about the playoffs, pa

Were done with the "first season" and 14 teams clear their lockers out today and hit the golf course with eight more to follow in the next two weeks after the first round of the playoffs. Robert Turbin Jersey . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. EASTERN CONFERENCE: 1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks: Though theyre struggling, their superior size and consistent defensive effort, as well as experience, will carry the Pacers through in an ugly series. Pacers in five. 2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats: Al Jefferson will be an absolute load for the weak Heat interior defense and the Bobcats are playing with great confidence and togetherness. At the end of the day, though, if the Heat Big Three are healthy and right, theyll find a way as they go along to get into the next playoff gear and slowly, yet effectively, wear down the younger Bobcats. Heat in six. 3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets: I want to be SO wrong on this Pick. I have confidence that the Raptors can not only compete with the Nets in each and every game of this series. but beat them four times, yet my belief without any sort of emotion is that the Nets superior depth, experience and ability to get this done in the playoff-style five-on-five game will be a significant challenge for the Raps. The Raptors will have to earn every whistle against a team filled with personalities like KG, Paul Pierce, coach Jason Kidd, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson who can be squeaky wheels demanding the grease and get their way often to get over the hump. The Raptors have to outplay, outwork, out hustle, out execute, out defend, out rebound and outcoach them to win this series. Can it be done? Sure, absolutely, but that has to be the mindset. Be sharper, be better, be hungrier.  The Nets wanted this matchup because they respect the Raps a whole lot less than they do the Bulls. Why is that? The Bulls compete like crazy on each and every possession and there is no backing down. The Raptors must have the same level of effort and passion throughout that the team the Nets didnt want to face brings and that has to be habit.  Ive seen the Raptors do this enough times to know that theyre more than capable of doing it and now its time to make that commitment and ultimate sacrifice that it takes to beat a very deep, talented and experienced opponent. Can they sustain the level of effort its going to take to win it, as well as keep their heads and play that much harder and better when calls dont work out in their favor? Thats a major challenge and Im excited to see them face these obstacles and perform on the bigger stage to succeed. Nets in seven. 4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards: Bulls in 7. The grind-it-out Bulls versus the up-and-down, shoot-the-three Wizards. The Wizards bigs in Marcin Gortat and a healthy Nene are playing well, which is huge. John Wall is a load to deal with and they can light it up on the perimeter and veteran depth has been improved with Drew Gooden, Al Harrington and Andre Miller. They can take this series if they dig in and play with increased toughness. I still like the Bulls, they set the tone and make you play their style and slow the pace. The level of physical play and the type of whistle could well determine the winner here. The slow and ugly Bulls and the quick and offensive Wizards. The Bulls by a nose in what should be a fun series. Bulls in seven. WESTERN CONFERENCE: 1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks: Theres just too much depth and outstanding offensive ball movement. in what should be a fast paced and entertaining series. I like the Spurs depth here. Monta Ellis will be a tough cover for the Spurs, but their team approach will help. Theyll keep fresh defenders on Dirk and defend the pick-and-pop game well enough to survive. Spurs in six. 2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies: This will be a great, physical series. Z-Bo and Gasol will be a load to deal with for the Thunder. The Grizzlies have a knack for playing on a high level in these type of games. Tony Allen and Tyshaun Prince are good perimeter defenders and will be tested here. Kevin Durant has had an MVP-calibre season and I love his big shot-making ability. The Thunder are getting healthier and the brilliant home fans in OKC will make a huge difference. The Pace of play will be a factor and I like the Thunders flexibility to play and win multiple ways. Thunder in seven. 3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Boguts condition is a concern for the Warriors, yet the fact that they can play a quicker and smaller pace can be a challenge for the bigger Clippers. The Splash Brothers (Curry and Thompson) are a dynamic backcourt and can win a few games on their own and might have to. The concerns with the late game reliability of DeAndre Jordans free throw shooting will be a neat story to watch and see how Doc Rivers handles this. I look at Jamal Crawford as the X-Factor for the Clips - hes the top-notch offensive answer to the high octane Warrior attack. I just find the Clippers more consistent and better in many respects with their approach so Ill go with them here. Clippers in six. 4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trail Blazers: My head tells me the Rockets and yet I want to give my heart a legit say here, as well. I just like the Blazers and the energy they play with. I admire their resiliency and they share the ball exceptionally well. LaMarcus Aldridge is a gifted post player who attracts the double team and the Blazers three-point shooting is so reliant on playing in/out of the post. James Harden is the guy in the series who is the toughest to stop and Chandler Parsons is a major improving talent and they play beautifully off of Dwight Howard. Im curious to see how young point guard Damian Lillard  handles himself under the pressure of the playoffs, as well as if Patrick Beverly is ready to go for the Rockets.  