Portland Timbers Stand Tall at Home

I will be the first to admit that I did not have much faith in the Timbers at the beginning of the season. Not many people do in an expansion team, mostly because they normally take a few years to get going. Just look at the Grizzlies in the NBA, they finally got their first playoff victory (and almost knocked out the Spurs last night) since they began in 1995. I made other arguments or “excuses” why the Timbers would not have an outstanding season. To put it simply I was wrong.
The Timbers lost their first two games of the year, but both were away. Little did I know that the Timbers would bring their “A” game along with their own “army” while playing at home. Now I am not going to take a complete 180 and say the Timbers will make a playoff run. But I do want to give them credit.
They tied the New England Revolution in New England, and then won two in a row at home against the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas. And they did it in exciting fashion, scoring a combined seven goals between the two games. Sure being comfortable while playing on your own field helps, but I think a lot of it goes to the support behind the Timbers as well. The energy a crowd brings can help or hinder a team more than one might think. And the Timber “army” is LOUD. It helps when your mascot is a giant rugby playing, ex bare-back bronco riding, chainsaw wielding man. Timber Joey is his name, and he made me want to start yelling and jumping around and I was sitting on my couch a few hundred miles away from JELD-WEN Field.
There are still plenty of games left. The Timbers could move to the top of the standings, they are already tied for fifth with Dallas, they could tank and fall, or they could stay right where they are. It is hard to tell but one thing is for sure, if they continue to play at home with the energy and passion they have thus far it will be hard to keep them down.

NBA Finals Predictions

The NBA playoffs are upon us. And this year has the potential to be one of the most competitive and entertaining playoffs in the past decade. There are 3-4 "champion contenders" coming out of each side of the bracket. So I thought I would attempt to sort through it all and make some predictions.

I'm going right to the conference finals and on.

West: Thunder vs Lakers
The Thunder will have a tough series against the Spurs, going 6-7 games but will continue on with their high tempo style of play and younger legs.
The Lakers will have a harder time coming out of the bottom half of the bracket then some might think. Chris Paul won't roll over and the Mavericks or Blazers (I think it will be the Blazers) will also take the Lakers to 6 games.

Advancing: The Thunder shake up the purple and gold and advance to the finals.

East: Bulls vs Heat
The Bulls will run through the Pacers and be delayed by the beast that is Dwight Howard but push on to the semis.
The Heat will also push through Philadelphia and be pushed to 5-6 games by either the Celtics or Knicks (upset alert).

Advancing: This will be a very hard fought series going to 7 games. Ultimately the better team work and point gaurd play of Derrick Rose will be the difference (as well as the home court advantage) at the Bulls return to the first time since his "Airness" retired.

Finals: Thunder vs Bulls
This will be one of the most non Laker vs Celtic finals in the past decade. Series will go to at least 6 games. Both teams will be tired coming from long semi-final rounds previous. While originally the Thunder seemed like the better pick. The defense and teamwork of the Bulls will be enough to slow down the Thunder as the NBA championship returns to the Windy City.

It's Only A Matter Of Time

Charl Schwarztel did what no other player has ever done previous at the Masters, birdie the remaining four holes to walk away with the green jacket.

However, what might have proven to be more insightful to golfing future then Schwartzel's win, was Tiger's "comeback". Yes Tiger still came up short, yes he still hasn't won that major while coming from behind, and yes according to "Tiger" standards he choked on the back nine. If I was on the Tour, I would be worried that the only thing that stood between Tiger roaring back and taking the Masters were a few puts that were within ten feet. Because if that is all that is standing between Tiger and his old self then it won't be long.

Lets go back a little bit. Remember when Tiger first left the game of golf for his "personal" issues. Then and upon his return Tiger surpassing Nicklaus for 18 career majors was put into question. And after the first full year of Tiger playing, his own talent and greatness in the game of golf was also questioned. Obviously Tiger was not what he once was but that's what happens when you take time off. It took Michael Jordan a year and a half before he got back to championship form after his first stint away from basketball.

The point is, Tiger is gaining his stride and he still has plenty of time to cement his legacy. He is only 35 years old and only four majors away from tying the great Jack Nicklaus. Oh and by the way, Nicklaus won his last major at the age of 46. You better believe Tiger is capable of winning one at that age to if his knee doesn't fall apart by then. Tiger has roughly a decade left, give or take a few years possibly, to win four or more majors. He is gaining his stride, and it's only a matter of time.