whitesoxfan99

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 11:24 AM) I don't disagree. He's really struggling right now. But I'm not saying your 7th inning scenario doesn't also involve pressure or require stones. I'm just saying closing is different. Obviously, its just my opinion and I've never done either, but I've heard lots of baseball say so over the years. I'm not saying there is nothing to it at all, but I just don't buy that a guy like Thornton who has pitched in so many high leverage situations and was a dominant reliever is suddenly struggling because he is pitching in the 9th inning. I am concerned about him for sure but it doesn't have anything to do with his mindset for pitching in the 9th inning.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 11:26 AM) The Sox had the best record in the AL, the Hawks have the 8th most points in the West, big difference. Obviously Vancouver should win this series, I just don't see it being a quick one, this series will go 6 or 7 imo, hopefully the Hawks can pull it out. And while they didn't play great baseball for a decent portion of August and September they did win 8 of their last 10 games and had righted the ship going into the playoffs with a dominant pitching staff.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 10:54 AM) Rafael Furcal. That's a name I don't think I heard once last season. He actually played extremely well when he was healthy last year. But he only played in 97 games.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 07:27 AM) Apparently it was to his teammates too. Baylor might be pretty damn good this year. One of the more athletic teams in the country Insert "maybe he didn't want to take a pay cut joke" here.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 09:56 AM) Can anyone recall a lights-out closer who transitioned from an extended, multi-year "apprenticeship" as a set up man, like Thornton? I honestly can not (I thought maybe the Nasty Boys, but I think they were mostly always interchangeable). There have got to be a few, but it seems like most of the best either got thrown right into the fire, converted from starting, or set up for no more than a year. Latroy Hawkins has been cited here as an example of a failed transition, and I'm wondering how often it’s done successfully. As has been said, I think there is a huge difference between innings 7-8 and 9, and mental intangibles (or just plain gonads) are a key to closing. Unfortunately, they have to be tested under fire, and 0 for your first 3 = a failing grade. So gonads is a key to closing but not coming in in the 7th inning of a run game with the bases loaded? With the way Thornton is pitching right now he would be struggling just as much in the 7th or 8th as in the 9th. He isn't locating his pitches and his velocity is down.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 12, 2011 -> 07:36 AM) And you don't get a Hold for a game where you come in while it's tied or while you're down by 1 either. I would bet he has also come in with runners on base far more often then a typical closer would which also drastically increases the chances of getting a blown save.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 10, 2011 -> 06:43 PM) This 3rd period is going to be scary. What channel?

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 8, 2011 -> 09:35 PM) Was not expecting this round today from Tiger. Golf is just more interesting with him near the top. Like him or hate him. I'm pulling for him for some reason. Probably just to counter act all the haters. It really is and with McIlroy, Day and Fowler all in the mix you also have the future of golf all vying for the title. Should be fun.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 8, 2011 -> 04:54 PM) Problem is that the coaching race is closer. How can you leave out a guy like Popovich considering he's working with 3 geriatric patients and still has the best record in the league? Or a guy like Doug Collins who has a bunch of nobodies in the playoffs? Or even Karl who lost his best player and has been going on a nice run? Thibodeau has been great (best first year for a coach ever right?), but I wouldn't be nearly as pissed if someone else wins than if someone else wins the MVP award. I'm with you, I think Thibs should win it, but IMO that's a closer race than MVP. I think improving a playoff team into a title contender is substantially more impressive than getting a mediocre team into the playoffs although Collins has done a great job. Popovich is the only other guy who I would even consider.

There are legitimate arguments against Rose winning the MVP but I'm going to be pissed if Thibodeau doesn't win coach of the year. His defensive philosophies are simply incredible and has been the biggest reason for the Bulls improvement this year (obviously Rose becoming a legit superstar played a large part as well).

