The San Antonio Spurs bounced back from a Game 2 loss at home with one of the most impressive first offensive performances in NBA Finals history. No team has shot as well from the field during a half of championship basketball in the history of the league. It has been over 45 years since a team scored as many as 41 points in the first quarter.
Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green exploded from the floor in Game 3. Leonard scored 16 of his 29 points in the first quarter. He had 18 total points throughout the first two games of the series. He shot 10 for 13 from the field and 6 for 7 from the line in Game 3 in Miami. Leonard also played expert defense against LeBron James, forcing him into tough shots. Leonard added two blocks and two steals. Green added 15 points on 7 for 8 shooting and was credited with 5 steals.
The Spurs led by 16 points after the first and by 25 points midway during the second quarter. The Spurs managed to get uncontested shots int he paint throughout the first half. They made some tough shots too, but the majority of San Antonio's record-setting shooting came from inside the paint. The Spurs led 71-50 at the half.
Miami came back int he third quarter. LeBron James scored 22 points, and added 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Wade scored 22 points. James shot 9 for 14 and Wade shot 8 for 12. But the two stars combined for 12 costly turnovers. Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen put in double figures, but the Heat received little else. Starting point guard Mario Chalmers has struggled during the three games so far.
The Heat cut the lead to single digits towards the end of the third, but ran out of gas. Miami's fans gave up on the team in the fourth and the place had emptied out with three minutes to go. Coach Erik Spoelstra waved the white flag with a minute and a half to go and put in former number one pick Greg Oden.
For the Spurs, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili all scored double figures. Boris Diaw started and contributed 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He once again led the team in +/-. The Spurs outscored the Heat by 20 when Diaw was on the floor.
The Spurs finished the game up 111-92 and lead the series 2-1/
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Game 2 - LeBron Redeems Himself
Game 2 was fought at close quarters through much of the game. No teams held a lead above six during the second half. The Spurs jumped out to a fast start in their air conditioned building. Good ball movement on the perimeter and Tim Duncan cleaning up any missed shots allowed the Spurs to taker a 26-19 lead after the first quarter and raise that lead to 11 a minute into the second period. Duncan had 11 of 18 points in the first and ended with 15 rebounds.
The Heat quickly came back on the strength of LeBron James. In the first half, LeBron scored int he paint. In the second, he hit outside jumpers. In all, James poured in 35 points on only 22 field goal attempts. He added 10 rebounds and didn't miss any of his three three point attempts.
The Spurs kept hitting timely threes and avoided the turnover issues that plagued them in Game 1. While Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli, Danny Green, and Boris Diaw all hit from beyond the arc, none scored double figures. Diaw contributed the most with 10 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes.
By the midway point of the third quarter, the Spurs held a modest lead. That's when James helped the Heat come roaring back. Late in the third quarter, James scored 12 points as Miami went on a 13-2 run. In that span, the Spurs became three-point happy, missing four.
Chris Bosh, who hasn't been able to stop Duncan so far, opened the fourth with an and-one dunk, giving the Heat the lead. Bosh had an impressive two-handed slam, gliding through the air and getting fouled in the second, and finished with 18 points, but only 3 rebounds.
With 6:52 left in the game, Mario Chalmers swung his left elbow into Tony Parker's midsection as the Miami guard drove to the basket. Chalmers was called for a flagrant foul, but Parker came out of the incident bruised. he missed the two free throws and exited the game. It would be the last time the Spurs led in Game 2.
James led Miami and got help from a Chris Andersen lay up.and a Bosh three. Parker came back and nailed a three to finish with 21 points, but the Spurs couldn't score when it counted the most. Parker's three with 2:26 left would be the last time San Antonio scored until the final buzzer.
With just under 30 seconds left, Ginobili missed and Miami came away with the ball. Down three, the Spurs should have fouled. Instead, they played out the possession, trying to trap at the top of the key. Wade slid under and gave Miami an insurmountable five point lead with nine seconds left. Ginobili hit a three at the buzzer to make the final score 98-96.
The Heat received 14 points from Wade and Rashard Lewis and nine from ray Aleen in tying the series at one.
The Heat quickly came back on the strength of LeBron James. In the first half, LeBron scored int he paint. In the second, he hit outside jumpers. In all, James poured in 35 points on only 22 field goal attempts. He added 10 rebounds and didn't miss any of his three three point attempts.
The Spurs kept hitting timely threes and avoided the turnover issues that plagued them in Game 1. While Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli, Danny Green, and Boris Diaw all hit from beyond the arc, none scored double figures. Diaw contributed the most with 10 rebounds and 5 assists in 32 minutes.
By the midway point of the third quarter, the Spurs held a modest lead. That's when James helped the Heat come roaring back. Late in the third quarter, James scored 12 points as Miami went on a 13-2 run. In that span, the Spurs became three-point happy, missing four.
Chris Bosh, who hasn't been able to stop Duncan so far, opened the fourth with an and-one dunk, giving the Heat the lead. Bosh had an impressive two-handed slam, gliding through the air and getting fouled in the second, and finished with 18 points, but only 3 rebounds.
With 6:52 left in the game, Mario Chalmers swung his left elbow into Tony Parker's midsection as the Miami guard drove to the basket. Chalmers was called for a flagrant foul, but Parker came out of the incident bruised. he missed the two free throws and exited the game. It would be the last time the Spurs led in Game 2.
James led Miami and got help from a Chris Andersen lay up.and a Bosh three. Parker came back and nailed a three to finish with 21 points, but the Spurs couldn't score when it counted the most. Parker's three with 2:26 left would be the last time San Antonio scored until the final buzzer.
With just under 30 seconds left, Ginobili missed and Miami came away with the ball. Down three, the Spurs should have fouled. Instead, they played out the possession, trying to trap at the top of the key. Wade slid under and gave Miami an insurmountable five point lead with nine seconds left. Ginobili hit a three at the buzzer to make the final score 98-96.
The Heat received 14 points from Wade and Rashard Lewis and nine from ray Aleen in tying the series at one.
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Game 1 - LeBron Can't Take the Heat
In the midst of a broken air conditioner, the conditions played a key role in the outcome of Game 1 on the 2014 NBA Finals, a rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. Miami grabbed their largest lead, 86-79, with 9:38 left in the fourth. Chris Bosh had just nailed a free throw capping a four-point play.
Miami had raced to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Spurs raced back. Once Manu Ginobili entered the contest, the Heat became the team forced to catch up. Ginobili, who was a scorer in the first quarter and a distributor in the second half, finished with 16 points and 11 assists.
The Spurs held a 26-20 lead after one and a five point lead at halftime despite committing a ton of turnovers. The sweltering building hurt the road Heat. On the bench Miami's players were complaining about the temperature for much of the game.
The Spurs took a nine point lead early in the third quarter. Dwyane Wade helped spark the comeback with 5 of his 19 points during an 8-0 Heat run. Tim Duncan, who scored 21 points on 9 of 10 shooting, and Ginobili helped keep the Spurs even with Miami until Ray Allen exploded. Allen scored 6 consecutive Heat points including a running facial over Danny Green.
The Heat held a three point lead heading into the fourth and expanded it early with Bosh's four point play. Bosh finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds, but couldn't stop Duncan. With 7:31 left, LeBron James begged out due to cramps. He made one brief appearance when his body locked up. It was a huge blow to the Heat in what had quickly become a competitive game.James had scored 25 points on 9 of 17 shooting.
Danny Green woke up in the fourth and finished with 13 points including a ferocious dunk to make up for Allen's over him in the third. Tony Parker finished with 19 points and 8 assists. The Spurs outscored the Heat by 30 when Boris Diaw (2 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) was on the floor.
The Spurs ended the game on a 13-3 run and finished the game by outscoring the Heat 31-9 from Bosh's fourth-point play. San Antonio took Game 1 at home 110-95 despite 22 turnovers.
Miami had raced to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Spurs raced back. Once Manu Ginobili entered the contest, the Heat became the team forced to catch up. Ginobili, who was a scorer in the first quarter and a distributor in the second half, finished with 16 points and 11 assists.
The Spurs held a 26-20 lead after one and a five point lead at halftime despite committing a ton of turnovers. The sweltering building hurt the road Heat. On the bench Miami's players were complaining about the temperature for much of the game.
The Spurs took a nine point lead early in the third quarter. Dwyane Wade helped spark the comeback with 5 of his 19 points during an 8-0 Heat run. Tim Duncan, who scored 21 points on 9 of 10 shooting, and Ginobili helped keep the Spurs even with Miami until Ray Allen exploded. Allen scored 6 consecutive Heat points including a running facial over Danny Green.
