NBA Slam Dunk Kings of the 1990s

The 1980s was not only the decade that brought about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but it had dunking mega stars. The 1990s also gave us a pantheon of great dunkers, albeit with lesser name value. When the 80s torch was passed in 1991 from Dominique Wilkins, easily an 80s standout, it was picked up first by Dee Brown. Each contributor throughout the decade had their gravity-defying feats to the lore of the Slam Dunk contest.

Dee Brown (1991)

Dee Brown kick-started the 90s with one of the most iconic Slam Dunk contest win. Famously remembered for his no-look dunk, Brown pumped up his Reeboks before creating magic on the floor. The image of Brown, arm swung over his eyes as he hammered down a gob-smacking dunk, has been etched into NBA All-Star weekend history forever.

Cedric Ceballos (1992)

Cedric Ceballos took a page out of Dee Brown’s book by adding a blindfold to his dunk routine. The highlight of the night was his self-proclaimed “Hocus Pocus” dunk where he completed a moving slam dunk while fully blindfolded. This dunk sealed his win and terrified every fan on his path to glory.

Harold Miner (1993, 1995)

Nicknamed ‘Baby Jordan’, Harold Miner’s power and finesse mirrored that of the great Michael Jordan. Miner won the Slam Dunk contest twice, enthralling fans with his soaring vertical leap and muscular dunks that would have been worthy of Jordan himself.

“I think the Slam Dunk Contest was a good barometer of the creativity and athleticism in basketball during that time.” – Harold Miner

Isaiah Rider (1994)

Isaiah Rider left an indelible mark on the Slam Dunk contest with his spectacular “East Bay Funk Dunk”. An astonishing through-the-leg dunk that brought fans onto their feet and crowned him the dunk king of 1994.

Kobe Bryant (1997)

A special mention has to be given to the 18-year-old Kobe Bryant, who became the youngest player ever to win the Slam Dunk contest. His acrobatic displays of dunks ignited his superstar career in the NBA. An unforgettable performance indeed!

Source

“In a sport as nuanced as baseball, power-hitting is both an art and a science. It is a blend of raw force, precision, and an understanding of the game’s dynamics.”

Homeric Heroes of the Homerun

Power is wielded differently from player to player. Some athletes are the embodiment of sheer brawn, their home runs marked by astonishing distance. Others blend power with panache, their batting averages a testament to unseen precision. These are the heroes of the game who make the impossible look effortless.

Pete Alonso

Embed from Getty Images
Slugger Pete Alonso, nicknamed “Polar Bear” for his imposing stature and icy cool under pressure, dominated the charts in his rookie season with the New York Mets. His 53 home runs shattered the existing record, carving out unprecedented territory in a single season.

Mike Trout

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels have one of the best-rounded power hitters in Mike Trout. Not just a powerhouse, Trout is known for his keen eye and deft handling of the bat, proving that power-hitting is not only about muscle but also about finesse.

Blurring the Line Between Power and Precision

Power-hitting no longer solely relies on the sheer strength of a player. Yes, swatters still punch the ball with devastating power. However, today’s players combine force with an impeccable understanding of geometry and physics; they’ve mastered the art of achieving the right impact point, angle, and swing velocity.

Aaron Judge

Embed from Getty Images
Take Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees as a model example. His towering stature furnishes him with raw, untamed power, but it’s his acute comprehension of swing mechanics and launch angle that’s broke barriers, making him a novelty.

“Consistency in power-hitting doesn’t come from strength alone, it is aided by the understanding of the angles and velocity. Even the trajectory of a good swing is a result of calculation, not just power.”

Baseball’s Greatest Showmen

There’s no denying that power hitters are major attractions in the sport of baseball. They’re the game’s biggest showmen. The thud of the bat, the soaring of the ball, and the roar of the crowd — these are the scenes that encapsulate the drama, the skill, and the sheer spectacle that is the game of baseball.

