Brooke Lopez' career-high 31 points and 13 rebounds led the Nets over the Blunder on Monday, 103-99. Not to be overshadowed by Lopez' performance, the Blunder flaunted their league-leading 33 losses and Clay Bennett flaunted his league-leading appetite for corndogs.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant led OKC with 26 points and nine rebounds in 48 hard minutes. Nick Collison had six fouls, Desmond Mason five turnovers, Jeff Green went 4-15 and Kyle Weaver had two points in 16 minutes to lead the Blunder low lights.
More Blunder by-the-numbers;
1 - Blunder's longest win streak.
2 - Blunder road wins - worst in the league!
6 - Blunder wins - leading the league...in fewest.
14 - January 14 - next scheduled Blunder loss, vs. Utah
19.5 - Games out of first
33 - Blunder losses - leads the league.
55 - Dollars for The Blunder 'excellence' polo; Leads the league in oxymorons.
717,142,948 - laughs the public enjoyed when the Blunder's Doritos-inspired logo was unveiled - another league record!
More Corndogs! More losses! More Blunder!
New Orleans Hornets: 22-12, one game back of the Spurs
Memphis Grizz: 11-26, 13.5 game back of the Spurs
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Too Much Pennsylvania! Forecasting a Pitt/Philly Superbowl
Yep - going with the fav's here, Pittsburgh vs Philly for an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl. I now dread the painful marketing and promotions we will have to suffer through as a result. Ben vs Donovan, yada, yada, yada.
Pittsburgh vs: Baltimore:
Pittsburgh has a stout defense, experience all over, a veteran QB and an offense that makes plays. They have a creative playbook and know when and how to use it effectively. The tight-end play from Heath Miller will make a difference vs Baltimore's stingy defense and their consistantly productive play-action pass will ultimately lead to big plays and a Pittsburgh win at home. If Baltimore stacks the line to shut down the run, Pitt's verticle passing game is likely to make some big plays eventually. Baltimore could pull this off, but out of the two games I feel the strongest about a Pittsburgh win at home. Pittsburgh's experience and opportunistic offensive makes them my pick over a very formidable Baltimore team.
Arizona vs. Philadelphia.
This is the more intriguing match-up. Arizona has something they haven't had in 40 years; no I'm not referring to a deep playoff run, I mean confidence. They've got tons of talent, solid coaching, a Super Bowl experienced quarterback and arguable the most feared receiver in the NFC right now in Larry Fitzgerald. Their defense embarrassed Jake Delhomme at carolina. Rarely is the word embarrassed used and it's not referring to the Cardinals. Confidence. And they get to host the NFC Championship game. If you picked them at the beginning of the season to reach the NFC title game, and you weren't joking, I need your opinions on some stocks I'm thinking of buying. I think they have the talent to get past Philly, but expect the Eagles experience, swagger and physical defense to win out.
Philly knocked out the Giants in NY, mimicking their run last year; by riding the defense and winning on the road. Two years in a row an NFC East team does it. I like Philly's chances here and expect their game to be to contain Fitz, play ball control and get Westbrook out into space to make plays. However, this is a perfect opportunity for Arizona to strike quickly and early, feeding of of the crowd and adrenaline, which could make McNabb force throws, resulting in mistakes. I expect Philly to be more confident and stout on defense and wins a low scoring game in the desert. But don't rule out the cards if they score early and get momentum.Arizona in the Super Bowl? If they can ride their wave of confidence and offensive power, they can.
Super Bowl: Pitt over Philly 29-16
Pittsburgh vs: Baltimore:
Pittsburgh has a stout defense, experience all over, a veteran QB and an offense that makes plays. They have a creative playbook and know when and how to use it effectively. The tight-end play from Heath Miller will make a difference vs Baltimore's stingy defense and their consistantly productive play-action pass will ultimately lead to big plays and a Pittsburgh win at home. If Baltimore stacks the line to shut down the run, Pitt's verticle passing game is likely to make some big plays eventually. Baltimore could pull this off, but out of the two games I feel the strongest about a Pittsburgh win at home. Pittsburgh's experience and opportunistic offensive makes them my pick over a very formidable Baltimore team.
Arizona vs. Philadelphia.
