"How We Get Things Done" By the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks decided that a change was needed & made the call to
bring back the old "Pac Man" logo in a modernized form. Hash tags could
be found on Twitter saying #PacIsBack

So if you saw the previous article before this, then you probably saw the bold brackets that told you about this article after it. In the previous article, I wrote all about the Golden State warriors despite the fact that I mentioned both them and this article's team, the Atlanta Hawks, on it. The reason I split it up is because I did not want it to be too lengthy a read for everyone when you consider how long it would've been with all the information and photos that would go into it.

So now we come to the Atlanta Hawks. Now in the previous article, I mentioned that the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors were at the top of their games for different reasons. For Golden State, you could probably get a sense that much of it was from pure scoring domination from two big time players along with a number of solid role players and bench players. In Atlanta however, things are not much more different. The Atlanta Hawks are like Golden State in that they too are sitting nice and pretty on top of the Southeast Division and Eastern Conference due to an astonishing push by the team to get the Hawks to a 43-11 overall record.

Out of those 43 wins, the Hawks also had a stretch of wins that went to 19 games until losing to the New Orleans Hornets on February 2nd. Also, 25 of their 43 victories have come while playing at home in the Phillips Arena. While the Hawks sit atop the Southeast Division, the Washington Wizards are right behind them with a 33-21 record and are behind by... 10 games. So not really very close. Meanwhile in the overall view of the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors are in second place behind the Hawks by 6.5 games with a 36-17 record. As far as how there stats rank in the NBA, Atlanta surprisingly is 6th in points per game (103.4), just 27th in rebounds (40.9), an amazing 2nd in assists (25.7), and 4th in points allowed (96.8). Just like with Golden State, Atlanta has had got overcome some tough goings before getting to this point.

Majority owner Bruce Levenson decided it was time to
sell the Hawks after his racial email story had come out.

I would say that Atlanta's issues started back when the team made the call to trade shooting guard Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets. They then found themselves in search of a new head coach during the 2013 offseason which became Mike Budenholzer. Also that same offseason, the Atlanta Hawks decided that it was time to part ways with All-Star forward Josh Smith. Then came the moments this past year that have really rang throughout the NBA. First, word came out in September 2014 that the Atlanta Hawks' majority owner Bruce Levenson would be selling his shares of the team after a story broke that he had sent an email out that had racial slurs in it that deemed it to be "racist", even though African American players such as Jason Whitlock and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said that the email had no racist intent at all. A top of that came the story about the Hawks' general manager Danny Terry who was said to have made racial slurs and comments over the phone while discussing a scouting report that he had on forward Luol Deng, which lead to a cry for Terry to be fired but saw him instead take an indefinite leave from the team.The most recent news is the talks that have been mentioned here and there about sale of the Atlanta Hawks after the last of the shares were said to be sold with Levenson's shares. I guess the movie Slap Shot brings up the best question for them: "Who own the team?! Ooownnzzz! Ooownnzzz!"

Some are still unsure if Mike Budenholzer is the reason for
the big turn around, but it certainly has not hurt to team.

While we may not know who owns the team, we should know who is leading this team as the head coach of them. The Hawks looked at many possibilities to fill the void of head coach, but Danny Terry ultimately settled to go with someone he was familiar with from San Antonio, Mike Budenholzer. My guess is that no one really knows who this coach Budenholzer is. Well, his first job was to be part of Gregg Popovich's staff on the San Antonio Spurs in 1996 where he spent his first two seasons as a video coordinator for the team before eventually being promoted to an assistant coach with the Spurs until 2013. The Hawks signed him as the new head coach in May 2013. In his first season with the team, Budenholzer showed adequate promise after finishing with a 38-44 record and 4th in the Southeast Division while also earning a spot in the playoffs, which they eventually lost in the first round to [then] powerful Indiana Pacers. But so far, Budenholzer seems to be showing that type of Gregg Popovich coaching style in Atlanta with how their season is looking thus far. one of his finest qualities may be his keen sense for being able to adjust his team's playbook on the fly in order to settle better against the opposing team, particularly on defense.

While coach Budenholzer's coaching has certainly made an impact on this team, his players have shown a great ability to take what he teaches and execute it almost to perfection. But unlike Golden State, their team has accomplished all they have by playing together in perfect harmony and executing every single chance and opportunity given to them on offense and defense to the almost pin point perfection as well.