Power Hitters of Old

Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat

There is no discourse on power hitting without uttering the name, Babe Ruth. Ruth was revolutionary to baseball in his ability to consistently hit the ball out of the park unlike anyone else during his era. His 714 career home runs stood as the most in Major League Baseball history for nearly 40 years, and his career slugging percentage (.690) remains the highest in history.

Hank Aaron: Hammerin’ Hank

Hank Aaron was an incredible home run hitter destined to break Babe Ruth’s all-time career home run record. Hammerin’ Hank surpassed Ruth’s record in 1974, eventually compiling 755 career home runs. Not just known for power, Aaron also drove in a remarkable 2,297 runs in his career, the most in baseball history.

Mickey Mantle: The Commerce Comet

Mickey Mantle, an exceptional switch hitter, redefined power hitting. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Mantle compiled 536 home runs and won the Triple Crown in 1956—the highest average, most RBIs, and most home runs. He could deliver power from both sides of the plate, establishing himself as one of the most feared hitters in the sport’s history.

Barry Bonds: The Home Run King

Barry Bonds could transform a baseball into a skyrocket like few before him. He currently holds the most home runs in both a single season with 73 and in a career with 762. While controversial in some circles, it is undeniable that Bonds was an incredibly potent force at the plate.

Willie Mays: The Say Hey Kid

Mays was a rare blend of power, speed, and fielding ability. Hitting 660 home runs in his career, Mays was a 20-time All-Star and won two MVP awards. He is remembered for both his power and his dynamic play in the field, making him one of the most rounded players in baseball history.

Source

The 26-year-old demonstrated his ability in Rio de Janeiro, winning bronze in the 100 metres before going one better to take silver in the 200m.

However, it was his performance in the semi-final of the latter event that highlighted De Grasse’s potential as a future gold medallist.

Usain Bolt appeared to be cruising to victory in the final 50m before De Grasse drew alongside, forcing the legendary Jamaican to step on the gas.

Just two one hundredths of a second separated the pair at the finish, and they followed up by filling the same two positions in the final.

In a recent interview with Betway Insider, the Canadian sprinter admitted that he had set to out make a statement against Bolt.

“It was like we were just out there having fun,” he said.

“We didn’t expect to see Usain in the semi-finals. My coach had a strategy: ‘You’re going to have to make him run. We’ve got to make him work, we can’t make it too easy for him’.

“I ran a good, hard 150m, I looked to my side and I was like: ‘OK, he’s starting to slow down, and I’m close to him.’

“That was really just me going out there having fun, and just trying to do my best.”

Things didn’t go to plan after Rio, with De Grasse spending most of the next two seasons injured, but he bounced back to claim two more medals at the 2019 Doha World Championships.

He has looked in pretty good shape this season, posting the sixth-fastest time of the year (19.89) in the 200m in Qatar towards the end of May.

De Grasse is strongly fancied to pick up medals in both sprint events, although he will have to improve his times if he is to take gold.

Noah Lyles is favourite to clinch gold in the 200m after producing a season’s best 19.74 in June, while Trayvon Bromell will be tough to beat in the 100m after running 9.77 earlier the same month.

Despite this, De Grasse is confident that his experience of going head-to-head with Bolt in Brazil could give him a crucial edge at this summer’s Games.

“I think I have done a good job of coping with that (pressure) because I’ve had that experience from 2016,” he added.

“I feel like I have a lot more experience on my side. I know what to expect, whether that’s warming up, going to the call room or going through the rounds.

“It’s kind of a strategy, where you have to conserve energy so that when you get to the finals, you can have a personal best.

“I’m just hoping to keep that in my back pocket and that’s going to help me towards these Games.”

Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images

Source

One of three teams competing for the top seed in the Eastern Conference late into the season, Philadelphia has played some of the league’s best ball in Doc Rivers’ first year in charge. All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the cornerstones of the franchise rebuild started by former GM Sam Hinkie, have once again been the stars Rivers can rely on late in close games.

