Chisoxfn

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Jan 23, 2017 -> 12:54 PM) I like Pedro a lot but this is a really bold statement. For peak, sure. But otherwise Clemens, Maddux and Johnson are all ahead of him. I think Pedro is the best I ever saw. I loved Maddux for what he did and for whatever reason I just never think of Clemens as highly as others (even though his stats are absurd). Johnson was fun to watch, but Pedro was far more dominant at his peak, imo. I'd put Pedro / Kershaw as 1/2 on my list of pitchers I've watched.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 23, 2017 -> 12:28 PM) Free health clinics, where they're even available, and emergency rooms are very poor ways to treat any sort of chronic illness. I don't know the particulars of Balta's situation, but that was one of the problems that the ACA was attempting to fix. I was more curious about where Balta was going with the story. I have said on numerous occasions, that I think every citizen should have good health coverage. Period. We live in the best country on this planet and with that, we should be able to consistently provide citizens with the best medical coverage to ensure everyone how the choice to see doctors, manage their conditions, etc. I also think that if you don't do those things, you increase risk for terrible epidemics (because the rich aren't immune to disease, superbugs, etc) and on top of that, by ignoring certain issues, you end up having people admitted to ERs where the expenses end up being far greater then if you just treated people. I do think we need to do things about the ridiculous cost of healthcare and pharma stuff. That said, it isn't an easy answer. I think the ACA did many good things, but in general, I still think we are a far ways from being where we should. I am blessed that for the time being, my wife & I make nice livings, etc. and can afford the deductibles we have (our out of pocket family max is like 15K so if something happened to all of us, it would set us back a pretty penny) but even just giving birth cost of $5K (out of pocket) and I wouldn't call that anything overly unusual. I fundamentally have no idea how healthcare and child costs can be so freaking expensive and as I mention, luckily I have the income levels that I do, but I have a hard time comprehending how someone who makes the average living in this country, can afford this stuff, while saving for retirement, etc. At the very least, I don't understand why we cap things like daycare costs from a tax perspective, etc.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 21, 2017 -> 09:49 AM) So, last night theRapist president signed executive orders with a couple parts. First it directs the government to find any excuse to avoid charging the fee associated with the individual mandate as possible. Basically, that on its own should, if followed by the IRS and associated agencies, make it easier for healthy people to avoid buying insurance without paying the penalty tax on the individual market. This of course has the potential to, on its own, raise prices for everyone else on the individual market because the group that must stay insured due to actually being sick is the most expensive group and the group that would leave and then only buy insurance if they get sick is the most profitable group. If that part of the EO is followed, there will be a grad student like me 7 years ago, somewhere in this country, who will wind up dead because of it within 2-3 years. The third part grants much more latitude to states to apply for work waiver requirements and things like that in order to qualify for the medicaid expansion. If this actually sets up an excuse for large states like Texas to expand medicaid coverage when they weren't going to do so on principle with that icky president, should medicaid coverage still exist, this would be a generally good thing. I'm interested in the middle part...why would a grad student like you end up dead because of this clause? Trying to better understand, becuase even when the system was broken, wasn't there the ability to go to free health clinics or in an emergency just go to an emergency room. Not saying it was a good answer, can then such person is saddled with debt, but I thought people could still get treatment at certain types of hospitals regardless. Remember, I am pro healthcare for all, just trying to understand.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 23, 2017 -> 09:58 AM) I will be shocked if Rondo can find a home at his cost. Since Boston: - Flunked out of Dallas - Flunked out of Sac - Flunked out of Chicago Oh yeah gimme gimme! Unless you get a bulls pick and have space to just suck it up and cut him, will be hard to find a team. I completely agree with you. That said, if he can play solid off the bench, maybe a team like Cleveland would like at him (not sure how they could make it work financially). Or someone who was in dire need of a backup PG due to injuries. I wouldn't expect anything back, other then, you are freeing up minutes to get a better read on Grant / Valentine.

Rumor that the Bulls are actively shopping Niko (good...albeit midly surprised) and Rondo (clearly no surprise). I presume we will also be moving Taj at some point (and I'd like to think we could get at least a 1st round pick for him, if not a first round and a future pick). I think every single contender would value having Taj around. The only real question is whether the Bulls intend to resign him. Curious to see what we could get for Niko...either way, we need to move him now, because he'll go elsewhere at the end of the year, so some value is better then nothing. In hindsight, we should have maxed him out in the past. Niko has a good skill set, but either he's too stupid to develop or our coaching staff just isn't good enough to get the most out of him (quite possible) and it is probably a combination of the two. I wouldn't be surprised if we moved Doug either, although I figure we'll wait out another year with him. Need to start making moves to be in a better spot a year from now (whether that plan is moving Butler or to sign a FA moving Rondo & Niko flat out makes sense). Problem with Rondo is, I'm afraid at what we will give up. On the bright side, maybe we found something in Zipser. I've liked what I've seen recently. Would be nice if we can turn that pick into a solid role player (if not more). Still very premature though. If I'm the Bulls, I'd be doing what I can to try and ensure we can get the Kings 1st round pick (so that might be where you move Niko to)..something we should have done last year when we refused to send Pau.

