2023-24 NCAA Football (Week 11)

Games I saw (some of):

(3) Michigan 24-15 (10) Penn State

A sludge of a game, felt like the ball was gonna live between the 30-yard lines all day, but there were bursts of offense. The Wolverines were the better team but both sides are defensive monsters with little rays of offense sneaking through the clouds. Penn State's QB play just wasn't as good as Michigan's, that was the difference on the whole season. Both of these teams are really good, Michigan was a little better. 

Top 25

Handled their business

(1) Ohio State, (2) Georgia, (3) Michigan, (4) Florida State, (5) Washington, (6) Oregon, (8) Alabama, (12) Oregon State, (14) Missouri, (17) Oklahoma, (19) Louisiana State, (21) Arizona, (22) Iowa, (25) Kansas State

Won but did not impress

(7) Texas

Conference road W's normally impress me a priori, but if Texas really fancies itself a full on playoff contender, then I'd like to see them to put the wood to an in-state conference foe, instead of just hanging on against a sub-par Texas Christian. Perhaps I'm being too hard on the Longhorns but I wanted a solid victory and this isn't it. 

(11) Louisville

Ditto for the Cardinals. Virginia is not good--especially on the road--and yet the Cards had to scramble late to steal the victory. At this time of the season blowouts and decisive victories are influential and I want to see the better teams separate themselves from the lesser teams. Louisville got lucky here, never looked like a top tier squad. 

(23) Tulane

I shouldn't be so hard on Tulane, they are a bettor's dream: always a favorite, never a cover. I dunno, I should be more generous to such a reliable team.

(24) North Carolina

I'm surprised the Tar Heels are still in the top 25 and this scuffling OT victory over a decimated Duke team that is already far past their peak didn't change my mind. I dunno, I'm not impressed.

Bad beat

(9) Mississippi

UGA was waiting for the Rebels and they got got. Yeah, they could've played better but they were clearly outclassed and we all knew this was coming. 

(10) Penn State

Penn State may be the 10th best team in the country but they're only 3rd best in their own division. Tough place to find yourself, the Nittany Lions are a good squad but just not good enough unfortunately. 

(16) Kansas

Normally an L at home to a lesser conference team would go in the Not So Good category, but the Jayhawks lost their QB early in this game and though it took them forever to get any offense going, they still almost won. Yeah, I'm getting kinda soft on this one but even after this match I'm quite convinced that Kansas is better than Texas Tech, they just got unlucky. 

(18) Utah

Like Penn State, Utah is a really good team in a really really good division. Tough break but I'm still convinced Utah is one of the better teams in the nation. 

Not so good

(13) Tennessee

An L on the road in conference to a team that is better is normally a Bad Beat, but the Vols were the fave and they surely thought they were going to win. But they kinda got stomped (yo, Missouri is actually pretty good!) and soon enough they'll take their whoopin' from UGA (oh man, they better beat Kentucky!), the Vols are in full-on flail mode. 

(15) Oklahoma State

Whoa! They got straight destroyed at Central Florida! I was in on Oklahoma State but you can't whooped like that in conference and continue on in the top 25. I suspect we've seen all we're gonna see of the Cowboys this year.

My top 12

(1) Georgia (they're just getting going, but I'm among those that thinks Alabama is ready to give them a for-real match)

(2) Ohio State (the Buckeyes have a top tier defense, still a little worried about that offense but they've got good W's and all they have to do is beat Michigan)

(3) Washington (probably can't get ahead of the Big 10 winner, but should still firmly ahead of the Big 10 runner-up if they hold on @ Oregon State and take care of (presumably) Oregon in the championship; if they win their next 3 games they'll have to be in the semifinals)

(4) Florida State (Seminoles are eagerly waiting to see whether it's Ohio State or Michigan ahead of them, but they've got 4th place pretty well sewn up)

(5) Michigan (okay, finally got a signature W against Penn State, just need to finish off Ohio State and (presumably) Iowa and they'll be in the semifinal; if not, Ohio State will, right?)

