Jeff: The Monday Musings

* Could there be more going on right now? Could I have chosen a worse couple of weeks to save all of my homework to do? Probably not. Playoff basketball and hockey, NFL draft rumors galore, and baseball season getting into full swing. Where to even begin? How about here...

...As Marc Stein of ESPN.com writes you can expect a different Kobe in Game 2. In the 3 regular season meetings between the LA Lakers and Phoenix Suns that Steve Nash participated in, Kobe scored 40+ each game- and the Lakers still lost. Laker coach Phil Jackson somehow convinced Kobe that team basketball might be a better way to beat the Suns, since Kobe jacking up 40+ shots a game hadn't worked. Well after "team" basketball didn't work either, you know Kobe's going to go out firing. Hope the rest of the Lakers enjoyed the shots they took in the loss yesterday, because they're not likely to see those again the rest of the series.

...I said I wouldn't believe Lebron could carry a team in the playoffs until I saw it, and well, I saw it Saturday as the Cavs dismantled the Wizards in game 1. Lebron dropped 32 pts, 11 rebs, and 11 asts in leading his team to a lopsided victory. Washington's approach for the rest of the series will be interesting, as slowing Lebron was the key to their 3 regular season victories. But if Cleveland's supporting cast can keep defenses honest, Cleveland's going to be tough to beat.

...King James' triple-double was nice, but he, along with everybody else, has a ways to go to catch Magic Johnson, who had over 30 playoff triple-doubles!! The next closest guy had barely half that total.

...The Twins have been just awful on the road this year, losing 4 in a row, and are now just 1-8 away from the Metrodome. Going to be a llllloooooonnnnnnnnggggggg year if that continues.

...Twins starter Brad Radke, who's always quick to blame his offense for his losses, has been tagged for 20 earned runs and 8 HR's in his first four starts. Yup, gotta be the offense, right?

...Strange watching the NHL playoffs without my Canucks, or even the Wild, involved. Still some great games but I found myself not really paying attention until the 3rd period if things were close. Love the intensity from the players and the crowd, and still nothing beats overtime hockey.

...One week now until the NFL draft, and you can toss our previous MWSR mock draft right out the window. I have no idea what's going to happen. None. I'd like to think the Vikings are staying put at 17 and drafting a LB, but really how do you know at this point?

...the Texans are insane is they stay at #1 and DON'T take Reggie Bush. But as good as I think Bush will be, I also think that IF the rumors are true about the Jets offering #4, 29, and a second and third round pick for the #1, that the Texans would be insane for not taking that offer. Bush could be great, but 4 or 5 high picks, including 2 #1's from a very deep draft, is going to help you get better a lot faster than taking Reggie Bush.

...I'd just like to thank Shaun Alexander for giving up his spot as an elite fantasy running back. It was bad enough that he lost all-pro guard Steve Hutchinson to a certain crafty team, but now that Alexander's been named the cover boy for the new Madden '07 video game? Well I think that'll put an end to playoff aspirations for him and the Seahawks. You can count on three things: death, taxes, and the Madden Curse. Since EA Sports started putting a player on the cover in 2001, it's turned every cover boy's season into a disaster.