Nikola Mirotic: A glimpse of the Bulls future

        Nikola Mirotic is somewhat of a mystery man. The 21-year old forward out of Montenegro is an integral part of the Bulls future that few people actually know about. Chicago obtained his rights after Mirotic was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 23^rdoverall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and soon after traded to the Chicago Bulls. Bulls fans including myself were disappointed that Mirotic was chosen over available players such as MarShon Brooks and Jordan Hamilton. I’ve never been a fan of the whole Euro-stash concept where a player is drafted with the intent of playing in the NBA sometime in the future. In the meantime that player develops his game overseas and is NBA-ready by the time he makes the move. At the time of the selection I thought Mirotic’s name might never be heard again and that we may never see him in a Bulls uniform. Hopefully I was wrong. As it turns out, Mirotic is becoming an international star. To those who have never seen or heard of Mirotic, hopefully this article will give you insight on the budding prospect that may very well become a vital part of the Bulls future.

Subjectively

        Visually Mirotic looks like he is much more than just a stretch 4. His shot looks beautiful, much like a young Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki would be the perfect player for Mirotic to model his game after. Mirotic’s arm movement in his shot is especially similar to Nowitzki's. Aside from his jump shot, Mirotic has plenty of other skills. He displayed his underrated athleticism when he postered Maccabi Tel Aviv big man Sofoklis Schortsanitis. Mirotic also uses his outstanding jump shot to get to the rim. At 50 seconds into this video, Mirotic uses a quick pump fake to explode to the basket. The move was quick, but simple, and the defender had to respect his shot. Mirotic also has a solid post game for a 21-year old. At 2:05 into the same video, Mirotic uses a fantastic up-and-under move to score in the post. As the Spanish broadcasters say after the move,"El up-and-under". The peak of this game, which was played against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, was when Mirotic nailed his fourth three-pointer of the game at 3:48 into the video. The crowd and broadcasters go nuts as Mirotic scores 22 points less than 15 minutes into the game. At that point in the game he only had three less points than Maccabi Tel-Aviv's whole team combined. At the 1:23 mark Mirotic shows great rebounding instincts by boxing out, grabbing the offensive rebound and drawing the foul. The only defense displayed is this video is when Mirotic uses his long arms to get a steal at the 1:48 mark. After watching film, Mirotic won't be a game changer defensively, but he certainly won't be a liability either. Subjectively, Mirotic shows a ton of potential for a 21-year old. He has exceptional shooting ability along with a knack to get to the rim and draw fouls. Mirotic has also shown the ability to hit big shots. It's not inconceivable to see him eventually developing a solid post game and possibly become a plus at the defensive end.

Statistically

        To put Mirotic's statistics in perspective I compared his numbers to that of three other similar European imports; Andrea Bargnani, Ersan Ilyasova and Danilo Gallinari.

Stats per 40 minutes in Euroleague play (each player's most recent season)

Player	Team	Pts	FG%	2P%	3PT	3P%	FTA/FGA	FT%	RPG	Stls	Blks	PER	Pts/Play	TS%
Mirotic	Real Madrid	21.7	52.5	57	2	43.9	0.51	91.8	7.8	1.3	0.8	23.9	1.18	0.67
Bargnani	Treviso	20.7	50.8	55.8	2.4	43.4	0.45	71.2	7.8	2.5	1.8	22.6	1.05	0.62
Ilyasova	Barcelona	20.3	45.7	49.5	2.7	40.3	0.2	81.6	13.5	0.9	1.1	23.2	1.01	0.57
Gallinari	Milano	18.9	42	48	1.6	31.8	0.54	78.1	5.3	1.8	0.5	19.6	1	0.55

  **Statistics provided by draftexpress.com**

        These three players are very comparable to Mirotic. All three players played in the Euroleague and have gone on to have successful NBA careers. These big men can all shoot the lights out, but have different skill sets. Gallinari is the most prototypical NBA player. He has a nice jumper, but doesn’t rely on it, he instead excels at driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Bargnani is the most prototypical Euro-big man of the bunch. Bargnani relies heavily on his shooting and lacks other skills. Ilyasova is in-between. He has a very good jump shot, but still uses his athleticism to get to the rim. Ilyasova is also an outstanding rebounder, which is odd for a European player. He averaged 13.5 rebounds per 40 minutes with Barcelona and 12.8 with the Milwaukee Bucks. Many people, including ESPN's stat guru John Hollinger, believed Ilyasova should’ve won the Most Improved Player award this past season (he finished second behind Ryan Anderson). I agree with Hollinger, as Ilyasova improved his PER from 14.40 to 20.55 whereas Anderson improved his PER from 19.09 to 21.23. If Mirotic matched the careers of any of these three players he would be considered a success.

            Mirotic leads the group in points, field goal percentage, two-point percentage, three-point percentage, free-throw percentage, PER, points per play and TS% (all numbers per 40 minutes). His points per 40 minutes were ninth in the Euroleague, free throw percentage was first, free throws made per 40 minutes was eighth, three-point percentage was 13^th, and index rating per 40 minutes was fifth (index rating is essentially Euroleague’s version of PER). To put some of Mirotic’s stats into perspective, if these numbers were in the NBA his PER would’ve been eighth and his true shooting percentage would’ve been second. His points per play of 1.18 would’ve been greater than even Kevin Durant (1.04). Obviously Mirotic didn’t play in the NBA, but putting up those numbers in the Euroleague at the age of 21 is impressive.