I look at momentum and emotion being huge factors, as well as streaky play and if the Blazers get hot from three-ball land, they can pull the upset. Portland is one of my favorite basketball towns so what the heck? Blazers. Blazers in seven. Russell Wilson Jersey .The former Winnipeg Rifles receiver got to work out with the team last season and even dressed for a July game, then spent the rest of the season on the practice roster.Doug Baldwin Jersey . Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood launched himself down the touchline pumping his fists after Gylfi Sigurdsson completed a fight back from 2-0 down at home to Southampton to win 3-2. The victory kept Tottenham in touch with the Champions League places, with the London club six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.HAMILTON, Ont. -- Kent Austin knew the question was coming. On Friday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats introduced quarterback Zach Collaros, who signed Thursday after being released by the Toronto Argonauts earlier in the week. And the first question put to Austin, the clubs head coach and GM, was if Collaros was the Ticats starter. "Listen, we signed Zach for a reason," he said. "We believe we have a proven player, a proven starter. "The great thing about Zach is one of the first things he said to me on the phone a couple of days ago was, Coach, I dont expect to be given anything. Ill earn what I get, and thats exactly the type of player we have. "We dont distinguish a lot between starters and backups on this football team. Everybody we require we expect to play at a high level and Zach will have every opportunity to be our guy." Collaros, 25, posted a 5-2 record as a starter with Toronto last year while subbing for injured starter Ricky Ray. The six-foot-two, 216-pound Collaros completed 190-of-287 passes (66.2 per cent) for 2,316 yards with 14 TDs and six interceptions. He also ran 59 times for 246 yards and scored five TDs. Collaros was scheduled to become a free agent Feb. 15 and Toronto attempted to re-sign him. But with Collaros intent on testing the free-agent waters, the Argos released him early to gain clarity on his situation prior to the start of free agency. Collaros spent two seasons with Toronto, earning a Grey Cup ring in 2012. "I kind of lucked out coming to this league with such a great group around me and I was able to learn a lot of things from them thats translated to the field," Collaros said of the Argos. "I wouldnt have this opportunity right now if it wasnt for them." Collaros joins a Hamilton team that reached the 2013 Grey Cup under veteran quarterback Henry Burris before losing 45-23 to the hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders. Like Collaros, Burris was slated to become a free agent next month but was released by the Ticats shortly after Collaross signing. "I know he (Burris) is going to be successful wherever he lands" Austin said. "He was an unbelievable person to coach, player to coach. "I had a great discussion with him (Thursday) and let him know no matter what he does, where he goes football out of football that he has an advocate in this organization and with me personally to help him in any way." Burris, 38, is a two-time Grey Cup champion (1998, 08), a Grey Cup MVP (08) and in 2010 was the leagues outstannding player. Earl Thomas III Jersey. . With over 50,000 career passing yards, the 15-year veteran -- who is reportedly attracting much interest in Winnipeg -- is a sure-fire selection into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame after he retires. But Collaros isnt worrying about following in Burriss footsteps. "Definitely some expectations there," he said. "I think we all know Henry Burris is a Hall of Fame player in this league. "I cant think about things like that. I had to fill in for Ricky Ray last year and I didnt think about it. I just went about my work during the week and prepared and we were fortunate enough to win a lot of games and it got me this opportunity. If I think about that, its going to hinder me." Collaros helped break the hearts of Ticats fans to finish the 2012 regular season, calmly marching the Argos downfield late to set up Swayze Waters 51-yard field goal for a wild 43-30 home victory. That loss eliminated Hamilton from post-season contention. Austin said there were many reasons why he courted Collaros, not the least of which was being coached by Milanovich in Toronto. "I have a great deal of respect for Scott, I think Scott is an outstanding coach," Austin said. "Im familiar with the system he runs and how diligent they are in their preparation. "He (Collaros) comes from a background of a heavy dose of preparation, not just with Scott but throughout his career. That was a key attribute that we value very highly here." And there was also Collaros ability to lead Toronto to four key September road victories with Ray sidelined. "I think its very important to try to determine the quality of the player especially in tough situations," Austin said. "That was about as tough a situation I think as probably any quarterback faced last year with the starting guy going down and then going on the road. "Being able to quarterback your football team to those victories proves hes a winner and hes proven it in tough situations." Collaros wore No. 17 in Toronto but will don No. 4 with Hamilton. "Im the kind of guy whos going to pay the price during the week and in the off-season so that the results do come on the field," Collaros said. "Do I want to be a starter? Do I think I can be a starter? Obviously. "I thought that two years ago when I got to Toronto and Ricky Ray was there. Thats just my personality. Im just anxious to get to practice and really just to get up here and learn from the staff." ' ' '