Twenty-four hours after Joe Paterno was dismissed from coaching the Penn State football team, many questions still linger about the entire child sexual abuse scandal.
If you don't know the entire details of Jerry Sandusky and his atrocious actions against defenseless children during and after his time as defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions, please visit the Harrisburg Patriot-News. The Patriot-News have done an amazing job during this week, and a lot of credit should its crime reporter, Sara Ganim.
Although the elite media outlets have only covered the Paterno story, the grand jury report and the Penn State student body protesting, Ganim reported on Sandusky in March and August, and has spoke to several victims and their families.
I have been extremely impressed by the Patriot-News coverage, and I agree with its editorial board that Paterno needed to be fired, and a clean house was necessary to remove the Nittany Lions' staff from this scandal.
With the main media fixated on focusing on Paterno, I think many questions still need to be answered before I can move on to other issues.
In 1998, Sandusky took an 11-year-old boy, that he met through his The Second Mile program, into the locker rooms and hugged him in the shower. After the incident, the young boy told his mother what happened after she saw his hair was wet from the shower. His mother went to the university police who investigated the incident. This incident led to Sandusky retiring from Penn State in 1999.
A few questions stem from this incident. It seems obvious Sandusky stepped down quietly to keep Penn State from having this scandal blow up in '99. But, the investigation led to zero charges being filed. Zero. How can a mother hear that her son was in a shower with a grown man, and not press any charges?
The mother now says she was advised to not talk to the press about the incident. My big question is did Penn State pay the mother to keep quiet? Are there any other reasons a mother wouldn't go absolutely crazy in this situation?
My next set of questions relate to the most popular victim, the one the then-graduate assistant, Mike McQueary, saw in the shower with Sandusky and told Paterno about afterwards. McQueary had an eyewitness account of Sandusky's heinous actions and I think did the right thing in telling his father and Paterno. Although he didn't call the authorities, you have to realize this guy wanted to be a coach after his football career at Penn State and probably looked up to Sandusky.
The next morning, McQueary told Paterno that he saw "inappropriate contact." Paterno told athletic director Tim Curley, who testified that he heard Sandusky, was "horsing around" but nothing further about inappropriate actions.
Many agree this was the first mistake by Penn State officials and Paterno. It's incomprehensible to me that they wouldn't take a simple phone call to the authorities to investigate the incident, no matter how good of a friend Sandusky was to them. You would also think McQueary or his father would have followed up to make sure this was being investigated in the upcoming days or weeks.
Curley was believe to have placed a ban on Sandusky for bringing children onto campus at some point right after that, however, that is false because Sandusky brought The Second Mile children on campus until 2008.
This is where more questions begin popping. Yes, this is where Paterno should have stepped in and told the proper authorities about Sandusky, especially if you see him still walking around with children. The more unasked question is did the Penn State program allow McQueary to become a coach if he didn’t press charges or extra coverage onto Sandusky? McQueary was promoted from graduate assistant to administrative assistant to following season. After one year as administrative assistant in 2003, McQueary was promoted once again to the Penn State coaching staff where he now serves as an assistant coach and wide receivers coach while being the recruiting coordinator. It's interesting how he got promoted so quickly after he witnessed this incident.
This situation gets even more interesting. Ray Gricar was the long-time DA for the Penn State area, and he went missing in 2005, after being presented with details of Sandusky's crimes in the 1998 grand jury investigation. Several months after going missing, Gricar's computer was found but it's hard drive was destroyed. Am I saying Gricar's disappearance is related to Sandusky? Not too confidently, but how hard and how far can Penn State sweep a scandal under the rug?
What would make me believe Gricar's disappearance was related to this scandal, would be the rumor presented by radio personality Mark Madden. It may be nothing more than a rumor and just regular gossip, but it is floating around that Sandusky was using boys from The Second Mile Foundation and "pimping" them out to rich donors. Could a DA go missing if he had information a child sex-ring at Penn State? I think this scandal would jump to Watergate levels if that is the case, but the jury is still out on that rumor.
Forty counts in trial and hundreds of questions still remain. Sandusky committed some of the most horrendous acts, and used his football connections to help himself out. Yes he is the main monster, but that doesn't change my mind about the simple phone call that Paterno, Curley and several other officials in the Penn State administration could and should have made.
I firmly believe Paterno knows more than he is letting on, and he is beyond more than guilty of just not alerting the authorities. Paterno held the most prestige around Penn State, and I'm sure this isn't the first scandal he got people to forget about. Paterno deserved to be fired, and until further notice, he still has a lot of questions to be answered.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Basketball returns to the Hilltop
Bradley basketball is back for another season. Here is the recap from the Braves' exhibition game against Wisconsin-Parkside.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Bradley baseball team still healing a year later
A year ago, Bradley baseball players received a text message at 7 a.m., to meet for a team meeting. Most of them can remember their disbelief when they heard teammate Phil Kaiser had passed away.
“We had no idea what was going on but just the look on the people’s faces when we got there is what really hit me,” junior pitcher Andy Johnson said. “When [the coaches] announced it, the silence said it all. Nobody knew what to say.”
Last Saturday marked the annual Bradley baseball alumni game, however it was also the last baseball game Kaiser played.
“It’s something that really, really hits home,” Bradley baseball coach Elvis Dominguez said. “I keep stressing to our [players] never to take anything for granted, and never put those things of importance behind anything material.”
Although a highly recruited baseball player, Kaiser will be remembered for his outgoing and energetic personality that reached much further than the baseball diamond.
“The quality that Phil had was the fact he always made people feel good after speaking, meeting, or spending time with him,” Dominguez said. “It was never about him, it was always about involving or engaging others and making them feel their best.”
Kaiser was a two-way player at Bradley, playing in the infield and as a relief pitcher.
“He really was like a mentor to me, and just helped me through my second year,” junior outfielder David Compitello said. “Just one of those guys that got along with everybody. He was really close to everybody, and made everyone feel good about themselves.”
Kaiser originally committed to Western Kentucky before switching to Bradley when Dominguez accepted the head coaching position in 2008.
“He would come in and trust me with anything other than what was going on in baseball,” Dominguez said. “He spoke to me, and looked at me as a father figure in a sense, and he’d always be sharing stuff that he probably wouldn’t share with a lot of other people. That’s something I will always remember.”
The baseball team received an outpour of support from other squads in the athletic department and all around campus.
“They have been tremendous and it speaks volumes for what kind of culture we have here, and not just the athletic department but throughout the university,” Dominguez said.
A year later, Johnson makes sure not to take a single day for granted.
“Now, I make sure to call my parents once a week, my grandma once a week, stay in touch with friends, because you just never know when life is going to change,” he said.
Although Compitello wasn’t extremely close to Kaiser, he was touched by his personality.
“It makes you open your eyes a little bit, and realize you only have four to five years here and you need to take advantage,” he said. “These guys [teammates] are going be your best friends and the fact that this happened, it showed we may need to hangout more often, more than just practice or lifting.”
Dominguez has coached collegiate baseball for 26 years, and says he now reminds his team more than ever to never take anything for granted, and to have an appreciation for all of your friends, family, and teammates.
“Phil was so visible, energetic and upbeat that he had an effect on more than baseball. That’s just the way he was.”
“We had no idea what was going on but just the look on the people’s faces when we got there is what really hit me,” junior pitcher Andy Johnson said. “When [the coaches] announced it, the silence said it all. Nobody knew what to say.”
Last Saturday marked the annual Bradley baseball alumni game, however it was also the last baseball game Kaiser played.
“It’s something that really, really hits home,” Bradley baseball coach Elvis Dominguez said. “I keep stressing to our [players] never to take anything for granted, and never put those things of importance behind anything material.”
Although a highly recruited baseball player, Kaiser will be remembered for his outgoing and energetic personality that reached much further than the baseball diamond.
“The quality that Phil had was the fact he always made people feel good after speaking, meeting, or spending time with him,” Dominguez said. “It was never about him, it was always about involving or engaging others and making them feel their best.”
Kaiser was a two-way player at Bradley, playing in the infield and as a relief pitcher.
“He really was like a mentor to me, and just helped me through my second year,” junior outfielder David Compitello said. “Just one of those guys that got along with everybody. He was really close to everybody, and made everyone feel good about themselves.”
Kaiser originally committed to Western Kentucky before switching to Bradley when Dominguez accepted the head coaching position in 2008.
“He would come in and trust me with anything other than what was going on in baseball,” Dominguez said. “He spoke to me, and looked at me as a father figure in a sense, and he’d always be sharing stuff that he probably wouldn’t share with a lot of other people. That’s something I will always remember.”
The baseball team received an outpour of support from other squads in the athletic department and all around campus.
“They have been tremendous and it speaks volumes for what kind of culture we have here, and not just the athletic department but throughout the university,” Dominguez said.
A year later, Johnson makes sure not to take a single day for granted.
“Now, I make sure to call my parents once a week, my grandma once a week, stay in touch with friends, because you just never know when life is going to change,” he said.
Although Compitello wasn’t extremely close to Kaiser, he was touched by his personality.
“It makes you open your eyes a little bit, and realize you only have four to five years here and you need to take advantage,” he said. “These guys [teammates] are going be your best friends and the fact that this happened, it showed we may need to hangout more often, more than just practice or lifting.”
Dominguez has coached collegiate baseball for 26 years, and says he now reminds his team more than ever to never take anything for granted, and to have an appreciation for all of your friends, family, and teammates.
“Phil was so visible, energetic and upbeat that he had an effect on more than baseball. That’s just the way he was.”
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Gaul leads BU soccer team to fast start
On the first day of classes this semester, a professor asked senior soccer player Bryan Gaul what he planned to do after graduation. Gaul said he wanted to play professional soccer and the professor laughed off Gaul’s remarks.
But nobody’s laughing anymore after Gaul has helped Bradley to a top-25 national ranking and a 4-0-2 record heading into this weekend’s Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic at Shea Stadium.
Gaul has led the Braves on the field with five goals, two assists, 12 points and three game-winning goals, in addition to being a leader of the team off of the field.
“Since I was about 9 or 10, I’ve really wanted to go pro,” Gaul said. “I’ve been playing for so long and putting the time in and time out of soccer.”
Although it is difficult to reach the professional ranks of any sport, Gaul’s coaches believe he has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“He does that thing that all great players do, make the players around him better,” said coach Jim DeRose. “When he gets the ball, he is just as electric as they come.”
Gaul, a forward from Naperville, has already been named a preseason All-American and national player of the week by CollegeSoccerNews.com and TopDrawerSoccer.com.
“Anytime, it doesn’t matter what sport, when you have a big-time scorer, he draws the attention of other players and confines their own games,” DeRose said. “He draws focus but still produces points.”
Gaul led his high school, Neuqua Valley, to a state tournament runner-up finish while earning all-state honors from both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun. He decided to play at Bradley after it earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament win and advanced to the national quarterfinals.
“I chose Bradley because I loved the stadium, I liked the team, they had a really good tradition and I wanted to be a part of it,” Gaul said.
Gaul expects his team to expand on their NCAA Tournament berth from last year and earn their first NCAA Tournament win since the 2007 season.
“We are building off of last year,” Gaul said. “We were really good last year but I think we are very good this year. We have more chemistry and just have a better team.”
Although Gaul has led the team in many statistical categories, he is also leading the Braves in numerous immeasurable ways.
“He’s willing to change his game if people are trying to take him out of the game,” DeRose said. “He’s not selfish to the point where he always wants to go be a ball magnet, he knows to drift away and take players away.”
While Gaul has created many highlight reel plays and scored game-winning goals in Bradley’s fast start to the season, coach DeRose’s favorite memory of Gaul hails from the team’s spring trip to Barbados.
“When you see the little kids go ‘oohh and ahhh’ and they watch him with the ball and all of a sudden – he was wearing number 7 in Barbados – and you can hear all of the Bajans go ‘number 7,’ ‘number 7’.”
But nobody’s laughing anymore after Gaul has helped Bradley to a top-25 national ranking and a 4-0-2 record heading into this weekend’s Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic at Shea Stadium.
Gaul has led the Braves on the field with five goals, two assists, 12 points and three game-winning goals, in addition to being a leader of the team off of the field.
“Since I was about 9 or 10, I’ve really wanted to go pro,” Gaul said. “I’ve been playing for so long and putting the time in and time out of soccer.”
Although it is difficult to reach the professional ranks of any sport, Gaul’s coaches believe he has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“He does that thing that all great players do, make the players around him better,” said coach Jim DeRose. “When he gets the ball, he is just as electric as they come.”
Gaul, a forward from Naperville, has already been named a preseason All-American and national player of the week by CollegeSoccerNews.com and TopDrawerSoccer.com.
“Anytime, it doesn’t matter what sport, when you have a big-time scorer, he draws the attention of other players and confines their own games,” DeRose said. “He draws focus but still produces points.”
Gaul led his high school, Neuqua Valley, to a state tournament runner-up finish while earning all-state honors from both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun. He decided to play at Bradley after it earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament win and advanced to the national quarterfinals.
“I chose Bradley because I loved the stadium, I liked the team, they had a really good tradition and I wanted to be a part of it,” Gaul said.
Gaul expects his team to expand on their NCAA Tournament berth from last year and earn their first NCAA Tournament win since the 2007 season.
“We are building off of last year,” Gaul said. “We were really good last year but I think we are very good this year. We have more chemistry and just have a better team.”
Although Gaul has led the team in many statistical categories, he is also leading the Braves in numerous immeasurable ways.
“He’s willing to change his game if people are trying to take him out of the game,” DeRose said. “He’s not selfish to the point where he always wants to go be a ball magnet, he knows to drift away and take players away.”
While Gaul has created many highlight reel plays and scored game-winning goals in Bradley’s fast start to the season, coach DeRose’s favorite memory of Gaul hails from the team’s spring trip to Barbados.
“When you see the little kids go ‘oohh and ahhh’ and they watch him with the ball and all of a sudden – he was wearing number 7 in Barbados – and you can hear all of the Bajans go ‘number 7,’ ‘number 7’.”
Friday, September 9, 2011
The New State of Sports Journalism
*Note: This column appeared in Bradley's student newspaper, so I just decided that I would share all of the columns that I write. If you would like to read more articles such as team previews and game recaps, you can visit bradleyscout.com, and usually I'll be in the sports section, although I will have a few news columns.
The New State of Journalism
BY BOBBY NIGHTENGALE
The fundamental role of journalists is to provide accurate, trustworthy, and objective articles to their readers.
But in the area of sports, why has that disappeared? Why are sports journalists more worried about being first and wrong than second and correct? Why is it that the finest sports journalists at the top newspapers, television stations, and magazines have chosen this path? Why are they not being held accountable?
It was just over a year ago that the LeBron James circus rolled through sports media and destroyed the integrity of some of the top journalists.
I remember the daily reports stating James was headed to the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A New York Times sports journalist reported less than two weeks before James’ televised decision that it was “a done deal” that James would head to Chicago.
This was not the only wrong report throughout the James’ coverage. Why wasn’t the public more outraged at all of these bogus sources and stories?
Although it’s enjoyable for journalists to break stories and earn recognition for their hard work, why couldn’t those same journalists name their anonymous sources to prove it was credible information?
Twitter and other various social media outlets have changed the way sports journalists will report forever. My complaints are not with social media because they are outstanding from a fan’s perspective to gain access to the players throughout the day and beyond press conferences.
However, sports journalists are no longer held to the same accurate and trustworthy reporting standards they were before the social media era.
Bloggers have also given sports journalists a new challenge because they don’t have the standards of reporting that professional journalists do. Blogs can run a speculative story based on a source that may not be close to the players or team and take the rewards of breaking a story without being reprimanded if they are wrong.
When the Chicago White Sox traded Edwin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays, a fan (an art director) first reported it on Twitter, after speaking with a player.
Although it may be frustrating for journalists to lose stories to bloggers and fans, it is their job to ensure their stories are as accurate and trustworthy as possible which gives me all the more reason to read their articles. I think they have failed in that aspect.
Recently, Chicago and national media members reported the White Sox had claimed Jim Thome and Jason Kubel from the Minnesota Twins off waivers, and had an opportunity to make a deal with the Twins to bring them to Chicago.
However, the sources were incorrect and the White Sox didn’t make any claims for Thome or Kubel.
Who is holding these inaccurate journalists responsible for making a mistake?
I understand mistakes happen, and some erroneous reports will circulate throughout the media, but I’m bothered by the fact that the top newspapers, television stations and magazines are all making these mistakes.
Worst of all, the public doesn’t fault them for it. Yes, some of the elite journalists abide by the old standards and work for truthful and accurate stories, whether that means they are breaking a story or double-checking facts. But they don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
As an aspiring journalist looking to enter the field of sports, I want to strive for trustworthiness above all else and although the times have changed, the standards have not. Readers shouldn’t settle for anything less.
The New State of Journalism
BY BOBBY NIGHTENGALE
The fundamental role of journalists is to provide accurate, trustworthy, and objective articles to their readers.
But in the area of sports, why has that disappeared? Why are sports journalists more worried about being first and wrong than second and correct? Why is it that the finest sports journalists at the top newspapers, television stations, and magazines have chosen this path? Why are they not being held accountable?
It was just over a year ago that the LeBron James circus rolled through sports media and destroyed the integrity of some of the top journalists.
I remember the daily reports stating James was headed to the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, and back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A New York Times sports journalist reported less than two weeks before James’ televised decision that it was “a done deal” that James would head to Chicago.
This was not the only wrong report throughout the James’ coverage. Why wasn’t the public more outraged at all of these bogus sources and stories?
Although it’s enjoyable for journalists to break stories and earn recognition for their hard work, why couldn’t those same journalists name their anonymous sources to prove it was credible information?
Twitter and other various social media outlets have changed the way sports journalists will report forever. My complaints are not with social media because they are outstanding from a fan’s perspective to gain access to the players throughout the day and beyond press conferences.
However, sports journalists are no longer held to the same accurate and trustworthy reporting standards they were before the social media era.
Bloggers have also given sports journalists a new challenge because they don’t have the standards of reporting that professional journalists do. Blogs can run a speculative story based on a source that may not be close to the players or team and take the rewards of breaking a story without being reprimanded if they are wrong.
When the Chicago White Sox traded Edwin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays, a fan (an art director) first reported it on Twitter, after speaking with a player.
Although it may be frustrating for journalists to lose stories to bloggers and fans, it is their job to ensure their stories are as accurate and trustworthy as possible which gives me all the more reason to read their articles. I think they have failed in that aspect.
Recently, Chicago and national media members reported the White Sox had claimed Jim Thome and Jason Kubel from the Minnesota Twins off waivers, and had an opportunity to make a deal with the Twins to bring them to Chicago.
However, the sources were incorrect and the White Sox didn’t make any claims for Thome or Kubel.
Who is holding these inaccurate journalists responsible for making a mistake?
I understand mistakes happen, and some erroneous reports will circulate throughout the media, but I’m bothered by the fact that the top newspapers, television stations and magazines are all making these mistakes.
Worst of all, the public doesn’t fault them for it. Yes, some of the elite journalists abide by the old standards and work for truthful and accurate stories, whether that means they are breaking a story or double-checking facts. But they don’t receive the recognition they deserve.
As an aspiring journalist looking to enter the field of sports, I want to strive for trustworthiness above all else and although the times have changed, the standards have not. Readers shouldn’t settle for anything less.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Interview with Taiwan Easterling
Taiwan Easterling, a 27th round pick by the Chicago Cubs in the 2011 draft, gave a couple minutes of his time for an interview. Easterling was a two-sport athlete at Florida State University, although he received much more playing time on the gridiron, playing as a WR for the Seminoles offense. Easterling passed on playing for a top-10 football team this fall to begin his professional baseball career.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Beltran traded to Giants
Carlos Beltran traded to SF
Zack Wheeler traded to NYM
I love this trade in favor of the San Francisco Giants. In an effort to defend their World Series championship last season, they had to add another bat after Buster Posey went down for the season in May, and the bats from last year disappeared. The Giants have scored the least amount of runs in the National League besides the lowly San Diego Padres.
