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3 hours ago, rico said:

Italy's flag consists of green, white, and red.  But yet they are wearing blue?  Is that Piazza's doing?

Does he have influence over their soccer team too.  They always wear blue.  I watched a bit of the Cuba/Ned game and an inning of the Koreaa/Aussie game.  It will get better once DR. PR and US start.  I'll have to load up the tubi app. 

Found it interesting that Ken Griffey Jr is the hitting coach for USA.  Maybe that was case before but wonder if he wants to get into coaching.  I don't expect there is a bunch of coaching going on though other than managing playing time to keep the MLB clubs happy and pushing buttons during the game by the manager. 

Starts next week.  I think the US won the last title and for me it was really fun to watch. Does anyone else like to watch it. The drawback is it is during the NCAA tourney but the games have intensity to them. 

20 hours ago, 5fouls said:

Parakeet Jones, who won the league last year, gets an automatic one year exemption to stay in the Champions League.  Since he missed the playoffs, he takes a 7th spot from the current Champions League membership, meaning only 5 get to move up from HSN2.

Is 5th based on playoff finish or regular season finish?  I'm 5th in Reg season.

Yes luck factors in.  My first rounder pick (Najee) has not had a good week all year.  I cut Tua around time of his concussions.  Waller was hurt so started streaming TE's.  Engram gave me a good week then I cut him and he exploded. Okonkwu did good so got lucky but not 162 and 2 TDs.   I really thought I was just playing out the season last 3 or so weeks and entering lineups to maybe be a spoiler for those who were actually going to be a plyoff team. Maybe Najee Harris will play like that 1st round pick I spent on him. Probably be 1 and done but who knows.  To top it off, I am a fringe candidate team to move to elite league as a rookie. lol

Are the Pacers still going to be in tank mode.  Watched Vic. W and Scoot some last night. Both seem to have the potential of next gen talents. Have the game DVR'd so will watch more.  It is probably to be replayed on ESPN or maybe on demand in the app. 

9 hours ago, KoB2011 said:

Sam getting a shot means we are tanking for a draft pick. 

I like Sam but he is nothing more than a backup in this league. 

If they don't insert him until week 15 it is because they are no longer in the playoff hunt and they want to see what he can do for the future against defenses that are not so pre-season vanilla. Otherwise, he would have been cut as Eason was.

I think they remain in the division hunt for quite some time even they are mediocre.  We'll see. Everytime I think the titans are done they get really good. This time it looks different.   So with a week 14 bye and if it looks hopeless then he gets 4 games at the end of the season.  I'd still activate him for the chiefs game and maybe some others.  Sam is mobile and athletic so he brings something to the table there.

So what is the trigger point for Sam to get a shot at starting at QB if Colts don't get on track.  Fortunately, their division looks bad.  Titans look quite stale themselves. Jags are certainly trending up but don't see them separating.  So colts can probably stay in striking range for some time. 

Sam is special and he clearly put in a lot of work in the off season to improve his game.  He is like Jalen Brunson in NBA.  People gravitate and rally around leaders such as him.  I'd be tempted to activate him for the KC game in case it gets out of hand. 

16 hours ago, dgambill said:

Cincy has a first place schedule…Colts do not…that said we’ve played the two weakest teams on ours and been crushed for 7 quarters. Probably be 0-2-1 after next week with KC given the way our defense has played. Cincy still has plenty of their own issues though.

Unfortunately, Pitt and Dallas don't look like 1st place teams this year.  They have 2 of the top 5 defenses in the league when their stars are on the field. Watt and Parsons.   So they likely be competitive most weeks.  The only problem with cowboys in week 1 was Bucs defense.  

I think the Bengals will be fine but not sure they make the playoffs this year.   When you build a new offensive line, they have to play a ton to get on the same page in the pre season.    Fortunately Baltimore and cleveland had meltdowns so only 1 game game off the pace.   I think the Dolphins are good though and may be this years Bengals but Cleveland letting that game get away is nuts though the Jets are no longer a dormat.  Got some talent there in NY and I kinda like Saleh.    

I had 4 choices to replace Pittman.  D. Harris, M. Carter, G Wilson, Kirk.  I picked Carter. lol 

On 6/22/2022 at 7:06 PM, 5fouls said:

You are in!  There is a thread on the football board that has more detail.  See link in original post above.  I prefer PPR and likely wont change that though.

Cool.  I'll go there and start getting up to speed.  The PPR thing is not a biggie.  I  only stated I think it cheap stat.  I would play in a league that only score points using TDs and kicking stats and 2 point conversions. 

Should the Pacers take on Hayward and add a free draft pick 13 or 15 to give Charlotte some cap relief to sign Bridges?  

I'm in 2 regular and a dynasty.  Little late to respond but if you need players still, I can jump in.

IMO, PPR is a cheap stat. nothing like getting a point for a reception that loses a yard or 2.  LOL.  We are replacing the PPR with First downs by Rushing or Receiving in our dynasty league which has been going for almost 30 years.  We converted to dynasty 15 or so years ago.   

Maybe the Cavs don't win their title if the Warriors leave Walton as coach and don't bring back Kerr that 2016 season. 

Williams from Purdue shined in the 5v5 game.   14 points, 13 reb, 5 assists

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527410203943108609?s=20&t=6ne50bKndaZqeXy8I8nCwQ

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1527397345641607175?s=20&t=Ltp8MsybadJABGCRjOzACQ

10 hours ago, DC2345 said:

Stop. No chance that happens. He's not even a top 50 draft prospect. 

Was just trying to stir up discussions on pick 31 with all the talk focused on 6 plus a little humor thrown in on TJD being the pick.

9 hours ago, DC2345 said:

They are looking at Ayton because he is young and been a part of playoff success while playing at a high level. They could possibly land him in a sign and trade sending them Myles Turner since there's been talk Ayton wants out of Pheonix. I don't think they'll be drafting Duren. He is big and talented but that's a bit of a reach since most mock drafts have him going around 10 or 12. 

I don't see a big thick line between 6 and 10 when comparing these Mocks.  ESPN has the blazers taking Duren at 7. Walterfootball has him at 5.  I probably would not draft him over the top 6 but you have to work him out and do your homework.  

I was reading rumors about the Pacers/Suns discussing Ayton during the season.    So that means they likely are looking for a big.  Where does Duren fit at pick 6 if Murray is off the board?  I read one scouting report he is pretty impressive finisher.  I had viewed RC as one of the best if not the best PnR coach in the league.  How does Haliburton do in the PnR?  

What about pick 31?  TJD?  He's a Pacer legacy, right?

IMO, the Warriors look like the team to beat. I thought they would be favorites to win it if they could be healthy for the playoffs.  They handled the regular season perfectly to get everyone on the court for the playoffs.  I think all these last 4 teams are very close and I wouldn't be surprised by any outcome.  

On to the Mavs plug. 

The Mavs were 16-18 on New Years Eve and finished the season 36-12.  They were 3-1 vs GS, 3-1 vs Memphis, 2-0 vs Boston, 1-1 vs Miami with road winning both games. Only the suns final 48 was better at 37-11.  Suns were the Mavs kryptonite.  They had owned the Mavs for last 3 or 4 years winning like 12 of 15 and something like 10 in row at home over Dallas. Took 7 games but that was fixed in the playoffs. 

What the Mavs have going for them is this was suppose to be a reset year with new regime so anything they produce after round 1 series win is icing on the cake. I think that was their expectations that Round 1 series win was the bar for a successful season.  They are now playing with no pressure plus Luka lives for the pressure moments.   They are more than a 1 man show and play as physical as anyone left in the playoffs. 

Let's go Mavs.

1 hour ago, Seeking6 said:

I know this for certain personally. My NBA talent evaluator skills are worthless. Looking at guys like Luka and even Brunson....just never thought it would translate to the NBA or translate to this level of success.

I feel like Luka is good for 35 every single night....and because of that Brunson's production has doubled. Happy for the Mavs and Cuban. 

One other thing. Forgot the Heat were still in playoffs. Been at least a week since they've been on the court.

I think Brunson produces more when Luka is out like the 41 vs Utah.  I watch all their games and he is just a good consistent offensive player every night  whether Luka plays or not.  He is also a catalyst in the team culture.  

Brunson defense is pretty bad but he is probably one highest IQ guys in the league. So he will draw a lot of charges and leanred from the master of filling passing lanes (Kidd) to be pretty good at that in the team defense concept. It took all of 3.5 years for me to warm up to the slow footed PG but I finally bought in to him. 

This group has a ton of cohesion.  Brunson, Dodo, and Luka are all quite close.   Dodo (DFS) is maybe the most underrated player in the league. He leads the league in percentage of defending the other teams best players.   

Let's go Mavs.

12 hours ago, rico said:

Bye, bye Philly.  Jay Wright to the Sixers?

I can see Wright to the sixers but will he want to deal with Harden and Morey.  Harden might be nearing his quitting point on another team especially as a FA.  I think Wright is happy to take a year off unless philly wants to make big changes.     

I have always liked Butler but there was a stretch where he seemed like a locker room cancer when it came to dealing with young players as a leader in his later bulls days then with the wolves.  He certainly seems to have that figured out now.  

I don't knw the Mavs can beat the Suns in Phoenix but in one game they have Luka.  Reggie Miller is trying to use Luka Magic as his nickname but Luka Magic describes what he does so it is not his nickname.  Cmon Luka, forget about the refs sprinkle that Lukamagic on Game 7 and steal one. Let's go Mavs!   

https://www.milwaukeemag.com/the-rise-of-sean-sweeney-milwaukee-bucks-assistant-coach/

Sean Sweeny has put in time at Evansville with Simmons and seems like a young rising future coach. He'll probably stay in the NBA but is Kidd's number 1.  He interviewed or will interview with the Hornets for the top job.  He looked the part when he filled in for Kidd for a 3 or so games while Kidd was out due to COVID protocols.  Would he rather stay an assistant or maybe take a college job. 

So if it is Crean does that mean UE has to recruit out of state.  Thought he had bad relationships with Indiana HS coaches.  I'd get Gregg Marshall.  He knows how to diminate the MVC.

2 hours ago, IU Scott said:

The players might be good guys bit the super stars of today is why I dislike the NBA.  The guys just trying to run the league and getting together to form super teams.  I have the load management and players missing games when they are healthy.

The Lakers and Celtics we're like super teams but it was through good drafting and trades.  I couldn't see guys like Magic and Bird getting together and try to form a super teams.

Since your taking about the Lakers so much. Wilt said he wasn't getting traded without his approval. Certainly, he would of blocked a trade to the cincinnati royals or not showed but LA, no way he blocks that scenario.  Kareem wanted to be dealt to LA or NY and get away from Milwaukee.  Even talked about moving to NY while playing with the Bucks.  It's not really all that different.