The Wildcard’s Guide to the NFL - Week 10

Washington Professional Football Team (3-5) at Minnesota Vikings (1-7)

They’re trying to sell this game as RGIII vs Adrian ‘AD’ Peterson, but no one’s buying it. RGIII is so deeply into his sophomore slump that you can’t even hear his knees creaking anymore, and Peterson, well, no one gives him the ball. He had a great day against Dallas, padded by a 50 plus yarder and a superb...

NZ Breakers 97-89 Wollongong Hawks - Fast Break Report

 

The Breakers finally managed win 2 of the season, holding off a tough Wollongong side for an 8 point win. They started well, minimising the early turnovers (only 11 all game) that cost them so badly against Adelaide, and showing off the full range of their offensive options. Alex Pledger was string in the paint, and showed a surprisingly deft touch in finishing baskets, while Mika Vukona was aggressive yet disciplined, and the likes of Corletto, Abercrombie and Wilkinson showed off their jump shooting abilities. Wollongong was able to stick close though, thanks to the...

NZ Breakers 93-96 Adelaide 36ers - Fast Break Report

 

Ah, bollocks. Dropped another one. It was a game in which the Breakers held close, but barely controlled. Adelaide came out strong in defence and the kiwi team were made to rue a number of early turnovers and general sloppiness in possession. This is a strong 36ers side, with former League MVP Gary Ervin, import Jarrid Frye and a couple of Aussie internationals to boot. They’re not to be taken lightly and they proved it.  

The Wildcard’s Guide to the NFL - Week 9

 

New Orleans Saints (6-1) at New York Jets (4-4)

Finally, the Jets will fall back to a losing record where they belong. I’m so far in on these Saints it’s ridiculous. All Drew Brees needs is a 25% healthy Jimmy Graham and he’s good for 4TDs. And now that they have an above average defence, this team is at least going...

The Dugout – October 30

NFL Week 8

This week we saw blowouts, we saw tight bore-fests and we saw Detroit come back from the dead against Dallas, just days before Halloween. NFL Week 8 recap, starting now:

Duuummb. As a Dallas fan, there’s only so much I wanna say about Detroit’s heroics. But my professional integrity wins out. Imma need a stiff drink after this…

 

Steven Adams - Preseason Report

So all of a sudden, Steven Adams seems to have worked his way not only onto the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA roster but into a contributing role. A few weeks ago, we all assumed he’d be looking forward to a developmental season spent mostly in the D-League. A number of things have gone his way since then:

The Wildcard’s NBA Preview – Part Two: Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Season: 60-22

Key Player: Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant is a known commodity and perhaps the best pure scorer in the league, but Westbrook’s role for OKC, as evidenced in last year’s playoffs, is crucial.

What To Watch For: Basketball’s premier Flying Kiwi: Steven Adams.

Key Question: How much has the Harden trade set this franchise back on their championship path?

2013 Prediction: 55-27

The Wildcard’s NBA Preview – Part One: Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics

Last Season: 41-40

Key Player: Oh man, are there any left? Rajon Rondo will lead this band of misfits, reluctantly, until he’s gifted a free pass outta town.

What To Watch For: Boston fans getting fed up with this unaccustomed level of mediocrity. They’ve had too much to cheer for recently, what with the Red Sox, the Bruins & the Patriots.

Key Question: How long until Rondo gets traded?

2013 Prediction: 34-48

NZ Breakers 89-96 Perth Wildcats - Fast Break Report

The Breakers lost their third game in a row for the first time since 2010. This one was nothing to be ashamed of however. Perth is definitely the team to beat in 2013, and they proved it with a dominating performance away to the defending champs. The Breakers flew out to a 9 point 1st Quarter lead, but in the 2nd Q Perth’s sharpshooters really stepped up. The talk was all about James Ennis...

The Wildcard’s Guide to the NFL - Week 8

Carolina Panthers (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6)

Last week was my worst for picking results this season, but for once, Carolina did me right. Thus I’m perfectly happy to pick the Panthers once more. Especially against Tampa Bay, whose running back Doug “Muscle Hamster” Martin (sorry, Dougster) is out injured...

The Dugout - October 23

NFL Week 7

Just as Darth Vader defeated Obi-Wan, Andrew Luck can now start writing his own legacy, having toppled Peyton Manning. Hopefully he doesn’t turn the Colts into an evil empire, but hey, even if he does, he’s earned it. This is HIS team now. Here are the stories from the week in the NFL:

NBA Predictions with The Medium Three

Champs + Top 5 teams

Fresh Prince - Champions - Indiana 

Top 5: Miami, Oklahoma City, Indiana, Chicago, LA Clippers

I just don’t see Miami delivering a three-peat. The pressures of emulating Jordan’s Bulls, Shaq/Kobe’s Lakers will prove too much for the Miami squad and I see Indiana upsetting Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals.

His Airness -  Chicago

Top 5: Miami, Chicago, Indiana, San Antonio, Oklahoma City

Nighthawk - Miami

Top 5:  Miami,     Indiana, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Chicago

Cairns Taipans 86-85 NZ Breakers - Fast Break Report

Ah, so close! It all came down to the final play, Kerron driving towards a crowded basket, kicks it out to a wide open CJ Bruton, who’s misses the defining shot, and the Breakers go down by 1. It was always gonna be tough playing back to back, but the Breakers competed well early. The first half was a bit of an arm wrestle, with a lot of fouls, just as we saw last game. The kiwi team...

Townsville Crocodiles 94-84 NZ Breakers - Fast Break Report

The momentum of their opening win didn’t last long, as the Breakers dropped their first game on the road, in a performance punctuated by sloppiness. They held strong for two quarters, taking the half time lead after a long rage buzzer-beater from Kerron Johnson. But in the third the kiwi team fell apart, scoring just 13 points. With main rebounding threats Mika Vukona and Alex Pedger spending...

The Wildcard’s Guide to the NFL - Week 7

Seattle Seahawks (5-1) at Arizona Cardinals (3-3)

It doesn’t even matter that this team is at home, Arizona cannot beat Seattle. And I’m happy to make that call. Carson Palmer has the second worse QBR of all players this year to have started more than 3 games (Eli is last), while Russell Wilson is in the top 10. Palmer has thrown 11 interceptions, and now...

NZ Breakers 92-76 Wollongong Hawks - Fast Break Report

Despite a number of new names (including new coach Dean Vickerman), and without 2013 League MVP Cedric Jackson, who’s off to try his luck in Europe, among others, this was a typically clinical win from the 3 time defending champs. The first quarter was a close affair, but the fabulous Breaker boys established a lead in the second and never looked like giving it up. Daryl Corletto (19pts 4ass)sparked a 19-6 second quarter run with some lights-out shooting from...

The Wildcard’s Guide to the NFL - Week 6

New York Giants (0-5) at Chicago Bears (3-2)

Don't be fooled by the hype! - The Giants genuinely suck this year. Eli Manning is doing his best to throw an interception for every TD his brother throws and they’ve given up at least 3 turnovers (and at least 30 points) in each of their first five games this year. Jay Cutler’s Cutlets showed a lot of heart against New Orleans in a game I thought they’d get...