Here are my 3 All-NBA Teams for the 2010-11 season.
First Team
C Dwight Howard
F LeBron James
F Kevin Durant
G Dwyane Wade
G Derrick Rose
Second Team
C Al Horford
F Pau Gasol
F Kevin Love
G Chris Paul
G Kobe Bryant
Third Team
C Al Jefferson
F LaMarcus Aldridge
F Dirk Nowitzki
G Manu Ginobli
G Tony Parker
The Top Five Players At Any Position To Round Out the 20 Best Players in the NBA This Season
Blake Griffin
Amare Stoudemire
Zach Randolph
Paul Pierce
Kevin Martin
2011 NBA Playoff Predictions
Friday, April 15, 2011
My pre-season picks are here.
I picked against the Vegas over/under season win totals like I do with every sport. And as is always the case, I was successful.
Atlantic - 3 win, 2 loss
Central - 2 win, 3 loss
Southeast - 5 wins, 0 loss, including my two biggest differences with the Vegas line in the East, Washington and Charlotte
Southwest - 3 wins, 2 loss
Northwest - 2 wins, 3 loss
Pacific - 4 wins, 1 loss, splitting my two biggest differences with the Vegas line in the West, Sacramento and the Clippers
That's 19 winners, 11 losers if you invested in my NBA advice. And if you invested more in my biggest disparity plays with the line, that finished 3-1.
When it comes to an individual game or an individual series, my thoughts really are only marginally more valuable than anyone else's. Always a good preface before playoff picks, I recognize. But before a season starts, I'm..I hesitate to say always, but pretty darn close..always giving you winners.
My pre-season finals matchup was Miami/Lakers, and I'm going to say that still happens - but I'm largely making this up.
East
Chicago over Indiana in 4
Orlando over Atlanta in 5
Miami over Philadelphia in 5
Boston over NY in 6
-There's no earthly chance, outside of multiple injuries, that the Bulls lose to Indiana. I'd be surprised if any of the other series went other than this; Orlando's margin for error is the smallest of any of the top teams, as they rely entirely on Dwight Howard (my choice for MVP); Philly is the best of the 4 underdogs, and NY is a sexy matchup and one I hope goes in favor of the Knicks.
Chicago over Orlando
Miami over Boston
Miami over Chicago
-I have a mancrush on the James/Wade combo and am emotionally invested in seeing them come out of the East. They're a coin flip against the Bulls; I feel pretty good about the matchups in the second round for the favorites.
West
San Antonio over Memphis in 7
Denver over OKC in 7
Portland over Dallas in 7
Lakers over NO in 4
-None of the series are as extreme as the Bulls/Pacers matchup, but you'd be really surprised if the Hornets took the Lakers out. Everything else is brutal; the Ginobli injury really tightens up that Memphis series; OKC could win the whole damn thing and I have them out in the first round; and Portland/Dallas is a tossup series.
Denver over San Antonio
Lakers over Portland
-I like whomever comes out of Denver/OKC to make the conference finals. The Lakers could lose that matchup to either the Blazers or Mavs, but you couldn't bet that way.
Lakers over Denver
-You could absolutely pick against the Lakers in this round, in fact, once we know if it's Denver or OKC, consider picking them.
But from here - I've got the same Heat/Lakers matchup I had before the season, and I'll take Miami to win the chip.
I'm guessing Denver/Chicago won't quite pull in the same numbers.
I picked against the Vegas over/under season win totals like I do with every sport. And as is always the case, I was successful.
Atlantic - 3 win, 2 loss
Central - 2 win, 3 loss
Southeast - 5 wins, 0 loss, including my two biggest differences with the Vegas line in the East, Washington and Charlotte
Southwest - 3 wins, 2 loss
Northwest - 2 wins, 3 loss
Pacific - 4 wins, 1 loss, splitting my two biggest differences with the Vegas line in the West, Sacramento and the Clippers
That's 19 winners, 11 losers if you invested in my NBA advice. And if you invested more in my biggest disparity plays with the line, that finished 3-1.
When it comes to an individual game or an individual series, my thoughts really are only marginally more valuable than anyone else's. Always a good preface before playoff picks, I recognize. But before a season starts, I'm..I hesitate to say always, but pretty darn close..always giving you winners.
My pre-season finals matchup was Miami/Lakers, and I'm going to say that still happens - but I'm largely making this up.
East
Chicago over Indiana in 4
Orlando over Atlanta in 5
Miami over Philadelphia in 5
Boston over NY in 6
-There's no earthly chance, outside of multiple injuries, that the Bulls lose to Indiana. I'd be surprised if any of the other series went other than this; Orlando's margin for error is the smallest of any of the top teams, as they rely entirely on Dwight Howard (my choice for MVP); Philly is the best of the 4 underdogs, and NY is a sexy matchup and one I hope goes in favor of the Knicks.
Chicago over Orlando
Miami over Boston
Miami over Chicago
-I have a mancrush on the James/Wade combo and am emotionally invested in seeing them come out of the East. They're a coin flip against the Bulls; I feel pretty good about the matchups in the second round for the favorites.
