So, first and foremost apologies for the lack of posting lately... but the sports world has done so much to confuse and amaze me that I just haven't known where to even begin. So rather than do an in-depth post at this point, I'll provide a sentence or two about some of the major stories out there:
(1) Michael Vick & his dogs -- Seriously? Didn't think this one would backfire? And I like that one of his buddies (if we can call the gentleman that) is selling him out.
(2) Barry Bonds -- Mr. Henry Aaron's absolute silence tells you everything you need to know about this situation.
(3) NBA Officiating Scandal -- Can we replay game 3 of the Suns/Spurs series?
(4) MLB Trade Deadline -- The Braves apparently forgot that they play the World Series every year not just 2008. The Cardinals somehow believe we're contenders again despite not being above .500 in the last 3 months. The Pirates have reestablished themselves as perhaps the worst front office in baseball by acquiring Matt Morris, a now mediocre pitcher with a massive salary, acquired by a team who doesn't need starting pitching for a playoff run this year.
(5) KG to the Celtics -- Wow, this Celtics team is strangely reminiscent of my Celtics dynasty in NBA Live '05. Doubt they'll go 82-0 like I did though.
(6) Tour de France -- I'm strongly considering entering next year and riding at my own leisurely pace as I'd probably have a good shot at a top 10 finish as 90% of the competition will be out for doping by week two.
(7) NHL -- How long until we see NHL ads advertising the sport as "the one without any scandal"?
(8) Gov't wants to investigate Pro Wrestling for steroids -- No way! Steroids in Pro Wrestling?! Didn't see this coming.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Ichiro! Hit! Run!
So steve's boys have locked up the greatest thing from Japan since sushi. Ichiro has been locked up for five years through 2012 for around $90 million. This deal has been raising eyebrows throughout the baseball blogosphere and the sports world. Early reports stated that the deal was going to be somewhere in the 5 year $100 million range (which really the deal is in actuality - but that has to do with the interest accumulated on deferred money, and we won't get into that)... and these reports prompted the following comment by David Samson, president of the Florida Marlins:
"[it's] the end of the world as we know it... it'll take the sport down, that contract."
a bit ridiculous and over-dramatic as you ask me. Sure $18 million to a player who is currently 33 (34 this october) and hits lead-off may seem a bit absurd. But let's look at some facts:
(1) At the plate: In 2001, Ichiro was the AL MVP. That year he hit .350 with a .381 OBP. Since then his batting average has ranged from a low of .303 (2005) to a high of .372 (2004) and his OBP has ranged from .350 to .414 ('05 and '04 again respectively). So his numbers are steady... and this year so far is no difference. He is currently hitting .354 with an OBP of .405. Clearly his ability to get on base is still right where it was when he was an MVP.
(2) In the field: Since coming to Seattle he has won 6 gold gloves. '01-06 he's swept the table in the AL. And there is no reason to believe this is going to change. A few weeks ago there was an article run on espn about outfield arms that third-base coaches take note of. Ichiro was right up there at the top of the list. And it goes without saying that his outfield play is beautiful and fundamentally perfect. So he's going to take runs away.
(3) Runs win games: Rather than reproduce it here I will direct you to the following article about Ichiro's run creation ability (this essentially values his ability to get on base and his base-running ability) at USS Mariner: Click Here. The basic jist of the article is this though. Since 2004, Ichiro generates a weighted average of 128 runs per season. In the past four years this number is better than any other CF - Beltran and Sizemore are the closest two. This season alone he is on pace for 140+ runs created.
So looking at these stats alone maybe Mr. Samson should reconsider his comments. And this isn't even taking into account the marketing factor surrounding Ichiro. Mind that the Mariners are a West Coast time and thus have a link to Japan. So having one of Japan's greatest players playing there certainly is good for the team.
One last thing... maybe people want to raise a fuss because the deal will end up with the M's paying a 39 year old close to $20 million in 2012. Isn't this a huge risk? Yeah, of course it's a risk. But so was Rick Ankiel and Cardinal's fans know how that turned out. Joking aside though, there is always risk in signing players to long-term deals. But it looks to me as if Ichiro takes pretty good care of his body. And the fact that from '01-'06 he has averaged 159.5 games per season says just about everything you need to know.
So yeah... is this deal going to hurt the game? No, not at all. In fact you might even be able to make a case that the Mariners got a pretty good deal. Especially as A-Rod looks on the verge of opting out of his deal and signing a $30 million per year deal... that'll set the bar in the market high.