Future Projection

            Despite performing well in the Euroleague, what people want to know is how will Mirotic’s numbers translate to the NBA. The Euroleague’s Rising Star award has proved to be a tremendous barometer for future success. The Rising Star is awarded to the Euroleague’s best player under 22. Mirotic has already won the award twice (the first to do so) and is eligible for the award again next season. Former winners of this award include Bargnani, Gallinari, Rudy Fernandez and Ricky Rubio. All of those players have had successful NBA careers with Gallinari and Rubio looking like future All-Stars. Mirotic being part of that company bodes well for his future. In terms of predicting Mirotic’s future NBA numbers, luckily Hollinger has a formula.

            Like any predictive formula, these projections aren’t going to be perfect. Hollinger has been close to perfect on numerous occasions using his formula. Hollinger’s system for converting Euroleague performance to NBA performance looks like this (consider this formula is only used to predict the players first season in the NBA).

• Scoring rate decreases 25 percent
• Rebound rate increases by 18 percent
• Assist rate increases by 31 percent
• Shooting percentage drops by 12 percent
• Overall, PER drops by 30 percent.

        Here are some examples of how effective this formula has been. Hollinger projected a PER of 7.36 for Marco Belinelli, 15.16 for Juan Carlos Navarro and 16.27 for Luis Scola. The three’s numbers turned out to be 8.23, 11.90 and 16.18. So not perfect, but pretty darn close. Hollinger predicted a 13.21 PER for Gallinari and his actual PER turned out to be 13.39. He also predicted his PER would be around 15 or 16 by his third year, and in year three his PER was 15.7. Hollinger’s projections also favored Omer Asik and Nikola Pekovic and look how successful both of them have been. Asik is a monster on the defensive end and Pekovic just had a season where his PER skyrocketed to 21.47 (he averaged 20.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per 40 minutes). He predicted Thiago Splitter would average 18.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per 40 minutes; he ended up averaging 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per 40 minutes. I think you get the point; this formula has its flaws, but has been rather effective. So what about Mirotic?

        Mirotic projects to average 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor with a 16.73 PER. His PER would’ve been fourth among rookies this season, only behind Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving and Kenneth Faried. I expect Mirotic’s rebounds to be lower than the projection, but his shooting percentages should be higher.
        Unfortunately, it could be years until Mirotic makes the transition to the NBA, considering he signed a five-year deal with Real Madrid just last summer. Fortunately, the Bulls have time since next season will be more about getting Derrick Rose healthy than winning. Although Bulls fans will cry for Mirotic to be the immediate replacement for Carlos Boozer, they will have to wait. Come 2016, the Bulls starting lineup could include the Charlotte Bobcats unprotected pick (which looks even better now that the Hornets won the Anthony Davis sweepstakes) and Mirotic. In the meantime Mirotic will continue to dominate the best competition outside the NBA.

The Shadow of the Twin Towers: The San Antonio Spurs’ Dark Knights

Before the 1997 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs were a team searching for an identity and in desperate need of some limelight. Enter Tim Duncan. The Spurs corralled Duncan with the #1 overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. Alongside “The Admiral” David Robinson, the "Twin Towers" collected 2 titles in the span of 6 seasons. After Robinson’s retirement after the 2003 season, the Spurs were once again in search for a new identity. This time around their international duo of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were ready to grab the torch, helping the Spurs to another 2 titles in 2005 and 2007. The story for the 2012 San Antonio Spurs is no different.

This Spurs team has been dominant in every facet of the game. This gang of crafty vets are winners of 18 straight and 29 of their last 31 (one of those loses coming in a game where Duncan, Parker and Ginobili all rested). The team is primed to win their 5^th title in 13 years. A team that resides in obscurity; lurking in the shadows hidden from media attention, which is nearly impossible in this day and age. Coach Greg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford have pulled off a miraculous feat, keeping their championship core intact through the years. While Tim Duncan receives most of the credit for the Spurs rich history--and maybe deservedly so--the two guys cast under his shadow are the most under-appreciated athletes in sports. For Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

                Both Parker and Ginobili had successful careers in Europe before playing on American soil. Parker, the Frenchman, and Ginobili, the Argentinian, both fell on draft day despite their overseas experience. The San Antonio Spurs struck gold picking Parker at 28^th and Ginobili at 57^th overall. Since then, the accolades between these two seem endless. Three All-NBA selections, Sixth Man of the Year, Finals MVP, and more titles between the two of them (six) than the top four finishers in MVP voting  this season (LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant) combined. These two guys are models of consistency, each posting Player Efficiency Ratings above 22 this past season despite being in their 30’s.

 In Parker, he may be the most obscure Finals MVP winner in NBA history. His smooth floater along with his dominance in the paint is an unmatched skill set for a point guard. As Duncan has began to age and mold his game into more of a role player, Parker has taken hold of the reins and led the Spurs to the best record in the West for the 2^ndconsecutive season. At 30, Parker is still lightning quick and posted a career high in assists and FT%, putting up arguably the best numbers of his career.

