SportsHub

The Usual Suspects in the East

djames — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:59:30 +0000

Now that we’re through the month of January, it’s a great time to take a look and see who has been performing in the Eastern Conference. And despite a lackluster start by the Boston Celtics, it’s once again mainly the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks, the teams that were the top seeds in the league last season. Also getting thrown into the mix is the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that is off to a great start behind a great defense that looks as strong as the other elite Eastern Conference defenses.

But which team has the edge? Once again, you have to come back to the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, with LeBron looking like the MVP in Miami and Derrick Rose continuing to dominate, which should come as no surprise to anyone. The Heat have even been playing well despite an ankle injury to Dwyane Wade, giving time for LeBron and Chris Bosh to truly shine. But even though there are a couple of young and energetic teams (Philly and Atlanta) that look like they’ll challenge the Heat and Bulls this year, the Heat still looks like the gold standard, leaving the Bulls scrambling to figure out how they can overcome them. With this hectic schedule, there are sure to be plenty of opportunities for all Eastern Conference teams to show that they have what it takes to challenge in the East.

To get NBA tickets, head to StubHub.com.

Is Eli Better Than Peyton?

djames — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:12:01 +0000

When asked the question about who is the best Manning quarterback, the answer, of course, is supposed to be Peyton Manning. He was the golden child coming up through Tennessee, where he played well enough to end up as the number one draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts, a decision that has proven to be one that has paid off ten times over for the entire city of Indianapolis. Peyton has put together an unbelievable career, one that would usher him into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot even if he never played another game. But with Peyton’s career now in doubt, his brother Eli has shown that he might be equally as good.

With Eli prepping for his second Super Bowl appearance, the backers are starting to finally come out. Though it was Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady that put up the unbelievable stats this season, it was Eli who put it all together at the end of the season and no one is playing better than Eli right now as he circles his second Super Bowl title. Of course, Eli will have to beat out Brady and a seasoned Patriots team, but Eli is showing that he might have a clutch gene that Peyton simply doesn’t have. Though Peyton will probably have the better statistical compilation at the end of his career, Eli is looking for a second Super Bowl ring that could tilt the scales at Manning family barbecues.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com

Marshall Shines in Pro Bowl

djames — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:05:46 +0000

Though it wasn’t the best played game of the season, the annual Pro Bowl had plenty of great football that showcased most of the top talents in the entire NFL. In the end, it was Brandon Marshall who ended up being the star of stars, as the Dolphins wideout hauled in a Pro Bowl record four touchdowns as the AFC went on to beat the NFC, 59-41. As you can imagine with a score like that, the game wasn’t exactly won on the defensive side of the ball, as defenses looked considerable less ferocious than usual.

The game even brought some criticism around the country, as it mainly looks like a celebration of the sport instead of an actual game. Several players around the league were displeased with the event, which has been moved around over the years and is now an exhibition with an unsure future. With the Pro Bowl now behind us, the attention will be back on Indianapolis, where the Giants and Patriots are getting ready for a brutal rematch. It was just a few years back that the Giants ruined the Patriots’ perfect season, and Tom Brady and Bill Belichick seem poised for revenge. Though all Super Bowls have plenty of talent and two good teams, this one has plenty of potential and could end up being one for the ages.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com.

A Look at the Wild West

djames — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:06:37 +0000

Looking up at the standings heading into February, you can get a good feel for how the schedule is going, as some trends are starting to show that could tell us what we’re going to see in the postseason. Though the Dallas Mavericks have shaken off a poor start and look like they’ve righted the ship, the surprise team has been the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that looks like they’re ready to take the next step. Preseason murmurs about Russell Westbrook’s compatibility with Kevin Durant seem to be a long way away now and the Thunder have looked like the strongest team in the entire league, not just the West.

But there are plenty of great stories in the West that also deserve attention. Chris Paul has the Clippers playing winning basketball, ushering them to the top of the Pacific standings ahead of the Lakers. Though Paul didn’t explode from the beginning, he’s looking stronger and stronger as he gets familiar with his team. The San Antonio Spurs also look like they have another strong team, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise at this point. Still, questions about their long-term success still are in the air, as older veteran-heavy teams like the Spurs could struggle down the stretch due to the unusually rigorous schedule. Meanwhile, young teams like the Clippers, Nuggets and Thunder might even gain strength. No matter what, though, it’s going to be an interesting rest of the season from here on out.

To get NBA tickets, head to StubHub.com.

Prince Gives Tigers Stacked Lineup

djames — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:21:43 +0000

After a dubious relationship with the Milwaukee Brewers, Prince Fielder is hoping that he’ll end up with a better one with his new team, the Detroit Tigers. The All-Star first baseman was recently introduced by the Detroit Tigers, a team that already had a good lineup and now will get a boost with another big masher in the heart of the order. Though moving Miguel Cabrera back to third base could be a challenge for Cabrera, who was a third baseman back when he was a lot slimmer, it’s hard not to get wide-eyed if you’re a Tigers fan and thinking about how strong the heart of the order will be from here on out.

And how good will it be? The sky seems to be the limit. Cabrera is already an elite power-hitting right-hander and now he’ll have a mashing partner in lefty Prince Fielder, giving the Tigers what has to be the best one-two punch in the entire league – at least on paper. Like Cabrera, Fielder is also a patient hitter who has no problem walking and letting those behind him pick him up, which should give the Tigers lineup a big boost. After making the playoffs last year, the Tigers have paid a big price for one of the best players in the game, and the fans look to be the biggest benefactors.

