Mike Woodson Has Brought "DE-FENSE" Back To The Garden

Mike Woodson's got the Knicks playing "DE-FENSE" like it's 1995.

If anyone casually flipped on ESPN last night around 9 o'clock or so they saw what probably seemed like a mind-blowing scoreboard error. But no, it wasn't an error. The Knicks were actually up 88-49 on the 3rd place Orlando Magic. They were having fun. The Garden was rocking. Every New Yorker was laughing to themselves as they watched Steve Novak, Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert chuck and nail enough three pointers to feed a small Ghanaian family. All this fun might have happened on the offensive end but it all started with defense. It all started with shot altering, full effort on switches and a little luck that the Magic were colder than a February in Sibieria. But it really all began when the Knicks decided to bring on Mike Woodson, sign Tyson Chandler and draft Iman Shumpert.

Yes, we all understand very clearly that the Knicks are 8-1 since Mike Woodson took over. We get it, 

'Melo is back, Steve Novak can't miss and that "Mobb Deep" is a great nickname for one of the league's finest benches. But the foundation for all of this fun was laid when Glen Grunwald decided to add defensive guru Mike Woodson and a few solid defensive pieces to the superstar combo of STAT and 'Melo. Just because the Knicks weren't winning games in the beginning of the year doesn't mean they weren't playing defense, even under the trigger happy D'Antoni. No one noticed it because no one notices anything good when you're 8-15 and underachieving worse than Lebron in the fourth quarter. People also don't acknowledge defense when your old coach doesn't recognize defense.

So beyond all the drama and "Linsanity" that has encapsulated the New York Knicks, we could have seen this coming from a mile away, though it still probably hit us like a freight train. If the Knicks were going to get real and actually "contend" they were going to do it by playing a defense-first game. I wasn't too keen on D'Antoni, but was pretty confident once Mike Woodson took over. This guy did take a much less talented Atlanta Hawks team as far as any other Hawks team has ever gone. He had a pretty successful stint of coaching in Atlanta and he was unfairly fired because he was given a group of street ballers who didn't know anything but isolation. Now that the Knicks are 8-1, allowing a ridiculously low 86 points per game, and 'Melo's channeling his inner Willis Reed, Woodson looks like a inspirational genius, a guy that can get even the most selfish of players like J.R. Smith to play with passion and play within the system.

But just like the product he wants on the court, Woodson won't be satisfied with 8-1 and won't stop for a minute to enjoy the response his team has had to him. He knows the Knicks must chug forward without Amar'e Stoudemire. He knows he's going to have to work hard to keep the Knicks effort at a playoff level. But if there is one safety net, is that this team really knows how to play defense. Thanks to the on-court leadership by Tyson Chandler, who's slowly looking like the best free agent pickup of the offseason, the Knicks "no defense" jokes are no longer funny or relevant. This team's defense is for real and because of it this team is for real.

The Knicks weren't going to win anything with Mike D'Antoni under the helm. No games are won in the playoffs at the score 121-120, that just doesn't happen. So turning to an interim coach with a serious penitence for defense might have just been the right move for good. The Knicks have won all types of games in this stretch. They took Danny Granger's trash talk and shoved it right back down his throat in back-to-back games. Next they slugged it out with the Sixers and won the game despite Rosie O'Donnell-ugly offense. After that they had basically a playoff game with the Bucks, and once again won because of defense. Then came last night where everything came alive, both the suffocating defense and the explosive offense. Last night was the New York Knicks at their premium and that is how they're going to win going forward. Iman Shumpert will shutdown everyone he plays and Chandler will completely deny the paint. Everyone else will chip in on pure effort, pure heart. 'Melo will take over on the offensive end and Lin and Davis will control everyone else. The emphasis, under Woodson, will always be on defense and the offense will build off that. 

This is the team we have been yearning for all these years Knicks fans. It's a slight return to the 90s when effort and defense were the only way the Knicks were going to win. The "DE-FENSE" chant will actually mean something. Don't always expect it to be pretty, and don't always expect 25-point blowouts but expect winning. If the Knicks continue to play defense at such an astonishing level, the worries about Amar'e's back will subside and confidence will ensue. 

We, as Knicks fans, were unfairly transitioned away from the style of basketball we desired under D'Antoni. New York is about effort and heart and our Knicks have always been about defense. Well it looks like Mike Woodson is bringing us back to those ways and I hope he'll stay.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Final Four

Finally, after two weeks or so of building towards these last three match ups, were here. After several tough contests, there are two NBA players, one NFL player and one NHL player remaining in our bracket and now as we move forward we're going to do things differently. No longer are we going to let my opinions do the talking, we'll let their play do the talking.

1. Kobe Bryant vs. 4. Henrik Lundqvist


Winner: Kobe Bryant


2. Ray Lewis vs. 3. Dwyane Wade


Winner: Dwyane Wade

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Is Anyone Going To Stop OKC In The West?

If Sunday night was an indication of anything, Oklahoma City is legit, as in really legit. 

Two nights ago in the Chesapeake Energy Arena the Thunder put on a sensational display for a national audience to watch, take note and allow for their jaws to drop. Oklahoma City dismantled the Miami Heat in every facet of the game. The only team that usually gets embarrassed when the Miami Heat play is their opponent. Not on Sunday, not versus the Thunder, not with Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook playing like they have all year. OKC has been on fire all season and hold a three game lead in the West for the conference's best spot. But can anyone catch the Thunder? Is anyone good enough or deep enough to take Oklahoma City out in the Western Conference Playoffs?

The answer is a definite N-O. Oklahoma City is far and away the most talented team in the West from top to bottom and it's looking like they might just have the league's MVP in Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook is still doing his thing while steadily improving. Serge Ibaka and James Harden are do-it-all stars that gel this team together, while Kendrick Perkins remains the mean muggin' stalwart in the middle. The Thunder also made a shrewd move by acquiring Derek Fisher who brings leadership and a boatload of championship experience that should be invaluable come playoff-time.

The teams that the Thunder are looking down on all have some major flaws. The Spurs are old and will look old at some point in the playoffs even with Greg Popovich trying to handle his ancient team. San Antonio's ship has sailed, and even though they have an abundance of experience in all situations, I just don't see them being able to best OKC in a best of seven series. The Lakers on paper look like the most dangerous team, especially with the acquisition of a real point guard in Ramon Sessions. But these Mike Brown, Kobe Bryant disputes are going to make crunch time decisions hard, plus no one knows and or believes Andrew Bynum's knees can last until late May. Actually I'm not even sure Bynum's knees will last the next twenty minutes. The other Los Angeles team is having similar problems with their coach Vinny Del Negro, but Blake Griffin's lack of defense is an even bigger issue. Aside from CP3, the Clippers are incredibly young and already showing signs of immaturity down the stretch. The Mavs tried to replace Tyson Chandler's defense and team leadership with Lamar Odom, but instead they got an underachieving pre-madonna who has already heard more boos than his ex-brother-in-law Kris Humphries did. Simply put, Dallas just isn't the same as last year. The last and final team in true contention is the Memphis Grizzlies. This team is finally getting healthy and starting to make a push toward the top of the Western Conference standings. They also are the team that pushed OKC to a Game 7 last year and always will be considered "dangerous" as long as Zach Randolph can come back to his 20 and 10 form.

