Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Indiana Pacers are in huge trouble

The Indiana Pacers, who just lost their game one at home to the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, are in huge trouble. The Pacers started the season 44-13 and slumped their way with a 12-13 record in their last 25 games to finish the season and into the playoffs. In their final 25 regular season, they had some very brutal blow-out losses such as ones at home to the Atlanta Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs. Before the playoffs began, fans and the media had the question in mind, "Is this just a slump, or is this for real?" To me, to question is still unanswered due to the fact that in the final 25-game stretch they did have some solid wins in the stretch such as a close win at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But tonight, the Pacers did not play well and in result, they lost game one at home (and by the way they wanted that one seed) against the Atlanta Hawks, who probably shouldn't be in the playoffs. I still do think the Pacers will win the series, but at the same time, the Pacers should be concerned. Roy Hibbert has looked like a shell of himself in the final 25 games and he did again tonight. Also, Paul George has not played like a superstar player like he once did in last years playoffs and this season before the All-Star break. Hibbert and George's demise are two huge reasons why the Pacers have not been the same team and are in huge trouble right now. Don't forget at the trade deadline when they dumped Danny Granger for Evan Turner and when they signed Andrew Bynum, who is injured right now (what else is new?). The chemistry with Turner was part of the reason for the demise and that's understandable because it's chemistry issues. There is so much pressure on the Pacers for game two now. I am curious to see what happens if Indiana suffers a post season exit before the Eastern Conference finals. But, for now, the Indiana Pacers, down 0-1 to the Atlanta Hawks are in trouble for those reasons I listed above.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

2014 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

Here are my round 1 predictions for the NBA playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Indiana Pacers vs (8) Atlanta Hawks: This match up does not intrigue me by any means considering Indiana was in a season-ending slump and Atlanta barely made the playoffs and is by far the worst team in these playoffs. This should be a series where Paul George and Roy Hibbert come out of their slumps and show everyone again why their hot start was no fluke. No way Atlanta pulls the upset, but look out for Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague. Pacers in 5.

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats: This is going to be the series where LeBron & Company turn the switch on so lookout. Another person to keep an eye on is Al Jefferson, who carried the Bobcats to the postseason with a career year. Jefferson will give the Heat issues due to their weakness up front, but like I said, the Heat will look like the team we saw last spring. Heat in 5.

(3) Toronto Raptors vs (6) Brooklyn Nets: This series would be an interesting one to watch considering these are two division foes that wanted to play each other. It is no secret that Brooklyn is the better team, but Toronto is a solid team too. Look for Jonas Valanciunas to have a big series as well as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. On the Nets side, look for Joe Johnson to make the clutch shots when needed. It will be a huge failure if Brooklyn loses this series. Nets in 6.

(4) Chicago Bulls vs (5) Washington Wizards: John Wall is in the post season for the first time in his career, but it will not be easy for the Wizards. MVP candidate Joakim Noah and the Bulls are poised to make some noise in these playoffs, especially in this weak eastern conference. Look for Wall and Noah to have impacts as well as Bradley Beal for Washington and Jimmy Butler for Chicago. This could be the easts best series of the first round. Bulls in 6.


Western Conference

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Dallas Mavericks: Expect this series to have a ton of offense in it. Two future hall of famers in Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki going at it once again is just fantastic considering their history against each other. Maybe if the Mavs played the Thunder they could have made some noise considering that they played well against them, but it appears that the Spurs have their number. Expect close games in this series, but the better team to move on. Spurs in 5.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Memphis Grizzlies: This series is an intriguing one considering that Memphis beat Oklahoma City last year, but that was without Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant and Westbrook have chips on their shoulders, but the Grizzlies will give the Thunder all they can handle with their underrated defense. Expect a big series from Marc Gasol and guys like Reggie Jackson and Serge Ibaka to step up for the Thunder. Thunder in 6.

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs (6) Golden State Warriors: By far the best series of the first round featuring two of the leagues best point guards in Chris Paul and Stephen Curry. Golden State will miss Andrew Bogut and David Lee (if he misses time), but I expect Curry to go off and for this series to be a long one. DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin improved tremendously this season, especially from the free throw line and that's big for the Clippers in crunch time situations. Expect this series to be long and hard fought. Clippers in 7.

(4) Houston Rockets vs (5) Portland Trail Blazers: This series will probably set a record for most three-point field goals attempted in a playoff series. Expect every final score of this series to be in the likes of 120-115 or 123-117. Both teams have underrated players in their starting lineups such as Chandler Parsons and Nicolas Batum. Expect LaMarcus Aldridge to carry the Blazers, but James Harden and Dwight Howard will lift the Rockets, who are ultimately the better team. Rockets in 6.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

2014 NBA Playoff TV Schedule & Announcers

Here is the 2014 NBA playoff schedule and commentators

April 19th- Nets vs Raptors: Game 1, Round 1: 12:30PM, ESPN: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Chris Broussard
April 19th- Warriors vs Clippers: Game 1, Round 1: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
April 19th- Hawks vs Pacers: Game 1, Round 1: 7PM, ESPN: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Israel Gutierrez
April 19th- Grizzlies vs Thunder: Game 1, Round 1: 9:30PM, ESPN: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox
April 20th- Mavericks vs Spurs: Game 1, Round 1: 1PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Jaime Maggio
April 20th- Bobcats vs Heat: Game 1, Round 1: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
April 20th- Wizards vs Bulls: Game 1, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Tracy Wolfson
April 20th- Trail Blazers vs Rockets: Game 1, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Marty Snider
April 21st- Grizzlies vs Thunder: Game 2, Round 1: 8PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Lewis Johnson
April 21st- Warriors vs Clippers: Game 2, Round 1: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
April 22nd- Hawks vs Pacers: Game 2, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Molly Sullivan
April 22nd- Nets vs Raptors: Game 2, Round 1: 8PM, NBATV: Dick Stockton, Steve Smith, Jared Greenberg
April 22nd- Wizards vs Bulls: Game 2, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Tracy Wolfson
April 23rd- Bobcats vs Heat: Game 2, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
April 23rd- Mavericks vs Spurs: Game 2, Round 1: 8PM, NBATV: Ian Eagle, Mike Fratello, Jaime Maggio
April 23rd- Trail Blazers vs Rockets: Game 2, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Marty Snider
April 24th- Pacers vs Hawks: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM, NBATV: Kevin Calabro, Steve Smith, Molly Sullivan
April 24th- Thunder vs Grizzlies: Game 3, Round 1: 8PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Lewis Johnson
April 24th- Clippers vs Warriors: Game 3, Round 1: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
April 25th- Raptors vs Nets: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM, ESPN2: Ryan Ruocco, PJ Carlesimo, Israel Gutierrez
April 25th- Bulls vs Wizards: Game 3, Round 1: 8PM, ESPN: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather
Cox
April 25th- Rockets vs Trail Blazers: Game 3, Round 1: 10:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
April 26th- Pacers vs Hawks: Game 4, Round 1: 2PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
April 26th- Spurs vs Mavericks: Game 3, Round 1: 4:30PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Jaime Maggio
April 26th- Heat vs Bobcats: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM, ESPN: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Chris Broussard
April 26th- Thunder vs Grizzlies: Game 4, Round 1: 9:30PM, ESPN: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, JA Adande
April 27th- Bulls vs Wizards: Game 4, Round 1: 1PM, ABC: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox
April 27th- Clippers vs Warriors: Game 4, Round 1: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
April 27th- Raptors vs Nets: Game 4, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Tracy Wolfson
April 27th- Rockets vs Trail Blazers: Game 4, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Marty Snider
April 28th- Heat vs Bobcats: Game 4, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
April 28th- Hawks vs Pacers: Game 5, Round 1: 7:30PM, NBATV: Ian Eagle, Steve Smith, Molly Sullivan
April 28th- Spurs vs Mavericks: Game 4, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Jaime Maggio
April 29th- Wizards vs Bulls: Game 5, Round 1: 8PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Tracy Wolfson
April 29th- Grizzlies vs Thunder: Game 5, Round 1: 9PM, NBATV: Kevin Calabro, Mike Fratello, Lewis Johnson
April 29th- Warriors vs Clippers: Game 5, Round 1: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
April 30th- Mavericks vs Spurs: Game 5, Round 1: 7PM, TNT: Joel Meyers, Chris Webber, Jaime Maggio
April 30th- Nets vs Raptors: Game 5, Round 1: 7:30PM, NBATV: Kevin Calabro, Steve Smith, Jared Greenberg
April 30th- Trail Blazers vs Rockets: Game 5, Round 1: 9:30PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Marty Snider
May 1st- Pacers vs Hawks: Game 6, Round 1: 7PM, NBATV: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Molly Sullivan
May 1st- Thunder vs Grizzlies: Game 6, Round 1: 8PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Lewis Johnson