The Heat held a three point lead heading into the fourth and expanded it early with Bosh's four point play. Bosh finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds, but couldn't stop Duncan. With 7:31 left, LeBron James begged out due to cramps. He made one brief appearance when his body locked up. It was a huge blow to the Heat in what had quickly become a competitive game.James had scored 25 points on 9 of 17 shooting.
Danny Green woke up in the fourth and finished with 13 points including a ferocious dunk to make up for Allen's over him in the third. Tony Parker finished with 19 points and 8 assists. The Spurs outscored the Heat by 30 when Boris Diaw (2 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) was on the floor.
The Spurs ended the game on a 13-3 run and finished the game by outscoring the Heat 31-9 from Bosh's fourth-point play. San Antonio took Game 1 at home 110-95 despite 22 turnovers.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
2014 Washington Nationals Baserunning Stats
2014 Nats baserunning stats in 2013 according to the Bill James Handbook:
| Player | Bases Gained |
Stolen Bases Gained |
Net Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramos | -14 | -2 | -16 |
| LaRoche | +2 | +2 | +4 |
| Rendon | +3 | -1 | +2 |
| Desmond | +3 | +9 | +12 |
| Zimmerman | +4 | +6 | +10 |
| Harper | +6 | +3 | +9 |
| Span | +14 | +8 | +22 |
| Werth | -7 | +8 | +1 |
| Espinosa | - - - | - - - | - - - |
| McLouth | +3 | +16 | +19 |
| Frandsen | -11 | +1 | -10 |
| Moore | -3 | 0 | -3 |
| S. Hairston | - - - | - - - | - - - |
| Lobaton | -2 | -2 | -2 |
| Dobbs | -3 | -1 | -4 |
Monday, May 26, 2014
2014 Washington Nationals Batting Tendencies and Preferences
2014 Nats batting stats, tendencies, and preferences in 2013 according to the Bill James Handbook:
| Player | Patient or Aggressive |
Air or Ground |
Best Against Lefty or Righty |
Runs Created |
Win Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramos | Very Aggressive | Ground | Even | 40 | 8 |
| LaRoche (L) | Very Patient | Air | Right | 68 | 14 |
| Rendon | Patient | Medium | Left | 43 | 12 |
| Desmond | Aggressive | Medium | Even | 81 | 25 |
| Zimmerman | Patient | Medium | Even | 83 | 23 |
| Harper (L) | Patient | Ground | Right | 73 | 19 |
| Span (L) | Aggressive | Ground | Right | 74 | 19 |
| Werth | Very Patient | Air | Left | 94 | 26 |
| Espinosa (S) | Very Aggressive | Ground | Left | 8 | 2 |
| McLouth (L) | Neutral | Air | Right | 71 | 14 |
| Frandsen | Very Aggressive | Ground | Left | 21 | 3 |
| Moore | Neutral | Air | Right | 17 | 3 |
| S. Hairston | Patient | Air | Left | 14 | 2 |
| Lobaton (S) | Aggressive | Medium | Right | 32 | 9 |
| Dobbs (L) | Aggressive | Medium | Right | 21 | 3 |
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
New Bumper Stickers
I'm in the process of creating a new line of bumper stickers. Here are a few:
Your brother might be a marine...
But you still drive like a prick
Your kid might be an honor roll student...
but no one taught you how to drive
You might be pro-life...
but you drive slow as shit.
Press the gas.
Your brother might be a marine...
But you still drive like a prick
Your kid might be an honor roll student...
but no one taught you how to drive
You might be pro-life...
but you drive slow as shit.
