John Madden has officially ended his broadcasting career. Madden announced his retirement earlier this morning, saying "it was just the right time". Madden has called NFL games since 1979 on all 4 major networks. Madden worked on both Monday Night and Sunday Night Football. Also, lets not forget, Madden coached the Raiders to a Super Bowl Title in the 70's and is also the face for perhaps the most popular sports video game of all time.
I will remember Madden for his classic breakdowns of games, his sound effects, his drawings explaining the game, his passion, his professionalism and his seriousness regarding his turkey on Thanksgiving Day games. I had only one real criticizm of Madden, often he was a little biased toward the NFC during his broadcasts.
All in all, the NFL and the broadcasting world is losing a true classic. There was nobody like Madden before and will be nobody like Madden again. The only person you can even put in the same sentence as Madden regarding color analysis is College Basketball's Dick Vitale.
It really took all 82 games and this is the way the NBA's playoff picture sets up. By the way, horrible news for the Celtics. According to Head Coach Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett will miss the entire playoffs with that bad knee.
WEST
1. L.A. Lakers
8. Utah
4. Portland
5. Houston
3. San Antonio
6. Dallas
2. Denver
7. New Orleans
EAST
1. Clevleand
8. Detroit
4. Atlanta
5. Miami
3. Orlando
6. Philadelphia
2. Boston
7. Chicago
NBA Notes..
-The NBA playoffs does not re-seed after each round, so these brackets are set.
-Houston killed themselves by losing to Dallas, with a win they would have been #2 in the West.
-Due to the injury to Garnett, Cleveland will be in the NBA Finals.
-The West may go through L.A., however it is Denver with the easiest path to the West Finals.
-Cleveland had a chance to go 40-1 at home and tie an NBA record, however the team decided to rest its main players and the Cavs lost to the Sixers, finishing 39-2 on their home court.
NBA 1st Round Picks
West
L.A. in 5
Portland in 7
Dallas in 6
Denver in 7
East
Cleveland in 4
Miami in 6
Orlando in 5
Boston in 6
NHL-Vancouver, Pittsburgh and New Jersey held home ice by winning their game 1's. The Capitals were upset by the Rangers in that opening game. Montreal/Boston, Columbus/Detroit, Calgary/Chicago, and Anaheim/San Jose get their series started tonight.
Huge Loss....
I recentely commented on Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim. I said he really cared about his players, hence telling PG Jonny Flynn to put his name in the draft, eventhough Flynn wanted to return. Ouch. Flynn has signed with an agent and will not return to Syracuse, hence killing the Orange's chances at a National Championship next season.
What do you guys think about the NBA's round one match-ups?
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