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By Dave Consolazio, April 30, 2007 1:05 am

Listen, Dallas Mavericks -

You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Don’t mean any disrespect to Golden State, they’ve played some excellent basketball. And they’ve done exactly what an upset team has got to do; steal one on the road and then win your home games.

They are 75% of the way there.

Dallas lost 15 games this year. 15. Of 82.

They started the season off cold and dropped their first 4 games. They also lost 4 of their 10 games in April, seeing as they were already in cruise control, having the West locked up. They were using their key players sparingly in these games.

In the stretch after their opening 4 losses (which can be attributed to a slow start) and before the month of April (which can be attributed to resting players), Dallas lost only 7 games… out of
68.

61 wins. 7 losses.

During that span, they had streaks of 12 wins, 13 wins, and 17 wins. Yes. Separate streaks.

There is a word for a team like the Dallas Mavericks. DOMINANT.

Mark Cuban has done an excellent job putting together the best team in the league. The fans have done an excellent job supporting it. They blew it last year in the playoffs and have waited all year for the chance to redeem themselves.

And this is how they show it.

I know that I gave Golden State no respect. Of course, I don’t know basketball, so that wasn’t that big of a deal. But it isn’t like I was alone. Find me people that with a serious expression on their face picked this to go past 6 games.

What’s pathetic, though, is that whether or not the general public respected the Warriors or not, you KNEW the Mavericks would. After all, any team that beats you all 3 times they play you, and is responsible for a whopping 20% of your total losses on the season, is going to get your best effort.

So, I’m to understand that the best team in the NBA’s best effort is THIS. I’ve actually watched large chunks of this series, and I’ll be damned if this is the best team in the NBA. This team has been flat out pathetic on defense. I can’t believe this team dominated during the regular season. Any team capable of playing this poorly on the grandest stage of all should not have been the clear best in the NBA.

Is Dallas going to lose this series? All comes down to game 6. I can’t see them losing game 5 (well, I certainly CAN, but I mean honestly, they’d BETTER not for the sake of everyone’s sanity). Game 7 in Dallas is another game they simply don’t drop.

Game 6 in Golden State? Can’t say a Warriors victory would even make me raise an eyebrow.

Congratulations, Golden State. I want to reiterate that I mean them no disrespect. Even if they drop the next 3 games in the series, just what they have done already is more than enough to respect and build on over the next few years.

Shame on you, Dallas. If this is how you thank your fans for all of their support, and this is how you show them that you won’t disappoint them again this season, then I’d consider them some of the unluckiest fans in America.

This coming from an Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings fan.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-exactly-are-mavericks-doing.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 28, 2007 3:06 am

In my dreams.

I have no beef with Jamarcus Russell. In fact, I like the idea of having a guy as big and strong as he is at QB. I like the idea of having a guy that can throw 80+ yards.

I like the idea of having a franchise quarterback.

I’m just not sure he is it.

Kyle Boller could throw the ball a mile. So can Mike Vick.

What you can’t teach a player is awareness, great decision making, patience in the pocket, and leadership. Russell may or may not have or develop these talents. He may or may not
be a star in the league someday.

Make no mistake about it; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about Calvin Johnson. Johnson is the most talented player in the draft; he is built like a house, and has incredible speed. He also has that magnetic field effect that if you throw the ball in his general direction, it will be caught, no doubt about it. This guy will be a star in the league for years to come, and will make a serious impact on whatever team he joins THIS year.

Randy Moss hates Oakland; whether he isn’t trying or is traded, he is no longer much more than an ultra-recognizable name to this team. Jerry Porter is the real deal, but he can’t be the only guy. Ronald Curry is a perfect 3rd WR.

Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, and Justin Fargas make up an unspectacular but solid backfield.

The O-line leaves much to be desired, but there is still time for at least one or two of these guys to develop into something. 3 more O-linemen get drafted in this draft. You can only hope someone pans out.

