Apr 19th, 2006 - The Second Seasons
Since the fall, devotees of squeak-squeak, swish-swish and scrape-scrape, slap-score have been forced to endure the all-too-familiar chore of following the regular season.
Finally, both the NBA and the NHL are playing for something that matters.
Since all but the true dregs of both leagues make it into the post-season, the past 6-months have essentially been about post-season positioning ? and making the owners enough money to make payroll.
Now the stakes for both are higher.
Players try to go deep into the second season striving for team and individual glory. Owners are hoping to make it all the way as well, but mostly for a different reason.
Since their salary obligations for the players are now essentially over, the further their charges go, the more they rake in. When the camera cuts away from the players celebrating a win to the owners? box, you?ll see chubby white guys in ties and shirtsleeves hi-fiving one another as their team advances. Dispense with thoughts of celebration over sport. They are going gaga over the bottom line. Take a look at that EDITDA and smoke it Baby!!
To pad those pockets, both the NBA and the NHL maximize the number of teams making it to the post-season. But once these final dances start, the similarities between the two leagues end.
For the NHL, regardless of where a team makes it in, virtually every one of them has a shot at the championship.
In the NBA - not so much.
Of the sixteen teams to survive, only a handful can win. In the east, teams like Chicago, Milwaukee and Indiana are almost a lock to go home after the first round. In the west the struggling Nuggets go bye-bye along with Sacramento and Memphis.
Doing the math, that leaves precisely two of the opening eight series up for grabs.
All eyes will be on Cleveland in the east to see how LeBron James fares for his first post-season trip. Will the MVP Candidate be able to carry his team to the next round?
In the west it?s the dream TV matchup ? The Lakers vs. Sun: The Battle of the other MVP Candidates. Kobe Bryant head-to-head against the reigning trophy holder, Steve Nash.
Nash would never say an unkind word about another player or play up his legitimacy to the crown. Kobe on the other hand came flat out and said, ?I?d vote for myself,? and if he couldn?t vote he, ?wouldn?t vote at all.?
Just for that I?m saying Phoenix rolls over them.
Regardless of who wins, that will be the series to watch in the opening round. At least there are a couple of matchups that are in doubt, which is better than some seasons. Even the NBA knows their round one is kinda bogus. That?s why they limit them to five games - to get to the good stuff sooner.
That contrasts with the NHL big-time where there is a case that each and every series is up for grabs.
Looking west young man, the top seeded Red Wings face Edmonton. They could easily lose. Detroit lost the last time they faced an eighth seed ? and that team, the Calgary Flames went on to become Stanley Cup finalists. Throw in the fact that the Oilers split the regular season series, this one could be close. And that?s the opening round series that is the easiest to call.
In the east it?s a complete toss-up. It?s all about the goaltenders because all the elite teams, except New Jersey?s Martin Brodeur, have playoff experience issues.
Who will stand in their head? After the first round we?ll have a better idea because right now picking winners is a crap shoot.
My fearless prediction for the first round are?
West:
1-Detroit versus 8-Edmonton ? Winner: Edmonton
Rested and feeling like they?ve got nothing to lose where the Red Wings could choke because they, being the President?s Trophy winners and this being Steve Yzerman?s last dance have everything to lose.
2-Dallas versus 7-Colorado ? Winner: Dallas
It?s all about the injuries and Dallas hasn?t had any.
3-Calgary versus 6-Anaheim ? Winner: Calgary
Calgary started out red hot and cooled. The Ducks were exactly the opposite. The home ice for the Flames will be the tipping point.
4-Nashville versus 5-San Jose ? Winner: San Jose
Let?s see how far Joe Thornton can go. I say at least past the Preds.
East:
1-Ottawa versus 8-Tampa Bay - Winner: Ottawa
The defending Stanley Cup champs barely sneaked into the post-season. Their stay there shouldn?t last very long however.
2-Carolina versus 7-Montreal ? Winner: Montreal
That is if Bob Gainey finally stops juggling his goaltenders and leaves the prodigy Cristobal Huet between the pipes.
3-New Jersey versus 6-NY Rangers ? Winner: New York
Brodeur vs. Jagr with Jaromir coming out on top.
4-Buffalo versus 5-Philadelphia ? Winner: Buffalo
It?s the Peter Forsberg watch in Philly. If he is back for good, they?ll be great. If not, they?ll be gone. Never bet on an injured athlete getting suddenly healthy.
For both the NBA and the NHL, the regular season is simply a prelude to what?s coming.
What?s coming is here.
Enjoy the playoffs everyone.
Cheers - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Remember to drop us a line at rants@betED.com to voice your opinion on one of McDougald's articles or on anything else you read at betED.com !
