Snow?
I know it’s early, but as I type this it is 33 degrees in Denver and snowing. So, maybe we get a game today, maybe we get a snowball fight, I dunno…
I’m bummed about the KD injury but I’ve seen Steph, Klay and Draymond ball out too many times to just wave the white flag. I think Game 6 is a loss but Game 7 could be the most electric game we’ve ever seen….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
People remember an injured Willis Reed playing in Game 7 and inspiring his team; but many tend to forget Frazier scored 36 in the game. Curry and Thompson came up huge last night after Durant left.
When Kareem couldn’t suit up for Game 6 vs. the Sixers, Magic went off for 42 points.
The Splash Brothers have a chance to add more heroics to their great legacy.
And Jamaal Wilkes scored 37 in that Game 6 for the Lakers.
yeah remember watching Magic go off on Philly. Me and buddy were at Fred’s Bar in Mt. View and the NBA championship was late night TV at that time.
Silk was such cool player.
Fred’s. Wow, that’s a classic bar.
I was SO bummed Silk went to the Lakers.
Loo got me thinking about b-ball in the ’70s- ’80s…because teams and individuals were allowed to play defense it forced offenses and players to be smarter and more creative. The pure 3 point shooters who couldn’t guard anyone just didn’t last very long and teams ran motion offenses and special plays designed to create good shots for different players and positions.
Good tough post players with inside game and who could defend it were everywhere, and individual stars were just more fun to watch.
And yes unfortunately many had substance issues that inhibited their lives and careers.
Me and buddies used to go a lot in those days and it was a thrill to watch somebody get 40 even if it was against the Warriors. Quality of play and players themselves imo were just better and more enjoyable. It was more team oriented with more movement and flow less isolation and everyone had a role or part to play.
I watch the product today, often run by kids a year or two out of high school going against each other and it just can’t compare. Shot selection—a 25 ft 3 point shot off a 3 on 2 fast break? Offense out of a timeout–you set one screen and everyone stands around? Illegal defense—almost any defense seems illegal, and yet guys complain all the time.
I’ll pretend you didn’t just disparage the great Joe Hassett….lol. Anyway, this is a great post. One of your best ever.
in fact, that one just got fast tracked to the Flap HOF. #69 no less, heh heh
Trickle down effect is palpable too. I see elementary school kids that only want to emulate James harden, dribbling the ball over and over between legs going nowhere and shooting from as far away from basket as possible. If you can’t get them off electronics and actually onto a playground or a gym.
Why bother getting any education, going to college and allowing your mind and body to mature, if you can go play today’s game, make money and enjoy the superstar Instagram/twitter lifestyle with your entourage?
If Houston plays like they did last night for Game 7 we win even without KD…if they play more like they played at home, think we could be in trouble and certainly think we would be the underdogs against Denver or Portland. I dont see KD recovering from this quickly enough to play in that next series…but Go Sharks…if I had to choose between one of them to win a championship I am all in obviously on the Sharks…🦈
And I would play the starters in Game for maybe the 1st qtr. The plus side of this injury to KD, they get a chance to play Quinn Cook, Jerebko maybe even a Jordan Bell sighting and Bogut as much as possible to get them all loose and confident to be factors in Game 7. Looney was huge last night and will be crucial in Game 7!! Klay, Draymond and Curry all have to be rested and protected…
Joe Hassett, good one. I was thinking more about Freeman Williams. Played at Portland St. and scored 82 once there and led NCAA averaged 38 a game. In the NBA he lasted half dozen seasons maybe (saw with SD Rockets and World B) but line was whoever he was guarding was free man, and everyone knew it. Played bit part playground player in movie White Men Can’t Jump, wound up homeless in LA.
Update on Joe Hassett, with an Al Attles mention:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2019/03/13/former-nba-guard-joe-hassett-juggles-successful-financial-career-and-broadcasting-duties/#273ed78f169a
Beating Houston is doable, but they really have to tighten up the turnovers and Steph and Klay need to be lights-out from the get-go.
Bench production is also huge. Looney has played very well st times, and bad at times. They need to start him, though and bench Iggy for the rotation.
And there’s always the chance the Harden lays a stinker of a game in crunch time. Do it in 6.
I believe Curry is the greatest long range shooter ever, but lately he plays like John Starks.
Just looks like an awful chucker…
Posey to the 7 day concussion DL.
Also, Pomeranz to 10-day IL, Garcia and Beede called up.
Garcia gets the start today:
Duggar RF
Austin 1B
Longoria 3B
Williamson LF
Pillar CF
Crawford SS
Garcia C
Solano 2B
Holland LHP
I would still like to know the true story of what happened to the late, great Jim Ray Hart…
DIdn’t realize that Hart had a bad alcohol problem.