Quarterback? Walters was not given a fair chance last year. No offensive line, no running game to take pressure off the passing game, no time to throw and no weapons to throw to (Moss was either not trying or being double covered at all times). QB of the future, highly unlikely; but the guys got potential.

Defense is excellent, and young. It will continue to improve and impress, especially when the offense actually lets it stay off the field for more than 3 downs every once in a while.

So the Raiders over the next few years need to address 4 positions; QB, RB, OT, and WR.

OT – Joe Thomas; absolute sure thing, house, impenetrable. So was Robert Gallery. Just like the Lions can’t draft a WR high again, the Raiders can’t draft an O-lineman high again after that bust.

RB – Adrian Peterson; love him, but not a 1st overall pick. Would love to trade down to get him, but Jordan/Rhodes isn’t all that bad, plus Peterson just might be injury prone and somewhat of a risk.

QB – Quinn or Russell? I concur with the overall consensus that Jamarcus is the pick; he’s got the size and strength over Quinn. And forget the Sugar Bowl; Quinn is flat out overrated. I think both of these guys are very high risk. This coming from the guy who said Tom Brady was a one-hit-wonder, and that Vick and Harrington would both make great pro QBs… maybe I should just leave QB ranking alone.

WR – Calvin Johnson. Best player in the draft. Flat out amazing.

Seems simple enough to me. Best argument I’ve heard against drafting Calvin Johnson? “Who is going to throw to him?” That is short term thinking. This season, yes, it just might be frustrating to be a Raider fan again. But next year’s draft will be chock full of QBs, plus free agency; look at how the Saints went out and signed Drew Brees.

The right pick is Calvin Johnson.

Jamarcus Russell isn’t the “wrong” pick, and I hope more than anyone that he comes into the league and excels for the Raiders.

…because Johnson WILL be excelling wherever he ends up.

My Mock Top 5

1. Oakland Raiders – Jamarcus Russell
2. Detroit Lions – Joe Thomas
3. Cleveland Browns – Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Calvin Johnson
5. Arizona Cardinals – Adrian Peterson

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/with-first-overall-pick-in-2007-draft.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 24, 2007 5:14 pm

And then there were 8. The field has been cut in half, and the Flames, Wild, Stars, Predators, Islanders, Lightning, Thrashers, and Penguins join the 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs out on the golf courses and into the “wait ’til next year” club.

But there is still a lot of hockey left to be played on the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup, and I’ll see what I can do about keeping up my .750 winning percentage on series predictions (6 – 2 round one). 3 of the teams I bet at the beginning of the season to win it all are still alive (Buffalo, Ottawa, and San Jose), and none are facing each other. Yet.

THE WEST

#1 Detroit Red Wings VS. #5 San Jose Sharks

This one should definitely be a hard fought, gritty series. Both of these teams play tough hockey; and even though both of them have plenty of offensive fire power, they both win games by stymieing opposing offenses with strong defensive play. You’ve gotta like San Jose in this series; they beat a fast, strong young team in Nashville in only 5 games, while it took Detroit 6 to knock off a not-as-strong Calgary team. The Wings will be no pushover, however, especially if they can find a way to translate their home-ice dominance into some solid road play. Still, in a series where goals might be hard to come by, I’ll take my chances on Joe Thornton to make some plays.

SAN JOSE IN 6.

#2 Anaheim Ducks VS. #3 Vancouver Canucks

Exactly the series as a Ducks-hater I didn’t want to see. The match up is perfect for the Ducks; they are the superior team offensively and defensively. Vancouver only has the better goaltender; but Giguere (and Bryzgalov when necessary) is perfectly capable of handling the load, especially come playoff time. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again; I hope I’m underrating the Canucks, because I know I’m not overrating the Ducks; they are pretty damn good.

ANAHEIM IN 5.

