Please Note: “Vic’s Picks” will be posted every Saturday that will include whatever Victor from the “Victor and Matt” show has on his mind. Whether it be a prediction, an event you must watch this weekend, linking his favorite story on the web or giving kudos to a great game or play. Here is this week’s installment of Vic’s Picks:
- On Wednesday, Barry Bonds was found guilty on one count of obstruction of justice, while the other counts he was facing – lying about the use of steroids and human growth hormones – were deadlocked with Judge Susan Illston declaring a mistrial. According to legal experts, the likelihood of Bonds serving any time in prison is very doubtful, he most likely faces home confinement and probation. With Greg Anderson, Bond’s trainer, refusing to testify, the prosecutors did not have enough to convict the major leagues all-time career home run leader. Now prosecutors are left with the difficult decision to leave the case alone or uncover new evidence for a new trail. Bond’s public image is still tarnished regardless of the outcome of the case. He still took steroids, giving him an unfair advantage. Now with a mistrial, does Bonds deserve to be in Cooperstown’s along baseball’s other greats? The answer has not changed, it is still no.
- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 by the league for being seen on camera using profanity, followed by a derogatory word that is offensive to gays and lesbians. Bryant apologized the following day saying he was caught in the emotion of the game. Does Bryant really have something against the gay/lesbian community? No, he simply let his emotions get the better of him. Does Bryant deserve to be crucified? He apologized, let’s move on. There is no reason to beat a dead horse. We all know Bryant should not have used those words, but since he is Kobe, the reality is, this is being blown up more than if it was Joe Smith or Steve Blake. That does not make it right, but to continue to berate Bryant for admitting to a mistake, then apologizing is unnecessary.
- The NBA playoffs begin this weekend, and while 16 teams have the chance to win the championship, the reality is only a handful of teams have a legitimate shot to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In the west, two-time defending world champion, the LA Lakers and the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs look to have the edge, while in the east, the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics can all make claims to being a step above the rest. While the Celtics have been there before, they are limping into the postseason, trying to regain their swagger back since trading C Kendrick Perkins at the trade deadline. The Heat may have the most talent of any team outside of the Lakers, but they have been too inconsistent. The Bulls have been the surprise team all year and now with the team finally healthy and most likely MVP Derrick Rose, elevating his game at the most important time, Chicago returns to the NBA Finals for the first time in the post-Jordan era. Back to the west, the Lakers are not the defending champs by accident. They have the best coach in Phil Jackson and one of the best closers in history in Kobe Bryant. The key for another three-peat will be the health of C Andrew Bynum. When healthy, Bynum is a game changer down low, as evident with LA winning 17 of its first 18 games after the All-Star game. This year’s final matches the two teams that Jackson has coached: Lakers vs. Bulls. LA sends Jackson off to retirement with his NBA-record fourth three-peat. LA defeats Chicago in six games.
- Also, don’t forget to listen to our latest (4.13.11) podcast show with NFL draft prospect and former Washington QB Jake Locker.
Thanks for reading the Victor and Matt blog. Contact Victor by email at victor(at)radioexiles(dot)com. You can also follow the show (@victorandmatt) on Twitter.