Thursday, October 10, 2024

Nadal to retire after Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal is calling it a career. In a video on his X account on Thursday, the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced that he will officially retire from professional tennis competition following the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in November.

"The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially," Nadal said. "I don't think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it's the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined."

Nadal previously alluded to the fact that 2024 might be his last professional season, but hadn't made any announcements prior to Thursday. Most recently, Nadal participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics in both the singles and doubles tournaments.

"I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country," Nadal said. "I think I've come full circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Seville in 2004."

Nadal, 38, has dealt with significant injuries in recent years as he missed nearly all of the 2023 tennis calendar due to a hip injury. He suffered another setback at the start of the year with a small muscle tear in his hip, though not in the same spot where he underwent surgery.

In June, Nadal announced that he was going to skip Wimbledon this year as he prepared for the Summer Games. The Spanish star has two Wimbledon titles to his name with the most recent win coming in 2010. He has also won a pair of Olympic gold medals during his professional career, taking home an Olympic singles gold medal in 2008 and an Olympic doubles gold medal in 2016.

Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles over the course of his career. His greatest success came at Roland Garros where he won the French Open an astonishing 14 times. The 38-year old won his final Grand Slam tournament in 2022 when he was victorious at the French Open.

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

line judges eliminated at Wimbledon too

LONDON — Wimbledon is replacing line judges with electronic line-calling, the latest step into the modern age by the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament.

The All England Club announced that technology will be used to give the “out” and “fault” calls at the championships from 2025, eliminating the need for human officials to make them.

Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”

“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”

The move makes the French Open the only Grand Slam tournament without some form of electronic line-calling. The Australian Open and U.S. Open already had eliminated line judges and only have chair umpires on court.

Line judges at Wimbledon were dressed in famously elegant uniforms and, for traditionalists, were part of the furniture at the All England Club.

Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation.”

“Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, “and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”

Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out.

At the U.S. Open, there has been no line judges — and only chair umpires — since 2021, with Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling used for all courts.

Tuesday, October 08, 2024

NFL 2024

10/8/24 - Jets fire Robert Saleh / Jeff Ulbrich will be interim head coach
9/26/24 - Doctor says Tua has high susceptibility to additional concussions
8/22/24 - Cowherd predicts the NFL standings
7/27/24 - Jordan Love signs $220 million, 4-year extension
7/26/24 - Tua agrees to $212.4 million, 4-year extension
6/3/24 - Justin Jeffersion signs 4 year, $140 million extension

20. Pittsburgh - Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
19. Los Angeles Rams - Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
18. Cincinnati - Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
17. Minnesota - Dallas Turner, LB, Alabama
Minnesota trades up for Jacksonville's pick
16. Seattle - Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
15. Indianapolis - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
14. New Orleans - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
13. Raiders - Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
12. Denver - Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
11. New York Jets - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
10. Minnesota - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Minnesota trades for the Jets first round pick
9. Chicago - Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
8.  Atlanta - Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
7. Tennessee - JC Latham, OT, Alabama
6. New York Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
5. Chargers - Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
4. Arizona - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
3. New England - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
2. Washington - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
1. Chicago - Caleb Williams, QB, USC 

4/3/24 - Buffalo trades Stefon Diggs to Houston for 2024 sixth round pick, 2025 second round pick, 2025 fifth round pick 
3/26/24 - NFL overhauls kickoff rules
3/16/24 - Pittsburgh acquire Justin Fields from Chicago for sixth round pick
3/16/24 - Rams sign Garoppolo to back up Stafford
3/15/24 - Aaron Donald announces retirement after ten seasons
3/14/24 - Chargers trade Keenan Allen to Chicago for fourth round pick
3/13/24 - Calvin Ridley signs with Tennessee for four years, $92 million
3/13/24 - Raiders release Garoppolo
3/12/24 - Mariota headed to Washington on one-year deal
3/12/24 - Derrick Henry to sign with Baltimore for two years, $16 million
3/11/24 - Saquon Barkley agrees to terms with Philadelphia for three years, up to $46.75 million
3/11/24 - Kirk Cousins leaving Minnesota for Atlanta for $180 million, four years
3/5/24 - Denver to part with Russell Wilson
2/1/24 - Commanders hire Dan Quinn as head coach
1/31/24 - Seattle hire Mike Macdonald as head coach 
1/26/24 - Falcons hire Raheem Morris as head coach
1/25/24 - Carolina hires Dave Canales as head coach 
1/24/24 - Chargers hire Jim Harbraugh as head coach
1/24/24 - Titans hire Brian Callahan as head coach
1/29/24 - Las Vegas to promote Antonio Pierce to head coach
1/12/24 - Patriots name Jerod Mayo to succeed Belichick
1/11/24 - Belichick out as Patriots head coach after winning six Super Bowls
1/10/24 - Pete Carroll out as Seahawks head coach after 14 seasons

R.I.P. 2024

10/8/24 - Luis Tiant
10/5/24 - Greg Landry
10/4/24 - Billy Shaw
9/30/24 - Pete Rose
9/30/24 - Dikembe Mutombo
9/21/24 - Mercury Morris
8/21/24 - Al Attles
8/10/24 - Kevin Sullivan
8/7/24 - Duane Thomas
6/28/24 - Orlando Cepeda
6/25/24 - Sika Anoa'i
6/18/24 - Willie Mays 
6/12/24 - Jerry West
6/9/24 - Frank Arnold
6/9/24 - Chet Walker
6/3/24 - Larry Allen
5/29/24 - Kent Kafentzis
5/27/24 - Bill Walton
5/20/24 - Jim Otto
4/20/24 - Roman Gabriel
4/16/24 - Whitey Herzog
4/11/24 - OJ Simpson (Reardon)
4/11/24 - Chad Rowan (Akebono)
3/26/24 - Jim Loomis
2/26/24 - Golden Richards

NBA 2024-2025

10/8/24 - NBA GM Survey: Boston to win the title, SGA to win MVP
9/27/24 - Minnesota trades Karl-Anthony Towns to Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, first round pick
9/26/24 - Derrick Rose announces retirement
9/22/24 - Aja Wilson unanimously named WNBA MVP / Clark unanimous rookie of the year / WNBA first team: Wilson, Clark, Collier, Stewart, Thomas
9/20/24 - Embiid signs three year $192.9 million extension
9/18/24 - WNBA to expand to Portland in 2026
9/18/24 - Woj retires from ESPN, to become general manager of St. Bonaventure basketball / NBA AW (after Woj)
7/24/24 - NBA rejects Warner Brothers Discovery bid, but WBD disagrees and will take "appropriate action".
7/22/24 - Dinwiddie signs with Dallas
7/19/24 - Clippers trade Russell Westbrook to Utah for Kris Dunn
7/7/24 - Here's the details: Dallas gets Klay Thompson (from Golden State) and second-round pick, Minnesota gets second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick swap and cash, Golden State gets Buddy Hield (from Philadelphia) and Kyle Anderson (from Minnesota), Denver gets cash, Charlotte gets Josh Green (from Dallas), Reggie Jackson (from Denver), 2029 second-round pick, 2030 second-round pick, Philadelphia gets 2031 second-round pick. 
7/7/24 - DeMar DeRozan ($74 million, three years) traded from Bulls to Kings, Kings send Harrison Barnes and pick swap to San Antonio, Bulls receive Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash
7/4/24 - Buddy Hield traded from 76ers to Warriors for 2031 second-round pick
7/1/24 - Jayson Tatum gets the richest contract in NBA history: $315 million for five years
7/1/24 - Klay Thompson to join Dallas for 3 years, $50 million
7/1/24 - Maxey agrees to five-year, $204 million maximum extension
7/1/24 - Paul George signs with 76ers for four years, $212 million
7/1/24 - Hartenstein signs with OKC for three years, $87 million
7/1/24 - Tobias Harris signs with Pistons for two years, $52 million
6/30/24 - J.B. Bickerstaff to become Piston's head coach
6/30/24 - Chris Paul signs with Spurs (1 year, $11 million) after release from Warriors
6/29/24 - Atlanta trades Dejounte Murray to New Orleans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, 2025 first round pick, 2027 first round pick
6/28/24 - NBA draft grades
30. Boston - Baylor Scheierman, W, Creighton
29.  Utah - Isaiah Collier, G, USC
28. Denver (to Phoenix) - Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
27. Minnesota - Terrence Shannon, Jr., W, Illinois
26. Washingon (to Knicks to Oklahoma City) - Dillon Jones, F, Weber State
25. Knicks - Pacome Dadiet, W, France
24. Knicks (to Washington) - Kyshawn George, W, Miami
24. Knicks trade pick to Washington for the 26th pick
23. Milwaukee - A.J. Johnson, G, National Basketball League (Australia)
22. Phoenix (to Denver) - DaRon Holmes II, C, Dayton
22. Phoenix trades their first round pick (no. 22) to Denver for first round pick (28), second round pick (56) and 2 future 2nd round picks
21. New Orleans - Yves Missi, C, Baylor
20.  Cleveland - Jaylon Tyson, W, California
19. Toronto - Ja'Kobe Walter, W, Baylor
18.  Orlando - Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado
17.  Lakers - Dalton Knecht, W, Tennessee
16.  Philadelphia - Jared McCain, G, Duke
15.  Miami - Kel'el Ware, C, Indiana
14.  Portland (to Washington) - Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
Washington trades Avdija to Portland for Brogdon, 2024 1st round pick, 2029 1st round pick, two 2nd-round picks
13. Sacramento - Devin Carter, G, Providence
12. Oklahoma City - Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
11. Chicago - Matas Buzelis, W, G League Ignite
10. Utah - Cody Williams, W, Colorado
9.  Memphis - Zach Edey, C, Purdue
Minnesota trades for Rob Dillingham
8.  San Antonio - Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
7.  Portland - Donovan Clingan, C, UConn
6.  Charlotte - Tidjane Salaun, F, France
5.  Detroit - Ron Holland II, W, G League Ignite
4.  San Antonio - Stephon Castle, G, UConn
3.  Houston - Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky
2.  Washington - Alex Sarr, C, France (Overtime Elite, Perth)
1.  Atlanta - Zaccharie Risacher, W, France
6/26/24 - And the first pick goes to...
6/25/24 - Nets to trade Mikal Bridges to Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, five first-round picks, first-round pick swap, and second round pick
6/24/24 - Toronto signing Scottie Barnes to 5-year max extension worth up to $270 million
6/24/24 - Cavaliers hiring Kenny Atkinson as head coach
6/21/24 - Bulls trade Caruso to OKC for Giddey
6/20/24 - Lakers hiring J.J. Redick as head coach
6/19/24 - Piston fire Monty Williams after one season
6/18/24 - Clippers hire Jeff Van Gundy as lead assistant
6/14/24 - Charles Barkley says he's retiring from television after next season
6/10/24 - Dan Hurley reported turns down 5 year $70 million offer from Lakers
6/10/24 - Darvin Ham returns to Milwaukee as top assistant
5/29/24 - Tyronn Lue agrees to 5 year $70 million extension
5/23/24 - Cavaliers fire J.B. Bickerstaff
5/11/24 - Suns hire Mike Budenzolzer as head coach for 5 years, $50 million
5/10/24 - Hornets hire Boston assistant Charles Lee as head coach
5/10/24 - Suns fire Frank Vogel after one season
5/3/24 - Darvin Ham fired by Lakers
4/22/24 - Nets hire Jordi Fernandez as head coach

Saturday, October 05, 2024

Hawaii High School Football 2024

10/5/24 - Sagapolutele throws 6 TDs to lead no. 1 Campbell over no. 2 Mililani 41-20 / McKinley gets first win in five years
9/29/24 - no. 2 Kahuku edged by no. 3 Mililani 10-14 
9/15/24 - Kahuku no match for no. 1 Mater Dei

University of Hawaii Football 2024

10/5/24 - San Diego squeezes past Hawaii 27-24
9/25/24 - Blangiardi lobbying for Hawaii to join the Pac-6
9/21/24 - Hawaii dances past Northern Iowa 36-7 on Disco Night (crowd 9,678)
9/14/24 - Hawaii no match for Sam Houston 13-31
8/31/24 - Hawaii edged by UCLA 13-16 in front of record crowd (13,470)
8/24/24 - Hawaii gets by Delaware State 35-14
8/23/24 - Hawaii Football Special Preview
8/21/24 - Reardon predicts 6-6
8/2/24 - J.J. Nielsen, QB, commits to Hawaii for football and baseball 
7/25/24 - Brayden Schager given the keys
7/23/24 - Timmy Chang turns to June Jones for advice
7/21/24 - Bobby Curran ends radio show
7/21/24 - A looks a the Warriors position-by-position going into practice
7/14/24 - Mountain West capsules
7/11/24 - Warriors ranked 9th in pre-season
7/7/24 - Timmy Chang has been finding a way
5/3/24 - Jamar Sekona, DL, joins Hawaii from USC
3/1/24 - June Jones inducted into UH Circle of Honor
2/24/24 - 2024 Recruiting breakdown
2/11/24 - Roman Sapolu, Jacob Yoro leaving Hawaii (for Miami Dolphins and Missouri) 
1/28/24 - How Dennis Thurmond wound up as Hawaii's defensive coordinator
1/24/24 - Anthony Arceneaux hired as running backs coach
1/23/24 - KJ Hallums, offensive lineman, accepts 2025 scholarship
1/20/24 - Hawaii hires Dennis Thurmond, Dan Morrison, Jeff Reinebold / Chris Brown promoted, Kel Crowdus, wide receiver, transfers from Kentucky
1/18/24 - Boogie Henderson, offensive lineman, commits to Hawaii
1/17/24 - Raiola and Alejado back in Hawaii for Polynesian Bowl
1/9/24 - Hawaii back to age-old plan for hiring coaches
1/8/24 - Hawaii is eyeing Thurmond, Morrison, Reinebold / Cam Barfield, RB, transferring from Boston College, Fabian Ross, defensive back, transferring from USC
1/3/24 - Hawaii won't retain three coaches
12/24/23 - Schager withdraws from transfer portal and will return to Hawaii
12/21/23 - 14 sign to play with Hawaii

Thursday, September 26, 2024

NCAA Football 2024

10/1/24 - Gonzaga to join Pac-12 in 2026, but doesn't have a football team, UTEP to leave Conference USA for Mountain West in 2026
9/26/24 - Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada-Reno, New Mexico, San Jose State, Nevada Las Vegas, Wyoming commit to Mountain West Conference through June 30, 2032
9/24/24 - Utah State to leave Mountain West for Pac-12 too
9/12/24 - Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State to leave Mountain West and join Oregon State and Washington State in 2026 to bring Pac-2 up to six teams / who's next?
8/19/24 - RJ Young ranks the 134 teams: Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Florida State, Ole Miss, LSU, Michigan, Alabama, Missouri / where's Hawaii? 105
6/3/24 - How Dillon Gabriel ended up at Oklahoma
5/24/24 - Power Five Students-athletes will be paid directly under landmark NCAA settlement
1/26/24 - Michigan promotes Sherron Moore to head coach
1/22/24 - San Jose State hires Ken Niumatalolo as head coach
1/17/24 - Arizona hires Brent Brennan away from San Jose State to be head coach
1/14/24 - Washington hires Jedd Fisch away from Arizona to be head coach
1/12/24 - Alabama hires Kalen DeBoer away from Washington to be head coach
1/10/24 - Nick Saban retires as Alabama head coach after 17 seasons
1/6/24 - Niumatalolo to coach tight ends for UCLA
1/6/24 - Taulia Tagovailoa enters transfer portal
12/9/23 - Dillon Gabriel to transfer to Oregon