(6a/6b) Oregon/Alabama (these two can still play their way in and they're both balling well enough to think they can get it done; I'll be keeping an eye on them)

(8) Texas (I guess they're still alive and as the teams ahead of them clash, the Longhorns will have their chance to sneak in, but outside of an early season W at Alabama, what else have they done this season? Yeah, they've got a nice record, 1 top tier W and they'll likely win their conference, but I don't see them higher than #5--especially considering that if Alabama beats UGA, I don't think UGA completely falls out; I think Texas is rooting for Ohio State, Washington, Georgia to keep winning and they need the Seminoles to fall to....Louisville? They are still in the discussion but it's mostly a peas-and-carrots thing for the Longhorns)

(9a/9b) Louisville/Oregon State (gotta leave these two up here because they've still got meaningful games left--in fact, I guess Louisville is still alive for the 4-team playoff and technically I think the Beavers are still alive for the Pac-12 Championship; I think these two need to be rooting for each other (and against Texas and Alabama) and they could still crash the party--though it's massive longshot for either

(11/12) Penn State/Utah (I think these are these two best of the also-rans; Arizona is technically not out of it but as well as they've played lately, I don't see them wormig their way into the big dance so I don't see them as a top 12 squad)

(6 more for good measure) Missouri, LSU, Arizona, Iowa, Mississippi, Notre Dame

Next week's intriguing matches

(18) Utah @ (21) Arizona (probably not that meaningful but should be a fun one)

(2) Georgia @ (13) (does anyone think the Vols can beat UGA? I for one *yawn* ....do not)

(24) North Carolina @ Clemson (I'm only throwing this in because I think Clemson has a good shot at sticking the Tar Heels; well see, could be some fun)

(25) Kansas State @ (16) Kansas (if KU doesn't have their QB, then this one is probably already over, right?)

(5) Washington @ (12) Oregon State (the marquis match right here; is Corvallis where empires go to die?)

(7) Texas @ Iowa State (the Cyclones over the years have handed out many unexpected late season upsets lately, the Longhorns better gird them loins)

2023-24 NBA Bric-a-Brac (Week 2)

Trade

Clippers get James Harden, PJ Tucker, Filip Petrusev; Sixers get Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr, Marcus Morris, 2026 1st r pick, 2024 & 2029 2nd rd picks, 2029 1st rd pick swap; Thunder get a 2027 1st rd pick swap

Our long national nightmare is over (for now). Harden goes to the Clippers and takes PJ Tucker with him. Will Petrusev fit into the Clipper rotation? Well, there will be a lot of "load management" to account for, so maybe so.  Are the Clippers better? They're older and more expensive....but better....I'm not sure. 

The Sixers bring back Covington, still a nice 3-and-D guy that should get immediate minutes in the Sixer rotation. Not sure about Martin, young player but he'll have time to catch on. Batum and Morris, though, are both pretty old and may or may not fit with the Sixers. Wouldn't be surprised to see Martin and Morris re-traded by February and Batum to retire if he doesn't find meaningful minutes in this rotation.

As for the various picks, I think the Thunder did well to throw in an unnecessary pick as a gamble on a much better pick. The Clippers, though, are built on free agents, not draft picks (don't believe me? Ask Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), so these pick moves mean nothing to them. The Sixers, are in between: they're a veteran rotation looking to win now and these picks are likely to be more trade fodder; on the other hand, if the season goes sideways (re: if Embiid makes a trade demand), they may need to look to a draft-centered future and can't simply barter these away for some magic beans.

Waivings

Danny Green (Sixers), Kaiser Gates (Pelicans)

Green was moved to make room for the spoils of the Harden trade; what are the chances that Green ends up with the Clippers by season's end? Gotta admit: I've never heard of Kaiser Gates before.

Signings (2-way contacts)

Keon Johnson (Nets), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Pelicans), Xavier Moon (Clippers)

I knew Johnson and Robinson-Earl would catch on, they're both young and talented and caught up in team management issues.  Moon is a bit older and realistically a practice player, a roster filler, but good for him, glad to see him still around. 