This year's main argument against the Oklahoma City Thunder is that they are really no different from last year. At this point last season we started to realize that this young Thunder team was a force to be reckoned with, especially after the acquisition of defensive big man Kendrick Perkins. They rolled into the playoffs and looked like the favorite out of the West after they escaped the Memphis Grizzlies in the semis. But once they met the overly experienced Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, their immaturity was exposed after they blew a lead in decisive Game 4 and lost the series in a disappointing five games. Skepticism is always going to hang around until the Thunder can actually break through and live up to their name as the newest western conference dynasty. While they are, on paper, not that different from last year, they should have a chip on their shoulder from last playoff's ugly exit. Adding veteran Derek Fisher won't do much on the court, but his presence in the locker room should help Russell Westbrook from self-imploding like he did last year. Oklahoma City will not let a repeat of last year happen, and I can guarantee you that.

Now, whether or not they'll be able to beat Chicago or Miami in the Finals is a different story. If dismantling the Heat on Sunday was any indication of how a series between those two teams could go, watch out Miami. But for this very moment I can confidently say that the Oklahoma City Thunder will represent the West in this year's NBA Finals.

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What In The World Happened To The 60-Goal Scorer In The NHL?

Even Luc Robitaille had 63 goals once.

Long gone are the days where even 60 goals in a season is considered a great season, it's considered unbelievable. Gretzky holds the record for 92 goals in a season. The Great One also holds the record for most points in season with 215. But those two records were set in the 80s, and it is long since the days that 200 points were even imaginable let alone achievable.  But where has the individual scoring gone? What happen to the century mark being automatic for the league's stars?

Yes, the NHL game has certainly become more team-oriented, with both the development of third line scorers and the improvement of move-the-puck defensemen. But the most important improvement to the NHL game has come on the defensive end. Blue liners have been more adept at actually staying at the blue line and being defensive...men. Move-the-puck defensemen are no longer the norm. They may be an asset, but often considered too offensively oriented. Mike Green and Christian Erhoff are exciting defensemen but have been much scrutinized over their lack of defensive prowess. The blue liners, though, have only been a small part of the goal shortage. Goaltending has markedly improved over the years with the discovery of the athletic "butterfly" style, overtaking its' predecessor "stand-up" technique which looked more awkward and unathletic than the Biggest Loser.  Once goalies realized that sliding on their pads was quicker than meandering on their skates, players started to much more often find glove instead of twine. Once the puck stoppers began growing to the level the skaters were at, goal scoring fell off the map, literally.

In the last 15 years of the NHL there has been one 60-goal scorer. In the 15 years before that, there were 26 60-goal scoring seasons, 11 70-goal scoring seasons and even 3 80-goal scoring seasons. These numbers are stunning. Even with rule changes reinstating the two-line pass and increasing penalties called the game has only been able to produce one 60-goal scorer and that was Alex Ovechkin's insane 2007-08 campaign. To put this all in perspective, Gretzky scored 92 goals in the '81-'82 season, while only four players had more than 92 points all of last season. 100 point seasons are now considered ridiculous, while 50 goal seasons aren't too far behind in the realm of insanity. Scoring in the NHL has practically disappeared yet the NHL has tried incredibly hard to alter the game and bring it back to the days of 60-goal, 140-point seasons. 

As a huge fan of the National Hockey League, I'm not concerned by the lack of unbelievable individual seasons. The league is doing pretty well and it's popularity is certainly up from 10 years ago. But I sit here and wonder what it would be like to watch Stamkos, Ovie, Crosby or Malkin go for 68 goals and 161 points every season. Or watch some random pure lamplighter like, Thomas Vanek or Marian Gaborik go for a 73-goal year. It's all well and good to watch Ryan Miller, Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick make pretty saves all over the place, but my intrigue into Gretzky's two 200+ point seasons is just too high.

So as we sit here pondering about how much more exciting the game would be if 100 points was a solid season instead of a monster year and we can wonder about teams having multiple 50 goal scorers. But all we have now is just videos of Gretzky, Lemieux and Hull's goal scoring greatness. We're going to go ahead and celebrate Steven Stamkos as he pushes past 53 goals here with 6 games to play this season, but even if he somehow scores 60 it'll still be just an exception to the rule. I understand the NHL will be just fine, but I just can't stand not knowing what it's like to watch some one chase 70 goals let alone Gretzky's record of 92. 

Long live Gretzky's 92. Long live Gretzky's 215. Long live individual stats.

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Who's Who In The Final Four?

I'm not sure I've ever seen a tournament with so many brackets mangled so early in the tournament, but if you somehow escaped to the Sweet Sixteen it actually wasn't wild to see all of your Elite Eight teams through, and even less crazy to see your teams reach the illustrious Final Four. We're going to introduce to you the four teams in only the way we can.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and the high profile Kentucky Wildcats looks like the consummate favorites.

Kentucky

The Consummate Favorite

NBA's Jr. College

1st Round Pick Factory

On paper this year's Kentucky Wildcats team might as well be a Rhode scholar composition on talent, athleticism and size. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this squad. They've only lost two games all season. They've destroyed everyone they've played in this tournament and they're more than likely to have 5 1st round draftees if their starters declare. But, as we all know basketball is not played with stats or through here say and Calipari's history is also against them. Despite high win totals every year for his teams, Calipari has only reached the National Championship Game once and fell victim to a horrible free throw shooting night. That '07-'08 team was equally hyped up in terms of draft prospectus, but flamed out. This Calipari team is very similar in terms of athleticism and swagger, but they do one thing that Memphis team didn't, make their free throws. So far in the tournament they're shooting 75% from the line and had an absurd 35-37 against their rival Indiana. The only team that's going to beat Kentucky is "Ykcutnek"or Kentucky backwards. If they go arctic cold from the line like Calipari's last Championship Game appearance, then expect an unexpected exit for the Wildcats. But if they avoid a mental collapse then expect the Wildcats to be dancing come next Monday.

Louisville

Big East Battlers

Grinders

Kings Of Ugly Basketball

The name recognition here obviously gives Louisville a big boost, but if we start talking about the 2011-12 Cardinals, specifically, their identity gets a bit lost. Rick Pitino's squad backed their way into the Big East tournament after 4 of their last 6 games. The bright lights of MSG turned these Cardinals into winners though, as they stormed through the Big East's best and haven't lost in their last eight games. But this is surely the ugliest team in the Final Four. They win games with defense and rebounding. They don't shoot well and don't have an absolute scorer. But they've proven that they can beat the best lately and they're confidence is electric. You also cannot count out Rick Pitino's experience as head coach, which certainly has had something to do with his team's resurgence. If you're rooting for Louisville against Kentucky you're probably going to want to bring your lunchpail and your hardhat because if they're going to have any chance against the Wildcats or anyone for that matter they're going to be digging deep.

