Playoffs First Impressions
Wanted to get in a few initial observations and jabs now as it may be a while before I get another post in - lots of travel coming up. Good news football fans - see below for a very interesting take/study on Longhorns success in the NFL...I think you'll be surprised.
First Take: NBA Playoffs
It's no secret that the Longhorns have been afflicted with the "soft" label around the NFL over the past decade or so. Orangebloods did an interesting article (Geoff Ketchum) today that was essentially a statistical study to attempt to uncover who rates the highest in the Big 12 in NFL production. The study was done between the years of 2000 and 2006 and the categories that were studied included Pro Bowls/All Pros; Large second or third contracts; Multi-year starters; multi-year contributors; and Busts. I urge you all to check the link to see the entire article, including definitions and criteria for the categories as it's quite fascinating.
http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=938175
Keep in mind that again, this is nothing more than a breakdown of numbers based on fairly objective standards. I'm pretty sure there a lot of folks who could/would argue against some of this, but nonetheless, it's an interesting read.
Next week Ketchum will take this same formula and apply it to other conferences. Should be interesting.
Have a good day - I'll be out of pocket for a while.
First Take: NBA Playoffs
- I'm afraid Detroit's astonishing run (how many of you realized this?) of at least 6 straight conference finals appearances will come to in an end in 2 games. They have no chance against Lebron and company.
- If you can believe this, I actually have some fairly significant issues with the Lakers. So they've won both of their games by 10 points, but two things: first, they're not playing any real defense. In both meetings they've given up over 100 points to team that's not necessarily an offensive power. Second, they STILL seem incapable of putting their foots on the throat of the competition and put them away. One guarantee you can make is regardless of who the opponent is, the Lakers will lose a big lead in the second half. They have to play better in the second half and they have to start playing more aggressive defense - they have a tendency to get ridiculous sloppy late in games. Based on what I've seen, I don't think it's inconceivable to think that Utah can win at least one game in Salt Lake.
- What idiot ever said that Portland was a team to be reckoned with....
- Nice win by the Blazers - they HAD to get that win and Houston did what they needed to do and that's steal one on the road. In case you haven't realized it, when playing in a seven-game series, stealing one on the road is a team's number on priority - just one.
- Boston may have a bit of a problem. They nutted out a game last night, but needed a last second shot to get it and they lost Powe for the rest of the year. That's a pretty big loss. I still think they are capable of beating the Bulls, but Chicago is going home doing exactly what they needed to, as I said above - stealing one from Boston. They've got home court now. However, I just don't see them staying this consistent.
- Nice win by the Mavs, but I'm still picking the Spurs in this one. I still don't know what Dallas is going to do to contain Parker....other than mugging him as Dampier suggested.
- Caught the end of the Philly/Orlando game and that was a bit of a meltdown by Orlando. Remember - you have Dwight Howard. It's not that big of a deal - Magic should still beat them pretty good.
- Andrew Bynum really looks good - when he gets the ball down low he's got good sound fundamentals. But he really needs to work on two things: 1) his hands - it seems like half the time he's not ready for the ball and fumbling it. And 2) he needs to develop better instincts on rolling to the basket with the pick and roll. I can't really blame him as he's been back now for a whopping 5 games or so. He'll be fine.
- Chauncey Billups has been an absolute God send to the Denver Nuggets.
- Memo to Lakers (as I watch this second half) - STOP forcing the ball. When there's under 5 minutes to play and you're up by 8-10, you don't HAVE to force the ball downcourt....I'm looking at you Kobe, you know better than that. Jackson needs to pull off some of his motivation magic between now and next game.
It's no secret that the Longhorns have been afflicted with the "soft" label around the NFL over the past decade or so. Orangebloods did an interesting article (Geoff Ketchum) today that was essentially a statistical study to attempt to uncover who rates the highest in the Big 12 in NFL production. The study was done between the years of 2000 and 2006 and the categories that were studied included Pro Bowls/All Pros; Large second or third contracts; Multi-year starters; multi-year contributors; and Busts. I urge you all to check the link to see the entire article, including definitions and criteria for the categories as it's quite fascinating.
http://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=938175
Keep in mind that again, this is nothing more than a breakdown of numbers based on fairly objective standards. I'm pretty sure there a lot of folks who could/would argue against some of this, but nonetheless, it's an interesting read.
Next week Ketchum will take this same formula and apply it to other conferences. Should be interesting.
Have a good day - I'll be out of pocket for a while.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:42 PM
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