Early NBA thoughts

By Michael Cusden in Sports, Toronto

A few weeks in and the NBA is on fire for all the wrong reasons.

Here is a random list of thoughts as we near 10 games.

  • The bad teams are good and the good teams are bad. Utah doesn’t look like it wants to tank and the Nets, well they are a legit dumpster fire.
  • Pascal Siakam looks like a Top 10 guy. Unstoppable.
  • Scoring is out of control.
  • Scandals are grabbing all the headlines.
  • Kawhi sadly I think is done. His knee is not bouncing back. He should have never left TO.
  • Giannis is without a doubt the best player in the NBA.
  • Cleveland is legit. I bet they could pull a 14/15 Atlanta Hawks and win 60.
  • Trouble is brewing in NYC. TT is going to be fired.
  • The Sixers stink. Which is amazing.
  • Where is SGA going to end up? He needs to be let loose from OKC.
  • The West standings are very backwards.
  • O.G. making a case to be all-defense.
  • Who is Anfernee Simons man.
  • The Timberwolves look bad. Edwards isn’t happy.
  • Luka looking like MVP, but Dallas needs more wins.
  • Happy that Steve Nash got out of Brooklyn.

2022-23 NBA regular season predictions

By Michael Cusden in Toronto

NBA predictions, some by the book, some super silly.

As I think divisions are not inclusive enough to be 2022, I am listing my order based on conference.

Eastern Conference

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Philadelphia 76ers
  3. Boston Celtics
  4. Toronto Raptors
  5. Atlanta Hawks
  6. Cleveland Cavaliers
  7. Miami Heat
  8. Brooklyn Nets
  9. Chicago Bulls
  10. Detroit Pistons
  11. New York Knicks
  12. Charlotte Hornets
  13. Washington Wizards
  14. Indiana Pacers
  15. Orlando Magic

Western Conference

  1. Memphis Grizzlies
  2. LA Clippers
  3. Golden State Warriors
  4. Denver Nuggets
  5. Dallas Mavericks
  6. Minnesota Timberwolves
  7. Phoenix Suns
  8. New Orleans Pelicans
  9. Portland Trail Blazers
  10. LA Lakers
  11. Sacramento Kings
  12. Houston Rockets
  13. San Antonio Spurs
  14. Oklahoma City Thunder
  15. Utah Jazz

Other Predictions

If I get at least 2 of these right, that’s a win.

  • Memphis will have the best record in the Western Conference despite miss JJJ for part of the season.
  • Brooklyn will once again self implode and struggle to stay in the playoff mix.
  • Jamal Murray is going to be top 20 in scoring.
  • Shai will be traded by Christmas.
  • The Lakers will trade Anthony Davis.
  • Gary Trent Jr. will lead the NBA in steals.
  • James Harden WON’T quit on his team this year.
  • Luka will win MVP although looking at my first point, it kind of has to be Ja? Nope sticking with Luka.
  • Sacramento will almost make the playoffs. But once again disappoint.
  • Trae Young will lead the league in scoring.
  • LeBron will finally look average and instead focus on his Pickleball investment.
  • Scottie Barnes will average a triple double.
  • Utah will win nine games. Yep that’s it.
  • Kyrie WILL get vaccinated. But not for reasons that make sense.
  • Nick Nurse will launch a podcast.
  • Deandre Ayton will in fact smile again.

What do you think?

Touch ’em all Joe!

By Michael Cusden in Sports, Toronto

Last week I watched Edwin Encarnación destroy Rogers Centre on loop for a good five minutes. But that isn’t even the greatest walk off in Jays history. You know where I am going with this.

Joe Carter.

While you can’t get any better than winning the World Series with one swing, the fog horn would have been a nice add back in 93.

Where was I? I was at a family wedding and had just walked away from the bar where the game was on the smallest of TVs. I quickly snapped back as people lost their minds screaming.

As the 2022 version of the Blue Jays set to navigate the high seas searching for gold and other bounties, I can only imagine how fans would react to another dramatic walk off like Joe or Edwin. I am ready for it.

Random things heading in the Wild Card

  • Finally we can move away from that 5th starter hell.
  • Danny Jansen and Whit Merrifield are my two X-Factors.
  • I don’t know much about the Seattle Mariners other than that’s where Robbie Ray is.
  • People are unhappy about 4:07pm starts. Not me. Working from home for the win.
  • Praying we don’t have to see Aaron Paul throughout the playoffs.
  • While I’m happy Sportsnet has it’s own broadcast, I hope to watch the USA feed.
  • BUT if I do end up watching Sportsnet, I hope Aaron Paul is replaced with more footage of George and Vlade being silly.
  • Does anyone else think Tampa kind of took the pedal off to avoid the Jays? I do.
  • Thanks to home field in Wild Card and being in Houston’s bracket, the Jays don’t have to play outside for awhile. I think this is a huge advantage considering it’s getting October chilly.
  • I can’t stand Houston. I can’t believe Springer used to be on that team.
  • Cleveland will beat Tampa.

#TBT