Jeff Teague might be one of Atlanta's best point guards
of all time, but he still has a lot to prove in order to pass
Jason Terry, Lenny Wilkens, Doc Rivers, and Mookie Blaylock.

 It all starts with their point guard Jeff Teague. The former '09 first rounder out of Wake Forest came into the NBA with the three qualities that every franchise wants in a solid starting point guard: He could create space in order to allow him to score, his perimeter defense was solid, and his hands were quick enough to knock to ball loose or intercept the pass; however, he did not become the starting point guard until the 2011 season. Teague has continued to grow as a player with each season that passes. Mostly, the growth has been in his scoring ability and assist passing as his defense has maintained consistent. The season may be Jeff Teague's finest performance as his stats show that he is averaging 17.0 points/game, 7.5 assists/game, and 1.7 steals/game while also having a 46.7% field goal percentage, a 34% three point percentage, and just under 87% free throw percentage.

"The Crane" Kyle Korver does his signature "Crane" gesture
after sinking yet another three ball.

Teague's partner in crime is a former Chicago Bull himself, Kyle Korver. Korver was acquired by the Hawks from the Bulls back in July 2012 for Kirk Hinrich and cash considerations (because Hinrich has been SO productive, right?). During his two season in Chicago, Korver averaged around 8 points/game and was close to around 45.0% from three point range. Before then, he started off with the Philadelphia 76ers where he averaged almost 10.5 points/game over his five seasons there . After that, he was signed by the Utah Jazz where he spent three seasons and set a season record for highest three point percentage (53.6%). But once Korver got the Hawks, it felt like he had new life in him all the sudden. In 2013, Kyle Korver broke the record for most games (89 was old record) with a made three pointer (90 is new record) which he continued until it was broken in March 2014 at 127 games. Since coming to Atlanta, 33 year old Korver has become of the NBA's most highly effective sharpshooters and shooting guards. Aside from his past stats, Korver has high value as a scrappy type of player that can play physical on defense and give that "do what it takes" attitude on the court. Currently, his stats say he averages 12.7 points/game, 2.7 assists/game, and 4.3 rebounds/game while holding onto an amazing field goal percentage of 51%, an outstanding 52% three point percentage, and a 91% free throw percentage.

Paul Millsap has come quite a long way to finally to
finally be apart of something special down in Atlanta

While the Hawks' backcourt is talented and shooting from long range and dishing out the assists, a lot of the support also comes from down low in the post from the big men. The first is Paul Millsap. This was a guy who came out of Louisiana Tech in the second round and was thought to become nothing more than a career bench player in the NBA. But in 2008, starting forward Carlos Boozer was injured which allowed Millsap to step up and make his name noticed. The next season, he took on the role of being the team's sixth man by coming off the bench to grab rebounds and score strong inside. His chance to start finally came in 2010 when [my] Chicago Bulls made the sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz in July. The next three years would be some of Paul Millsap's best with the Jazz as he averaged about 16 points/game and 7.8 rebounds/game in those three seasons.

Despite showing amazing growth, it seemed that after the Jazz had drafted Derrick Favors, Millsap's time in Utah was over. As a free agent in 2013, Millsap was signed by the Atlanta Hawks in order to fill the void that was left open by the departure of their All-Star forward Josh Smith. That season, he showed his dominance by helping to take the Hawks with their first year head coach Budenholzer to the playoffs. So far this season, Paul Millsap has been huge for the Hawks offensively and defensively by scoring 16.8 points/game, grabbing 7.9 rebounds/game, and sending back almost 1.0 blocks/game while having a .478 field goal percentage, a .346 three point percentage, and an average .755 free throw percentage.

Al Horford has been with the franchise through the ups
and downs, but has always remained one of the
signature pieces and rocks in the franchise.

Although some think that Paul Millsap cannot replace what Josh Smith brought to Atlanta, I think it's fair to say that he seems to be able to play quite nicely with his low post teammate, Al Horford. I still remember the first time I saw him him was when he was playing for the University of Florida under head coach Billy Donovan with Corey Brewer and Bulls' center Joakim Noah and went on to win back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. He brought power and toughness to the Hawks when they selected him third overall back in 2007. His greatest attribute: get all the rebounds and block all the shots. To this day, he still holds those skills true. In fact, Horford is only one of four players to be drafted by the Hawks to have played in the All-Star game (Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis, and teammate Jeff Teague are others). You might wonder where dunk master Dominique Wilkins is? Well he may have played for the Hawks, but he was originally drafted by Utah. Al Horford's numbers have maintained consistency over his now 8 years with the team. This season alone, he is averaging 15.6 points/game, 7.4 rebounds/game, and 1.3 blocks/game while having a field goal percentage of .544, a low but expected three point percentage of .296, and has an average free throw percentage of .774.

