RockRaines

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 3, 2007 -> 02:33 PM) Bears turn down Redskins proposed deal. It was an ok deal for the Bears, but im glad they are sticking to their guns and asking for more. They could really rape a team on a deal.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 3, 2007 -> 01:49 PM) I know you are really biased when it comes to your teams, but the proof is in the pudding. Florida's guards didn't have to work for a thing last night, because Motta was too scared of picking up cheap fouls on Oden hedging the screen. OSUs guards got beat up all night long on screens by Florida's big men, and didn't have the legs to shoot the ball as the game progressed. They made maybe 2 3's coming off ball screens at the top of the key. A majority of the 3's Fla made were on unselfish passes or kick outs after blocks or rebounds. OSU didnt shoot the 3 well ALL game, so the tired legs argument doesnt hold much water. Even the fresh players off the bench (cook,Lighty) could hit a damn thing either. Fla was more clutch, and a better team, putting any of that blame on Matta doesnt make much sense. They couldnt hit, Fla could. BTW, even though they are my team, I can be very unbiased when it comes down to breaking down the game last night. Fla proved to not only be a ridiculously unselfish team, but one of the most clutch teams of all time as well. They were aggressive from the start, played well all game, and whenever OSU tried to get on a run, they were there with a 3. If OSU shoots as well as they usually do, it may have been a different game, but most likely Fla still closes them out. I couldnt see many teams in the past 10 years beating that Fla team last night. They are truly one of the best teams of all time. OSU would have needed to bring back Michael Redd to beat them.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Apr 3, 2007 -> 01:11 PM) Billy Donovan>Thad Motta This game was totally determined by the coaches. Motta made the mistake of worrying about foul trouble instead of the game plan, and it killed him. Florida got so many clean looks at three pointers it was sick. FLAs 3 pt percentage reflected that. They kept running the pick and roll off of the top of the key, and instead of the big man (usually Oden) jumping the screener to force the play deep, they made the little man fight through the screens with no help. The result was that not only did FLA get a ton of open looks, but the OSU guards worked their asses off on the D-end of the floor. That showed as their legs were not their on their three pointers all night long. I believe that is what contributed to the low 3pt % of OSU. Plus Donavan made the smart move by allowing his big men to play Oden one on one, and made the rest of the Buckeyes beat them one on one. Oden did his damage, but no one else from OSU really picked up the load. The three point stripe was covered, and their were no extra driving lanes open because everyone played honestly. Billy Donavan pretty much owned Motta in every facet of this game. Wow, I couldnt disagree much more. OSU had just as many wide open looks behind the arc as Fla did. They even had several breakaways where they pulled up for a brick from 3. If OSU shoots even remotely better from behind the arc they make it a different game. The name of the game was 10-18 that Fla put up. Both teams had huge open looks. Matta even made great defensive changes in the 2nd half that shut down Brewer and the post players for much of the half. He used a front guy on Noah basically making him ineffective on the offensive end. If Matta had something to do with the worst shooting game of the tourney by OSU then maybe you are correct. OSU shoots about 36 percent from behind the arc as a team. Last night they shot .174. Their top 3 point shooters are Harris, Butler and Lewis. Last night they went 3-18. If you REALLY think that Donovan had that much effect on their shooting, and Matta hurt it that much, then you give WAY too much credit to coaching. I guess Donovan coached his team to a .556 ungodly shooting percentage from 3 as well?

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 05:37 PM) I thought American had 33" pitch now? Anyway, since I've moved to Texas I have flown mostly American and Southwest and American is BY FAR the best airline I fly. In fact, I'll even pay a little extra to fly them because every seat has more legroom. AND, they don't fly those Embraers out of here as much. I can't stand those planes...especially being 6'1". Southwest has some major baggage handling problems. My wife flew back from Vegas yesterday and had to fly through Phoenix. It wasn't a quick changeover or anything, but they still managed to lose her bag anyway. But, the pisser is this. They couldn't find it. Ummm...isn't there a bar code on the luggage tag? Isn't that supposed to tell you where it is? Anyway, she did get it back today, but what a pain in the ass. I hate flying those stupid Airbus820's or whatever those damn things are. They fly like crap.

Boz!

