There is no certainty, only opportunity.

Apologies to the non-sports fans, but it's time for a playoffs update.

NBA ...

The Suns & Mavericks made big trades to try to give themselves a shot in the arm gearing up for the playoffs. Both were bounced last night in 5 games. Neither adding Shaq nor Jason Kidd got them over the hump.

It's easy to fall from grace. The Mavericks were up 2-0 on Miami in the NBA Finals in 2006 and had a meltdown in Game 3, which started a 3-12 run in the playoffs, even after winning a historic 67 games in 2007.

Conversely, the Mighty Lakers had Kobe and seemingly nothing else just a year ago and now the #1 seed in the greatest field the West has assembled has swept its way to the 2nd round. They handily beat the Nuggets, a team with the #3 and #4 scorers in the league.

I'm still thinking Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals, but I feel much more confident about the Lakers chances in that now. I think they can handle the winner of Houston & Utah, but will struggle mightily against the Spurs, whom I think can handle the Hornets.


NHL ...

The Stars have been underachieving in the eyes of many for quite a few years, having severe difficulty making it out of the 1st round.

They handled the defending champs (Ducks) with relative ease in the 1st round and are now up 3-0 on the Sharks, with a juicy chance to sweep at home tonight.

I'm sticking by my prediction of a Stars vs. Wings Western Conference Finals.

Detroit is also up 3-0, though Game 4 is a road game for them. I think it's less likely that Wing will beat Lanche in Colorado in Game 4. I'm thinking 4-1 Wing, which should give Dallas an extra 3 days rest, which they'll need going on the road for Game 1 at The Joe.


NFL ...

The Cowboys went 13-3 in the regular season and secured the #1 seed, which meant home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a 1st round bye. They were favorites to be in the Superbowl, but they were "one and done."


Whether it be a #1 seed like the Cowboys or the 2007 Mavericks or a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd or Shaq, we've learned that there is no certainty, only opportunity. Sometimes lesser teams make more of their opportunities and consequently achieve more.