The Best Playoff Series Ever??

Just when I thought the Bulls-Celtics series couldn't get any crazier, I turned on the television to TNT last night to see another overtime game in this series. That marks the fourth overtime in six games between these two teams. Simply put, that is unbelievable.

So now there will be a Game 7 on Saturday night in Boston, and the average person would predict the Celtics to win this game due to home-court advantage, but don't let that fool you. The Bulls have already taken the Celtics to overtime twice in Boston, so they're not intimidated the slightest bit.

When I previewed this series a couple weeks ago I stated that the Bulls would win if Derrick Rose played the best basketball of his short career, and I think he's definitely done that. That block he had on Rajon Rondo, which I might add was fading away, was just astonishing.

Let's go inside the numbers of this series after six games:

• Lead changes: 106
• Overtime Periods: 7
• Point differential (excluding Game 3): 1 point in advantage of the Bulls
• Other eye-opening moments: Hard foul on Brad Miller by Rajon Rondo; Ray Allen scores 51 points in Game 6; Shoving match between Rondo and Heinrich; Joakim Noah's breakaway steal and dunk on Paul Pierce.

Many are discounting the idea that this is the best series of all-time because it's a first-round matchup, but to me that doesn't matter. The degree of excitement and great basketball being played by both teams has trumped the fact that it's only a first-round matchup.

However, I can't give it the best series of all-time. I give that to either the 2o02 Western Conference Finals with the Kings taking on the Lakers, or the 1998 NBA Finals where Michael Jordan famously took his last shot in a Bulls uniform to defeat the Jazz.

We won't really know how this series ranks with all the other till a three or four years pass by and whether or not we are still talking about it. If this was an NBA Finals, or even a Eastern Conference Finals, series then I think this would hands down rank at the top of the list.

A-Roid Strikes Again

Just when you thought that steroid cloud that was over Alex Rodriguez's head was starting to pass, another allegation has come out.

A writer for Sports Illustrated has a book coming out entitled "A-Rod" which says Rodriguez took steroids as early as when he was a star player in high school. If this newest allegation is true then I can't help but think that Rodriguez is one of the biggest frauds in the history sport.

Not only did he use steroids while he was in the majors, but now he most likely used steroids to possibly even get to the majors? With the talent A-Rod has he probably still would have went pro without the aid of steroids, but probably would not have been as nearly hyped up.

The result was flashier numbers in high school which eventually got him those hefty contracts as a professional. I've always thought Rodriguez was a egotistical jerk but this just seals the deal.

Rodriguez won't even discuss the issue with reporters saying "I'm not going there". Of course you're not A-rod, because you're fraud!

Whenever he does come back this season he will have enormous pressure on himself to put up great numbers. Not average numbers, but great numbers. The leash on A-rod is so short right now and he's playing in a city that has little patience for their players.

A-rod makes Barry Bonds look like Cal Ripken Jr. If the Yankees make the postseason, don't worry the choke artist will come through. He'll come into the postseason as arrogant as ever because he hit a few home runs and then he'll choke like he always does. Book it.

Can the Heat Win Without D-Wade?

The Eastern Conference playoffs have been extremely exciting as opposed to the Western Conference playoffs, which has had about as much excitement as watching the MLS Playoffs.

There's another great Eastern Conference playoffs matchup tonight as the Hawks host the Heat for Game 5 of their series. The series is knotted at two games apiece and with both teams losing a game on their home floor.

However, the Heat may have been in position to wrap up the series tonight if Dwayne Wade could have avoided getting injured. Wade was obviously in a lot of pain in Game 4 and was nowhere near 100 percent. After all, the NBA superstar did throw up four air-balls, so there had to be something wrong with him.

Some analysts are even speculating that Wade will even sit out tonight's game. Here's a look at the production of the Heat's starting lineup after four games of this series:

1. Dwayne Wade- 25.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 6.8 apg
2. Mario Chalmers- 7.8 ppg, 3.8 apg
3. James Jones- 11 ppg, 1.5 rpg
4. Udonis Haslem- 8 ppg, 8.5 rpg
5. Jermain O'neal- 16.5 ppg, 6 rpg

Important Bench Players:

1. Michael Beasley- 7 ppg, 6 rpg
2. Daequan Cook- 7 ppg, 2.8 rpg

Whether Wade sits out or not tonight, other players are going to have to pick up the extra load because Wade will definitely not be at his best. I can see Wade maybe scoring 15 points and grabbing a couple rebounds but that's it.

If Jermaine O'neal controls the paint and Chalmers manages the game effectively, then the Heat have a chance.

Another huge x-factor in this situation is Michael Beasley. If Beasley can get back to the way he played in the first two games of the series, the Heat have a good chance at pulling out a win in Atlanta tonight.

