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2021-22 College Bowl Predictions (confidence)

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

 12-17 Bahamas Bowl (Noon, ESPN) Toledo over Mid Tenn                   33 --loss
           Cure Bowl (6 ESPN) C Carolina  over N Ill                                   43--win

 12-18 Boca Raton Bowl (11 ESPN) App St  over WKy                           19-loss
           Celebration Bowl (12, ABC) Jackson St over SCarol St                40-loss
           N Mexico Bowl (2:15 ESPN) Fresno St  over UTEP                     44-win
           Independence Bowl (3:30 ABC) BYU  over UAB                        25-loss
           Lending Tree Bowl (5:45 ESPN) Liberty over EMich                   32-win
           LA Bowl (7:30 ABC) Ore St over Ut St                                        28-loss
           N Orleans Bowl (9:15 ESPN) Louisiana over Marshall                18-win
           
  12-20 Myrtle Beach Bowl (2:30 ESPN) Tulsa over ODU                      35-win
            
  12-21 Idaho Potato Bowl (3:30 ESPN) Wyoming over Kent                24-win
            Frisco Bowl (7:30 ESPN) UTSA over  SD St                              21-loss
            
  12-22 Armed Forces Bowl (8 ESPN) Army over Missouri                   17-win
  
  12-23 Frisco Football Classic (3:30 ESPN) Miami(oh) over NTex      12-win
            Gasparilla Bowl (7 ESPN) Florida over UCF                              34-loss

  12-24 Hawaii Bowl (8 ESPN) Hawaii over Memphis                           4-cancel

  12-25 Camellia Bowl (2:30 ESPN) GSt  over Ball St                           14-win

  12-27 Quick Lane Bowl (11 ESPN) Nevada over WMich                    26-loss
             Military Bowl (2:30 ESPN) BC over ECarol                             3-cancel

  12-28 Birmingham Bowl (Noon ESPN) Aub over Hou                        23-loss
            First Responder Bowl (3:15 ESPN) Louisville  over AForce     6-loss
            Liberty Bowl (6:45 ESPN) Miss St over TTech                         38-loss
            Holiday Bowl (8 Fox) NC St over UCLA                                  15-cancel
            Guaranteed Rate Bowl (10:15 ESPN) Minn over WVa              30-win

  12-29 Fenway Bowl (11 ESPN) UVA over SMU                                 9-cancel
            Pinstripe Bowl (2:15 ESPN) Va Tech over Mary                       29-loss
            Cheez it Bowl (5:45 ESPN) Iowa St over Clemson                   2-loss
            Alamo Bowl (9:15 ESPN) Okla over Ore                                 31-win

   12-30 Mayo Bowl: (11:30 ESPN) UNC over SCarol                         37-loss
             Music City Bowl (3 ESPN) Tenn over Purdue                          8-loss
             Peach Bowl (7 ESPN)  Pitt   over Mich St                                22-loss
             Las Vegas Bowl (10:30 ESPN) Wisc over Ariz St                    27-win

    12-31 Gator Bowl (11 ESPN) A&M over Wake                               20-loss
               Sun Bowl (Noon) Miami (CMU) over Wash St                      7-win
              Arizona Bowl (2) Boise St over C Mich                               42-cancel
              Cotton Bowl (3:30 ESPN) Ala over UC                                 41-win
              Orange Bowl (7:30 ESPN) UGA  over Mich                          39-win

    1-1   Outback Bowl (Noon ESPN) Penn St over Ark                      16-loss
            Citrus Bowl (1 ABC) UK over Iowa                                        13-win
            Fiesta Bowl (1 ESPN) ND over Ok St                                     11-loss
            Rose Bowl (5 ESPN) Oh St over Utah                                     36-win
            Sugar Bowl (8:45 ESPN) Ole Miss over Baylor                      10-loss

    1-4 Texas Bowl (9 ESPN) LSU over K St                                        5
           
    1-10 National Title (8 ESPN)  UGA/Mich    over Ala/Cin               1
              

2021 Athlete of the Year

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

 December


Giannis Antetokounmpo.  Runner-up Tom Brady

The year really came down to this choice - Brady winning another Super Bowl, with a new team, is the biggest accomplishment of the year, and then he came back in 2021 and continued performing near the top of the league.  

But the single best performance of the year was Giannis in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 50 pts, 14 boards, 5 blocks to win the chip. It capped off a ridiculous NBA Finals with 3 40+, 10+ rebound games.

Here's the full year:

January-Travis Kelce
February-Tom Brady
March- Nathan Chen
April-Steph Curry
May-Phil Mickelson
June-Simone Biles
July-Giannis Antetokounmpo
Aug-Elaine Thompson Herah
Sep-Jonquel Jones
Oct-Tyson Fury
Nov-Jorge Soler
Dec- Max Verstappen

I've been doing this as long as I can remember, the full records exist from 1990 forward; here's the history:

1990: Joe Montana  
1991: Michael Jordan
1992: Mario Lemieux
1993: Michael Jordan
1994: George Foreman  
1995: Hakeem Olajuwon
1996: Michael Jordan
1997: Tiger Woods
1998: Mark McGwire
1999: Tiger Woods   
2000: Tiger Woods
2001: Barry Bonds
2002: Barry Bonds
2003: Lance Armstrong
2004: Peyton Manning   
2005: Reggie Bush
2006: Roger Federer
2007: Tom Brady
2008: Usain Bolt
2009: Manny Pacquiao  
2010: Maya Moore
2011: Aaron Rodgers
2012: LeBron James
2013: LeBron James
2014: Madison Bumgarner  
2015: Serena Williams  
2016: Michael Phelps 
2017: Tom Brady  
2018: Breanna Stewart 
2019: Megan Rapinoe  
2020: Patrick Mahomes
2021: Giannis Antetokounmpo

December, 2021 Athlete of the Month

Monday, December 13, 2021

 November




Max Verstappen.  Runners-up: Bryce Young, Robert Lewandowski, George Kittle

And just like that, 2021 is over.  

Tomorrow - the 2021 Athlete of the Year.  


January-Travis Kelce
February-Tom Brady
March- Nathan Chen
April-Steph Curry
May-Phil Mickelson
June-Simone Biles
July-Giannis Antetokounmpo
Aug-Elaine Thompson Herah
Sep-Jonquel Jones
Oct-Tyson Fury
Nov-Jorge Soler
Dec- Max Verstappen

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: Region 10 Round 2/3: Series 3 and 4

Sunday, December 12, 2021

 1-2




11. 2013 PAC DIV CHAMP LA CLIPPERS v. 14. 2004 DALLAS MAVERICKS


Clippers: 56-26, 1st Pac Div, 4th Off/8th Def

                 Lost Grizzlies West 1st Rnd 4-2
                 #170 overall seed
                 d. '75 Colonels (2-0, Crawford/Paul)

Coach: Vinnie Del Negro, 

Starters
C DeAndre Jordan            24-A&M             8.8 PPG  17.2 PER  6.2 WS  .9
F Blake Griffin                 23-Oklahoma      18            22.4          10.6   4
F Matt Barnes                  32-UCLA             10.3         15.5          6.3     2
G Chris Paul                     27-Wake              16.9         26.4         13.9    6.4 VORP
G Jamal Crawford             32-Michigan       16.5        16.8           5.4    1.7

Rotation Reserves
C Ryan Hollins                  28-UCLA            3.4          11.3           1.7   -.3
F Lamar Odom                  33-Rhode Island    4          10.9            2.7  .6
F Caron Butler                   32-UConn           10.4         12.4          3.6   .3
G Eric Bledsoe                   23-Kentucky        8.5         17.5          3.7  2.2
G Chauncey Billups           36-Colorado        8.4          15             1.3   .3

Leaders Paul 2nd Assts, 2nd Assts/Gm, 2nd Steals, 1st Steals/Gm, 3rd PER, 3rd WS, 3rd WS/48, 3rd +/-, 3rd VORP, 2nd Off Rtng, 1st Asst%, 2nd Steal %, 1st Team All NBA
               Jordan: 1st FG%, 1st Eff FG%
               Griffin 2nd Team All NBA

Safe to say 27 year old CP3 was the third best player in the NBA in 2013, 3rd in PER, 3rd in Win Shares, 3rd in WS/48, 3rd in VORP.  23 year old Blake Grifin also is over 20 PER w/ double digit WS.  The Clips are looking for their first team in the Rnd of 32.

Mavs: 52-30, 3rd MW Div, 1st Off/26th Def
           Lost Kings West 1st Rnd 4-1
           #215 overall seed
           d. '62 Celtics (2-0 Finley/Dirk)

Coach: Don Nelson, Asst Rolando Blackman, Del Harris

Starters
C Dirk Nowitzki         25                    21.8 PPG   22.5 PER  11.5 WS   4.3 VORP
F Antoine Walker        27-Kentucky  14               15.8          3.9            1.8
F Antawn Jamison      27-UNC          14.8            21.2          9              2.2
G Steve Nash              29-S Clara      14.5            20.5          8.8            3
G Michael Finley        30-Wisconsin 18.6            17.8          7.6            2.7

Rotation Reserves
C Shawn Bradley        31-BYU          3.3              15.6          2.3          .4
F Danny Fortson         27-Cincinnati  3.9              15.9          2.3          -.3
G Josh Howard           23-Wake          8.6              15.7          3.5          .8
G Tony Delk               30-Kentucky    6                 13.2          .8            .2
G Marquis Daniels      23-Auburn       8.5              20.1         3.2          1.1


Leaders Nash 2nd Assts, 3rd Assts/Gm, 2nd FT%, 4th Off WS, 3rd Asst%
               Jamison 4th FG%, 5th Eff FG%, 4th Off Rtng, 3rd TO%
               Dirk: 3rd Off WS, 4th TO%, 3rd Team All NBA
               Finley: 1st TO%
               Walker 3rd Trip Doub

Best offensive team in 2004, almost the worst defensive team.   25 year old Dirk is over 20 PER with double digit WS, 27 year old Jamison and 29 year old Nash both go over 20 PER.

Matchup:
C Dirk (Mavs)
F Blake (Clips)
F Jamison (Mavs)
G Paul (Clips)
G Finley (Mavs)
Bench: Clips

Gm 1

1 Qtr

9 Clips 9 Mavs 4
Clips Griffin, Blake(3) Crawford, Barnes
Mavs Jamison, Jamison

6 Mavs 13 Clips 11
Clips Jordan, 
Mavs Dirk, Walker, Jamison(3)

Bottom of Region 10 - neither Mavs nor Clips have a spot in the Rnd of 32.

3 Clips 22 Mavs 19
Clips Butler, Paul, Griffin(3) Griffin, Jordan
Mavs Dirk, Dirk, Nash

1 Score Clips 28 Mavs 27
Clips Blake, Blake, Bledsoe
Mavs Delk, Bradley, Bradley, Daniels

14 for Blake Griffin to open this one.

2 Qtr

9 Clips 34 Mavs 30
Clips Odom, Barnes(3) Paul(1)
Mavs Bradley(1) Howard

6 Clips 37 Mavs 34
Clips Griffin(1) Odom
Mavs Walker, Howard

Fun game - we could get a fun series, couple of teams you would not expect to still be here.

3 Clips 47 Mavs 42
Clips Griffin, Crawford, Jordan, Jordan, Barnes
Mavs Dirk, Fortson, Jamsion(1) Finley, Jamison(1)

H Score Clips 54 Mavs 50
Clips Crawford, Bledsoe(3) Hollins
Mavs Walker(3) Walker, Dirk, Daniels

Dirk's got a dozen, Blake 17 - tight game.

3 Qtr

9 Clips 58 Mavs 57
Clips Odom, Billups
Mavs Jamison(3) Jamsion, Jamison

6 Clips 68 Mavs 62
Clips Paul, Odom, Butler, Jordan, Butler
Mavs Walker, Nash(3)

Antawn Jamison with 7 quick points but the Clips extend that lead.

3 Clips 77 Mavs 68
Clips Blake, Crawford, Paul, Butler(3)
Mavs Dirk, Nash, Nash

3 Score Clips 80 Mavs 73
Clips Crawford(3)
Mavs Howard, Finley(3)

12 left - who takes game one?

4 Qtr

9 Clips 92 Mavs 79
Clips Bledsoe, Griffin(3) Griffin, Crawford(3) Crawford
Mavs Dirk, Jamison, Daniels

6 Clips 102 Mavs 85
Clips Griffin, Griffin(3) Crawford, Barnes(3)
Mavs Daniels, Dirk, Dirk

Clips will win at home.  8 more for Griffin

3 Clips 114 Mavs 93
Clips Jordan, Griffin(3) Griffin, Bledsoe, Wayns(3)
Mavs Finley, Dirk, Jamison, Best

F Score Clips 118 Mavs 102
Clips Bledsoe, Wayns
Mavs Delk(3) Delk(3) Delk(3)

Clips dominate the quarter and win easily

Griffin: 34 pts/14 boards/5 assists(PotG-1)
Jordan: 12 pts/8 boards
Paul: 7 pts/14 assists
Crawford: 18 pts
Barnes: 10 pts
Bledsoe: 11 pts

Dirk: 20 pts/10 boards
Jamison: 20 pts/7 boards
Walker: 12 pts
Delk: 11 pts

Gm 2

1 Qtr

9 Mavs 10 Clips 7
Mavs Walker, Nash, Jamison, Walker, Jamison
Clips Griffin, Griffin, Jordan(3)

6 Mavs Mavs 21 Clips 15
Mavs Finley, Jamison(3) Finley, Fortson, Dirk
Clips Paul, Barnes, Jordan, Jordan

Mavs need a win at home to force game 3.

3 Mavs 26 Clips 25
Mavs Jamison, Finley(3)
Clips Crawford, Griffin, Paul(1) Paul(3) Griffn

1 Score Mavs 32 Clips 32
Mavs Dirk, Howard, Bradley
Clips Paul, Bledsoe, Hollins(3)

Tied through 1 - 8 each for Paul and Griffin.

2 Qtr

9 Mavs 39 Clips 36
Mavs Dirk, Finley(3) Daniels
Clips Butler, Bledsoe

6 Mavs 43 Clips 42
Mavs Daniels, Finley
Clips Barnes, Barnes, Griffin

Finley with 5 to open the 2nd.

3 Clips 53 Mavs 49
Mavs Dirk(3) Dirk, Dirk(3) jamison
Clips Bledsoe(3) Jordan, Jordan

H Score Mavs 59 Clips 54
Mavs Bradley, Finley, Jamison
Clips Blake(3) Paul

10 in the qtr for Dirk.

3 Qtr
 
9 Mavs 69 Clips 60
Mavs Dirk, Bradley, Jamison(3) Jamison(3)
Clips Jordan, Jordan, Bledsoe

6 Mavs 75 Clips 64
Mavs Finley, Jamison, Dirk
Clips Griffin, Bledsoe

8 for Jamison as the Mavs get some daylight.

3 Mavs 78 Clips 68
Mavs Delk(1) Daniels
Clips Barnes, Bledsoe

3 Score Mavs 84 Clips 80
Mavs Jamison, Bradley, Bradley
Clips Barnes(3) Griffin, Butler(3) Paul, Butler

Clips close it to 4 with the aid of a couple of triples.  

4 Qtr

9 Mavs 89 Clips 82
Mavs Nash(1) Walker, Dirk
Clips Blake

6 Mavs 94 Clips 89
Mavs Dirk(3) Howard
Clips Crawford, Paul(3) Jordan

5:21: LAC: Chauncey Billups dunk cuts it to 3.
5:01 LAC: Ryan Hollins 3 footer cuts it to 1.

3:59: DAL: Dirk 17 footer.
3:07: DAL: Jamison baseline floater and the lead is 5
2:15: DAL: Antoine Walker dunk makes it a 7 point game.
1:45: DAL; Dirk from the top of the key - big Mavs run.

1:29: LAC: Crawford stops the bleeding, pull up J.
1:01: LAC: CP3 drives and scores.  
:44: LAC: The Clips force a turnover and then it's Paul again, long 2 to cut it to 3.
:19: LAC: Another Mavs turnover, Blake dunk makes it a 1 point game - 8 straight for Dallas followed by 8 straight for the Clips.

DeAndre fouls out at 17 seconds left.  Jamison goes to the line.

Hits both.  3 pt game.  

Clips need a triple to tie - it's going to be Crawford.  

Misses.

