SnoTap NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs

Andrew Kasmarek, Mitch Pratt and Charlie Tritschler are getting you ready for the NBA season. The previews feature all sorts of information to get you ready for the start of the season. Yes, we will be a little late, but they will all be done by November 3rd

Yes this is later than I wanted it to be. Frankly, I wanted this done around 11 am on Saturday but I had the worst beer hangover of my life and still trying to figure out why I could barely watch television for a couple hours today. Here are San Antonio Spurs,one of the best saved for last.

What I Know
Same ol' squad - This team really has not changed in the last seven to 10 years. It is great to watch this team get old together and add pieces along the way. I have no idea how long this will continue with them but I said it last year, this is more of Tony Parker's team than Tim Duncan's and it has been that way for the last couple of years.

They will be in mix in the top four, no matter what happens in the first couple months - Yes, they are 2-0 to begin the year, but San Antonio tends to struggle at different points of the season because they are old leading them to getting hurt. People will start throwing shade on the Spurs saying they are done and this is finally the year. Then they rail off 10 to 15 straight wins, and everyone is like 'Whoops, our bad!'

Danny Green's development - I am extremely interested in this going forward as he averaged about 10 points a game last year then had the massive NBA Finals for five of seven games. Green is a good player and a perfect fit for San Antonio. We shall see if the Finals run was just a random thing or Green starts averaging more points per game, per 36.

Big Question
What's left with Manu Ginobli - One of the things about the Finals was how it looked at times like Manu Ginobli's game had fallen off a cliff. I have no idea what we will get from Manu this season. I assume he will get a lot more days off to avoid him completely running out of gas in the postseason. Because let's not forget he did not just look bad in the NBA Finals, he looked bad throughout the playoffs.  For whatever it is worth, Ginobli is off to a strong start to begin the season.

X-Factor 
Kawhi Leonard - If there is one reason to watch San Antonio this year, it is for Kawhi. He moved his average up by four points last year as well as averaging seven and a half rebounds a game. Leonard is a strong player who possibly could lead this team during different stretches of the season as they try to rest players leading up to the postseason. If there would be one criticism with Leonard, it would be his lack of assists which is something he can improve on this year. Let's also not forget Leonard is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. He can do that with the best of em.

Key Additions 
Marco Belinelli - A sneaky Spurs signing we all accustom to these days. Belineli has bounced around throughout his career but people do not know he is only 27 years old. He will give some good minutes off the bench for San Antonio this year.

Key Subtractions
Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair - I have no idea who fills in for Neal this year. Patrick Mills, I guess? But I could see San Antonio making a trade to get a backup combo guard as they just have Mills and Belinelli there. I would definitely want someone more than Mills.

Spurs Draft
Livio Jean-Charles, Deshaun Thomas - Both players will be overseas this year. Jean-Charles is a 6'9 player from France and will probably stay over there for a couple years. Thomas interesting enough is heading to France to get more time. I like the move from the Ohio State product. I think he can be a good player in the future.

Prediction
They will finish fourth in the Western Conference. I would not be surprised if they are the top team again in the West or the fourth. San Antonio will be the team the young guns of the Western Conference least want to see in the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.

Charlie.

SnoTap's NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls

Andrew Kasmarek, Mitch Pratt and Charlie Tritschler are getting you ready for the NBA season. The previews feature all sorts of information to get you ready for the start of the season. Yes, we will be a little late, but they will all be done by November 2nd

Before I even start with the preview, I firstly want to apologize that I didn’t get both the Heat and Bulls

preview done before game one of the season. It bummed me out. That said it’s been a busy school week so I hope you all can relate. Anyway, here is my slightly late Bulls preview…

What I know…

• Derrick Rose is back. Officially, and if you watched the Knicks vs. Bulls game on TNT on Thursday you saw the first of many big time Derrick Rose moments. Dwight Howard played on three different teams in the span it took Rose to rehab his knee, it’s nice to have him back.
• Zach Lowe of Grantland just recently described coach Tom Thibodeau voice as “a baritone musical instrument emitting various sounds along the sideline” An underrated part of watching Bulls game is listening/watching the intensity that Thibs brings to the bench. As long as he is there, Chicago will be a top defensive team.
• Derrick Rose and the boys will be the most reckless regular season team. They will be the East’s #1 seed and they will unleash their fury on any and all challengers over the course of this season. Until about a week ago I was going to take Miami to fill the #1 slot, but after watching the way the Bulls went about work in the preseason, my feeling have changed.