Press the gas.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
2014 NBA Playoff Predictions
East
1 Indiana over 8 Atlanta 4-2
2 Miami over 7 Charlotte 4-0
6 Brooklyn over 3 Toronto 4-2
4 Chicago over 5 Washington 4-1
Indiana over Chicago 4-3
Miami over Brooklyn 4-2
Indiana over Miami 4-3
West
1 San Antonio over 8 Mavericks 4-1
7 Memphis over 2 Oklahoma City 4-2
3 L.A. Clippers over 6 Golden State 4-2
4 Houston over 5 Portland 4-1
San Antonio over Houston 4-1
LA Clippers over Memphis 4-2
San Antonio over LA Clippers 4-0
NBA Finals
San Antonio over Indiana 4-2
1 Indiana over 8 Atlanta 4-2
2 Miami over 7 Charlotte 4-0
6 Brooklyn over 3 Toronto 4-2
4 Chicago over 5 Washington 4-1
Indiana over Chicago 4-3
Miami over Brooklyn 4-2
Indiana over Miami 4-3
West
1 San Antonio over 8 Mavericks 4-1
7 Memphis over 2 Oklahoma City 4-2
3 L.A. Clippers over 6 Golden State 4-2
4 Houston over 5 Portland 4-1
San Antonio over Houston 4-1
LA Clippers over Memphis 4-2
San Antonio over LA Clippers 4-0
NBA Finals
San Antonio over Indiana 4-2
Monday, March 31, 2014
Another Obnoxious Pound-for-Pound List
Here is the updated version of my obnoxiously unnecessary and utterly superfluous list of the top 10 pound-for-pound boxers. The previous list was posted on December 30.
1) Floyd Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs), [Previous Rank: 1]
2) Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 51 KOs), [PR: 2]
3) Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs), [PR: 3]
4) Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), [PR: 4]
5) Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KOs), [PR: 5]
6) Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), [PR: 6]
7) Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), [PR: 7]
8) Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs), [PR: 8]
9) Danny Garcia (28-0, 16 KOs), [PR: 9]
10) Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs) [PR: 10]
1) Floyd Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs), [Previous Rank: 1]
2) Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 51 KOs), [PR: 2]
3) Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs), [PR: 3]
4) Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), [PR: 4]
5) Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KOs), [PR: 5]
6) Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), [PR: 6]
7) Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), [PR: 7]
8) Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs), [PR: 8]
9) Danny Garcia (28-0, 16 KOs), [PR: 9]
10) Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs) [PR: 10]
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Top 5 QBs, RBs, WRs Now
This list takes more into account than one pass, one game, or even one season. But it's not a list one the best who happen to be active. It also isn't a prediction of what will happen either. Injuries are not ignored. The previous list was posted on February 12, 2013.
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Quarterbacks
| Rank | David's | (PR) | Mike's | (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peyton Manning | (3) | Peyton Manning | (3) |
| 2 | Tom Brady | (1) | Aaron Rodgers | (1) |
| 3 | Drew Brees | (4) | Tom Brady | (2) |
| 4 | Aaron Rodgers | (2) | Drew Brees | (4) |
| 5 | Philip Rivers | (NR) | Cam Newton | (NR) |
Running Backs
| Rank | David's | (PR) | Mike's | (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Peterson | (1) | Adrian Peterson | (1) |
| 2 | LeSean McCoy | (NR) | Jamaal Charles | (3) |
| 3 | Jamaal Charles | (3) | LeSean McCoy | (NR) |
| 4 | Marshawn Lynch | (4) | Marshawn Lynch | (2) |
| 5 | Matt Forte | (NR) | Matt Forte | (NR) |
Wide Receivers
| Rank | David's | (PR) | Mike's | (Previous Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Johnson | (1) | Calvin Johnson | (1) |
| 2 | Andre Johnson | (2) | Demaryius Thomas | (NR) |
| 3 | A.J. Green | (NR) | Andre Johnson | (4) |
| 4 | Josh Gordon | (NR) | Josh Gordon | (NR) |
| 5 | Antonio Brown | (NR) | A.J. Green | (3) |
Saturday, January 04, 2014
2014 NFL Playoff Predictions
NFC
Phi over NO 35-27
SF over GB 24-13
Phi over Car 21-10
Sea over SF 21-20
Sea over Phi 38-10
AFC
Cin over SD 17-14
KC over Ind 14-12
NE over Cin 27-15
Den over KC 45-31
Den over NE 35-21
Super Bowl XLVIII
Sea over Den 24-17
Phi over NO 35-27
SF over GB 24-13
Phi over Car 21-10
Sea over SF 21-20
Sea over Phi 38-10
AFC
Cin over SD 17-14
KC over Ind 14-12
NE over Cin 27-15
Den over KC 45-31
Den over NE 35-21
Super Bowl XLVIII
Sea over Den 24-17
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