Previously, on LOST

Coming up, on LOST:

Sam Dalembert Is A Cold-Blooded Killer

The Philadelphia Sixers squashed the Milwaukee Bucks 112-69 last night in a ridiculous game where the Bucks shot 38% from the floor and were unable to penetrate the paint.  Sam Dalembert reveled in this fact:

“You want to see how far you can hold them down,” Dalembert said. “We gave them no life at all.”

Whoa.  Hold back Sammy.  I like you and all, but there’s no need to show us this side of you.  You can get rebounds and play defense without choking someone out.

In any event, Sam’s line tonight wasn’t anything special (12 pts, 6 rebounds, 1 block), but he played good team defense.  He rotated, didn’t get caught wandering around, and laid off the fouls by committing only two in 30 minutes of play.  Good going Sam, just put down the OJ gloves and step away from the throat.  We like you when you’re fun, not when you’re a cold-blooded killer.

Say Goodbye Giuliani

Goodbye Giuliani. How we will miss you so.

At least one Patriots Streak Will End Sunday

But among all the semi-surreal moments, there was one oddity that was very much a product of fact, not fiction: The enormous growth on Mankins’ face that covers far down his neck. The top-flight guard, a first-round pick by New England in 2005, has been growing it since August. In all that time, he hasn’t taken a razor to it to trim it in any way, the hair growing in undulating patterns that resemble some model formed by a wave machine.

“I said I wasn’t going to shave it until we lost this season, so this is where it’s at,” Mankins said, his mouth only visible when it opened amid the growth.

OK, in all honesty, this isn’t some demonic, Charles Manson-like beard. But it’s not pretty … as Mankins knows.

“I can’t wait until Monday,” he said. “Neither can my wife.”

Pedro Feliz Is The Big Answer To All The 3B Problems For Your Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies and professional hacker Pedro Feliz have agreed to a 2 yr 8.5 million dollar deal, and an option for a 3rd year:

“We haven’t finalized anything, but we have been talking to his representatives,” Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said late Monday afternoon. “Our offseason quest is still to improve our club in any way we can.”

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, speaking at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Awards Banquet, sounded more convinced.

“We got better,” Manuel said. “He’s a good defensive player. He’s got power. He’ll hit probably sixth, seventh, somewhere in there. He’ll continue to hit 20 homers. I think putting him down in our lineup will help him. He was called on to hit in the middle of the lineup in San Francisco. A couple years ago, he might’ve been pressing to do too much because they had Barry Bonds there.”

The holdup to the finalization of this deal is that Amaro is basically deciding with Pat Gillick who they are going to cut to add him to the 40-man roster. The opinions of the fans have been mixed (courtesy BackSheGoes.com):

ESPN headline: Phillies fill third base hole, agree to deal with Feliz
Fixed: Phillies keep digging third base hole, agree to deal with Feliz

nnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

5 straight 20+ HR yrs while playing most of his games in Pac Bell/SBC/ATT/Verizon/CokeBottle Park, he’ll hit 7th or 8th depending on where they put Ruiz/Coste, he moves Helms to the bench, he can play a couple of games at 1B if necessary, he has playoff experience, and he didn’t cost a draft pick. I’m OK with it…

i think in general the move doesnt make the phillies worse… just dumber.
for the reasons of yeah he has good power, yeah his obp is laughable, yeah he plays great defense, yeah maybe his loose bat will not be as exposed in a better lineup… it might be a lateral move on the field.
but now it just adds another year of having a “hole” at 3B…

stupid parallel move. makes the offense a game or two worse and the defense a game or two better. not worth spending money on, and not worth making a deal for 2009. there is no reason to clog up 2009 based on him.

So what do I think? I think he’ll be a slight upgrade over Nunez/Dobbs/Helms, but he’s no great shakes. He’s a below-average hitter, as his career 84 OPS+ shows(100 is average). He’s a terrific defensive third baseman, but does that make up for his horrible patience at the plate? Somewhat, but that’s only because of the trash that was thrown out at third base the past couple seasons. Feliz is not a big upgrade, he’s a VERY small upgrade…VERY small. It seems like a waste of money, to be honest. We could’ve spent no money and gotten production that was only a little worse. Considering I feel a large part of offense is getting on base, his horrendous .288 career OBP is worrisome. His career EQA (basically an offensive metric which attempts to put everything together independent of park and league effects) is .244. .260 is league average, FWIW. Helms’ career EQA is .263.

Basically, we are trying to prolong the agony and keep plugging that hole with cheap solutions. First it was Abe Nunez, who had half an OK season and so we gave him a multi-year deal. Then it was Wes Helms, who had done well as a spot-starter in Florida but hadn’t proved much else. Now it’s Pedro Feliz, a guy that has been given regular time in San Francisco and who hasn’t really shown anything except for an ability to smack a home run or two and to wield a good glove. We don’t have any third base prospects worth mentioning, either. Feliz is our guy for 2 years, and he’s 32 now with no reason to suggest he’ll improve at this age. Yippee? I just don’t see the point. We could’ve just signed nobody and had a similar output.  It’s  a cheap screwup, and he improves our defense, but it still shows a bad mindset.

Saved By The Bell Sundays!!!

Remember the time the original cast got too old to be in any more episodes of a high school tv show?  And remember when a bunch of random kids were in a ‘New Class’?!?!?! I DO I DO

Allen Iverson Is Starting For The Western Conference

Yes, everybody’s favorite ‘6′ footer is once again going to the All-Star game…and this time it’s for the Western Conference:

Iverson rallied to pass Houston’s Tracy McGrady in the final weeks of voting to earn his first start since moving to the Western Conference early last season. He started seven straight All-Star games while playing for Philadelphia, but fell short last year after the 76ers dealt him to the Nuggets in December 2006.

The two-time MVP of the All-Star game beat McGrady by 10,410 votes for the second guard spot and will make his ninth appearance on Feb. 17 in New Orleans.

“It’s a good feeling. I think it’s a tribute to my teammates and coaching staff because without those guys none of that would be possible,” Iverson said in a statement. “But most of all I just want to thank the fans for appreciating what I go out and do on the court night in and night out. It’s just a great feeling and an honor, and I’m just looking forward to trying to play the best that I can play for the fans.”

He had been a starter for 7 straight years as a Sixer before being dealt last year and not making the team as a result of his topsy-turvy season. Good for Allen.

The maturation process of Andre Iguodala Continues

The man who is the Sixers present and possibly its future, guard Andre Iguodala, has started to learn that he can just let the offense flow and let things come to him:

Now in his fourth season – but the first with such high expectations – Iguodala acknowledges that he was guilty earlier in the season of trying to do too much on the court.

“I was forcing passes, trying to force things that weren’t there,” Iguodala said.

That was evident by his turnovers. Early in the season, he was averaging more than five turnovers per game. Now, he is averaging three turnovers and 4.6 assists, along with 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

More than anything, Iguodala is trying to stay more within his limits on the court.

I did notice anecdotally that our main man had been forcing less passes and drives to the hoop.  The numbers definitely bear it out.  Now, this hasn’t led to any more wins, but learning that Andre is playing within himself is another step towards a winning team.  Putting too much pressure on himself only leads to frustration and bad play.  As he develops his own game, develops trust in his teammates, and sees his teammates improve, the wins will eventually come.

That is, if he signs next season.  He IS a restricted free agent, though I don’t see where he’d go.  The Sixers are able to match any offer, and can offer more money than any other team.  He’s not going to just randomly sign with the Celtics or anything, so it looks like he just figured he would be able to get more money next season than if he signed this past offseason.  He could be right considering he’s slowly showing new aspects to his game.  He’s taken over several 4th quarters, has cut down on the turnovers, and has improved his jumper.  He’s going to get paid, and hopefully the Sixers will be able to lock him down for the next few years during his prime balling years.

Newsflash: The Internets Has Scams And Disinformation

Veteran newsman Larry Kane apparently has his own website where he gives opinions on various happenings, sort of like every other blog out there in the world wide interwebs.  He recently found out, by putting his feet to the pavement and digging up the truth, that the information superhighway may include some unscrupulous people spreading untruths:

What a bunch of information garbage. I don’t blame the customer, but I DO blame people who read very bad rumor and innuendo on the web and decide that it has to be true. The phony report on Starbucks goes back to 2004. Old story – new spin. Also being featured on the web – those phony reports on Barack Obama’, John Edwards, Mike Huckabee and of course the Hate Hillary sites, and the attacks on Mitt Romney’s Mormonism, and so many more.

These reports are laughable and at the same time scary, because people spread them like wildfire.

The web is a great resource, but edit your information carefully. Many sites and messages are filled with hatred and distortions that are fueled by political manipulators .

NEWSFLASH AT 11!! Welcome to 1995 Larry.  He does offer some advice for his readers:

Don’t believe everything you read, unless, of course, it is printed here!

I believe you Larry. Your eyebrows are trustworthy.  Everybody go to Larry’s blog to get the real scoop on whether Dick Cheney is a cyborg or if Barack Obama is an American-hating Muslim.  And also go to him for all your Beatles information, he’s an expert on the band.

The Sixers Are 2-9 In Jaunary

at Utah Jazz 107-110 LOSS
at Los Angeles Lakers  93-124  LOSS
at Denver Nuggets 96-109  LOSS
vs Milwaukee 83-87  LOSS
at Toronto Raptors 96-109 LOSS
vs Chicago Bulls 97-100  LOSS
at San Antonio Spurs 82-89  LOSS
at Houston Rockets 111-107   WIN
at Boston Celtics 89-116 LOSS
vs Toronto Raptors 99-95  WIN
vs Indiana Pacers 103-110 LOSS

They are scheduled to face the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Charlotte Bobcats, and Milwaukee Bucks through the rest of January.  3 of these are definitely winnable games, but Cheeks has been giving good minutes to younger guys that just have to play through losses until it all clicks.   In the meantime, the fans are stuck with a mediocre and maddening, if at times exciting, product.

Saved By The Bell Mondays!!!

OMG! Remember the time there was a battle of the sexes?!?!?! I DO I DO!  And remember when stereotypes were tested?!?!!?! OH MAN I SURE DO

Your MLB Commish Is Still Bud Selig

The face of the owners was recently given a 3 year extension:

Selig, who has been in charge of MLB since 1992, had repeatedly said since December 2006 that he would retire at the end of 2009 and that his mind couldn’t be changed.

“This is clearly it,” he said after the latest extension was approved in a unanimous vote on the final day of a two-day owners’ meeting. “I could say this without equivocation.”

Many will chide this decision.  They will say he is nothing more than a puppet of the owners.  That he’s awful for the sport. Oh, and he’s evil and doesn’t care about steroids or anything.

Well, yes he’s a puppet of the owners.  They hired him, they can fire him, they pay his salary.  It has ALWAYS been that way.  Major League Baseball is not just some theoretical universe where baseball is played.  It is a business designed to make money.  Selig is the middle management of said business.  The players are the workers and have their union.  He is not to look out for the best interests of the fans who dislike him, he is supposed to look out for the best interests of the business.  This means his role is to make money.  He does not care what your grandfather thinks about today’s game, he cares that he gets your spending cash.

And what has he done?

-Well, the wildcard was the first thing, which has reinvigorated interest for many fans throughout the length of a season.

-He was handed a horrible situation with the player’s strike in 1994, and was crucified for canceling the World Series.  What was he to do?  The owners refused to budge and it took the courts to step in.  I’m not exactly sure what Selig could’ve done to actually prevent anything.

-He’s also presided over a rejuvenated fan base, one that attends games more than ever, packing stadiums across the nation at higher prices than ever.

-Implemented a fairly progressive steroids testing program.  No HGH testing, but there is no reliable test.  The Olypmics has the best testing in the world, but they don’t have a union with which they have to compromise.

Fay Vincent was probably the fairest commish that baseball ever had.  And he was fired for it (oh I’m sorry, ‘he resigned’).  The owners disliked that he was blunt, opinionated and fair.  They’ve probably told Selig what he can and cannot do, and his hand are tied.  On the other side he has a union which is still strong and has competent leadership in Donald Fehr.  I’m honestly not quite sure what people expect Bud Selig to do with his role.  He’s already done about as much as he can.  Day games everyday?  Low ticket prices?  Hard salary cap? What?

Pat Burrell Is Chatting With You On The Internets

AND HE’S BASHING THE TEAM AGAIN:

phi6666666: Would you consider signing a contract extension with the Phillies or are you going to move on?

Burrell: I’d love to sign back with the Phillies. Whether or not it works out, I’ve been very happy with the time I’ve had here. Like I said, though, I’d love to re-sign.

Fucking jerk.  He goes on to bash the city itself!!! Just look:

dbth23: Do you like Philadelphia?

Burrell: I love it. I’ve spent the first eight seasons living downtown and I’ve had a blast. The restaurants are unbelievable and it’s a great place to walk my dog. I wouldn’t want to move out of the city.

Why don’t you just spit on my grandmother’s grave Pat?  Your  despicable opinions on Philadelphia are an affront to this nation and its inhabitants.
He even pounds on the fans themselves:

mlhty: What’s the best part of playing in Philly, in your opinion?

Burrell: I’d have to say the ballpark and the fans. The whole last series down the stretch, when we were fighting and the Mets were choking, the city was just awesome and rallied around us. It was exciting to be a part of.

Sigh.  I would ask for Burrell to put up an apology online for all the fans to read, but alas:

ballfreak86: Since this an online chat, do you spend much time on the Internet?

Burrell: No, I don’t even have a computer.

No wonder so many fans hate Pat.  What a jerk.

Sam Dalembert’s Getting Rebounds Lately

The Philadelphia 76ers may be losing game after game, but Sam Dalembert certainly isn’t at fault.  While the Sixers have struggled in many aspects, Sam has improved his play this season, especially compared to his crude defensive and offensive skills 4 years ago.  Sam’s seen an uptick in his importance to the offense.  The numbers don’t lie; he’s shooting more now than he ever has (8.2 field goal attempts a game), and is attempting over 10 a game thus far in the month of January.

His January has been the best the month of his career, hitting averages of 13.3 pts, 12.7 boards, 34.5 minutes, and 2.1 blocks a game.  He’s also shooting 52.1% and 81% at the line.  He’s been playing some pretty decent defense, and hasn’t been caught out of position much this season.  He’s really turned on the jets of late, with 15 rebounds against Denver, 16 against Milwaukee, 20 against Chicago and 20 against San Antonio. He did throw in an off game against the Toronto, as Chris Bosh shut him down on the glass, allowing only 6 boards.  The man from Haiti is currently 4th of all starting centers in January in rebounds per 48 minutes.

Dalembert’s been a steady defensive player as, according to 82games.com, he’s been good for a 4 point decrease in opponent’s scoring.  The Sixers may not be an overall good defensive team, but that’s not his fault.  He’s benefited from being in the same system for a while now, and has certainly found his comfort zone.  Comparing his numbers to Tim Duncan may be unfair, but he’s probably a borderline top 10 center right now.  That could say something about the rest of the league, but that does say that Dalembert stacks up well against the rest of his position.

Terrell Owens Is Getting Emotional

He loves him some Tony Romo: