A New Year- A 2011 Review and 2012 Preview

 2011 was quite the year in sports. The Midwest dominated the NFL and MLB, with the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals winning championships in their respective sports. Dallas dethroned LA and Phil Jackson, who were vying for a three-peat, in the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat, to make up for the loss in 2006. Canada continued it NHL Champion drought to 18 years (and Hockey supposedly wouldn't work America). The Butler Bulldogs made yet ANOTHER miraculous run in college basketball all the way to the Championship game, only to lose to Kemba Walker's UCONN Huskies, it was meant to be. The Oregon Ducks and LeMichael James matched up with the Auburn Tigers and Cam Newton in a close BCS Title game, with Auburn coming out on top off a last second field goal, putting the SEC into a whole-nother category among the rest of college football.

We had big surprises, from the Arizona Dimondbacks winning 94 games after being expected to be looking up at every team in the division, to the Minnesota Twins finishing with the second worst record in baseball after being predicted by many to win the division. The RedSox collapsed and Rays stormed back in a matter of minutes, meanwhile the Braves decided that one September disappointment wasn't enough, allowing the Cardinals to sprint into the playoffs and end up winning it all. Ryan Braun won MVP, then found himself testing positive for extremely elevated levels of testosterone, did someone say performance enhancers? Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander won the pitching triple crown and Cy Youngs. Verlander also won MVP, what didn't he do? Derek Jeter reach 3,000 hits, on a 5-5 effort, by way of the home run. Mariano Rivera also recorded his 600th save, then soon after broke the all time saves record of 602.

In the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks won the title, led by big man Dirk Nowitzki, who seemed to be on a mission averaging 27 point and 8 rebounds. They beat the "Big Three" of Miami in their first year of creation. The Lakers gracefully exited the playoffs after a 4 game rout at the hands of the Mavericks. And though they lost to the eventual Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder proved they are here to stay. New York's acquisition of Carmelo didn't go as planned (14-14 after trade, no playoff advancement), but Denver did (18-7 after trade). The NBA Draft saw the likes of Kyrie Irving, March Madness stars Derrick Williams and Kemba Walker and "The Jimmer" all given the opportunity to play in the NBA... oops. Well they may have not been able to play on time, but at least they are playing now.

Speaking of lockouts, the NFL was able to reach an agreement without cutting into their season, though the free agent frenzy in the waking days after the lockout ended was a testament of how short of time there was to prepare for the embarking season. With seven new head coaches around the league, there was worry that these teams wouldn't have proper time to prepare and could struggle. Tell that to the 49ers. Rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh went up the road from Stanford to lead the Niners to a 13-3 record (a 7 game improvement from last year). Led by the resurgent Alex Smith and a defense that set NFL records, the Niners find themselves awaiting the winner of the Saints/Lions wildcard match up. The Packers pursued perfection, until they ran into the Chiefs week 15- so close! Cam Newton became a must-see rookie and showed he can have success at this level, Andy Dalton should also be mentioned. Tebow Time began in Denver week 6, winning 7 of 8, only to lose their last 3 yet still find themselves in the playoffs. Pressure is on Timmy T. And this NFL season cannot be mentioned without this:

Still can't believe it after the 100th time watching it.

So what does 2012 have in store for us? The Marlins are now a whole new team in a whole new stadium, but is it going to be the same old story? The King Albert Pujols jumped to sunny LA (Anaheim to be politically correct) while the Prince remains unsigned. The Yankees were abnormally quiet, while the Marlins just kept spending. Also look forward to the Hall of Fame class including Bernie Williams.

In the NBA, can the Miami Heat take their new offense all the way to an NBA title? Do the Lakers have any left? Is it time for the Thunder to shine? Rookie sensations Ferdette, Irving, Williams and Rickey Rubio take the court and should prove to be the next wave of stars in this league, or the next big busts. And, where will Dwight Howard land?

In the NFL, who will be the eventual champs? Pack repeat? Patriot glory? Maybe a 49er surprise. With the playoffs almost underway, there is sure to be plenty of excitement this postseason.

There is plenty to look forward to this coming year, if 2012 is just as good 2011, we will all be in for a real treat!