As some of you woke up January 1st feeling like that Baylor kicker from the Cotton Bowl after his punt was blocked, I was busy coming up with some predictions for the next 365 days in the world of sports.
Are these predictions thought through? Mostly.
Are they ridiculous? Kinda.
Will I rub it in your faces if they happen? Definitely.
New NBA Kings
In the NBA’s last 30 years, there have been only eight champions. Eight!
San Antonio, Houston, LA Lakers, Boston, Miami, Detroit, Chicago and Dallas.
My prediction is that a new team breaks into those ranks. If we look at the standings currently, I think we can find that new champion.
Now with the usual suspects eliminated.
Now all the garbage teams from the East eliminated.
I’m cutting New Orleans and Phoenix because I don’t think they could survive the brutal Western Conference playoffs- if they are even able to grab a 7th or 8th seed.
In the West, this leaves: Golden State, Portland, LA Clippers, Memphis, and Oklahoma City.
In the East, the pickings are very slim: Toronto, Atlanta, Washington, and Cleveland.
2015 NBA Finals prediction: Oklahoma beats Cleveland in 5 games.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (if healthy) can run a team to the finals.
Toronto, Washington, and Atlanta aren’t proven enough to so I have to give the East to Cleveland.
But; LeBron’s injured, and no ones believe in their head coach David Blatt.
BONUS NBA PREDICTION TIME
LeBron finally reveals after David Blatt’s firing, that he has been a player-coach this entire season. From there it’s smooth sailings all the way to the finals.
Rickie vs Rory
A new rivalry will emerge this year on the PGA and it will be between Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler. Golf’s best young guns will duel at all four majors. Last season, Rory McIlroy had two Major’s wins grabbing the Open Championship and PGA Championship. Fowler finished 5th at the Masters, runner-up at both the US Open and the Open championships, and a third place finish at the PGA Championship. These two golfers are on a collision course that will meet at some point this year.
The one thing getting in the way is that Rory and Rickie are good friends. On top of that, golf’s a gentlemen’s sport so it’s tough for things to get too heated. So here’s my prediction of how each Major tournament will become must watch TV:
After a few too many drinks in the clubhouse after a tournament, Rory will make a off handed comment about:
- Fowler’s clothing choices.
- Fowler’s moustache.
- Fowler not winning a major last year.
- All of the above.
Fowler’s response will have something to do with Caroline Wozniacki and three-minute phone calls.
And just like that, we will have golf’s hottest rivalry since Woods’ Cadillac vs Tree and John Daly vs buffet.
The NHL’s Mumpsmageddon
After the NHL is unable to stop the mumps epidemic from spreading to every hockey locker room in North America, teams will be unable to put a full lineup on the ice. Commissioner Gary Bettman demands that the playoffs continue on with whatever hockey teams in North America are able to skate.
In an upset, the Sudbury Wolves top the Portland Winterhawks in 7 games for Lord Stanley’s grail.
Just Kidding
I could have phoned this prediction in with a solid ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
But I might get kicked out of Canada if I don’t write something about hockey on this blog.
So here is my predication: The Toronto Maple Leafs, after a roller coaster ride of the season that sees everything from five-game win streaks, to five-goal defeats, will make the playoffs as a 7th seed.
Where they will face…The Montreal Canadiens and….. lose in six games.
Maple Leafs fans now prefer my first prediction to the second one.
Back to the Playoffs for the Cubs
I’m not that crazy.
The Cubs will face the Marlins in…..the National League Wild Card game.
Newly acquired Jon Lester will win 20 games for the Cubbies and their young hitters will help them grab a place in the NL wild card. Their opponents will be the Miami Marlins lead by MVP winner Giancarlo Stanton.
The Cubs will win this wild-card game and go on to be swept by the St.Louis Cardinals in the National League Divisional Series because they’re the Cubs.
Romo’s Revenge
After years of being called a choke artist for not being able to come up in big games, Tony Romo will have his revenge during the upcoming playoffs.
Coming off his best regular season, it looks like Romo and the Cowboys will have to run the gauntlet to get out of the AFC. First up, the Lions defence. After that, a game outdoors on a frozen Lambeau Field against this season’s likely winner of the MVP award- Aaron Rodgers. If Romo survives that, odds are likely that the AFC title game will be held in Seattle against defending Super Bowl champions. If they make the Super Bowl, anything can happen.
After reading that potential road to Super Bowl XLIX (pronounced Super Bowl X-Licks) you must think I’m a huge Cowboys fan boy. Well I’m not, unless the Cowboy is named Django or played by Clint Eastwood.
The Lions are 2-4 against teams with a win percentage above .500 and have not beaten a playoff team on the road this season. Also, the Cowboys did go into Seattle and come away with a huge road win this season. Yes it’s a long shot, but it would be a hell of a story if Romo and the Cowboys could pull it off. Also, I would love to be the person that can say “I TOLD YOU SO!”
I believe in you Tony!
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