Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Nixon @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 08:51 AM) I must be in the minority, I f***ing hated that episode. 40 some minutes of Jon killing anonymous Bolton dudes. Wildlings/62 good men dying because Sansa inexplicably withheld info. Jon going for the obvious bait. I'm sure in the books Jon's going to get bailed out by the timely intervention of the Vale knights too, but at least it will be because that's as quickly as Sansa could get there. Not because she just decided to keep it to herself cause her f***ing p**** hurt. Well, remember, it isn't as if Sansa didn't try to tell Jon to wait. Yes, she didn't say she had another army, but maybe she figured quietly that her opinion wasn't being listened to so she wanted to be in a position of power herself to show, hey, you all should be listening to me.

Are there sporting events on the list?

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 08:28 AM) I hated on LeBron plenty after The Decision but looking back on it I don't understand why I did. Hell the Cavs don't win a title this year if The Decision doesn't happen anyway, so really it was the best thing that could have happened for Cleveland. The guy has been in the spotlight since he was a teenager, 99% of people would be insufferable egotistical douchebags in that scenario, and while LeBron is arrogant (and really you need to be arrogant to be the best), I agree with iamshack that's he actually pretty humble considering the circumstances. Yeah he flops and whines to the refs, but I'm struggling right now to think of a star in the NBA that doesn't do exactly the same thing. They all do it. Really happy for him and for Cleveland for finally getting that title. I still think he deserved heat for the decision but he's an incredible player and he's fun to watch and generally a pretty good and likeable dude. I was very excited he won and really the only thing that I'm bummed out is that he did the whole Miami thing as I'd like to see more of LBJ trying to be the guy as I think it is funner to watch since he had all the physical tools to be the greatest ever. Personally, I think he'll finish the second greatest ever, but who knows.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 12:33 PM) Why not? Admit you made a mistake and move on. Also, for everyone who suggests "no team would take Shields," what does it say that we took him? It was a terrible move from the beginning. Nearly every move made last offseason and extending into this season has been terrible Because if Shields goes on a run of 5 or 6 solid starts, you could remove him at the deadline. It would be absolutely an awful idea to move him at this second or dump him at this second.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 11:04 AM) Shields really isn't go for broke though is he? SD is paying him more than the White Sox. The Sox just need him to be a #4 starter. So far, obviously it looks bad, but it just is hard for me to think he can really possibly be this bad. I am sure the Sox didn't want to pay John Danks to sit at home. Same with Latos. I'm also sure they would love Erik Johnson to be pitching decently in their rotation. It wasn't happening. They probably rushed acquiring Shields. I'd imagine if he did the same thing in SD as he has done with his Sox starts, he would be even cheaper if they wanted him at all. But he can't be this bad. No one is. Hopefully he figures something out and silences his critics. We will see what happens on Thursday. We do know any Red Sox kept out of the line up isn't going to be happy with Farrell. Maybe Big Game James will shock the world and be decent. They need offense. 2 runs each game in Cleveland. I thought, or at least hoped Hahn had something up his sleeve and the offense would get a boost for that series. But scoring 2 a game isn't going get you wins, and frankly I would rather the Sox lose 13-2 than 3-2. I think Shields was pure panic by the Sox. I have said it before (and since I said it prior to him stinking I feel it is more acceptable to complain about it too, as normally I go if a deal has logic and it didn't work, I have a harder time complaining...although longer term, everyone in this biz, like any biz, is judged by the overall success not the theory behind it), but I just did not see the move as an efficient use of resources, especially for a team with the needs this franchise had (as well as the payroll constraints). It was the type of move that I could see a team with a much larger payroll doing, but totally meh move for the Sox. All the advanced stats seemed to back the eye stats that he was detiorating and I didn't like the idea of giving up two cheaps plus taking out the payroll flexibility garnered from LaRoche (given how budget conscious this franchise is). All that said, I never thought this would be a move that would horrifically blow up in the Sox face as it has to date, but I saw very little upside, with a real cost, plus I hated the idea of giving up Tatis. I also have said I think Johnson over the tenure would be a more productive player than Shields (let alone factoring in finances). Now that said, I also recognize that it didn't mean the Sox were going to turn to him and they had different needs. When I allude to go for broke, it is more in their consistent context of trying to content, even when the chips indicate they probably shouldn't. They don't know when to push / go for it vs. when to take a step back because going for it and missing can end up causing a lot more damage (and on the flipside just sucking can have its own implications too).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 01:59 PM) You may want to take a look at this I actually ended up not buying a nest, because the more I read reviews, the more it seemed like there were a hell of a lot of downsides vs. the coolness of the concept. Especially in the case of people who aren't typically at their house during the day. Its one thing when you legitimately are there all day, there can be value in the nest, but more I read basically said, it tends to "overwork" and "overload" everything and in most cases, people would just be better with a standard programmable thermostat (with a little wifi if you want it).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 10:29 AM) It would be hard to tell in the long run, but in the games following, no effect. The first bad one, they won the next 2 games. The next one, they lost 11-8 but Gonzalez gave up 7 in 3 1/3 and Purke gave up 3. You could argue they wouldn't have used Purke because he was one they didn't use before, but it would be hard to imagine the Sox bullpen going 5 2/3 and not giving up anything. And losing Sunday had nothing to do with the bullpen being taxed on Saturday. Eventually it will, but I think Shields will eventually improve. By the way, I wasn't disagreeing with your notion on the overall 1-2 though in the actual games pitched. One would never know for sure, but I certainly wouldn't have been pegging either of the other options for some shutout or great game. In general, I think the bigger issue with this franchise is we are in a go for broke mode without having the appropriate resources to have a quality / worthwhile success rate on executing the strategy. That issue is bigger than the GM's and driven by the owner and this isn't going to change without a new owner / different vision (which given JR's age, I can't see him wanting to oversee a long haul rebuild). I personally presume he's viewing this as a, get into the playoffs if at all possible (for his own enjoyment) but also potentially to maximize / improve potential valuations. I don't expect him to be the owner for much longer (and no I'm not being morbid here, just saying I think he's going to sell the franchise sooner vs. later so he can see the direction it goes vs. putting it into a trust (now this could also be him just removing himself from chair duties and someone else stepping in since there are other stakeholders in the equation).

