2009 NBA Conference Semifinal Picks

Its always hard to pick NBA Playoff Games. In the first round, I went 6-2 (Wins: Celtics, Magic, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, and Lakers // Loses: Heat, Blazers). What makes it hard is you never know who the "company" wants to win - you know "wink" "wink". Big Market vs Superstar, TV Ratings, Going against the NHL and Baseball for those ESPN Highlights - trying not to make things look too suspicious etc. So to make these picks it takes some extra naps and some good long deep sleep sessions where you dream about what you would do if you were Mr. D Stern - longtime commish of the NBA. Sometimes, in those dreams you do become the Maloof family wonder why your team is in Sacramento and not Las Vegas but hey... wake yourself up become the commish again and be happy small market teams like Toronto and Milwaukee didn't make the playoffs again...

Easy: Hawks vs Cavaliers
D Stern - you merchandise the hell of the Cavs this year, with the 85 different uniforms, you have LeBron James in All State commercials, ESPN has him in "This is SportsCenter" commercials, he is instant highlight film material, people like the nicknames: "King James", "The Chosen One", maybe you move him to NYC in 2010 if you can rid yourself of the torn called the Dolan family... most improtantly - rest him up for the finals vs. the Lakers (opps) CAVS IN FOUR.



Not So Easy: Magic vs Celtics
D Stern - Boston??? Red Sox, Bruins - you can't lose that market!!! But Dwight Howard - budding superstar... if they lose everyone will bring up the Shaq vs Van Gundy being soft stuff... But its Boston - you put the first game of the year LeBron vs the World Champs. Can't have them lose to a Mickey Mouse outfit who play there game in the AMWAY ARENA. Tough economy - keep the Celtics in it - make it seem like LeBron has to go thought the Champs to meet the Lakers. Milk it for all its worth - 7 Games but the CELTICS win.



Easy: Mavericks vs Nuggets
D Stern - Good got that rotten San Antonio Market out of the picture. Cuban and the Nuggets go into it during the second half of the season - good "storyline" for the playoff networks. Plus Cuban is good for a fine here and there (tough economy remember!!) Don't keep Cuban in the new for too long - NUGGETS IN 5 GAMES.



Not So Easy: Rockets vs Lakers
D Stern - Ooooohhhh that international audience in China. Yao is so important for the worldwide effort plus (and big plus it is) he help get TV disaster market of Portland Oregon out the picture. But I need Kobe and I need Los Angeles - MERCHANDISE and MARKETING - remember the Lakers are the only team to beat Cavs in Cleveland - Hubie Brown is good to mention that about 100 times in interviews leading up to the finals - still milk it for what its worth - ratings and highlights - LAKERS IN 6 - throw an Artest suspension in for game 4.

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2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Round 2

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is underway. In Round 1: I went 4-4 (Wins: Bruins, Canucks, Blackhawks, Red Wings Loses: Devils, Rangers, Flyers, Sharks) so its time for a recovery plan:

Blackhawks vs Canucks:
Goaltending is the critical key to winning in the playoffs and to the Canucks success. It should continue vs the Blackhawks. They had time to rest after sweeping the Blues and the Blackhawks are still a young team. Poodle Picks: CANUCKS.



Ducks vs Red Wings:
The Ducks are lucky? They beat the best? The Red Wings just mean Hockey. They are all about Hockey - how could any dog pick a Duck over a Red Wing? I can't - Poodle Picks: RED WINGS



Hurricanes vs Bruins:
Much like the Red Wings, the Bruins are just playing their type of Hockey. Truly the class of the NHL all season - Goaltending (except for that back up loser), Defense, Scoring - I can see them going far. Poodle Picks: BRUINS



Penguins vs Capitals:
Can someone wipe the smile off of Gary Bettman face? He is so happy that he will get be highlights on ESPN he may even crack call David Stern a couple of times. Of course if he does that, Stern might call some officals and create that Wade vs LeBron series so put down the phone Gary. I think its time to give Ovechkin his chance - Poodle Picks: CAPITALS

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PICK: MLB Twins vs White Sox Saturday

I think both of these teams will be playing catch to the Indians but they are both very strong contenders for the AL Central. The Twins play that gritty hard working baseball.