To get MLB tickets, head to StubHub.com.

Montero Makes Mariners Better

djames — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:27:58 +0000

After scoring the least amount of runs in the entire league in 2011, the Seattle Mariners clearly needed a boost. Hopefully the incredibly talented Jesus Montero will be someone who can give them a shot in the arm, something the lineup clearly needs if they’re going to get back to their winning ways. Montero, who showed signs of being a very complete hitter with power in his brief time with the Yankees, now will sit in the heart of the order, where he’ll hopefully give them a power boost. Just a season ago, the Mariners’ top power hitter, Miguel Olivo, hit just 19 homers and led the team in RBIs with a ludicrously low 62.

But now the Mariners have a new masher in the heart of their lineup, which will hopefully give a shot in the arm to the top of the order as well. Ichiro Suzuki, long since one of the best players in the entire league, is coming off of his worst season as a pro and having a run-producer a few spots behind him should have a big-time impact. And if the Mariners can show some improvement in the run-scoring part of the game, their pitching staff is good enough to win some ballgames, with Felix Hernandez continuing to show that he’s one of the most dominant hurlers in the entire league. For now, it’s looking up in Seattle thanks to Jesus Montero.

To get MLB tickets, head to StubHub.com.

Giants Squeeze By 49ers to Super Bowl

djames — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:50:04 +0000

The San Francisco 49ers put up a valiant effort, but the New York Giants proved up to the challenge, as the G-Men pulled out a 20-17 win to send them to the Super Bowl. Alex Smith and the 49ers ended up making some big plays down the stretch, but a couple of poor special teams plays ended up dooming the team, propelling the Giants to a tight win in OT. After the teams played to a draw in regulation, with both teams exchanging blows, it was Kyle Williams who muffed a punt in OT, setting up a 31-yard field goal in overtime by Lawrence Tynes. When Tynes banged it through, the 49ers season came to a close and the Giants moved on to the Super Bowl.

With the win, the Giants also setup a rematch with the New England Patriots, a team that were cut short of their perfect season when the Giants pulled out a dramatic Super Bowl win just a few short years ago. Right now, Eli Manning is playing as well as he ever has in his career, which will make it difficult on the New England Patriots all game long. But even though Tom Brady had an off game during the AFC Championship, the Giants know better than to expect a second off-night in a row.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com

Pats Slip By Ravens to Super Bowl

djames — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:44:33 +0000

Well, you can’t say that the Patriots are headed into uncharted territory. Though Tom Brady looked fairly pedestrian for much of the time he was on the field, the Ravens didn’t quite have enough to overtake the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, losing 23-20 and coming up just short of another Super Bowl appearance. After a valiant drive by Joe Flacco and the Ravens, Billy Cundiff ended up hooking a 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds, delivering yet another AFC win by the New England Patriots under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Now the Pats get to head back to the Super Bowl to take on the Giants, a team that just ruined their perfect season just a few short years ago. Right now, the Giants are playing as well as anyone, with Eli Manning starting to establish himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the entire league. Behind his excellent play, the Giants once again look like a potential champion, though the Patriots offense might have something to say about that in a couple weeks in Indianapolis. Brady and company get to head to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in this era, and he’ll have another chance to match all-time greats like Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw on the all-time Super Bowl wins list.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com

Giants Take Down Top-Seeded Packers

djames — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:38:17 +0000

If you thought that the Packers going to cruise all the way to the Super Bowl, you certainly wouldn’t have been the only one. After beating the Falcons a week ago, the Giants came out fresh against the Packers and ended up taking down the top-seeded team 37-20, with Eli Manning have another great game and continuing to propel the Giants. Manning ended up going 21 of 33 for 330 yards and three touchdowns, all while turning the ball over just once. In the end, it proved more than enough as the Giants defense was able to harass Aaron Rodgers just enough to throw the likely MVP off his game.

It also didn’t help that his receivers did him no favors. There were a bevy of big dropped balls as the Packers looked rusty against a motivated Giants team that looked as good as their potential. But it wasn’t all the receivers’ fault, as Rodgers had a couple opportunities to hit open receivers for big plays and was unable to do so. Now the Giants will head off to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, a game that will pit two gritty teams against one another with the Super Bowl on the line. With the Giants playing this well, it should be a close one.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com

Super Bowl Has Classic Potential

djames — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:58:11 +0000

The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and it looks like we have two heavyweights that know a thing or two about winning a big game. On one side you have Tom Brady and the Patriots, a team that ranks as the reigning dynasty that has enjoyed about as much success as teams have in the NFL. On the other side we have the New York Giants, a talented and disciplined team that just a few short years ago dashed Brady’s hopes of leading a team to a perfect season. With Eli Manning establishing himself as an elite quarterback in the league, the game could clearly either way.

The game will also bring together two different styles and it’s unclear which one will end up having the upper hand. The Patriots have a bend but don’t break defense with a few holes, but they also have a prolific offense that can really turn it on when they get protection for Tom Brady. But it was protecting Brady that caused the downfall of the Patriots the last time the Giants played them in the Super bowl, which is exactly what they’ll hope to do this time around as well. If Brady can be slowed down by the strong defensive front of the Giants, Eli Manning might walk off with a Super Bowl ring in the town that his brother bit. Talk about a good story.

To get NFL tickets, head to StubHub.com.