on the sideline.  While grimacing on the sideline Gores back up and former Eagle great Brian Westbrook eclipsed 100 yards to go with a score.  Twitterverse was flooded with, Gore is a wimp… Get in the Game Gore… I just need a couple more Fantasy points Gore come on!  And some other NSFW pleads for Frank.  Gore is now out for the season with a hip injury and killing Fantasy Nerds playoff hopes everywhere.  Including mine.

Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan went at it NFL Blitz style.  Remember sitting on the basement floor with your brother for hours late hitting Emmitt Smith with your favorite line backer?  Then you loved the “fisticuffs”, as ESPN calls it, that occurred in the Texans vs Titans blowout.  Its always fun when a hockey fight breaks out in a football game.  Helmets flying and fists throwing ended with ejections and 50K into the NFL’s bank account.  Andre won the fight over the Josh Koscheck – DJ Pauly D combo in Finnegan.

Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook are the two guys I would pay the most to see play live.  These are two of the top players in the league right now and should be leading sportscenter on a daily/nightly basis.  No one is quicker than either won and both dunk in track and finish near the hoop better than most players can finish a free throw.  Russ Wes is taking over the Thunder from his bff Durant while Rose is putting the city of Chicago on his shoulders and can’t wait until the Booze Cruise Carlos gets in the lineup.