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 8, 2011 -> 09:27 AM) Boston just isn't that scary since the Perkins trade, everyone knew it was a dumb trade and it's certainly turned out to be one. Definitely think we're heading towards a Bulls-Heat ECF. Agreed and with home court the Bulls have a good chance of making the NBA finals. I still can't get over just how stupid that Perkins trade was. Usually when a trade ends up badly a team makes it to improve their team in the present and gives up a young talented player who ends up a stud. Rarely do you see a trade that just makes no sense whatsoever at the time it was made that significantly downgrades a championship caliber team and a move that hurts that teams matchup with the other two premier teams in their conference. The Celtics biggest advantage against the Heat was size and they lost that when they made that trade and they obviously matched up much better with the Bulls when they had a legit defensive inside presence.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 7, 2011 -> 08:52 AM) I'm sure both will be slightly enjoyable comedies. 'Get Him to the Greek' was surprisingly good, so who knows with 'Arthur'. These two movies are basically being universally panned though and Get Him to the Greek actually got good reviews.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Apr 6, 2011 -> 10:39 AM) I watched Dark City last night. I believe it was on the recommendation of qwerty. It was great and I might have liked it more than Inception. You're welcome. And I definitely like it better than Inception.

QUOTE (hitlesswonder @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 04:17 PM) Well who knows what will happen. The Frazier/Meacham backcourt team was good out of nowhere so crazy stuff can happen. In fact if you want a slim thread of hope, it's possible Griffey with his ability to hit a jump shot is a better fit for Weber's offense anyway. And hopefully there will be fewer teammate face punchings. That team also featured a front court that was also very unproven and had less upside than next year's front court.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 03:31 PM) So what does that do to Illinois' starting lineup next year? Richardson and Paul are the go to guys with some combination of unproven guys in the frontcourt. How many freshmen start? Maniscalco, Richardson, Paul, Shaw/Griffey/Egwu/Henry, Leonard. Lot of talent on the roster still but who the hell knows how it will come together. Maniscalco and Abrams will split time at PG, Paul and Richardson should be the go to guys with Head, Henry and maybe Bertrand backing them up at the wings. The PF and C positions are huge question marks. Leonard and Egwu both have huge upsides but who knows how good they will be next year. I think Shaw should be at least solid, he will be able to defend and rebound from the get go. Henry will see some time at the 4 if they want to go small. Griffey showed flashes as a freshman but he was unbelievably bad this year.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 03:33 PM) HAHA, Jereme Richmond what a turd. There is no way he is a lottery pick. I actually think though by him getting drafted late in the first round by a strong team, he will benefit. But I will curious to see how long he lasts in the NBA with his attitude and mediocre game. I would be absolutely shocked if he is a first round pick. It is more likely he isn't drafted at all than he goes in the first round.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 03:23 PM) I really want to know who advices that moron in life. How does he stay committed to Illinois for 4 years and then leave after such a crappy season? He's not even projected to get drafted in the first round. He's a 2nd round fringe kind of player right now. I also want to know details about the suspension, and that crap back during the Wisconsin trip. What a waste. Frankly as much as I made fun of him for going pro, I'm not sure he had any other real option.

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 03:15 PM) This kid has got nothing but bad advice since before he was in high school. Such a waste. Oh well now I officially have no expectations for next year. There still is a lot of talent on the perimeter but without Richmond the interior could be an absolute mess. Have to hope that Griffey and Leonard find their games and that at least a couple of Shaw, Henry and Egwu are ready to play big minutes as freshmen.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 5, 2011 -> 03:09 PM) did Richmond sign with an agent? Not yet but he is gone.

Jereme Richmond declares for the NBA. Well I hope he enjoys Europe because there is a pretty good chance he doesn't get drafted. Although I'm guessing he didn't have much choice in the matter and wasn't going to be welcomed back next year by the university.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 4, 2011 -> 09:32 PM) Even on some of the teams that lost the title games. Agreed. I just didn't feel like listing nearly every team that played in the final 4 prior to the last two years with a few exceptions here or there.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Apr 4, 2011 -> 09:10 PM) Moving your feet is now a charge, if Howard is involved. This is just brutal. Both the charge calls that went against UConn were incorrect. This game is laughably bad.

I'm absolutely furious that one of these teams is going to win a title but the 04-05 Illini didn't. I'm turning this s*** off soon. There is just no skill on the floor. I know these teams are good defensively but there are also simply no players who can make plays.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 4, 2011 -> 08:52 PM) If possible, it's getting worse. I was telling my brother the other day that Walker and Mack are probably the only players in this game that would start for any of the teams in the 08 Final 4 or for UNC or Illinois in the championship game from 04-05, Florida in either of their title years, UNC in 09 etc.

This game blows. I remember when good teams used to play for the championship.