T.E.N Sports NBA Power RankingsWritten by Gary Whittaker
T.E.N Sports NBA Power Rankings 1. Detroit Pistons. Not only are Bad Boys are coming back with same starting cast that won championship, but they have improved their support cast. They may not win most games this year, but they have best bet (at start of season) to win last. 2. Indiana Pacers. They lost to Pistons in Eastern finals. With another year under their belts, and addition of Stephan Jackson from Hawks, they may take advantage if some of Bad Boys end up suspended (assuming Artest can keep his own cool). 3. San Antonio Spurs. Spurs will start year third on our lists, only because a much stronger Western Conference will shave a few wins off their total this year. Both Ginobili and Parker are improving, while newly acquired Barry can be used to replace either in event of a cold streak. 4. Phoenix Suns. Imagine a Maverick team that can bang boards for rebounds. Nash must be drooling to work this high-octane offence with Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson. And don't worry about Nash tiring himself out. This time, he has other free-agent acquisition in Quentin Richardson to take care of business while he catches his breath. 5. Sacramento Kings. Well, we have to start this season with what we see on paper. With that philosophy, Kings round up last of elite class of teams this year. At same time, they are a segway into holes found in rest of league. How will Stojakovic play not that his best friend (Vlade Divac) is wearing a Laker jersey again? Can Webber actually play a full season? Only a breakdown can take this team out of elite 5. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves. Okay, so they have most dominant player in game in K.G (that's right, I said it!). If age and injury to do factor in too greatly, Spreewell and Cassell, with a return to form from Szczerbiak could lead this team to their first ever championship. They know it is their last year together, and these hard-nosed players will want to end this season with a ring. 7. Dallas Mavericks. Instead of playing team defence, Mavs figured way to go was to add Dampier at center after his breakout season with Warriors. Despite this move, Dallas figures it's form of defence will be to outscore opposition into submission, with hopes that Dampier can pick up enough boards to be difference maker. The problem with a team like Mavericks is that they cannot surprise you. Too many players will be demanding ball, and with a new point guard that loves to score his own points, Don Nelson will have a tough time of it this post season. 8. Houston Rockets. T-Mac will be on a mission and he has perfect ensemble of role players to complete it. Ward's job is simple, and he is good at it: Pass ball to T-Mac. Ming and Howard, get boards and score on 2nd hand chances. There will be a lot of him, as McGrady and Kobe will battle for most shots taken in league. Jackson's job will be to hit open jay when McGrady is double-teamed. 9. Miami Heat. If I thought Shaq would play a full-season, Heat would be ranked higher. This time, Shaq has got 2 star guards that will listen to him in Eddie Jones and Dwyane Wade (who has to try and avoid dreaded sophomore jinx), and better support at forward in Haslem and Butler than he had in L.A. Miami traded away their depth to get him, so injuries should take it's toll during season. 10. Denver Nuggets. 'Melo is back for his sophomore year, and this time he's got Kenyon Martin along side him. Nene was doing job, but Denver struck gold with this free-agent acquisition. This may help fragile Camby in middle, but they did not improve their backcourt. Leonard can shoot, but does not play D, meanwhile Boykins can give you a spark off bench, but at 5-5, will not be giving you much help on defence. 11. Los Angeles Lakers. Blah, blah, blah...Kobe...blah, blah blah. Put up, or shut up...yeah, we know. This team will be interesting. When Divac was first in L.A, many questioned his ability. He will now return to same criticism as he is about 2 years past his expiry date. Lamar Odom may be key #2 key for this team, but real factor will be to see if Caron Butler can fulfill promise he showed when he first broke into league. 12. Memphis Grizzlies. Basically, they are New England Patriots of basketball. They reached 50 wins for first time in their history due to great coaching and T-E-A-M play. They emphasised this point by picking up only a role-player in off-season. They will, however, need Mike Miller to step it up if they don't want to get swept again in play-offs. 13. Utah Jazz. The Jazz are back! If Boozer is real deal, and Arroyo continues to improve, Jazz will be a popular music in NBA this year. With Mehmet Okur, Jazz at least have some kind of potential at center, and Kirilenko should have another monster season. They may start season at unlucky 13, but I think they will finish higher. 14. Boston Celtics. Pierce and Payton along should be enough to win Atlantic, and they have one of better benches in East. Ricky Davis can give average 15-20, McCarty can provide quality minutes, and Marcus Banks may be their point of future. Mark Blount needs to give them more boards at center, but his FG% is crazy at 56.6%. 15. New York Knicks. They may question Marbury's character, but there is no questioning his talent, as he is arguably best point guard in league right now. Allan Houston is consummate marksman, but if his name's can take pounding, newly acquired Jamal Crawford can easily step up, and Penny can fill any gaps left over. K. Thomas and Mohammed will both benefit from Marbury's highlight reel passes inside, with T.Thomas also taking care of business. The emotion shown by Junk Yard Dog may be enough to even get a rise out of Vin Baker.
| | Tracking Wounded Whitetail DeerWritten by David Selman, Tracker-Outdoors.com
Ethical hunters should always do their best to deliver a clean lethal shot that ends life of game quickly. We should "pass up" shots that are less than sure. There are occasions however when our best intentions require us to track game. Out of respect for wildlife we hunt, we should make every effort possible to find game we have shot. From moment we raise our hunting weapon of choice tracking process begins. When arrow is released or trigger is pulled pay close attention to every detail. Watch deer carefully after shot and study it's reactions, a grazing shot, rib shot, heart or lung shot can make deer jump and run off at full speed. A gut shot deer often holds it's tail down and hunches it's back as it leaves scene. A deer that has been shot in gut or paunch is usually most difficult to recover. Wait 2-3 hours before trailing a deer you believe was gut shot. Always follow up on any deer you take a shot at. Never make assumption that you missed completely.Here are some tips: Notice direction deer or other game was traveling when you shot. Notice where game is standing when you shoot. Look carefully for exact area of entrance wound or for a protruding shaft of an arrow after shot. If game runs after shot, note spot deer was standing and direction of travel as it ran. If you know you hit deer and it runs off, wait at least 30 minutes before trailing. Before you begin trailing, mark location from which you shot. Always walk in direction your bullet or arrow traveled, checking for nicks in vegetation or any other signs that your shot was possibly deflected. Carefully inspect area that deer was standing when shot was made. Look for blood and hair at scene. Lots of hair usually means a grazing shot , while a little hair means a body shot.
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