April Fools: Dissecting the Highs and Lows of the First Month of the 2015 MLB Season

By Sports Enthusiast and Guru Ryan Mitchell, Contributing Blogger

As we near the end of April, much will be made about each team’s early season performance, both positive and negative, by fans and media alike, as is the case every year. Unfortunately, what gets lost in this instant reaction and evaluation frenzy is the context that there are roughly 150 more games to be played on the schedule for each team. The 12-game sample size that April has given us simply isn’t enough to make more than surface level observations and critiques, barring significant injuries or roster overhaul. Thus let’s get to 3 of the more common overreactions floating out there and either debunk or justify their validity.

Overreaction #1:  The Boston Red Sox are about to pull off another worst to first finish!

Whoa. With that rotation? In that Division?

It’s fair to say the Sox have looked good early on, despite not getting full production from their heavily invested offense. Offseason acquisition LF Hanley Ramirez has provided much needed power, though not much else, while 2B Dustin Pedroia looks back to 2013 form after a down year last season. The offense will score far more runs than the paltry 634 it put up a year ago, simply because of talent on the roster and the relative ease of hitting at Fenway or nearly any other AL East ballpark for that matter. This should afford them the chance to finish in the top 3 in the AL East.

The pitching and defense is where we must temper expectations in 2015, barring a significant addition or unforeseen breakout season. The rotation, consisting of Rick Porcello, Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, Wade Miley and Joe Kelly, is something out of a bad horror movie. Buchholz is the only one who has performed at a high level for more than a single season, yet has never done it in consecutive seasons (a trend he will not be starting this season). The defense has been subpar with 9 errors to their name already. The bullpen is solid when Koji Uehara is healthy, and is anchored by the reliable Edward Mujica, Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa.

Overall, it’s safe to say the Red Sox will be competitive as long as their rotation allows them to be. They’ll score enough to remain in the upper echelon of the ultra-competitive AL East, yet will struggle to contain teams like the Orioles and Blue Jays to the point where winning the division is no guarantee. However, I believe that the Red Sox will head into the final week of the season with a chance to complete the worst to first cycle again, simply because they have the means to upgrade as the season progresses and that division is a mess.

Overreaction #2:  The Chicago Cubs are for real and will qualify for the Playoffs!

  

Never say never, but the Cubs? This isn’t a drunken phone call from a night out in Wrigleyville is it?

As farfetched as it sounds, this overreaction does have some legs in that this is the best outfit the Cubs have trotted out since Lou Piniella’s forgettable, but solid 2009 squad. Coincidentally, they’ve been unable to break the 700-run threshold since that season, which is something that should change in 2015. Second year RF Jorge Soler has provided the offensive spark to makes that a possibility with his pop. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and SS Starlin Castro have also been highly effective early on. The call-ups of prospects, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell, should only further push their ability to put up crooked number innings. For the first time in a long while, the offense is suddenly not the detriment of this team.

On the pitching side, the Cubs seem to have struck gold with former starter outcasts Jake Arrieta and Travis Wood. These guys have spent time towing the line with the Cubs in recent down years, and it seems to finally be paying off. Big fish offseason signing Jon Lester has been terrible in his 3 starts thus far, which exemplifies a case where two things are likely equally true. First off, Lester was vastly overpaid for his skill level after taking advantage of a career season in 2014, and expectations are too high. Secondly, despite his price tag, he will more than likely bounce back and help balance out this rotation as the season progresses. The rest of the rotation will need it, as Jason Hammel has been terrible since July of last season and Kyle Hendricks is a young project. The bullpen here is decent but sort of non-descript, aside from the ever-improving Pedro Strop. Look for the pitching to flash brilliance at times, while coming back to reality against the elite offensive teams on the schedule.

Ultimately, the fate of the 2015 Cubs will come down to pedigree, experience and talent, which is something rival St. Louis Cardinals has more of in all facets of the game. Expect the Cardinals to win the NL Central, which will force the Cubs to have to focus on procuring one of the Wild Card spots. They’ll be in the mix along with the Braves, Padres, Reds, Pirates and Mets. but likely will be on the outside looking in come October because of their inexperience and lack of depth.

Overreaction #3:  The Milwaukee Brewers are the worst team in baseball!

Excuse me, what happened?

From being the second best team going into the All-Star Break in 2014 to holding the worst record in all of baseball, the slip has been astonishingly bad for the Brewers. The offense, which is not completely devoid of talent and once looked explosive, has been totally lifeless thus far. In short, they’re overpaying that PED hack RF Ryan Braun way too much money to not produce and relying far too much on elderly 3B Aramis Ramirez. They don’t get hits, they don’t get walks and they’re incapable of stealing bases, none of which gives much hope of an ability to score something they’ll need to make up for their inferior rotation and fielding. The silver lining again, though, is that there is talent and it’s early. Eventually, some of the bats will heat up, but will it be enough?