Embiid, in particular, is one of the favorites in the MVP conversation and one of the leading scorers in the NBA according to lwosports.com. The 7’1″ center has been unplayable for opposing defenses this year, averaging 29.3 PPG and 10.8 RPG. On defense he has been a stifling presence in the post who can erase opposing centers from the game entirely.

The only thing that may stop him from claiming the top award? Time on the sidelines with injury, which has been as much a problem this campaign as it was when he was first starting out in blue and white.

Joel Embiid last 4 games:

34.5 PPG
11.0 RPG
51.8 FG%
13.3 FTA
4-0 record

Making his MVP push. pic.twitter.com/vew9DD8SIb

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 17, 2021

Trust the Process

The Sixers in contention for major accolades will be all the more satisfying to their long-suffering fanbase because of the years they spent in the basement of the NBA. Four straight years of finishing either 14th or 15th in the Eastern Conference instilled a sense of pessimism around the Wells Fargo Center matched only by some of the unluckiest franchises in American sports. The 76ers’ title drought goes back to 1982-83, when Moses Malone led the team to glory on the back of his third MVP campaign.

But the arrival of Joel Embiid as the third overall pick under Hinkie in 2014 was the start of something, even if it wasn’t reflected in Philadelphia’s record. Preaching ‘Trust the Process’ – to many observers just a fancy rewording of ‘we’re tanking, get over it’ – Embiid would become the core of the starting five for the rest of the decade and beyond.

Although a scratch for his first season in the NBA with an ankle injury, the arrival of 2016 first overall pick Ben Simmons gave Philadelphia two stars where they’d once had none. Simmons’ vision, athleticism and constant triple-double threat combined with Embiid’s domination of the interior on both sides of the ball, and suddenly the 76ers had a new look about them.

This was no longer a team destined to rot in the Eastern Conference basement. All of a sudden they were a free-agent destination.

The Big Four

Jimmy Butler joining from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018 seemed like a strong move on paper – aligning Simmons and Embiid with a third star, and more importantly, a shooter. With Simmons famously reluctant to shoot from beyond the arc, Butler was the three-and-D wing to elevate the Sixers’ title chances. The Big Three would become a Big Four later that season, sending several first-round draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for Tobias Harris, but ultimately their title chances were ended in the most devastating fashion in Toronto.

With Butler leaving for the Miami Heat in free agency, the Sixers would then embark on one of the strangest experiments in modern basketball. After signing center Al Horford and rangy wing Josh Richardson, Philadelphia rolled out a ‘bully-ball’ starting five of Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, and Embiid, an oversized team devoid of three-point shooting and devoid of chemistry. It was good for a sixth seed and a first-round sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics. That season may yet go down as a bizarre footnote if the much-improved 2021 Philadelphia team wins a ring this year.

Playoff Fragility

With Simmons, Embiid and Harris now joined by shooters Seth Curry and Danny Green in the starting lineup, this Philadelphia team under Rivers has the look of a team in rhythm. A team that knows its strengths and weaknesses to a tee. A team well-coached and well-balanced.

But their inconsistency in the playoffs has prompted sportsbooks to be cautious on Philadelphia’s chances of taking the next step this postseason. Despite their position among the top three seeds all season, the Sixers remain good value in the sports betting at asiabet.org when compared to the superteam Brooklyn Nets and playoff-savvy Milwaukee Bucks. Philadelphia float around +450 in most markets, a decent price for a team that may be yet to play its best basketball this season. Since the NBA belongs to the most important leagues in the world, the matches are extremely important to betting providers.

But to achieve their lofty goals of making the NBA Finals, those two major threats stand in their way out East. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, after two years of playoff disappointment themselves, are lurking with intent around the top seeds. Elsewhere, the Nets with a clean bill of health would mean more offensive firepower than any NBA team in recent memory.

