Archive for April, 2008

Chelsea have already been smashed by Liverpool in semi-finals for the past three years. 2005 CL semi final, FA Cup semi final, and last year’s CL semi final. Chelsea will pose a threat to Liverpool, no doubt about it, but I have to disagree with the fact they have more drive. Liverpool knows that its title hopes are dashed, while Chelsea is going full out, and we all know that Europe is in Liverpool’s veins. If Chelsea couldn’t beat Liverpool in the premiership [And cheated to draw the first match] then I seriously doubt that they’ll be able to beat Liverpool in Europe.

Interesting concept, but I think the premise is based on an assumption that’s not always true. It certainly measures what you purport to measure, the number of bases a player gets per plate appearance. That’s fine. But I think you start to run into a problem when you tie a player’s “ultimate value” to the number of bases they get without appropriately weighting the methods by which they do so.

For example, all other factors being equal, a guy who has one single and zero walks will have an equal UVI to a guy with one walk and zero singles, right? Well, I would argue that they aren’t equally valuable; given any random pattern of men on base, I would always prefer to have a single rather than a walk…assuming someone’s on, you always have a chance to bat a runner in on a single, rather than on a walk, which only drives in a run if the bases are loaded. Isn’t the guy who hits the single in that situation more valuable?

Now, I realize that a guy who’s swinging for the base hit instead of walking WILL get himself out sometimes too, when a walk obviously would not. Even so, while I don’t know for sure, I’m skeptical if the risk/return on swinging for the single evens out in comparison to taking the walk, which your theory implies. I mean, you can get called out on strikes looking for a walk too. Maybe it does all even out, I’m all ears if you have an explanation.

A couple of things, I still think that Phoenix can’t stop Manu or parker and Duncan can play stoudamire at least decently, every other player’s contributions are pretty much set in stone barring an unforeseen playoff slump on either side (not likely with 2 veteran teams), the X-factor here is Shaq, the Spurs are kinda thin down low other than Duncan so if Shaq establishes himself Phoenix has a shot, but San Antonio is more experienced and will win in crunch time in my view, it will be a 7 game series like you said. Second, I can see orlando sweeping the Raptors, the dropoff from the first 3 seeds to the rest of the eastern conference is palpable. Arenas is limping into the playoffs this year so Washington doesn’t have the lockdown defender needed to stay with Lebron, he will put up 50 at least once and the Cavs take it in 5, and than proceed to getting routed at the garden in round 2.

If I can add one more Celtics moment I love - I will admit to being a little young and remembering this game probably more from video, but it is still one of my all time favorites - Game four of the 1984 NBA Finals. Celtics are down 2-1 to the Lakers, and were just blown out in game three in LA. After the game, Bird delivered his famous line, “We just played like a bunch of women tonight. Until we get our hearts
where they belong, we are in trouble.” ML Car said about that comment from Bird, “Larry was frustrated. He was disappointed as we all were at getting blown out on national tv. But when he said guys played with no heart, I knew what would happen in the next game. Guys would do anything.” And guys did - McHale clotheslining Rambis among others. Celtics would win in OT, and go on to win the series in seven.

I definitely think they both should stay in school one more year. How bad can life on the west coast be when you are the top dawgs at your school? Love needs to come back for all the reasons you said. He’s not quick enough to play at the NBA pace and if they come back UCLA will definitely be a front-runner to do what has eluded them the past few seasons: Win in the Final Four.

If they come back they will be front runners. however still not assured to get back to the final four. Better to leave on a high note than come back for a let down. The obvious injury factor is there for both of them. But also, you have to come out when you’re hype is greatest. If NBA scouts see Love for another year and he doesn’t improve his speed, his draft status/money will be gone forever. The Florida Gator team is the exception to the rule.

I think that you did a good job of building up the team you are obviously rooting for so I have only two points; 1. GOOD JOB! you did not bash the Celtics while obviously having a bias for your team (and there is nothing wrong with that) as a Celtics fan it gets very fusterating when people riduclacy (no spell check sorry) insult the “C’s” even though have the best record in the NBA. You did a great job in displaying you play off hopes and I totally respect you for that. 2. I really do hope they meet in the play offs but unless I looked at the brackets wrong would they not be in the same bracket as Detriot, and do you think they can beat the pistons? I am asking for a serious oppinion I am not being sarcastic at all as I have a lot of respect for your intelic right now.

Mark Cuban and the Mavericks tried to treat their franchise just like any other business, yet the game of basketball within the constraints of the NBA is its own unique animal. Yes the principles of good judgment and good business apply, as they do in all arenas, however, the insight to realize and act upon the particularities of each situation is an important one which, thus far, the Mavericks organization seems to lack. Certainly all is not lost, but the Mavericks must display a wisdom and insight during this offseason which they never have. As a member of a Spurs’ championship team himself, one fails to understand why Avery Johnson does not display these attributes. It is up to him and the rest of the Mavericks’ front office to finally construct the franchise that their fans deserve.