May 1st- Clippers vs Warriors: Game 6, Round 1: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 2nd- Raptors vs Nets: Game 6, Round 1: 7PM, ESPN2: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Lisa Salters
May 2nd- Spurs vs Mavericks: Game 6, Round 1: 8PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Doris Burke
May 2nd- Rockets vs Trail Blazers: Game 6, Round 1: 10:30PM, ESPN: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox
May 3rd- Hawks vs Pacers: Game 7, Round 1: 5:30PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Molly Sullivan
May 3rd- Grizzlies vs Thunder: Game 7, Round 1: 8PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Lewis Johnson
May 3rd- Warriors vs Clippers: Game 7, Round 1: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 4th- Nets vs Raptors: Game 7, Round 1: 1PM, ABC: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Lisa Salters
May 4th- Mavericks vs Spurs: Game 7, Round 1: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Doris Burke
May 5th- Wizards vs Pacers: Game 1, Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris Webber, Tracy Wolfson
May 5th- Clippers vs Thunder: Game 1, Round 2: 9:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, David Aldrige
May 6th- Nets vs Heat: Game 1, Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
May 6th- Trail Blazers vs Spurs: Game 1, Round 2: 9:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, 
May 7th- Wizards vs Pacers: Game 2, Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris Webber, Tracy Wolfson
May 7th- Clippers vs Thunder: Game 2, Round 2: 9:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, David Aldridge
May 8th- Nets vs Heat: Game 2, Round 2: 7PM, ESPN2: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Lisa Salters
May 8th- Trail Blazers vs Spurs: Game 2, Round 2: 9:30PM, ESPN2: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Heather Cox
May 9th- Pacers vs Wizards: Game 3, Round 2: 8PM, ESPN: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Chris Broussard
May 9th- Thunder vs Clippers: Game 3, Round 2: 10:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, JA Adande
May 10th- Heat vs Nets: Game 3, Round 2: 8PM, ABC: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Lisa Salters
May 10th- Spurs vs Trail Blazers: Game 3, Round 2: 10:30PM, ESPN: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Heather Cox
May 11th- Thunder vs Clippers: Game 4, Round 2: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Doris Burke
May 11th- Pacers vs Wizards: Game 4, Round 2: 8PM, TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris Webber, Tracy Wolfson
May 12th- Heat vs Nets: Game 4, Round 2: 8PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
May 12th- Spurs vs Trail Blazers: Game 4, Round 2: 10:30PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Jaime Maggio
May 13th- Wizards vs Pacers: Game 5: Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Ian Eagle, Chris Webber, Tracy Wolfson
May 13th- Clippers vs Thunder: Game 5: Round 2: 9:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, David Aldridge
May 14th- Nets vs Heat: Game 5: Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Brian Anderson, Greg Anthony, Rachel Nichols
May 14th- Trail Blazers vs Spurs: Game 5, Round 2: 7PM, TNT: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Jaime Maggio
May 15th- Pacers vs Wizards: Game 6, Round 2: 8PM, ESPN: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Doris Burke
May 15th- Thunder vs Clippers: Game 6: Round 2: 10:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Lisa Salters
May 18th- Heat vs Pacers: Game 1, ECF: 3:30PM, ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 19th- Thunder vs Spurs: Game 1, WCF: 9PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 20th- Heat vs Pacers: Game 2, ECF: 8:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 21st- Thunder vs Spurs: Game 2, WCF: 9PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 24th- Pacers vs Heat: Game 3, ECF: 8:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 25th- Spurs vs Thunder: Game 3, WCF: 8:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 26th- Pacers vs Heat: Game 4, ECF: 8:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 27th- Spurs vs Thunder: Game 4, WCF: 8:30PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 28th- Heat vs Pacers: Game 5, ECF: 8:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 29th- Thunder vs Spurs: Game 5, WCF: 9PM, TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
May 30th- Pacers vs Heat: Game 6, ECF: 8:30PM, ESPN: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
May 31st- Spurs vs Thunder: Game 6, WCF: 9PM; TNT: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, David Aldridge
June 5th- Heat vs Spurs: Game 1, NBA Finals: 9PM; ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
June 8th- Heat vs Spurs: Game 2, NBA Finals: 8PM; ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
June 10th- Spurs vs Heat: Game 3, NBA Finals: 9PM; ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke
June 12th- Spurs vs Heat: Game 4, NBA Finals: 9PM; ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Doris Burke

