The 2014-2015 NBA Season Predictions

 NBA Predictions 

2014-2015
10-2-14

The season begins October 28th.

I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't excited. Last season I predicted a Miami Heat Three-peat. I was wrong, and I apologize for not giving the Spurs more respect. They were definitely the best team last season, and they're the favorites to repeat. But before we talk about who I expect to be hanging out with Larry's trophy, let's predict the standings! 

Last seasons predictions  - I was 5/8 on predicting the Eastern Conference playoff picture. West? I was 7/8. 12/16 overall, so 75%. Not bad, but not good. 

This season? I'm hoping 16/16, but only time will tell!

Here we go though: 

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS - 

1. Cleveland Cavaliers 

The Cavaliers could exceed expectations, and compete for the title of Greatest of All Time. They have one of the greatest players ever, the best PF in the league, and a PG who is on pace to be historically great in his own right. The rest of the pieces? They'll do just fine. LeBron ALWAYS makes the other players around him better,  and it won't stop now. 

Worst Case Scenario? The Cavaliers take a while to mesh, and it results in a lower seed than what most expected, which means the #2 seed. Unless LeBron gets injured, and then it's over, and the NBA would not be worth watching. 

Predicted Record - 65-17.

2. Chicago Bulls 

If Derrick Rose stays healthy, the Bulls will compete for the #1 seed. They also should be the standard for Defense, with Joakim Noah being the anchor. This team has all the tools to win it all, but truthfully, I think injuries will plaque them at some point. Derrick Rose has played just 49 games the past three seasons, out of 246, so just over 20%. For that reason, I do not see him playing the whole season, and without Rose, this Bulls team is just another team competing for the playoffs. Loved the pick up of Pau Gasol though.
Predicted Record - 53-29.

3. Atlanta Hawks 
I realize that any predictions made at this point are clearly skeptical, so I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta was instead the 8th seed, but let's look at this team. Last season, they finished 8th and gave the Indiana Pacers a run for their money in the playoffs. That was without their best player, the oft injured Al Horford. I think he should remain healthy, at least for the most season, and with him, this team becomes pretty competitive. I don't expect them to do much in the playoffs, or at least not be in the running for Eastern Conference Champions, but a good regular season is expected.
Predicted Record - 49-33.

4. Toronto Raptors 
The Raptors surprised a lot of people last season as they won their division and took the third seed in the Eastern Conference. I see a lot of the same from them this season, with a very similar team. I don't expect them to make much of a run in the playoffs though. I will say this though, their home fans for the playoffs rule, and the more we get to see of that crowd, the better!
Predicted Record - 48-34.

5. Washington Wizards 
With John Wall, Nene, Bradley Beal and the newest addition, Paul Pierce, I expect the Wiz Kids to compete, but I'm not sold on them. I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish as high as #2, but we'll just have to see. Good defense, but I'm sure about the offense.
Predicted Record - 46-36.

6. Miami Heat 
Well this is different for the Heat. Everyone is saying the Heat are on the way out, but not so fast. I'm sure D-Wade will miss some time this season, and they'll have stretches where the offense will struggle to score, but now that LeBron is gone, they can go back to a more balanced style of basketball, and they have Chris Bosh, who I believe is still a top 10 talent in this league. There is a reason why Houston was willing to give this guy the max deal. When they get to the playoffs, I expect them to do very well.
Predicted Record - 46-36.

7. Charlotte Hornets
Added Lance Stephenson, but I'm not sure how much better that makes them. Expect him to work his butt off though, and a more exciting team.
Predicted Record - 45-37.

8. Brooklyn Nets 
Not a huge fan of the team in Brooklyn. B. Lopez is a great player, when healthy, and Deron Williams is a shell of himself. Don't expect much from them.
Predicted Record - 44-38.

Lottery Teams -

9. Indiana Pacers
If the Pacers are smart, they'll miss the playoffs, get a good lottery player, and team him with Paul George for next season. Vogel is a good coach though, and so he'll probably find a way to get this team back to the playoffs and keep them competitive. Shame though. Also, based on how the season goes, don't be surprised to see Vogel fired.
Predicted Record - 42-40.

10. Detroit Pistons 
I want them in the Playoffs, and I love Stan van Gundy, but I don't like the team he was handed. Love Drummond though!
Predicted Record - 40-42.