Finally watched the Revenant....or however you spell it. Really enjoyed it.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jan 21, 2017 -> 10:22 AM) Braves signed Kurt Suzuki, 1 year $1.5 mill. Where will Wieters sign, Nats? Angels? I think the Angels would be a good destination for him. I still think Wieters is going to have some good seasons in him.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jan 23, 2017 -> 07:25 AM) I don't think players not being able to target another players head is why football has been lacking. I don't miss watching players getting their brains scrambled on the field every week. It still happens, but not nearly as much. I do think the game is being over officiated. That is something that might change. I think the over officiating was a reaction to HD. Fans can see every play and every little thing that happens. Also, I think teams need to go back to having more contact in practice, but not sure that can change under current labor agreement. I think your last point is the biggest issue, that said, I like to see good physical play and now when you see that sort of play, you unfortunately see the flag thrown. They've made it so hard to play defense and I personally liked seeing good defense (I also like seeing good offenses go against good defenses). But really, the lack of practicing and contact allowed during training camps / season is one of the bigger culprits. I still seriously enjoy football though.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Jan 22, 2017 -> 03:34 PM) Yea, hopefully Capers is gone. That defensive performance was pathetic even with their injuries. Rodgers is the only player that showed up today. Absolutely nothing he could have done with how awful the rest of the team played. Give credit to Atlanta. They are fantastic offensively. I am surprised the Falcons are underdogs. People must not have watched them, but they have gotten better and better as the season has worn on. Matt Ryan is playing some fantastic football. Goes to show that if you give a good QB the right weapons and coaches, they can play at an elite level (I've always been a Ryan fan). I long felt the same about Cutler, but obviously that is said and done at this point for him. I do think if Jay goes to San Fran with Shanny, we might actually see him win and I personally will be hoping he does well.

QUOTE (Boogua @ Jan 22, 2017 -> 08:50 PM) This Cavs team matches up extremely well against the Warriors. The Warriors have no rim protection (unless you try to count Durant and draymond, which is meh). The cavs have two guys that can attack the basket and score inside with Kyrie and Lebron. Last years finals: Kyrie averaged 25 PPG in games 1-4. 30 from games 5-7. Lebron 24.75 in games 1-4 and 36.3 with no rim protection in games 5-7. This isn't difficult. Cavs could really use Taj. Seriously, they could. Warriors could as well.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 07:10 PM) Berlin? I'm going nowhere near Berlin! (Everyone who enjoyed 2000s teen films will catch that one) I absolutely adore that movie. Scotty doesn't know...scotty doesn't know...

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 08:56 AM) NO YOU DIDNT DONALD. According to Brett05, you didnt COMPETE so you couldnt have won! (Sorry Im not fancy enough to know how to post the tweet better) I don't agree with Brett often, but in general, he does have a point. When the road to the white house goes through the electoral college, you are going to come up with your strategy to maximize electorates not necessarily the popular vote. We have no idea what would happen if the election was actually based on popular vote...well I kind of do and I hypothesize it would swing even greater to Hillary, but that is mainly because resources would be spend in large cities and a lot of the country would be forgotten. That said, we are a republic and as far as I know that hasn't changed so the rules / laws are what they are. Heck, who knows how many people didn't vote in certain states (repub or dem) even in the current case because they knew their vote woulnd't matter.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 11:12 AM) Jimmy Butler is not a guy you deal unless you get multiple awesome young assets back. I completely agree.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 09:29 AM) This scenario is probably more likely than the Bulls trading Jimmy in my opinion. If they didnt trade Jimmy this past off season it wasnt ever going to happen. Butler has taken a pretty big step forward (imo) this year. He's playing at a whole nother level right now (and worthy of ASG starting spot he just got)...that said, the offers we had on the table were pretty freaking terrible in the off-season (at least based upon what was reported). If we had pulled of any of the rumored offers, we would have been totally hosed. Boston was offering Crowder, Smart, and this years pick (which would be Brown). They supposedly wouldn't even give up next years pick and I think the Bulls wanted next years + the following pick. Twolves had Lavine and Dunn supposedy (and Lavine is pretty good and I still think Dunn is a good bet to emerge next year into a pretty good player). Bulls wanted discussions to start with Wiggins (I believe) plus Dunn and possibly even plus Lavine (not sure).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 20, 2017 -> 09:02 AM) I don't even think that's enough honestly. So in that case, I presume you are okay then sticking with Butler and trying a different path? I'd have to think that Boston offer I mentioned would be pretty top dollar. I don't see too many teams with more assets to make it work. Maybe we'll see Chris Bosh and Chris Paul join Wade and Butler and we'll be the old man banana boat crew plus Buckets.