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

My 2014 NBA Awards & Miscellaneous

Here are my 2014 NBA season awards and miscellaneous.

MVP: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: It's unbelievable how KD put his team on his back all season long from Russell Westbrook being in and out of the lineup with injuries to breaking point records. He will win the scoring title again and it's finally time to give MVP honors to somebody not named LeBron James. Runner up: LeBron James, Miami Heat.

Defensive Player of the Year: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls: The defensive leader on the eastern conferences best coached team deserves the honors this season. After Luol Deng got traded, Noah has  been a monster, defensively especially. He is the NBA's best defensive center and he has certainly showed it throughout the season. Runner up: Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers.

Sixth Man of the Year: Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls: A big part of this season for the Bulls was the play of Taj Gibson. He has earned crunch time minutes over starting PF Carlos Boozer for the most part of this season. There's a chance Gibson will be starting next year with Boozer being a amnesty candidate. Runner up: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers.

Most Improved Player: Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers: The NBA's triple-double leader this season deserves these honors. Stephenson is a critical part to what should be an interesting playoff run for the Pacers, who started the season hot and collapsed toward the end. Don't forget, he's playing for a contract this season. Runner up: Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns.

Rookie of the Year: Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers: The bright spot on the horrific Sixers team was MCW. The future is very bright for him and the stats he put up this season were great considering he was on a bad team. Runner up: Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic.

Coach of the Year: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Bobcats: It's amazing where the Bobcats are today.
Clifford had turned this team around from where they were the past few seasons. Their defense is very underrated and Clifford deserves credit for that big time. Runner(s) up: Dwayne Casey, Toronto Raptors & Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns.

Executive of the year: Ryan McDonaugh, Phoenix Suns: Considering the fact that everyone thought the Suns were tanking due to the moves McDonaugh made and they had many expiring deals this season, McDonaugh deserves credit for their success this season. He did not make moves in season and the team succeeded despite missing the playoffs. Runner up: Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors.

Miscellaneous

Biggest surprise: Phoenix Suns: Who expected the Suns to be in playoff contention the final week of the season? No one. Everyone expected them to be in the western conference basement before the season started. This team is on the rise for sure. Runner up: Charlotte Bobcats

Biggest disappointment: New York Knicks: This season the Knicks were expected to be in the middle of the pack in the eastern conference playoff picture. Instead, they fall short. Tyson Chander getting injured in game 4 of the season, JR Smith being suspended the first 5 games, etc. This was just a season where it all went wrong (like 2012 Red Sox). The Phil Jackson hire was great and I'm curious
to see who he brings in and I wonder what the future holds for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks. Runner(s) up: Detroit Pistons & Cleveland Cavaliers.

Best in-season turnaround: Brooklyn Nets: If it weren't for this turnaround, the Nets would be labeled "the biggest disappointment". Preseason expectations were very high labeled with "championship or bust". Considering that they lost Brook Lopez for the season, Jason Kidd deserves a lot of credit along with the rest of the players and organization. The Marcus Thornton pickup was a steal for them and he's been a huge to their post All-Star break success. It will be interesting to see how far this team can go in the playoffs. Runner up: Memphis Grizzlies.