"[it's] the end of the world as we know it... it'll take the sport down, that contract."
a bit ridiculous and over-dramatic as you ask me. Sure $18 million to a player who is currently 33 (34 this october) and hits lead-off may seem a bit absurd. But let's look at some facts:
(1) At the plate: In 2001, Ichiro was the AL MVP. That year he hit .350 with a .381 OBP. Since then his batting average has ranged from a low of .303 (2005) to a high of .372 (2004) and his OBP has ranged from .350 to .414 ('05 and '04 again respectively). So his numbers are steady... and this year so far is no difference. He is currently hitting .354 with an OBP of .405. Clearly his ability to get on base is still right where it was when he was an MVP.
(2) In the field: Since coming to Seattle he has won 6 gold gloves. '01-06 he's swept the table in the AL. And there is no reason to believe this is going to change. A few weeks ago there was an article run on espn about outfield arms that third-base coaches take note of. Ichiro was right up there at the top of the list. And it goes without saying that his outfield play is beautiful and fundamentally perfect. So he's going to take runs away.
(3) Runs win games: Rather than reproduce it here I will direct you to the following article about Ichiro's run creation ability (this essentially values his ability to get on base and his base-running ability) at USS Mariner: Click Here. The basic jist of the article is this though. Since 2004, Ichiro generates a weighted average of 128 runs per season. In the past four years this number is better than any other CF - Beltran and Sizemore are the closest two. This season alone he is on pace for 140+ runs created.
So looking at these stats alone maybe Mr. Samson should reconsider his comments. And this isn't even taking into account the marketing factor surrounding Ichiro. Mind that the Mariners are a West Coast time and thus have a link to Japan. So having one of Japan's greatest players playing there certainly is good for the team.
One last thing... maybe people want to raise a fuss because the deal will end up with the M's paying a 39 year old close to $20 million in 2012. Isn't this a huge risk? Yeah, of course it's a risk. But so was Rick Ankiel and Cardinal's fans know how that turned out. Joking aside though, there is always risk in signing players to long-term deals. But it looks to me as if Ichiro takes pretty good care of his body. And the fact that from '01-'06 he has averaged 159.5 games per season says just about everything you need to know.
So yeah... is this deal going to hurt the game? No, not at all. In fact you might even be able to make a case that the Mariners got a pretty good deal. Especially as A-Rod looks on the verge of opting out of his deal and signing a $30 million per year deal... that'll set the bar in the market high.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
TMF
well... i apologize for not having posted in quite a while but i am currently sunning myself on the beaches of the greek island of naxos. so sports have meant very very little to me in the last week. however, i did make it a point to follow the wimbledon final (surprised? i thought not). i won't break the match down because i only saw a set and a half on television... but i will say a few things:
(1) roger is still the best. he may not be able to do it on clay against rafa, but he is still the best overall players.
(2) the fourth set roger clearly had no intentions of winning. after the call that he was not pleased with (about which i was surprised to see how visibly upset he got), it appeared to me that he decided to basically take the set off and just play like a man possessed in the fifth. now maybe you argue that you should never throw in the towel on a set (or any segment of a sporting event) but the strategy made sense to me. plus, when you're already in the hole 4-0, do you really have a chance? no, not really.
(3) the gap is closing and roger knows it. rafa played exceptionally well and he will win a wimbledon. i think roger still has one, maybe two, that he can get without much trouble, but the young spaniard is right there and his game is improving more and more every tournament he plays.
(4) could roger's outfit have been any more spectacular?
other sport things that intrigue me...
- vlad won the home run derby... remind me again why they still do this event?
- home field advantage will be decided this evening with the all-star game... remind me why that rule hasn't been changed yet?
- mark buehrle is off the market... so much for all that business that he was a lock to return to his hometown team (the cardinals)
- in good news, the notre dame recruiting class is shaping up quite nicely. the defensive side of the ball is coming together really well... all we need now it two top flight wide receivers and another linebacker or two and i'll be satisfied.
and last thing... choi, one of our readers has suggested that we make a bracket of "who's not now." recommended division names: the leaf bracket, the bias bracket, the ankiel bracket, the landis bracket, or the harding/gillooly bracket.
what do you think? maybe a project for the rest of our summer? i'll be back stateside on friday, so look for a major increase in my banter in a few days. until then, take care all.
-riley.
(1) roger is still the best. he may not be able to do it on clay against rafa, but he is still the best overall players.
