tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post757725446486165997..comments2023-10-31T06:31:41.395-04:00Comments on Bottom of the Barrel: Simmons and Gladwell Exchange (Bad) IdeasBengoodfellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-58812574185847047912009-05-16T09:51:00.000-04:002009-05-16T09:51:00.000-04:00I actually was thinking about checking out a Malco...I actually was thinking about checking out a Malcolm Gladwell book from the library a few weeks ago because it seemed like he was interesting to read but after reading this I am not sure. Maybe sports is not his thing and he is better at other stuff. Based on your comments I think I may hold off on it. <br /><br />My opinion here was that Bill came off as a little more knowledgeable about sports than Gladwell and just about the idea of sports in general when he was talking about the press and all. Things like that always scare me.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-83124634699708484232009-05-16T09:32:00.000-04:002009-05-16T09:32:00.000-04:00BGF...Sorry to jump in so late here. All the spor...BGF...Sorry to jump in so late here. All the sports talk has gotten me dizzy so let me just comment on the writers and their back n forth. What a farce...Each has an asinine idea and the other heartily agrees, for the most part. It degenerates into a back patting party for two of most overrated writers of a generation. I couldn't even get through "The Tipping Point" and throughout, I was amazed, at how self-involved Gladwell comes off in his writing. <br /><br />More BSPN nonsense and right in your wheelhouse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-63639953831509504582009-05-15T16:33:00.000-04:002009-05-15T16:33:00.000-04:00I think if NBA teams pressed for certain stretches...I think if NBA teams pressed for certain stretches of the game it would benefit them. I don't believe it would work like Malcolm Gladwell seems to think it would over a long stretch of the game if the team did it the hole time. Of all those teams you mentioned I could see the Warriors pressing pretty successfully, but I don't think it would work over the entire game. They have to use it as a measure to jump on or catch up during a game. Pressing has its advantages but I just don't believe it would work at the pro level quite as well as it does at the college level. Of course we won't know until someone tries it again. <br /><br />I just want you to be careful, you actually agreed with something said here about Dwight Howard's offensive skill set. I still think he is a great player but he doesn't have a go-to move (other than a dunk) or a move that he has been forced to develop offensively. I blame the lack of quality centers in the Eastern Conference and his not going to college for this. I feel like a player like Hakeem Olajuwon, Ewing, and the others you mentioned had to get a move offensively to play against the other quality centers in the league. Howard has never really had to develop an offensive arsenal because he has gotten his points dunking. I don't think anyone can necessarily stop him but I also believe the book is out on him a little offensively. <br /><br />That's a main reason I have a little bit of fear for Thabeet when he comes in the NBA, though he did go to college, he lacks offensive moves (as most young guys do...especially those who were so awkward his freshman year like he was), but he can make up for it with value on defense to an extent. I watched Thabeet this year and if a defensive player gave him any type of challenge in the lane, he kind of shied away from it. That's why Pitt was able to beat UConn with Little Charles Barkley (not really like him but he is probably almost as tall and rebounds as well) DeJuan Blair. Blair challenged Thabeet and made him bang away for his points, which Thabeet did not want to do. I realize Howard does not shy away from contact but they are both good shot blocking players who seem awkward on offense at times. <br /><br />I think it was Martin who said Howard was a good help side defender and not necessarily a great defensive player, so I will actually agree with that as well. I hate it when players block a shot out of bounds. It is absolutely pointless. The other team gets the ball back and you have given them another possession. Ridiculous. <br /><br />I say something similar to this about Howard in my post on Saturday that I have already written because I am fucking machine nowadays apparently.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-87848762515745786282009-05-15T15:22:00.000-04:002009-05-15T15:22:00.000-04:00I think the point that Simmons is trying to make a...I think the point that Simmons is trying to make at least, is that pressing presents a better strategy for bad teams in the NBA specifically, not necessarily college, because nobody in the NBA presses. I have to agree that if good-not-great teams like the Bulls, 76ers, and Jazz pressed during certain stretches, and if they could do it effectively, they could make a leap to a legit title contender, or if bad teams that have good athletes, like Golden State, the zombie Sonics, the Clippers, or the Raptors started to use a press, they might be able to sneak into the playoffs. I remember that Celtics team that Simmons talked about, and they were a 22-win team masquerading as 36-win team because their press swung a lot of games and allowed them to win a bunch of games that they probably shouldn't have won. <br /><br />Also, I absolutely, unequivocally, 100% agree about Dwight Howard. Simmons made a joke last night in his chat, "What coffee-table book would be shorter, "Dwight Howard's best low-post moves" or "Stan Van Gundy's nicest suits"?" I watched a lot of Dwight Howard during the season, plus more in the playoffs, and here's the entire list of his post moves that I compiled:<br /><br />1. Run over defender like Mack Truck; Dunk<br />2. Running jump hook with left hand<br />3. Drop step into lane, brick jump hook<br />4. Spin baseline, get trapped, throw ball off someone's face<br />5. Running jump hook with right hand<br />6. Attempt drop step, get cut off, try to spin back baseline, get called for traveling<br /><br />That's it. That's the entire list. <br /><br />The one disagreement I would have is that I wouldn't say that he's a great defensive player. He's a great shot-blocker, which is something different. He isn't a very smart defensive player. He doesn't defend the pick-and-roll very well, he doesn't know how to use his body if you drive right at him, and if he's isolated at the top of the key against a guard, he isn't very good at forcing them towards the paint (for reference, Hakeem, Robinson, Ewing, and Shaq could put on clinics on how to do this). Also, when he blocks shots, 90% of the time he just swats the ball out of bounds, giving the other team the ball back. What good does that do? I'd much rather have him be like Tyson Chandler, or Marcus Camby, or Ben Wallace (when he was still alive), who are much better at tipping the ball either to themselves or a teammate. I thought the DPOY was undeserved, and it should have gone to LeBron. Then again, this is a league where Dirk Nowitzki makes the All-NBA 1st team and Chris Paul doesn't, not to mention Shaquille O'Neal making All-NBA 3rd team. I give up.Jeremy Conlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999218325324667964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-30855000839292483072009-05-15T13:45:00.000-04:002009-05-15T13:45:00.000-04:00Smoltz needs to just be quiet. He annoyed me when ...Smoltz needs to just be quiet. He annoyed me when he was with the Braves talking a lot then too. <br /><br />"I can't even swallow pills and know nothing about supplements, there is no way I could use steroids!" <br /><br />If he got caught, that would ruin my day...a lot. I don't even want to think about it.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-60778170913244441302009-05-15T13:02:00.000-04:002009-05-15T13:02:00.000-04:00You know, if nobody's accused you of anything, som...You know, if nobody's accused you of anything, sometimes it's <A HREF="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/64722/index.html" REL="nofollow">best to keep your mouth shut.</A> Doesn't this sound like another lame "I don't know how I got caught, I've never taken anything in my life" excuse?<br /><br />WV: fishaeThe Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03323030436625176444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-5066876557143514342009-05-15T12:09:00.000-04:002009-05-15T12:09:00.000-04:00I agree Dubs. I read a column by the Charley Rosen...I agree Dubs. I read a column by the Charley Rosen a few months ago about Dwight Howard and how he thought he had a little bit more growing on the offensive end to do. He is a great dunker and he definitely gets his points during the game. It is true though that he doesn't really have a go-to move in the post that works. I think it is a matter of expectations, where we think he should be better than he is. <br /><br />I think any type of conversation about Big Papi being in the HoF is premature and I don't think he really has a great case. I don't know if Simmons could make a great case right now, but I could be wrong, and that won't stop him from trying to make case.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-48178828703781214822009-05-15T11:12:00.000-04:002009-05-15T11:12:00.000-04:00I think this playoff run has shown Howard to have ...I think this playoff run has shown Howard to have some very big limitations to his offensive game. Didn't Phil Jackson say he would take Howard number 1 overall to build a team around right now? Wonder if he is rethinking that one.<br /><br />Just to give everyone ample warning, I predict that Bill's Papi deserves to be in the Hall of Fame gripes will be worse than anything he has ever done. So, let's all hope the internet explodes within the next 7 or 8 years....Dubsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-48613658787779372009-05-15T08:34:00.000-04:002009-05-15T08:34:00.000-04:00I think Howard is like some other big guys in that...I think Howard is like some other big guys in that the best thing you can do to neutralize him is to go straight at him in the post like Perkins has done. Either make him foul you or not be able to make the block. He is a wonderful weakside help defender, if I even see him in the paint, I assume he is going to make the block. There's something about Lewis I have never gotten that is I know he is a great player but I feel like he should be a little bit better than he is. I don't know why, but he creates such matchup problems for other players. I see him as the third best player on the Orlando Magic team when I think he should be ahead of Turkoglu. <br /><br />Martin, you are right about good teams pressing more effectively. Traditionally, good teams are deeper and more talented and athletic than weaker teams, so they are able to press effectively. I just have a hard time buying the idea that a lesser team should press all the time because it seems like the better team would eventually beat the press. <br /><br />Bill thought the Bulls should press more often, which could be possible, because they are a good team, but I think Malcolm Gladwell thinks other teams should press the Bulls if they have no chance of winning. I mean, what do they have to lose?Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-68445871397869660882009-05-15T02:41:00.000-04:002009-05-15T02:41:00.000-04:00What they both seem to be missing is that the idea...What they both seem to be missing is that the idea that the lesser talented team should press to give itself a better chance is useless when most GOOD teams press at the lower levels of the game anyway. The more athletic and talented teams, in my experience, almost always press, if not 100%, then a good chunk of time in each game. They maximize their advantage over lesser teams by doing so. <br /><br />Only someone who really has had no exposure to basketball, or an self-impressed egotard, sort of like our two lads here, would think that full court pressing would be a revolutionary new concept that good teams never think of doing. It's not a tactic that "lesser" teams use to equalize...it's one smaller and faster teams utilize. This kind of backslapping analysis is Joe Morganesque in it's absurdity.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00086638597582394978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-1024820812159549572009-05-14T23:59:00.000-04:002009-05-14T23:59:00.000-04:00to Howard's credit he is a great weakside/help def...to Howard's credit he is a great weakside/help defender (he's discouraged Allen, Pierce, and Rondo from attacking the basket this series, I mean the Celtics only shot 13 free throws today) but I don't think he's quite as good man-to-man, judging by the trouble Perkins has given him thus far.<br /><br />and yeah Lewis has been giving me nightmares this series. the only guys the Celtics can really throw at him are Allen and Pierce (who are 4-5 inches shorter than him) or Baby and Scalabrine (who are the only two rotation guys in the current playoffs on any team with legitimate man-boobs). my first year at school out here in WA was Lewis's last year in Seattle, and the guy has such a good all-around offensive game. him, Nelson, and Lee are the only players on the Magic I actually like.ivnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-50588527555165949032009-05-14T23:09:00.000-04:002009-05-14T23:09:00.000-04:00I don't remember the no-huddle there at Pitt but w...I don't remember the no-huddle there at Pitt but was that when Tyler Palko was the QB there? If so, I can see how there was a lot of confusion based on that. He doesn't remind me of a guy who could run it incredibly effectively. <br /><br />Don't worry Ivn, I called out Garrett Anderson in the comments the other night and he responded with his best game of the year the next night. It happens. I think I am singlehandedly responsible for Javy Lopez's incredible 2003 season...well that and PED's but you know what I mean. <br /><br />I don't know if I would call Howard overrated necessarily but I think he is very limited offensively. He is a great defensive player but I would like to see him develop on the offensive end a little bit more. Offensively, he is overrated. <br /><br />You are correct in that no Celtic defender can guard Rashard Lewis, he needs more and more touches. Really, there is no reason he is not shooting 20 shots a game. He is a matchup nightmare for the Celtics.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-52688238754901747982009-05-14T21:58:00.000-04:002009-05-14T21:58:00.000-04:00of course I say that and fucking Howard gets a 20-...of course I say that and fucking Howard gets a 20-20. then again he only scored one point in the fourth quarter. if it weren't for Lewis the Celtics would have actually clinched this series by now.<br /><br />don't mind me everybody.ivnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-89397475843264681052009-05-14T21:22:00.000-04:002009-05-14T21:22:00.000-04:00so for all the talk of Dwight Howard complaining a...so for all the talk of Dwight Howard complaining about touches and SVG bending over to give them to him, a lot of people had (I think they're coming around) forgotten two things:<br />1) Dwight Howard is probably the most overrated player in the NBA, and can't even score consistently on Perkins and Davis (imagine if the Celtics had a healthy KG?)<br />2) no one on the Celtics can stop Rashard Lewis...he should be the one griping about touches if anything.ivnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-51679320560722461582009-05-14T21:04:00.000-04:002009-05-14T21:04:00.000-04:00Did you ever see the no huddle Walt Harris install...Did you ever see the no huddle Walt Harris installed a few years ago at Pitt? The QB would rock his head from side to side while the receivers and backs ran into each other trying to find their place. They would get a half dozen delay of game penalties ever game trying to sort it out, which I thought was embarassing for a no huddle.KentAllardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034050997693995004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-34807615669177052362009-05-14T19:28:00.000-04:002009-05-14T19:28:00.000-04:00Haha...you joke about that but I can really see th...Haha...you joke about that but I can really see that being the end result of the no-huddle experiment in Oakland. <br /><br />I like how the word discomfiture is the word that tells everyone who the primary receiver is. You forgot the part where the Oakland defense is on the field for an average 45 minutes per the game though and the entire defense attempts to murder the offense by mid-season.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-79431952034030156022009-05-14T18:48:00.000-04:002009-05-14T18:48:00.000-04:00A peek ahead to midseason, where the Raiders' no-h...A peek ahead to midseason, where the Raiders' no-huddle experiment is in full swing:<br /><br />WR #1: Man, you have to have to put forth more effort to get to the ball.<br /><br />WR #2: I wasn’t the primary receiver, you were.<br /><br />WR #1: No way.<br /><br />WR #2: Absolutely. When I’m primary, Jamarcus has to say the word <I>discomfiture</I> during the count.<br /><br />WR #1: Oh, yeah. Maybe it was the tight end?<br /><br />WR #2: Fucker never even cleared the line of scrimmage.<br /><br />TE: It was a running play, you idiots. My assignment was to cut the defensive end.<br /><br />WR #2: Really?<br /><br />Jamarcus: I didn’t call a damn play! I was trying to get the attention of the hot cheerleader, and the fool center hiked the ball!<br /><br />WR #1: Oh.<br /><br />WR #2: Oh.<br /><br />TE: Oh.<br /><br />Center: Next time the middle linebacker blitzes, your ass is dead.KentAllardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034050997693995004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-12626034969811015222009-05-14T18:45:00.000-04:002009-05-14T18:45:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.KentAllardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034050997693995004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-54125655191843348412009-05-14T16:38:00.000-04:002009-05-14T16:38:00.000-04:00Even in Bill's example it is the Chicago Bulls who...Even in Bill's example it is the Chicago Bulls who would do the pressing. Well they are by no means an untalented team, so I don't think that really goes to prove the point that pressing all the time can beat a superior team. To beat a superior team in basketball, you do exactly what you said. Sure, pressing does help but I don't think an inferior team would have a lot of success pressing a superior team over the long haul. Maybe for a game or two. A great example I can think of this year is when Duke played Clemson in Death Valley this year in basketball, they pulled out this absolutely relentless press that absolutely destroyed Duke. Then they tried a similar tactic to the Tar Heels and it did not work in the least. Duke never (and may never again) caught up to what was going on until it was too late, while UNC was prepared for it and broke it with ease. Similarly, Duke prepared for the press after that and had very little trouble with teams who tried to press them after that. Good teams learn and the bad teams may have one chance to make this work for them. I am not saying Clemson was bad, I was just using an example where it fooled a team once but everyone else caught on.