11. New York Knicks 
You want me to pick the Knicks as a playoff team? With a first year coach and one good player? Carmelo is one of the best players in the league, top three in pure scoring, but I don't like the players around him. Watch Carmelo lead the league in games with at least 30 points, and also lead the league in games lost when he scores 30 or more.
Predicted Record - 38-44.

12. Boston Celtics 
Poor Brad Stevens. The man is an excellent coach, but he has a very weak team. Hopefully Rondo will not be a distraction going forward.
Predicted Record - 32-50.

13. Orlando Magic 
I got nothing on these guys. They have a young team, and they'll make the playoffs soon enough, but not yet.
Predicted Record - 28-54.

14. Milwaukee Bucks 
Now presenting, Jabarii Parker!
Predicted Record - 24-58.

15. Philadelphia 76ers 
The lottery Sixers are building a team for the future. They'll be losing a lot this season, but they should be very entertaining!
Predicted Record - 20-62.

Setting the Couch on Fire

Setting the Couch on Fire

10-26-14

Hello my friends! I hope you're having a blessed day! I just wanted to post my second podcast, available on Soundcloud! Please give it a listen!

Podcast #2 - Setting the Couch on Fire


"He died for me, so I will live for Him."

The Beads of Our Lady

Our Lady of the Rosary 

Podcast

10-7-14

This is my first podcast ever! I hope you get a chance to listen to it! God Bless!

The Beads of Our Lady

"He died for me, so I will live for Him."

Predicting the Future - Frannie Version

Predicting the Future

Frannie Version

07-29-14

I went on google and searched, "Franciscan Graduation," and this was the second picture listed. Nailed it! 

Now on to my newest blog. If you have ever read my blog, you now know the topics chosen can be anything under the sun. I've written a lot of theological based blogs, but also a few sports blogs, and of course, a few satirical one's. This one will be more on the satirical side. The subject - the future! With Senior year under way, it seemed only appropriate. So... Let's begin.

1. Mike Weber - My first blog was in regards to Mike Weber, about three years ago. It only seemed fitting that he would start this blog out. Where will Mike be 

- 5 years After graduation -

Weber, a business major, will have received his Master's by this point, and will definitely be the head of his own company - a BEAR Company! Sorry, I meant Beer company. Weber lives just outside Buffalo, and since the economy pretty much sucks there, Weber will be able to buy a factory for pretty cheap, and make his beer there. He'll be torn about the name, but "AHH-HAH" will be the one that makes the cut. Why? When it comes down to it, the beer will be a cheaper, low quality type, so if it is being drunk, it will probably be in the hands of some people who just want to party, and this way, as long as you can make sounds, you can tell the bartender or your party's host what you want. I want a "bah-faba!" Oh you mean, AHH-HAH? No problem!" Once the beer makes its way into the college parties across the country, Weber will invest in a quality subsection, with beers like, "The Bear," "The Dipsnap," "AHH-HAH - Classic," "The Painted Curb" and "The Anderson."

Cheers to you Mr. Weber!

2. Michael Anderson -  One of Weber's best bud's, it seems only appropriate.

- 5 years after graduation -  
Anderson will remain close with Weber, and for a time, they'll discuss working together, but once Weber says he wants to open up a beer company in Buffalo, and not the sacred area of San Jose, Anderson will ditch the idea, and decide to instead open up his own beer company. John will be joining him, and the Anderson's will open up "Sharkerson's Beer Company," a brewery with a fine label, and even finer beer. Mike will becoming stinking rich quickly after the beer is introduced. 

 3. Michael D'Amico - Can't talk about the first two Mike's without D'Amico. 

- 10 years after graduation - 
D'Amico's future looks pretty set. Most of us would predict D'Amico will be a doctor in ten years, and that is not far off; He just wont be the type of doctor most of us thought. After years of Medical school, Mike will find himself studying for one of his last tests before residency, and while looking outside the window, will see a hawk. Not just any Hawk though, but Big Guss, the one he trained in High School! D'Amico will run outside to watch it fly, only to see it go down, having been shot by someone. After this catastrophic event, D'Amico will look to "AHH-HAH Beer" to help him recover from this horrible situation, but after a month or so, he will decide to become a specialized Big Bird Vet. Attention all Eagles, Hawks and Falcons - Michael D'Amico is on your side. Oh, and he will grow his hair out so that he can give the big birds some materials for their nests.

