thejimsheet

All-Star Games

2012-02-26T22:14:00.002-08:00

Yeah, I'm like most. Other than baseball, I don't see much point in watching All-Star Games. I didn't watch tonight. Just name the teams, and be done with it.

I like the Saturday Night competitions, and would be glued to the tv for hours if they had the PG skills comp (preferably minus the shot) lengthened and including more players.

The two ball slam by Evans was pretty cool. The ones off the side of the backboard always impress me, also.

I'd love to see all the big names in all the competitions. Maybe have an overall champ after all of them. Or, maybe a 1-on-1 tourney.

February tourney.

2012-02-25T20:38:00.003-08:00

Got 4th today in the monthly tourney. Really only one hand to talk about. I played very well overall, I think. Down to 5 people (5 getting paid). I'm chipleader with over 80k of the approximately 260k in play. Folds to me on the button. I have 55. Blinds 2k/4k with a 500 ante. I make it 12k. Call, call. hmmmmm. 38,500 in the pot before we see a flop. Obviously a huge spot. Flop A84. Check, check. I know neither has an Ace or a set. They can't call here. I go all-in. SB tank calls, BB folds quickly. SB has AJ. Wow. He had like 58k left. I just didn't think it through. I think my reasoning was sound overall, but I could have obviously gotten that info for much less. Say I bet 18k. That meant I'm crippled and have to gamble with the other two short stacks. We trade money for awhile, I outlast one, and IGHN in 4th.

Friday

2012-02-24T02:13:00.001-08:00

I'm 'bout to do this Friday thing, y'all. Wooooowooooooooooo.

Matrix LAL/DAL

2012-02-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

Shawn Marion was amazing tonight, as he is often. AMAZING. I think I'm going to have to record the replay to see if his genius shows up on TV and/or is noticed by the announcers. Kobe's points came off of other defenders. Marion shut him down. One of the coolest things I've seen this year, and it's just too bad the Mavs couldn't win this game that they should have.

#yep

2012-02-18T00:28:00.000-08:00

I'm going to blog a bunch about college basketball later today. I'm dvring like 6 games.

I'm committed to a couple poker posts this week.

I'm still percolating on a Mavs post I've been thinking about. I commit to get it done this week.

I'm sure I'll make a Mavs/Lin post Sunday.

btw, listening to this BS report with Klosterman motivates me so much. Klosterman is so smart, and makes me want to analyze things as coherently as he does, both in writing and conversation.

MIT Sloan Sports Conference

2012-02-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

The schedule came out today. Pretty exciting stuff.

http://www.sloansportsconference.com/?page_id=447

I'm also spending a couple days with my parents and seeing a Celtics home game for the first time.

Nice.

UNLV/TCU and DEN/DAL and Linsanity

2012-02-15T21:54:00.000-08:00

UNLV is about 30 points better than TCU. For much of the game, we were up between 8 and 16 points. Then, with about 9 minutes to go, we stopped playing. At that point, nobody, including TCU was thinking they had a chance. But, once they cut it to 6 they started to believe and the few fans who were there got into it. By the time they forced OT, it was over. Gross. This definitely hurts worse than Wyoming. Probably knocks us down to a 4 seed. Oh, well.

The Nuggets tonight were a different team than the one I saw in December. This seems obvious if you follow basketball.

Seeing Shawn Marion the last three nights has been fun. Playing great D (and rebounding, and scoring) against CP and the Clips and Lawson and the Nugs, and his appearance supporting our Rebs last night. He was incredibly gracious with the fans. The only time he seemed to get annoyed was when one TCU frat dude tried to take a pic with him. First, Shawn's friend got up out of his seat so the dude could sit next to Shawn, then he offered to take the pic. As he's about to, Shawn notices the dude is putting up the frog hand symbol and is like wtf you doin'? Made him put that thing away. Funny.

Tomorrow, no basketball. There's a greater than 0 chance I'll ignore the Mavs/Sixers on Friday. I'm sure Saturday will be full, and then on Sunday the Mavs travel to MSG to take on Linsanity. Summer League can be deceiving (see: Bellinelli), but Lin looked really good a couple years ago out in Vegas. I had heard of him at Harvard and seen him play a couple times, but was surprised in Vegas. He was what you want in a guard - attacking on both ends, always hustlin', making smart decisions and good passes. Not a great shooter, but that's ok. But, I didn't see him getting minutes with the Mavs, so while I was upset, I wasn't surprised when he signed with GSW. I was surprised, however, at his lack of PT. When he was cut and signed with NYK, I was surprised, but happy (I somehow missed the whole HOU pitstop). NYK needed him. But, again he wasn't playing, and I assumed he was a mirage, as people are apt to see in the desert. Needless to say, I'm not surprised by his success. He'll never be DRose or CP, but he's a good spark guard on the right team and this current run is awfully fun.

ps I'm tired of Kate Upton. The dougie video was sexy as hell, but damn, she's fucking everywhere.

LAC/DAL

2012-02-13T22:24:00.000-08:00

Heather decided yesterday that she really liked Chris Paul. Ok, cool. I loved Randolph Childress and Rusty Larue, so I'm in.

