Don't look now but the Bobcats are 6-2 at home and 3-1 with Stephen Jackson

The new look Bobcats  since the Stephen Jackson trade are 3-1 and on a three game winning streak. If you are a contender and coming into Bobcats arena forget about penciling in a win. If you don't believe me just ask Cleveland and Atlanta. Cleveland was down by 23 at one point and Atlanta lost by 20.

Gerald Wallace played the way I thnk he is capable of playing every night if he has someone to play off of that's also a threat on offence. Stephen Jackson is that threat. They can and I believe will average 40 points a game between those two. There are not many teams in the league that gets you that kind of production from the 2 and 3 position.

Gerald Wallace just flat out played Lebron in this game and even though they didn't score a field goal for almost 9 minutes in the 4th quarter they were still able to hold Cleveland to only 16 points in the 4th and win by 7. Wallace and the team did a good job on keeping Lebron out of the paint for most of the game. Lebron had a quiet 23 at the end of the 3rd but only score 2 in the final period.

I said it earlier and I will say it again the Bobcats will make the playoffs. They are one of the best defensive teams in the league and this is not just on paper. They have increased their scoring by about 15 points a game since the arrival of Stephen Jackson. If they can score 95 points a game they will not only make the playoffs but will probaly get a 6 seed.

People that understand basketball know that in the NBA teams with the biggest point differential will always be a contending team. If the Bobcats keep up this new found ability to score then you can look for them to n ot only win at home where they are 6-2 but they will start getting road wins as well. If they can go .500 on the road from here on out they will be a dangerous team. Larry Brown knows how to coach basketball on every level. He's  been to 3 NBA finals as a coach and won one and one a NCAA championsip at Kansas. Watch out for this Bobcats team.

Hats off to the cats. They are on a 3 game winning streak and will have an opportunity to knock off another contender in the east on Tuesday when the Celtics come to the arena. I am taking the Bobcats in that one. They will be issuing out some pay back for the humiliating lost in Boston at the beginning of the season.

They are playing the right way and the wins are starting to add up so look for these Bobcats to be playing in May.

Can the Titans win out?

What about them Titans? They have had an impressive run so far. To start the season 0-6 and now run off 4 straight wins is nothing less than amazing. The combonation of Vince Young and Chris Johnson is a lethal mixture. They are able to do things in the backfield that no other team in the league can do and it's almost impssible to defend.

This is why I think they have a good chance to win out. Chris Johnson wants to be the all time leading rusher for a season. He is focused on reaching that goal and what this means for the Titans? They will get about 130 yards rushing each and every week. If they can continue to do this they will have a good chance to win out.

Vince Young is a difference maker for this team. The guy has won at every level so to run off 10 straight games is something he has done before in college, in high school and he has now won his last 9 starts. People like to talk about what he can't do but this guy is a winner. You look at his record in High School, College and Pros the guy just wins baby!

This week will be another test for the Titans. The Cardinals are starting to put it all together and playing winning football but I think the Titans will win again this week. If Indy wins on Sunday I think it will give the Titans a better chance of beating them when they play next week.

What a story line. If Vince and the Titans can run off ten straight and make the playoffs or even win a Superbowl. How wild would that be? This would help this franchise tremendously with the passing of Mac. There is hope in the music city again. Go Titans!

Week 12 picks and a look back at week 11 picks and my top 10

Well it was a pretty decent week in the NFL last week. I usaully want to finish with a max of 4 picks to the bad. I have been off for the past few weeks. I have stayed above 500 but not where I want to be. This week 10-6. So I am going to list my picks for week 12. What about those Titans I will write a post about the 4-0 Titans. Back to the picks for week 12

GB,DAL,NYG,ATL,MIA,CIN,STL,NYJ,PHI,IND,SD,SF,MIN,TEN,BAL,NO

My top 10

1) MIN-There's a change at the top I just think they are the most complete team

2)IND-They are solid and find a way to win each week. Houston will be a challenge for them

3)NO-They will continue to win and expect them to meet the challenge against the Pats

4)NE-They keep winning against people they are suppose to beat but the Saints will be too much

5)ARI-They keep winning and have found their stride but this week will be in hiccup in TEN

6)SD- They continue to move up and take care of business they have already won the west

7)PHI-They will win the NFC east watch what happens down the stretch

8)CIN-If you are serious you don't lose to the Raiders at this point in the season when you are running out front

9)NYG-They are coming back expect them to make a charge right here

10)PIT-They are still a force but they have dropped some games they should have won

There are some teams that have come on strong in the past few weeks. JAC, TEN,GB have all played well and with TEN winning 4 straight there's a lot of excitement around that team.

