http://aol.nba.com/games/20070531/CLEDET/playbyplay.html. If that doesn't work, go to nba.com, click on Cavs/Pistons game and click on play-by-play.
Ilgauskas hits a layup with 7:48 to go in the 4th. After that point, despite double OT, no Cav other than James will make a basket.
Now Charles and Kenny on TNT felt the Pistons gave LeBron too many dunks and layups to get his final 29. Let's see if they are correct:
LeBron's final 29: jumper, Layup, wide open 3, dunk, dunk, FT, FT, FT, dunk (off backdoor), 4 FTs, jumper, jumper, jumper, off balance 3, layup
So, the Pistons' defense is properly criticized for allowing the awful stretch of layup, unguarded 3, dunk, dunk, but really, in the OTs LeBron worked for his points for the most part.
Here is the real issue for Flip Saunders to address -- LBJ is 6'8" tall and weighs about 240. You absolutely cannot allow him to "take a side" if you are his defender. Billups and Hamilton and Maxiel (sp?) all backed off James and allowed him a full run at them off the dribble. This is analogous to deciding you are going to back up 500 or 600 yards so you can get fully ready to try to stop a freight train. Once that big man starts coming at you full speed, it is basically over. You need to crowd him and try to double before he starts going forward.
Why Flip cannot figure this out is beyond me. Doug Collins at the end of games used to take the ball in full court when he coached Michael Jordan just for the purpose of allowing Michael to build up a head of steam in the backcourt. Hubie Brown had a rule at Kentucky in the ABA that if Dr. J hit the top of the key on a fast break you had to foul him there or be fined. If you allow Jason Kidd to come full speed full court he becomes a great offensive player. Slow him to a walk and he becomes a mediocre to poor offensive player. This is very basic defensive knowledge/strategy.
Anyway. Just had to comment a bit more.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
We Are All Witnesses
Having just been in Cleveland, I was amazed to see this enormous poster on the side of a building across from Quicken Loans Arena. The only other city where I have seen a similar-sized poster is L.A.
James had 48 points, 9 rebounds and 7 (of the Cavs' 13) assists tonight in 51 minutes to put Cleveland up 3-2 in the series. Scored the Cavs' last 25 points and 29 of the last 30.
I hate to say this (cuz I am about the #1 LBJ fan around) but I STILL don't see the Cavs winning this series:
1) With the King going for almost 50, they barely held on when Verajao got a fingertip on Chauncey's final shot.
2) McDyess will be back for Game 6 and the Pistons will get a lot more out of him than they got out of his bench replacements.
3) The Pistons are an extremely proud club. (Unlike, say, the Jazz) they do not quit on a series. You have to forcefully drive the stake through their hearts and then shoot them with the silver bullet. I can't see the Cavs doing that.
4) The Cavs were in the same spot last year and tossed away Game 6. Once the Pistons won Game 6, Game 7 was almost a foregone conclusion.
5) I find it impossible to believe that even Flip Saunders will not recognize that he needs to walk a guy out to half court and double LeRbon before he dribbles. Flip will get so much coaching advice in the next 48 hours that he just HAS to do the right thing.
I want to be wrong, but I don't think I will be.............but tonight was a beautiful thing to see, er, witness!
HM
Billy Donovan -- Will He Take $36MM From Orlando Magic?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2888555.
If I were a betting man, my bet would be on Orlando. They have a few good young players and it really is a no-lose situation for Billy:
1) He ain't gonna win title #3 next year at Florida anyway.
2) He is taking over for a terrible, terrible coach in Brian Hill, so any mistakes he makes will be hard to criticize.
3) Worst case? He sucks and he rides away with $36MM and waits for the perfect college job to resurface. A younger version of Mike Montgomery.
HM
If I were a betting man, my bet would be on Orlando. They have a few good young players and it really is a no-lose situation for Billy:
1) He ain't gonna win title #3 next year at Florida anyway.
2) He is taking over for a terrible, terrible coach in Brian Hill, so any mistakes he makes will be hard to criticize.
3) Worst case? He sucks and he rides away with $36MM and waits for the perfect college job to resurface. A younger version of Mike Montgomery.
HM
A-Rod Story -- Harsh, Harsh, Harsh
Here is how you get your source for stories -- you go to one stripper who A-Rod looked at and said "Uh, next!" and ask her for her opinion on A-Rod's taste in strippers: "He likes she-males..."
Come on! I am looking at this pic from the Post -- it looks to me like he likes women with big boobs and a tiny waist and bleach-blonde hair. If loving these women is wrong, I don't wana be right..........
Basketball News/Thoughts
1) Larry Hughes plays in Game 4? Um, why? Couldn't they have found 17 unproductive minutes elsewhere on their bench?
This is like an unwanted girlfriend telling you that she is having medical problems and needs some time away from the relationship and you responding, "No. We need to keep dating."
2) The Devil now says he wants to stay in L.A. He says he talked it out with "PJ" (that's Phil Jackson for you less Brokeback folk) and now he wants to stay. Other possible reasons:
a) Received a prank phone call from Billy Knight and Mike Woodson saying, "Welcome to Atlanta!"
b) Saw that Mitch Kupchak handwritten notes giving#24 for next season to one "Ricky Davis."
c) Pulled into parking space a Staples Center and it read "Reserved for Kobe Bryant -- Clipper"
d) Vanessa at least know which groupies he is cheating with NOW, if he moves teams he moves to new hotels, then what!?!?
3) Grizzle hires Mark Iavaroni -- he will coach the first 8 minutes of every game and the start of the 3rd quarter. He will give way to Bobby Jones for the remainder of the game (there is an old-school deep-hoops reference for you).
First move -- see if the Rockets will give them back Shane Battier. Grizzle Career Marks With and Without Shane Battier:
With Battier -- 195-215
Without Battier -- 123-419.
4) Jazz Simply Give Up Against The Spurs
I wasn't expecting them to actually win, but come on....I was put in mind of the old Wolves clubs who would steal a road game in a 5 game series and then drop both games at Target Center. Simply awful.
5) Cavs/Pistons Go To Game 5 -- Flip has determined that he knows how to guard LeBron. Well, that is good, since every other Cav is untested (Daniel Gibson) or sucks (everyone else).
I don't see LeBron winning this series. He just is so handicapped by his supporting cast and the Pistons have been there so many times.
6) Spurs -- a Dynasty? -- if they win this year (and there is really no reason to think they won't) they will have won 4 titles in 9 years. More than Bird's Celtics could win. More than the Rockets or the Pistons. Heck, 4 out of 9 is only slightly worse than Magic's clubs did (5 out of......9??? was it??)
What should be most disturbing to fans of USA basketball is that the Spurs are fairly obvious in their disdain for players in the U.S. high school system. France, Argentina, Argentina again, Netherlands, Virgin Islands. Basically the Spurs win because they have people born and raised on basketball outside of the continental U.S. And they win all of the time!
Mike Wilbon said today that a 4th win would put the Spurs within shouting distance of the Bulls..............K?????//
This is like an unwanted girlfriend telling you that she is having medical problems and needs some time away from the relationship and you responding, "No. We need to keep dating."
2) The Devil now says he wants to stay in L.A. He says he talked it out with "PJ" (that's Phil Jackson for you less Brokeback folk) and now he wants to stay. Other possible reasons:
a) Received a prank phone call from Billy Knight and Mike Woodson saying, "Welcome to Atlanta!"
b) Saw that Mitch Kupchak handwritten notes giving#24 for next season to one "Ricky Davis."
c) Pulled into parking space a Staples Center and it read "Reserved for Kobe Bryant -- Clipper"
d) Vanessa at least know which groupies he is cheating with NOW, if he moves teams he moves to new hotels, then what!?!?
3) Grizzle hires Mark Iavaroni -- he will coach the first 8 minutes of every game and the start of the 3rd quarter. He will give way to Bobby Jones for the remainder of the game (there is an old-school deep-hoops reference for you).
First move -- see if the Rockets will give them back Shane Battier. Grizzle Career Marks With and Without Shane Battier:
With Battier -- 195-215
Without Battier -- 123-419.
4) Jazz Simply Give Up Against The Spurs
I wasn't expecting them to actually win, but come on....I was put in mind of the old Wolves clubs who would steal a road game in a 5 game series and then drop both games at Target Center. Simply awful.
5) Cavs/Pistons Go To Game 5 -- Flip has determined that he knows how to guard LeBron. Well, that is good, since every other Cav is untested (Daniel Gibson) or sucks (everyone else).
I don't see LeBron winning this series. He just is so handicapped by his supporting cast and the Pistons have been there so many times.
6) Spurs -- a Dynasty? -- if they win this year (and there is really no reason to think they won't) they will have won 4 titles in 9 years. More than Bird's Celtics could win. More than the Rockets or the Pistons. Heck, 4 out of 9 is only slightly worse than Magic's clubs did (5 out of......9??? was it??)
What should be most disturbing to fans of USA basketball is that the Spurs are fairly obvious in their disdain for players in the U.S. high school system. France, Argentina, Argentina again, Netherlands, Virgin Islands. Basically the Spurs win because they have people born and raised on basketball outside of the continental U.S. And they win all of the time!
Mike Wilbon said today that a 4th win would put the Spurs within shouting distance of the Bulls..............K?????//
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
French Open News
This, my fair readers, is James Blake's girlfriend, Jennifer Scholle: http://www.jenniferscholle.net/pictures.html. If that link works and your jaw does not immediately drop, you either have a broken jaw or you should search for Clay Aiken photos.
This, my readers, is an old collage of former 1999 French Open doubles champion Anna Kournikova at the beach: http://www.soron.nl/Anna/Anna_Kournikova_5.jpg
I am a tennis fan!
This, my readers, is an old collage of former 1999 French Open doubles champion Anna Kournikova at the beach: http://www.soron.nl/Anna/Anna_Kournikova_5.jpg
I am a tennis fan!
Kobe Demands To Be Traded From Lakers
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2886927
Ask yourself this: what "promises" were made to The Devil to "improve the Lakers"? The Lakers this year, per www.hoopshype.com, had the #4 payroll in the league. They already have $57MM under contract for next year -- above the NBA's salary cap. www.nbadraft.net has the Lakers selecting a 6'7" shooting guard out of Vandy. So not much help there (basically drafting Kobe's backup). What exactly can they do?
The Lakers have one of the top 30 players in the league (Odom) and a 7' center who is 19 and getting better (Bynum) and the best coach in the league (Phil). So, if the Lakers are not a great team, the fault there lies with.............................one Kobe Bean Bryant......................
If you were an NBA GM, would you trade:
Phil Jackson for Mike Brown? Um, no.
Bynum for Ilgauskas. Um, no.
Odom for Drew Gooden. Um, no.
Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar for Larry Hughes and Eric Snow. Maybe yes, maybe no.
Luke Walton for Donyell Marshall. Maybe yes, maybe no.
The CAVS are in the Conference Finals, the Lakers are sitting home still rubbing the asses so badly kicked by the Suns in Round 1!!!
As I stated previously about the wishes of Lakers fans, what Kobe wants is not for the team to work out a good draft and a reasonable trade, it is to trade Radmanovich and Kwame Brown for Garnett, Foye and the Wolves' next available #1.
Look, Devil, now that you have announced your demands (which come, by the way, with a $13MM trade kicker to be paid by the recipient of the Devil), everyone is going to offer basically nothing to get you.
Some deals just trade one disgruntled or underachieving superstar for another (Kobe for Garnett, Kobe for Pierce, Kobe for Ray Allen). The way to get Kobe would be to offer a great young player, salary relief and a high pick. Would Chicago offer Deng, Ben Wallace and the #9 pick? Would New Orleans offer Peja, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and the #13 pick? How about Zach Randolph, Raef LaFrentz and the #1 overall pick for Kobe?
If Kobe leaves L.A., it will be hil-effing-larious to see how quickly Laker fans jump off the "Kobe is greater than Jordan" bandwagon.............
HM
Ask yourself this: what "promises" were made to The Devil to "improve the Lakers"? The Lakers this year, per www.hoopshype.com, had the #4 payroll in the league. They already have $57MM under contract for next year -- above the NBA's salary cap. www.nbadraft.net has the Lakers selecting a 6'7" shooting guard out of Vandy. So not much help there (basically drafting Kobe's backup). What exactly can they do?
The Lakers have one of the top 30 players in the league (Odom) and a 7' center who is 19 and getting better (Bynum) and the best coach in the league (Phil). So, if the Lakers are not a great team, the fault there lies with.............................one Kobe Bean Bryant......................
If you were an NBA GM, would you trade:
Phil Jackson for Mike Brown? Um, no.
Bynum for Ilgauskas. Um, no.
Odom for Drew Gooden. Um, no.
Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar for Larry Hughes and Eric Snow. Maybe yes, maybe no.
Luke Walton for Donyell Marshall. Maybe yes, maybe no.
The CAVS are in the Conference Finals, the Lakers are sitting home still rubbing the asses so badly kicked by the Suns in Round 1!!!
As I stated previously about the wishes of Lakers fans, what Kobe wants is not for the team to work out a good draft and a reasonable trade, it is to trade Radmanovich and Kwame Brown for Garnett, Foye and the Wolves' next available #1.
Look, Devil, now that you have announced your demands (which come, by the way, with a $13MM trade kicker to be paid by the recipient of the Devil), everyone is going to offer basically nothing to get you.
Some deals just trade one disgruntled or underachieving superstar for another (Kobe for Garnett, Kobe for Pierce, Kobe for Ray Allen). The way to get Kobe would be to offer a great young player, salary relief and a high pick. Would Chicago offer Deng, Ben Wallace and the #9 pick? Would New Orleans offer Peja, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and the #13 pick? How about Zach Randolph, Raef LaFrentz and the #1 overall pick for Kobe?
If Kobe leaves L.A., it will be hil-effing-larious to see how quickly Laker fans jump off the "Kobe is greater than Jordan" bandwagon.............
HM
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
LeBron Over Sheed
(Note, while I WAS recently in Cleveland, that is not me at the 43/42/41 seconds remaining mark of this video!!!)
LBJ's 2007-08 poster:
LBJ's 2007-08 poster:
Larry Hughes -- Done
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2884926
I am sorry, but you don't tear up your foot and then say "Well, I am gonna miss one game."
Hughes was sucking the big one before the injury (33% from the floor, 0% from 3, 1-1 assist to turnover ratio for a point guard, blew a wide open 8 footer at the end of Game 2), so I doubt that the Cavs will work real hard to push him back into action.
I am sorry, but you don't tear up your foot and then say "Well, I am gonna miss one game."
Hughes was sucking the big one before the injury (33% from the floor, 0% from 3, 1-1 assist to turnover ratio for a point guard, blew a wide open 8 footer at the end of Game 2), so I doubt that the Cavs will work real hard to push him back into action.
Simmons Column
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070525&sportCat=mlb
This is the reason he is so popular........stuff like this column.
This is the reason he is so popular........stuff like this column.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
More Jason Giambi
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070523/bba-yankees-giambi
"Sure, I used steroids in the PAST, and I used illegal amphetamines and failed a drug test for THEM, but believe me, I am otherwise clean NOW. Right? Huh guys? Clean. Me. Now. Guys?"
"Sure, I used steroids in the PAST, and I used illegal amphetamines and failed a drug test for THEM, but believe me, I am otherwise clean NOW. Right? Huh guys? Clean. Me. Now. Guys?"
Lakers Fan Site
http://www.getgarnett.com/.
You want Kevin Garnett? You are going to have to trade at least Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum and you are going to have to find and deal some high #1 picks.
If the Lakers do that deal they are giving up a guy who is 27 and a guy who is 19 for a guy who is 31.
Even assuming that you can give no picks (which, again, I doubt), you are giving away this:
23.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.23 steals + blocks. you are getting back this:
22.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.83 steals + blocks.
So, your team immediately declines statistically and you get older. Plus, logically you must assume that Garnett will get worse: a) he is getting older; and b) Odom, for example, scores less with Kobe than he did in Miami (probably a function of the fact that Kobe hogs the ball so much).
Of course, those who create sites like getgarnett.com are not interested in actually evaulating what a team can do as far as making a fair trade for fair value. They are of the opinion that outposts like Minnesota should simply give away talent to Los Angeles in return for Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and a bag of balls. Too bad, folks, you ain't getting Garnett. We will move him to someone who has something to give.......like maybe Chicago??
You want Kevin Garnett? You are going to have to trade at least Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum and you are going to have to find and deal some high #1 picks.
If the Lakers do that deal they are giving up a guy who is 27 and a guy who is 19 for a guy who is 31.
Even assuming that you can give no picks (which, again, I doubt), you are giving away this:
23.7 points, 15.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.23 steals + blocks. you are getting back this:
22.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.83 steals + blocks.
So, your team immediately declines statistically and you get older. Plus, logically you must assume that Garnett will get worse: a) he is getting older; and b) Odom, for example, scores less with Kobe than he did in Miami (probably a function of the fact that Kobe hogs the ball so much).
Of course, those who create sites like getgarnett.com are not interested in actually evaulating what a team can do as far as making a fair trade for fair value. They are of the opinion that outposts like Minnesota should simply give away talent to Los Angeles in return for Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and a bag of balls. Too bad, folks, you ain't getting Garnett. We will move him to someone who has something to give.......like maybe Chicago??
David DuPree Mock Draft
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/draft/2007-mock-draft.htm?loc=interstitialskip
The big winners at the draft lottery?
1. The Hawks -- They come out of the lottery with the #3 and #11 picks. This means that they have to give up their #1 pick to Phoenix next year NO MATTER WHAT, but come on! If the Hawks add Mike Conley, Jr. at #3 (the best point guard in the draft and a position of need for the Hawks) and then add one of the two enormous centers at #11 (Hibbert or Spencer Hawes) they will start:
Conley, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Pachulia and bring off the bench: Claxton, Josh Childress, Shelden Williams, a 7' decent center.
I continue to be amazed that they retain Mike Woodson, but at SOME point you simply stockpile so much talent that even Woodson should be able to win 45 games.
And, they now can say that in the Joe Johnson trade they gave up the now-declining Boris Diaw, a #1 pick the Suns didn't want or use, and probably a mid to low #1 in 2008 (Ramon Sessions?).
2. Portland -- They get Oden.
3. Seattle -- Durant is basically the same player as Rashard Lewis, so if you are the Sonics you now have the chance to move Lewis or (if the spirit so moves you) move Durant. If you sign Lewis, could you pick up the phone and tell Atlanta that you will take the #3 and the #11 plus, say, Josh Childress for Durant? And if you are Atlanta and you have trouble selling tickets, can you really pass up Durant?
4. Chicago -- they get the Knicks' #1 and it is the 9th pick. Eddy Curry languishes in NY while the Bulls add yet another talented young player. Could they package the pick with some of their excess wing players to move up to get, say, Al Horford so they can have at least one inside scorer?
Losers:
A. Memphis -- the last thing they needed was to be in a spot to get another nameless, faceless decent player -- particularly when most of the available guys play Gasol's position.
B. Boston -- They already have enough young players who are projects, what they needed was Oden to provide some size and toughness inside (recall that they also missed out on Duncan's draft and got Chauncey and Ron Mercer instead).
C. Minnesota -- They lost a coin flip with Portland to see who was the #6 team. Wolves lost that. Then Portland won the lottery. Great. Add in that the ##1 and 2 picks went to division rivals Portland and Seattle and you have another bleak day in Wolves history.
D. Indiana -- they traded a #1 to Atlanta to get Al Harrington and then they moved him to GState for Dunleavy and Murphy's enormous deals. Losing the #1 last night to Atlanta was just insult to injury.
HM
The big winners at the draft lottery?
1. The Hawks -- They come out of the lottery with the #3 and #11 picks. This means that they have to give up their #1 pick to Phoenix next year NO MATTER WHAT, but come on! If the Hawks add Mike Conley, Jr. at #3 (the best point guard in the draft and a position of need for the Hawks) and then add one of the two enormous centers at #11 (Hibbert or Spencer Hawes) they will start:
Conley, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Pachulia and bring off the bench: Claxton, Josh Childress, Shelden Williams, a 7' decent center.
I continue to be amazed that they retain Mike Woodson, but at SOME point you simply stockpile so much talent that even Woodson should be able to win 45 games.
And, they now can say that in the Joe Johnson trade they gave up the now-declining Boris Diaw, a #1 pick the Suns didn't want or use, and probably a mid to low #1 in 2008 (Ramon Sessions?).
2. Portland -- They get Oden.
3. Seattle -- Durant is basically the same player as Rashard Lewis, so if you are the Sonics you now have the chance to move Lewis or (if the spirit so moves you) move Durant. If you sign Lewis, could you pick up the phone and tell Atlanta that you will take the #3 and the #11 plus, say, Josh Childress for Durant? And if you are Atlanta and you have trouble selling tickets, can you really pass up Durant?
4. Chicago -- they get the Knicks' #1 and it is the 9th pick. Eddy Curry languishes in NY while the Bulls add yet another talented young player. Could they package the pick with some of their excess wing players to move up to get, say, Al Horford so they can have at least one inside scorer?
Losers:
A. Memphis -- the last thing they needed was to be in a spot to get another nameless, faceless decent player -- particularly when most of the available guys play Gasol's position.
B. Boston -- They already have enough young players who are projects, what they needed was Oden to provide some size and toughness inside (recall that they also missed out on Duncan's draft and got Chauncey and Ron Mercer instead).
C. Minnesota -- They lost a coin flip with Portland to see who was the #6 team. Wolves lost that. Then Portland won the lottery. Great. Add in that the ##1 and 2 picks went to division rivals Portland and Seattle and you have another bleak day in Wolves history.
D. Indiana -- they traded a #1 to Atlanta to get Al Harrington and then they moved him to GState for Dunleavy and Murphy's enormous deals. Losing the #1 last night to Atlanta was just insult to injury.
HM
Jordin Wipes the Floor With Blake
Bringing back memories of Fantasia destroying an overmatched Diana DeGarmo in Season 3, Jordin Sparks completely decimated a mediocre and disinterested Blake Lewis last night to almost certainly guarantee that she becomes the Idol winner for Season 6.
Lewis's "You Give Love a Bad Name" had all of the spunk of any novelty song when it is heard for a 2nd time -- i.e., none. Frankly, I prefer William Hung's "She Bangs," since at least I know that version wasn't spit out for him by a computer software program.
Lewis then moved on to "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5, thus costing himself the vote of every Maroon 5 fan in the nation without a hearing impairment.
He finished up with "This Is My Now." I believe that the famous Michael Jackson/Lisa Marie Presley kiss brought more honesty and enthusiasm to the table than did Blake's rendition of this truly awful song: http://www.completealbumlyrics.com/lyric/131385/Jordin+Sparks+-+American+Idol.html.
OK, I grant you that "My Destiny" from last year's final was a terrible song, but I kinda liked "Do I Make You Proud." If we get a 50% success rate with pro songwriters and we are seeing a 0% success rate from the songwriter contest -- go back to the pros.
Jordin's "Fighter" was uninspiring and displayed how badly she struggles with up-tempo songs. But "A Broken Wing" was spot on perfect, and she at least tried to make something of the gut-wrenching (in a bad way) "This Is My Now." The fake tears at the end were a bit too much, particularly when you could tell she was trying to make herself cry for the 20 seconds before the end. Jordin probably realized that Carrie Underwood's legit tears at the end of "Angels Brought Me Here" won her Season 4, so Jordin worked hard at faking some late emotion (benefiting from going last -- an advantage that the utterly-bizarre Blake chose to give award her after he won the coin flip).
Blake -- welcome to Justin Guarini's world, see if after 3 years of opening for The Thompson Twins you can fight him for that job on "Idol Chat" on the TV Guide Channel.
www.dialidol.com has Jordin in a complete walk. Blake is said to have been preferred in only 8 states (forcing a tie in the 9th -- North Dakota). http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/GeoPredictions.asp?week=2&sort=Winning. Blake won Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, New Mexico and Arkansas..........but his real voter strength came from WISCONSIN where the people there preferred his beat boxing almost 2 to 1 over Jordin!!! Wisconsin natives PAR and GC Boy are already lining up outside of their local Best Buy to purchase Blake's upcoming CD.
Lewis's "You Give Love a Bad Name" had all of the spunk of any novelty song when it is heard for a 2nd time -- i.e., none. Frankly, I prefer William Hung's "She Bangs," since at least I know that version wasn't spit out for him by a computer software program.
Lewis then moved on to "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5, thus costing himself the vote of every Maroon 5 fan in the nation without a hearing impairment.
He finished up with "This Is My Now." I believe that the famous Michael Jackson/Lisa Marie Presley kiss brought more honesty and enthusiasm to the table than did Blake's rendition of this truly awful song: http://www.completealbumlyrics.com/lyric/131385/Jordin+Sparks+-+American+Idol.html.
OK, I grant you that "My Destiny" from last year's final was a terrible song, but I kinda liked "Do I Make You Proud." If we get a 50% success rate with pro songwriters and we are seeing a 0% success rate from the songwriter contest -- go back to the pros.
Jordin's "Fighter" was uninspiring and displayed how badly she struggles with up-tempo songs. But "A Broken Wing" was spot on perfect, and she at least tried to make something of the gut-wrenching (in a bad way) "This Is My Now." The fake tears at the end were a bit too much, particularly when you could tell she was trying to make herself cry for the 20 seconds before the end. Jordin probably realized that Carrie Underwood's legit tears at the end of "Angels Brought Me Here" won her Season 4, so Jordin worked hard at faking some late emotion (benefiting from going last -- an advantage that the utterly-bizarre Blake chose to give award her after he won the coin flip).
Blake -- welcome to Justin Guarini's world, see if after 3 years of opening for The Thompson Twins you can fight him for that job on "Idol Chat" on the TV Guide Channel.
www.dialidol.com has Jordin in a complete walk. Blake is said to have been preferred in only 8 states (forcing a tie in the 9th -- North Dakota). http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/GeoPredictions.asp?week=2&sort=Winning. Blake won Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, New Mexico and Arkansas..........but his real voter strength came from WISCONSIN where the people there preferred his beat boxing almost 2 to 1 over Jordin!!! Wisconsin natives PAR and GC Boy are already lining up outside of their local Best Buy to purchase Blake's upcoming CD.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Going Home -- HM Family Scholarship Time
I am heading home this week to interview the candidates for my family's annual scholarship at my old high school. (Pictured -- one of our three local waterfalls located about 20 miles from my boyhood home -- my sister was married with the falls in the background).
We have 5 of the top 6 kids in the class interviewing this year (criteria is basically top 10 while lettering in two varsity sports), so it ought to be a good set of interviews for us.