The only prominent bats in the Giants lineup this year were Aubrey Huff and Pablo Sandoval. If they wanted to score runs off of the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the playoffs, they needed a bat that could wake up this offense. Beltran is the man to do that, bringing a bat that can hit .300 with 25 HR and 100 RBI. He would lead the Giants in all of those categories if he played with them for an entire season, and with pitchers attempting to go around him, it will only benefit Sandoval and Huff.
Also, the Giants will need Beltran to perform well on the big stage in the playoffs. He is a regular customer, hitting .366 with 11 HR and 19 RBI in 22 postseason games. Although Beltran is a free agent after the season, this rental is through October and if they can’t resign him, they will get a Type A free-agent compensation in the draft that could offset the loss of Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler is a major gain for the New York Mets farm system. Having said that, the Giants should be thrilled that they get to hold on to their center fielder for the future in Gary Brown. Brown possesses game-changing speeds, and with his ability to get on base, he will be the perfect leadoff man for the next 10-15 years once he reaches the Majors in the next two to three years. Wheeler was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, but he has shown some command problems in high-A ball. This season he has struck out 98 in 88 innings with his 94-97 mph fastball and strong changeup and curveballs, but he has also walked 47. Albeit he should develop into a strong #2 or #3 pitcher, the Giants are loaded with pitching and they were able to hold onto my projection the better prospect.
Other Trades:
Kosuke Fukudome traded to CLE
2 prospects traded to CHI
I think the Chicago Cubs got away with a fast one on this deal. As they are out of a playoff chase this season, they need to start building for the future and no better way to start than making regular playing time for Tyler Colvin. Although the Cubs only got two mid-level prospects, Fukudome is an impending free agent and I don’t think the Cubs were going to even make an offer to retain him. Thus, instead of getting possible Type-B compensation in next year’s draft, they make room for Colvin’s future.
The Cleveland Indians are in a free-fall after their hot start, but they still have a chance in the weak AL Central division. With Grady Sizemore landing on the disabled list again, Fukudome should be a decent bat at the top of the order to provide a spark and he should be an upgrade to Ezequiel Carrera. Although this is only a two-month rental, the Indians have a shot at the playoffs and credit to their front office for not giving up too much while still aiming for a shot to return to the top of the AL Central.
Colby Rasmus to TOR
Trever Miller to TOR
Brian Tallet to TOR
P.J. Walters to TOR
Mark Teahen to TOR
Edwin Jackson to STL
Marc Rzepcynski to STL
Octavio Dotel to STL
Corey Patterson to STL
3 players TBD/cash to STL from TOR
Jason Frasor to CWS
Zach Stewart to CWS
I paired all of these players as a part of a three-team deal after Toronto used both teams to improve upon its future. Chicago traded Teahen’s bad contract and a decent starter in Edwin Jackson but it doesn’t help them this season and has to make people question whether they believe they have a real shot at the playoffs. Frasor has been a decent reliever for the Blue Jays this season, but I’m not sure whether he is good enough to provide a significant upgrade to the White Sox bullpen. Zach Stewart has been traded to his third organization although he is graded as a top prospect. He strikes out a lot of hitters with his low-90s fastball, mid-80s slider, and a developing changeup. I think he projects to be more of a setup man or closer, but he is still a year away from contributing in the Majors.
Toronto has been regarded as the big winners in this three-team deal, and I must agree. Colby Rasmus has to potential to be a 20/20 outfielder and if they are going to compete with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees every season, they had to grab talent for the future. Trever Miller and Brian Tallet are not going to be a part of the Blue Jays in the future, but I like how they acquired P.J. Walters. Walters is going to be a great reliever for years to come with his ability to strikeout hitters with his 77-79 mph changeup that sinks and he forces a strong number of groundouts. Overall, Toronto did a great job to improve for their future without giving up much more than one prospect.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in it to win right now, and with no regards towards their future. Although if they lose Albert Pujols they won’t be at the top of the NL Central every season, they improved their bullpen with Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepcynski. Rzepcynski has been pitching well this season with his ability to force groundouts and has held opposing hitters to a .201 batting average. Dotel will never be the reliever and closer that he use to be but if the Cardinals can acquire Heath Bell, this will be a strong enough bullpen that should give them a strong chance to compete with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers for the division title.
Other hot targets:
B.J. Upton
A player that I though would command better offers but Upton has a strong possibility of staying with the Rays through the deadline. The Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest. The problem with Upton is that Hunter Pence is a cheaper alternative that some teams like more. Upton would bring a impact bat to the Atlanta Braves who will need more offense after Brian McCann went to the DL, but their front office doesn’t seem likely to part ways with a top prospect.
Heath Bell
There are numerous rumors stating that the Padres are frustrated that Bell hasn’t received better offers, and now may actually hold onto him and Mike Adams. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are in the mix to trade for him, with Bell preferring to go to the Cardinals to remain as the closer. The Cardinals also have the better farm system compared to the Rangers, but I will be surprised if the Padres hold onto Bell by the deadline.
Ubaldo Jimenez
Several teams are interested in the disappointing Jimenez, which makes you wonder how much interest he would have commanded last season. Although he isn’t having the greatest season, the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians are in favorites to make the trade. If the Yankees offer Jesus Montero, who would crush the ball at Coors Field, I think Jimenez is theirs, however, the Indians are the team that needs him the most if they want to compete for the AL Central.
Denard Span
Span has been the target by the Washington Nationals, and it would allow the Minnesota Twins to give more playing time to Ben Revere and open up a possible future for Aaron Hicks. However, the question is how much the Nationals would have to give up to acquire Span. With the prototypical leadoff man for the Nationals, the Twins want Drew Storen. According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals will not part ways with Storen, increasing the probability that Span will stay in a Twins’ uniform.
Zack Wheeler traded to NYM
I love this trade in favor of the San Francisco Giants. In an effort to defend their World Series championship last season, they had to add another bat after Buster Posey went down for the season in May, and the bats from last year disappeared. The Giants have scored the least amount of runs in the National League besides the lowly San Diego Padres.
The only prominent bats in the Giants lineup this year were Aubrey Huff and Pablo Sandoval. If they wanted to score runs off of the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the playoffs, they needed a bat that could wake up this offense. Beltran is the man to do that, bringing a bat that can hit .300 with 25 HR and 100 RBI. He would lead the Giants in all of those categories if he played with them for an entire season, and with pitchers attempting to go around him, it will only benefit Sandoval and Huff.
Also, the Giants will need Beltran to perform well on the big stage in the playoffs. He is a regular customer, hitting .366 with 11 HR and 19 RBI in 22 postseason games. Although Beltran is a free agent after the season, this rental is through October and if they can’t resign him, they will get a Type A free-agent compensation in the draft that could offset the loss of Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler is a major gain for the New York Mets farm system. Having said that, the Giants should be thrilled that they get to hold on to their center fielder for the future in Gary Brown. Brown possesses game-changing speeds, and with his ability to get on base, he will be the perfect leadoff man for the next 10-15 years once he reaches the Majors in the next two to three years. Wheeler was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, but he has shown some command problems in high-A ball. This season he has struck out 98 in 88 innings with his 94-97 mph fastball and strong changeup and curveballs, but he has also walked 47. Albeit he should develop into a strong #2 or #3 pitcher, the Giants are loaded with pitching and they were able to hold onto my projection the better prospect.
Other Trades:
Kosuke Fukudome traded to CLE
2 prospects traded to CHI
I think the Chicago Cubs got away with a fast one on this deal. As they are out of a playoff chase this season, they need to start building for the future and no better way to start than making regular playing time for Tyler Colvin. Although the Cubs only got two mid-level prospects, Fukudome is an impending free agent and I don’t think the Cubs were going to even make an offer to retain him. Thus, instead of getting possible Type-B compensation in next year’s draft, they make room for Colvin’s future.
The Cleveland Indians are in a free-fall after their hot start, but they still have a chance in the weak AL Central division. With Grady Sizemore landing on the disabled list again, Fukudome should be a decent bat at the top of the order to provide a spark and he should be an upgrade to Ezequiel Carrera. Although this is only a two-month rental, the Indians have a shot at the playoffs and credit to their front office for not giving up too much while still aiming for a shot to return to the top of the AL Central.
Colby Rasmus to TOR
Trever Miller to TOR
Brian Tallet to TOR
P.J. Walters to TOR
Mark Teahen to TOR
Edwin Jackson to STL
Marc Rzepcynski to STL
Octavio Dotel to STL
Corey Patterson to STL
3 players TBD/cash to STL from TOR
Jason Frasor to CWS
Zach Stewart to CWS
I paired all of these players as a part of a three-team deal after Toronto used both teams to improve upon its future. Chicago traded Teahen’s bad contract and a decent starter in Edwin Jackson but it doesn’t help them this season and has to make people question whether they believe they have a real shot at the playoffs. Frasor has been a decent reliever for the Blue Jays this season, but I’m not sure whether he is good enough to provide a significant upgrade to the White Sox bullpen. Zach Stewart has been traded to his third organization although he is graded as a top prospect. He strikes out a lot of hitters with his low-90s fastball, mid-80s slider, and a developing changeup. I think he projects to be more of a setup man or closer, but he is still a year away from contributing in the Majors.
Toronto has been regarded as the big winners in this three-team deal, and I must agree. Colby Rasmus has to potential to be a 20/20 outfielder and if they are going to compete with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees every season, they had to grab talent for the future. Trever Miller and Brian Tallet are not going to be a part of the Blue Jays in the future, but I like how they acquired P.J. Walters. Walters is going to be a great reliever for years to come with his ability to strikeout hitters with his 77-79 mph changeup that sinks and he forces a strong number of groundouts. Overall, Toronto did a great job to improve for their future without giving up much more than one prospect.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in it to win right now, and with no regards towards their future. Although if they lose Albert Pujols they won’t be at the top of the NL Central every season, they improved their bullpen with Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepcynski. Rzepcynski has been pitching well this season with his ability to force groundouts and has held opposing hitters to a .201 batting average. Dotel will never be the reliever and closer that he use to be but if the Cardinals can acquire Heath Bell, this will be a strong enough bullpen that should give them a strong chance to compete with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers for the division title.
Other hot targets:
B.J. Upton
A player that I though would command better offers but Upton has a strong possibility of staying with the Rays through the deadline. The Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest. The problem with Upton is that Hunter Pence is a cheaper alternative that some teams like more. Upton would bring a impact bat to the Atlanta Braves who will need more offense after Brian McCann went to the DL, but their front office doesn’t seem likely to part ways with a top prospect.
Heath Bell
There are numerous rumors stating that the Padres are frustrated that Bell hasn’t received better offers, and now may actually hold onto him and Mike Adams. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are in the mix to trade for him, with Bell preferring to go to the Cardinals to remain as the closer. The Cardinals also have the better farm system compared to the Rangers, but I will be surprised if the Padres hold onto Bell by the deadline.
Ubaldo Jimenez
Several teams are interested in the disappointing Jimenez, which makes you wonder how much interest he would have commanded last season. Although he isn’t having the greatest season, the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians are in favorites to make the trade. If the Yankees offer Jesus Montero, who would crush the ball at Coors Field, I think Jimenez is theirs, however, the Indians are the team that needs him the most if they want to compete for the AL Central.
Denard Span
Span has been the target by the Washington Nationals, and it would allow the Minnesota Twins to give more playing time to Ben Revere and open up a possible future for Aaron Hicks. However, the question is how much the Nationals would have to give up to acquire Span. With the prototypical leadoff man for the Nationals, the Twins want Drew Storen. According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals will not part ways with Storen, increasing the probability that Span will stay in a Twins’ uniform.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Vlog: Debt Ceiling speeches
On Monday night, President Barack Obama and John Boehner gave their speeches on the current debt ceiling situation. Here's my take:
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Bobby's World: July 23, 2011
Welcome to the first installment of my new weekly sports column “Bobby’s World.” I’m hoping to make this a regular column that will appear on my blog every Saturday afternoon, which will recap the week mainly in sports and a quick dabble in politics. Hopefully you will enjoy reading, and feel free to drop a comment on which sections that you like or dislike. I will probably be making plenty of changes to this column throughout the year.
Headlines
In this section, I’m just going to digest three-to-five headlines and give my two cents about them.
College sports: Pay for play?
Players are being investigated, and caught more than ever for accepting improper benefits, which is causing several major football and basketball programs across the nation to be sanctioned. The root of all these problems is the question, should college athletes be paid?
I don’t buy it. A scholarship suffices the need for 98 percent of college athletes, preventing them from breaking amateur rules and taking improper benefits. Yes, I agree it's tough for a player to turn down getting paid for an autograph, or receiving a free tattoo. But, what makes a college athlete entitled to receive more free benefits when they are already awarded a free college education?
In a time with more students taking student loans, high tuition prices, and a high average cost of living, I have no sympathy that an athlete is denied from making any extra money. If they are a special talent, they will turn to the professional ranks and make their money that way. Another problem with the “pay-for-play” idea is how would go about paying all of the college’s athletes. This argument was tailor-made for football and men’s basketball players, but what about volleyball, tennis, track, swimming, etc.?
Tim Tebow was the face at the University of Florida, and although his jersey was the number one sold at the school, he didn’t receive payments just because it was his jersey. If you argue that he should be paid because it is his jersey, do you think you will hear any sympathy arguments from the men and women who are working multiple jobs to pay for their college education? Do you think that the students that will be ridden with years of debt from student loans care if he is making any extra money?
Again, I don’t see the big reason for college athletes to be paid. If an athlete’s family is struggling to make it through this economy, I doubt he would be the only one on campus that is struggling.
The media has driven this issue up because of the numerous agents and athletes trying to sneak around the NCAA to make money, but they represent such a small portion of college athletes. They may be some of the most popular athletes, but they don’t represent every fish in the ocean.
Another idea on how to pay college athletes was suggested by Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun, highlighted in Pat Forde’s article against paying college athletes. Calhoun brought up the idea that athletes should be paid about a $2,000 stipend after they graduate. However, why should only athletes be rewarded for graduating? That should be expected because every other student in the school is striving for graduation as well.
I’m against preferential treatment for athletes and I don’t think that they should be paid. As the old commercial use to say, 99 percent of athletes turn professional in something other than sports. We shouldn’t change the rules for the one percent that are.
Dodgers are doomed
After moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the Dodgers are the royalty of the west coast. The most storied franchise in California has been dealt a major blow, possibly knocking them off of their throne. Although the Dodgers haven’t been as competitive in recent years, it is nothing compared to the embarrassment that the McCourt’s divorce is causing right now.
A Delaware judge ruled Friday that he would reject the Dodgers’ proposed $150 million bankruptcy financing plan, and MLB’s commissioner Bud Selig wrote a scathing letter towards owner Frank McCourt.
MLB rejected a multi-billion TV deal with Fox Sports that McCourt was hoping to use to pay off his debt. However, MLB didn’t want McCourt to be ending old debt with new debt and thus staying in the same position while also adding stress to its main television provider. Also Selig wanted the Dodgers to hold leverage, as its deal with Fox doesn’t expire until the end of 2012, which would make it an attractive luxury to any television provider.
Selig wrote to McCourt, “Despite your pledge to make the Dodgers the ‘best franchise in baseball,’ you are not selling the club’s media rights … to improve the club’s on-field performance, renovate Dodger Stadium or enhance the fan experience.” McCourt is also being investigated by the IRS specifically for his tax returns from 2006 to 2008.
McCourt does not want to negotiate with MLB because he believes that Selig is attempting to take control of the team and force a sale. Last week, McCourt fired former Dodger and San Diego Padre great Steve Garvey for plotting to become the next majority owner of the Dodgers.
McCourt is in a vicious divorce with his ex-wife Jamie, whom they fought for ownership of the Dodgers along with other important items.
The ones impacted by these proceedings are mainly the team and the fans. The Dodgers can’t be buyers in free-agency due to the problems with ownership and the fact that they can’t add any more money. Employees of the Dodgers have complained that some of their checks have been bouncing, which is not the publicity that storied franchise such as the Dodgers needs, and in this economy, won’t make many employees happy. The fans are suffering because the Dodgers aren’t competitive this season. Currently, Los Angeles is 13 games under .500 and 13.5 games back in the NL West division.
What is even more unfortunate for the Dodgers is their lack of a strong farm system. The only way that they will be able to improve in the next couple of years will be through trades and free agency. However, if they don’t have money to spend for the next year, they won’t be improving at all and will be falling behind the rest of the National League. Once this drama is settled, the new general manager is going to have a long and tall task ahead of him to improve the Dodgers, especially since Los Angeles isn’t the most patient town for production (unless you are the LA Clippers).
The Dodgers and their fans deserve much more than they are receiving right now from the ownership point of view. MLB should impeach Frank McCourt from owner of the team, and allow Mark Cuban or any other investor an opportunity to own the Dodgers, and give the team a better chance to compete on the field, increase the fan experience, and revitalize the storied history of the franchise.
Owners and NFLPA still don’t have a deal
After an owners vote Thursday, NFL fans began to get excited for the upcoming season, after NFL owners locked out their players on March 12th. Although there were several court rulings over last couple of months, fans waited patiently for the final good news that would start the season again. With the owners vote on Thursday, fans thought they finally heard the news they were waiting for.
Well unfortunately, the NFLPA was shocked at the owners vote and still are not as close as previously thought. Although the NFL season should start up soon, this labor dispute is ridiculous in my mind.
Unlike most of the other major sports, the NFL is on the meteoric rise. They made over $9 billion last year, and I don’t expect that number to fall any time soon. However, this dispute is more over how to split that $9 billion compared to the NBA, who is trying to make more money to break even for all of the teams losing money.
Everybody knew an NFL season was going to happen, there was too much to lose and not much to win with a prolonged dispute. Without a season, fans would flock to other sports (i.e. MLB’s strike in 1994 lost fans that still haven’t returned).
With a season, the NFL stands to make at least $9 billion more dollars to split between the two. However, my only problem is the fact that NFL owners and the NFLPA took so long to get close to a deal when really there is no losing side in this dispute.
Another problem I have with this dispute is the tactics that each other attempted to gain the side of the public. The owners approved nearly unanimously to the proposed CBA (collective bargaining agreement) on Thursday, which excited the fans. However, the NFLPA said the owners changed the terms of the proposed CBA and weren’t going to vote and explained, successfully, to the public that the owners were guilty of dirty tactics and shouldn’t be trusted.
I don’t know who is right in this argument and don’t have a side of the fence that I want to stand on. Its just this labor dispute has gone on far too long about nothing, and I, along with millions of fans, want to see the NFL underway. The NFLPA and owners should be less concerned on the winners of the future CBA in the public’s eyes, and more concerned about just playing football.
Blyleven and Alomar enter Hall of Fame
Two different sides of the spectrum will be entering the Hall of Fame Sunday. Roberto Alomar, one of the best second basemen in baseball history, garnered 90 percent of the votes in his second year of eligibility. On the other side, Bert Blyleven, one of the best strikeout pitchers with his devastating curveball, grabbed 79.7 percent of the vote in his 14th season on the ballot after missing the Hall of Fame by only five votes last year.
Alomar may have been robbed of an induction last year because of the incident in September of 1996 when he spit on an umpire. However, nobody can dispute the fact that Alomar is one of the best second basemen to play baseball with 12 consecutive All-Star appearances, 10 gold gloves, 2,724 hits, 474 stolen bases, and that he won two World Series.
Blyleven received little support when he first was up for vote for the Hall of Fame (17.5 percent and 14.1 percent in his first two years). Blyleven was only inducted into two All-Star games, and in the top-3 for the Cy Young Award twice. Although he struck out 3,701 batters, he won just over 53 percent of his games (287-250).
However, thanks to statistics beyond wins-and-losses, many voters saw Blyleven now as better pitcher than they did when he first entered the ballot. For this reason, it justifies the reason why players appear on the Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years (as long as they receive 5 percent of the vote).