This is the more intriguing match-up. Arizona has something they haven't had in 40 years; no I'm not referring to a deep playoff run, I mean confidence. They've got tons of talent, solid coaching, a Super Bowl experienced quarterback and arguable the most feared receiver in the NFC right now in Larry Fitzgerald. Their defense embarrassed Jake Delhomme at carolina. Rarely is the word embarrassed used and it's not referring to the Cardinals. Confidence. And they get to host the NFC Championship game. If you picked them at the beginning of the season to reach the NFC title game, and you weren't joking, I need your opinions on some stocks I'm thinking of buying. I think they have the talent to get past Philly, but expect the Eagles experience, swagger and physical defense to win out.
Philly knocked out the Giants in NY, mimicking their run last year; by riding the defense and winning on the road. Two years in a row an NFC East team does it. I like Philly's chances here and expect their game to be to contain Fitz, play ball control and get Westbrook out into space to make plays. However, this is a perfect opportunity for Arizona to strike quickly and early, feeding of of the crowd and adrenaline, which could make McNabb force throws, resulting in mistakes. I expect Philly to be more confident and stout on defense and wins a low scoring game in the desert. But don't rule out the cards if they score early and get momentum.Arizona in the Super Bowl? If they can ride their wave of confidence and offensive power, they can.
Super Bowl: Pitt over Philly 29-16
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Blunder Bumbles By the Numbers
1 disasterous season in OKC.
2 point loss to Houston on Friday.
5 "wims' in 37 games.
7 letters in 'corndog', the unofficial team slogan; 'More Corndogs, More Losses, More Blunder!'
12 - Seattle's tv market size, which Bennett and the NBA left for the 45th tv market.
19.5 games out of first place.
32 OJ, Franco, Brown, Marcus, Magic, Malone, Minnesota (32nd state), germanium (32nd element) FDR, Blunder losses.
41 Years in Seattle.
55 dollars for the Blunder "excellence" polo on their website - the worst team in the league, charging the highest price in the league, calling it excellent, thereby putting the moron in oxymoron.
1.1 billion - losses, in dollars, by Blunder owner Aubrey McLendon in the Market crash.
Blunder 5-32, last place.
Next loss: Satuday vs. Chicago.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
2 point loss to Houston on Friday.
5 "wims' in 37 games.
7 letters in 'corndog', the unofficial team slogan; 'More Corndogs, More Losses, More Blunder!'
12 - Seattle's tv market size, which Bennett and the NBA left for the 45th tv market.
19.5 games out of first place.
32 OJ, Franco, Brown, Marcus, Magic, Malone, Minnesota (32nd state), germanium (32nd element) FDR, Blunder losses.
41 Years in Seattle.
55 dollars for the Blunder "excellence" polo on their website - the worst team in the league, charging the highest price in the league, calling it excellent, thereby putting the moron in oxymoron.
1.1 billion - losses, in dollars, by Blunder owner Aubrey McLendon in the Market crash.
Blunder 5-32, last place.
Next loss: Satuday vs. Chicago.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Baskin/Robbins: 31 Flavors, OKCBlunder: 31 Losses!
Another attempt to mimic pop-culture-by-the-numbers in OKC? The Blunder continue their quest into infamy as the three-legged Timberwolves mauled them on Wednesday night, 129-87. The Blunder are the first team in 2009 to reach the 31-loss plateau. The 42-point loss was also a personal high for Bennett's Blunder after relocating to OKC. Perhaps it will pursuade Bennet to rethink the 'excellence' label on the Blunder Polo shirt, or to lower the absurd $55 price tag.
Minnesota wom (yes, wom) it's fourth in a row as Randy Foye led six Timberwolves in double-digit scoring with 32 points. Rookie Kevin Love had 16 points and tied a career high with 15 rebounds as Minnesota improved to 10-25 on the season.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant had nine points on a miserable 3-of-13 shooting. Joe Smith had zero points on 0-3 shooting and Earl Watson had three turnovers to lead the Blunder lowlights. Mediocre Russian center Nonads Krstac, acquired to take OKC to the promised land on a budget, made his Blunder debut with six points in 16 minutes. He has yet to make his debut in the Ford Congressional Bailout Center in OKC. The Blunder fell to 5-31 on the season, 0-1 in the Nonads era.
Blunder: 5-31, 19.5 games behind Denver.
Next Loss: Friday vs. Houston.
Memphis update - lost to the Nets 100-89 on Wednesday. OJ Mayo had 26 points and Rudy Gay added 23. Marc Gasol had 10 boards in the losing effort.
Grizz: 11-25, 13 games out of first.
Next game: Friday vs. Toronto.
New Orleans - lost to the Jazz, 116-90 on Wednesday. Chris Paul had 26 points and seven assists.
Hornets: 21-11, second place, one game behind San Antonio.
Next game - Friday vs. Clippers.
Minnesota wom (yes, wom) it's fourth in a row as Randy Foye led six Timberwolves in double-digit scoring with 32 points. Rookie Kevin Love had 16 points and tied a career high with 15 rebounds as Minnesota improved to 10-25 on the season.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant had nine points on a miserable 3-of-13 shooting. Joe Smith had zero points on 0-3 shooting and Earl Watson had three turnovers to lead the Blunder lowlights. Mediocre Russian center Nonads Krstac, acquired to take OKC to the promised land on a budget, made his Blunder debut with six points in 16 minutes. He has yet to make his debut in the Ford Congressional Bailout Center in OKC. The Blunder fell to 5-31 on the season, 0-1 in the Nonads era.
Blunder: 5-31, 19.5 games behind Denver.
Next Loss: Friday vs. Houston.
Memphis update - lost to the Nets 100-89 on Wednesday. OJ Mayo had 26 points and Rudy Gay added 23. Marc Gasol had 10 boards in the losing effort.
Grizz: 11-25, 13 games out of first.
Next game: Friday vs. Toronto.
New Orleans - lost to the Jazz, 116-90 on Wednesday. Chris Paul had 26 points and seven assists.
Hornets: 21-11, second place, one game behind San Antonio.
Next game - Friday vs. Clippers.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Oh No, It's Cinco!
As in Five Wims! The Blunder continued their dominance of the NBA on Tuesday night as they held off the lifeless Knicks, 107-99. Clearly the Knicks are still hungover from the blunder that was the Isaiah Thomas administration. Or perhaps they were drained from seeing Blunder highlights in their Knick tribute uniforms. Oh wait, that can't be it...what Blunder highlights? New York fell to 13-20.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant led OKC with 27 points and 12 rebounds in 46 minutes. Joe Smith had six fouls in 20 minutes while Robert "Notso" Swift had zero points in 12 minutes of uneventful play. No confirmation on the rumor he's out getting a celebratory "Five Wims!" tattoo.
The Blunder are the first NBA team this season to reach five wins (while having 30 losses). Another reason to celebrate in OKC.
Blunder record: 5-30, last place, 18.5 games back.
Next loss: Wednesday at Minnesota.
Blunder excellence polo: $55.
Possible Franchise Relocation Updates:
Memphis: The Grizz lost to Minnesota 94-87 on Tuesday. Hakim Warrick scored 22 points, OJ Mayo had 20 points and eight boards and Marc Gasol had 13 points.
Record: 11-24, last place, 12.5 games behind San Antonio.
Next game: Wednesday vs. New Jersey
New Orleans: Davis West had 40 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Paul added 32 points and 15 assists as the Hornets beat the Lakers (27-6) 116-105 on Tuesday. Kobe Bryant led LA with 39 points.
Hornets: 21-10, second place, 1.5 games out of first behind San Antonio.
Next game: Wednesday at Utah.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant led OKC with 27 points and 12 rebounds in 46 minutes. Joe Smith had six fouls in 20 minutes while Robert "Notso" Swift had zero points in 12 minutes of uneventful play. No confirmation on the rumor he's out getting a celebratory "Five Wims!" tattoo.
The Blunder are the first NBA team this season to reach five wins (while having 30 losses). Another reason to celebrate in OKC.
Blunder record: 5-30, last place, 18.5 games back.
Next loss: Wednesday at Minnesota.
Blunder excellence polo: $55.
Possible Franchise Relocation Updates:
Memphis: The Grizz lost to Minnesota 94-87 on Tuesday. Hakim Warrick scored 22 points, OJ Mayo had 20 points and eight boards and Marc Gasol had 13 points.
Record: 11-24, last place, 12.5 games behind San Antonio.
Next game: Wednesday vs. New Jersey
New Orleans: Davis West had 40 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Paul added 32 points and 15 assists as the Hornets beat the Lakers (27-6) 116-105 on Tuesday. Kobe Bryant led LA with 39 points.
Hornets: 21-10, second place, 1.5 games out of first behind San Antonio.
Next game: Wednesday at Utah.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ohio State - Finding Ways to Blunder.
Another chance to shine for OSU, and another blunder. After last years thrashing at the hands of LSU in the Sugar Bowl, I was skeptical about Ohio State getting yet another BCS bowl invitation. A storied program gaining a rep as a team that can't win the big one. They arrived with a chance a redemption, and left falling 16 seconds short. Tressel cannot seem to get them over the hump.
A slow first half erupted into an improbable barn-burner in the final three minutes as Ohio State scored a td with 2:07 to play. As Ohio State prepared to celebrate the monkey officially off it's back, Colt McCoy cooly led the Longhorns 78 yards in 1:42, hitting Quan Cosby on a 26-yard strike for the 24-21 win.
Where does that leave Ohio State? Underachievers? Over-rated? As expected? They held a supposedly potent Texas attack to 24 points, so they deserve some credit, but are they really BCS-Bowl-worthy? They lost the last two BCS Championship games in blowouts, yet won their previous three bowl (two of them Fiesta Bowls)games, so it's an interesting situation. They lose this year in the last second. How long do they get to ride the coattails of their past glory into BCS Games? They never seem to come up big when it counts. Ok, they did win it all in 2002, but Tony Dungy gets ridiculed for only winning one Super Bowl. Tressell's teams just seem to come up short in the big games. I guess in Columbus, 7-1 vs Michigan is called 'job security.'
A slow first half erupted into an improbable barn-burner in the final three minutes as Ohio State scored a td with 2:07 to play. As Ohio State prepared to celebrate the monkey officially off it's back, Colt McCoy cooly led the Longhorns 78 yards in 1:42, hitting Quan Cosby on a 26-yard strike for the 24-21 win.
Where does that leave Ohio State? Underachievers? Over-rated? As expected? They held a supposedly potent Texas attack to 24 points, so they deserve some credit, but are they really BCS-Bowl-worthy? They lost the last two BCS Championship games in blowouts, yet won their previous three bowl (two of them Fiesta Bowls)games, so it's an interesting situation. They lose this year in the last second. How long do they get to ride the coattails of their past glory into BCS Games? They never seem to come up big when it counts. Ok, they did win it all in 2002, but Tony Dungy gets ridiculed for only winning one Super Bowl. Tressell's teams just seem to come up short in the big games. I guess in Columbus, 7-1 vs Michigan is called 'job security.'
Saturday, January 3, 2009
OT: Looking Forward to the Mora Era
As much as I appreciate the Holmgren years, I am looking forward to the Mora regime. Holmy seemed too often checked out, predictable, and lorded over the team in a lackluster manner - it translated to an ill-prepared an substandard product on the field. In no way do I believe it was intentional, simply human nature. You do the same routine for too long and you lose your edge and focus on the field and other coaches know how to prepare against you better. That seemed obvious this season. Seattle was outcoached and outplayed in many games. We all knew to expect the third down draw play. I'd love him back as a GM as he is a great football mind and a great person, a definite asset to Seattle.
Why am I looking forward to Mora?
The end of complacency. Let's face it; Seattle was complacent. They showed no new offensive or defensive wrinkles and no real innovation or forward progress in any area. Predictability will get you many losses in the NFL.
New coordinators. John Marshall will be replaced and that is a long time coming. Seattle's defense never recovered from the loss of Ray Rhodes. Marinelli, if hired, would create an exciting, aggressive, lights-out approach - one that is sorely needed and an upgrade. OFFENSE: It's possible Jim Zorn could come back to Seattle and I love the idea of him being the offensive coordinator. I believe his time in D.C. is directly related to the availability of a high profile hire that Dan Snyder will need to force Zorn out. He would be a force as Seattle's O-coordinator. He'd be coming home and would be very motivated. He was a knee jerk hire by Snyder and his true ability to shine will be as Seattle's o-coordinator.
Conditioning. Seattle was absurdly injury prone and had little second half wind leading me to believe this team was not in peak physical form. Holmgren was probably hands-off in this department, expecting players to take care of business on their own...and rightfully so. Mora will demand more in this area.
Accountability - Endless missed blocking assignments, blown coverages, horrible defensive scheming an a predictable offense, and no real indication of any personal accountability for those failures. Mora will re-instate that.
Fundamentals. Mora will bring back fundamental football. Basic blocking, tackling skills, missing most of last season, will be reinstated. This team lacked fundamentals last season.
Michael Vick factor. The possibility of Vick as a Seahawk will emerge because of his ties to Mora. Vick, the athlete, on the roster as a back-up qb is an intriguing possibility. Seattle needs help at QB and reeiver and a superior athlete like Vick in those roles opens up some intriguing possibilities. Vick will play somewhere, regardless of people's emotional reaction to him. He has done his time and there is no reason he should not be allowed to earn a living at what he is good at. Playing in isolated Seattle would be a good move for him and he could likely be had on the cheap. Huge potential upside, minimal downside. I doubt the franchise goes after him, but Vick in the Wildcat formation or as a receiver is a very intriguing idea.
Fire, intensity and inspired football are what I expect from Mora. He's a local and that translates to a little more hometown pride. I am looking forward to seeing a coach who looks like he wants to be there. Holmy did all he could on the sidelines and brought much to this franchise we should all be very thankful for. But in the end he just seemed bored and set in his ways. It hurt he team as other teams were able to counter-scheme against this team easily. Some of those ways needed changing (third down draw). Now it's Mora's turn. I think he'll do well.
Why am I looking forward to Mora?
The end of complacency. Let's face it; Seattle was complacent. They showed no new offensive or defensive wrinkles and no real innovation or forward progress in any area. Predictability will get you many losses in the NFL.
New coordinators. John Marshall will be replaced and that is a long time coming. Seattle's defense never recovered from the loss of Ray Rhodes. Marinelli, if hired, would create an exciting, aggressive, lights-out approach - one that is sorely needed and an upgrade. OFFENSE: It's possible Jim Zorn could come back to Seattle and I love the idea of him being the offensive coordinator. I believe his time in D.C. is directly related to the availability of a high profile hire that Dan Snyder will need to force Zorn out. He would be a force as Seattle's O-coordinator. He'd be coming home and would be very motivated. He was a knee jerk hire by Snyder and his true ability to shine will be as Seattle's o-coordinator.
Conditioning. Seattle was absurdly injury prone and had little second half wind leading me to believe this team was not in peak physical form. Holmgren was probably hands-off in this department, expecting players to take care of business on their own...and rightfully so. Mora will demand more in this area.
Accountability - Endless missed blocking assignments, blown coverages, horrible defensive scheming an a predictable offense, and no real indication of any personal accountability for those failures. Mora will re-instate that.
Fundamentals. Mora will bring back fundamental football. Basic blocking, tackling skills, missing most of last season, will be reinstated. This team lacked fundamentals last season.
Michael Vick factor. The possibility of Vick as a Seahawk will emerge because of his ties to Mora. Vick, the athlete, on the roster as a back-up qb is an intriguing possibility. Seattle needs help at QB and reeiver and a superior athlete like Vick in those roles opens up some intriguing possibilities. Vick will play somewhere, regardless of people's emotional reaction to him. He has done his time and there is no reason he should not be allowed to earn a living at what he is good at. Playing in isolated Seattle would be a good move for him and he could likely be had on the cheap. Huge potential upside, minimal downside. I doubt the franchise goes after him, but Vick in the Wildcat formation or as a receiver is a very intriguing idea.
Fire, intensity and inspired football are what I expect from Mora. He's a local and that translates to a little more hometown pride. I am looking forward to seeing a coach who looks like he wants to be there. Holmy did all he could on the sidelines and brought much to this franchise we should all be very thankful for. But in the end he just seemed bored and set in his ways. It hurt he team as other teams were able to counter-scheme against this team easily. Some of those ways needed changing (third down draw). Now it's Mora's turn. I think he'll do well.
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