Every year my dad wants to know how the kids will make things better for everyone and my mom wants to know what hardships the kids have had that have made them a better person. I generally just want to see how well-spoken they are and my sister wants to make sure they aren't liberal Democrats (being a wealthy GOP, she makes scholarship funding possible every year)!
At the end of the day we never seem to have a big disagreement on the winner, someone generally stands out. But there is always a first time!
Anyway, when I am gone TH and FR, you can think of me wandering across upstate NY preparing to evaluate the interview skills of 17 year old kids. Upstate obviously needs these kids to stay home if possible (I guess unlike me and sis): http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/13/nyregion/13census.html?ex=1307851200&en=e1483ffc8aa300fe&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
HM
From Dale Davis to the 1950
Dale Davis may only be 38, but it seems like he has been around forever. How few steps can we use to get from Dale Davis back to 1950?
Dale Davis played against
Robert Parish who played against
John Havlicek who played with
Bob Cousy who started in the NBA in 1950.
So, it only takes three guys to get from Dale Davis to the 1950 NBA season. Wow.
Even using Kevin Willis you can't get any closer from 2007 to 1950:
Kevin Willis played against
Dr. J. who played against
John Havlicek who played with and against
Bob Cousy
Dale Davis played against
Robert Parish who played against
John Havlicek who played with
Bob Cousy who started in the NBA in 1950.
So, it only takes three guys to get from Dale Davis to the 1950 NBA season. Wow.
Even using Kevin Willis you can't get any closer from 2007 to 1950:
Kevin Willis played against
Dr. J. who played against
John Havlicek who played with and against
Bob Cousy
Monday, May 21, 2007
Jimmy Carter -- GWB, Um, Is There a 3rd Choice?
In my lifetime, I have really been able to only see and understand the work of 7 Presidents:
Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II. Nixon was a pretty good President, just horribly corrupt and he violated the Constitution at every turn. Ford was a buffoon, whether that was just poor public image or not, that is how he came off. Bush I was OK, but he didn't inspire much confidence and he made the mistake of promising the rich no taxes and then taxing them. Clinton did the best work as President, and Bush II is a complete and utter failure.
That leaves Carter and Reagan. How awful was Jimmy Carter as a President? Pretty damn awful. A tiny Islamic country held our people for a long, long time and never gave them back. Carter sent in a helicopter rescue team that crashed in the desert........ The Soviets took over Afghanistan. Inflation and interest rates raced each other to 20%.....The Democrat Congress wouldn't pass Carter's pet programs. His cabinet members publicly criticized him. It was terrible.
Why does everyone believe that Reagan was such a great leader? Because he followed Carter!! It was like being the Qb in San Diego who followed Ryan Leaf. It was a no-lose situation for Reagan. Just stand up, look half-way courageous, remind people that we still have nukes and tell them to stop effing with us. Remind Americans that the sky isn't really falling and that we really weren't gonna run out of all of the world's oil by 1989.
In the gfinasl analysis, it is hard to tell whether GWB or Carter is a worse President. I think Carter would have avoided the $1BB expenditure for nothing that we are seeing in Iraq, but then again, Jimmy might have awarded part of New Jersey to Al Quaeda after 9/11 as a peace offering............................So, if pushed, I will go with the following grades: Clinton 91, Reagan 88, Bush I 72, Ford 60, Nixon 58, Carter 21, GWB 20.75.
Another LeBron Hating Column
http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/21/longform-shoals-when-winning-hurts-lebron/
Look. Is it any fun to watch the non-existent Cavs offense that Mike Brown has installed? No. I give you that.
But remember these facts:
Times leading his team past the first round of the NBA playoffs while not playing with Shaq:
McGrady, none; Grant Hill, none; Kobe Bryant, none; Gilbert Arenas, zero; Carmelo Anthony, zero; Chris Bosh zero; Yao, zero; Dwight Howard, zero
Dwyane Wade, one; Garnett, one; Penny Hardaway, one (Penny included only to show that without Shaq, Kobe may not get past round 1 much ever).
So, the fact that LeBron has now made it past round 1 twice puts his career playoff performance level above all of those guys, every single one.
Now the Cavs (an extremely mediocre team) are in the Eastern Conference finals. This is so despite the fact that they have basically TWO starting players!! Only LeBron and Hughes average over 29 minutes a game (and Hughes shot 40% and 33% from 3 on the year) .http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2007.html
So, getting to the conference finals moves LeBron one behind Steve Nash (twice in the Conference finals). Nash has been in the league 11 years. David Robinson in his 7 years pre-Duncan reached the conference finals........once.
The Cavs are a one-man team surrounded by a lot of average but overpaid players and a young unproven coach. Despite this rather dismal outlook, they finished as the #2 seed in the East and are in the conference finals. Yet everyone wants to rip LeBron?
Look. Is it any fun to watch the non-existent Cavs offense that Mike Brown has installed? No. I give you that.
But remember these facts:
Times leading his team past the first round of the NBA playoffs while not playing with Shaq:
McGrady, none; Grant Hill, none; Kobe Bryant, none; Gilbert Arenas, zero; Carmelo Anthony, zero; Chris Bosh zero; Yao, zero; Dwight Howard, zero
Dwyane Wade, one; Garnett, one; Penny Hardaway, one (Penny included only to show that without Shaq, Kobe may not get past round 1 much ever).
So, the fact that LeBron has now made it past round 1 twice puts his career playoff performance level above all of those guys, every single one.
Now the Cavs (an extremely mediocre team) are in the Eastern Conference finals. This is so despite the fact that they have basically TWO starting players!! Only LeBron and Hughes average over 29 minutes a game (and Hughes shot 40% and 33% from 3 on the year) .http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2007.html
So, getting to the conference finals moves LeBron one behind Steve Nash (twice in the Conference finals). Nash has been in the league 11 years. David Robinson in his 7 years pre-Duncan reached the conference finals........once.
The Cavs are a one-man team surrounded by a lot of average but overpaid players and a young unproven coach. Despite this rather dismal outlook, they finished as the #2 seed in the East and are in the conference finals. Yet everyone wants to rip LeBron?
Actual Report From The World Taekwondo Championships
Never let it be said that I don't get the best sports coverage for you guys! (By the way, Spurs in 6, Pistons in 5).
TKD Report (no kidding!):
Hello. This experience has been unbelievable. Taekwondo in most countries is like baseball back home. There are banners and billboards, news reporters everywhere, and a sold out stadium! Not only that but live primetime TV! This event is being shown live all over Asia. The Olympic stadium is awesome they have TVs, and computers in the holding area for the athletes. To top it off, seeing Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and the Chinese Taekwondo team doing a Nike commercial. Wow what a huge difference from here to back home. I hope to see tkd like this in the USA. This tournament isvery draining mentally and physically. Its a 5 day event and we start at 6 30am and leave at about 10 30PM. The team is looking great, we have only 3 medals, 2 of our favorites to win lost to Korea. There is a lot of political tension here. Just like the junior world championships in Vietnam. We lost some matches that were totally biased. {Deleted section -- HM}. Imagine thousands of people yelling words against USA. I hope things will get better today. I miss you all and my family! And a steak!
TKD Report (no kidding!):
Hello. This experience has been unbelievable. Taekwondo in most countries is like baseball back home. There are banners and billboards, news reporters everywhere, and a sold out stadium! Not only that but live primetime TV! This event is being shown live all over Asia. The Olympic stadium is awesome they have TVs, and computers in the holding area for the athletes. To top it off, seeing Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and the Chinese Taekwondo team doing a Nike commercial. Wow what a huge difference from here to back home. I hope to see tkd like this in the USA. This tournament isvery draining mentally and physically. Its a 5 day event and we start at 6 30am and leave at about 10 30PM. The team is looking great, we have only 3 medals, 2 of our favorites to win lost to Korea. There is a lot of political tension here. Just like the junior world championships in Vietnam. We lost some matches that were totally biased. {Deleted section -- HM}. Imagine thousands of people yelling words against USA. I hope things will get better today. I miss you all and my family! And a steak!
Friday, May 18, 2007
My 6 Worst Dating Experiences
Since I know PAR says he enjoys these tales of my past trials and tribulations:
5th & 6th Worst (tie) -- 1982, my sister's friend (also my first ever date) -- JD -- she was almost stalkerish and appeared to be one of those girls who might show up on the 3rd date in a wedding gown. I dumped her at an inopportune time (just as she was about to visit my sis for the weekend). Went to a house party with another girl, but JD was also there, she drank herself sick (age 16, not much liquor enforcement in upstate NY) in the woods, apparently french kissing every interested guy at the party, reportedly saying, "See what you are missing" out loud, even though I was not within sight or hearing range of her. One poor tipsy freshman kid (who idolized me b/c I was the high school QB and captain of the baseball team) came up to me and almost was crying, "I didn't know, man, I didn't know she was your girlfriend. I mean, she is just such an easy slut." It's OK, kid, I dumped her, go find her.....
1989 -- girl in my apartment complex -- CC -- went to a formal dance with her, her dancing made Elaine Benes look like Stacy Keibler. Having nothing better to do, we left to go make out at her place -- she was not overweight, but her body fat percentage had to be 25% plus. Like grabbing a garbage bag full of water. "Uh, well, I got a busy day tomorrow, better head on home...." Never dated again.
4th Worst -- 1985, fellow intern known as "Elvira" or "Joan Jett" -- real name EB -- after we had been interns together and she hadn't spoken to me once in 5 months, she came up to me in a bar and chastised me for not recognizing her subtle hints or asking her out. She was a heavy smoker, we "dated" once -- before things could properly proceed she drank 10 gin and tonics and ended up puking her guts out through the streets of Albany. I had to carry her home, place her in bed; her roommate came home and took over the death watch as I cleaned the vomit off the tile floor. She never spoke with me for the remaining 2 weeks of the internship and then left and went home.
3rd worst -- 1989, woman who lived at my apartment complex -- name was Lisa something -- "My boyfriend and I just broke up. You want to go out?" Sure. "Want to see a movie?" Sure. Get to the theater. "Oooh, 'Driving Miss Daisy'! Can we go, please?" Yuck, but OK, bonus points, HM, bonus points.... After the movie, "You know, it is all about sex with him. I do love him though. Well, thanks for the movie." Kisses, none, hugs, also none, holding hands -- nope. (Yes, I paid.)
2nd worst -- 1985, fellow intern, JC -- let's just say she was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more worldly than the 21 year old country bumpkin HM. We only ventured out in public together three times -- twice she announced quite loudly (once in a mall, once in a dance bar) that she really didn't want me standing close to her or hanging around her on the dates because she needed more space and my lack of independence "really is a problem for me." I became so confused during the mall visit that I really didn't know what to do. I didn't have a cell phone, and we took one car, so I really couldn't figure out how I would ever see her if I just started walking around other stores by myself. The dance floor created very little confusion -- she just started slow dancing with another guy intern and loudly complaining about me. Even I knew that this was a bad sign...but still a narrowly better dating experience than...............:
1st worst -- 1990, Jan. blind date set up -- Pam M. - I had the distinct feeling that the girl was calculating how little affection she could demonstrate and still get taken out on a date to someplace else expensive. When I called and asked her out on a second date she said, "well, where would we go?" These subtle hints turned out to be leading somewhere when when she broke up with me before Valentine's Day with the infamous, "It is just getting too close to that day and I really don't want to have to spend it with you." Well, uh, thanks for the honesty?? I guess??? What do The Police call that in their song? -- "a humiliating kick in the crotch"?
If I can recall any more, I will let PAR know.
5th & 6th Worst (tie) -- 1982, my sister's friend (also my first ever date) -- JD -- she was almost stalkerish and appeared to be one of those girls who might show up on the 3rd date in a wedding gown. I dumped her at an inopportune time (just as she was about to visit my sis for the weekend). Went to a house party with another girl, but JD was also there, she drank herself sick (age 16, not much liquor enforcement in upstate NY) in the woods, apparently french kissing every interested guy at the party, reportedly saying, "See what you are missing" out loud, even though I was not within sight or hearing range of her. One poor tipsy freshman kid (who idolized me b/c I was the high school QB and captain of the baseball team) came up to me and almost was crying, "I didn't know, man, I didn't know she was your girlfriend. I mean, she is just such an easy slut." It's OK, kid, I dumped her, go find her.....
1989 -- girl in my apartment complex -- CC -- went to a formal dance with her, her dancing made Elaine Benes look like Stacy Keibler. Having nothing better to do, we left to go make out at her place -- she was not overweight, but her body fat percentage had to be 25% plus. Like grabbing a garbage bag full of water. "Uh, well, I got a busy day tomorrow, better head on home...." Never dated again.
4th Worst -- 1985, fellow intern known as "Elvira" or "Joan Jett" -- real name EB -- after we had been interns together and she hadn't spoken to me once in 5 months, she came up to me in a bar and chastised me for not recognizing her subtle hints or asking her out. She was a heavy smoker, we "dated" once -- before things could properly proceed she drank 10 gin and tonics and ended up puking her guts out through the streets of Albany. I had to carry her home, place her in bed; her roommate came home and took over the death watch as I cleaned the vomit off the tile floor. She never spoke with me for the remaining 2 weeks of the internship and then left and went home.
3rd worst -- 1989, woman who lived at my apartment complex -- name was Lisa something -- "My boyfriend and I just broke up. You want to go out?" Sure. "Want to see a movie?" Sure. Get to the theater. "Oooh, 'Driving Miss Daisy'! Can we go, please?" Yuck, but OK, bonus points, HM, bonus points.... After the movie, "You know, it is all about sex with him. I do love him though. Well, thanks for the movie." Kisses, none, hugs, also none, holding hands -- nope. (Yes, I paid.)
