image from NFL.com
The 2010 NFL draft took place as 1st round selections were made yesterday. The main topics of discussion is the St. Louis Rams passing up on 2 premiere defensive tackles and reaching for QB Sam Bradford as the first overall pick and Tim Tebow being selected in the first round over more heralded QB prospects Jimmy Claussen and Colt McCoy. Here is a quick rundown of the 1st round picks of the draft. The 2nd and 3rd round picks will take place today and rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
1 Rams Sam Bradford, QB
2 Lions Ndamukong Suh, DT
3 Buccaneers Gerald McCoy, DT
4 Redskins Trent Williams, OT
5 Chiefs Eric Berry, SS
6 Seahawks Russell Okung, OT
7 Browns Joe Haden, CB
8 Raiders Rolando McClain, LB
9 Bills C.J. Spiller, RB
10 Jaguars Tyson Alualu, DE
11 49ers Anthony Davis, OT
12 Chargers Ryan Mathews, RB
13 Eagles Brandon Graham, DE
14 Seahawks Earl Thomas, SS
15 Giants Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
16 Titans Derrick Morgan, DE
17 49ers Mike Iupati, OG
18 Steelers Maurkice Pouncey, C
19 Falcons Sean Weatherspoon, LB
20 Texans Kareem Jackson, CB
21 Bengals Jermaine Gresham, TE
22 Broncos Demaryius Thomas, WR
23 Packers Bryan Bulaga, OT
24 Cowboys Dez Bryant, WR
25 Broncos Tim Tebow, QB
26 Cardinals Dan Williams, DT
27 Patriots Devin McCourty, CB
28 Dolphins Jared Odrick, DT
29 Jets Kyle Wilson, CB
30 Lions Jahvid Best, RB
31 Colts Jerry Hughes, DE
32 Saints Patrick Robinson, CB
In addition, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, and as expected, the level of play has been amped up quite a bit. Technical fouls and physical play have been a recurring theme, as key injuries and suspensions have been storylines so far this postseason. Here's a quick recap of each series and the games ahead for the week.
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Chicago Bulls
4/25 - @CHI, 4/27 - @CLE, *4/29 - @CHI
CLE leads 2-1
Home court advantage has proved effective in this game so far as every game won has been taken by the home team. Cleveland took the first 2 games handily, jumping out to early double digits leads and coasting to victory. The Bulls, on the other hand, took their early double digit lead in Game 3 and nearly gave it away in the end by missing multiple free throws. Kirk Hinrich and company will need to continue their performance from last night sans the troublesome free throw shooting to help out Derrick Rose and provide a more balanced attack for the Bulls. Rose has shot 24 or more times in the 3 contests so far.
(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat
4/23 - @MIA, 4/25 - @MIA, *4/27 - @BOS, *4/29 - @MIA
BOS leads 2-0
Age has proved to be not a deterring factor for the Boston Celtics so far. After a back and forth match in the opening game, Miami showed its inexperience by mentally collapsing in the 4th quarter, missing open shots and lacking offensive rebounds and ultimately giving the game away. Even without 'the Big Ticket' Kevin Garnett available for game 2 due to a 1 game suspension after an altercation with Quentin Richardson of the Heat, the self-proclaimed 'Ticket Stub' Glen Davis more than filled the shoes of Garnett while the Celts posted a 21-0 run midway through the game en route to an easy game 2 victory. The supporting cast of the Heat, especially Jermaine O' Neal and Michael Beasley, need to step their game up if the Heat have any chance of winning this series
(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats
4/24 - @CHA, 4/26 - @CHA, *4/28 - @ORL
ORL leads 2-0
It appears that the Magic just have too many weapons for the Bobcats to handle. Charlotte have had slow starts in both games, falling behind early by double digits early and never seeming to recover fully. Out of the 96 minutes played so far, the Bobcats have been ahead for exactly 0 seconds. The Magic have had at least 5 players score more than 10 points in both games and at least 9 players score overall. Head coach Larry Brown needs to tap into his past playoff coaching experience to help guide Charlotte overcome their lack of experience to put up a reasonable fight against the Magic.
(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks
4/24 - @MIL, 4/26 - @MIL, *4/28 - @ATL
ATL leads 2-0
The lack of superstar talent and the season ending injury to Andrew Bogut have affected the Bucks mentally and physically. Every starter for the Hawks have put up double digits for both games and dominated the low post, easily outscoring the Bucks in both games in the paint. After an impressive debut, rookie standout Brandon Jennings only managed to score 9 points in the 2nd game. The Hawks look to end the series on Milwaukee's home court as Josh Smith and Joe Johnson continue to have their way against their opposition.
Western Conference
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
4/24 - @OKC, 4/27 - @LAL
LAL leads 2-1
The series has proved to be a nuisance for the Los Angeles Lakers, No matter how well they seem to be performing, the Thunder are have been within striking distance threatening to take the lead and steal a game from the Lake Show.. The top two players for each team, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant for OKC and Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol for the Lakers, seem to cancel each other out so this series will be determined by their supporting cast. Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom outperformed James Harden and Jeff Green in games 1 and 2, and rightfully so the Lakers won. Green and Harden finally played to their ability in game 3, and as a result the Thunder put up their first win in team playoff history in OKC.
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz
4/23 @UTA, 4/25 - @UTA, 4/28 - @DEN
Series tied 1-1
In continuation of their regular season meetings, both playoff contests have been high scoring affairs as both teams toppled triple digits in points so far. The absence of Utah's big men Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur have not affected the team too much as the combo of Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, and Carlos Boozer stepped up to replace the production of their fallen comrades. Carmelo and company will have to battle every single minute if they want this series as both teams are evenly matched and extra intense playoff physicality has been the theme of the series.
(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (7) San Antonio Spurs
4/23 - @SA, 4/25 - @SA, 4/27 - @DAL, *4/29 - @SA
Series tied 1-1
Tim Duncan is letting the world know that he still has a lot of basketball left in his body. So far in this series, the old school style All-Star forward has averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds. Tony Parker has came off the bench, delegating starting duties to teammate George Hill, but his presence and production is still widely felt in the game as he has played more than 30 minutes in both games. Dallas will have to recover from a game 2 loss and steal a game in the Alamo dome in order to reclaim home advantage and momentum in the series.
(3) Phoenix Suns vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers
4/24 - @POR, 4/26 - @PHO, *4/29 - @POR
PHO leads 2-1
The first to score the century mark has proven to be the key to winning games in this series as the winners of all 3 games have had at least 100 points. Despite losing team leader Brandon Roy for the series, teammates LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller, and Martell Webster have stepped up to take over the reigns and help Portland put up a formidable fight against the Suns. Jason Richardson has been lighting it up from downtown, making 3 point shots at will and nicely complementing the post play of Amar'e Stoudemire. Portland needs to find an answer to stop Richardson as it appears his ability to make the 3 is one of the key components for Phoenix to win.
* = denotes game if needed
Related Links:
