Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Pod/31st (ii)

POR/DEN over 202 (NBA)

[NBA record: 21-22]
[NFL record: 2-6]

The Lil' Engine That Can

What Lawrence Frank is doing at the moment deserves major props from this corner.

Playing without two of his starters, Nenad Krystic (C) and Richard Jefferson (SF), for significant stretches of this season - due to major surgery - Lil' Frank has still managed to keep the Nets afloat and in the thick of the race for a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference. After finding themselves well below the .500 mark, NJ (22-23) has now battled back to the point where they are poised to re-take the lead, outright, in the Atlantic Division (they are currently tied for 1st with Toronto) with a hodge-podge line-up of veteran castaways (Mikki Moore and Eddie House), NBA neophytes (Antoine Wright, Marcus Williams, Josh Boone and Hassan Adams). serviceable role players (Jason Collins, Cliff Robinson and Bostjan Nachbar) and two firmly established NBA studs (Jason Kidd and Vince Carter). No easy feat by any means!

Making this an even more amazing achievement is the fact that, at the same time, J-Kidd is also in the midst of a well-publicized and very messy divorce proceeding; and Vinsanity, in the final year of his long term contract, is being shopped around the league (by GM Rod Thorn), in an effort to avoid getting nothing in return for him should the Immature One decide to skip town and follow the sun (to either Orlando or Charlotte) at season's end, as an unrestricted FA.

If Frank can somehow continue to maintain this current pace, which has seen the Nets win 9 of their last 14 games (.643) - including (i) 9 match-ups against teams at or better than .500 and (ii) 10 games on the road - he gets my vote right now for the Eastern Conference's Coach-Of-The-Year. The Lil' General knows how to keep his stars happy, his role players motivated, his troops in every ball game, and ... most important of all ... his nose to the grindstone!

It's a pleasure to watch him work.

Pod/31st

ATL -1.0 over GSW (NBA)
WAS +4.5 over TOR (NBA)

[NBA record: 20-21]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Pod/30th

DAL/SEA over 198.5 (NBA)

[NBA record: 19-21]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Monday, January 29, 2007

Pod/29th

DEN/CHA under 213 (NBA)

[NBA record: 18-21]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Pod/28th

CLE +5.0 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 18-20]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Auditory Overload

Took in an NBA game this past week, live and in-person, as a average spectator; and, was left with a distinct impression.

Why bother?

An "old school" sports guy, I was disappointed to see and hear for myself just how much times have changed when it comes to watching (and listening to) an NBA game in an arena today.

The biggest change?

By far, sitting some 20 rows up from floor level, it was impossible to hear anything related to the action on the court below ... except, of course, for the work of the PA Announcer.

To wit, despite what my eyes were seeing, the familiar sounds of:

Sneakers squeaking
Balls bouncing
Teammate-to-teammate verbal communication
Player-to-referee verbal communication
Referee-to-player verbal communication
Player-to-coach verbal communication
Coach-to-player verbal communication
Coach-to-referee verbal communication
Referee-to-coach verbal communication
Players straining, physically, working against one another
Plays being called from the bench, and
Plays being called on the floor

were completely inaudible to the vast majority of spectators in attendance that evening.

What we got, instead, was a constant barrage of the senses, beginning with the pyrotechnical display, video montage, and ear-splitting musical accompaniment in the pre-game introductions, and continued, incessantly, throughout the game, by:

* an in-house DJ, doing his thing ... "Let's Get This Party Started!" ... from the opening tip and throughout the play
* a slew of lame on-court contests and promos, during time-outs, or a series of bump & grind routines by the team's Dance Pack
* unabashed 'cheerleading' from the PA Announcer, during the play of the game ... exhorting the home team's fans to Make Some Noise, Get Up On Your Feet, and Help 'Em Take It To The Next Level ... in an attempt to influence the outcome on the court
* A sure Sign Of The Apocalypse: rim microphones, designed to 'artificially enhance' the sound of the ball hitting iron and the 'twinkling of the twine' on made shots from the floor

Is this what NBA exec's think today's fans want to hear in an arena, as entertainment?

If so, count me out.

Unless I'm comped ... I will not be going to another NBA game in-person, as an average spectator.

What's the point? Yelling at the top of lungs, just to be heard by the person sitting next to me, isn't my idea of a fun way to spend two and half hours of my time.