Draft will be here shortly...will be curious to see what the Bulls do and who (if anyone) they move these next couple of days. Always thought it was kind of interesting how the NBA has the draft so quickly after the season ends.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 08:30 AM) There is a way. They scored 4, 10 and 2 runs. They would have won the game they scored 10. I don't think Danks or Johnson are giving up less than 4 to Washington. And you really think they would have held the Indians to 2? How many games did they loose because of how taxed the pen was though? I don't know, but there could be a carryover effect there which could drive Shields bad performance to costing us other games because of the use of the bullpen.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 09:27 AM) In the very very least, it looks like House of Blues shows will be applicable. Not sure that means anything out in Cali, if there's one out there or not but good for the Chicago crowd here. See...my view is I didn't buy concert tickets with ticketmaster, it was only sports tickets (i.e., baseball games), so there should be something that would ensure that I can get a like size type item. I know the attorney's don't care about stuff like that but somewhere in the settlement, if I got hosed unfairly (for whatever reason I have no idea as I haven't paid any attention to this suit) due to violations of law or whatever it was, I should get replenished in something that would have been in-kind and consistent with what I previously purchased (or those "vouchers" should have some sort of economic value that I can apply for alternative use). I'm sure in the settlement they were applied some "form" of value so why can't I receive a similar value as an option (or maybe I can and I'm not smart enough). So for example, certain crappy seats at baseball games should probably be in the equation.

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 09:46 AM) Where do you check to see what you have? The link for Active Vouchers? edit: nm, it finally opened. Yeah. It took a few refreshes to work. I honestly don't even know the last time I logged in, so I am sure I bought tickets as a guest before that I'll never get credit for.

So is this general admission pair only going to get me into some awful event that I have zero interest in going to?

I would have never known this, but I have 10 free pairs plus 11 discount codes. I'll take it. Good thing they go to 2020 as it should allow me to most definitely leverage these with my kids, etc. Hopefully there are worthwhile events and decent seats we can get with these. General Admission is odd so wonder what that really means you get. PS: Thanks for telling me about this, I don't recall ever seeing an email or anything and I really don't use ticketmaster much, if at all anymore (especially since I don't catch near as many games as I used to with the kids so young).

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 03:39 PM) Any reason why? Genuinely curious, maybe I'm too jaded on something and missed a bigger picture. The episode was just missing the punch that it so tried to deliver imo. These big events just fell flat. For example, after Arya kills the waif, and Jaqen is talking to her in the hall, he's like "yup, you are ready now". What? Why? Because you killed the waif? It almost seemed like Jaqen was afraid of her which is nonsense. I like Arya so I thought that moment was good. Not every episode is going to be amazing. The episode before that was just incredible to me and I thought their would be more in this episode, that said, the Arya moment was badass (not her kill but what she said to Jaqen) and I wonder if we look back a season from now and go, oh what a moment. I also felt Jaqen's reaction was more of a proud moment because she figured out who she was and what she really needed to do.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 03:22 PM) Eh the siege of riverrun was s***ty and boring in the book tooWhere things suck...they should just change it. I never read the book so I base all my opinions on the TV show (although do use google to learn more of the backstory on various characters which got more play in the book (for my own understanding). If they sucked in the book, than they should have tried to maybe liven them up / make adjustments (after all, now it is there story to tell since the author took his sweet ass time writing).

QUOTE (South Sider @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 11:23 AM) I'm fine with there not being a final fight scene with Arya and the Waif. What would have been the point of it anyway? It's pitch black in the room after Arya kills the candle. We're not getting night vision Game of Thrones battles and everyone would be even more upset with a pitch black screen and the sounds of a fight. The point is, Arya knew she had an advantage in the pitch black because of her "training" while being blind. The Waif did not and therefore died. Props to Arya for setting up that trap. I will admit the whole her getting stabbed thing is a bit odd. That wound should have been more fatal. Perhaps she was resting for longer than it seemed in the show before the Waif found her. As for the Blackfish going down in a blaze of glory, meh. I could take it or leave it. As soon as he decided to fight he was vastly outnumbered and the fight wouldn't have lasted long anyway. It's kind of pointless to have a scene where Blackfish kills a couple guys and then gets surrounded and killed himself. I would have loved to see him ride north, I'm a fan of the Blackfish, but it wasn't meant to be. RIP Brynden Tully. Yeah - I thought it was s***ty use of what should have been a pretty badass character (regarding the Blackfish).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 01:26 PM) I know it's unscientific, but I found it interesting, in April I went into the Sports Depot at USCF. I checked out the sales racks. They have jerseys of ex players Flowers, Shark, etc. then they had some Danks jerseys. Sure enough, a week or so later, he gone. The only Bulls jersey they have on the sale rack is DRose. So I actually came to a similar conclusion. I was at the NBA store in New York yesterday (just stopped in) and was going to see if they maybe had something cool for my son and/or daughter that was Bulls related. I didn't see anything but Rose stuff. I eventually found Butler stuff burried in the store (Behind even the noah stuff). That said, probably has a lot more to do with overall sales as I think Rose is still pretty high on merchandise sales for whatever reason. I thought to myself...hmmm...does the NBA store know, haha. I know they don't, but made me think. That said, it could be that they have not ordered a ton of inventory of Butler stuff due to what they hear (i.e., manage it). Hell if I know.

QUOTE (Deadpool @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 01:17 PM) Top 15 player in the league won't win you a championship. Especially when some teams have more than one top 15 player. Move Butler if the price is right. Multiple top 15 guys in the league or a top 15 guy with multiple good players, could. Last I looked, while you strive for a championship, just because you aren't the favorite, should you just quit and just focus on the draft.

