While We’re Waiting serves up an early morning breakfast buffet of WFNY-esque goodies for your daily viewing pleasure (on weekends too!!) Have something else you think we should see? Send it to our fancy tips email address at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.
Kevin Kaduk and David Brown continue their MLB previews with this long-winded conversation about the American League Central Division: “I’d like to pick the Cleveland Indians higher. Or maybe I need to get higher to pick the Cleveland Indians. One or the other. The Tribe has some very intriguing young players. Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley are on the verge of something, they hope. I like Lou Marson a lot behind the plate and even if he’s not so good, Carlos Santana awaits in the high minors. Chris Perez has closer’s stuff — which is good, because Kerry Wood’s annual trip to the disabled list has already begun.” [Big League Stew]
On that note as well, take a look at this nice article about how 2010 shapes up with 2009: “With opening day just a weekend away, here is a comparison to this year’s (likely) opening day roster compared to a year ago (when hope was still alive in the world).” [APV/Let's Go Tribe]
Now on to some actual news, Kobe Bryant recently signed a three-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. THis article argues whether this continues to extend LA’s title window: “Re-signing Kobe Bryant was a major objective for the Lakers this year, even if it was largely a formality, given Kobe’s stated desire to remain in LA and the fact that, let’s face it, there’s nowhere better for a basketball player to be.” [Matt Moore/ProBasketballTalk.com]
Henry Abbot continues along the same topic but provides this little morsel for Cavalier fans everywhere: “Meanwhile, today’s the day that I’m on record saying that I think James is almost certain to re-sign with Cleveland. There are several reasons I say that, but the most obvious of them is that Shangri-La ain’t out there.” [True Hoop}
Looking at some more numbers, first take a swig of this article about the Celtics are actually a better road team than at home. I remember seeing this recently and thinking of all the potential reasons for this statistical oddity. [Cameron/Numbers Don't]
As of Saturday’s night games, it now looks like Orlando has essentially secured the #2 seed in the East. Things are still up in the air between Boston and Atlanta because of the tiebreaker, while Miami should sneak in to get the #4 seed. [SportsClubStats.com]
Also of note from the NBA yesterday, was this unreal injury to Andrew Bogut. Please remember that this video on this article is not for the faint of heart. It is Jorge Garbajosa or Shaun Livingston-esque as it looks like the big man from Australia/Utah could be out for the remainder of the year with a whole slew of right arm injuries. Could really derail the recent momentum for Milwaukee heading into the playoffs. [Jeremy/Bucksketball.com]
Saw this point brought up Friday night as well, but with the recent trade by the Browns, what is the precise future of Brandon McDonald and how does this affect team strategy for the draft? “With [Sheldon] Brown on board though, certainly the mentality changes, right? While we are not very good at cornerback after Eric Wright and Brown, I don’t see how you spend a draft pick that high on a player who wouldn’t be able to contribute as a starter for a few years (excluding quarterbacks).” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature]
Finally, a decent list of some late-round or free agent sleepers courtesy of SI writer Don Banks. Always fun to see these players have some success just like Kent State’s Julian Edelman last season with the Patriots. [SportsIllustrated.com]
(Photo credit: Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer)