THE EAST

#1 Buffalo Sabres VS. #6 New York Rangers

This could definitely shape up to be an excellent series. Both of these teams have scoring depth, roll four lines, and have good young goaltenders. After as dominant as the Rangers were in the Thrashers’ series, they are becoming a popular pick to be “that team” this year. I don’t think so. The Sabres opened the season with a 10 – 0 start; and never looked back, overcoming all injuries and obstacles along the way. This team is the real deal; they are headed to the finals, and whether the Rangers make a series of it or not, they aren’t taking four games from this team.

BUFFALO IN 6.

#2 New Jersey Devils VS. #4 Ottawa Senators

On talent alone, I’ve got the Senators. But every year, the Senators get knocked off in the playoffs because they don’t have “it”. And I’m still not sure that they do. The Devils, on the other hand, epitomize “it”. They are the playoff team of playoff teams. Not to mention, the goaltender match-up; Ray Emery VS. Marty Brodeur; is a no contest in Brodeur’s favor, even if Emery has played well this season. I expect the Senators to win a few games, and wouldn’t be shocked if they took the series; but I can’t pick them against the Devs.

NEW JERSEY IN 7.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/hockey-playoff-preview-round-2.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 24, 2007 12:09 am

I predicted before the season began (too bad I didn’t have a blog then) that A-Rod was going to have a monster year this year. Last season… a “bad year” of 113 runs, 35 HRs, 121 RBIs, 15 SBs, and a .290 batting average. It was his lowest home run total since 1997, and despite the fact that he was ranked among the best bats at 3rd base (and at any position in the league really, for that matter), A-Rod still somehow managed to disappoint everyone. I figured he’d bounce back with a great year this year.

But wow.

Let’s play a fun game called “on pace”. It is very easy. First, you take how many games a player has played, then figure out what his numbers are on pace to do if he repeats his current stats consistently over a full season.

Example: Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins

19 games played, 15 runs, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs.

162 divided by 19 = 8.53. Multiplying each stat by 8.53 will give us what he is on pace to do this season;

128 runs, 34 HRs, 128 RBIs.

For my fantasy team’s sake, I certainly hope so. Let’s try another.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

18 games played, 11 runs, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs

18 goes into 162 an even 9 times; Albert has played exactly 1/9 of his season. and if he plays the other 8/9’s exactly the same, he’ll have…

99 runs, 45 HRs, 108 RBIs.

Bit of an off year, but not too bad. As you can see, projections and “on pace” have to be taken with a grain of salt, because a season is so long, it has its ups and downs, hot streaks and slumps, so on and so forth.

But I think you know who I’m doing next.

Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

18 games, 26 runs, 14 HRs, 34 RBIs.

Already beats a few player’s full season projections. But hell, lets assume the next 8/9’s are as good as this one;

234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.

I’m going to type that one more time.

234 runs, 126 HRs, 306 RBIs.

If that doesn’t put into perspective how impressive this guy has been for you, nothing will. Halving that projection; 117/63/153; gives you a scarily realistic look at what this season might have in store.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/rod-are-you-kidding-me.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 23, 2007 10:41 pm

Series Result: Vancouver Canucks over Dallas Stars in 7
My Prediction: Dallas Stars over Vancouver Canucks in 6

Well, the title of the article in the newspaper will read something like that. In reality? Both of these goalies were absolutely outstanding, and if either of them had an offense that could put a puck in the net; or perhaps, a less epic performance from the goalie on the other side of the ice; they would have won the series in 4 or 5 games. Unfortunately for Turco, there had to be a loser, and while Turco certainly did is part, the Stars just weren’t able to muster up anything on offense tonight other than a single goal.

So now the stage is officially set. Vancouver will face Anaheim, San Jose will face Detroit, Buffalo will face New York, and Ottawa will face New Jersey.