Wade made some comments about how if Butler goes, he goes and if Butler stays, he probably stays. Very refreshing comments as a whole (Wade was being refreshingly honest based upon the quotes I saw from the interview).

On the other side of the equation, if the Bulls were going to buy, I'd think a point guard and someone like Okafor would be the direction they should go. I just don't know how they can do it. I suppose PG can be in free agency and Okafor would have to be a trade (and maybe it happens given the Sixers crowded front court...but I'd think a 3rd team would have to be involved).

QUOTE (bshah723 @ Jan 19, 2017 -> 05:59 PM) Butler to the Celtics for the rights of the nets pick? Fair trade? Awful trade. If you trade with the Celtics you need to get the Nets pick this year, nets pick the following year, and Jaylen Brown. I'd probably argue you need one more, such as Marcus Smart or Crowder. I'd start by asking for the first three pieces plus Crowder. Supposedly Nets and Celtics have talked about trading Jaylen Brown for Lopez (plus some other pieces).

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 19, 2017 -> 03:44 PM) I'm torn on trading Butler. Historically the return from trading superstars has been pretty s***ty, and you are looking at once again turning Chicago into the last place any FA is going to want to go. On the other hand, this team defines mediocrity f*** you Gar I agree with you and I'm very torn. I finally opened up to moving him, but it would take an absurd package, because I still think with Jimmy, you are a lot closer to the top then the bottom and I look at the Lakers, who have largely tanked, and I still see them being a long ways away. If the Lakers can't sign big name FA's when you have a roster of young players, Bulls are going to have an even harder time.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 19, 2017 -> 08:49 AM) According to Crain's, you can. Maybe I should put my password on Ebay and screw some Cubs fans. *Cough* Chisoxfn *cough* Haha.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 19, 2017 -> 05:22 AM) Andruw Jones while very good was never really dominant. I don't think so. Vizquel maybe but borderline. I always viewed his combination of defensive and offensive ability as putting him amongst the elite at the game. I thought he had a run where he was the best CFer in baseball (after Griffey went to Cincy).

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 06:39 PM) Iowa looks like they are a year ahead of schedule to be completely honest. They were thought to have Jok and who else? They aren't a tourney team but I can't imagine they thought they would have some of the wins they did. Extremely volatility, as should be expected with a young squad. ISU plays one of the shortest lineups in all of the power conferences and it is burning them. Holberg's lack of big man recruiting before he left and two big man recruits for Prohm not being eligible at the beginning of the season has made it extremely difficult to guard down low during Big 12 play. Also, apparently, Georges Niang was that good. It's funny seeing McDermott doing this at Creighton, I always thought he could coach but wasn't a fit at ISU. -- Also the Big 12 is weird Regarding Iowa, I agree with you. I've been very surprised and they seem to have quite a few young guys that can play. I still think they probably have a two year dry spell from the tourney (but I'm hoping next year they can push it there), but hey, this year has been way more enjoyable then I expected. I'm pushing for an NIT birth. Sucks though that they couldn't have more around Jok...he is so freaking good (from an Iowa Hawkeye fan perspective).

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 05:50 PM) Easily the best SS since Ozzie Smith, and none have been better since. Not first ballot, but he's the Bill Mazeroski of his generation, plus he played on a number of really good teams during his career, and impacted numerous post-seasons. He also developed into a pretty solid hitter later in his career. (OPS won't like him cause he was pretty much a singles hitter, but hey, I think the advanced stats undervalue singles hitters). I know he played for forever, but he's only 123 hits shy of 3000.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 05:04 PM) Andruw doesn't pass the smell test. I know the numbers look great for 10 years and the defense, but, ya know... Vizquel looks like a glove-first Hall of Fame SS. I wouldn't complain if he got in, but the stat nerds are going to be anti-Omar. In terms of Andruw, what is the "ya know" part. He was one of the elite players in the game for a decent size stretch of his career, especially when you factor in his defensive value. He put up a 63 WAR in 17 seasons vs. Tim Raines 69 WAR in 23 seasons. 5 seasons of WARS > 6 and 3 above 8. 10 gold gloves (and deserved gold gloves); 5 ASG's and finished as high as 2nd in the MVP. It seems like his peak he was good elite enough. First ballot, maybe not, but I have a hard time arguing that Andruw Jones shouldn't be in the hall. I also view Vizquel as a HOFer because he is one of the best defensive shortstops I've ever seen (even if his bat was light). The list of defensive shortstops who were better (and had that long of a career) is few and far between.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 18, 2017 -> 03:37 PM) 2018 ballot- Chipper Jones, Jim Thome are locks. Also on- Rolen, Andruw Jones, Johan Santana, Johnny Damon, Omar Vizquel Vizquel is going to be the new Jack Morris. My 2018 ballot- Guerrero, Clemens, Bonds, Mussina, Schilling, Manny, McGriff, Chipper, Thome Only 9, but Hoffman is getting in next year along with Vlad, Chipper, and probably Thome. Andruw Jones and Omar Vizquel have to have legit shots.