So much of the Sixers’ quest for postseason glory may come down to seeding. But if they keep Embiid and Simmons on the court and playing at their best, this could be Philadelphia’s year to put The Process in the rear-view mirror.

Main image credit
Embed from Getty Images

Source

Manu Ginobili, four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, is still out on the court
hitting clutch shots and winning games at the grand old age of 40.

The Olympic Gold winning guard with Argentina recently rolled back the years with his
second game-winner of the season, laying up two crucial points against the Dallas Mavericks to hand Spurs the win. Even without the team’s true superstar, Kawhi Leonard, Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio have rolled on and continued to be a force in the Western Conference.

A mixture of supreme coaching prowess, a LaMarcus Aldridge renaissance and veteran Ginobili gluing things together on and off the court sees the Texan team intriguing outsiders for the title. With Kawhi back, Spurs should make reigning champions Golden State Warriors nervous and a tempting free bet for those looking for a potential title dark horse to back.

So, with Manu in this sort of form, we look at a few other great games from the South
American.

May 29, 2014 Game 5 Western Conference Finals vs. Thunder

“Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs” (CC BY 2.0) by Katie Haugland Bowen

San Antonio were close to being knocked out the postseason after two blowouts at the hands of the Oklahoma Thunder on the road. Having failed to beat an OKC side it was looking like 2012 all over again.

However, Ginobili calmed fears with a superb all-round performance, finishing the crucial
clash with 19 points and 6 assists in a terrific win that set the tone for the championship
triumph to come over the LeBron James led Miami Heat. Then 36 years old, the Argentine
was superb during that hard-fought series.

April 27, 2011, Game 5 first round vs. Grizzlies

At the end of the 2010/11 season, the Spurs had the league’s premier record but began to leak at the end. During the season finale, Ginobili broke his arm against the Phoenix Suns. The Memphis Grizzlies won three of the first four games of the series, but Ginobili wasn’t giving up easily.

He returned and recorded 33 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals with a broken
arm, a truly incredible feat.

March 28, 2010, at Boston

A nationally broadcast cross-conference matchup in which Ginobili hit a wild buzzer beater
and put Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett “on his keister” with a strong block.

This game was slap bang in the middle of Ginobili’s prime and was putting up potential MVP
numbers for a whole month with wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland
Cavaliers, Celtics and Orlando Magic, all the contending teams of the time.

A true great and future NBA Hall of Famer, even in his twilight Ginobili is producing great
performances.

Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images

Source

The Premier League has seen a number of great football players and captains alike. These two roles do not always coincide with each other, as a single player may be crucial to the team’s tactics and success, but without any leadership skills and vice versa.

While those described above are not to be completely disregarded from history books, the best captains in the Premier League tend to have all the qualities combined. Punters are paying attention to their player stats while at sport.netbet.co.uk, while hopeful players are most likely to rely on such captains to create possibilities that allow everyone to use their maximum capacity on the pitch. Following is a list of the best to have played in the Premier League teams, having worn the captain armband.

5. Patrick Vieira

Six years upon his entrance through Arsenal gates, Vieira was invited to take up the role as team captain from the famous Tony Adams. He managed to handle the big shoes left for him to fill and not only lead his team to two FA cups and two Community shields. Still, the biggest achievement came during the 2003/04 Premier League season. Vieira could largely be credited for the ‘Invincibles’ – a nickname attributed to the team during this period due to the fact that they managed to go through the entire season without a single loss.

4. Tony Adams

As much as we fear to admit, there is something about the players and the game in older days which makes you appreciate it more. Thus, Tony Adams – Vieira’s predecessor in wearing the captain armband, ranked one place higher on our countdown.

He is known to have spent the most part of his professional career under the Arsenal name and demanded that his teammates maintain the same devotion.

3. Roy Keane

Being a captain to Manchester Unitedthroughout the modern football era is proof enough of your excellence. While there are many from United’s captain ranks that could have taken up this position, Keane’s miraculous comeback and persistence have earned him a spot.

