Dec. 24
Each week I post my Dick's Stock Up/Down report on whose stock is rising and whose is falling across the world of sports.
STOCK UP: Bearcats, Wizards
Cincinnati: What team has the longest current streak of consecutive seasons with 25 or more wins (with six)? No, it's not Duke -- it's Bob Huggins and the Bearcats. And it looks like this season will be No. 7. How do they do it? One magical word: defense. Cincinnati is playing the most suffocating defense I've seen this season. After blitzing Mississippi State 90-56 Friday, the Bearcats beat Purdue 79-62 Saturday. Since losing their opening game to a ranked Oklahoma State team, they have won 11 straight, baby!
Washington Wizards: Who would have believed the Wizards could win nine in a row? The way this season started, people thought that Michael Jordan was in a disastrous situation. But Michael the Magnificent brings out the best in his teammates.
Coach Doug Collins has done an outstanding job, and MJ is leading the way.
San Francisco 49ers: Coach Steve Mariucci and the 49ers sit at 11-3 and are playing championship-caliber football. In the last three games at home, their defense has been brilliant -- allowing just three points twelve quarters!
Texas Rangers: Rangers GM John Hart has done a masterful job; adding starter Chan Ho Park was a stroke of genius. You can have eight A-Rods, but if you can't get opposing batters out, you can't win. And if Carl Everett and John Rocker can contribute without causing distractions, Hart will be a fortunate and happy man indeed.
STOCK DOWN: Knicks, Janikowski
New York Knicks: The Knicks have struggled mightily this season. Jeff Van Gundy has resigned, and the Knicks still struggle with consistency, not knowing from night to night who will step up and score. It hasn't been easy for interim coach Don Chaney. By the way, Van Gundy would be a great college coach.
Miami Dolphins: Speaking of struggling, the Dolphins have struggled big-time the last two weeks. A week after being humiliated by the 49ers, they lost a game and the AFC East lead to the New England Patriots on Saturday.
Sebastian Janikowski: The Raiders' kicker missed three field goals and Oakland lost a 13-10 heartbreaker. Janikowski will be on my All-Randy Moss team -- guys who find a way to create havoc for coaches and owners. Janikowski has caused off-the-field trouble, and Saturday he compounded those troubles by not producing on the field.
New Orleans Saints: This was an absolutely embarrassing performance by the Saints in a must-game against the Bucs. With a wild-card spot at stake, you would think the Saints would play with passion. But their body language throughout the first half made them look like losers (they were down 30-0 at halftime).
