A Happy Ending

     All signs point toward a happy ending for Ray Lewis and his professional football career.  The stage is set for the Baltimore Ravens to earn themselves their second Superbowl victory and grant the hard-hitting, passionate middle linebacker a fairytale ending come February 3rd. Future hall-of-fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis will forever be remembered as ones of the league's most intense leaders, hardest workers, and scariest hitters. The 37 year old, albeit out of his prime, is still making a name for himself among the game's elite. His team, led by their defense, is currently clicking on all cylinders. Number 52 can lead his troops with a level of focus and attention to detail second to none now that he has avoided the courtroom, returned from injury, and sensed history in the making. A heart-warming, inspirational, yet hyper-motivational pregame speech, and if necessary, halftime speech, is to be expected and highly anticipated by Ravens players and fans alike. While his always affective rhetoric serves a great purpose for his teammates, it is on the field where the Ravens will need to produce. If one thing is for certain, moreover, it is that Baltimore has all the tools to do just that: produce.
     Though the Ravens are and have always been known for their consistent, anything-but-soft defense, their offense, for the first time in over a decade, is equally potent. While Lewis, Suggs, and Reed are intimidating to say the least, the man under center on the other side of the ball is just as hungry and eager as anyone to lay hands on the Vince Lombardi trophy.
     Joe Flacco might actually be as good as he tells us he is. After telling the world a year ago that he believes he is the best quarterback in the league, he is starting to play like it. Though I am unwilling to categorize him with Rodgers, Brees, Manning, and Brady whom he just beat, his progress this season ought not to go unrecognized.  The fifth year quarterback threw for a career high in yards during the regular season, and has now posted a career high quarterback rating of 114.7 thus far in the playoffs. He is progressing at a steady rate, and can thank the big uglies up front and his weapons on the outside for that. Head Coach John Harbaugh's offense is fourth in the National Football League in passing, something not even their opponents from San Francisco can claim. Such a stat is not accredited to having one superstar, but to having the balance of a number of great players on the offensive depth chart.
     Flacco's improvement in both confidence and statistics would be impossible if he did not have guys to throw to. Fortunately for him, he has two stand-out targets at the wide receiver position. Former Arizona Cardinal Anquan Boldin has made a name for himself as being perhaps the strongest, most physical receiver in the league. He can serve as both a possession receiver as well as a big play type guy. The man opposite to him, Torrey Smith, is certainly a hail mary sort of play-maker. Much like this season has been an emotional roller coaster for captain Ray Lewis, it has been even more so for Smith. The speedy wideout is dealing with the tragic death of his 19-year old brother who died in late September from a motorcycle accident. Smith, who leads all Baltimore receivers in touchdowns, is averaging an eye-opening 17.4 yards per catch. He would like nothing more than to continue putting up big numbers in order to win a Super Bowl for his deceased younger brother. He should be able to perform at a high level if the underrated, yet dominant offensive line led by Matt Birk, Michael Oher, and Bryant McKinnie remains a force to be reckoned with. These big boys up front make it possible for Flacco to connect with his skilled players and free up space for stud running back Ray Rice and x-factor Bernard Pierce in the backfield. This combination of talent has the Ravens statistically as the fifth best rushing team in the league. They are capable, furthermore, of dominating a game with their rushing attack. Their power game teamed with their deep threats in Boldin and Smith make for one dangerous offense. It is rare that a Baltimore offense can keep up with its defense. Nevertheless, Ravens fans can finally deem such a statement as true. If Flacco leads the offense the way Lewis leads his defense, Ravens players should be heading home happy following next Sunday's Super Bowl. If they do their jobs as anticipated, Ray Lewis will exit the league on top and the organization will exit the 2012-2013 season as champions.

They'll Be Back!

