Free Ballin’

I just wrote an email that I’m sending to Henry Abbott and Bill Simmons.  In the email, I provide them (and now you) with the definitive solution to the sucky NBA officiating.  I’m posting it here in epistolary form, not because I’m too lazy to re-format; it’s just how I roll. ************* SOLUTION TO NBA [...]

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Henry Abbott’s assessment of David Stern’s comments is clear and thoughtful.  Abbott and I also have the same problem with David Stern’s statements: Stern says the league is great shape in all respects and yet somehow the teams will lose around $400 million this year.  One comment Abbott made caught my attention: “What’s a fair [...]

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Stern spent the first few minutes of the press conference talking about how well the league had been doing – which he always does – especially internationally – which he always always always does.  The whole world is embracing the NBA, yadda yadda.  He even said that the Association’s revenue hadn’t been hit as hard [...]

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If Amar’e Stoudemire goes to Cleveland, it would seemingly increase the chances that LeBron will stay in Cleveland.  And who wants that?  I mean, I know a guy from Columbus Ohio, but other than him, who wants that?  If Amar’e sticks in Phoenix, he’ll be pissed, LeBron will be pissed, Wade will be pissed, and [...]

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I’m not quite sure what to make of the Mavericks.  Their top five players have a lot of talent, but only Dirk is presently in top form.  He’s a machine and doesn’t seem to have aged a bit since their Finals run in ’06.  But Kidd, Marion, Terry, and Howard have all had better days.  [...]

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I avoid reading deeply into advanced basketball metrics the way little kids avoid booster shots or broccoli: I’m told they’re good for me, but they hurt, and taste lousy.  Also, since much of the readily accessible stuff that passes for advanced metrics (like John Hollinger’s PER) is complete and utter bullsh*t, and the stuff being [...]

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I’m an optimist.  When I was six and the Princess in Voltron dove into the pool and her top surfaced before she did, I was fairly confident that something wonderful was about to happen, network television or not.  I’m even confident that there are women somewhere in the world (somewhere) who might be a little [...]

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I wrote about Michael Beasley the other day when Miami played the Trailblazers, and might almost submit that post alone to summarize the Miami Heat.  But they have more going for them than just Beasley’s assent.  They’ve only got $24 million in salary committed next season plus a raise in Wade’s new contract assuming he [...]

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HOUSTON ROCKETS: Is there any doubt that the Rockets are going to set a record for taking charges?  Well, of course there has to be some doubt, unless you know where one can find charges-drawn stats, current and historical; I don’t.  Whatever the case, drawing charges is clearly a huge part of their defensive strategy, [...]

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It doesn’t have to be a great game to get my attention.  Last night’s Trailblazers/Heat matchup was competitive, but nothing special.  Watching Greg Oden and Michael Beasley go at each other, on the other hand, was sensational. Amid a bevy if impressive sequences, the most significant play of the game to me (in a big [...]

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