While Ginobili finished 7^thin the NBA in PER, he was a victim of the shortened lockout season, missing 32 games due to injury.  Ginobili has a reckless style of play, using the Eurostep to jive and twist his way through traffic. His relentless style is what's made him so unstoppable, but at the same time banged up. When healthy, Ginobili embodies the Spurs battery, igniting the team with energy every time he comes off the bench. You won’t find many future Hall of Famers who would come off the bench so willingly. Ginobili is humble and modest, but also a silent assassin who will catch you off guard if you show him lackluster D. He constantly attacks the rim and has a feathery touch from outside. At 34, Ginobili has hardly lost a step.

The Spurs will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in one of the most anticipated series in recent history. The media attention has been surrounded around the 40 point outbursts of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the emerging talent of Sixth Man of the Year James Harden. All season long fans and media have prepared for a Thunder-Heat finals clash of a Battle of the Big Threes. In reality, the best Big 3 in the NBA has been the same for over a decade. With the days of the Twin Towers of the San Antonio Spurs in the past, the Spurs will once again have to call on their Dark Knights in search for another title.

UFC 146 Preview: Making the Best Out of a Bad Situation

Joe Silva isn’t considered the best matchmaker in the business for nothing. Besides putting together great fights time and time again, he can also make the best out of a bad situation. When the original main card for UFC 146 came out, it was widely considered the best heavyweight card in MMA history. But low and behold, Alistair Overeem was caught with elevated testosterone in a random drug test after a 146 press conference.  UFC president Dana White was beyond pissed as he had to scrap Overeem and bump former champ Frank Mir from his fight against Cain Velasquez to take on Dos Santos. If that wasn’t enough, Gabriel Gonzaga and Mark Hunt came down with injuries so Joe Silva had to keep switching opponents and plug in new faces to keep the all-heavyweight card still an exciting event. Though some might say that Dos Santos-Mir isn’t the fight that they were craving, it will still prove to be an exciting fight. I mean let’s be honest, Mir was going to fight Dos Santos eventually so why are we so aggravated? This Card will still deliver explosive fights (including great prelim action) with some of the best heavies in the division highlighted by a heavyweight title fight between champion Junior Dos Santos against Frank Mir.

UFC Heavyweight Championship

Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos vs. Frank Mir

            This is a great fight stylistically for good and bad reasons. It’s a good fight stylistically because Dos Santos (14-1) has never faced a fighter with Mir’s Jiu Jitsu pedigree but we’ve rarely seen Dos Santos on the ground much less get taken down. Only Shane Carwin and Gabriel Gonzaga managed to take Cigano down but for very little as the Brazilian popped up almost immediately. This is a bad matchup stylistically (at least for Mir) because Mir (16-5) does not bode well against heavy-hitters. All five of Mir’s losses have come by TKO to punches. In order for Mir to win, he’ll obviously have to take it to the ground and look for submissions. Mir has even stated that he would pull guard and look for Dos Santos’s leg for a submission. But in order to do any of that, Mir has to get Dos Santos to respect his stand-up enough to be open for a takedown. But Mir’s takedowns have always been pretty predictable and usually it has to be his opponent to take Mir down in order to work his submissions. That being said, Dos Santos is too good of a striker to even worry about Mir’s stand-up and even if he is taken down by Mir, it won’t be for long. The heavyweight division has always been known to be a very hostile division but Dos Santos shows signs to be the champion for many years to come. Dos Santos by 2^nd round TKO.

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva

            Cain Velasquez is in a must win situation. After a devastating knockout loss to now champion Junior Dos Santos, Velasquez (9-1) must prove to the MMA world that he is still one of the top heavyweights in the world. The same could also go for Silva. Bigfoot (16-3) after earning an upset TKO against former heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko, the upset tables was then turned on Silva. Bigfoot was knocked out by now Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champ and Velasquez’s teammate Daniel Cormier. Velasquez can take a page out of his teammate’s playbook and basically do the same thing to Bigfoot to earn the W. Velasquez lands the most significant strikes per minute in the UFC, which does not sit well with the gigantic Brazilian. Velasquez might want to avoid using his stellar wrestling in this fight to avoid Bigfoot’s underrated ground game. Velasquez will keep this fight standing, constantly moving and landing strike after strike as Velasquez end the fight in the first round via TKO.

Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve vs. Lavar “Big” Johnson

            Lavar Johnson will look for his second victory in three weeks, and his third KO of the night award. The last person to attain two wins in three weeks time was Chris Leben and those two wins in that short of time skyrocketed Leben to top-tier middleweights. The same can happen for Johnson. Lavar (17-5) is coming off a spectacular KO victory over Pat Berry and will face Skyscraper by filling in for the injured Mark Hunt. Struve (27-5) is also coming off a two-fight win streak most recently besting Dave Herman by TKO. At just 24 years of age, the Dutchman can still improve leaps and bounds as well as fill out his 6-11 frame. Each time Struve enters the cage he does just that; looking more filled out and better every outing. Struve has great kickboxing and ground skills, which can be detrimental to Johnson. Johnson will have to look to put this fight away early as not only has Johnson proved he can do but Struve is proned to that kind of defeat as well. Johnson although almost looks like if he didn’t end up getting his past two knockouts, he would punch himself out. Johnson will move forward and ignore the Dutchman’s superior reach and look for the kill. Struve will weather the storm of an onslaught of punches to survive the first round, as Johnson will punch himself out. Into the second round, Struve takes the fight to the ground and submits a gassed Johnson.