I'll take the Twins to win this game.

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PICK: MLB Astros vs Cardinals Saturday

The Cardinals have the reigning MVP and pitching staff coming back from injuries... the Astros have a good staff but no depth and very little in batting. I look for the Cardinals to rebound strong in 2009 and play competitive with the Cubs.

Poodle Picks: The Cardinals

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PICK: MLB Angels vs Red Sox Saturday

The MLB season is under way and this week I'm focused on 4 MLB Picks. Coming Up I'll be doing the first round of the NBA and Stanley Cup Championships.

The Angels, I think are the sleeper team in the baseball. Playing out west they struggle for air and broadcast time, same with the A's - who are good but will struggle with young pitching staff and no bullpen (A common problem in baseball these days).

In this first week of MLB picks, I think the Angels might not be totally focused on baseball in this series with the Red Sox with the tragic death of their young pitcher (the video was produced before his death) but maybe they can rally together for a weekend sweep.

PoodlePick: Red Sox

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PoodlePicks: NBA - Spurs vs Cavaliers

Finals Preview? - Ok April Fools (a few days late but I made you laugh). The Cavs are remarkable. Let us hope they don't turn into the Cubs when the Playoffs roll around. David Stern and I both have our paws crossed, praying for that Cavs vs Lakers finals. Lebron should have a huge game and the Cavs will continue to roll on. PoodlePicks the Cavs.

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PoodlePicks NHL Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The Florida Panthers are my hometown team. However, they are just not that good, probably because they are a cat and cats don't like water. Penguins on the hand do like water and ice and they have a premier goal scorer, Sidney Crosby. On top of all that, they have actually have seen the Stanley Cup, just didn't win it.

I'm taking the Penguins.

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PoodlePicks NHL Minnesota Wild vs Detroit Red Wings

I'm keeping the picks rather simple this week. I'm not sure I can do The Masters picks... a lot of PoodlePicks planning going on with Baseball season starting next week and the football schedules coming out soon.

The Red Wings are the A+ team in hockey... there is no picking against them. They are sort of like the Lakers of the NHL.

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Preparation for the Picks

TubeMogul and YouTube are being a bit feisty on the uploading process... so I decided to post this video of me preparing for the picks...

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PICK: Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs

The Suns and Spurs are both Jekyll and Hyde teams - you never know which team will show up. However, Shaq seems to play better when the game is in the national spotlight. So I'll go with the fast paced up and down Suns to beat the old Spurs.

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PICK: Pitt Panthers vs UConn Huskies

This is the type of game I like - two hard working teams that match up very well. Ok, I'm a poodle, I don't like hard working and I really think the Huskies are very pretty dogs however based on the style of play, I think Pitt will yet again get the better of UConn. Pick: PITT

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PICK: New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins

The Bruins just have all the right pieces in place to make a good run at the Cup: Scoring, Goal Tending, Defense. The Rangers seem to be skating backwards. Bruins to romp all over the (st)Rangers.

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PICK: Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Black Hawks

The Avalanche don't seem to have the luster of years past. The Black Hawks are up and coming young team to watch in the future. However this is my upset special of the weekend (remember I'm a dog!!). Avs to win - paws are crossed.

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PICK: Michigan State Spartans vs Purdue Boilermakers

Should be another tight low scoring Big Ten game. Michigan State seems to be the class of the conference and the conference as a whole will struggle in the big dance. Look for MICHIGAN STATE to win.

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PICK: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Oklahoma Sooners

Good ole' fashion mid west showdown between two fast and high scoring teams. I think Oklahoma has just a tad more talent. However, OSU did look unstoppable in their blowout of Texas last Sunday. Texas beat Oklahoma earlier this season - which make me question my own pick. This is one of those game where I'm nervous because it will probably come down to the last minute - so an extra nap will be needed. I will still go with OKLAHOMA to squeak out a win.

