NBA 2021-2022 Predictions

Eastern Conference:

1.       Milwaukee

2.       Brooklyn     

3.       Boston

4.       Philadelphia

5.       Atlanta

6.       New York

7.       Charlotte

8.       Miami

9.       Chicago

10.     Washington

11.     Indiana

12     Cleveland

13.     Toronto

14.     Detroit

15.     Orlando

Playoffs:

·         Charlotte over Miami; Chicago over Washington; Chiacgo over Miami

·         Milwaukee over Chicago, Brooklyn over Charlotte, Boston over New York, Atlanta over Philadelphia

·         Milwaukee over Atlanta, Brooklyn over Boston

·         Brooklyn over Milwaukee

Western Conference:

1.       Denver

2.       Utah

3.       LA Lakers

4.       Phoenix

5.       Golden State

6.       Dallas

7.       Portland

8.       Memphis

9.       New Orleans

10.     Sacramento

11.     LA Clippers

12.     San Antonio

13.     Minnesota

14.     Houston

15.     Oklahoma City

Playoffs:

·         Memphis over Portland, New Orleans over Sacramento, New Orleans over Portland

·         Denver over New Orleans, Utah over Memphis, Dallas over Lakers, Phoenix over Golden State

·         Denver over Phoenix, Dallas over Utah

·         Denver over Dallas

More notes:

·         I wasn't a Brooklyn fan, and really don't enjoy watching Harden or Kyrie- but lord is Durant good.  After losing on a fluke to a great team, despite having two injured stars, I think Durant is on a mission this year 

·         I'd love my Cleveland Cavaliers to play well- but it's such a weird team.  They have talent, but no definition.  I think this is a playoff or bust year for both Altman and Bickerstaff- but the East is deep, and unless the young players really step up well, I don't think they make it.  

·         MVP?  The general preseason consensus is Luka Doncic.  If Dallas plays well, he will win

·         ROY?  Jalen Green- though I think this might be a great class with several all-stars in the suture

·         Finals?  I think Denver is deeper, Jokic is great, and they might have Jamal Murray back... but Brooklyn has Durant, has Harden, and I think come crunch time Kyrie will rejoin the team.  Brooklyn is on a mission, and they win 4-1

Taste Test: Basil Hayden

Selection:  Basil Hayden

Price:  ~$45

Proof:   80 Proof (40% ABV)

Thoughts:   Tried this in Indiana.  It's a Rye- and the Rye is overwhelming.  I'm not really tasting anything else.  Adding a lemon helps a bit- but if a bourbon isn't good to drink without fruit, it's not a great bourbon.

Conclusion:   Not something I'd recommend.  Too powerful of a rye taste to get anything else.  

NFL Predictions: 2021-22

I'm never right about these but why let that stop me?

 NFC

East:

Washington 11-6

Dallas 10-7

Philadelphia 6-11

NY Giants 4-13

North:
Minnesota 10-7
Green Bay 9-8
Detroit 5-12

Chicago 3-14

South:
Tampa Bay 12-5

Atlanta 11-6 (Wild Card)
New Orleans 10-7
Carolina 5-12

West:
Los Angeles Rams 12-5
San Francisco 11-6 (Wild Card)

Seattle 11-6 (Wild Card)

Arizona 6-11 


Playoffs:
San Francisco over Minnesota

Seattle over Washington

Los Angeles Rams over Atlanta

Tampa Bay over San Francisco

Los Angeles Rams over Seattle

Tampa Bay over Los Angeles Rams



AFC

East:
Buffalo 13-4

New England 12-5 (Wild Card)
Miami 6-11
NY Jets 5-12

North:

Cleveland 12-5

Baltimore 11-6 (Wild Card)

Pittsburgh 9-8

Cincinnati 5-12

South:
Tennessee 11-6

Indianapolis 9-8

Jacksonville 6-11
Houston 2-15

West:
Kansas City 12-5 
Los Angeles Chargers 11-6  (Wild Card)
Denver 7-10
Las Vegas 5-12