 Their rotation just isn’t very good, unfortunately. First off, they traded their best SP Yovani Gallardo to Texas for prospects and did nothing to attempt to replace his production or consistency. The combination of Matt Garza, Kyle Lohse, Mike Fiers, Jimmy Nelson and Wily Peralta just isn’t inspiring, despite Nelson’s hot start. The fielding has been equally frustrating and the source of a lot of unnecessary runs allowed. That will be a theme for the Brewers in the early innings this season, as their starters are mostly all high ERA guys. On a positive note, the bullpen is one of the most consistent in baseball and a source of strength. Closer Francisco Rodriguez has put up some of his best numbers in Milwaukee, and relievers Jeremy Jeffress and Tyler Thornburg are solid. The paradoxical composition and performance of the Brewers pitching staff in 2015 will be something to watch, and then immediately after, scratch one’s head.

In spite of all of the well-documented negatives surrounding this team, from the struggling offense to the lack of quality starting pitching, the Brewers do have what it takes to bounce back from this horrendous start. There’s simply too much offensive talent and bullpen strength to believe that his team will lose 100 games. Thus, they cannot and will not be the worst team in all of baseball by the time this season is over, despite the early failures. Look for the Brewers to struggle most of the season and still finish in last place in the NL Central, but at least make it interesting at times.

Juicy Story Lines Abound in NBA Playoffs

We are just three days into the postseason, but it already feels like the first round won't be quite the classic we saw last year. Nevertheless, I'm here to tell you that the story lines far exceed those from last year!

Take, for instance, the predictability factor. I know hindsight is 20/20, but a lot of people saw a Spurs-Heat collision course, and that's exactly what we got. This year, the jury is still out, and I see a handful of teams with a reasonable chance to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy and etch their name in basketball immortality. 

Here is a breakdown of story lines and contenders:

The Top Seeds

Who would have thought Golden State and Atlanta would be the top seeds? How about that for unpredictability?

Let's start with the team that is so easy to root for. Golden State went from a 51-win six seed to a 67-win juggernaut, topping the entire league. And, they did so through a coaching change. Seriously, who does that? But, while Steve Kerr has been just what the doctor ordered, credit must be given to his two top assistants, Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams. They are the unsung heroes of the staff, and maybe, the team. 

That said, many of the players could also make the same claim. The Warriors are truly one of the deepest and most talented young teams I've seen in some time. They're led by the "splash brothers" duo of Curry and Thompson. Heck, remember in the offseason when some NBA fans thought they should deal Thompson for Kevin Love in a multi-player deal. I admit, I was one of them! But, boy was I wrong, as evidenced by Thompson's record-breaking 37-point quarter earlier this season, and his 26-point performance last night. Then, there's Draymond Green, who took over David Lee's starting spot due to injury, and hasn't looked back. Almost matching Green's versatility is big man Andrew Bogut, one of the best passing and defending big men in the game. Throw in a bench full of speed, shotmaking and size, and it's no wonder they are a fan favorite.

Then, there's Atlanta, who went from an under .500 8-seed a year ago to a 60-win one seed in the East. You may still not know the name of their coach, but you should. Mike Budenholzer just won coach of the year, and rightfully so. He served 17 years under the brilliant basketball mind of Gregg Popovich, and it seems to have paid off. Much like the Pacers of last season, the Hawks are a blue collar team that exceeds their talent through hard work and unselfishness. Time will tell if veteran big men Millsap and Horford can anchor them to the promised land, but it's definitely an intriguing story line.

The Spurs: Dynasty or Debilitation?

As the Spurs embark on their title defense and go for their first back-to-back championships in the Duncan era, the question keeps coming up as to when this team will be over the hill. While Duncan and Ginobili don't have many years left, it's been the disappearance of Parker's game that has held this team back. If they are going to keep the dynasty talk rolling, he will have to find his elite form, and find it fast! Or else their chase for a championship banner may be replaced with a retirement banner for Duncan. 

Can CP3 Finally Do It?

There is no doubt that Chris Paul has been one of the elite points guards in the league for some time. But, his legacy remains empty without a championship ring. And, while the task is daunting in the West, if Paul and co. can beat the Spurs, they just may have the battle wounds needed to navigate through the conference and into the record books. 

Can the Grizz Actually Win It All?

That's a good question! This team looked like an early co-favorite with Golden State to win the West. Since, they've taken a nosedive from the 2 seed to the 5. Yet, they still have the bigs and the defense to make a run. They also have their most offensive firepower since Rudy Gay left. It would be a remarkable feat for arguably the most blue collar team in basketball. 