Team Options Exercised

Marjon Beauchamp (Bucks), Dalen Terry (Bulls), Mark Williams (Hornets), Jonathon Kuminga (Warriors), Moses Moody (Warriors), (and no extension for James Bouknight (Hornets))

Thumbs up on all these moves. Beauchamp is poised to take on a bigger role with the Bucks. Moody and Kuminga, too, are going to be thrown into a bigger role with the Warriors, they will either sink or swim (I think its the latter for both). Williams already seems like a solid member of the Hornet rotation. Not sure about Terry, but I guess the Bulls think he's worth it. But, not so for Bouknight, a lottery pick that has never gotten much of a chance with the Hornets--is it because he isn't good or because the Hornets are a dumb team that do everything wrong? Hmmmm....I'm honestly not sure.  

ROY Update

Okay, two weeks in and there are 14 rookies that are setting themselves apart from the rest (in order of Minutes Played): Ausar Thompson (Pistons), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Jordan Hawkins (Pelicans), Brandon Miller (Hornets), Toumani Camara (Blazers), Dereck Lively (Mavs), Keyontae George (Jazz), Cason Wallace (Thunder), Marcus Sasser (Pistons), Scoot Henderson (Blazers), Bilal Coulubaly (Wizards), Jaime Jazquez (Heat), Gradey Dick (Raptors)

My personal order would be Wembanyama, Holmgren, Ausar, Lively and Miller. Those guys have already established that they are ballers firmly ensconced in their rotations. Not sure I'm ready to say that about any of the rest.

I haven't given up on Scoot, I think he's playing all wrong right now and when it clicks for him, he'll be fine. 

I'm a little suspicious of Sasser (just doesn't pass the eye test yet) and Wallace (wait a second, his numbers are too good). Gotta admit: I have no idea who Jordan Hawkins is, guess I need to watch more Pelicans. 

Two others that are worth noting so far: Sasha Vezenkov (Kings) and Julian Strawther (Nuggets) have shooting numbers that are eye-popping, let's see if they hold up. 

I'm a little surprised we haven't seen/heard more from: Taylor Hendricks (Jazz), Kris Murray (Blazers), Jett Howard (Magic), Cam Whitmore (Rockets); perhaps their teams have a grand plan for them or the timing just hasn't worked for them, I dunno. Also, it may take a while but the Thunder need to find some time for Vasilije Micic, if for no other reason than he might have trade value. 

2023-24 NFL (Week 9)

Games I watched (some of)

Titans 16-20 Steelers

I keep watching the Steelers, they keep looking like shit to me, they keep winning. Okay, man, whatever you say, but this team is not any good, I'm just telling ya. QB Will Levis is, I must admit, already way better than I ever thought possible, he stands firmly in the pocket and chucks deep down field with confidence, if they can keep him upright he'll be better than anything they've had for a while. Thought the Titans could've pulled it out but didn't happen, another fluke W for the Steelers. 

Vikings 31-28 Falcons

The Falcons had a fumble (that went for a FG) and an interception (that went for an 8-point TD) and that sealed their fate; if the Falcons had avoided those two turnovers, I think they would've won handily. But letting the Vikings put some points on the board was all new QB Josh Dobbs needed to steal this one on the road with a pack of teammates he just met ten minutes ago. I was watching the game thinking (as I presume most of the Falcons sideline was, too): why didn't the Falcons trade for Josh Dobbs? The Falcons have some nice weapons on their offense and no one to get the ball to them. Oh well. The Vikings were devastated by the loss of QB Kirk Cousins but, for now, Dobbs has given them something to hope for. Curious to see where the Vikings go from here. 

Bucs 37-39 Texans

All I saw was the final coupla minutes but I think I got the best part. The Bucs had a nice drive to take the lead with a minute or so to go and then QB Stroud went right down the field and stole the lead back. Thing of beauty. I think we can go ahead and hand out that offensive rookie of the year award right now--I like Bijan Robinson as much as the next guy but Stroud is the deal! The Texans are dangerous now, just like that. The Bucs are actually a fun team, if they could find some consistency they might still be able to win their terrible division.

Cowboys 23-28 Eagles

I turned this one off before the final drive because I thought the Eagles had it won, but they managed to shoot themselves in the foot and give the Cowboys one last chance. I thought the Eagles were the better team, that D-line was stout today and while I kinda like the Cowboys, I don't think they're as good as the Eagles. And, yes, the Eagles have yet to play a complete game but I still suspect they're the best team in the league (especially since the Niners are suffering through injuries, the Chiefs don't seem capable of a complete game and the Dolphins don't play well against good teams). The Cowboys are snakebit but don't sleep on them, I think they are as capable as anyone of going on a run late in the year. 