Ohio State

The Overachievers

The Underachievers

Ohio State is probably the most interesting team out of all of our Final Four squads. The Buckeyes were ranked #3 in the preseason rankings but never truly lived up to their billing. Several analysts pick them to be an early exit, but here they are in the Final Four, just where we thought they'd be back in November. Jared Sullinger was also predicated to be one of the players of the year, and while he might not be at that level, he still has been good for OSU, especially of late. I truly believe the Buckeyes are a mix bag of goodies, they could go out there and get smacked by Kansas or they could win this all, it really depends on which OSU squad shows up. Beating Syracuse wasn't as big as it looks because Fab Melo didn't play, but still, the Buckeyes dominated that game through and through. It's hard to say if this team has overachieved or underachieved or are right where they should be, but if they win it all I'd say they played above their potential just a bit. Interesting squad here for sure.

Kansas

The Old Guard

Slept On

Been There, Done That

Kansas has been deep in this tournament plenty of times under Bill Self, and are no novice to this pressure-filled spot. But unlike Kentucky, everyone is sleeping on this Jayhawk squad who shoot the ball incredibly well and have two elite scorers in Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson. If those two continue to play at high level I'm 100% Kansas will win their next two games. I'm just salivating over the thought of watching the Jayhawks steal another National Championship from Calipari and co. Back in 2007-'08 it was Bradon Rush and Mario Chalmers, why can't Taylor and Robinson do the same? Everyone was riding the Missouri train after their Big 12 Championship that they forgot about the Old Guard in the Big 12. The Jayhawks are for real and if their two stars play well, this team will be title bound once again. 

Never forget.

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Shaka Smart Is Doing It Right

Shaka Smart has stuck with the VCU program he's built, and it's truly commendable.

ESPN.com-VCU coach Shaka Smart turned down Illinois' offer to become its men's basketball coach, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Smart, 34, had been Illinois' top choice to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired March 9.

The Sun-Times cited multiple anonymous sources saying Smart informed Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas of his decision.

VCU announced later Wednesday that Smart will stay at the school next season. Smart said in the school's news release he is not pursuing any coaching offers.

"I am very grateful for the support and belief in the coaching staff and basketball program that comes from the very top of our university's leadership -- President Rao, Athletic Director Norwood Teague and the VCU Board of Visitors -- as well as our phenomenal fans," Smart said in a statement. "There are great things to accomplish at VCU, and I'm looking forward to building on the successes of our program and university."

If you don't know the name Shaka Smart, I don't blame you, but you should probably start getting to know him. The 3rd year VCU coach has led his program out of the doldrums of the Colonial Athletic Association and brought them to the forefront of mid-major basketball.

In three seasons Shaka Smart has not only won a boatload of games and create a serious NBA career for Eric Maynor, but he has also put VCU on the map as a serious basketball program with the potential for NCAA Tournament consistency for years. Smart does it with defense, mostly banking on guards with quick hands and a serious penitence for pushing the basketball off of misses. But it's not as much about what Smart has gotten out of his players on the court as much as it is about what he's done off the court.

Two straight years he's been offered a lucrative contract by a needy powerhouse program. Two straight years he's rejected them. Last year after stunning the world and appearing in the Final Four all the way from the play-in game, VCU's coached turned down an offer from the fading ACC power North Carolina State. Then this year after "upsetting" #5 seed Wichita State, and almost doing the same to Indiana in the second round, Smart was offered another appealing contract by Illinois. Once again, Smart said "no thank you." He claims to have more goals that he wants to accomplish at VCU, and his actions are saying he wants to do so.

It's hard to find a great coach who wants to settle in on a mid-major program. Even in the business of coaching basketball it's still a capitalistic society, with Cinderella coaches bolting their small programs for the big names in the major conferences. These coaches aren't so successful once they reach the big time. But Smart is not abandoning the program he has started to build into a mid-major empire. His situation at VCU isn't too bad either, as four starters are returning for next year. Either way what Smart's actions are admirable. We've seen him show his school's prowess in back-to-back years and he wants to keep the ball rolling. He surely could have jumped all over the NC State or Illinois offers, but Smart wanted to take the honorable road. VCU is a budding program and due in large part to his phenomenal defensive system and shrewd recruiting. 

I just wish more coaches had this attitude. I understand everyone wants to get paid, but abandoning the artwork you put so much effort towards is just weak. Disowning Cinderella is an ugly sin. I commend Smart for his efforts to stick around and potentially watch a empire grow in front of his eyes. Don't forget he's only 34, so he's got plenty of time to make the big jump from mid-major to elite, and hopefully he can do it with VCU. I'll tell you what, I'm surely rooting for the Rams next season.

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Tebow To The Jets? Jokes Aside

This trade should motivate Sanchez, unless we're about to find out that he's not meant to be.

Linsanity? ELI-te? King Henrik? All now take a back seat to Tebow-mania. The New York media should absolute swallow this sensation whole, and continue to fuel the fire for the Jets circus. But jokes aside, this move isn't as laughable as you think.

Yes, we get it. The Jets locker room is in more disarray than Antoine Walker's financial situation. We still remember vividly that several Jets players anonymously ripped Mark Sanchez to shreds. It wasn't too long ago that third string QB Greg McElroy was letting the world know that the atmosphere in the Jets locker room stunk worse than a Philadelphia bar. Santonio Holmes is still somehow on their roster. So bringing in Tim Tebow should only add to the excess, right? Maybe not.

Honestly, how much did the Jets give up for Tebow? A fourth round pick and sixth round pick? Or in laymen terms, absolutely nothing. He was practically given to New York. So right there, it's a low risk proposition. If he goes out and complains about how he deserves the starting role and eventually destroys what little chemistry the Jets have, then ok, bite the bullet and move on. But what Tebow can bring to New York, and most importantly Mark Sanchez, is quite interesting.

This move should stun Mark Sanchez. It should rattle his cage and hopefully get him fired up. Sanchez has been noted by several people as being a pretty boy who cares more about his image off the field than anything that goes on between the white lines. If this kid has a pulse, then he'll be pissed, and he'll take it out on the field. Sanchez should be focused and determined to keep his starting job, which I'm sure Tebow will be gunning for just like he did with Kyle Orton. I'm not say the Sanchise will answer the call--as in work harder and progress-- but I'm saying that he should. If he doesn't, then ok, you saddle up and you start Tebow whose work ethic is without question. Tebow might not be the best QB or a true QB at all, but he'll work his tail off and pour every ounce of effort on the field, even if he can't hit the side of a barn.

Let's say Sanchez feeds off that motivation? Then you get creative with Tebow. I understand that the white football jesus doesn't want to play any other position, but his athleticism and size allows him invaluable versatility on offense. He can come in and run a mean Tebowcat, or maybe he can line up at fullback or tight end. I'm no coach, so I can't exactly put my finger on where he'll play or exactly what his role can be in an offense, but I know there's something to work with there.