Can LeBron Bring It Home?

For some reason, there hasn't been too much hype lately surrounding LeBron bringing title to the desperate Ohio faithful. But, I have a feeling that if they make the finals, it will be all we hear about. They are definitely the favorite in the east, and it's a story line that will never get old. 

Can the Bulls Finally Win One Without MJ?

As the greatness of MJ and all the rings keeps fading away, Bulls fans are left to wonder if they'll ever win it all again. Well, this just might be their best team since MJ's glory days. The addition of Pau Gasol, the meteoric rise of Jimmy Butler and the return of Derrick Rose has Chicago buzzing again. Can they pull it off? Time will tell, but to me, they're the only ones that can stop LeBron from reaching his 5th straight finals.

Wrap-Up

So, this first round may not be as scintillating as we had hoped, but the story lines are still out there. I expect to see some classic games next round, and as the playoffs move on. Enjoy the hoops folks!

NBA Playoff Predictions

Another season is in the books and another pursuit for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy begins! Without further ado, here are my playoff predictions:

Round 1

Warriors-Pelicans:

Many people wanted to see Westbrook and the Thunder in this matchup, but I was not one of them. The man has been almost superhuman this year and is a joy to watch, but it's simply a 1 on 5 show. Need proof? The man scored 54 points against Indiana, a team that missed the playoffs, and the Thunder still lost!

Insert the Pelicans, who bring in one of the game's very best players in Anthony Davis. The unibrow may not get the credit he deserves, with his team only getting two national TV games all season. Now is his time to let the world know of his immense talents!

Unfortunately, those talents won't be enough. Not even close. The Warriors are on a mission, and the Pelicans aren't in the same league.

Prediction: Warriors in 4


Rockets-Mavericks

I've heard from some that my hometown Mavs would be better off facing the Spurs, matchup-wise. You can debate that all day, but I believe one thing we can all agree on is that this is the most fun matchup the Dallas fan base could have hoped for.

Between the tirade of Morey and Cuban, Chandler Parsons taking on his old team, and the possibility of an inner-state rivalry brewing, the storylines are very intriguing. The real question is if the actual play on the court will catch up with them.

I think it will come close! I know Houston is a top 10 defensive team this year, but I still see this series being a high scoring affair. I think Carlisle can keep this series close, and outcoach McHale. However, the talent of the Rockets should overcome that. Combine that with the health concerns of Parsons and Devin Harris, Dirk being such a liability on defense, and the team's lack of depth, and I think it's just too much.

Prediction: Rockets in 6

Clippers-Spurs

This series could be a classic! Can CP3 carry the clips? Or, will the Spurs continue to defy father time and cement their legacy yet again?

The Clips have battled through injuries to Griffin and Crawford to land the 3 seed. Meanwhile, the Spurs made a late charge for home court, winning 11 straight. Ultimately, their loss to the Pelicans in the season finale sent them from the 2 seed to the 6.

With home court and Griffin and Crawford back, the Clips may be the safe pick. But, I cannot pick against the Spurs this early. Until they go down, I won't believe they're too old. That has fooled me before. Pop and the crew gets it done.

Prediction: Spurs in 6

Blazers-Grizzlies

This series will be a real grind, and truly is a tossup. The loss of Wesley Matthews is brutal, and the addition of Arron Afflalo doesn't make up for it. But, Lillard and Aldridge are great, and that home court advantage in Portland is no joke. Then, there's Memphis, who seemed like an early co-favorite with Golden State, only to have a rough stretch and go from the 2 seed to the 5.

Ultimately, I think Memphis gets it done. It really could go either way, but I think they excel far more in the half court than Portland, and their experience and bigs will get it done.

Prediction: Memphis in 6

Hawks-Nets

On paper, the Nets are just as talented. Off paper, they continue to be one of the most underachieving teams in the league. Mike Budenholzer has been a Godsend in Atlanta, providing a tremendous turnaround. He's my personal pick for Coach of the Year, and it's no coincidence that he was an assistant coach under Pop for 17 years. He seems to have picked up every little detail it takes to excel in coaching.

The Nets are talented enough to win the series, but reality says otherwise. They are a major letdown, and I have to side with Paul Pierce's recent comments on Deron Williams. He has not been the same player since they moved to Brooklyn and played under the Russian Billionaire's checkbook.

Prediction: Hawks in 5

Cavaliers-Celtics

Hats off to Brad Stevens. The man doesn't have one all-star, and got his squad in the playoffs. But, that talent disparity will be a major problem against Cleveland. Somehow, it seems the Cavs have flown under the radar. After a rocky start to the season, Cleveland has been phenomenal down the stretch. The trade for Smith and Shumpert was huge, giving LeBron a strong supporting cast.