4. James Sweeney - One of my best buds, got to include him.

- 12 years after graduation - 
Jimmy loves script writing, and after graduation, he gets a gig writing commercials for local companies in Central Pennsylvania. Eventually he gets recognized by a talent agency, and moves to L.A. While there, he meets his favorite director, Christopher Nolan, and he is hired on as a writer. Living the dream, James eventually makes it big as the main writer for one of Nolan's blockbuster movies. After that, he decides to direct his first movie, a story about a family of pirates, which is a huge box office success. James' biggest success though is his family life, with James working hand in hand with Focus on the Family, and writing two parenting books. At the age of 33, James is a big time director, and a father of 6. Congrats James! 

5. Joseph Radzialowski - 
- 15 years after graduation - 
J-Rad loves competing, and so Medical school turned into a competition, and though it almost killed him, he finished second in his class at John Hopkins... Second to a Miss. Elizabeth Cunningham. Was J-rad mad? Of course, but at least it was Liz. After medical school, J-Rad decided to move to Cleveland and worked at the Cleveland Clinic. While there, he found a cure to the common cold, which he then lost after having four drinks... 

6. Sarah Bueche -
- 8 years after graduation - 
After graduation, Sarah goes on to work for EWTN, and just a year in, is given her chance in the spotlight - her own television talk show. For a while, it is a success. She is charming, funny, knowledgeable, pretty, etc. All the things needed to be a good talk show host. Eventually though, EWTN has to kick her off the air, mainly because she was confusing viewers at home with her weird California lingo, including the common Buecher phrase, "Monkeys!" which is used like, "Well that's a bunch of Monkeys!" Once she cut ties with EWTN, she opened up her own online talk show called, "Streaming Live,'" which is a huge hit. BuecherBasket remains fun and hip, but follows Church teachings and fights with Mormon's... Done so charitably. 

7. Corinne Purcell - 
- 3 years after graduation - 
With school finished, Corinne will be unsure what she wants to do, until she gets a call from the American Embassy in Korea. Because Cori lived in Korea before, and has siblings from there, she will be given a job at the Embassy, aka, nanny. A $100 K nanny job... If you need Cori, she will be with in Korea! 



8. Daniel Fay - 
- 10 years after graduation - 
Daniel has a few connections, and once he graduates, he will find himself working in our Nation's Capital. He will start working for the Mexican Consulate for Public Relations but eventually, Dan will move up to his dream position, FBI agent. D-Fay will become one of the Nations top agents, and at the age of 31, will be on the cover of GQ with the headline reading, "Tight Pants, Band Tee's and Catching Bad Guys - The Life of Dan Fay." 







9. Mary Niehaus and Katie Danaher -
- 11 years after graduation -
After graduating, Mary and Katie will go on to teach for a year or two until they have their first kids (not together of course), and then they will be doing what they do best, being dang good Mothers. If you know them, they will make the best moms, and so when that day comes, their kids can rest assure that they'll be taken care of, along with receiving their fair share of good baking and cooking. 

10. Dennis Hoyer -

- 5 minutes after graduation -
After graduating, Dennis will realize he is a handsome big bad boy, and will subsequently remind all of his fellow classmates. After he let's people know that, he'll find Tina's phone and leave her a recording that she can listen to later. To finish off the event, he'll go eat a couple triple cheeseburgers from the cafe. All in a day for this boy. "Hello, my name is Beot. Welcome to my light show." 

11. Christina Martinelli - 

- 5 years after graduation -
After Big Tuna graduates, she'll decide to go back to New York, where she'll work for a time. Eventually though, she'll make a trip to the City, where she meets someone - the CEO for American Girl Doll. Noticing that Tuna looks like an American Girl Doll, he'll offer her a job, which she'll readily accept. Once she is brought on board, the doll sales will sky rocket, and Tuna will be the main reason, with the most popular doll being named Christina, which will look eerily similar to her. 

12. Patrick Manion - 

- 7 years after graduation - 
Once Patrick hits the business world, success will be the norm, as he will start by working with Josh B., his big brother of Household. Eventually though, Patrick will look to move out of the business world, and in to politics. Patrick likes to talk, likes to help, and always has a plan, so it will be no surprise that he'll find his way into politics, becoming a congressman at the age of 28. Married with two kids, Patrick will be one of the gems in Indiana. 

13. Dan Hass - 

- 14 years after graduation -
Once Dan graduates, he'll work in the business world for a while, but like Patrick, he'll decide to move to Politics, mostly because he knows our world needs him. At the age of 35, Dan will run for President, and win. Mark your calendar's now, because 2028 is going to be a fine year. If only Rick had known he was meeting the future president....