West
San Antonio over Memphis in 7
Denver over OKC in 7
Portland over Dallas in 7
Lakers over NO in 4
-None of the series are as extreme as the Bulls/Pacers matchup, but you'd be really surprised if the Hornets took the Lakers out. Everything else is brutal; the Ginobli injury really tightens up that Memphis series; OKC could win the whole damn thing and I have them out in the first round; and Portland/Dallas is a tossup series.
Denver over San Antonio
Lakers over Portland
-I like whomever comes out of Denver/OKC to make the conference finals. The Lakers could lose that matchup to either the Blazers or Mavs, but you couldn't bet that way.
Lakers over Denver
-You could absolutely pick against the Lakers in this round, in fact, once we know if it's Denver or OKC, consider picking them.
But from here - I've got the same Heat/Lakers matchup I had before the season, and I'll take Miami to win the chip.
I'm guessing Denver/Chicago won't quite pull in the same numbers.
The Top 10 MLB Players at Each Position, 2011 ed.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The MLB Network did a series of shows over the winter breaking down the current "top 10" players at each position. I have U-Verse, and we've just added MLB Network, so I was unaware of these lists.
But it's a good idea, so I'll play. As I see the re-airings of their shows, I'll edit in those choices in parentheses for comparison. So, again, these rankings are mine - the MLB Network rankings are in parentheses, or will be once I see the episodes.
Top 10 Catchers in MLB Right Now
1. Joe Mauer (2)
But it's a good idea, so I'll play. As I see the re-airings of their shows, I'll edit in those choices in parentheses for comparison. So, again, these rankings are mine - the MLB Network rankings are in parentheses, or will be once I see the episodes.
Top 10 Catchers in MLB Right Now
1. Joe Mauer (2)
2. Brian McCann (3)
3. Buster Posey (2)
-The greatest catcher, by career value in San Francisco, in SFG history is Tom Haller. He is not long for that spot. Note that I have my guy ranked 3rd whereas MLB has him second. This should disabuse you of notions I'm playing favorites.
4. Carlos Santana (6)
5. Geovany Soto (unranked)
6. Carlos Ruiz (7)
7. Kurt Suzuki (9)
8. Yadier Molina (5)
9. Matt Wieters (10)
10. Miguel Montero (unranked)
MLB#4 Victor Martinez
MLB#8 John Buck
I'd have Martinez ranked 5th if he were still a catcher; I didn't consider him eligible for this list.
Top 10 First Basemen in MLB Right Now
1. Albert Pujols (1)
2. Joey Votto (4)
3. Miguel Cabrera (2)
4. Mark Teixeira (5)
5. Adrian Gonzalez (3)
6. Prince Fielder (7)
7. Ryan Howard (6)
8. Justin Morneau (9)
9. Paul Konerko (8)
10. Derrek Lee (unranked)
MLB#10 Kendrys Morales
Top 10 Second Basemen in MLB Right Now
1. Dustin Pedroia (3)
2. Robinson Cano (1)
3. Ian Kinsler (6)
4. Dan Uggla (4)
5. Rickie Weeks (7)
6. Kelly Johnson (9)
7. Ben Zobrist
8. Chase Utley (2)
-That's an injury ranking.
9. Brandon Phillips (5)
10. Aaron Hill
MLB#8 Brian Roberts
MLB#10 Neil Walker
MLB#8 Brian Roberts
MLB#10 Neil Walker
Top 10 Shortstops in MLB Right Now
1. Troy Tulowitzki (2)
-My spell check red flagged it, suggesting Berkowitz (like the Son of Sam) or tuberculosis
2. Hanley Ramirez (1)
3. Yunel Escobar (unranked)
-The guy they have third I don't have ranked at all. We'll see at year's end who was right.
4. Alexei Ramirez (7)
5. Jose Reyes (4)
6. Rafael Furcal (unranked)
7. Stephen Drew (8)
8. Starlin Castro (10)
9. Jimmy Rollins (6)
-Harold Reynolds said Rollins was one of the six best players in all of baseball. I am concerned that Harold Reynolds has been duped into watching tapes from 2007 and thinking they are current games. I would like to offer him the entire National League vs. the Rockies for the pennant and put up our respective salaries.