Strikeforce Grand Prix Predictions: Finally Coming To An End

        In January of 2011, The MMA world rejoiced at the announcement of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal pairings. The promotion collected the best heavyweights outside the UFC and put them together in a star-studded tourney. Some of these names included Emelianenko, Overeem, Barnett, Werdum, Silva and Arlovski. It was genius. MMA heavyweight tournaments have always made commercial success in both Pride and the UFC so why not create a current installment of one of the sport’s greatest thrills? Ever since the start of this tournament back in Febuary of 2011, it has gone completely down hill. I don’t think I can even fit all of the bizarre circumstances that has led to the eminent conclusion of tonight’s finale. It all started on February 12, 2011 when Strikeforce lost its greatest money making draw in Fedor Emelianenko. "The Last Emperor" was turned into a bloody mess by the hands of Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. The craziness ensued as Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alaistair Overeem was cut from the promotion after his decision victory over Fabricio Werdum. The reason behind the firing of Overeem was supposedly because of a toe-injury. The tourney was gutted from the inside out. Daniel Cormier was tabbed as the replacement of Overeem after the cut. Cormier delivered the second shocking upset of this tournament by knocking out Bigfoot Silva. Barnett effortlessly made his way to the finale to end up fighting a replacement fighter. But all in all, this finale (accompanied by a lightweight title fight) actually ended up being rather intriguing.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Final

Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett Vs. Daniel Cormier

            Even after all of the twist and turns in the long and windy road of this tournament, the finals turned out OK. Barnett and Cormier are considered top heavyweights in the MMA world and Barnett even stated that this could be the greatest heavyweight fight ever. Well my expectations are not as high but the intrigue of this fight is still cultivating. Barnett (31-5) absolutely dwarfs Cormier (9-0) in terms of experience. The UFC, Pride, K-1 and Pancrase vet has competed professionally in MMA since 1997 whereas Cormier has only competed since 2009. Cormier arguably has the best wrestling pedigree in all of MMA as a 2004 Olympian. He has also displayed heavy hands in his devastating KO of Bigfoot Silva. Cormier will get the biggest test of his career in Barnett. “The Warmaster” (formerly known as “The Baby Faced Assassin”) will hold a solid seven-inch reach advantage against Cormier. This advantage will hold the former Olympian and his hands of TNT at bay. “The Warmaster” is actually a fitting nickname for the former UFC Heavyweight champ since he is renowned for exploiting his opponent’s weaknesses. With Barnett’s great catch-wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, Cormier will use his wrestling skills more defensively and keep the fight standing for a KO blow. This fight will prove to be a chess match in the form of tie-ups and clinches against the cage with Barnett trying to takedown Cormier for the first time in his Strikeforce career. Cormier constantly having to defend the takedown will eventually tire him out. If Barnett gets top-position, the fight can be all but over for the former Olympian. Barnett by third round submission is my prediction.

Strikeforce Lightweight Championship

Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez Vs. Josh “The Punk” Thomson

            A rubber match for the lightweight belt sounds exciting and awesome, but for some reason this particular fight brings potential yawns. This fight also delays Melendez from fighting top-tier UFC competition. Melendez (20-2) is considered by many as the top lightweight in the world. By staying in Strikeforce Melendez is keeping his stock low in comparison to the likes of Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson. If this fight were to never happen most would not care. The only appealing aspect is that Thomson was the last man to defeat Melendez. Since that defeat Melendez has racked up six straight including a victory over Thomson. Melendez is a great well-rounded fighter with tremendous wrestling and ever improving boxing. His stand-up skills were evident in his last outing after picking apart Jorge Masvidal in December. Thomson is coming off a unanimous decision victory over former EliteXC Lightweight champ K.J. Noons. Thomson won his fight against Melendez with better stand-up and great takedown defense; this time around it won’t be that easy. Melendez will be willing to stand and trade. This time he will get the better of Thomson in route to a fourth round TKO.

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante Vs. Mike “MAK” Kyle

            Melendez and Thompson aren’t the only two who will have a familiar face across the cage. Feijao and Kyle have faced off once before. In 2009, Kyle earned his first Strikeforce victory by upsetting the Brazilian. Feijao (11-3) had cardio problems back then but the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champ will be in much better shape this time around. Kyle (19-8-1 1 NC) likes to brawl and move forward while Cavalcante will look to utilize takedowns and constant movement. Kyle can always land a big right hand that has floored many foes in the past. Feijao will try to utilize his footwork to control the distance. Cavalcante will be motivated from his defeat to Kyle, making him come out more aggressive in route to a first round TKO.

NBA Conference Semifinals: Key Matchups, X-Factors and Predictions

Western Conference

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

 Key Match-up: Tony Parker vs. Chris Paul

            This is a match-up between two players who finished in the top-five in MVP voting this season (CP3 finished third and Parker fifth). Both point guards have been the key to their teams' success this season. This is perhaps the first time Parker has been the best player on the Spurs. CP3 has completely changed the culture of the Clippers, leading them to their third postseason series win in 41 years. Between the two point guards, Paul is the better passer, shooter and defender, but Parker is the best in the league at scoring in the paint. The winner of this match-up could very well be the winner of the series.