14. Olivia Cundiff - 

- 20 years after graduation -
Olivia has been stressing "the Community" since I've been friends with her freshman year, so after she leaves school, she'll try to make it a reality. Olivia will begin working in South Carolina for an Event Planning company, while spending her free time starting her Catholic Community. It will begin with her family, but she'll slowly get us to come, and by 2034, there will be 20 or so families in the area. Well done, O-Diff. Community comes                                                               with Priest. That means you, Morgan. 

15. Rachel Roggensack - 

- 50 years after graduation -
What Rachel does after school is simple  - she will love, as she always go out of her way to include people, and spend time with them, but where will she be in 50 years? She'll be in Tennessee, staying active and watching her children grow up, but most importantly, living next to Marie, and spending evening upon evening with her. Graduation wont stop those two.

16.  Maggie Walker -
- 4 years after graduation - 
Maggie will teach for a few years, and enjoy it at that, but let's be real - Maggie's heart is in Jamaica with the little black kids. After being away from Jamrock for four years, she'll go back to be a missionary.

17. Hannah Allman -
- 10 years after graduation - 
After Hannah graduates, she'll teach at the same school as Maggie, but once Maggie leaves for Jamaica, Hannah and her spouse will move to Michigan, where she'll enjoy her time teaching and being a beekeeper.



 18. Mark "Make It" Rainwater -
- 19 years after graduation -
Mark will find his way into dental school once he graduates, and after finishing that up, he will move to the east coast and set up shop. Keeping his own pearly whites clean is not a problem, but doing so for others is, and after one of his patients files for mistreatment, he has to shut down his practice. No fear though! It turns out that Mark had saved up a lot of money though from his years of dentistry, and decides to open up a restaurant, with the two staple foods being Pizza and fries, along with grilled cheese and tacos. The restaurant turns out to be a huge success, and "Make it" Rainwater ends up building a franchise in South Carolina.

19. Timothy Penney - 
- 23 Years after graduation - 
Upon graduation, Tim decides to apply for a job working for the  MLS team, Philadelphia Union, which he'll get. He starts working for their Public Relations department, but after a general meeting between all the employees, the Coach is impressed with Tim's knowledge of soccer, and offers him an unpaid position as an assistant coach. Tim decides to do that, along with his other job, being given the opportunity to travel with the team. After a year of doing this, Tim is given a full time position as assistant, and after a while is promoted to head coach, which he gladly accepts. Upon his fifth year of being the head coach, Tim and the Union win the League. After this, Tim boyhood team, Chelsea, offer him an assistant coaches position, and he takes that. He ends up residing in Britain with his family, watching and helping Chelsea dominate the Premier League.

20. Maura Kennedy - 
- 27 Years after graduation -
Maura will begin life after graduation on an adventure. Colleen and her will take a quick nine month trip to different orphanages in Europe, Russia, India and China, where they will be bringing food and teaching about the sacraments. Following this, Maura will work as a Youth Minister in Chicago for a few years, but eventually she will be called to go elsewhere - to the Jungles of Belize. She will end up staying there for a long time, with occasional trips back to the states. The people will love her there, and she will become bilingual. Finally though, the Lord will ask Maura to do something else - be a international speaker, discussing Theology of the Body and the power of the Mother. Totus Tuus.

21. Colleen Murphy - 
- 7 Years after graduation - 
Upon returning from her adventure with Maura, Colleen will decide to get her Masters in Bioethics from the John Paul II Institute in Washington D.C., and upon receiving that, will follow it up with her Doctorate. Now a Doctor, Colleen will come back to Franciscan as a teacher in the Theology department, and will also be the advisor for Totus Tuus Maria Household.

22. Keri Landeche - 
- 10 years after graduation -
New Orleans misses Keri, and for a few years, she'll go home and work there, helping with the marketing for Pro-Life organizations, but then she will be given an opportunity to work with Fr. Frank Pavone, as his assistant, which she will take.  She will keep that position, and will be living in New York City.

23. Moria Delaney - 
5 Years after graduation- 
Moira will graduate, and hesitantly, will move back to Green Bay, working for the Packers. After a year or so, she will be happy with her decision, as she becomes the head of event planning for them, and then they'll win the 2020 Super Bowl. The after party? All Guinness!



24. Regina Anderson - 
- 20 Years after graduation -
Where Olivia goes, Regina follows. Or is it where Regina goes, Olivia will follow? Regardless, these girls are inseparable, and will end up in South Carolina together. Next door neighbors? Why not! Regina will own a hotel in the area, and will be the nicest owner... ever!