10. Cliff Pennington (unranked)
MLB#3 The Late Derek Jeter
MLB#5 Elvis Andrus
MLB#9 Marco Scutaro
Top 10 Third Basemen in MLB Right Now
1. Evan Longoria (1)
2. Kevin Youkilis (4)
3. David Wright (6)
4. Ryan Zimmerman (2)
5. Alex Rodriguez (3)
6. Adrian Beltre (5)
7. Pedro Alvarez
8. Chipper Jones
9. Pablo Sandoval
10. Scott Rolen (8)
MLB#7 Mark Reynolds
MLB#9 Placido Polanco
MLB#10 Casey McGehee
MLB#7 Mark Reynolds
MLB#9 Placido Polanco
MLB#10 Casey McGehee
The Top 10 Left Fielders in MLB Right Now
1. Ryan Braun (1)
2. Carlos Gonzalez (3)
3. Josh Hamilton (2)
4. Carl Crawford (4)
5. Matt Holliday (5)
6. Ryan Ludwick
7. Jason Bay (8)
8. Luke Scott
9. Martin Prado (7)
10. Alex Gordon
MLB#6 Delmon Young
MLB#9 Carlos Lee
MLB#10 Raul Ibanez
The Top 10 Center Fielders in MLB Right Now
1. Matt Kemp
2. Alex Rios
3. Curtis Granderson
4. Chris Coghlan
5. Andrew McCutcheon
6. Denard Span
7. Adam Jones
8. Shane Victorino
9. BJ Upton
10. Andres Torres
The Top 10 Right Fielders in MLB Right Now
1. Nelson Cruz (6)
2. Jayson Werth (3)
3. Jay Bruce (unranked)
-Similar to the shortstop ranking, they don't have Bruce ranked, and I don't have their top RF ranked. We'll see at season's end who was right.
4. Mike Stanton (8)
5. Jason Heyward (5)
6. SS Choo (2)
7. Andre Ethier (5)
8. Jose Bautista (4)
9. Nick Swisher (unranked)
10. Torii Hunter (unranked)
-My guess is they'll put Hunter in their CF rankings.
MLB#1 Ichiro Suzuki
MLB#9 Nick Markakis
MLB#10 Justin Upton
-Gonna take a lot of singles for Ichiro to be better than Jay Bruce in 2011.
The Top 10 Pitchers in MLB Right Now
1. Felix Hernandez
2. Tim Lincecum
-I had Halladay ahead in my top 100 overall, in fact, I've made multiple changes since then; were one to say I'm overly favoring my guy here I wouldn't necessarily disagree.
3. Roy Halladay
4. CC Sabathia
5. Cliff Lee
6. Justin Verlander
7. Josh Johnson
8. Jon Lester
9. Jered Weaver
10. Clayton Kershaw
The Top 10 Relief Pitchers in MLB Right Now
1. Joe Nathan
2. Heath Bell (6)
3. Mariano Rivera (1)
4. Joakim Soria (3)
5. Brian Wilson (2)
6. Aroldis Chapman (10)
7. Rafael Soriano (8)
8. Jonathan Papelbon
9. Jonathan Broxton
10. Matt Thornton
-Most relief performance is unreliable from season to season; it could be that Luke Gregerson is a better pitcher this year than Thornton, but it's a hard thing to forecast.
1. Ryan Braun (1)
2. Carlos Gonzalez (3)
3. Josh Hamilton (2)
4. Carl Crawford (4)
5. Matt Holliday (5)
6. Ryan Ludwick
7. Jason Bay (8)
8. Luke Scott
9. Martin Prado (7)
10. Alex Gordon
MLB#6 Delmon Young
MLB#9 Carlos Lee
MLB#10 Raul Ibanez
The Top 10 Center Fielders in MLB Right Now
1. Matt Kemp
2. Alex Rios
3. Curtis Granderson
4. Chris Coghlan
5. Andrew McCutcheon
6. Denard Span
7. Adam Jones
8. Shane Victorino
9. BJ Upton
10. Andres Torres
The Top 10 Right Fielders in MLB Right Now
1. Nelson Cruz (6)
2. Jayson Werth (3)
3. Jay Bruce (unranked)
-Similar to the shortstop ranking, they don't have Bruce ranked, and I don't have their top RF ranked. We'll see at season's end who was right.
4. Mike Stanton (8)
5. Jason Heyward (5)
6. SS Choo (2)
7. Andre Ethier (5)
8. Jose Bautista (4)
9. Nick Swisher (unranked)
10. Torii Hunter (unranked)
-My guess is they'll put Hunter in their CF rankings.
MLB#1 Ichiro Suzuki
MLB#9 Nick Markakis
MLB#10 Justin Upton
-Gonna take a lot of singles for Ichiro to be better than Jay Bruce in 2011.
The Top 10 Pitchers in MLB Right Now
1. Felix Hernandez
2. Tim Lincecum
-I had Halladay ahead in my top 100 overall, in fact, I've made multiple changes since then; were one to say I'm overly favoring my guy here I wouldn't necessarily disagree.
3. Roy Halladay
4. CC Sabathia
5. Cliff Lee
6. Justin Verlander
7. Josh Johnson
8. Jon Lester
9. Jered Weaver
10. Clayton Kershaw
The Top 10 Relief Pitchers in MLB Right Now
1. Joe Nathan
2. Heath Bell (6)
3. Mariano Rivera (1)
4. Joakim Soria (3)
5. Brian Wilson (2)
6. Aroldis Chapman (10)
7. Rafael Soriano (8)
8. Jonathan Papelbon
9. Jonathan Broxton
10. Matt Thornton
-Most relief performance is unreliable from season to season; it could be that Luke Gregerson is a better pitcher this year than Thornton, but it's a hard thing to forecast.