2nd worst -- 1985, fellow intern, JC -- let's just say she was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more worldly than the 21 year old country bumpkin HM. We only ventured out in public together three times -- twice she announced quite loudly (once in a mall, once in a dance bar) that she really didn't want me standing close to her or hanging around her on the dates because she needed more space and my lack of independence "really is a problem for me." I became so confused during the mall visit that I really didn't know what to do. I didn't have a cell phone, and we took one car, so I really couldn't figure out how I would ever see her if I just started walking around other stores by myself. The dance floor created very little confusion -- she just started slow dancing with another guy intern and loudly complaining about me. Even I knew that this was a bad sign...but still a narrowly better dating experience than...............:
1st worst -- 1990, Jan. blind date set up -- Pam M. - I had the distinct feeling that the girl was calculating how little affection she could demonstrate and still get taken out on a date to someplace else expensive. When I called and asked her out on a second date she said, "well, where would we go?" These subtle hints turned out to be leading somewhere when when she broke up with me before Valentine's Day with the infamous, "It is just getting too close to that day and I really don't want to have to spend it with you." Well, uh, thanks for the honesty?? I guess??? What do The Police call that in their song? -- "a humiliating kick in the crotch"?
If I can recall any more, I will let PAR know.
My Advice to Jason Giambi -- Shut Up!
http://sports.aol.com/mlb/story/_a/giambi-thinks-baseball-owes-fans-an/20070518071809990001
OK, Jase, instead of MLB's front office offering up an apology, how about you stop saying stupid crap like "steroids don't help you hit a baseball." Fact: if they didn't, no one would take them. Simple as that. OK, yes, if you suck and you can't hit a fair ball when pitched to, yes, steroids won't help you. But if you are a player who can put a bat on the ball, then do steroids help to make you stronger and have a quicker bat? Yep. Let's see, main advantage that Albert Pujols has over, say, Jimmy Rollins or Carl Crawford -- Pujols is stronger and can generate more bat speed, ergo, he can hit the ball farther and has far greater slugging numbers.
So, you are a guy hitting .250 with 7 home runs per 500 at bats. If you roid up and can go .280 with 16 home runs, you have moved from a guy who is headed out of the league to a guy who is a valued free agent making 7 figures a year. Hmm, who would fit THAT description, OH, little brother: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/giambje01.shtml and http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-03-13-giambi-brother-steroids_x.htm
And who actually believes Giambi when he says he doesn't take HGH? Um, not me. All of the tests Giambi brags about taking? None can test for HGH.
And, finally, he can't tell us right now WHY he took roids? Yeah, big mystery..........Did he have some sort of Speedo swimwear that was too tight in the crotch? Did he have some sort of contest/bet with another player as to who could end the year with the most acne? Was his significant other pressuring him for too much sex so he had to make himself impotent? Did his car drive/ride better when he weighed 10-20 pounds extra? Heck, I am really curious now! Please -- do tell! Or just shut up.
OK, Jase, instead of MLB's front office offering up an apology, how about you stop saying stupid crap like "steroids don't help you hit a baseball." Fact: if they didn't, no one would take them. Simple as that. OK, yes, if you suck and you can't hit a fair ball when pitched to, yes, steroids won't help you. But if you are a player who can put a bat on the ball, then do steroids help to make you stronger and have a quicker bat? Yep. Let's see, main advantage that Albert Pujols has over, say, Jimmy Rollins or Carl Crawford -- Pujols is stronger and can generate more bat speed, ergo, he can hit the ball farther and has far greater slugging numbers.
So, you are a guy hitting .250 with 7 home runs per 500 at bats. If you roid up and can go .280 with 16 home runs, you have moved from a guy who is headed out of the league to a guy who is a valued free agent making 7 figures a year. Hmm, who would fit THAT description, OH, little brother: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/giambje01.shtml and http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-03-13-giambi-brother-steroids_x.htm
And who actually believes Giambi when he says he doesn't take HGH? Um, not me. All of the tests Giambi brags about taking? None can test for HGH.
And, finally, he can't tell us right now WHY he took roids? Yeah, big mystery..........Did he have some sort of Speedo swimwear that was too tight in the crotch? Did he have some sort of contest/bet with another player as to who could end the year with the most acne? Was his significant other pressuring him for too much sex so he had to make himself impotent? Did his car drive/ride better when he weighed 10-20 pounds extra? Heck, I am really curious now! Please -- do tell! Or just shut up.
James Dobson -- "I Can't Vote For Guiliani"
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55743
This basically dooms Guiliani's candidacy for the GOP nomination (though I fail to see how Dobson can throw his support to McCain (he said he won't) or Romney (if you feel the equivocating for political gain is a sin, Mitt Romney's soul was mailed to hell about 8 months ago)).
There will come a day when something extremely odd happens (death of a nominee, horrible scandal just before final ballots are printed, etc.) and the GOP will nominate someone who is pro-abortion and pro-gay rights. That person will win between 56% and 70% of the popular vote.
I think, in fact, that someone like Guiliani (or 2000-version McCain before he sold his soul to become an older less-convincing version of GWB) could easily get 25%+ of the national vote as a third-party candidate. The fact is, conservative Dems and liberal Reps win general elections (see Joe Lieberman in CT and, harkening back, Bill Clinton) and often do so easily.
But the two parties are currently controlled by right-wing and left-wing nut jobs, so it is extremely difficult to get the nomination.
This basically dooms Guiliani's candidacy for the GOP nomination (though I fail to see how Dobson can throw his support to McCain (he said he won't) or Romney (if you feel the equivocating for political gain is a sin, Mitt Romney's soul was mailed to hell about 8 months ago)).
There will come a day when something extremely odd happens (death of a nominee, horrible scandal just before final ballots are printed, etc.) and the GOP will nominate someone who is pro-abortion and pro-gay rights. That person will win between 56% and 70% of the popular vote.
I think, in fact, that someone like Guiliani (or 2000-version McCain before he sold his soul to become an older less-convincing version of GWB) could easily get 25%+ of the national vote as a third-party candidate. The fact is, conservative Dems and liberal Reps win general elections (see Joe Lieberman in CT and, harkening back, Bill Clinton) and often do so easily.
But the two parties are currently controlled by right-wing and left-wing nut jobs, so it is extremely difficult to get the nomination.
Walter Mondale's Son -- Drunk Driver
Forget about the check, we'll get..........um, St. Louis Park Youth Baseball(??) to pay.........
I guess old Ted has watched "The Mighty Ducks" too many times. Used to play law league basketball against Ted -- he was mediocre at best, a law league version of Gordon Giricek.
Bikini Car Wash
Absent the bikini...............sub-title -- "She just smiled and gave me a vegamite sandwich."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18735121/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18735121/
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Rant Du Jour -- Isn't Anyone Great Anymore?
Think about some great teams of our lifetimes: Steelers, Cowboys, Reds, Yankees, Canadiens, Flyers, Lakers, Celtics, 49ers, Oilers, Cowboys again, Yankees again, 49ers again, Bulls, Lakers again, Yankees again, Red Wings, anyway, my point?
Once upon a time there were great teams. Teams that you held up on a pedestal and who did not hit you when you were down..........they kicked you because it was a lot easier and would cause you more pain.
Where have those teams gone?
The reigning baseball champion is........um......the Cardinals, right? The basketball champion is........uh..........come on Jeff.....the aged and decrepit Heat. The football champion is the Colts (who were basically GIVEN the Super Bowl by a terrible Bears effort on both sides of the ball). And the hockey champion is.........is it Tampa Bay? Help me wikipedia! Nope sorry, Carolina......
I am not saying that I necessarily want to see someone win 6 times in 8 years, but wouldn't it be nice if the teams winning titles were actually REALLY, REALLY good?
Why the rant? Well, last night started it: Spurs playing a Suns team w/o two starters -- losing by almost 20 at one point. If you are a great team, don't ya just come out and wax the Suns? But flip it around -- Suns up almost 20 at home with a wild home-court advantage and two of the top 20 current NBA players on the floor (Nash and Marion) plus the 6th man of the year (Barbosa). Nope. Still can't hold on.
Move over to Cleveland/Nets -- Nets up 20, crushing Cavs, so 4th quarter ought to be free and easy, right? Nope. Score 6.............AND STILL WIN!!!!!!!! Because Cleveland at home can't do jack and shoots 3 for 17 in the fourth -- 13 points.
Bulls score under 90 three straight times against a Flip Saunders playoff defense?? What was Chris Webber's 9 inch vertical too much for you inside? So maybe Flip really has it working and his Pistons are just gonna roll............oh, wait, maybe ya ought to hold a playoff opponent to under 72% shooting on your court in an entire half of basketball. Yuck.
This is the NBA's ELITE 8 for God's sake. Do I have to start relying on the "Dee Brown and 11 light-skinned guys" Jazz for quality?
Hockey -- Ottawa is at home up 3-0 on Buffalo, a hated, hated rival. They are just gonna kick Buffalo's ass and move on right? Well, allowing a goal 9 seconds in is a bad start. Senators lose. Anaheim gets drilled 5-0 AT HOME by a Detroit club that has a lot of great players......circa 1993. Chris Chelios? He was a great college champion at Wisconsin................IN 1983!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What in the world has happened to professional sports? My lord.
Next rant -- Sammy Sosa back in baseball (may have to be written in Spanish since Sammy doesn't speak English).
Once upon a time there were great teams. Teams that you held up on a pedestal and who did not hit you when you were down..........they kicked you because it was a lot easier and would cause you more pain.
Where have those teams gone?
The reigning baseball champion is........um......the Cardinals, right? The basketball champion is........uh..........come on Jeff.....the aged and decrepit Heat. The football champion is the Colts (who were basically GIVEN the Super Bowl by a terrible Bears effort on both sides of the ball). And the hockey champion is.........is it Tampa Bay? Help me wikipedia! Nope sorry, Carolina......
I am not saying that I necessarily want to see someone win 6 times in 8 years, but wouldn't it be nice if the teams winning titles were actually REALLY, REALLY good?
Why the rant? Well, last night started it: Spurs playing a Suns team w/o two starters -- losing by almost 20 at one point. If you are a great team, don't ya just come out and wax the Suns? But flip it around -- Suns up almost 20 at home with a wild home-court advantage and two of the top 20 current NBA players on the floor (Nash and Marion) plus the 6th man of the year (Barbosa). Nope. Still can't hold on.
Move over to Cleveland/Nets -- Nets up 20, crushing Cavs, so 4th quarter ought to be free and easy, right? Nope. Score 6.............AND STILL WIN!!!!!!!! Because Cleveland at home can't do jack and shoots 3 for 17 in the fourth -- 13 points.
Bulls score under 90 three straight times against a Flip Saunders playoff defense?? What was Chris Webber's 9 inch vertical too much for you inside? So maybe Flip really has it working and his Pistons are just gonna roll............oh, wait, maybe ya ought to hold a playoff opponent to under 72% shooting on your court in an entire half of basketball. Yuck.
This is the NBA's ELITE 8 for God's sake. Do I have to start relying on the "Dee Brown and 11 light-skinned guys" Jazz for quality?
Hockey -- Ottawa is at home up 3-0 on Buffalo, a hated, hated rival. They are just gonna kick Buffalo's ass and move on right? Well, allowing a goal 9 seconds in is a bad start. Senators lose. Anaheim gets drilled 5-0 AT HOME by a Detroit club that has a lot of great players......circa 1993. Chris Chelios? He was a great college champion at Wisconsin................IN 1983!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What in the world has happened to professional sports? My lord.
Next rant -- Sammy Sosa back in baseball (may have to be written in Spanish since Sammy doesn't speak English).
Jordin/Blake in Finals -- Melinda Done
A recap:
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/dont_get_me_started_with_/2007/05/american_idol_r_5.html#comments
So now we must ask -- Worst Final 2 ever? I will grade them with my evaluations based only upon on-show performances:
Clarkson (96)/Guarini (83) = 179
Studdard (90)/Aiken (89) = 179
Barrino (91)/DeGarmo (72) = 163
Underwood (89)/Bice (89) = 178
Hicks (83)/McPhee (81) = 164
Sparks (83)/Lewis (74) = 157
Yes, worst Final 2 ever. Should Jordin win, she will tie Hicks for worst on-show efforts by any Idol winner ever; should Blake win, he becomes the worst ever Idol winner by 9 points (Hicks).
Side note -- Is the Confederate voting block dead and buried? The defeat of Tennessee's Melinda Doolittle means that the winner will come from outside the solid Red South and possibly (egad!) from a Blue State (Blake is from Washington). While AZ is GOP, it is more of a wealthy "Don't tax me or make me share my country club with people who aren't white males" GOP state rather than the poor "I go to church, shoot stuff and hate evolution theory" GOP states where the first 5 winners have lived (TX, AL, NC, OK, AL).
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/dont_get_me_started_with_/2007/05/american_idol_r_5.html#comments
So now we must ask -- Worst Final 2 ever? I will grade them with my evaluations based only upon on-show performances:
Clarkson (96)/Guarini (83) = 179
Studdard (90)/Aiken (89) = 179
Barrino (91)/DeGarmo (72) = 163
Underwood (89)/Bice (89) = 178
Hicks (83)/McPhee (81) = 164
Sparks (83)/Lewis (74) = 157
Yes, worst Final 2 ever. Should Jordin win, she will tie Hicks for worst on-show efforts by any Idol winner ever; should Blake win, he becomes the worst ever Idol winner by 9 points (Hicks).
