Thursday, 25 October 2012
Whoa
Correction: New York is not a lock to make the playoffs, put them in contention for the #8 seed, roster is aged, Melo is a black hole, Amare is hurtin
NBA Starts Up In Less Than A Week
Very excited for the Association to start up. This year we will be treated to a full season with the strike of last fall behind us. My teams are the Celtics and the Raptors. Living in Canada I have become very interested in and follow the Toronto franchise closely. The Raps are a team void of a true superstar but might be able to contend for the final playoff seed in the Eastern Conference this season.
Seems like Miami, Boston, Indiana, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York are givens to snatch the first 7 seeds. That leaves Milwaukee, Toronto, Detroit, and possibly Cleveland to duke it out for the eight seed.
The preseason means nothing but I like what I've seen from the Raptors so far.
The starting five:
Lowry: love the trade that brought him to Toronto, a gritty defender, a true gamer, plays hard and is willing to take the big shot
DeRozean: stats geeks are not in love with Demar, however he seems to have developed his game a bit, he know goes to the rim looking for contact. he could surprise this year with his production
Fields: overpaid perhaps, seem to be an intangible guy who makes the smart play, good defender
Bargnani: has his limitations with rebounding and defense, a scorer
Valanciunas: impressed me so far with defense and rebounding, can score, not polished, makes mistakes, hustles, high potential
The Bench
Calderon: great backup point guard, possible trade bait later in the year
Lucas: another point guard, might be used at shooting guard because he can flat out score
Johnson: energy big man
Davis: make or break year for the former lottery pick
Anderson: serviceable
Ross: the rookie lottery pick has been injured this pre-season, supposed to be good defender and shooter, will see how long it takes him to make the rotation
The Raps do not have a star but the roster is comprised of solid players. Depth is also good with this team. Casey is a defense first coach. As long as the Raps can score, which they should be able to at this point with the depth they have, Toronto could get to about 38 to 40 wins. That total might get them in the playoffs. The ceiling for the squad is a poor mans version of last years Pacers. A team with a bunch of solid players that overachieves. What you say? Yeah the analogy is a big reach. The Raps don't have the talent of a Granger, George, or a Hibbert. I did say poor mans version.
Hoops. Love em and the boundless optimism that comes with every season till the results come in.
Next time I'll run down the Celtics.
Seems like Miami, Boston, Indiana, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York are givens to snatch the first 7 seeds. That leaves Milwaukee, Toronto, Detroit, and possibly Cleveland to duke it out for the eight seed.
The preseason means nothing but I like what I've seen from the Raptors so far.
The starting five:
Lowry: love the trade that brought him to Toronto, a gritty defender, a true gamer, plays hard and is willing to take the big shot
DeRozean: stats geeks are not in love with Demar, however he seems to have developed his game a bit, he know goes to the rim looking for contact. he could surprise this year with his production
Fields: overpaid perhaps, seem to be an intangible guy who makes the smart play, good defender
Bargnani: has his limitations with rebounding and defense, a scorer
Valanciunas: impressed me so far with defense and rebounding, can score, not polished, makes mistakes, hustles, high potential
The Bench
Calderon: great backup point guard, possible trade bait later in the year
Lucas: another point guard, might be used at shooting guard because he can flat out score
Johnson: energy big man
Davis: make or break year for the former lottery pick
Anderson: serviceable
Ross: the rookie lottery pick has been injured this pre-season, supposed to be good defender and shooter, will see how long it takes him to make the rotation
The Raps do not have a star but the roster is comprised of solid players. Depth is also good with this team. Casey is a defense first coach. As long as the Raps can score, which they should be able to at this point with the depth they have, Toronto could get to about 38 to 40 wins. That total might get them in the playoffs. The ceiling for the squad is a poor mans version of last years Pacers. A team with a bunch of solid players that overachieves. What you say? Yeah the analogy is a big reach. The Raps don't have the talent of a Granger, George, or a Hibbert. I did say poor mans version.
Hoops. Love em and the boundless optimism that comes with every season till the results come in.
Next time I'll run down the Celtics.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Pigskins
The week that was. Felt good to see Team Gagan get back on the winning side of the ledger. Overall record is 3-4. Had to sweat this one out as Maurice Jones-Drew injured is foot early against the Raiders. Was a nail biter! Held on for an 11 point victory. Hopefully the wins keep coming. Dropped Vick, useless turnover prone loser, pending the waiver wire. Hoping to add Kerley from the Jets and the new Arizona running back. Sending Pitta packing.
