There will not be a third coming of Phil Jackson in Los Angeles this season. Instead of completing the trilogy of his Lakers coaching stints with ‘The Zen Master Rises’, Phil Jackson was passed over for someone who may be a better long term fit for the team: Mike D’Antoni.

Is Mike D’Antoni the right coach to lead the Lakers back to the Finals?

D’Antoni doesn’t come with the accolades that Jackson does. He doesn’t have eleven rings on his resume or the accomplished resume of having coached superstar laden teams to championships. Heck, D’Antoni isn’t even known for being an adequate coach on both ends of the floor.

The Los Angeles Lakers fired head coach Mike Brown yesterday. While some may have disagreed with the timing of the move, it can be agreed upon that it was the right move.

Mike Brown’s tenure in L.A. was short-lived.

The hiring should have never happened in the first place. When Phil Jackson left (for a second time) after the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs in 2011, L.A. had a built in successor in Brian Shaw who was ready and able to pick up where Jackson left off. Jim Buss, however, had other ideas and wanted to put his own stamp on the franchise.

Going into the 2012 NBA season, there are only three teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the championship this year: the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers. While there are other teams that may tease and tantalize you into thinking they may make a title run (I’m looking at you, Celtics, Nuggets, Clippers and Spurs), the truth of the matter is that in order for those second tier teams to win, almost everything will have to go right for them in order to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

If you don’t play for one of these three teams, chances are you won’t be winning the title.

If everything has to go right for a contender to win a championship, then I don’t believe that they’re a championship contender. Case in point, look at the Celtics last season. By no means were they a true contender for the title last season but so many things broke in their favor that they almost won the title.

A legacy made on film – Steve Sabol

“There’s no comparison. One of the tenets of football, its essence, is triumphing over adversity. That can be your opponent, your shortcomings or it can be the weather.” – Steve Sabol

The passing of Steve Sabol marks the end of an era for NFL Films, like his father whom he worked alongside he pushed the benchmarks for sports cinematography to new heights.  Even his eighteen month fight with brain cancer is inspiring, to be able to push for that long against a death sentence is heroic.  He will be remembered for all he has done for the NFL and sports as a whole, the man should be honored as a fighter and a visionary.  So after you read this I ask for a moment of silence in his memory, each and everyone who does so.  So let us look at his life and how he became the man he was, you will be missed by every football fan who has ever watched the game Mr. Sabol.  He is also a recipient of the Pete Rozelle award, a very prestigious honor given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the NFL.

For part one of the season preview, click here.

16. Cincinnati Bengals

15. Dallas Cowboys

14. Denver Broncos

Key stretch of schedule- (Week 5-9) @NE, @SD, v. NO, @CIN

Does Peyton Manning have enough left to lead the Broncos to a deep playoff run?

Reasons for optimism: If Peyton Manning can return to anywhere near his MVP form that he had with the Indianapolis Colts, then the Broncos can be penciled in for a 10 win season to go along with a playoff berth. Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller create enough havoc on defense and the unit improves from the inconsistency that plagued them last season.

Here is my 2012 NFL season preview in the form of power rankings. It’s a vastly different format in contrast to last year (partially due to time constraints and other obligations). This preview focuses more on how well I think teams will project to do this season. There will be more in depth looks at individual teams as the season progresses. I’ll start from the bottom and work up to the top.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars

Key stretch of schedule- (Week 8-11) @GB, v. DET, v. IND, @HOU

Reasons for optimism: With Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon leading the way, the Jaguars have a young one-two punch that can lead their offense for years to come. Jacksonville is in full rebuilding mode and if their draft picks develop quickly, the Jags could possible contend for a wild card spot in a weak AFC South.

How well Blaine Gabbert plays will have a huge impact on how well Jacksonville does this season.

Reasons for pessimism: The same youth that could develop quickly could also fail to mature, possibly extending Jacksonville’s rebuilding years. Gabbert’s struggles from his rookie season carry over to his sophomore year and their defense that struggled to generate pressure on quarterbacks and create turnovers last season continues the trend into the 2012 season.

The encore presentation of ‘Love Is…’ will be shown on Friday, August 3rd 2012 at Total Restoration Ministries in Thomasville, North Carolina. The independent film features a great cast starring Santrisa McLeod, Michael Sinkler and Tania Simmons and is directed, produced and edited by Erica McLeod.

The independent Christian based movie is about Taren (Santrisa McLeod) and her relationships with her best friends and her grandmother (Tania Simmons). Taren eventually meets her love interest Malik (Michael Sinkler) while at a singles event at church and their relationship blossoms into one that most young couples ultimately aspire to have.

Without spoiling too much of the movie, the script does a great job of detailing relationships between friends, a grandchild and her grandmother and a couple’s relationship.  While good companionship, whether it’s platonic or with a love interest, is something everyone strives to have in their life, Taren learns that unless you have a personal, intimate relationship with God, the foundation of your other relationships will never be as solid as they could be.