2012 NBA All-Star Game Recap

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game was held in Orlando. The West Conference won for the second straight time winning 152-149. Kevin Durant toke home his first All-Star Game MVP in 3 games. He scored 36 points tied for most in the game. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. LeBron James also had 36 points to lead the East All-Stars They were both 6 points off of Wilt's 42 point game in the All-Star game best all-time. LeBron also tied a All-Star game record with 6 three pointers made on 8 attempts. Kobe broke Michael Jordan record of career points in All-Star game career. Kobe needed 19 and got 27 he now sits up top with 271 points in 13 games which is a 20.8 per game average. LeBron is also very close with 207 points in 8 games which is a 25.9 per game average. Durant has played also very well scoring 85 points in 3 games a 28.3 per game average. Also Dwyane Wade had a great game with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists only the 3rd triple double in All-Star game history. Michael Jordan did it in 1997 and LeBron did it last year. The teams also set many records. The 26 threes by both teams, 88 points in the 1st half by the West and 301 combined points were all records. Also they tied the record with 157 1st half points. The West was dominate for the first 40 minutes leading by 20 with 8 minutes to go until LeBron had enough. He went out and brought the East within 1. In the final minute the lead was 2 and Blake Griffin was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws and then Dwyane Wade attempted a three at the buzzer to tie but it fell short. This game was very fun to watch I can't wait for the All-Star game next year in Houston, TX.

Recap of the 2011 NFL Awards

The NFL Awards came out on this past Saturday. I will be writing about the awards giving my opinion and explaining if I agree or disagree with the award choose. I will talk about the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year and the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year. 

  

MVP: Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers won this award. Even if Drew Brees and Tom Brady putting up better numbers I agree with this choice. Aaron Rodgers was able to put enough numbers that is team with the worst defense in the NFL was able to start 13-0 and finish 15-1. Though they lost in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. Aaron Rodgers lead the NFL in passer rating with a 122.5 rating 11.9 points ahead of Brees who finished 2nd. He was 5th in passing yards with 4643, 2nd in TDs with 45 and completion percentage with a 68.3 % only behind Brees. He also only threw 6 INTs, 6 less than Brady and 8 less than Brees. He is the first Packer since Brett Favre in 1997 to win MVP.

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints won this award. When someone breaks the NFL record for passing yards how are they not the Offensive Player of the Year. Brees broke Marino's record of 5084 passing with 5476 yards this season. He also lead the NFL with 46 TDs just 4 short of the record. He also broke his own record of 70.6 completion percentage with a 71.2 percent this year. He did throw 12 INTs the fewest by any top 10 player in attempts this year. He also broke Peyton Manning record of 450 completions in a season. Brees had 468 completions this year. Brees also won this award back in 2008.

Defensive Player of the Year: Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens won this award. I disagree with this award choice. I believe that Jared Allen of the Vikings should have won it. Allen had 22 sacks (1st in the NFL) compared to only 14 (tied for 5th in the NFL) by Suggs. Suggs did force 7 fumbles but didn't recover any, Allen forced 4 fumbles and recovered them all. Suggs had 2 INTs and 70 tackles compared to 1 INT and 66 tackles by Allen. Allen averaged sack was a lost of 6.9 yards, Suggs averages was only 6.5 yards. If I were a coach I would take Allen sacks and turnovers over Suggs tackles and 1 more INT. Suggs had a great year I just think Allen played better but didn't get enough respect because his team went 3-13 and Suggs' teams went 12-4. He is the first Raven since Ed Reed in 2003 to win this award. 

Rookie of the Year & Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers won these awards. Cam Newton was great this year. After going #1 overall he had a great year. He broke Peyton Manning's record for passing yards by rookie Manning had 3739 yards his rookie year. Newton had 4051 good for 10th in the NFL. He only had 21 TDs but with 14 rushing TDs that make ups for it. He will have to bring his INTs down after throwing 17 this year. He had a completion percentage of 60 percent good for 18th in the NFL great for a rookie. He totally agree with these award going to Newton. I can see Newton challenging for the MVP or Offensive Player of the Year Award next season. First QB since Vince Young to make the Pro Bowl and win Rookie of the Year. I think the Panthers will be a popular pick for a wild card spot next year after Newton as a full off-season to prepare for the regular season.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Von Miller of the Denver Broncos won this awards. Von Miller was drafted #2 overall by the Broncos. He had 11.5 sacks this season which was tied for 9th in the NFL. He had 10.5 sacks in the first 11 games before he got hurt. He was on pace for 15 sacks. He had 64 tackles and had 2 forced fumbles. He also had 4 pass defended. He made the 2012 Pro Bowl as as a starting Outside Linebacker amazing for a rookie. I agree with this award choice. I can easily see Miller next year and in years following winning one Defensive Player of the Year Award or more.  

New York Giants are the Super Bowl XLVI Champions.