Iverson don't sign with the Knicks hold out for Cleveland

The Knicks are coming after Iverson now that they are pathetic. Iverson don't do it. They didn't want him when they had the opportunity the first time but more than that they are not a contender. Iverson should go to a contender and Cleveland is the perfect fit. There is a great piece on the http://www.iversoncanscore.blogspot.com/ site check it out and give your feed back.

NFL picks for week 11 and results of last week picks and the top 10

It was a big week in the NFL. The colts mounted one of the biggest come backs again in NFL history and the debate over who is better Manning or Brady is settled in my book. The Titans have won three in a row and Denver has lost three in a row. Life in the NFL but now we know who's who.

I will go over my top 10 in this post as well but first I am going to give you the pick results from last week. There were three challengers this week choosing the games that were available. JMJ went 6-6, Eli went 6-6 and yours truly MRJ went 7-5. That's still a bad week for me but I did come out on top.  I took a chance on some picks that I felt would be upsets that didn't pan out like the Bucs upsetting Miami it didn't happen but boy they were close.

My top 10 teams this week

1) Indy-undefeated and they can beat anybody any place Peyton Manning is a man

2)NO-The saints just keep winning. They are showing that they will be beat soon but they keep winning.

3)MIN-They are the team to beat in my for the Superbowl I believe they will be there

4)CIN- They are for real folks and beat PITT twice to prove it

5)NE-They are still a top team even though they have had problems on the road

6)PITT-They are still the team to beat in the AFC even though IND is undefeated

7)ARI-They are a contender in the NFC and may be there in the championship game

8)BAL-I may go with the Ravens to knock off Indy they can play and will make the playoffs

9)SD- They have made their way back into the top 10 after leaving after week 3

10)DAL-They are suspect but I am going to include them in the top 10 this week

My picks for the week. I am going to make it easy for you to understand my picks I am going to only list the team that I am picking to win.

CAR, BAL,WAS,DET,GB,JAC,PIT,MIN,NYG,NO,ARI,DEN,NE,CIN,PHI,TEN

This week we have all 16 games going on so this should be fun I am leaving the offer on the table if your picks are better than mine and  you have the most correct you win a $25 gift card. If there is a tie the names will be drawn and a winner will be determine. If you tie with me no gift card will be given.  So come with your A game!

Who is better Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

This question is not as hard as some would have you to believe. Just look at their numbers and then you tell me if you put both these players on every team in the NFL who would have the best record. Just in case I will give you the answer it's Peyton Manning.

I use to fight this truth years ago and felt like the media was making this guy. I was sort of like how Rush Limbaugh was about McNabb. I am a Titans fan so I felt like Mc9 was just as good if not better but what the years of watching this guy has convinced me that he will go down as one of the top three to ever play. He may even go down as number one.

Brady is a good quarterback in the perfect system for his skill set. If you put Brady on the other teams in the NFL he would struggle on some of those teams and they wouldn't be much better. I think Manning would make every team better. He is a more complete quarterback and has a better command of the position.

This video expounds on this point as well.



You can settle the Lebron vs Kobe debate the same way it's really not that difficult to know who is the best.  Check out http://www.lebronvskobe.info/

The picks Challenge The little boy vs me and you.

                    








KC vs OAK-L                                                                       KC vs OAK-W
SEA vs ARI-W                                                                      SEA vs ARI-W
TB vs MIA-L                                                                         TB vs MIA-L
DAL vs GB-L                                                                        DAL vs GB-W
PHI vs SD-L                                                                          PHI vs SD-L
ATL vs CAR-W                                                                    ATL vs CAR-W
NE vs IND-L                                                                         NE vs IND-W
DET vs MIN-W                                                                     DET vs MIN-W
BAL vs CLE-L                                                                       BAL vs CLE-L
JAC vs NYJ-W                                                                      JAC vs NYJ-W
TEN vs BUF-L                                                                      TEN vs BUF-L
DEN vs WAS-L                                                                    DEN vs WAS-L


There they are the picks for the week. Last week the little man was 10-3 and I was 7-6. Put your picks in the comments section and if your picks are better than the little man and mine you win a $25 gift card. We missed the Thursday game where SF beat CHI so that game is not included in the picks.

