To know me is to love...fantasy basketball.
I would like to introduce you to perhaps my new favorite player in the NBA.
Josh Smith.
Please notice the following two things:
1) How he destroys the rim on his one-handed lefty dunks.
2) How he destroys other players defensively. His shot-blocking ability whether he's defending on the ball or off is
unmatched.
Yahoo! opens registration for Fantasy Basketball. Let the good times roll...
I'm a huge, unapologetic Michigan fan...
Of course, almost every year that "we" are ranked in the pre-season top-10 (like this year), we end up going 8-4 or 9-3.
Luke Winn of CNNsi.com, sums this up perfectly.
Back in 2002, fresh-faced out of college, I applied to a bunch of jobs on sites like Monster. A lot of them began with headlines like "Want a Job in Sports?" Turns out that these were usually jobs where you hang out in the bowels of Yankee Stadium and get people to fill out credit card applications in exchange for a free t-shirt.
Want a job in sports, indeed.
Except that's what the New Orleans Hornets seem to be saying. And it's not the credit-card-application type job either.
It's a Finance Controller. And a Director of IT. And an Inside Sales Manager. And they're having a job fair to bring in applicants. I've never been a hiring manager at an NBA team, but I'm guessing most openings aren't filled this way.
The Hornets face two unique challenges -- the first, obviously, is that New Orleans, post-Katrina, isn't exactly a boom town. The second is that the Hornets have actually played their last two seasons in Oklahoma City. So instead of re-relocating, a lot of their employees stayed in OKC.
In any case, if I lived in New Orleans, I might just drop my application in for this job.
And hopefully that means in Foxboro and for the Patriots, because the Pats just traded for Randy Moss.
For the optimists out there, let's look at Randy Moss' 2003 stats: 111 catches, 1632 yards, 17 touches.
"I don't think you all understand how excited I am to be a part of this organization," Moss told the media. "I think [New England's] record and what they're about speaks massive volumes. I'm just very, very happy to find some happiness and getting back to what I love to do -- that's play football and going out there and [competing]."
At least that's what Deadspin is calling this guy.
I played in a Beirut (or Beer Pong) tournament this weekend. This guy would've won for sure.
Who cares if it will probably be 40 degrees...
My colleague Martha sent me this link a few weeks ago.
It's a pretty accurate description of everyone's least favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees.
There's a slew of people Allen Iverson could be listening in to right now as he sits idly waiting to be traded.
His mom.
His agent.
His posse.
Himself.
Ron Artest?Umm, not so much.
Today is Larry Bird's 50th birthday, which, along with realizing that there are players in the NBA that were born in 1987, makes me feel kind of old. My dad used to carry me in (as in, he only had one ticket so he would carry me in his arms and the ticket-takers would let the two of us in with one ticket. We did that until I was about 7 or 8, by the way) to the old Boston Garden and we'd watch Bird, McHale, the Chief, DJ, Ainge, Bill Walton, hell even Jerry Sichting, kick some ass. There's a good column by Bob Ryan in today's Globe that captures the essence of Bird down to a T (or C as the case may be).
Larry, happy birthday!
To the person who visited my blog from BBDO (by typing nba 07 the life commercial "billy joe cuthbert" into google), you stole my idea!
If you or your team is responsible for this theft, please send royalties!
NBA 07 "The Life, Volume 2" has created a fake character (they also used him last season) -- Billy Joe Cuthbert -- who looks suspicioulsy, OK, EXACTLY like MY FREAKIN' HALLOWEEN COSTUME FROM 2004!!!!
Who do I contact for royalties?!?!?!?!?!
I'll let you be the judge:
Here's Billy Joe Cuthbert...
Here's me in, remember, 2004...
``Here in New England, we two-gap. To play here, you have to be a man."
-- Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots Nose Tackle
Vince, we love you!
In general, I'm pretty bad at gambling on sports. This certainly extends to NFL Survivor Pools -- a game where everyone chooses one team a week that they think will win. Just win baby; you don't even have to beat the spread. The only catch is that once you choose a team, say New England, you can't pick them again. Lose and your out.
My record in these is abysmal. In the five years I've participated in a pool like this, I've lost by week 2. That's right. I am incapable of choosing two different teams to win for two weeks in a row to open the season.
This year though things were going to be different. I felt confident. I even picked a partner -- Mahoney -- who was clear-headed to my pig-headed.
We started strong. New England edged Buffalo in week 1 before Baltimore crushed Oakland in week 2.