(2) the fourth set roger clearly had no intentions of winning. after the call that he was not pleased with (about which i was surprised to see how visibly upset he got), it appeared to me that he decided to basically take the set off and just play like a man possessed in the fifth. now maybe you argue that you should never throw in the towel on a set (or any segment of a sporting event) but the strategy made sense to me. plus, when you're already in the hole 4-0, do you really have a chance? no, not really.
(3) the gap is closing and roger knows it. rafa played exceptionally well and he will win a wimbledon. i think roger still has one, maybe two, that he can get without much trouble, but the young spaniard is right there and his game is improving more and more every tournament he plays.
(4) could roger's outfit have been any more spectacular?
other sport things that intrigue me...
- vlad won the home run derby... remind me again why they still do this event?
- home field advantage will be decided this evening with the all-star game... remind me why that rule hasn't been changed yet?
- mark buehrle is off the market... so much for all that business that he was a lock to return to his hometown team (the cardinals)
- in good news, the notre dame recruiting class is shaping up quite nicely. the defensive side of the ball is coming together really well... all we need now it two top flight wide receivers and another linebacker or two and i'll be satisfied.
and last thing... choi, one of our readers has suggested that we make a bracket of "who's not now." recommended division names: the leaf bracket, the bias bracket, the ankiel bracket, the landis bracket, or the harding/gillooly bracket.
what do you think? maybe a project for the rest of our summer? i'll be back stateside on friday, so look for a major increase in my banter in a few days. until then, take care all.
-riley.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Great...
Well, the Sonics had a 50 percent chance of making a really good decision and a 50 percent chance of making an awful decision. Dwane Casey, the tenured local guy, or the coach everyone hates especially Latrell Sprewell? On paper, it seems like an easy decision right? In the words of you Riles, FANTASTIC. Either the Sonics took a huge step back or they're destined to be sold in a couple months. As Michael Scott put it, Step 1 is the lose-lose scenario.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
I am a good friend with bad habits??
So its been a few days since the flurry of wheelin' and dealin' of the NBA draft so without further ado, I will try to recap and analyze what happened.
The Sonics had the second pick and "cornerstones" of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to make a final attempt of keeping the Sonics in Seattle. I had a few ideas back when the Sonics miraculously received the second pick on what they could try the following season http://talkinboutbanter.blogspot.com/2007/05/youve-got-to-be-kidding-me.html.
However, I had no idea that our new 30 year old GM, Sam Presti, with no head coach, would have such cajones. Don't get me wrong, I totally disagree with some of the personnel decisions he made but he still traded Ray Allen, Seattle's only bottom-line type of asset. That's either gutsy or just plain dumb. I'm hoping its just part of this big vision he's got for this team.
Around 8:20 am PT, there were two proposed trades that had been rumored with the Sonics.
Atlanta's 11th pick straight up for Luke Ridnour.
Delonte West, Wally Szcerbiak, and the Celtics 5th pick for Ray Allen.
I was definitely excited for the Atlanta's 11th pick because dumping Ridnour wasn't a bad idea. Ridnour was also a lottery pick (or he might have been 14th) and hadn't really shown marked improvement year upon year. He was awful on defense, too streaky of a shooter, and overall not a good team manager. With the 11th pick, I (as were the Sonics I believe) was thinking the Sonics were going to pick up Rodney Stuckey, local boy out of Eastern Washington, 6-5, a combo guard that was regarded as the best passing 2-guard in college and a "poor man's Dwyane Wade". The way I saw it was, with Durant in the mix, we didn't need the reincarnation of Dwyane Wade. As you can see, pretty pumped about that rumor.
Both rumors never materialized during the time I was being taught microtubules and actin filaments.
So around 4:15 pm PT, I'm driving in my car and Portland, not surprisingly, taken Oden. As I'm waiting for David Stern to go to the podium and say "Kevin Durant, University of Texas", I hear ESPN breaking the news that the Sonics had indeed acquired the 5th pick along with the others for Ray Allen. Honestly, I wasn't actually pissed off about Ray Allen leaving. He was a good player and all but we made one fluke playoff appearance with him around. I'm sure he'll be fine in Boston as well. The thing that really irked me was that the position of the pick was AWFUL. Figuring Luke Ridnour was expendable, I really really wanted Mike Conley Jr. More than his quickness or athleticism was the point guard IQ that he had that I thought Ridnour lacked. If you did watch Ridnour play in college, you would have seen that he was more a scoring point guard. Conley could impact a game in so many other different ways. Well, Memphis was going to take him and took him.
