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March 12, 2009While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.
The Sports Guy speaks about watching LeBron and Mo’s fourth quarter against the Clippers: “I can’t even describe how bummed out my section was, but let’s try: Ever been sitting on the airport runway for a few minutes and have the pilot blindside you with, “Hey folks, some bad news, the weather got worse, we’re gonna have to go back to the gate and wait this out for a couple of hours before we take off …” and everyone collectively groans in disbelief and agony? That’s what the Clippers fans were like. And let the record show that Pilot Mike Dunleavy was making the announcement.” [Bill Simmons/Page2]
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On those Pedro Martinez-Indians rumors: “The deal Martinez wants, one executive says, is similar to the one the Red Sox gave righty John Smoltz — a $5.5 million base salary with $5 million in incentives. […] The Indians made runs at both Martinez and Smoltz before trading for infielder Mark DeRosa and could renew their interest if Martinez lowered his price. Martinez, however, might not want to pitch in cooler weather.” [Ken Rosenthal/Fox Sports]
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With home court advantage still up for grabs: “If playing time has to increase for us to win ballgames because of the race with Orlando and Boston and L.A., then it will increase,” [LeBron] James said Tuesday. “I have no problem with that because I feel healthy. I have nicks and bruises but everybody does; I’m comfortable.” [Brian Windhorst via SLAMOnline]
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It’s Big Ten tournament time: “If BJ [Mullens] is set to leave after this year, then this is his chance to improve his draft stock. I have said before, Mullens has seemed disinterested since the end of January, whether it’s from a lack of touches or a fear of the late season, pre-NBA injury. Over the last 10 games, BJ has averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 boards, hardly the sign of an NBA lottery pick. While OSU doesn’t need a Koufos-like NIT run, anything close to a double-double is a necessity. Lauderdale and Madsen must combine for at least 8 points and help put some pressure on the opponents’ bigs.” [Corey/Eleven Warriors]
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Stevie Franchise getting some love: “No. 3 Star: Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets. The rookie outdueled Tim Thomas for his NHL-best ninth shutout, stopping all 35 Boston shots for the 2-0 victory. All Mason had to do was turn back 30 of them in the final two periods. Raffi Torres’s power play goal, with an assist to Antoine Vermette, stood up as the game-winner.” [Greg Wyshynski/Puck Daddy]
20 Comments
Why the heck would the Indians not sign Pedro for one year? It’s all about pitching, and he would provide more insurance for what is a shaky three/fifths of the rotation. If the team really is interested in contending, his experience would help. Sure it’s risky, but teams with goals take risks and this is only a one year and out risk.
For the record, I’m all about signing him. But if he really doesn’t want to pitch in the cold, it would be a tough sell outside of June, July and August.
Simmons’ article was great. It had me laughing as I read it. Perfect recap for the second half since I fell asleep at halftime.
Randy, to me 4/5 of the rotation is shaky, as we can’t know which Fausto we will get this year until the real games start. Whether we get Pedro or not, I smell a trade coming, maybe giving up a surplus minor league catcher and/or first base/outfielder for a grizzled innings-eater, a Paul Byrd-type who has an reasonable one or two year contract. Can’t believe Shapiro will go into the season with the starters in Goodyear now.
Man, is Simmons the funniest sports writer around now, or what?
simmons writes some great stuff, although i think he tends to be a bit harsh on mike brown. his description of the final inbounds play was perfect – “basically z-bo took a big dump at the 3 point line”.
The only thing missing from the last inbounds play by the Clippers was the Yakkety Sax theme song from “Benny Hill”. Well, that and a sad “wha-whah” trombone sound.
Wow, nothing about Joe J?
Something tells me the final play that the Clippers tried to run never materialized. Simmons doesn’t even entertain that possibility; he just puts the dump on the coach for calling a bad play. Maybe Simmons is right, but he obviously had no patience for the Clippers’ coach before the contest began.
I love the photo to this post. As icy-veined Mo Williams lofts a three-ball, more than a few Clippers’ fans have their arms akimbo, their hands jacked onto their heads, or their faces smothered in dismay at the unfolding doom.
I think we can all relate to Clipper fans since we are Browns fans, too.
actually simmons did note that the play never materialized a few times. he noted once that it was clear that baron was supposed to get the inbounds pass, which the cavs knew, and prevented from happening. he also quoted an email: “Matt in Atlanta: “The look on Dunleavy’s face after Randolph jacked up that awful 3 at the end of the game was priceless. It sort of looked like the same reaction that Ryan from the ‘Real World’ had when he found out that Katelynn is a tranny. The thing is, that wasn’t even the best part. Sam Mitchell’s analysis after was even better, ‘I guarantee that wasn’t the play they drew up.’ No s—. How are these guys NBA coaches?””
The Simmons piece was one of the best he’s written in a while. He has a true passion for the NBA game and it usually shows when he writes about it.
I’m forlorn about Joe J. today though.
@B-bo: Coming soon. Stay tuned.
Harv…….remember, Shapiro went into last season with a corner outfield platoon of Michaels/Delucci in LF and Guiteriez in RF after signing nobody to help in the off-season. They are very cocky about the bullpen they have assembled and feel it can trump any deficiencies in the starting rotation-I would beg to differ with them.
Wait, there was no Boston reference in his latest post? Surely you jest…
Actually, that’s vintage Sports Guy right there. I want to see more of that and maybe I’ll start reading him more regularly.
With Detroit’s OT loss to the Knicks and the Cavs’ magician-style escape in L.A., does anyone know what the magic number is down to? Do we have a chance to clinch tonight?
My math says that the Magic number is “2.”
We’re 18 up on Detroit (more on that later), with 19 to play. If we win tonight, and Detroit loses tomorrow at Toronto, it’s ours.
Bill Simmons article mad me lol…
Nice pick-and-roll with Bron feeding Ilgauskas for a layup. The Cavs have five plays: High screen with Ilgauskas and LeBron; high screen with Varejao and LeBron; high screen with Joe Smith and LeBron; everyone clears out so LeBron can go one-on-one; post up Ilgauskas on the left block. That’s Cleveland’s offense. I am not making this up. Which raises the question: What the hell is Mike Brown diagramming for them during timeouts? Is he like the guy from “Memento” or something? Guys, I just thought of something … what if we ran a high screen for LeBron?
@Randy: I know Shapiro did that last year, but please let me enjoy my fantasy that he understands that a less than mediocre rotation gives you less chance of contending than weak corner outfielders. No such thing as a strong pen if the starters can’t consistently get you out of the 6th inning. Shapiro claims that the strength of this era of teams is pitching, not power corners. That’s why I smell a trade. Hope that smell isn’t front office hubris.
Thanks Scott.
The one time I saw Mullens live he looked terrible against Indiana. Anyone who thinks he’s a lottery pick is delusional.