However, if Mark Sanchez doesn't respond positively to Tebow's passion and fire, then he must go. Just cut him on the spot. The kid obviously doesn't have the wherewithal or intensity to play the pro game. He's been given all the time in the world to make his mark(no pun intended) and if he doesn't do it this year, then I doubt know he's just not an NFL quarterback. The Jets will move on with Tebow, and make a decision next offseason on whether or not Tebow is their man. As much as I don't enjoy Tebow's antics or his ugly QB game, he won a bunch of games including a playoff game, so it's not the end of the world with him at the helm. It's not like he's Matt Moore or Blaine Gabbert.

If this just ends up to be a disaster all around, meaning if Sanchez fades into the darkness and Tebow can't force his "will to win" on his teammates, then you just have to cut your losses and move on. This trade is a low-risk, high-reward move. Despite his long contract, Sanchez will have short leash, so next summer will be a decision making summer anyways.

I'm just excited to watch the New York media field day that will be tomorrow when Tebow is introduced.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Elite Eight(Bracket 2 & 3)

The Elite Eight is upon us and now we must depart the ranks of the elite and enter the chamber of legends. The players that enter the Final Four will be enshrined in BDD&C legacy forever.

9. Ray Lewis Vs. 11. Patrick Willis
A year or two from now this will probably a "changing of the guard" matchup. But for now the old dog will take the cake. Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis are seemingly the same player, different age. Both are the consummate defensive leader doing it both with words and actions. They also are phenomenal playmakers and elite tacklers. Ray Ray already ranks among the greatest of all-time, and Willis is going to assume the roll as the league's best linebacker. However, Lewis' ring and long tenured career gives him the edge in this lineup of elite linebackers. This also proves that linebacker is probably the most swagged up position in all of sports.

3. Dwyane Wade Vs. 5. Calvin Johnson
Wade will probably go down in NBA history as the greatest under appreciated player ever. More than Pippen, more than Hornacek, more than Larry Johnson. Megatron is gaining fame not only with his ridiculous catches, but also with his play first, talk never attitude that makes him the consummate team player. I like Wade in this matchup though simply because of his underrated nature. CJ is continuing to gain fame, while D-Wade still somehow rides Lebron's coattails even though everyone in the world knows Wade should take the final shot. Both these guys play with a killer's swagger, but I think Wade might have him slightly beat in that department.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Elite Eight(Brackets 1 & 4)

The Elite Eight is upon us and now we must depart the ranks of the elite and enter the chamber of legends. The players that enter the Final Four will be enshrined in BDD&C legacy forever.

7. Kevin Love vs. 8. Kobe Bryant
Kevin Love is an individual who is building his legacy every 30-20 game he puts up, amassing stats even Bill Russell would applaud. But it's going to take Love a long time to ever establish the legacy that Mr. Kobe Bryant has. Even at the old age of 33, Kobe is still doing his thing. Yeah he can't go throw down a ridiculous up-an-under dunk anymore, but he's traded that in for strong perimeter defense and a deadly array of shots and passes. He still has that swagger that he had 5 years ago, and his shot is still as pretty as ever. I would not sleep on Kobe's sixth ring this year. His competitor, Love, is a phenomenal talent and should be in the hall-of-fame mix when he retires, but can he breakthrough the Minnesota spell and win a title? This all remains to be seen. Kobe wins, like Kobe always does.

1. Henrik Lundqvist vs. 2. Steven Stamkos
Over the years, through silly postseason campaigns, incredible shutouts, season saving games, Henrik Lundqvist has gotten no credit. He was never awarded a Vezina, though that's all about to change. Lundy finally has a team in front of him and his supreme skills are now in the spotlight. There's no doubt he's going to etch his name on the Vezina trophy, the question now is how far can this man carry the Rangers? I think he's going to carry them to Lord Stanley's greatest stage. Steven Stamkos, on the other hand, had a taste of playoff success losing in Game 7 of Eastern Conference last year. He's still growing and slowly trending toward becoming the NHL's best player. Stamkos, for some odd reason, remains on the back burner behind the ever-so inconsistent Alexander Ovechkin and oft-injured Sidney Crosby. Tampa Bay's franchise player has elite hands, but separates himself with incredible vision on the ice. He'll get his at some point, I'm just not sure it'll be with the Tampa Bay Lightning. But with that said, there is simply no denying the Swedish Stud who is just a Stanley Cup away from being up there in the ranks of greatest puck stoppers of all-time.

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Recapping The First Weekend In the NCAA Tournament

Kyle O'Quinn certainly made a name for himself in the first round of this year's tournament.

Like every first weekend in NCAA Tournament history, this one was wild, interesting and boring all in the same juncture.

Thursday was far from special. The higher seeds were a dominating 13-3 and only a few games came down to the wire.

However, we cannot forget the game of the week, or as it played out, the "shame of the week." Even with Syracuse's star big man, Fab Melo out, they were still supposed to run UNC-Asheville out of the building, the state and the country. That was far from the case. Asheville dominated the first half behind some solid defense and reckless three point shooting. 'Cuse looked as if they were supposed to be handed this game by the small North Carolina state school. While they did come out of the halftime break with some energy, the Orangemen had to get some help from the refs. On back-to-back questionable calls with under two minutes to play, Syracuse was saved from what would have been the biggest NCAA Tournament disaster in history. Instead the refs came to their rescue, making calls that not a single person in America wanted to be made, except for the contingency of 'Cuse fans that grip our nation worse than the Yankees.

VCU followed up its magical run to the Final Four last year, with another upset victory, though after the game ended I'm not sure anyone was calling it an upset. Coming in as a #12 seed they had the exciting opportunity to play a highly overrated Wichita State team. VCU's head coach Shaka Smart surely sealed a major coaching job after showing that his mid-major empire was once again, for real.

Day 2, brought the Cinderella magic everyone was salivating for. The lower seeds pulled off 7 upsets and if you want to include #9 Saint Louis over #8 Memphis, than make that 8.

The magic stretched no further than two #15 seeds who decided it was their cue to mangle brackets and dash Duke super fans hopes. Our first major league upset came from Norfolk State, ironically led by a guy named Kyle O'Quinn a day before St. Paddy's Day. By the end of the game it seemed as if O'Quinn was grabbing every rebound, making every bucket and hustling harder than Rick Ross. But what made it memorable was the raw emotion on this kid's face as he put every ounce of effort he had into this game; he was rewarded ten fold. Missouri was a four guard squad and got beaten in one way it could, by a hardworking big man. Duke on the other hand was just outgunned and outrunned by a Lehigh squad and its star guard C.J. McCollum. McCollum turned in a 30 point performance he will never forget and once again Duke was sent home in the first round, just like old times. #13 Ohio and #12 USF also added to the madness, making Friday the day we all wanted.

The First Day Of The Round Of 32 was complete and utter chalk. Everyone higher seed won, and won pretty convincingly. The only game that had any true pulse was the VCU, Indiana game, and somehow the Hoosiers had enough in them to shut down Shaka Smart's Rams and keep them out of their second straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Sunday, left dark horses Georgetown and Florida State wondering what hit them in the face. Georgetown lost to a North Carolina State team that is seemingly playing with a chip on their shoulder since they stepped into the ACC tournament last week. FSU, fresh off an ACC title themselves, fell victim to Cincinnati who had itself a nice Big East run all the way to the championship game. #13 seed Ohio got lucky having to only beat #12 USF to get a Sweet Sixteen bid. Other than those story lines, the round of 32 was a major league bust.