Umm, the Patriots are starting to really scare me. Brady seems to have lost the charm. They can't hold onto leads or close games. They stop using Gronk and Welker for periods. I don't get it. I am starting to think the shine is gone and the er might be over. They made Sanchez look capable in the win versus the Jets. Yikes. Thankfully there seems to be only one very good team, Houston, in the AFC.
I was very impressed with RG3. The rookie Redskins, bad team name, quarterback looked stellar. He is a flash with the ball and has an arm to match his foot speed. The Giants defenders were gushing about him after the game. The Skins outplayed the Gaints most of the game losing on a late Manning to Cruz hookup. Griffin really has changed his teams fortunes as they are competitive in every game. Can't wait for years of RG3 in the NFC East.
College football wise didn't watch much. West Virginia is done after being trounced for a second week in a row by Kansas State. Colin Klein appears to be the front runner for the Heisman. Notre Dame rolled on with a tight win over BYU. Boston College's season will mercifully end in November and I am interested to see who the next coach will be.
Very excited for this weeks Notre Dame/Oklahoma game on Saturday night. Should be a good one. ND needs to put up some points to keep up with the Sooners. The Irish defense can't win every game for them.
Umm, the Patriots are starting to really scare me. Brady seems to have lost the charm. They can't hold onto leads or close games. They stop using Gronk and Welker for periods. I don't get it. I am starting to think the shine is gone and the er might be over. They made Sanchez look capable in the win versus the Jets. Yikes. Thankfully there seems to be only one very good team, Houston, in the AFC.
I was very impressed with RG3. The rookie Redskins, bad team name, quarterback looked stellar. He is a flash with the ball and has an arm to match his foot speed. The Giants defenders were gushing about him after the game. The Skins outplayed the Gaints most of the game losing on a late Manning to Cruz hookup. Griffin really has changed his teams fortunes as they are competitive in every game. Can't wait for years of RG3 in the NFC East.
College football wise didn't watch much. West Virginia is done after being trounced for a second week in a row by Kansas State. Colin Klein appears to be the front runner for the Heisman. Notre Dame rolled on with a tight win over BYU. Boston College's season will mercifully end in November and I am interested to see who the next coach will be.
Very excited for this weeks Notre Dame/Oklahoma game on Saturday night. Should be a good one. ND needs to put up some points to keep up with the Sooners. The Irish defense can't win every game for them.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Sox Sack Valentine and AL MVP
That was quick. Bobby V was fired one day after the 2012 Red Sox ended the season with a 14-2 drubbing at the hands of the Yankees. The move comes to the surprise of no one. In fact the only reason he lasted the entire season was the owners let their egos get in the way. It was a poor hire to begin with. Chalk it right up there with the sell out streak and the big contracts thrown at players incapable of handling the market. However, all the blame cannot be put on the owners or even Bobby V for this season. The players have to perform and they did not. They seemed to disagree with the hire from the get go and never were willing to buy in.
What's next? I have no idea. I kind of hope the owners sell the team and we get some new blood in. Manager wise Farrell from Toronto should be a target. Blue Jay nation won't be happy and have blocked previous attempts by the Sox. It could be a dog fight if it's even possible.
The AL MVP should go to Miquel Cabreara. End of story. He propelled his team to the playoffs while winning the first triple crown in 45 freaking years. A ridiculous season. Unfortunately, the stat geeks have clouded the matter with praise for Mike Trout. Trout has also had a stellar season. He excels at defense and on the base paths. He might have a high WAR. Trout will win plenty of MVP's if he keeps it up. The AL Rookie is all his this year. The Angels did not make the playoffs. This why the Detroit slugger wins the award.
Sabermatics are entertaining in a geeked out way. But apparently the RBI is now devalued? Please. Knocking runners in front of you and runners in scoring position is the definition of clutch.
What's next? I have no idea. I kind of hope the owners sell the team and we get some new blood in. Manager wise Farrell from Toronto should be a target. Blue Jay nation won't be happy and have blocked previous attempts by the Sox. It could be a dog fight if it's even possible.
