LJ and LT - Comparing Greatness

LJ and LT - Comparing Greatness

Pick of the Day - Devil Rays @ Red Sox

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Boston Red Sox

Devil rays (+131)

Tuesday, August 14th - 7:05 PM ET

The Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, hoping to keep their lead over the Yankees in the American League East. Tampa Bay looks to take a team full of young talent and show the Red Sox that the curse is back.

Bottom Line: The Rays are going to pull this off for a couple reasons; 1. Scott Kazmir is a fireballer who will make the most of his chance to pitch against the league’s best, and 2. Boston just loves to lose their lead over the last month or two of the season. The Yankees are looking for their chance to shine, and Boston is only offering sunscreen. They get a tough match-up today, as Jon Lester (who came out hot in his first start back from fighting cancer) starts for the 3rd time this season. In his 2nd game, Lester came back down, allowing a load of runs, as the Red Sox lost. He didn’t tear it up in the Minors, where a few of the Rays have played earlier this year, so they should be ready for his stuff. Take the underdog here, and the +131 payout.

LJ and LT - Comparing Greatness: I’m taking a look at the guy who had the greatest season ever LaDainian Tomlinson and the guy who doesn’t get enough credit for the work he does, Larry Johnson. Both are AMAZING runners, and could eventually go down as Top 10 running backs of all time, but LJ needs more love. These guys go 1-2 in my Fantasy Rankings because they have more talent than any two offensive players in the league. And while LJ has to deal with a poor offensive line, signing a new contract, a 1st year starter at QB, and a GM who wants nothing more than to underpay his star back - he’s still a fantasy hero. To better show the similarities between these two backs, I’m going to compare the 2nd half of LT’s record breaking, best fantasy football season ever - and LJ’s performance when he won the starting job after Priest Holmes’ injury in 2005. I figure its the best comparison, because LJ’s line was good and healthy, just like LT’s last season. The numbers may surprise you, LJ gets very close to LTs record output. The last 9 games of the 2005 season, where LJ started for the first time in his career, he posted; 1,352 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards, and 17 TDs. During LT’s last 9 games (not counting the last game where he barely played) he posted; 1,276 rushing yards, 248 receiving yards, and 23 TDs. If you break that down into fantasy points, LJ finishes with 25 less fantasy points than LT - the guy who had the best fantasy season ever. It’s close. LJ is one hell of a player, in my opinion, as good as anyone, but LT gets fantasy god status here. I have to give him his credit - busting out 23 TDs over 8 games is insane. Thank you for pushing me into the playoffs in 2006!

NBA Finals

Pick of the Day - Cavaliers @ Spurs

Cavs (+8)

Thursday, June 7th - 9:00 PM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Suprs;The Spurs have been a consistent force in the NBA univers over the past 10 years, and thus they are the favorite to take out Daniel Gibsonand the Cavaliers. However, Dan’s Cavs have this guy named L. James. This young no-name small forward might leave his mark on a game or two.

Bottom Line:This series may go the way of the Spur, but surely LaBron James might find a way to keep things closer than expected in the NBA Finals. In Game 1, youth will have its effect on the game, in one way or another. I like youth to keep things close, as nearly every single one of the Cavs’ playoff games have been. Take all those points, and the Cavs.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 20-9-1

Spurs in 5 I think every game will be close, and while I hope I’m amazingly wrong, I have to take Timmy Duncan’s group of Spurs to oust the Cavs in 5 little games. They’ve got all the veteran leadership to succeed in the face of any adversity. They have 3 players the Cavs can’t stop; Timmy, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker. The Cavs have one of those players. But both teams are defensive in nature, and the games will be close, so anything can happen. Unfortunately, the Cavs don’t have the luck of the Tim, and they’re not as good as the Spurs. These two things, plus the fact that Robert Horry has obviously already sold his soul to the devil, makes this championship all but San Antone’s for better or worse, till next year will they part. Lets hope I’m wrong. But don’t count on it.

NBA Finals

Pick of the Day - Cavaliers @ Spurs

Cavs (+8)

Thursday, June 7th - 9:00 PM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers @ San Antonio Suprs;The Spurs have been a consistent force in the NBA univers over the past 10 years, and thus they are the favorite to take out Daniel Gibsonand the Cavaliers. However, Dan’s Cavs have this guy named L. James. This young no-name small forward might leave his mark on a game or two.