Prediction: Cavs in 4

Bulls-Bucks

I, for one, will admit that I scoffed at Kidd as a coach. There's no doubt that he knows the game, but I had an issue with how quickly he received a head coaching job. Nevertheless, the joke is on me. He has taken a team with little veteran talent or leadership into the playoffs. On the other side, the Bulls have battled injuries to snag the three seed.

I believe the games can stay close, but there's no way I'm picking against the Bulls here. Gasol has been a rock, holding together a team plagued by injuries. However, the team seems to have gotten healthy at just the right time. I'm not sold that Rose can be enough of a difference maker for them to make a deep run, but give me the Bulls in a short series.

Prediction: Bulls in 5

Wizards-Raptors

This is a tough series to call. Lowry has shined in the spotlight in recent playoffs, but I think this is Wall's year to do so.

Wall is one of the best guards in the league, but is often overshadowed by others. It's a close series, but I believe Wall will breakthrough, and Pierce has enough big shots left in him to close out close games.

Prediction: Wizards in 7

Conference Semis

Warriors-Grizzlies

This kicks off what should be a fantastic 2nd round of games. This will be a very interesting series to watch, with a real contrast of styles. While the Warriors are run and gun, the Griz want to slow it down and let their bigs go to work.

The Griz will make Golden State earn it, but I can't go against the Warriors. They are on a mission, and the Griz just haven't been the same team during the 2nd half of the season.

Prediction: Warriors in 7

Rockets-Spurs

Will Harden finally have his breakout playoff moment? Was Duncan's block of Harden in the final seconds a sign? I believe it was. The Spurs are back, and it's all about matchups. I believe the Clips are a tougher matchup.

The winner of Clips/Spurs takes out Houston. Houston has fought through injuries, and Harden has been amazing. But, the playoffs are another animal, and Harden has yet to prove that he is a superstar there. Also, I'm not convinced Howard will ever be a winner. McHale will get outcoached too. Give me the Spurs one more time.

Prediction: Spurs in 6

Hawks-Wizards

The Hawks have had a phenomenal season, but the buck stops here. I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I really believe in Wall and co.

I see a bunch of close games, with Washington breaking the hearts of the Hawks faithful. That said, I realize it is a tossup or worse just to get by Toronto. But, I have a feeling here!

Prediction: Wizards in 6

Cavs-Bulls

This should be the conference finals matchup. The two teams have the most talent in the East. To me, this series comes down to if Jimmy Butler can become the Kawhi Leonard of the 2014 playoffs.

I think Butler is on a similar path, but after his injuries, I'm not convinced he will have his playoff moment. Preseason, I thought the Bulls were the better team. But, after the Cavs trade and how they've looked, I think they get the job done with home court.

Prediction: Cavs in 7

Conference Finals

Warriors-Spurs

This would be a doozy! Preseason, I had the Spurs winning it all again. But, I think dropping to the 6 seed will be too much to overcome. Asking a team to win 3 series on the road in the vaunted Western Conference is too tall of a task, even for the Spurs.

It's the Warriors' time. The team of destiny breaks through to reach the NBA finals.

Prediction: Warriors in 6

Cavaliers-Wizards

These teams had some great battles in LeBron's first tenure in Cleveland. I see this series as less of a clash.

The Wizards will run out of gas, and the Cavs are simply too good here.

Prediction: Cavs in 5

NBA Finals:

Warriors-Cavs

What an amazing finals this would be! How will the moment affect both teams? Two of the most passionate and desperate fan bases get to find out.

I think the shotmaking of Golden State will take it in the end. LeBron puts up a valiant effort, but I believe the pressure will get to him. And, it's not really his fault. Golden State is a great team.

Prediction: Golden State in 6

The Mayhem and Madness of March

It's that one defining moment, shot or game that sends feverless fans into a frenzy of unbridled joy, celebrating the heroics of amateurs. It's that cinderella that lights up the dance, even if their fans can only fill a section or two in the arena.

No matter how big or small, the NCAA Tournament gives every team who earns their spot a chance. Just in the past couple weeks, we've seen numerous last second swings to determine postseason fates. One came when Belmont punched their ticket with a ridiculous game-winning three in the final seconds to deny favorite Murray St. of an automatic bid, and a spot in the big dance.

We love the madness because anything can truly happen. Heck, last year, UConn looked dead in the water in the first game, but scrapped to force overtime and win. Five wins later and they were on the mountaintop.

In one fell swoop, you can have your bracket busted, the hair on your arms lifted and your emotions scaling from agony to ecstasy, with your jaw on the floor.