Worst in-season collapse: Portland Trail Blazers: A team that started the season 31-9 and yes they lost LaMarcus Aldrige to injury but they just have been an average team after the hot start. That ultimately cost them home court advantage in the playoffs. Runner up: Indiana Pacers.

Best off-season coaching hire: Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers: Everyone knew this would eventually would turn out to be the best hire. It is amazing how much Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan matured this season and Rivers deserves credit for it. I'm curious to see how far a Doc can take the Clippers not only this season, but in the near future. Runner(s) up: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Bobcats & Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns.

Worst off-season coaching hire: Maurice Cheeks, Detroit Pistons: A team that was expected to be an eastern conference playoff team this season has failed to meet expectations. As a result, Cheeks was fired mid-season and that proved to be the worst coaching hire of the off-season, even though things didn't get better from there. Runner up: Larry Drew, Milwaukee Bucks.

All-NBA teams

All-NBA first team
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
James Harden, Houston Rockets
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

All-NBA second team
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

All-NBA third team
Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Al Jefferson, Charlotte Bobcats

All-defensive first team
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Patrick Beverly, Houston Rockets
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

All-defensive second team
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Andre Igoudala, Golden State Warriors
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

All-rookie first team
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Trey Burke, Utah Jazz
Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets

All-rookie second team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Pero Antic, Atlanta Hawks
Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics
Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Monday, April 14, 2014

My 2014 NHL Awards & Miscellaneous

Here are my 2014 NHL Awards

Hart Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: Simply the best player in the game deserves this award this season. He put the Penguins on his back when some of the supporting cast went down with injuries. No one knows where the Penguins would be if it was Crosby that was not healthy. He and his team has shown how valuable he is, when he is healthy. Runner up: Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers.

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks: A big contribution defensively for the defending champs not only last season, but has become and elite defenseman this season. If the champs want to repeat, Keith would have to contribute the way he did this season. He has become the best defenseman on the 'Hawks and one of the premiere defenseman in the league. Runner up: Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild.

Vezina Trophy: Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche: The goal tender that led the league in losses a year ago has turned it around to lead the league in wins. A huge part of that is because of first-year head coach Patrick Roy. It is amazing where the Avs are right now and part of that is because of Varlamov's career year. Runner up: Tuuka Rask, Boston Bruins.

Calder Memorial Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche: By far the best rookie in this class. He is a big part of this Avalanche offense that is great this season with the stats he has posted. MacKinnon is definitely a star in the making and he will show it in the NHL post season. Runner up: Torey Krug, Boston Bruins.

Jack Adams Award: Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings: The NHL's best coach gets my honors this season. Mainly because his team has been decimated by injuries all season and he coached this team to the post season yet again. Don't forget he coached the Canadian Olympic team to a gold medal in Sochi. No one knows where the Wings would be without Babcock. Runner up: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche.

Miscellaneous

Biggest disappointment: Washington Capitals: For a team that's been a pre-annual playoff team to miss out is just a failure. Alex Ovechkin won the Rocket trophy once again this year but his supporting cast could not help him. It is interesting to see whether they fire head coach Adam Oates and GM George McPhee. If they hire a new GM, I wonder what the future holds for Ovechkin and the Capitals. Runner(s) up: Ottowa Senators and New York Islanders.

Biggest surprise: Colorado Avalanche: Who in their preseason predictions had the Av's winning the Central division? Nobody. This team is no fluke and certainly up and coming with the best yet to come. I give general manager Greg Sherman and the front office a ton of credit which was a home run hire in head coach Patrick Roy and 2013 number one overall pick Nathan MacKinnon. A bounce-back season for goal tender Semyon Varlamov and the rest of the players such as Paul Stasny and Gabriel Landeskog having an impact as well. I cannot wait to see what they do this Spring. Runner up: Dallas Stars.

