OLYMPIC HOCKEY, THE MAVERICKS, THE COMBINE AND THE END OF A STREAK
Here's my take on this morning's headlines:
- The final four of the Olympic hockey tournament is set, with the United States, Finland, Slovakia and Canada advancing to the semifinals with wins yesterday. Team USA had to battle past a constrictive Swiss team who's strategy was simply to bore the Americans to death by playing what amounted to a prevent defense all game long. It almost worked but Zach Parise got a lucky bounce on a power-play and later buried an empty netter for the 2-0 win. Sure, the Americans were not as sharp as they could have been but the key continues to be the play of goalie Ryan Miller. Miller pitched a shutout on 18 shots and has stopped 60 of 63 shots in his last two games. That's the kind of goaltending that can carry a team to a gold medal. Meanwhile, the home team (Canada) responded from their loss to the Americans with an impressive 7-3 win over a very good Russian team. The game was over as quickly as it started, with the Canadians taking leads of 3-0, 4-0 and 6-1 by the second period. Maybe their loss on Sunday has woken this team up and that is a scary thought for the other three teams left in the tournament. Barring an upset, it appears we are set up for a US-Canada rematch in the gold medal game.
- The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-96 last night in a match-up of two of the best teams in the Western Conference. Playing without newly acquired forward (the guy they traded for to guard Kobe Bryant) Caron Butler, the Mavs found a way to limit Bryant to just 20 points on 9-23 shooting. Jason Terry scored 30 points off the bench and Dirk Nowitzki led all scorers with 31 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter. Most importantly, the addition of Brendan Haywood (and Butler once he returns) allows the Mavericks to match-up with the Lakers better than any team in the West. They currently sit at the fourth spot in the West but should be able to move into the top three if they continue to play well. Right now, I have to put Dallas at the top of the list of challenger's to the Lakers in the West.
- The NFL combine kicks off today and the annual showcase of speed and skill figures to once again provide plenty of highlights. The combine means far more to some teams than others (see: Raiders, Oakland) but it still signifies the start of the NFL offseason and really gets the draft process rolling for every team and fan alike. Some guys will drastically help their draft stock while others will hurt it just as much so here are some names to keep an eye on this weekend:
- Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma) - the Oklahoma defensive tackle is the only real threat to Ndamukong Suh to be the first pick in the draft. A good weekend here could actually make the Rams think long and hard about which dominating defensive lineman to take
- Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama) - McClain was the heart and soul of the Tide's defense and no-doubt has the size to be a big-time player in the league. The question about McClain is his speed and if he can be a three-down linebacker; a good 40-time will wipe away all doubts and solidify his spot as a top-12 pick.
- Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma St.) - After being suspended last year for illegal contact with Deion Sanders, Bryant needs to show he stayed in shape and mentally was not affected by the time-off. He should do fine and end up being the first receiver taken in the draft.
- Taylor Mays (S, USC) - Mays looked like a top-5 pick entering this season but had a disappointing senior season. Many feel Mays is a straight-line player who cannot tackle and may be too slow to play in an NFL secondary. Probably no player has more riding on this weekend than Mays.
- Terence Cody (DT, Alabama) - There is no denying Cody's ability to be a block-eater in the middle but the big issue is that he is also an eater off the field. Cody came into the Senior Bowl at a comical 375 pounds and needs to be in better shape this week if he wants to remain a first-round pick.
- Jahvid Best & Dexter McCluster (RB's, California and Ole Miss) - C.J. Spiller will be the first running back taken in the draft and Jonathan Dwyer is the best traditional running back option. Both Best and McCluster are small, explosive backs and with the recent success of Chris Johnson, both could benefit huge from great 40-times.
- Demaryius Thomas & Arrelious Benn (WR's, Georgia Tech and Illinois) - After Bryant, the second receiver spot is up-for-grabs and these two guys are next in line. Thomas continues to move-up draft boards but Benn can move ahead of Thomas with a good weekend.
- After 29 games of 25 points or more, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant was held to 21 points last night in the Thunder's loss at San Antonio. Durant led the Thunder to a 20-9 record during that span, dating back to December 22nd, and he is the main reason they sit in sixth position in the West. This streak helped vault Durant into the MVP conversation and the 21-year-old is establishing himself as one of the league's four best players. Now that the streak is over, the key is for Durant to continue to help his team win games and make the playoffs in what is becoming a very surprising season for the Thunder.
Finally, I need some help with a survey. Some of you have already participated but, if you have not, please take a minute or two and fill this out for me. You can find the link here - thanks for your help.
