Dwight Howard: MANchild

The first of my many Dwight Howard odes.  Not only is he one of the sickest PF/C in the league, but I got him on my fantasy league as well.  On Wednesday, opening day for the NBA 2007-08 season, Dwight Howard and the Magic cruised to an easy win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Howard racked up 16 points, 12 boards and 7 blocks.  Now those are sweet fantasy numbers. Remember, this guy averaged 17.5 and 12 last year, so his numbers are no fluke.  If you can hear me Dwight, keep up the good work, but I’m gonna need some more points, around 22, and how about some assists.  Thanks buddy.  Oh yeah, I pretty sure Dwight does not have a nickname.  So for the rest of the season, I will be throwing out some suggestions and encourage you readers to post some of your own.  Let start off with, well…I got it, how about Dwight "Lord" Howard.  That I like. Stay tuned.

New Jersey Nets: Is this Kidd Ever Gonna Act his Age?

Someone follow Jason Kidd, I think he’s found the fountain of youth.  On Halloween, this guy dressed up as the best point guard in the league and led his New Jersey Nets to a victory over Chicago Bulls in overtime 112-103. His line, 7 points, 13 ass, 8 rebounds.  Sure the points can use some help but he only shot 4 times. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention his 5 steals.  Year in and year out, I think that this Kidd’s gonna slow down and yet he comes back with the same fury he had when Joumana would piss him off.  I passed on him on my fantasy league, and then he gives me the finger and averages 9 assists a game. Let’s not go crazy here, but at 34 years young, this Kidd’s still one of the top point guards in the league.  Too bad he’s stuck on the Nets.

NFL Fantasy Football: Love ‘em or Leave ‘em Alone

RUNNING BACK TIME (not to be confused with hammer time)

Bengals @ Bills: you gotta love Marshawn Lynch at home against one of the worst def in the league.  For Cincy, Rudi Johnson’s back practicing and after Kenny Watson’s assy game plus his concussion, time to drop Watson.

SF @ Atlanta: Anyone seen Frank Gore? Still gotta play him every week.  Norwood/Dunn combo should do well at home, question is which one?

Denver @ Detroit: Kevin Jones starting to pick it up.  On the other side, fantasy pickup of the week Seldon Young is flying of the free agent wire, but watch out, T. Henry coming back.

Carolina @ Titans: 2 rbs that didn’t go high on the draft board but are producing as of late, Deshawn Foster and Lendale White. Start ‘em if you got ‘em.

Green Bay @ K.C.: LJ is always a start. I picked up Ron Grant for Green Bay and hope he does well.  If you got a better option, start him.

S.D. @ Minnesota: Again, 2 studs, LT is always a play.  But AP has been shut down the last 2 weeks.  He’s gotta find paydirt this week but don’t look for big yardage #s against a stingy S.D. defense.

N.O. @ Jacksonville: Bush not a strong RB play but might get into the endzone in the air.  As for the Jags, Taylor had a strong game but Jones-Drew looks to come back this week and steal some touches.  Saints have a weak defense so both rbs are a good play.

Wash @ Jets: Forget playing any Jet for the rest of the season, as for Portis, count him for a score and 60 yds.

Az @ Tampa: Edge against a tough Bucs D, but I would still play him.  As for Tampa’s Ernest Graham, forget it, not reliable. Go with any other option.

Seattle @ Cleveland: Alexander against worst run def in the league, sure why not.  Jamal Lewis, never liked him.

N.E. @ Indy: Addai is a go, Maroney is a no.  The Pats will be throwing all day long.

Houston @ Oak: LaMont hasn’t been the same since the injury, does Houston have a RB?

Dallas @ Philly: Barber a definite start, as is Westbrook

Balt @ Pitt: Willie at home is a guaranteed TD, Balt can’t score so forget McGahee.

There you have it, my fantasy football running back roundup for Week 9.  Good luck. Remember, keep your eye on the big prize.

NFL Fantasy Football: Love ‘em or Leave ‘em Alone

RUNNING BACK TIME (not to be confused with hammer time)

Bengals @ Bills: you gotta love Marshawn Lynch at home against one of the worst def in the league.  For Cincy, Rudi Johnson’s back practicing and after Kenny Watson’s assy game plus his concussion, time to drop Watson.

SF @ Atlanta: Anyone seen Frank Gore? Still gotta play him every week.  Norwood/Dunn combo should do well at home, question is which one?

Denver @ Detroit: Kevin Jones starting to pick it up.  On the other side, fantasy pickup of the week Seldon Young is flying of the free agent wire, but watch out, T. Henry coming back.

Carolina @ Titans: 2 rbs that didn’t go high on the draft board but are producing as of late, Deshawn Foster and Lendale White. Start ‘em if you got ‘em.

Green Bay @ K.C.: LJ is always a start. I picked up Ron Grant for Green Bay and hope he does well.  If you got a better option, start him.

S.D. @ Minnesota: Again, 2 studs, LT is always a play.  But AP has been shut down the last 2 weeks.  He’s gotta find paydirt this week but don’t look for big yardage #s against a stingy S.D. defense.

N.O. @ Jacksonville: Bush not a strong RB play but might get into the endzone in the air.  As for the Jags, Taylor had a strong game but Jones-Drew looks to come back this week and steal some touches.  Saints have a weak defense so both rbs are a good play.

Wash @ Jets: Forget playing any Jet for the rest of the season, as for Portis, count him for a score and 60 yds.

Az @ Tampa: Edge against a tough Bucs D, but I would still play him.  As for Tampa’s Ernest Graham, forget it, not reliable. Go with any other option.

Seattle @ Cleveland: Alexander against worst run def in the league, sure why not.  Jamal Lewis, never liked him.

N.E. @ Indy: Addai is a go, Maroney is a no.  The Pats will be throwing all day long.

Houston @ Oak: LaMont hasn’t been the same since the injury, does Houston have a RB?

Dallas @ Philly: Barber a definite start, as is Westbrook

Balt @ Pitt: Willie at home is a guaranteed TD, Balt can’t score so forget McGahee.

There you have it, my fantasy football running back roundup for Week 9.  Good luck. Remember, keep your eye on the big prize.

NCAA FOOTBALL Rumble Out West: Arizona St. @ Oregon

The spread is 7.5, but there’s a lot more on the line than just the game, Pac-10 bragging rights, and heisman votes: the loser will most likely forgo any chance to play in the National Title game.  On Saturday, #4 Arizona State travels up north to Autzen Stadium to face the #5 Oregon Ducks.  The Ducks already have 1 loss while the Sun Devils are still perfect.  Both teams have studs at quarterback, Rudy Carpenter for the Devils and Dennis Dixon for the Ducks.  The problem for the Devils is that Carpenter has a sprained thumb and hasn’t thrown the ball this week in practice. I’m sure Carpenter’s not going to sit this game out, but he’s gonna have to be as close to 100% as possible to beat a sizzling Oregon squad that’s coming off a huge win courtesy of the Trojans. My pick, Ducks to win, but not to cover.  7.5 is way too large for 2 solid teams. One *, if Carpenter doesn’t play, then Ducks to cover and win in a big way. Remember, Autzen stadium is quite possibly the loudest place to play in the country (no offense to the Swamp in Florida), so the 12th man will definitely play a role. Damn you Ducks for beating my Trojans and knocking them into mortality and mediocrity…

Kobe Shows Up, Rest of the Lakers?

In the season home opener Kobe Bryant dropped 45 points in a losing effort after a Shane Battier 3 pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining stuck the final dagger in the hearts of Lakers fans already in the parking lot. Other than Derek Fisher who had 1 points, no other Laker scored in double digits. As for the Rockets, 4 players in double digits, led by Ming’s and T-Macs combined 55 points.  Just a reminder Lakers, Kobe’s not going to be able to do this on his own. I know you’re probably thinking that a 1st round playoff loss = successful season.  Well it doesn’t.  We are LA, we come from the era of Showtime, Jerry “the Logo” West, and big Shaq.  We don’t support losers, we’re not happy with anything less than a championship.  Call us bandwagon, call us fairweather, we don’t care because we will sell out the city faster than you can say Chicago Bulls. Make something happen, and make it quick (and that doesn’t mean trading Kobe).