Our conversations leading into this week pretty much went like this:
Mahoney: I think we should take Philly [against San Francisco]. In fact, I've never been so confident of something
in my life.
Me: I hate Philly. I think we should take Buffalo.
Mahoney: Buffalo? Are you nuts?
Me: Ummmm...
Well, we took Buffalo. And Buffalo took us out.
Mahoney, I'm sorry!
Ah, nothing like suffering a 5-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees.
Really makes you feel great about the direction of the team.
Actually, there was one bright spot this weekend. The Patriots are looking great in the preseason.
Kill me now.
Is not a way of life.
The Yankees and Red Sox play 5 times over 4 days. 2 on Friday, 1 each on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Oh well.
Wonderful ending to last night's Red Sox - Tigers game. Big Papi ties it in the bottom of the eighth, as usual, only to see my former hero Wily Mo Pena drop a short fly to right in the top of the ninth with a runner on third and one out.
Game over. Thanks for coming and drive home safely.
Everyone keeps talking about the Yankees and Red Sox playing a five game series this weekend. I didn't realize though that there are double-headers on both Friday AND Sunday. Is that even allowed?
Anyway, good luck to my beloved Red Sox. Hopefully we can pull one out of this Tigers series and head into this weekend only down 3.5 (assuming the Yankees continue to dominate the Orioles like they always do).
5 games in 3 days against the Yankees. It's either game on or football time after this weekend.
I haven't lived in Boston for over 3 years now. I don't miss it that much on a day-to-day basis (except Anna's Taqueria, of course); in fact, the "all Red Sox, all the time" treatment grows slightly tired after a few days at home. But when Big Papi hits ANOTHER walk-off home run (like he did tonight), well, it's hard not to feel a little far from home. After all, in New York, we get stuff like this:
I mean, is that really necessary? Did A-rod help you pick the scent?
Ah, much, much better. I would also like to go on the record as saying that Wily Mo Pena is an upgrade at this point in right field over Trot Nixon. There, I said it. Trot, good hustle all these years, enjoy your twilight years in Milwaukee, or KC, or Philly.
On this Thursday afternoon, I'd like to give a quick shoutout to my boy Bill Belichick. He's embroiled in some legal controversy right now (apparently he's the "unnamed man" in a cheating-wife divorce proceeding), but when you've got the rings, you've got the rings.
Life recently as a Celtics fan has been one of false hope, mediocrity, and a bunch of questionable moves by GM Danny Ainge.
Sure, there's Kendrick Perkins (having his second surgery on a dislocated shoulder in the last year), Al Jefferson (who has no concept of defense, took 3 months to recover from a sprained ankle, and can't stay in shape), the explosive Gerald Green (19 years old, and not LeBron James), Paul Pierce (great, but mis-cast as a leader of a young squad). Here's a list of players we've got that really stink: Brian Scalabrine (nickname, Veal), Tony Allen (barely escaped felony assault charges last summer, and had knee surgery), Michael Olowokandi (looks good in his braids), Wally Szczerbiak (he was an All-Star, once, before people realized it's Wally Szczerbiak), and Raef Lafrentz (who would be good as an 8th man making a million a year. Unfortunately, he's a starter and has something like 3 years left on his deal at $10 - $12 million per). Is there a player, besides Pierce you wouldn't trade for someone like Josh Howard on the Mavs (and yes, I would've made that deal before his amazing playoffs)? Delonte West and Ryan Gomes are decent, but both play out of position.
Did I mention they've got no real point guard (unless you count Dan Dickau, and I don't).
At least there's hope in this year's draft...oh wait.
I've played a lot of golf in my time, but I've never, ever, ever had this happen to me.
I'm done discussing this. Thank you.
It's Sox-Yankees time at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Who's got my tickets???
Should be an early test for both teams, with the Sox coming off a sweep on the Orioles and the Yanks having just broomed the Rangers. Both the Beckett - Randy Johnson matchup (tonight) and the Schilling - Mussina tilt (tomorrow) should be exciting. Wakefield vs. Chacon on Thursday, not so much.
I hate Mussina. Not as much as I disliked Tino Martinez, Paul O'neill, and not as much as I dislike Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, A-Rod, Bernie Williams, Dere...well, you get the point, but Mussina KILLS the Red Sox (although he is only 1-3 against the BoSox since 2003 which I found surprising).
To get you excited, here's a picture of Red Sox catcher, Jason Varitek. Notice the way he confidently, yet quietly rounds the bases after a home run. Quiet confidence. Mmmmmmmmm....
UPDATE: AndrewKoch.com correctly asks (about Mussina): Does he really?