Looking forward at next week's match ups, North Carolina, despite Kendall Marshall's absence will run over an Ohio team that luckily wandered into the Sweet Sixteen after their first round upset. I also like Marquette to manhandle a Florida team that lives and dies by the three. Kentucky and Indiana, a rivalry from way back in the day is shaping up to be the Sweet Sixteen's premier matchup, especially with Kentucky looking for revenge after Christian Watford's epic buzzer beater earlier in the year. My favorite matchup has to be red hot NC State, clearly looking for Cinderella status if they can defeat Kansas, who had their hands full with Purdue last week.

Predictions:
Kentucky over Indiana
Baylor over Xavier


Wisconsin over Syracuse
Cincinnati over Ohio State


UNC over Ohio
NC State over Kansas


Michigan State over Louisville
Marquette over Florida

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Sweet Sixteen(Bracket 4)

We've now reached the Sweet Sixteen and the match ups are getting much harder to call...or are they? Little bit more explanation going on here.

1. Henrik Lundqvist vs. 12. Rajon Rondo
Swagger:8-7
The Swedish Stud has a pretty good aura about him off the ice. Quiet, but definitely walks around like he is the man, because, well, he is the man. Rondo is a bit goofy looking, but his Magic Johnson-like passes certainly up his swagger.
Skills:10-8
King Henrik is an absolute animal in goal, but different from a highlight reel tender like Timmy Thomas. Lundy literally is always in position making normally difficult saves look like a shot to the chest. He is the league's best goaltender. Rondo can do everything but shoot. He might just be the best defensive, passing and rebounding guard in the game. But if he can just hit some shots he would all that more dangerous.
ESPN Underhype: 8-6
Lundy has somehow gotten lost in all the Tim Thomas/Ryan Miller hype over the years, but I stand confident that he is the best goaltender in the league despite his lack of ESPN talk. Rondo also doesn't always get his due, but when he actually plays well, he gets plenty of ESPN love.
Greatness Factor:7-3
If it wasn't for Henrik's horrible Rangers squads over the years he would be a 10 in this. He steps up in the playoffs and is even more spectacular, despite the benders in front of him. Now that he finally has a great squad in front of him, he's having a record breaking year. Rondo has one ring, but he can fall asleep at the wheel often. His poor attitude takes a toll on his greatness factor.

2. Steven Stamkos vs. 14. Terrell Suggs
Swagger:7-10
While Stamkos plays his game with fire and a strong presence, he doesn't always do it with the most swagger. Suggs on the other hand is an absolute monster in the swagger department. Ball So Hard U is actually the No.1 college in the swagger department.
Skills:9-9
Both of these guys have phenomenal skills. Stamkos is slowly becoming the best offensive player in all of hockey with a soft set of hands and phenomenal ice vision. Terrell Suggs's play making ability on the edge is one of the major reasons why the Ravens' defense is still vaunted.
ESPN Underhype:8-4
Steven Stamkos unfortunately still has to battle the injured Crosby and the underperforming Alex Ovechkin on his way to the top. Suggs' Ball So Hard U has been much overhyped by ESPN, especially in these playoffs.
Greatness Factor:4-5
Stamkos and Suggs have only gone as far as their conference finals. I think Suggs is a little bit greater because he makes such a significant impact at such an important position in a much more team oriented sport. Stamkos is a Stanley Cup victory away from exploding up to an 8 or 9 in this category.
Winner: Steven Stamkos
The simple fact that Stamkos is mentioned as the best player in the NHL allows him to break this tie. While Suggs has seemingly met his ceiling, I still think the Tampa Bay center is growing. I envision a 100+ point season for him very soon.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Sweet Sixteen(Bracket 3)

We've now reached the Sweet Sixteen and the match ups are getting much harder to call...or are they? Little bit more explanation going on here.

1. Lebron James vs. 5. Calvin Johnson
Swagger: 8-9
While Lebron is quietly becoming the first black basketball playing hipster, he still has a menacing swagger about him when he throws it down on an opponent. Receding hairline and he still has the ability to mean mug. But how can he have the swagger of the tinted visor wearing monster that is Calvin Johnson. The nickname "Megatron" is just too good.
Skills:10-10
These two players might be the most athletic people in the entire world. Their combined vertical would break charts all over the place. Both are the best players at their position and their skills are unmatchable. Easy 10's across the board.
ESPN Underhype:1-9
Is there an athlete that ESPN has talked about more over the last two or three years? No, it's clearly Lebron and that's why he receives a "1" on this scale. "Megatron" on the other hand gets little love. That's probably because he is the rare case of elite wide receiver, quiet personality.
Greatness Factor: 6-6
Lebron might have two Eastern Conference Championships under his belt, but his lack of success in the Finals(2-8) has to knock on his greatness factor. CJ has only been to one playoff game, but the way he carries the Lions offense is just mind blowing.

2. Kevin Durant vs. 3. Dwyane Wade
Swagger:10-10
Durant and D-Wade have that same killer instinct. Once trigger it, it's over. They both mean mug their way to silly self-led runs and do it quietly. Their style is so efficient it's unbelievable.
Skills: 10-9
I think Durant overall has the better skills thanks to his length and better shooting abilities. Both can get to the rack at will but KD35's size is unique to really only him. Dwyane Wade isn't far off in the skills department though.
ESPN Underhype:5-9
Dwyane Wade just doesn't get the credit he deserves and probably never will. Kevin Durant is probably third or fourth in terms of ESPN hype. Wade will go down as the most under appreciated multiple NBA champion in the history of the league, sorry Pippen.
Greatness Factor:9-7
Wade's style of play is great like Kobe and Jordan's. These guys just find ways to win. Durant is getting their but he needs to show it on the grand stage, and hopefully he'll get a shot against Wade's Heat this year. Wade's 2006 NBA Finals performance still remains one of the impressive of all-time.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Sweet Sixteen(Bracket 2)

We've now reached the Sweet Sixteen and the match ups are getting much harder to call...or are they? Little bit more explanation going on here.

4. CC Sabathia vs. 9. Ray Lewis

Swagger:8-10

Ray Lewis might be old, but he is still that same bad dude he was 10 years ago when he won the Super Bowl. I think CC Sabathia looks goofy on the mound, but his swagger comes in his flame throwing arm and his strikeout nature. Ray Ray wins this by a landslide, I mean how can you beat his intro dance?

Skills:9-10

Again, even at his age, Ray Lewis is a monster, an absolute monster. His ability to still command a defense and annihilate a quarterback are invaluable. CC can gas it, and has some solid off-speed stuff, but I'm not sure he's gonna go down as one of the greatest QBs of all-time.