Worst in-season collapse: Toronto Maple Leafs: A team that was in contention most of the season fell out of contention with a long losing streak. That is just unacceptable considering what this team looks like on paper. This very well can cost head coach Randy Carlisle his job since there's a new GM in town. Runner up: St. Louis Blues (ended season on a 6-game skid that cost them a division title).

Best in-season turnaround: Philadelphia Flyers: A team that fired former head coach Peter Laviolette 3 games into the season and bring in current head coach Craig Berube and turn a 1-7-0 start into a 42-30-10 season is just fantastic considering the problems occurring with this team. Runner up: New York Rangers.

Best off-season coaching hire: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche: Same reasons listed above in my other miscellaneous and awards. Runner up: Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers.

Worst off-season coaching hire: John Tortorella, Vancouver Canucks: A team that actually got off to a good start that collapsed because of injuries and trades. But, don't forget when Torts tried to do against the Flames that got him suspended. There is a chance he gets fired since there's a new GM in town. Runner up: Dallas Eakins, Edmonton Oilers.

2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

Here are my predictions for Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(A1) Boston Bruins vs (WC2) Detroit Red Wings: This series will be very interesting to watch since Detroit is capable of beating anybody despite all the injuries they had/have this season. Boston is the eastern conferences best team, but it would not shock me if the injury-plagued Red Wings won this series someway/somehow. Bruins in 7.

(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (A3) Montreal Canadiens: For some reason, this was probably the hardest series to predict for a variety of reasons. Particularly, whether Ben Bishop is 100% or whether Carey Price can lead the Habs out of the first round against this great Tampa Bay offense. Again, it was a though call, but I'm going with the team that's more healthy behind the net. Canadiens in 6.

(M1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets: This series will play out very similar to the Penguins first round series last season against the Islanders. Columbus is a great offensive team despite the loss of Nathan Horton. Pittsburgh's goal-tending situation when playoffs come has been a problem. I think Crosby&Co make clutch goals down the stretch to lead the way. Penguins in 6.

(M2) New York Rangers vs (M3) Philadelphia Flyers: The best first round match up in an entertainment standpoint should be great between these two teams. Both teams offenses are great, Rangers with Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards and Flyers with Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, and Vincent Lacavlier. This series comes down to goal-tending. Rangers in 7.

Western Conference

(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs (WC1) Minnesota Wild: This series is going to be fun to watch. Both teams offenses are excellent with the likes Nathan McKinnon and Zach Parise playing in this series and all of these games will be entertaining. It wouldn't shock me if either team won this series, but I have to go with the red-hot Semyon Varlamov instead of Ilya Bryzgalov. Avalanche in 7.

(C2) St. Louis Blues vs (C3) Chicago Blackhawks: This will be another great series with two division rivals. When St. Louis acquired Ryan Miller, that would make them favorites and put them over the top. Chicago will be getting back Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. I just don't like how the Blues ended their season and the 'Hawks are the reigning champs and getting healthy. Blackhawks in 6.

(P1) Anaheim Ducks vs (WC2) Dallas Stars: This series would be interesting to watch considering the Stars won the season series against the Ducks and that the Ducks were the 2 seed last year and were eliminated and the fact that the Stars haven't been to the playoffs in a while. Expect Corey Perry and Tyler Seguin to have big impacts. Ducks in 6.

(P2) San Jose Sharks vs (P3) Los Angeles Kings: Arguably the best western conference match up of the first round with two elite clubs. Two excellent goal tenders in Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick and a bunch of star players on the offensive end such as Anze Kopitar and Joe Pavelski. Both teams are capable of winning this series, but Quick is the best goal tender in the west. Kings in 6.

2014 Stanley Cup Playoff TV Schedule & Announcers

Here is the TV Schedule and Announcers for the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs.