Side note -- Is the Confederate voting block dead and buried? The defeat of Tennessee's Melinda Doolittle means that the winner will come from outside the solid Red South and possibly (egad!) from a Blue State (Blake is from Washington). While AZ is GOP, it is more of a wealthy "Don't tax me or make me share my country club with people who aren't white males" GOP state rather than the poor "I go to church, shoot stuff and hate evolution theory" GOP states where the first 5 winners have lived (TX, AL, NC, OK, AL).
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Chicago Baby Gets Gun Permit
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/15/baby.gun.ap/index.html
Perhaps they were hoping he would use it to shoot Rex Grossman? To fire off in celebration when the Baby Bulls come back from 3-0 to upset Flip's Pistons? To put Lou Pinella out of his obvious misery when the Cubs play poorly?
I am unsure why Chicagoland feels that a 10 month old needs a gun or a gun permit, but hey.
Said one unidentified local, "Hey, it's OK wit me so long as he ain't like black or Hispanic or anything. Now hand me anudder saaaah-sige over dare."
Perhaps they were hoping he would use it to shoot Rex Grossman? To fire off in celebration when the Baby Bulls come back from 3-0 to upset Flip's Pistons? To put Lou Pinella out of his obvious misery when the Cubs play poorly?
I am unsure why Chicagoland feels that a 10 month old needs a gun or a gun permit, but hey.
Said one unidentified local, "Hey, it's OK wit me so long as he ain't like black or Hispanic or anything. Now hand me anudder saaaah-sige over dare."
A Rule Is a Rule.......
Freeze it at the 1:40 mark (25 seconds from the end) and you will see Amare clearly on the court clearly attempting to get involved in a fracas between Bell and Horry.
As GC Boy has noted in defense of the Commissioner numerous times: "A rule is a rule..."
As GC Boy has noted in defense of the Commissioner numerous times: "A rule is a rule..."
Idol
Didn't see the show and (despite 3 calls from me at 6:30, 7:00 and 7:15) no one at my house was able to master the intricacies of a VCR and tape the show.
Dial Idol says Melinda got the most votes and the battle is between Blake and Jordin.
http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp
Given the fact that Dialidol has understated Jordin's votes all year, I would think that things look pretty Bleak for Blake.
Dial Idol says Melinda got the most votes and the battle is between Blake and Jordin.
http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp
Given the fact that Dialidol has understated Jordin's votes all year, I would think that things look pretty Bleak for Blake.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
It's Official -- Dirk MVP -- Nash Now Only Ranked #1 At Being Most Annoying NBA Player
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2871035
The big German didn't deserve it, but hey, anything that keep the annoying Canadian from another MVP is OK by me.
Only other player to get an MVP first place vote?? -- The Devil (2 votes).
Chris Bosh -- 7th place? Who does Chris Bosh have pictures of? Garnett (6th worst team in the league) finishes in 9th place.
The guy who created THIS video must be happy today:
The big German didn't deserve it, but hey, anything that keep the annoying Canadian from another MVP is OK by me.
Only other player to get an MVP first place vote?? -- The Devil (2 votes).
Chris Bosh -- 7th place? Who does Chris Bosh have pictures of? Garnett (6th worst team in the league) finishes in 9th place.
The guy who created THIS video must be happy today:
Official Note -- Cavs/Nets Declared "Unwatchable"
As the Hoops Maven, I have to state for the record -- I cannot watch Cavs/Nets. I mean, how many wide open missed shots can one man stand? LeBron to Hughes -- clank. To Gooden posting up on Bostjan Nachbar -- um, no.
The Nets are, amazingly, EVEN WORSE offensively than Cleveland (where LeBron will hit around 45% of his shots at least). Kidd can't make anything unless left all alone. Vince Carter settles for clanking up jumpers while being guarded by Oompa Loompa Eric Snow. Richard Jefferson is dogged by LeBron all game, so at least he has an excuse for his inconsistent play. When Mikki Moore scores 25 for you and your team can't get 90, you are unwatchable.
Cavs have the ball out of bounds late in the game. If you can identify for me the "play" they tried to run to get the ball in, you are a far better fan than I. Mike Brown would have been considered a poor offensive coach in the era when every basket was followed by a center jump ball.
Official verdict -- unwatchable. Please allow Cleveland to end this series in 5.
The Nets are, amazingly, EVEN WORSE offensively than Cleveland (where LeBron will hit around 45% of his shots at least). Kidd can't make anything unless left all alone. Vince Carter settles for clanking up jumpers while being guarded by Oompa Loompa Eric Snow. Richard Jefferson is dogged by LeBron all game, so at least he has an excuse for his inconsistent play. When Mikki Moore scores 25 for you and your team can't get 90, you are unwatchable.
Cavs have the ball out of bounds late in the game. If you can identify for me the "play" they tried to run to get the ball in, you are a far better fan than I. Mike Brown would have been considered a poor offensive coach in the era when every basket was followed by a center jump ball.
Official verdict -- unwatchable. Please allow Cleveland to end this series in 5.
Jerry Falwell -- Dead at 73
Falwell rose to prominence/power by decrying the way the rest of us live(d) our lives. Falwell's primary base, of course, consisted of southern evangelicals, many of whom were either divorced or cheating on their wives/husbands. http://www.sullivan-county.com/bush/divorce.htm
Look at the two pictures above and decide which sort of life you would rather follow....
I hope that Falwell enjoys speaking with God in heaven, since (if Falwell is correct) almost no one else will be there.
Stallone -- Drug Man
Don't super-ripped muscles like Rambo's just occur naturally? I mean, I thought Sly got the physique from running to the top of mountains in Russia???
What next? You gonna tell me Rachel McLish (pictured) was on the juice?
Monday, May 14, 2007
From The Outhouse to the Penthouse
PM's baseball team on Saturday night was 1-1 in pool play and down for the count against a terrible opponent in game 3. A loss would put PM's squad at 4th place in a 4-team pool, going home with zippo.
Down 5-2 in the bottom of the last inning, PM's squad had hitters 10-11-12 up to start the inning. Bottom of the order goes: Triple, single, walk. Now 5-3, 1st and second, no outs. Walk. Bases loaded. Single. Error. Now it is 5-5, bases loaded, no outs. Pop out. Grounder to second, try for the force at home......tie goes to the runner, we win 6-5.
We finish second in the pool, destroy our semi-final opponent 13-4 and win the title game 6-3.
Freddy Mercury anthem playing in the background.
Always darkest before the dawn, I guess. PM, who moved from B-2 to "A" this year, is now the #3 hitter in the lineup and is their best catcher. Total tourney wins by last year's "A" squad..............that would be ZERO. Total second place finishes? That would also be none...
Down 5-2 in the bottom of the last inning, PM's squad had hitters 10-11-12 up to start the inning. Bottom of the order goes: Triple, single, walk. Now 5-3, 1st and second, no outs. Walk. Bases loaded. Single. Error. Now it is 5-5, bases loaded, no outs. Pop out. Grounder to second, try for the force at home......tie goes to the runner, we win 6-5.
We finish second in the pool, destroy our semi-final opponent 13-4 and win the title game 6-3.
Freddy Mercury anthem playing in the background.
Always darkest before the dawn, I guess. PM, who moved from B-2 to "A" this year, is now the #3 hitter in the lineup and is their best catcher. Total tourney wins by last year's "A" squad..............that would be ZERO. Total second place finishes? That would also be none...
Mitt Romney -- Nothing Worse Than Polygamy
http://news.aol.com/elections/president/story/_a/romney-slams-mormon-churchs-past/20070513212209990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001.
Now he has insulted the old-school Mormons and at the same time reminded everyone that his relatives practiced polygamy. "Good briefing, Mitt, tomorrow we address why Mormonism is the one true religion......."
Now he has insulted the old-school Mormons and at the same time reminded everyone that his relatives practiced polygamy. "Good briefing, Mitt, tomorrow we address why Mormonism is the one true religion......."
Friday, May 11, 2007
Squirrels "Plague" Denver
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/black-death-found-in-denver-squirrels/20070511092009990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
Nice city you have there, TEG!! My lord. Squirrel plague. What next? Hamster gout?
For those who have forgotten that the Plague once killed off 33-66% of Europe and Asia, red up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Plague#Depopulation
Nice city you have there, TEG!! My lord. Squirrel plague. What next? Hamster gout?
For those who have forgotten that the Plague once killed off 33-66% of Europe and Asia, red up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Plague#Depopulation
The Office
Another great episode last night. But here is a scene from the past with a fave of mine -- The Dawali Song.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Jared Fogle -- Porn Distributor
Jared's 10 Favorite Ways to Order Subway While At School:
1) "Any chance you can take a 3-inch baloney and make it look like a 6-inch?"
2) "With extra oil.........and extra mayo........lite mayo too.....no, I will need more mayo than that........and oil and vinegar........any other kind of.......uh, grease you have back there......and some packets.......to go."
3) "Come on, that is way smaller than 12 inches, I can tell...."
4) "Meat ball"
5) "And slap some salami on there, um, in there, uh, whatever."
6) "Do you accept requests for Double Meat?"
7) "Any chance you could deliver this........in a short skirt..........needing extra money to pay for college?"
8) "To drink? A couple large jugs of milk. Look, I just am really thirsty for milk right now, OK?"
9) "I'd do ANYTHING for some tuna right now, baby."
10) "The register drawer is stuck and you don't have change right now? Well, I am sure we can work SOMETHING out......."
All-NBA Teams Named
You will find your typical chuckles from the "others receiving votes" category (Michael Redd? Don't you have to actually play? Eddy Curry? Paul Pierce? Pau Gasol? Tyson Chandler? Were these protest votes?).
Of note -- LeBron left off the first team (27/7/6) for Dirk (24.5/9/3) and Duncan (20/11/3) -- shows the power of winning teams..............but doesn't explain Kobe....I guess that is the L.A. exception to the "must win" rule.....
Shaq misses all three teams -- the first time that has happened since he was left off for Hakeem/Ewing/Robinson in his rookie year of 1992-93!!
Carlos Boozer -- left off all 3 teams in favor of Brawlin' Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Garnett -- back on the 3rd team after a year off. Narrowly misses second team........beaten by.........CHRIS BOSH!?!?!? Ever watch a Raptors game? Who do they generally go to when they need a hoop? Anthony Parker. I guess Bosh's 0.2 PPG advantage was enough to overcome Garnett's rebounding title and a far better assist number, and superior steals + blocks number.........I guess.........
Here are the votes. By the player's team name is their first place vote total, under their name is total points (example, Dirk 125 first place votes, 634 total points -- get 5 for a 1st place vote, 3 for a second and 1 for a third).
2006-07 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Forward
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (125)
634
Tim Duncan, San Antonio (94)
573
Center
Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix (36)
494
Guard
Steve Nash, Phoenix (129)
645
Guard
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (128)
643
2006-07 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
Player, Team (1st Team Votes)
Forward
LeBron James, Cleveland (64)
494
Forward
Chris Bosh, Toronto (8)
234
Center
Yao Ming, Houston (38)
333
Guard
Gilbert Arenas, Washington
295
Guard
Tracy McGrady, Houston (10)
278
2006-07 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Forward
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (5)
225
Forward
Carmelo Anthony, Denver (1)
142
Center
Dwight Howard, Orlando (1)
108
Guard
Dwyane Wade, Miami (1)
241
Guard
Chauncey Billups, Detroit
86
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first team votes in parentheses): Carlos Boozer, Utah, 127; Shaquille O’Neal, Miami, 70 (3); Jason Kidd, New Jersey, 58; Marcus Camby, Denver, 42 (2); Shawn Marion, Phoenix, 41; Allen Iverson, Denver, 39; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 39; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 15; Deron Williams, Utah, 15; Josh Howard, Dallas, 11; Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers, 8; Mehmet Okur, Utah, 7; Baron Davis, Golden State, 6; Michael Redd, Milwaukee, 6; Ray Allen, Seattle, 5; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 4; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 3; Ben Gordon, Chicago, 3; Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 3; Paul Pierce, Boston, 2; Ben Wallace, Chicago, 2; Jason Terry, Dallas, 2; Eddy Curry, New York, 2; Luol Deng, Chicago, 1; Chris Webber, Detroit, 1; Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana, 1; Pau Gasol, Memphis, 1; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 1; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 1.
Of note -- LeBron left off the first team (27/7/6) for Dirk (24.5/9/3) and Duncan (20/11/3) -- shows the power of winning teams..............but doesn't explain Kobe....I guess that is the L.A. exception to the "must win" rule.....
Shaq misses all three teams -- the first time that has happened since he was left off for Hakeem/Ewing/Robinson in his rookie year of 1992-93!!
Carlos Boozer -- left off all 3 teams in favor of Brawlin' Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Garnett -- back on the 3rd team after a year off. Narrowly misses second team........beaten by.........CHRIS BOSH!?!?!? Ever watch a Raptors game? Who do they generally go to when they need a hoop? Anthony Parker. I guess Bosh's 0.2 PPG advantage was enough to overcome Garnett's rebounding title and a far better assist number, and superior steals + blocks number.........I guess.........
Here are the votes. By the player's team name is their first place vote total, under their name is total points (example, Dirk 125 first place votes, 634 total points -- get 5 for a 1st place vote, 3 for a second and 1 for a third).
