MiddleClassSports.com

Well, folks, the playoffs are getting good.  Sid the Kid scores a game-winner late in Game 1 last night.  The Stars look like this year’s NHL team of destiny.  And the NBA is following a theme we haven’t seen in a while.

The NBA playoffs are intriguing to me.  Every series but one saw someone go up 2-0 after two games.  In most cases, it was the home team.  Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and New Orleans all won their first two playoff games at home.  Utah went up 2-0 in their series against Houston but they won both games on the road.  The only series to split the first two games was Philly-Detroit.

Home field, or home court, advantage isn’t usually much of a factor.  That’s why it’s strange that it is prominent in this year’s NBA playoffs.  Except for Game 7’s, I’ve always felt like being the home team is overrated.  Next week, I’ll be doing some research and writing a column for you on the subject of home field advantage.  Look for it right here at Middle Class Sports.

Games 3 and 4 in the NBA first round are being played this weekend.  There are two surprise teams so far that warrant mention.  The first is the Sixers.  They beat Detroit last night in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead.  That one might be worth watching from here on out, even though it is in the Eastern Conference.  The second surprise is the Spurs.  They dominated Phoenix on their home court to take a 3-0 lead.  What was supposed to be the best first round series is going to be the first one that’s over.

Executive decision:  If you joined me in saying that you would only watch the Western Conference series, let’s amend that.  Unless the Suns make it interesting, let’s drop that one and let’s add the Philly-Detroit series to the ones that we will watch.  Deal?

Today is Saturday.  Weekends are fun because the sports calendar is usually stacked.  Today is no different.  All four professional sports are in action.  The NHL and NBA playoffs continue.  There is a full slate of MLB games.  The most exciting event today, though, is the NFL Draft.

I will be watching the entire Day 1 coverage of the draft with my laptop and I will post all of my thoughts on the site tomorrow.  I am considering watching the Day 2 coverage as well.  Every year I record it with high hopes of actually watching it, but every year I stop as soon as I start.  I think it has something to do with ESPN replacing Chris Berman with Suzy Kolber for the second day’s coverage.  I refuse to listen to her voice for eight hours.  This year, I’m thinking about checking out the NFL Network for Day 2 of the draft.  I know, I know, it’s a gutsy move.  I’ll let you know what I decide.

I said it earlier this week, and I’ll say it again…Do not expect me to be knowledgeable about the No. 12 OLB in the draft and stuff like that.  I leave the drafting expertise to the draft experts.  I’ll be analyzing the coverage of the draft.  It promises to be a more entertaining draft recap than you’ll find anywhere else.

My favorite magazine is mental_floss.  You’ve probably never heard of it.  It’s a trivia magazine that covers anything imaginable and interesting.  Every year they do an annual 10 issue and provide some strange top 10 lists like 10 Vice Presidents Actually Worth Knowing and 10 Things Your Body Can Do After You Die.  In their most recent 10 Issue, they have a couple of sports-related lists, including a 10 Athletes With Ridiculous Superstitions list on the back page.  I won’t go through the entire list, but number two is worth mentioning.  Apparently, Moises Alou doesn’t wear batting gloves so he urinates on his hands before games to harden them.  Now, come on, Moises, it’s not like you’re poor or anything.  Spend some money on some batting gloves!

Happiest sports cities in America right now:

1. Philadelphia-The Flyers and Sixers are playing well in their respective playoff series, the Phillies aren’t bad, and the Eagles are trying to trade for Chad Johnson.

2. Boston-The Celtics are going to advance to the second round, the Red Sox are already in first place, and the Patriots pick seventh in the draft.

3. Dallas-The Stars won Game 1 in their Western Conference semifinal and the Mavs won Game 3 over the Hornets last night.  It’s pretty sweet if both your NBA and NHL teams are playing in the playoffs.  As a Minnesota fan, it might be a while until I experience that feeling personally.

I’ll be watching the NFL Draft, pulling for Vince Redd to get drafted.  Watch the draft today and then check out the site tomorrow for my recap.  Enjoy!