MLB#4 Neftali Feliz
MLB#5 Carlos Marmol
MLB#7 Andrew Bailey
MLB#9 Jose Valverde
MLB#5 Carlos Marmol
MLB#7 Andrew Bailey
MLB#9 Jose Valverde
The Weekly Tendown April 3-9 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Dear Internet:
I don't know if I've mentioned, the Giants won the World Series. The rings were handed out yesterday. Mine has yet to arrive. Back to back walk offs this weekend have us at 4-4 thusfar; hopefully, Torres won't need to be disabled. I did more baseball lists Saturday; MLB Network did a "Top 10 Right Now" over the winter, the top 10 players at each position for 2011, but having U-Verse and not getting MLB Network until 9 minutes ago I wasn't aware of it. I don't know when they'll finish re-airing the episodes, but I knocked out my lists and will probably post them this week. My 8 class academic term started last Monday, a student inquired what my ideal job would be; I told him writing about sports on the internet. This perhaps was the wrong answer to establish my academic bonafides in our initial class session.
Here's Tendown 71.
1. I Won't Vote for Obama Again.
The government didn't shut down this weekend. Obama was pleased, he's presided over the "largest spending cut in our history." Quite a victory. Go team.
Let's put aside that the 79 billion dollars less than Obama originally proposed will do harm. Roads and bridges that won't be built. Jobs go uncreated. Needy go unassisted.
And let's put aside the slicing government spending is the polar opposite of what we should be doing right now - juicing the economy with massive spending increases.
Instead focus on the way Democrats acceptance/appropriation of conservative ideas shift discussion rightward, making yesterday's radical right wing firebomb tomorrow's bipartisan bill.
Last December, The Democrats extended the Bush tax cuts. Cost? 60 billion dollars. Or just about as much was cut from Obama's budget this week. Remember how angry you were about the Bush tax cuts? A massive giveaway of wealth to the richest Americans - remember how you said it would increase the deficit - and then literally couldn't believe the audacity of the right wing as those cuts continued even during two wars, the only time in US history those two policies weren't thought of as mutually exclusive?
And now it just is. Guantanamo? Still open. Those two wars? Now we've added a third.
A week ago, Paul Ryan proposed privatizing Medicare while simultaneously cutting the top marginal tax rate for those who make over 300 grand a year.
It was a Democratic President who said "the era of big government is over". How certain are you it won't be a Democratic President signing the bill that makes social security a voluntary contribution like a 401K?
If the Republicans are your abusive, violent stepfather the Democrats are your do-nothing mom, at best closing her eyes when he throws open your bedroom door at 2AM, and at worst kicking you out of the house if you ever stand up to him. The whole country needs a Dan Savage "It Gets Better" program, but the past three decades of evidence would suggest otherwise.
2. I Won't Vote for Obama Again
His civil liberties record approximates his predecessor's Except when it comes to going after whistleblowers. When it's worse.
3. I Won't Vote for Obama Again.
I guess we don't believe in trials anymore.
4. The Plutocracy
The best piece this week was by Joseph Stiglitz. It's becoming our weekly Tendown feature - the United States is a banana republic:
The upper 1 percent of Americans are now taking in nearly a quarter of the nation’s income every year. In terms of wealth rather than income, the top 1 percent control 40 percent. Their lot in life has improved considerably. Twenty-five years ago, the corresponding figures were 12 percent and 33 percent. One response might be to celebrate the ingenuity and drive that brought good fortune to these people, and to contend that a rising tide lifts all boats. That response would be misguided. While the top 1 percent have seen their incomes rise 18 percent over the past decade, those in the middle have actually seen their incomes fall. For men with only high-school degrees, the decline has been precipitous—12 percent in the last quarter-century alone. All the growth in recent decades—and more—has gone to those at the top. In terms of income equality, America lags behind any country in the old, ossified Europe that President George W. Bush used to deride. Among our closest counterparts are Russia with its oligarchs and Iran.
How to fix it?
Start by taxing millionaires.
5. His Remark Was Not Intended to Be a Factual Statement
My favorite part of the "negotiations" this week was the interjection of abortion into the budget debate. The plutocrats long ago realized the way to divide the rest of us was on social issues; if they can whip up their base about abortion/gays/and the desire to shove Jesus in a closet, they can just keep sucking dollars into the hands of the powerful few (powerfew?). As I've written about previously, my absolute favorite manifestation of this is the biblical capitalism discussion, where the David Bartons and Rick Santorums talk about the minimum wage and progressive income tax being fundamentally anti-Jesus.
This week - it was Planned Parenthood. We can't get a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown because the Republicans are against abortion, after all.
Here's the thing - federal dollars already don't go to fund abortion, that's already part of the law.
But that didn't stop John Kyl from saying abortion is "well over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does"
Well, that's a thing - right? Republican US Senator John Kyl says we cant provide funds to Planned Parenthood - as 90%, well over 90% of what it does is abortion. Planned Parenthood=abortion. Federal money can't go to Planned Parenthood. The Republicans are taking a moral stand against abortion!
Huh.
Seems like a pretty significant error.
Here was the response from the Senator's office when confronted with that error. It's my second favorite thing anyone said this week
His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.
I get it now. That's the mistake I've been making.