While those four players are really the ones that have stood out the most, it cannot be stressed enough that all of their success have come from the combined efforts of their team all around. The usual fifth starter has been forward DeMarre Carroll, who bounced around with four different teams (Memphis, Utah, Denver, and Houston) as a bench player before finding a place at home in Atlanta where he could show his skills. Young players like guard Dennis Schroder and forward Mike Scott are able to help give a lift to the team's offense while also keeping pressure on the opposing team defensively, all while coming off the bench. And, although currently injured, the Hawks have Thabo Sefolosha, one of NBA's finest and most technically sound defensive players that have a knack for getting steals, grabbing needed rebounds, and playing lockdown perimeter defense on his opponents.

They may not look like much, but you definitely cannot
underestimate what the Atlanta Hawks' bench squad can do

While there are some similarities shared between the Hawks and the Warriors, the style in which they play and have earned their accolades thus far have been completely separate. Yes, technically both teams came have the argument made that they play a "team oriented" game. But  I think it's clear that Golden State see that their game is mostly run their plays through the efforts of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, whereas Atlanta rides the entire starting lineup plus the bench in order to win games. Regardless of how they get it done, there is no doubt that both teams have come a long way from where they were about maybe 10 years ago. So for the Atlanta Hawks, they will continue to do what they do because it certainly seems to work for them and may go into the playoffs as the best possible contenders to win the title. But as I said in the previous article about Golden State, the playoffs are often something of a mystery where anything and everything could possibly happen.

"How We Get Things Done" by the Golden State Warriors

{Atlanta Hawks will be continued in a separate article after this one}

All-Star Weekend is here and it is now time to just kick back and watch the best of the best from the Eastern and Western Conference due battle on the court. Unfortunately, I am not a All-Star watcher. I want this weekend to hurry up so that the season can continue because it is time to start seeing which teams will begin the big push to earn a playoff berth or which teams will begin to fall apart and let things squeeze through the cracks. So far, there are two teams that are making everything look so simple in two entirely different fashions: The Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks. For some, this may be a bit of shock if you have not been keeping up with sports or what is happening in the NBA because both teams, while well equipped and talented, were seen as potentially not being anything to be wow'd at for all their different reasons.

Golden State decided it was time
to bring back the old school logo.

For this first article, we have the Golden State Warriors. Right now, the Warriors are sitting relatively comfy being first in the Pacific Division and Western Conference because of their amazing 42-9 overall record, in which a majority of the victories came at home (23-2 at home) along with a 19-game winning streak at home in the Oracle Arena that eventually was ended by the "streak-enders" and my hometown boys, the Chicago Bulls (just a little side note). While Golden State is first in their division, the Los Angeles Clippers are behind them in second by 8.5 games despite having a 35-19 record. Behind them in the Western Conference Standings in the Memphis Grizzlies who are just 4 games back while 39-14 record. Stats wise, the Warriors are up there also as they rank 1st in points per game (110.6), 5th in rebounds (45.1), 1st in assists (27.2), and 15th in points allowed (99.6).  Despite all those incredible numbers, they have been most impressive after having quite a rough offseason after seeing their head coach Marc Jackson fired after having a shaky yet impressive 121-109 record in three years with the team.

Say what you may about Steve Kerr, the man must know
what he is doing in order to have Golden State looking so good.

After the news broke about coach Jackson being fired, the big question was now about who would be the team's new head coach. Enter Steve Kerr. Similar to Marc Jackson, Kerr played point guard in the NBA, but for the Chicago Bulls during their runs in the 1990s with Michael Jordan. Kerr was seen as a top choice by many teams looking to hire themselves a strong minded and spirited head coach despite the fact that he had never had any previous head coaching experience ever before. What really makes Steve Kerr so valuable is not just he played with the "Unstoppa-Bulls" of '90s, it is really that he is an innovative mind that gained a lot from learning under the legendary head coach Phil Jackson during his time as a player. Not to mention he has that outbursting energy from time to time that Jackson used to show on the sidelines.