It just so happens that CP was in town tonight. With him was his new team, the Clips aka Lob City. When the craziness happened over the summer, I was a little bit wary. CP hadn't looked like himself for about 93% of the year last year, and I wondered if he would ever be himself again. He is himself again. He varied between indifference and incredulity tonight, but overall his dislike of the Mavs came out. There was tension in the air, a playoff atmosphere if not playoff quality basketball.

Twenty minutes before the game, the stands were still mostly unoccupied, but by the time the game heated up, so had the capacity crowd.

As much as I'm in on CP, though, I don't think the Clips are as good as their record may indicate at this point. Kenyon Martin helps them quite a bit, and his compadre JR Smith would be an interesting (scary) acquisition. I kinda hope Smith somehow chooses to go to Charlotte or some such. He reps the knuckleheads, but man can he play a little when he's right.

Blake Griffin acted like a bitch for much of the night, and I reveled in him missing his first seven free throws.

I'm a rambling man tonight. It happens.

Tomorrow, my Rebs. Let's run.

Energy

2012-02-12T22:18:00.001-08:00

I may have already posted about this, but I feel like the biggest motivation I have for losing this weight is the potential to feel more energy. I hear people who have lost a lot of weight almost always talk about the increase in energy. Sounds good. I'm constantly tired, and I know it affects my health (cyclical), my mental acuity, and my happiness.

That said, I've got a long week set up, and I'm gonna try to get through it without enough sleep. Mavs Monday and Wednesday, UNLV/TCU Tuesday, lots of work, more workouts, etc.

POR/DAL

2012-02-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

Just some quick thoughts:

-LO looked interested tonight.

-2nd game in a row Roddy B. dnp. Makes me wonder.

-Dirk is still not completely right, but he looks a ton better.

-I listened to the game while there for the first time. Picked up a little portable FM radio on my way. I'm totally that guy now. But, I like it.

-Skin mentioned during the broadcast that he thought Nate McMillan was one of the best coaches in the league. Harp agreed. I disagree. I don't think he's horrible, but he's not good enough to have a job as a HC in the NBA, let alone be the currently 4th longest tenured guy.

-Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas on the same team is fun.

-Speaking of really old dudes, Nate McMillan plays a really short bench. This team will have no chance in the playoffs. Kinda like LAL. I am glad our coach gets it. And, I'm glad we're deep.

-Why the fuck does nobody talk about how allergic JKidd is to layups? I don't get it. I swear he twice today had open layups and passed. If I'm Mark Cuban, I'm offering him an extra 20k for each layup he makes in games. If I'm an opposing coach, I'm pounding it into my guys' heads to close AWAY from him when he drives. Cut off passing lanes and let him go to the basket. He doesn't finish. I've seen him finish one time this year, and my mouth literally dropped open.

-I entered the stupid raffle for a championship ring. Now, I can spend the next couple months imagining what I'm going to do with it and where I'm going to wear it. Because, obviously, I'm going to hit the .003% chance I have of winning it.

-Parlayed NYK and PHX money lines today. Won all my other bets today, too. Seven bets total. I felt unlucky last week when I went 0-8 one night, but I feel genius going 7-0. That's a sure sign of lack of preparation. I will work harder.

-I love my wife.

SMC/Gonzaga

2012-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

I watched part of Syracuse/G'Town and part of Duke/UNC last night. I regret not sticking with Duke/UNC longer, but I had to watch the 5th major sport (The Challenge, which I'm sure I'll post about soon).

Tonight, however, is probably my favorite rivalry in college bball. Saint Mary's and Gonzaga in the WCC. It's late night, it's good crowds, it's good bball, and I like it. In '09, a friend of a friend got me the hookup for the WCC tourney at the Orleans, and it was awesome.

***Spoiler Alert***

Plus, I'm happy because Gonzaga is actually winning tonight, giving SMC their first conference loss of the year. The fact that I actually cheer for one side is another reason I enjoy this rivalry.

Weight Loss

2012-02-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I've got a few bball games on the DVR, but nothing burning my brain to type about, at least enough to do the work necessary for a quality post. I'm looking forward to Daytona, but need to get a clue before I write about NASCAR (btw, this looks like the first year I won't have any fantasy league). All the current football story lines make me roll my eyes. My Red Sox haven't inspired much this offseason. So, I'll go ahead and write about my weight loss, or lack thereof.

In November, I went to the doctor and tipped the scales at 277. That's the heaviest I've been, other than a brief stint in the 280's in 1996, when the weight was considerably more likable. I'm generally healthy, but of course my skinny ass doctor says that won't last if I don't lose weight. And, while this may shock some, I don't really enjoy being a fatty.

So, I downloaded an app called Lose It! and started cutting calories. I found out some cool stuff, like a chicken salad sandwich from 7-11 has more calories than a McRib. I fairly quickly got down beneath 2k cal/day on the majority of days, and 2500 on a pretty big majority. Even my bad days were much better than before, because I was cognizant of what I was doing.

No weight loss.

Ok, let's be realistic. Despite all the thintards belaboring to the contrary, calories are not created equally. It's not simply calories in and calories out. A McRib calorie is not the same as a broccoli calorie. Got it.