Here we go week 10 in tne NFL and picks for the week and top 10

Week 9 was very interesting for my picks. If you read the post last week then you know the little boy challenged me on the picks. So how did it go? I will probaly have ot move because he beat me last week and he will get a $25 gift card to Target. I still can not believe my picks were off like that. I was still above 500 but I went 7-6. The little guy went 10-3 and beat me pretty bad last week.

I will reload this week and get it done. But for now we are going to look at my top 10 teams going into the week end and then I will post the picks for the upcoming week. I am going to post my picks and JMJ's. The winner now have to have better picks than me and the little boy.

This week's top 10

1)IND-They are going to be number 1 until someone beats them

2)NO-They are going to be number 2 until someone beats them or Indy loses.

3)MIN-They are a legit super bowl contender

4)PIT-They are in super bowl form. I would not be suprise to see them playing in the big game

5)CIN-This is the suprise team of the year other than TEN. If they beat PIT they become true contenders

6)NE-They have not looked good on the road so this week will be a real test to see if they keep this spot

7)DAL-They are here for now. A road win this week keeps them in the top 10

8)PHI- Bad loss to DAL at home a win in SD on the road takes care of that

9)ARI-They are putting things together. They crushed CHI

10)DEN-Two loses in a row to good teams we will see what they are about over the next few weeks

The Cavs will be Kings of the East

I know people will say Rashard Lewis did not play and also talk about the other guy that came from the Nets who has never been a superstar. None of that matters because the truth of the matter is Shaq nuetralized Dwight Howard. If Cleveland doesn't have to double team Howard and they can hold him to less than 20 points a game they will win every time they play them. Shaq's size bothers Howard and I don't see him going for 30 in a game against Shaq. So that means no open three's for the wing players. If Shaq plays in all four games against the Magic this year I predict Cleveland will win every game.

The other thing about Cleveland that's different from Boston and Orlando they will get better up until the playoffs. Think about this Delonte West would have served his suspension or whatever, Leon Powe will see minutes, Hickson will be comfortable because of the increased minutes, and Big Z would have settled into his new role. By the allstar break this team will be recognized as the team to beat. Right now it's Boston. The Lakers they haven't beaten a contender yet.

The team that beat the Magic by 20 even though the score said 9 will only get bettter and will easily win the East and I predict win the title as well.

Lebron is the best player in the league and he makes the game look so easy when he's running and making passes and being set up for dunks and lay ups. If Williams continue to run the offense in a way that gets Lebron loose on the wing and he can get 10 easy points a game they will not lose many.

Mo Williams has a major chip on his shoulders and something to prove. He feels he let the team down in the playoffs and he is looking for redemption. If this guy averages 20 a game this year they will win 70 games.

You just got the rest of the story on the Cavs. The truth will make you free!

The Truth about Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies

Allen Iverson my man, my guy, what in the world were you thinking? I wrote a column and did a you tube post begging him not to go the the Grizzlies. He is much better than this organization deserves. So why did he not go to a contender and take less money for one year. He would have been much better off with the Bobcats they need fourth quarter scoring. Just look at the game against Orlando where they were in the game but they only could score 10 points in the fourth quarter.

I blame Iverson not for wanting to start because he is 10 times better the Mike Conley Jr no disrespect but that is true. In Memphis he should be starting. I don't blame him for being upset but I blame him for going to Memphis in the first place. Even if he had to play for free I would have gone to Miami or lobbied to play with the Cavs or with the Bobcats who will make the playoffs this year. He never should have considered the Clippers or Memphis.

I really don't know how Iverson will reverse this situation maybe he can be traded to another team. Maybe the Bobcats or Cleveland but this is a mess. I blame Iverson only for his decission to play for Memphis this was a big mistake. Now teams will be leary of taking Iverson next year.

I love the way Iverson plays ball. He comes to play every night and there are teams out there that can use that example like the Bobcats. I am a Bobcats fan living in Carolina and I think both missed an opportunity to help each other. Forget all of the selfish garbage the man has average 27 points and 6 assist a game for his career. There are teams out there right now who need his ability to score the ball in key situations. The Cavs need someone else who can create and my Bobcats. Iverson find a way to play for one of these teams.

Revisit my you tube post before the season started.