25. Bernardo "Snaz" Gonzalez - 
- 30 years from graduation- 
After going to jail for ten years due to all the illegal things he is a part of, he will get out and will be given a job in Europe as a tour guide, which he will excel at. Upon this, he will decide to write a book about traveling, and due to the success, he will continue to write travelers guides, competing with Rick Steve's. Actually, he becomes better than Rick Steve's.

26. Claire Fitzgerald -
- 5 seconds after graduation -
After receiving her diploma and walking off stage, Claire will begin to cry hysterically, realizing she is just a tiny, small, little girl. And yes, I realize all of those words mean the same thing.

I hope you enjoyed the blog, and maybe laughed a bit.  If I forgot you, let me know, and I can add you. Also, I was only doing people graduating and leaving Franciscan this year. So to all my junior friends and past graduates, I apologize. God bless!

"He died for me, so I will live for him."

How Bad Do You Want It?

How Bad Do You Want It? 

04-11-14 and 6-12-14

While I was over in Austria, I continually reflected on two questions. One was "What is going to call me to love the most?" and the other was, "How bad do I want it?" I asked myself these questions because they forced me to challenge myself and take a good look in the mirror.
The first question was something I would try and ask myself anytime I had to make a decision, knowing if I followed through on it, I would be responding to the "it" in my second question as well. What is this "it"?
It is Salvation!
I found myself asking myself how badly do I want to be a saint, how badly do I want to be with Christ one day in his heavenly kingdom. Honestly, it is one of those questions you could spend a lifetime reflecting on. The first thing I would think about and do think about is the lives of the Saints, and how though they all differ, they all had the same end goal - to be in heavenly communion with Christ.
I want that! We all do, right?
Truth is, I think most of us could answer that question and say, yes, I desire to be with our Lord after this life, but how often do we say, yes, I want to be with him, but then live a life that is contrary to that? We gossip, we judge, we have selfish motives, we do not follow the law in some ways, we're prideful, we get involved in grave sin, etc.
So yes, we desire to be with him, but "How Bad do we really want it?"
That's the thing I want to talk a bit about in this blog. I think as a student at Franciscan, it is very easy to think, "I'm on my way to living a very good life," because you go to Mass, you pray with your household, and you aren't doing things that kids do at other schools. Or let's say you don't go to Franciscan and you still say, "I'm on my way to living a good life," because you attend Mass and still keep the commandments.
I first want to say that is truly special! Really, living a faithful life in this world is difficult, often times seemingly next to impossible. If you are at all trying, that is something to be proud of, and you should praise God that you have that!
But...
As honorable as living a good life is, the question must be asked - How bad do you want it? This is truly one of if not the toughest questions to ask oneself because you have to look in the mirror, as I said earlier. We can be living good lives, but why shouldn't we strive to live great lives? If you are reading this, I know I am probably preaching to the choir, talking to people who truly love the Lord, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be said. I've written similar blogs before, addressing the Kingdom of Heaven, but this time, I wanted to not just discuss the Kingdom, but pose the question at hand.
I want you, the reader, to do some soul searching. To truly look at what you do on a daily basis, and ask, is this the best I can do? I know it is scary and frightening; I don't pose this question for just the reader, but myself as well. As I begin to look at it, and apply it to my own life, I see how much I still need to do. I will say this though - it may be scary, but I find it helpful and necessary.
Another thing I want to point out is - no matter where you stand now, change can be made! As I look around at the people I look up to the most, and respect the most, I come to realize it has nothing to do with how often they fall, but really, how often they get up! I had a friend recently who was struggling mightily with some graver sins, but it never changed my perception of him and it didn't seem to get him down too much. I am not saying he was okay with the sins, but what I am saying is, he knew the strength of God's mercy, and realized it is much greater than the sin. He never allowed the sin to fully take a hold of him, and the Lord was still able to use him. I was thinking about that and thought, what a true terror for the devil to have to deal with. Even when he gets this man to fall into some of his traps, he just gets up and looks to the Lord even more. The more he sinned, the more he realized he needed Christ to turn himself around. To me, that person is more inspiring than someone who, though they don't struggle mightily in grave sin, doesn't radiate Christ's light.
My friend was constantly berated with temptations from the devil, but he didn't let that define him. St. John Vianney has a baller quote about temptation, that says -

"The people most tempted are those who are ready, with the grace of God, to sacrifice everything for the salvation of their poor souls, who renounce all those things which most people eagerly seek."

