NJ Nets Remake Franchise

I usually don't care too much about the NBA draft because the Nets have not drafted very high lately since they had made the playoffs every year in the Jason Kidd era until this year. And the Knicks, well, let's just say they have offered 0 reasons to root for the team lately.

But the Nets did some bold things last night, remaking the franchise in one night, drafting Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, and Chris Douglas-Roberts. Ironically, last time there were 7 foot brothers from Stanford, the Nets drafted Jason Collins. Let's hope Brook offers more offense than Collins did.

But the big catch was trading for the next big Chinese dude: Yi Jianlian. Yao Ming, it's time to share the spotlight. It's good to see Yi come to the Nets, as hopefully, the Chinese contingent in the area (sorry, Milwaukee, Yi did not fit in Wisconsin), they'll give the Nets support. And the Nets are shrewd, as their homepage is already taking advantage of their newest player.

It's time to go back to the swampland that is the Meadowlands.

Idiot climbs New York Times Building

So, I'm sitting in a conference room around 11:30 this morning when I see a bunch of people by the window looking outside. Suddenly, I see this person climbing on the outside of my building and putting some kind of sign on the building! It turns out to be some avid climber and environmental activist. He ends up climbing the whole 52 floors before getting arrested, but then later on a 2nd guy climbed the building.

I'm sure this is not what the building designer had in mind

Lakers vs Celtics...let's party like it's 1985

I remember growing up watching the Lakers and Celtics playing in the NBA Finals and the Knicks were a terrible team. Boy, some things never change . Seriously though, the games were played in the daytime, so I watched it after school; the shorts were shorter; players wore either Nike or Converse... It was fun though watching Bird, McHale, Parrish, DJ, Ainge against Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Scott, Cooper, and of course, Kurt Rambis.

Well, many years later, and I can't stand either team now, so I'm looking forward to the finals more out of nostalgia than rooting for one particular team.

Everyone's on the Lakers bandwagon after they STOLE Gasol from Memphis, and it's tough to bet against Mr. Clutch Kobe, but I'm going to go with Celtics in 7. Celtics big 3 of KG, Pierce, and Allen is deeper than Lakers' Kobe and Gasol.

Baseball is Back!

The start of the baseball season is always one of the most exciting times of the year for me. As an avid baseball fan, I look forward to seeing which teams will surprise (my pick: Royals 2008) and which teams will disappoint (SF Giants), which players will breakout (John Maine) and which ones are on their last legs (sorry, Pedro). It’s also the time when the stench of the disappointing end to the Yankees season disappears and everyone starts at 0-0. And, I’m anxious to see how my fantasy team shakes out =).

So, though it’s a couple days into the season already, I would like to make my predictions for 2008. It’s not very scientific, somewhat subjective, but here they are.

AL East – New York Yankees. Yep, I’m backing my team. They have got a great mix of veterans and fresh faces, and I think the fact that there’s a new manager after 12 years will help them get off to a good start, instead of sleepwalking through the first 2 months of the year like they have the past few years. I’m still amazed they made the playoffs last year after plummeting to 8 games under .500 on 5/30 (remember when the Mets fans claimed NY is now Met town; Yankees are done). Anyway, their offense is great, their defense (if Giambi can man 1B) is improved, and their pitching will be strong enough IF Joba stays in the pen.

If I’m wrong, well, I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Toronto Blue Jays. What, not the Red Sox?! Sure, they have Ortiz and Manny, and Papelbon and Beckett. But I think the Red Sox have a lot of question marks. Their starters are Beckett, Dice-K, Schilling, Wakefield, Lester, and Buchholz. Beckett is great…when healthy. I’m just waiting for his next blister or injury. I don’t think Dice-K can hold out the whole season. Schilling would have been out for the year if the Red Sox had not begged him to rehab for 3 months (that doesn’t sound good). How much longer can Wakefield go? Lester has potential, but I can’t believe they made him out to be this great pitcher who they would not package with Ellsbury for Johan Santana! Lester will not be pitching that many innings this year. Their bullpen: I’m not buying Okajima for a 2^nd straight year.

So, the Blue Jays. I say this assuming they stay HEALTHY, a big if. Their starting rotation is the best in the AL if they’re healthy. They have a good solid lineup. If they don’t get daunted by all the talk of Yankees and Red Sox finishing 1-2, then they’ve got a shot.

AL Central – Cleveland Indians. Cleveland is the defending division champs. They came one win away from the World Series. Oh, why, Indians, couldn’t you take one more game from the Red Sox. Why? Anyway, I digress. They are a young and improving team. Hafner had an off year and should bounce back. The Indians rotation should be deeper this year, and their bullpen is solid. So, why not the Tigers?

If I’m wrong, it’s the Tigers. The Tigers, sure, have the great offense, but I’m skeptical on their pitching. They’ve got no bullpen, and they are depending on underachieving guys Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, and Jeremy Bonderman, plus the gambler Kenny Rogers.

AL West – Anaheim Angels. Sorry, I will not be calling them the LA Angels. It’s between the Angels and the Mariners (the A’s and Rangers stink), and I’m not sold on the Mariners yet. The Angels play the best defense, and they got even better with Torii Hunter. Their pitching is the best in the division.

If I’m wrong, it’s the Mariners. I-CHI-RO. Well, it’s really about Bedard, King Felix and Carlos Silva. Their pitching will carry them.

AL Wild Card

Tough one, but I’m going to say the Detroit Tigers, only because the AL East is going to be a battle so they’ll beat each other up.

AL Surprise - KC Royals. Finally, they won’t be in last place.

NL East – New York Mets. Despite Pedro’s hammy, and the need for Reyes to grow up, the Mets are the most talented team in the NL. I can’t believe the Mets got Johan for so cheap. Good for them. The Mets, once they get over the hump of choking away last season, will run away with the division.

If I’m wrong, I think the Phils will take it over the Braves. Their offense is the top 2 with the Rockies, and they have an ace in Hamels. Hey, they did it with less pitching last year.

NL Central – Chicago Cubs. Lou Piniella is just a good manager. They are the best of a very weak division. Their starting pitching is solid 1-3 with Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill.

If I’m wrong, Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers will finish 2^nd. Their offense will carry them and they will have enough pitching to win.

NL West – This one’s tough, but I’m going to say San Diego Padres. I think they have the best pitching (both starting and relieving) in the division. The Rockies have the hitting and the back end of the bullpen, but not enough starting. The D-Backs have good starting, but poor bullpen. The Dodgers (good luck Joe Torre) have solid pitching, but I think Torre will overuse Saito and Broxton. The Giants are not worth discussing.

If I’m wrong, it could be any of the Rockies, Diamondbacks, or Dodgers. It’s a close division.

NL Wild Card - Philadelphia Phillies. Just enough to beat out the Braves, Brewers, Rockies, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks, and Cincinnati Reds.

NL Surprise – Cincinnati Reds. Welcome back Dusty Baker

World Series – Why not, the Yankees over the Cubs. Let’s give Yankee Stadium a fond farewell.

Feel free to disagree =)

Currently Reading 21: Bringing Down the House - Movie Tie-In: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions By Ben Mezrich see related

The New Joba Rules

I didn't expect this new rule, but it's an interesting one: have Joba be setup man extraordinaire again, then become a starter in the 2nd half of the year. It's a creative way to limit his innings, but would you rather Joba start or setup in the playoffs?