NBA All-Star Game, Spring Training Approaches

The NFL has concluded, as teams now focus on who they resign for amounts that can fit within their cap. Big names such as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller are out there, as many teams like the Browns and Eagles still question the issue of who is going to run their offense. Many of these decisions will be based on the draft and which weapons teams can pick up. With that and Spring Training right around the corner, the focus has been on the NBA, Kobe Bryant, and that crazy scoring All-Star Game. The highest score by a team in All-Star game history was 163 points, as the West won it this year 196-173. The lead scorer was Paul George with 41 points, as Westbrook took home the MVP award for the second year in a row, he is the first to pull that off. But the story was really about Kobe as he was last to introduced last and he received a huge tribute. Kobe scored 10 points and had some fun playful moves with Lebron. Bryant got the most minutes in the West and lots of love as he left the game late in the 4th. Curry had the impressive shot landing one from half court with just a couple seconds on the clock. Speaking of Curry and the Warriors, they had their three All-Stars who were all interviewed about the record they are on pace to break. In previous interviews Draymond, Thompson, and everyone else responded saying they were not even thinking about that, but getting all cocky in Toronto each said they plan to break it. They have a lot of road games, including trips to San Antonio and Oklahoma City on the schedule, so it will be fun to see if they can stay hot. The trade deadline is almost here as it looks like the Magic, Nuggets, and others will be doing a good amount of selling to contenders.

Pitchers and catchers are checking in to their teams to get ready for Spring Training as teams begin to look at the questions they need to answer before the regular season. For many teams it is questions about who will fill in the last couple slots in their pitching rotation. The only teams that look to have five locked into place already are the Mets, Red Sox, Tigers, Cubs, and Giants. Spring training will have a lot of injuries and rise of prospects that will change expectations, as of now here in Vegas each casino is predicting the Cubs to be the most successful this season due to their many off season acquisitions.  I will get back to you with predictions on each division and why I think that team will come out on top.