After the injury he underwent during the first season as captain, United recuperated from seeing the Arsenal with the league title and won the historic treble in ‘98/99, as well as many additional events.

2. Steven Gerrard

Liverpool players and fans alike have all been supportive of Gerrard’s career as team captain, despite the fact he was unable to lead the team to a league title. The years 2005 and ’06, however, saw him win the Champions and the FA title, as well as individual player awards for both these events. It was evident by then that he was pushing the team forward.

1. John Terry

‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ – the three words that found their way to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge are enough to understand Terry’s value in the eyes of Chelsea. His greatness, and consequently the right to rank first on our list, lies in the fact that he formed a perfect union of football skill, talent, guidance and execution that made players gain direction.

Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images

Source

Mandatory Defense

AJ is coming off a dramatic (Wlad’s brother Vitali says AJ was lucky) 11th round knockout win over the legendary Wladimir Klitschko last April 29, 2017, where he literally had to pick himself up from the canvass in Round 6 to win that Fight of The Year candidate. A rematch was supposed to take place but with Wlad opting to retire, Joshua decided to make a mandatory defense of his IBF belt.

Joshua was penciled to fight #1 contender Kubrat Pulev but the Bulgarian brawler suffered a shoulder injury which forced him to pull out of the bout with two weeks to go. Fortunately. Promoter Eddie Hearn had a standby opponent in IBF #3 Carlos Takam, who officially became Joshua’s official opponent on October 28th.

A win by Anthony Joshua would also almost certainly earn him the prestigious British SPOTY award. According to Alan Alger of Betway Insider, AJ’s chances of winning the SPOTY are high due to 2017 not being an Olympic year (12 of the last 16 winners of the award were Olympians ). Bagging that award would cement Joshua’s billing as the top prize fighter in England today, the British winners in the current World Boxing Super Series – Super Middleweight Division notwithstanding. Otherwise, AJ merely gets to keep the belts he already owns so he’s taking a lot of risk in taking on Takam.

Takam’s Chances

Carlos Takam is no Kubrat Pulev by any means. However, he poses a different kind of challenge for Anthony Joshua. At 6-1, he is significantly shorter than Pulev and is the shortest opponent Joshua has faced since Denis Bakhtov in 2014. He is also powerfully built and durable, making him a more difficult opponent to knock out than Pulev.

However, given that Takam is nearing 37 years of age, his body could betray him. The Frenchman may no longer have the stamina to keep up with a younger, faster and smarter opponent like Anthony Joshua. If he has any shot at pulling off a victory, it would have to come at the early stages of the fight.

Takam cannot start slow, he needs to dictate the pace early and land his powerful haymakers from the get-go. No question, he has the punching power to hurt even an Anthony Joshua. But given his advanced age, he may not be able to mount a sustained offensive attack for a full 12 rounds.

The Total Package

Beating Anthony Joshua is easier said than done. This man has shown very little weaknesses since turning pro in 2013 and has knocked out every opponent he has faced so far. He has otherworldly punching power, very fast hands, extremely quick feet and a very high boxing IQ. Anthony Joshua is the total package and is considered as the top heavyweight in the business.

AJ has ended 18 of 19 bouts in seven rounds or fewer but he showed against Klitschko that he has the endurance to remain effective in the championship rounds if needed. AJ also has the edge in height and length. In addition, he is the the younger fighter here, eight years the junior of Takam.

The concern here for AJ’s team is how prepared he is to fight Takam ( if that is a concern at all ). Remember that Pulev pulled out of the fight on October 16th, leaving Joshua with barely two weeks to adjust his game plan. Takam meanwhile, knew all along that he would be fighting Joshua in case something goes wrong. Whether this is an advantage though, remains to be seen.