Does he really? Here are his career numbers (you'll have to forgive the formatting):
vs. BOS Career
ERA 3.38 3.64
Win Pct. 0.548 0.638
K per 9 7.8 7.2
BB per 9 2.4 2.0
HR per 9 0.86 0.96
K/BB 3.21 3.51
And since he joined the Yankees:
vs. BOS vs. all
ERA 3.43 3.79
Win Pct. 0.500 0.636
K per 9 8.4 7.8
BB per 9 2.5 1.9
HR per 9 0.92 0.99
K/BB 3.34 4.03
These damning statistics, courtesy of http://tinyurl.com/oonro
I guess, as they say, perception is reality (except when actual stats prove you otherwise!).
I got all excited when the Yankees started the season 2-4.
And then?
Well, there's always the Royals to get you back on your feet.
Meanwhile, the Sox roll on at 6-2 looking to take the series from the Jays tonight. Clement, who may be my least favorite Red Sox pitcher of the last 15 years (behind only John Wasdin), takes the mound.
Tonight had to be the end for Foulke.
With a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, it was Papelbon, not Foulke, warming up for the Sox. And when the bullpen door opened, it was Papelbon coming in to close the door on the Rangers. Actually, he blew them away with high heat in the mid-90's.
Let's see...25-year-old flame thrower or creaky old dude with the bad knees and the 87 mile-per-hour CHEESE? I just don't see how Tito Francona can pitch Foulke in the closer's spot.
Josh Beckett looked great by the way.
Isn't that the title of a book?
Anyway, the Sox got killed tonight. Wakefield is can be so hit or miss, which makes you wonder WHAT HE'S DOING AS THE NUMBER TWO STARTER?!?!
Please tell me we aren't doing the "let's put Wakefield in between two fastball pitchers" this year.
Sox looked good yesterday (Schilling looked great). Yankees looked good last night (Johnson looked great). Sox should be OK for a few months before Beckett's middle finger falls off and Foulke's knees calcify. Then it's Papelbon time, who, if you believe the media hype about him, will be able to be both a starter and a reliever (in the same game).
In a related note, JC isn't my flavor, but I gotta give the holy spirit some props for this one.
Mike Tice, welcome to the Hitler Youth. (Editor's Note: It appears as though CNNSI has changed the picture to one of Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil who does not appear to be giving the salute popularized by Nazi Youth in the 1930's and 1940's. Well, that's a relief, but it makes this post kind of pointless. You see, it was much funnier with the old image, the one of Mike Tice looking like he's standing in 1938 Berlin watching a speech by Hitler, when in fact he's probably reacting to another Nate Burleson drop. I guess that speaks to the nature of the web...make a boo-boo, just press delete. Maybe I can find a Google cache image. Nope, not there, and not on Google images either. I swear it was up -- can anyone find it?).
Maybe this explains why both Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper were run out of town?
To be sure, this is a surprise.
No, it's not surprising that Adam Vinatieri is no longer a Patriot. Sad? Sure. But not surprising.
What's surprising, to put it mildly, is that he decided to join the Colts.
When Johnny Damon crossed over to the Dark Side and joined the Yankees I thought that had been the low point of Boston athletes leaving for not only their teams but their teams biggest rival. Adam Vinatieri took it another down another notch today.
By the way, there was always something about Johnny Damon that rubbed me the wrong way. I can't really put my finger on exactly what it is, but his joining the Yankees eventually became one of those man-I-can't-believe-I-didn't-see-that-coming-a-mile-away things as opposed to something that still stings. Sure it will be interesting to see him in a Yankees uniform, and, without fail, he'll play some huge games against the Sox this summer, but can you imagine the look on Steinbrenner's face the first time someone stretches a gapper to left-field into triple? And his "gee shucks" act wore thin when he became Daddy Yankee the day he signed the contract.
Vinatieri though seemed different. Look, I don't fault him for taking the money. At the end of the day, the Pats, as they always do, had their ceiling (see: Woody, Damien; McGinest, Willie; Law, Ty for recent examples). They simply weren't budging for more than $2.5, $2.6 million max. So Vinatieri took a $3.5 million signing bonus and $2.5 million a year from Indy. Good for him; he got his.
But did it have to be with the Colts? I mean, the COLTS!?!?!?
The Colts and Pats, fueled by the Tom Brady/Peyton Manning rivalry, has developed into one of the best recent rivalries in sports. Sure it's been one-sided -- 3 Super Bowls for Brady and the Pats, none for Manning and the Colts -- but there's enough bad blood between the two teams, that, as a Pats fan, you'd have to at least consider them a rival.