The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 Sunday to win Super Bowl XLVI. The Giants win their 4th Super Bowl in 5 tries. With the win they tie the Packers for 4th most Super Bowl wins only behind the Steelers, Cowboys and 49ers. Patriots drop to 3-4 in Super Bowls. They have now lost two in a row both to the Giants. Eli Manning was 30 for 40 (.750) with 296 passing yards and 1 TD and 0 INTs. He won his 2nd Super Bowl MVP. He is now the 5th multiple winner of Super Bowl MVP. Montana has 3, Starr, Bradshaw and Brady both have two. The game started out with the Giants score 2 points on a safety after Brady got called for intentional grounding in the endzone. The safety forced by Tuck was the first since Super Bowl XXV when the Bills forced one. Victor Cruz then went on to catch a 2 yard TD pass to make to 9-0 Giants to end the first. Patriots started the second with a  29 yard field goal and then to end the half Woodhead caught a pass for 4 yard to score a touchdown to make it 10-9 Pats at half. The Patriots got the ball to start the third and went down a scored a TD. Hernandez caught a 12 yard pass from Brady to make it 17-9 Pats. Giants added a 38 and 33 yard field goal to close the score to 17-15 Pats. Brady then threw an interception at the end of the third. The teams swapped possession to start the 4th. The Giants got with 3:46 to go down two. Manning went 5 for 6 on the drive with 76 yards and a great catch from Manningham. Patriots gave up a 6 yard rushing TD to Bradshaw to give the Giants a 21-17 lead with 59 seconds left after failing the two point conversion. Brady and the Pats could move the ball after 2 drop passes and the game end on a failed hail mary with 0 seconds left. I believe that Patriots could have won if the passes at end weren't drop. New York's defense was great forced a INT the only turnover in the game and the Giants offense was able to take up 37 minutes leaving Brady only 22 minutes the entire game. Also Mario Manningham was very good with 10 catches for 109 yards. Giants are the first 9-7 to win the Super Bowl. Eli Manning now has 2 Super Bowls and 2 Super Bowl MVPs both 1 more than his older brother Peyton. Both teams had great seasons. I expect to see the Patriots win the AFC East again and probably be the best in the AFC and have another chance for Super Bowl. The Giants though look really good but might struggle next year. The Giants can still win the NFC East but they have to watch at for Philadelphia who will be hungry next year and the Cowboys who want some revenge. The coin toss was won by the Patriots snapping the NFC 14 straight times. It was the first time since Super Bowl XXXI that the AFC won the coin toss. 

Previw of Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

The New England Patriots and the New York Giants will face off for Super Bowl XLVI. This is a rematch of Super Bowl XLII were the underdog Giants upset the 18-0 Patriots 17 to 14. These teams also played each other in Week 9 in Foxborough. The Giants won 24-20 breaking the Patriots 20 home game win streak.

The New England Patriots went 13-3 in the regular season winning the AFC East and clinched the AFC #1 seed. They beat the Denver Broncos 45-10 in Divisional Round. Tom Brady tied playoff record for TD pass in a game with 6 vs. the Broncos.Then New England beat Baltimore Ravens 23-20 to win the AFC. With the win in the AFC Championship Brady tied the record for most playoff wins. He and Joe Montana both have 16. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick became the first quarterback-head coach combination to reach the Super Bowl more than four times. This the Patriots' 7th Super Bowl. They have won 3 Super Bowls winning in Super Bowl XXXVI, XXVII and XXXIX. Their 3 Super Bowls loses are in Super Bowl XX, XXXI and XLII. Brady is looking for 4th Super Bowl ring which would tie Montana and Terry Bradshaw. Brady could also tie Montana 3 Super Bowl MVPs which is more than any other player.

The New York Giants went 9-7 in the regular season winning the NFC East and clinched the AFC #4 seed. They beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 in the Wild Card round. Then they went to Green Bay to face the defending Super Bowl Champions. They were able to upset the Packers 37-20. In the NFC Championship they went to San Francisco to play the 49ers. They were able to upset the 49ers winning 20-17 in overtime. This is the Giants' 5th Super Bowl. They have won 3 Super Bowls and lost one. They won in XXI, XXV and XLII. Their only loss comes in Super Bowl XXXV. The Giants are only the third team in NFL history to win less than 10 games in the regular season make the Super Bowl since the NFL as expanded to 16 games in the regular season. Both the 1979 Rams and 2008 Cardinals went 9-7 and they lost in the Super Bowl. Indianapolis is the home of Peyton Manning, Eli Manning's older brother. Eli now has the same amount of Super Bowl appearances as Peyton. With a win Eli would pass his older brother who only has won the Super Bowl once in Super Bowl XLI. Peyton Manning also lost in Super Bowl XLIV.


My Prediction: Both teams have great offenses. Brady had over 5200 passing yards and Manning had over 4900. New York's defense is great. Jason Pierre-Paul was 4th in the NFL with 16.5 sacks. The Giants had the third most sacks as a team with 48. New England did give up the second most total yards in the regular season but they have been improving every week. Brady was great this year with a 105.6 passer rating 13 points higher than Manning's. Brady threw 12 INTs, Manning 16. Brady had 39 TDs to only 29 by Manning. Also New England has great WRs and TEs. Wes Welker had 1569 receiving yards (2nd most in NFL) and 9 TDs. Rob Gronkowski with 1327 receiving yards (6th most in NFL) and 17 TDs (most in NFL). Aaron Hernandez with 910 and 7 TDs. Victor Cruz was also very good this year with 1536 receiving yards (3rd most in NFL) and 16 TDs (2nd most in NFL). I know New York's defense is great but I think Brady and New England's offense is too good for New York's defense that is why I'm picking New England.


New England 28, New York 24.
New England Patriots are Super Bowl XLVI Champions.
Tom Brady is Super Bowl XLVI MVP. 22 for 33 (.666), 3 TDs and 1 INT.