When Ryan's budget proposal was announced, one of its underpinnings was from the Heritage Foundation, that by 2021 unemployment would be at 2.8%, which as Krugman notes, hasn't happened since the Korean War. So they just changed it. None of the rest of the budget proposal changed. It's still massive cuts to pay for massive tax decreases for the very wealthiest Americans and our corporate daddies, but had Ryan just added the coda "the projections in this proposal are not intended to be factual statements, or to correspond with any reality, either knowable or unknowable, either dead or undead" then it would have saved some embarrassment.
His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.
That's all it takes. Someone should have told Barry Bonds about this before closing arguments, as that's clearly with what his lawyers should have led off.
6. My Favorite Thing Anyone Said Last Week
On this morning's Quick Pitch, the MLB Network's daily highlight show, the clip of yesterday's Carlos Ruiz grand slam was shown, and the voiceover from one assumes the Phillies broadcast was:
Pinch Hit salami for Chooch!
Which I've been saying all day. As I've written this entire piece, it's been constantly running through my head.
7. The Best Thing Anyone Saw Last Week
You should watch The Killing. You already didn't watch Lights Out, and it ended this past week. So watch The Killing; I'm about to lose Friday Night Lights
So hop onto The Killing with me as its leaving the station.
I got two 4 star wrestling matches this week; HHH v. Taker from WM27 and a better match, a 4 1/2 star Daniels v. Edwards from the ROH 9th Anniversary show in February. I've updated both my post listing every WWF/E 4 star match ever and my 2011 Wrestling Matches of the Year post. Neither of which I feel like linking to right now.
8. 3 And a Half Brits
Helen Mirren hosted SNL last night. Elton John last week. Earlier this season was Russell Brand. And Gwyneth, who I'm deciding for purposes of the thought is half British.
But even putting her aside - is that the record? 3 Brits in the same SNL season (including two in consecutive weeks). Is this the most British season of SNL ever?
Here's my other Helen Mirren question; she's John Gielgud in the Arthur remake. Is the original Arthur good or not good?
Now, I've seen Arthur, but not for 30 years; in my head it's good, I guess, I haven't really considered its artistic quality, maybe ever. Has anyone seen Arthur in the past..say ten years? Did they destroy the print? Was Dudley Moore a figment of our collective imagination like Robert Palmer or Helen Hunt?
9. Right Wing Graft
In 2009, Bristol Palin's abstinence non-profit spent 35 grand in trying to prevent teen pregnancy. Bristol, however, received a salary of over a quarter million dollars.
Union busting governor Scott Walker, who says Wisconsin can't afford to allow teachers to bargain collectively, gave an $81,000/yr job to a donor's son who doesn't have a college degree (unlike those pesky teachers) but who does have two DUI convictions.
Would you like to see how much Richard Shelby costs you every day?
10. Finally, a Flag Salute I Can Get Behind
That's all for this time. I'll be back next time....if there is a next time...
Your pal,
Jim
I don't know if I've mentioned, the Giants won the World Series. The rings were handed out yesterday. Mine has yet to arrive. Back to back walk offs this weekend have us at 4-4 thusfar; hopefully, Torres won't need to be disabled. I did more baseball lists Saturday; MLB Network did a "Top 10 Right Now" over the winter, the top 10 players at each position for 2011, but having U-Verse and not getting MLB Network until 9 minutes ago I wasn't aware of it. I don't know when they'll finish re-airing the episodes, but I knocked out my lists and will probably post them this week. My 8 class academic term started last Monday, a student inquired what my ideal job would be; I told him writing about sports on the internet. This perhaps was the wrong answer to establish my academic bonafides in our initial class session.
Here's Tendown 71.
1. I Won't Vote for Obama Again.
The government didn't shut down this weekend. Obama was pleased, he's presided over the "largest spending cut in our history." Quite a victory. Go team.
Let's put aside that the 79 billion dollars less than Obama originally proposed will do harm. Roads and bridges that won't be built. Jobs go uncreated. Needy go unassisted.
And let's put aside the slicing government spending is the polar opposite of what we should be doing right now - juicing the economy with massive spending increases.
Instead focus on the way Democrats acceptance/appropriation of conservative ideas shift discussion rightward, making yesterday's radical right wing firebomb tomorrow's bipartisan bill.
Last December, The Democrats extended the Bush tax cuts. Cost? 60 billion dollars. Or just about as much was cut from Obama's budget this week. Remember how angry you were about the Bush tax cuts? A massive giveaway of wealth to the richest Americans - remember how you said it would increase the deficit - and then literally couldn't believe the audacity of the right wing as those cuts continued even during two wars, the only time in US history those two policies weren't thought of as mutually exclusive?
And now it just is. Guantanamo? Still open. Those two wars? Now we've added a third.
A week ago, Paul Ryan proposed privatizing Medicare while simultaneously cutting the top marginal tax rate for those who make over 300 grand a year.
It was a Democratic President who said "the era of big government is over". How certain are you it won't be a Democratic President signing the bill that makes social security a voluntary contribution like a 401K?
