Is This The Raptors Year? Don't Bet On It

Toronto is abuzz over their NBA franchise, as the Raptors seem poised to win their division, thus likely earning them a home court advantage in their first round series.

But there is talk that this year could see the Raptors advance further than ever before, which would mean at least a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. Of course, the Raps best playoff performance came to an end when Toronto lost to the Sixers in a fantastic seven game East semi.

With a weak conference, and an improving team, could this be the year? Likely not.

Toronto currently stands in 3rd, thanks to tonight's win over Miami. But with their playoff experience, the odds are good that the Raps will finish in 4th in the East, likely drawing Chicago in the first round.

The Bulls are a formidale opponent, but are beatable. Assuming Toronto does so, they would then draw the top seed in the East, likely Detroit. Here, the Raptors do not stand a chance. Detroit is on par with the elite in the West, and as a result, is miles ahead of the rest of the pathetic Eastern conference.

So while the Raptors should be commended for a fantastic turnaround season, and be hopeful that this is a sign of things to come, don't bet on them getting to the conference finals.

Random Ramblings

First, when the NHL playoffs are finally set (and now it looks like that won't happen until the last game on the last day of the season), I will formally make my predictions for the playoffs, round by round. But suffice to say, I will be picking the San Jose Sharks to win the Cup. Money can't buy the level of loyalty I bring to the table...

Second, once the season ends, I will present the real final standings, without the 1 point added for a loss in overtime or in a shootout. It'll be interesting to see how drastically the seedings will change.

Third, wasn't the best part of March Madness supposed to be the upsets by the small schools the vast majority of people haven't heard of? So why does this year feature #1 Florida against #2 UCLA, and #1 Ohio State against #2 Georgetown? Something has to change with the selection process, because too many schools with big names in big conferences get in, leaving the lesser ones to gasp for air in the NIT. The only positive: how cool would it be to see Florida against Ohio State in the basketball final too? I'm sure someone will check, but I doubt the same two schools have played for both the football and basketball Division I championships in the same year. I still say Boise State should have gotten a shot at the title...

Fourth, I don't care about spring training. There, I said it. I love baseball (yes, I know what you're thinking, how? and why?) but the season is already 60 games too long. Spring training should be cut in half, and with all this extra time made, let's add more teams to the playoffs already! Every season, in about mid-May, a third of the teams in the league realize they have no shot at October glory. Let's give fans in cities like Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and Milwaukee some hope. And heck, some to Chicago too. Cubs fans anyways.

Fifth, call me an optimist, but I think the Blue Jays will make the playoffs this year. Either Boston or New York will falter in August, and there will be an opening for Toronto to at least make the wild card spot. I hope.

Sixth, you want Americans to watch hockey again? Stop putting it on Sunday afternoons at 12:30, and get a real national network to broadcast the weekday games. If you make it an event, they will watch.

That's my ramblings for tonight. NHL picks coming soon...