 

 X-Factor: Kawhi Leonard

            Leonard had a terrific rookie season for the Spurs, averaging 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while finishing with a 16.66 player efficiency rating (fifth among rookies). Leonard’s value comes at the defensive end where he averaged 1.3 steals and had a rebound rate of 12.2, which was seventh among small forwards. If Leonard’s defense wasn’t enough, he hit a solid 37.6 percent of his three-point attempts. This was a huge improvement over the 29.1 percent he shot from downtown last season at San Diego State (even more amazing considering the college three-point line is considerably shorter than the NBA's). Leonard’s versatility could become a huge impact in this series. 

Final Verdict: Spurs in 6

            I expect this series to be very competitive but the experience of the Spurs will prove to be too much for the Clippers. I also think it is very odd that Blake Griffin didn’t even play during the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Memphis Grizzlies and Paul only scored two in that last period. The Spurs have too many weapons in Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Leonard, Stephen Jackson, Patty Mills and Danny Green. Aside from those role players, the Spurs boast a terrific Big 3 of Tim Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. This match-up should be fun to watch, but I expect the Spurs to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2008.

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers

Key Match-up: James Harden vs. Kobe Bryant

            This match-up is closer than you think. A couple of days ago my friend was trying to convince me that Harden is actually a better player than Kobe right now. I wouldn’t go that far, but it is amazing how great Harden was off the bench this year. Bryant boasted a PER of 21.95 compared to Harden’s 21.13 (third and fourth among shooting guards respectively). Expect Harden to put up more efficient numbers than Kobe in this series, but nonetheless this match-up could determine who wins this battle of Western Conference powerhouses. With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant averaging over 20 points per game, if Harden has a big series the Lakers might be doomed.

X-Factor: Steve Blake

            This guy was arguably the MVP of the Lakers Game 7 win against the Nuggets (Okay I admit it was Pau Gasol but still). Blake played 30 minutes and drained five of his six three-point attempts while nabbing two steals and a block on the defensive end, finishing with 19 points. Blake is an erratic player, but if he keeps playing like this the Thunder might be pushed to the brink.

Final Verdict: Thunder in 6

            I expect the Thunder to pull this one off. The combination of Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Serge Ibaka will prove too much for the Lakers. Bynum and Gasol, who are the superior big men in this series, will need to have huge games to help pull off the upset.

Eastern Conference 
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers

Key Match-up: Paul Pierce vs. Andre Iguodala

            The Celtics already won Game 1 of this series, winning 92-91. The Sixers were in control throughout the game though, in large part because of Iguodala’s tremendous game. Iggy had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while holding Pierce to 14 points on 3 of 11 shooting. Iguodala was shut down by Luol Deng throughout the entire series against the Bulls, but fortunately for Iggy, his supporting cast bailed him out. The match-up between these All-Star forwards will be crucial. Pierce is the superior shooter, but Iguodala is the better distributor and defender. With Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo having big first games, Iguodala must have a better series than he did against Chicago.

X-Factor: Avery Bradley

            With Ray Allen’s iffy ankle, Bradley will become a major factor in this series. Bradley doesn’t provide much offensively, but his defense is game-changing. Bradley’s opponents PER this season against point guards was 12.7 (the league average is 15). Against shooting guards (where Bradley will play most of his minutes this postseason) his opponents PER was a stifling 7.6. To the casual basketball fan Bradley seems like an average role player, but in reality he could change the outcome of this series.                

Final Verdict: Celtics in 5

            The Sixers fought hard in Game 1 and led much of the way, but I expect the Celtics to rather easily win this series. Philadelphia doesn’t have anyone that can stop Garnett and Rondo (who combined for 42 pts, 23 rebounds, 18 assists, five steals and three blocks in Game 1). The Sixers only beat the Bulls because of very unfortunate occurrences (Derrick Rose and Joakim Noahs’ injuries, poor officiating, I could go on forever about this). I don’t expect Philadelphia to be so fortunate this time around.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Indiana Pacers

Key Match-up: Roy Hibbert vs. any Miami Heat big man

            The Miami Heat, who won Game 1 of this series 95-86, may have trouble defending Hibbert in this series. Hibbert is the biggest big man in this series by far. Chris Bosh played against Hibbert for most of the first half, but left with an abdominal strain. That leaves Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf to guard the seven-foot-two, 260 pound big man. Hibbert, who had 17 points in Game 1, has had a terrific season. The first time All-Star averaged 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season to go along with an outstanding 19.35 PER (11^thamong centers). Hibbert is also second among players in blocks per game this postseason with 3.8. If the Pacers have any chance in this series it will be because the Heat can not contain Hibbert.

X-Factor: David West

            West had a tremendous Game 1 in a losing effort, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. West is the veteran of the Pacers and brings much needed playoff experience. West did his job this season, posting a 17.84 PER while averaging 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Pacers need their big men to produce even more in this series. The Pacer's wings, Danny Granger and Paul George, will be dominated in the match-up against LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. West has proven that he could up his game when the playoffs start. West averaged 15.8 points and 9.6 rebounds against the Magic in round one. In 2007-2008 when the Hornets were one game away from reaching the Western Conference Finals, West averaged 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. West has done this before, unlike the other Pacers players, so his leadership is essential in this series.

Final Verdict: Heat in 5

            I expect the Pacers to steal a game or two, but the Heat are too much for Indiana. LeBron and Wade were huge in Game 1, combining for 61 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. The free throw disparity will also be a large factor as the Heat got to the line 38 times in Game 1. Even Bosh had a terrific first half before he left with an injury, scoring 13 points in only 16 minutes. ESPN stat guru John Hollinger predicts a seven-game series so maybe the Pacers will surprise people, me included.