MLB Power Rankings: Week 3

1. Red Sox (13-6): The Red Sox have won 11-straight games and finally look like the team many expected. That includes a sweep of the Yankees. Last week: NR

2. Cardinals (14-6): The Cardinals continue to play solid baseball and lead the division by 2.5 games over the Pirates. They've definitely owned the Cubs so far this season. Last week: 4

3. Blue Jays (14-7): I keep waiting for this team to fall off the map like the Marlins have done, but they keep playing solid baseball. They better continue if they want to make the playoffs eventually. Last week: 5

4. Dodgers (13-7): The Dodgers were looking like the best team in the majors before dropping two straight to the Rockies and the Giants. They still should take the NL West with no problem. Last week: 1

5. Tigers (11-8): Man did this team start of slow, but now that opening series loss to the Blue Jays doesn't look so bad, and they lead the AL Central. Brandon Inge looks great with 7 home runs. Last week: NR

Almost In:

Pirates (11-8): The Pirates have some impressive wins this year, but I'm still not too sold on these guys just yet.

Mariners (12-7): The Mariners' record would probably be a lot better if they weren't almost dead last in runs scored with 80.

Edwards Has Stong Words for NASCAR

Another big crash occurred at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday afternoon, and Carl Edwards was the centerpiece of the crash.

Edwards was just seconds away from the victory before attempting to block Brad Keselowski causing his car to flip into the fencing used to separate the fans from the track. Seven fans were injured but fortunately none were severely injured.

It might have been one of the best finishes NASCAR has seen, but at what price do some of these great finishes come by? Certainly it's not a fan's or a driver's health, but Edwards definitely had a strong statement after the race.

"NASCAR puts us in this box [restrictor-plate racing], and will race this way until they kill somebody," Edwards said. That statement is a powerful one that had to be directly aimed at NASCAR officials.

Former NASCAR driver Bobby Allison retracted the statement and said that the potential for danger is part of the excitement and that there's nothing wrong with that.

I wonder if Allison would be singing a different tune if someone had been killed or seriously injured Sunday. The satisfaction of the fans is very important, but not as important as someone's life.

In no way am I saying that restrictor-plate racing should be abolished, but there is nothing wrong with examining the procedures and equipment we have in place now to make sure there is a middle-ground between excitement and safety.

Seven injuries is seven too many and obviously something may need to be tweaked. I'm sick and tired of officials from anything, whether it be sports or not, waiting to change things until someone is killed. A life shouldn't have to be lost to make things right. Simple as that.

NFL Draft Day 1 Winners and Losers

Like many expected, the Detroit Lions took Matthew Stafford as the #1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

They're paying Stafford a maximum of $78 million over six years, with $41.7 million being guaranteed to go in Stafford's pocket. This hefty deal seems to be a big risk for the Lions. If Stafford somehow ends up being a bust, then the Lions could continue to be one of the worst franchises in the league. However, if Stafford becomes an elite quarterback, then this could be the pick that turns this franchise around.

Day 1 Winners

1. Lions ( Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew)
   
2. Bengals (Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga)
3. Broncos (Knowshon Moreno, Robert Ayers, Aphonso Smith, Darcel McBath,Richard Quinn)

The Lions added obviously a very talented quarterback in Matthew Stafford and added a great target to help Stafford out in Brandon Pettigrew.

The biggest steal in the draft so far was the Bengals snatching up Rey Maualuga in the 2nd-round. A great linebacker that could end up being the face of this franchise. You also can't forget the great addition of Andre Smith on the offensive line.

The busiest team on draft day #1 was definitely the Denver Broncos. They had five picks and addressed all of their needs with some great picks. Knowshon Moreno is a versatile running back that can do some many things for you on offense. They also had a value pick in the 2nd round in Aphonso Smith from Wake Forest. Great first day of the draft for the Broncos.

Day 1 Losers

1. Cardinals (Chris "Beanie" Wells)
2. Dolphins (Vontae Davis, Pat White, Sean Smith)

I understand that Edgerrin James is way past his prime, but I just don't think Beanie Wells is the right choice here. He's got some health issues and he really doesn't fit the Cardinals' style of offense. Pittsburgh's Lesean McCoy would have been a better fit for them as he can also turn into a viable receiver for Kurt Warner.

Some may think the Dolphins had a descent draft day, but not me. Their first pick was Vontae Davis out of Illinois. This pick may turn out to be a good one, but Davis has had is moments where doesn't play well at all. I really don't like taking Pat White. White was a great college quarterback thanks to the quirky offense of West Virginia, but I'm not so sure thats going to translate to the NFL. Pat White reminds me of a Vince Young, if that gives you any idea of why I see them as a Day 1 loser.

The Battle for Pennsylvania

Series Overview

The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at least have to go to a Game 6 to settle this first-round playoff matchup. The Flyers made the series 3-2 in favor of Pittsburgh Thursday night by shutting out the Penguins 3-0. The next game will be played at Philadelphia on Saturday.

Simon Gagne leads the Flyers in goals with four and Evegni Malkin also has four goals in the series to lead the Penguins.

The Penguins have had the Flyers number as of late and ended the season for the Flyers last season. The Flyers have done a descent job at containing Sidney Crosby but can they keep it that way in Game 6? This series definitely isn't over but the Penguins have to figure out a way to stop giving up all the shots on goal. They got lucky they won Game 4 despite being outshot 46-26.