Cut out fast food. Cut calories further. Start exercising (duh). Decrease diet soda intake and increase water. Totally cut alcohol and cigarettes.

Clearly, I am in this for the long term. I'm not looking to lose weight and then be unhealthy again. But, this is fucking bullshit. Today, I weighed in at 278 pounds.

I get it, ok. I am not normal. A normal person doesn't want to eat two triple cheeseburgers with a dozen donuts. But, what the fuck? If I've cut/burned an average of just 500 calories a day for the last two months over alternate life old Jim, I should have dropped a minimum of 10 pounds. Unless you're saying that if I had continued in my ways, I would have somehow gained 10 pounds in the last two months.

Ok, I was hoping for some catharsis and renewed sense of dedication, but I've been concentrating on that delicious sounding meal for the last paragraph instead. Fuck it. I'll just keep going.

By the way, I'm going to do the White Rock Marathon on December 2. I'm not going to say that I'm going to run it, because chances are more likely that I won't. But, I'm putting it out there that I am going to enter and finish it somehow.

Super Bowl

2012-02-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

All week, I thought about writing up some notes on the game and some prop bets. But, I just don't care enough. I'll be cheering for the Pats. I think the Giants will win. Don't care.

College Basketball

2012-02-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

I haven't watched nearly the amount of college basketball this year that I have the last few years. I just have limited time, and am spending more and more of that time on the NBA. I still try to catch as much UNLV as I can (including talking Heather into a Valentine's Day trip to Ft. Worth). I'm guessing I'll watch a little more the next few weeks leading up to March Madness, but the game just isn't as interesting to me as it has been in years past. Hit me up on twitter or here with any good takes/info that I should be aware of in the world of college hoops.

Identity

2012-02-02T22:50:00.000-08:00

I remember being in Austin for a weekend when I was a freshman in college. I wasn't drinking or smoking that weekend, and some douchey dude said something that has stuck with me. He mentioned that he had heard the phrase "I quit myself" when referring to not partaking in one's vices, as I was doing. I find this to be true. Heather and I went to a concert tonight, and I didn't have a beer. I didn't have a cigarette. I didn't have a slice of pizza. All three looked good. And, I am pretty sure that I'll have all three again. It's cool to talk about how I'm somehow more than that, but my mental image of myself is someone who drinks, smokes, and eats. Someone who gobbles life. Miller Lite from a can is home.

While I was contemplating this, my twitter timeline blew up with the news of Josh Hamilton's relapse. Not surprised. I think Josh Hamilton has some of the same issues of identity. He sees himself as a drinker and a partier. Because he's famous and has identified himself as an addict, he doesn't have the same leeway to make choices about falling back into his identity. I wish he was allowed to have fun, but he can't. Sometimes, we have to change who we see ourselves to be in order to live the lives we have set up for ourselves.

I won't pretend to know Josh Hamilton's situation. I don't. But, I'm guessing it's a conflict of identity. And, because I understand that from my life, I feel badly for him.

Here's to hoping he figures it out. Cheers.

OKC/DAL

2012-02-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Frustrating game tonight fo sho. Dirk shoots like me, we're already without Kidd, and Lamar and Haywood are out. And, we still almost beat those fuckers. I really like KD, but he's a fucker. And, Westbrook = FUCKER. Perk was one of my faves, but he's a fucker, too. Fuck them.

Guy on the train called them the Thunders. Plural. Awesome.

If everyone knows the more aggressive team usually wins, why would you ever let the other team be more aggressive than you? Fuck. I mean, we were in the bonus with like 5 minutes left in the third, and we kept shooting fadeaways and fucking around. Roddy got to the line, but it was on a foul outside the arc. In five minutes, we didn't fucking drive to the rim once. I know Serge was blocking crazy shots and the refs swallowed their whistles some, but keep fucking going to the hole.

The one good moment was when Carlisle booted the fucking ball. He immediately apologized to the fans. I'm gonna have to watch the replay. Many of us in the building gave him a standing O when he left the court. I fucking love that guy.

Fuck yeah. Later.

Excuses

2012-01-31T22:00:00.001-08:00

I heard Skin Wade say the other day that valid excuses are still excuses. I like that. So, I thought I'd relate some other good quotes.

Bob Dubey used to say that excuses are like assholes. Everyone has one, and they all stink.

Benjamin Franklin apparently said that he who is good at making excuses is rarely good for anything else.

O.J. Simpson said that the day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making any excuses, that's the day you start to the top.

Spurs/Mavs

2012-01-29T20:06:00.001-08:00

Tonight was the most "into" a game I have been this season (obv. late, but even early).

Kawhi Leonard from SDSU starting. Tiago Splitter off the bench. Tim Duncan. What moves would Pop make? How would Dirk look in his first game back? Could LO string two good games together?

First - Kawhi Leonard. He's got the ability to be a star in this league. He'll be slotted to be a role player, but if he really wants it, he's in the perfect situation. I'm a little surprised he's only averaging 5.2 rebounds, but the Spurs have him playing away from the basket mostly. I think as he grows, he'll be able to average double digit rebounds in addition to scoring.

