Random Thoughts

The NBA Conference Finals are in full swing, and unfortunately for me, I'm not a fan of any of the participants. All should be exciting series, stretching at least 6 games. My prediction is the Lakers in 6, and the Celtics in 7. Celtics finally lost a game at home last night, but it wouldn't shock me if the Pistons, with their turn it on turn it off mentality, give away one at home.

The Chicago Bulls are the NBA's latest draft lottery winner. If I was their gm, I would take Beasley, because I think their biggest weakness is the lack of a post presence. Rose is interesting, because he is from Chicago, but I think Hinrich is more than serviceable at the pt, despite his awful shooting performance this past season. A lineup of Hinrich, Hughes, Deng, Beasley, with Noah or Gray at center, will be a big improvement. With a bench of Gordon, Gooden, Thomas, and the nonstarter between Noah and Gray, the rotation looks very promising.

A couple of weeks ago, Oscar De La Hoya shammed the public by beating a smaller, less powerful fighter from the contender, Steve Forbes. I call the fight a sham, because I'm sure Oscar is hoping the general public will believe him when he says that Forbes was the perfect opponent to mimic Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather. It doesn't matter that Forbes has no pop in his punches, or that his defense is god awful, but I'm sure millions of people will fork over their cash to watch the rematch between Mayweather and Oscar. This boxing fan will watch the replay on HBO the following Saturday. Just like the first fight, I give Oscar a punchers chance, and I'm not willing to pay $50+ to watch that garbage.

It was funny watching coverage of the Chris Byrd fiasco on Friday Night Fights last week. Not because Byrd was literally destroyed, but because of the comments coming from Antonio Tarver. Byrd lost about 45 lbs prior to the fight, dropping down from a career in the heavyweight division to light heavyweight. It was funny hearing Tarver say that he didn't believe the weight loss had anything to do with Byrd's performance, because Tarver used that excuse in his subpar performance after dropping a large chunk of weight before a fight. Roy Jones Jr, also used the same excuse. Yeah, I think Byrd is nowhere near the same fighter he was say 5 years ago, but to say that the weight loss didn't play a part in the stoppage is extremely dumb in my opinion. Let's give the man a couple more fights at light heavy, before we say he is done.

TROUBLEMAN