     The Detroit Tigers concluded their unforgettable regular season and playoff run with an easily forgettable World Series. The Bruce Bochy led San Francisco Giants out-hustled, out-smarted, and out-performed the Tigers just months ago to win their second World Series title in three years. The brooms were brought out as the Giants dusted the more talented Tigers off the field in four consecutive games, leaving cause for concern for the baseball fans in Mo-Town. Fortunately, for Michiganders, the league moves on.
     Unless the Mayans were correct in predicting the end of the world in just five days, there will be another baseball season in 2013. For this reason, the Tigers organization can use their poor World Series performance as motivation to set the stage for next season. Tigers need to eat, and fortunately, these Tigers are hungry.
     Not only is Detroit's roster inspired to improve upon last season, but it is also stacked with star power...even more so than last year's team. The Tigers are re-amped and reloaded. Letting Delmon Young go marks the team's only significant loss to a position player. The Tiger's additions to their roster arguably make this loss go unnoticed and  negligible. The biggest plus: Victor Martinez. Martinez missed all of last season due to an ACL tear, but the team reports that V-Mart, a career .303 hitter, is back and ready to go. The part-time designated hitter, part-time catcher hopes to build off of what he did in 2011, where he batted .330 (good for fourth best in the American League) and had the best year of his career. The infusion of his bat into the lineup should add power, average, and confidence to a Detroit team that was already steadfast in all such areas. Martinez's name in the lineup makes the Tigers batting order great on paper. Tori Hunter's addition into the lineup, moreover, makes the Tigers lineup appear dominant on paper.
     Four time all-star Tori Hunter is coming off an impressive season, in which he batted .313 and hit 16 dingers over the fences of various MLB ball parks. He should find success at the number two hole for Detroit, batting behind Austin Jackson and in front of American League MVP and triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera. Nevertheless, It is not simply his bat that will make a difference, but his intangibles as well. Now at age 37, all Tori wants to do is win. Therefore, his teammates and his fans can expect him to do the little things. He first made a name for himself by his defensive prowess in the outfield, where he's been known to make leaping catches over the fence, complete highlight diving grabs, and even gun people down. His defense is consistent. He brings the necessary effort and mindset on a daily basis. Always doing the little things, he is also an excellent base runner and is still very capable of stealing bases. His skill set, attention to detail, and veteran leadership should be embraced by Tiger fans. His presence alone makes the Tigers roster excitingly dangerous.
     If the Tigers don't limit themselves to playing on paper, and instead bring it every day on the field, they should be making a return trip to the World Series. Their potent lineup will most likely be granted a great deal of help. Verlander leads a staff that is eager to continue their recent success. Fister, Scherzer, and recently signed Sanchez are also all capable of being top tier pitchers in this league. They have definitely given manager Jim Leyland confidence. Detroit has both the offense and the imperative defense to make a return trip to the big stage. Perhaps this is the year they get over the hump for the first time since 1984. Perhaps this is the year the Tigers restore the roar in the D.

The Floor General

     Though Jason Kidd cannot do what he used to do, one thing remains. His leadership is never absent. At age 39, he is no longer among the best point guards in the National Basketball Association. Nevertheless, his intangibles make him among the most underrated players in the league. If I were to compare him to anybody, outside of basketball, Tim Tebow would be my guy. He's no longer among the most talented, elite players, but his work ethic, leadership skills, and love for the game are second to none. Not to mention, like Skip Bayless says, "all he does is win."
     It's no coincidence the same year the New York Knicks acquire Kidd is the same year they take a step above relevancy. Kidd, who embraces his role as the set up man and leader for the offensively gifted Knickerbockers, has his team sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-1. Now with a ring on his finger, Kidd knows what it takes to earn the hardware. He knows it starts at the defensive end, where he plays hard day in and day out. That is the paramount difference between the Knicks of old and this year's New York Team; Kidd has brought with him a culture of defense, and they are buying in. The crafty vet is averaging nearly 2 steals per game on the young season. Kidd's defense-first mentality has been contagious, and has even been inspiring the league's best scorer, Carmelo Anthony, two play on both ends of the court. Kidd serves as the motor for the defense, but also keeps guys like Carmelo happy with his pass-first mentality. His court vision is still among the game's greats, which has allowed him to continue finding guys in both transition and the half court with ease and efficiency. However, it's not just his passing skills that have been pleasing and impressing the fans in the Big Apple. It seems as if the basket has been appearing bigger to J-Kidd. He's been in the zone, shooting better than 59% from the field and a career high 56.5% from deep. Such surprising numbers prove Kidd has the ability to be the next John Stockton, and play effectively into his early to mid 40's. Despite excellent numbers, it will not be his assists, steals, or points that take New York to the next level. It will be his attitude, his leadership, and his floor general personality that make him the team's x-factor. Kidd not only controls the team's tempo, but also helps head coach Mike Woodson in managing the egos of certain players, namely J.R. Smith, Carmelo, and Rasheed Wallace (who is already back in prime form picking up technicals). If he does this effectively, which he should, New York has a great opportunity to make the jump from pretender to contender in the Heat-dominated Eastern Conference.

Nothing Cheap Here

     Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants organization need to relax. The 66 year old head coach, who was backed by several of his players in agreement, publicly complained to the media about the last play of the game following his team's 41-34 thrilling victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. While planning to take a knee and run out the clock nearing the game's close, Eli Manning and the Giants offensive line were caught by surprise. The defensive linemen of Tampa Bay dove at the feet of both Eli and his wall of an offensive line in a desperate attempt to knock the ball loose and cause a fumble to extend the game a few seconds longer and earn a chance at a hail marry attempt. Though the Bucs did not succeed, New York took offense.

