My thoughts…

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In a time when trashy, talentless reality shows rule the airwaves and seemingly poorly written pilots get picked up by ratings starved networks, sports is my greatest escape. So lucky for me this is a great time of the year!
It is not even a month into the season and there has already been three no-hit bids and a perfect game.
NBA playoffs are about to begin, NHL playoffs are in full swing, and baseball, my personal fave is well into the first month of the season. Mayweather is about to disgrace the sport of boxing once again with his May 5th fight against Miguel Cotto and the NFL draft is just a week away.
Not even a month into the season and  the 2012 MLB season has not disappointed. On the 100th year anniversary of Fenway Park, many current MLB players have talked about their adoration for the historic ballpark. But, the mystique and nostalgia of the ballpark is not going to matter much to Sox fans if the Sox continue playing as if it is still Spring Training and these games don’t matter. Realistic Sox fans have already called this year a wash, citing aging players, poor pitching, and stagnant offense. The other half of the fan base is sticking with their slogan “Believe”. They hope that everything will kick in at the right time, a blockbuster trade will be made at the deadline and Francona will arrive on his white horse and save the day. It is way to early in the season to make predictions, but is is not looking good for Red Sox Nation. Blaming all of the Sox woes on Valentine is comical. Yeah, the guy hasn’t exactly hit it off with his team, fans, or members of New England Media. But, the Sox’s problems exist beyond the managers control. The Red Sox pitching is dead last in the majors. Their ace, Beckett is boasting a 5.03 ERA and has already given up six home runs. The bullpen is a mess and closer by committee is obviously not working. Oh, and to throw salt on the wounds of fans, the ex-Red Sox closer Papelbon is laughing his way to a 1.29 ERA over on the Phillies. Valentine doesn’t stand a chance if this pitching staff keeps throwing batting practice.
Yeah, the officiating in the NBA is as bad as it gets, but that doesn’t stop me from watching. This year there is no clear favorite to win the championship. Newsflash to Bulls fans nostalgic about yester year, the Bulls aren’t winning the championship without a HEALTHY Derrick Rose. After watching and dissecting last night’s Bulls-Heat game, that conclusion was not hard to come by. Tempers flared, an ejection, and technicals were dispersed, but in the end the Heat pulled it off. The same Heat that have struggled on the road with teams with winning records. The same Heat that had their butts handed to them by the aging Celtics on their home court. The same Heat that Magic Johnson has recently criticized their star player for not being mentally tough enough. Time will tell, but I don’t think either team from this match-up will be hoisting the trophy come June. Oklahoma City is my favorite out of the West, Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka are a deadly match-up, add Fisher as the veteran presence and this may be there year.The pure athleticism of the team is enough to tire any team in a seven game series. The Celtics are my favorite out of the East. They have shown they can beat the Heat, and with Wades latest injury, beating them is more likely. The Bulls can beat the Celts without Rose and considering the Celtics impressive record since the All-Star break, they are clearly one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. The West seems to have more wild cards, Denver, the Lakers…anything can happen. Either way, I am looking forward to the fireworks.
The next few weeks will be full of excitement and I am ready for it.