Prediction

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, expect Carlos Takam to come out with guns blazing when that opening bell rings. Remember that this is the heavyweight division and all it takes is just one punch to alter the course of history. Again, that’s easier said than done, especially against a stud like Anthony Joshua.

AJ won’t necessarily go for the early knockout although he certainly has the punching power to do so. Takam will be going for broke and it’s always dangerous to fight that fire with your own fire. The longer this fight goes, the more it is to Anthony Joshua’s advantage.

The oddsmakers and experts are giving Takam the slimmest of chances to beat AJ. Joshua’s speed and movement will make Takam tire faster and if Joshua can withstand Takam’s early fury, this bout’s going to be his for the picking. Carlos Takam is tough and durable but Anthony Joshua is going to win this fight by knockout, most probably in the middle rounds.

Main image credit:

Liquid Sports Media

Source

Following the Bundesliga in the last five years has been, to some extent, all about guessing when Bayern Munich would secure the title, and who will be runners-up this year. Eight games into this season, there are some signs that it might not be so straightforward this time around. There might, at least, be more than a token challenge from the teams around “FC Hollywood”. In a league that has always risked being constantly the same, there might be a change brewing on the wind. Will we be saying the same at the beginning of 2018? It’s anyone’s guess; but at least there’s some optimism for a battle. Here are the Bundesliga top three contenders:

Is Bosz The New Klopp?

Credit

The last time Bayern failed to pick up the title, in 2011-12, it was Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund side that got there ahead of them. The performances of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Götze thrilled fans as a free-wheeling Dortmund side fired in 80 goals in a season. They also made the Bayern scouting team’s job a lot easier, as the club went ahead and signed the players that had caused them so much grief.

As a result, it’s probably bittersweet for Dortmund fans to see Peter Bosz get their team to the top of the league playing thrilling football, a lot like a certain bespectacled heavy metal fan currently living on Merseyside. If Dortmund can keep banging them in like they have been, there’s every chance they’ll win the league again – and then watch as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Max Philipp toddle off to Munich to usher in another half-decade of dominance. There’s always the hope that Dortmund will be able to hang onto their stars this time around, but history suggests their enjoyment of the season may be short-lived.

Red Bull Wait In The Wings

It takes a lot to make German football fans hate you more than Bayern, but corporate backing and a lack of history are two good ways to go about it. Thus, there were some relieved fans when normal service continued last season with Bayern holding on to beat Red Bull Leipzig (founded in 2009) into second place.

The new most hated team in Germany currently sit third, with every chance of adding players in January should they be needed to fuel a title challenge. If the league is won by anyone beyond the current top three, it would be an enormous shock even at this early stage.

Bye-Bye Carlo, Hello Again Jupp!

Credit

Jupp Heynckes is a Bayern legend– which made it awkward when they announced during 2012-13 that he wouldn’t be kept on at the end of the season because they were hiring Pep Guardiola for 2013-14. That awkwardness was elevated when Heynckes secured the treble, including a first Champions’ League in twelve years.

Apparently there are no hard feelings, though, as Heynckes has returned to the helm until season’s end after the club sacked Carlo Ancelotti for losing 3-0 to Paris St Germain. Bayern sit just two points off the lead, with Niklas Sule justifying his place on Lucky Nugget Casino’s Signings of the Summer. So while there’s some hope that Bayern might be overturned this year, no one is writing them off just yet.

So no matter who you expect to win the title (and it’s a fair bet you’ll be hoping it’s Dortmund), it is at the moment too close to call.

Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images

Source

It has been a long off-season for hockey fans deprived of any action but the onerous wait is almost over. Pre-season is almost upon us and in just a few weeks’ time the regular season will begin in earnest. Sportsbooks are getting excited and releasing early lines on who will seize glory in 2017/18, so we decided to analyze the leading contenders:

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are aiming to become the first team since the Islanders of the early 1980s to win the Stanley Cup three times in a row. That would be a momentous feat, but the books are backing them to do it. Pittsburgh is the +900 favorite in the early lines to pull off a three-peat and sports fans are backing it in their droves. Pittsburgh has endured a difficult summer, losing long-standing goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, defenseman Trevor Daley and center Nick Bonino, among others. But it has held onto star trio Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin and Phil Kessel, and that is enough to terrorize any team. The big question is whether they can stay healthy, as Crosby and Malkin in particular have played a lot of hockey over the past two years. If they make it through another season intact, Pittsburgh has a great chance.

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton finished second in the Pacific last season behind Anaheim, and lost to the Ducks in the second round of the playoffs. But bigger things are expected of the Oilers this time around. Crosby aside, Connor McDavid is the best player in the world and seems destined for greatness. With him in the team, Edmonton has to be a contender, but big questions linger over its defense and strength in depth, so the +1000 on offer looks a little risky.

Washington Capitals

The Caps were on fire last season and earned the most points of any team in the regular season. They took the Penguins to seven games in the playoffs but fell agonizingly short, and then Washington was ripped apart in the offseason due to the cap. Marcus Johansson, Karl Alzner is gone and Kevin Shattenkirk will all be badly missed. The bones of a strong team persists, but there will be huge pressure on the likes of T.J Oshie and André Burakovsky to perform, and fans will have to pray that Alex Ovechkin has plenty of magic left in him. Still, with Braden Holtby in the crease they have a chance.

Nashville Predators

Last season’s runner-up will be back with a vengeance this season, with Bonino and Scott Hartnell giving them greater strength in depth. With Kevin Fiala and Ryan Johansen back in the fold, Nashville has an intimidating wealth of talent at its disposal. Pittsburgh may have the best offense, but Nashville has the best defense and this team seems on the brink of achieving something special. You can get +1600 on the Predators and that looks like a great option. Review a site like Bodog if you’re looking to take advantage of preseason odds and you could enjoy a serious win on Nashville

The Rest

The Lightning are looking healthy once more and are set for a serious improvement this season after a disappointing 2016/17 campaign. You can never write off the Blackhawks, especially now that Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp are back, joining a team already blessed with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Chicago could go far in the playoffs. It is about time a Canadian team reached the Stanley Cup Finals, something that has not happened since 2011, and if Edmonton cannot make it, there are a couple of strong contenders in Montreal and Toronto. The Canadeans have a great chance of winning the Atlantic. Alzner is a great addition, as is Jonathan Drouin, while Claude Julien should be rejuvenated. But Carey Price will be the main man and if he turns it on Montreal has every chance. The Canadeans are an interesting long-shot at +1800, but Toronto is perhaps even more exciting at +2000. A load of action has gone on the Maple Leafs in the off-season and it is easy to see why at those long odds. Toronto has a great young team: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander are all destined for big things. Patrick Marleau is a fantastic addition. There are question marks over the defense, but this team is a legitimate contender and a great long shot.

Main image credit:
Embed from Getty Images

Source

LeBron James Top 5 Playoff Runs

5. 2009

In the 2009 playoffs, James was simply spectacular. His Cavs lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it was hardly James’ fault. James’ astonishing 35.3 points per game average were the most he’s had in any of his playoff runs. James added 9.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per night, for good measure. He led Cleveland to dominant first- and second-round wins, sweeping their first eight playoff games. James’ brilliance culminated in some late-game heroics against the Magic, as well as a 38-8-8 stat-line in the series. 2009 was James’ best statistical playoff performance, and he carried a team of mediocre players about as far as it could go. Had the Cavs advanced to the NBA Finals, this run would surely be higher on the list.