So who were the Sonics going to draft? Was I going to see Yi Jinlian jerseys at the team store? I would have killed something. Like an ant or a fly. Well, the Sonics said they would draft Jeff Green, Big East Player of the Year. So team the National Player of the Year with the Big East Player of the Year, good idea? We'll see but initially I thought no. I thought maybe this is the foundation Presti wants with Durant being Jordan and Green being Pippen but seriously what are the chances of that? They play virtually the same position, same height, Durant has a more diverse skill set. So who's playing the 4 and who's playing the 3?
I thought Green was a reach at five, I preferred Corey Brewer because he is just as tall but projects as 2, making the two lottery picks completely distinct commodities. Nonetheless, from watching Green, I definitely thought his basketball IQ was excellent and had the potential of being an even better pro than college player because of the Princeton offense he played in at Georgetown. He seriously would have been a great pick for ANY OTHER team.
At this point, I was pissed off beyond belief. The Sonics had compiled a stable of small forwards (Kevin Durant, Rashard Lewis, Jeff Green), no Ray Allen, no big man, and point guard issues. If according to Presti, was begged by the Celtics for Allen, why wasn't a young prospect like Al Jefferson taken? I know he's an up and comer but I would at least have been pleased with Rajon Rondo. But instead, a 2-guard trying to play point, and a 2 guard with spot up 3 ability. Rajon Rondo, you could have been a Sonic.
But hope springs eternal, and I thought the Sonics would get rid of Ridnour and draft Stuckey. Nope. The Hawks draft Acie Law. Hmmm...could work. Is Presti trying to assemble the 2007 NCAA All American team? Well, that was squashed as well. So at the end of the day, Ridnour is still a Sonic, we have a stockpile of small forwards, no Ray Allen, and Stuckey is a Piston. Wow.
The Sonics also held the 31st pick which meant first round ability availability. Gabe Pruitt, projected as a top-20 pick, point guard sitting pretty. No go says Presti. What is he waiting for?
Well, Rashard Lewis was given a max-deal by Orlando. Good Riddance. That opens up cap space for the 2009 season and gets rid of the one of the three small forwards. Rashard is definitely that second or third player every playoff team needs but definitely does not merit a max deal.
I don't really know where Presti is taking this team. Even amidst no Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, I am relatively calm. I guess that's what Kevin Durant does for now. But I expect the point guard, head coach issues to be dealt with soon.
Final Thoughts:
Tae, do you want Kobe or not? Drafting Javaris Crittendon was not the answer. Sure he's a 6'5 point guard that plays above the rim but not ready to contribute immediately. So what? You need triangle offense guys. Like Jeff Green possibly? Unless the Lakers miraculously get KG, the Crittendon pick was the dirt on the coffin being buried. He's good as gone to Chicago. Don't know when or how but he'll be there, trying to claim the glory in the arena the Great One had.
Mike Hargrove effing resigned during an eight game winning streak. Ok. The Sonics are stressing me out enough. The Mariners were a .5 game out of the wild card and he does this? One ridiculous Seattle sports event at a time please...
Riley, I have no idea how you actually feel about this but there's this thing on ESPN called who's now and its a bracket pitting the great athletes of our time against each other NCAA tournament style. Well...the Babe Ruth region has Tom Brady as the one seed and Roger Federer as the two seed. I expect you to make the right decision and vote accordingly...
Wow, Riley you better start posting like crazy. That took A LOT of time.
The Sonics had the second pick and "cornerstones" of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to make a final attempt of keeping the Sonics in Seattle. I had a few ideas back when the Sonics miraculously received the second pick on what they could try the following season http://talkinboutbanter.blogspot.com/2007/05/youve-got-to-be-kidding-me.html.
However, I had no idea that our new 30 year old GM, Sam Presti, with no head coach, would have such cajones. Don't get me wrong, I totally disagree with some of the personnel decisions he made but he still traded Ray Allen, Seattle's only bottom-line type of asset. That's either gutsy or just plain dumb. I'm hoping its just part of this big vision he's got for this team.
Around 8:20 am PT, there were two proposed trades that had been rumored with the Sonics.
Atlanta's 11th pick straight up for Luke Ridnour.
Delonte West, Wally Szcerbiak, and the Celtics 5th pick for Ray Allen.
I was definitely excited for the Atlanta's 11th pick because dumping Ridnour wasn't a bad idea. Ridnour was also a lottery pick (or he might have been 14th) and hadn't really shown marked improvement year upon year. He was awful on defense, too streaky of a shooter, and overall not a good team manager. With the 11th pick, I (as were the Sonics I believe) was thinking the Sonics were going to pick up Rodney Stuckey, local boy out of Eastern Washington, 6-5, a combo guard that was regarded as the best passing 2-guard in college and a "poor man's Dwyane Wade". The way I saw it was, with Durant in the mix, we didn't need the reincarnation of Dwyane Wade. As you can see, pretty pumped about that rumor.