Additions/Subtractions…

The Bulls really left their roster be in the offseason. They let Tiny Nate walk, and even though him and Marco Bellineli played major playoff minutes a season ago, I think everyone is on the same page that the return of the league’s most recent MVP not named LeBron will more than make up for Tiny Nate’s departure. They did bring in Mike Dunthreevy to not only aid the bench, but also finally give the Bulls a legitimate pick and pop guy to stretch the floor and make penetration even easier for Rose.

In the draft they brought in Tony Snell. Snell, who reportedly added 25 pounds in the offseason, is in intriguing rookie. He used to wear long sleeves New Mexico, and definitely knows a thing or two about scoring the rock. He will be buried by Jimmy Butler and Loul Deng so he probably will not play much, but is someone to keep in eye on for the future.

What I have been pondering…

Can Derrick Rose reclaim his MVP? People are saying this is finally going to be Kevin Durant’s year to win the award. Others (myself included) have stayed with the reigning winner LeBron, but Rose is even more of a media darling than Durant. When LeBron bolted for South Beach and carried with him millions of haters, it was Rose that took control of the “People’s Champ” status and won over the hearts of nearly every writer[1]. We have all been waiting and waiting to see what Rose will play like now that he is back, and rust aside it looks as if Rose will be meaning business all year.

I’m also very intrigued to see what the combo of Deng and Jimmy Butler has to offer. They are both minutes eater that seem to never tire. Both are defensive stoppers, and both can get to the basket and score. They both however need to improve their shooting from distance. Deng shot only 32% from downtown while Butler was better, but still short of 40% checking in at 38%.

Given that both of these guys have watched how hard Derrick Rose has worked to get back and be better than where he was, makes me believe that both of these guys felt obligated to at least match that effort and improve their games as well. If Deng and Butler are able to up their percentages, with the addition of Dunleavy, the Bulls will be able to stretch the floor and improve the driving lanes for Rose. To me, the shooting abilities of these two will be what the season hinges on.

Prediction…

I stated it in the “What I Know”, but the Bulls will be the regular season champs. It will be no fun playing Chicago between the months of November and April. They have every regular season piece. But what happens in May and June?

It is my analysis that Rose will be Rose in those months, and we already know what Carlos Boozer[2]and Joakim Noah will give us. So lets see what kind of scoring—more importantly clutch scoring—Butler and Deng can give Chicago in round 2 and beyond.

Chicago is a basketball hotbed. And Derrick Rose will run that city. I can’t wait to hear how loud the United Center will be for the Conference Finals Game 6 with the season on the line.

The NBA is most definitely back.

~Andrew

---

[1]LeBron’s first year in Miami was so obscure that even I was saying that if the Bulls were to go on to the NBA Finals instead of the Heat it would be okay because Derrick Rose is that spectacular.

[2] I didn’t talk about Boozer much but he will be another huge X-Factor. If he doesn’t find a way to more effectively score on Chris Bosh, it could effectively toil away Chicago’s chances at the Finals. 

CFB Picks Week 10: Rivalries and Bad Games

Not an inspiring week for college football either. We have a big, big week coming up with two massive Thursday games so it figures this week has a chance to be a little boring. There are still a couple good ones though. Enjoy.  

Get your beers and get your bros
7. Miami at 3. Florida State 7:00 pm ABC - It is good to see this rivalry sort of 'back' but it is hard to call a rivalry back when Miami is a 22 point underdog that Brent Musburger likes apparently. This is the rivalry that made Jenn Sterger famous once upon time. This is the rivalry that features more heartbreaks for Florida State than a Drake song. There will be no missed field goals in this one. Miami has been on the ropes for awhile and Florida State will crush their soul. FSU 45-21

21. Michigan at 22. Michigan State 2:30 pm ABC - Michigan broke a four-game losing streak last week in an ugly 12-10 game last year and now Michigan will try to win at East Lansing for the first time since 2007. Michigan is an overrated football team. I did not know they were overrated right away but when you give up 47 points to Indiana, I found out they were overrated. Michigan State exceeded my expectations with their developing offense in the last couple of weeks and obviously they have a great defense. When it comes to their worst quality, I like Michigan State's offense over Michigan's defense. MSU 23-17  

