I forgot to post my NBA Playoff picks here yesterday sorry I'm a little late. I'm not going to change my mind based on the few games that have been played today.
In the east:
Chicago over Philadelphia. Obviously with Derek Rose this would have been completely different, but I still like Chicago to prevail despite Rose's ACL tear.
Miami over New York. The Knicks have as good a chance as anyone to knock of the Heat, but they rely so heavily on the Three that most games are going to be blowouts in either victory or defeat.
Indiana over Orlando. Orlando doesn't have much of a chance without Dwight Howard against a very deep Indiana team despite their lack of a go to guy.
Atlanta of Boston. Boston is really banged up right now, and lack the depth to really challenge the Hawks in this series.
In the West:
San Antonio over Utah. Utah is going to have to get monster performances from Al Jefferson to have a chance at knocking off San Antonio. Last season Memphis exposed their interior with Zach Randolph, does Jefferson have that big game potential?
Dallas over Oklahoma City. Yes this is a big stretch taking Dallas over OKC, however the Mavericks actually match up well with Kevin Durant and company. Dallas is needing monster performances from Dirk Nowitzki, but over the last decade when have they not? Just another day at the office for Dirk pulling off a second round birth a long hard fought series is my guess.
Lakers over Denver. Denver has a good match up with the Lakers, but it is too hard to count out the black mamba Kobe Bryant. If Andrew Bynum can continue to own the paint the Lakers will be very tough to beat.
Memphis over Clippers. Memphis will over power this defensively challenged Clippers team. The Clippers will struggle in the 4th quarter without a legitimate go to guy other than Chris Paul. Blake Griffin isn't capable of being counted on down the stretch because of horrific free throw shooting and a lack of offensive versatility.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Don't Bury Joe Nathan yet
Sports fans have embraced the what have you done for me lately attitude, giving no one a chance to have a rough patch or a bad outing. As soon as anything goes wrong they are calling for a player to be added to the starting line up, pitching rotation, to be the new closer, etc. This is also referred to as backup quarterback syndrome, and no saying is more true than the grass is always greener on the other side.
People are already calling for Rangers closer Joe Nathans head. Ready to replace him with set up men, Mike Adams or Alexi Ogando. Adams, and Ogando have both converted saves on off days for Nathan and that has furthered the cries for him to be replaced. The Rangers already feature a strong bullpen with Nathan at closer, Adams and Ogando as setup men, Uehara and Lowe as middle men, rookie Robbie Ross as the lone left hander, and Scott Feldman at long man.
Nathan has a proven track record as a closer which gives Nathan the edge over guys who have had success but never as a closer in Adams and Ogando. He has saved 263 games in his career and has done it for playoff teams in Minnesota in the past. He's comfortable in that role and the Ranger bullpen is strongest right now with him in that role. Ron Washington might have to continue to give Nathan days off until he is ready to close three days in a row on occasion. With the strength of the Rangers bullpen there isn't a problem giving Nathan the occasional day off. Ogando and Adams will be able to close on occasion when Nathan is not available with Uehara and Lowe setting up.
Two bad games don't define a season for a pitcher, and one "bad game" was a lone homerun. A common expression used in baseball is that this is the only sport where you can fail 7 times out of 10 and be considered great. This applies here to Joe Nathan, no he can fail 7 out of ten times when it comes to saving games, but he is going to have an occasional rough outing. No one is perfect, Joe Nathan is human and is going to have an occasional struggle, but now is not the time to give up on your closer when the season is only 8 games old.
Baseball is a long season, and it is tough to not overreact. Over the course of a 162 game season the Rangers seem more comfortable than not with handing the ball to Nathan in the 9th inning with a 3 run lead or less to protect.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Ready to give up on Moreland?
It's hard to believe that Rangers fans are ready to throw Mitch Moreland Under the bus and look for another option. First of all this is going to be his second full season in the majors. Which is a little premature to give up on the young first-baseman. Last year we found out he was dealing with an injured wrist that limited his production and eventually led to offseason surgery. How can you not respect a guy for playing through the pain and playing his heart out to help his team win the American league pennant?
The Rangers front office seems to think that he is poised to have a breakout year, and at the very least a very solid season to help this franchise. Don't believe what they said? The proof shows from the front offices lack of attempt to sign Prince Fielder who clearly wanted to play baseball at The Ballpark in Arlington.