If the Republicans are your abusive, violent stepfather the Democrats are your do-nothing mom, at best closing her eyes when he throws open your bedroom door at 2AM, and at worst kicking you out of the house if you ever stand up to him. The whole country needs a Dan Savage "It Gets Better" program, but the past three decades of evidence would suggest otherwise.
2. I Won't Vote for Obama Again
His civil liberties record approximates his predecessor's Except when it comes to going after whistleblowers. When it's worse.
3. I Won't Vote for Obama Again.
I guess we don't believe in trials anymore.
4. The Plutocracy
The best piece this week was by Joseph Stiglitz. It's becoming our weekly Tendown feature - the United States is a banana republic:
The upper 1 percent of Americans are now taking in nearly a quarter of the nation’s income every year. In terms of wealth rather than income, the top 1 percent control 40 percent. Their lot in life has improved considerably. Twenty-five years ago, the corresponding figures were 12 percent and 33 percent. One response might be to celebrate the ingenuity and drive that brought good fortune to these people, and to contend that a rising tide lifts all boats. That response would be misguided. While the top 1 percent have seen their incomes rise 18 percent over the past decade, those in the middle have actually seen their incomes fall. For men with only high-school degrees, the decline has been precipitous—12 percent in the last quarter-century alone. All the growth in recent decades—and more—has gone to those at the top. In terms of income equality, America lags behind any country in the old, ossified Europe that President George W. Bush used to deride. Among our closest counterparts are Russia with its oligarchs and Iran.
How to fix it?
Start by taxing millionaires.
5. His Remark Was Not Intended to Be a Factual Statement
My favorite part of the "negotiations" this week was the interjection of abortion into the budget debate. The plutocrats long ago realized the way to divide the rest of us was on social issues; if they can whip up their base about abortion/gays/and the desire to shove Jesus in a closet, they can just keep sucking dollars into the hands of the powerful few (powerfew?). As I've written about previously, my absolute favorite manifestation of this is the biblical capitalism discussion, where the David Bartons and Rick Santorums talk about the minimum wage and progressive income tax being fundamentally anti-Jesus.
This week - it was Planned Parenthood. We can't get a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown because the Republicans are against abortion, after all.
Here's the thing - federal dollars already don't go to fund abortion, that's already part of the law.
But that didn't stop John Kyl from saying abortion is "well over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does"
Well, that's a thing - right? Republican US Senator John Kyl says we cant provide funds to Planned Parenthood - as 90%, well over 90% of what it does is abortion. Planned Parenthood=abortion. Federal money can't go to Planned Parenthood. The Republicans are taking a moral stand against abortion!
Huh.
Seems like a pretty significant error.
Here was the response from the Senator's office when confronted with that error. It's my second favorite thing anyone said this week
His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.
I get it now. That's the mistake I've been making.
When Ryan's budget proposal was announced, one of its underpinnings was from the Heritage Foundation, that by 2021 unemployment would be at 2.8%, which as Krugman notes, hasn't happened since the Korean War. So they just changed it. None of the rest of the budget proposal changed. It's still massive cuts to pay for massive tax decreases for the very wealthiest Americans and our corporate daddies, but had Ryan just added the coda "the projections in this proposal are not intended to be factual statements, or to correspond with any reality, either knowable or unknowable, either dead or undead" then it would have saved some embarrassment.
His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.
That's all it takes. Someone should have told Barry Bonds about this before closing arguments, as that's clearly with what his lawyers should have led off.
6. My Favorite Thing Anyone Said Last Week
On this morning's Quick Pitch, the MLB Network's daily highlight show, the clip of yesterday's Carlos Ruiz grand slam was shown, and the voiceover from one assumes the Phillies broadcast was:
Pinch Hit salami for Chooch!
Which I've been saying all day. As I've written this entire piece, it's been constantly running through my head.
7. The Best Thing Anyone Saw Last Week
You should watch The Killing. You already didn't watch Lights Out, and it ended this past week. So watch The Killing; I'm about to lose Friday Night Lights
So hop onto The Killing with me as its leaving the station.
I got two 4 star wrestling matches this week; HHH v. Taker from WM27 and a better match, a 4 1/2 star Daniels v. Edwards from the ROH 9th Anniversary show in February. I've updated both my post listing every WWF/E 4 star match ever and my 2011 Wrestling Matches of the Year post. Neither of which I feel like linking to right now.
8. 3 And a Half Brits
Helen Mirren hosted SNL last night. Elton John last week. Earlier this season was Russell Brand. And Gwyneth, who I'm deciding for purposes of the thought is half British.
But even putting her aside - is that the record? 3 Brits in the same SNL season (including two in consecutive weeks). Is this the most British season of SNL ever?
Here's my other Helen Mirren question; she's John Gielgud in the Arthur remake. Is the original Arthur good or not good?
Now, I've seen Arthur, but not for 30 years; in my head it's good, I guess, I haven't really considered its artistic quality, maybe ever. Has anyone seen Arthur in the past..say ten years? Did they destroy the print? Was Dudley Moore a figment of our collective imagination like Robert Palmer or Helen Hunt?
