The 2010 NBA Finals

Posted on by georgefattell

Well the stage is set and now we finally get to the Celtics vs the Lakers. I can’t wait for this series to start and I’m delighted that this great rivalry, the greatest in pro basketball, is about to be renewed. I know some fans have gone tired of seeing these two teams in the Finals, but I’m not one of them. I think that these truly are the two best teams in the NBA this year and it is only fitting that they will battle for the championship.

I expect this to be a closely contested series and one that goes 7 games, with the Lakers ultimately winning. The two teams retain most of the players they had a couple of years ago when they met in the Finals, but I expect one of the new Lakers to make a key difference this time around. That Laker is Ron Artest, who should be able to make a significant impact on both ends of the court. Artest’s rugged defense should prove to be very valuable, especially when he is covering Celtic great Paul Pierce. I also expect Kobe Bryant to continue his very high level of play as a indefensible scorer and a lock down defender. Kobe will collect ring number 5 and further burnish his hall of fame credentials.

UFC 114

Posted on by georgefattell

UFC 114 looks like it will have a pretty good card, with at least 4 or 5 fights that could be very entertaining. Of course, it is the main event, with Rampage Jackson vs Sugar Rashad Evans that is the major draw and with good reason. It is a very compelling match-up between two top light heavies that seem to intensely dislike each other. Jackson vs Evans is the only fight at this event that I have made a pick on and I’m going with Rampage in what I expect to be a close hard fought fight. I did not make predictions for any other fights because there are many match-ups where I am familiar with one fighter, but not the other, so I would making more uneducated guesses than I am comfortable with.

I think Rashad Evans has a chance to win if he keeps the fight on the ground and uses his superior wrestling skills to his advantage, but he has to avoid Jackson’s dangerous striking and the KO power that is packed in Rampage’s punches. In the end I think Rampage’s strength will prove too much for Evans.

2010 NBA Playoffs – Conference Finals

Posted on by georgefattell

Well, it looks like I’m going to be 1 for 2 in predicting which teams would prevail in the conference finals. The Lakers and Celtics are both up 2 to zip and are headed for yet another showdown in finals, which I look forward to. I thought all along that the Lakers would make the finals, but this Celtic team has surprised me a bit. I knew Boston was good, but I honestly thought they were a little too old to take out Cleveland or the Orlando Magic. They’re not older, they’re better, especially with the emergence of Rajon Rhondo as an All-Star caliber point guard.

I don’t see how the Magic can win 4 out 5 games against this very tough Boston squad. It was absolutely critical for the Magic to win game 2 at home and they fell just short. That was deadly.

As for the Lakers, they just have too much size and offensive firepower for any other team in the west. Phoenix is just the latest to find that out the hard way.

The Santa Fe 3751 visits San Diego

Posted on by georgefattell


I travelled up to Carlsbad and Encinitas yesterday via the Coaster, which is the local San Diego County commuter train. On the way back to San Diego I noticed there were people at every stop with still cameras and video cameras and I wondered what it was they were waiting for. I found out when we arrived at Santa Fe Depot. A couple of young guys with cameras set up on tripods told the an old steam engine was on the way from Los Angeles. Sure enough, about 30 minutes later the Santa Fe 3751 chugged into downtown San Diego. The powerful old locomotive looked like it was in perfect condition. By the time the 3751 arrived at Santa Fe Depot an awaiting crowd had formed.

Here is my video of the 3751 chugging into SD