The Atlanta Braves Memorial for geographically misplaced teams

 

Sports are a business. Sometimes teams have to move from division to division for competitive reasons. Usually, they move in order to go to markets that will help make more money. However, division lines set up by professional teams lead to illogical results.

When I was younger, playing the video game “ESPN Baseball Tonight” for the Sega CD, I had trouble looking for the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta is in Georgia, a state that borders the Atlantic Ocean and is clearly on the East Coast. When I tried to pick the team, I checked the American League East and the National League East for the team. To my surprise, I couldn’t find the team. What I found out later was that the Atlanta Braves were in the National League West.

In 1994, Major League Baseball re-aligned its divisions and amongst other things, fixed this problem by putting the Braves in the NL East, where they geographically belong. Currently, the MLB has a reasonably accurate (according to geography) division alignment. However the divisions and conferences still have laughable entries in the other major professional leagues.

 

NBA (Basketball)

The winner in the NBA is the Memphis Grizzlies squad of the Southwest Division. However, honorable mention goes to the New Orleans Hornets, also of the Southwest division and the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Northwest Division.

 

NFL (Football)

There is no clear winner here but the Dallas Cowboys (NFC East) St. Louis Rams (NFC West) or Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) are equally ridiculous.

 

NHL (Hockey)

The most ridiculous example and the overall winner of the Atlanta Braves Memorial Award can only belong to one lost team. The Winnipeg  Jets of the Southeast division is the most ridiculous of them all. First, Winnipeg is in Canada. The Jets are further north than all but 3 teams. Also, Winnipeg is in the middle of Canada. It would easily be further west than any other team in the Eastern Conference. With all due respect to the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets win the Atlanta Braves Memorial Award by a landslide.

 

**I realized that explaining the occurrences might be helpful. Some of the division mistakes happened because of a team moving from one city to another. I alluded to it in the 1st paragraph, but I figured that it might be a good idea to mention the specific situations that apply to the teams here. 

OKC Thunder – Formerly the Seattle Supersonics
Memphis Grizzlies – Formerly the Vancouver  Grizzlies

STL Rams- Formerly the Los Angeles Rams

Winnipeg Jets- Formerly the Atlanta Thrashers

NBA: Where Double Overtime Happens

The best thing about having NBA League Pass is the ability to watch bad, unpopular teams. There are a couple of teams that won't receive a lot of media coverage, but they are playing extremely well. Over the weekend I got to watch Charlotte play against Washington, which went into Overtime and was a really compelling game between teams that won't be on TV much, and won't be receiving a ton of media coverage. It was also my game to watch for Saturday from my last blog post.

The first Overtime ended with Chris Singleton needing to hit free throws to potentially win the game and lead the Wizards to their first win of the season. They were down 2 and he was fouled while taking a 3 point shot, so 3 free throws meant a win, 2 free throws meant double overtime and 5 more minutes of basketball, and hitting 1 or less meant that the Wizards would lose for the 11th time in a row. He hits the first one, followed by cheering from the crowd. He misses the second shot which deflates the entire building. Then he hits the third giving the Wizards, another opportunity at their first win. It isn't often that free throws have me at the edge of my seat, but it ended up being great theatre.

Now off to the games of the week.

Monday

New York Knicks @ Brooklyn Nets TNT (Nationally Televised)

I don't need to describe how big this game is. The two teams are geographic rivals and it has been a while since both teams were good at the same time. Now that the Nets have moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn. They also have added better ownership and players. They appear to be primed to take the crown as the best team in New York. If the playoffs started today the Knicks would be the second seed and the Nets would be 3rd. This is a huge game and the first in a series of strong, meaningful games for both franchises.

Tuesday

Toronto @ Houston (League Pass)

The return of Kyle Lowry to Houston, and a good excuse to watch the two franchises.

Wednesday

Houston @ OKC (NBA TV)

Do I even have to explain why the return of James Harden is a big game. For the uninitiated, James Harden was drafted by the Thunder and played in Oklahoma for the first few years of his contract. This year he was up for a new contract and negotiated for it. Harden wanted a maximum deal (4 years/60 million) and the Thunder didn't want to pay him that much, instead offering him 4 years/52 million. The reasoning was that Harden, while a good player was still the 3rd best player on the team and giving him a max contract would reduce financial flexibility for the other positions on the teams. When Harden rejected the low offer, the assumption was that the thunder would keep him and try to negotiate a better deal over the course of the season. Instead, the Thunder traded him to Houston where he received the max contract he sought. Now he's back, going against Oklahoma City, and likely seeking revenge on his former team.

Thursday

San Antonio @ Miami TNT

San Antonio against Miami was the match up that many predicted would be the NBA Finals last year when the playoffs started. San Antonio was widely viewed as the worst matchup for Miami, and that Oklahoma City beating San Antonio made the path to a ring easier for the Heat. This should be an interesting matchup.

Denver @ GS TNT

The other TNT game is going to be interesting. The upstart Warriors are going to be tested against the Nuggets. I'm interested in how both teams perform.

Friday

Denver @ LAL (ESPN)

Remember when the Lakers were dead in the water after losing their first couple of games and not winning at all during the preseason. Well, after a coaching change the Lakers are exactly who we thought they were. Theyy should perform well against Denver.

NBA: Where Holidays Off Happen

 

Tuesday

BKN @ LAL (NBA TV) 10:30 EST

Nationally Televised. This might be the first game where the great Mike D'Antoni appears

NY @ NO (MSG/LP) 8 PM EST

If there's a God in heaven, there will be a portion of this game where I see Marcus Camby, a 38 year old veteran who was the basketball player I idolized as a kid. Guarding him will be Anthony Davis, the rookie who, due to a similar skill set, high draft position and late high school growth spurt has been endlessly compared to Camby. When I watch Davis, I'm reminded of the Marcus Camby who was an important part of the last elite Knicks teams, and the one who appeared on the last Knicks finals appearance. Davis is impossible to miss on the court. Even though the Knicks are a better team with a better record, this is a passing the torch moment like many others in the NBA, but with very special significance to me

Wednesday

LAC @ OKC (ESPN) 7:30 EST

Every OKC game against great competition will be scrutinized, especially when it's on ESPN.

DEN @ MIN (LP) 8 EST

Despite injury after injury, Minnesota continues to be amazing. I'm excited about both teams this year.

Thursday

No NBA games… There's 3 NFL games that I wouldn't want to miss.

Friday

OKC @ BOS (NBA TV)7:30

The trade that connects these two franchise was Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson 2 seasons ago. At the time, there were arguments to be made that Green was better. Now, Perk for all of his faults is a starter for OKC and Jeff Green missed all of last season and has generally struggled this season.

Saturday

CHA @ WAS (LP) 7PM EST

I like Charlotte. I'm a huge Michael Kidd-Gilchrist fan. I still believe in Bismack Biyombo. Even Thunder castaway Byron Mullens is on the team and playing well. If the playoffs started today, CHA would be the sixth seed. Washington is none of these things. They (as of 11/19/21) have no wins.

CLE @ MIA (LP) 7:30 EST

For the lulz. I always find myself feeling bad for Cleveland as a sport city. CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, Indians products, going against each other in the World Series. The Ravens' success, much of it as a result of playing the new Browns. And now this game, where LeBron James, sporting a shiny new championship ring will, play against the Cavaliers, his old team, now without their best player for the next month.

NBA: Where Westbrook happens

From a fantasy perspective, I love Russell Westbrook. He's a top 10 scorer with the ability to be a top 5 scorer. He's a proficient rebounder for his position and he technically plays point guard (although it can be argued that he doesn't have the point guard skills that "real point guards" have. He's quite the guard.

From a real life perspective, his speed and recklessness can often be the downfall of the Thunder. Last night's game was the most obvious example. Russell started the game being a shaky shooter and taking cringe worthy shots. He had 4 assists throughout the game as a starting point guard. His final quarter involved him hitting all 4 of his shots and scoring 14 of his 33 points. He had a double-double by hustling for rebounds and getting a clutch offensive rebound to seal the game. The Thunder were up by 3 and Kevin Durant missed a shot from the top of the key. Everyone else on the thunder began to drop back to play a final possession of defense. Westbrook hustled for an offensive rebound, keeping the ball in Thunder possession. It forced the Pistons to foul him, and he hit his foul shots to turn the contest into a two possession game For all of the grief that he gets for his passing, it's weird how high his basketball IQ is in other areas. It's one of the things that made Jason Kidd a valuable player long after his athleticism was over.

Of course the conversation over the course of the year is going to be "Is Westbrook preventing the thunder from being great?" The answer is no, but that too easy and not nearly as interesting the debate. I'm just going to enjoy watching Westbrook and watching the energy he brings to the game.

P.S. If you think of Westbrook as a player that cannot carry a team, watch the 3OT special against the grizzlies. Everyone else on the team looked drained, but he looked just as interested in playing and winning in the 1st quarter as he did in the 3rd Overtime.

Nationally Televised games

Tuesday

SAS @LAL NBA TV 8:30PM

Are the Lakers suddenly better now in this free flowing offense? How will the Spurs and Lakers play without their star point guards.

Wednesday

MEM @ OKC ESPN 6PM

The playoff series between the Griz and the Thunder seems as if it were so long ago. But all the key players (other than the 6th men in Mayo and Harden) are still here, and the series should still be incredible.

MIA @ LAC ESPN 8:30

The Heat versus the Clippers. Might be a good opportunity to check out CP3 and company.

Thursday

Bos @ BKN TNT 6pm

Good news. Gerald Wallace should be here for this battle of second tier Eastern Conference squads. Bad news. Keith Bogans hasn't been cut yet.

MIA @ DEN TNT 8:30pm

The Heat at my local team. Should be a great matchup.

Friday

UTA @ PHI ESPN 5pm

The Jazz playing the Bynum less 76ers. We'll be calling them that for a while. Either way, this game may be absolutely worthwhile.

NYK @ MEM ESPN 7:30

Zach Randolph is playing well. He's back to his double-double form.

Sunday

CLE @ PHI NBATV 4pm

The Cavs are playing the Bynum less 76ers (see what I did there). The Cavs are fully healthy. The Sixers are not. Luckily, rather than watching this meaningless game, there will be football on.

I need a weapon: Halo 4

When I was in 7th grade, I received Halo. It was my first FPS (first person shooter). Going through the story for the first time was frustrating. I wasn’t as skilled and it took me forever to get through the game. I beat the campaign a month before Halo 2 came out. Halo 2 had a disappointing story but the multiplayer options were amazing. I remember that it came out on a day off from school in sophomore year of high school.

When Halo 3 came out in my freshman year of college (September 2007), I spent a summer saving money for it. I bought Halo themed controllers, an Xbox Live subscription, a wireless receiver, and the Legendary edition of the game. I blew a lot of time and money on the game, so even with the nearly 400 dollar cost of all of the things I bought, it was worth it. By the time Halo 3 came out, Halo had online competitive multiplayer and co-operative multiplayer. Playing with up to 4 your friends and against up to 15 of your friends creates lots of options for how to play. Also, thanks to Bungie, the original creator of the game, you can see your character’s stats online with a large amount of detail. How many kills do you have? How many deaths? What’s the ratio of kills to to deaths? How many time were you killed with a shotgun on a particular map? Where on the map do you die the most? It created a feedback loop which makes the game better. Also, when the developer created updates and other fixes to maps, weapons and characters, all either low cost or free, it also helps.

Now, it’s 2012, so right before the world ends, another edition of Halo has been released. There’s a new enemy type now, along with the Covenant, the enemy type from the first 3 major editions of the game. But mostly it’s more of the same. You still play as the same character, and you’re still shooting enemies until they’re down. However, the sameness is comforting. I haven’t bought a new IP in a long time, mostly because I don’t have the time to learn a new game. I already know how to play Halo as soon as I unwrap the game. That reduces the time it takes to get into the game and enjoy it. The difficulty will come in the way of the way the enemies interact with you and how you respond to them, rather than trying to figure out what button does what action.  I’ll be busy tonight with it, though.

P.S. Sgt. Johnson, Intergalactic Repairman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPb70_B7iP4

Blindsided by the return of the NBA

Last year’s NBA lockout was great for fall sports. There was no basketball, so the World Series had the entire time to itself other than Game 4 which was on a Sunday. My fantasy football and picks were the only side projects I had to work on. And I even had the opportunity to watch a bit of hockey. It was a great time for sport. Then when the NBA came back in December, baseball was over, fantasy football (as well as the Cowboys season) was mostly  over, and the only sport to compete for my attention was hockey. It was a grand time indeed to be a sports junkie.

This year the NBA snuck up on me. I haven’t had time to prepare. I did my picks this year and submitted them late. I didn’t include the Portland Trailblazers because I forgot that Batum hadn’t actually gone to the T’wolves. I forgot that Iman Shumpert was hurt. I called Anthony Davis and Gustavo Ayon an  impressive front court, forgetting that Ayon no longer plays for the Hornets, and plays for the Orlando Magic. With only 24 hours a day, I can’t put in the time that I would like to understand the intricacies of the season as I would like. The other problem is the fact that I didn’t buy NBA 2k13 this year, which acts as the best refresher course for these sorts of changes. I play the game, I see things like “Michael Beasley is on the Suns” and I don’t go into fantasy drafts completely blind as I did this year. 

The bigger problem standing between me and knowledge of all things basketball is law school. Thanks to the second year of law school being much busier and time consuming than my first year, I’m in a position where i don’t have the hours in the day. There is too much knowledge to consume and not enough time. That and comparatively speaking law school and the related events are much more important. Whether I know the starting line-up on the Nuggets won’t matter in 10 years. Whether I do well enough in law school to attain a job in the legal market does. More importantly the impact I have on my clients means a lot more to me than basketball.

Therefore, things had to be cut down. Football was more or less done for me. I haven’t listened to the podcasts, I did little more than set my line-ups for fantasy, and I blindly picked all the favorites for my fantasy pick’em. I’m doing my law school reading in large chunks rather than the slow and steady pace I’ve been maintaining. I’ve also minimized my gaming hours. If you’ve noticed, this is just a description of my “optional hours”. When you add that to the time I spend at my internship and law school and doing all the things that I have to do it doesn’t leave me with a lot of time for the things I want to do.

However,there is hope. I will be working on doing more NBA related posts as stories begin to manifest themselves. Oh, and the NBA schedule should be pretty forgiving this year.