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 11:24 PM) Cook needs 2 more years I think, haha. I think he's from a poorer background and really needs the money (or so I heard), so if that's true and he can be a last 1st pick (which is possible with his size and shot), I can't really hate. Hunter and Koufos is a mighty duo inside even if Oden leaves, and the tall white kid you got coming in at the 2 whose name is escaping me is a great shooter as well. Plus, Lauderdale and Turner are great athletes than can help out right away, Lighty will be better, and Butler is back. You guys, even if you lose Cook, Oden, and Conley (along with Lewis, Terwilliger, and Harris obviously) are still the favorites in the league next year. Plus, as good as the 2007 class is, your 2008 class might be as good or better than the 2006 one. I think you were thinking of Diebler perhaps? He too lost the championship game this year. 2008 brings another dominant post player in BJ Mullens.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 11:06 PM) Problem is, the only reason they went there is Cook, and if he's gone, they are gone. And Cook is a bit nuts in terms of how good he thinks he is, so he's leaving. As for Conley, he could come back and improve, and he'd still be behind Rose, Gordon, Crittenton (if he stays), and maybe even Bayless and Budinger from Arizona if they play well next year in terms of guards. The guard class is just exponetially better next year, to stay would be a monumentally bad move for his draft status. Agreed, but he has still been mentioned as the best pure point guard in the country right now. But you are right about Cook, many dont know that background as well, good info, but we'll see. Cook could REALLY use another year. Im actually most pumped about seeing Hunter again. He has only played bball for 3 years, and has nowhere to go but up.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 11:00 PM) He's not physically ready, but his stock will never get higher after a tourney like that, and the guard crop this year sucks, so he's a late lotto pick. This is all moot though, because I think Cook is going to be dumb and go pro, and thus Oden and Conley will leave anyways. True, it may not be. But dont underestimate those two guys desire to win a title together in college. The best thing for Mike to do is continue to be the best point guard in the country next year and assure yourself a VERY high pick.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:54 PM) Oden and Conley are gone, sir. I'd love to see them stay, but it just won't happen. Koufos is a stud though, and when the least touted player in your class is a high 4 star wing from Illinois who is the #2 player in said state, it's a good class. i just cant see Conley going, but if it happens it happens. We will reload. QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:55 PM) Yes. Noah is the biggest douche I've ever seen in college hoops, so he alone makes me hate them. Green might come back, but the rest of them are gone though. ^^^^^^^^^^ I am looking forward to the huge flop he will be in the NBA.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:50 PM) I can't see anyway that Mike Conley Sr. allows Oden to return. Chad Ford seems certain that all three of the Ohio St. guys will go pro, and Oden/Conley will be Conley Sr.'s first two clients. I dont think Conley goes pro. He came into the year weighing 163 pounds and just now has started to grow into his body. Cook is supposed to try and go because of his fam, but i dont know how high he would go.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:50 PM) Ohio State is a lock to win it all within the next 4 to 6 years anyways with the people Matta brings in. As for Florida, the only 2 teams that could have beat them in this tournament were Ohio State on a 50/50 night shooting 3's (which they couldn't do tonight) or North Carolina. However, North Carolina was to this year what UConn was to last (most talented team in the land, but didn't care about defense or general focus) and thus collapsed against the Hoyas. If Oden stays and Koufos is as advertised, they will be VERY tough to beat.

Also im happy for Greg, because now everyone finally gets to see what he can do in a game. "Naismith watch" Noah could do anything against him, Fla rolled out 4 guys on him all game and still count stop a thing.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:45 PM) If we have to go back 15 years to find a team that can beat them, then they're pretty damn good. Congrats on a great season though Rock. If you're going to have Oden for one year, at least it was a memorable season. A lot better than if he was one-and-done, and they lost to Tennessee. I can only think of that team to really find a team that could beat them. They are one of the best teams, and athletic depts ever right now. Ridic. If Oden stays, I feel like we can be back, if he leaves, I think we can be back. All in all, 5 losses for my two teams this year, 2 of them to Fla.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:42 PM) No one was going to beat Florida with how they played in the 2nd half tonight. I would love to see this Florida squad play the UCONN squad from 2004. Duke 1992 If Fla shoots 10-18 from 3 point though, there isnt many teams that can beat them.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:30 PM) Ohio State picked the wrong game to have their worst shooting night from the perimeter all year. I hope Donovan enjoys UK and all those great players on Florida enjoy the NBA, repeating is pretty impressive. No kidding, what a night to lay an egg. All in all, I think they played great on the inside, but Fla just had too much experience to let the game get away. OSU should make another great run next year. I think the next two announcements are Donovan to KY and Oden to the NBA. QUOTE(3E8 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:25 PM) OSU b****slapped by Florida two championships in the same year, gotta love it. How ironic that its considered good to you that they finished as the second best team in the two major sports in college?

On another note. Kenny Lofton, one of the best lead off hitters of the last several years just stole his 600th base tonight. Still doesnt touch Rock Raines 808 though.

QUOTE(SuperSteve @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:12 PM) I disagree to a point. Lifting only heavy weights is not a great idea IMHO. You stand a chance of losing a lot of mobility and felxibility. It's a given you have to stretch every workout, but I'd say mix in lighter (I don't mean light, I mean where you hit 12, 10, 8, 6, 8, 10, 12). You shouldn't be able to do it in five months, but everyone is pretty dead on here. Putting on muscle is hard for just about everyboy. I could help you so much more on losing weight. And in all honesty, I don't think it'd be very healthy for you to put on that much muscle mass that quickly. I do pyramid sets where I do 12 reps of lighter weight and work up to 6 or 4 reps of heavy weight. I feel that gives me a little of both.

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:21 PM) This ones done, Ohio St cant hit anything beyond arc. Noah I hate you, i hope you bust in NBA. I have a feeling he will be. He dissapeared against a superior player tonight. Horford didnt play his best, but still showed hes a top player. Oh well, OSU has a great chance to be back here next year, with a new 7-footer.

Jesus, 10 for 18 from behind the arc? You just cant lose hitting that many shots, no matter who you are. OSU matches that and they are up by 12

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 10:02 PM) Humphrey is f***ing ridiculous. Brewer and Hump never seem to miss. Brewer is going to be one hell of a player at the next level. With that size and range, he can be VERY effective in the NBA game.

God king Felix's slider is nasty. If he doesnt go all Liriano on his elbow, he is going to be deadly this year.

Bucks would be right in there if they could make a damn shot. It appears the 3-point shot will be the life of Fla and the death of OSU.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 09:30 PM) Am I the only one tired of hearing how much heart Oden has shown by playing 18 minutes? With all the TV timeouts there is no reason not to be able to play that much. How about how much heart he has shown dominating?

The Count couldnt pitch inside today at all. Garland needs to attack the zone early and often on wed. AAArdsma proved that throwing strikes is not necessary to shut down the tribe.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 04:11 PM) you cant be done, first trade me your studs. studs will no longer exist in that game. prospects are worthless and that was the most fun part of the game to me, drafting and developing young studs, now its obsolete. Im trading all my pitching studs to Steve for utter domination purposes.