I’ll break down each of those series tomorrow. For now? I need to go weep, because I really wanted to see the Ducks play the Sharks, not the Canucks.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/luongo-outduels-turco-canucks-take-game.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 22, 2007 9:49 pm

Series Result: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6
My Prediction: New Jersey Devils over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6

And so the East has been decided, and I’ve got to tell you; the New Jersey Devils are the perfect playoff hockey team. Think Tom Brady and the Patriots; Marty Brodeur and the Devils are their hockey equivalent.

Are they as dominant? Not necessarily. But both teams have one trait in common that almost always leads to playoff success; they hardly ever make mistakes, and they always make their opponents pay for theirs.

Both teams have in one man; Brady and Brodeur respectively; a guy that can single handedly steal a game on any given night. They also have a core of guys that just compliment each other so well that they look like a team or a unit rather then a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys.

But enough of that analogy, the point is simply that the Devils are bred for playoff hockey. They’ve got the goalie, they’ve got the defense, and they’ve got the pesky role players that can shut you down; and chip in goals as well. They’ve also got a few very talented players on offense, including Patrick Elias, Scott Gomez, and Zach Parise.

Their series against the Senators should make for some great hockey.

Series Result: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 6
My Prediction: Detroit Red Wings over Calgary Flames in 7

I’m surprised that the Flames were able to win games 3 and 4 after the way they were completely crushed in games 1 and 2; but alas, they did all they could to make a series of it before falling. The Red Wings are a team to be reckoned with, but their next opponent; either the Stars or the Sharks; isn’t going to make life very easy for them. That being said, the tough life will be mutual.

I was disappointed with the Flames lack of… well, flame, throughout this series, especially on the road. I’m not sure whether it was the Red Wings that got them off their game, or whether they just couldn’t find it, but it was an extremely disappointing showing, and another early exit that will not be easy for these players to swallow.

Now all we can do is watch and wait, as the Stars / Canucks Game 7 will fill out the rest of the playoff picture for you; and let me get those winning predictions to you as fast as I can.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/devils-do-it-in-60-minutes-and-wings-fo.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 22, 2007 1:22 pm

Here’s what I’m NOT going to do; read a bunch of “expert” series picks, and then reword their predictions as if they were my own, when I really have no idea about the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

Plenty of fools already do that for you. I pity the fools. That’s right, Mr. T. You have a problem with that?

Here is what I can tell you from my limited basketball knowledge (and this isn’t going to be all that shocking or original, either…); The Mavericks and the Suns are really, really good.

And the Spurs and Pistons aren’t half bad either. Especially when the playoffs roll around.

In the end, it will be one of those 4 teams. There really isn’t any magic in the NBA, because the best teams are simply tiers above the rest. You don’t get wild card teams going all the way like in baseball or football, and you don’t get 8-seeds going to the finals like you do in hockey.

The Rockets have no chance. If they beat the Jazz, they face off against the Mavericks next. Then, miraculously, they win that series, they face off against the Suns. 2 miracles later, you play the best of the East, which despite the fact that its a joke of a conference as far as depth is concerned, its got a few decent teams in it that could conceivably beat whatever beat-up team comes out of the West.

It’ll be the Pistons out of the East. If anyone beats them, it’ll be the Cavs or the Bulls. But I don’t think that is going to happen.

It’ll be the Mavs out of the West. Anyone picking Golden State in this series is a bigger joke then I was for picking the Wild over the Ducks. Seriously, get over it Golden State fans. You are going to lose this series in 5 games maximum.

My radio show co-host Brandon Marcus said to me “I hope the Mavericks lose that series so I can give you heat for it”. I’d like ALL of you to give me heat for it. Go ahead. If the series goes to SIX, make my life a living hell.

All that said, if anyone will actually beat the Mavericks, it’ll be the Suns. When these two teams face off, it’ll be a playoff basketball series I’ll actually watch; and that is saying something. I don’t think the Spurs have what it takes to keep up with either of these teams this year; but time will tell.

So, Mavs/Suns over Pistons in the finals. Shocking. Don’t think anyone has ever made this prediction, have they? I feel so original.

