Open Thread: Indians vs. Rangers, Home Opener
April 12, 2010Rangers 4, Indians 2: Opening Day Spoiled by Horrific Pen
April 13, 2010While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com
Ten straight MVPs? “Consider this — LeBron won his first MVP last year with one of the most statistically accomplished seasons of all time and somehow he’s better this year. He’s all of 25 years old, and most basketball players peak between 27 and 30. Plus he’s a physical marvel, which could mean his peak will last longer and his decline will be less dramatic. Basically, LeBron will be great for the next 10 years. That’s scary.
However, even Michael Jordan didn’t win every MVP during his prime. Somewhere down the line, voters will tire of voting for LeBron every year. Eventually, people will decide that guys like Kevin Durant(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) deserve at least one MVP, even if they’re not really the best choice.” [Trey Kerby/BDL]
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Spreading the blame with regard to Jhonny’s not-so gold glove: “It is one thing to make a one-run error. With the bases loaded, by definition, if you make an error, a run will score. No sweat. And since there were two outs, the runners were going on contact: even if the ball got a little bit past Marte, that’s two runs right there. But a THREE-run error requires some very special circumstances. It requires a fast runner on first base (Austin Jackson is fast). It requires a spectacularly bad throw (Peralta’s throw was lousy, to be sure) or something else Very Special (Andy Marte contemplating his navel). See, when I read about the play in GameCast, I thought Peralta must have launched the ball at least ten feet over Marte’s head, or perhaps so far off line as to comically bounce out past right field. But no, it was a garden-variety throw in the dirt: in fact, it was on line. It was just bad. But when Marte stood there, transfixed as if by narcolepsy, well, the combination of all the factors led to the designation in the title.” [The B-List]
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AP is obvioulsy the missing link: “You’ve probably heard about this by now: The Cavs almost, almost beat the Magic . . . without Anthony Parker, who was a healthy scratch. […] Despite being without Parker, a defensive juggernaut whose 7.3 points per game have been the difference-maker for the Cavs all season, Cleveland was in the game all night . . . and was even leading early . . . before ultimately falling just short of the win.” [Wine and Goldrush]
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Attempting to make sense of recent Browns news [Cleveland Reboot]
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And finally, some recruiting thoughts: “Whether or not a recruit ever makes the impact we all hope for when he’s being trumpeted as the next big thing isn’t always in his control. There are multiple variables that can make a break a blue chipper’s chance to win our hearts faster than you can say, “If a dog’s gonna bite, he’s gonna bite as a pup.” Injuries, grades, off the field troubles, skill set not suited for the system and depth are all reasons some can’t misses never come to fruition.” [Eleven Warriors]
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
11 Comments
totally agree regarding the MVP. See Malone, Karl for just one example. Hopefully, if this happens, LBJ gets that same attitude that MJ did and destroys the playoffs to show who really deserved it.
But in the long run, MVP means nothing. Titles only matter. Do you remember MJ’s 6 titles or his MVPs?
Kudos to the Cleveland Reboot article for being sensibly written, not overreacting and making some good points. Good read.
Fantastic description of that play. I had the gamecast going too, and was thinking of all the possible ways you could have a 3-run error. Good thing Jhonny is making up for it at the plate
The press couldn’t even stand to give LeBron Player of the Month awards five times in a row, choosing to give the March award to Dwyane Wade despite the fact that LeBron had better numbers and the teams had identical records. It was a shame that came out in the middle of the NCAA’s, because it was a disgrace.
So no, LeBron is not going to win 10 straight MVPs, deserved or not.
I personally think of this pic when I think of Jordan.
http://www.posters57.com/images/MichaelRINGS1.jpg
That picture of Jordan wearing his championship rings reminds me of how secondary this whole MVP business is. As a fan, I just want a Cleveland team to win one. If this doesn’t look like the year it could finally happen, and a unique year at that, I don’t know if there will be another one like it. Homegrown MVP leading one of the strongest teams in a nation-wide league, striving for a first championship for a city in 46 years and for his first as a player: don’t think that story is gonna be relived by anyone, let alone by Clevelanders. I know we’re all perpetually waiting for next year, but I suffer brain-lock whenever I start to think ahead of July 1, 2010. Destiny for this team and this city is barreling at us like a runaway truck.
LeBron will be good for a long, long time if he adjusts his game and takes care of himself. Especially with his passing ability, he could easily transition into being a PF and play at a peak level into his late 30s.
FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE SEES anthony parker’s EXTREME VALUE TO THE CAVS.
Anthony Parker’s biggest contribution to this team is probably going to be next year when we can trade his expiring deal. Like Austin Carr said, if your offensive repertoire consists of you standing at the 3-point line, waiting for a kickout, you had better make it.
Good point about being able to transition into another role @Brian, but I still think that LeBron will fade shortly before 35. Remember, he’s been plaing (not to mention logging some serious minutes) since the age of 18. LeBron also takes much more a physical beating with his drives to the hole than do jump shooters like Jordan or Kobe. Not to say he won’t be a phenomenal player well into his 30s, but being the MVP takes a lot more than just being a great top ten player.
He won’t even win it next year. Durant or someone probably will. Especially when hack writers like fanhouse and the idiot Van Gundy are openly whining about it.