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 01:01 PM) Sure, but the flipside to that is we have more than just 2-3 franchise players in the league. You can be a franchise player and not be a superstar (even though Butler is getting there based on his exposure and endorsements). Butler's a top 15 player in the league. Put him on the vast majority of teams and he's going to be the best player. Let's go down the list: GS (the big three) Cleveland (Lebron and Kyrie) OKC (Durant and Westbrook) Spurs (Khawi, maybe Aldridge) NO (Davis) Those are the only teams with guys I would take over Butler no questions asked. I'm sure i'm missing someone obvious, but it's still a small list. To me Butler's on that next tier with Paul George, Damian Lillard, Boogie, etc. Guys that aren't winning you a championship by themselves but are still great players that won't allow your team to become the Sixers. Obviously the dysfunction around the Bulls this year hurts that argument, but I don't think that was due to anything Butler did on the court. I still consider those guys franchise players based on their play and marketability. They're all recognized nationally and for good reason. No one thought Steph Curry was a franchise player until he was (or that the Warriors were a budding dynasty until they were..."they needed to get Love"). If we should only make moves for franchise players, than typically, you are going to be royally screwed in this league. Should we just quit for 20 years until somehow a franchise player lucks in your lap or should you consistently strive to be as good as possible (which should in theory position yourself to have the necessary assets to potentially be able to attract a key piece in FA and/or give you pieces to be able to land such piece via trade). Anthony Davis was a so called franchise player (and don't get me wrong, I'd love him on the Bulls and I still think he's the guy they will get after he eventually grows tired in his current situation) but what has he really done.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 07:18 AM) Yeah, must have been Yahoo. Webcrawler ftw!

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 07:26 AM) She doesn't need Qyburn to know those rumors are true. Someone find Gendry and put him on the throne. Oh I know...just being a bit of a smart ass. I presume it will be some lewd act that was done by the high septor.

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 04:51 AM) If the HS is actively sinning or being hypocritical, that would be a huge blow to his credibility. I just don't see how Wildfire is a "rumor" anymore. It was confirmed. Cersei could go straight to the Alchemists and request some if she wanted. I almost wondered if Cersei was going to admit the rumor that the King didn't really have any royal blood in him and that he was in fact the Kingslayers lovechild. Talk about a twist

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 07:01 AM) Maybe so. I do not believe that Erik Johnson would have put up better numbers here than Shields will though. I think part of this is I think both are susceptible to the HR so obviously Johnson will have benefit of pitching in betters park and I would have guessed that Shields would have a better 2016 than Johnson with Johnson really being the better value in the following years (and obviously Sox made this move with 2016 top of mind, although, given they were taking on some extra years, I presume they also contemplated such and presumed Shields will still be a passable 4th / 5th in those years). I will continue to say, they should have used the cash and prospects to fill bigger holes, but that is just me. That said, I hope Shields kicks ass for the Sox.

Avi in the field is atrocious. I hope from time to time that he'll figure out how to hit where he can serve value in a platoon role / DH type role, but he'd have to severely improve offensively and the longer he plays at this level without any sort of sustained success, the less likely. Avi is about the only position player they have shown patience with (outside of Beckham) and part of it is because we haven't had any other even remote options to leverage from our system (with Trayce being the one and he's kicking ass now for the Dodgers). Avi is so so bad defensively, that he'd have to hit a metric ton to offset his porous defense. He's such a negative defensively, it isn't even funny (and given his tools, I'm not sure how he is so bad in the field, but he just is).

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Jun 14, 2016 -> 06:47 AM) The Timberwolves wouldn't trade Wiggins straight up for Butler. I think they would. The Bulls would probably do Wiggins plus a combination of other players without the 5 pick. I think getting both would be extremely unlikely, if not impossible, however, if you get a bidding war between teams, who have young assets plus high picks, it does create the potential possibility. I think a Wiggins and a piece deal would be a lot more probable than any deal centered around the 5th pick (Wiggins trade value > 5th pick).