Once they had hired him, experts were all over the place as to where the team would be this season. Some believed that they would be successful, but that it would come from the fact that they had a group of young and highly talented individuals that had some solid chemistry with one another and could score on you any way possible. Others were saying that Kerr would try to be "too" innovative and try to install a system or plays that were just not necessary or would not fit the Warriors' skill sets. I feel it's safe to say he proved them wrong when Kerr and Warriors won all of their first five games, and then go on a 15-game winning streak after dropping their sixth and seventh game of the season.

Stephen Curry may have the sweetest &
smoothest jump shot of the NBA's point guards

Of course Steve Kerr is not alone in this machine. After all, he has quite a talented team. The team's biggest star is and certainly has got to be Stephen Curry. The 6'3" point guard who came out of Davidson University could quite possibly be the best three point scorer we have seen since the Ray Allen, who I think it sticking around the NBA just so he can try to make his career three point record just a little bit harder for Curry to shoot towards. But that what he does: shoots. Every single time I see him with the ball, it's already a guarantee score for Golden State. I mean I just have to believe that if you put him at any spot of the court, he is more than likely going to sink it through. Curry is currently averaging 23.6 points/game, 7.9 assists/game, and 2.16 steals/game with a field goal percentage of about 48%, three point percentage of almost 40%, and a free throw percentage of 90%.

At this rate, Klay Thompson may
become one of the best pure shooting guards
 in the history of the NBA

Playing along side Curry is possibly the NBA's best pure shooting guards right now named Klay Thompson. Well noted when coming out of Washington State, he was known for his ability to hit open shots in those clutch situations. He not only he can do that, but he also has the ability to take over games. His best moment thus far has been him dropping 52 points in a 126-101 victory against the Sacramento Kings where he scored 37 of the 52 points in just the third quarter alone while shooting 9-for-9 from three point and 100% all around that quarter. All I found myself saying was "wow" with my jaw down to the floor and no other words to explain what I had just laid witness to that night. Thompson's stats are currently sitting at 22.1 points/game, 2.9 assists/game, and 1.2 steals/game along with a field goal percentage of 47%, three point percentage of 44%, and free throw percentage of 86%.

Although these two are the players that stand out the most of the team, much of the thanks for their defensive push comes from players such as Marreese Speights, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut with their ability to maintain down low, protect the drive lanes, fight to dominate every rebounding chance. Others like Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala benefit as the teams' best dual threat weapons for both offense and defense in being able to secure rebounds and steals while also contributing to the NBA's top scoring team. All that combined with the strong effort they are able to get from their other bench players, it's no wonder Golden State has been so solid all year.

Stephen Curry (far right), Draymond Green (mid right),
Andrew Bogut (center), Klay Thompson, (mid left),
and David Lee (far left)

It's safe to say that the Golden State Warriors are definitely the top choice to win the NBA championship this year when you look at just what they are able to accomplish and in the fashion they are able to do so. However, only time will tell now that the final turn of the race is about to come. It's not to say they'll lose their spot in the playoffs (that's very doubtful), but the playoffs have always been one of mystery and not much can really be speculated about what may happen. After all, upsets have happened before, and they can certainly happen again.

{Atlanta Hawks will be continued in a separate article after this one}

Super Bowl XLIX: The Recap

Last Sunday, the NFL season came to an end with what I thought was going to be a pretty dull Super Bowl. I think I've learned now to never doubt the power of the NFL or the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLIX brought back the feeling of excitement that I was looking for in this game. For those that read my Super Bowl XLIX story before this, I thought that it would be a somewhat close game with the Seattle Seahawks beating the New England Patriots 37-31 and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch would be the game's MVP. Perhaps it was karma or something more, but ultimately, the New England Patriots captured their fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history.

#21 cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepts Wilson's pas
s to Ricardo Lockette in order to seal the win 

Despite the outcome, I do feel that I was almost right about two of the three outcomes I predicted; those being the Seahawks winning and Marshawn Lynch being the game's MVP. It all comes back to that one play. You know what play I am talking about too. On the one yard line with just seconds left in the game, the Seahawks were down 28-24, and with the snap of the ball, Russell Wilson drops back and throws it to Ricardo Lockette, who gets bumped out of the way by Patriots' cornerback Malcolm Butler who makes the interception that seals the game. I'm sure many of you who watched the game felt your jaws drop and your voices crack from all the screaming you did, whether they were joyful or outright anger. I know I was shocked when I saw what had happened.