 God would love it if we all avoided sin 24/7 and were perfect, but realistically, that doesn't seem likely. So instead, the best thing we can do is look at our lives, and humble ourselves enough to ask God for his infinite mercy. Through the graces from the Holy Eucharist and Confession, we can come to draw closer to our Lord. It does not stop there though. Just because one prays, does not mean they are on their way to heaven. You can adore Christ all you want, at Church or in front of the tabernacle, but it is worthless unless you also adore him in your life, and in your heart. 

This last bit of advice is something I look at myself. I enjoy spending time with the Lord, and the Holy Eucharist is something I seek daily, but I've come to realize that what I do after Mass is what I need to start looking closely at. The desire to love the Lord is there, but I have to live it out in my daily life. 
I have to rid myself of distractions; We need to rid ourselves of distractions, of anything that harbors our relationship with God. Ask yourself, what is taking me away from God? What is in between me and sainthood? The answer is not always as easy to see as it is with sins such as sex, drunkenness, masturbation, drug usage, etc. For men, it might be video games; for women, it might be pinterest. Heck, most of us could raise our hands and say Facebook, at times, is a distraction. It could be a culmination of things. I know for me, I realized that as great as spending time with my friends is, I have allowed it to be a distraction before, and it has harbored my relationship with God, it has been the thing that took me away from Him. Spending time with people is a blessing, and can be a way to glorify God and praise his name, but that isn't always the case. 
The sooner we begin to examine what comes between us and God, the better off we can be. We can begin to look at it, and try and better ourselves down the road. It can be hard; actually, it will be hard. It will require sacrifices. You might have to change the music you listen to, from that trashy poppy stuff, to christian stuff, or you might have to start limiting how much you drink, because even though you didn't intend to get drunk, it happened three times this past month, and that's just not good. Whatever is holding you back from sainthood, you can fight it, and better yourself. Also, it isn't all about what you give up, what you'll be required to sacrifice. You also will be called to do things - like spend more time with the Lord, with your family, love those who do not love you. You will be called to come out of your comfort zone. Weird isn't? It can be done though. St. Peter lead the early church, and his resume wasn't too strong (Angry fisherman who had a big mouth). You'll be required to fast. To give of yourself. 
We are asked to do all of this. 
For what? A place in our heavenly Father's kingdom.

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25

 May God bless you abundantly!

"He died for me, so I will live for Him."

The 2014 NBA Playoffs

The 2014 NBA Playoffs 

04-19-14

It's officially playoff time! NBA Basketball. Time for those predictions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE 

1) Indiana Pacers versus 8) Atlanta Hawks

The Pacers struggled down the stretch, but I think they'll be okay versus the Hawks.

Pacers in 5.

2) Miami Heat versus 7) Charlotte Bobcats 

The Heat swept the Bobcats during the regular season, and LBJ scored 61 on them in one of those contests. I expect much of the same.

Heat in 4.

3) Toronto Raptors versus 6) Brooklyn Nets

I'm truthfully upset the Nets tanked in there season finale, so to play the Raptors instead of the Bulls. I think this should be a good serious but expect the lower seed to advance.

Nets in 6.

4) Chicago Bulls versus 5) Washington Wizards

Bulls defense is too good, and Joakim Noah has been on fire. 

Bulls in 6.

Second Round

1) Indiana Pacers versus 4) Chicago Bulls

Bulls make it a competitive series, but the Pacers get what they want - another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers in 6.

2) Miami Heat versus 6) Brooklyn Nets 

During the regular season, the Nets swept the Heat, 4-0. In those four wins, they won by a total of eight points.  I expect this serious to be similar, expect the Heat will be winning these close games.

Heat in 6.

Eastern Conference Finals

1) Indiana Pacers versus 2) Miami Heat

Pacers wanted home court for this reason, but I expect the Heat will take care of business and make it a non factor. 

Heat in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 8) Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio won the season series 4-0. I predict they'll win the postseason series 4-1. 

Spurs in 5.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder versus 7) Memphis Grizzles

This is when it get's tough. The East seems easy to predict, while the West is not. The Grizzles are probably the best seven seed I've ever seen, but I don't think I can go against KD. Crazy good series though. 

Thunder in 7.

3) Los Angeles Clippers versus 6) Golden State Warriors

The Dubs where my preseason pick for the Western Conference Champion, but they lost Bogut, and I don't have faith in them anymore. Curry will make the series interesting, but I'll take Blake and CP3. Also, Dubs lost a lot of home games. I think that is how they'll go out. 