Although both Hall of Famers entered at different perspectives from their careers, the voters made the right decision in voting both of them in. Alomar will always be one of the best second basemen that I had the pleasure of watching, and Blyleven, although I was never able to watch him pitch, showed that Sabermetrics (advanced baseball statistics), will be the new way players are judged on their careers.
Next year’s class may not have any players reach the coveted Hall of Fame with a weak incoming class. The best player eligible for the 2012 ballot is Bernie Williams, but he doesn’t have the numbers to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Barry Larkin should inch closer to the 75 percent vote that he needs to be inducted, but I think the 12-time All-Star may be forced to wait another two-to-four years.
Larkin deserves to enter the Hall of Fame but the upcoming classes bring in some big names that may steal the spotlight and votes from Larkin. In 2013, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling, and Sammy Sosa are going to collect all of the attention, especially Bonds and Clemens. It doesn’t ease up over the next three years (2014-2016) with the likes of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman, and Ken Griffey Jr. becoming eligible.
Games at a Glance
This spot in my column is to look at last week’s important games, and a look towards next week’s matchups that are worth paying attention to. Because it is the first week of this column, I will take a look at the MLB standings and give a quick breakdown before highlighting next week’s matchups.
AL East: The top two records in the American League belong to the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. No surprise there, but after a dismal start the Red Sox should be considered the favorite to win the AL pennant. The Tampa Bay Rays lurk from behind, but I think they are too far away (8.5 games) to make a run to the top.
AL Central: I’m shocked about how bad this division is this year. Detroit and Cleveland are at the top but both show signs that they could fade into the back at any moment. I think Detroit will stay at the top by the time the season ends. White Sox and Twins aren’t too far behind, but White Sox have better hitting that could heat up in time to provide an opportunity to win the division.
AL West: The Texas Rangers showed that losing Cliff Lee wasn’t the end of the world, and that they could return to the World Series. The L.A. Angels are doing much better than I thought they would fare this season, but I like Texas a little bit better due to last year’s experience.
NL East: The Philadelphia Phillies stand atop the division, which every person in the world thought they would. The Atlanta Braves are in prime position to win the wild-card, and should be able to pull it off after they have been so successful throughout injuries this season. Fredi Gonzalez has done an underrated job as manager for the Braves.
NL Central: This division has been awful this season, which means several teams have a chance to stand at the top by the end of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds are my favorites to battle it out because the Brewers have the firepower to compete every night and have solid pitching. The Reds’ have been inconsistent this season but they are completely capable of heating up to win this division easily. The Pittsburgh Pirates are the best story in baseball this year, but are still two years away for contending for a World Series, due to overachieving pitchers. The St. Louis Cardinals are in the mix, but I’m not a huge fan of their pitching and bullpen.
NL West: The defending World Series champions San Francisco Giants are in the driver’s seat and should have a strong chance of competing with the Phillies for the NL pennant. Arizona is performing much better than they should and Colorado has been disappointing this season.
Next Week:
Pittsburgh at Atlanta, July 25th to July 28th: If the Pirates want to be known as a contender, they need beat a major contender on the road.
Detroit at Chicago White Sox, July 25th to July 27th: This series, in Chicago, will decide whether Detroit takes a commanding lead at the top of the AL Central, or the White Sox will be storming back to the top.
San Francisco at Philadelphia, July 26th to July 28th: Both teams are atop of the division, and this could be the match-up for the NLCS. It will be interesting to see which team takes the momentum.
Standing on the Hill
In this section of my column, I will break down one issue in politics (two this week due to the debt ceiling talks), or I will explain my own views and the reasons I feel that way. Eventually I want to break down Presidential candidates in this section.
Debt Ceiling Talks Fail
In one of the more simple tasks for Congress in the past couple of decades is causing uproar in Washington thanks to the people. Before I bring up my feelings towards Capitol Hill and the White House on the current debt negotiations, I want to state that the debt ceiling would not be an issue without the Tea Party.
Republican Ronald Reagan raised the debt ceiling 19 times under his presidency. George W. Bush raised the debt ceiling nine times under his presidency. Neither of them faced any opposition towards raising the debt ceiling.
Although President Obama is spending more than any president before him (although that doesn’t count for inflation), the only reason that the debt ceiling is an issue right now is because the Tea Party raised a fuss about it.
Now, to my feelings toward these negotiations, which fell apart on Friday and spurred Obama to rip Republicans and its Speaker of the House John Boehner in a press conference. It is almost agreed across the board that a short-term agreement is not going to work and to cut the deficit is going to take some large cuts for the future.
Republicans and Democrats agreed on a number of points for their debt negotiations. First, they agreed $800 billion in revenue increases and certain entitlement reforms. The revenue increases would be fixing the loopholes in the tax code, and entitlement reforms would also be fixing some loopholes.
However, they disagreed over an additional $400 billion in revenue hikes (taxing the rich), and how deep cuts should be made to Medicaid.
The plus when these debt talks fell apart Friday was that the markets had already closed on Friday, not letting a major market fallout begin. However, that adds to the pressure for Congress and the White House to agree to a deal before the market re-opens on Monday.
Although Obama promised to veto any short-term extensions in the past, he is now open to an extension that would last throughout his term into 2013, in order for the United States not to default.
The problems that will ensue after the United States default are not currently known, but nothing positive has an opportunity of happening, yet the negative problems for the market could be endless.
Thus, the pressure increases when the lawmakers meet on Saturday and throughout the weekend. My problem is that Republicans are going to receive the large part of this deal, yet still are aiming for a larger piece of the pie in this deal. Nobody wins if a deal is not made between the two sides and the American people are going to be the ones suffering.
However, Obama has no leverage in this deal. If the United States defaults, and Republicans can efficiently blame him for the lack of economic growth, he will not be re-elected, and the GOP will control Congress and the White House. For Obama to win in this situation, he has to broker a deal between the two sides and see economic growth as a part of these negotiations.
While I agree that nobody in Washington wants to see the United States default, I think one side knows they have the leverage to force the other side into a one-sided deal. The only question is how far they will push their leverage. Here’s to hoping that economic growth can transpire from a bi-partisan agreement.
Obama repeals “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Lost yesterday after the debt ceiling talks became the top story, President Barack Obama certified the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military once it takes effect in 60 days.
Although gay marriage is the largest issue for the LGBT community right now, this is an important step for the United States and its government towards equality for all. For those who supported “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” I just want to raise the question, what problems does serving in the military, which is one of the toughest decisions and largest sacrifices for a young man or woman, occur to people that are gay or lesbian compared to heterosexual?
I’m predicting that this era with restrictions against the LGBT community is going to be embarrassing for future generations. I want to remind everyone that African-Americans and whites couldn’t attend the same school until the Brown v. Board of Education decision was made less than 60 years ago. Most African-Americans couldn’t vote until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, less than 50 years ago. The same Civil Rights Act included Title IX, which you can argue whether it is effective for college sports, but you can’t deny that women gained some rights that they deserved through the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Whether people want to argue on gay marriage or not, I think it’s an extremely different issue than serving openly in the military, where these young men and women made incredible sacrifices to serve their country.
I will probably address gay marriage in this column eventually, but in this week’s I’d like to commend President Obama for ending an outrageous policy in the military and working more towards equality for all human beings.
Story time
This section will either be a story from my personal life that I want to share with everybody, or it will be a place that I deal with my pet peeves in a social norm. By the way I say social norms, I will detail a situation in which that needs to be addressed and changed (such as people waiting to get on an elevator should wait until the people in the elevator are all the way out of it).
A few weeks ago, I interviewed Peoria Chiefs’ outfielder Rubi Silva, which was on video and placed on this blog. After researching Silva and watching him in his first couple of weeks, I decided that wanted to interview the outfielder signed from Cuba in Spanish. Well, I didn’t figure that I wouldn’t be able to learn slang and be able to understand him quick enough to do it all by myself, which is why I used a translator to translate his answers back to English.
Now what has to make it tough for the international players in the minor leagues is the lack of friends and family that will visit you during the season. Also, I imagine it has to be extremely difficult to speak a language that isn’t popular in the area. Thus, I was happy to receive a comment on YouTube this week from Silva’s father saying how proud he was of Rubi. I haven’t been able to talk to Silva about the message yet, because the team is currently on a road trip but I’m glad that my interview made it all the way to Chile (that’s where the Youtube profile said he was), and that he has a medium to reach his son. Although it was brief, it was one of the most extremely rewarding experiences that I’ve had in my short career in sports.
Random stat of the week
Albert Pujols hit his first professional career home run in 2000 with the Peoria Chiefs, against the Kane County Cougars (then-affiliate of the Florida Marlins) on April 6th. Who was the pitcher that offered up Pujols first home run of his professional career?
That honor belongs to current Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett.
5 Rants of the week:
In this portion of my column, I will discuss five things that just really frustrate me or changes that I would like to see in sports, politics, or just life in general.
1. Although NFL players have turned the public’s opinion to worry about their health more than ever. As a fan, I still selfishly want to see 18 games played in the regular season. Who wouldn’t love two more weeks of football (or two less weeks of meaningless preseason games)?
2. I’m truly sick of politics being entirely based upon ideologies. A compromise is defined as an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. To everyone on Capitol Hill: it’s time to make progress without the “my way or the highway” approach.
3. When I’m paying outrageous prices for a flight on an airplane, I would like more than one tiny bag of peanuts, pretzels, or a cookie. Is it that tough to give me a standard bag? I’ll even take fruit snacks.
4. Dear media,
I don’t care where Casey Anthony is staying after she was released from jail. The only people that do care are the nuts trying to harm her. She will speak eventually through a book or television interview, and get an extra 15 minutes of fame. Put the media frenzy to rest.
5. What is with the new Facebook chat? I don’t even understand how use it, and now it takes up a huge block on the side of my page. This is why I have converted to Twitter (you can follow me: @nightengalejr).
Quote of the Week:
Usually this will be filled with a political or sports quote, but because this is my column’s introduction week, I want to put one of my favorite personal quotes.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”
-- Dr. Seuss
Again, this is my first shot at this new column, so please give any feedback on what you liked or disliked. Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to read this column every Saturday afternoon.
Headlines
In this section, I’m just going to digest three-to-five headlines and give my two cents about them.
College sports: Pay for play?
Players are being investigated, and caught more than ever for accepting improper benefits, which is causing several major football and basketball programs across the nation to be sanctioned. The root of all these problems is the question, should college athletes be paid?
I don’t buy it. A scholarship suffices the need for 98 percent of college athletes, preventing them from breaking amateur rules and taking improper benefits. Yes, I agree it's tough for a player to turn down getting paid for an autograph, or receiving a free tattoo. But, what makes a college athlete entitled to receive more free benefits when they are already awarded a free college education?
In a time with more students taking student loans, high tuition prices, and a high average cost of living, I have no sympathy that an athlete is denied from making any extra money. If they are a special talent, they will turn to the professional ranks and make their money that way. Another problem with the “pay-for-play” idea is how would go about paying all of the college’s athletes. This argument was tailor-made for football and men’s basketball players, but what about volleyball, tennis, track, swimming, etc.?
Tim Tebow was the face at the University of Florida, and although his jersey was the number one sold at the school, he didn’t receive payments just because it was his jersey. If you argue that he should be paid because it is his jersey, do you think you will hear any sympathy arguments from the men and women who are working multiple jobs to pay for their college education? Do you think that the students that will be ridden with years of debt from student loans care if he is making any extra money?
Again, I don’t see the big reason for college athletes to be paid. If an athlete’s family is struggling to make it through this economy, I doubt he would be the only one on campus that is struggling.
The media has driven this issue up because of the numerous agents and athletes trying to sneak around the NCAA to make money, but they represent such a small portion of college athletes. They may be some of the most popular athletes, but they don’t represent every fish in the ocean.
Another idea on how to pay college athletes was suggested by Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun, highlighted in Pat Forde’s article against paying college athletes. Calhoun brought up the idea that athletes should be paid about a $2,000 stipend after they graduate. However, why should only athletes be rewarded for graduating? That should be expected because every other student in the school is striving for graduation as well.
I’m against preferential treatment for athletes and I don’t think that they should be paid. As the old commercial use to say, 99 percent of athletes turn professional in something other than sports. We shouldn’t change the rules for the one percent that are.
Dodgers are doomed
After moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the Dodgers are the royalty of the west coast. The most storied franchise in California has been dealt a major blow, possibly knocking them off of their throne. Although the Dodgers haven’t been as competitive in recent years, it is nothing compared to the embarrassment that the McCourt’s divorce is causing right now.
A Delaware judge ruled Friday that he would reject the Dodgers’ proposed $150 million bankruptcy financing plan, and MLB’s commissioner Bud Selig wrote a scathing letter towards owner Frank McCourt.
MLB rejected a multi-billion TV deal with Fox Sports that McCourt was hoping to use to pay off his debt. However, MLB didn’t want McCourt to be ending old debt with new debt and thus staying in the same position while also adding stress to its main television provider. Also Selig wanted the Dodgers to hold leverage, as its deal with Fox doesn’t expire until the end of 2012, which would make it an attractive luxury to any television provider.
Selig wrote to McCourt, “Despite your pledge to make the Dodgers the ‘best franchise in baseball,’ you are not selling the club’s media rights … to improve the club’s on-field performance, renovate Dodger Stadium or enhance the fan experience.” McCourt is also being investigated by the IRS specifically for his tax returns from 2006 to 2008.
McCourt does not want to negotiate with MLB because he believes that Selig is attempting to take control of the team and force a sale. Last week, McCourt fired former Dodger and San Diego Padre great Steve Garvey for plotting to become the next majority owner of the Dodgers.
McCourt is in a vicious divorce with his ex-wife Jamie, whom they fought for ownership of the Dodgers along with other important items.
The ones impacted by these proceedings are mainly the team and the fans. The Dodgers can’t be buyers in free-agency due to the problems with ownership and the fact that they can’t add any more money. Employees of the Dodgers have complained that some of their checks have been bouncing, which is not the publicity that storied franchise such as the Dodgers needs, and in this economy, won’t make many employees happy. The fans are suffering because the Dodgers aren’t competitive this season. Currently, Los Angeles is 13 games under .500 and 13.5 games back in the NL West division.
What is even more unfortunate for the Dodgers is their lack of a strong farm system. The only way that they will be able to improve in the next couple of years will be through trades and free agency. However, if they don’t have money to spend for the next year, they won’t be improving at all and will be falling behind the rest of the National League. Once this drama is settled, the new general manager is going to have a long and tall task ahead of him to improve the Dodgers, especially since Los Angeles isn’t the most patient town for production (unless you are the LA Clippers).
The Dodgers and their fans deserve much more than they are receiving right now from the ownership point of view. MLB should impeach Frank McCourt from owner of the team, and allow Mark Cuban or any other investor an opportunity to own the Dodgers, and give the team a better chance to compete on the field, increase the fan experience, and revitalize the storied history of the franchise.
Owners and NFLPA still don’t have a deal
After an owners vote Thursday, NFL fans began to get excited for the upcoming season, after NFL owners locked out their players on March 12th. Although there were several court rulings over last couple of months, fans waited patiently for the final good news that would start the season again. With the owners vote on Thursday, fans thought they finally heard the news they were waiting for.
Well unfortunately, the NFLPA was shocked at the owners vote and still are not as close as previously thought. Although the NFL season should start up soon, this labor dispute is ridiculous in my mind.
Unlike most of the other major sports, the NFL is on the meteoric rise. They made over $9 billion last year, and I don’t expect that number to fall any time soon. However, this dispute is more over how to split that $9 billion compared to the NBA, who is trying to make more money to break even for all of the teams losing money.
Everybody knew an NFL season was going to happen, there was too much to lose and not much to win with a prolonged dispute. Without a season, fans would flock to other sports (i.e. MLB’s strike in 1994 lost fans that still haven’t returned).
With a season, the NFL stands to make at least $9 billion more dollars to split between the two. However, my only problem is the fact that NFL owners and the NFLPA took so long to get close to a deal when really there is no losing side in this dispute.
Another problem I have with this dispute is the tactics that each other attempted to gain the side of the public. The owners approved nearly unanimously to the proposed CBA (collective bargaining agreement) on Thursday, which excited the fans. However, the NFLPA said the owners changed the terms of the proposed CBA and weren’t going to vote and explained, successfully, to the public that the owners were guilty of dirty tactics and shouldn’t be trusted.
I don’t know who is right in this argument and don’t have a side of the fence that I want to stand on. Its just this labor dispute has gone on far too long about nothing, and I, along with millions of fans, want to see the NFL underway. The NFLPA and owners should be less concerned on the winners of the future CBA in the public’s eyes, and more concerned about just playing football.
Blyleven and Alomar enter Hall of Fame
Two different sides of the spectrum will be entering the Hall of Fame Sunday. Roberto Alomar, one of the best second basemen in baseball history, garnered 90 percent of the votes in his second year of eligibility. On the other side, Bert Blyleven, one of the best strikeout pitchers with his devastating curveball, grabbed 79.7 percent of the vote in his 14th season on the ballot after missing the Hall of Fame by only five votes last year.
Alomar may have been robbed of an induction last year because of the incident in September of 1996 when he spit on an umpire. However, nobody can dispute the fact that Alomar is one of the best second basemen to play baseball with 12 consecutive All-Star appearances, 10 gold gloves, 2,724 hits, 474 stolen bases, and that he won two World Series.
Blyleven received little support when he first was up for vote for the Hall of Fame (17.5 percent and 14.1 percent in his first two years). Blyleven was only inducted into two All-Star games, and in the top-3 for the Cy Young Award twice. Although he struck out 3,701 batters, he won just over 53 percent of his games (287-250).
However, thanks to statistics beyond wins-and-losses, many voters saw Blyleven now as better pitcher than they did when he first entered the ballot. For this reason, it justifies the reason why players appear on the Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years (as long as they receive 5 percent of the vote).
Although both Hall of Famers entered at different perspectives from their careers, the voters made the right decision in voting both of them in. Alomar will always be one of the best second basemen that I had the pleasure of watching, and Blyleven, although I was never able to watch him pitch, showed that Sabermetrics (advanced baseball statistics), will be the new way players are judged on their careers.
Next year’s class may not have any players reach the coveted Hall of Fame with a weak incoming class. The best player eligible for the 2012 ballot is Bernie Williams, but he doesn’t have the numbers to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Barry Larkin should inch closer to the 75 percent vote that he needs to be inducted, but I think the 12-time All-Star may be forced to wait another two-to-four years.
Larkin deserves to enter the Hall of Fame but the upcoming classes bring in some big names that may steal the spotlight and votes from Larkin. In 2013, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling, and Sammy Sosa are going to collect all of the attention, especially Bonds and Clemens. It doesn’t ease up over the next three years (2014-2016) with the likes of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Mike Mussina, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman, and Ken Griffey Jr. becoming eligible.
Games at a Glance
This spot in my column is to look at last week’s important games, and a look towards next week’s matchups that are worth paying attention to. Because it is the first week of this column, I will take a look at the MLB standings and give a quick breakdown before highlighting next week’s matchups.
AL East: The top two records in the American League belong to the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. No surprise there, but after a dismal start the Red Sox should be considered the favorite to win the AL pennant. The Tampa Bay Rays lurk from behind, but I think they are too far away (8.5 games) to make a run to the top.
AL Central: I’m shocked about how bad this division is this year. Detroit and Cleveland are at the top but both show signs that they could fade into the back at any moment. I think Detroit will stay at the top by the time the season ends. White Sox and Twins aren’t too far behind, but White Sox have better hitting that could heat up in time to provide an opportunity to win the division.
AL West: The Texas Rangers showed that losing Cliff Lee wasn’t the end of the world, and that they could return to the World Series. The L.A. Angels are doing much better than I thought they would fare this season, but I like Texas a little bit better due to last year’s experience.
NL East: The Philadelphia Phillies stand atop the division, which every person in the world thought they would. The Atlanta Braves are in prime position to win the wild-card, and should be able to pull it off after they have been so successful throughout injuries this season. Fredi Gonzalez has done an underrated job as manager for the Braves.