April 16th- Canadiens vs Lightning: Game 1, Round 1: 7PM; CNBC: Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy and David Amber (CBC feed)
April 16th- Blue Jackets vs Penguins: Game 1, Round 1: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
April 16th- Stars vs Ducks: Game 1, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: John Walton & Butch Goring
April 17th- Flyers vs Rangers: Game 1, Round 1: 7PM; CNBC: Ken Daniels & Pierre McGuire
April 17th- Blackhawks vs Blues: Game 1, Round 1: 8PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
April 17th- Wild vs Avalanche: Game 1, Round 1: 9:30PM; CNBC: John Forslund & Tripp Tracy
April 17th- Kings vs Sharks: Game 1, Round 1: 10:30PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda,
Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 18th- Canadiens vs Lightning: Game 2, Round 1: 7PM; CNBC: Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy and David Amber (CBC feed)
April 18th- Red Wings vs Bruins: Game 1, Round 1: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre
McGuire
April 18th- Stars vs Ducks: Game 2, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: John Walton & Butch Goring
April 19th- Blackhawks vs Blues: Game 2, Round 1: 3PM; NBC: Dave Strader, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Engblom
April 19th- Blue Jackets vs Penguins: Game 2, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Gord Miller & Pierre McGuire
April 19th- Wild vs Avalanche: Game 2, Round 1: 9:30PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Tripp Tracy
April 20th- Flyers vs Rangers: Game 2, Round 1: 12PM; NBC: Kenny Albert & Joe Micheletti
April 20th- Red Wings vs Bruins: Game 2, Round 1: 3PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
April 20th- Lightning vs Canadiens: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy and David Amber (CBC feed)
April 20th- Kings vs Sharks: Game 2, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda,
Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 21st- Penguins vs Blue Jackets: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
April 21st- Avalanche vs Wild: Game 3, Round 1: 7PM; NHLN: Gord Miller, Ray Ferraro, Farhan Lalji
April 21st- Blues vs Blackhawks: Game 3, Round 1: 8:30PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
April 21st- Ducks vs Stars: Game 3, Round 1: 9:30PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Joe Micheletti
April 22nd- Lightning vs Canadiens: Game 4, Round 1: 7PM; NHLN: Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy and David Amber (CBC feed)
April 22nd- Bruins vs Red Wings: Game 3, Round 1: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
April 22nd- Rangers vs Flyers: Game 3, Round 1: 8PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
April 22nd- Sharks vs Kings: Game 3, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda,
Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 23rd- Penguins vs Blue Jackets: Game 4, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
April 23rd- Ducks vs Stars: Game 4, Round 1: 8PM; CNBC: Gord Miller & Joe Micheletti
April 23rd- Blues vs Blackhawks: Game 4, Round 1: 9:30PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
April 24th- Bruins vs Red Wings: Game 4, Round 1: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
April 24th- Avalanche vs Wild: Game 4, Round 1: 9:30PM; CNBC: John Forslund & Tripp Tracy
April 24th- Sharks vs Kings: Game 4, Round 1: 10:30PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda,
Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 25th- Rangers vs Flyers: Game 4, Round 1: 7PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Pierre McGuire
April 25th- Blackhawks vs Blues: Game 5, Round 1: 8PM; NBCSN: Ken Daniels & Brian Engblom
April 25th-  Stars vs Ducks: Game 5, Round: 10:30PM; NBCSN: John Walton & Butch Goring
April 26th- Red Wings vs Bruins: Game 5, Round 1: 3PM; NBC: Dave Strader, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
April 26th- Blue Jackets vs Penguins: Game 5, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Ken Daniels & Joe Micheletti
April 26th- Wild vs Avalanche: Game 5, Round 1: 9:30PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Tripp Tracy
April 26th- Kings vs Sharks: Game 5, Round 1: 10:00PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda, Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 27th- Flyers vs Rangers: Game 5, Round 1: 12PM; NBC: Kenny Albert & Brian Engblom
April 27th- Blues vs Blackhawks: Game 6, Round 1: 3PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
April 27th- Ducks vs Stars: Game 6, Round 1: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Gord Miller & Joe Micheletti
April 28th- Penguins vs Blue Jackets: Game 6, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre
MuGuire
April 28th- Avalanche vs Wild: Game 6, Round 1: 9PM; CNBC: Gord Miller, Ray Ferraro, Farhan Lalji
April 28th- Sharks vs Kings: Game 6, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda,
Brodie Brazil (CSN California feed)
April 29th- Rangers vs Flyers: Game 6, Round 1: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
April 30th- Flyers vs Rangers: Game 7, Round 1: 7PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
April 30th- Wild vs Avalanche: Game 7, Round 1: 9:30PM; CNBC: John Forslund & Daryl Reaugh
April 30th- Kings vs Sharks: Game 7, Round 1: 10PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
May 1st- Canadiens vs Bruins: Game 1, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 2nd- Rangers vs Penguins: Game 1, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 2nd- Wild vs Blackhawks: Game 1, Round 2: 9:30PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
May 3rd- Canadiens vs Bruins: Game 2, Round 2: 12:30PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 3rd- Kings vs Ducks: Game 1, Round 2: 8PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Brian Hayward
May 4th- Wild vs Blackhawks: Game 2, Round 2: 3PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 4th- Rangers vs Penguins: Game 2, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
May 5th- Penguins vs Rangers: Game 3, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 5th- Kings vs Ducks: Game 2, Round 2: 10PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Joe Micheletti
May 6th- Bruins vs Canadiens: Game 3, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Daryl Reaugh
May 6th- Blackhawks vs Wild: Game 3, Round 2: 9PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Brian Engblom
May 7th- Penguins vs Rangers: Game 4, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, 
Pierre McGuire
May 8th- Bruins vs Canadiens: Game 4, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 8th- Ducks vs Kings: Game 3, Round 2: 10PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Joe Micheletti
May 9th- Rangers vs Penguins: Game 5, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
May 9th- Blackhawks vs Wild: Game 4, Round 2: 9:30PM; NBCSN: Dave Strader & Eddie Olczyk
May 10th- Canadiens vs Bruins: Game 5, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 10th- Ducks vs Kings: Game 4, Round 2: 9:30PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Brian Engblom
May 11th- Penguins vs Rangers: Game 6, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
May 11th- Wild vs Blackhawks: Game 5, Round 2: 9PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Eddie Olczyk
May 12th- Bruins vs Canadiens: Game 6, Round 2: 7:30PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert & Pierre McGuire
May 12th- Kings vs Ducks: Game 5, Round 2: 10PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Brian Engblom
May 13th- Rangers vs Penguins: Game 7, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
May 13th- Blackhawks vs Wild: Game 6, Round 2: 9PM; CNBC: Dave Strader & Eddie Olczyk
May 14th- Canadiens vs Bruins: Game 7, Round 2: 7PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick & Pierre McGuire
May 14th- Ducks vs Kings: Game 6, Round 2: 9:30PM; NBCSN: John Forslund & Brian Engblom
May 16th- Kings vs Ducks: Game 7, Round 2: 9PM; NBCSN: John Forslund, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 17th- Rangers vs Canadiens: Game 1, ECF: 1PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 18th- Kings vs Blackhawks: Game 1, WCF: 3PM; NBC: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 19th- Rangers vs Canadiens: Game 2, ECF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 21st- Kings vs Blackhawks: Game 2, WCF: 8PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 22nd- Canadiens vs Rangers: Game 3, ECF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 24th- Blackhawks vs Kings: Game 3, WCF: 8PM; NBC: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 25th- Canadiens vs Rangers: Game 4, ECF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 26th- Blackhawks vs Kings: Game 4, WCF: 9PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 27th- Rangers vs Canadiens: Game 5, ECF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 28th- Kings vs Blackhawks: Game 5, WCF: 8PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
May 29th- Canadiens vs Rangers: Game 6, ECF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
May 30th- Blackhawks vs Kings: Game 6, WCF: 9PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
June 1st- Kings vs Blackhawks: Game 7, WCF: 8PM; NBCSN: Kenny Albert, Joe Micheletti, Brian Engblom
June 4th- Rangers vs Kings: Game 1, SCF: 8PM; NBC: Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
June 7th- Rangers vs Kings: Game 2, SCF: 7:15PM; NBC: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
June 9th- Kings vs Rangers: Game 3, SCF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
June 11th- Kings vs Rangers: Game 4, SCF: 8PM; NBCSN: Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire