The Return of "BoomDizzle"

You remember him dunking on Kirilenko.
You remember when his buzzer-beater stunned the Celtics.
You remember him as the leader of the "We Believe" 2007 Warriors.
You remember Baron Davis, and last night, he returned.

Davis led the Clippers with 29 points in 7 assists, showing off his superior strength and creativity, but Monta Ellis stole the show in the Warriors 127-120 win.

Davis, who has had a tumultuous season for the Clippers, struggled to stay in front of the considerably quicker and younger point guard Ellis.

In fact, Ellis dominated the game similar to how Baron dominated games in year's past. Ellis not only got to the rim, scoring 29 points on 13 of 19 shooting, but also played under control with six assists and only two turnovers.

The Warriors defense was spotty all game, showing defensive lapses that allowed Zach Randolph and Al Thornton to get easy buckets. But, after giving up 154 two nights ago to the Suns, 120 sounds rather stingy.

Overall, Davis looked as if he has lost a lot of quickness and lift. He showed a willingness to stay on the perimeter and jack up threes, making 4 out of 8. When he did drive in, Ronny Turiaf was able to block his shot because he could not get off the ground.

Meanwhile, Ellis looked fantastic for the first time all season. At one point I said, "Baron Who," when Ellis drew the defense and threw an alley-oop to Anthony Randolph for a dunk, which is shown in this game recap. It reminding of a play Baron would have made in his four years as a Warrior.

The Warriors win capped a homestand in which they finished 3-1. Ellis scored 103 points in the four games. Hopefully, this is a preview to the Warriors 2010 season.

I was shocked when Baron left the Warriors to go to Los Angeles, but now I do not want him back. Baron is run down, and Monta has proven that he can do anything Baron did physically. But, what Monta has yet to show is that energy and intensity that Baron provided. We believed in Baron. When he left, we all lost that belief, and it is up to Monta to bring that belief back.

Healthy Nabokov Carrying Sharks

In a press conference days ago, head coach Todd McLellan called the Sharks "fragile." After losing five out of six, words such as struggling and falling apart might come to mind as well.

The Sharks needed a spark to get back on track, and goalie Evgeni Nabokov provided that spark.

After missing the last seven games due to injury, Nabokov stymied the Los Angeles Kings in a 2-1 shootout victory. He stopped 23 of 24 shots and six out of seven shots in the shootout in winning the game for the scuffling Sharks.

Nabokov and the Sharks took that momentum into "The Pond" in Anaheim on Sunday. But, once again the Sharks offense would only muster one goal. Fortunately, Nabokov made that one goal stand. He stopped all 34 shots to record his sixth shutout of the season.

Hiding behind Nabokov's dominance over the last two games is a Sharks offense that is struggling to score goals.

Joe Thornton has failed to register a point in three consecutive games, and overall the Sharks offense has just three goals in its last three games.

The Sharks have not been the aggressive team of late as they have been regularly outshot by their opponent. The Sharks have not had more shots than their opponent in six of their last seven games.

Most would blame Boucher for the recent losing streak, and after all, he did blow two three goals leads. But the defense has been struggling in front of him for some time. Nabokov posted his highest goals against average in February at 2.76, and Boucher's goal against average is a bloated 3.35 in March.

I tend to believe that the Sharks have simply not been playing very well over since February, and time is wasting for San Jose to find their game back.

NL West Predictions

The San Francisco Giants had an eventful offseason. They signed longtime nemesis Randy Johnson and relief pitchers Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt to shore the pitching staff. They also signed Edgar Renteria to a lucrative contract of 2 years, 18 million dollars and Juan Uribe. But, they also tried to sign top free agents CC Sabathia and Manny Ramirez. CC Sabathia quickly took the money and fame as he signed with the New York Yankees. But Ramirez was on the market up until just last week. His demands of at least 2 years and 45 million dollars scared off every team but two -- the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants decided to keep what they have, and the day Ramirez was signed by the Dodgers might have been the turning point of the entire season.

I fully believed that if Ramirez did not sign with a team in the West division, then the Giants were the favorites. Or at least they would have been in a two team race with the Diamondbacks. Had the Giants signed Ramirez, they would easily won the division. But, the Dodgers now are contenders as well, and I predict their lineup will one of the best in the NL.

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Los Angeles Dodgers 83-79
As said before, this team has a dangerous lineup. Youngsters Kemp, Loney, Martin and Ethier are all a season more experienced and dangerous. Furcal is the best shortstop in the NL West when healthy, and Ramirez (shown above) is the X-Factor. Despite spotty starting pitching after Billingsley and Kuroda, and a shaky bullpen, the Dodgers should be able to eek out a division title.

2. Arizona Diamonbacks 82-80
Two years ago, the Diamondbacks went to the NLCS. Last year, they added Adam Dunn at the trade deadline, yet they took a huge step back and missed the playoffs. This year there is no Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson. They lost Randy Johnson as well. Their lineup is filled with youngsters who struggle with plate discipline. If their young lineup can develop and their young pitchers give quality innings, then they can be scary. But, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren wont be enough to get them past the Dodgers.

3. San Francisco Giants 79-83
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez. That starting five has past dominance and future Cy Youngs written all over it. Of course, the lineup has no power and the bullpen can be shaky at times. But, if Zito can get back to top form and if Pablo Sandoval can be a potent run producer, this team will win the division. But, I'm predicting they will both falter, and the Giants will fall just short.

4. The Colorado Rockies 65-97
This team struggled last year and then lost Matt Holiday in the offseason. Expect a tough season, but look for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to have a bounce back year.

5.The San Diego Paders 64-98
The Padres lineup is terrible after Gonzalez and Giles. Expect the Padres to trade 2007 Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy this season and to continue to rebuild their roster.