Chicago’s newest basketball star is only an average NBA fan, she says, “on a good day.”
That might be a surprise revelation from the woman who was selected by the Sky with the second overall pick in the WNBA draft earlier this month, but give the kid a break. Sylvia Fowles didn’t exactly have a lot of disposable time at Louisiana State the past few years between basketball commitments and studies.
Now that Fowles is a pro, her schedule has freed up just in time to catch the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday — and RedEye’s got her picks.
“I’m going with the big man,” said Fowles, no shrimp herself at 6-foot-6.
That “big man” would be Tim Duncan, whom she likes to lead the Spurs to a second consecutive NBA title and capture the Finals MVP award along the way.
RedEye assembled a panel of Chicago sports stars to reveal their playoff picks. Here are their predictions.
Sylvia Fowles
SKY CENTER
Eastern Conference champion: Boston Celtics
Western Conference champion: San Antonio Spurs
NBA champion: Spurs in seven games
NBA Finals MVP: Tim Duncan, Spurs
Top pick in June’s draft: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Adam Burish
BLACKHAWKS WINGER
Eastern Conference champion: Boston Celtics
Western Conference champion: L.A. Lakers or Phoenix Suns
NBA champion: Celtics in five games
NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Top pick in June’s draft: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
A.J. Pierzynski
WHITE SOX CATCHER
Eastern Conference champion: Orlando Magic
Western Conference champion: Phoenix Suns
NBA champion: Magic in four games
NBA Finals MVP: Dwight Howard, Magic
Top pick in June’s draft: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Calen Carr
FIRE FORWARD
Eastern Conference champion: Boston Celtics
Western Conference champion: Phoenix Suns
NBA champion: Celtics in seven games
NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Top pick in June’s draft: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Ryan Theriot
CUBS SHORTSTOP
Eastern Conference champion: Boston Celtics
Western Conference champion: New Orleans Hornets
NBA champion: Celtics in five games
NBA Finals MVP: Ray Allen, Celtics
Top pick in June’s draft: O.J. Mayo, Southern California, or Derrick Rose, Memphis
ON THE TUBE
WHAT TO TUNE INTO THIS WEEKEND
BASEBALL
Pirates at Cubs
12:05 P.M. SATURDAY, CSN;1:20 P.M. SUNDAY, WGN
For one weekend, no one will debate whether Alfonso Soriano should lead off. Hallelujah!
White Sox at Devil Rays
6:10 P.M. SATURDAY, WGN; 12:40 P.M. SUNDAY, CSN
The Rays are in last place in the AL East. Who could have predicted that?
‘Cubs Forever: Celebrating 60 Years of WGN-TV and the Chicago Cubs’
6 P.M. SUNDAY, WGN
Somehow WGN found enough Cubs highlights from the last six decades to fill two hours.
BASKETBALL
NBA Playoffs: Phoenix at San Antonio, Game 1
2 P.M. SATURDAY, ABC
Time for Shaq Daddy to make Suns GM Steve Kerr look good.
POKER
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
11 A.M. SUNDAY, ABC
Former Cy Young winner Orel Hershiser takes on 2006 Heads-Up champ Ted Forrest.
DOG DAZE
By Whizzer
THAT’S RIGHT, YOUR FAVORITE PROGNOSTICATING POOCH WORKS SATURDAYS TOO.
1. I’ll bet
Chicagobulls.com headline after Jim Boylan was fired: “Boylan relieved of duties.” I’m sure he’ll be quite relieved to be rid of the Bulls.
2. He’ll take it
Joakim Noah was named Bulls player of the month for April. Better late than never. Pun intended.
3. Sore, for sure
Who hurts more when $136M man Alfonso Soriano is injured: The Cubs or the fans?
4. Playoff drought
No Bears. No Bulls. No Blackhawks. But, hey, the Wolves are in the playoffs. I said: THE WOLVES ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS!