So the big question now: Why did the Seattle Seahawks throw the ball with just one yard to go? After the game, all the media's guns were turned toward Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll about why he made the call. Carroll basically said that he was using the pass in order to kill more of the clock so that the Patriots would have less time to work with the ball. Obviously, that did not turn out to be the case. 

Marshawn Lynch was running all over the Patriots defense & was
on route to be the game's MVP until coach Carroll made "The Call"

I will say that while I am no NFL head coach, I do understand where Carroll was coming from when you consider that the moment Lynch falls into the endzone, the clock stops which leaves a couple more seconds for the Patriots to use. Just think that by taking the snap, dropping back, and considering the time to throw the pass and for a receiver to come down with it or not could mean that four or five seconds is shaved off the Patriots' chances. 

However, even if the Patriots do have four or five more seconds to use along with quarterback Tom Brady's ability to bring the Patriots back at the very end and the game he was having, your going to try and tell me that the No. 1 defense in the NFL cannot hold off Brady and offense for about 20 seconds or less? I'm sorry but I find that hard to believe.

Because of the call that Carroll made, this may go down as one of, if not the, most controversial Super Bowl in NFL history. I could only imagine how the Seahawks and Carroll must feel knowing that they had a chance to be two-time Super Bowl champions and suddenly had it taken away from them just like that.

Although Butler was the one who tipped the pass that was
somehow caught by Jermaine Kearse, he would eventually
be the hero of the game

History should also make sure to recognize Malcolm Butler, the undrafted free agent cornerback from North Alabama who intercepted the pass to put a stamp on the Patriots' victory. While I do look at that pass and think that it was a lucky INT, I think about it now and realize that it was true skill to bump Ricardo Lockette and also secure the INT in order to redeem himself. Why do I say redeem? Well it's because Malcolm Butler was the cornerback that was defending Jermaine Kearse and tipped the pass that became one of the luckiest catches ever made in the history of the sport of football. After a play like that, I could only imagine the type of frustration and emotions that had to be going through his head. Yet somehow, Butler was able to keep his cool and stay focused, and the next thing you know, he comes out seeking redemption for a play that was made by pure luck and makes the biggest play of the game. So for Butler's amazing comeback, I award him with A.J. Valentin's Spittin' Out Sports Redemption Player of the Year Award.

Instead of both teams simply accepting the outcome,
the two decided to start to throw down some

Finally, when the game almost all said and done, the Seattle Seahawks' defense is called for encroachment with the Patriots just barely out of the endzone. But it was what ensued afterwards that left many people with their faces in their hands and face palms being smacked everywhere as the Seahawks and Patriots began to engage one another in what I could only describe as "the most unnecessary street fight ever". Although it is still unclear to me as to who really started the fight while many say it s was Seahawks' linebacker Bruce Irvin, I put the blame on both teams because I would bet that their were words being exchanged throughout the game and especially there toward the end. Combine that with the mixed emotions of victory and angered sadness, and you get the perfect concoction to fuel a fight to break out. Although I don't condone such acts as fighting and trash talking, it is just another part of the game that has stood over the longest of time, so I understand where and why these types of things happen every now and then.

Tom Brady's Hall of Fame resume is at that point
where "Greatest QB of All Time" could be possible, but
one more Super Bowl victory may just do it

While I am sad to the NFC lose to AFC and also be wrong with my prediction once again, I do congratulate the New England Patriots, the city of Boston, and the entire New England area for their fourth Super Bowl victory. Also, I congratulate Tom Brady on passing Joe Montana's Super Bowl touchdown record, winning his third MVP (ties Montana's record), being one of two players to play in six Super Bowls, and being just one of three QBs to win four Super Bowls (Terry Bradshaw of the Steelers/ Joe Montana of the 49ers). SO with the NFL season over with, we now must look to the offseason schedules of free agency and the 2015 NFL Draft. The only question I have left to ask is: will Tom Brady be able to capture an NFL record fifth Lombardi Trophy?

Super Bowl XLIX

"Are you ready for some football!!!"

