Tendown, January 17, 2016

208 is here. This is Tendown 209.

Donald Trump defending yesterday's NFL hits to the head: "Football has become soft like our country has become soft.” #TrumpBurfict2016

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) January 10, 2016

1.

2. One of my most fevent beliefs, everyone has the right to die on their own terms.

3. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders

4.

5. Why is the Presumpive Democratic Nominee Against Single Payer?

6.

7. 

Cowardice
Are you serious?
Apologies for freedom
I can't handle this!

When freedom rings
Answer the call
Stand up tall!

Freedom's on our shoulders
USA!

Enemies
Of freedom
Face the music
Come on boys
Take 'em down!

President Donald Trump knows how
To make America great
Deal from strength or get crushed everytime!

Over here
USA
Over there
USA
Freedom and liberty everywhere

Oh say can you see
It's not so easy
But we have to stand up tall
An answer freedom's call

USA, USA
USA, USA
Land of the free and the home of the brave
USA
The stars and stripes are flying
Let's celebrate our freedom
Inspire proudly freedom to the world

Ameritude
American pride
It's attitude, it's who we are
Stand up tall

We're the red, white and blue
Fiercely free
That's who
Our colors don't run, no sirree

Over here
USA
Over there
USA
Freedom and liberty, everywhere

Oh say can you see
It's not so easy
But we have to stand up tall and answer freedom's call

8.

9. How to Think About Chip.

10. Cruz's College Roommate
And finally...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time...if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Halfway Through - 2016 NBA All Star Selections - Final Build

Halfway through the 2016 NBA season.  Using the most advanced of metrics, here's my final selection for All Star Rosters.


East

Starters

Center
A.Drummond Det 

Forwards
L.James Cle   MVP - 4
P.Millsap Atl   

Guards
K.Lowry Tor  MVP - 5
J.Butler Chi  

Reserves
F C.Bosh Mia 
F P.George Ind 
G I.Thomas Bos 
F C.Anthony NY 
G D.DeRozan Tor  
C A.Horford Atl 
C P.Gasol Chi 

Alternates
G R.Jackson Det  
C G.Monroe Mil 
F K.Love Cle
G J.Wall Wash 
F J.Crowder Bos
C H.Whiteside Mia 

West

Starters

Center
D.Jordan LAC   

Forwards
K.Leonard SA  MVP 3rd
K.Durant OKC  

Guards
S.Curry GSW MVP 1st
R.Westbrook OKC MVP 2nd

Reserves
G J.Harden Hou 
F D.Green GSW 
G C.Paul LAC  
C D.Cousins Sac 
F A.Davis NO 
F B.Griffin LAC  
G D.Lillard Por  

Alternates
F G.Hayward Utah 
F D.Nowitzki Dal 
F D.Gallinari Den 

1st Team All NBA

C Jordan

F Leonard

F James

G Curry

G Westbrook

2nd Team

C Drummond

F Durant

F Green

G Lowry 

G Harden

3rd Team

C Cousins

F Millsap

F Bosh

G Paul

G Thomas

4th Team

C Horford

F George

F Anthony

G DeRozan

G Jackson

2015 NFL Division Round Picks

I went 3-1 in the Wild Card Round. That's both straight and against the spread.

No spread picks yet, see you later in the week.

I'm going chalk for the straight picks.

AFC
New England over KC
Denver over Pittsburgh

NFC
Carolina over Seattle
Arizona over GBay

The only result which would surprise me is if the Packers beat the Cardinals; other than that, I'm amenable to either team winning.  For that reason, I'm going to take all 4 dogs against the spread.

KC+5
GB +7
Sea +2.5 (but try to find 3)
Pit +7

Tendown, January 10, 2016

207 is here. This is Tendown 208.

Do not be deceived. You will reap what you sow.

— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) January 4, 2016

1. Muslim at a Trump Rally.
2. The political parties aren't moving left.
3. Pierce on Oregon.
4. 
5. Working Families Party
6. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote For Bernie Sanders
7. Fascist tears.
8. Gun Jurisprudence

9. Stuff to Look at From the New York Public Library
10.

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

2015 NFL Playoff Predictions

In the pre-season, I picked Packers/Colts for Super Bowl 50, so there's that.  I did however have my Niners going 5-11.

Let's start with this weekend's games.

AFC
KC over Houston
Cincinnati over Pitt

Thoughts: The Bengal quarterback spot is still up in the air; I'll revisit once that decision is made.

                 Right now, Houston's getting 3 and the Bengals getting 2.5, were I picking against the spread, I'd take both dogs.

NFC
Sea over Minn
GB over Wash

Thoughts: The Packers are getting 1, so were I picking against the spread, I'd take them.  The Vikes are getting 6, and I would also take that number.

So, ATS, all dogs.

That would leave us with...

AFC:
KC at Denver
Cincinnati at NE

NFC:
Seattle at Carolina
GB at Arizona

I'll be taking the Chiefs in that scenario.  I'd love to take the Bengals, and if Dalton's back I might, but from here I'll take NE.

That would mean Kansas City at New England in the AFC Championship game.  And goddamit, I'm taking New England.

In the NFC, that Seahawk/Panther game is just big on big, I'll probably take Seattle.

And Arizona, without any concern, in their half.

From here, I'll take the Cards; I'm likely to do that anyway, but given that Seattle/Carolina is a coin flip and Arizona should walk to the conference title, that's the pick.

So, my Super Bowl pick is New England vs. Arizona.

I'm picking the Cardinals.