whitesoxfan101

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jan 11, 2006 -> 01:08 PM) Well actually I'm teetering from not getting my hopes up for a berth, to now believing we have a legitamate chance, especially with the ACC being down. I thought this team would struggle alot on the road, but they actually have played well, outside of 25 turnovers last game. Yeah, and plus the Heels are very balanced. Hansbrough is a STUD who is difficult to handle for anybody, you get very solid work from the upperclassmen Noel and Terry, who have both REALLY stepped up as they have finally got big minutes this year, and the rest of the young crew, although not putting up huge numbers, are solid contributors. Roy has done as good a job coaching this team as any I can remember going back to when he first got to Kansas. Although I'm an Illini fan, I like Roy and respect the job he does as a coach, so I can't really dislike UNC....even after last year.

I'm Lutheran and a regular church goer, and I notice no political influence at all at church to be honest. Maybe that's why I like my church so much though....it's not common.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) Man, nobody wants to play VT this year. They have some crazy athleticism with plenty of ballhandling and will pull a few big upsets this year. Meanwhile, Roy has coached UNC to 10-2 now, and 2-0 on the ACC. I'm teetering on the fence about getting my hopes up for a tournament berth, as I know this team will lose a few that they shouldn't have with the inexperience. But its a hell of alotta fun watching them try. You need to loosen up man. You guys might lose a stupid game or two like the USC one due to youth, but your a real good team in general, and will win 20 or 21 games and go dancing.

That article really does say it all. I didn't even know they had a press conference until I read it though.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 11, 2006 -> 09:23 AM) I think Cubs management had put out a clear signal: We will continue to fill the ballpark, and if the team on the field gets lucky and makes the playoffs, so be it. If they dont, well, we will fill up the stadium next year. Yep, that's the Cubs mission statement these days. And I find it funny that the Cubs would even CONSIDER contract extensions for Hendry and Baker. There may not be a duo in the league as clueless at GM and manager than those 2.

QUOTE(DukeNukeEm @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:52 PM) good for Herm. Lets say youre coaching the Broncos, for instance, and the Bears have a coaching vacancy. You have always dream to coach the Bears, and now they say they want you. Punch my ticket to Chicago please. I definitely agree with this....I don't blame him for going to KC. I just think he's a bad coach, yet for some reason nobody calls him out for it.

Josh Fields, your table will be ready in the not too distant future.

Misery with an amazing turnaround, this is great!! Now Quinny Poo might stay after all!! Plus, the beatdown of them in Stl. by the Illini looks better and better every day. Go Tigers!! Oh, and Kentucky f***ING SUCKS......Tubby Smith seat is getting warmer by the day. A 57-52 loss at home tonight to Vandy. Vandy has a nice team, but UK is now 10-5 (0-2) and just looks hapless.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 06:13 PM) You must have missed this part of my post: Have you looked at some of the contracts given out to big men lately on the strength of defense and rebounding (whether it be upside or what they have are currently accomplishing)? And who prefaces something with you just lost the argument after their point about "market dication" is proven to be inaccurate because of the sizeable difference between what big men demand vs. what perimiter and mid-range defenders demand? Who does that? And last year, Jim O'Brien wasn't using Dalembert correctly, and guess what? People were talking s***, and I was defending him the entire time. And Dalembert "gives a damn", unlike Tyson, right? This is why I asked you if you were an NBA fan as opposed to a Bulls fan. Do you know Big Ben's history? He bounced around from team to team before he landed in Detroit. HE WASN'T BEING UTILIZED PROPERLY. Ain't that a strange concept? Read between the lines. Chandler is playing out of position. He ain't getting minutes. Last year, as a member of the "closing squad" that went on defensive runs in the 4th quarter, Tyson was really starting to take off. We didn't hold teams to the lowest FG% against in the NBA on the strength of our good looks, now did we? Chandler was a huge part of that. These are all very valid points, and you obviously know what your talking about (including Tyson being out of position) but I simply don't think you give a max contract (is it max? I think it is...or is very close) to a guy who is only a factor on one end of the floor, or half of the game. That's my opinion, and regardless of what arguments you make (although valid) my mind won't be changed. Oh, and Chris Paul is a GREAT player, and apparently tough, but he's still a f***ing douche. Between his b****ing to the refs and whining all game in Champaign because things weren't going his way, and his PATHETIC punching Julius Hodge in the sack during a close game to try and get him out, he proved to be a piece of s*** last year. BUT he's still a great PLAYER.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 04:50 PM) If you're trying to speak for me, you're wrong. I never speak for anybody, so nope not speaking for you.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 04:57 PM) Have you looked at some of the contracts given out to big men lately on the strength of defense and rebounding (whether it be upside or what they have are currently accomplishing)? Guys who can rebound and play defense in the paint have been getting huge contracts. Case in point: Slow-footed Adonal Foyle, Samuel Dalembert, Tyson Chandler, Ben Wallace and Joe Przybilla this summer, Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin to a lesser extent because they can score at a near competent level, etc. You're talking about perimiter and mid-range defenders with little to no scoring punch like Trenton Hassell, Raja Bell, Desmond Mason, Eric Williams, Earl Watson, Chris Duhon, Marcus Banks, etc. They can be had for less due to "market dictation", sir. Are you an NBA fan, or pretty much just a Bulls fan? You just lost the argument by comparing Ben Wallace, Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, and eve Samuel Dalembert to Tyson Freaking Chandler. Dalembert at least gives a damn and puts up double doubles almost every night, Martin and Camby are all star level when healthy, and Ben Wallace actually plays defense and rebounds EVERY GAME, not 3 times a month like Tyson. Plus, Big Ben has all star game appearances, an NBA Title ring, and has won NBA Defensive POY. No comparsion in any regard.