The Avengers of the Sports World

Everyone and their brother are watching The Avengers. And who can blame them? A team of superheroes working together sounds awesome. The Avengers are so popular because each hero can reach a different group of people and connect them to the team. The sports world is similar in that respect with each player having that same sort of impact. They are their own Avengers. But what player could represent each superhero? I decided to tackle this dilemma and open to any athlete in the sports world. So without further ado, I present you my picks for the Avengers of the Sports World.

Iron Man- Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ronde Barber leads all active players in the NFL with 199 consecutive starts, which is quite impressive for a defensive back. He has performed at an elite level for the 15 years he has played with the Bucs. Underappreciated as a player- and even today less well-known than his twin brother Tiki who played running back for the Giants- he is the only cornerback who is a member of the 20 sacks, 20 interceptions club and has been a 5-time Pro Bowler.

Captain America- Ryan Miller, G, Buffalo Sabres

Ryan Miller was a big reason for the USA national hockey team’s silver medal run in the 2010 Olympics. Throughout the Olympics he was their leader and rock, posting a 1.35 GAA and 94.6% save percentage while earning tournament MVP. If the USA is going to take over the international hockey scene, the young American goaltenders like him and Jonathan Quick are going to have to step up and become leaders.

The Hulk- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

One of the hulkiest figures in sport, Ndamukong Suh has that Bruce Banner/Hulk switch that can be seen by some of his after-the-play antics and QB hits. His 14.0 sacks and 102 tackles in his first two seasons show the impact he can have on the field. Unfortunately Suh has struggled to focus that emotion more on his play down-to-down. Instead his “unleashing the Hulk” has led to him missing playing time from suspensions.

Thor- Steven Stamkos, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

Thor has the ability to use lightning to his advantage, and if he had this guy at his disposal he would be one lucky super hero. At the age of 22, Steven Stamkos put up 60 goals this season, a rare feat in the NHL. Adding in his 37 assists, his 97 points warranted his selection as a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the most valuable player in the NHL. In his young career, he has averaged better than a point per a game, a standard achieved by only the best NHL players.

Black Widow- Jeanette Lee, pool player

My favorite billiard player, and one of the most well-known pool players, Jeanette Lee was dominant. Lee was ranked #1 by Billiards Digest for much of the 1990’s. Her dominance culminated in the 2001 World Games which she earned a gold medal for the United States. Being known to “eat people alive” at the pool table, her sense of style and dress during play led to her more well-known nickname which just happens to be “The Black Widow”.

Hawkeye- Kyle Korver, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls

How could I not choose the sharp shooter who comes from the “Hawkeye State”? Mr. Korver is known for his shooting prowess, proven by the fact that he owns the NBA record for 3-point field goal percentage for a season with 53.6% which he accomplished with the Utah Jazz back in 2009. Much like Hawkeye, he may not have super athleticism or physical stature, but if you leave him open, he will hit his target dead on.

As the Chicago Bulls face an uncertain future, all we can do is hope

As C.J. Watson’s half-court heave caromed off the rim, reality set in. Celebration in Philadelphia ensued as confetti rained on the somber Chicago Bulls team, who could only stand in awe. Watson’s crunch-time blunder, Asik’s short free throws and the poor officiating all didn’t matter any longer. The 2012 Chicago Bulls were finished. And on their tumultuous path to their grave, Rose’s lingering ACL injury, Boozer’s boisterous contract, and Deng’s nagging wrist injury has pulled the 2013 Chicago Bulls and beyond down with them. Watson’s heave was not only the Bulls last chance for survival in the playoffs, but quite possibly for the near future. The Bulls management faces another off-season following a season of major disappointment, and are likely too financially-strapped to make any blockbuster moves. A team that just a year ago corralled both the MVP and Coach of the Year awards and had the best overall record in the NBA is now facing a future of uncertainty. An organization with as bright of a future as any has seen their past successes crash and burn. As we look towards the 2012-2013 NBA season, we must prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

            The beginning of the end of the Chicago Bulls was the travesty that was Derrick Rose’s ACL tear. Replay after replay, the impact and gravity of the injury becomes just that much more horrifying. Not only Bulls fans, but all fans around the world grimaced at the site of the beaten up MVP who had sustained his final blow. There wasn’t an inspirational highlight video in the world that could have saved this Bulls team. Derrick Rose was MVP for a reason; this team not only relied on Rose’s talent, but also adored him. Without Rose, the Bulls were left with an unmotivated (minus Asik and Gibson), hopeless team who’s destiny was already decided. With that being said, there are still plenty of reasons for hope. Believe it or not, there’s another contender who once faced the same grave fate of the Chicago Bulls.