ESPN Underhype:7-5

CC doesn't get any love from the ESPN crews even though he headlines the league's most popular team's rotation. Ray Lewis still gets a decent amount of hype from ESPN, but neither are overhyped. CC wins here because somehow he is still under appreciated for what he did in the '08 playoffs helping the Yankees win the World Series.

Greatness Factor: 9-10

If Ray Lewis is the greatest linebacker of our generation, and is pretty close to being the greatest of all-time. He's got one big ole Super Bowl ring that is mostly because of his leadership on defense, a defense that is considered one of the greatest of all-time. CC has a ring as well, but still needs to add to his Yankee allure for us to give him a perfect 10.

2. Tim Lincecum vs. 11 Patrick Willis

Swagger:7-10

Patrick Willis is the meanest looking linebacker in the NFL. His visor combined with his abusing hits makes him the most intimidating in the league. Lincecum on the other hand is pretty cool cause of his wild release, but the long haired bro is one of goofier greats we see in sports today.

Skills: 10-9

The success that Lincecum has with his wild release pretty much allows him to be the most skilled pitcher in the MLB. Willis has shown leadership and a phenomenal tackling ability but he's still quite young. He'll be a ten in this category before we know it, though. 

ESPN Underhype: 3-7

Tim Lincecum does get a ton of love from ESPN, though it's usually not overwhelming. Patrick Willis, on the other hand, received very little credit from ESPN for being the most important cog in the 49ers defensive engine. He almost led them to a Super Bowl and still didn't get the attention Vernon Davis did.

Greatness Factor: 9-8

Lincecum has a ring and two Cy Youngs. Willis is close to getting a ring, and has an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. I'd want to see Timmy have another spectacular playoff run to sure up his greatness factor to a 10, but his ring and award collection puts him slightly above Willis in this category.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Sweet Sixteen(Bracket 1)

We've now reached the Sweet Sixteen and the match ups are getting much harder to call...or are they? Little bit more explanation going on here.

5. Dwight Howard vs. 8. Kobe Bryant
Swagger:10-8
Dwight Howard, whether he's Supermanning in the dunk contest or put up 25 and 25, does it with a charismatic smile and sometimes a vicious style of play. Kobe, on the other hand, swags with his killer instinct and quiet persona. He lets his game do the talking. But Dwight has definitely jumped into the role of being one of the coolest players in the league.
Skills: 10-10
Both of these players are freak athletes and will go down as two of the most skilled players in the history of the NBA. Bryant is probably going to go down as the best pure scorer the league's ever seen, and Howard will go down as the biggest freak we've ever seen. Howard hasn't yet filled his potential, and it's not clear if he ever will, but he definitely is a "10" on the skill-meter.
ESPN Underhype:2-7
Even at Kobe's old age, people still don't give him credit for how good he still is. He might not be able to defend as intensely or jump as high, but his scoring prowess is still up there with the Durant's and Carmelo's of the league. ESPN still likes to forget about Kobe for some reason, while they drool over an underachieving Howard.
Greatness Factor:2-10
Howard has not reached his potential, and last time Patrick Ewing was asked about it, he said Howard had only eclipsed 50% of his ceiling. I know he's been to an NBA Finals, one in which Kobe destroyed his Magic en route to his fifth ring. I'm sorry but Kobe wins this category by a landslide.

3. Aaron Rodgers vs. 7. Kevin Love
Swagger:9-9
Rodgers has his discount double check, Love is the last great white hope. Both of them are pretty could dudes both on and off the court, so I can't really find a difference between them. Love did win the 3-PT shooting contest after petitioning the league that he was right for it, that's swagger.
Skills:9-10
While Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal QB in the NFL, I'm not sure we see the kind of rebounding and scoring prowess out of a 6'10" white guy like Love, every day. He's not as gifted with size and athleticism as Bynum and Howard are yet he still puts up sillier stats than them.
ESPN Underhype: 4-6
Kevin Love still somehow bows to Blake Griffin in ESPN hype, probably because he doesn't abuse the rim in the way Griffin does. Rodgers gets a ton of love from ESPN, though it's all pretty deserved. I just think that Love doesn't get his due on the big boy sports network like Rodgers does. No overhyping here though.
Greatness Factor: 8-8
I know I might get some heat for this since Rodgers has a ring and Love has never been to the playoffs, but I think the way Love plays is something out of another era. Once Love gets some pieces around him he's going to take the T'Wolves a long way. No offense to Rodgers, he's been great, Love is just a once in a lifetime player.

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 2(Bracket 4)

We've now moved on from the preliminary round of 64 where the match ups were solely decided by numbers and we gave no reasoning. Round 2 the match ups will actually be discussed and broken down properly.

1. Henrik Lundqvist vs. 9. Deron Williams

Swagger: 8-7

Skills: 10-9

ESPN Underhype: 8-9

Greatness Factor: 7-8

Reasoning:

Our second tie of the bracket is a little bit easier to call. Lundy is the best goaltender in hockey, and has been for years now. Yet he's somehow fallen behind Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas in terms of ESPN hype. Lundy finally has a team in front of him and look at his stats now? Mind-blowing. D-Will is a great player and all, and might even receive less hype than Lundy because of D-Rose and CP3, but I don't think he's as cool or as skilled as Lundy. I'd consider him a tad greater than Lundy because of his solid playoff performances, but King Henrik will be sure to erase that this year.

Winner: Henrik Lundqvist

4. Alexander Ovechkin vs. 12. Rajon Rondo

Swagger: 10-7

Skills: 10-8

ESPN Underhype: 1-6

Greatness Factor: 2-3

Reasoning:

Ovie is mired in the worst season of his life, and could be a tell-tale sign of how badly we've overrated this guy. He isn't great in anyone's eyes because of his postseason failure, but even worse is the hype he gets from ESPN. Rondo has been kept pretty low on the ESPN radar, even though he deserves some more credit for his skills. Rondo has won a title, Ovie hasn't even come close. Rondo by 1.

Winner: Rajon Rondo

2. Steven Stamkos vs. 10. LaMarcus Aldridge

Swagger: 7-5

Skills: 9-9

ESPN Underhype: 8-10

Greatness Factor: 4-4

Reasoning:

One more tie to make things interesting. If it wasn't for Malkin's red-hot season, I'd have to say that Stamkos is the best player in the NHL, and he never gets credit for it. Aldridge is the most underrated player in the NBA, hands down, though that's going to change when he kills it at the olympics for Team USA this summer. I had to give the nod to Stamkos because he's a little bit more experienced in the playoffs and arguably the best player in his league without getting much recognition for it. Aldridge is still coming up though, see this matchup in two years, I might think differently.

Winner: Steven Stamkos

6. Matt Kemp vs. 14. Terrell Suggs

Swagger: 9-10

Skills: 7-9

ESPN Underhype: 7-4

Greatness Factor:3-5

Reasoning:

This matchup features the coolest guy in baseball vs. the badest dude in football. Suggs' swagger and ability to get to the quarterback make him a dangerous player in any sport. Kemp hasn't yet proved himself on any big stage though he remains the only viable hitting option for the Dodgers. His stats are impressive, but he doesn't have the postseason credentials Suggs does. The whole "Ball So Hard U" thing definitely put the Ravens' star LB on ESPN way too much, but he still survives to pull off a win here.