2006-07 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Forward
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (125)
634
Tim Duncan, San Antonio (94)
573
Center
Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix (36)
494
Guard
Steve Nash, Phoenix (129)
645
Guard
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (128)
643
2006-07 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
Player, Team (1st Team Votes)
Forward
LeBron James, Cleveland (64)
494
Forward
Chris Bosh, Toronto (8)
234
Center
Yao Ming, Houston (38)
333
Guard
Gilbert Arenas, Washington
295
Guard
Tracy McGrady, Houston (10)
278
2006-07 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Forward
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (5)
225
Forward
Carmelo Anthony, Denver (1)
142
Center
Dwight Howard, Orlando (1)
108
Guard
Dwyane Wade, Miami (1)
241
Guard
Chauncey Billups, Detroit
86
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first team votes in parentheses): Carlos Boozer, Utah, 127; Shaquille O’Neal, Miami, 70 (3); Jason Kidd, New Jersey, 58; Marcus Camby, Denver, 42 (2); Shawn Marion, Phoenix, 41; Allen Iverson, Denver, 39; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 39; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 15; Deron Williams, Utah, 15; Josh Howard, Dallas, 11; Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers, 8; Mehmet Okur, Utah, 7; Baron Davis, Golden State, 6; Michael Redd, Milwaukee, 6; Ray Allen, Seattle, 5; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 4; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 3; Ben Gordon, Chicago, 3; Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 3; Paul Pierce, Boston, 2; Ben Wallace, Chicago, 2; Jason Terry, Dallas, 2; Eddy Curry, New York, 2; Luol Deng, Chicago, 1; Chris Webber, Detroit, 1; Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana, 1; Pau Gasol, Memphis, 1; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 1; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 1.
Idol Final 3 -- Worst Ever??
With LaKisha getting the boot last night (I'd say "the heave-ho" but is anyone really that strong?), we are left with a final 3 of:
Jordin
Melinda
Blake
So, queries: 1) worst season ever? 2) worst final 3 ever? Taking them in reverse order --
Final 3's: Season 1 -- Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin
Season 2 -- Ruben, Clay, Kimberly Locke
Season 3 -- Fantasia, Diana DeGarmo, and Jasmine Trias.
Season 4 -- Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon (Federov was 4th)
Season 5 -- Hicks, McPhee, Yamin (Daughtry 4th, Bennett 5th, Pickler 6th)
I think your ranking has to go:
2, 4, 5, 1 (merely on Clarkson's strength alone)
So, it is either the current group or the 3rd season. Fantasia is better than anyone currently still on in season 6, but she never was a real marketable singer. Blake is a wash with Trias (both suck) and Degarmo is worse than either Melinda or Jordin.....................................
So, the Season 6 final 3: only the SECOND Worst of all-time (congrats).
Now, overall suckiness? Season 1 had a TON of duds who never went on to do anything, but again, they had Clarkson. Season 3 also featured LaToya London and Jennifer Hudson, as well as the decent George Huff (far better than Richardson or Stacey).
My Final Analysis -- Season 6 -- worst overall season lineup ever.
HM
Jordin
Melinda
Blake
So, queries: 1) worst season ever? 2) worst final 3 ever? Taking them in reverse order --
Final 3's: Season 1 -- Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin
Season 2 -- Ruben, Clay, Kimberly Locke
Season 3 -- Fantasia, Diana DeGarmo, and Jasmine Trias.
Season 4 -- Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon (Federov was 4th)
Season 5 -- Hicks, McPhee, Yamin (Daughtry 4th, Bennett 5th, Pickler 6th)
I think your ranking has to go:
2, 4, 5, 1 (merely on Clarkson's strength alone)
So, it is either the current group or the 3rd season. Fantasia is better than anyone currently still on in season 6, but she never was a real marketable singer. Blake is a wash with Trias (both suck) and Degarmo is worse than either Melinda or Jordin.....................................
So, the Season 6 final 3: only the SECOND Worst of all-time (congrats).
Now, overall suckiness? Season 1 had a TON of duds who never went on to do anything, but again, they had Clarkson. Season 3 also featured LaToya London and Jennifer Hudson, as well as the decent George Huff (far better than Richardson or Stacey).
My Final Analysis -- Season 6 -- worst overall season lineup ever.
HM
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Cavaliers Part II -- Why Do They Win?
Does anyone really want Larry Hughes? Donyell Marshall? Big Z? Eric Snow? Pavlovic (OK, not the Pav who stripped Vince Carter yesterday, the regular Pav)?
If you could describe Mike Brown's "offense" in one sentence, wouldn't that sentence be, "Stand around and then let LeBron either pass or jack up a three"?
Will the next offensive "set" the Cavs run be the first? If you left any Cav other than LeBron wide open at the end of the game with a 3 to win it, wouldn't they have less chance than Bostjan Nachbar at the end of Nets/Raptors game 5?
So why, exactly, are the Cavs looking at a 2-0 lead and a possible shot at the Eastern Conference Finals? Well, here are the stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2007.html
The greatest "strength" of the Cavs is that they rebound very well. They get 4 more rebounds a game than their opponent. That translates into 4 more shots a game for the Cavs (I know that it doesn't necessarily have to, but in this case it does, the ## match up).
The Cavs allow their opponent to shoot a decent percentage inside 3-point range, but limit their opponents' percentage and opportunities outside of the 3-point line.
They play a slow-down game (ugly, ugly, ugly, they have LeBron and are 18th in the league in "Pace" of game). But even per 100 possessions they are one of the best at holding down the scoring of opponents -- 4th in the league. Even adjusting for their ugly style of ball, they are still 18th in offensive points per 100 possessions (of course, they get more possessions).
But you can break down the numbers all you want, here are the two truths of Cleveland:
1) Almost everybody they have rebounds pretty well -- Eric Snow and Larry Hughes combined get 6.1 boards a game, Gooden, Verajao, Donyell, Z, all good rebounders.
2) They have LeBron -- except for rebounding, basically every statistical advantage that the Cavs own can be attributed to having LeBron as their small forward and having everyone else just be average. LeBron scores at least 4 points a game better than the average small forward. LeBron has a much better assist-to-turnover ration than the average small forward, LeBron is 6th in the league among forwards in "steals", so, much better than the average.
Cavs Summary -- get up on the 3 point shooter, hit the boards, and give the ball to LeBron. Definitely NOT pretty basketball, but surprisingly effective.
If you could describe Mike Brown's "offense" in one sentence, wouldn't that sentence be, "Stand around and then let LeBron either pass or jack up a three"?
Will the next offensive "set" the Cavs run be the first? If you left any Cav other than LeBron wide open at the end of the game with a 3 to win it, wouldn't they have less chance than Bostjan Nachbar at the end of Nets/Raptors game 5?
So why, exactly, are the Cavs looking at a 2-0 lead and a possible shot at the Eastern Conference Finals? Well, here are the stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2007.html
The greatest "strength" of the Cavs is that they rebound very well. They get 4 more rebounds a game than their opponent. That translates into 4 more shots a game for the Cavs (I know that it doesn't necessarily have to, but in this case it does, the ## match up).
The Cavs allow their opponent to shoot a decent percentage inside 3-point range, but limit their opponents' percentage and opportunities outside of the 3-point line.
They play a slow-down game (ugly, ugly, ugly, they have LeBron and are 18th in the league in "Pace" of game). But even per 100 possessions they are one of the best at holding down the scoring of opponents -- 4th in the league. Even adjusting for their ugly style of ball, they are still 18th in offensive points per 100 possessions (of course, they get more possessions).
But you can break down the numbers all you want, here are the two truths of Cleveland:
1) Almost everybody they have rebounds pretty well -- Eric Snow and Larry Hughes combined get 6.1 boards a game, Gooden, Verajao, Donyell, Z, all good rebounders.
2) They have LeBron -- except for rebounding, basically every statistical advantage that the Cavs own can be attributed to having LeBron as their small forward and having everyone else just be average. LeBron scores at least 4 points a game better than the average small forward. LeBron has a much better assist-to-turnover ration than the average small forward, LeBron is 6th in the league among forwards in "steals", so, much better than the average.
Cavs Summary -- get up on the 3 point shooter, hit the boards, and give the ball to LeBron. Definitely NOT pretty basketball, but surprisingly effective.
Cleveland Cavaliers Part I -- Where Is LeBron's In-Person Apology?
Some Cavs Thoughts --
First and foremost, I think that LeBron's 20th consecutive 20-point NBA playoff game (2nd best all-time to Kareem's 27) entitles LeBron to an in-person apology from Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy") who stated the following about LeBron in February of 2007:
(THUMBS DOWN SYMBOL) To LeBron James, who coasted through the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday and played the All-Star Game with the uplifting, charismatic intensity of a female porn star trying to break one of those "most male partners in one afternoon" records.
*********************************
Before he becomes a global icon, maybe LeBron should work a little harder on his game. Here's what I know. I had four conversations with connected NBA people over the weekend that centered around the same themes: LeBron isn't playing nearly as hard as he did last season; it looks like his only goal right now is to get his coach fired; he's regressing as a basketball player (especially his passing skills and his shot selection); he made a huge mistake firing his agent and turning his career over to his buddies back home (all of whom are in over their heads); he was a much bigger problem during the Olympics than anyone realized; he doesn't seem to be enjoying himself anymore; he has an overrated sense of his own worth and his own impact in the sports world (as witnessed by the ESPN interview last week when he answered the "What are your goals?" question with two words: "Global icon"); he's been protected by magazine fluff pieces and buddy-buddy TV interviews for far too long; he doesn't have the same relentless drive to keep dominating everyone like Wade and Kobe have; and basically, we're much closer to LeBron re-enacting the career arc of Martina Hingis, Eric Lindros and Junior Griffey than anyone realizes. This will evolve into THE dominant NBA story of the next two months. You watch.
Nice prediction "Sports Guy"! LBJ and the Cavs finished the season with a 22-7 run to take the #2 spot in the East, but yes, he was washed up at age 18 like Martina Hingis -- good call there.
Wade -- out of the playoffs, injured again.
Kobe -- without Shaq as a teammates the Lakers with the "driven" Kobe have not approached the success of LeBron's Cavs
2004-07 (Kobe post-Shaq) Lakers -- 121-125, 2 playoff appearances, no series victories.
LeBron's Cavs -- 142-104 (21 wins better), 2 playoff appearances, two series victories, have more wins in every individual season.
LeBron's coaches -- Paul Silas, Brendan Malone, Mike Brown (ZERO NBA coaching titles)
Kobe's coaches -- Rudy T., Frank Hamblin, Phil Jackson (11 NBA coaching titles)
Who is the better, more-driven player? Whose team has been better in tough situations? Who has been spoon fed great coaches (except for 1/2 a season) and who has taken what he has been given?
With the Cavs now up 2-0 in a second-round series despite any offensive scheme, maybe the time is now for Simmons to walk up to James and apologize for being so wrong???
First and foremost, I think that LeBron's 20th consecutive 20-point NBA playoff game (2nd best all-time to Kareem's 27) entitles LeBron to an in-person apology from Bill Simmons (aka "The Sports Guy") who stated the following about LeBron in February of 2007:
(THUMBS DOWN SYMBOL) To LeBron James, who coasted through the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday and played the All-Star Game with the uplifting, charismatic intensity of a female porn star trying to break one of those "most male partners in one afternoon" records.
*********************************
Before he becomes a global icon, maybe LeBron should work a little harder on his game. Here's what I know. I had four conversations with connected NBA people over the weekend that centered around the same themes: LeBron isn't playing nearly as hard as he did last season; it looks like his only goal right now is to get his coach fired; he's regressing as a basketball player (especially his passing skills and his shot selection); he made a huge mistake firing his agent and turning his career over to his buddies back home (all of whom are in over their heads); he was a much bigger problem during the Olympics than anyone realized; he doesn't seem to be enjoying himself anymore; he has an overrated sense of his own worth and his own impact in the sports world (as witnessed by the ESPN interview last week when he answered the "What are your goals?" question with two words: "Global icon"); he's been protected by magazine fluff pieces and buddy-buddy TV interviews for far too long; he doesn't have the same relentless drive to keep dominating everyone like Wade and Kobe have; and basically, we're much closer to LeBron re-enacting the career arc of Martina Hingis, Eric Lindros and Junior Griffey than anyone realizes. This will evolve into THE dominant NBA story of the next two months. You watch.
Nice prediction "Sports Guy"! LBJ and the Cavs finished the season with a 22-7 run to take the #2 spot in the East, but yes, he was washed up at age 18 like Martina Hingis -- good call there.
Wade -- out of the playoffs, injured again.
Kobe -- without Shaq as a teammates the Lakers with the "driven" Kobe have not approached the success of LeBron's Cavs
2004-07 (Kobe post-Shaq) Lakers -- 121-125, 2 playoff appearances, no series victories.
LeBron's Cavs -- 142-104 (21 wins better), 2 playoff appearances, two series victories, have more wins in every individual season.
LeBron's coaches -- Paul Silas, Brendan Malone, Mike Brown (ZERO NBA coaching titles)
Kobe's coaches -- Rudy T., Frank Hamblin, Phil Jackson (11 NBA coaching titles)
Who is the better, more-driven player? Whose team has been better in tough situations? Who has been spoon fed great coaches (except for 1/2 a season) and who has taken what he has been given?
With the Cavs now up 2-0 in a second-round series despite any offensive scheme, maybe the time is now for Simmons to walk up to James and apologize for being so wrong???