After winning the NBA Championship in 2006, the Miami Heat were at the top of the NBA, led by the youngest Finals MVP ever, Dwyane Wade. The following season, their future remained bright with Wade at the helm, but their future soon came to a crashing halt. Wade went down with a badly dislocated left shoulder against the Houston Rockets and was seen screaming in pain on the sidelines. Unlike Rose, Wade couldn’t walk into the locker room, and instead was taken out on a wheel chair. Wade missed the Heat’s next 31 games and would also miss 31 games the following season after battling pain in his left knee. The Heat ended the 2007-2008 season with a 15-67 record, the worst in the NBA (as fate has it, the Heat just missed out on Derrick Rose in the 2008 NBA draft). You couldn’t turn on ESPN without hearing analysts talk about the severity of Wade’s injury and question whether he would ever be 100% again. They couldn’t be more wrong. Excluding last season where Wade missed 17 games, Wade hadn’t missed more than 6 games in 3 straight seasons since his injuries. Wade has made 3 All-NBA teams since, and along with LeBron James, led the Miami Heat back to the NBA Finals. While a dislocated shoulder or bum knee isn’t near the severity of Rose’s injury, it still goes to show that injuries can not hold the best players down forever.

The hardest thing to swallow, maybe even more than Rose’s ACL tear, is that the Bulls may soon be irrelevant in the world of basketball. The Bulls are a team without an identity; they’re not the Baby Bulls, they’re not contenders, but at the same time, they’re not the Bobcats. It’s that gray area mediocrity that is so hard to deal with as a fan. They won’t win a championship, but they won’t get a top 5 pick either, so it’s hard to envision next season being anything less than a wasted season. With Rose and Deng expected to miss at least half of next season, should the Bulls get in rebuilding mode? Bulls can amnesty Boozer, throw in some young guys and hope to get a full, healthy Bulls team in 2014. With the Bobcat’s unprotected 2016 first-round draft pick and the European sensation Nikola Mirotic preparing to join the team in the future, the Bulls still see light at the end of the tunnel. It would be easy for the Bulls to tank now and worry about getting healthy... but since when do the Bulls give up so easily? This is the same team that was practically built by Michael Jordan, who fought through numerous injuries and didn’t even let the flu stop him from winning. He displayed grit and determination and refused to ever let up. That warrior in MJ reminds me of Derrick Rose. Rose’s high-flying skill set and aggressive play always made him prone to injury. The ACL tear wasn’t Rose’s first injury by any means or his last either; but he's played hurt several times in his career, including in his MVP season. Who knows, maybe Rose will never be the same, but he has been doubted before. No one thought he’d be the MVP, no one thought he’d lead the Bulls to the best overall record for 2 straight years, but he had a chip on his shoulder and silenced his doubters. All I know is that Rose comprises the same warrior mentality that Jordan once had, and he will treat this injury as just another obstacle that he will have to leap. You can take Rose out of the Bulls, but you can’t take the bull out of Rose. While the Bulls shot at the title fell short with Watson’s miss, it should only make them fight that much harder next season.

The Ultimate Fighter Comeback Season 2: Who could be the next Matt Serra?

           In 2006, The Ultimate Fighter reality series was in its fourth installment. This season, however, showcased UFC vets instead of UFC hopefuls. The winners not only received a six-figure UFC contract, but also an immediate title shot. The season showcased notable UFC fighters such as Matt Serra, Chris Lytle, and Jorge Rivera. With rumors as of late of another “Comeback” season on the horizon, I made a list of my top 5 UFC vets I’d like to see get a second chance.

Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia

            Usually in order for a fighter to enter the UFC, a fighter will need to rack up several pro wins and get noticed by the UFC brass to earn a multi-fight contract. For the former 2-time UFC heavyweight champion, he has resorted to a more embarrassing entrance plan. Sylvia (30-7) has been begging and pleading to UFC president Dana White for another shot in the UFC. Dana has refused to accept Sylvia’s attempt to return to the octagon, but what's a better way for Sylvia to prove himself then go through the Ultimate Fighter? Sylvia has said in his campaign to return to the UFC that he’s a bigger show than half of the current UFC heavy’s. He’s absolutely right, and to put him on The Ultimate Fighter will probably give the reality series its biggest ratings since Kimbo Slice graced the show in 2009. Having won six of his last seven outings, Sylvia is on a little tear. But at 36 years of age, the UFC better get him quick before he expires.

Caol “Uno Shoten” Uno

            For many hardcore MMA fans, having Uno on the show would be an absolute treat. In his 16 year career, Uno has thrilled audiences and has brought the MMA community some of its greatest fight. Uno (26-15-5) has hit a rough patch as of late, only winning one of his last seven bouts. But then again, he's the perfect candidate for a comeback. Uno has amassed a 3-5-2 record inside the octagon, including  his second fight with BJ Penn which saw the first UFC title fight go to a draw. The former Shooto Champ would be a nice, quirky personality to have on the show.

Kevin “The Monster” Randleman

            The former UFC heavyweight champion may be forced to retire after losing 10 out of his last 13 fights, but fans will always pay to see "The Monster" in the ring. A former 2-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion, Randleman always puts on a great show. When you look at Randleman (17-16), he’s a behemoth of a man, just absolutely jacked out of his mind, which always brings viewers to tune in. He probably will never return to his past glory, but this show is about ratings and Randleman will definitely rack them in. 

Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel

            After a stoic stint in Pride FC and many other fighting organizations, many believed Yvel would have success in the UFC. How wrong they were. Yvel (38-16-1 1 NC) has lost three straight fights, including an absolute stinker to Ben Rothwell. "The Dutchman" was then cut by the organization and  his career was left at a standstill.Yvel then joined the newly formed Resurrection Fighting Alliance in hopes of (no pun intended) resurrecting his career. Yvel dropped to 205lbs for the first time in his career and has looked like his old self. Yvel has racked up two victories in a row including a brutal KO over UFC vet Houston Alexander.This might be the best time to put Yvel in the Ultimate Fighter house. Yvel is on a roll and with his new look at 205lbs, he could fight his way back to the octagon. 

