Add Feedback | Send this Article | Published 4/18/03

Graphic By: Matt Witherow

The NHL Playoffs: April-May
Hometown Heroes
Yes, Virginia, we have a hockey team. A pretty damn good one, too. The Washington Caps have almost secured a first round victory sending them to the semis. They played a great first round series behind leadership from Bondra and Jagr and wouldn't surprise me if they make some noise. The first week of playoffs has already been quite exciting and is something to watch for in the months of April and May. So far the teams that have been competing have kept the March Madness spirit from the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament and have inserted it onto the ice. Very impressive.

The NBA Playoffs: April-June
The Wild Wild West
I think most people understand that the winner of the NBA Playoffs will come out of the West. The only team from the East that could come close to competing for a title are the New Jersey Nets, but even that's a stretch just saying it.   The favorites out West would have to go to the Spurs, Kings, and the Mavs. I wouldn't mind seeing the one-man team Kevin Garnett, aka the Timberwolves. He's the best player in the pros and the guy needs a title. I would be a very happy man if the Lakers don't make it past the first round, but come on now... it's the Lakers. You know they'll find a way to go far and crush my dream.

The NFL Draft: April 26-27
So many quarterbacks, only one first pick.
You'd think having one of the first three picks of the draft and having so many good quarterbacks to choose from would be a dream. Sometimes it is, but that certain dream could turn into a nightmare. This draft will be very interesting to see who goes first and who doesn't. A first round pick is a very tough descion to make, but when you have one of the top three picks you better be getting your money's worth. Just look at what happened to Ryan Leaf.

On the offensive side of things, everyone has their mind set on Carson Palmer being the third straight qb to go #1 in the draft. I personally would go with the 6'6" Byron Leftwich. Running backs Larry Johnson and Willis McGahee will be gunning for the first RB taken in the draft, and Charles Rogers is by far the best available wide reciever.  

Defensively, I think everyone knows that my vote for the best available prospect goes to Maryland's EJ Henderson. Boss Bailey and Mike Doss will also be picked early on in the first round due to their bright college careers.

The NBA Draft: June 26
The LeBron Lottery
Isn't it ironic how the best player to ever walk on the court, aka Michael Jordan, leaves the same year where the one who everybody is saying will challenge for that title enters? Well, we'll know a month earlier on May 22 where LeBron will probably end up going; it's just a matter of what team gets the lucky number one pick. Despite LeBron stating that whatever college he plays for he wants to play Carmello Anthony and Syracuse on the schedule, won't happen. He's not going to school. Like I've been saying all year long, it's not the question of college or NBA, but is it Nike or Reebok?

NY Jets @ Washington Redskins: Sept 4
The Newest Rivalry
While the Jets lost a few key players from last year's roster, the 'Skins picked up a few... from the Jets. And what better way for these two teams to meet than in the first game of the NFL season in 2003. It's must see TV; yours truly will be there live!

A Full Summer of Baseball
America's Pastime couldn't come at a better time.
With war still lingering around, the 162 games per team of baseball couldn't come at a better time than now. This summer I'm planning on attending many O's games at the beautiful Camden Yards, visiting the new Pittsburgh stadium, and making it out to the new Miller Park in Milwaukee. This season so far we've seen Kansas City prove they're ready to let go of their recent past of losing season after losing season, and we've seen the typical Tigers from Detroit stink up like always. The NL Central and AL East look to be surprisingly close already, and the AL East looks strong as well. But it's too early to talk about the playoff race, so I'll get to that in Season 14, so enjoy.

That's all, folks. Thanks for great Seasons 12 and 13. If you want to talk sports, I'm the guy to talk to, at dmckinney@radford.edu. Have a great summer, be safe, and live the life: watching sports with a beer in your hand! [an error occurred while processing this directive]