<br /><br />I don't know how the press would work in the pros but I have a feeling it would not work as well as predicted. <br /><br />Great teams can press and use the no-huddle offense effectively, while inferior teams don't always have that luxury. Gladwell's idea about pro football just seems like insanity to me. Inferior teams need to limit possessions the other team has, not make their defense play more. The Bills were a superior team with a superior offense so naturally they ran the no-huddle effectively because they could outscore a team or stop them defensively if they needed to. <br /><br />Crazy things do happen, but I think you will find a team that is bad, like the Lions were last year, would have a horrible time running the no-huddle effectively against a superior opponent. <br /><br />It's funny about Paulus because my friends and I were laughing about that the other day. Paulus was actually looking at my favorite college football team to play QB for (my uncle used to live in this state and he basically forced me to like them when he found out I had gotten into football in the early 90's) and I was joking around that I could not get away from Greg Paulus no matter how hard I tried. Nothing against him, but I needed a Paulus break. I am happy for him he picked Syracuse to play...though I don't know how successful he will be. When the Duke football team doesn't want you, that says a lot. Though they do like Thaddeus Lewis their current QB a lot, which may explain why they did not want him. Actually, I think Duke will be bowl eligible this year. Yes, I am predicting they will win 6 games.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-74388481659179686192009-05-14T16:06:00.000-04:002009-05-14T16:06:00.000-04:00also, how do you feel about Greg Paulus playing qu...also, how do you feel about Greg Paulus playing quarterback at Syracuse next year?ivnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-35054393439455518802009-05-14T16:04:00.000-04:002009-05-14T16:04:00.000-04:00yeah the painful irony in Gladwell's ideas is that...yeah the painful irony in Gladwell's ideas is that for the most part teams with the talent are the ones that can afford to experiment like that. To the best of my recollection the Bills were the last team to run a no-huddle with any success, and their offense was loaded (and their D wasn't bad either). I mean, it's a lot easier to run a no-huddle with Brady, Moss, and Welker than it is with JaMarcus Russell, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Johnnie Lee Higgins (or whoever the fuck the Raiders have). Also note that the Phoenix Suns could pull off SSOL mainly because they had Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire (could you imagine, oh, the Bucks or something trying to do that?).<br /><br />From what I can remember underdogs usually win in basketball and football (baseball is completely different and I've not watched not enough hockey to comment) by playing more conservative and shortening the number of possessions (because by definition the more possessions you give to a more talented team, the more chances you give them to score)--look at Nova/Georgetown, Rams/Patriots, or Giants/Patriots as three examples that just came to mind--as opposed to trying to go crazy and outwit the superior team because the superior team generally has a superior coach who can adjust. I suppose one example on the contrary would be Mavs/Warriors, which is exceptional because the Warriors played fucking crazy all season and Nellie was going up against the team he used to coach and the man he trained as his protege.ivnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-16783542394333056002009-05-14T14:05:00.000-04:002009-05-14T14:05:00.000-04:00I don't think pressing altogether is a bad idea if...I don't think pressing altogether is a bad idea if you are the lesser team, but there is also a reason you are the lesser team. That reason most likely is that you don't have as much talent as the other team, so I would also assume the better talented squad would eventually break the press if it is being used all game and the dunking exhibition would begin. <br /><br />Haha...I hate Stereotypical Stonefooted Power Forward, he is always brought in to help with rebounding and ends up sitting the bench. <br /><br />I would actually move to Oakland and buy Raiders season tickets if the Raiders ran a full time no-huddle offense. I would love to see it. What do they have to lose? <br /><br />I think MJ would have retired in 1987 after seeing what a badass Len Bias was. Bias may have ended up being a great player, who really knows. What we do know is that he wasn't even the #1 pick in the draft, not that it means anything but the Cavs probably could have used Bias and they decided for the Charmin-soft Brad Daugherty, who now commentates on NASCAR. I just find it interesting how Bill all of a sudden has Bias challenging MJ...of course we will never know if he is right or not, so he thinks he is.<br /><br />Exactly, all of those things are very effective gimmick defenses that serve to supplement what a team is doing. Pressing all the time can really work for a team in certain situations. Look at the old Arkansas teams coached by Nolan Richardson, but the important thing is that those are teams that do have talent, they are not lesser teams. Even Richardson's teams could play defense straight up and succeeded. Basically good teams can beat the press. <br /><br />I am going to go ahead and ask what the hell Gladwell was thinking when he talked about teams running the no-huddle all the time. Time of possession is vitally important in football. Actually, you are right it would incredibly stupid for the Lions or Raiders to do this against a team like the Patriots...do you really want to give Tom Brady more possessions? The Patriots would put up 100 points. <br /><br />I like the lottery idea actually. I had never thought of it. Of all Bill's ideas, I think that may be one of my favorites. It makes sense to me because I do get tired of crappy teams staying crappy. The free agent thing would be an absolute mess. I understand what they were trying to say, but really you can't do that. Players would end up in select cities and the Grizzlies would somehow be worse than they are now.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-79759194450631493822009-05-14T13:46:00.000-04:002009-05-14T13:46:00.000-04:00I think you're wrong in questioning whether Len Bi...I think you're wrong in questioning whether Len Bias could have kept up with Michael Jordan. Everybody knows the real question is how much earlier Jordan would have retired once Bias totally eclipsed him in every way possible. Also, I love the fact that one of Bill's favorite "what if" guys is named Bias. Talk about poetic justice.<br /><br />Also, the full-court press, the box-and-one, the no-huddle, and the Wildcat all have huge weaknesses, which is why they are gimmicks that you throw out there for a few minutes to put the other team off balance. A good coaching staff and team (and remember, this was thrown out as a way for less-talented teams to compete with good teams) will make adjustments.<br /><br />And specifically for the no-huddle, can you imagine how many points a game Detroit would have given up last year if they ran the no-huddle most or all of the time? You need to have a very deep defense to do that, because your offensive time of possession is going to <I>suck</I>.<br /><br />I do kinda like the every team in the lottery having the same chance idea, too. I don't really like the "everyone's a free agent" deal. That's one thing that bugs me about MLB, that the draft is for American players, and foreign players are all free agents.The Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03323030436625176444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-17517279486868831082009-05-14T13:08:00.000-04:002009-05-14T13:08:00.000-04:00I don't know that much about basketball, but I thi...I don't know that much about basketball, but I think if the lesser team automatically tries to press the better team, you'll get to see a lot of games where the better team stages a free-form dunking exhibition, while the other team jogs along behind them.<br /><br />And on a shoddy research note, Bill doesn't realize that Chicago traded Generic Athletic/Hungry Swingman X for Stereotypical Stonefooted Power Forward, a decision that will come back to bite them in the ass.<br /><br />On the other hand, I really want to see the 2009 Raiders run a full time no-huddle with JaMarcus Russell and a bunch of rookie and/or underachieving receivers. That would be a thing of beauty.KentAllardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034050997693995004noreply@blogger.com