Tiago Splitter is everything I'd been hearing. He's turned a corner this year. I haven't watched much Spurs basketball, but I will be going forward.

I tweeted during the game that if the Spurs are healthy going into the playoffs, they'll be tough. Most of that is Manu. He's ridiculously important to them. Tim Duncan looks good, and Pop is doing a great job of spreading the minutes in this crazy season. Tonight, he sat Duncan, Parker, Blair, and Jefferson for the second half of the fourth and overtime. I'm sure I'll be making a Carlisle post soon, because I think he's ridiculously good and doesn't get enough credit. But, Pop is also a great coach, obviously.

Dirk looked ok tonight. Blair was being very physical, but Dirk still had a little more hop than I've seen him have in a bit. His shot was off all night, and it made him hesitant a few times. That'll come. I think another week off in late March would be good, but I doubt they give it to him.

Speaking of injury, it looks like Kidd'll be out a couple weeks with a calf strain. Good. He needs rest, too. And, jeez, Roddy B seems to be getting it. When I saw him a couple years ago in the Summer League, I was underwhelmed. His quickness was apparent, but he just wasn't a basketball player. Last year, his offense was good, but there was no reason to play him because JJ was providing everything you would want from Roddy. With JET and Carlisle in his ear, he seems to be focusing on D, becoming a blocking fool, and still progressing offensively as well. His PNR play on both ends is exponentially better. This is good.

Speaking of good, my gosh. Both Haywood and Mahinmi are exceeding expectations this year. See what I mean about Carlisle? Even VC is someone I can cheer for the way he's playing. I'd guess it's partly maturation, but I gotta give that credit to Carlisle, too. I was worried losing Dwane Casey and Tim Grgurich, but seems to be ok.

LO, unfortunately, did not look as good as he did on Friday. That's to be expected. He didn't look bad today, just not good. I still believe he'll get it.

On Christmas, I thought I'd just enjoy last year's championship and look forward to seeing what we'd do with flexibility next summer. Now, we're right there with SA, OKC, MEM, DEN, dLAL, and LAC as teams who could take the West (and lose to MIA) if everything falls right. Of course, plenty can happen in the next few months.

Little tourney today.

2012-01-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

I'll be back later with some interesting hands. I'll tweet chip updates. Gonna treat this little home game like a real tourney. Read here, because I'll just update this post.

Ok, the first interesting hand happened early. I got AKhh utg. I will sometimes fold this because of my position. But, I had not been very active. In a way, I'm opening my hand here, but this hand is powerful enough that I'm ok with that. 100/200, I open to 550. Two callers in late middle. Flop T83 two hearts. I bet 825. First caller raises to 2k. Fold. I think about reraising here, but he's never doing this light and is a player who can get stubborn, so I think he's calling a decent amount AND may pay me off when I hit. Turn Jc. I think, then check. He checks. Now I know he only has a pair of tens. River 4d. I think a bluff has about a 70/30 chance, and I'm not willing to risk it. I would clearly be representing an overpair betting for thin value, but I don't think he thinks like that. I check, he shows a ten and takes the pot.

btw, I don't show.

Later, I open in MP with K9cc. Two callers in CO and on button. 200/400, I made it 1050. Flop 622. I think it's so unlikely I have the best hand AND they're calling with all pairs, so I check, planning to fold. They both check. Turn 9. Now, I think there's a pretty good chance I'm ahead. I probably should have bet, but I checked. CO checks, button bets 800. This is not a player who's betting because he's been checked to twice. He thinks he has the best hand. But, I think there's enough of a chance that he's wrong that I call. CO surprisingly calls too. River I bink a 9. I'm clearly value betting here. I bet 4k. Fold, then button tanks. He calls, and had flopped a boat with 66. I think if I had read him better, I would have gone for the all-in. And, I think he would have talked himself into a call. But, maybe not. As it was, this hand put me over 20k for the first time. My opponent couldn't believe how unlucky he was to have had me catch running 99.

400/800, I make it 2100 in LP with 22. Folds to the BB, who thinks, makes it obvious he has a BB hand, then defends. This is a new player. My read on him at this point was that he was a decent player that probably had a good amount of experience but was definitely a feel player. Flop T84. He checks. I bet 3100. He calls fairly quickly. Bad T or good 8. Turn 6. He checks, I check. River 3. He checks, I jam, he insta calls with T3 for a rivered two pair. I "think" he folds all tens. I'm surprised I didn't pick up anything when the 3 hit. But, whatever.

I'm left with 10k. Not good. 12 players left. I get down to 8600. I get Todd to give me 11-1 on $20 to win since I'm short. I immediately shove pre a couple of times (we're at 5/1k now), then shove early with AK. The only shorter stack calls from the SB, AK holds, and I'm back at a decent stack. btw, SB didn't show his hand here. While I vigorously defend the right to not show in a cash game, the rule is you show when there is to be no more action in tourneys. To not do so is rude.