Not to mention the Rangers aren't dealing with Chris Davis anymore. Moreland doesn't strike out as much as Davis, and doesn't chase horrible pitches. Chris Davis was a better defensive player. Moreland is no slouch but first base ins't a position where you play a lights out defensive player. Moreland is a patient batter who never gives in to a pitcher. Now that he is healthy and will be getting regular at bats against right handed pitchers we should see a very solid year out of Moreland.
The last thing to consider is that with the star studded Ranger line up they don't need Prince Fielder type production out of Moreland to continue to win. Sure that would be a huge bonus to add that presence to the line up, but Moreland is batting 9th on this team. So before jumping off the wagon remember his role on this team, and that he is a solid regular on any ball club. If he is good enough to start for a Juggernaut of an offensive team he would be playing for the other teams in the league as well. Patience, Moreland uses it at the plate. Try using it before giving up on the kid.
The Rangers front office seems to think that he is poised to have a breakout year, and at the very least a very solid season to help this franchise. Don't believe what they said? The proof shows from the front offices lack of attempt to sign Prince Fielder who clearly wanted to play baseball at The Ballpark in Arlington.
Not to mention the Rangers aren't dealing with Chris Davis anymore. Moreland doesn't strike out as much as Davis, and doesn't chase horrible pitches. Chris Davis was a better defensive player. Moreland is no slouch but first base ins't a position where you play a lights out defensive player. Moreland is a patient batter who never gives in to a pitcher. Now that he is healthy and will be getting regular at bats against right handed pitchers we should see a very solid year out of Moreland.
The last thing to consider is that with the star studded Ranger line up they don't need Prince Fielder type production out of Moreland to continue to win. Sure that would be a huge bonus to add that presence to the line up, but Moreland is batting 9th on this team. So before jumping off the wagon remember his role on this team, and that he is a solid regular on any ball club. If he is good enough to start for a Juggernaut of an offensive team he would be playing for the other teams in the league as well. Patience, Moreland uses it at the plate. Try using it before giving up on the kid.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Texas Rangers Game 1 and 2
The Texas Rangers had everything line up perfectly in game 1 of the season. They got 6 innings out of starter Colby Lewis and were able to hand a lead to the lights out back end of the bullpen to preserve the lead. Alexi Ogando struck out the side in the 7th, Mike Adams in the 8th, and Closer Joe Nathan closed it out in the 9th inning for a 3-2 victory.
Game 2 the rangers got 6 innings from starter Derek Holland and brought the bullpen on with a 3-3 tie. Alexi Ogando pitch a scoreless seventh, Mike Adams a scoreless 8th, and Joe Nathan gave up the game winning homerun in the 9th.
Two games almost two identical scenario's but two completely different outcomes. First off don't crucify Joe Nathan yet. Closers always seem to pitch worse when they aren't protecting a lead. He should have held on to the tie, but not everyone is perfect. Nathan is throwing the ball well except for one fastball right down the middle.
The offense hasn't clicked yet. Everyone knows before it is all said and done that the Rangers will be scoring more than 3 runs per game. This isn't the Seattle Mariners line up. The Ranger sluggers just missed several pitches that normally would have gone for extra bases. World Series star Mike Napoli wasn't able to come through with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the eight as we saw many times last year.
Only two games in it seems early to make judgements on this team but with the pitching, deep batting order, and the strong back end of the bullpen this team has a good shot to be right back in the World Series come October.
Game 2 the rangers got 6 innings from starter Derek Holland and brought the bullpen on with a 3-3 tie. Alexi Ogando pitch a scoreless seventh, Mike Adams a scoreless 8th, and Joe Nathan gave up the game winning homerun in the 9th.
Two games almost two identical scenario's but two completely different outcomes. First off don't crucify Joe Nathan yet. Closers always seem to pitch worse when they aren't protecting a lead. He should have held on to the tie, but not everyone is perfect. Nathan is throwing the ball well except for one fastball right down the middle.
The offense hasn't clicked yet. Everyone knows before it is all said and done that the Rangers will be scoring more than 3 runs per game. This isn't the Seattle Mariners line up. The Ranger sluggers just missed several pitches that normally would have gone for extra bases. World Series star Mike Napoli wasn't able to come through with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the eight as we saw many times last year.
Only two games in it seems early to make judgements on this team but with the pitching, deep batting order, and the strong back end of the bullpen this team has a good shot to be right back in the World Series come October.
A Tale of Two Seasons
It seemed like Dallas was able to win almost every close game last season on their unbelievable run to become NBA champions. However this year things couldn't be more different. Last season it seemed as if every play down the stretch of a close game went the Mavericks way. The execution during crunch time was absolutely perfect.
