Lou Williams And The Sixers Are Exchanging Money For Services

Lou Williams, decent sixth man and emerging youngish-type guard, has just signed on with the Philadelphia 76ers for five more years. The deal is allegedly worth 25 million dollars. This is a terrific deal for the Sixers. They lock Williams up fairly cheap during what could be his biggest growth years. He’s been on the team since being drafted out of high school in 2005, and only turns 22 in October. Being that young and learning while playing against the best competition in the world can only help in one’s development. College is great for some, but not for all. Just look at how he started producing last season:

11.5 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals in 23.3 minutes
42.4% FG, 35.9% 3pt, 78.3 FT

The only stat there that looks out of whack is the field goal percentage, and that’s not really that out of line with most swing-type guards. He does need to learn how to run the offense more if they are planning on putting him at the point after Andre Miller leaves. However, he has time for that, and the improvements he made last season with his ability to get the hoop were sufficient for my tastes. Having him locked up during his prime years can only lead to the goodness.

Who The Fuck Cares About Brett Favre?

STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one cares. I’ve yet to talk to someone who cares about what he does, or what the Packers do. People just don’t care. Oh sure, they’ll mention it by saying something like ‘How ’bout that Favre situation huh?’…but no one’s sporting interest is affected by any decision outside of Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. OK, maybe NY Jets fan Mike Greenberg. And Tamp Bay Bucaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia:

“If (Favre) comes in, as much as the accolades are huge on that side, I’m the starting quarterback, and it’s going to be a battle,” Garcia said.

“That’s just my attitude. I’m the starter here. I’m going to choke it to death until somebody pulls my grip off of it.”

Whoa. OK, I AM a little concerned about what might happen if Garcia is left alone in the lockerroom with Favre. I wouldn’t wish death upon ol’ Brett. Easy Jeff, we’re all friends here. I’m tired of the Favre melodrama too, but no need to pop a couple blood vessels over it.

Take That Mets! Time To Put The Foot On Their Throat!

As of 10:47 PM 7/30/08:

The Phillies took down the Nationals 8-5, while the Mets lost to the third place Marlins 7-5, putting the Phils on top of the National League East.  The offense was led by Shane Victorino (3-5, homer) and Chase Utley (2-4, homer), while old man Jamie Moyer pitched  6 decent innings after a rough first inning where he gave up two home runs to two shitty players (Jose Flores and Willie Harris).  It’s fairly clear to me why the Nationals lose so many games…they have no one, absolutely no one, on their team of any discernible value.  Even Ryan Zimmerman, supposed third base wunderkid, has had a bad year.  This team is just wretched.

Still, they are a major league ballclub and the Phillies are piling up the wins against them.  Now it’s time to finish the Nats off when Kyle Kendrick heads to the mound against John Lannan.  Lannan’s been fairly decent, though a bit lucky, this season and has the edge over Kendrick in my mind.  However, the Nationals lineup would be destroyed by a career AAA pitcher.

Brett Myers Puts In Hall Of Fame Performance, Start Printing World Series Tix

Seven innings.
Zero earned runs.
Four hits.
One walk.
Two strikeouts.
One 2-1 victory.
One ace.

Brett Myers started the World Series train tonight by putting up the above numbers. He also cemented his place in the Hall of Fame, and can bump up to being a first balloter by having a similar performance 5 days from now. Sure, it was only his 2nd win in his last 15 starts, but that’s just numbers. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, and Myers looked great. He’s the man, may as well pitch him every other day down the stretch. It worked the last time a Phillies manager tried that sort of thing…

Do You Feel The Rush? Kareem to the 76ers!

Not THAT Kareem, Kareem Rush. Last season Rush played for the Indiana Pacers and basically shot a shitload of three balls. He and your Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to terms, and he’ll be filling the bench in no time. Not a bad pickup as the Sixers needed someone who could shoot from behind the three-point line. He joins Elton Brand as the most recent free agent signing this offseason. He’s a shooting guard who can put the shoot from the outside, but let’s hope he doesn’t get more than 15 or so minutes a game because, in my view, that’s about all he brings to the table. Rush isn’t going to light the world on fire with going to the hoop or with his passing or defensive skills.

Decent signing, though nothing earth-shattering. A team needs role-players too. Especially ones who can step up in the playoffs such as the way Rush tore down the house in 2004:

Dallas Green Is A Body Language Expert

Dallas Green, he with the ‘what does he actually do around here?!’ job, was questioned yesterday about one Jimmy Rollins. Green then did what he does best, start chopping down:

“Jimmy and I have a pretty good relationship,” Green said Sunday in the middle innings of the Phillies’ 12-10 win over the Atlanta Braves. “I’ll tell him when I think he’s done right, and I’ll tell him when I think he’s done wrong.

“He’s done wrong. He’s done wrong for the team, he’s done wrong for himself and he’s done wrong for Charlie.”

Hey, whatever. Nothing wrong with these quotes if that’s his opinion. I don’t think there’s some huge controversy or problem with Rollins, but to each his own. But wait! Green goes further:

“I think we’re all disappointed in Jimmy’s reaction to what’s going on,” said Green, the manager of the Phillies’ only championship team in 1980. “His body language is just brutal right now. The body language doesn’t say that ‘I’m busting my [rear] right now.’ ”

Well, christ! That’s what Green’s job is…he’s a body language expert. The Phils employ him to read the body language of the players. What boggles my mind is why he hasn’t put this to better use; Green could certainly farm out his abilities for political reasons, for office meetings and even for birthday parties. I don’t know how he conjures up his magic, but let’s just realize we’re all lucky that he’s employed by OUR team and not the bad guys. At least he didn’t call him a so-so ballplayer, or that his lifestyle wasn’t suited for baseball, or that he’s not clutch.

Boy Meets World Mondays!!!

OMGZ, Remember the time there was a two-parter and I showed you the first part, and not the second?!  Well here’s the second!!!!!

Mulder, I Want To Believe

I can’t wait…

The Phillies Are Scoring Six Runs In The Ninth Inning!

The Mets had the Phillies baffled for most of this past night’s baseball contest.  Starting pitcher Johan Santana pitched 8 fairly terrific innings, allowing only 2 runs and holding on to a 5-2 Mets lead.  It’s tough to give up a 3 run lead with only 3 outs to go…what could go wrong?!

It all started with a Jayson Werth single off Duaner Sanchez.  Then came the flood. Greg Dobbs and Shane Victorino loaded the bases for one Carlos Ruiz, who slapped a ball to Jose Reyes.  Reyes proceeded to forget which sport he was playing and completely muffed the play, allowing Werth to score.

Then one Jimy Williams, the genius entrusted with Charlie Manuel’s stoop after Charlie was ejeced, sent So Taguchi to the plate to pinch-hit for Geoff Jenkins.  Taguchi, he of the 209 average going into tonight, quickly got in the 0-2 hole against lefty Pedro Feliciano, but Taguchi would not quit.  He battled back to 2-2 and then fouled off a few pitches before slapping what can only be described as a 240 foot blooper over the outstretched glove of Endy Chavez.  Chavez had been playing shallow due to the bases loaded no outs deal that the Phils had going.  Taguchi ended with a two-run double, and Jimmy Rollins also piled on with another two-run double to put the Phillies ahead, for good, 8-5.

The Phils now sit 1 game ahead of both the Mets and Florida Marlins in the NL East standings.  Wednesday night’s game features the return of one Brett Myers.  I’m not sure what exactly’s changed from a month ago, but Mr. Myers believes he’s now ready to go.  Let’s hope he’s right.

Sammy Dalembert Says He’s Not A Prima Donna

Our main man Sam Dalembert and Team Canada recently parted ways, and he’s decided to give his side of the story since he felt only one biased side was being put out there:

“I’d be happy to represent Canada when things get more organized and structured,” Dalembert said. “The guys [on the team] know I work hard. I wish them well, for Canada. I want them to win, to give Canada some pride, to go to the Olympics. But sometimes a man has to stand up.”

Well OK, but what about your big keraaaazy entourage which screwed up team chemistry?!

Dalembert said his so-called entourage included a close friend, his girlfriend, and his high school coach from Montreal and his wife.

“I don’t have a ‘crew,’ ” he said. “I have four nice people.”

What a jackass. He brought along a friend, his girlfriend, and his high school coach and his wife. Damn son, did they all have their gang tats showing too?!

Basically, he and coach Leo Rautins disagreed about whether Dalembert was focused or not. Do I feel he was focused? Well, I can only go by what I’ve read, and I tend to trust Sammy more than Mr. Rautins. Why? Sam has never shown himself to be a guy who runs aimlessly up and down the court, and has never been one to be aloof or a jerk off the court.

So Team Canada is now without their two best players in Steve Nash and Sam Dalembert. Good going Rautins, handshakes all around. Good luck in the Olypmics…

Boy Meets World Mondays!!!

OMGZ BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!!  THE GREATEST SHOW OF ALL-TIME!  IF YOU THINK OTHERWISE YOU FAIL AT LIFE!

BREAKING: Joe Blanton Traded To The Phillies For Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, And Matt Spencer

In my view, and this is my freaking blog, Adrian Cardenas is a big price to pay for a below-average pitcher for 2008. A 77 ERA+ for 2008, 106 for 2007 (100 is average), and has been horrible in the past month.  But hey, let’s not jump to conclusions…I read some prescient advice on backshegoes.com:

Let’s not be too harsh. He’s only allowed 23 ER in his last 27 IP.

Say bye-bye to the rotation Adam Eaton.  We now have our horse!

Sammy Dalembert Is Parting Ways With Team Canada

Screw Team USA, Team Canada is where all the action is, and where all the controversy ensues.  Seems Sammy Dalembert, the Sixers super-duper center, has left Team Canada.  Or was he told to leave by the coach?  We report, you decide:

It is unclear whether Canadian coach Leo Rautins gave the 76ers’ starting center marching orders or whether Dalembert left on his own. But after Canada beat Korea in Athens, Greece, yesterday without Dalembert, Rautins told the media: “He’s not on the team. I’ll leave it at that.”

Rautins, who could not be reached for comment, went on to say, “Everyone who is here wants to be here and wants to be on this team.”

Whoa!  Passive-aggressive much?!  I half expect Rautins to come out and write a book called ‘If I threw Sammy off the team’ where he waxes poetically about how much Sammy sucks and how lazy he is and how he hates his guts.  Sheesh.  Who’s Canada got left?  Steven Nash ain’t on the team, and Dalembert was the only NBA player left.

Gold medal time?

Flint, Michigan Wants To Throw You In Prison If Your Pants Sag

I don’t know how I missed this piece of news when it first came around.  Seems Flint, Michigan, home to a major crime problem, has decided that the biggest problem afflicting the fine citizens of Flint are hooligans wearing their pants too low.  Seriously.  No, really.  The acting police chief apparently just started ordering his police officers to START ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR WEARING THEIR PANTS TOO LOW:

In an interview last week with the Free Press, Dicks said wearing pants below the waist is a crime — a violation of the city’s disorderly conduct ordinance — and can give police probable cause to search saggers for other crimes, such as weapon or drug possession.

Individuals would be subject to searches and punishment of up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Any irony that the chief’s last name is Dicks? Maybe he’s just jealous.

Let’s say you are walking down the street in Flint and start to wonder about whether your carpenters be creeping too far down your backside.  How low is too low, you may ask.  The police department has provided this handy graphic to show you to what degree you are destroying society as we know it:

Priceless.  I hope the police expand this policy to untied shoelaces, hairy men wearing tank tops, and obese women trying to squeeze into hip hugger jeans.

Boo Chase Utley? No No No

Chase has a couple words for you Mets fans who decided to boo him at last night’s Home Run Derby, starting with Fu and ending with ck you. OH NO CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS! Luckily Chase apologized or else he would’ve really gotten it…they might’ve booed him.