Winner: Terrell Suggs

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 2(Bracket 3)

We've now moved on from the preliminary round of 64 where the match ups were solely decided by numbers and we gave no reasoning. Round 2 the match ups will actually be discussed and broken down properly.

1. Lebron James vs. 8. Darelle Revis
Swagger: 8-8
Skills: 10-8
ESPN Underhype: 1-5
Greatness Factor: 6-3
Reasoning:
Well here comes our first tie, so since the stats couldn't do this matchup justice, I guess I will have to. Lebron and Revis are actually a lot closer than they look off the paper. Lebron is definitely the more talented of the two, but his ESPN hype is mind-blowing as well a know. "Revis Island" has sort of died down lately with the downfall of the Jets, but so his ESPN hype has drifted to a 5. I'll take Lebron in this matchup simply because he's done more as a team player than Revis has in his career. I know LBJ can't make a fourth quarter shot or play to save his life, but he's had some past success.
Winner: Lebron James


4. Derrick Rose vs. 5. Calvin Johnson
Swagger: 9-9
Skills: 9-10
ESPN Underhype:7-9
Greatness Factor: 7-6
Reasoning:
Derrick Rose and Calvin Johnson have to be two of my favorite players, both are absolute studs but somehow still fly under the radar in ESPN's eyes. Johnson is probably the most talented wide receiver in the NFL, while Rose still is in a battle with CP3 and D-Will for best PG. Rose has been greater than CJ, but Johnson receives less hype and is more skilled than D-Rose. CJ wins cause off is sheer freak athleticism and his under appreciation. Tough battle though.
Winner: Calvin Johnson


2. Kevin Durant vs. 7. Troy Polamalu
Swagger:10-6
Skills: 10-8
ESPN Underhype: 5-4
Greatness Factor: 7-10
Reasoning:
Kevin Durant has to be one of the most intense players I've ever watched, that man has a mean streak despite his calm off-court demeanor. Polamalu skill wise is a bit overrated, but he has a knack for making big plays in big spots. I like KD in this matchup just because he is the budding star, where as Polamalu has seemingly reached his potential and doesn't bring as much to the table as ESPN thinks he does.
Winner: Kevin Durant


3.Dwyane Wade vs. 6. Adrian Peterson
Swagger: 10-8
Skills: 9-8
ESPN Underhype: 9-2
Greatness Factor: 9-5
Reasoning:
D-Wade has to be one of the coolest, best and most under appreciated athletes of our generation, thanks is large part to his boy and teammate Lebron. AP has fallen off lately thanks to Vikings inefficiencies and some injury misfortunes. Wade takes the cake in all the spots, and destroys AP in ESPN hype. Peterson might be one of those Sean Alexander-type running backs who after this injury finds himself on a career tailspin. Wade is going nowhere and has a chip on his shoulder at all times. If you have ever seen D-Wade catch fire, you get why he gets a "10" on the swag-o-meter.
Winner: Dwyane Wade

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 2(Bracket 2)

We've now moved on from the preliminary round of 64 where the match ups were solely decided by numbers and we gave no reasoning. Round 2 the match ups will actually be discussed and broken down properly.

1. Albert Pujols vs. 9. Ray Lewis

Swagger: 7-10

Skills: 10-10

ESPN Underhype: 3-5

Greatness Factor: 9-10

Reasoning:

Pujols is the greatest batter of our generation hands down. His consistency is un matched, and his swing is magnificent. With that being said, he doesn't have the swagger of Ray Lewis and may not rank as high on the all-time greats in baseball as Ray Ray does in football. I believe Lewis is the greatest linebacker of all-time and still can play. ESPN has slowly been downplaying his skills because of age, but he is still a mammoth on D. Pujols doesn't quite get the attention Lebron does, but he's up there. Lewis gets the nod because of his all-time NFL standing and that one ring the Ravens won completely thanks to his leadership of the greatest defense of all-time. 

Winner: Ray Lewis

4. CC Sabathia Vs. 5. Patrick Kane

Swagger: 8-10

Skills: 9-9

ESPN Underhype: 7-3

Greatness Factor: 9-8

Reasoning:

CC Sabathia probably remains one of the most under appreciated players in all of baseball even with his title in 2008 and his standing at the front of the most popular baseball teams' rotation. I think CC, despite his size, still has the swagger of a completely in shape man. Patrick Kane certainly has the most swagger in the NHL, I'm not even sure there is a close second. But Sabathia's career has been way more consistent than Kane and thats why he gets the nod in Greatness department. Both of them are immensely skilled players but I think Sabathia's under appreciation gives him the nod of the highly touted Patty Kan.e

Winner: CC Sabathia

2. Tim Lincecum vs. 10. Frank Gore

Swagger: 7-9

Skills: 10-7

ESPN Underhype: 3-4

Greatness Factor: 9-5

Reasoning:

I actually think Frank Gore has the best swag out of any RB in the league; nothing beats his actions-over-words mean muggin' face. Lincecum is certainly the more skilled of the two with a pitching style straight out of the Koufax era which I think both hurts and helps his swagger case. Gore might not get as much love as Lincecum on ESPN, but it's still up there. "The Freak" gets the nod in the matchup thanks to that ring two years ago.

Winner: Tim Lincecum

3. Justin Verlander vs. 11. Patrick Willis

Swagger: 5-10

Skills: 9-9

ESPN Underhype: 7-7

Greatness Factor: 6-8

Reasoning:

Let's face it, Verlander is a country boy, and if it wasn't for his sizzling 100 MPH fastball, he'd probably get a 1 on the swagger rating. Willis on the other hand brings the pain play-in and play-out; he's got swagger to the roof and back. Both find themselves seldom talked about on ESPN either both are highly regarded as the best at their position. I'll give Willis the greatness nod because he showed us this year that his leadership on defense is not just a regular season fluke. For me this matchup all comes down to country boy hick vs. the meanest LB in the league. It's easy.

Winner: Patrick Willis

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 2(Bracket 1)

We've now moved on from the preliminary round of 64 where the match ups were solely decided by numbers and we gave no reasoning. Round 2 the match ups will actually be discussed and broken down properly.