2 more Jamison FT for the final

F Score: Mavs 106 Clips 101

The Mavs hold on to even up the series.  Both clubs have 3 different PotG

Jamison: 29 pts/9 boards-PotG
Dirk: 27 pts/8 boards
Nash: 3 pts/13 assists
Finley: 16 pts/6 boards
Bradley: 10 pts

Griffin: 21 pts/14 boards
Paul: 19 pts/6 assists
Jordan: 17 pts/11 boards/5 blocks
Barnes: 11 pts/6 boards

1 Qtr

9 Mavs 11 Clips 4
Clips Griffin, Crawford
Mavs Jamison, Walker(3) Nash, Finley, Walker

6 Mavs 18 Clips 13
Clips Barnes. Griffin, Jordan, Griffin(3)
Mavs Jamison, Nash(3) Nash

Winner take all here in LA.

3 Mavs 21 Clips 20
Clips Barnes, Griffin, Jordan(3)
Mavs Finley, Walker(1)

1 Score Clips 27 Mavs 23
Clips Billups(3) Bledsoe, Crawford
Mavs Fortson

9 for Blake Griffin.

2 Qtr

9 Clips 33 Mavs 29
Clips Crawford(1) Crawford(3), Hollins
Mavs Nash, Daniels, Bradley

6 Clips 39 Mavs 33
Clips Bledsoe, Griffin, Bledsoe
Mavs Dirk, Jamison

Clips holding this lead.

3 Clips 47 Mavs 41
Clips Barnes(3) Griffin(3) Barnes
Mavs Nash, Nash, Walker, Dirk

H Score Clips 54 Mavs 52
Clips Jordan, Barnes, Butler, Odom(1)
Mavs Dirk, Dirk, Daniels, Dirk(3) Finley

Dirk didn't score in the first qtr - but he has 11 in the second.

3 Qtr

9 Clips 62 Mavs 59
Clips Barnes, Odom, Jordan, Bledsoe
Mavs Jamison, Fortson, Nash(3)

6 Mavs 68 Clips 66
Clips Butler, Paul
Mavs Dirk(1) Walker, Howard, Walker, Howard

The Mavs come back.

3 Mavs 75 Clips 73
Clips Jordan(1) Bledsoe, Crawford, Jordan
Mavs Finley(3) Finley, Fortson

3 Score Mavs 79 Clips 73
Clips
Mavs Fortston, Jamison

12 minutes left - the Mavs keep the Clips off the board in the last 3 minutes and have a 6 pt lead.

4 Qtr

9 Mavs 81 Clips 80
Clips Crawford(3) Jordan, Paul
Mavs Daniels

6 Clips 87 Mavs 86
Clips Jordan, Paul, Barnes(3)
Mavs Nash(1) Dirk, Walker

5:42: LA: Matt Barnes hits his second 3 in a minute and LA is up 4.

5:29: DAL: Dirk in the lane.
4:38: DAL: Nash triples from the top - the Mavs go up a pt.
3:48: DAL: Michael Finley corner 3 and it's 94-90.  Clips haven't scored in 2 minutes.

3:26: LA: CP3 with a deep 3.  

3:10: DAL: Nash comes right back with another 3.  

2:55: LA: Blake.  Dunk.
2:24: LA: Crawford in traffic and the Clips have tied the score.  We got a real one.

2:16: DAL; Finley hits another 3 - and Dallas is up 3.

1:20: LA: Crawford drives and scores.  

1:04: DAL: Blake fouls out - Dirk hits 1 and it's 101-99
:38: DAL: That could be that - CP3 misses and Dirk hits a corner 3.  It's a 5 pt game.

Crawford scores, Dirk and Jamison each hit a FT and its over

F Score: Mavs 106 Clips 101

Dallas wins the last 2 and advances.

Dirk: 21 pts/7 boards-Player of the Game(2)
Finley: 17 pts/6 boards
Nash: 23 pts
Jamison: 11 pts/7 boards
Walker: 14 pts/8 boards
Fortson: 10 pts


    




2. 2013 NBA CHAMPION MIAMI HEAT v. 10. 1993 SEATTLE SONICS

Heat: 66-16, 1st SE Div, 2nd Off/9th Def
           d. Bucks East 1st Rnd 4-0
           d. Bulls East Semis 4-1
           d. Pacers East Finals 4-3
           d. Spurs NBA Finals 4-3
           #23 overall seed
           d. '83 Lakers (2-0 LeBron 2)

Coach: Erik Spoelstra, GM Pat Riley, Asst Bob McAdoo

Starters
C Chris Andersen           34-Blinn        4.9 PPG   17.4 PER  2.7 WS    .3
F Chris Bosh                  28-Geo Tech  16.6          20             9             2.1
F LeBron James             28                  26.8          31.6          19.3         9.9 VORP
G Mario Chalmers         26-Kansas      8.6           13.3          5.2           1.3
G Dwayne Wade            31-Marquette 21.2          24            9.6            3.8

Rotation Reserves
C Udonis Haslem           32-Florida      3.9            9.9           3.2           -.4
F Rashard Lewis            33                   5.2            11.1         1.2             -.1
F Shane Battier              34-Duke         6.6            10.7         4.4            1.4
G Mike Miller                32-Florida      4.8            13.5         2.6            .8
G Ray Allen                   37-UConn      10.9           14.7         5.4           1.2

Leaders LeBron 4th PPG, 5th FG%, 2nd Eff FG%, 3rd TS%, 1st PER, 1st WS, 1st WS/48, 1st +/-, 1st VORP, 3rd Off Rtng, 2nd Trip Doub, 1st team All NBA
               Allen 5th FT%, 
               Wade 3rd Team All NBA

28 year old LeBron James is the best player in basketball in 2013. He sweeps the board - first in PER, Win Shares, VORP, WS/48. There is no debate, he's the top guy.  28 year old Bosh and 31 year old Wade also hit 20 PER.

Sonics: 55-27, 2nd Pac Div, 4th Off/2nd Def
             d. Jazz West 1st Rnd 3-2
             d. Rockets West Semis 4-3
             Lost Suns West Finals 4-3
             #151 overall seed
             d. '82 Sixers (2-1, Pierce/Kemp)

Coach: George Karl

Starters
C Michael Cage           31-San Diego St     6.1 PPG   13.2 PER  6.2 WS   1.3
F Shawn Kemp            23-Trinity Valley    17.8          20.4          9.1          2.6
F Derrick McKey         26-Alabama           13.4          15             6.6          2.4
G Gary Payton             24-Oregon St          13.5          17            7.8          3.1
G Ricky Pierce            33-Rice                   18.2           19.2         7.7          2.5

Rotation Reserves
C Benoit Benjamin     28-Creighton           6.7            14.7          .9             0
F Sam Perkins             31-UNC                  12.1           16.9         2.8           .7
F Eddie Johnson          33-Illinois               14.4           17.1         4.8         .5
G Nate McMillan        28-NC St                 7.5             15.1        5.6          3
G Dana Barros            25-B College           7.8             15           3.5          1.1

Leaders Payton 4th Steals,
               McMillan 4th Steals/Gm, 1st Def +/-, 1st Steal%
                Johnson 3rd FT%
                Cage 3rd Off Reb%

The '93 Sonics were a top 4 offense and defense; 23 year old Shawn Kemp is over 20 PER. No Sonics on any All NBA Teams.

Matchup:
C Cage (Sonics)
F Push
F LeBron (Heat)
G Payton (Sonics)
G Wade (Heat)
Bench: Push

Gm 1

1 Qtr

9 Sonics 6 Heat 0
Heat
Sonics Kemp, Payton, Kemp

6 Sonics 13 Heat 4
Heat Wade, LeBron
Sonics Kemp, Pierce(3) Kemp

Mavs wait the winners as we look to the 2nd Region 10 semi.  

3 Sonics 16 Heat 11
Heat Andersen(1) Wade, Bosh, Bosh
Sonics McMillan(1) Johnson

1 Score Sonics 22 Heat 13
Heat Haslem
Sonics Barros, Johnson, Benjamin

Seattle holds Miami to 13 first qtr pts.  

2 Qtr

9 Sonics 26 Heat 17
Heat LeBron, Haslem
Sonics Johnson, Perkins

6 Sonics 32 Heat 20
Heat Lewis, Wade(1)
Sonics McKey, Pierce, Perkins

Seattle has totally locked Miami down.

3 Sonics 37 Heat 28
Heat LeBron, Battier(4) Andersen
Sonics Perkins, McMillan(3)

H Score Sonics 41 Heat 34
Heat Wade, Bosh, Haslem
Sonics Pierce, Kemp

That's a 4 point play for Battier, rare in the tournament; but only 34 first half Miami pts.  6 for LeBron.

3 Qtr

9 Sonics 47 Heat 43
Heat Bosh, Bosh, Bosh, Miller(3)
Sonics Pierce, Johnson, Kemp

6 Sonics 58 Heat 48
Heat Wade, LeBron(1) Andersen
Sonics Perkins, McKey, Perkins, McMillan(3) Pierce

Sonics have led the whole way.

3 Sonics 66 Heat 56
Heat Wade, Wade, LeBron, Wade
Sonics Cage(3) Pierce, Johnson(1) Pierce

3 Score Sonics 68 Heat 62
Heat LeBron, Wade, Wade
Sonics Benjamin

DWade with 10 in the last 6.

4 Qtr

9 Heat 71 Sonics 70
Heat LeBron, Allen(3) Chalmers, Allen
Sonics Pierce

6 Heat 81 Sonics 76
Heat Chalmers, Bosh(3) Haslem, LeBron(1) Haslem
Sonics Barros, Johnson, Cage

The Heat take over.

3 Heat 91 Sonics 78
Heat Chalmers, Allen, LeBron, Haslem, LeBron
Sonics McMillan

F Score Miami 98 Seattle 78
Heat Bosh, Bosh, Chalmers(3)
Sonics

Seattle's held to 10 4th qtr pts; Miami outscores them by 26 in the 4th.

LeBron: 18 pts/9 boards/7 assists-Player of the Game(3)
Bosh: 19 pts
Wade: 19 pts/5 boards
Haslem: 12 pts/8 boards

Kemp: 12 pts/14 boards
Pierce: 17 pts/5 boards
Johnson: 11 pts
Perkins: 10 pts/6 boards

Gm 2

1 Qtr

9 Sonics 7 Heat 6
Sonics Pierce, Pierce(3) Kemp
Heat Wade(1) Wade(3) LeBron

6 Sonics 13 Heat 8
Sonics Payton, Pierce, Cage
Heat Wade

Sonics need a win to stay alive; the Mavs will be on the road either way for game one.

3 Sonics 21 Heat 16
Sonics McKey(3) Kemp(1) McMillan, Johnson
Heat LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Bosh

1 Score Sonics 32 Heat 21
Sonics McMillan, McMillan, McMillan(3) Benjamin, Benjamin
Heat LeBron(3) Allen

9 for Nate McMillan in the last 6 and the Sonics are off fast.

2 Qtr

9 Sonics 34 Heat 25
Sonics Payton
Heat Haslem, Allen

6 Sonics 40 Heat 34
Sonics McKey, Payton, Kemp
Heat Andersen, LeBron, Allen(3) Wade

Wade's got 10 and the Heat slice the deficit.

3 Sonics 47 Heat 37
Sonics Perkins, McMillan(1) Perkins, Pierce
Heat Miller(3)

H Score Sonics 54 Heat 45
Sonics Perkins(3) Johnson, Payton
Heat Chalmers, Andersen, Andersen, Allen

7 for Perkins to close the half - Sonics maintain.

3 Qtr

9 Sonics 60 Heat 57
Sonics Kemp, Kemp, Kemp
Heat Andersen(3) LeBron, LeBron, Wade, Miller(3)

6 Sonics 68 Heat 60
Sonics Benjamin, Perkins(1) McKey, Barros(3)
Heat Haslem(1) LeBron

A half dozen for Kemp opens the half.

3 Sonics 77 Heat 68
Sonics Pierce, McKey(3) McMillan, Kemp
Heat Wade, LeBron, Wade(1) LeBron(3)

3 Score Sonics 85 Heat 80
Sonics Perkins, Perkins(3) Perkins(3)
Heat Bosh, Wade, Allen(3) Bosh, Battier(3)

7 more for Perkins.  12 left.

4 Qtr

9 Sonics 96 Heat 88
Sonics Johnson, McKey, Cage, Payton(3) Kemp
Heat Wade(3) Wade(3) Wade

6 Sonics 100 Heat 93
Sonics Pierce, Pierce
Heat Haslem(3) Haslem

DWade with 8 opens the 4th, but Sonics up 7.

3 Sonics 104 Heat 99
Sonics Johnson, Pierce
Heat LeBron(1) Miller(3) Wade

2:49: MIA: Bosh bank.

2:33: SEA: Pierce top of the key.
1:25: SEA: Kemp dunk and it's a 7 pt game.

1:09: MIA: LeBron drives, scores.  

:30: SEA: Pierce from the wing.

:24: MIA: LeBron bombs one from the wing.  4 pt game.

Kemp FT.  Wade bucket.  Pierce FT. Bosh bucket.  Pierce FT.  Ballgame

F Score: Sonics 116 Heat 110

The Sonics even it up and we head to Miami for the showdown.

Kemp: 19 pts/16 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game(2)
Pierce: 25 pts/6 assists
Payton: 11 pts/6 boards
Cage: 4 pts/11 boards
McKey: 12 pts
Perkins: 16 pts/8 boards
McMillan: 12 pts

LeBron: 26 pts/7 boards/6 assists
Bosh: 12 pts/11 boards
Wade: 29 pts/10 boards/7 assists
Allen: 12 pts

Gm 3

1 Qtr

9 Heat 4 Sonics 1
Heat Wade, Wade
Sonics GP1(1)

6 Sonics 7 Heat 6
Heat Wade
Sonics McKey, Cage, Pierce

Defense to start the showdown.

3 Sonics 15 Heat 14
Heat LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, Haslem(1)
Sonics Benjamin, Payton, Payton, Kemp

1 Score Sonics 21 Heat 20
Heat Bosh,, Lewis, Bosh
Sonics Johnson, McMillan, Perkins

Tight through 1

2 Qtr

9 Sonics 27 Heat 23
Heat Allen(3)
Sonics Perkins, Perkins, Johnson

6 Sonics 34 Heat 28
Heat Bosh, Wade(3)
Sonics McKey, Perkins(3) Perkins

Sam Perkins with 9 to open the 2nd.

3 Sonics 43 Heat 33
Heat Andersen, Battier(3)
Sonics Barros, McKey(3) Johnson, Payton

H Score Sonics 49 Heat 34
Heat Bosh(1)
Sonics Kemp, Pierce, Kemp

The Sonics have locked Miami down - they are a half from advancing.

3 Qtr

9 Sonics 53 Heat 41
Heat LeBron, Wade(3) LeBron
Sonics Kemp, Johnson

6 Sonics 59 Heat 50
Heat LeBron(3) LeBron(3) Battier(3)
Sonics Pierce, McKey, GP

4 triples for Miami - but they still trail by 9.

3 Sonics 69 Heat 62
Heat Chalmers(3) Bosh, Wade, LeBron, Bosh(3)
Sonics Benjamin, Barros, Kemp, Johnson, JOhnson

3 Score Sonics 69 Heat 68
Heat Miller(3) Allen(3)
Sonics

4 more Heat triples and tight defense and Miami has closed it to 1

4 Qtr

9 Sonics 77 Heat 70
Heat Allen
Sonics Pierce, Pierce, Perkins, Payton

6 Sonics 81 Heat 74
Heat Wade, Wade
Sonics Johnson, Pierce

Just 6 points in the last 6 minutes for Miami.

3 Heat 84 Sonics 83
Heat Allen, Lewis(3) Lewis, Miller(3)
Sonics Kemp

2:28: MIA: Wade nails a corner 3 30 seconds after the Miller corner 3 gave the Heat their first lead.

2:17: SEA: GP hits a triple from the top to cut it to 1.
:49: SEA: The Heat get 3 shots at a bucket but can't find it and then Derrick McKey scores in the lane and Seattle is up.  

:36: MIA: Down a pt in the must win game - Mario Chalmers drains one from the top of the key and it's 89-88 Heat.

It's Ricky Pierce - he banks one home and Seattle goes back up at 21 seconds.

Timeout Miami.  Down 1.  Last shot time.  Couldnt be a bigger spot.

It's Wade - he drives - 9 feet away - 10 seconds left - rises - fires -

GOOD!  GOOD!  DWade gives Miami the lead with 10 seconds left.

Seattle now - down 91-90.  Here we go.  It's Payton.  Payton drives - Payton in traffic - Payton at the buzzer ---

Back iron.  And out.  

F Score: Heat 91 Sonics 90

DWade comes through - game winning bucket and Miami advances.