That magical time of year is steadily approaching, so let's get into some of the teams that will be filling our TV screens for the next month. Here are the 5 exciting potential match-ups to look out for:


Wisconsin-Arizona

This has to be number 1! Last year's wild elite 8 game saw Wisconsin narrowly escaping to deny Arizona coach Sean Miller of his first final four. Now, call it blind luck, fate or some personal committee rearranging, but the two teams look to be in for another elite 8 collision course. Many of the same faces are back, and both teams are loaded. What does the winner possibly get? A battle with Kentucky. Have fun with that!

Gonzaga-Iowa St.

This potential Sweet 16 battle would be just what the doctor ordered if you like high-scoring affairs. It features two fantastic backcourts, as well as an interesting coaching match-up. Iowa State coach fred Hoiberg perhaps exceeded expectations last year after winning games in the dance without star Georges Niang after he broke his foot. On the other end, Gonzaga coach Mark Few has had incredible regular seasons with the team, but has mostly been a bust in the tournament. It would be fun to see who prevails!

Wichita St.-Kansas

There is absolutely no way the committee didn't pair these two teams up randomly. Wichita State at 28-4 as a 7-seed smells funny to begin with. Add the state rivalry, bragging rights and ratings, and you have to think the committee had an agenda here. Regardless, it would make for must-see TV, and I'm not complaining! If both win their first game, which is more than attainable, we will see a clash of epic proportions!

Michigan St.-Virginia

This one would be a really interesting clash of styles and story lines. Virginia started out as one of the very best teams in America, and even after the injury to their leading scorer Justin Anderson, the team managed to win most of their games. But, the question has always been if they have enough offensive firepower when it matters most. Insert Michigan State, who is much more of an offensive unit than Virginia. With Michigan State nearly beating Wisconsin in the Big 10 final, Sparty is a trendy pick. This game could make or break some brackets!

Kentucky-Duke

This is a potential championship game, and boy would it feature a bit of everything. Many, including myself, have said that Duke is one of just a few teams that can matchup with Kentucky. The bigger question for Duke is if they can get to this game. Okafor is a star, but his free throw shooting is abysmal, so close games could be a trouble spot for Duke. Duke also must exhibit better defense to reach the final. We will see, but it would be one heck of a final!

Wrap-up

Regardless of if we get these 5 great games, it's the best sports tournament and the best time of year. Sit back and enjoy the show! It should be another action-packed, unpredictable show.

Basketball Bonanza: Bricks or Buckets?

After a classic Super Bowl, stale commercials, and likely, a forgotten halftime show, it's time to shift our attention to hoops.

All-star weekend has come and gone, and many people are still marveling at the display of Zach LaVine. If you are a basketball enthusiast like me, you probably got out of your seat for some of those eye-popping dunks! After the excitement of his performance wore off, I began thinking about how the rest of the participants, with the exception of one Victor Oladipo dunk, flat out stunk. This seems to be the theme of the contest for years.

So, as an NBA fan, I find myself continuing to question why the stars don't show up for the contest, like back in the day. After all, it is the fans that help these players make their astronomical seven to eight-figure contracts, and All-star weekend is supposed to be for the fans. If 8 of the best shooters can engage in a 3-point contest, then give me a handful of the best dunkers! It seems as though players egos and social media has gotten the best of this event, but here's hoping LaVine's performance sparks some of the greats to enter.

As we turn the page to the 2nd half and get to business, let's take a look at five story lines for the rest of the season and the playoffs:

Splash Brothers and Co.

While this name could make for a great law firm, we are talking about the Golden State Warriors right now. This is a team playing as well as anyone in the league, with depth for days. Steve Kerr, along with two top-notch assistants, Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams, have resurrected the team from last year's debacle. At 42-9 with the best record in basketball, the question becomes if the team can keep up the pace and ultimately, win the conference and the championship.

It's a tall task in a loaded Western Conference, but if healthy, they certainly leave little reason for doubt. I said before this year that they would reach the finals within four years, and it might not take that long. The key is Bogut's health. They can get by in the regular season with him being absent, but come May, his presence is the key to defense and rebounding, two of the top keys to winning a championship. Perhaps, they make a move to get even better, dealing a David Lee or an Andre Iguodala to help fill any holes they may have.

East Electricity

Okay, maybe I'm overreacting, but the Eastern Conference is light years ahead of the last handful of seasons, in terms of quality and excitement.

In a conference that many thought would be a two-horse race between Chicago and Cleveland, the Hawks, Raptors and Wizards have stepped up and made it a real battle for supremacy. All three of these surprise teams are led by three young floor generals and are extremely well-coached. They make up for talent in sheer hard work and will. But, the story line becomes if they can keep it up and topple Chicago or Cleveland?