The AL MVP should go to Miquel Cabreara. End of story. He propelled his team to the playoffs while winning the first triple crown in 45 freaking years. A ridiculous season. Unfortunately, the stat geeks have clouded the matter with praise for Mike Trout. Trout has also had a stellar season. He excels at defense and on the base paths. He might have a high WAR. Trout will win plenty of MVP's if he keeps it up. The AL Rookie is all his this year. The Angels did not make the playoffs. This why the Detroit slugger wins the award.
Sabermatics are entertaining in a geeked out way. But apparently the RBI is now devalued? Please. Knocking runners in front of you and runners in scoring position is the definition of clutch.
Hibernation
Alright my forced exodus is over. I have to come out of hiding. Enough is enough. Team Gagan has lost three in a row. I will not dwell on the previous weeks but I am tired of losing. Last week I lose because of RG3 caution and Aaron Rodgers goes insane for my opponent. RG3 is concussed the week before so I sit him and start Andrew Luck last week. Luck bombs versus the Jets and RG3 has a great game versus the Vikes. I could have had a win if not for Rodgers throwing six scores against the Texans. What's up with the Texans D? Well the nucleus of RG3, MJD, Bradshaw, Gronk, Nicks, Jones, Moore, Bryant, and ATL D/ST are all in the lineup this weekend. I need the W, my confidence is wandering like a Patriots corner. Thomas from Denver is my only key player with a bye. I need my WR's to produce, hopefully Hakeem NIcks is approaching full health. Victory will be mine and I pledge from this point on to stay out of the way.
The Patriots reverted back to early season form in losing late to the Seahawks. It was very disappointing. Th offense could not seal the deal and put up so more points to cushion the lead. The Pats are losing their luster. Is the era coming to an end?
I mean we've only known the secondary is awful for five years now and nothing has been done to fix it. Unbelievable, every time the ball was in the air late in the game I just knew a Seahawk would come down with it for a big play.
Could not find the Giants-Niners game on T.V. here. Giants were very impressive from all accounts.
College football is heating up. The SEC teams keep knocking eachother off week by week. West Virginia was upset. If this holds up my Notre Dame fighting Irish might sneak into a major bowl. The Irish defense was impressive in out smashing Stanford with an overtime goal line stand. Offensive the Irish have a tight end and quality running backs. Still undefeated. Alabama, Florida, and Oregon seem to be the title contenders but for the Irish to be in a BCS bowl would be a major step in the right direction.
Monday, 1 October 2012
Rondo/Allen
What's the over/under on a Ray Allen Rajon Rondo dustup/skirmish this year? I think it might happen. Everyone has overvalued the class factor with Jesus Shuttlesworth, he has the look and plays the part of a GQ'ish hombre but last years feud with Rondo proves otherwise. Rondo got the intern position with the magazine over the summer so perhaps he will take the high road when the Celtics and Heat tip off. I doubt it. KG has now involved himself in the fray, divulging that he and Allen no longer speak. This could get interesting. Expect at the minimum some long hard stares between the former backcourt mates.
NBA Media Day News
The Spurs are giving Eddy Curry a invite to training camp. Um shocking move for the Spurs. Guess they need an extra warm body in camp. Is the D-League or China the next stop for Eddy?
Andrew Bynum took a trip to Germany. Insert Kobe knee doctor voodoo pin here. And the year long Bynum injury questions begin. Wait till the Philly press starts to wonder aloud about his maturity and attitude.
John Wall is shelved for a month with a bum knee. Hope for the Raptors. Like the Wizards the Raps are eyeing the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. A slow start for the Wiz could help Canada's team.
Bryan Colangelo was not optimistic entering last season. And now he is with more talent on the roster entering this year. A little too forthright with last years opinions. Did last year even need to be mentioned? I give him some credit for bringing in some talent, Lowry, Fields, Ross, and McGuire but the poster child for nepotism needs to zip it sometimes.
Andrew Bynum took a trip to Germany. Insert Kobe knee doctor voodoo pin here. And the year long Bynum injury questions begin. Wait till the Philly press starts to wonder aloud about his maturity and attitude.
John Wall is shelved for a month with a bum knee. Hope for the Raptors. Like the Wizards the Raps are eyeing the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. A slow start for the Wiz could help Canada's team.
Bryan Colangelo was not optimistic entering last season. And now he is with more talent on the roster entering this year. A little too forthright with last years opinions. Did last year even need to be mentioned? I give him some credit for bringing in some talent, Lowry, Fields, Ross, and McGuire but the poster child for nepotism needs to zip it sometimes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)