Today is the big day: Super Bowl Sunday! People from all over the country will flock to bars, friends' houses, restaurants, and wherever a television may be in site in order to watch the biggest football game of the year take place with some of the best commercials, movie trailers, and halftime show stunts we will see. This year is Super Bowl XLIX (49 in regular numbers) and we will witness the matchup of last year's defending champions Seattle Seahawks go head-to-head against the New England Patriots. So I guess it is time that I throw in my own ideas and thoughts on what today's big game will bring for us.

-Excited, but not "Over The Moon"

Deflate gate really took all the air out of the Super Bowl

This may be a bit confusing to understand because while I am excited to see the Super Bowl today, I get the feeling that this year's Super Bowl just does not seem to have the buzz and atmosphere that I have experienced in other seasons in the past. One reason, and it's probably the biggest one, is the whole thing about the New England Patriots and their latest scandal known as Deflategate, in which the NFL discovered that the New England Patriots had used footballs that were deflated by about 2 PSI under the minimum requirement of 12.5 PSI during the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. Because the scandal had come about before the Super Bowl, the media instantly turned most of it's focus on the scandal rather than the big game because it is the more interesting of the two stories. Even I can not deny that I was drawn to finding out more about the story (which is why my Super Bowl piece is coming out on the day of the game).

Another reason for the loss of interest in the game is what I call "prediction syndrome". This may or may not make sense, but hear me out on this. You see, we all know that the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season with amazing play from the defense and the team overall, so our expectations are that they will repeat again next season. The New England Patriots and their QB Tom Brady have been here five times before and won three of them, so we expect to Patriots to always find a way to be able to compete for the AFC Championship and possibly make it to the Super Bowl. So honestly, the reason that I feel this game does not have an edge to it like others in the past is because their really isn't any surprise here; most people I spoke with or read had prediction like Seattle and Denver or Seattle and New England. They were choosing the most likely and predictable, which I can not blame them seeing as these two teams played so well. I think it would been much more talked about had we been looking at a Green Bay vs New England game when you consider the talent of the two teams as far as the QB play that would go on between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

-Ground Game + Pass Defense = Win Factor

Marshawn Lynch has been amazing for Seattle since his arrival,
but can the Patriots shut him down and out of beast mode?

So far, all the talk has been about the two teams ability to run the ball being their main source of success. I one way, I will agree that it holds true for the Seahawks when you consider the playing ability of running back Marshawn Lynch. The Patriots, however, have never been one to lean too much on the run. And why should they? After all, it's not like Tom Brady is hurting or going to be out of the game today. Also, the Patriots are not exactly "stacked" with talent at the running back position. There's LaGarrette Blount, who had a decent game in the AFC Championship, but must work on getting a lot quicker on his cuts. Then Shane Vereen is in the mix as the speedy back that shows promise, but has problems with staying healthy. Brandon Bolden is an quite a talent, but also a problem with only so-so speed to go along with a lack of carries. Now those are just about half of the running backs. In total (including those on the IR list), the Patriots have gone through six running backs to try and control the ground game. Out of all of them, the best I feel is Steven Ridley. However, Ridley is the one sitting on the IR list.

Tom Brady is all about being calm, cool, and so very good, but now
comes time to see how good Seattle's Legion of Boom really is

But besides the run, both teams must be at their best in the pass defense in order to win this game as well. The Seahawks have some of the NFL's best defensive backs with Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor. They will have to try and do their best against Tom Brady, especially if it comes down to the last two minutes or so of the game (Brady has proven successful there before). As for the Patriots, their secondary of Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner (with Seattle last season), Patrick Chung, and Devin McCourty will have to deal with Russell Wilson. While Wilson is not seen as an established passer like Tom Brady, he still has a unique ability to finds man when needed in those clutch situations that coincides with his leadership skills on the field (two similarities Wilson shares with Brady). Basically, whoever can sustain a consistent and steady ground game offensively while the passing defense contains the offense to at least one passing touchdown all game, that will be the team who wins it.

-Whose is the MVP?
It's always a question that gets thrown around with the same similar answers that go with it: who will the Super Bowl MVP? And usually, the answers tend to be the team's best performers off the regular season/post season.

-New England

Rob Gronkowski has the skill and talent to be Super Bowl MVP,
but can once again come through to actually win this one?