9. Right Wing Graft
In 2009, Bristol Palin's abstinence non-profit spent 35 grand in trying to prevent teen pregnancy. Bristol, however, received a salary of over a quarter million dollars.
Union busting governor Scott Walker, who says Wisconsin can't afford to allow teachers to bargain collectively, gave an $81,000/yr job to a donor's son who doesn't have a college degree (unlike those pesky teachers) but who does have two DUI convictions.
Would you like to see how much Richard Shelby costs you every day?
10. Finally, a Flag Salute I Can Get Behind
That's all for this time. I'll be back next time....if there is a next time...
Your pal,
Jim
Every Regular Season San Francisco 49ers Team Ranked by Pythagorean Record+Strength of Schedule
Thursday, April 7, 2011
My SFGiants rankings are here; the number you see is the pro football reference combination of pythagorean record+strength of schedule. Here's every regular season San Francisco 49er team ranked. Through 2018.
10. 2012 - 10.2, Lost Super Bowl to Ravens Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Staley, Iuptati, JSmith, ASmith, Willis, Bowman
11. 2013 - 10.1 Lost NFC Title to Seahawks: Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Boldin, Davis, Staley, Willis, Bowman
68. 2007 – -11.9 Dilfer/Smith, Gore, Davis, Lee, Willis, Smith, Clements, BY,
1. 1987 – 13.5 Lost in playoffs to Vikings, Montana, Craig, Rathman, Rice, Lott, McKyer, Haley, Griffin
2. 1984 – 12.7 World Champions beat Dolphins, Montana, Tyler, Craig, Solomon, Clark, Francis, Lott, Board
3. 1992 – 11.8 Lost NFC Title to Cowboys, Young, Watters, Rice, Taylor, Jones, Davis, Griffin, Romanowski
4. 1995 – 11.8 Lost in playoffs to Packers, Young, Rice, Jones, Taylor, Norton, McDonald, Jackson, Plummer
5. 1994 – 11.6 World Champions beat Chargers, Young, Watters, Floyd, Rice, Taylor, Jones, Norton, Deion
6. 1991 – 10.9 Young, Rice, Haley, Hanks, Rathman, Griffin, Holt, Barton, Foster, McIntyre, Taylor
7. 1989 – 10.7 World Champions beat Broncos, Montana, Craig, Rice, Taylor, Haley, Lott
8. 1953 – 10.7 Tittle, Perry, McElhenny, Nomellini, Wilson, St Clair
9. 1998 – 10.6 Lost in playoffs to Falcons, Young, Hearst, Owens, Rice, Norton, McDonald, BY, Doleman
10. 2012 - 10.2, Lost Super Bowl to Ravens Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Staley, Iuptati, JSmith, ASmith, Willis, Bowman
11. 2013 - 10.1 Lost NFC Title to Seahawks: Kaepernick, Gore, Crabtree, Boldin, Davis, Staley, Willis, Bowman
12. 1993– 9.7 Lost NFC Title to Cowboys, Young, Watters, Rice, Taylor, Jones, McDonald, Stubblefield
13. 1985 – 8.8 Lost in playoffs to Giants, Montana, Craig, Tyler, Solomon, Clark, Francis, Lott, Board, Hicks
14. 1983 – 8.7 Lost NFC Title to Redskins, Montana, Craig, Tyler, Clark, Solomon, Francis, Lott, Board, Dean
15. 2011 – 8.3 Lost NFC Title to Giants, Smith, Gore, Staley, Crabtree, JSmith, Willis, Bowman, Rogers, Akers, Lee, Davis
16. 1996 – 8 Lost in playoffs to Packers, Young, Rice, Owens, Jones, Norton, McDonald, BY, Doleman,
17. 1965 – 7.1 Brodie, Willard, Crow, Johnson, Hazeltine, Wilcox
18. 1986 – 7 Lost in playoffs to Giants, Montana, Craig, Rathman, Rice, Clark, Francis, Griffin, Lott, Haley
19. 2001 – 6.8 Lost in playoffs to Packers, Garcia, Hearst, Owens, Plummer, Peterson, Carter, BY
20. 1970 – 6.5 Lost NFC Title to Cowboys, Brodie, Willard, Washington, Johnson, Wilcox
21. 1972 – 6.4 Lost in playoffs to Cowboys, Spurrier, Washington, Johnson, Wilcox
22. 1971 – 6.3 Lost NFC Title to Cowboys, Brodie, Willard, Washington, Johnson
23. 1981 – 6.2 World Champions beat Bengals, Montana, Solomon, Clark, Hicks, Lott, Reynolds, Turner
24. 1961 – 6.1 Brodie, Smith, Kilmer, Owens, Johnson, Nomellini, St Clair,
25. 1954 – 6 Tittle, Perry, Johnson, McElhenny, Wilson, Nomellini, St Clair, Shaw’s last year
26. 1990 – 5.8 Lost NFC Title to Giants, Montana, Craig, Rice, Jones, Taylor, Griffin, Haley, Lott, Millen
27. 1997 – 5.1 Lost NFC Title to Packers, Mariucci/coach, Young, Hearst, Owens, Stokes, Woodson, Norton
28. 1988 – 4.8 World Champions beat Bengals, Montana, Craig, Rathman, Rice, McIntyre, Lott, Haley
29. 1952 – 4.4 Tittle, Perry, McElhenny, Nomellini
30. 1951 – 4.3 Albert, Perry, Nomellini, Wilson
31. 1976 – 3.8 Plunkett, Williams, Washington, Johnson, Cross
32. 1959 – 3.2 Hickey/coach, Tittle, JD Smith, Perry, Owens, Wilson, Nomellini, St Clair
33. 2003 – 3.1 Garcia, Barlow, Owens, Peterson, Plummer, Smith, BY
34. 1966 – 1.8 Brodie, Willard, Crow, Johnson, Hazeltine
35. 1968 – 1.3 Brodie, Willard, Johnson, Hazeltine,
36. 2002 - .6 Garcia, Hearst, Owens, Stokes, BY, Peterson, Plummer,
37. 1962 – .3 Brodie, Smith, Kilmer, Johnson, Nomellini, Hazeltine
38. 2009 – .1 Smith, Gore, Davis, Crabtree, Lee, Willis, Spikes, JSmith
39. 1957 – -.2 Lost in playoffs to Lions, Tittle, McElhenny, Perry, Owens, Wilson, Nomellini, St Clair
40. 1973 – -.2 Brodie/Spurrier, Washington, Wilcox
41. 1969 – -.3 Brodie, Willard, Washington,
42. 1960 – -.9 Brodie/Tittle, Smith, McElhenny, Owens, Nomellini
43. 2014 - -1 Kaepernick, Gore, Staley, Iupati, JSmith, Bethea
43. 2014 - -1 Kaepernick, Gore, Staley, Iupati, JSmith, Bethea
44. 1982 – -2.6 Montana, Solomon, Clark, Lott, Dean, Hicks, Francis, Reynolds, Turner, Wright, Board
45. 1974 – -2.6 Owen, Washington, Johnson, Wilcox
46. 1956 – -2.7 Albert/coach, Tittle, McElhenny, Perry, Johnson, Wilson, Nomellini, St Clair, Hazeltine
47. 1964 - -2.7 Brodie, Johnson, Woodson, Hazeltine, Wilcox
48. 2017- -2.85 Garoppolo, Hyde, Staley, Buckner, Foster
48. 2017- -2.85 Garoppolo, Hyde, Staley, Buckner, Foster
49. 1967 – -3 Brodie, Willard, Crow,
50. 2000 – -3.8 Garcia, Garner, Owens, Rice, Plummer, Schulters, Tubbs, Norton, BY, Peterson,
51. 1977 – -3.8 Plunkett, Williams, Washington, Cross, Wersching
52. 1958 – -3.8 Tittle/Brodie, Perry, McElhenny, Wilson, Owens,
53. 1975 – -4.7 Spurrier/Snead, Williams, Washington, Johnson
54. 2008 – -5.3 Hill/O’Sullivan, Gore, Bruce, Davis, Clements, Lee, Willis, Spikes, Smith, Nedney
55. 2015 - -5.5 Gabbert, Boldin, Staley, Bowman
56. 2018- -5.54 Mullens, Kittle, Staley, Buckner, Sherman
57. 2010 – -5.8 Smith, Gore, Davis, Crabtree, Willis, Spikes, Clements, JSmith, Lawson, Staley
56. 2018- -5.54 Mullens, Kittle, Staley, Buckner, Sherman
57. 2010 – -5.8 Smith, Gore, Davis, Crabtree, Willis, Spikes, Clements, JSmith, Lawson, Staley
58. 1980 – -6.2 DeBerg/Montana, Cooper, Clark, Solomon, Hicks
59. 1979 – -7.4 Walsh-coach, Deberg, Hofer, OJ, Solomon, Cross
60. 1955 – -8.2 Tittle, Perry, McElhenny, Wilson, St Clair, Hazeltine
61. 2006 – -8.7 Smith, Gore, Smith, Lawson, BY,
62. 1978- -9.1Deberg, OJ, Solomon, Cross,
63. 1950 – -10.5 Albert, Perry, Strzykalski, Nomellini
64. 2005 – -11.1 ASmith, Gore, Lee, DSmith, Peterson, BY
65. 1999 – -11.3 Garcia, Garner, Rice, Owens, Norton, McDonald, BY, Tubbs, Woodall, Haley, Brown,
66. 1963 – -11.8 McHan, Smith, Johnson, Woodson, St Clair,
67. 2016 - -11.21 Kaepernick, Hyde, Staley, Buckner, Bethea, Reid
67. 2016 - -11.21 Kaepernick, Hyde, Staley, Buckner, Bethea, Reid
68. 2007 – -11.9 Dilfer/Smith, Gore, Davis, Lee, Willis, Smith, Clements, BY,
69. 2004 – -13.6 Rattay, Barlow, Lee, BY, Smith, Parrish, Peterson, Plummer,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)