Idols Struggle Mightily on Barry Gibb Night
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20008533_20038295,00.html
Sorry I been gone so long (in D.C. for a couple days), but I am now back. I heard all of the Idol show last night......unfortunately.
At least once a year you get to hear a night of "Idol" where you end up saying "Well, I guess there is a reason [name of guest singer] is such a star. Because they really ARE a much better singer/performer than other people." Last year -- Elton John night. This year -- Barry Gibb night.
I have to add, though, that I think the choice of songs left a LOT to be desired. Taylor Hicks would have chosen "I started a Joke" and "Nights on Broadway" and just ripped up the place. First one is high emotion, second is high energy (recall, they use it on SNL for "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" theme). Instead we were treated to either questionable ballads or the odd decisions to sing fast songs more slowly and in a lower register (LaKisha, I am talking to you). Blake could have hit gold with "You Should Be Dancing" but instead turned it to dross
Grades:
1. Jordin -- 78 -- I thought her work was shaky and very (as my wife would say) "fakey" as well. Sadly, still the best.
2. Melinda -- 68 -- at this point in the contest it would be nice to know that she is not just a singing robot. After last night I am still unsure.
3. Lakisha -- 43 -- demonstrated that she has little upper range and little ability to interpret a song so it is enjoyable for the listener. Bad night.
4. Blake -- 33 -- I actually enjoyed the first 12 seconds of "You Should Be Dancing", but everything else was simply unbearable -- down in the Bucky Covington range of scoring here.
Let's see what Dial Idol has to say.....................: Whoa!!! http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp
Sorry I been gone so long (in D.C. for a couple days), but I am now back. I heard all of the Idol show last night......unfortunately.
At least once a year you get to hear a night of "Idol" where you end up saying "Well, I guess there is a reason [name of guest singer] is such a star. Because they really ARE a much better singer/performer than other people." Last year -- Elton John night. This year -- Barry Gibb night.
I have to add, though, that I think the choice of songs left a LOT to be desired. Taylor Hicks would have chosen "I started a Joke" and "Nights on Broadway" and just ripped up the place. First one is high emotion, second is high energy (recall, they use it on SNL for "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" theme). Instead we were treated to either questionable ballads or the odd decisions to sing fast songs more slowly and in a lower register (LaKisha, I am talking to you). Blake could have hit gold with "You Should Be Dancing" but instead turned it to dross
Grades:
1. Jordin -- 78 -- I thought her work was shaky and very (as my wife would say) "fakey" as well. Sadly, still the best.
2. Melinda -- 68 -- at this point in the contest it would be nice to know that she is not just a singing robot. After last night I am still unsure.
3. Lakisha -- 43 -- demonstrated that she has little upper range and little ability to interpret a song so it is enjoyable for the listener. Bad night.
4. Blake -- 33 -- I actually enjoyed the first 12 seconds of "You Should Be Dancing", but everything else was simply unbearable -- down in the Bucky Covington range of scoring here.
Let's see what Dial Idol has to say.....................: Whoa!!! http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Daughtry "Home" -- A Tribute to "Dead or Alive"?
Not identical, but certainly very similar in look. Chris is obviously a Bon Jovi fan:
Compare 1986:
with 2007:
Compare 1986:
with 2007:
Friday, May 04, 2007
Greatest Basketball Post-Season Upsets
According to an AOL Poll, here is how voters rank the greatest basketball upsets:
Fan Selections:
1. Golden State over Dallas, 2007
32%
This is too high. Golden State beat them in the regular season and beat them in the playoffs. It is an upset b/c GState had a far worse overall record, but certainly not the greatest upset of all-time.
2. Texas Western over Kentucky, 1966
22%
The names get in the way here. I mean, sure, it LOOKS like a huge upset to us today, but UTEP was a very good and talented team. What the win actually did was emphasize how good black players were and how southern schools had to start recruiting them.
3. N.C. State over Houston, 1983
13%
In hindsight, what you really have here is a team with an NBA point guard plus Thurl Bailey and Lorenzo Charles and the best game coach I have ever seen (Valvano) beating a team with two great pros (Drexler and Hakeem) a mediocre point guard (Alvin Franklin) and a terrible game coach (Guy Lewis). In hindsight, a surprise, but not a huge one.
4. George Mason over UConn, 2006
11%
A true basketball fan has to mark this one very, very high. I mean, George Mason was well-drilled, but they had NOTHING for talent. And I mean NOTHING. If these teams met 75 times, Mason would have won 3. But this was one of the three. I recall looking at the score ticker and saying, "this absolutely cannot be happening." It did.
5. Detroit over the Lakers, 2004
7%
Shaq was fat, Kobe was jealous and the Pistons were just a bad matchup for the defense-poor Lakers. They scored too many points on the porous L.A. defense for the Lakers to match. Truth be told, if Sam Cassell is healthy, Minnesota easily beats the Lakers and maybe even Detroit (the Wolves were playing Fred Hoiberg and Derrick Martin at the point and still took L.A. to 6 games).
Not a great upset, even at the time.
6. Duke over UNLV, 1991
7%
In 1990, Larry Johnson was guarding Alaa Abdelnaby. In 1991, he was guarding a young and healthy Grant Hill. Are we really surprised that Duke managed to play better in 1991 than 1990? But still, the 30+ point swing in 1 year is worth noting.
7. Denver over Seattle, 1994
5%
Huge, Huge upset of a much-better team by a much-worse team. Game 5 remains one of the worst choke jobs I have ever seen. Shcrempf, in particular, was passing up 8 footers because he just knew he couldn't make them, and Mutombo was blocking everything inside 5 feet.
8. New York over Miami, 1999
4%
50-game season so the records were deceiving. Knicks had Spree and Houston both healthy, Camby healthy, Van Gundy coaching. Where is the great upset here?
So, I'd say:
1. George Mason
2. Denver
3.Golden State
4. UTEP
5. NC State
6. Duke
7. Detroit
8. New York
And where is Nova over G'Town? I'd rank that just below Denver.
Fan Selections:
1. Golden State over Dallas, 2007
32%
This is too high. Golden State beat them in the regular season and beat them in the playoffs. It is an upset b/c GState had a far worse overall record, but certainly not the greatest upset of all-time.
2. Texas Western over Kentucky, 1966
22%
The names get in the way here. I mean, sure, it LOOKS like a huge upset to us today, but UTEP was a very good and talented team. What the win actually did was emphasize how good black players were and how southern schools had to start recruiting them.
3. N.C. State over Houston, 1983
13%
In hindsight, what you really have here is a team with an NBA point guard plus Thurl Bailey and Lorenzo Charles and the best game coach I have ever seen (Valvano) beating a team with two great pros (Drexler and Hakeem) a mediocre point guard (Alvin Franklin) and a terrible game coach (Guy Lewis). In hindsight, a surprise, but not a huge one.
4. George Mason over UConn, 2006
11%
A true basketball fan has to mark this one very, very high. I mean, George Mason was well-drilled, but they had NOTHING for talent. And I mean NOTHING. If these teams met 75 times, Mason would have won 3. But this was one of the three. I recall looking at the score ticker and saying, "this absolutely cannot be happening." It did.
5. Detroit over the Lakers, 2004
7%
Shaq was fat, Kobe was jealous and the Pistons were just a bad matchup for the defense-poor Lakers. They scored too many points on the porous L.A. defense for the Lakers to match. Truth be told, if Sam Cassell is healthy, Minnesota easily beats the Lakers and maybe even Detroit (the Wolves were playing Fred Hoiberg and Derrick Martin at the point and still took L.A. to 6 games).
Not a great upset, even at the time.
6. Duke over UNLV, 1991
7%
In 1990, Larry Johnson was guarding Alaa Abdelnaby. In 1991, he was guarding a young and healthy Grant Hill. Are we really surprised that Duke managed to play better in 1991 than 1990? But still, the 30+ point swing in 1 year is worth noting.
7. Denver over Seattle, 1994
5%
Huge, Huge upset of a much-better team by a much-worse team. Game 5 remains one of the worst choke jobs I have ever seen. Shcrempf, in particular, was passing up 8 footers because he just knew he couldn't make them, and Mutombo was blocking everything inside 5 feet.
8. New York over Miami, 1999
4%
50-game season so the records were deceiving. Knicks had Spree and Houston both healthy, Camby healthy, Van Gundy coaching. Where is the great upset here?
So, I'd say:
1. George Mason
2. Denver
3.Golden State
4. UTEP
5. NC State
6. Duke
7. Detroit
8. New York
And where is Nova over G'Town? I'd rank that just below Denver.
Mavs Embarrassed By Warriors -- Cuban Suffers Worst Loss Ever
http://sports.aol.com/nba/story/_a/warriors-stun-mavs-make-nba-history/20070504011709990001
Dirk -- 2 of 13, 8 points.
Avery -- thorughly outcoached and outprepared.
Mark Cuban -- left standing there looking dorky and confused.
A good day for Don Nelson!
Dirk -- 2 of 13, 8 points.
Avery -- thorughly outcoached and outprepared.
Mark Cuban -- left standing there looking dorky and confused.
A good day for Don Nelson!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
One Person's Review of Chris and Phil Biting the Dust
http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/dont_get_me_started_with_/2007/05/american_idol_r_1.html#comments
Let me say this: If Clay Aiken's appearance and some Internet rumors can make people ask whether he is gay, what exactly will happen after the Chris/Blake commentary last night? My lord. I was ready to have the kids leave the room if I saw the clothes starting to fly off.
"No -- I love YOU more Blake. No -- I love YOU more Chris. It really doesn't matter, because we will be together forever on tour!"
And for those of you who love Blake's musical brilliance, he informed us all last night that he simply takes a song, downloads it to a computer and the computer software spits out a beat-box version. Wow. What an artist.
That said, when the Final 4 is 3 chunky black women and one tiny white guy who yearns for the company of Chris Richardson, the tiny white guy has to feel like he stands a good chance to advance a round or two with the others splitting the vote.
Coming up -- "Boogie Down" week -- I guess they wanted the kids to be able to avoid disco if they wanted -- with Barry Gibb.
Let me say this: If Clay Aiken's appearance and some Internet rumors can make people ask whether he is gay, what exactly will happen after the Chris/Blake commentary last night? My lord. I was ready to have the kids leave the room if I saw the clothes starting to fly off.
"No -- I love YOU more Blake. No -- I love YOU more Chris. It really doesn't matter, because we will be together forever on tour!"
And for those of you who love Blake's musical brilliance, he informed us all last night that he simply takes a song, downloads it to a computer and the computer software spits out a beat-box version. Wow. What an artist.
That said, when the Final 4 is 3 chunky black women and one tiny white guy who yearns for the company of Chris Richardson, the tiny white guy has to feel like he stands a good chance to advance a round or two with the others splitting the vote.
Coming up -- "Boogie Down" week -- I guess they wanted the kids to be able to avoid disco if they wanted -- with Barry Gibb.
"Study" Claims NBA Refs Are Racially Biased
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269576,00.html
SO many problems with this:
1) They didn't actually review the tapes to see who made the calls and against whom. They just added up the number of white refs and black refs in the box score and then counted the fouls. So, if a game is ref'ed by black Danny Crawford, and two white guys and Danny (the crew chief) is making 65% of the foul calls, that is a "white ref" game.
Also, if the two white guys call no fouls at all and Danny calls 3% more fouls on Shawn Marion than normal -- that is strong evidence that the NBA's white referees are racially biased against Shawn.
2) Is calling a foul on a black player evidence of racial bias? I mean, for every foul there is a punished player and a rewarded player (the guy who got fouled). So, Corey Maggette drives to the hoop and just gets hacked by Andrew Bynum -- ref hates Maggette so he doesn't give him the call. No racial bias. But if the ref instead doesn't hate either player and calls the obvious foul -- racial bias. Wow.
198 NBA players this year played either 2,000 minutes or appears in 70 games. 10 of the top 100 minutes-played guys were white. 24 of the top 150 were white. 28 of the top 198 were white. There were some mixed race (Battier/Kidd) and some Hispanic guys in the mix, so I will add 10 to the 28 number.
So, by my rough estimate, 160 of the 198 guys who played the most in the NBA this year were black. 81%. That figure rises to roughly 90% for the league's best players (top 100 in minutes played). So, of the 100 players in the NBA most likely to be the beneficiary of a foul call (they are on the floor the most) 90% are black.
There is a high, high probability that a white ref who calls a foul against a black player will be benefitting another black player. Do you think Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant want white refs to not call fouls on the black defenders they face on a nightly basis?
The stereotype of white refs and black refs at the youth level is that white refs grew up soft in the suburbs while black refs are used to a more physical style of play. So, what this "study" may prove is that there is some truth to that stereotype -- black refs "let then play" more than white refs. Wow. Great.
3) The #1 fouler in the NBA this year was Biedrins from Golden State (white guy). He averaged less than 4 fouls a game. If this survey is accurate, then a black hacker in Biedrins' shoes could expect to draw 4% more fouls when refed by a white crew. So, now he goes from 3.8 fouls a night to 4 fouls a night. So what? If his team hacks 20 times a game and is all-black and is playing against the Jazz (oops, I mean an all-white team) then they will now hack 20.8 times a game. Their foul total would rise by less than one foul a game.
So, worst case scenario -- three awful white racist refs in an all-black versus lily white game. How do they express their racial hatred??? Call one more foul for the entire game on the all-black team! Not sure they understand how important racial hatred is if this is the best they can do.