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 04:07 PM) I've panned Ty Willingham, so at least for me, race isn't the protective agent you make it out to be. Of course not in all cases, in fact, the majority of the time, race isn't a protective issue.....but it is here.

I think if his skin tone were a little lighter and he was less outspoken, people wouldn't be so afraid to call him out for being the mediocre coach he is.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 03:10 PM) My only question on Tyson's contract is this one...was there any other team prepared to offer him that much last season? It's the NBA, a league with the dumbest GM's of any sport by far, so probably....doesn't make the Bulls paying him that paper for that period of time any smarter though.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 03:19 PM) This was my first thought. In their primes, I think Goose was much more feared than Sutter. Goose needs to go in long before Lee Smith too as Smith had the advantage of twilight shadows at Wrigley for a lot of his playing days. Here's to hoping Bruce goes into the hall as a Cardinal. Agreed on all counts. And the 1982 World Series will be the reason Goose goes in as a Cardinal IMO.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 03:05 PM) And a few no-hitters on top of those strikeouts. So what, if one or two of the couple hard hit balls in each of those games land for hits instead of being caught for outs, he shouldn't be in the hall? It comes down to that, a couple breaks in an individual game? :headshake

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 02:33 PM) There is so much more to basketball that just scoring, but I agree that it's making baskets that puts asses in seats. I understand how the business works. While defense rules all without exception, I agree that guys like Samuel Dalembert and Tyson Chandler are making a little bit too much, as casual fans don't come out to see them. They want scoring, scoring, and more scoring. While I pity the fool that thinks along those lines, it's just reality. What?? It's about market dictation sir.....the market doesn't dictate the fact you have to pay a guy 12 million a year for 5 years to just play great defense. You pay scorers that kind of money, and get guys who play great defense for MUCH less. I agree defense is VERY important, but it doesn't cost that kind of money, which is why I consider Tyson's contract to be AWFUL.

Well done witesoxfan.....Nolan Ryan has always been VERY VERY overrated due to his longetivity, yet Blyleven is dissed for his. Although Ryan had a million strikeouts too, which is the main reason he's in the hall.

You don't give Tyson Chandler the contract he has for being a really good defender. If you can't score, you shouldn't get a GIANT deal like Tyson's, simple as that.

The question now is....does Sutter go in as a Redbird or a Flub? And damn, the other posts remind me of more names.....all these pitchers getting snubbed is lame.

Well deserved for Sutter, but Gossage and Blyleven should have got in as well. I'm still not sure how I feel on Rice and Dawson, but I lean towards yes moreso for Dawson than I do Rice.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 07:39 AM) Looking at his stats it appears the spots he can play are 3B, SS, 2B, and OF. He looks like a 25th guy at best, but honest question, what is so terrible about this guy, presuming if they sign him it's merely to compete for a bench job? He can't hit or field, and has no patience at the plate or arm in the field.... which is a bad combo of things for a position player.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 10, 2006 -> 12:24 AM) He's been playing much much better since entering the starting lineup. What a shocker that is!

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jan 9, 2006 -> 06:19 PM) That would be a BIG get. I can't wait to see the surprises Zook has up his sleeve between now and signing day on February 1st. I also can't wait to see just how many guys we sign, probably a number in the 30's...

Leon Freeman, a 6'4 2 guard/wing from Michigan and a class of 2006 prospect, has listed the Illini and Michigan State as his 2 favorites. He is a candidate for Mr. Basketball in Michigan, and is a Rivals 150 player (3 stars, #147) and a 4 star player on scout. Just another name in the several guards the Illini are looking at as potential spring signees in the class of 2006.