Since the fall, devotees of squeak-squeak, swish-swish and scrape-scrape, slap-score have been forced to endure the all-too-familiar chore of following the regular season.
Finally, both the NBA and the NHL are playing for something that matters.
Since all but the true dregs of both leagues make it into the post-season, the past 6-months have essentially been about post-season positioning ? and making the owners enough money to make payroll.
Now the stakes for both are higher.
Players try to go deep into the second season striving for team and individual glory. Owners are hoping to make it all the way as well, but mostly for a different reason.
Since their salary obligations for the players are now essentially over, the further their charges go, the more they rake in. When the camera cuts away from the players celebrating a win to the owners? box, you?ll see chubby white guys in ties and shirtsleeves hi-fiving one another as their team advances. Dispense with thoughts of celebration over sport. They are going gaga over the bottom line. Take a look at that EDITDA and smoke it Baby!!
To pad those pockets, both the NBA and the NHL maximize the number of teams making it to the post-season. But once these final dances start, the similarities between the two leagues end.
For the NHL, regardless of where a team makes it in, virtually every one of them has a shot at the championship.
In the NBA - not so much.
Of the sixteen teams to survive, only a handful can win. In the east, teams like Chicago, Milwaukee and Indiana are almost a lock to go home after the first round. In the west the struggling Nuggets go bye-bye along with Sacramento and Memphis.
Doing the math, that leaves precisely two of the opening eight series up for grabs.
All eyes will be on Cleveland in the east to see how LeBron James fares for his first post-season trip. Will the MVP Candidate be able to carry his team to the next round?
In the west it?s the dream TV matchup ? The Lakers vs. Sun: The Battle of the other MVP Candidates. Kobe Bryant head-to-head against the reigning trophy holder, Steve Nash.
Nash would never say an unkind word about another player or play up his legitimacy to the crown. Kobe on the other hand came flat out and said, ?I?d vote for myself,? and if he couldn?t vote he, ?wouldn?t vote at all.?
Just for that I?m saying Phoenix rolls over them.
Regardless of who wins, that will be the series to watch in the opening round. At least there are a couple of matchups that are in doubt, which is better than some seasons. Even the NBA knows their round one is kinda bogus. That?s why they limit them to five games - to get to the good stuff sooner.
That contrasts with the NHL big-time where there is a case that each and every series is up for grabs.
Looking west young man, the top seeded Red Wings face Edmonton. They could easily lose. Detroit lost the last time they faced an eighth seed ? and that team, the Calgary Flames went on to become Stanley Cup finalists. Throw in the fact that the Oilers split the regular season series, this one could be close. And that?s the opening round series that is the easiest to call.
In the east it?s a complete toss-up. It?s all about the goaltenders because all the elite teams, except New Jersey?s Martin Brodeur, have playoff experience issues.
Who will stand in their head? After the first round we?ll have a better idea because right now picking winners is a crap shoot.
My fearless prediction for the first round are?
West:
1-Detroit versus 8-Edmonton ? Winner: Edmonton
Rested and feeling like they?ve got nothing to lose where the Red Wings could choke because they, being the President?s Trophy winners and this being Steve Yzerman?s last dance have everything to lose.
2-Dallas versus 7-Colorado ? Winner: Dallas
It?s all about the injuries and Dallas hasn?t had any.
3-Calgary versus 6-Anaheim ? Winner: Calgary
Calgary started out red hot and cooled. The Ducks were exactly the opposite. The home ice for the Flames will be the tipping point.
4-Nashville versus 5-San Jose ? Winner: San Jose
Let?s see how far Joe Thornton can go. I say at least past the Preds.
East:
1-Ottawa versus 8-Tampa Bay - Winner: Ottawa
The defending Stanley Cup champs barely sneaked into the post-season. Their stay there shouldn?t last very long however.
2-Carolina versus 7-Montreal ? Winner: Montreal
That is if Bob Gainey finally stops juggling his goaltenders and leaves the prodigy Cristobal Huet between the pipes.
3-New Jersey versus 6-NY Rangers ? Winner: New York
Brodeur vs. Jagr with Jaromir coming out on top.
4-Buffalo versus 5-Philadelphia ? Winner: Buffalo
It?s the Peter Forsberg watch in Philly. If he is back for good, they?ll be great. If not, they?ll be gone. Never bet on an injured athlete getting suddenly healthy.
For both the NBA and the NHL, the regular season is simply a prelude to what?s coming.
What?s coming is here.
Enjoy the playoffs everyone.
Cheers - Gavin McDougald - AKA Couch
Remember to drop us a line at rants@betED.com to voice your opinion on one of McDougald's articles or on anything else you read at betED.com !