Of course if the two team are 80-20% in racial makeup, then the racial hatred basically balances itself out and the refs just make the game a couple free throws longer on each side.
The Jazz, by the way -- committed 57 more fouls than their opponents this year: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=uth&sort=pts&split=0&avg=none&order=true&season=2&seasonYear=2007
Dumbest attempt at a "study" that I have ever seen.
HM
SO many problems with this:
1) They didn't actually review the tapes to see who made the calls and against whom. They just added up the number of white refs and black refs in the box score and then counted the fouls. So, if a game is ref'ed by black Danny Crawford, and two white guys and Danny (the crew chief) is making 65% of the foul calls, that is a "white ref" game.
Also, if the two white guys call no fouls at all and Danny calls 3% more fouls on Shawn Marion than normal -- that is strong evidence that the NBA's white referees are racially biased against Shawn.
2) Is calling a foul on a black player evidence of racial bias? I mean, for every foul there is a punished player and a rewarded player (the guy who got fouled). So, Corey Maggette drives to the hoop and just gets hacked by Andrew Bynum -- ref hates Maggette so he doesn't give him the call. No racial bias. But if the ref instead doesn't hate either player and calls the obvious foul -- racial bias. Wow.
198 NBA players this year played either 2,000 minutes or appears in 70 games. 10 of the top 100 minutes-played guys were white. 24 of the top 150 were white. 28 of the top 198 were white. There were some mixed race (Battier/Kidd) and some Hispanic guys in the mix, so I will add 10 to the 28 number.
So, by my rough estimate, 160 of the 198 guys who played the most in the NBA this year were black. 81%. That figure rises to roughly 90% for the league's best players (top 100 in minutes played). So, of the 100 players in the NBA most likely to be the beneficiary of a foul call (they are on the floor the most) 90% are black.
There is a high, high probability that a white ref who calls a foul against a black player will be benefitting another black player. Do you think Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant want white refs to not call fouls on the black defenders they face on a nightly basis?
The stereotype of white refs and black refs at the youth level is that white refs grew up soft in the suburbs while black refs are used to a more physical style of play. So, what this "study" may prove is that there is some truth to that stereotype -- black refs "let then play" more than white refs. Wow. Great.
3) The #1 fouler in the NBA this year was Biedrins from Golden State (white guy). He averaged less than 4 fouls a game. If this survey is accurate, then a black hacker in Biedrins' shoes could expect to draw 4% more fouls when refed by a white crew. So, now he goes from 3.8 fouls a night to 4 fouls a night. So what? If his team hacks 20 times a game and is all-black and is playing against the Jazz (oops, I mean an all-white team) then they will now hack 20.8 times a game. Their foul total would rise by less than one foul a game.
So, worst case scenario -- three awful white racist refs in an all-black versus lily white game. How do they express their racial hatred??? Call one more foul for the entire game on the all-black team! Not sure they understand how important racial hatred is if this is the best they can do.
Of course if the two team are 80-20% in racial makeup, then the racial hatred basically balances itself out and the refs just make the game a couple free throws longer on each side.
The Jazz, by the way -- committed 57 more fouls than their opponents this year: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=uth&sort=pts&split=0&avg=none&order=true&season=2&seasonYear=2007
Dumbest attempt at a "study" that I have ever seen.
HM
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Phil Stacey
a) RKG's man crush
b) Real name -- Joel Stacey -- "Your new American Idol whose songs are sweeping the nation -- 29 year old JOEL STACEY!! "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Stacey
c) Current supporters: RKG and www.votefortheworst.com.
Quick "Idol" Review -- 6 down to 4
1) Melinda -- 92 -- When you hear Melinda sing after everyone else has sung, it shows very clearly how much better her voice is than everyone else's. She Had a Nice Day.
2) Lakisha -- 91 -- This Ain't A Love Song -- but it was very well sung.
3) Phil -- 80 -- "Blaze of Glory" -- not worth all the love he received. I agreed with Simon that it was just a poor imitation of the original.
4) Blake -- 70 -- Beat box version of "You Give Love a Bad Name" -- Blake clearly understands the rules. You can only vote FOR him. Good thing, because if I could have voted against him I would have spent two hours voting against this abominable version of a classic song.
5) Jordin -- 43 -- "Living On a Prayer" -- when your advisor is telling you that the entire song is not in your range, maybe you ought to scrap it. Should have tried "Runaway" or "Bed of Roses."
6) Chris -- 22 -- "Wanted Dead or Alive" -- imagine showing up at your father's retirement party and hearing a his favorite song sung as a tribute -- by someone who was 1/2 note off the entire song. That was what it was like for me last night to hear Chris. Awful, awful, awful. In this contest, I want him dead......not alive
2) Lakisha -- 91 -- This Ain't A Love Song -- but it was very well sung.
3) Phil -- 80 -- "Blaze of Glory" -- not worth all the love he received. I agreed with Simon that it was just a poor imitation of the original.
4) Blake -- 70 -- Beat box version of "You Give Love a Bad Name" -- Blake clearly understands the rules. You can only vote FOR him. Good thing, because if I could have voted against him I would have spent two hours voting against this abominable version of a classic song.
5) Jordin -- 43 -- "Living On a Prayer" -- when your advisor is telling you that the entire song is not in your range, maybe you ought to scrap it. Should have tried "Runaway" or "Bed of Roses."
6) Chris -- 22 -- "Wanted Dead or Alive" -- imagine showing up at your father's retirement party and hearing a his favorite song sung as a tribute -- by someone who was 1/2 note off the entire song. That was what it was like for me last night to hear Chris. Awful, awful, awful. In this contest, I want him dead......not alive
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tank Johnson & Now Greg Olsen!
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-070430bearsbits,1,4250899.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
Glad to see that the Bears take Commissioner Goodell's "character" crusade so seriously! Shower strippers with money -- suspended for a year. Shower 17 and 18 year old co-eds with, um, well, baby batter and rap about it and you get to be a first round draft choice!
Don Imus -- fired for jokingly referring to Rutgers basketball players as "nappy headed hos", let's examine what Chicago's first round pick Greg Olsen has to say about young women attending the University of Miami (courtesy, wikipedia):
"(Whats your name?) G-Reg. (What you do?) Get head. (How you do it?) Drop my drawers, let her see my third leg. Chillin' on the 7th floor[6], I gotta let these chickens know Big Greg is in the house, and I'm finna to make these hoes choke. On my balls, on my dick, then I bust a nut quick. On her face, on her chest, stick my dick between her breasts. Come on fellas, let's get weird. Stick your dick up in her ear. While I'm laughin at these guys, a second nut all in her eyes. (Wait a minute...in her eyes?) In her eyes."
---University of Miami tight end and Chicago Bears 2007 1st round pick Greg Olsen.
The Crew's song is still on-line, believe it or not!!! http://www.myspace.com/7thfloorcrew
Glad to see that the Bears take Commissioner Goodell's "character" crusade so seriously! Shower strippers with money -- suspended for a year. Shower 17 and 18 year old co-eds with, um, well, baby batter and rap about it and you get to be a first round draft choice!
Don Imus -- fired for jokingly referring to Rutgers basketball players as "nappy headed hos", let's examine what Chicago's first round pick Greg Olsen has to say about young women attending the University of Miami (courtesy, wikipedia):
"(Whats your name?) G-Reg. (What you do?) Get head. (How you do it?) Drop my drawers, let her see my third leg. Chillin' on the 7th floor[6], I gotta let these chickens know Big Greg is in the house, and I'm finna to make these hoes choke. On my balls, on my dick, then I bust a nut quick. On her face, on her chest, stick my dick between her breasts. Come on fellas, let's get weird. Stick your dick up in her ear. While I'm laughin at these guys, a second nut all in her eyes. (Wait a minute...in her eyes?) In her eyes."
---University of Miami tight end and Chicago Bears 2007 1st round pick Greg Olsen.
The Crew's song is still on-line, believe it or not!!! http://www.myspace.com/7thfloorcrew
All-Defense Team Erases Kidd Error, But Still Includes Kobe
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlAcpW6GQdjbAPyBgBQAhDKkvLYF?slug=ap-all-defensiveteam&prov=ap&type=lgns
The overrated defense of Jason Kidd gets dropped to the second team (joins Kevin Garnett there). But how Kobe still manages to fool people into thinking he is a good defender is anyone's guess.
Kobe managed 111 steals and 36 blocks this year. He is about 6'8" tall. 24 guys had better steals per game numbers than Kobe, including the following players who play guard or swingman:
Smush Parker, Ginobili, Tony Allen, Raymond Felton, Rafer Alston, Brevin Knight, Ray Allen, Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Jamal Tinsley, Rajon Rondo, Monta Ellis, Speedy Claxton, Chris Paul, Gilbert Arenas, AI, D Wade, Gerald Wallace, Ron Artest, Caron Butler, Baron Davis.
In fact, Kobe's steals/foul and steals/turnover numbers are the WORST of anyone in the top 25 who played more than 1 game!! The worst. http://aol.nba.com/statistics/player/Steals.jsp?league=00&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=All%20Teams
Golden State had two guards (Pietrus and Richardson) with more blocks per game than Kobe and Baron Davis ALMOST made it. Dwayne Wade in 51 games blocked 62 shots and had a block per every two fouls. Kobe had 36 in 77 games and had a block per every 5.9 fouls.
Just saying........
The overrated defense of Jason Kidd gets dropped to the second team (joins Kevin Garnett there). But how Kobe still manages to fool people into thinking he is a good defender is anyone's guess.
Kobe managed 111 steals and 36 blocks this year. He is about 6'8" tall. 24 guys had better steals per game numbers than Kobe, including the following players who play guard or swingman:
Smush Parker, Ginobili, Tony Allen, Raymond Felton, Rafer Alston, Brevin Knight, Ray Allen, Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Jamal Tinsley, Rajon Rondo, Monta Ellis, Speedy Claxton, Chris Paul, Gilbert Arenas, AI, D Wade, Gerald Wallace, Ron Artest, Caron Butler, Baron Davis.
In fact, Kobe's steals/foul and steals/turnover numbers are the WORST of anyone in the top 25 who played more than 1 game!! The worst. http://aol.nba.com/statistics/player/Steals.jsp?league=00&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=All%20Teams
Golden State had two guards (Pietrus and Richardson) with more blocks per game than Kobe and Baron Davis ALMOST made it. Dwayne Wade in 51 games blocked 62 shots and had a block per every two fouls. Kobe had 36 in 77 games and had a block per every 5.9 fouls.
Just saying........
Dirk -- Time to Look In The Mirror
With his squad down 3-1 to Golden State, it is really time for Dirk to look in the mirror and ask whether a truly great NBA player would put up the averages he is putting up against GState. Dirk is currently at 20 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. These are not the numbers of someone who is a great player and team leader.
Kevin Garnett's much-maligned playoff performances from ages 22-27 were all FAR better than Dirk's current numbers: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html
This year:
LeBron James -- 27/8.5/7.5
Jason Kidd -- 14/11/13
I mean, let's face it. The playoffs are a time where your stars play more minutes and handle the ball more. (Nash the other night -- 23 assists; Stoudamire was 20 & 20). If you are Dirk and you are playing against a mediocre defensive club with no height yet you are garnering measly numbers........you aren't a true star. Look in the mirror, Mr. Nowitski, and determine how you want to be remembered.
Kevin Garnett's much-maligned playoff performances from ages 22-27 were all FAR better than Dirk's current numbers: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html
This year:
LeBron James -- 27/8.5/7.5
Jason Kidd -- 14/11/13
I mean, let's face it. The playoffs are a time where your stars play more minutes and handle the ball more. (Nash the other night -- 23 assists; Stoudamire was 20 & 20). If you are Dirk and you are playing against a mediocre defensive club with no height yet you are garnering measly numbers........you aren't a true star. Look in the mirror, Mr. Nowitski, and determine how you want to be remembered.
Washington D.C. Madam Starts Naming Names
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/washington-dc-madam/20070427213209990001
Media and Beltway insiders have been anxious to see whose names would be tied to the voluminous call records that Deborah Jeane Palfrey kept while running the business for more than a decade. Palfrey maintained the list of numbers but not names, according to one of her lawyers. "She never kept a black book. She kept telephone records," said Montgomery Blair Sibley, an attorney who represents Palfrey in civil matters. Randall Tobias , head of the Bush administration's foreign aid programs, abruptly resigned Friday, the day ABC reported that Tobias had used Palfrey's escort firm, Pamela Martin & Associates. Tobias told the network he received only services that were legal, such as massages.
Similar to Ted Haggard, who claimed that the hotel concierge referred him to a gay male drug dealer when Haggard complained of back pain and wanted a massage. At least Tobias appears to have received a female to provide his, um, massage and other services that were "legal."
HM
Media and Beltway insiders have been anxious to see whose names would be tied to the voluminous call records that Deborah Jeane Palfrey kept while running the business for more than a decade. Palfrey maintained the list of numbers but not names, according to one of her lawyers. "She never kept a black book. She kept telephone records," said Montgomery Blair Sibley, an attorney who represents Palfrey in civil matters. Randall Tobias , head of the Bush administration's foreign aid programs, abruptly resigned Friday, the day ABC reported that Tobias had used Palfrey's escort firm, Pamela Martin & Associates. Tobias told the network he received only services that were legal, such as massages.
Similar to Ted Haggard, who claimed that the hotel concierge referred him to a gay male drug dealer when Haggard complained of back pain and wanted a massage. At least Tobias appears to have received a female to provide his, um, massage and other services that were "legal."
HM
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