This season they have played in 20 games decided by 5 points or less. In those games they have gone 9-11. The team is struggling to execute down the stretch mainly on the offensive end, but the defense isn't always spectacular. Tonight against the Grizzlies the Mavs had several bad turnovers towards the end of the 4th quarter, two by Nowitzki and one by West on the last possession really stand out. Not having Jason Kidd might have attributed to the struggles protecting the ball, but that doesn't excuse the other close losses where he was in the line up.
Nowitzki and Terry are two of the best 4th quarter scorers in the NBA and they are the reason why the Mavs are in so many close games. However when the defenses really tighten down on those two who is going to step up and become the very important third scorer that is desperately needed? This is where the loss of JJ Barea is really hurting Dallas. The Mavericks are hoping that the combination of Delonte West and Roddy Beaubois will be able to replace him.
Without a legitimate third option are the Mavs going to be able to compete in the playoffs? Are they even good enough to make the playoffs seems like a more realistic question. In addition to struggling on offense the Mavs have been getting terrorized inside. After Brendan Haywood steps out and the Mavs have to look to Mahinmi and Brandan Wright to provide back up center minutes and even leaning on Nowitzki in a limited role. They have trouble protecting the paint. The Zone defense with those guys playing center is going to have to be very effective.
With only a limited number of games left and playoff spot on the line is there really enough time for this Mavericks team to get straightened out and ready to compete and defend their championship? Because this is a veteran team as long as they get into the playoffs anything can happen, and with Nowitzki leading this team they shouldn't have trouble getting in to the playoffs. The struggle will be getting on a roll and being able to advance in the playoffs.
This season they have played in 20 games decided by 5 points or less. In those games they have gone 9-11. The team is struggling to execute down the stretch mainly on the offensive end, but the defense isn't always spectacular. Tonight against the Grizzlies the Mavs had several bad turnovers towards the end of the 4th quarter, two by Nowitzki and one by West on the last possession really stand out. Not having Jason Kidd might have attributed to the struggles protecting the ball, but that doesn't excuse the other close losses where he was in the line up.
Nowitzki and Terry are two of the best 4th quarter scorers in the NBA and they are the reason why the Mavs are in so many close games. However when the defenses really tighten down on those two who is going to step up and become the very important third scorer that is desperately needed? This is where the loss of JJ Barea is really hurting Dallas. The Mavericks are hoping that the combination of Delonte West and Roddy Beaubois will be able to replace him.
Without a legitimate third option are the Mavs going to be able to compete in the playoffs? Are they even good enough to make the playoffs seems like a more realistic question. In addition to struggling on offense the Mavs have been getting terrorized inside. After Brendan Haywood steps out and the Mavs have to look to Mahinmi and Brandan Wright to provide back up center minutes and even leaning on Nowitzki in a limited role. They have trouble protecting the paint. The Zone defense with those guys playing center is going to have to be very effective.
With only a limited number of games left and playoff spot on the line is there really enough time for this Mavericks team to get straightened out and ready to compete and defend their championship? Because this is a veteran team as long as they get into the playoffs anything can happen, and with Nowitzki leading this team they shouldn't have trouble getting in to the playoffs. The struggle will be getting on a roll and being able to advance in the playoffs.
Jason Terry contract talk aggravating?
A lot of people are getting all hot and bothered by the JET's continuous contract talk. Yes, he said he would consider playing in Miami next year. He would consider playing anywhere. The guy wants to be a Maverick for life. He wants to retire here. He has repeatedly said that. Hearing him talk about playing for other teams isn't and shouldn't bother anyone.
Where and when fans should get upset is if he signs with a team like Miami for the mini mid-level exception contract that he would be able to sign in Dallas. If he stay with Dallas for the full mini mid-level exception he would make about 2.5 to 3 million dollars per year. If he leaves to go play for another team offering 8 mil or so per year why would you be upset with him for doing that? That's pretty much a no brainer. The first scenario is what would be riles up the Mavs faithful who have cheered Jason Terry through the ups and all of his downs.
He told us pictured above at the gas station a couple of months ago, the same thing he has repeatedly told the media. He wants to be back next year. He wants to retire here. That's his hope, but it's not entirely up to him. The Mavs are going to have to make it worth his while. Don't abandon the JET. The Mavs need to him to make the playoffs, and advance deep into them.
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