4. 2007

The 2007 playoffs were when James, at just 23 years old, truly started to live up to his ‘Chosen One’ moniker. Sure, he put up his usual gaudy statistics. But beyond the numbers, James pulled off a seemingly impossible task, something that would become a trend in his career. Despite a subpar supporting cast, James took the Cavaliers beyond the second round for the first time. In the Conference Finals, they faced the perennial juggernaut Detroit Pistons, who were making their fifth straight appearance. The top-seeded Pistons were heavily favored coming in, and with the series tied 2-2, a pivotal Game 5 approached. James, sensing the importance of the moment, put the Cavs on his back. He scored Cleveland’s last 25 points to end the game, and 29 of the team’s final 30. The Cavaliers won by two points in overtime, with James scoring the go-ahead layup to give him 48 points on the night. Though the Cavs got swept in the NBA Finals by the far superior San Antonio Spurs, one thing was clear: a superstar had arrived, and his name was LeBron James.

3. 2013

By 2013, James had already won his first championship with the Miami Heat, and he was looking for a repeat. After dismantling their first two series’ opponents, James led the Heat to two grueling seven-game series victories over the Indiana Pacers and the Spurs in the final rounds. While critics may claim that Ray Allen saved James with his game-tying shot in Game 6 of the Finals, that doesn’t tell the whole story. James dominated the Finals, leading the series in minutes, points, assists, and steals per game on route to his second consecutive Finals MVP. He notched a triple-double with the Heat’s season on the line in Game 6, racking up 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. In the deciding Game 7, sports betting experts made Miami ever-so-slight favorites. James finally found his shooting stroke, making 12 of 23 field goals and five of 10 three-pointers in a 37-point effort. 2013 wasn’t James’ best playoff run, but it was certainly remarkable in its own right.

2. 2012

James’ 2012 playoff run surely holds a special place in his heart, as it included his first title and Finals MVP with the Heat. He led all scorers with 30.3 PPG in the playoffs, also chipping in 9.7 boards, 5.6 assists, and 1.9 steals. Most importantly, though, James overcame the demons that troubled him earlier in his career. The Heat found themselves in a tough spot going into Game 6 of the Conference Finals. They were down 3-2 to Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics, who had defeated James in a playoff series twice before. Game 6 was in Boston, with a raucous crowd that was anxious for another Finals appearance. With all the pressure in the world, James pulled through for Miami. In arguably the greatest performance of his career, he dropped a stunning 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a dominant Heat victory. James connected on 19 of 26 shots, scoring over Celtic defenders as if they weren’t even there. His extraordinary play carried over to the next game, which the Heat won, advancing them to the Finals. Once there, Miami demolished the inexperienced Oklahoma City Thunder, with James racking up a triple-double in the clinching game. The Heat’s convincing victory was in large part due to James’ excellence; only one of his playoff runs could top 2012.

1. 2016

Finally, 2016 was James’ greatest playoff run. James’ Cavs breezed through the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, losing just two games total in their first three playoff series. The “real” playoffs began in the NBA Finals, where Cleveland met the Golden State Warriors for the second consecutive year. Golden State clearly appeared to be better – the Warriors had broken the regular season record for wins, finishing with a 73-9 record. They were heavily favored coming into the series, by Vegas odds, NBA experts, and fans alike. The series didn’t start well for the Cavs. They lost three of the first four games, validating most predictions and putting James in an extremely difficult position. But for Cleveland’s sake, James didn’t give up hope. He scored 41 points in each of the next two games, playing all but five minutes of each contest. The Cavs won both games, riding on James’ shoulders. In Game 7, James cooled down as the pace slowed. Even so, he managed to tally another triple-double, with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Furthermore, he played 47 minutes, exerting every ounce of energy that he had left. Despite the heavy workload, James still made one of the greatest defensive plays in NBA history in the game’s final minutes – now known as “The Block” – possibly saving Cleveland’s championship hopes. James led the Finals in all five major statistical categories. He brought the Cavs back from the dead, pulling off an unthinkable upset and managing one of the most impressive feats the NBA has ever seen. Due to his conquering of the mighty Warriors, James’ 2016 playoff run must be considered his best.

Source