Playoffs:
Cleveland over Los Angeles Chargers

New England over Tennessee
Kansas City over Baltimore

Buffalo over New England
Cleveland over Kansas City

Buffalo over Cleveland



Super Bowl: Buffalo 33, Tampa Bay 24

Taste Test: Coppercraft Rye Whiskey

Selection:  Coppercraft Rye Whiskey

Price:  ~$40

Proof:   90 Proof (45% ABV)

Thoughts:   I'm going in blind on this drink, basing it off a recommendation from the Bourbon Junkies.  This was one of their suggestions for people who like Blanton's Bourbon.  Blanton's is exceptionally difficult to find, especially in Ohio.  In a perfect world, I'd compare Coppercraft to Blanton's- but I don't have any to compare it to.

Onto the tasting:  It's definitely a Rye Whiskey, and it has an earthy taste.  There's a bit of a vanilla or caramel taste to the drink.  It doesn't have a long or sharp bite (90 is on the lower end for alcohol content).

Conclusion:   Not bad, not one of my favorites.  It's a decent placeholder if you're looking for a Rye drink

NBA Draft 2021 predictions

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Detroit drafts Cade Cunningham; Houston drafts Jalen Green; Cleveland Grab Evan Mobley.  Cleveland keeps Sexton and trades for a late round 1^st to grab Jaden Springer as their third guard

 

What Should Happen: Detroit drafts Cunningham; Houston drafts Green; Cleveland Grab Mobley.  Cleveland keeps Sexton and trades for a late round 1^st to grab Jaden Springer as their third guard

 

What Will Happen: Detroit drafts Cunningham; Houston drafts Green; Cleveland Grab Mobley and makes no other moves.

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Detroit drafts Cunningham; Houston drafts Mobley;  Cleveland drafts Green and the next four months are nothing but talk about how to fit Green, Sexton and Garland together

If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Detroit drafts Cunningham; Houston drafts Green;  Cleveland trades #3 to Orlando for #5, #8 and a future (lottery protected) 1^st from Orlando, then draft Kuminga (5^th) and Moses Moody (8^th)   Not that I don’t like either prospect, but nowhere on the level as Mobley 

Lottery predictions:

1)  Detroit Pistons- Cade Cunnginham

2)  Houston Rockets- Jalen Green

3)  Cleveland Cavaliers- Evan Mobley

4)  Toronto Raptors- Jalen Suggs

5)  Oklahoma CIty Thunder (trade with Orlando Magic)- Scottie Barnes

6)  Orlando Magic (trade with Oklahoma City Thunder)- Jonathon Kuminga

7)  Golden State Warriors- James Bouknight

8)  Orlando Magic- Alperen Sengun

9)  Sacramento Kings- Franz Wgner

10)  Memphis Grizzlies- Josh Giddey

11)  Charlotte Hornets- Kai Jones

12)  San Antonio Spurs- Ziaire Williams

13)  Indianapolis Pacers- Davion Mitchell

14)  Golden State Warriors- Chris Duarte

Taste Test: Angel's Envy

Another Bourbon:

Selection:  Angel's Envy

Price:  ~$50, which makes it very affordable.  But it's hard to get.  My usual hangout seems to only have a few bottles a month

Proof:   86.6 Proof (43.3% ABV)

Thoughts:   It's finished in Port Wine Barrels, and there is a taste of fruit and vanilla to the bourbon.  You can feel the alcohol, even though it's lower proof than many other bourbons.  

Conclusion:   Very good- especially if you like red wine

Taste Test: Old Grand-dad

 A couple of days later, another bourbon... one that I'm about halfway through.

Selection:  Old Grand-dad

Price:  ~$30, which makes it very affordable.  But it's hard to get.  My usual hangout seems to only have a few bottles a month

Proof:   114 Proof (57% ABV)

Thoughts:   There's a honey-like taste to this bourbon.  The taste is sugary, and it lingers for a while.  A proof of 114 is on the higher end for bourbon, and it is noticeable.  But it's not nearly as abrasive as the Forester.  

Conclusion:   I like it.  The price point is very good for the quality.  It's not a favorite but I'll add it to the rotation when I can find it.