GAMETIME: PATRIOTS AT COLTS

The first thing I did before writing this article was check the line. I was expecting a pick ‘em. To my surprise, the Patriots are favored by 5 at Indy. Are you kidding me? What the heck is going on here? Marvin Harrison is expected to play in the game. Joseph Addai is back after going crazy last week. Last time I checked Peyton Manning is still pulling the trigger. And are the Colts 7-0? Let’s flip sides here, you got a sickening, almost nauseating Patriots offense that can’t seem to stop itself from scoring. So I know how we can figure out the winner, time for an ONTHEBUZZER breakdown:

QB Manning v. Brady (push)

RB Addai v. Maroney (edge Colts)

WR Marvin/Wayne v. Moss/Welker/Stallworth (edge Pats)

TE Clark v. Watson (edge Colts)

O-line: edge Pats

Def: edge Pats

I hate to admit it, but since the game is won in the trenches, looks like the evil Pats will prevail…

Same Ol’ San Antonio Spurs, Blazers?

The first game of the 2007-08 NBA season just finished and imagine that, the Spurs won their home opener against the Portland Trailblazers.  That’s 10 in a row against Portland, who hung in ’till the very end, but eventually lost, 106-97. It was Championship Ring night for the Spurs with Michael Finley finally getting what he deserved.  I can’t help but notice how many times the camera panned to Eva Longoria throughout the evening. We got it TNT, she hot, he’s whipped, they’re married, they’re a superstar couple. She even held Tony Parker’s ring in her hand (not the only thing of Parkers she’s got the clamps on. Not much else to say about the Spurs, other than Tim Duncan with 24 points and 13 boards and Parker and Ginobli following with a combined 35 points.  As for Parker’s 2 assists, he might want to look into that.

Let’s turn our heads to the Trailblazers.  These guys are actually better than I, or most of the country outside of Oregon, thought they are.  LaMarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster led the way with a combined 48 points. Travis Outlaw contributed with 11 off the bench. Rookie of the year Brandon Roy seemed to be bothered by that pesky Bruce Bowen the entire game and only finished with a measly 7 points.  The Blazers looked good, but if only they had someone down low that could block shots and give them some presence…hmmmm…Right now I’m having delusions of grandeur of a healthy #1 pick. We miss you Greg Oden.

Kobe Shows Up, Rest of the Lakers?

In the season home opener Kobe Bryant dropped 45 points in a losing effort after a Shane Battier 3 pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining stuck the final dagger in the hearts of Lakers fans already in the parking lot. Other than Derek Fisher who had 1 points, no other Laker scored in double digits. As for the Rockets, 4 players in double digits, led by Ming’s and T-Macs combined 55 points.  Just a reminder Lakers, Kobe’s not going to be able to do this on his own. I know you’re probably thinking that a 1st round playoff loss = successful season.  Well it doesn’t.  We are LA, we come from the era of Showtime, Jerry "the Logo" West, and big Shaq.  We don’t support losers, we’re not happy with anything less than a championship.  Call us bandwagon, call us fairweather, we don’t care because we will sell out the city faster than you can say Chicago Bulls. Make something happen, and make it quick (and that doesn’t mean trading Kobe).

GAMETIME: PATRIOTS AT COLTS

The first thing I did before writing this article was check the line.  I was expecting a pick ‘em.  To my surprise, the Patriots are favored by 5 at Indy.  Are you kidding me?  What the heck is going on here? Marvin Harrison is expected to play in the game.  Joseph Addai is back after going crazy last week.  Last time I checked Peyton Manning is still pulling the trigger.  And are the Colts 7-0? Let’s flip sides here, you got a sickening, almost nauseating Patriots offense that can’t seem to stop itself from scoring.  So I know how we can figure out the winner, time for an ONTHEBUZZER breakdown:

QB    Manning v. Brady (push)

RB    Addai v. Maroney (edge Colts)

WR  Marvin/Wayne v. Moss/Welker/Stallworth (edge Pats)

TE    Clark v. Watson (edge Colts)

O-line: edge Pats

Def: edge Pats

I hate to admit it, but since the game is won in the trenches, looks like the evil Pats will prevail…