Pod/27th

IND -6.0 over TOR (NBA)
MIA +6.5 over CHI (NBA)

[NBA record: 16-20]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Friday, January 26, 2007

Pod/26th

ATL +8.0 over ORL (NBA)

[NBA record: 15-20]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Pod/23rd

DAL -5.5 over ORL (NBA)
WAS +5.0 over PHO (NBA)

[NBA record: 14-19]
[NFL record: 2-6]

Monday, January 22, 2007

Pod/22nd

CHA +9.0 over TOR (NBA)

[NBA record: 14-18)
[NFL record: 2-6]

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Pod/21st (ii)

NEP +3.5 over IND (NFL)

(NBA record: 14-18)
(NFL record: 2-5)

Pod/21st

NOS +2.5 over CHI (NFL)

(NBA record: 14-18)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Pod/20th

NYK +7.0 over IND (NBA)*
NJN -3.5 over ORL (NBA)*

(NBA record: 12-18)
(NFL record: 2-4)

* Server problems determined that these two games could only be released at this time.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Pod/19th

MIA -3.0 over PHI (NBA)
UTA +1.5 over TOR (NBA)
ORL -3.5 over WAS (NBA)
DEN -1.5 over CLE (NBA)

(NBA record: 10-16)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Pod/18th

IND +8.0 over MIA (NBA)
LAL +10.0 over DAL (NBA)

(NBA record: 9-15)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Courses for horses

Contrary to just about everything I've read so far today concerning the multi-player trade between the Pacers and the Warriors (which, by a wide margin, has viewed this transaction as a clear-cut W for Golden State), I'm in agreement, again, with Charley Rosen ... Trade signals new direction for Pacers. The Pacers actually win this one in my book.

Long term, Dunleavy, Murphy, Diogu and McLeod are a much better fit for what Indiana needs to do to be successful in the Eastern Conference, under the direction of Rick Carlisle, Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh, than the motley crew heading to the West Coast (Harrington, Jackson, Jasikevicius and Powell).

Expect the younger players on their roster to show dramatic improvement, now that the loose cannons have been shipped out, and the new arrivals to flourish in a more traditional and highly structured system.

Frequently, things are not as clear-cut as they appear to be at first glance.

Pod/17th (ii)

CLE -3.0 over POR (NBA)

(NBA record: 9-14)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Pod/17th

NYK +8.0 over WAS (NBA)
SAC +4.5 over TOR (NBA)

(NBA record: 8-13)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Pod/16th

ORL -6.5 over NOK (NBA)

(NBA record: 8-12)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Webber and the Pistons are headed in the wrong direction

Charley Rosen's Mailbag (Jan 16/07) had this to say on Chris Webber's signing with the Pistons ...

This is another disaster in the making. In truth, the Pistons are on the verge of rebellion. They've lost six of their last eight games — including a pair to Charlotte and Atlanta — and the strain is showing (and not just in Chauncey Billups' calf). Just the other day, both Rasheed Wallace and Dale Davis were AWOL for a practice session.

Adding an arrogant, defenseless, habitual malcontent like Webber can only raise everybody's temperature.

Where should Webber go? San Antonio, a veteran team that could maximize his passing skills, minimize his defensive failings and keep the ball out of his hands in the waning minutes of close ball games.


Seems like Charley and I share a similar perception, once again ... re: Mr. Webber's best fit destination (Jan 12/07/10:08 am) ... see my "comment" on TrueHoop.com.

It says in this corner, by the end of this season, the Pistons', Webber and the Spurs will all regret this acquisition by Detroit.

In a search for a new identity, the Pistons seem to have abandoned some of their core principles (i.e. unselfish offense, rebounding and defense), adding a native son who doesn't fit their M.O., by yet another Agent Zero buzzer-beater. If they're not careful, come play-off time, Detroit will find itself in an unfamiliar position, since the arrival of Joe D, as no longer one of the top 2 teams in the Eastern Conference.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Pod/15th (ii)

MIA +6.5 over LAL (NBA/in-running event)

(NBA record: 7-12)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Pod/15th

NJN -2.5 over Ind (NBA)

(NBA record: 6-12)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Pod/14th (iii)

POR/DEN under 191.5 (NBA)

(NBA record: 6-11)
(NFL record: 2-4)

Pod/14th (ii)

NEP +4.5 over SDC (NFL)

(NBA record: 6-11)
(NFL record: 1-3)

Pod/14th

DAL -5.5 over TOR (NBA)
CHI -8.5 over SEA (NFL)

(NBA record: 6-10)
(NFL record: 1-3)

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Pod/13th (ii)

PHI +5.5 over NOS (NFL)

(NBA record: 6-9)
(NFL record: 0-3)

Pod/13th

LAC -3.0 over CLE (NBA)
BAL -3.5 over IND (NFL)

(NBA record: 6-9)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Friday, January 12, 2007

Pod/12th

TOR -6.5 over BOS (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-9)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Pod/11th

