Around the Sports World

I don't have time for a pointed, full-length post so I figured I'd briefly comment on recent action in the sports world.

NBA: I'm watching the Warriors/Mavericks game right now and Dirk Nowitzki has unexpectedly returned from injury. Rotoworld.com reported earlier today that Dirk would definitely not be playing tonight -- so much for that. Dirk looks fine in the early going, he picked up a couple of easy buckets.

As for the game itself, it has major Western Conference playoff implications. If the Warriors win, they'll be in a three-way tie with the Mavs and Denver Nuggets. The Mavs have the homecourt advantage tonight and the momentum of Dirk's return, so it'll be a tough task for the Warriors. Also, the Warriors are without valuable, injured swingman Mickael Pietrus once again tonight.

Monta Ellis has to take advantage of his mismatch with "Grandpa" Kidd. There's no way Kidd can handle Monta's mind-blowing quickness. Although I must say, Kidd looks sharp with his distributing here in the first half.

Along with the Lakers, the Warriors are my favorite team in the West, so I'm in their corner tonight. Unfortunately, with Dirk looking about 90 percent and Josh Howard playing phenomenally of late, I don't think Golden State will pull this one out on the road. Their best hope is to keep it extremely close through the fourth quarter, because they have top-notch closers in Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson.


MLB: I don't know what to think about the Mets. They won an easy one on Opening Day, looked absolutely awful in a loss last night, and smoked the Marlins tonight. As usual, the Metropolitans are going to drive me nuts.

There is a ton of pressure on David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes this season. Moises Alou is injured again, and the Mets will sorely miss his run production and .300-plus batting average. Carlos Delgado continues his downward spiral toward retirement, and who knows what we'll get from Angel Pagan, Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.

And can everyone please stop with Pedro. PLEASE. He's 78 years old and he throws 81 mph. Sure, he occupies the No. 2 spot in the rotation, but anyone who knows baseball knows he's the Mets' fourth or fifth best starter. He's clearly behind Johan Santana, Oliver Perez and John Maine, and if healthy, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez is probably better than Pedro, as well.

Yea, blah blah Pedro is the emotional leader. Spare me. He's pretty much finished -- he's a decent No. 4 starter in the NL and nothing more. Bring back El Duque and we'll be fine.


NBA: Mike Bibby coming through big time for the Hawks. I posted when the trade happened: helluva job by Atlanta's management. The move for Bibby put them over the top and clearly separated them from the Nets and Pacers. Ugh, the Nets. Don't get me started.

FIRE LAWRENCE FRANK!

Anyway, Bibby knocked down a hugeee three at the end of regulation to tie it against Toronto. Hawks went on to win it with 147 total points after overtime.


MLB: My fantasy team is lookin pretty sharp so far. Home runs from six different guys and it's only Wednesday. Oh, just in case you're wondering: Mark Teixeira, Josh Willingham, Dan Uggla, Nate McLouth, Chipper Jones and Stephen Drew.

Yes, I drafted Nate McLouth and started him the first week of the fantasy season. I'm that good.


NBA: Update on the Warriors' game already. We're down by 16 in the second quarter. The Mavs are looking the best I've seen them all season. I said our chances were slim when we were only down five...just thought I'd throw that out there. We have to get it respectable in the third quarter or else this one is gonna get out of hand like last night against San Antonio.

No Warriors in the playoffs = no fun. Pick it up, Baron. Do it yourself if you have to.