While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com
Over 75 percent of LeBron James’ assists yield a three pointer or a bucket at the rim, highlighting just how devastating LeBron James can be as a ball-hander. If he’s not scoring himself, he commands the help defense and double-teams, opening up the high efficiency areas for his teammates. Actually, 3.9 at rim assists per game understates how many buckets he yields at the rim. In his last ten games, the Chosen One has dished out 5.7 assists per game at the basket, nevermind every other area on the floor. Consider for a moment that Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki each average fewer than 5.7 total assists per game. And LeBron leads the League in scoring.” [Tom Haberstroh/Hardwood Paroxysm]
–
Kerry’s annual issues: “Indians closer Kerry Wood was scratched from his scheduled appearance Saturday against the Rangers because of soreness near his throwing arm. But Wood said Sunday that he’s back on his normal spring schedule. He’ll throw a bullpen session Monday and is expected to appear in Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Reds. Wood said the soreness is actually in his lat muscle, which runs under the arm and across the back. He said it is minor and is something he typically deals with in Spring Training.” [CastroTurf]
–
To those in the national media, the Browns move to sign Jake Delhomme didn’t seem right. I am severely confused. The last time I checked those same media members were calling the Browns quarterback situation a train wreck. Now the train wreck is no more and those same media types are saying it was an awful move. [...] When you break it down, how is Delhomme going to hurt the team anymore than Anderson or Quinn? He’s not.” [Aaron/No Logo Needed]
–
Continually underrated, never duplicated: “The Cavaliers have played eight and a half games without Shaquille O’Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas now and they have lost just one time, and that was a game they played without LeBron James.
Is it because O’Neal and Ilgauskas are really overrated, superfluous or non-impactful?
Not exactly.
It is because Anderson Varejao is going through the most prolific offensive streak of his career to fill in the gaps left by the missing centers.” [Brian Windhorst]
–
The Browns did not even receive a pick in this year’s draft for a guy they once considered their future. Statistics can be deceiving, of course, but Browns fans are chewing on these numbers right now: Quinn played in 10 games in 2009, and threw for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Delhomme played in 11 games, and threw for eight touchdowns and 18 interceptions. A few days ago, new Browns president Mike Holmgren had admitted that Quinn’s future depended on what happened in free agency. He said, on the one hand, Quinn had not had enough time to prove himself, but on the other, he knew that sometimes players with a fresh start play better. Apparently, the Browns feel they are better with a fresh start, even though the guy they signed is being paid $12 million by the Panthers not to play in Carolina.” [Pat McManamon/FanHouse]
–
And finally, we are going to beat this drum all week. Go here, register for free and vote for free. And yes, you can vote multiple times – as Mr. Clites (a PENS fan!) has been so eloquently doing since 12a. Thanks a ton in advance, folks!
Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images