CLE +8.5 over PHO (NBA)

(NBA reccord: 5-8)
(NFL recprd: 0-2)

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Pod/10th

LAL +4.5 over HOU (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-7)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Pod/9th

TOR +4.0 over NJN (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-6)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Convergence ... hoops' style

Henry Abbott's unparalleled basketball blog, TrueHoop, has a nice intro piece yesterday on the place of passing in today's hoops' culture ... All aboard the Andrea Bargnani Bandwagon ... here's my
2 cents worth:

re: Sabonis, and the ability to “see” the pass

Those who may not have had the benefit of seeing the younger,
pre-NBA Sabonis play ... and, in general, move in a lithe, super athletic way for a man of his size ... do not know what they missed out on seeing first-hand from this extraordinary titan of the game, who was, in fact, good enough to have three distinct phases to his basketball career, i.e. Phase 1/early Euro: Larry Bird & Dirk Nowitzki; Phase 2/late Euro: Bill Walton & Bob Cousy; Phase 3/NBA: Shaq 'lite', 'tippy-toe' Laimbeer & 'Magic' at 55, sans wheels.

The man was simply amazing.

In his terrific book, "Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership From the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner", Mr. Bill includes a specific chapter on the important role of curiosity in the development of an elite competitor.

In my opinion, this … more than any other single element … is most responsible for the creative impulse at the heart of passing the ball well, regardless of the game. This essential skill, which is at the core of both soccer and basketball, is rooted in one's own willingness and ability to look, see and be infinitely interested in what's going on in the world beyond the reach of one's own limited field of reference, by engaging with The Other.

Seeing where the space is ... having that space filled by a teammate, who shares a similar vision ... and, then, experiencing the convergence which occurs there ... where player1, ball, space, pass and player2 literally come together ... at that specific point in time & space ... is truly sublime.

What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve … in concert with The Other … if the soul can first perceive It.

Monday, January 08, 2007

What is truth?

(John 18:33-38, King James Version)

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

For those who believe they have an exclusive right to this most rare and precious gift ... know, instead, that We are All in This together, sharing but One point of Origin, inexorably indivisible from one another.

(not an answer to the question ... but, hopefully, food for thought)

Pod/8th

CHI -7.0 over HOU (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-5)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Sunday, January 07, 2007

NBA Trivia (A)

Answer:

The only NBA MVP who has ever been traded by a team prior to capturing this prestigious award is ... Steve Nash ... the reigning back-to-back recipient who, ironically, was traded from the Phoenix Suns (his current team) to the Dallas Mavericks on Draft Day, June 25, 1998, in exchange for Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, the draft rights to Pat Garrity, and a first-round draft pick which was later used to select Shawn Marion.

Pod/7th (ii)

DAL (ML: 5/7) over LAL (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-4)
(NFL record: 0-2)

Pod/7th

WAS +1.5 over TOR (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-3)
(NFL record: 0-2)

NBA Hoops 101

Charley Rosen strikes again with an accurate assessment of Friday's battle between two of the league's titans ... Mavs appear to have surpassed Spurs. Rarely do I come across a piece of basketball writing on the net with which I agree completely. This is one of those occasions. Enjoy!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Pod/6th (iii)

LAC -4.5 over ATL (NBA)

(NBA record: 5-2)
(NFL record: 0-0)

Pod/6th (ii)

SEA -2.0 over DAL (NFL)

(NBA record: 5-2)
(NFL record: 0-0)

Pod/6th

KCC +7.0 over IND (NFL)

(NBA record: 5-2)
(NFL record: 0-0)

NBA Trivia (Q)

Question:

In the history of the league, how many MVP's (i.e. all-time great players) have ever been traded by a team (without a player's ultimatum) before capturing this prestigious award?

(helpful hint - NBA MVP Award Winners)

[submit your answer via "comments"]

Friday, January 05, 2007

Pod/5th

DAL +5.5 over SAS (NBA)
ATL +8.0 over TOR (NBA)

(NBA record: 4-1)

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Pod/4th

DET -7.5 over NOK (NBA)

(NBA record: 3-1)

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Pod/3rd

TOR +7.0 over PHO
SAS -4.0 over MIN
MLW +4.5 over WAS

(NBA record: 1-0)

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Pod/2nd

CHI +4.0 over PHO (NBA)

(NBA record: 0-0)

Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year's Day!

Pick Of The Day 2006 Summary

Overall Records:

MLB/0-1 (-1.0)
NFL/1-5 (-4.5)
NBA/32-30 (-1.0)

A stellar year? ... not by any means.
An atrocious debacle? ... not quite that either.

Ahead in the new year? ... onward and upward we go!

Best wishes to all.