NL Central: This division has been awful this season, which means several teams have a chance to stand at the top by the end of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds are my favorites to battle it out because the Brewers have the firepower to compete every night and have solid pitching. The Reds’ have been inconsistent this season but they are completely capable of heating up to win this division easily. The Pittsburgh Pirates are the best story in baseball this year, but are still two years away for contending for a World Series, due to overachieving pitchers. The St. Louis Cardinals are in the mix, but I’m not a huge fan of their pitching and bullpen.
NL West: The defending World Series champions San Francisco Giants are in the driver’s seat and should have a strong chance of competing with the Phillies for the NL pennant. Arizona is performing much better than they should and Colorado has been disappointing this season.
Next Week:
Pittsburgh at Atlanta, July 25th to July 28th: If the Pirates want to be known as a contender, they need beat a major contender on the road.
Detroit at Chicago White Sox, July 25th to July 27th: This series, in Chicago, will decide whether Detroit takes a commanding lead at the top of the AL Central, or the White Sox will be storming back to the top.
San Francisco at Philadelphia, July 26th to July 28th: Both teams are atop of the division, and this could be the match-up for the NLCS. It will be interesting to see which team takes the momentum.
Standing on the Hill
In this section of my column, I will break down one issue in politics (two this week due to the debt ceiling talks), or I will explain my own views and the reasons I feel that way. Eventually I want to break down Presidential candidates in this section.
Debt Ceiling Talks Fail
In one of the more simple tasks for Congress in the past couple of decades is causing uproar in Washington thanks to the people. Before I bring up my feelings towards Capitol Hill and the White House on the current debt negotiations, I want to state that the debt ceiling would not be an issue without the Tea Party.
Republican Ronald Reagan raised the debt ceiling 19 times under his presidency. George W. Bush raised the debt ceiling nine times under his presidency. Neither of them faced any opposition towards raising the debt ceiling.
Although President Obama is spending more than any president before him (although that doesn’t count for inflation), the only reason that the debt ceiling is an issue right now is because the Tea Party raised a fuss about it.
Now, to my feelings toward these negotiations, which fell apart on Friday and spurred Obama to rip Republicans and its Speaker of the House John Boehner in a press conference. It is almost agreed across the board that a short-term agreement is not going to work and to cut the deficit is going to take some large cuts for the future.
Republicans and Democrats agreed on a number of points for their debt negotiations. First, they agreed $800 billion in revenue increases and certain entitlement reforms. The revenue increases would be fixing the loopholes in the tax code, and entitlement reforms would also be fixing some loopholes.
However, they disagreed over an additional $400 billion in revenue hikes (taxing the rich), and how deep cuts should be made to Medicaid.
The plus when these debt talks fell apart Friday was that the markets had already closed on Friday, not letting a major market fallout begin. However, that adds to the pressure for Congress and the White House to agree to a deal before the market re-opens on Monday.
Although Obama promised to veto any short-term extensions in the past, he is now open to an extension that would last throughout his term into 2013, in order for the United States not to default.
The problems that will ensue after the United States default are not currently known, but nothing positive has an opportunity of happening, yet the negative problems for the market could be endless.
Thus, the pressure increases when the lawmakers meet on Saturday and throughout the weekend. My problem is that Republicans are going to receive the large part of this deal, yet still are aiming for a larger piece of the pie in this deal. Nobody wins if a deal is not made between the two sides and the American people are going to be the ones suffering.
However, Obama has no leverage in this deal. If the United States defaults, and Republicans can efficiently blame him for the lack of economic growth, he will not be re-elected, and the GOP will control Congress and the White House. For Obama to win in this situation, he has to broker a deal between the two sides and see economic growth as a part of these negotiations.
While I agree that nobody in Washington wants to see the United States default, I think one side knows they have the leverage to force the other side into a one-sided deal. The only question is how far they will push their leverage. Here’s to hoping that economic growth can transpire from a bi-partisan agreement.
Obama repeals “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Lost yesterday after the debt ceiling talks became the top story, President Barack Obama certified the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military once it takes effect in 60 days.
Although gay marriage is the largest issue for the LGBT community right now, this is an important step for the United States and its government towards equality for all. For those who supported “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” I just want to raise the question, what problems does serving in the military, which is one of the toughest decisions and largest sacrifices for a young man or woman, occur to people that are gay or lesbian compared to heterosexual?
I’m predicting that this era with restrictions against the LGBT community is going to be embarrassing for future generations. I want to remind everyone that African-Americans and whites couldn’t attend the same school until the Brown v. Board of Education decision was made less than 60 years ago. Most African-Americans couldn’t vote until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, less than 50 years ago. The same Civil Rights Act included Title IX, which you can argue whether it is effective for college sports, but you can’t deny that women gained some rights that they deserved through the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Whether people want to argue on gay marriage or not, I think it’s an extremely different issue than serving openly in the military, where these young men and women made incredible sacrifices to serve their country.
I will probably address gay marriage in this column eventually, but in this week’s I’d like to commend President Obama for ending an outrageous policy in the military and working more towards equality for all human beings.
Story time
This section will either be a story from my personal life that I want to share with everybody, or it will be a place that I deal with my pet peeves in a social norm. By the way I say social norms, I will detail a situation in which that needs to be addressed and changed (such as people waiting to get on an elevator should wait until the people in the elevator are all the way out of it).
A few weeks ago, I interviewed Peoria Chiefs’ outfielder Rubi Silva, which was on video and placed on this blog. After researching Silva and watching him in his first couple of weeks, I decided that wanted to interview the outfielder signed from Cuba in Spanish. Well, I didn’t figure that I wouldn’t be able to learn slang and be able to understand him quick enough to do it all by myself, which is why I used a translator to translate his answers back to English.
Now what has to make it tough for the international players in the minor leagues is the lack of friends and family that will visit you during the season. Also, I imagine it has to be extremely difficult to speak a language that isn’t popular in the area. Thus, I was happy to receive a comment on YouTube this week from Silva’s father saying how proud he was of Rubi. I haven’t been able to talk to Silva about the message yet, because the team is currently on a road trip but I’m glad that my interview made it all the way to Chile (that’s where the Youtube profile said he was), and that he has a medium to reach his son. Although it was brief, it was one of the most extremely rewarding experiences that I’ve had in my short career in sports.
Random stat of the week
Albert Pujols hit his first professional career home run in 2000 with the Peoria Chiefs, against the Kane County Cougars (then-affiliate of the Florida Marlins) on April 6th. Who was the pitcher that offered up Pujols first home run of his professional career?
That honor belongs to current Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett.
5 Rants of the week:
In this portion of my column, I will discuss five things that just really frustrate me or changes that I would like to see in sports, politics, or just life in general.
1. Although NFL players have turned the public’s opinion to worry about their health more than ever. As a fan, I still selfishly want to see 18 games played in the regular season. Who wouldn’t love two more weeks of football (or two less weeks of meaningless preseason games)?
2. I’m truly sick of politics being entirely based upon ideologies. A compromise is defined as an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. To everyone on Capitol Hill: it’s time to make progress without the “my way or the highway” approach.
3. When I’m paying outrageous prices for a flight on an airplane, I would like more than one tiny bag of peanuts, pretzels, or a cookie. Is it that tough to give me a standard bag? I’ll even take fruit snacks.
4. Dear media,
I don’t care where Casey Anthony is staying after she was released from jail. The only people that do care are the nuts trying to harm her. She will speak eventually through a book or television interview, and get an extra 15 minutes of fame. Put the media frenzy to rest.
5. What is with the new Facebook chat? I don’t even understand how use it, and now it takes up a huge block on the side of my page. This is why I have converted to Twitter (you can follow me: @nightengalejr).
Quote of the Week:
Usually this will be filled with a political or sports quote, but because this is my column’s introduction week, I want to put one of my favorite personal quotes.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.”
-- Dr. Seuss
Again, this is my first shot at this new column, so please give any feedback on what you liked or disliked. Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to read this column every Saturday afternoon.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
7-18 pre-game show
On July 18th, I was fortunate enough to host the pre-game show before the Peoria Chiefs faced off against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. The 20:00 minute pre-game show can be played below:
*Note #1: It's not the loudest recording, so it is best to turn the audio player's volume all the way up (on the right).
*Note #2: The audio highlight reel that plays in the first minute was created by me using calls by Chiefs' broadcaster Nathan Baliva from games this season.
*Note #1: It's not the loudest recording, so it is best to turn the audio player's volume all the way up (on the right).
*Note #2: The audio highlight reel that plays in the first minute was created by me using calls by Chiefs' broadcaster Nathan Baliva from games this season.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Willie Scott finds his calling in coaching
By Bobby Nightengale
BNIGHT’S BEATS
PEORIA, Ill. -- Willie Scott sits alone in the spacious conference room of the Bradley University men’s basketball coaches’ office. As he slowly eats his footlong Subway sandwich, the assistant coach is surrounded by silence. Nobody else is around. Most of the offices are completely empty. The pictures are gone.
He is the only person in the men’s basketball department who is still on campus from the previous coaching era.
The “Roadrunner”
Scott use to roam Bradley’s campus as a superstar after leading the Braves to a 1982 NIT Championship win. He set a Missouri Valley Conference record with 20 assists against Indiana State in the conference tournament, and he was nicknamed the “Roadrunner” for his lightning quickness, similar to the Warner Bros. cartoon character. He also left Peoria owning Bradley’s single-season and career records in assists.
“There are guys that become men and older men, and you have your favorites,” said Dave Snell, Bradley basketball’s radio announcer since 1979. “[Scott] is one of my all-time favorite people. Not just as a basketball player but also as a person.”
After playing at the Hilltop, Scott embarked on a 14-year professional career overseas after being the last player cut by the Detroit Pistons before the 1983 NBA season.
However, the fanfare didn’t end after his college days. After helping his Argentinean team win a league championship, a local city in Argentina celebrated his birthday as a holiday for several years.
During his time playing in Argentina, Scott wanted to learn the fashion industry. This led to Scott starting his own clothing line, Willie Scott Custom Clothier. He specialized in designer suits that were directed towards the famous clientele, including: Prince, Michael Jackson, and many others.
“I wanted to create a garment that was very well made,” Scott said. “The workmanship of my garment is guaranteed for 10 years. I think the average person is going to spend the average amount for a suit, and I wanted to be above average, and I always wanted to be above average in everything I did.”
In 2005, Scott’s world was flipped upside down when his “best friend,” his mother, was diagnosed with cancer. He decided to move to Mississippi to take care of her.
Time for transition
March 6th, Bradley men’s basketball head coach Jim Les was fired, and it put the futures of all of his assistants up in the air.
Scott turned down a Division-I head coaching position prior to accepting the assistant coaching offer at Bradley, and now he was staring unemployment in the eyes.
“It was very emotional,” Scott said. “I understand the business side of it. That’s their [Bradley administration] decision and I tried to keep my personal feelings to myself.”
However, Scott stayed in the administration’s plans as Bradley’s Athletic Director Michael Cross named Scott the transitional coach after Les’ firing.
“Coach Scott is a Bradley alumnus who had good relationships with all of our student athletes and I thought he was the best person to provide stability to our program during the transition due to these relationships as well as his excellent values and understanding of the significance of a Bradley education,” Cross said.
After Geno Ford was named Bradley’s new head coach, Scott had to stare at unemployment once again, as Ford held the authority to choose his own coaching staff.
The calling
With his mother struggling with cancer in 2005, the fifth oldest of his nine siblings, Scott took the lead role of helping his mother back to full strength.
“I learned something about myself,” Scott said. “I can take a person, who has basically given up on life, and encourage them and bring them back to the point where they are walking again and living life. I think God put on my heart the same thing with young kids and to steer them in the right direction to be great young men in life, not just in basketball and that sparked me to coach.”
When his mother’s health improved in 2007, Scott talked his way into coaching, earning an advisory assistant role with the Jackson State basketball team immediately after an initial two-hour interview with head coach Tevester Anderson.
After helping Jackson State reach the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, Scott became the head coach at Malcolm X College in 2008, which consistently had one of the worst records in junior college basketball each year.
“When I took the job, everybody told me if I was going into coaching, that was not the job to take,” Scott recalled. “But after somebody tells me not to do it, that’s usually when I go after it even harder.”
After two winning seasons, and helping four student-athletes reach the school’s Dean List and an 80 percent Academic Progress Rate with no assistant coaches, Scott became one of the high-rising coaches in college basketball.
“Some coaches just go in because it’s a job,” Scott said. “I take it [coaching] on as a personal challenge.”
Scott’s new role
Scott was a major factor in helping to keep the Bradley basketball team stable, and preventing players from transferring to other schools.
“He kept the team progressing through off-season workouts, in academic performance and in providing our student athletes a point person that could answer any questions they might have,” Cross said. “He was very successful in all these roles and was instrumental in having a program fully intact when Coach Ford arrived.”
After two weeks, Ford decided to add Scott to his staff, making him the only person in the basketball department who will be returning from last year.
Back in the office, waiting for everyone in the new era to arrive, Scott reflects on his purpose in coaching.
“I just want to continue to do the right thing,” Scott said. “I hope God uses me to save more kids' lives and keep them on track.”
BNIGHT’S BEATS
PEORIA, Ill. -- Willie Scott sits alone in the spacious conference room of the Bradley University men’s basketball coaches’ office. As he slowly eats his footlong Subway sandwich, the assistant coach is surrounded by silence. Nobody else is around. Most of the offices are completely empty. The pictures are gone.
He is the only person in the men’s basketball department who is still on campus from the previous coaching era.
The “Roadrunner”
Scott use to roam Bradley’s campus as a superstar after leading the Braves to a 1982 NIT Championship win. He set a Missouri Valley Conference record with 20 assists against Indiana State in the conference tournament, and he was nicknamed the “Roadrunner” for his lightning quickness, similar to the Warner Bros. cartoon character. He also left Peoria owning Bradley’s single-season and career records in assists.
“There are guys that become men and older men, and you have your favorites,” said Dave Snell, Bradley basketball’s radio announcer since 1979. “[Scott] is one of my all-time favorite people. Not just as a basketball player but also as a person.”
After playing at the Hilltop, Scott embarked on a 14-year professional career overseas after being the last player cut by the Detroit Pistons before the 1983 NBA season.
However, the fanfare didn’t end after his college days. After helping his Argentinean team win a league championship, a local city in Argentina celebrated his birthday as a holiday for several years.
During his time playing in Argentina, Scott wanted to learn the fashion industry. This led to Scott starting his own clothing line, Willie Scott Custom Clothier. He specialized in designer suits that were directed towards the famous clientele, including: Prince, Michael Jackson, and many others.
“I wanted to create a garment that was very well made,” Scott said. “The workmanship of my garment is guaranteed for 10 years. I think the average person is going to spend the average amount for a suit, and I wanted to be above average, and I always wanted to be above average in everything I did.”
In 2005, Scott’s world was flipped upside down when his “best friend,” his mother, was diagnosed with cancer. He decided to move to Mississippi to take care of her.
Time for transition
March 6th, Bradley men’s basketball head coach Jim Les was fired, and it put the futures of all of his assistants up in the air.
Scott turned down a Division-I head coaching position prior to accepting the assistant coaching offer at Bradley, and now he was staring unemployment in the eyes.
“It was very emotional,” Scott said. “I understand the business side of it. That’s their [Bradley administration] decision and I tried to keep my personal feelings to myself.”
However, Scott stayed in the administration’s plans as Bradley’s Athletic Director Michael Cross named Scott the transitional coach after Les’ firing.
“Coach Scott is a Bradley alumnus who had good relationships with all of our student athletes and I thought he was the best person to provide stability to our program during the transition due to these relationships as well as his excellent values and understanding of the significance of a Bradley education,” Cross said.
After Geno Ford was named Bradley’s new head coach, Scott had to stare at unemployment once again, as Ford held the authority to choose his own coaching staff.
The calling
With his mother struggling with cancer in 2005, the fifth oldest of his nine siblings, Scott took the lead role of helping his mother back to full strength.
“I learned something about myself,” Scott said. “I can take a person, who has basically given up on life, and encourage them and bring them back to the point where they are walking again and living life. I think God put on my heart the same thing with young kids and to steer them in the right direction to be great young men in life, not just in basketball and that sparked me to coach.”
When his mother’s health improved in 2007, Scott talked his way into coaching, earning an advisory assistant role with the Jackson State basketball team immediately after an initial two-hour interview with head coach Tevester Anderson.
After helping Jackson State reach the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game, Scott became the head coach at Malcolm X College in 2008, which consistently had one of the worst records in junior college basketball each year.
“When I took the job, everybody told me if I was going into coaching, that was not the job to take,” Scott recalled. “But after somebody tells me not to do it, that’s usually when I go after it even harder.”
After two winning seasons, and helping four student-athletes reach the school’s Dean List and an 80 percent Academic Progress Rate with no assistant coaches, Scott became one of the high-rising coaches in college basketball.
“Some coaches just go in because it’s a job,” Scott said. “I take it [coaching] on as a personal challenge.”
Scott’s new role
Scott was a major factor in helping to keep the Bradley basketball team stable, and preventing players from transferring to other schools.
“He kept the team progressing through off-season workouts, in academic performance and in providing our student athletes a point person that could answer any questions they might have,” Cross said. “He was very successful in all these roles and was instrumental in having a program fully intact when Coach Ford arrived.”
After two weeks, Ford decided to add Scott to his staff, making him the only person in the basketball department who will be returning from last year.
Back in the office, waiting for everyone in the new era to arrive, Scott reflects on his purpose in coaching.
“I just want to continue to do the right thing,” Scott said. “I hope God uses me to save more kids' lives and keep them on track.”
Friday, July 15, 2011
Interview with Jeff Fassero
Jeff Fassero played in the Major Leagues for 16 seasons after being drafted in the 22nd round of the 1984 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. His best season was in 1996 with the Montreal Expos, going 15-11 with a 3.30 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 231.2 innings. Currently, he is the pitching coach for the Peoria Chiefs, the single-A affiliate for the Chicago Cubs. Fortunately I was able to speak with him about becoming a pitching coach:
Monday, July 11, 2011
2011 Futures Game Recap
The Futures Game is an All-Star game for all of the best minor leaguers in baseball to come together for a game on national television and play against each other. Created in 1999, it has provided a stage for several future MLB All-Stars to be seen and heard before cracking the big leagues. Sunday, I was able to watch the entire Futures Game and with my pen and notebook, I recorded notes and scouting reports for all of the players, and highlighted players that I think will be extremely successful in the future. Without further ado, the BNight’s Beats 2011 XM Futures Game Scouting Report:
The Cream of the Crop:
Bryce Harper, LF (Washington Nationals; Level - AA):
Last year’s number one pick was one of the main reasons I was excited for the Futures Game. He is only 18 years old and it’s his first year of professional baseball after being drafted first overall in the 2010 draft. Although he put on a show in batting practice according to the ESPN announcers and numerous media outlets, he struggled with off-speed pitches, and even missed a fastball in his last at-bat that was right down the middle and belt height. This is one of the main reasons that the Nationals shouldn’t be worried about rushing Harper, and that he needs more seasoning before reaching the big leagues. Having said the negatives, he has an amazing arm in left field, solid speed, especially for a former catcher, and in batting practice he showed that he possesses the most power in the minor leagues. He will be a fixture for All-Star games once he reaches the Major Leagues, and Nationals fans have to be excited for their bright future.
Minor League stats: .318, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 19 SB, and 17 2B at Class A Hagerstown
*He has only been promoted to AA for 4 games.
Hak-Ju Lee, SS (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - A):
Fortunately, it wasn’t my first time watching Hak-Ju Lee because he played for the Peoria Chiefs last season, and I was able to catch a couple of games. Since then, he has been traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as a major component of the Matt Garza trade. He showed great range at shortstop in turning a double play, and reaching balls in the hole. Although he went hitless in two at-bats, Lee is a great hitter and will continue making strides in the Rays organization. Expect to see him in plenty of All-Star games next to teammate Evan Longoria.
Minor League stats: .330, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 20 SB, and 9 3B at Class A Charlotte
Manny Machado, SS (Baltimore Orioles; Level - A):
Another player that went hitless in the Futures Game but will be a star at the next level is Manny Machado. Machado made some nice plays at shortstop, and helped show the world why the Orioles drafted him third overall last season. Baseball writer Peter Gammons tweeted, “Does Manny Machado look like what an All-Star shortstop is supposed to look like, or what?” Again, this is a player that people will remember for a long time. Also, note that he has almost an even walk-to-strikeout ratio (23 to 25), which is even more amazing when you consider that he is only 19 years old.
Minor League stats: .276, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 3 SB, and 23 BB at Class A Delmarva
*He has only been promoted to Hi-A for 14 games.
Carlos Martinez, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals; Level - A):
Although Carlos Martinez has rolled through Peoria a couple of times this season, unfortunately I was never able to see him pitch live.
Also, I have been working on my Spanish, and I was hoping I would even have him available for an interview on this blog but he has since been promoted. He is regarded as ‘untouchable’ for any trade talks by the St. Louis Cardinals, even when the San Diego Padres reportedly offered Heath Bell for him. Martinez throws a 98 mph fastball that can touch up to 100 mph. He also throws around 97 mph in the stretch. Along with his electric fastball, he has an 83 mph curveball and 80 mph slider. He needs to work on his command as he was a little wild at the All-Star game and his control has plagued him a little bit at the single-A level. However, he has immense potential and should be considered the future ace of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Minor League stats: 3-2, 2.33 ERA, 38.2 IP, 50 K, in 8 starts at Class A Quad Cities
*He has only made 2 starts at Hi-A Palm Beach (5.06 ERA)
Matt Moore, LHP (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - AA):
I’ll admit Moore was the only player that I didn’t know on my “Cream of the Crop” list entering the All-Star game. However, I read several tweets and scouting reports that stated Moore should be able to make the Rays staff the best rotation in baseball once he reaches the Major Leagues. Thus, I was extremely excited to see him take the mound and he did not disappoint. Moore throws a 98 mph fastball that can touch 100 as a left-hander. He also threw an 88 mph slider that plagued even the best hitters he faced. After watching him for one inning on the mound, I’m in a daze and can’t wait to see Moore in the Majors. Don’t believe me for watching only one inning? Read the stats below.
Minor League stats: 7-3, 2.14 ERA, 96.2 IP, 26 BB, and 125 K in 17 starts at Class AA Montgomery
*He also threw an 11-strikeout no-hitter on June 16th.
Wil Myers, RF (Kansas City Royals; Level - AA):
Coming into the Futures Game, I knew that Myers was the next in line after Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas found themselves in the Major Leagues this season. However, I had yet to watch Myers and didn’t know what to expect. While watching the game, I found myself loving Myers as a prospect, and I think he has the potential to do big things. Myers showed great speed when he broke up a double play for a fielder’s choice RBI early in the game, and he just held himself throughout the game as a player that was ready to be called up to the Majors in the next half season. I don’t know how soon the Royals plans have him for being called up, but I am excited to see him play in the future All-Star games.
Minor League stats: .271, 3 HR, 20 RBI, and 5 SB at Class AA Northwest Arkansas
Julio Teheran, RHP (Atlanta Braves; Level - AAA):
Teheran already has Braves’ fans calling for him to start in the Major Leagues and it’s easy to understand after watching him start for the World team in the Futures Game. He gave up a leadoff home run to Jason Kipnis, but I think that was more due to the fact that he threw seven straight fastballs. Tehran shut the rest of the U.S. lineup down including fooling Bryce Harper in his first at-bat. Tehran throws a 95 mph fastball, 76 mph slider, 78 mph curveball and a change-up. His change-up is deadly as it looks just like his fastball but he will get hitters to swing way ahead of it. Thus, his freezing of Bryce Harper was more of him not wanting to get fooled by his change-up which led to a strikeout looking. Teheran should be called up soon, and he will make the Braves rotation happy for the next 15 years.
Minor League stats: 9-1, 1.79 ERA, 95.2 IP, 25 BB, and 81 K in 15 starts at Class AAA Gwinnett
Impressive:
Tyler Thornburg, RHP (Milwaukee Brewers; Level - A):
Thornburg has been one of the best pitchers in minor league baseball based on production, but his potential is still impressive. He has an interview on this blog, which can be found here. He was compared to Roy Oswalt on ESPN’s coverage and I agree with that assessment. He throws a 95 mph fastball, 79 mph curveball that has huge break, and an 82 mph changeup. ESPN’s Keith Law only projects him as a reliever but I think he has the potential to be one of the top starting pitchers in baseball.
Tim Beckham, SS (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - AA):
Beckham has been labeled a bust after being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 draft and not reaching the Major Leagues yet. However, he was drafted out of high school and credit to him during the Futures Game for drilling a 94 mph fastball to the outfield wall for a RBI double. He still has work to do to make it to the Major Leagues, but he’s still only 21 years old. However, due to the pressure he has faced, credit to him for doing well in the Futures Game.
Grant Green, SS (Oakland Athletics; Level - AA):
The Futures Game MVP had a great day at the plate after coming off of the bench. Green also made two spectacular plays at second base, although he primarily plays shortstop. His RBI double in the fifth inning was off of a 95 mph fastball, as was his RBI double in the eight inning. I loved his potential as a second basemen because of the defensive range that he showed in the game, but I would have to rank him a little bit lower as a shortstop. Green is having a good season at the AA level, but he strikes out too much and his power has dropped from 20 home runs in 2010 to only 4 home runs this season.
Jason Kipnis, 2B (Cleveland Indians; Level - AAA):
Kipnis led off the game with a home run off of Julio Teheran, which is no easy task. However, I have to discount it a little bit due to the fact that he faced seven straight fastballs. Kipnis should be in the Major Leagues but Indians’ manager Manny Acta wants him to continue working defensively on becoming a better second basemen before he earns the promotion. I don’t think he projects to be a perennial All-Star but he should get the job done for the Indians, especially as a #7 hitter in the lineup.
Kyle Gibson, RHP (Minnesota Twins; Level - AAA):
With all of the injuries to the Twins Major League roster, you have to wonder if Gibson will be one of the next ones to rise up to the Majors. In the Futures Game he threw a 92 mph fastball, 81 mph changeup and picked a runner off of first base. He’s shown good command in AAA with an 86 to 22 strikeout to walk ratio, but hitters are still batting .272 against him. If he can force more outs when opposing hitters put the ball in play, he should have a successful Major League career as a #3-4 starter.
Shelby Miller, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals; Level - AA):
Although Carlos Martinez has the electricity to be the future ace of the Cardinals, don’t discount the potential of Miller. He throws a 93 mph fastball with an 85 mph changeup and 79 mph curveball. He was dominant in single-A and high-A with tons of strikeouts and a low ERA, but he has outdone himself in double-A. In seven starts, he has 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings and a 1.90 ERA, and could be looking at a September call-up. However, one problem I saw in Miller was his funky delivery in the stretch. He pulls the ball out of his glove slightly and then puts it back in before making the pitch, but I think that will allow a lot of base stealers to swipe second against him.
Brad Peacock, RHP (Washington Nationals; Level - AA):
Although Bryce Harper will steal all of the highlights and media attention at the double-A Harrisburg, Peacock is a pitcher that is sneaking through the minor leagues with such potential that he could be the #2 starter in the future Nationals rotation next to Stephen Strasburg. Peacock threw a 94 mph fastball, an 81 mph change-up, and a beautiful 74 mph curveball that dropped off of the table to hitters. This season, Peacock is 10-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 98.2 innings. In years past, Peacock has struggled with opposing hitters batting around .260 against him, but he has lowered them to a .179 batting average this season. For a 41st round pick, the Nationals got a steal and a future star.
Jarred Cosart, RHP (Philadlephia Phillies; Level - A):
The Phillies’ Big Four rotation has made waves throughout baseball this season, but don’t sleep on the future Cosart once he reaches the Majors. He throws a 98 mph fastball, a 76 mph 12-6 curveball, and an 85 mph changeup. He has a type of whip delivery that is usually associated with closers, but he has been a starter throughout his minor league career. I think he will eventually be converted to a solid setup man or closer, but he has the potential to be successful at the Major League level.
Tyler Skaggs, LHP (Arizona Diamondbacks; Level - AA):
Count me as impressed by Skaggs with the pressures of pitching in Arizona, and competing with guys that are much more experienced than Skaggs. His poise, along with his nasty curveball and movement on his pitches from left to right were especially impressive. Skaggs has struck out 125 in 100.2 innings in high-A and should be a great prospect for the Diamondbacks in the future.
Gary Brown, CF (San Francisco Giants; Level - A):
Only in his first full season, Brown has shown a tremendous about of potential. He was the only player to steal a base in the Futures Game, but that should come as no surprise as he has stolen 35 bases in 49 attempts this season. Also, Brown is hitting .316 but a staggering .404 against left-handed pitchers. Hailing from Cal-State Fullerton, I think the Giants have found their future lead-off man in this local talent.
Others:
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (Arizona Diamondbacks; Level - AA):
Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers admitted to the ESPN booth that Goldschmidt has a strong chance of being called up by the end of the season. Although he didn’t have a great game, he was one of the most watched prospects because he was playing in his future ballpark. He is having a great season at Double-A: a .315 batting average with 25 HR, 78 RBI, and 7 SB.
Matt Szczur, CF (Chicago Cubs; Level - A):
The prospect I know the best because I interned with the team he has been on all season, the Peoria Chiefs. He will be promoted after the Futures Game to High-A Daytona, but he has excellent speed and range in center field. It will probably take him a little longer to progress at the plate because he was a two-sport athlete (football) in college, and he is working on his first full seasons of baseball. However, a good sign is that he rarely strikes out and leaves the Midwest League tied for third in batting average. He has the potential to be the future center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, but I think the key will be him driving the ball at the plate because his speed will allow him to make plays on the base paths once he is on base.
Liam Hendriks, RHP (Minnesota Twins; Level AA):
Hendriks has generated a ton of attention in the Twins organization and has been hailed as a future star for the Twins’ rotation. However, I don’t buy it, as I just didn’t see the poise on the mound during the Futures Game. Hendriks throws a 92 mph fastball, 82 mph changeup and a 75 mph 12-6 curveball. His numbers speak for themselves this year, 81 strikeouts in 90 innings with a 2.70 ERA; but I just didn’t see the look of a future star for the Twins.
James Paxton, LHP (Seattle Mariners; Level - A):
Unfortunately he got out of his inning pitched in only six pitches so I didn’t get to see much of him in the Futures Game. Luckily, I have seen him pitch against the Peoria Chiefs earlier this season, and he is the real deal. He is a strong throwing lefty with a 95 mph fastball, and good off-speed pitches. Paxton struck out 80 in 56 innings with a .273 opposing batting average at single-A before being promoted to double-A right at the beginning of July. Paxton has a lot of potential, but I can also see him making a move to the bullpen at some point due to the plethora of talent in the Mariners’ rotation.
Alex Liddi, 3B (Seattle Mariners; Level - AAA):
I really like the potential of Liddi from what I saw of him during the Futures Game. He made some great plays at third base, and has a nice swing that projects nicely at the next level. This season at triple-A, Liddi is hitting .257 with 17 HR and 61 RBI. My only question is why Liddi hasn’t been called up on the Mariners who have struggled with offense this season? Liddi has been awful against left-handers this season (.171 batting average), and I’m guessing he is struggling with off-speed pitching, but if he can make the adjustments, he will make for a solid third basemen in the future.
Snubbed:
Taijuan Walker, RHP (Seattle Mariners; Level - A):
Although he didn’t make it to the Futures Game, Walker is my favorite prospect in the minor leagues. I have seen him pitch several times against the Peoria Chiefs, and I think he has what it takes to fit perfectly in the Mariners’ rotation with Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda, and Danny Hultzen (2011 draft pick). Walker has thrown 83 strikeouts in 62 innings with a 2.76 ERA, including 19 strikeouts in 12 innings and a 1.50 ERA in two July starts. This kid has tons of potential and hopefully he will be showcased in next year’s Futures Game, because he has a ceiling to be the future #1 starter for the Mariners.
The Cream of the Crop:
Bryce Harper, LF (Washington Nationals; Level - AA):
Last year’s number one pick was one of the main reasons I was excited for the Futures Game. He is only 18 years old and it’s his first year of professional baseball after being drafted first overall in the 2010 draft. Although he put on a show in batting practice according to the ESPN announcers and numerous media outlets, he struggled with off-speed pitches, and even missed a fastball in his last at-bat that was right down the middle and belt height. This is one of the main reasons that the Nationals shouldn’t be worried about rushing Harper, and that he needs more seasoning before reaching the big leagues. Having said the negatives, he has an amazing arm in left field, solid speed, especially for a former catcher, and in batting practice he showed that he possesses the most power in the minor leagues. He will be a fixture for All-Star games once he reaches the Major Leagues, and Nationals fans have to be excited for their bright future.
Minor League stats: .318, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 19 SB, and 17 2B at Class A Hagerstown
*He has only been promoted to AA for 4 games.
Hak-Ju Lee, SS (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - A):
Fortunately, it wasn’t my first time watching Hak-Ju Lee because he played for the Peoria Chiefs last season, and I was able to catch a couple of games. Since then, he has been traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as a major component of the Matt Garza trade. He showed great range at shortstop in turning a double play, and reaching balls in the hole. Although he went hitless in two at-bats, Lee is a great hitter and will continue making strides in the Rays organization. Expect to see him in plenty of All-Star games next to teammate Evan Longoria.
Minor League stats: .330, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 20 SB, and 9 3B at Class A Charlotte
Manny Machado, SS (Baltimore Orioles; Level - A):
Another player that went hitless in the Futures Game but will be a star at the next level is Manny Machado. Machado made some nice plays at shortstop, and helped show the world why the Orioles drafted him third overall last season. Baseball writer Peter Gammons tweeted, “Does Manny Machado look like what an All-Star shortstop is supposed to look like, or what?” Again, this is a player that people will remember for a long time. Also, note that he has almost an even walk-to-strikeout ratio (23 to 25), which is even more amazing when you consider that he is only 19 years old.
Minor League stats: .276, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 3 SB, and 23 BB at Class A Delmarva
*He has only been promoted to Hi-A for 14 games.
Carlos Martinez, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals; Level - A):
Although Carlos Martinez has rolled through Peoria a couple of times this season, unfortunately I was never able to see him pitch live.
Also, I have been working on my Spanish, and I was hoping I would even have him available for an interview on this blog but he has since been promoted. He is regarded as ‘untouchable’ for any trade talks by the St. Louis Cardinals, even when the San Diego Padres reportedly offered Heath Bell for him. Martinez throws a 98 mph fastball that can touch up to 100 mph. He also throws around 97 mph in the stretch. Along with his electric fastball, he has an 83 mph curveball and 80 mph slider. He needs to work on his command as he was a little wild at the All-Star game and his control has plagued him a little bit at the single-A level. However, he has immense potential and should be considered the future ace of the St. Louis Cardinals.Minor League stats: 3-2, 2.33 ERA, 38.2 IP, 50 K, in 8 starts at Class A Quad Cities
*He has only made 2 starts at Hi-A Palm Beach (5.06 ERA)
Matt Moore, LHP (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - AA):
I’ll admit Moore was the only player that I didn’t know on my “Cream of the Crop” list entering the All-Star game. However, I read several tweets and scouting reports that stated Moore should be able to make the Rays staff the best rotation in baseball once he reaches the Major Leagues. Thus, I was extremely excited to see him take the mound and he did not disappoint. Moore throws a 98 mph fastball that can touch 100 as a left-hander. He also threw an 88 mph slider that plagued even the best hitters he faced. After watching him for one inning on the mound, I’m in a daze and can’t wait to see Moore in the Majors. Don’t believe me for watching only one inning? Read the stats below.
Minor League stats: 7-3, 2.14 ERA, 96.2 IP, 26 BB, and 125 K in 17 starts at Class AA Montgomery
*He also threw an 11-strikeout no-hitter on June 16th.
Wil Myers, RF (Kansas City Royals; Level - AA):
Coming into the Futures Game, I knew that Myers was the next in line after Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas found themselves in the Major Leagues this season. However, I had yet to watch Myers and didn’t know what to expect. While watching the game, I found myself loving Myers as a prospect, and I think he has the potential to do big things. Myers showed great speed when he broke up a double play for a fielder’s choice RBI early in the game, and he just held himself throughout the game as a player that was ready to be called up to the Majors in the next half season. I don’t know how soon the Royals plans have him for being called up, but I am excited to see him play in the future All-Star games.
Minor League stats: .271, 3 HR, 20 RBI, and 5 SB at Class AA Northwest Arkansas
Julio Teheran, RHP (Atlanta Braves; Level - AAA):
Teheran already has Braves’ fans calling for him to start in the Major Leagues and it’s easy to understand after watching him start for the World team in the Futures Game. He gave up a leadoff home run to Jason Kipnis, but I think that was more due to the fact that he threw seven straight fastballs. Tehran shut the rest of the U.S. lineup down including fooling Bryce Harper in his first at-bat. Tehran throws a 95 mph fastball, 76 mph slider, 78 mph curveball and a change-up. His change-up is deadly as it looks just like his fastball but he will get hitters to swing way ahead of it. Thus, his freezing of Bryce Harper was more of him not wanting to get fooled by his change-up which led to a strikeout looking. Teheran should be called up soon, and he will make the Braves rotation happy for the next 15 years.
Minor League stats: 9-1, 1.79 ERA, 95.2 IP, 25 BB, and 81 K in 15 starts at Class AAA Gwinnett
Impressive:
Tyler Thornburg, RHP (Milwaukee Brewers; Level - A):
Thornburg has been one of the best pitchers in minor league baseball based on production, but his potential is still impressive. He has an interview on this blog, which can be found here. He was compared to Roy Oswalt on ESPN’s coverage and I agree with that assessment. He throws a 95 mph fastball, 79 mph curveball that has huge break, and an 82 mph changeup. ESPN’s Keith Law only projects him as a reliever but I think he has the potential to be one of the top starting pitchers in baseball.
Tim Beckham, SS (Tampa Bay Rays; Level - AA):
Beckham has been labeled a bust after being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 draft and not reaching the Major Leagues yet. However, he was drafted out of high school and credit to him during the Futures Game for drilling a 94 mph fastball to the outfield wall for a RBI double. He still has work to do to make it to the Major Leagues, but he’s still only 21 years old. However, due to the pressure he has faced, credit to him for doing well in the Futures Game.
Grant Green, SS (Oakland Athletics; Level - AA):
The Futures Game MVP had a great day at the plate after coming off of the bench. Green also made two spectacular plays at second base, although he primarily plays shortstop. His RBI double in the fifth inning was off of a 95 mph fastball, as was his RBI double in the eight inning. I loved his potential as a second basemen because of the defensive range that he showed in the game, but I would have to rank him a little bit lower as a shortstop. Green is having a good season at the AA level, but he strikes out too much and his power has dropped from 20 home runs in 2010 to only 4 home runs this season.
Jason Kipnis, 2B (Cleveland Indians; Level - AAA):
Kipnis led off the game with a home run off of Julio Teheran, which is no easy task. However, I have to discount it a little bit due to the fact that he faced seven straight fastballs. Kipnis should be in the Major Leagues but Indians’ manager Manny Acta wants him to continue working defensively on becoming a better second basemen before he earns the promotion. I don’t think he projects to be a perennial All-Star but he should get the job done for the Indians, especially as a #7 hitter in the lineup.
Kyle Gibson, RHP (Minnesota Twins; Level - AAA):
With all of the injuries to the Twins Major League roster, you have to wonder if Gibson will be one of the next ones to rise up to the Majors. In the Futures Game he threw a 92 mph fastball, 81 mph changeup and picked a runner off of first base. He’s shown good command in AAA with an 86 to 22 strikeout to walk ratio, but hitters are still batting .272 against him. If he can force more outs when opposing hitters put the ball in play, he should have a successful Major League career as a #3-4 starter.