First, we'll talk about the candidates of the New England Patriots since they are favored to win the Super Bowl today. Offensively, the Patriots' MVP will be either quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski, or wide receiver Julian Edelman. Brady makes sense because, well he's the quarterback whose won it before (Super Bowl & Super Bowl MVP) and could be primed for a big game of around 300 passing yards and possibly three touchdowns. For Gronkowski, he's always proven to be one of the the NFL's top performers that can make those clutch catches when needed which is why I see Gronk winning MVP if he is able to hall in two TDs in the game with 100+ receiving yards. Then there's Julian Edelman, whose surprised so many be making a giant leap in his ability to play as a wide out. Edelman may be a shocker if he can hall in two touchdowns or have one receiving TD to go with scoring a TD on a punt or kick return.

Whether you no him or not,
whether he plays defensive end or linebacker,
Rob Ninkovich will have some type of impact in this game

Defensively, I give it to either cornerback Darrelle Revis or defensive end/ linebacker Rob Ninkovich. If Revis, being the talented DB that he is, can get two interceptions and take one back for a touchdown while helping to shut down the Seahawks' passing game, I think he earns MVP. As for Ninkovich, many forget that he is such a talented and intelligent player for the Patriots' defense. If he can record two sacks, a forced fumble, maybe even a fumble recovery or INT back for a touchdown, I could see him winning the award.


-Seattle

Jermaine Kearse may not seem like Super Bowl MVP,
but he has the skills to shine through in this game today

Now we move on to the Seattle Seahawks and who their possible candidates for MVP could possibly be. Offensively, the Seahawks have MVP possibilities in quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Marshawn Lynch, and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. Wilson makes sense because he is the quarterback and will always find a way to make big plays. I will consider him so long at he can get two touchdowns (passing or running) and about 220+ passing yards. Lynch is one of the clear-cut notables to win MVP according to most analysts. Considering how dominant a player he is and how important he will be in this game for the Seahawks, I could see Lynch win MVP so long as he can get 120+ total yards with two touchdowns (passing or rushing). The reason I pick Jermaine Kearse is not [just] for the big catch that he had to win in OT over Green Bay, but because he is viable piece to the passing game in complimenting fellow wide out Doug Baldwin and tight end Luke Willson. Kearse can earn the honor of MVP if he can grab to clutch touchdowns when the Seahawks need them the most.

Kam Chancellor (left), Richard Sherman (center), and
Earl Thomas(right) could all be MVP of the game, but
which one will get their chance to shine first

On the defensive side the ball, I could see cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas, safety Kam Chancellor, and linebacker K.J. Wright. Sherman is many peoples' "obvious" pick because of what he can do against any QB in the NFL. Even though last year he was not able to make through the entire game, if he stays healthy and grab two INTs with one of them back for a touchdown, he'll get MVP. Then you have Thomas, who is one of the best safeties in the NFL right now. His hard hits and ability to track the ball in the air are what make me think that he could be the Super Bowl MVP, but will only happen if he can lead the team in tackles in the game, force a fumble or two along with maybe an INT or two. My favorite defensively right now is Chancellor. He;s the size of a linebacker, playing safety, and is arguably one of the toughest in the league. Despite being injured and listed as probable, I think Chancellor will play and lead the team in tackles while also getting an INT and a forced fumble to win MVP. Finally, there's Wright. he was last year's MVP of the Super Bowl and he is such an amazing performing that I feel he can come through again. So long as he leads in tackles and has himself a combo or INTs and/or fumble recoveries, he could be a two-time MVP.

-Who wins Super Bowl XLIX?
All in all, there is not too much more I can really say about the Super Bowl because it's here now and it's time to start shifting over to what we can expect to see out of this game. So who wins this game? Whose MVP? Well, I my opinion I see the Seattle Seahawks repeating as Super Bowl Champions 37-31. In my head, I would say that Tom Brady will be able to get three touchdowns with two to Gronkowski and one to LaFell, but then will be intercepted by either Chancellor or Thomas which will shift the Momentum to the Seahawks where Wilson will throw two touchdowns of his own with one to Willson and one to Kearse. Then Lynch will do the ground work for Seattle and run for little over 100 yards and score twice (once from the redone and the other going for 30+ yards). With Seattle crowned champions, I would say that Marshawn Lynch then wins Super Bowl MVP.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday to You All!