18. Oklahoma State at 15. Texas Tech 6:00 pm FOX - Oh boy, I could not have been more wrong about Oklahoma State last week as they steamrolled Iowa State on the road. I am still not sure whether I can buy into the Cowboys as they head on the road for a game against Texas Tech. I said it on Monday and I will say it on Friday, I like what I saw from Texas Tech on Saturday in a losing effort.  Their defense re-establishes themselves and Davis Webb has a good game. TTU 38-27

Channel flip worthy
24. Wisconsin at Iowa 11:00 am ABC - Check out the Badger preview post for analysis and prediction

Tennessee at 9. Missouri 6:00 pm ESPN - This is probably the best case scenario for Missouri as they play at home coming off the brutal loss to South Carolina. Tennessee showed they are pretty much just a good home team. I doubt Missouri is going to suffer from a hangover yet they need to come out strong early. Tigers take advantage and win this one handily. MIZZOU 35-17

Georgia vs. Florida (Played in Jacksonville) 2:30 pm CBS - Oh man. There will be blood and not a lot of offense in this one. Both teams are complete MASH units with all sorts of injuries for Georgia and especially Florida. The Gators just lost their starting left tackle which will probably not make things easier. I will say this... Florida could end up with a defensive or special teams touchdown yet they do not have Aaron Murray. I will take the Dawgs in an ugly one. UGA 13-9

Upset special
USC at Oregon State 8:00 pm ESPN (Played Friday) - This is a sneaky good game. Oregon State might be a paper tiger. I said this last week as I took Stanford pointing out how they really have not played anyone yet. They looked less than stellar against Stanford and now bring a tough USC defense. Say what you will about the Trojans offense, but this defense is a good one. I am not sold on Oregon State and think the Trojans have just enough from Cody Kessler to win this one. USC 16-13

A palate cleanser for your Netflix binge watch
Navy at 25. Notre Dame 2:30 pm NBC - I have no idea why I like this rivalry but I do. After Navy winning twice in four years, Notre Dame has blown them out by 40 points in the past two years. The only glimmer of hope here for Navy will be Louis Nix is out with a knee injury and that might spark the running game for them. Notre Dame has looked better in the past couple weeks and I do not think the bad Tommy Rees will come out to play this week. ND 41-20

11. Auburn at Arkansas 6:00 pm ESPN2 - Hey guys, has Bret Bielema won an SEC game yet? The answer is no.  It will not happen this week despite being at home. This will be a close game, but in the end, Auburn wears down the Hogs. AUB 38-28

4. Ohio State at Purdue 11:00 am Big Ten Network - This will probably be a blowout but you should know weird shit tends to happen when these two teams play each other. OSU 52-14

Sleep off your hangover
8. Clemson at Virginia 2:30 pm ESPN - CLEM 48-14
UTEP at 12. Texas A&M 8:00 pm ESPN2 - TAMU 59-17
Mississippi State at 14. South Carolina 11:21 am ESPN3 - SCAR 34-6
Nevada at 15. Fresno State 9:30 pm ESPNU - FRESNO 52-7
17. Northern Illinois at UMass 11:00 am ESPN3 - NIU 56-10
Colorado at 20. UCLA 6:30 pm FOX Sports 1 - UCLA 55-14

NFL Picks Week 9: A Soggy Sunday Slate

Once again, six teams are on bye this week meaning the Sunday schedule is not what it used to be. Sorry this is a little late again. I had work this morning and ended up being there a little longer than expected. College Football picks are coming as well before the day is over. Enjoy the picks. 

Kansas City (8-0) (-3.5) at Buffalo (3-5) 12:00 pm CBS - I think I have told people the last two weeks to gamble on Kansas City only to see them not cover the spread. My gambling credibility is at a zero after Cincinnati's inexpiable loss to Miami on Thursday night. Yet I am going to tell you again to bet Kansas City again. Matt Flynn is starting for Buffalo, and he really has not shown much since leaving Green Bay. Kansas City's defense could have a field day. I like the Chiefs to stay undefeated, but it will be an ugly affair.
KC 16-10

Minnesota (1-6) at Dallas (4-4) (-10.5) 12:00 pm FOX - Christian Ponder will start again for Minnesota. He did not look good on Sunday evening against Green Bay. Dallas' secondary needs some redemption after their struggles against Matthew Stafford last week. Tony Romo should carve up the secondary meaning big days from Dez Bryant and Terrence Williams plus the returning Miles Austin. Dallas will handle business at home. DAL 34-20