For the record, I bet the Phoenix Suns 1 Unit to win 6 Units at the beginning of the year. Now they are bet 1 to win 2. Go Suns!

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/nba-playoffs-wrap-up.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 21, 2007 3:03 pm

Series Result: Buffalo Sabres over New York Islanders in 5
My Prediction: Buffalo Sabres over New York Islanders in 4

No surprises at all here. The only concern from the Sabres’ point of view was the lack of complete dominance in the series; games were a lot closer than they should have been when you consider how much better of a team Buffalo is. But that is being extremely nit-picky; this is playoff hockey. You can expect to be playing opponents at their best, and all that really matters when it is all said and done is who is leading when the last buzzer sounds.

Now, the Sabres just need to watch and wait to see how the Tampa Bay / New Jersey series pans out. A New Jersey win lands them a bid against the Rangers. A Tampa Bay upset will result in a series against Buffalo. Either way, you have to consider the Sabres the favorite, but both of these teams – especially the Rangers – don’t look to be going down easy to anyone this year.

Series Result: San Jose Sharks over Nashville Predators in 5
My Prediction: San Jose Sharks over Nashville Predators in 7

I’m glad to see the Sharks win this series for multiple reasons. First of all, I’ve got money on them to win the Stanley Cup. Second of all, I think they are the team with the best chance to beat the Ducks in the West. And, lastly, with the way that the Predators were cheap-shotting this series, it would have been a shame to see the Sharks fall that way.

This Sharks team was my early favorite out of the West, and they played like it in this series, overcoming a vastly talented team in Nashville; and doing it in only 5 games, too. While I’ve conceded that the Ducks are the team to beat in the West, I still do like the Sharks’ chances to do damage. With the Flames and Stars still hanging on for dear life, the West is still full of question marks; but one thing is for sure, I’ll be taking the Sharks over WHOEVER they play in the 2nd round (unless its the Ducks… I’ll save that can of worms until its in front of me, thank you).

Huge disappointment for Nashville, who looked like a championship-calibur team all season long. Going out and getting Forsberg at the expense of some young talent was supposed to translate into playoff success; not just a single playoff win. But with goaltenders Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason both locked up through next year, the Predators have the most important position in hockey nice and sound; and even have a bit of room to maneuver if they decided to deal Mason. They’ll likely be back in the thick of things next year; but with Kariya and Forsberg both unrestricted free agents, this would have been a nice year for them to get hot.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/sabres-and-sharks-take-care-of-business.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 19, 2007 10:55 pm

Series Result: Ottawa Senators over Pittsburgh Penguins in 5
My Prediction: Ottawa Senators over Pittsburgh Penguins in 6

Make no mistake about it; this Penguin’s team has got the talent. And what is really scary is that the talent; led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal; all kids younger than me. And my birthday is January 11th, 1986. Scary.

As I assumed would happen, Ottawa’s experience just carried them in this series. That, and the fact that they’ve got themselves a damn good hockey team too. I put $15 on both them and the Sabres at the beginning of the season as teams to go all the way to the cup. And I still stand by those bets, as they are the two best teams in the East. Not to say that the Rangers/Lightning/Devils all don’t have a legitimate shot against them… should be some great playoff hockey

Series Result: Anaheim Ducks over Minnesota Wild in 5
My Prediction: Minnesota Wild over Anaheim Ducks in 6

I knew it was a far fetched pick to begin with, but I was expecting a lot more of what I saw in game 4 of this series than in the other 4 games. But, alas, the Ducks were just the flat out better team. And now, I’m at a crossroad; do I analyze this team as the fan that I am, or the journalist I am trying to be? Well, lets do both.