I still believe the Bulls and Cavs are the teams to beat out east. When healthy, they both possess the best collection of players and/or quality experience of any team out east. It is hard for me to envision either losing in a 7-game series to anyone other than each other. But, that's why they play the games!

The 8 Seed

Normally, this is a dreaded spot for the team that lands it, squaring off with the top dog in the conference. But, this year, it may just be the other way around. If Oklahoma City can erase their small gap and grab the spot, it could be the Warriors or Grizzlies who are lamenting the matchup. I still believe the one seed will hold on, but it will take a strong effort to move on. We all know the Thunder are only there because of early injuries, and they've shown signs of strong play of late. Maybe a move by the deadline vaults them into their customary playoff berth.

MVP Race

Right now, the MVP is being talked about as a two-horse race between Curry and Harden. I would back the breaks up a bit. With a lot of the season still to play, there's nothing to say that a Rose or LeBron can't take their team on a monster 2nd half run.

The Ship

You know it's a wild NBA when the Clips, Spurs and Thunder all represent the six through eight seeds, three teams who are accustomed to home court advantage in the first round. Throw on top of that the Hawks and Warriors leading their conferences, and you have what seems like a fun and unpredictable four months ahead.

My original prediction wasn't so original, with the Spurs beating the Cavs. I will stick with my prediction, as the Spurs are just two games back of the 3 seed, and the Cavs are playing great basketball of late. But, I must say, the west will truly be a war come playoff team, and the east should be competitive too.

I think we all thought the Spurs age would get the better of them the last couple years, and until they prove that to be the case, I cannot stray away from their greatness.

Wrap-up

The NBA regular season may be hard for many to invest time and energy into, but this year seems different. If you are a big fan like me, you're in for a real treat down the stretch. Enjoy the hoops!

Playoffs and the Big Game

Before we get too caught up in bad referees, choke jobs and deflated balls, let's stay positive and reflect on the playoffs and the Super Bowl ahead!

Sure, some would say it was marred by the picked up pass interference call on Dallas, the Dez Bryant overturned catch in Green Bay and the lack of a Manning-Brady clash. But, there are many good takeaways from this playoffs. Here are a handful:

One Great Game

The best game, by far this postseason, was Baltimore and New England. It was a pure slugfest! Just when everyone thought Joe Flacco was a one-hit wonder and an overpaid quarterback, "Cool Joe" earned his nickname yet again, dueling with one of the greatest of all-time. In what felt like a heavyweight fight, Brady barely outlasted his counterpart, but it was not without some legendary and dramatic exchanges.

The Great Finish

Some people are calling this a great game or one of the greatest they've seen in recent memory. I strongly disagree. It was one of the most boring games you'll ever see for about 58 minutes. However, it was the most entertaining finish this playoffs, and one both fan bases may never forget.

When Brandon Bostick let the ball go through his hands and into the arms of the Legion of Boom, I could not help but think of 2012, when Kyle Williams fumbled the ball for the 49ers against the Giants in the NFC Championship. The timing of both changed Super Bowl berths (maybe fates?), and will have fans playing the "What if" game for a long, long time.

Quarterbacks 

Like it or not, it's a quarterback league, and they eat up story lines, as well as blame. Before we get into the major players, let's first touch on the team everyone has forgotten: the Arizona Cardinals. It was an incredible season for them, and injuries certainly played a significant role in their playoff exit. Bruce Arians is one heck of a coach, and the team looked on their way to a first round bye until injuries set in. It would've been nice to see what they would have been able to do with a healthy Carson Palmer, or even Drew Stanton, in that Wild Card Game.

Now, on to the popular ones. Tony Romo had the best season of his career in my mind, but he didn't do himself any favors in terms of legacy. On the other hand, Andrew Luck showed some real signs of elite progression when he defeated Manning, albeit with Manning's injury. Despite losing badly to the Pats, I keep saying Luck does more with less than any QB in the game. Just give him time to reduce some of the human and inexperienced errors, and maybe a few more weapons and a defense to boot.

Next is Aaron Rodgers, who could only stand on the sidelines for the finals minutes of regulation and all of overtime. This game was entirely not his fault. He played a good game, especially considering he was not close to 100%. His defense stepped up like never before, but a couple fluky plays determined the fate of this one. That guy should've returned that interception to or near the house in the final five minutes. You can't take anything for granted in this league, and certainly, many of us assumed Rodgers would have another ring or Super Bowl appearance by now.

Then, there's that guy named Tom Brady. Remember in the first month when people and the media wanted to cast him off as over the hill? Now, people are saying he's still the best quarterback in the league.

