Weekly Takes - Monday, October 21 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, October 21 Edition

1. My three stars from the Maple Leafs dominant win over the Kings on Wednesday...

1. Bobby McMann

2. Auston Matthews

3. William Nylander

The first line continues to roll -- with production now coming -- while the McMann-Max Domi-Nylander line could sure be something.

Mix in the Steven Lorentz-David-Kampf-Ryan Reaves line -- who did not have the best game on Wednesday but have otherwise played well -- and the Leafs have three lines that they should keep in place for now.

I did not love the Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-Nick Robertson line on paper or on the ice, though.

On defence, the third pairing of Simon Benoit-Timothy Liljegren was not good, but I would go back to it. They need to give Liljegren a run of games here.

2. My three stars from the Leafs loss to the Rangers on Saturday...

1. Matthews

2. Domi

3. Nylander

I loved the start for the Leafs and loved the ending, but was not a fan of everything in between. I thought what Craig Berube said after the game was great -- that the Leafs started cheating instead of sticking with the process.

Either way, a 50/50 game that Igor Shesterkin won for the Rangers.

Holmberg needs to come out for Max Pacioretty, too.

3. My 2024-2025 NBA Predictions...

Eastern Conference

1. Boston

2. New York

3. Philadelphia

(Gap)

4. Milwaukee

5. Cleveland

6. Indiana

7. Orlando

(Gap)

8. Miami

9. Atlanta

10. Toronto

(Gap)

11. Charlotte

(Gap)

12. Chicago

13. Detroit

14. Washington

15. Brooklyn

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City

2. Denver

3. Dallas

4. Minnesota

(Gap)

5. Memphis

6.  Phoenix

7. LA Lakers

8. New Orleans

9. Sacramento

10. Golden State

11. LA Clippers

(Gap)

12. Houston

13. San Antonio

14. Utah

(Gap)

15. Portland

NBA Finals Prediction

Oklahoma City defeats Boston

My Individual Awards Predictions

• Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic

• Rookie of the Year: Reed Sheppard

• Most Improved Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

• Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

• Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk

• Executive of the Year Award: Sam Presti

• Coach of the Year: Marc Daigneault

4. As for the Raptors, this will be the most enjoyable season as a fan in years, with a clear direction in place.

But I am concerned that they are too good to lock-down a top pick for the draft. And that is a major issue because they need to find a co-star alongside Scottie Barnes.

Seeing Barnes take another step, RJ Barrett round into form, Immanuel Quickley establish himself, etc is all important, but it is all for naught if no co-star for Barnes.

5. I have always been more higher on the Jets than most, but I truly believed they were going to be a tough out in the playoffs (if they make it) after trading for Devante Adams.

But they are going to have to start winning games. Losing to the Steelers was crushing.

6. As for the Steelers, it turns out that Russell Wilson may be so much better with his arm that he is worth starting over Justin Fields.

A ballsy call by Mike Tomlin, who looks a lot smarter than everyone else right now.

7. Amari Cooper may be washed, as his amount of drops speak for themselves, but it is a worthy risk by the Bills.

Going from Deshaun Watson to Josh Allen can change anyone's career.

8. Here is the concerning part about the Chiefs.

They are undefeated despite their top players looking... pedestrian. They may clearly be the best team in the AFC for yet another season.