Bottom Line:This series may go the way of the Spur, but surely LaBron James might find a way to keep things closer than expected in the NBA Finals. In Game 1, youth will have its effect on the game, in one way or another. I like youth to keep things close, as nearly every single one of the Cavs’ playoff games have been. Take all those points, and the Cavs.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 20-9-1

Spurs in 5; I think every game will be close, and while I hope I’m amazingly wrong, I have to take Timmy Duncan’s group of Spurs to oust the Cavs in 5 little games. They’ve got all the veteran leadership to succeed in the face of any adversity. They have 3 players the Cavs can’t stop; Timmy, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker. The Cavs have one of those players. But both teams are defensive in nature, and the games will be close, so anything can happen. Unfortunately, the Cavs don’t have the luck of the Tim, and they’re not as good as the Spurs. These two things, plus the fact that Robert Horry has obviously already sold his soul to the devil, makes this championship all but San Antone’s for better or worse, till next year will they part. Lets hope I’m wrong. But don’t count on it.

Karma’s a Bitch

Karma’s a Bitch!

Pick of the Day - Suns @ Spurs

Suns (+3)

Friday, May 18th - 9:35 PM ET

Phoenix Suns @ San Antonio Spurs;Take the Suns in this one, I don’t care how good the Spurs are at closing a series out, the Karma Gods are about to smack the Spurs in the face. Quote me here, the Suns win by at least 10, but take the extra points, and get an easy win.

Bottom Line:I don’t see anything changing the outcome of this one, not even a big shot Rob 3, as seems to be the lucky case for Spurs fans year after year. Amare’s about to go off, and Steve has the world set to see him pull a 20-20 points and assists. Take Friday’s easy bet.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 20-9-1

OVER and Out; Draft Me!

OVER and Out; Draft Me!

Pick of the Day - Indians @ Blue Jays

OVER (10)

Thursday, May 3rd - 7:05 PM ET

Cleveland Indians @ Toronto Blue Jays;I know I haven’t been raking in the cash, or even pumping out picks since my plane trip to Paris, but I’m trying to get back on track, and my winning ways, before returning home to the States at the end of the month. My first order of business is to pick a baseball winner today. While I’m sure the Indians will take hom the W in this contest, I don’t like the -160 straight up, and while the -1.5 is fairly safe, I’m not a huge fan of baseballs 2 runs needed to win, so I’m taking an easy bet here, the OVER.

Bottom Line:Both the Jays and the Indians have hit over 10 in 7 of their last 10 games. Yes, they’ll do it again. Cliff Lee (a 4.4 era guy last season) pitches his first game of the year, while Toronto’s starter Dustin McGowan is a reliever, has started 10 career games, and has an ERA up aorund 7.00. Sounds like an over game if I’ve ever seen one. McGowan never goes past 5 innings, and the Jays and Indians went 11 last night, meaning bullpens will be tired. Two starters who aren’t up to par physically yet, (in Dustin’s cast; ever) and two teams that rake. Take the over, and follow me to my 20th win in 30 tries.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 19-9-1

European Tour of Duty: I’m still over on the other side of the Atlantic, and won’t be back for another 4 weeks or so. But I’ve learned from my Nadal/Federer loss, I’m staying with America for my picks. Good luck in your bets!

How about the NFL Draft? There were many surprising picks, but I’d have to say the Patriots and Jaguars made out like bandits. One reason, well, they straight jacked picks from teams. The Pats will have a loaded first day next season, while the Jags took home a number of solid picks, most based off a trade that lost them nothing, as they ended up with Reggie Nelson, the guy they wanted anyway. Good lord. The luck some guys have. The Raiders cut their losses, eh, Randy Moss, and hope to start a new without the half-time receiver. But just wait, he’ll blow up in New England this season. If Tom Brady and Dr. Bill can make Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, and company look solid, just wait until Randy shows up. The Pats won’t have problems with Randy, because if they do, they’ll just cut him, and they lost out on a 4th round pick. Big deal.The Hawks gave away Darrell Jackson. And while D-Jack has a knack for getting hurt, he’s been the most consistent weapon the Hawks have had catching the ball, by a ton. Expect D-Hack to step up with a huge year in Seattle, and Branch, who knows about that guy. Ted Ginn Jr; Hmmm….??? To be honest, I think he would have been gone in the next couple picks, so fools need to stop saying the Dolphins reached too far for his services. Yeah, they passed on Quinn, but if anyone can judge quarterbacks, its Cam Cameron, and he likes Beck more. Plus, this gives Daunte another chance in Miami; Something he might just take advantage of. Since I’ve left, the Bulls swept the Heat, the Mavericks went down 3-1 to Golden State, and Kobe’s Lakers didn’t have a chance, going down in 5 to the Suns. I love it. If only the Nuggets could have taken down the Spurs, my life would have been complete. Until another day, “Do Work!”

Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood

Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood

Pick of the Day - Roger Federer @ Rafael Nadal

Federer (+140)

Sunday, April 22nd - EARLY!!! PM ET

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal go at it again; this time for the championship in Monte Carlo. While Nadal easily leads the head to head between the two, Roger has done what Roger does and taken the last two from the clay court specialist. Should be a good one on the Cote D’Azur

Bottom Line:As this even takes place, I must tell you, I’m just outside of Monte Carlo, and certainly their is a nice French buzz about tomorrow’s event. I’ve never been a stickler for taking big favorites, something I thought I’d see before looking at the odds for this match. Well, I thought I’d see the best tennis player of all time entrenched as a -200 underdog, but as it seems, the odds have bounced away from Rog. But don’t get ahead of yourselves and bet against this super athlete. He may not be playing the best tennis of his life, and certainly, Nadal is a nice clay match-up for him, but Roger is a winner, even in the most adverse situations, and tomorrow (today for me), he will win. All I needed to see was Nadal fine tuning his game after yesterday’s match. That’s great. And while many think practice makes perfect, I’d have to say, extra time the day before the match will only lose Nadal confidence points.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 19-8-1

European Tour of Duty: As I had planned to do, I found right in front of my eyes, my first European sporting event to pick. Its nice how a little trip to the Azure Coast will crash straight into a Nadal/Federer showdown. You’ve gotta love it!

Once again Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

European Tour of Duty

European Tour of Duty

Pick of the Day - Hornets @ Kings

New Orleans Hornets @ Sacramento Kings

Hornets (+4.5)

Monday, April 16th - 1:05 PM ET

Chris Paul & David West might not have gotten their team of youngsters into the post season, but does that mean they’re ready to bend over and take it from the Sac-Town Queens? Not a chance. Ron Artest & Mike Bibby may have had solid games lately, but that just means they’re ready to fold up their lawn chairs and head out to the beach as soon as this seasons’ over. The young Hornets are winners of the future, so expect them to give it their all right meow.

Bottom Line:The Hornets are much better than the Kings, so expect them to win. Weird.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-8-1

European Tour of Duty: Okay, so I’m off to Europe because a beautiful woman tricked me into buying a plane ticket to come see her. What can I do? On the road, I’ll do my best to get some inside looks at some overseas events, so stay tuned!

Once again Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

Hall of Drew Bledsoe

Hall of Drew Bledsoe

Pick of the Day - Marlins @ Braves

Florida Marlins @ Atlanta Braves

Marlins (+185)

Sunday, April 15th - 1:05 PM ET

Annibal Sanchez VS Tim Hudson; both these pitchers have a lot to offer. Sanchez and his young Marlins try to make a name for themselves, as Hudson and his Braves look to get back on track after a down year. Andrew Jones & Miquel Cabrerra will have a lot to do with who wins this contest.

Bottom Line: This baseball game is all about numbers, right? Right. You talk to any manager, hardcore fan, or player, and they will tell you, the highs and lows don’t often exist, where the averages tell the story. That’s why there’s 162 games a year, and getting a hit one time in every 3 atbats gets you to the All Star Game. Well, the young Sanchez is much better than his 5.4 ERA, and Hudson’s .64 ERA isn’t about to last. Expect both of those numbers to even out as the Marlins take down the Braves in a big money winner, +185. I always try to go for big money winners to break my slump (0-2 in last 2 bets), and this is a good a chance as any.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-8-1

Hall of Drew Bledsoe?: Was he good, bad, or great? Sometimes bad, sometimes good, but never, never Great. Okay, in college Drew could toss that pigskin around, but in the NFL, Mr. Bledsoe has always come up short of great… Every single year. I’m not even going to argue with numbers, as surely, this inordinarily slow, tall, unathletic stumbler ranks in the Top 10 in more than a couple categories. But this isn’t baseball, where 500 long balls used to get you in, or the NBA, where leading the league in scoring a handful of times makes you a prime H.O.F. canidate. This is the NFL where great players find themselves in the Hall of Fame, and good players try to figure out what they could have done to be great. Drew Bledsoe had a few good years, only a few. He played solid in New England for a couple years, and had a nice season for a .500 Buffalo Bill team, but never, not even when he found himself in the Super Bowl, was he a great quarterback. Don’t be confused for even a minute, 7th all time in anything doesn’t make you great. Being great, not measure by numbers or titles or touchdowns or girth, just being geat, that’s it. It’s not that difficult to assess. Its right there in front of your eyes. Watch the great ones now and enjoy the show. As for what I will do without Drew to pinch and poke week after week, Eli Manning’s going to be around for awhile, he should do just fine.

In other news: Lucky Lester, me, is off to travel Europe for 7 Weeks, so if I don’t get around to making picks and throw out articles on a daily basis, you all know why. I’ll be chiming in from time to time. Enjoy the NFL Draft, and “Do Work!”

Oden or Durrant?

Oden or Durrant?

Pick of the Day - Pacers @ Heat

Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat

Heat (-5)

Friday, April 13th - 8:00 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal & Dwayne Wade, should both be in the lineup when the Heat face the Pacers on Friday night, as the Heat try to make a push for the 3 spot while the Pacers try to dance into the playoffs. Check it out to see if Jermaine O’Neal can will his team past last year’s NBA Champs.

