Jul/086
That’s why I love sports
Jul/086
Why Mayo Is Right and Love Is Wrong
The professor gives too much credit to Kevin McHale and his ability to find talent in a draft. The fact that McHale likes Love should be reason enough to question the draft pick as McHale has never drafted an All-Star (except Garnett a HS project that happened to work out 13 yrs ago and some All-Stars he traded away on draft day).
The problem with drafting Love is that you don't get any upside. What you get is a predictable 6' 10" guy who won't change defenses. NBA history has shown little success for heavier set power forward types over the years. The power forward position has turned into small forwards converted for mismatches or centers converted for mismatches. You have Duncan, Garnett, Dirk, Bosh, Boozer, Jermaine O'Neal, Gasol and Jamison. Everyone of these players is more athletic than Love.
When Love was graded for the draft in 12 categories he scored well except in quickness and defense. I think this scouting report says it best:
Weaknesses: At 6-9, he is undersized and he also lacks great athleticism to offset this size deficiency ... Was not in the greatest shape this season, often being the last man up the court and getting winded very quickly ... Needs to work on fitness, could stand to lose some weight and put on more muscle ... Weight and speed could always be an issue, as even when "in shape" he lacks great speed in the floor or laterally ... Was able to get away with overpowering opponents in college, yet questions remain how his game translates against bigger, quicker and more athletic opponents at the next level ... At times this season he struggled getting his shot off against taller defenders, more specifically the Lopez twins of Stanford, who forced him into off-balance shots and uncharacteristic turnovers ... His one-on-one arsenal in the post is a bit predictable, as he almost always operates on the right block and prefers to turn to his left shoulder often finishing with a right hook ... He gets into trouble when trying to do too much off the dribble because quicker defenders are able to slide over and force him into turning the ball over ... Defensively he will have trouble matching up as he is undersized and because he has less than ideal lateral quickness ... His lack of speed will make it extremely difficult for him to play for a running style of team ...
Well the good news is the Timberwolves aren't a running team. The one thing that comes up again and again is quickness. That's one of the only things that matters in the NBA, at 6-10 he will have no height advantage like he had in college.
In college over his Pac10 season he shot more and more 3's. Boozer shot 1 in three years of college. If you take away Love's 3 pointers he average about 15 a game. I see Jamison and Dirk as shooters because of their quickness or height, I don't see Love doing much of that in the NBA.
I'm not saying he can't be a solid 10 points, 8 rb's a game kind of guy, but that's exactly what you are going to get. We now have 2 power forwards on our team with the exact same game. I just don't see how a Love will get you 10-20 more wins each year.
I'm not declaring Mayo will be the next great shooting guard or small forward, I'm just saying there is a better chance that someone in that position can make a bigger impact on a team vs. a Love type player. You look at the 2008 NBA All-Stars and you see Wade, Kidd, Allen, Billups, Hamilton, Joe Johnson, Pierce, Bryant, Roy, Chris Paul and you think Mayo could be one of of those players. In the NBA it's easier for him to produce those type results with his style game than it is for a Kevin Love to join Duncan and Garnett.
This is one case where I do think taking a very slight risk on a Mayo could potentially get you 10-20 more games a year. Taking a Love no matter how great he becomes won't accomplish that type difference. The NBA is not a place for 3 pt shooting power forward white guys.
If nothing else you seriously have to question the man running each draft and wonder why he really likes a guy, for 13 years that has been a horrible sign.
Jul/081
Ode to the Newest ‘Pup
Ok, 'California' Kevin Love isn't flashy like OJ Mayo, but he absolutely has the potential to be a Carlos Boozer-type power forward next to Big Al, and Mike Miller might be our highest scoring player for the next 5 years. Meanwhile, Mayo absolutely has the potential to be the next Larry Hughes or Ricky 'Avis..
Jul/080
Why Favre Should Keep Playing
The legacy argument is overrated. If Favre wants to keep playing, then let the man keep playing. Who cares if it isn't with the Packers. Jerry Rice spent time with the Raiders and the Seahawks - I still think of him as a 49er. His best years were with the 9ers and that's how I'll always remember him.
Emmit Smith did some time with the Cardinals, Montana with the Chiefs, Jordan with the Wizards. Big deal I still remember them as a Cowboy winning Super Bowls, a 49er hooking up with Clark and the greatest player in history winning 6 championships with big shots over the Lakers, Blazers and Jazz.
If Favre plays for the Bears or the Redskins or the Vikings it doesn't matter in the end. He already has built his legacy with the Packers and two years in another uniform won't change that.
I can't name a favorite Michael Jordan Wizards highlight and I don't care. He lives on as the "from North Carolina, at guard, 6' 6" Michael Jordan" Chicago Bull in my memory.
Jul/081
Twins Batting Stances
Jul/082
Somebody Had To Say It
Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre could be great fit.
http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_9781992
Jul/082
We Need a Nickname
Its a little to early to assume the group will continue to produce or even play together, but it still might be time to suggest a good nickname. Piranhas, sharks, nats, mosquitoes, speed burners, small ballers and base stealers. When you put Span, Gomez and Casilla together you're guaranteed to see three guys trying everything in the book to get on base and get home. Bunts, choppers and slap hits - it's like watching Womens fast pitch softball. But once on base, look out, all they need is 3 seconds.
Is it time the Twins had the Three Amigos?
Jul/088
Off To The Poor House, Reilly Is Simply Hilarious
Articles like these help explain why Rick Reilly is the worlds best sports satirist. Here he explains why a majority of athletes file for bankruptcy after they retire. What would our economy be like if it were not for hundreds of millions athletes waste each year?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3469271
Some great quotes:
"Baseball slugger Jack Clark had 18 cars and owed money on 17 when he went broke"
"Go for Maybachs. They sell for as much as $375,000—even though they look like Chrysler 300s—and nobody will ever know how to pronounce them, much less fix them."
"...went splat by investing in everything but fur socks ($490,000 in unlikely-to-be-repaid loans) and gambling large ($185,000 in casino markers). In other words, a Tuesday for John Daly."
"Mike Tyson once spent $9,180 in two months to care for his white tiger. That's why Iron Mike's picture is on our logo!"
Mike Tyson, here's a guy who made $300 million in his career but still owes $27 million.