Tennessee (3-4) (-3) at St. Louis (3-5) 12:00 pm CBS - This will always bring back memories of one of the best Super Bowls ever. St. Louis will be wearing their old school duds, but it will not help the fact Kellen Clemens is at quarterback especially against the Titans defense. I like Jake Locker to keep Tennessee's head above water in the AFC playoff hunt in a dominating win. TEN 27-9

New Orleans (6-1) (-6) at New York Jets (4-4) 12:00 pm FOX - I am intrigued by this game for a variety of reasons. New Orleans is usually a bit worse on the road than they are when at the dome. It is a Ryan brother matchup which usually leads to a close game between the two men. Geno Smith is like a one of those big bags of Halloween candy, sometimes you get Kit-Kat and sometimes you get Good & Plenty. I am not thinking New York will win but this will be the best game of the early slate which is not saying much at all. I like New Orleans to get a last-second touchdown to win this one. NO 28-24  

San Diego (4-3) (-1) at Washington (2-5) 12:00 pm CBS - Expect a bunch of scoring in this one. Washington is still struggling in the secondary while San Diego does not play much defense either plus they could be slightly lethargic to begin this one coming off a bye. I am going to take Washington in this one. I feel like a West Coast team heading East after a bye worries me a bit and Robert Griffin III and company have a big game. WASH 38-34

Atlanta (2-5) at Carolina (4-3) (-7.5) 12:00 pm FOX - Atlanta established themselves as a complete mess against Arizona last week. Now, Matt Ryan and banged-up Falcons come in Charlotte to play the suddenly hot Carolina Panthers. Ryan struggled with Arizona's secondary and Carolina is not at Arizona's level, but their pass rush could get to the Boston College product pretty easily on Sunday. Cam Newton also should be able to take care of business against a struggling Atlanta defense. If Carolina is a real deal, they win and cover this game. I believe they are real. CAR 28-17

Philadelphia (3-5) at Oakland (3-4) (-3) 3:05 pm FOX - Nick Foles gets the start this Sunday for the Eagles as they seem to be a revolving door a bit. They did not have an offensive touchdown in the last two games against Dallas and New York. They need to start off strong early to gain some confidence again in their offense. Oakland could be 4-4 which is something we never saw coming and they play well at home. Terrelle Pryor is not getting enough credit for the job he is doing this year. I would argue he is a borderline Pro Bowler at this time of year and I think he has a big day against this weak Eagles defense. OAK 30-21

Tampa Bay (0-7) at Seattle (7-1) (-17) 3:05 pm FOX - I really do not need a ton of time to write a bunch of things about these two teams because we all know the outcome of this one. Things are going from bad to worse with Tampa and Seattle will find some offense this week. Also nice perk for Seattle's social media department getting Tori Black to tweet at you, some guys have all the luck.  SEA 31-3

Baltimore (3-4) (-3) at Cleveland (3-5) 3:25 pm CBS - Cleveland has not beat Baltimore since 2007-2008 season when they swept the Ravens. Cleveland looked pretty solid with Jason Campbell underneath the center and think they might be okay in the next couple of weeks. Baltimore still leaves me with an uneasy feeling and Joe Flacco could really struggle with Joe Haden taking away half of the field. Give me the Nolan Murphy's in this one. CLEV 20-17

Pittsburgh (2-5) at New England (6-2) (-7) 3:25 pm CBS - This is a do or die game for Pittsburgh. They lose this one and it likely means they are not going to be in the playoff hunt at all. Currently, their head is barely above water yet a road win against New England would do wonderful things for them. New England seemed to regain their footing after getting molly-whopped at home by Miami in the first half. Can the Patriots cover again? I think they do. Pittsburgh is not a good team and we finally need to realize this one like we did with Atlanta last week. NE 34-24

Indianapolis (5-2) (-2.5) at Houston (2-5) 7:30 pm NBC - Tough Sunday night game, but I will start watch primarily to see how Case Keenum does against another tough defense. And to see if Gary Kubiak has to suit up at running back as Houston is battling injuries with Arian Foster and Ben Tate.  Indianapolis is coming off a bye wee meaning they should not really have a hangover from their win against Denver two weeks ago. I will take the Colts because I cannot trust Houston at all. If Keenum is the real deal, who knows, but I cannot get behind him. IND 28-16

Chicago (4-3) at Green Bay (5-2) (-11) 7:30 ESPN - I will be doing the Packer preview and playlist on Monday night. Basically, this means the Liquor Cabinet will be on Monday instead of Tuesday then the Packer Classroom will be there Tuesday.

Charlie.

SnoTap Badger Preview: Wisconsin at Iowa

There are rivalries in college football that completely get overlooked. One of these rivalries is Iowa and Wisconsin. I bet half of both fanbases do not know they battle for the Heartland Trophy, a brass bull given to the winner since 2004. Another fun fact is the rivalry between these two teams is tied at 42 wins a piece with one tie. It is a disregarded rivalry and it is good to see it back for the first time since 2010.  This is an intriguing matchup with Melvin Gordon's 'return' to Kinnick, underrated Badger defense and Joel Stave needing to be a game manager.

There are many recruits where teams wonder 'what if?' and one of those has to be Melvin Gordon with Iowa. Gordon committed to Iowa in August 2010 and it seemed like Kirk Ferentz had pulled a fast one on Bret Bielema. Side note real quick... What if Gordon did actually stay at Iowa, Bielema would have never lived this down with fans even if he left to Arkansas. Thankfully for Bielema and Wisconsin, Gordon changed his mind and decided he wanted to keep all of his knee ligaments by staying at home with Wisconsin. My assumption is the boos will be heavy for Gordon, probably for the first time in his career, yet the hope is he will not be intimidated rather motivated to be great on Saturday afternoon.   

It will be hard for Gordon to achieve the same level of success he has been having against this stout Iowa run defense. They are 24th in the country only allowing a little over three yards per carry and Ohio State is the only team to find paydirt against them. While Carlos Hyde is a good player, he is not the two-headed attack the Badger poise on Saturday with Gordon and James White. For the Hawkeyes to win this football game, they have to bring it to Wisconsin's running attack early and often and establish themselves. Control is a major issue in this game. 

While Iowa's defense is going to get a boatload of attention, Wisconsin's defense deserves some love in their own right. And yes for those wondering there are more players on this defense than just Chris Borland. Although if the Badgers middle linebacker does not play, this game's landscape definitely changes on the spot. Wisconsin's defense is the 22nd most efficient defense in the country per Football Outsiders and they are in pretty good company with some of the best teams in the land. Their front seven can get to the quarterback but their young secondary is taking some lumps thus far. They have been suspectible to the big play and they need to avoid that Saturday. Jake Rudock is a serviceable quarterback who can make some plays for the Hawkeyes and the Badgers need to shut him down.  

This feels like a game where Wisconsin might need to rely on Joel Stave yet in realty, he just needs to play the role of a game manager.  This is something Stave is good at and I agree he can do more than a usual Wisconsin quarterback yet he needs to be in control. I feel like sometimes Stave has this chip on his shoulder knowing he is thought less due to Gordon and White leading him to overdoing it. Iowa will need turnovers like a drug addict needs his or her fix to win this game. Stave cannot give them to the Hawkeyes. Sure, if there is a tipped pass, whatever shit happens, but there cannot be WTF Stave passes like we have seen throughout the past two years. 

Kinnick is a tough place to play for any opposing team and the crowd will be fired up for this one. I do not know if Iowa's offense has enough to beat Wisconsin. I think the rushing attack of Gordon and White does not do anything marvelous but they wear down this Iowa team getting hard-fought road victory.
Wisconsin 20 Iowa 13  

Charlie.  

LOB CITY LIVES ON

At the beginning of the year, Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin declared Lob City to be 'dead.' He said it was buried like one of Michael Myers' victims, but this video evidence would prove otherwise. Griffin caught three straight alley-oops in a ---against Golden State Warriors.  The first alley-oop was pretty standard as Chris Paul and Griffin were working the 2 on 1 drill like a high school coach dreams about at night.  The second one is straight up ridiculous. CP3 throws it from half-court and Griffin grabs the ball like a goddamn wide receiver. Here is the third one in GIF form and Blake decides to go one-handed because he's bored.  Lob City is still alive, just not talked about like Fight Club. (H/T @cjzero) 

Charlie.  

First Taste: Practice - Action Bronson

Action Bronson has a new mixtape out for the public for your weekend listening. Blue Chips 2 will be out later today and 'Practice' is on the tape. Bronson is starting to gain some momentum in the hip-hop world and it will be interesting to see where Bronson's progression goes from here.  I love him using Allen Iverson's drop and I love how Action has took over Wale's crowd about dropping sports figures left and right. It is going to look super weird in my iTunes when it is Action Bronson and Arcade Fire. That is polar opposites, my friends.

Charlie.