True Blue LA

He was considered a major get for Cal too. Alas.

The weird part about that too is that a bunch of people still think McCarthy will flip to USC. Seems like UCLA did a good job to get him in Westwood though.

The whole high school recruiting process is odd.

Imagine if there was no NFL draft, going through this process but with the ability to throw silly money at college players

Man, I just found out Darron Thomas declared for the draft… guess that happened saturday, that was unexpected right??

He’ll be a fantastic kick returner in the NFL!

Isn’t that what the football academies are in Europe?

essentially, but 14 year olds aren’t very likely to sign with Tottenham if they grew up in Merseyside, the bidding war isn’t as competitive

How much do 14 year-old make in the academy program?

not very much, the real money is made when they’re sold off after they’re of age

so, concubines?

or 400BC daughters

essentially

Recruiting BY high schools is even odder. And shadier.

isn't it?

Regarding Shaq Thompson, people are expecting him to follow Lupoi because Lupoi is “one of his boys”. Really? Penn State jokes aside, how does a middle-aged man become “boys” with a 17-18 year-old kid? I just don’t know how kids are able to believe a smidgen of the BS that comes out of football coaches mouths?

I think because some of those coaches have known these kids since middle school (Jr High)… College coaches follow these kids around for 4 years or more, thats enough time for a kid to grow close to a certain coach, and trust him.

Sandusky!

following High School recruiting

On message boards can be annoying

bhsportsguy - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Ellis McCarthy FTW

I was ecstatic that McCarthy verbaled to UCLA, but USC going to put the full-court press to snag him before signing day. I heard his parents are big UCLA-backers though, so that’s a bit assuring.

I think Shaq Thompson follows Lupoi to U-Dub.

yeah McCarthy's

Dad is friends with one of the new UCLA coaches. Some think that McCarthy was going to switch anyway since he had arranged for a official visit this weekend.

bhsportsguy - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Notre Dame picked up Gunner Kiel (#1 rated pro style QB) and Tee Shepard today. I’m a happy man.

I can’t really get excited about BSU recruits because you have to dig forever just to find little tidbits on 3 star recruits.

Michael Floyd

good blocker?

He is most of the time. There are always those few plays where it looks like he missed the play call or something and he whiffs completely on the block, but I think that happens with all guys that are asked to block.

That is my personal opinion of him. I have absolutely no clue what scouts have to say about his blocking.

I think it’s a lock that CK will get some IP and Cy Young placment bonuses. What about a K bonus, do they do those?

Kyle Kendrick kashed in

Can’t have bonuses for stats other than playing time-based ones, unless you are A-Rod or Pujols and can use the “historical achievement” card that needs to approved for the commissioner for life.

I dont think so. Btimm told me you cant place performance bonuses on HRs, etc, so I would assume K’s is the same… can only get things like inning pitched, games played, awards, etc. Something like that.

I also don’t think it’s a lock he will have any bonuses, especially on a one-year deal.

Fair point

But I think at least a Cy Young award bonus (placement or win) could be up for discussion.

If he signs a one-year deal, the Cy Young bonus is setting a new record next year in arbitration.

Rest easy guys

Dana Eveland avoided arbitration with Baltimore.

I was on pins and needles

In 2012 we get to see if we can have the worst 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, SS, and 3rd baseman. Good times await us all.

by Phil Gurnee on Jan 17, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

Apparently, Bizarro saw The Infield in the 1970s and has decided to buy the team and put his own spin on it.

Hey now

Our SS is going to be one of the ten best in the MLB :)

Loney details per Tony Jackson

dodgerscribe
Loney deal is $6.375 mill plus $25k for 585 PAs, $50k for each of 625/650 PAs. Would max out at $6.5 mill

James Loney: able to negotiate more valuable and more easily attainable incentives than Andre Ethier since 2012.

Seems like a fairly good deal. Hope Jim shows up.

If Jim Shows up

He will be the toast of this board. Like a dope fiend cousin finally getting it together and turning his life around.

But a dope fiend fat cousin would be hated.

Only because he always hogs all the latkes.

Yeah. Knock that off, Shlomo.

huge dollops

of sour cream

are good on lots of things

speaking of which

the area of Brooklyn I moved to is supposed to have one of the best Polish restaurants in all of NYC.

Also, you're in bagel country now

Had any yet?

have had a couple of bagels

I work in a swanky area of Brooklyn…so lots of over priced mediocre sandwich places, but there is a bagel place near here and they are quite good. Expensive though. And the Pizza really is great here…..Also, great Jamaican food…..beyond that L.A owns….hands down. You all are in a wonderful food city. I miss it a lot..

oh

and my neighborhood (where I live) has a high concentration of Arab immigrants, and all of the food along the avenue adjacent to my street is middle eastern and quite good.

I love me some good Jerk Chicken

Patties, jerk, cocobread, rice and peas, ox tail, curry goat….

I love me some jamaican food…

Any of you guys remember Janet’s on MLK? so effin good

Jamaican food

is something I’ve not got a lot of experience with

You’ve probably been “not” eating Jamaican food since most of us were in diapers.

very hard to find jerk chicken cooked over wood and flames anywhere in the states…most places you find it grilled or baked or even stewed….Janets did it the old school way and it was sublime…they lost their business after the riots which was a blow to me as a kid as it was one of the spots my opos and I went a lot.

you’d love it

Yes you would marty….though hard to find in LA. After Janets I havent found anything very good….For west indian food in L.A, go Beliezean…..

Polka in Glassell Park

is a Polish Restaurant I love to go to

I had a great Los Angeles night last night

Ate Ramen and Yaki at Robata Jinya, took a walk, got in the car, decided I was still a bit peckish, got street tacos at LaBrea and Olympic

now who’s the Anglophile?

clever

I’m sure afterwards you were knackered, and so got a bit of kip

fug it

juan uribe is going to win the mvp.

Phil

I paid the 35 dollars for the tournament. When is it actually happening again?

I should be able to confirm my ability to participate by this evening and will then pay.

Got

Internet?

Until people stop answering my questions

I will keep asking them :)

thanks

on a side note

Visited the LA Regional Food Bank recently, great staff and organization

bhsportsguy - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Seems the settling this winter has not be as lucrative as expected.

I can’t make any rhyme or reason of it. It’s a fool’s errand.

Had to post this image

I got nothing

THERE IS NOTHING!!!!!!!

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

“My sausage has horsepower!”

Josie,

Why is that young man riding the Bologna Pony?

Could it be

That Ned is working on a long term deal which is why nothing has been announced?

/pipe dream

Kershaw’s left hand is sore from signing too many books. That’s the only thing holding up the announcement.

Don’t sign books with your pitching hand!

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

6/$95M

Do it.

7/110, do it now!

I'd love a deal for 6 years

with 2 or 3 options

2/25, watch.

The Humma or the Jim Brewer?

No, Ned has an extra two million to work with and is feverishly trying to see if Juan Cruz will take it.

ha

As long as Ned's not working on a long term deal for Ned

preacher roe - January 17, 2012 reply

Ned

Has a undisclosed long term deal with a reported opt out for Ned at the end of 2012.

bhsportsguy - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

The Sport of Fitness has Arrived

I don’t know if you could come up with a slogan that says less to me

like most sports

I’m bad at that one

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I’m lovin’ it

Pure Azure - January 17, 2012 via Android app reply

Winning.

Can we have a debate between what is the more ambiguous adjective, SOLID or BOUNCE-BACK?

Pure Azure - January 17, 2012 via Android app reply

It's cliche coming from me

but Burger King is testing out home delivery service somewhere in the U.S.

Now back to this one…

that sounds terrible

I would think it only makes sense for people who live in the densely populated cities. Like NYC.

I lived in Hoboken, NJ for a few years and every restaurant in town offered free delivery.

No jokin?

I just can't get the depressing image

of cold, soggy fries out of my head

Just to prove I can ruin more then one thread

Do you people really care if a player has an OPS+ of 80 instead of 60 in 600 at bats? As though that will change the fortune of a team?

Not that I’m trying to ruin this thread, I’m just asking for clarification.

Because I firmly believe that Mark Teahen is going to bounce from his 55 OPS+ level in 2011 back to his normal 90OPS+ and I’d really like that left handed bat on the bench and able to play 3rd base in case Juan gets hurt again. And if you guys love the possibility of an 80 OPS+ at 3rd you might orgasm over someone who could put up a 90. At this point Adam Kennedy or Josh Fields or Russell Mitchell appear to be the back up options. Which would seem to be important when the starting 3rd baseman only had 290 plate appearances the previous year.

yes

i figure a team needs a cumulative OPS+ of XXX, and if Juan Uribe goes up 20 points and Kemp goes down 20 points, we’d be cool.*

I don’t know if this actually works.

that number

Is obscene

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

it’s probably more like 2XXX

If I had more time or motivation, I’d take each player’s OPS+/AB and add them up across playoff teams and see if there is a correlation. probably not, since pitching and defense matter too.

Do I care about huh and what?

I’d take Teahan, because, yeah our options beyond an already terrible Uribe is pretty scary. I know people are hoping Uribe improves, but the way he looked when healthy last season it seems like an 80 OPS+ would be a lot to ask for.

Teahan

As a Dodger, how long until he is christened “Teabag” and who is the regular TBLAer who gives the moniker to him?

Discuss

I'm thinking marty

after 2 months of him playing 2011 Juan Uribe-like baseball.

When was Uribe healthy?

He was hurt all year?

pretty much

in fact the healthiest period were probably those 3 games he raked

Well then, he should be the epitome of health this season if that was the case.

Haha

Kinda hard to play healthy when his bat has cancer.

Would we have cared if Kemp OPS+ed 150 instead of 171?

I think so, that makes the difference from All-Star to MVP (damn you Braun!).

Honestly I think the difference will be from 57 to the mid 90s, so it will be a giant difference for Uribe if I’m right, which isn’t completely farfetched.

Short answer: yes

It’s hard to pin down a real example, but the best I can come up with is this, a pair of centerfielders, using offense only here:

Drew Stubbs, 86 OPS+ in 681 PA, had 1.9 oWAR (the Baseball-Reference version)
Alex Rios, 65 OPS+ in 570 PA, had -1.0 oWAR

If we set them both to 600 PA, it becomes:
Stubbs: 1.67 oWAR
Rios: -1.05 oWAR

So if you are asking if 2.75 extra wins would help, yes I think it would.

Excellent reply

gary is backing away slowly

and court has no idea how this works

Like you said though, I don’t necessarily think this is linear. Just trying to find a real world example.

??? I’m confused once by the way you frame a stat and suddenly im the guy who doesn’t understand war?

court168627 - January 17, 2012 via Android app reply

it was a joke.

you where never clear why you didn't understand how it worked

It's cool to see actual statisical evidence here

Nice get

I’d call is directionally correct

Not sure it is level enough to build a house on, but certainly flat enough to pitch a tent for the night

Luckily, cause if it was on a slant, Uribe would roll off.

zooey deschanel makes me pitch a tent regardless of the slope of the foundation

um, wtf?

http://joshfordodgers.com/
I don’t like this dude at all

publicity honk

yes, cornfield please

It ain’t an election, dude

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

He’ll change the team name to 49ers….

latenite - January 17, 2012 reply

Nice intro video.

Okay HJ

this dude or Cuban?

Cuban

this dude makes me want to revoke his vowel

I fear the big money guy will win and I’ll end up despising him more then George Steinbrenner, thus forcing me into an unpleasant situation.

You’ll bounce back.

but the meercat will love him!

cant you just choke down the rings?

delias man - January 17, 2012 reply

Possible, I will consult with Yankee fans on the proper protocol.

somewhere is that pic

of the guy with the cigar in his mouth

delias man - January 17, 2012 reply

As a Laker fan, I feel dirty for posting this

But give respect where it’s due, says I: Red is an all-time great, no question.

not that guy

the yankee fan

Honest mistake

I hear “guy with cigar”, I think Auerbach.

I think Bill Clinton

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I think of George Carlin, talking about a “big brown dick.”

lol

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Awesome.

Not sure why it popped into my mind, but that Dodger fan that sings DSB on the big screen… Whats his name? Anyone ever met him? Does he post on any Dodger blogs? Thanks!

His name is Jameson Moss. I’m embarrassed to know that.

haha How do you know that??

it’s been repeated enough to stick. I wish that Jameson would stop gathering Moss and just roll away

Steiner mentions him on the radio every so often. Also, I am afraid that I imdb-ed him after he happened to be on an episode of some Disney Channel show that was on when I was too lazy to find the remote.

I don't care what people say about it

Don’t Stop Believing is awesome, and that guy is awesome too. On Star Wars night he dressed up like Obi Wan and had a light saber…too awesome

so does this guy just happen to have his own season seats and just acted goofy enough one day to get on the big screen and now gets on every time he is there? He gets no money or tickets free from the Dodgers to do it is my question.

You are way too interested in his story, but here you go.

yeah my bad… its just something ive always wondered but kept forgetting to ask…. thanks for the info though

We all met with Josh Rawitch last year when he was the VP of Communications for the Dodgers and he mentioned a few things:
a) Jameson let’s them know when he will be at the game and they set him up with tickets and the camera crew.
b) 4 out of 5 people polled like don’t stop believin

[takes out list, writes down ‘TomasC’]

But…but…I like Dr. Pepper!!!

No, you’re right…there’s no excuse.

[adds self to Eric’s list in bold letters]

Being a Dr Pepper fan is a big step in the right direction

LOL

Cohen?

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

First words out of Uribe’s mouth this spring will be
“I’m in the best shape of my life”
“My arm hurts”
“I’m going to swing harder then ever before because after reviewing the tapes I think the problem was that I did not swing hard enough. Maybe closing my eyes will help”
“I had lasik surgery this winter, I can finally see again”
“I’m going back to way I hit when I was a Giant, they kept trying to change me, to get me to make contact, that is not Juan’s game, Juan’s game is to swing hard and hope the pitcher made a mistake”
“What do you mean bounce back?”
“I can’t wait to take my first spring nap”
“I’m going to hit more home runs then Panda”
“Can you believe I make more money then Clayton Kershaw? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha "
“I’m going to steal more bases this year”
“I’m going for 100/100 this year, 100 striketous, 100 games missed”

This is quality.

Daaaaamn

From Eric Fisher, Sports Business Journal:

#Tigers say Victor Martinez tore ACL during offseason conditioning and could be lost for ’12. Break for rest of AL Central?

Ouch

Somewhere Johnny Gomez is doing a jig

Haha

Good time to bring Carlos Pena home?

no

hes gonna lead the Rays to the WS

oof

KC can feel the crack widening

that's shitty

I hate to see good players miss so much time.

Losing Victor
Avila becoming normal
Peralta becoming normal
Verlander not being all world
Fisher falling so flat he will be called Old World

Was not feeling much of Tiger vibe before this. Now

Yeah, can't expect another 25 wins from Verlander

And not sure if Avila is really as good as he showed last year.

Course they have 15 games to work with.

Gotta watch out for those Royals, it could (finally) be their year. Probly not.

I would like Cleveland to make some noise.

as much as people say the nl west is up for grabs, the al central seems like the biggest mystery. i don’t see a favorite or even two favorites

court168627 - January 17, 2012 via Android app reply

At least a year early, but if Sanchez can deliver in a new environment they might have the horses if it is only going to take 83-85 wins to make it happen.

It would be nice to see big things from Mike Moustakes

yes it would

Arbitration hearings

Why exactly is K-Rod getting closer money when he accepted ARB as a set up man?

Can’t cut his pay more then 20%?

That too.

performance history

what would happen if he set up all year again and accepted ARB next offseason? Still would get paid like a closer?

would probably get less, based on his launch year.

8 mil looks like a bargain

compared to 17.5 million dollars. Omar Minaya FTW

Missed the Laker game, how did Odom look?

Better

But still pretty shitty overall…he said himself he’s still working into game shape. It was an ugly game all around…thank God for Fisher’s late game heroics.

Being that Fisher has been one of the all time great Laker supporting cast, tis a shame to see that he’s done. I would rather he retire in grace, then start suffering taunts from dickish Laker fans as his career comes to an end.

yeah I agree… He has a player option next season. Probably picks it up for one more payday before he retires. I agree im ashamed of the way fellow Laker fans are turning their backs on him like that….. Dude has done so much for us, and IMO has earned a free pass… No matter how shitty he gets, I cant ever say bad things about him, he’s a champion.

I hear you

Most of those “fans” hate him until he hits a big shot, and then they praise him until the next time one of the other 29 faster PGs in the league blows by him for a layup.

agreed

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Fishyrim deserves better than he gets right now.

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

tall, bald, african american

Rec

He looked alright, better then he has been I guess, hit a few 3’s… Alot of the media that was a turn the page game, and will play better now…. We’ll see, made me miss him alot seeing him. I’d love to know what Kobe said to him before Fisher hit that game winning 3.

Crowd gave him a standing ovation when he first came into the game

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

From SBNation Clipper Blog

As most of you are aware at this point, Chris Sheridan reported yesterday that Dwight Howard has added the Clippers to the list of teams he would be willing to play for. While this is significant in that it represents another major milestone in the reimagination of the Clippers as an elite NBA franchise, it doesn’t mean that Howard is going to be wearing red, white and blue any time soon.

Just saw that

Scary thought for the rest of the league…the Clippers as a “super team” almost defies logic, but I wonder what assets they would have to move in order to get Dwight in the first place. A Paul/Griffin/Howard trio is potentially ridiculous, though.

Hmmm
Trade DJ and other good things for Love
Trade Griffin for Howard

Win titles

haha nooooo way, you’d trade Griffin for Howard?? wow, thats interesting…. Word is Clippers wont, they wouldnt trade Griffin for anyone.

Clippers might not, but I would. All day every day

Mike asked me this a few weeks ago and I was unsure: would I trade both Bynum and Gasol for Howard? I was hesitant, but the more I think of it I would totally do it. I just don’t think it necessarily needs to happen until July. But I would do it whenever; it’s the best long-term play.

I'm torn as well

Do you trade one All-Star PF and a potentially top-tier C for the best C in the game and his poor-defending, bad-contract-having SF running mate? I really don’t know: I have attachments to Pau and Drew from their title runs, but the chance to land D12 is indeed tantalizing.

I don't think both will need to be moved for Dwight

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Then why isn’t the deal done?

It would take a hell of an offer to get him away from Orlando right now. Unless they are blown out of the water (I’m not even sure Pau and Bynum is big enough right now) I don’t see him being traded until around the deadline.

I don’t think just one of them will get the deal done though. Both will need to be included in the trade somehow. Be that in a 3 or 4 team trade or straight up.

I agree I think it comes down to deadline, I think Orlando waits it out, forsure atleast until after ASG thats in Orlando….. I think one of them could get him…. Of the teams Howard is willing to go to, who can beat Bynum, along with taking back Turkey Glues contract?? I’d say Clippers if they were willing to deal Griffen, but I dont think they will.

I’ll do Bynum and Gasol, if Orlando gives us Nelson in a seperate deal for the 8.9 TPE, and whatever 1st round picks haha

deal isnt done because Orlando wants both, according to media, or because they still are holding out hope of keeping Howard…. What Magic want, and what they get, are 2 different things. I think Bynum and Gasol is too much IMO. Just to upgrade from the 2nd best C to the best C, and now its being debated if Bynum isnt the best C after all. Problem with Bynum is the health issues, and I understand doing it for those reasons, but not for both…. Also IMO a PG is a way bigger need then Dwight Howard is.

If you’re trading for Howard then you are doing it because you are worried about Bynum’s health and because you are getting a guy to build your next team around. I don’t see any way they trade for Howard and still be able to win right now. Not with what it will take to make the trade and the current makeup of the team.

exactly, I agree, which is why I dont want to do it because I rather just go for it these few years, then rebuild. Kenny Smith says were 1 guard away. I agree with that, I feel were 1 player away. How we get that player without losing any current starters, I dont know, and might not be possible.

The only thing the Lakers have of any value at all to trade is the exemption.

right, which is why only moves I make is getting back a player with that TPE, or like I said, Aaron Brooks, or JR Smith when they return from China.

hmmm, I dont know…. maybe, its tough one for me.

I dont know what I would do… part of me wants to just stay as is and go for it…. hard to win title and rebuild at same time…. I think right now I’d like to stay as is, if I can pick up a piece by trading that TPE and picks, I do it… or wait for Brooks and that former Nugget I cant remember his name right now to return from China, and sign one of them.

Besides, Shaq and Barkley were just saying last night that right now Bynum is best center in the league… thats good enough for me haha

Shaq said that

Barkley vehemently disagreed

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Let's show both sides of the stories, though

Drew has played very well since returning from the suspension, but Dwight’s trade demand has been wearing on him: he’s mentally checked out and not playing at his best. Taking a healthy Drew at his peak and pairing him against Howard playing at his top level, I believe, would be an entertaining and closer-than-expected match, but ultimately go to Dwight.

hey man, is that the 1st time the TNT crew has set up outside Staples in LA Live for their postgame show? Ive never seen that before.

No

they do that for the playoffs too.

In a world where Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis were traded

I honestly don’t believe ANYONE is untouchable.

Arenas and Lewis?

Their contracts were considered "immovable"

I know it’s a different concept, but I’m just trying to illustrate that no one player is above being moved, whether it’s a superstar (ala Deron Williams), a young, up-and-coming player (Eric Gordon), or a decent player with a terrible contract (Hedo Turkoglu).

ohhh, ok got ya.

I don’t even know what they have to give up that would sway Orlando anymore.

Assuming you're not trading Blake

That’s kind of the problem….

If Orlando was happy with a package of Bledsoe/Jordan, I would laugh my ass off at how stupid Orlando is.

Mike, what about you? You’d trade Griffen for Howard?

Eh, probably not. I’d think about it though.

Unless LAC is also getting Kevin Love (as per Phil’s proposal above), then I’d have no problems.

or the more important question

would the Clippers, given what it seems they would have to trade, be better off with Howard? Just because Howard would graciously allow the Clippers to trade for him, does that mean the Clippers should?

I think Howard is a much bigger impact player than Griffin. I don’t think it would work out well for them to trade for him though.

agree on both points. Flattered, Dwight, but have fun being a Knick.

Knicks have Chandler

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I’m actually thinking he remains with Magic rest of season… him and Deron Williams go to Dallas in offseason.

don't see the Magic letting that happen

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I now know with absolute certainty what the major issue with James Loney is

rubber spikes

They look metal to me, just caked in dirt.

All that digging in at the batter’s box can get your cleats mighty muddy.

suppose you could be right.

Ignorant question

don’t most players where rubber spikes now?

i have no clue. i know i found it near impossible to pitch in rubber spikes.

Any thoughts

on the woman who was offering sex for Chicken McNuggets?

This is first ive heard of it…. shit you can get 50 of them for 10 bucks.

Paying for pink slime with white slime

I just laughed and laughed when I saw that

its a little sad that she values her services so low though.

So

No Kershaw news then?

maybe

What time was that press conference/book signing?

I thought it was 10

So Caldwell is gone

no surprise there

hee came hee seop'd he choi'd - January 17, 2012 reply

he had a ~~good~~ run

Where does Loney's salary rank among MLB players?

Right in between these two:

121 Scott Rolen CIN $6,500,000
122 Placido Polanco PHI $6,250,000

Looks meaningful but is really insignificant, HJ style.

Saunders re-signs with Arizona (added to Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter, Trevor Cahill).

Nice to have a fifth starter like him knowing you have 24 and Skaggs waiting.

Is Oswalt gonna sign with the Angels or what?

Is that a thing?

hah I don't know

I just want them to sign someone as their 5th starter, and I would take Oswalt.

It seems like they are more likely to get Woods or Cordero

and just let the 5th starters spot work itself out

Whither Jerome Williams?

maybe you don’t sign Pujols and then hope Jerome was the real deal?

it seems odd that they are doing nothing to shore up the 5th starter spot

money must be tight. Moreno is a cheapass.

Seeing that it's you

It’s hard to tell if this is a joke or not, lol.

maybe I need a meercat esque account

for when I’m feeling fiesty. But then when would I post on Nolander?

he’s irritating but not ignorant. So joke it must be

Yeah — irritating and ignorant is MY job!

The eyes of Kavula

They have him, as part of a bunch of rookie/NRI types. Garrett Richards in the mix too.

Garret Richards is probably not ready yet though

they will need someone to get them through the early part of the season, unless they want to chatwood him. Man Richards got smashed hard when I saw him pitch to end the year.

24 is eight months older than Zach Lee. Yet one is big league ready and the other is nowhere close…

I graduated barely 17, others were 19.

I graduated at 17 too

youngest in my class

I might not have been youngest, but I was 17 as well. Started college at 17 too

Andrew Bynum played in the NBA at 17

17 and a half for me

I never remember talking to anyone in my 800+ person class that was younger than me.

I was 18, which is normal probably.

He pitched in college too so started out at a higher level once he was signed

Zach Lee never would have started higher than LoA.

Apparently his price

was $6M

I would not trade Gasol and Bynum for Howard.

I would however do my best to find the Lowry in the rough.

I’d be down for Deron Williams to the Lakers with a Pau-centric package going to New Jersey.

I can see that

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Pondering if a Pau package could pry preeminent point guard Russell Westbrook from OKC

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I don’t see a West contender looking to make a trade to make the Lakers better.

Hard to imagine a team coming off an NBA Finals appearance trading their second best player.

Oklahoma didn’t get there yet

A trade like that wouldn’t happen until the offseason, and I think OKC is the clear favorite in the West.

But I worded it in such a way to protect the Lakers and Pau too :)

not that the Thunder are a lock to get to the Finals, but they should have the best record in the West (I’ll be shocked if they don’t), and will have every advantage to get there.

long shot for sure

But there may be a divide between what he wants to be paid and what the Thunder want to pay him.

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I hear Westbrook/Rondo was a good battle last night.

The Brooks kid looked to have some skills

Aaron Brooks? Thats what im saying, get him from China, problem solved

Duck

No, MarShon Brooks, shooting guard. Just saying he was the most impressive Net yesterday. Looked good for a 25th pick.

yeah why cant Lakers ever find a steal like that…. besides the fact they havent had many 1st round picks lately because they’ve all been traded or sold, but fuck man. Can I get a Rondo? A Tony Parker? Cant really remember the last time the Lakers have hit on a late pick, since Van Exel and Fisher. Lakers even cut alot of scouting staff too. Hopefully cuz they sucked, need to invest more in scouting.

Derek Fisher?

Oh, you named him. Lakers have gotten some value from late picks — Madsen, Farmar, Turiaf…

Value but no Andre Jordan:)

No argument here.

Phil Jackson had an aversion to playing rookies. I wonder if Gilbert Arenas or Manu Ginobili would’ve cracked a PJ rotation their first couple years in the league.

Manu easy but hard to call him a normal rookie given he was 25 when he entered the league, he’d have been perfect in the PJ system.

Who plays PF full-time then? What happens when Bynum gets hurt.

McRoberts.

aka McRambis… im lovin it.

Enjoy the first round playoff exit then.

McRambis is baller you crazy? haha… Bynum, McRambis, Barnes, Kobe and Deron Williams would be better then 1st round exit I think.

Perhaps, but I don’t like the thought/idea of putting all of your big man eggs in the Bynum basket. Too many scenarios where he misses either a ton of regular season or playoff games due to injury.

The teams resembles the pre – Pau days?

Has Pau met Mat?

Basketball Fans, care to do a list of solid point guards who only two years ago were considered draft busts?

Can you name one to get me started?

Kyle Lowry

Does Rubio count?

Na

Billups was considered a bust after his first two years in the league

CeLOLtics

Right

so is this like hte NFL where you should wait 3 years to evaluate a draft?

Lately with the one and done, I think you have to because so many are coming in the league with the athletic skills but not the basketball skills.

It’s also the rise of AAU basketball that’s played a role in the decline of fundamental team basketball.

Show your work on this one

magic

damn man

As far as awesome tv shows go you just get me, lol.

I’ve made a huge mistake.

What’s the line? “But where did the ____ come from?”

lmao

I love when he squirts lighter fluid on Sally Sitwell and then says that.

That’s it. Lighter fluid. Never even heard of the show before Dodger Thoughts.

"college basketball prospects"

are no longer primarily trained by their high school coaches. who only have a few months of in-season basketball plus any additional offseason training, whereas AAU basketball teams play year-round.

AAU basketball is unparalleled in terms of athleticism, but very short on structure and fundamentals. While AAU teams will run some semblance of an offensive system, it’s not more than rolling a ball onto the court and having the superior athletes have at it. Team defense is not emphasized in AAU basketball as much as individual defense. The individual is the most emphasized aspect of AAU basketball, as coaches/managers sell the idea of getting an individual to the next level. This typically entails assembling the greatest amount of talent on the team for exposure to college scouts.

Take Rick Pitino and Kentucky for instance. Considering his proclivity for assembling monster recruiting classes centered on one-and-dones, Kentucky is essentially a glorified AAU team. For all the talent Pitino has assembled, the closest he came to winning the Final Four was the year he had Derrick Rose, which ended up being vacated.

This isn’t showing your work more than it is throwing out more stereotypes.

Also, Derrick Rose went to Memphis and was coached by John Calipari.

My bad… brain fart on Calipari.

You’re right. I don’t have fangraphs or collegebasketball-reference to SABR some numbers about how AAU basketball has adversely affected fundamental basketball. I only have my worthless opinion based on anecdotal evidence that I’ve accumulated over the years following high school recruiting and college basketball from a fan’s perspective.

/I’ll STFU now.

Thanks for the in-depth comment.

It’s the rise of UAA basketball that has led to more fat cousins playing basketball.

The only members of the tribe at University of Alaska at Anchorage are Inuits.

yeah Lakers should just do Gasol for Scola, Martin, and Lowry, game over!

Derrick Rose had a whole lot more doubters two years ago.

I was wondering if the Suns would deal Nash. I know the Lakers need youth and athleticism, but for a 1-2 year window, why not?

Pure Azure - January 17, 2012 reply

For what?

Have no idea. How much is he worth now? Contract status?

Pure Azure - January 17, 2012 reply

Nash makes $11,689,062 this season, final year on contract…. maybe Suns buy him out and we get him that way.

Nash would have to basically force his way out, and he doesn’t seem like someone who would do that.

I agree, a buyout is not going to happen.

no way

Trading him is a long shot. Dude is a fan favorite

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

maybe…. but Suns need to rebuild, have no shot to win this year, and might want to trade Nash to a contender for a chance at a ring. His time is almost up.

Jarret Jack then

Pure Azure - January 17, 2012 reply

I’d be down for Jarrett Jack… If not, then Gentlemans Jack….. daaam, just saw Jarrett Jacks ESPN profile pic, dude is on a good one.

Nash/Kobe would be nasty

I was thinking this too, but dont think we can do it salary wise… not trading Gasol for Nash.

?

JonHeymanCBS
david price has cost kershaw by settling low at $4.35M. some figured price at $5.5M. price says he loves #rays. believe it.

Maybe a minor factor.

Apparently

on their off day, the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants are in Indianapolis today to look over facilities.

I was under the impression that only the advanced scouts went to Indy. That’s what I’d hear about the Giants and 49ers anyway.

I was confused by a tweet

that makes more sense.

they all stand around for 5 minutes, then

“titty bar?”

“titty bar”

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Haha

you do not want to go to a strip club in Indiana.

Some of the biggest knockers that I have ever seen were from that state, all natural too.

Updated pic on profile of my daughter and my brother

she's a cute girl

awww

:) my booger bear

Mark Teahan

is now an unrestricted free agent.

A’s will sign him

And thus complete the circle jerk

Will Billy Beane be the one to eat the cookie?

“It’s incredibly hard”

I vote for Peter Brand.

Would you

support DePodesta returning as GM?

Nope.

only because Ned is the current GM and I just watched Money ball…but otherwise no

to the Dodgers?

Sure

Would you support Christina Hendricks and Angelina Jolie approaching Bride and saying, “You know, we were just talking, and we think you and your husband are just about the most attractive people we’ve ever seen, so how about we get it on?”

Because there’s just about as good a chance that that will happen as DePodesta will return to the Dodgers as GM.

Could I watch?

For $1,000

$1000 watch

a discount for your friend?

thats awfully nice of you

How about some Chicken McNuggets instead?

Well-played.

Awwwwwwwkkkkkkwaarrrrrrrrrrd.

Depends on how PR-conscious the new owner is.

right? like I feel he could do the job well, but he’s got that past

In this town you could sell it, if only he hadn’t been named “Peter Brand” in the movie.

David Young - January 17, 2012 reply

Yes

I would

With new owner $$$$, I’d think that DePo Part Deux would be more like Theo in Boston than the first time around, right?

http://www.truebluela.com/2012/1/17/2706100/dodgers-2012-minor-league-countdown-130-121

Sure.

David Young - January 17, 2012 reply

new (old) post (that got swallowed up by arb-fueled deals)

Watches I'm not buying

79,500 Euros:

How many Gyros?

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

It’s a Greek watch?

It’s all Greek to me

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I believe it is a Dutch maker. That top dial shows the rotation of the planets around the sun. The face is hand-engraved to depict one of the 12 Zodiac signs (this is Aquarius). They are making 12 watches total, one for each of the Zodiac signs, so if you buy, you will have a truly unique piece.

http://www.kershawknives.com/

All my money is in knives:

whoever buys one

Probably has an Italian made chestnut roaster

Tommy Blackjack - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

I think you just described my Marie Calendar’s pie tin with a bunch of holes punched through it with a screw driver

really, there is only this

Is that an amphora you are pouring or are you just happy to see me?

Per Heyman

Tim files at $21.5M, giants at $17M