Wade: 23 pts-Player of the Game(1)
LeBron: 19 pts/10 boards/8 assists
Bosh: 12 pts/7 assists
Allen: 10 pts

2. 2013 NBA CHAMPION MIAMI HEAT v. 14. 2004 DALLAS MAVERICKS

Matchup:
C Dirk (Mavs)
F Bosh (Heat)
F LeBron (Heat)
G Nash (Mavs)
G Wade (Heat)
Bench: Mavs

1 Qtr

9 Heat 12 Mavs 2
Heat LeBron(3) Wade, Andersen, Bosh(3) Chalmers
Mavs Finley

6 Heat 18 Mavs 14
Heat LeBron, Bosh, Bosh
Mavs Nash(3) Jamison, Dirk, Finley, Jamison

The 20th team to hit the Rnd of 32 will be the winners here.

3 Heat 30 Mavs 18
Heat Wade, Haslem, Wade, Bosh, Wade, Bosh
Mavs Jamison, Dirk

1 Score Heat 38 Mavs 26
Heat Wade, Bosh, Wade, Miller
Mavs Walker, Nash, Jamison, Dirk

Miami never really got on track offensively in the Sonics series - but they get off fast here.

2 Qtr

9 Heat 50 Mavs 32
Heat Chalmers(3) Allen(3) Battier(3) Chalmers(3)
Mavs Daniels, Delk(3) Fortson(1)

6 Heat 58 Mavs 36
Heat Lewis, Haslem, Wade, Bosh
Mavs Daniels(1) Nash(3)

Dallas doesn't want this smoke.

3 Heat 71 Mavs 43
Heat Wade(3) Bosh(1) Chalmers, Bosh, Miller(3) LeBron
Mavs Dirk, Daniels(3) Finley

H Score Heat 74 Mavs 53
Heat LeBron(1) Allen
Mavs Walker, Nash, Daniels, Finley, Finley

3 Qtr

9 Heat 81 Mavs 57
Heat Bosh, Andersen, Allen(3)
Mavs Walker, Bradley

6 Heat 85 Mavs 61
Heat Miller, Wade
Mavs Nash, Daniels

Miami is going to win game one.

3 Heat 91 Mavs 67
Heat Wade, LeBron, Haslem
Mavs Howard, Nash, Fortson

3 Score Heat 96 Mavs 78
Heat LeBron, Miller(3)
Mavs Daniels(3) Jamison(3) Finley(3)

4 Qtr

9 Heat 98 Mavs 82
Heat Andersen
Mavs Fortson, Dirk

6 Heat 108 Mavs 89
Heat Bosh (3) Bosh(3) Chalmers, Allen
Mavs Fortson(1) Jamison, Walker, Walker

3 Heat 110 Mavs 94
Heat LeBron
Mavs Dirk(3) Dirk

F Score
Heat Cole(1) Varnado(1) harrellson, Harris, Wade, Andersen
Mavs Najera, Best, Delk(3) Najera(3) Finley(3) Dirk(3)

Lot of garbage time pts for the Mavs, but this isn't close.

LeBron: 14 pts/15 boards/16 assists-Player of the Game
Wade: 23 pts/6 boards
Bosh: 26 pts/9 boards
Chalmers: 12 pts
Miller: 10 pts
Allen: 10 pts

Dirk: 20 pts/7 boards
Nash: 14 pts/5 assists
Finley: 17 pts
Jamison: 13 pts/8 boards
Walker: 10 pts/6 boards
Daniels: 13 pts/5 assists

Gm2

1 Qtr

9 Mavs 6 Heat 3
Mavs Dirk, Dirk, Walker
Heat Chalmers(3)

6 Mavs 16 Heat 13
Mavs Nash, Walker, Walker, Finley, Jamsion
Heat Andersen(3) LeBron, leBron, Andersen(3)

Mavs look to turn this around in Dallas.

3 Mavs 24 Heat 19
Mavs Dirk, Walker, Jamison, Daniels
Heat Bosh, Wade, Wade

1 Score Mavs 30 Heat 22
Mavs Daniels, Daniels, Howard
Heat Allen(3)

Good start in game two for the Mavs as they try to even this up.

2 Qtr

9 Mavs 36 Heat 29
Mavs Bradley, Bradley, Fortson
Heat Chalmers(3) LeBron, LeBron

6 Mavs 47 Heat 39
Mavs Daniels, Daniels(3) Daniels, Jamison, Walker
Heat LeBron(3) Lewis(1) Wade, Bosh, Wade

7 for Marquis Daniels open the 2nd.

3 Mavs 55 heat 47
Mavs Daniels, Walker, Finley, Jamison
Heat Allen, leBron, Wade, Wade

H Score Mavs 63 Heat 51
Mavs Howard, Walker(3) Walker(3)
Heat Bosh, Allen

10 for Antoine Walker in the second - Mavs are really hammering the buckets today.

3 Qtr

9 Mavs 72 Heat 55
Mavs Dirk, Walker, Nash, Fortson(3)
Heat LeBron, Bosh

6 Mavs 76 Heat 61
Mavs Dirk, Finley
Heat Wade, Andersen, Andersen

The Mavs are rolling in game 2.

3 Mavs 82 Heat 69
Mavs Finley, Nash, Walker
Heat Allen(3) LeBron, Allen(3)

3 Score Mavs 84 Heat 74
Mavs Jamison
Heat Battier(3) Wade

The 17 pt Mavs lead is down to 10

4 Qtr

9 Mavs 90 Heat 76
Mavs Nash, Nash, Walker
Heat Andersen

6 Mavs 97 Heat 82
Mavs Dirk, Finley(3) Finley
Heat Chalmers, LeBron, LeBron

We are heading to Miami for the showdown.

3 Mavs 99 Heat 87
Mavs Jamsion
Heat Allen, Allen(3) 

F Score Mavs 103 Heat 89
Mavs Walker, Nash
Heat Cole

The Mavs really dominate game 2 - and there's one to go in the region.