     "I don't think you do that at this level," Coughlin said after the game. "You don't do that in this league. You don't jeopardize the offensive line, you (don't) jeopardize the quarterback. Thank goodness we didn't get anybody hurt," he said (Jane McManus). Coughlin, like many of his players, was not in the greatest of moods following the game despite pulling out the hard fought victory. Eli Manning, who fell on his back side as a result of the play, was in the same boat.

     "That was a first," Manning said. "Obviously I think it is a little bit of a cheap shot. Going down, we are taking a knee, in a friendly way. They are firing off, and it's a way to get someone hurt" (Jane McManus).
 
     While Giants players and coaches made a big deal out of the play, they forgot one thing: it's football. There's no room for softness. If you can't take a hit, then don't play the game. The clock had not struck zeros, so anything was fair play. In fact, what first year coach Greg Schiano did was honorable. He never gave up. He was teaching his team a valuable lesson - to play until the final whistle blows. If NFL egos can handle such a message, then more power to them.

     "I don't know if that's not something that's not done in the National Football League, but what I do with our football team is we fight until they tell us game over," Schiano said. "There's nothing dirty about it and there's nothing illegal about it," he added (Jane McManus).

     The Buccaneers were playing til the end, and that should be applauded, not frowned upon. New York: man up and worry about your own team. Tampa: keep doing what you do, and play til the fat lady sings.

Jason Otter: A Man Among Boys

Jason Otter is the greatest teacher of the game of basketball on this planet. The 40 year old basketball guru from Saginaw, Michigan has produced more division one basketball players than any other player developmental program in the United States. He pays attention to details most players don't even know exist. Coach Otter breaks down the mechanics of a player's shot, foundational stance, ball handling, triple threat, and movement with and without the ball (which a number of trainers fail to cover). He excels in teaching efficiency of movement and can teach players how to eliminate their wasted motion and score on faster and quicker opponents. Furthermore, what separates him from the other basketball minds of the world is undoubtedly his work ethic.
     Sure, it's a safe bet every basketball trainer out there works or has worked hard over his or her career. But Coach Otter takes hard work to a whole new level. The man missed only eight workouts from the ages of 11 to 24. He does not settle for pushing his body five or six times a week. He has the everyday mentality which has molded his incredible work ethic (which is second to none) into his way of life. He goes hard on Christmas, his birthday, Thanksgiving, and every other holiday in between. By going hard, I mean it is not uncommon to see Jason in the gym for 10 to 14 hours a day running camps. While running camps, he goes through the vigorous workouts along with his campers. He doesn't have time for breaks. He works out all day, and does it everyday. It's truly an inspirational thing to see.
      His work ethic coupled with his remarkable knowledge of the game separate him from the pack. If your goal is to play college basketball, go pro, make your team, or even just learn things about the great sport that most people won't know, you should get yourself to a Jason Otter basketball camp!

This Could Be The Year

   This could be the year the Detroit Lions reach the Superbowl. Yes, that's right; the same Lions that went win-less just years ago now have a chance to flip the script. Despite playing in what is arguably the toughest division in football (NFC North), The Lions have a bonafide chance to earn a spot as the NFC's representative in Super Bowl XLVII. Going 10-6 in the regular season last year marked the team's first winning season since 2000 and first ten win season since 1995. Since such accomplishments, they have had a swagger about them rarely seen before in the eyes of Lion football players. Last season sparked confidence in the hungry bunch. That confidence harnessed with improving talent in Detroit, should have football fans in the state of Michigan "ready for some football!"The team even earned another Monday night football contest in Chicago this season (week seven). Until last year, you'd probably be joking or examining the drought aloof from Monday night games for Detroit if you put the Lions in the same sentence as "Monday night football." Today no such jokes are necessary. There's no way around it; the Lions are finally both good and fun to watch.
     After last year, the Lions high-powered pass-heavy offense gained the respect of both fans and opposing teams. This year, the production on the offensive side of the ball should continue to do nothing but flourish under the leadership of Matthew Stafford. He is entering his fourth season and is only the fourth quarterback of all time to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season (2011).
     The former Georgia Bulldog can put up such alluring numbers because he has one of the best receiving corps in the league, led by the best player in the league, Calvin Johnson. Nate Burleson and Titus Young have the skills to compliment Megatron very well on the gridiron. Tight ends Brandon Bettigrew and Tony Sheffler are also proven pass catchers as well as the x factors of the offense. When they are catching passes, it usually means the team is moving vertically, straight down the field. Their ability to not only posses great hands but also block should free up space for the running game, which is the team's number one question mark.
     Since Barry Sanders left, Detroit has not had a consistent running game...nor do they need one. With the potency of the Stafford-led passing attack, the Lion's need nothing but a respectable ground game. It needs not be dominant, but simply must keep defenses honest in order to give Stafford more leverage with play action fakes. Now that Jahvid Best is out at least six weeks due to a serious concussion, Kevin Smith, Mikel Leshoure, and Keiland Williams must do it by committee. The good news is they can run behind an offensive line which has a great deal of experience playing together. The line on the other side of the ball, however, will be the one getting all the hype.

