Sports by Schmucks Podcast - Episode 9

The Schmucks are back to talk about the Pro Bowl, the Super Bowl, Masahiro Tanaka and the Slim Reaper. Make sure to leave a like and comment on the YouTube channel.

Mid-Season Check-in with Jabari Parker

Alright everyone. The second instalment of my mid-season check-in with potential top draft picks continues with the dynamic small Forward Jabari Parker of the Duke Blue Devils.

Player Profile:

NAME: Jabari Parker
POS: SF
H: 6-8
W: 235
SCHOOL: Duke Blue Devils (F)
HOMETOWN: Chicago, IL

2013-2014 NCAA Stats (courtesy of ESPN):

MIN: 29.2
FG%: .485
3P%: .391
FT%: .750
REB: 7.3
AST: 1.5
BLK: 1.2
STL: 0.8
FOULS: 2.2
TURNOVERS: 2.2
PTS: 18.8

Draft Prediction: Lottery Pick 1-3                                                                                
Possible Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic


In my opinion, Jabari Parker will instantly provide any team in the NBA with a strong bodied small forward.  Direct comparison in my eyes is that of former Toronto Raptor turned Sacramento King Rudy Gay. Standing at 6'8" and weighing 235 lbs, Parker is a big body to have at the swingman position. He is quite capable of shooting the ball from beyond the arc, and is very well equipped to get to the line for free throws. Parker is a strong rebounder and a very disciplined player.  His raw talent and emotion will have him going just above Wiggins for this upcoming draft in my opinion.

I see Parker getting his "jazz hands" ready as my prediction has him going to Utah 2nd overall in this upcoming draft.

Utah fans will be quite pleased with this prospect.  He will instantly come into the league and help the struggling team out, only to get better.

Check out some "Jabari Parker" highlights below.

Team Canada names Olympic roster to defend gold medal

Can Canada repeat as hockey champions in Sochi?

Steve Yzerman was faced with an unenviable task when he was named executive director of the 2014 Canadian Olympic hockey team.

No matter what he did, people were going to be upset. With a large talent pool from which to choose, there were going to be deserving players left off the national roster.

Remember a couple of days ago when Bobby Ryan and Keith Yandle, amongst others, were left off the American Olympic team? Well, the backlash after that announcement will pale in comparison to the scrutiny by which the Canadian media will analyze this team.

And I guess I'm going to be one of those people.

Let's start off by saying this: the American announcement far surpassed the Canadian press conference. Granted, the U.S. had the advantage of the Winter Classic back drop. But it felt like more of a celebration of the team. Maybe it was my attitude of looking to see who didn't make the cut, but the Canadian announcement felt too formal. I know they tried to get a "Go Canada Go" chant going prior to naming the team, but there were too many speeches from people unrelated to the matter. Next time, just get the decision makers up to the podium and name the team.

Now, to the team. In net, it was a widely believed Carey Price, Roberto Luongo and Mike Smith would be named. Luongo's recent injury threw some doubt on the process, but it was never a question he'd be healthy for the tournament.

Who will start? It's probably between Price and Luongo. Based on experience, Luongo gets the nod. Both players have comparable résumés this season, separated by only fractions in GAA and save percentage. However, Luongo has been through this tournament before and proved he can deliver a gold medal. Canadian head coach Mike Babcock said in an interview with TSN following the announcement he will probably ride one guy during the Olympics. It will be Luongo's job to lose.

Subban and Tavares celebrate after winning gold at the WJC.

Canada selected Jay Bouwmeester, Drew Doughty, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Alex Pietrangelo, PK Subban, Marc-Édouard Vlasic and Shea Weber as the defensive unit.

The big question on the blue line was whether or not reigning Norris trophy winner Subban would be selected. He has had national experience before, representing Canada at the World Juniors. Subban is second in points amongst defenceman behind fellow Olympian Keith. The major concern about Subban is he can sometimes take big risks and, in a small tournament, could cost Canada a game. However, his offensive upside is too much to leave at home.

One of the biggest snubs, although it is hard to call someone a snub with talent of this level, is Brent Seabrook. An Olympian in 2010, Seabrook is third amongst defenceman in points with 33. He already has instant chemistry with Duncan Keith and was able to calm Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews down during Game 4 of the Blackhawks/Red Wings series in last year's playoffs. Seabrook also went on to score in overtime to end the series. He would be my first call if one of the defencemen were injured.

For the forwards, Canada picked Jamie Benn, Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Matt Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Sharp, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Toews.

Honestly, I'm perfectly fine with these forwards except for Patrick Marleau. If I'm taking another San Jose Shark, Joe Thornton makes the squad. He leads the league in assists and can be big body in front of the net. But, if I'm just picking on talent and line pairings, Eric Staal would be on this team. He fits nicely in the bottom six on this team or can play in the top six if called upon due to injury.