Walker: 26 pts/16 boards-Player of the Game(1)
Dirk: 12 pts/9 boards
Nash: 12 pts/8 assists
Finley: 13 pts/5 boards
Jamison: 12 pts/8 boards
Daniels: 15 pts

LeBron: 21 pts/7 assists/6 boards
Wade: 16 pts
Andersen: 12 pts/6 boards
Allen: 18 pts

Gm3

1 Qtr

9 Mavs 6 Heat 5
Heat Bosh, Andersen(3)
Mavs Nash, Dirk, Jamison

6 Heat 13 Mavs 11
Heat Wade, Bosh, LeBron, Bosh
Mavs Finley(3) Dirk

The Heat beat the Sonics with a last second Wade shot - is this one going down to the wire?

3 Heat 21 Mavs 13
Heat Wade, Wade, Bosh(3) Haslem(1)
Mavs Dirk

1 Score Heat 36 Mavs 18
Heat Bosh(3) Bosh, Allen, Battier(3) Miller, Allen(3)
Mavs Bradley, Howard(3)

Well, that escalated quickly - this looks like game 1

2 Qtr

9 Heat 40 Mavs 20
Heat LeBron, Bosh
Mavs Howard

6 Heat 47 Mavs 33
Heat Bosh, Miller(3) Wade
Mavs Jamsion, Finley, Walker, Jamison, Walker, Fortson

Best stretch for the Mavs.

3 Heat 57 Mavs 37
Heat Allen(1) LeBron, LeBron, Allen(3) LeBron
Mavs Howard, Fortson

H Score Heat 66 Mavs 41
Heat Wade, Bosh(3) Chalmers, Chalmers
Mavs Finley, Howard

Okay, that's it - Miami will get their second team in the rnd of 32.

3 Qtr

9 Heat 72 Mavs 50
Heat Chalmers, Wade, Wade
Mavs Jamison(3) Walker, Finley, Fortson

6 Heat 85 Mavs 56
Heat Miller(3) LeBron, Allen(1) Allen(3) Lewis
Mavs Daniels(3) Walker(3)

3 Heat 91 Mavs 63
Heat LeBron, LeBron, Lewis
Mavs Dirk, Nash(3) Daniels

3 Score Heat 95 Mavs 67
Heat Andersen, Bosh
Mavs Howard, Howard

4 Qtr

9 Heat 100 Mavs 71
Heat Andersen(1) Wade, leBron
Mavs Fortson, Dirk

6 Heat 107 Mavs 83
Heat LeBron, Wade, Miller(3)
Mavs Dirk, Dirk, Finley(3) Jamison, Nash(3)

3 Heat 115 Mavs 85
Heat Haslem, Lewis, Andersen, Wade
Mavs Dirk

F Score Heat 127 Mavs 95
Heat Wade(3) Anthony, Cole, Harrellson(1) Howard, harrellson
Mavs Walker(3) Best, Best(3) Delk

Never a game - Miami is the 20th team in the Rnd of 32

LeBron: 20 pts/11 assists/10 boards
Bosh: 25 pts/14 boards
Wade: 23 pts/8 assists/4 blocks/5 steals-Player of the Game
Allen: 13 pts
Miller: 11 pts/5 boards

All Region Team
C Shaq ('98 Lakers-6)
F Bird ('80 Celtics-3)
F LeBron ('13 Heat-4) 
G Drexler ('90 Blazers-2)
G Wade ('13 Heat-2)

2022 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot

Saturday, December 11, 2021

 

Heres my 2022 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot; I'm probably a couple years away from a redo of my all time player rankings.  

Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Alex Rodriguez
Manny Ramirez
Curt Schilling

Jeff Kent
Scott Rolen
Gary Sheffield
Andruw Jones
David Ortiz

Out
Todd Helton
Andy Pettitte
Tim Hudson

Joe Nathan
Billy Wagner

I'm a PEDs don't matter voter; I do see the argument for a distinction between pre 2003 use and post 2003 use as a consideration in approving of careers, but fundamentally, what happened on the field happened, regardless of drugs, both PEDs or speed or otherwise, regardless of segregation, regardless of wartime disparities, regardless of all manner of the reserve clause and territorial signings.  Voters are either saying "I want to punish specific users of specific drugs" or they are saying "specific users of specific drugs actually weren't as good as players from 1915" and both positions seem ridiculous to me.

Bonds and Clemens are easy.  You should lose your vote for submitting a ballot otherwise.  

ARod has the "rules changed in 2003" issue; I disagree with a vote to keep him out, but I understand the argument. To me - they are inner circle Hall of Famers and you can't have a Hall of Fame absent them.

Ramirez and Schilling are in the next tier.  Ramirez has the ARod issue - and isn't an inner circle guy, so the need to have him in isn't as pronounced.  Honestly - I hate the argument against Schilling.  I say this as a devout lefty; a "the Republicans are attempting a fascist coup" lefty - there is literally nothing, not homicide, not genocide, nothing, that a player would be able to do after his career that would impact my evaluation of his career.  He's a middle tier guy; so if you have a small Hall, only inner circle players need apply, mentality, it's okay to leave him off for that reason.  

I'm not married to the final five slots - this is where my thoughts in a couple years might change given a re-evaluation of my all time rankings.  I don't want to just say Ortiz over Helton when I might turn around down the road and say "actually, Helton was better" - so, if I was actually filling out a ballot, I'd take the second 5 on my list and the final five would not make it, but I'm not going to stand on the table for any of those five as opposed to the five left off.  I could also see a scenario one day where I want a small enough Hall of Fame that I'd only vote for the top 5 guys and cross my arms and say "that's it, those are Hall of Famers" I don't really have a good handle on what to do with closers, there aren't many better than those two in MLB history, so I don't hate ballots that include them, but they'd be 14-15 on my list.  

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