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PICK: Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Annually the best game of the year. Both teams playing at their peak (unlike that UK vs FL game). North Carolina is still my hot team to win every game. Poodle Picks: NORTH CAROLINA

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PICK: Kentucky Wildcats vs Florida Gators

This is a strange game: Bad Coaching vs Bad Playing... both teams are playing for their NCAA Tournament lives. UK beat UF up in Lexington earlier in a close game. I think the home crowd will be the lone advantage in this match up of desperate teams. Poodle Picks: FLORDIA

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PICKS: Pepper Picks the Academy Award Winners

Let me just say one thing first before we get to the picks - I don't go to the movies - and it is not for a lack of trying - they just don't allow dogs in the theater for some strange reason. Their claim is that it has something to do with the food. I think it has something to do with me attacking the other patrons who get to loud and insurance and all those wonderful things. That being said, I have no idea what was "good movie" or what was "Oscar Worthy", I just made random picks the same way I make the picks for sporting events. Two side notes: 1) Overall BOLT or HOTEL FOR DOGS, which were about dogs should have been up for all the categories and 2) after I made the picks did I learn that Slumdog Millionaire had nothing to do about a DOG!!

The Poodle Picks are in 6 major award categories:

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. His choices include: Amy Adams in “Doubt”, Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, Viola Davis in “Doubt”, Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”

PoodlePick: Viola Davis in “Doubt”

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. His choices include: Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married”,Angelina Jolie in “Changeling”, Melissa Leo in “Frozen River”, Meryl Streep in “Doubt”, Kate Winslet in “The Reader”

PoodlePick: Kate Winslet in “The Reader”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. His choices include: Josh Brolin in “Milk”, Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder”, Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt”, Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”, Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road”

PoodlePick: Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road”

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. His choices include: Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”, Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon”, Sean Penn in “Milk”, Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler”

PoodlePick: Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon”

Best Directing: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing. His choices include: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”,“Frost/Nixon”,“Milk”,“The Reader”, and “Slumdog Millionaire”

PoodlePick: “Slumdog Millionaire” [I thought it was about a DOG!!]

Best Motion Picture of the Year: Pepper picks which movie will win the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year. His choices include: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”,“Frost/Nixon”,“Milk”,“The Reader”, and “Slumdog Millionaire”

PoodlePick: "BOLT!!" ok... "Slumdog Millionaire"

Regards,

Pepper

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PICK: Daytona 500

Let me start off by saying this wasn't easy. After weeks of testing ways to do picks where there is more then one choice, we came with the idea of putting a single treat on top of these "beanie" cars. Seemed funny. Anyway, the problem is that I eat so fast there isn't a real clear view to see the final pick but just trust me on who I pick.

Methodology:

Part 1: We took the Top 25 "Odds on Favorite" cars based on who is likely win because of ownership group and experience. It would be too much and too random to do all 43 starters in the field and also to do an "overall field" vs the says the Hendrick Group (Cars #5,24,48,88) is not a good option on a restrictor plate track where the racing is too wide open and one crash can take out 1/2 the field. I'll do that with the Master between the field vs Tiger Woods and the Coke 600 and the Brickyard 400.

Part 2: From the Top 25, 5 car numbers were picked at random from a hat. Each of these cars will compete in a Heat - I pick one winner in each of the 5 "heats", who will move to the Final Choice Winner Pick. Just the like in the Olympics.

Part 3: Each of the 5 "Heat" Winner are used for the Final Pick. And the Overall Winner will be #5 Car driven by Mark Martin. Pure Science!!

I know this isn't one of the best video but remember this is a work in progress. By the time we do the Master, we'll go back to using 5 small dishes so the winner is much clearer to see.

Enjoy,

Pepper

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PICK: Westminster Dog Show - Best in Breed

Ok, this pick was a little hard and took a while to put together. Basically, there are just too many breeds for a dog to choose from, so the idea we came up with was to choose which GROUP the best in breed will come from. Then, in thinking about it some more, this is the one sport where I do have show some bias - I'm a Standard Poodle - only a Standard Poodle should win best in Breed!!! So this is really about which breed is second if it is not a Standard Poodle chosen on Tuesday.

The Video is in 3 Parts:

Part 1 - a listing of the 7 different breed groups: Sporting - Hound - Working - Terrier - Toy - Non Sporting (Standard Poodles)- Herding

Part 2 - A review of the choices..

Part 3 - and finally the Pick - THE WORKING GROUP - (A Standard Poodle would have stop sleeping actually do something to be included in this group)

Enjoy, and please become a Fan of PoodlePicks on Facebook!

Wags,

Pepper

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