1. Eli Manning Vs. 8. Kobe Bryant
Swagger: 6-8
Skills: 9-10
ESPN Underhype: 6-7
Greatness Factor: 9-10
Reasoning:
This one is probably pretty simple, though Eli has soared up on his numbers lately, both in greatness and in swagger. However, Kobe is certainly one of the greatest of all-time especially if you take his swagger, which has waned over the years, and his 5 rings. I also think that Kobe is pretty well disrespected by those analysts over at ESPN who always talk Lebron. Sorry Eli you might be on fire in the NFL, but not here at BDD&C.
Winner: Kobe Bryant

4. Rob Gronkowski vs. 5. Dwight Howard
Swagger:6-10
Skills:10-10
ESPN Underhype:1-2
Greatness Factor:4-2
Reasoning:
This two individuals are up there with anyone in this discussion in the skills department. Howard's abilities are unstoppable when you matches 6'11" monster frame to his insane vertical. Gronk on the other hand has a phenomenal set of hands and is hard to take down. This one goes to Howard though because A, he isn't a goofy 6'7" white guy and B, because he's already taken the Magic to an NBA Finals. But I believe Howard is pretty overrated since he hasn't come close to filling out his out-of-this-world potential. Gronk loses points to ESPN because they just couldn't stop talking about the guy; it just got annoying. Unfortunately for Gronk, his injury prevented him from showing us how good he could have been in the Super Bowl.
Winner: Dwight Howard

2. Tom Brady vs. 7. Kevin Love
Swagger: 8-9
Skills: 10-10
ESPN Underhype: 3-6
Greatness Factor: 9-8
Reasoning:
Call this the upset of the bracket, and maybe the tournament. Brady has some swagger, but he often comes off as a whiner. Love's swagger comes in the way he just manhandles the post and does it with a look of ease on his face. As for skill, I think both of them are at a hall-of-fame level. ESPN gives way more hype to Tom Brady than Love but that's because Brady's been doing it for years and in a better market. Though, Kevin Love still doesn't get the attention that he deserves thanks to Mr. Highlight Reel Griffin. For now Brady is greater, but Love's ability to make the T'Wolves watchable, night-in and night-out leaves him not to far behind the QB who hasn't won a title since 2004.
Winner: Kevin Love


3. Aaron Rodgers vs. 6. Chris Paul
Swagger: 9-8
Skills: 9-10
ESPN Underhype: 4-4
Greatness Factor: 8-6
Reasoning:
Chris Paul might be the best point guard in the NBA, but he has done little to prove his greatness. Rodgers has led the Packers to a Super Bowl Title in the mighty shadow of Brett Favre, plus his "discount double check" shenanigans have clearly made him the coolest QB in the NFL. Both of them are equally overhyped in the grand scheme of things, cause Rodgers was out dueled by Eli Manning this year and CP3 still hasn't gotten past the second round of the playoffs.
Winner: Aaron Rodgers

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 1(Bracket 4)

Today is Selection Sunday. Tuesday the opening four games start. Thursday the whole sha-bang begins. We decided to get you ready for the tournament by creating four brackets deciding who the best players are in our standards, culminating in a final four. That is, swagger, skills, ESPN under hype and greatness. We selected the 16 best players from each of the four major sports and put them into a bracket and determined them by these four attributes. Each will be graded on a ten point scale.

Swagger:

The way in which the individual holds themselves, dresses, acts in public, celebrates and simply swags it up. 10 being the owner of the swagger supermarket, 1 being the bag boy.

Skills:

How damn good they are. 10 being god of skills and 1 means I don't understand why he's a professional athlete.

ESPN Underhype:

How much air time this individual DOESN'T get on ESPN even though they clearly deserve it. A 10, means you are still sorely underrated(I corrected it for hockey, cause we all know no one talks about hockey), even if you are considered a "superstar." 1 means you're probably somewhere between Brett Favre, Danica Patrick and Freddy Adu.

Greatness Factor:

The killer instinct. How this player translate their skills into greatness. 10 is MJ, 1 is Ryan Leaf.

Matchup Breakdown:

1.Henrik Lundqvist vs. 16. John-Pierre Paul

Swagger: 8-6

Skills: 10-8

ESPN Underhype: 8-5

Greatness Factor: 7-8

2. Steven Stamkos vs. 15. LeSean McCoy

Swagger: 7-8

Skills: 9-7

ESPN Underhype: 8-5

Greatness Factor: 4-4

3. Evgeni Malkin vs. 14. Terrell Suggs

Swagger: 2-10

Skills: 9-9

ESPN Underhype: 8-4

Greatness Factor: 7-5

4. Alex Ovechkin vs. 13. Jared Allen

Swagger: 10-9

Skills: 10-8

ESPN Underhype: 1-3

Greatness Factor: 2-2

5. Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Rajon Rondo

Swagger: 4-7

Skills: 8-8

ESPN Underhype: 8-6

Greatness Factor: 3-3

7. Matt Kemp vs. 11. Russell Westbrook

Swagger: 9-10

Skills: 7-7

ESPN Underhype: 7-4

Greatness Factor: 3-3

8. Josh Hamilton vs. Deron Williams

Swagger: 8-7

Skills: 8-9

ESPN Underhype: 6-9

Greatness Factor: 7-8

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Bar Down Dandy March Madness Round 1(Bracket 3)

Today is Selection Sunday. Tuesday the opening four games start. Thursday the whole sha-bang begins. We decided to get you ready for the tournament by creating four brackets deciding who the best players are in our standards, culminating in a final four. That is, swagger, skills, ESPN under hype and greatness. We selected the 16 best players from each of the four major sports and put them into a bracket and determined them by these four attributes. Each will be graded on a ten point scale.

Swagger:

The way in which the individual holds themselves, dresses, acts in public, celebrates and simply swags it up. 10 being the owner of the swagger supermarket, 1 being the bag boy.

Skills:

How damn good they are. 10 being god of skills and 1 means I don't understand why he's a professional athlete.

ESPN Underhype:

How much air time this individual DOESN'T get on ESPN even though they clearly deserve it. A 10, means you are still sorely underrated(I corrected it for hockey, cause we all know no one talks about hockey), even if you are considered a "superstar." 1 means you're probably somewhere between Brett Favre, Danica Patrick and Freddy Adu.

Greatness Factor:

The killer instinct. How this player translate their skills into greatness. 10 is MJ, 1 is Ryan Leaf.

Matchup Breakdown:

1. Lebron James vs. 16. Jose Velverde

Swagger: 8-7

Skills: 10-6

ESPN Underhype: 1-6

Greatness Factor: 7-6

2. Kevin Durant vs. 15. Cliff Lee

Swagger: 10-8

Skills: 10-7

ESPN Underhype: 5-5

Greatness Factor: 7-6

3. Dwyane Wade vs. 14. Troy Tulowitzki

Swagger: 10-9

Skills: 9-9

ESPN Underhype: 9-8

Greatness Factor: 9-8

4. Derrick Rose vs. 13. Justin Upton

Swagger: 9-10

Skills: 9-8

ESPN Underhype: 7-8

Greatness Factor: 7-4

5. Calvin Johnson vs. 12. Henrik Sedin

Swagger: 9-5

Skills: 10-8

ESPN Underhype: 9-4

Greatness Factor: 6-3

6. Adrian Peterson vs. 11. Pavel Datysuk

Swagger: 8-3

Skills: 8-9

ESPN Underyhpe: 2-3

Greatness Factor: 5-6

7. Troy Polamalu vs. 10. Jimmy Howard

Swagger: 6-6

Skills: 8-7

ESPN Underhype: 4-9

Greatness Factor: 10-5

8 Darelle Revis vs.  9.Claude Giroux

Swagger: 8-5

Skills: 8-9

ESPN Underhype: 3-5

Greatness Factor: 6-3

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