Jeremy “Gumby” Horn

            When you think of ironmen of MMA, the first person that comes to mind is Jeremy Horn. Fighting professionally since 1996, Gumby has amassed a record of 89-21-5.  Horn has fought in almost every fighting organization you can think of and hasn’t slowed down just yet. Having won nine of his last eleven fights at 36 years of age, this would be the best time to put Horn on the Comeback roster. Horn has been around the block a few times and knows the in and outs of the fight game. With his wealth of experience, he could also act as a coach and mentor to many of the fighters on the show. Gumby is a class act and a fan favorite; it would be a complete mistake if the UFC passed up on this opportunity.

UFC on Fox 3: Diaz looks to beat Miller on his home turf

This Saturday FOX will be showcasing its third installment of the UFC on FOX since signing its multi-million dollar deal with the promotion. This card looks to impress with a plethora of explosive bouts culminating with the main event of Jim Miller versus Nate Diaz. If Diaz wins it’s a title shot for the Stockton, CA native. But if Miller wins, he will need to rack up two or three more wins before he can fight for the strap. Plus, a welterweight showdown between Josh Koshcheck and Johny Hendricks might also produce a #1 contender. The UFC has put together a surprisingly stacked free card that is sure to bring fireworks.

Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz

            Nate Diaz is on a tear as of late. Diaz (15-7) is riding an impressive two-fight winning streak. Although the number might not open some eyes, it’s how he fought those two fights that have a lot of analysts projecting him as the next 155er to fight for the belt. After a rough stint at welterweight, the Cesar Gracie student picked apart and eventually submitted former Pride champ Takanori Gomi. Diaz later took on fellow lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and for three rounds, Diaz used his reach and boxing as his advantage to out strike the WEC vet en route to a unanimous decision victory. Diaz landed 238 significant strikes in that scrap, shattering the old record of 178 held by his own brother, Nick.

            Miller (21-3) is also coming off a huge victory, as he submit the always-dangerous Melvin Guillard in January via rear-naked choke. This was a big win for Miller coming off a unanimous decision beating to now UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson. With that blemish aside, Miller has won 8 of his last 9 fights.  The New Jersey native will be fighting only 30 minutes away from his gym; so you know he will get the home-field advantage. Diaz doesn’t seem to care, as he has fought many fighters in their own backyard. Both fighters have an aggressive style that fans will be sure to enjoy. Diaz uses his aggressiveness to box on the feet and if the opportunity presents itself, Diaz can use his super Jiu Jitsu to look for a finish on the ground. Miller, on the other hand, uses his Muay Thai to set up sweeps and takedowns to create openings for submissions and nasty ground and pound. Being a five round fight, it’s hard to pick a winner. I almost want to just flip a coin and be done with it. But with Jim Miller having a great wrestling background, I’m going to go with Miller grinding out a unanimous decision victory.

Josh “Kos” Koscheck vs. Johny “Big Rig” Hendricks

            One of the biggest upsets in recent MMA history belongs to Johny Hendricks (12-1), who needed only 12 seconds to knock out former top ten pound-for-pound fighter John Fitch. That powerful left hand put the two-time national champion wrestler from Oklahoma State on top of the welterweight division.  Hendricks has proven time and time again that he is one of the most explosive fighters in the division with his power and wrestling prowess.  But Hendricks will take on another fellow NCAA wrestling champion in Josh Koscheck. Kos (19-5) has an impressive eight-year career in MMA with 20 fights inside the octagon. The Ultimate Fighter alum is coming a off a razor thin split decision victory over Mike Pierce in February and will look to make a statement that the former Edinboro wrestler is still a force to be reckoned with at 170lbs. Koscheck has a great double-leg takedown to compliment his most dangerous weapon in his over-hand right that has floored many opponents. Look for Hendricks to stuff Koscheck’s takedown attempts and implement some dirty boxing in the clinch. Koscheck will have the advantage on the feet landing stiff jabs and straight rights keeping Big Rig at bay. If Kos loads up on a massive overhand right and misses, Hendricks could capitalize with that devastating left hand. But I don’t see Koscheck being that overzealous and he'll pick Hendricks apart on the feet. Koscheck by unanimous decision.

Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Alan “The Talent” Belcher

The name “Toquinho” suits Palhares well. Toquinho is Portuguese for tree stump and when you look at Palhares, he looks the part. He's a short, albeit massive middleweight that is becoming an intimidating force for anyone to face. Toquinho (23-3) is riding a three-fight win streak with two of them ending by his vicious heel hook. Palhares is one of the most dangerous submission artists in the game and if he even touches your heel, you might as well tap because he’s going to take it home with him. Palhares has an interesting fight against Alan Belcher. Belcher (17-6) is coming off a great first round finish of Jason MacDonald after more than a year on the shelf due to an eye injury. Belcher is definitely getting a huge step-up in competition against Toquinho, and will have to bring his A game if he wants to come out on top. Belcher has good stand-up, but he will have to rock Toquinho early if he wants to take home a victory. Palhares will use his immense power to clip Belcher early where he will pick his shots carefully until he sees that heel open and will pounce. Toquinho by 1^st round heel hook.