Bills 18-24 Bengals

Yes, the Bengals were the better team on this night but I think people are a little too quick to bury the Bills. They had a phantom penalty (what was "intentional" about that intentional grounding call?) and a fumble at the 5-yard line, so I suggest that's 10 points the Bills snatched away from themselves. The Bengals went up 14-0 quick and didn't do much for the rest of the game--what exactly was so impressive about their smooshing of the Bills? The Bengals were better, the Bengals have been better the last few times these two have played, but this game was closer than I think some like to suggest. The Bengals are getting it going and look pretty dangerous. The Bills have suffered many defensive injuries but I think they're better than given credit for and I wouldn't write them off just yet. 

Chargers 27-6 Jets

In and out of this game because both of these teams are so uninspiring. Oh, man, QB Zach Wilson is just not the guy. I've never seen anyone so immobile in the pocket, he just stands there as the pocket collapses around him, never seen anything like it. The Chargers were fine, handled themselves well against that soli NYJ pass defense. These two teams now have the same record--how is that possible?

The rest of the slate

Dolphins 14-21 Chiefs

Still waiting for the Dolphins to beat a good team. 

Cards 0-27 Browns

The Cards are officially on their way to #1 pick, right? Nice W for the Browns, is QB Deshaun Watson ready to play now?

Rams 3-20 Packers

The Rams without QB Matt Stafford are really not  very good, huh? Packers at home might be kinda okay.

Commanders 20-17 Patmiots

I thought the Commanders were tanking, but apparently the Pats are tanking even harder. 

Bears 17-24 Saints

The Bears have no incentive to do anything at this point. The Saints could still win their terrible division.

Seahawks 3-37 Ravens

I've watched the Ravens utterly destroy a handful of teams this year and I gotta say: I'm skeptical. I think they just happen to get everyone's worst game. Why isn't there more buzz about the Ravens? Because they're kinda getting lucky. The Seahawks are okay. 

Colts 27-13 Panthers

The Colts aren't bad. The Panthers are. 

Giants 6-30 Raiders

The Raiders parted ways ith their coach, offensive coordinator and GM (at a price tag upwards of $80m!) and, well, the team looks a lot better right away. But the Giants lost QB Daniel Jones here and look pretty much done for the rest of the season, so might wanna pump the brakes for now, Raider fans.

2023-24 NCAA Football (Week 10)

Games I watched (some of) (*):

(12) Missouri 21-30 (2) Georgia

I was reasonably impressed with Missouri, a bad 4th quarter interception really gave this away for them but they played hard and were in it til (almost) the end. This was the best game that Georgia has played this season: they were tested on both sides and they came up with the plays they needed more often than not. This is not a game that UGA as paying much attention to and Missouri is better than you think, I thought this would be a good match and I was right. Sneaky good W for Georgia, not a bad L for Missouri (though they had their chances to steal this). 

(5) Washington 52-42 (20) Southern Cal

I caught most of the 4th quarter, still good back and forth action, I was afraid the Trojans would score a late TD and cover the spread but it came to naught. I'm definitely a believer in Caleb Williams (not necessarily for a second Heisman but definitely for #1 pick in the draft) but, man, I was really impressed with Washington's QB Penix: big kid, moves well, he's a lefty but throws a good ball, made the big plays when necessary--I like this kid, too! I hadn't seen UW yet this year and I was pretty impressed and since they've already beaten Oregon (who is dominating lately), I'd say they can stamp their ticket for whatever the playoff looks like this year. 

(23) Kansas State 30-33 (OT) (7) Texas

Texas kinda domiated the 1st half, then more or less disappeared in the 2nd. Once Kansas State got rolling, they were the better team on both sides and why they went for it on 4th down in OT instead of just kicking the FG, I don't understand. Dude, your team was better than Texas, just keep the game going and you'll pull it out! Any time I see a coach do something that stupid, I automatically assume he's auditioning for the Chargers job, so don't be surprised if Kansas State's coach is on the sidelines in LA next year. Wildcats blew a perfectly winnable game, the Longhorns got lucky. 

(14) Louisiana State 28-42 (8) Alabama

Fun game, pretty even match until the refs let Alabama violently assault LSU's QB: helmet to helmet is 1 15-yad penalty and driving him into the turf is a 2nd 15-yard penalty, how does this lineman not get tossed out of the game? That's two red cards in one play and he received zero. WTF? I thought we were protecting QB's now!  The next day this happened....so are we protecting QB's or what? How do "rules" work again? Look, Alabama'a QB Millroe has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 4-6 weeks or so and the Tide are kinda dangerous again. They matched LSU for a while but once they Tide found their form they were the better team (especially when the refs let them openly pummel the other team). 

Top 25

Handled their business

(1) Ohio State, (2) Georgia, (3) Michigan, (4) Florida State, (5) Washington, (6) Oregon, (8) Alabama, (11) Penn State, (13) Louisville, (16) Oregon State, (17) Tennessee, (18) Utah, (21) Kansas, (22) Oklahoma State

Won but did not impress

(7) Texas

Admit it, Longhorns: you got lucky. The other team had you beat on your own home field and their idiot coach coached K-State right out of a win in Austin. Texas is a nice team but not sure they're top tier--pretty confident they would not beat Alabama in a rematch this weekend. 

(10) Mississippi

Perhaps I'm being overly critical, a W against a quality conference foe is not something scoff at, but I wanted a decisive victory for Ol' Miss and they didn't deliver. If they're truly a top 10 squad, then show the world that you can handle yourself when facing a so-so opponent. The Rebels got the late victory, can't really complain and yet....I feel like complaining. 

(24) Tulane

What is you with you, Tulane? Are you a top 25 team? Doesn't that suggest you should score more than 13 points at winless East Carolina? Why is Tulane on my scoreboard?

Bad beat

(12) Missouri

UGA is better but the Tigers gave them a game. Unfortunate late turnover doomed them but they were very much in this game in the 4th quarter and that's a serious accomplishment. 

(14) Louisiana State

I think Alabama was better and would've won anyway, but the refs standing by and watching as your QB gets carted off is a tough way to go. LSU is such a strong program that people watch this team and think they suck (I wish my team sucked like this).

(20) Southern Cal 

Game effort but we know what USC is: good offense, terrible defense. I like that QB and those WR's, but that D is *shudder*.

(23) Kansas State

Sorry, guys, your coach is an idiot. He thought he' go for it on 4th down instead of just kicking the FG and keeping the game going. You were better than Texas and everyone but your coach knew that if the game just kept going, you would invariably get the win. Oh well, maybe next time you'll have a better coach. 

Not so good

(9) Oklahoma

Let's be honest: the Sooner have been shaky all year long. They got a nice W at Texas but they've hardly been dominant at anything in any way. They really aren't a top 10 team and the Cowboys just showed that to be true but giving them a good dose of reality.

(15) Notre Dame

You should've beat Clemson. That's just all there is to it. Clemson was laying in wait for you all season long and you fell for it instead of just handling your business. You know how much you should've beaten Clemson? Beating Clemson wouldn't even have done anything for you...that's how beatable Clemson is this year and you didn't beat them.

(19) UCLA

Gotta win on the road if you want to be a big dog. UCLA is not a big dog. 

(25) Air Force

WTF, Air Force? Who are you and why are you taking up space in my top 25? You got smoked at home by an Army team that isn't any good at all. Very disappointing.

My Own Top 12 (probably should've started this earlier but here it is for now):

(1) Georgia (the 2-time defending champs, just now starting to play their best football)

(2) Ohio State (they beat Notre Dame and Penn State and even though I haven't been wowed by the Buckeyes yet this season, they're playing winning football and the Michigan game is all that matters)

(3) Washington (I think the Huskies are underappreciated; they've already beaten Oregon and USC, stomped Michigan State and Boise State, avoided the Arizona State trap, if they beat Utah, what else do you need them to do?)

(4) Florida State (not overly impressed with their resume so far, but they keep winning and that's good)

(5) Oregon (convincing wins over Colorado and Utah, a tough L @ Washington, feel like they won't fall for USC, Arizona State or Oregon State, this team is firmly in the top 10, I got them top 5).

(6) Michigan (they haven't played anybody at all; beat Penn State and Ohio State and they'll cement themselves in the top 3 but until then, why are they so highly ranked? They haven't played anyone at all after 10 weeks!)

(7) Alabama (beating Tennessee and LSU in the last two weeks (I think they'll whip Kentucky this week) has turned their so-so season around, the QB play is getting there, the D is punishing, the Tide is coming--UGA needs to be wary)

(8) Penn State (played well against Ohio State, got their chance at Michigan this week, the Nittany Lions are a good team in a tough neighborhood but they still need to produce a signature victory to gt some real playoff love)

(9) Texas (didn't Texas beat Alabama, you say? Yeah but that was Week 2, if they played in Week 11, I think the Tide would stomp the Longhorns; I've been skeptical of UT all season and my skepticism is only growing; they've still got a good record so I'll keep them at #9 but I don't see them getting higher than that)

(10-12) Utah, Mississippi, Tennessee (there's a drop at #10 but Utah still has greatness in their grasp @ Washington, whereas I feel like Ole Miss gets pummeled by Alabama and Tennessee gets pummeled by UGA, these three are still alive even if I'm dubious of their chances but I can't get into Louisville or Oregon State--not sure either of them are better than Missouri and actually I still have a lot of respect for LSU and Arizona, a coupla 3-Loss teams that play harder than some of the more successful sides)

Next week's intriguing matches:

(2) Michigan @ (9) Penn State (winner of this game finally has a good W on their resume)

(8) Alabama @ Kentucky (I think Alabama will show that their recent offensive prowess is for real and will lay a smackdown on an okay UK team)

(13) Utah @ (5) Washington (one last gasp for Utah or another feather in the cap for UW?)

(14) Tennessee @ (16) Missouri (good conference grudge match between two pretty good teams)

(10) Mississippi @ (1) Georgia (UGA is only now beginning to play real football, can the Rebels catch them off guard? I doubt it but its possible)

Michigan State @ (3) Ohio State (I've seen the Spartans sneak attack the Buckeyes so many times...it can't possibly happen this year, can it? (I'd say no, but I've said that before)

Southern Cal @ (6) Oregon (I think Oregon will tool the Trojans but it is USC's last chance to put an impressive win on their resume)

(*) For some reason I watched way more of Dortmund 0-4 Bayern Munich than was necessary. Bayern's counterattack just choked out anything Dortmund could push forward over and over and over. Embarrassing L for Dortmund. 

2023 World Series

Rangers over D-Backs in 5

The Rangers were one of the better teams in the AL this year, started hot, cooled off for a while, got hot again, cooled off again, blew the division lead but still managed to hold on to a Wild Card slot. They went to Tampa where they quickly dispatched the 2nd best team in the AL, then on to Baltimore where they quickly dispatched the best team in the AL. Went back to Texas where they outdueled the Astros (and set the stage for next year's must-watch grudge match). They were 5th in the AL but when the post-season came, they blasted their way through to the World Series by winning 8 of the 9 games they played, mostly on the road.

The D-Backs, similarly, were a 2nd tier team in the NL but swept the Brewers and then swept the Dodgers (*) and took the Phillies to 7 games (the first 7th game in Phillies history--really?!?!), a great series. And while I think the Phillies would've given the Rangers a better match, the D-Backs were electric in that series and the worthy NL champ.

I thought Corey Seager was the deserving MVP, I struggle to remember anyone hitting as many timely home runs as Seager did here. Adolis Garcia was a monster in the ALCS but missed the last two games of the World Series and wasn't quite as impactful, I thought, as Seager. Nathan Eovaldi cemented his status as a big-game pitcher, but even he wavered in his first start. The Rangers got not much out of Max Scherzer (just 3 innings) and though they rode Jordan Montgomery through the AL, he didn't do much in the World Series (lost his one start). And the bullpen that got them out of so many jams in the AL was fine but not as necessary in the final. 

The D-Backs were fine, I'm now a big fan of Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, those guys just kept making big plays throughout the playoffs. They overachieved but they won the games they needed to win--stuck the Dodgers and Phillies in their eyes, so good for them.  

The World Series itself was a pretty good mix: Game One was a classic (see above), Games Two and Four were blowouts, while Games Three and Five were loaded with tension and drama. That's good stuff, man, I love baseball as much as I ever have. I don't obsess over the players or the numbers like I did when I was a kid (that obsession has drifted to the NBA) but good baseball is still as good as anything in sports. Now if my Guardians could find a replacement for Coach Francona and some pop in the middle of the lineup, I can watch my own team win instead of the vicarious thrill.

(*) Lots of people were complaining about the MLB playoff format, but I mostly thought it was salty Dodgers fans. They talked of rule changes to facilitate a better playoff experience. Okay, here's what I propose: if the Dodgers score less runs than their opponent, they get to win anyway. Does that sound good, Dodger fans? Is that the rule change you were looking for? I get it: baseball players gotta play baseball and giving the good teams time off is a luxury in other sports but kind of an impediment in baseball. But the game is the same as it always was: you've got to score more runs to win games to advance. Figure it out, Dodger fans, this is baseball and if you can't play it, I got no sympathy. This was a great MLB post-season--GREAT!--and the fact that your team didn't bother to show up mattered not a whit to me. 

2023-24 NBA Bric-a-Brac (Week 1)

Contract extensions

Giannis Antetokounpo (3yr/$186m), Onyeka Okongwu (4yr/$62m), Cole Anthony (3yr/$39m), Josh Green (3yr/$41m), Aaron Nesmith (3yr/$33m), Jaden McDaniels (5yr/$136m), Deni Avdija (4yr/$55m)

Giannis deserves way more money than this and I believe the whole point of this 3-year extension is to leave him open to making way more on the next extension. Look: a great player like Giannis deserves all the money and $62m/year is just the beginning. 

I like Onkongwu, good fit in Atlanta, seems ready to slide into the slot that Clint Capela will leave behind eventually. Good signing.

I like Anthony and $13m/year is fine but I'm not sure he fits in Orlando any longer. But this extension probably makes him more tradeable (or does it make Jalen Suggs more tradeable?). 

I haven't been as swept away by the Josh Green experience as others have, but if he works out this season then he will be worth it. So this is an optimism signing.

Nesmith seems to be the right fit for the Pacers and $11m/year is not back-breaking, so the Pacers did well to lock up a nice scorer. 

Like Josh Green, I have yet to be gripped by the fascination with McDaniels and north of $25m/year seems much too rich to me. But, the Wolves seem to love this guy, so I guess they're into it. I don't see it and I don't think the signing makes him more tradeable, so I think this is a dangerous deal (but its not my team).

I like Avdija, the deal seems reasonable. Hope he fits with Jordan Poole because that is your Washington Wizards for the next 4 years.

Signings

Ish Smith (Hornets), Bismack Biyombo (Grizzlies)

Ish! Still getting dem checks. Good for you!

I like Biyombo as much as the next guy but he doesn't have much grit or grind to him. I guess he could get swept up by the Grizz atmosphere, but I can also see him being waived at the first opportunity. 

2-way Contracts

Duop Reath (Blazers), Duane Washington (Knicks), Nate Williams (Rockets), Nate Hinton (Rockets), Charles Bediako (Spurs), John Butler (Wizards), Ricky Council (Sixers)

Okay, I don't know any of these guys. 

Team Options Exercised

David Roddy (Grizzlies), Jake LaRavia (Grizzlies), Santi Aldama (Grizzlies), Ziaire Williams (Grizzlies), Blake Wesley (Spurs), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), Malaki Branham (Spurs), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Cam Thomas (Nets), Day'Ron Sharpe (Nets), Wendell Moore (Wolves), Bones Hyland (Clippers), Quentin Grimes (Knicks)

I don't know Wesley, not sure Williams has done anything to warrant optimism and Hyland is a buyer-beware kinda player. But all the rest look like good moves to me. 

Waivings

Montrezl Harrell (Sixers), Ibou Badji (Blazers), Darius Days (Rockets), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Rockets), Trevor Hudgins (Rockets), Keon Johnson (Suns), Taj Gibson (Wizards), Xavier Cooks (Wizards), Stanley Umude (Pistons), Edmond Sumner (Hornets), Azuolas Tubelis (Sixers)

Harrell suffered a knee injury during the summer, looks to be back in action as an eligible free agent by year's end.

Might be the end of the road for Taj (or back to the Knicks).

I feel like Robinson-Earl and Johnson are gonna catch on somewhere. 

No idea about Badji, Days, Hudgins, Cooks, Umulde, Sumner or Tubelis. 

Signed overseas

Tristan Vukcevic (KK Partizan)

I don't see any evidence that the Wizards still retain his draft rights, so is he considered an NBA free agent? (Not sure)

Way too early look at Rookie of the Year

It's been one week, which rooks have stood out so far? 

Ausar Thompson (Pistons), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) Chet Holmgren (Thunder) are clearly the frontrunners for now, playing major minutes and looking comfortable out there. 

Brandon Miller (Hornets) is scoring nicely. 

Cason Wallace (Thunder) has numbers that are almost too good. 

I kinda love Dereck Lively (Mavs)'s fit so far, he could be a Keegan Murray-type major rotation guy by year's end. 

Keyontae George (Jazz) has a tantalizing asst:to and seems like a nice scorer. 

Jaime Jacquez (Heat) look like the next Heat creation. 

But there are still plenty of guys that could--and will--emerge. (Scoot Henderson (Blazers) starting slow, but I'm still in on him)

2023-24 NFL (Week 8)

Games I watched (some of):

Bucs 18-24 Bills

The Bills have yet to play a complete game--are they saving it for the right time or do they just not have it in them? They've also sustained some serious defensive injuries, not sure they'll be able to float along much longer. The Bucs play better on the road than at home--man, they had a 4th quarter drive that lasted forever! Bills penalties kept the drive going but the clock wasn't in the Bucs favor.

Jags 20-10 Steelers

I've watched the Steelers many times already this year and I am convinced they are not any good at all, especially when they are forced to put Mitch Trubisky at QB. The defense is fine but the offense is not built to outscore anybody, so how they've gotten this far is mystifying. The Jags are starting to look like the team they should be, they're on their way to ruling their division and if they get a nice head of steam going, this team could be dangerous down the road. 

Bengals 31-17 Niners

Joe Burrow finally looked right in this game, definitely the best the Bengals have looked this season. He was pushing the ball downfield, which opened up the running game, which they haven't been able to do so far, taking a W in San Fran is a scary thing for the AFC. The Niners are flailing, injuries are piling up and Brock Purdy is suddenly everyone's least favorite QB. If the injuries persist, the Niners could be in trouble (but if not, the Niners are still probably the most talented team in the league). 

The rest of the slate:  

Rams 20-43 Cowboys

All Cowboys here, Rams couldn't get out of their own way.

Vikings 24-10 Packers

Vikings lose QB Cousins for the season--ouch! Just as they were getting going. The Packers are scuffling all around.

Falcons 23-28 Titans

Titans got a new QB (all hail the Levis!). The Falcons could really use one of those, too.

Saints 38-27 Colts

Saints finally found some offense, is the a sign of things to come? (Still time for them to take their awful division). The Colts are downright plucky, but that doesn't mean they'll win much. 

Pats 17-31 Dolphins

Yeah, that's about right. 

Jets 13-10 (OT) Giants

Ugh! How many punts were there in this game? 

Eagles 38-31 Commanders

Division game. Commanders could've won this but didn't get it  done. 

Texans 13-15 Panthers

First win for the Panthers! But, it kinda feels like they played the perfect game just to score 15 points. The Texans let a W get away from them. 

Browns 20-24 Seahawks

Browns had their chance to steal it but came up short, they need to figure out their QB position (oh, wait, they have the highest paid QB in the league). The Seahawks are sturdy, not great but savvy enough to keep games close and seal them when they can. 

Chiefs 9-24 Broncos

What happened here?

Ravens 31-24 Cards

The Cards play hard but clearly aren't much good; the Ravens have moments, curious to see if they can actually get better as the year goes on.

Bears 13-30 Chargers

The Bears are not good, the Chargers pretty much only win when the opponent is utterly incapable. 

Raiders 14-26 Lions

The Lions didn't exactly dominate but the Raiders didn't do much to win this game.