Don't be a Simpson! Win today, play another Game tomorrow

Ever seen the NBA commercials for the playoffs “Where Amazing Happens”? Playoffs start on April 17. With most of the playoffs spots clinched all that’s left to decide who will get the final spot in the western conference.

The final spot in the west will be either the Grizzlies or the Rockets. On April 14 we will know which team will be playing more basketball and which one will be sitting on the couch at home watching like Homer Simpson.

As most of you can image the number eight seed in the conference plays the number one team in the first round. Let me explain the “what if” scenarios to you in some less form than a boring college professor who puts people to sleep for a living.

In the west the Grizzlies hold their own fate if they win out. The Rockets needs to win one more game than the Grizzlies to make the playoffs. Basically don’t expect the Rockets to be playing after April 13.

Grizzlies Randolph (left) scores while Rockets Martin (right) is blocked.

In the western conference the first round matchup of number one seed Spurs and number eight seed Grizzlies will be more entertaining than a Spurs Rockets matchup. The Spurs and Grizzlies split the regular season series 2-2. The Spurs always seem to have trouble slowing done Zach Randolph and for the Grizzlies to make this matchup and series Randolph needs to bring his A-game every night. He must be clutch in close games in order for the young Grizzlies to win a game against the experience Spurs.

What this all basically boils down to is for some teams the playoffs have already started and it’s win or go home and be Homer Simpson.

PBJs compared to College Basketball's greatest rivalry? Fair Game!

What does peanut butter and jelly, burger and fries, North Carolina and Duke hating each other all have in common? It what makes America great!

Arguably the best sports rivalry in college and pro sports, Duke and UNC basketball always make for a good topic. Duke freshman superstar Kyrie Irving decided on Wednesday that he will enter the 2011 NBA draft, a questionable move considering he only played in 11 out of 37 possible games for the Blue Devils.

Irving is still likely a top five pick but it’s a big blow (but expected one) to Duke’s title hopes next year. Duke will be losing 60 percent of their starting lineup to the NBA. Besides Irving, seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler will be playing in the NBA next year. Duke had been expecting all three to be gone after this season.

Left to Right: seniors Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, freshman Kyrie Irving

Now that Duke fans find out that there will be no backcourt duo of Irving and top prospect in the 2011 class, Austin Rivers, who is the son of Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, next year at Duke let me explain why they should be more worried about their team’s chances of winning an ACC title yet alone the national championship.

North Carolina Tar Heels! Yes the Tar Heels, unlike the Blue Devils, got good news on Wednesday. They learned that leading scorer Tyler Zeller and leading rebounder John Henson will not enter the draft and return to UNC. Many believed Henson would enter the NBA draft last year and he was a sure lock lottery pick this year but Henson’s decision to stay at school along with Zeller will give the Tar Heels talent inside and experience.

Also clutch shooter Harrison Barnes has yet to make his decision whether to leave for the NBA or stay at UNC. If I was Barnes I would stay at UNC because his draft stock has dropped from top pick before the season started to maybe top five but more likely top ten. If Barnes stays at UNC another year and becomes a 20 points a game scorer (he averaged 16 a game this year) and worked on his defense he could be the clear cut number one pick next year ahead of Duke top recruit Austin Rivers.

So look at next season’s matchup, the front line of UNC against the super son Austin Rivers. As much as I think Rivers will turn into a Monte Ellis scoring machine he can’t get rebounds and block shots now can he?