Super Bowl

The fans have a real treat on their hands with this one. It's a battle of the league's two best teams on the grandest stage of them all, and weather will not be a factor. So many story lines: Will Seattle repeat? Can Brady and Belichick add to or cement their legacy? What happens to Marshawn Lynch post-Super Bowl, and will the result change that? Carroll vs. Belichick. Player matchups. Deflategate.

I'm so over that last one, but the rest should be great! For me, this is a legacy-defining game. Seattle is looking to win the rare back to back, and perhaps begin a dynasty. On the other side, it's just two of the very best of all time trying to shake off some of the past and rekindle some of the magic they've shared three times.

If Seattle wins, a juggernaut emerges that few ever saw coming a few years ago. Also, Russell Wilson will have to be in the discussion for top playoff quarterbacks, as painful as it is for me to admit. Moreover, Pete Carroll can start to be in the discussion for top coaches in history. It's truly remarkable how he has turned the franchise around, and won this much this fast.

However, if the Pats can pull it out, Brady vaults way ahead of Manning, who couldn't defeat Seattle last year. It is one of the best debates in sports history, but if Manning can't win another ring or two, and Brady wins this one, it's all but over in my mind. Manning is a fantastic quarterback, and you can argue a better one in general, but Brady's accomplishments, along with Manning's playoff record, stands out way too much.

Prediction

This game should be really solid, and I don't see a blowout happening at all. Given the injuries to Sherman and Thomas, the balance and weapons of the Pats that they haven't had in their last two Super Bowl appearances, and my belief in Brady over Wilson, I have to go with the Pats. Pats win 24-20. Enjoy the "Big Game!"

Reversing the East Coast Bias: Voices, Philosophies and the Odyssey playing out in the Bay Area

By  Sports Enthusiast and Guru Ryan Mitchell, Contributing Blogger

In the summer of 2011, the Golden State Warriors surprised fans everywhere in making the shocking hire of then ESPN commentator Mark Jackson as head coach. It was a sign of the things to come for the upstart Warriors franchise that had been reinvigorated by a much-needed change in ownership and the emergence of superstar point guard Stephen Curry. Despite zero coaching experience, he was presumably hired for his ability to bring in East Coast media attention, spout out popular league catchphrases, relate to the players, and most importantly, at least preach defense. Ownership allowed Jackson to assemble his own staff, but also pushed for the hiring of defensive guru assistant coach Michael Malone to assist with the X’s and O’s and supplement Jackson’s inexperience.

In a lot of ways, Jackson was a necessary personality for a franchise that lacked a recognizable identity since the departures of colorful former head coach Don Nelson and controversial point guard Baron Davis. The question still remained though: could he coach and could he “change the culture” in Golden State? I always wondered what that question meant when media outlets, particularly those on the East Coast, praised the hiring. Were they talking about the losing culture that had plagued the franchise for 15 out of 17 years prior, or were they talking about the Warriors culture of playing up-tempo, fast paced basketball? The more I listened and the more I watched Jackson speak and coach, I took it to mean “changing” the latter of the two.

This led to the realization that the East Coast media did not approve of the Warriors previously effective and exciting style of offensive basketball. As his first season began, they praised Jackson’s ability to get the Warriors to defend, while playing what could only be called an extremely conservative traditional offensive system, full of isolation plays and jump shots while milking the shot clock. The team suffered through a rash of injuries and scoring droughts and finished up 23–43, falling from 12^th in the league in scoring efficiency to 14^th, and also falling down one spot from 26^th in the league defensively to 27^th. It was not the greatest of starts for the new regime that had infamously “promised playoffs.”

The 2012-2013 season, however, brought greater success and expectations, as the defense spiked in efficiency all the way to 14^th in the league, thanks in large part to the infusion of players, such as Andrew Bogut, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, into the lineup. Offensive efficiency-wise, the Warriors made gains to 11^th in the league, due to an increase in pace out of necessity when Bogut went down with a back injury during the regular season. The Warriors were forced to play a smaller and faster unconventional lineup without a true center for most of the season and excelled, going 47-35 and clinching a playoff spot. Once again in the playoffs, Jackson’s hand was forced to play small with David Lee missing major time. Rookie forward Harrison Barnes thrived and the result was a first round upset of the Denver Nuggets and a near upset of the San Antonio Spurs, in which the Warrior guards exploded. Once again, an unconventional and fast style worked, which went against the traditional style Jackson so dearly loved.