Bottom Line: Dwayne seems to be getting his first step back, and thus the Pacers will pay. Shaq is back after an absence for a funeral, and thus the Pacers will pay. Miami is looking to make a move up to the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and thus the Pacers will lose. Sure, Indy is attempting to get into the playoffs, but for what? To get swept in Round 1? They don’t have the gusto to do work, even in the East. Look for the Pacers playoff chances to go up in flames Friday Night.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-7-1

Oden or Durrant?: Two kids look to be a lock at the top of next year’s NBA Draft, those two young superstars are Greg Oden & Kevin Durrant. The question between NBA Fans has been answered, and for the most part, the fantasy sports mindset has demanded most of the votes, as Kevin is getting the nod over Greg, but if everyone could just pull their heads out of statlines, fantasy playoffs, and All Star game highlights, they’d begin to realize Greg Oden is the only decision. Now this is assuming Oden will join Durrant and come out early. Durrant plays the 3, and while I’m sure he has all the skills to develop into one of the league’s elite players, the bottom line is, 3’s are all around. Just next season, players like Rashard Lewis will be availiable in free agency, and while I like Durrants upside more than Lewis’, name a good center on the market next season. C’mon, what? You can’t find one? Hell, name a handfull of good centers in the league… Exactly. In a league that has lost the numbers of quality good centers, Oden has flashed a Bill Russell type ability to dominate defensively, with a nice offensive touch for a 7 footer still filling out his frame. I love KD, but the possibility of stealing a Center who should be a top 5 guy at his position the day he steps on the NBA floor, that’s too much to pass up. If teams could pass on Mike to get Hakeem and Sam Bowie, than surely Oden is the answer at #1. Because Oden has all the ability and force than any Center since Shaq, and while Durrant has tons of talent, he’s not Mike. You can’t go wrong with either player, as both will be All Stars in the NBA, but I’ll take Championships over MVP’s, and thus I’ll roll with Greg Oden.

In other news: Drew Bledsoe, has retired. Yes, my week to week bashing of Drew Bledsoe, the fat 7th grader, will surely come to an end… But! Not before I get out what I need to get out. Stay tuned to the site, as my next Top Shelf article will discuss one Cougar Donkey’s career.

Pacman Suspension Valid?

Pacman Suspension Valid?

Pick of the Day - Heat @ Bobcats

Miami Heat @ Charlotte Bobcats

Heat (+1)

Tuesday, April 10th - 8:00 PM ET

Shaquille O’Neal & Dwayne Wade, not to mention the rest of the Miami Heat, travel to Charlotte to revenge their most recent loss to the Bobcats. Wade is coming off his first game back, as Shaq looks to assert some dominance against the yong Bobcat front line. It will be interesting to see if the Heat play with some emotion in this one, trying to improve their playoff seed.

Bottom Line: Its hard for me to believe that the Charlotte Bobcats going to slay the Heat two games in a row. Inf fact, its down right foolish for anyone to think something like that. Wade’s first game back the Heat went to overtime before falling to a superb performance by Gerald Wallace, but don’t expect as much from the Bobcats this time around. Sure, the Cats play well against solid competition, but only because they go into most games beleiving they don’t have a chance. Its when they start to think they belong, thats when trouble strikes. Expect a 20-10 yester year perfromance from the Genie, and a better game out of Miami’s biggest star, Mr. Wade.

Lucky’s Overall Record: 18-6-1

Pacman Suspension Valid?: Honestly, I think Adam “Pacman” Jones deserves everything the NFL or any other league, division of the law, video game maker, judge has in store for the troubled youngster, but I still don’t think what the league did was legally right. This is somewhat similar to the whole “Steroids in Baseball” fiasco. Like in baseball, the rules were different when Pacman did his business, and now he’s getting punished as if the recent rules were in place all along. Jones is a moron, that’s the only way you could explain him throwing 80 large around a strip club in the first place, let alone to pose as a distraction so one of his “friends” could come in and Scarface the Las Vegas scene up. What a joke. But, the matter of fact is, the law assumes innocence until proven guilty, and the league is suspending Jones for a year based on what the media has written about the corner’s latest run-in with the law. I’m sure Jones and his attourney’s are writing their appeal as I speak, or quite possibly even sueing the NFL right meow. And while I think that crap is ridiculous, this country thrives off the rights that the NFL is taking away from Frogger Jones. We’ll see how this turns out, but I don’t think it will roll smoothly. As for Chris Henry’s suspension, I think that was a little more reasonable. Here’s a cat that strikes out three times a week, in or out of season, and he’s been charged, and found guilty on numerous occasions. Even then, I’m interested to see what the new agreement says about these cases. Its pretty childish to make new rules half way through the game, and penalize people for what they did prior to the new hard to see writing at the bottom. Comprende?