NBA Draft: John Calipari commends Cleveland’s scouting
May 24, 2013WFNY Stats & Info: Browns wins or Jason Giambi home runs?
May 25, 2013
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.
Nice look at Norv’s past success: “The greatest organizational acquisition of the Cleveland Browns over the past twelve months has been that of their new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Yes, Turner only reached the postseason 4 times in 15 years as an NFL head coach, with the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers. Of all the head coaches in NFL history with a losing record in their respective careers, Turner has coached the most games. As a head coach, he has been criticized for lacking motivational and emotional leadership skills, exhibiting poor clock management, and being responsible for a series of poor drafts, most notably over his last several years in San Diego. However, his credentials as an offensive coordinator are impeccable.” [Kyle Flippin/Sporting Charts]
—
Great research here from Ben about lottery-turned-playoff teams in NBA history: “Four of the 16 teams to qualify for the 2013 playoffs — Warriors, Rockets, Nets and Bucks — did not qualify in 2012. Turns out, that’s right about average. Examining the playoff teams since Michael Jordan’s sixth and final title in 1998 reveals that, on average, there are 3.7 new playoff teams every season compared to the previous year, yielding a turnover rate of 23.1 percent year-to-year. There’s slightly more movement in the Eastern Conference, where an average of two new teams appear in the playoffs every season compared to 1.7 new teams out West.” [Ben Golliver/SI.com Point Forward]
—
My friends at Wages of Wins posted an early look at the top 25 NBA Draft prospects, as sorted by their Wins Produced per 48 minutes statistics.
—
I’m still not sure where I’m leaning in this debate: “Of course, for every yin there is a yang, and Brantley’s success seems to bring about a new dilemma for the Indians — contract negotiations. With Brantley under team control through the 2016 season, it would appear as if now is the time for the Indians to entertain the possibility of a contract extension with Brantley. However, this is obviously a task that’s easier said than done. As a center fielder playing a corner outfield position, it’s almost impossible to get a read as to what kind of contract Brantley could be due. Brantley is far from a power hitter, but he does still stroke plenty of doubles, and his value to the team cannot be denied. [Steve Orbanek/Indians Prospect Insider]
—
FASCINATING data on reliever and starter year-to-year correlations: “In terms of basic batted ball data, the correlations for both sets of pitchers compare quite well. But after the first three, things really begin to separate. For example, relievers have a year-to-year correlation of .67 in terms of their strike out rate. That’s a pretty solid correlation, but it’s .15 less than for starters. The same goes for swinging strike rate (-.15) and walk rate (-.13). Even outcomes such as HR/FB rate that has a low correlation for starters (.29) is significantly less reliable for relievers (.07).” [Bill Petti/FanGraphs]
—
Review of the Indians year so far, beginning with the big Texan: “Biggest surprise: Tie-Starting pitching and team power. I was very concerned, as most Tribe fans, about how solid was the SP going to be. Too many question marks to be confident, but at this stage, very excited at the results. Masterson has been just “Nasty”! I know everyone will still say we need an ace to make ANY headway in this division, but I will RIGHT NOW STATE Masterson IS OUR ACE. He is doing just what an ace is supposed to do; take on the other team’s ace; go deep in the game; keep the lead; turn it to the bullie and sit back and watch. Well he is doing just that and more, like complete games and shut out innings! Call me a Kool-aid drinker, but everyone will go thru the season saying we need an ace, when we have one in place!” [John Barkan/NorthCoastSportsBlog.com]
—
Finally, Eleven Warriors shared a video yesterday from former Buckeye receiver Ray Small, who apologized for his transgressions on campus.
3 Comments
Ray Small said “my life did a 360 on me.”
That’s pretty much what we all thought, Ray. You were headed in a bad direction, and just kept going.
(You’re forgiven, though, but let’s shoot for that 180.)
Friday afternoon Hanford Dixon, who gets paid to talk on the radio, started an observation like this: “Unless I’m not mistaken…” Maybe high-level competitive sports occludes the brain’s neural pathways, and we should ponder how much more Bill Bradley and Whizzer White might have accomplished if they had just stuck with the debate team.
Friday afternoon Hanford Dixon, who gets paid to talk on the radio, started an observation like this: “Unless I’m not mistaken…” Maybe high-level competitive sports occludes the brain’s neural pathways, and we should ponder how much more Bill Bradley and Whizzer White might have accomplished if they had just stuck with the debate team