The 2013-2014 season marked a season of change with Michael Malone leaving to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings and the loss of contributors Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry. The Warriors management addressed these changes by bringing in veteran super subs Andre Iguodala and Jermaine O’Neal. Coach Jackson had say in his staff and brought in the inexperienced Brian Scalabrine to replace his head tactician, which had been Malone. He also reimplemented a traditional lineup and slower pace that, despite finally healthy, regressed to 12^th in efficiency, while the defense continued to improve to 4^th in the league. In spite of a full roster, the Warriors finished only marginally better at 51-31 and drew the LA Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Seemingly again, Jackson was dealt another blow as Bogut missed the end of the regular season and the entire playoffs due to injury. Forced to play the small lineup, the Warriors rallied and played their best basketball of the season, pushing the Clippers to 7 games and nearly pulling off the upset.

 Fittingly, much like the Mark Jackson era ended against the same Clippers team, it had begun against with a closer, though unfortunately, similar result. A talented and traditional lineup at his disposal and the ability to prove his coaching style, it proved that he was was more substance and less talk, little to no improvement on the offensive end resulted. Credit where credit is due, the team made significant strides defensively under Jackson, though much of that credit belongs to the system that Michael Malone implemented. The Warriors shined when they went small and pushed the ball up the court and struggled to find any rhythm when they went traditional and slow. The insistence of the head coach to not go with what worked was bullheaded and wrong. During Jackson’s tenure it’s fair to say they were consistently outcoached and outschemed from the start of the fourth quarter through late in-game situations, and more often than not, they relied on Stephen Curry isolations to bail them out.

In his final days, he lacked a quality assistant coach’s voice, one who could make up for his lack of creativity and stubborn laziness. The East Coast style of basketball that Jackson heralded failed the roster and failed the team. In the Western Conference with loaded teams on the slate, trying to grind out defensive games is not the way to succeed. After all, this is the West Coast. Basketball is meant to be played up-tempo, a precedent set by the fast paced model shown by the “Showtime Lakers” of the 1980s and RUN TMC Warriors of the early 1990s, and even the Sacramento Kings of the early 2000’s. Fans want to see points and lots of them. This was something Jackson was never going to accept, understand or embrace.

Enter Steve Kerr, who, at the time of Jackson’s dismissal, was a commentator for TNT, working on the NBA Playoffs. He was a former Yahoo Sports columnist and former General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, had no prior coaching experience, and was likely headed to New York to be reunited with mentor Phil Jackson and the Knicks. All of that until the Warriors management came knocking and then knocking again in their feverish courtship of the former 5-time world champion. Kerr had grown up in Southern California and starred at the University of Arizona, and for all accounts was a West Coast guy so it made more sense for him to start his coaching career with the superiorly talented and organized Warriors, although that’s not what the media was selling. To them, the Warriors were merely a formality in the process, and the East Coast allure would draw him to that opportunity. Meanwhile, an informed fan was wondering what kind of style he would prefer and what kind of coach he would be. It was presumed that he would run a triangle offense, much like the one he played in, especially if he were to choose New York. It was the Mark Jackson frenzy all over again. The media told us what he would run and where he would run it, despite never having seen him coach before. It was absurd. It was speculation. It was lip service. It wasn’t Steve Kerr. It wasn’t his style.

Much to the delight of this blog, Steve Kerr shocked many and turned down his mentor and the Knicks and accepted the position of head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He couldn’t abandon his West Coast roots, his Southern California home and the teachings of former University of Arizona head coach Lute Olson’s successful up-tempo offense. He had seen the Warriors many times up close, he had had won with up-tempo basketball and he knew that suited the Warrior’s roster the best. He wasn’t on a mission to project a particular style onto the players; instead, he tailored what he knew worked best for them in the past. He was the anti-Mark Jackson. He came not to preach, but rather, to teach.

In order to accomplish this, Kerr knew he had to take advantage where Jackson had not, in terms of resources and those he surrounded himself by. He turned to Alvin Gentry, who was his former head coach in Phoenix and is considered one of the top offensive assistant minds in the game, convincing him to leave the rival Clippers for a lateral position. That Impressive move, along with bringing in defensive veteran assistant Ron Adams, gave him another experienced and diverse voice on the staff.

The 2014-2015 season has started out with a bang for the Warriors, who, at 27-5, currently hold the best record in the entire NBA, off the heels of a recent franchise record 16-game winning streak. The offense is thriving, pushing the ball more consistently and looking for points in transition every opportunity they get. They own the fastest pace rating in the league and improved their efficiency to 8^th in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, they rank first in defensive efficiency and look much improved. These results beg numerous questions about the so called “culture change” that the pundits demanded. Taking a deeper look, it becomes even more questionable considering the fact that Lee and Bogut have missed significant this season. The up-tempo style Kerr has installed is winning and winning at a high level in the ever-brutal Western Conference.  

Kerr and the Warriors continue to show all of the East Coast pundits (including newly rejoined member Mark Jackson) out there that maybe the “change of culture” wasn’t really necessary, and that maybe it was only more of an educated tweaking that was required.