Clippers in 6. 

4) Houston Rockets versus 5) Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers played great ball down the stretch, but I love Howard and Harden. Expect the Rockets to advance. 

Rockets in 6.

Second Round

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 4) Houston Rockets

Spurs versus the H2P (Howard, Harden and Parsons) should be fun, but San Antonio is just too deep. Expect Howard to get into foul trouble at some point, which will cost them the series. 

Spurs in 6.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder versus 3) L.A. Clippers

KD and Westbrook versus CP3 and Blake. Great names, great series. Give me KD though.

Thunder in 6.

Western Conference Finals

1) San Antonio Spurs versus 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

The last two teams to represent the West in the Finals. Both very talented, both wanting revenge on the Heat. I hope the Spurs win, but I'm taking KD.

Thunder in 7.

NBA Finals

2) Miami Heat versus 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder were here two years ago, with home court advantage, and lost. This season's Thunder would once again have home court, but I think are much better equipped then two years prior. The series is a good one, and I wouldn't be surprised if OKC won, but man, you would have to be crazy to think I'd pick against my boy LBJ. Ring #3 will be the sweetest of them all! 

Heat in 7.

Sonlife 2014- Beaches, Beer, Bro's and Babes

- Sonlife 2014- 

Beaches, Beer, Bro's and Babes

03-21-14 & 03-28-14

Sarah Parent? Try Sarah Parrot

Sonlife 2014 -

"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:1-3

The Lord sent me out this past spring break to the beaches of Florida, with the intention of using me to minister to the students who visit Panama City Beach. I went to Florida with eighteen other people, and just as Jesus sent his disciples out in two's, we were also sent out in two's. We were given the opportunity to be Christ's instruments for the week,  revealing the Lord's mercy and His desire to come to know us in a greater way.
We had been meeting since January, and the team had been formed even longer than that. God knew what we were being called to do, and we tried, to the best of our abilities, to do that. We were called to love, and it was beautiful to see how easy the Lord made it.
A week long journey, Sonlife was one of those trips that left a lifetime impact. Though we were down in Florida to do mission work, it felt like a retreat, with my soul being constant nourished, especially through the wonderful gift of the Holy Mass. 

I truthfully did not have a defining moment during the trip, but one thing I will not forget was the goodness of the people I came in contact with. Although the majority of the college kids that go to PCB are there to party, which includes drunkenness, promiscuity, sexual immorality, drugs, etc. none of them should be defined by these things. On the outside, it was very easy for me to see the men and women there and be sad, upset, discussed even. Once I was able to talk to them though, my whole outlook changed. A guy who may have just been harassing a girl to get something out of her would blow my mind a minute later, when he spilled forth wisdom even he probably did not know he had. It was just that type of trip. The people I encountered were flawed, and all need work in some way, but at the heart of the matter, they are just men and women on the same life path as myself, striving for happiness. 

The biggest thing for me was the consolation I was able to experience when I thought about how deeply I wanted the people at PCB to know the Lord, and then realizing how much more God himself desires it. God does not quit on us, and never will. In Corinthians it says, "Love is patient," and I look at that and realize that it means that whatever I end up doing, God is going to always be pursing me, and always fighting for my heart. In knowing that, I am able to rest easy, and accept that though I didn't have any life changing conversations, God can still do wonders with the seeds I planted. 

Isn't that neat.

God is good!

"He died for me, so I will live for Him." 

 

The 2013-2014 NBA Season Predictions Part II

2013-2014 NBA Season Predictions 

- Part II - 

02-13-14

One thing that I really enjoy about the NBA is how unpredictable it really is. Don't agree? Check my picks from a few months ago:

NBA Predictions

So now, with the All-Star break upon us, we make some new predictions.
Here are the standings at this point -

Eastern Conference Standings (as of 02-13-14) -
                  Record                                                
1. IND        40-12
2. MIA       37-14
3. TOR       28-24
4. CHI       27- 25
5. ATL      25-26
6. WAS      25-27
7. BKN      24-27
8. CHA      23-30
On the outside of the playoffs:
9. DET     22-30
10. NY      20-32
11. CLE    20-33
12. BOS    19-35
13. ORL    16-38
14. PHI      15-39
15. MIL      9-43