Shelby Miller, RHP (St. Louis Cardinals; Level - AA):
Although Carlos Martinez has the electricity to be the future ace of the Cardinals, don’t discount the potential of Miller. He throws a 93 mph fastball with an 85 mph changeup and 79 mph curveball. He was dominant in single-A and high-A with tons of strikeouts and a low ERA, but he has outdone himself in double-A. In seven starts, he has 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings and a 1.90 ERA, and could be looking at a September call-up. However, one problem I saw in Miller was his funky delivery in the stretch. He pulls the ball out of his glove slightly and then puts it back in before making the pitch, but I think that will allow a lot of base stealers to swipe second against him.
Brad Peacock, RHP (Washington Nationals; Level - AA):
Although Bryce Harper will steal all of the highlights and media attention at the double-A Harrisburg, Peacock is a pitcher that is sneaking through the minor leagues with such potential that he could be the #2 starter in the future Nationals rotation next to Stephen Strasburg. Peacock threw a 94 mph fastball, an 81 mph change-up, and a beautiful 74 mph curveball that dropped off of the table to hitters. This season, Peacock is 10-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 98.2 innings. In years past, Peacock has struggled with opposing hitters batting around .260 against him, but he has lowered them to a .179 batting average this season. For a 41st round pick, the Nationals got a steal and a future star.
Jarred Cosart, RHP (Philadlephia Phillies; Level - A):
The Phillies’ Big Four rotation has made waves throughout baseball this season, but don’t sleep on the future Cosart once he reaches the Majors. He throws a 98 mph fastball, a 76 mph 12-6 curveball, and an 85 mph changeup. He has a type of whip delivery that is usually associated with closers, but he has been a starter throughout his minor league career. I think he will eventually be converted to a solid setup man or closer, but he has the potential to be successful at the Major League level.
Tyler Skaggs, LHP (Arizona Diamondbacks; Level - AA):
Count me as impressed by Skaggs with the pressures of pitching in Arizona, and competing with guys that are much more experienced than Skaggs. His poise, along with his nasty curveball and movement on his pitches from left to right were especially impressive. Skaggs has struck out 125 in 100.2 innings in high-A and should be a great prospect for the Diamondbacks in the future.
Gary Brown, CF (San Francisco Giants; Level - A):
Only in his first full season, Brown has shown a tremendous about of potential. He was the only player to steal a base in the Futures Game, but that should come as no surprise as he has stolen 35 bases in 49 attempts this season. Also, Brown is hitting .316 but a staggering .404 against left-handed pitchers. Hailing from Cal-State Fullerton, I think the Giants have found their future lead-off man in this local talent.
Others:
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (Arizona Diamondbacks; Level - AA):
Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers admitted to the ESPN booth that Goldschmidt has a strong chance of being called up by the end of the season. Although he didn’t have a great game, he was one of the most watched prospects because he was playing in his future ballpark. He is having a great season at Double-A: a .315 batting average with 25 HR, 78 RBI, and 7 SB.
Matt Szczur, CF (Chicago Cubs; Level - A):
The prospect I know the best because I interned with the team he has been on all season, the Peoria Chiefs. He will be promoted after the Futures Game to High-A Daytona, but he has excellent speed and range in center field. It will probably take him a little longer to progress at the plate because he was a two-sport athlete (football) in college, and he is working on his first full seasons of baseball. However, a good sign is that he rarely strikes out and leaves the Midwest League tied for third in batting average. He has the potential to be the future center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, but I think the key will be him driving the ball at the plate because his speed will allow him to make plays on the base paths once he is on base.
Liam Hendriks, RHP (Minnesota Twins; Level AA):
Hendriks has generated a ton of attention in the Twins organization and has been hailed as a future star for the Twins’ rotation. However, I don’t buy it, as I just didn’t see the poise on the mound during the Futures Game. Hendriks throws a 92 mph fastball, 82 mph changeup and a 75 mph 12-6 curveball. His numbers speak for themselves this year, 81 strikeouts in 90 innings with a 2.70 ERA; but I just didn’t see the look of a future star for the Twins.
James Paxton, LHP (Seattle Mariners; Level - A):
Unfortunately he got out of his inning pitched in only six pitches so I didn’t get to see much of him in the Futures Game. Luckily, I have seen him pitch against the Peoria Chiefs earlier this season, and he is the real deal. He is a strong throwing lefty with a 95 mph fastball, and good off-speed pitches. Paxton struck out 80 in 56 innings with a .273 opposing batting average at single-A before being promoted to double-A right at the beginning of July. Paxton has a lot of potential, but I can also see him making a move to the bullpen at some point due to the plethora of talent in the Mariners’ rotation.
Alex Liddi, 3B (Seattle Mariners; Level - AAA):
I really like the potential of Liddi from what I saw of him during the Futures Game. He made some great plays at third base, and has a nice swing that projects nicely at the next level. This season at triple-A, Liddi is hitting .257 with 17 HR and 61 RBI. My only question is why Liddi hasn’t been called up on the Mariners who have struggled with offense this season? Liddi has been awful against left-handers this season (.171 batting average), and I’m guessing he is struggling with off-speed pitching, but if he can make the adjustments, he will make for a solid third basemen in the future.
Snubbed:
Taijuan Walker, RHP (Seattle Mariners; Level - A):
Although he didn’t make it to the Futures Game, Walker is my favorite prospect in the minor leagues. I have seen him pitch several times against the Peoria Chiefs, and I think he has what it takes to fit perfectly in the Mariners’ rotation with Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda, and Danny Hultzen (2011 draft pick). Walker has thrown 83 strikeouts in 62 innings with a 2.76 ERA, including 19 strikeouts in 12 innings and a 1.50 ERA in two July starts. This kid has tons of potential and hopefully he will be showcased in next year’s Futures Game, because he has a ceiling to be the future #1 starter for the Mariners.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Casey Anthony trial
What draws everyone’s interest into this one woman’s murder trial? Hundreds of murder trials happen every year, and several of them implicate the death penalty.
However, Casey Anthony has drawn several million people to tune in for daily coverage of her trial, including me.
What piques my interest in this trial is the fact that nobody knows the motivation behind an alleged mother murdering her own daughter and having zero remorse about it. Although she doesn’t have the celebrity status of an O.J. Simpson murder trial, it’s the fact that a mother could murder her own daughter and then go to parties and clubs afterwards, and if she didn’t murder her then how could a mother not report their child missing for a month? It’s for these reasons that I’m drawn in to this trial.
I will first put down all the facts, show what the prosecutors and defense teams have game planned, and then give my prediction on how the jury will take it all in.
TIMELINE:
June 15, 2008 - Caylee Anthony last confirmed sighting alive
June 17, 2008 - George and Cindy Anthony (Casey Anthony’s parents) notice that the gate to the swimming pool is open and the ladder is next to the pool
June 18, 2008 - Casey Anthony borrows a shovel from a neighbor
June 20-21, 2008 - Casey Anthony goes clubbing
June 24, 2008 - Casey Anthony’s ex-fiance calls her and may* have heard Caylee in the background although he did hear Casey Anthony reprimand Caylee for climbing onto a table. (*He stated that he did originally, but wasn’t sure in court)
George Anthony calls police and reports that 2 gas cans with about $50.00 in gas have been stolen from his storage shed.
Later that day, George finds the gas cans in Casey’s trunk after she shows up at her parent’s home to pick up clothes.
June 27, 2008 - Casey Anthony leaves her car in a parking lot outside of a store, as she goes to the beach with her ex-fiancé.
June 30, 2008 - Casey Anthony’s car is towed. Her purse is found on the front seat.
July 3, 2008 - Cindy Anthony posts on MySpace that Caylee is missing and her current mood is distraught.
July 4, 2008 - Casey spends the day partying with friends
July 15, 2008 - Cindy Anthony gets a tip from her friend where Casey is staying, and her friend accuses Casey of stealing checks and $700
Cindy picks up Casey and calls 911 three times, telling the police that she wants her daughter arrested for stealing money and a car, and that Caylee is missing. Casey had allegedly stolen her mother’s credit card.
During the third 911 call, Cindy Anthony tells the dispatcher that she found her daughter’s car today and it smells like a dead body.
December 11, 2008 - Human remains, later identified as Caylee, are found with remnants of duct tape by the Anthony house.
January 23, 2009 - George Anthony is sent to the hospital after sending family members suicidal texts.
May 24, 2011 - Casey Anthony’s trial begins, facing first-degree murder charges as well as 2 other charges and 4 counts of providing false information to law enforcement, as well as facing the death penalty.
Prosecution goals:
The prosecution has done a great job for the high profile case without a ton of evidence. The coroner and autopsy still haven’t found way to rule Caylee Anthony’s death, so most of the prosecution’s evidence is circumstantial. However, as many legal experts have noted, Casey Anthony shouldn’t benefit for no forensic evidence because it took nearly half a year for her body to be found.
Also, the prosecution had to be up to the task of trying to explain to a jury how a mother could murder her own daughter. They wanted to portray her as a mother who wanted to get back into the party scene, and is a pathological liar.
Defense goals:
The defense made waves in their opening statements when they declared that Caylee Anthony drowned in the family pool, and that her grandparents helped cover it up, as well as saying that Casey Anthony was abused by her father and brother.
Although the opening statements made for some strong headlines, the defense did an awful job at proving their shocking opening statements. The only mention of a possible drowning was getting Cindy Anthony to admit that they forgot to move the ladder away from the pool, and that Caylee had climbed it before, but otherwise there is zero evidence of a possible drowning and cover-up. Also, the defense started with the abuse charges against her father and brother, but never prodded into it, and it just seems to an inaccurate statement.
What the defense has tried to prove is that George Anthony’s suicide attempt was because of his guilt in covering-up Caylee’s drowning but the prosecution did a great job of blocking this attempt in cross-examination.
Also in one of the most bizarre testimonies, the defense brought in a guilt expert that testified that she thought it was normal that Casey Anthony went out and partied after her daughter’s death (I don’t get it either).
Jury:
The toughest part to predict is that the jury has been sequestered for the past six weeks, and hasn’t seen any of the media coverage around this case. However, the toughest thing is to decipher between the ways that Casey Anthony is portrayed; a woman with no cares in the world and hasn’t really showed any remorse/guilt/sadness that her daughter is dead. On the other side, there is not any forensic evidence that Casey Anthony murdered her own daughter.
Overall, I think the jury will find her guilty due to the defense team trying to blame Caylee’s death on her own family but then not any facts to give that theory any plausibility. Also, Casey Anthony did not testify, which has to mean something to the jury that she didn’t want to take the stand and explain her story when her defense was in shambles for most of the trial.
The jury should begin deliberations Sunday afternoon, and I’ll post the final result on this blog afterwards.
However, Casey Anthony has drawn several million people to tune in for daily coverage of her trial, including me.
What piques my interest in this trial is the fact that nobody knows the motivation behind an alleged mother murdering her own daughter and having zero remorse about it. Although she doesn’t have the celebrity status of an O.J. Simpson murder trial, it’s the fact that a mother could murder her own daughter and then go to parties and clubs afterwards, and if she didn’t murder her then how could a mother not report their child missing for a month? It’s for these reasons that I’m drawn in to this trial.
I will first put down all the facts, show what the prosecutors and defense teams have game planned, and then give my prediction on how the jury will take it all in.
TIMELINE:
June 15, 2008 - Caylee Anthony last confirmed sighting alive
June 17, 2008 - George and Cindy Anthony (Casey Anthony’s parents) notice that the gate to the swimming pool is open and the ladder is next to the pool
June 18, 2008 - Casey Anthony borrows a shovel from a neighbor
June 20-21, 2008 - Casey Anthony goes clubbing
June 24, 2008 - Casey Anthony’s ex-fiance calls her and may* have heard Caylee in the background although he did hear Casey Anthony reprimand Caylee for climbing onto a table. (*He stated that he did originally, but wasn’t sure in court)
George Anthony calls police and reports that 2 gas cans with about $50.00 in gas have been stolen from his storage shed.
Later that day, George finds the gas cans in Casey’s trunk after she shows up at her parent’s home to pick up clothes.
June 27, 2008 - Casey Anthony leaves her car in a parking lot outside of a store, as she goes to the beach with her ex-fiancé.
June 30, 2008 - Casey Anthony’s car is towed. Her purse is found on the front seat.
July 3, 2008 - Cindy Anthony posts on MySpace that Caylee is missing and her current mood is distraught.
July 4, 2008 - Casey spends the day partying with friends
July 15, 2008 - Cindy Anthony gets a tip from her friend where Casey is staying, and her friend accuses Casey of stealing checks and $700
Cindy picks up Casey and calls 911 three times, telling the police that she wants her daughter arrested for stealing money and a car, and that Caylee is missing. Casey had allegedly stolen her mother’s credit card.
During the third 911 call, Cindy Anthony tells the dispatcher that she found her daughter’s car today and it smells like a dead body.
December 11, 2008 - Human remains, later identified as Caylee, are found with remnants of duct tape by the Anthony house.
January 23, 2009 - George Anthony is sent to the hospital after sending family members suicidal texts.
May 24, 2011 - Casey Anthony’s trial begins, facing first-degree murder charges as well as 2 other charges and 4 counts of providing false information to law enforcement, as well as facing the death penalty.
Prosecution goals:
The prosecution has done a great job for the high profile case without a ton of evidence. The coroner and autopsy still haven’t found way to rule Caylee Anthony’s death, so most of the prosecution’s evidence is circumstantial. However, as many legal experts have noted, Casey Anthony shouldn’t benefit for no forensic evidence because it took nearly half a year for her body to be found.
Also, the prosecution had to be up to the task of trying to explain to a jury how a mother could murder her own daughter. They wanted to portray her as a mother who wanted to get back into the party scene, and is a pathological liar.
Defense goals:
The defense made waves in their opening statements when they declared that Caylee Anthony drowned in the family pool, and that her grandparents helped cover it up, as well as saying that Casey Anthony was abused by her father and brother.
Although the opening statements made for some strong headlines, the defense did an awful job at proving their shocking opening statements. The only mention of a possible drowning was getting Cindy Anthony to admit that they forgot to move the ladder away from the pool, and that Caylee had climbed it before, but otherwise there is zero evidence of a possible drowning and cover-up. Also, the defense started with the abuse charges against her father and brother, but never prodded into it, and it just seems to an inaccurate statement.
What the defense has tried to prove is that George Anthony’s suicide attempt was because of his guilt in covering-up Caylee’s drowning but the prosecution did a great job of blocking this attempt in cross-examination.
Also in one of the most bizarre testimonies, the defense brought in a guilt expert that testified that she thought it was normal that Casey Anthony went out and partied after her daughter’s death (I don’t get it either).
Jury:
The toughest part to predict is that the jury has been sequestered for the past six weeks, and hasn’t seen any of the media coverage around this case. However, the toughest thing is to decipher between the ways that Casey Anthony is portrayed; a woman with no cares in the world and hasn’t really showed any remorse/guilt/sadness that her daughter is dead. On the other side, there is not any forensic evidence that Casey Anthony murdered her own daughter.
Overall, I think the jury will find her guilty due to the defense team trying to blame Caylee’s death on her own family but then not any facts to give that theory any plausibility. Also, Casey Anthony did not testify, which has to mean something to the jury that she didn’t want to take the stand and explain her story when her defense was in shambles for most of the trial.
The jury should begin deliberations Sunday afternoon, and I’ll post the final result on this blog afterwards.
**UPDATE**
Casey Anthony was acquitted on first-degree murder charges.
The jury said in their few interviews that Casey Anthony wasn't "innocent" but rather the evidence wasn't surmountable enough to say without reasonable doubt that Casey Anthony was guilty of first-degree murder. Some members of the media have said that the jury is guilty of a "CSI effect", in which they were disappointed that they didn't get a murder weapon and motive similar to television shows.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Vlog: NBA Lockout and Politics
- NBA lockout begins at midnight.
- Obama calls out Congress.
- Michele Bachmann is AWFUL in interviews.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Riggleman resigns from Nationals
After completing a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners, the Washington Nationals and their front office were in for a shocker when manager Jim Riggleman resigned due to a contract dispute.
ESPN’s Jim Bowden, a former Nationals general manager, reports that current Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is shocked, stunned and disappointed that Riggleman is leaving. Rizzo is disappointed that Riggleman is “letting the team down and putting himself first,” according to a Bowden tweet.
Most speculation states that Riggleman put an ultimatum down to pick up his club option for 2012, which was apparently bothering him that it wasn’t earlier picked up earlier this season, after today’s 1-0 victory over the Mariners and resigned when he didn’t receive Rizzo’s guarantee this afternoon.
The Nationals have won 11 of their last 12 games and have a winning record for the first time since April 20th. This has to be a major blow to the team’s psyche, and could ultimately ruin their chances of a wild card due to the coaching adjustment that they will face.
A few names have been tossed around as the likely option to be the interim such as John McLaren, Bo Porter, and Bob Boone. McLaren should be the favorite with his familiarity with the Nationals (current bench coach) and he has former experience managing a big league team in a interim situation.
The Nationals have a bright future tons of young talent, and should be a force to compete in future years, but if they want to make the playoffs and capitalize on their current momentum, the next two weeks will be a telling sign of how the young Nationals react to their new manager.
ESPN’s Jim Bowden, a former Nationals general manager, reports that current Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is shocked, stunned and disappointed that Riggleman is leaving. Rizzo is disappointed that Riggleman is “letting the team down and putting himself first,” according to a Bowden tweet.
Most speculation states that Riggleman put an ultimatum down to pick up his club option for 2012, which was apparently bothering him that it wasn’t earlier picked up earlier this season, after today’s 1-0 victory over the Mariners and resigned when he didn’t receive Rizzo’s guarantee this afternoon.
The Nationals have won 11 of their last 12 games and have a winning record for the first time since April 20th. This has to be a major blow to the team’s psyche, and could ultimately ruin their chances of a wild card due to the coaching adjustment that they will face.
A few names have been tossed around as the likely option to be the interim such as John McLaren, Bo Porter, and Bob Boone. McLaren should be the favorite with his familiarity with the Nationals (current bench coach) and he has former experience managing a big league team in a interim situation.
The Nationals have a bright future tons of young talent, and should be a force to compete in future years, but if they want to make the playoffs and capitalize on their current momentum, the next two weeks will be a telling sign of how the young Nationals react to their new manager.
**UPDATE**
John McLaren has been named the next manager for the Washington Nationals. As I explained earlier, McLaren is the perfect hire for them because of his familiarity with the team and his prior experiences. Although he didn't produce the greatest results as an interim in Seattle, he has the chance to keep the momentum for Washington and help them have an opportunity to reach the playoffs. It will be interesting if they look for a long-term manager (such as the situation in Florida) but I will address both of those situations in a blog post in the near future.
2011 NBA Draft
Draft Overview
I don’t understand the huge fad on mock drafts. Yes, it’s cool to see who your favorite team is projected to pick but outside of the top 10, have you ever seen a mock draft that is just on the money and gets majority of the picks correct? For this reason, I will not be conducting a mock draft on this blog but rather evaluating the players so I can either look like a genius or a moron down the road.
In conducting player evaluations there are two main things that I look for: production at the college level and athleticism that will project at the NBA level. For this draft, due to the several players that are from different countries, projecting is made more difficult but that’s why you have the Darko Milicic’s that are drafted above Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade’s.
Also, I’m rating most of these players on first-hand watching and trying to be as unbiased as possible from listening/reading other analysts’ work. However, I had to break this code to read about the players from different countries due to lack of first-hand experiences watching them.
Without further ado, I give you your 2011 NBA draftees:
Point guards:
1. Kyrie Irving
Okay, I understand the concern that Irving has caused by only playing in 11 games last season, but people have to understand the level he was playing at when he was healthy at Duke. Duke was never the same team after his toe injury, due to Nolan Smith playing out of position and not having the intangibles that Irving displayed in his 11 games. Irving showed high basketball IQ and strong court vision by involving all of his teammates with his great passes, as well as his strong ability to attack the paint and kick it out to shooters. He is the type of player that the Cavaliers will want to build around in the future, and should be a great NBA player if his toe injury is completely healed. Another part of Irving’s IQ is that he helped Nolan Smith learn the point guard position from the sidelines after his injury, which showed great maturity for a freshman, and I don’t think it’s a stretch that he will be able to help the Cavaliers as a rookie in the NBA.
2. Brandon Knight
The Brandon Knight in the NCAA tournament was not the same effective Brandon Knight that dominated the regular season. Knight had a extremely strong freshman year but was a little underrated because of the previous John Calipari point guards (John Wall and Derrick Rose). Knight is a much better 3-point shooter than he showed in the tournament and a more consistent scorer. He did show in the tournament that he was able recover from games on off-nights to still be reliable in the clutch. Also, Knight was a 4.0 student and not the typical one-and-done athlete. The intangibles that Knight has will make his future team extremely happy.
3. Kemba Walker
What a run Kemba Walker went on to will his team to a Big East and NCAA tournament championships. Not many players around the country possess his lightning speed that caused matchup problems for all opposing point guards. However, Walker’s faults are going to come in his height (6-1), and the fact that he won’t be the fastest man on the court anymore. However, he gained a lot of confidence and maturity over the past season, as he didn’t have those intangibles in his freshman or sophomore seasons, which could help him, adjust his style of game for the NBA. I don’t think he will be the same dominant player he was at UConn, but he should be a decent point guard in the NBA.
4. Charles Jenkins
Chris Jenkins is my sleeper for the best quality pick in the upcoming draft. He is projected to be a late-first or early-second round pick. In my mind, he should be in the lottery, but due to his lack of help at Hofstra, his numbers will go largely unnoticed. Last season, he only went two games without scoring over 15 points, but he also had great games against UNC (11-for-18 and 24 points with 4 assists), VCU (20 points), and Old Dominion (19 and 16 points in 2 games). He is a strong shooter and is consistent from long-range but scouts don’t like the fact that he was a one-man show at Hofstra. I love his size at 6-3, 216 pounds, and the fact that he got to the free-throw line multiple times in nearly every game. Although he was a one-man show, I think he will be a strong point guard in the NBA and may be a huge piece for a playoff team.
5. Jimmer Fredette
I don’t want to judge Jimmer Fredette due to previous players, but haven’t we seen a player like him go to the NBA and have to re-adjust before finding any success (J.J. Redick?). Although they play different positions, the similarities have to be striking. They both were the focus at their schools and took the majority of the shots from anywhere on the floor. Fredette is a better passer than Redick, but they both were lackadaisical on defense in college (Redick has improved). Both players have great IQ and possess the ability to create space to get off their shots. I just don’t think Fredette will be an effective NBA player (strong off of the bench however) unless he improves on defense, and becomes a better point guard by driving through the paint (although his size and speed don’t help him in this category).
6. Josh Selby
This is a classic case of potential vs. college production. Selby was awful in college, with his most memorable game being his first in his buzzer beater to beat USC. I’ll admit that I was disappointed in his college production and thought he would be much more effective at Kansas under Bill Self. However, due to being one of the highest rated guards to enter college last year, he still has a chance of being drafted in the first round. The problems that I saw with Selby was a lack of energy, the fact that he didn’t run Kansas’ offense well and Self would much rather play a veteran than a freshman point guard and that he was ineffective to getting the free-throw line. To me, this is the classic case of reading the potential more than the production and Selby looks like a bust to me, unless he heads to a veteran team such as the Spurs, Celtics, Lakers, etc. that have a chance to teach him how to be a better point guard.
7. Darius Morris
Morris never produced as much as I thought he was capable of at Michigan. I don’t know whether it was the system or his true potential, but his 6-5 height and long body should have been producing more. What concerns me the most about Morris is the fact that he was only a 25 percent 3-point shooter, and only went to the free-throw line a couple of times each game. With his height he should have been a much more frequent visitor to the line. Morris did impress people with his high assist numbers and strong passing abilities, but I feel that Morris should have been a better factor on defense (created more steals) and been more of a scorer at the college level. I don’t see a strong NBA future for him as a starter but I could see him a serviceable sixth man.
8. Norris Cole
In recent days, Norris Cole has attracted a ton of attention due to reportedly strong workouts. He was extremely efficient scoring in the Horizon league, but what scares me more than the potential were the high amount of turnovers that he gave up each game. Although he produced some huge performances such as the 41-point performance against Youngstown State with 20 rebounds, he still struggled against a defensive-minded Butler; which cautions me to believe more than workouts, and great performances against small teams. I liked Cole at Cleveland State, but I don’t think he will produce in the NBA.
9. Shelvin Mack
Mack enjoyed back-to-back national championship games, but he will not have the same impact in the NBA that he had in college. Mack doesn’t have the athletic build be the scorer that he was at Butler, but he does bring decent 3-point shooting ability and a strong defensive prowess. I see Mack as the Bruce Bowen but in the point-guard position for whichever team chooses him in the draft.
Shooting guards:
1. Alec Burks
Although Colorado was hustled out of a spot in the NCAA tournament, it was not due to Alec Burks’ studly performances all season. Burks is not the greatest shooter, but he knows how to get to the free-throw line, collect a solid 6.5 rebounds per game, and generate turnovers (1.1 steals per game). Although Burks had a high number of turnovers himself, it was more due to the fact that he had to carry his team down the stretch and the times that the refs didn’t blow the whistle when he was trying to go to the free-throw line. Burks is an excellent talent as a shooting guard and will make his NBA team extremely happy.
2. Scotty Hopson
Hopson was just staring to get it. He was playing much better basketball down the stretch (although 2 of his final 3 games scored under 10 points), and he was getting to the free-throw line more regularly. His biggest problem at Tennessee was his large number of turnovers, and inconsistent play. However, I see the NBA player in Hopson. He has great size with 6-7 height, but just needs a team that will force him to work on his ball handling and making him more consistent. Although his college numbers don’t support it, I think Hopson will be a surprise breakout player from this draft.
3. Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks was a scorer in college, registering double-digits in every game last season. However, Brooks lived at the 3-point line for the majority of the games, which is not a good statistic for a 6-5 shooting guard. Brooks made up for living at the 3-point line by crashing the glass for seven rebounds a game. Brooks has the potential with his strong build and height to be a strong NBA player, but I think old habits die hard for a 3-point shooter and that he won’t live up to the potential he is capable of. Brooks will be a decent starter in the NBA, but I don’t see any All-Star games in his future.
4. Klay Thompson
One man who has benefited the most from pre-NBA draft workouts is Klay Thompson. He will probably be the first shooting guard selected in the upcoming draft, but I’m not buying the full workout picture. Thompson took a large number of shots in every game but didn’t get to the free-throw line as much as you would like in a player who is taking about 20 shots a game (due to the fact that nearly half of his shots were coming from the 3-point line). I am impressed with his 5.2 rebounds a game line, but for a player that isn’t slashing the lane much, he had way too many turnovers. Although I’m sure he is shooting lights out in workouts, Thompson is overrated in my mind and will be a bust for the high selection that he will receive in the draft.
5. Nolan Smith
After Kyrie Irving’s injury at Duke, Smith was forced to play point guard and still played at an extremely high level averaging over five assists a game. However, Smith is not a natural point guard and would much rather be slashing on the off-guard position. Smith has a great knack for getting to the free-throw line, crashing the glass defensively, and limiting his turnovers, but I don’t see him as a strong NBA shooting guard. His 6-2 size may force him back to point guard, but he doesn’t have the quickness that is necessary to guard other quick point guards. Smith enjoyed a great run at Duke, including a national championship, but I don’t see a long NBA career for him.
6. Jacob Pullen
Pullen may go undrafted but has the intangibles where a team should take a late-second round flier on him. Pullen knows how to will his team to victories through his capabilities to get to the free-throw line or knock down a big 3-pointer. Pullen’s size will work against him, and the fact that he has limited experience at point guard, but I see Pullen as a great backup shooting guard and a guy that can bring a lot of energy off of the bench ala the Eddie House mold.
7. E’Twaun Moore
E’Twaun Moore was a rugged type of player in college that wasn’t always pretty but got the job done. However, Moore lacks something that other players can’t bring to the table. He is a decent shooter and was inconsistent at reaching the free-throw line. Moore is stuck between the mold between a slasher and shooter, but that has plagued his potential, and causes me enough concern to believe that he won’t be in the NBA in five years, due to his strong college statistics.
8. David Lighty
Does anyone else feel as if Lighty has been around forever. I still remember him playing well in the Mike Conley and Greg Oden Ohio State days. Lighty was a 6-7 guard, but he didn’t slash to the basket much, but would rather shoot from deep. He was a great shooter, but he doesn’t bring much else to the table on offense. Lighty forced a lot of steals, but I never felt that he was a lockdown defender, and that will probably cost him on draft night, as well as in his NBA career. However, in a best-case scenario, I could see Lighty filling the Robert Horry type of player mold.
9. DeAndre Liggins
I’m sorry but if you are a 6-6 guard, and you don’t have the trust of John Calipari to play in his explosive offense, I don’t think you are going to be capable of playing the NBA. Liggins finally got some playing time this season, but he still struggled to get to the free-throw line, especially in games where his 3-pointer was not falling. I don’t see Liggins having an impact in the NBA.
Small Forwards:
1. Derrick Williams
Yes, most places consider Derrick Williams a power forward, however I think he will be moved down to small forward in the NBA. Williams definitely has the potential to be a strong player in the NBA. He can attack the basket, he can shoot 57 percent from downtown, he can get to the free-throw line at will, and single-handedly beat Duke. Will all of these pieces come together for Williams in the NBA? I think so, especially with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ricky Rubio at the point. Williams should be a force going up-and-down the court. Now do I think Williams will be the next Blake Griffin? No, but I think he has a lot of parts to his game that he could thrive as, and eventually be a poor man’s Amare Stoudemire.
2. Kawhi Leonard
I saw Leonard play on several occasions last year, and for some reason he always left me wondering if there was more to him. I do think that he underachieved with 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds a game. Leonard has good size with 6-7 and 225 pound frame, but didn’t go to the free-throw line as much as I would have liked. He was a good rebounder, but I think he has the potential to be an even better one. He scared me with some of his turnovers, but I think that he has the potential to be better than Derrick Williams, however, I don’t think he will reach that true potential. Leonard should make the All-Star game a few times, but if is ever drafted/traded to the right system, you could be looking at a perennial All-Star.
3. Jan Vesley
The differences between the potential vs. production debate include:
- Vesley is 6-11 and 240 pounds… as a small forward.
- He averaged 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in the Euroleague.
That is the same differences in which Ricky Rubio has been panned a bust because of his lack of production in the Euroleague. However, it is a different and much more fundamental style of basketball. Vesley is suppose to be a decent shooter but lacks a back-to-basket game, which would make him almost Dirk Nowitzki-like. If he can fine-tune his game he has the potential to be an Amare Stoudemire before the knee surgeries, otherwise he could end up as another Andrea Bargnani, if he doesn’t develop other parts of his game.
4. Chris Singleton
Another player whose intangibles, 6-9 and 225 pounds, that didn’t match his college production (13 points and 7 rebounds a game). Singleton is a lockdown defender, which will earn him a spot on any NBA team, but he doesn’t help himself by playing horrendously in half-court sets. Singleton has the size for the NBA transition offenses, but struggles to create his own shots. Singleton’s defense will give him a long career, but don’t expect to see many offensive highlights out of him.
5. Jimmy Butler
I don’t know if everyone has heard his story, but ESPN’s Chad Ford wrote a tremendous piece about Butler’s upbringing from being kicked out of the house by his mother at 13 to going to Marquette University to the NBA. Butler isn’t the best shooter but possessed a strong ability to go to the free-throw line at the end of the season. Butler plays great defense and forced a ton of steals, but isn’t the type of small forward that will create shots for himself. I see Butler as a serviceable starter in the NBA but not an All-Star due his struggles on offense, a poor man’s Shane Battier.
6. Jordan Hamilton
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of Hamilton’s game. He doesn’t reach the free-throw line enough for the amount of shots that he takes, and he shoots far too many 3-pointers. I think Hamilton benefited from having Tristan Thompson in the frontcourt, but will struggle not being the man in the NBA. I see Hamilton being a bust in the NBA for his expected high draft selection because of the way he disappeared in games and the fact that he shot the ball way too many times for not having a smart shot selection.
7. Chandler Parsons
I love Chandler Parsons’ game. He has great basketball IQ, as he almost plays like a point guard except for his 6-10, 221 pound build. Parsons is a great passer, and was developing into a good shooter at Florida. A major cause for concern was the fact that he does not go to the free-throw line often (he is awful at the free-throw line as well at 56 percent). Although he is no stranger to the defensive glass with over seven rebounds a game, he won’t slash to the basket enough to make himself more effective. He will struggle at the NBA with his inability to go to the free-throw line and create shots because defenders know he does not drive to the basket well.
8. Kyle Singler
Talk about the differences in one season. Had Kyle Singler entered the NBA draft after the NCAA championship, he may have been a top-10 pick and now he is fighting to stay in the first round. Part of his problem last year was the fact that he got moved back to small forward after spending a season at power forward. Due to the fact that he was no longer playing against players that he was much more athletic than, he had trouble getting his shot off and driving around the quicker defenders. That is probably a sign of things to come in the NBA for Singler who may be a decent player to bring off of the bench, but I don’t see a great NBA career for one of my favorite Duke players.
9. Chris Wright
Chris Wright may go undrafted, and is probably unknown to a lot of people but Wright is one of the best athletes in this draft. He is not a very good shooter, but he knows how to hit the glass and is one of the best dunkers in this draft class. I don’t know if he will get drafted, but if he does he does have the intangibles to be a strong player off of the bench, but that possibility is based upon the fact that he learns how to shoot the ball better and learns to use athleticism to defend.
Power Forwards:
1. Kenneth Faried
As everyone learned in the NCAA tournament, Faried is a different breed of athlete and I think he will excel in the NBA. Although the team that drafts him will have a raw player on their hands based on the fact that he doesn’t have many offensive moves and is not a strong back-to-the-basket player, he knows how to get rebounds, and is a Dennis Rodman like player on defense. The big question is whether he can be effective on offense. If he can answer yes to the big question, than Faried may be the star of this draft class.
2. Marcus Morris
Although it is sometimes tough to tell the Morris twins apart, Marcus should be the first twin taken off of the board due to his dual threat of hitting a mid-range jumper, reaching the free-throw line, or draining a 3-pointer. Also, Marcus is a strong rebounder, and should be an efficient player in the NBA. Although I don’t see him as a perennial All-Star, I could see him having the same impact in the NBA as the Al Jefferson. The only knock on him is that he doesn’t possess the greatest size for power forward.
3. Tristan Thompson
Thompson has a strong knack for rebounding and reaching the free-throw line. He is long and more athletic than his size shows but he doesn’t have a strong touch shooting the ball, and back-to-the-basket game (doesn’t that seem like the theme for PF in this draft?). However, Thompson’s length and athleticism should help him out and he should be a starter in the NBA.
4. Markieff Morris
Although he was once miles behind his twin Marcus, Markieff had a terrific season at Kansas, and helped himself out but hitting the glass harder. Markieff is a strong rebounder than his twin, but he doesn’t have the same offensive weapons. Although he is not as good of a shooter, he is just as good, if not better on the defensive side and is able to grab more offensive rebounds. If the Morris twins were more athletic, I would give them All-Star predictions, but they should both be starters in the NBA. One big question has to be the fact that they will be separated for the first time in their careers and whether that will have a negative impact on them.
5. Jon Leuer
Leuer enjoyed a solid senior season at Wisconsin, but probably won’t be that effective in the NBA. Leuer will be a strong shooter at the power forward position, but he doesn’t rebound with a strong conviction and doesn’t always force fouls to get to the free-throw line. I see Leuer as a Rasheed Wallace type player, but he is not as athletic as Wallace; which could be his downfall.
6. Donatas Motiejunas
Yes, I’m not a fan of the international players this year, and that’s because I think too much is based upon one performance. Motiejunas has good size and can run the floor well but he is too soft to be a strong power forward, and didn’t play particularly strong in the Italian League. Motiejunas’ stock is based upon a strong performance in 2009 against Team USA, but I think he has bust written all over him.
7. Bismack Biyombo
Another bust that I smell is Bismack Biyombo. Yes he has some great physical traits in his wingspan and that will probably make him a great shot-blocker, but didn’t we see this a couple of years ago in Hasheem Thabeet? He was not an amazing player in the Spanish ACB League, and I don’t think he will ever be effective in the NBA. I would believe in him more if he showed strong offensive moves, but the NBA will be able to react to his size (see Yao Ming).
8. Jeremy Tyler
I do not like Tyler’s game whatsoever. He is known for skipping high school and college to play overseas in Israel in which he quit the team halfway through the season, and then played in Japan last year with decent numbers. However, I don’t think Tyler is mature enough to play in the NBA, let alone sit on the bench and watch other players be the stars. I think Tyler will be back overseas within two years of sitting on the bench.
Centers:
1. Nikola Vucevic
Take my word for it: Nikola Vucevic is a baller. He can hit the boards with the best of them, is a decent shooter, and has enough size to last in the NBA. He isn’t the greatest athlete and won’t be the best center to play in the NBA but I think he will be the best center from this draft class. He knows how to get to the free-throw line in most games, but his biggest foe in college was foul trouble, which he will have to work on in the NBA.
2. Jonas Valanciunas
Another international guy that I’m not a huge fan of but I would take him before any of the others. He average 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in the Euroleague, but has a strong feel for the paint and I think that he will be a decent center in the NBA. His solid but not great skills will define his NBA career.
3. Keith Benson
The thing that sells me on Benson is the fact that he played on one of the most run ‘n’ gun teams in college basketball and they still found ways to get the ball into their big man. Benson is strong underneath and can find ways to get to the free-throw line. Also Benson is a strong rebounder, and his great motor should be able to make him a low-line starter or great backup center.
4. Enes Kanter
First things first, how is it possible for a player to be drafted in the top 3 without playing basketball for over a season? He was ruled ineligible after signing with Kentucky but still has all of this hype? Count me as unconvinced for numerous reasons. Kanter had one strong showing in front of scouts in game competition, but is otherwise mostly based upon workouts. Sorry but for only practicing for the last year, Kanter should be excellent in controlled workout environments. I think he will be a big bust, and won’t last long in the NBA. He has great size, but I don’t think the lack of games should help a player. Kanter is the type a player that a GM will draft based more on the lack of answers rather than knowing the answers.
REPORT: KURT RAMBIS FIRED
Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis will be fired Thursday before the draft, which shouldn’t be a surprise to many. Rambis was not present for anything after the season including Ricky Rubio’s introduction to Minnesota and the upcoming draft. I think that David Kahn was waiting to make a decision on Rambis for the future Collective Bargaining Agreement, but decided to make their decision before choosing their future without a coach-in-waiting. Overall, it’s a move that will define David Kahn’s general managing career, because if the Timberwolves finish last in the NBA next season (if there is a next season), Kahn’s job is surely the next to go. Although the lineup of Rubio, Johnson, Williams, Love, Milicic (Beasley will probably be traded if Derrick Williams is selected and not traded himself) will not put fear into any other team’s eyes, they should be able to finish better than last place.
I don’t understand the huge fad on mock drafts. Yes, it’s cool to see who your favorite team is projected to pick but outside of the top 10, have you ever seen a mock draft that is just on the money and gets majority of the picks correct? For this reason, I will not be conducting a mock draft on this blog but rather evaluating the players so I can either look like a genius or a moron down the road.
In conducting player evaluations there are two main things that I look for: production at the college level and athleticism that will project at the NBA level. For this draft, due to the several players that are from different countries, projecting is made more difficult but that’s why you have the Darko Milicic’s that are drafted above Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade’s.
Also, I’m rating most of these players on first-hand watching and trying to be as unbiased as possible from listening/reading other analysts’ work. However, I had to break this code to read about the players from different countries due to lack of first-hand experiences watching them.
Without further ado, I give you your 2011 NBA draftees:
Point guards:
1. Kyrie Irving
Okay, I understand the concern that Irving has caused by only playing in 11 games last season, but people have to understand the level he was playing at when he was healthy at Duke. Duke was never the same team after his toe injury, due to Nolan Smith playing out of position and not having the intangibles that Irving displayed in his 11 games. Irving showed high basketball IQ and strong court vision by involving all of his teammates with his great passes, as well as his strong ability to attack the paint and kick it out to shooters. He is the type of player that the Cavaliers will want to build around in the future, and should be a great NBA player if his toe injury is completely healed. Another part of Irving’s IQ is that he helped Nolan Smith learn the point guard position from the sidelines after his injury, which showed great maturity for a freshman, and I don’t think it’s a stretch that he will be able to help the Cavaliers as a rookie in the NBA.
2. Brandon Knight
The Brandon Knight in the NCAA tournament was not the same effective Brandon Knight that dominated the regular season. Knight had a extremely strong freshman year but was a little underrated because of the previous John Calipari point guards (John Wall and Derrick Rose). Knight is a much better 3-point shooter than he showed in the tournament and a more consistent scorer. He did show in the tournament that he was able recover from games on off-nights to still be reliable in the clutch. Also, Knight was a 4.0 student and not the typical one-and-done athlete. The intangibles that Knight has will make his future team extremely happy.
3. Kemba Walker
What a run Kemba Walker went on to will his team to a Big East and NCAA tournament championships. Not many players around the country possess his lightning speed that caused matchup problems for all opposing point guards. However, Walker’s faults are going to come in his height (6-1), and the fact that he won’t be the fastest man on the court anymore. However, he gained a lot of confidence and maturity over the past season, as he didn’t have those intangibles in his freshman or sophomore seasons, which could help him, adjust his style of game for the NBA. I don’t think he will be the same dominant player he was at UConn, but he should be a decent point guard in the NBA.
4. Charles Jenkins
Chris Jenkins is my sleeper for the best quality pick in the upcoming draft. He is projected to be a late-first or early-second round pick. In my mind, he should be in the lottery, but due to his lack of help at Hofstra, his numbers will go largely unnoticed. Last season, he only went two games without scoring over 15 points, but he also had great games against UNC (11-for-18 and 24 points with 4 assists), VCU (20 points), and Old Dominion (19 and 16 points in 2 games). He is a strong shooter and is consistent from long-range but scouts don’t like the fact that he was a one-man show at Hofstra. I love his size at 6-3, 216 pounds, and the fact that he got to the free-throw line multiple times in nearly every game. Although he was a one-man show, I think he will be a strong point guard in the NBA and may be a huge piece for a playoff team.
5. Jimmer Fredette
I don’t want to judge Jimmer Fredette due to previous players, but haven’t we seen a player like him go to the NBA and have to re-adjust before finding any success (J.J. Redick?). Although they play different positions, the similarities have to be striking. They both were the focus at their schools and took the majority of the shots from anywhere on the floor. Fredette is a better passer than Redick, but they both were lackadaisical on defense in college (Redick has improved). Both players have great IQ and possess the ability to create space to get off their shots. I just don’t think Fredette will be an effective NBA player (strong off of the bench however) unless he improves on defense, and becomes a better point guard by driving through the paint (although his size and speed don’t help him in this category).
6. Josh Selby
This is a classic case of potential vs. college production. Selby was awful in college, with his most memorable game being his first in his buzzer beater to beat USC. I’ll admit that I was disappointed in his college production and thought he would be much more effective at Kansas under Bill Self. However, due to being one of the highest rated guards to enter college last year, he still has a chance of being drafted in the first round. The problems that I saw with Selby was a lack of energy, the fact that he didn’t run Kansas’ offense well and Self would much rather play a veteran than a freshman point guard and that he was ineffective to getting the free-throw line. To me, this is the classic case of reading the potential more than the production and Selby looks like a bust to me, unless he heads to a veteran team such as the Spurs, Celtics, Lakers, etc. that have a chance to teach him how to be a better point guard.
7. Darius Morris
Morris never produced as much as I thought he was capable of at Michigan. I don’t know whether it was the system or his true potential, but his 6-5 height and long body should have been producing more. What concerns me the most about Morris is the fact that he was only a 25 percent 3-point shooter, and only went to the free-throw line a couple of times each game. With his height he should have been a much more frequent visitor to the line. Morris did impress people with his high assist numbers and strong passing abilities, but I feel that Morris should have been a better factor on defense (created more steals) and been more of a scorer at the college level. I don’t see a strong NBA future for him as a starter but I could see him a serviceable sixth man.
8. Norris Cole
In recent days, Norris Cole has attracted a ton of attention due to reportedly strong workouts. He was extremely efficient scoring in the Horizon league, but what scares me more than the potential were the high amount of turnovers that he gave up each game. Although he produced some huge performances such as the 41-point performance against Youngstown State with 20 rebounds, he still struggled against a defensive-minded Butler; which cautions me to believe more than workouts, and great performances against small teams. I liked Cole at Cleveland State, but I don’t think he will produce in the NBA.
9. Shelvin Mack
Mack enjoyed back-to-back national championship games, but he will not have the same impact in the NBA that he had in college. Mack doesn’t have the athletic build be the scorer that he was at Butler, but he does bring decent 3-point shooting ability and a strong defensive prowess. I see Mack as the Bruce Bowen but in the point-guard position for whichever team chooses him in the draft.
Shooting guards:
1. Alec Burks
Although Colorado was hustled out of a spot in the NCAA tournament, it was not due to Alec Burks’ studly performances all season. Burks is not the greatest shooter, but he knows how to get to the free-throw line, collect a solid 6.5 rebounds per game, and generate turnovers (1.1 steals per game). Although Burks had a high number of turnovers himself, it was more due to the fact that he had to carry his team down the stretch and the times that the refs didn’t blow the whistle when he was trying to go to the free-throw line. Burks is an excellent talent as a shooting guard and will make his NBA team extremely happy.
2. Scotty Hopson
Hopson was just staring to get it. He was playing much better basketball down the stretch (although 2 of his final 3 games scored under 10 points), and he was getting to the free-throw line more regularly. His biggest problem at Tennessee was his large number of turnovers, and inconsistent play. However, I see the NBA player in Hopson. He has great size with 6-7 height, but just needs a team that will force him to work on his ball handling and making him more consistent. Although his college numbers don’t support it, I think Hopson will be a surprise breakout player from this draft.
3. Marshon Brooks
Marshon Brooks was a scorer in college, registering double-digits in every game last season. However, Brooks lived at the 3-point line for the majority of the games, which is not a good statistic for a 6-5 shooting guard. Brooks made up for living at the 3-point line by crashing the glass for seven rebounds a game. Brooks has the potential with his strong build and height to be a strong NBA player, but I think old habits die hard for a 3-point shooter and that he won’t live up to the potential he is capable of. Brooks will be a decent starter in the NBA, but I don’t see any All-Star games in his future.
4. Klay Thompson
One man who has benefited the most from pre-NBA draft workouts is Klay Thompson. He will probably be the first shooting guard selected in the upcoming draft, but I’m not buying the full workout picture. Thompson took a large number of shots in every game but didn’t get to the free-throw line as much as you would like in a player who is taking about 20 shots a game (due to the fact that nearly half of his shots were coming from the 3-point line). I am impressed with his 5.2 rebounds a game line, but for a player that isn’t slashing the lane much, he had way too many turnovers. Although I’m sure he is shooting lights out in workouts, Thompson is overrated in my mind and will be a bust for the high selection that he will receive in the draft.
5. Nolan Smith
After Kyrie Irving’s injury at Duke, Smith was forced to play point guard and still played at an extremely high level averaging over five assists a game. However, Smith is not a natural point guard and would much rather be slashing on the off-guard position. Smith has a great knack for getting to the free-throw line, crashing the glass defensively, and limiting his turnovers, but I don’t see him as a strong NBA shooting guard. His 6-2 size may force him back to point guard, but he doesn’t have the quickness that is necessary to guard other quick point guards. Smith enjoyed a great run at Duke, including a national championship, but I don’t see a long NBA career for him.
6. Jacob Pullen
Pullen may go undrafted but has the intangibles where a team should take a late-second round flier on him. Pullen knows how to will his team to victories through his capabilities to get to the free-throw line or knock down a big 3-pointer. Pullen’s size will work against him, and the fact that he has limited experience at point guard, but I see Pullen as a great backup shooting guard and a guy that can bring a lot of energy off of the bench ala the Eddie House mold.
7. E’Twaun Moore
E’Twaun Moore was a rugged type of player in college that wasn’t always pretty but got the job done. However, Moore lacks something that other players can’t bring to the table. He is a decent shooter and was inconsistent at reaching the free-throw line. Moore is stuck between the mold between a slasher and shooter, but that has plagued his potential, and causes me enough concern to believe that he won’t be in the NBA in five years, due to his strong college statistics.
8. David Lighty
Does anyone else feel as if Lighty has been around forever. I still remember him playing well in the Mike Conley and Greg Oden Ohio State days. Lighty was a 6-7 guard, but he didn’t slash to the basket much, but would rather shoot from deep. He was a great shooter, but he doesn’t bring much else to the table on offense. Lighty forced a lot of steals, but I never felt that he was a lockdown defender, and that will probably cost him on draft night, as well as in his NBA career. However, in a best-case scenario, I could see Lighty filling the Robert Horry type of player mold.
9. DeAndre Liggins
I’m sorry but if you are a 6-6 guard, and you don’t have the trust of John Calipari to play in his explosive offense, I don’t think you are going to be capable of playing the NBA. Liggins finally got some playing time this season, but he still struggled to get to the free-throw line, especially in games where his 3-pointer was not falling. I don’t see Liggins having an impact in the NBA.
Small Forwards:
1. Derrick Williams
Yes, most places consider Derrick Williams a power forward, however I think he will be moved down to small forward in the NBA. Williams definitely has the potential to be a strong player in the NBA. He can attack the basket, he can shoot 57 percent from downtown, he can get to the free-throw line at will, and single-handedly beat Duke. Will all of these pieces come together for Williams in the NBA? I think so, especially with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ricky Rubio at the point. Williams should be a force going up-and-down the court. Now do I think Williams will be the next Blake Griffin? No, but I think he has a lot of parts to his game that he could thrive as, and eventually be a poor man’s Amare Stoudemire.
2. Kawhi Leonard
I saw Leonard play on several occasions last year, and for some reason he always left me wondering if there was more to him. I do think that he underachieved with 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds a game. Leonard has good size with 6-7 and 225 pound frame, but didn’t go to the free-throw line as much as I would have liked. He was a good rebounder, but I think he has the potential to be an even better one. He scared me with some of his turnovers, but I think that he has the potential to be better than Derrick Williams, however, I don’t think he will reach that true potential. Leonard should make the All-Star game a few times, but if is ever drafted/traded to the right system, you could be looking at a perennial All-Star.
3. Jan Vesley
The differences between the potential vs. production debate include:
- Vesley is 6-11 and 240 pounds… as a small forward.
- He averaged 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in the Euroleague.
That is the same differences in which Ricky Rubio has been panned a bust because of his lack of production in the Euroleague. However, it is a different and much more fundamental style of basketball. Vesley is suppose to be a decent shooter but lacks a back-to-basket game, which would make him almost Dirk Nowitzki-like. If he can fine-tune his game he has the potential to be an Amare Stoudemire before the knee surgeries, otherwise he could end up as another Andrea Bargnani, if he doesn’t develop other parts of his game.
4. Chris Singleton
Another player whose intangibles, 6-9 and 225 pounds, that didn’t match his college production (13 points and 7 rebounds a game). Singleton is a lockdown defender, which will earn him a spot on any NBA team, but he doesn’t help himself by playing horrendously in half-court sets. Singleton has the size for the NBA transition offenses, but struggles to create his own shots. Singleton’s defense will give him a long career, but don’t expect to see many offensive highlights out of him.
5. Jimmy Butler
I don’t know if everyone has heard his story, but ESPN’s Chad Ford wrote a tremendous piece about Butler’s upbringing from being kicked out of the house by his mother at 13 to going to Marquette University to the NBA. Butler isn’t the best shooter but possessed a strong ability to go to the free-throw line at the end of the season. Butler plays great defense and forced a ton of steals, but isn’t the type of small forward that will create shots for himself. I see Butler as a serviceable starter in the NBA but not an All-Star due his struggles on offense, a poor man’s Shane Battier.
6. Jordan Hamilton
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of Hamilton’s game. He doesn’t reach the free-throw line enough for the amount of shots that he takes, and he shoots far too many 3-pointers. I think Hamilton benefited from having Tristan Thompson in the frontcourt, but will struggle not being the man in the NBA. I see Hamilton being a bust in the NBA for his expected high draft selection because of the way he disappeared in games and the fact that he shot the ball way too many times for not having a smart shot selection.
7. Chandler Parsons
I love Chandler Parsons’ game. He has great basketball IQ, as he almost plays like a point guard except for his 6-10, 221 pound build. Parsons is a great passer, and was developing into a good shooter at Florida. A major cause for concern was the fact that he does not go to the free-throw line often (he is awful at the free-throw line as well at 56 percent). Although he is no stranger to the defensive glass with over seven rebounds a game, he won’t slash to the basket enough to make himself more effective. He will struggle at the NBA with his inability to go to the free-throw line and create shots because defenders know he does not drive to the basket well.
8. Kyle Singler
Talk about the differences in one season. Had Kyle Singler entered the NBA draft after the NCAA championship, he may have been a top-10 pick and now he is fighting to stay in the first round. Part of his problem last year was the fact that he got moved back to small forward after spending a season at power forward. Due to the fact that he was no longer playing against players that he was much more athletic than, he had trouble getting his shot off and driving around the quicker defenders. That is probably a sign of things to come in the NBA for Singler who may be a decent player to bring off of the bench, but I don’t see a great NBA career for one of my favorite Duke players.
9. Chris Wright
Chris Wright may go undrafted, and is probably unknown to a lot of people but Wright is one of the best athletes in this draft. He is not a very good shooter, but he knows how to hit the glass and is one of the best dunkers in this draft class. I don’t know if he will get drafted, but if he does he does have the intangibles to be a strong player off of the bench, but that possibility is based upon the fact that he learns how to shoot the ball better and learns to use athleticism to defend.
Power Forwards:
1. Kenneth Faried
As everyone learned in the NCAA tournament, Faried is a different breed of athlete and I think he will excel in the NBA. Although the team that drafts him will have a raw player on their hands based on the fact that he doesn’t have many offensive moves and is not a strong back-to-the-basket player, he knows how to get rebounds, and is a Dennis Rodman like player on defense. The big question is whether he can be effective on offense. If he can answer yes to the big question, than Faried may be the star of this draft class.
2. Marcus Morris
Although it is sometimes tough to tell the Morris twins apart, Marcus should be the first twin taken off of the board due to his dual threat of hitting a mid-range jumper, reaching the free-throw line, or draining a 3-pointer. Also, Marcus is a strong rebounder, and should be an efficient player in the NBA. Although I don’t see him as a perennial All-Star, I could see him having the same impact in the NBA as the Al Jefferson. The only knock on him is that he doesn’t possess the greatest size for power forward.
3. Tristan Thompson
Thompson has a strong knack for rebounding and reaching the free-throw line. He is long and more athletic than his size shows but he doesn’t have a strong touch shooting the ball, and back-to-the-basket game (doesn’t that seem like the theme for PF in this draft?). However, Thompson’s length and athleticism should help him out and he should be a starter in the NBA.
4. Markieff Morris
Although he was once miles behind his twin Marcus, Markieff had a terrific season at Kansas, and helped himself out but hitting the glass harder. Markieff is a strong rebounder than his twin, but he doesn’t have the same offensive weapons. Although he is not as good of a shooter, he is just as good, if not better on the defensive side and is able to grab more offensive rebounds. If the Morris twins were more athletic, I would give them All-Star predictions, but they should both be starters in the NBA. One big question has to be the fact that they will be separated for the first time in their careers and whether that will have a negative impact on them.
5. Jon Leuer
Leuer enjoyed a solid senior season at Wisconsin, but probably won’t be that effective in the NBA. Leuer will be a strong shooter at the power forward position, but he doesn’t rebound with a strong conviction and doesn’t always force fouls to get to the free-throw line. I see Leuer as a Rasheed Wallace type player, but he is not as athletic as Wallace; which could be his downfall.
6. Donatas Motiejunas
Yes, I’m not a fan of the international players this year, and that’s because I think too much is based upon one performance. Motiejunas has good size and can run the floor well but he is too soft to be a strong power forward, and didn’t play particularly strong in the Italian League. Motiejunas’ stock is based upon a strong performance in 2009 against Team USA, but I think he has bust written all over him.
7. Bismack Biyombo
Another bust that I smell is Bismack Biyombo. Yes he has some great physical traits in his wingspan and that will probably make him a great shot-blocker, but didn’t we see this a couple of years ago in Hasheem Thabeet? He was not an amazing player in the Spanish ACB League, and I don’t think he will ever be effective in the NBA. I would believe in him more if he showed strong offensive moves, but the NBA will be able to react to his size (see Yao Ming).
8. Jeremy Tyler
I do not like Tyler’s game whatsoever. He is known for skipping high school and college to play overseas in Israel in which he quit the team halfway through the season, and then played in Japan last year with decent numbers. However, I don’t think Tyler is mature enough to play in the NBA, let alone sit on the bench and watch other players be the stars. I think Tyler will be back overseas within two years of sitting on the bench.
Centers:
1. Nikola Vucevic
Take my word for it: Nikola Vucevic is a baller. He can hit the boards with the best of them, is a decent shooter, and has enough size to last in the NBA. He isn’t the greatest athlete and won’t be the best center to play in the NBA but I think he will be the best center from this draft class. He knows how to get to the free-throw line in most games, but his biggest foe in college was foul trouble, which he will have to work on in the NBA.
2. Jonas Valanciunas
Another international guy that I’m not a huge fan of but I would take him before any of the others. He average 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in the Euroleague, but has a strong feel for the paint and I think that he will be a decent center in the NBA. His solid but not great skills will define his NBA career.
3. Keith Benson
The thing that sells me on Benson is the fact that he played on one of the most run ‘n’ gun teams in college basketball and they still found ways to get the ball into their big man. Benson is strong underneath and can find ways to get to the free-throw line. Also Benson is a strong rebounder, and his great motor should be able to make him a low-line starter or great backup center.
4. Enes Kanter
First things first, how is it possible for a player to be drafted in the top 3 without playing basketball for over a season? He was ruled ineligible after signing with Kentucky but still has all of this hype? Count me as unconvinced for numerous reasons. Kanter had one strong showing in front of scouts in game competition, but is otherwise mostly based upon workouts. Sorry but for only practicing for the last year, Kanter should be excellent in controlled workout environments. I think he will be a big bust, and won’t last long in the NBA. He has great size, but I don’t think the lack of games should help a player. Kanter is the type a player that a GM will draft based more on the lack of answers rather than knowing the answers.
REPORT: KURT RAMBIS FIRED
Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis will be fired Thursday before the draft, which shouldn’t be a surprise to many. Rambis was not present for anything after the season including Ricky Rubio’s introduction to Minnesota and the upcoming draft. I think that David Kahn was waiting to make a decision on Rambis for the future Collective Bargaining Agreement, but decided to make their decision before choosing their future without a coach-in-waiting. Overall, it’s a move that will define David Kahn’s general managing career, because if the Timberwolves finish last in the NBA next season (if there is a next season), Kahn’s job is surely the next to go. Although the lineup of Rubio, Johnson, Williams, Love, Milicic (Beasley will probably be traded if Derrick Williams is selected and not traded himself) will not put fear into any other team’s eyes, they should be able to finish better than last place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)