     Detroit's formidable defensive line will not be measured this year by their talent, but by their discipline. Their talent helped steer the team to the playoffs last year. Making the playoffs, nevertheless, is not the goal. The goal is the Super Bowl for the men in blue and black. Last season Detroit had the most talented D-line in the league. They also had the most immature D-line in the league. The extremely talented defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh made the press more for his penalties and suspensions than he did for his play. Unfortunately for Detroit, it appears fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley is following along similar footsteps, already having been arrested twice this off-season. Veterans Kyle Vandenbosh and Corey Williams have a job to do in leading the younger big fellas in the middle. If they stay grounded and focused on nothing but playing disciplined football, those four in tandem with fifth year defensive end Cliff Avril and young play-maker Willie Young will be a force to be reckoned with. While the secondary has play-makers like Louis Delmas to reek havok, the defense goes as the D-line goes. If their mental toughness can match their physical toughness, the defensive line should lead a defense hungry to assist its offense. If that side of the ball is anywhere nearly as productive as the offense, then the Lions might find themselves playing for the Vince Lombardi trophy in New Orleans on February 3, 2013.

It's About Time!

It is about time the Lakers had a point guard worth mentioning. Steve Nash agreeing to a 3 year/$27 million deal with Los Angeles means the Lakers have a championship contending level floor general for the first time since Magic. L.A. fans are used to seeing Kobe pair up with noteworthy big men on the court. They are not, however, used to seeing someone that defenses must game plan for bring the ball up the court.  Clippers fans got their man last year when Chris Paul came to town. Now, those who cheer for the purple and gold can say they too got their man. Jordan Farmar and Derek Fisher are finally a mere thought of the past. Nobody will complain if Sessions leaves town. And nobody in L.A. is going to cry about Steve Blake making himself comfortable on the bench. The purple and gold nation just got what it wanted. It got what it needed. It got a point guard.

     The two time MVP may be getting up there in age (38), but still has a lot left in the tank. Nash brings an impressive resume to L.A. The 6'3, 178 pound veteran has been to eight all-star games, been a member of the All-NBA first team on three separate occasions, All-NBA second team twice, All-NBA third team twice, and is a two time winner of the all-star weekend's skills challenge. He has received numerous accolades from high school through college, where he was named the two time WCC player of the year, to the NBA, where he has recently just begun a new chapter in his playing career. The buzz he has brought to L.A. is not because of his past, however. It is because of his future. It is because of what he will bring to the table for a team most thought was going downhill.

     One week ago the Lakers were a forgotten topic. Nobody was giving the aging Kobe-led Lakers a chance at another ring any time soon. The arrival of Stephen John Nash has changed all of that. Nash gives the Lakers a whole new dimension they have not had in years. He will be able to assist the Black Mamba in bringing leadership to a team that could use more of it. Nash's positive energy should compliment Kobe's "hold-you-accountable" type leadership very well.

     Nash will also take pressure off Kobe so the Mamba does not have to dribble so much and routinely settle for contested fade-aways. His presence will hopefully limit the number of times Kobe has to go one on one against aggressive double teams. First of all, Nash will bring the pick and roll, something almost foreign to L.A., to the offense. Secondly, Nash will space the court for Bryant (something Sessions was unable to do).
     Most people do not realize this, but Steve Nash is among the NBA's greatest shooters of all time. He's known for his top notch vision and excellent passing, but his smooth jump shot is often overlooked. Nash is the only player of all time to be in the top ten in both 3 point percentage (8th) and free throw percentage (1st). It is safe to say those guarding him must stay home, because if Nash's men leave him to double Kobe, the veteran guard will no doubt make them pay.

     His leadership, ability to knock down shots, and his comfort level with the pick and roll will make L.A. look like a completely transformed team. Not only will he make the game easier for Kobe (still one of the game's elite performers), but big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (assuming neither is traded for Dwight Howard) will also find themselves scoring easy buckets on a nightly basis because of his presence. Those four alone provide a scary level of talent. If Metta World Peace can pick up the slack on defense and hit open shots then L.A. has to be the favorites in the West.

     The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the team to beat. But if Steve Nash experiences a smooth transition into L.A., then Durant might have to wait another year before earning his first ring. Nash has Los Angeles back in championship contention. NBA fans might finally get the finals match they have longed for: Miami versus L.A. One thing is for sure; Steve Nash in purple and gold makes that match-up seem extremely possible.