Cavs vs. Suns – Open Thread Etc.
February 11, 2009NFL Trade Rumors: Derek Anderson to the Jets?
February 12, 2009While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.
Ron Shapiro, Mark’s father, is releasing a book on his tricks of the trade. The book document’s Shapiro’s relationship with Browns coach Eric Mangini. “Mangini said Shapiro has taken preparation – for a football game, a negotiation, a job interview – and turned it into a science. Shapiro’s latest book contains a preparation “checklist” to help people precisely define their goals and strategies. “He has a way to prepare to prepare. He’s put a process in place to make sure you’re systematic,” Mangini said.
Mangini said he has long been a believer. Shapiro helped his transition after the regular season from coaching the New York Jets to taking over with Cleveland. Shapiro’s book recounts how Mangini, while in New York, had his players practice in a driving rain and surrounded by speakers blaring loud music. He wanted them to be prepared for a game on a sloppy field in front of hostile fans.” [Baltimore Sun via Eric Musselman]
—
What do you mean this is better than Wally Szczerbiak? “The Portland Trail Blazers have made a strong play for Amare Stoudemire, discussing a package that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LaFrentz’s $12.7 million expiring contract, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told CBSSports.com Tuesday.” [CBS Sports via DimeMag]
—
Should Roberto Alomar be granted early admission to the Hall of Fame? “What I do believe in the lawsuit, sadly, is the fact that Alomar’s health appears to be rapidly fading. […] If Alomar, does indeed, have “full blown AIDS” and was diagnosed in 2006 he doesn’t have much time left. Major League Baseball should see to it that he gets the proper credit for a career filled with such greatness. I think Bud Selig has a chance to get back in the good graces of American society after ignoring the steroid problem for a generation and could do the the populace a service by bringing such a tragic disease into the forefront of the public’s eye. Hopefully Robbie Alomar is up to the task to deliver in his final at bat if baseball does indeed call him out for a well deserved curtain call.” [Eugmc/Cleveland Leader]
—
Can someone please explain why the Raiders were in such a hurry? “The [Oakland] Raiders claimed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, 26 off waivers one day after he was released by the Cleavland Browns. They were awarded Gradkowski ahead of the San Francisco 49ers based upon having a worse overall record last season.” Some “award.” [Raiderbeat]
—
And with the talks yesterday, I thought it would be fun to go back in time. “This series was decided at the end of Game 2, when LeBron James attacked the rim, drew contact from Richard Hamilton but wasn’t awarded a foul. The Cavs were furious with the no-call, fled the court in anger and prepared to meet the media after going down 2-0. The coaches and players were irate, ready to rip the officials for failing to call a foul on the play and costing Cleveland the game.
Instead, general manager Danny Ferry and his assistant Lance Blanks took control of the situation, demanding from everyone that no excuses would be made. Hence, the quote from both Mike Brown and LeBron James: “We’re a no-excuses team.”
The Cavaliers gained strength from that moment. The message delivered to the press was as much meant for Cleveland’s players as anyone. Refusing to blame the officials meant showing no signs of weakness. It meant building strength rather than allowing an internal excuse. By Game 3, the Cavs were unified, strong and ready to take on Detroit. That’s when everything turned.” [Steve Kerr via Yahoo! Sports via TrueHoop]
12 Comments
Perhaps Ron Shapiro should assist Mangini with his lack of discipline with a knife and fork.
Viva la Mankok.
Nice to see how well the Oakland fans can spell Cleavland…lol
Does Robbie Alomar really deserve special treatment by MLB if he insisted on unprotected sex while knowingly having AIDS? In the grand scheme of things, such an offense is much worse than gambling, using PED’s, and so on.
“Does Robbie Alomar really deserve special treatment by MLB if he insisted on unprotected sex while knowingly having AIDS? In the grand scheme of things, such an offense is much worse than gambling, using PED’s, and so on.”
I respectfully disagree. He may not deserve elevated treatment, but I’m a firm believer that the Hall should be based on on-field merits. Steroids and Gambling are against league policy. What a player does in his personal life should most definitely not be considered when it comes to induction.
What Scott said. The reason that gambling and PED’s are an issue is because they affect a person’s on-field and in-league history. A guy’s promiscuities, perceived or real, off the field have nothing to do with anything Cooperstown.
Any more than (allegedly) dating Madonna should affect Jose Canseco and A-Rod.
RandyOSU: what are you referring to (re: knife and fork)? Did I miss a Mangini story at some point?
hey deep13-I’m referring to nothing more than his slovenly overweight physique and lack of discipline in regards to that aspect of his life. I’d prefer to see him tone things down to a single chin.
I have no idea how promiscuous Alomar may or may not have been, but to be fair: the article the other day mentioned Robbie’s having been raped by two men when he was 17 years old, noted health problems after the fact, and implied that if he does have AIDS, that was a likely cause.
While I don’t know whether the HoF should waive the 5-yr rule for him or not, I don’t know that it’s fair to speculate as to the cause of his disease.
And I just realized that you guys are talking about Robbie reportedly having unprotected sex with his gf post-diagnosis, and not how he got the disease.
Sorry, my brain is apparently stuck in neutral today.
To get back on topic, though… considering some of the other guys in the hall, and baseball’s consideration given to on-field vs. off-field issues, I don’t know that this should affect his admittance, and I’m kind of leary of waiving the 5-yr waiting period (I know the NHL has done this… has MLB ever done it before? Would this be the first time?) Players are inducted posthumously all the time, and as much as I enjoyed watching Robbie play, I don’t know that his case is worth setting a precedent for.
RandyOSU: thanks for the clarification. I wasn’t sure if I missed a story about bad table manners, or something of the sort. It wouldn’t surprise me.
(not that it really matters; for all I care, he can regurgitate back onto his plate as long as he wins games)
Concerning the Portland-Phoenix discussions, this unnamed “person with direct knowledge of the talks” is an enigma. Nobody knows who he is. If this deal had really been offered by Portland, wouldn’t we have seen Phoenix snap it up already?
Pritchard’s not that stupid. He wouldn’t give up LaMarcus straight up for the cancerous manchild, let alone the trio that is being suggested.
Aldridge is a very good player. Bayless has huge potential. Add Raef’s expiring contract and Portland has no business making that deal. Amare is a stud, but not THAT much better than Aldridge.