The Truth about the Bobcats for the 2009-2010 Season

The Charlotte Bobcats are the team that no one expects much from except for the fans here in the Carolinas. I have watched most of the Bobcats games and I was at the game live against the Hawks. The same Hawks team that beat Dallas by about 30 and the Dallas team that went into LA and beat them by about 20. So what does this say about the Charlotte Bobcats?

The Cats can be a dangerous team this year but they have to get off to a good start. Right now as of this writing they are 3-3 and need to run off about 3 straight wins to give themselves some room above 500. Larry Brown in my opinion is the best coach in the league and he will get these guys to play the right way. That's the moto play the right way and so far outside of the sleep walking they did in Boston they have played well.

Before the season I was all for bringing in Allen Iverson because the Bobcats were one of the worst scoring teams in the league last year. After the Celtics game I was sure the Bobcats were in deep trouble. The game against the Hawks help me to see something in a different light. Larry Brown won a championship with Ben Wallace at center and he probaly average no more than 7 points a game. There was no super star end of game closer so to speak but Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Rasheed got it done. The thing Larry Brown got them to do was play defense every night and that's what I see with these Bobcats.

Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, DJ Augustine, and Felton are all going to have to average at least 15 points per game and Wallace is going to need 20 and 10 from Chandler. If they can score 95 points a game they will make the playoffs.

Detroit bought into the team concept and they were able to take down the mighty Lakers with Shaq and Kobe. This team if they come out early and push their record to about 5-10 games above 500 before the New Year they will make the playoffs.

I like what I saw from these Cats against Atlanta at home. The other point I missed was the bench production. They will get points off the bench because Flip Murray has never seen a jump shot he didn't like. I am predicting right here, right now that the Cats will make the playoffs.

I will bring you more on the Bobcats every week so check back often and tell somebody about The Truth in Sports by MRJ.

This week 9 picks and last week results and this weeks top 10

I don't know what was up with last week it seems I only had 11 picks. Was there more teams with a bye than usual? Last week I went 8-3. Not bad I did have a few picks get away from me like St Louis beating the Lions but I should have know you can't trust the Lions.

Here are my picks for the week. Sunday 11/8/09

Was vs Atl-w,  Ari vs Chi-L, Bal vs Cin-L, Hou vs Ind-W, Kc vs Jac-W, Mia vs Ne-L, Gb vs Tb-L, Car vs No-L, Det vs Sea-W, Sd vs Nyg-W, Ten vs Sf-L, Dal Vs Phi-W. Pit vs Den-L

I have a challenger this week. My 8 year old son feels like his picks are more accurate than mine. So here are his pics for the week.

Was vs Atl-W, Ari vs Chi-W, Bal vs Cin-L, Mia vs Ne-W, Car vs No-W, Pit vs Den-W, Hou vs Ind-W, Jac vs Kc-L, Gb vs Tb-W, Dal-Phi-L, Det vs Se-W, Sd vs Nyg-L, Ten vs Sf-L

There you have it the little fellow thinks he can out pick me but I doubt it.

Now for my top 10 teams this week.

1) Ind

2)NO

3)Minn

4)PIT

5)NE

6)PHI

7)BAl

8)DEN

9)Dal

10)Hou

The other two teams that are right on the bubble but didn't make it in is Atl and Cin. They are right there and will be in the playoff hunt. If Cin beats Bal they will be in the top 10 next week.

Redemption Sunday struck in the NFL this week

There is always talk of redemption on Sunday. That’s what Sunday’s are all about a chance to right some wrongs and three quarterbacks in the league did exactly that. They went out and made statements in games where there may have been doubt.

Let’s start with Brett Favre. How amazing was that? This guy goes into Lambeau and throws for 4 touchdowns and no picks. What is Ted Thompson thinking right now? Brett is playing some of the best ball of his life at 40! He is not only playing well but he is humming that ball with the zip of Brett of old. Brett has an opportunity to lead this team to the super bowl. This team is a very good and well balanced team. The truth about this situation is Brett has everything working in his favor. The best running back in the league and one of the best defenses in the league and a plethora of receivers and special weapons. The biggest advantage of all for Brett has nothing to do with who’s on the field with him but where the field is located. Playing inside for more than half their games in November and December is huge. They could very well play a couple playoff games at home also. Beating Green Bay at Lambeau I am sure was second best to only winning a super bowl.

The next quarterback to need their sins washed away is Jake Delhomme. Jake was in a real bad place with the fans in Carolina. He had been just plain awful this season throwing at least one pick in all of their games. The fans were calling for him to be benched and for the team to play anyone other than Jake. Some were saying just run the wildcat the whole game. But he was redeemed this past week in a game where he threw no picks and beat the team on the road that had embarrassed Carolina in the playoffs. Jake got redemption against  the team that started his downward spiral. He undid some of the effects of playing the worst playoff game by in quarterback in the history of the game. This win gives Jake a lot of confidence that he badly needed and puts life back in a team that was almost left for dead.

Last but not least Vince Young got a shot at redemption as well. It took the owner of the organization to go over Jeff Fishers head and point blank say start Vince this week. It may be too little too late for the Titans as a team but it’s good to see Vince bounce back and make his owner look like a genius and Fisher like a fool. Vince had a rough year last year after being booed he didn’t want to return to the game. This is almost unforgivable in some eyes and I think Jeff Fisher falls into that category. Fisher may have gone to far with this one though because if Vince continues to play well the question will be why didn’t Fisher make the change sooner? It has to feel great for Vince to silence the critics if only for a week to have played as well as he did. No turnovers, completed 80% of his passes, and played with confidence. I hope the guy can keep it up because the haters are waiting for him to fail but this kid has proven to be a winner.

All three of these guys can sing that old spiritual “ I’ve been Redeemed”

You should have got a Rondo

There has been a lot of talk over the past few weeks about Rajon Rondo’s  contract status. Over the summer to everyone’s surprise the Celtics were said to be shopping Rondo? Even for this to be a consideration you have to ask the question is Danny Ainge really a great GM or was he in the right place at the right time and friends of the right Kevin Mchale who was willing to gift his good friend Kevin Garnett. That’s a subject for another day.

Back to Rondo. Why would there be so many questions about a player who is only 23 years old and he recently carried your team through the playoffs averaging almost a triple double. This guy has improved his play every year he has been in the league and he is managing a team with three potential hall of famers. So why was Boston and Ainges playing these cat and mouse games with the future of their franchise?

Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, are all over 30. This guy is a building block piece and to even consider getting rid of him is baffling. He is definitely in a good situation with what Boston has on the court with him right now but sometimes things like not immediately signing a key player can backfire on you.

I do hear nay sayers saying he’s not worth the 55 million that his new contract will pay him. I think he is actually worth more than that. Why do I say that? The guy plays as good on defense as Kevin Garnett, and he rebounds, get steals, and is a great set up man. The knock on Rondo is he’s not a great jump shooter. The answer to that is he is still only 23 years old and he will shoot the ball better.

He is one of those elite young point guards in the league with Paul, Williams, and Rose. No he doesn’t score like Paul and Williams but his other strengths puts him right up there with those two.

Danny Ainge should be glad he came to his senses or he could have been hearing the words of that commercial from back in the day. You should have got a Rondo.

Week 8 in the NFL Last week picks and this week picks $25 if you out pick me

Ok folks my picks from last week I went 10-4 and nobody was able to top that mark. Last week was ok but I will do better this week. I am going to give you my top 10 teams for the week and my picks.

The top 10 teams going into week 8 are:

1)Ind-The colts go back to number 1 after a close call for NO

2)NO-They had a close call but still found a way to win the game in the end. This team is dangerous.

3)DEN-They are for real but they have some challenging games scheduled

4)MIN-They fought hard in PIT but someone had to lose. They are still a top contender

5)NE-They keep winning but they will face some more challenging teams pretty soon.

6)PIT-They are a solid team and they showed you what they are capable of against MINN.

7)ARI-They are starting to look like the team that made the run in the playoffs and beating the Giants on the road was hugh.

8)NYG-They just lost two in a row. They have to do something quick.

9)PHI-Philly is still a force to recon with.

10)Dallas-These guys made it this week but I will have to see some other key wins to say they are a contender.

NYG-vs-PHI-L, Den-vs-Bal-w,Hou-vs-Buf-L,Cle-vs-Chi-w,Sea-vs-Dal-w,Mia-vs-Nyj-w,Sf-vs-Ind-w,Nyg-vs-Phi-w,stl-vs-Det-w,Oak-vs-Sd-w,Jac-vs-Ten-w,Min-vs-Gb-w

Those are my picks for week 8 and remember if someone has more insight than me and pick better this week will get a $25 gift card if there's a tie a name will be drawn and someone will win.