Let's start with ten things I predicted wrong - Eastern Conference first -
1) I listened to the media too much. They all said that Philadelphia was gonna go for the record... the all-time worst winning percentage. I predicted them to win just 14 games this season, and at this point, they have 15. Missed that one... Oops.
2)  I predicted the Bucks to win 37 games. They've got 9 at this point. If they go 28-2 the rest of the way, I'll be correct!
3) I predicted the Pacers to finish 4th in the East, and they will either finish 1st or 2nd. I guessed 51-31, but they already have 40 with 30 games to play. Wrong on that one.
4) The Chicago Bulls. Enough said.
5) The Brooklyn Nets. Jason Kidd is coaching them. Why did I ever think they would have been good?
6) The Detroit Pistons and everything about them. So much talents, such a big let down.
7)Never saw it coming, but the Atlanta Hawks are in line for the fifth seed. I had them missing the playoffs.
8) Holy Cow, the Toronto Raptors! They are the third seed at this moment! That's just crazy.
9) I thought the Knick's would fall off a bit, but not as much as they have. Really a shame. Honestly though...
10) The whole East just sucks, and I thought they would be... adequate. Why does the West Coast get all the good NBA teams, minus Indie and Miami? Sad.

Western Conference Standings
1. OKC    43-12
2. SAN     38-15
3. HOU   36-17
4. LAC   37-18
5. POR   36-17
6. DAL   32-22
7. PHX    30-21
8. GSW   31-22
On the outside of the playoffs:
9. MEM  29-23
10. MIN   25-28
11. DEN   24-27
12. NOR  23-29
13. UTA   19-33
14. LAL   18-35
15. SAC   18-35

Now we will discuss ten things I predicted wrong about the West -
1) Sacramento being somewhat decent. Truthfully, they have the ability to win versus anyone, but too often they have just sucked.
2) I predicted Kobe to have a stellar game when he returned from his injury, because that would just be Kobe-like. He ended up scoring 9 points and then got injured a few games later. Sad to see a great competitor not playing.
3) I never saw the Trailblazers doing as well as they have, but they have themselves in the 5th seed, and nineteen games over .500. That's pretty good..
4) Phoenix has easily been the biggest surprise of the season. I predicted them to win just nineteen games, and they've already won 30, and have 30 games to go. As you can see, I was really off.
5. I may have over extended myself with my Warriors pick. More on that later.
6. I really thought this was the year for the T-Wolves, but I might have been wrong again. Injuries over the last few weeks haven't helped.
7. Predicting LBJ over KD in the MVP race. There is still time, and we all know who I want, but right now, KD is killing it. This is not to say LBJ is a slacking off, but more just a testament to KD skills.
8. I overshot it with the Grizzlies. They likely wont even make the playoffs. Sorry Memphis.
9. Forgetting the Dirk Nowitski affect, and how good he can make a team when he is healthy.
10. Phoenix is really a playoff team? How did this happen?

Now that I've talked about what I did wrong, we're gonna talk about which teams I think will make the playoffs.
EAST -
1. Pacers - They want the #1 seed, and they've played like a #1 seed.
2. Heat
3. Raptors - Unless one of the other teams steps up, this is the Raptors to lose.
4. Chicago - A fourth seed wouldn't be bad after losing D-Rose early in the season.
5. Wizards - I actually kind of sort of like this Wizards team, and I love the backcourt of Beal and Wall.
6. Hawks
7. Nets - They don't even deserve this. Luckily for them, they match up well versus Miami.
8. Pistons - too much talent to miss out on the playoffs
WEST -
1. Thunder - KD is an animal
2. Rockets - Playing great ball right now
3. Spurs - I'm a bit worried about them of late. Injuries could make them fall lower.
4. Clippers - Blake has been out of his mind of late.
5. Trailblazers
6. Warriors - Still a dangerous team at #6
7. Mavericks
8. Suns - If this happens, I'll be so happy for Phoenix!

Playoffs -
Pacers over the Pistons in 5
Heat over the Nets in 6
Hawks over the Raptors in 6
Wizards over the Bulls in 6

Thunder over the Suns in 4
Rockets over the Mavs in 6
Warriors over the Spurs in 6
Clippers over the T-Blazers in 7

Pacers over the Wizards in 5
Heat over the Hawks in 5

Thunder over Clips in 7
Warriors over Rockets in 6

Heat over the Pacers in 7
Thunder over the Warriors in 7

Heat over the Thunder in 6

Yes, I picked the Heat. As long as LBJ is running the show, I will not pick against him.