Tendown, October 23, 2016

246 is here. This is Tendown 247.

Incidentally - told you so.

1. So, this doesn't have much subtext.

2. And then this.

3. 

4. 

5.

America's slow but very real decline into a fascist state as told by the Milwaukee Bucks logo pic.twitter.com/UTVsEyq3kg

— Baʿal Don't Lie (@ThomasAwful) April 9, 2016

6. 

7. 

8.

An act of Hillary-protecting censorship at @ThinkProgress: in 3 acts, starring John Podesta and @NeeraTanden pic.twitter.com/9I0O2gTrRa

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 19, 2016

9. 

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

2016-2017 NBA Wins Prediction

Each of the last two seasons I've predicted Warriors/Cavs finals (in my MLB picks before this season I picked a Cubs/Indians World Series) and I'm doing it again this year.  Here are my 2016-17 NBA wins total predictions; if I see a play above the Vegas line I'll indicate.

Post season update -- You're welcome.

East
1. Cleveland 56
2. Toronto 50
3. Boston 48
4. Detroit 43
5. Charlotte 43
6. Chicago 42
7. Washington 40
8. Atlanta 39 (under 43.5)  WIN

9. Indiana 38 (under 45.5)  WIN
10. Orlando 37
11. New York 35 (Under 40) WIN
12. Miami 34
13. Milwaukee 33
14. Philadelphia 27 (over 23.5)  WIN
15. Brooklyn 25 (over 21.5)  LOSS

West
1. Golden St. 67
2. San Antonio 53
3. Utah 49
4. LAC 48 (under 54) WIN
5. OKC 48
6. Houston 46
7. Portland 46
8. Minnesota 42

9. Denver 41
10. Memphis 38 (under 43.5) WIN
11. Sacramento 36
12. New Orleans 36
13. Dallas 36 (under 39.5) WIN
14. Phoenix 30
15. LALakers 24
 
Once again, Warriors v. Cavs in the NBA Finals.

Let's Pick Some College Football Games, Oct 22 2016

I'm 29-30

Wyo -4.5 Nev win
Col +2.5 Stan  win
Miss St -2.5 UK loss

2-1
31-31

2016 NFL Super Contest Picks, Week 7

I'm 12-18

Niners +2 loss
NYJ pick win
Eagles +2.5 win
Steelers +7 loss
Jags -1 loss

2-3
14-21

Forever Giants: 2016 San Francisco Giants Year 59 (Franchise Year 134)

2015 is here.

My WAR calculation is a combination of Baseball-reference and Clay Davenport; I believe it to be the "best" WAR number available for historical comparison. 8 WAR is an MVP quality season.  The record is pythagorean adjusted for 162 games.

2016 (90-72)
C Buster Posey 5.6 
1B Brandon Belt 4.85 
2B Joe Panik 1.65 
SS Brandon Crawford 4.15 
3B Matt Duffy 1.1 
LF Angel Pagan 2.3
CF Denard Span .65 
RF Hunter Pence 2.3 
OF Gregor Blanco -.75 
3B Conor Gillaspie .85 
3B Eduardo Nunez 1
C Trevor Brown -.1
OF Jarrett Parker .45 
OF Mac Williamson .45
2B Kelby Tomlinson .6 
SP Madison Bumgarner 6.25 
SP Johnny Cueto 5.9
SP Jeff Samardzija 2.85
SP Jake Peavy -1.1
RP Derek Law 1.95
RP Hunter Strickland 1.4 
RP Santiago Casilla 1.25 (13.75) Last season

-One of the best teams in the first half, one of the worst in the second, it all came out on the wash as the Giants made (and won) the Wild Card game and then lost the NLDS in four games to the Cubs.  With a 90 win pythag+postseason appearance this is the 14th best regular season club in San Francisco history. Bumgarner cracks 30 career WAR, Posey nears 40. Giants say goodbye to Pagan, Blanco and the three remaining relievers with 3 World Series rings (Casilla/Romo/Lopez).  Starting third baseman Matt Duffy is also gone, dealt at mid-season for Matt Moore.