Both rumors never materialized during the time I was being taught microtubules and actin filaments.
So around 4:15 pm PT, I'm driving in my car and Portland, not surprisingly, taken Oden. As I'm waiting for David Stern to go to the podium and say "Kevin Durant, University of Texas", I hear ESPN breaking the news that the Sonics had indeed acquired the 5th pick along with the others for Ray Allen. Honestly, I wasn't actually pissed off about Ray Allen leaving. He was a good player and all but we made one fluke playoff appearance with him around. I'm sure he'll be fine in Boston as well. The thing that really irked me was that the position of the pick was AWFUL. Figuring Luke Ridnour was expendable, I really really wanted Mike Conley Jr. More than his quickness or athleticism was the point guard IQ that he had that I thought Ridnour lacked. If you did watch Ridnour play in college, you would have seen that he was more a scoring point guard. Conley could impact a game in so many other different ways. Well, Memphis was going to take him and took him.
So who were the Sonics going to draft? Was I going to see Yi Jinlian jerseys at the team store? I would have killed something. Like an ant or a fly. Well, the Sonics said they would draft Jeff Green, Big East Player of the Year. So team the National Player of the Year with the Big East Player of the Year, good idea? We'll see but initially I thought no. I thought maybe this is the foundation Presti wants with Durant being Jordan and Green being Pippen but seriously what are the chances of that? They play virtually the same position, same height, Durant has a more diverse skill set. So who's playing the 4 and who's playing the 3?
I thought Green was a reach at five, I preferred Corey Brewer because he is just as tall but projects as 2, making the two lottery picks completely distinct commodities. Nonetheless, from watching Green, I definitely thought his basketball IQ was excellent and had the potential of being an even better pro than college player because of the Princeton offense he played in at Georgetown. He seriously would have been a great pick for ANY OTHER team.
At this point, I was pissed off beyond belief. The Sonics had compiled a stable of small forwards (Kevin Durant, Rashard Lewis, Jeff Green), no Ray Allen, no big man, and point guard issues. If according to Presti, was begged by the Celtics for Allen, why wasn't a young prospect like Al Jefferson taken? I know he's an up and comer but I would at least have been pleased with Rajon Rondo. But instead, a 2-guard trying to play point, and a 2 guard with spot up 3 ability. Rajon Rondo, you could have been a Sonic.
But hope springs eternal, and I thought the Sonics would get rid of Ridnour and draft Stuckey. Nope. The Hawks draft Acie Law. Hmmm...could work. Is Presti trying to assemble the 2007 NCAA All American team? Well, that was squashed as well. So at the end of the day, Ridnour is still a Sonic, we have a stockpile of small forwards, no Ray Allen, and Stuckey is a Piston. Wow.
The Sonics also held the 31st pick which meant first round ability availability. Gabe Pruitt, projected as a top-20 pick, point guard sitting pretty. No go says Presti. What is he waiting for?
Well, Rashard Lewis was given a max-deal by Orlando. Good Riddance. That opens up cap space for the 2009 season and gets rid of the one of the three small forwards. Rashard is definitely that second or third player every playoff team needs but definitely does not merit a max deal.
I don't really know where Presti is taking this team. Even amidst no Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, I am relatively calm. I guess that's what Kevin Durant does for now. But I expect the point guard, head coach issues to be dealt with soon.
Final Thoughts:
Tae, do you want Kobe or not? Drafting Javaris Crittendon was not the answer. Sure he's a 6'5 point guard that plays above the rim but not ready to contribute immediately. So what? You need triangle offense guys. Like Jeff Green possibly? Unless the Lakers miraculously get KG, the Crittendon pick was the dirt on the coffin being buried. He's good as gone to Chicago. Don't know when or how but he'll be there, trying to claim the glory in the arena the Great One had.
Mike Hargrove effing resigned during an eight game winning streak. Ok. The Sonics are stressing me out enough. The Mariners were a .5 game out of the wild card and he does this? One ridiculous Seattle sports event at a time please...
Riley, I have no idea how you actually feel about this but there's this thing on ESPN called who's now and its a bracket pitting the great athletes of our time against each other NCAA tournament style. Well...the Babe Ruth region has Tom Brady as the one seed and Roger Federer as the two seed. I expect you to make the right decision and vote accordingly...
Wow, Riley you better start posting like crazy. That took A LOT of time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)