Journalist:

As I discussed here, the Ducks really are the best team in the West. Furthermore, I love their chances to make it all the way to the finals again this year; and heres why. If Vancouver locks up their series against the Stars, and the Red Wings regain their composure and beat Calgary, I think the Ducks have a very favorable match-up against Vancouver. They’ve got more scoring depth (scored 36 more goals during the regular season), they’ve got the better defense, and while neither Giguere nor Bryzgalov can match up to Roberto Luongo (who, other than Brodeur and Kiprusoff, can?), the drop off isn’t significant to the point where it will be a turning point in the series. Meanwhile, the Sharks/Predators winner (likely the Sharks) would face the Red Wings in what would promise to be both an emotional and physical battle to the finish. Either team isn’t as fresh as the Ducks when they face off in the conference finals, who beat the Canucks in a much less heated 5 or 6 game series. I may be underrating the Canucks, and the Red Wings/Flames series isn’t over yet… but things may very well be panning out perfectly for the Ducks this post season.

Fan:

Ducks fans do not deserve a team this good. Some Duck fans actually live in Anaheim and, when the franchise was born there, picked it up as their new home team. Fine. Others were fans of the Ducks movies and got into hockey that way, and watched the team when it formed. Okay, very lame, but fine.

The bulk of Ducks fans? Traitor Kings fans and people that just started to like them after their 2003 cup run; bandwagon fans. They hardly ever sell out. 90% of Ducks fans just disgust me. Meanwhile, King’s fans who have stuck loyally by their team, some for as many as 40 years, are just now appearing to be heading in the right direction; while the Ducks are already there. And they’ve got such a strong young core that they aren’t going anywhere, either. It is a near-perfectly run organization, and its fans are a bunch of bandwagoners and traitors. Where is the justice?

Oh, and by the way; I know its been said a million times, but Brian Hayward is the worst sack of **** color commentator in sports. Rex Hudler sucks; Angels fans as well as opponents will tell you that much. But Rex is fair; he loves his Angels (too much), but he doesn’t bad mouth opposing teams, and gives credit where it is due. No exaggeration, Hayward will call a goal by an opposing team a lucky break if it is thrown on net and deflects in, and in the same exact breath talk about what a great heads up play it was by (insert Duck here) to throw the puck on net into traffic if it were a Ducks’ goal. It is repulsive, it is terrible to hear as a sports fan as well as an aspiring journalist.

That last part about Hayward… goes in both the fan AND journalist category. I really do hate the way the guy calls games. Sue me.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/senators-and-ducks-join-rangers-at.html)

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By Dave Consolazio, April 19, 2007 1:08 pm

Series Result: New York Rangers over Atlanta Thrashers in 4
My Prediction: New York Rangers over Atlanta Thrashers in 6

The end result of the series didn’t surprise me at all. What did surprise me, however, was the Rangers’ flat out dominance throughout the entire series. After 240 minutes of hockey were in the books, the final score read Rangers: 17, Thrashers: 6.

Thrashers: 6. The same Thrashers that already had Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk BEFORE adding Keith Tkachuk at the trade deadline. 6 goals was all they could muster in the series, a total trumped by the Rangers in game 3 alone when they won on home ice 7 – 0.

Credit Henrik Lundqvist for his excellent play in goal, but also credit the entire Rangers team for not only keeping pressure on in the offensive zone (averaging 35.75 shots per game), but for keeping pressure off of Lundqvist as well (averaging only 24 shots per game).

Now all the Rangers can do is watch and wait. If Tampa Bay can pull off the upset over New Jersey, the Rangers will play the winner of the Ottawa/Penguins series… which will likely be Ottawa. If Brodeur can power the Devils through that series, the Rangers will face off against the powerhouse of the east; the Buffalo Sabres (yes, I’m writing off the Islanders). Either way, it should make for an explosive series.

As for the Thrashers? Well, they traded away a lot of their farm system for this playoff run, so not winning a single game certainly isn’t what they had in mind. All they can do is hope that this playoff experience was valuable, and they can build on it next year… and maybe add a key free agent or two.

(http://vegasdavesdime.blogspot.com/2007/04/rangers-cruise-to-only-sweep-of-first.html)