What happens when Vinatieri, some January soon, comes into Foxboro and kicks a winning field goal FOR THE COLTS? Huh, what happens then?
Vinatieri is a legend in Boston. Without him, the Patriots don't win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. Doesn't happen. I'll still consider him one of my favorite athletes in Boston's long sports history. But something about this just feels wrong. Not in a Wade-Boggs-to-the-Yankees way, or, or a Ty-Law-to-the-Jets way, or hell, even a Roger Clemens I'm-going-to-eat-myself-out-of-this-city way (although my feelings about Clemens were, and still are, strong. I wrote an article in my high school newspaper about the atrocities he committed against me as a 15-year-old. Strangely therapeutic). More in a "Wow, you know, he just didn't seem like the type" kind of way.
Make no mistake about it. This is Brady's team now. Most of the familiar faces from the 3 Super Bowls in 4 years run are gone. Guys like Tedy Bruschi and Deion Branch will still share the limelight from time to time, but the face of The New England Patriots is Tom Brady.
Am I worried about the Pats? No, of course not. Remember, we've got the best coach in the league. Richard Seymour anchors one the best, and youngest, defensive lines in the league. Bruschi should be back at full strength, and I've got to believe that a healthy Corey Dillon has one more solid season in him. Throw in Branch -- a bona-fide number one receiver -- and a dynamic pair of tight ends, and we've got more than enough to take another run at the title.
What worries me more though is cheering for players that don't consider what it meant to put an entire city on your back and have the city respond with such unadulterated idolatry. Because as Vinatieri has shown, unyielding support doesn't get you much these days but a decade worth of memories and a plane ticket to Indy.
This just in from the "it was only a matter of time department".
Barry Bonds is a cheating dirtbag.
It's one thing to be a complete prick to the media and fans. It's another to cheat. I, for one, hope he's suspended for life and banned from the Hall of Fame.
Listen up sports fans, it's Karl Malone retirement night on March 23rd in Utah!
Excited? Me neither.
Plenty of good seats still available.
I never liked Malone. Sure he's one of the greatest 50 players of all-time, and, along with the man on my bedroom wall, Kevin McHale, the definition of a modern power forward. But there's something that always said "dirtball" to me.
Plus, he's a loser. OK, sure he was unfortunate to play in Michael Jordan's prime, but conventional wisdom says you need two superstars (Malone and John Stockton), solid role players (Bryon Russell) and servicable size in the middle (Greg Ostertag. Before you go laughing, look at who Jordan had playing in the middle -- Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, etc. That does assume you count Horace Grant as a power forward, which I do). He got beat in '96-'97 -- the year he won his first MVP -- and again in '97-'98, both times in 6 games, both times by the Bulls. The best part is that Jordan should have been MVP in '96-'97, knew it, and murdered the Jazz in the finals.
The final nail in the coffin was when he went to the Lakers in 2004, searching for that elusive ring. Let's just say the Lakers' implosion was especially satisfying that year. I'm not critical, per se, of players who switch teams late in their career to try and win a ring. Even though I didn't want to, I felt happy for Ray Bourque when he finally won a Stanley Cup with Colorado (I remember calling my friend Joe that night and he was crying). But Malone on the Lakers is different. Not sure why, but it just felt different.
Jazz fans must feel the same way. Good for them.
Yesterday I watched the Orlando Magic take on the Houston Rockets on NBA TV. NBA TV was trying out a "Silent Game", meaning there were no announcers describing the action.
They claimed that they had added more courtside mics and turned up the volume on them so that we would feel like we were watching the game "courtside".
Not even close. The only bit of audio that was at all interesting was Grant Hill complaining that he got hit on the arm on a drive to the basket. Other than that, it was your typical grunts and squeaking of shoes.
That said, I did like the concept. It's not something I would go for every time -- there are a few announcer teams that really add to the game -- but for a random Sunday afternoon, it was worth a shot. I would definitely recommend turning up the sound on the mics though. A well timed "Muthaf***a" would have made watching the entire game worthwhile.
Also, I should note that it is possible that Darko Milicic, who was recently traded from his spot on the bench in Detroit to a spot in the rotation in Orlando, *might* have some game. He blocked three Juwan Howard shots in the span of 3 minutes and finished the game with 2 steals and 4 blocks. He also played every minute of 4th quarter crunch time and looked, for at least one game, like a real NBA player. Let's not go buying a Darko jersey just yet though, boys.