Claude Giroux is also an interesting name left of the roster, but media speculation is he will be the first forward called if there is an injury. With every fan in Canada focused on Stamkos' healing leg, there is still a chance he will be needed.

Jonathan Toews was named the Best Forward at the 2010 Olympics. Will Jamie Benn replace Mike Richards in this picture?

Some chatter is Rick Nash shouldn't be on the team. But, he proved at the last Olympics he can play on either side of the ice and pick up the slack defensively. A line of him, Toews and Benn would be a fantastic third line capable of playing world class defence with some offensive punch.

The hopes of a nation rest on the shoulders of these 25 men. It is arguably the most important sport in the Olympics to Canada. As shown in the World Juniors, the rest of the hockey world is keeping up. The Canadian squad will have a lot to prove come February.

Mid-Season Check In with Andrew Wiggins

With the college season part way through, I have decided to take a look at the top 5 prospects, their season stats, and what each of these players can provide to a team most likely to end up in the NBA Lottery this season. Our first review is of Canada's own Andrew Wiggins, also referred to as "Maple Jordan".

Player Profile:

NAME: Andrew Wiggins
POS: SG
H: 6-8

W: 200
SCHOOL: Kansas Jayhawks (F)
HOMETOWN: Thornhill, ON

2013-2014 NCAA Stats (courtesy of ESPN):

MIN: 31.5 
FG%: .452
3P%: .311
FT%: .766
REB: 5.4
AST: 1.4
BLK: 0.9
STL: 1.0
FOULS: 2.2
TURNOVERS: 1.8
PTS: 15.8

Draft Prediction: Lottery Pick 1-3                                                                                
Possible Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic

In my opinion, Wiggins placement in the 2014 NBA Draft realistically depends on where the lottery teams finish. I see him most likely ending up in Orlando next year season, and my guess is it will be around the third pick. Milwaukee is the current favourite to grab the number one pick, however anything can happen as we've seen in past draft lotteries. Wiggins will provide any team with a long body and quick guard. He takes high percentage shots and is not afraid to shoot the three ball if needed. He does need some work when it comes to sharing the rock, which is something most young players need to develop. I feel Wiggins' player development is going to be what might make him slip to third in the draft. Fellow 2014 draft prospect Jabari Parker (SG, Duke) has the edge over Wiggins in my opinion. Parker shows more raw talent and emotion in games, which again could come in time with Wiggins. However scouts will look heavily towards a player who provides that emotion now, rather than in a couple years of playing with the "big boys".

Keep posted for next weeks edition of the Check In, when I take a look at Duke shooting guard, Jabari Parker.

Xavier Banks - Road to Glory (Episode 11)

Xavier Banks is back! In Episode 11, Banks and the Ducks play the California Golden Bears in Week 11 and the Arizona Wildcats in Week 12. Enjoy!

I Believe in Masai, I Believe He Can Touch the Sky

Toronto Raptors GM, Masai Ujiri has made moves this season that most thought to be impossible. Large contracts such as Rudy Gay's two-year, $37.2 Million contract was easily shed by the first year general manager. Gay, moved to Sacramento alongside fellow former Raptors Aaron Gray (C) and Quincy Acy (F), provided Toronto with a huge opportunity to make a splash this upcoming free agency with plenty of high-end players becoming available this off-season. Adding to the freed up cap space, Toronto was able to bring in what Sacramento's GM claims to be the four best "people" from their roster. Greivis Vasquez (G), Chuck Hayes (F/C), Patrick Patterson (F) and John Salmons (G/F) have given these new look Raptors a well needed morale boost.  Coach Dwayne Casey (seen below speaking with Raptors star Demar DeRozan) has his team working well together, and has Toronto currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, first in the Atlantic Division and - for the first time in four years - above .500 with a 16-15 record this late into the season.

                                      

Winners of eight of their last 10, the Toronto Raptors have provided a fan resurgence for the city. Playoffs are most definitely in the realm of possibility with this team, and the test to how deep these youthful Raptors can make it in the post-season can not solely be based on these past few games. Overcoming opponents such as Oklahoma City, Dallas, New York, Chicago and first place Indiana don't prove that we have the best team overall. What it does show Toronto Raptor fans is a team has been built to win.  There is no abundance of superstars on this roster at all. However with a solid game plan in place and the right cast of players to execute Casey's plan, beating the top tier NBA teams is no longer just a dream for Raptors fans. 

The Raptors are currently on a five game winning streak, and will try to extend it to six as they take on the Miami Heat this tonight at 6 p.m.

Buffalo Bills Owner Mode - Episode 6

The Buffalo Bills Owner Mode is back after a lengthy delay after a move to Saskatchewan. Continue the journey with Week 5's match-up against the Cleveland Browns, in primetime on Thursday night!

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