Thursday, September 19, 2024

MLB 2024

9/19/23 - Shohei goes 50-50, went 6-6 with three homers, two doubles, two steals, four runs scored, and 10 RBIs
3/19/24 - Blake Snell sign with Giants for two years, $62 million
12/9/23 - Shohei Otani signs with Dodgers for 10 years, $700 million

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

2024 USA Olympic Basketball team

8/16/24 - Ten Olympic players who get a look at the NBA 
8/14/23 - The 2028 USA Olympic women's basketball team roster?
8/14/24 - The 2028 USA Olympic basketball team roster?

8/10/24 - LeBron named MVP for Olympic men's basketball
8/10/24 - Curry hits 8 threes as USA holds off France to win gold (highlights)
8/10/24 - Jokic leads Serbia over Germany to win bronze
8/8/24 - USA comes back to defeat Serbia to reach finals (highlights)
8/6/24 - USA dominates Brazil to reach semifinals
8/3/24 - Edwards leads USA past Puerto Rico
7/31/24 - USA defeats South Sudan to clinch trip to quarterfinals
7/29/24 - USA pulls away from Serbia to open Olympics

7/22/24 - LeBron leads USA over Germany 92-88
7/20/24 - USA barely gets by South Sudan 101-100
7/17/24 - USA defeats Serbia 105-79
7/15/24 - USA holds off Australia 98-92
7/10/24 - USA tops Canada 86-72

7/10/24 - Derrick White replaces Kawhi Leonard.  I guess Edwards and Booker can play wing.

6/28/24 - USA Select Team announced

4/17/24 - 12 player roster announced
G - Stephen Curry
G - Tyrese Haliburton
G - Jrue Holiday
G - Anthony Edwards
G - Devin Booker
F - Jayson Tatum
F - LeBron James
F - Kevin Durant
C - Anthony Davis
C - Joel Embiid
C - Bam Adebayo

Notable omissions
Jalen Brunson
Cooper Flagg
Paul George

Who was on the 2020 team?
Damien Lillard
Jrue Holiday
Zach LaVine
Devin Booker
Keldon Johnson
Khris Middleton
Jerami Grant
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
Draymond Green
Bam Adebayo
Javale McGee

So there are five returnees.

Non-USA players who might play in the Olympics
Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic
Karl-Anthony Towns
Domantas Sabonis
Pascal Siakam
Victor Wembanyama
Jock Landale
Bol Bol
Jamal Murray
Maxi Kleber

Monday, June 17, 2024

NBA 2023-2024

6/17/24 - Celtics defeat Mavericks for their 18th title
5/22/24 - All NBA: Jokic, SGA, Luka, Giannis, Tatum.  Second team: Brunson, Edwards, Durant, Leonard, Davis
5/8/24 - Jokic awarded MVP for the third time
1/24/24 - Doc Rivers to be hired as new Milwaukee head coach
1/23/24 - Adrian Griffin fired by Milwaukee after going 30-13
1/23/24 - Terry Rozier reportedly traded from Charlotte to Miami for Kyle Lowry and first round pick
1/18/24 - Pascal Siakam traded from Toronto to Indiana for Bruce Brown and two first round picks
11/29/23 - Mark Cuban selling majority stake of Mavericks
10/31/23 - James Harden, PJ Tucker, Filip Petrusev traded from Philadelphia to Clippers for Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, and multiple draft picks (2028 first round pick, 2024 second round pick, 2029 second round pick, first-round pick swap, and a 2026 first round pick from Oklahoma City)
10/23/23 - Giannis signs three-year $186 million extension
10/14/23 - Celtics hire Jeff Van Gundy as senior consultant
10/1/23 - Jrue Holiday traded from Portland to Boston for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, 2024 first round pick (via Golden State) and 2029 first round pick
9/27/23 - Damian Lillard traded from Portland to Milwaukee.  Portland receives Jrue Holiday (from Milwaukee), Deandre Ayton (from Phoenix), Toumani Camara (from Phoenix), Milwaukee's 2029 first-round pick, and Milwaukee swap rights in 2028 and 2030.  Phoenix receives Jusuf Nurkic (from Portland), Grayson Allen (from Milwaukee), Nasir Little (from Portland), Keon Johnson (from Portland)
9/6/23 - Christian Wood signs with Lakers for two years, $5.7 million
8/4/23 - Anthony Davis to remain with Lakers for three years, $186 million
7/31/23 - ESPN lays off Mark Jackson too
7/25/23 - Jaylen Brown signs 5 year, $304 million extension, richest in NBA history
7/8/23 - Patty Mills went from Brooklyn to Houston to Oklahoma City to Atlanta in 10 days
7/2/23 - Russell Westbrook stays with Clippers for the biggest pay cut in history
6/30/23 - Middleton re-signs with Bucks for three years, $102 million
6/30/23 - D'Angelo Russell to remain with Lakers for $37 million, 2 years
6/30/23 - Lakers re-sign Austin Reaves for $56 million, 4 years
6/30/23 Lakers re-sign Rui Hachimura for $51 million, 3 years
6/30/23 - Jerami Grant returns to Portland for $160 million, five years
6/30/23 - Draymond Green to remains with Warriors for $100 million, four years
6/30/23 - Gabe Vincent leaves Heat for Lakers for $33 million, three years
6/30/23 - Toronto signs Dennis Schroder $26 million, two years
6/30/23 - Fred VanVleet leaves Toronto for Houston for $130 million, three years
6/30/23 - Bruce Brown leaves Nuggets for Pacers for $45 million, two years
6/30/23 - ESPN cutting Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose
6/26/23 - Atlanta trading John Collins to Utah for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick
6/25/23 - Minnesota keeps Naz Reid for $42 million three-year contract
6/22/23 - Washington to trade Chris Paul to Golden State for Jordan Poole, 2030 first-round pick and 2027 second-round pick
6/22/23 - Portland takes Scott Henderson with the third pick
6/22/23 - Charlotte selects Brandon Miller with the second pick
6/22/23 - San Antonio selects Victor Wembayana with the first pick of the 2023 NBA draft
6/22/23 - Bradley Beal, Isaiah Todd, Jordan Goodwin traded from Washington to Phoenix for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, first round pick swaps in 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, second round picks in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030, and cash
6/21/23 - Three team trade: Boston receives Porzingis from Washington, no. 25 pick from Memphis, 2024 first round pick (via Warriors), Memphis receives Marcus Smart from Boston, Washington receives Tyus Jones from Memphis, Gallinari from Boston, Muscala from Boston, no. 35 pick from Boston.
6/16/23 - Golden State names Mike Dunleavy Jr.. as new GM
6/16/23 - Michael Jordan to sell majority stake in Charlotte Hornets
6/16/23 - NBA suspends Ja Morant 25 games
6/13/23 - Toronto unveils Darko Rajaković as next head coach
6/2/23 - Suns to hire Frank Vogel as next head coach
6/1/23 - Monty Williams to be head coach of Detroit for $78 miPollion, 6 years 
5/30/23 - Bob Myers to step down as president and general manager of Golden State
5/30/23 - Philadelphia to hire Nick Nurse as head coach
5/29/23 - Three possible paths for the Lakers
5/28/23 - Milwaukee to hire Adrian Griffin as head coach
4/25/23 - Rockets name Ime Udoka as new head coach

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Josh Gibson eclipses Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth

Negro Leagues statistics will become part of MLB history today, with more than 2,300 players from the seven iterations of the Negro Leagues (1920-1948) being officially added to the record books.

What this means: Negro League legends, unfamiliar to many modern fans, will now be listed among all-time leaders, while Negro League players who played in MLB — including Willie Mays, Minnie Miñoso and Larry Doby — will have their stats integrated and updated. 

The man, the myth, the legend: Negro Leagues icon and Baseball Hall of Famer Josh Gibson is now the all-time leader in batting average (.372, eclipsing Ty Cobb), slugging percentage (.718, eclipsing Babe Ruth) and OPS (1.177, eclipsing Ruth). Gibson, who played 17 years with the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, also holds the single-season record in all three categories: .466 BA, .974 SLG and 1.474 OPS.

"He was referred to as the black Babe Ruth, but some believe it might be just as accurate to call the Bambino the white Josh Gibson," wrote Bill Johnson of the Society for American Baseball Research.

Linsanity

5/29/24 - Kobe didn't talk to Jeremy Lin for four months
9/15/23 - Jeremy Lin to join brother on New Taipei Kings
12/29/22 - Jeremy Lin returning to the U.S. to rest and reset
12/2/22 - Jeremy Lin fined by China over COVID comments
10/13/22 - Jeremy Lin wasn't always comfortable with Linsanity / but now is
10/9/22 - Linsanity was close to never happening
10/7/22 - GQ interview with Jeremy Lin
10/6/22 - Jeremy Lin with Dan Patrick
10/4/22 - Jeremy Lin remembers Steph Curry
10/3/22 - Jeremy Lin never looked the part / Lin questions the end of his NBA career
9/22/22 - HBO picked the right time to take a look back at Jeremy Lin’s 15 minutes of fame
9/21/22 - Mike D’Antoni was desperate
9/21/22 - 38 at the Garden will be released on October 11 on HBO (trailer)
9/5/22 - Lin signs with Guangzhou Loong Lions
8/12/22 - Jeremy Lin tried to run away
8/12/22- 38 at the Garden will hit HBO in October
6/29/22 - Jeremy Lin wants to redefine love
4/20/22 - A new documentary: 38 at the Garden
4/14/22 - D'Antoni didn't see it coming
4/14/22 - Lin punted on talking back to Kobe
4/12/22 - Mike D'Antoni calls Linsanity the greatest time ever
2/4/22 - The legacy of Linsanity, 10 years later
6/12/21 - Jeremy Lin to return to Beijing Ducks next season
5/26/21 - Jeremy Lin speaks at Harvard
5/18/21 - Jeremy Lin apparently says farewell to the NBA
5/12/21 - Jeremy Lin says he proved himself in the G League
4/14/21 - Jeremy Lin still waiting for an opportunity
2/23/21 - Jeremy Lin speaks out on hate crimes
2/17/21 - Jeremy Lin on finding peace
2/13/21 - Lin hits seven threes for 29 points
2/10/21 - Lin gets 18 points in G League opener
2/10/21 - Eli Pemberton has a guide
2/8/21 - Lin says people think he's crazy for choosing the G League
2/6/21 - Linsanity remembered nine years later
2/4/21 - Jeremy Lin excited to play in the G League
2/3/21 - Jeremy Lin encouraged by Steph Curry after day 1 of G League training camp
2/3/21 - Jeremy Lin Makes History as the First Asian American to Get Signature Basketball Shoes
1/11/21 - Jeremy Lin officially signs with Santa Cruz
1/8/21 - Jeremy Lin writes to Chinese fans
1/7/21 - Jeremy Lin to sign with G League after all
1/5/21 - Jeremy Lin reportedly willing to return to Beijing
12/30/20 - NBA proposes Jeremy Lin rule
12/20/20 - Jeremy Lin unable to get clearance from Chinese Basketball Association in time to join Golden State Warriors 
12/18/20 - Jeremy Lin reportedly signing with Golden State
12/17/20 - Jeremy Lin leaves Ignite team
12/14/20 - Jeremy Lin practicing with G League Ignite
11/11/20 - Jeremy Lin spotted working out with Steph Curry; Durant, Kyrie Irving
9/14/20 - Jeremy Lin leaving Beijing to seek return to NBA
8/13/20 - Jeremy Lin post-season interview (video)
8/10/20 - Jeremy Lin hospitalized after semi-final defeat
8/3/20 - Jeremy Lin has answered critics in China
4/25/20 - Linsanity returning to MSG (network)
3/20/20 - Jeremy Lin returns to China to resume league play
3/19/20 - Jeremy Lin objects to the term "Chinese virus"
1/13/20 - Jeremy Lin scores 41 in All-Star game
1/6/20 - Jeremy Lin saddened at the passing of Kobe
11/9/19 - Blood, sweat, and tears in Jeremy Lin's first week
11/8/19 - Jeremy Lin vs. Shanghai (26 points, 4 assists)
11/6/19 - Jeremy Lin vs. Shandong (24 points, 6 assists, 8 rebounds)
11/4/19 - Jeremy Lin CBA debut vs. Tianjin (25 points, 9 assists)
10/13/19 - Lin scores 40 in Beijing debut
9/27/19 - Jeremy Lin addresses Chinese media
8/30/19 - An ode to Jeremy Lin
8/27/19 - Jeremy Lin signs to play in China
8/21/19 - Jeremy Lin's route could be to China and back
8/20/19 - Beijing Ducks reportedly offer Jeremy Lin $3 million
8/19/19 - Nothing is official until I say something
8/18/19 - Jeremy Lin reportedly negotiating with Beijing
8/13/19 - Five actors we'd like to see playing Jeremy Lin in a movie
8/10/19 - What went wrong for Jeremy Lin?
8/10/19 - Jeremy Lin open to moving to China
8/6/19 - The next Stephon Marbury?
8/6/19 - Jeremy Lin defends getting emotional
8/6/19  - Carmelo and Jeremy Lin back in the news
8/4/19 - Nick Young tells Jeremy Lin to bring back the dreads
8/4/19 - Could Jeremy Lin be Stephen Curry's backup?
8/4/19 - Jeremy Lin getting support from VanVleet
8/4/19 - Could the Clippers pick up Jeremy Lin?
8/3/19 - Five potential landing spots for Jeremy Lin
8/2/19 - Jeremy Lin turned down Moscow
8/1/19 - Jeremy Lin is not a failure
7/30/19 - Jeremy Lin was The Great White Hope
7/29/19 - Jeremy Lin now tops the list (of remaining free agents)
7/28/19 - Jeremy Lin feels like the league has given up on him
7/12/19 - Jeremy Lin back to the Hornets?
7/6/19 - Jeremy Lin makes it to the top 10 (of free agents)
7/6/19 - Jeremy Lin's season with the Raptors

[6/15/19] Jeremy Lin predicted his championship fate in 2013
[2/27/19] Jeremy Lin: bittersweet
[2/22/19] Jeremy Lin: Miracle from God

[11/24/18] Jeremy Lin trade ideas
[10/24/18] Jeremy Lin on Freakonomics podcast
[7/31/18] What to expect from Jeremy Lin

[6/19/17] Podcast with David Nurse

[12/15/16] D'Antoni remembers Linsanity

[10/27/16] Second act for Jeremy Lin and Kenny Atkinson

[4/29/16] Jeremy Lin's impact in Charlotte on NBA GameTime

[4/21/16] Jeremy Lin, solid NBA player

[3/22/16] Jeremy Lin, role player

[10/31/15] Lin finds ideal locale in low-key Charlotte

[9/26/15] Five answers from Jeremy Lin

[7/13/15] Jeremy Lin in search of stability

[6/9/15] Jeremy Lin working out with Steve Nash

[3/29/15] Missed it by 8 weeks (from Isolation Play, an ESPN the Magazine story)

[2/17/15] Jeremy Lin's time in Los Angeles hasn't been smooth

[10/3/14] Anything but Linsanity

[10/9/13] Linsanity hits the Phillipines

[8/26/13] Coming in October

[4/16/13] NBA sensation Jeremy Lin chats with Shira Lazar at SXSW about his brand new documentary, "Linsanity" the movie, appearing in various YouTube videos and the overall message he wants fans to take away from his new film.

Linsanity on 60 Minutes
[4/5/13] The movie

[12/17/12] Jeremy Lin is playing terrible this season

[6/9/12] Training with Jeremy Lin (pre-Lin-Sanity)

[4/22/12] Jeremy Lin tops the Time 100

[3/31/12] NEW YORK >> Linsanity won't be around for a playoff push.

Jeremy Lin is instead heading for left knee surgery that is expected to sideline him six weeks, possibly ending his amazing breakthrough season and leaving the New York Knicks without their starting point guard as they fight for a postseason spot.

Lin had an MRI exam this week that revealed a small, chronic meniscus tear and he has elected to have surgery next week in New York.

With the regular season ending April 26, the biggest story in basketball this season is probably done unless the Knicks make a deep playoff run.

[3/22/12] One-on-One with Ahmad Rashad

[3/22/12] Coca-Cola wants a piece of "Linsanity." Knicks fans will soon see Coke ads in Chinese on the rotating courtside signs at Madison Square Garden. Coca-Cola spokeswoman Susan Stribling said Coke has a long-standing partnership with the NBA and already displays ads at The Garden, but wants to take advantage of the enthusiasm surrounding NBA sensation Jeremy Lin and the Knicks.

[3/20/12] Jeremy Lin signs with Volvo

[3/14/12] Fact or Fiction? Are the Knicks better without D'Antoni?

[3/14/12] Mike D'Antoni resigns

[3/14/12] Trouble in New York

[2/22/12] Two straight SI covers (article, article) (new links: 2/20/12, 2/27/12)

[2/19/12] Linsanity is too good to be true

[2/17/12] Lin-Sanity responsible for return of MSG to Time Warner Cable?

[2/16/12] Jeremy Lin added to Rising Stars lineup

[2/16/12] Today's Jeremy Lin story

[2/16/12] Jeremy Lin finds an apartment

[2/13/12] The latest tribute video

[2/12/12] Somehow, the most improbable story in NBA history found himself in the most improbable place on Friday night: The ball in his hands, Madison Square Garden on its feet, and the fourth quarter genius of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant determined to obliterate this burgeoning mythology. Out of Bryant, had come a barrage: twisted, contorted fades, a self-pass off the backboard, the A-list arsenal out of the world’s most gifted scorer.

Somehow, Jeremy Lin never flinched. Somehow, Jeremy Lin never let himself become a spectator, never stopped to wonder what in the world he was doing out here. The ball was so safe, so snug, in his hands. There was such an easy effortlessness to the downright diabolical manner with which he dismantled the Lakers and Bryant. Sheer hysteria had thundered down on the Garden floor, a phenomenon called Linsanity, and the most polished, most poised, presence happened to be Lin.

This kid out of nowhere – out of Harvard University, out of the Reno Bighorns and Erie Bayhawks – had done it again, done it with a devastating 38 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in the Knicks’ 92-85 victory over the Lakers.

*** [2/5/12 - the beginning of Lin-Sanity]

Jeremy Lin cut through the Nets' defense all night before he was finally surrounded.

As teammates hugged him at center court while Pearl Jam's ''Jeremy'' blasted through the arena, it was clear the New York Knicks had finally found a spark.

Lin scored a career-high 25 points and the Knicks salvaged the finale of a back-to-back-to-back set by the New Jersey Nets 99-92 on Saturday night.
 
[video highlights]

***

Landry Fields couch

Top Ten Jeremy Lin puns of the week

Jeremy Lin: most added player of the week

Jeremy Lin: True Hollywood story

Jeremy Lin: American story

Jeremy Lin fever begins

Friday, May 10, 2024

top 50 basketball players of all time

[7/28/13] this is a subjective list (meaning your list is just as valid as his) created by Riley Schmitt in February.

Let's see how it matches up with mine.  Here's my top 10 (off the top of my head):

1 - Wilt Chamberlain [8/22/23] (though I know Michael Jordan tops everybody else's list and many/most have him below Bill Russell) [7]
2 - Michael Jordan [1]
3 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar [2]
4 - LeBron James (maybe not now, but will be looking back) [15]
5 - Oscar Robertson [10]
6 - Bill Russell (since he's number 6) [6]
7 - Magic Johnson [3]
8 - Larry Bird [4]
9 - Kobe Bryant [8]
10 - Bob Pettit [19]
11 - Jerry West [9]
12 - George Mikan [38]
13 - Shaquille O'Neal [12]
14 - Julius Erving [17]
15 - Kevin Durant (maybe not now, but...)
16 - Hakeem Olajuwon [11]
17 - Moses Malone [14]
18 - Isiah Thomas [23]
19 - Charles Barkley [20]
20 - Karl Malone [21]
21 - Kevin Garnett (he was a beast in his first 8 or so years) [18]
22 - Tim Duncan [5]
23 - George Gervin [37]
24 - Elgin Baylor (used to be my favorite player) [16]
25 - John Stockton [25]
26 - Allen Iverson [30]
27 - Dominique Wilkens
28 - David Robinson [29]
29 - John Havlicek [13]
30 - Chris Paul (maybe not yet though)
31 - Dwight Howard (ditto)
32 - Walt Frazier [33]
33 - Elvin Hayes
34 - Earl Monroe
35 - Wes Unseld [42]
36 - Scottie Pippen [24]

I'm probably missing somebody.  Yeah, I missed West and Shaq on the first pass.  Elgin Baylor and Dominique too. Probably missing a lot.  OK, make it top 36.   Have seven current players in there (LeBron, Kobe, Garnett, Duncan, Durant, Paul, Howard). Still probably forget two or three.

Now let's put the numbers of this guy in parentheses.

Who did I leave off?

50. Dennis Johnson
49. James Worthy
48. Paul Pierce
47. Billy Cunningham
46. Dave DeBusschere
45. Nate Thurmond
44. Clyde Drexler
43. Dwyane Wade
42. Wes Unseld
41. Patrick Ewing
40. Jason Kidd (?)
39. Gary Payton
36. Sam Jones (?)
35. Steve Nash (forgot about him)
34. Kevin McHale (him too)
32. Dave Cowens (I wouldn't put him above McHale)
31. Will Reed (ditto)
28. Bill Walton (I wouldn't put him this high, due to his injuries)
27. Dirk Nowitzki (forgot Dirk too)
26. Rick Barry (forgot him too, he would probably rank somewhere in the 20s for me too)
22. Bob Cousy (wouldn't rate him close to this high, then again I rated Mikan way up there)

OK, a lot of the current players I chose aren't on the list: Durant, Paul, Howard.  But I'm surprised Dominique didn't make the guy's top 50 (shafted again / here's a cool picture).  Also from my list not making it were Elvin Hayes and Earl Monroe.

Here's Jesse Dorsey's list (at least he had Dominique at 50).  And this guy has him #28.  And Elvin Hayes #17.  And this guy has them 39 and 37.

*** [2/22/18]

And here is Harris Ahmadzai's list of the top 32 (with my ranking from 4-1/2 years ago)

32. Chris Paul  (30)
31. Scottie Pippen (36)
30. Rick Barry (see above)
29.  Jason Kidd (unranked)
28.  Bob Pettit (10)
27.  Kevin Garnett (21)
26.  Kevin McHale (forgot)
25.  David Robinson (28)
24.  John Stockton (25)
23.  Elgin Baylor (24)
22.  Jerry West (11)
21.  Charles Barkley (19)
20.  Isiah Thomas (18)
19.  Stephen Curry (unlisted 4-1/2 years ago)
18.  Kevin Durant (15)
17.  Dirk Nowitzki (forgot)
16.  Karl Malone (20)
15.  Dwyane Wade (didn't make my list, he ain't better than Jerry West)
14.  Moses Malone (17)
13.  Julius Erving (14)
12.  Hakeem Olajuwon (16)
11.  Oscar Robertson (5)
10.  Larry Bird (8)
9.  Bill Russell (6)
8.  Tim Duncan (22 - not better than Russell, Bird, Robertson)
7.  Shaquille O'Neal (13)
6.  Kobe Bryant (9 - see Duncan)
5.  Wilt Chamberlain (1)
4.  Magic Johnson (7)
3.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3)
2.  LeBron James (4)
1.  Michael Jordan (2)

I still like my list better.

***

5/2/24 - 11-20

5/2/24 - where does Steph Curry rank now?

The Athletic Top 75 list (2022)
40.  Allen Iverson
39.  Bob Cousy
38.  Steve Nash
37.  Patrick Ewing
36.  Jason Kidd
35.  George Mikan
34.  Kawhi Leonard
33.  James Harden
32.  Scottie Pippen
31.  Bob Pettit
30.  Chris Paul
29.  John Havlicek
28.  Dwyane Wade
27.  Rick Barry
26.  Isiah Thomas
25.  John Stockton
24.  Giannis Antenteokounmpo
23.  Elgin Baylor
22.  Charles Barkley
21.  Dirk Nowitzki
20.  David Robinson
19.  Julius Erving
18.  Moses Malone
17.  Kevin Garnett
16.  Karl Malone
15.  Stephen Curry
14.  Jerry West
13.  Kevin Durant
12.  Oscar Robertson
11.  Harkeem Olajuwon
10.  Kobe Bryant
 9.  Tim Duncan
 8.  Shaquille O'Neal
 7.  Larry Bird
 6.  Wilt Chamberlain  
 5.  Magic Johnson
 4.  Bill Russell
 3.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
 2.  LeBron James
 1.  Michael Jordan

I'd rate Cousy, Mikan, Pettit, Barry, Oscar, Wilt higher.  And where do you rank Jokic now?

***

[5/10/24] R.W. Jonasson (quora)

[7/30/24 ] Mike Burch has Jordan third behind Wilt and Oscar