I apologize for being away for so long, but who can blame me? I've been glued to the television from morning to night lately and haven't been able to tear myself away to write anything. Between the NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs, the MLB season starting, the NFL draft, and many other things (Mosley/Mayweather, Kentucky Derby, Tiger's return to the PGA, upcoming World Cup! Should I continue?), I've been so bogged down with sports I feel almost (key word almost) on sports overload. That being said, I'm going to save myself a little time and combine a couple sports into one list. It's also going to be fun to judge how the NBA and NHL playoffs are stacking up against each other right now. Consider this kind of a TV Guide to sports. If you feel conflicted, simply look at this list and it will tell you who to watch. So what is the basis of the list? Two things...
Fun and Excitement.
After all, isn't that why we watch sports in the first place? Here's who I have enjoyed watching this postseason:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
I know they're supposed to win the East this year, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they did, but this is one of those teams that everyone just wants to win. It's almost like watching Jordan take the Bulls to their first championships years ago, except there could be a lot more on the line for the Cleveland franchise than their was in Chicago. With a looming free agency, Lebron might have one final chance to win it for his home-state. After that MVP celebration the other day that praised his friends and family more than it did himself, I doubt he's moving, but the idea's still lingering. Factor in Lebron being hands-down the most exciting player to watch right now in any sport, and I've made my choice of who to watch ahead of anything else.
2. Montreal Canadiens
They might end up losing to Pittsburgh this round, but they may not, and the possibility of a Boston/Montreal Eastern Conference final is so mind-blowing that I really hope they can pull it off. They already beat the number 1 seeded Capitals in the first round, thanks to rock-solid performances from Halak (a .931 save percentage) and Cammalleri (8 goals, 13 points), and I really think they are the most driven lower-seeded team remaining right now. Everyone loves hoping for the underdog, but imagine if they manage to upset both the vengeful Capitals and the returning Stanley Cup champions? It would certainly be a year to remember, and not just for Habs' fans.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
As much as I hate Kobe and the Lakers, they've been turning it on at exactly the right moments. They managed to quell the fury of a young Oklahoma City team, and in game 1 against a scrappy Utah team (more on them soon) they scored points when they needed them. The team just seems to be clicking right now and I can easily fathom a Lakers/Cavs final that would be exactly what everyone wants after the Magic ousted Lebron and the fam in the East finals last year. I have to admit, the Lakers are extremely fun to watch right now and this series should be a battle seeing as...
4. Utah Jazz
This team has been fighting for every victory and I really thought Denver was going to take them out in the first round. Little did I know that the Nuggets' team chemistry hadn't quite rebounded from a few incidents throughout the season, and that the Jazz look like one of the hungriest teams out there right now. Deron Williams is averaging 25 points and 11 assists this postseason and Boozer is leading the league in rebounds, proving to be a force under the net. I always have a soft spot for the Jazz, and when they're up against the Lakers, I just want them to win even more.
5. Vancouver Canucks
OK, so I might be a little biased taking the two remaining Canadian teams as the top two NHL teams to watch, but it's actually a couple of Swedes that are catching my attention. Sure Luongo has been amazing to watch as always, but the Sedin twins have combined for 23 points these playoffs and have made an eager Canucks team hellbent on winning it all extremely entertaining to watch. That being said, they'll have a tough matchup against the Blackhawks, and stealing game 1 in Chicago could prove to be huge down the road. I'm looking forward to seeing what they'll do back in Van-City.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
How could I not include Crosby and co in the top 10. They have a repeat in mind, especially since Montreal conveniently eliminated the Caps for them, but it's not going to be an easy road. The Canadiens are tough as nails and then it's either Boston or Philly in the next round, but if any player remaining can do it, it's Sidney.
7. Orlando Magic
I'm debating who is going to more fun to watch, Orlando or Atlanta, but I think I have to stick with the Magic, who had one hell of a regular season and look eager to make it back to the finals again for another round against the Lakers. The one drawback to this team would be Vince Carter, quite possibly the easiest player to hate in the NBA, but even that just contributes to the "fun" factor. I just really want to see him do poorly and would take pleasure in doing so. All things aside, this is a fun, exciting team who likes to mix it up from time to time.
8. Chicago Blackhawks
I knew these youngins would crack the top half. The series against Vancouver should be a long and tough one, and I really want to see all these young guys come together and make a run at it, almost as much as I want the Canucks to win. Whichever team comes out of this series is the one I want to win the west. Sure Detroit and San Jose are both amazing, but they don't excite me as much as either of these two. If anything, I kinda wish this was the West finals. Factor in the 2-0 series lead for San Jose already, and this should be a much more exciting series.
9. Boston Celtics
I hate the Celtics, but they seem to be one of those teams that refuses to die. Rondo has had a career season, and paired with the steady veterans who know how to get wins come playoff time and they could present big problems for the Cavs. I really hope that Lebron's injury isn't that serious and he can eliminate the Celtics rather quickly, but honestly I think they're going to put up a fight and could push Cleveland to six or even seven.
10. San Jose Sharks
OK, so maybe Joe Thornton and Danny Heatley get you in the top 10. I admit this is a fun team to watch and I think they should take care of Detroit pretty easily. The question is whether they're Stanley Cup bound or not. They have the team, but does Thornton have the drive and heart to win it all? He's been burdened with that question his entire career, let's see if he can finally answer his critics.
11. Boston Bruins
I initially would have stuck the Flyers in here with Carter, Richards, and Pronger, but the Bruins are just winning it when they need to. Up 2-0 already against a Flyers team that struggled to make the playoffs at the end of the year and an oft-criticized Boucher, I think the Bruins are rolling and preparing for an East finals berth. Unfortunately I think whoever comes out of the Montreal/Pittsburgh series will be the more exciting team, but for now Boston has my attention. Oh, and remember when the Leafs drafted Rask? Way to go MLSE.
12. Atlanta Hawks
Sure it will be fun to watch Jamal Crawford finally make a go at it tonight against the Magic, but I honestly think they're outmatched. I'll probably be excited for the start of the series, but eventually my interest in the Hawks as possible upsets will peter out and I'll be paying closer attention to the other teams who will be set to face Orlando. It's a shame, I really like this team. At least they beat Milwaukee.
13. Phoenix Suns
Nash still entertains me from time to time and I like Stoudemire. I think they'll beat the Spurs, but are they really gonna match up against either the Jazz or the Lakers. Is it just me or is it just boring to watch any team face up against San Antonio? That could be it.
14. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers still have a little fire power and one of the best defensemen to play the game. Sure they crumbled at the end of the season and are down two games to Boston, but this is the same team that took out Jersey in 5 in the first round. Maybe they've got a little fight left in them still.
15. Detroit Red Wings
Growing up in the ninties and early 2000s I really got tired of watching this team win. Sure I loved Yzerman, and Lidstrom was the first non-North-American captain to ever win a Stanley Cup in 2007/08, but I just don't really think they'll be able to take down San Jose. Sure glad Phoenix is out though. Take that Bettman.
16. San Antonio Spurs
So sick of this team. Watching Duncan is like running drills drunk. You feel like you should be having fun, and your fundamentals are improving, but you just want to get it over with so you can appreciate the buzz and go hang out with your friends.
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