____________
While his relatively short career has been often attributed to an accumulation of injuries, another factor probably played a much larger role. I found an article from Baseball Digest, June 1991 where Jim Ray talked about what might have been had he not had an addiction to alcohol. He admitted that in later years, he was much more interested in collecting his paycheck for drinking money than in playing the game, and often came to the park hung over or drunk. At one point in his life, he lost everything and was basically on the streets of SF picking up lost change just to buy drinks. He passed out on a flight to Toronto for an old-timer’s game, and that was the wake-up call he needed to get his life back. He entered and successfully completed a rehab program in San Mateo. As of the 1991 Baseball Digest article, Jim Ray was sober, working at a warehouse in Sacramento, and living there with his family.
____________
From what I’ve just read, Jimmy Ray apparently shied away from having any contact with the team as they tried to reach out to him a few times, including the 50th anniversary of the team being in SF. Something around him being sad that he squandered his opportunity and didn’t want to be reminded of it.
What happened to Buster?
Pav story says Posey took a foul tip vs. the Reds on Sunday.
Posey is one good beaning from not recognizing his kids.
I blame those goalie style masks that don’t deflect away foul tips.
The old style ones were better…
surprised he doesn’t want to move to first base. I know he prefers catching but you’re right, one good beaning away from something bad. What’s the point?
Maybe the Giants have finally realized they have fucked up with Belt’s career to much.But then again he’s always been the whipping boy!Once Posey comes back it will be the usual of screwing with Belt, as Posey&Austin even gets playing time there,maybe more like Panda too..
Loo, I think that messed up finger on Curry’s left hand is causing him some issues. He probably won’t talk about it until the season is over.
Maybe so Zumie, but Curry was missing uncontested layups with his right hand as well..
Well, both Curry and Thompson twisted their ankles in the Clip series, and apparently Klay’s is pretty bad. Neither have been what they usually are. The hope is they catch fire in time to pull this out.
Going forward is a crapshoot, but they have to get past the Rockets. Either Denver or Portland will be tough but I think we get to the finals even without KD. The hope is KD can be back by finals time.
Lue blowing off the Lakers just shows how fucked up that situation is. They offered him a 3 year deal to coincide with Bron Bron’s remaining tenure, and told him Jason Kidd needs to be one of his coaches. And by the way, defer to King James.
Like the ‘new’ baseball managers, LeBron wants his coach to an admin guy that answers to him. They should just go ahead and name him player-coach and be done with it.
Austin with his 2nd bomb of the day and the Giants have come back to tie it at 8.
And Melancon gives it right back.
Damn. Was gonna go see Mobile Bay Bears, but we have thunderstorms rolling in.
Damn, that’s a tough one, score 11 and lose. Holland is not exactly a Dutch treat.
I did a Pawlie today and chatted up an old guy wearing a Giants hat at a high school lacrosse game. Said he goes back to when Mel Ott was NY Giants manager. He was happy that Mac was back up, despite the 0-fer while we both checked the box score. Fun fact: The school he attended, Manasquan, is where Jack Nicholson went to high school.
Miller made my drive home a little better with his excitement in the 9th inning about their rally. In the end, still nothing but an L
Anderson is the starting pitcher for Sac tonight. He flew through their minor league system.
And he should fly into this starting rotation and soon..
The majority of our rotation is made up of guys who would be nothing but emergency starters on most teams. That opener shit is beginning to look good to me…
That thought has struck me as well, how our lousy starters make a strong case for giving the opener thing a shot.
Anderson pitched 5 scoreless innings then loaded the bases with one out in the 6th. Okert came in and gave up a grand slam. 3 ERs for Anderson.
The White House, which employs only the best, today in press releases said:
1. Welcome to the Boston Red Socks
Then, when the gaffe was discovered, the White House welcomed:
2. The World Cup Series Champions
…
Stellar group Trump has assembled.
His Secretary of State thinks the melting ice of the North Pole will be great for world trade.
All the coastal cities will be flooded, and millions of people turned into refugees, but world trade will be improved somehow.
Most bizarrre Flap stat ever:
A weeknight road game – played in winter conditions – with the Warriors idle – 23 runs scored – featuring another wild comeback – generated a total of 2 in game comments here – both from Dirt…
Day game on a work-day was a big factor.
Plus, after Holland gave up 7 early, I don’t blame anyone for bailing.
You’re right, Zum. I didn’t realize how early it started out there and I listened to it at night.
MLB radio has an “archived broadcast” feature…
Dodgers got shut-out, which is always cool.