I hover there for awhile, we get to the final table 1o handed. I get seated to Rob and Zach's left, which is nice and frees me up a bit. I was also lucky to not be on the first table with them. We're all three relatively short, not desperate, and chill. Pretty soon, obviously, people start dropping. I feel like this is my best time. I do well here. I'm patient, avoid confrontations, and get lucky enough to have my shoves go through. I do well with my buttons and sb when it's folded to me. I chip up. Rob goes out on a well played pre and flop bluff that the other guy played pretty badly. Todd goes out when he shoves utg and I wake up with A8 on the button (he claims not to have looked, but had AT). I hit tooper. At five, we cut a deal for first to give 50 to 5th, so nobody goes home emptyhanded. I suggested it all come from first, and everyone is cool with it. I'd love to say I did this because I had an extra 220 coming to me for first, but I didn't realize that until later.

The guy I doubled with 22 v. T3, his buddy, Zach, and I play for a good amount of time 4 handed. I don't like this lineup, but again my position is good. I get doubled up on a JJJ69 board with T9 when we check it to the river and I jam/he calls with 77. We grind the second new guy down, Zach goes out, and it's HU between me and Mr. T3. I get a lucky chop with A4 v. AQ, then get a double with A6 when he calls AIPF with JTo. I'm in control. Unfortunately, I make another bad read when he just calls on the button with A9, I jam with KJ, miss, and then he finishes me off when I jam the next hand with Q8 into his AA.

I feel like I played well, again, but missing out on that extra juice hurt. Thanks to Daniel for being such an awesome host again and to Todd for organizing, giving me action, and dealing at the end.

See y'all February 25.

Poker.

2012-01-26T19:17:00.001-08:00

I expect to be writing more about poker than I have over the last week. If you're coming here to read about poker, stay tuned.

Rings.

2012-01-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

I'm breaking my rule tonight. After fighting through work yesterday, I called in sick today. Yet, I'm going to the game tonight. I feel guilty, and will probably leave at halftime, but I'm not going to miss the ring ceremony. I'm just not.

According to the Mavs, Jostens will be at the game tonight, too. They'll be selling an array of championship jewelry. While I can't afford the $40k pricetag on a real ring, I'll probably be tempted by something on that table to commemorate my favorite time in my almost 36 year sports fan history. I think another tattoo, however, might be more savvy.

I know many of you think spending money on anything like this is silly, but the time and money I spend on my season ticket, the league pass, various publications and websites, et cetera is also unjustifiable in your eyes. I'm just different than you.

Being Sick.

2012-01-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

I know the cool thing to say is that "I don't get sick much, so I'm not very good at it when I do."

I myself have said something along those lines before. Except, at this point, I seem to get the crud about 3 or 4 times a year. I take allergy medicine daily, but I still get it. Sore throat turns in to ridiculous drainage and coughing to the point of gagging.

I don't remember when I last had the flu, but whatever this is...I'm not good at it.

Aussie Open

2012-01-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

The big 4 men are through and looking good. Serena is out, but many of the top women also look good. That said, I've got the same complaint as always. Tennis is not appointment television. I watch, but I have no idea when any particular matches are going to be on. Stupid.

KU/UT

2012-01-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

I'm headed down to Austin to watch some college bball. I saw KU play there a few years ago when they won the NC ('07?) and then UConn last year when they won it (and that was a crazy game against UT). I don't think KU can win it all this year, but I give them more of a chance than I did UConn last year. I'll tweet some thoughts.

Have a good weekend.

Philbin for the 'Phins.

2012-01-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

So, Joe Philbin has been hired to be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

From a football perspective, there are some interesting angles there. How responsible is he for the Packers' offense? Is he going to succeed as a first-time head coach? Does this mean the Dolphins get Flynn? et cetera

But, the part that really interests me is that Philbin's son died a couple of weeks ago. Do reporters cross that line and ask? Is it a line? Does the fact that he was 21 make a difference? What are the details surrounding his death? Did this somehow play into the Dolphins' decision making? How? Did it play into Philbin's decision making? How? What's the story with the rest of his family? How do players feel about this? Do they even care?

Roy Firestone always bugged the shit outta me, but I feel like we need an Oprah-type show focused on sports. Someone with enough pull to get people to come on and talk about everything. I'm available.

Only 3 games tonight.

2012-01-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

I guess I should feel bad that there aren't more games, but I kinda like the fact that I can really watch all of the NBA action tonight. Plus, the Mavs are on with no other game on, so I won't be flipping around. Good times.

I'll probably be back later with comments on tonight's actions. And/or, I'll tweet some reactions.

Backup Plan

2012-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

If you're a Mavs fan, you have to root for Orlando to NOT trade Dwight Howard. There is no way we can match an offer that includes Blake Griffin or Andrew Bynum. Or even Brook Lopez. So, you have to hope they play out the line AND then Dwight decides to leave AND Mark Cuban somehow wows him more than LA or the crazy Russian do. So unlikely. Bleh.

And Deron Williams? I don't think he wants to come home to play. And, even if he did, without Dwight, DWill is not the difference.

So, then what's the backup plan? Are we just saving money to have freedom with no specific plan (or multiple possibilities - kinda the same thing)?

I've got some thoughts on this year and my hopes for the next few months, but I really hope Donnie and Mark are prepared to make a huge splash in the offseason.

Belichick

2012-01-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

There was a cool article on grantland today (btw, hard not to love a site where two of my faves - Simmons and Klosterman - write). The article talks about how we should embrace Belichick because he isn't part of the boring, uncreative No Fun League, at least as far as coaching is involved. I agree, almost wholeheartedly. I've always felt that a coach's first job is to make the people around him (or her) better at their jobs. Make coaches better coaches. Make players better players. Secondary to that, they should make the people around them better people. I don't think Belichick is a natural at the second part, but I haven't met the man or even spoken directly to anyone who worked or played for him. He strikes me as being too bitter or self-insulated or something to truly help people. I could be wrong. I'm okay with that.

However, anyone who doubts that he makes the people around them better at their jobs is mistaken. I'm not wrong on this. He understands football in such a way, and is so dedicated to it that anyone in the Patriots organization has to benefit.

Please don't twist the two.

I may go back to this and mention other coaches in relation to this post, but wanted to post this short thought today.

Romo

2012-01-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

The only QB left that I would trade Romo for is Brady. He is not the problem. The defense doesn't suck, but we need a playmaker in the secondary and either another LB or DL that can help the good players we do have.

The Mavs play at the Lakers tonight. I fear Kobe is going to score 60.

I hope the Rangers sign Prince. I think that's great. What I'm really worried about is that the Red Sox are being so quiet.

I went to the chiropractor today. Boom. Fixed. Let me know if you're in Dallas and need a guy.

I went to Choctaw for the first time of the year yesterday. Not good. Room was packed, though, which is cool, I guess.

Ok, today's random thoughts. Hopefully, if I remember to post more often, I'll actually work up to some quality writing.

okey dokey

2011-12-26T22:24:00.000-08:00

I do not like Vince Carter.

I do like Lamar Odom.

I need to become more technologically savvy, but I do not need it enough to act upon that need.

Back?

2011-12-24T00:56:00.000-08:00

I'm a gonna do this some more, maybe.

thejimsheet

2010-09-10T19:45:00.001-07:00

Sup, peeps?

1/30/10 College Basketball

2010-01-30T08:56:00.001-08:00

OU +6.5 @ NU...

MSU -11.5 v. LSU...

St. Louis +8 @ Richmond...

Vandy +9.5 @ UK...

UNM -6.5 @ TCU...

Dayton -4 @ St. Bon....

KU -4.5 @ KSU...

Portland -6 @ Santa Clara...

Portland St. pk @ EWU...

1/27/10 Basketball

2010-01-27T04:42:00.001-08:00

UConn -5 @ Providence... St. Louis +4.5 @ GW... FSU +14 @ Duke... CU -4 v. Neb.... ... LAL -5.5 @ IND... CLE -13 v. MIN... MIL -2.5 v. PHI... ATL +3.5 @ SAS...

1/25/10 Basketball

2010-01-24T22:51:00.000-08:00

Mizzou +12.5 @ KU... ... CLE -1.5 @ MIA... UTA -6.5 v. PHX...

1/23/10 Basketball

2010-01-23T10:25:00.001-08:00

Wichita St. -5 @ Drake... UCLA -2 v. Wazzu... UT -1.5 @ UConn... UNLV -6 @ TCU... Xavier -4.5 v. URI... ... CHA +2 v. ORL... PHI +2.5 @ IND... POR +2.5 @ DET... HOU -6.5 v. CHI...

1/22/10 Basketball

2010-01-22T03:29:00.001-08:00

ORL -10 v. SAC... DAL -3 @ PHI... PHX -6.5 v. CHI... GSW -7.5 v. NJN...

1/20/10 Basketball

2010-01-20T03:50:00.001-08:00

WF +6.5 @ UNC... ... PHX -12.5 v. NJN... GSW +6 v. DEN... LAC -3.5 v. CHI...

1/18/10 Basketball

2010-01-18T04:39:00.000-08:00

Syracuse -4 @ ND...

...

HOU -6.5 v. MIL

1/16/10 Basketball

2010-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Mizzou -3.5 @ OU... Cal +2.5 @ UW... Wichita St. +1 @ Creighton... ASU -5.5 @ OSU... USC -1 @ UCLA...

1/15/10 Basketball

2010-01-15T04:36:00.000-08:00

ATL -4.5 v. PHX

1/14/10 Basketball

2010-01-14T04:08:00.001-08:00

Buffalo -1.5 @ BG... ASU pk @ Oregon... Providence -3.5 @ DePaul... IU +13 @ Mich.... Cal -3.5 @ Wazzu... ... CLE +1 @ UTA...

1/13/10 Basketball

2010-01-13T04:06:00.000-08:00

Neb. +13 v. KU... Mizzou -3.5 @ TTU... UT -8 @ ISU... ... POR -5.5 v. MIL...

1/12/10 Basketball

2010-01-12T04:30:00.001-08:00

TAMU +9 @ KSU

1/10/10 Basketball

2010-01-09T22:58:00.000-08:00

KU -5.5 @ Tenn.... FSU +4.5 @ Mary.... Wright St. -14.5 v. Valpo... ... BOS +1 @ TOR... WAS +1.5 v. NOH... POR +5 v. CLE...

1/9/10 NFL

2010-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

NYJ +3 @ CIN

DAL -4 v. PHI

NEP -3.5 v. BAL

1/9/10 Basketball

2010-01-09T11:48:00.000-08:00

Baylor -6.5 v. OU... WV -3.5 @ ND... USC +9.5 @ Cal... ... MEM +6 @ CHA... PHI +5 @ DET... DEN +2 @ SAC...

1/8/10 Basketball

2010-01-08T04:25:00.001-08:00

BOS +3 @ ATL... NOH -10 v. NJN... POR +3 v. LAL...

1/6/10 Basketball

2010-01-06T03:55:00.000-08:00

USC pk @ Stanford... ... OKC -4.5 v. NOH... SAS -9 v. DET...

1/5/10 Basketball

2010-01-05T03:18:00.001-08:00

CHA -6.5 v. CHI... MIL -1.5 @ NJN

1/3/10 NFL

2010-01-01T23:29:00.001-08:00

TEN -4 @ SEA...

PIT -3 @ MIA...

SF -7 @ STL...

1/2/10 Basketball

2010-01-01T23:28:00.000-08:00

ODU pk @ GM... Marquette +1 v. 'nova... St. Louis +1 @ BG... Cal -13 v. Stanford... Cincy -4.5 @ Rutgers... Temple +6.5 v. KU... Wisc.-GB +2.5 @ Valpo... UAB -4 @ Ark.... ... OKC +1 @ MIL...

1/1/10 Basketball

2010-01-01T01:01:00.001-08:00

ORL -8.5 @ MIN

12/31/09 Basketball

2009-12-30T22:52:00.000-08:00

ASU -1.5 @ UCLA... MSU -7.5 @ USD... USC -9.5 v. Arizona...

12/30/09 Basketball

2009-12-30T03:36:00.001-08:00

W&M +12 @ Maryland... Temple -14.5 @ NIU... Baylor -3.5 v. Ark.... Akron pk @ Wyoming... N. Colo. +3 @ TCU... ... TOR -5.5 v. CHA... POR -7.5 v. LAC...

12/29/09 Basketball

2009-12-29T11:43:00.001-08:00

LBS +25 @ Duke... Marquette +12 @ WV... ... OKC -1 @ WAS... IND +7 @ CHI...

12/28/09 Basketball

2009-12-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

Marshall -2 @ Troy... AFA +13 @ Niagara... ... CHA -4.5 v. MIL... OKC -6 @ NJN... MEM -6 v. WAS... POR -7 v. PHI... BOS -6 @ GSW...

12/26/09 Basketball

2009-12-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

HOU -8.5 @ NJN... WAS -3 @ MIN... OKC -6 v. CHA... LAL -6 @ SAC...

12/25/09 Basketball

2009-12-25T00:39:00.000-08:00

MIA +2.5 @ NYK...

BOS +5.5 @ ORL...

12/23/09 Basketball

2009-12-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

Fresno St. +5.5 @ Oregon St.... Mizzou pk v. Illini... Utah -5.5 @ Pepperdine... NC St. +4.5 @ Arizona... ... MIN +4 @ NJN... POR +11 @ SAS...

12/22/09 Basketball

2009-12-22T07:43:00.000-08:00

Missouri St. -1 @ Ark.... SDSU -8 @ Drake... UNLV -10 v. SMU... ... ATL -8.5 @ MIN... MEM -7.5 v. GSW...

Da Bowls

2009-12-19T09:35:00.001-08:00

Here are my picks. For my convoluted reasoning, checkout thejimshow on Big Stack Radio.

Fresno St. -10.5 v. Wyoming...
Rutgers -2.5 v. UCF...

I’ll be back with the rest tomorrow.

Sunday edit: ok, just today's...

USM -3.5 v. MTSU

Tuesday edit; ok, finally back with the rest. Oregon St. -2.5 v. BYU Utah +3.5 v. Cal Nevada -15 v. SMU Marshall +2.5 v. Ohio UNC +2.5 v. Pitt USC -9 v. BC Clemson -7.5 v. UK UGa. -7 v. TAMU Temple +4 v. UCLA Wisconsin +3.5 v. Miami BG -2 v. Idaho Nebraska +1.5 v. Arizona UH -9.5 v. AFA Stanford +8 v. OU Mizzou -6.5 v. Navy ISU +2.5 v. Minn. Tenn. +4.5 v. VT Auburn -7 v. NW LSU +2.5 v. PSU WV -2.5 v. FSU Oregon -3.5 v. OSU Cincy +11 v. UF USF -7 v. NIU UConn +4.5 v. USC Ole Miss -3 v. OSU Ark. -7.5 v. ECU TTU -8 v. MSU TCU -7 v. BSU Iowa +4 v. GT Troy +3 v. CMU 'Bama -5 v. UT

12/19/09 Basketball

2009-12-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

VCU -4.5 @ Tulane... UT -7 v. UNC... MSU -3.5 @ UH... Iowa -5.5 v. Drake... Portland +9.5 @ UW... ... ATL -4.5 @ CHI... MIL -6.5 v. SAC...

12/20/09 Basketball

2009-12-18T00:00:00.001-08:00

DEN +1 @ NOH...

WAS +2.5 @ GS...

12/20/09 NFL

2009-12-17T23:59:00.000-08:00

I may add more later, but for now just one more:

KC -1 v. CLE

12/17/09 NFL

2009-12-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

IND -3 @ JAX

12/16/09 Basketball

2009-12-16T08:46:00.001-08:00

UAB +1.5 v. Cincy... Ohio -2 v. Ill. St.... Oreg. St. -2 @ Ill.-Chi.... ... ATL -9.5 v. MEM...

12/15/09 Basketball

2009-12-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

USM -8.5 v. ULL... Murray St. +3 @ LT... St. Mary's -14.5 v. Portland St.... ... LAL -9.5 @ CHI...

12/14/09 Basketball

2009-12-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

GT -15 @ UTC... ... PHI -3.5 v. GS ... UTA -13 v. MIN...

12/13/09 Basketball

2009-12-13T00:07:00.001-08:00

USF -13 v. CMU... ... HOU -1.5 @ TOR...

12/13/09 NFL

2009-12-12T23:46:00.001-08:00

I should be picking the whole slate in an attempt to get some W's, but I don't see anything I really like. Ok, wait. Yes, I do, but only one. I love it, which means you should go oppo.

PHI -1 @ NYG

12/12/09 Basketball

2009-12-12T00:45:00.001-08:00

G'Town -1.5 v. UW... OU +1.5 @ Utah... BYU -6.5 @ Fresno St.... St. Mary's -1 @ Oregon... N. Colo. pk @ Wyo.... ... IND +8 @ WAS... SAC -7.5 v. MIN...

12/11/09 Basketball

2009-12-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

ODU +3.5 @ Dayton... Vandy -11.5 v. WKU... USC -12 v. Idaho St.... ... HOU -2.5 @ PHI... POR +10 @ CLE... OKC +2 @ MEM...

12/09/09 Basketball

2009-12-09T13:57:00.001-08:00

UNM -5 @ USD... ... DET +3.5 @ PHI... CLE -3 @ HOU...

12/07/09 Basketball

2009-12-07T00:03:00.001-08:00

UTA -2 v. SAS

12/04/09 weekend football.

2009-12-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

Cincy -1.5 @ Pitt...

UH -2.5 @ ECU...

UF -5.5 @ 'Bama...

PHI -5.5 @ ATL...

SD -13 @ CLE...

MIN -3 v. ARI...

DAL -2 @ NYG...

NE -4 @ MIA...

12/04/09 Basketball

2009-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

Manhattan +13.5 @ Niagara
Iona -8 v. St. Pete’s
Loyola MD +1 @ Canisius

MIL +2.5 @ DET
NOH -9.5 v. MIN
NJN +3.5 v. CHA
UT -8 v. IND

12/03/09 Basketball

2009-12-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

UW -1 @ TTU... USC +21 @ UT... Tenn.-Martin +4 v. Morehead... BOS +1.5 @ SAS... HOU -2.5 @ GSW

12/02/09 Basketball

2009-12-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

St. Louis +3 @ UGa. BC +5 @ UM Ok. St. -1 @ Tulsa FSU +7 @ OSU SAC -1.5 v. IND HOU -2 @ LAC

12/01/09 Basketball

2009-12-01T10:53:00.001-08:00

Prov. +1.5 @ NE Maryland -5 @ IU UTEP -3.5 @ NMSU MSU +2 @ UNC VT -2.5 @ Iowa Pacific +3 @ Fresno St. CSU +6.5 @ N. Colo. WAS +6.5 @ TOR PHX -11 @ NYK GSW +14 @ DEN

11/30/09 Basketball

2009-11-29T23:31:00.001-08:00

UVa. -5.5 v. PSU
St. Joe’s +1 @ Rider

11/29/09 Basketball

2009-11-29T00:12:00.001-08:00

ORL -6.5 @ NYK Ark. St. +2 v. Ind. St. Neb. +4 @ USC UNR +16 @ UNC

11/28/09 Basketball

2009-11-28T01:44:00.001-08:00

After a day off from basketball...still no NBA picks. And, way too many college picks. Wichita St. +3 @ Cle. St. GW -7 v. Oregon St. UNLV +3 v. L'ville San Jose St. -2.5 v. Pacific Missouri St. +5.5 v. Tulsa Boise St. -1.5 v. UNT AP -4 v. Drake

11/27/09 weekend football.

2009-11-26T21:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, the Giants looked bad. Wow, I'm picking a bunch of college games.

Rutgers -3 @ L'ville

Temple -2.5 @ Ohio

Illini +21 @ Cincy

Boise -13.5 v. UNR

Clemson -3 @ USC

UNC -5.5 @ NC St.

UTEP -1.5 v. Marshall

Ok. St. +8 @ OU

Utah +7.5 @ BYU

BC -6 @ Maryland

TEN -3 v. ARI

NE +2 @ NO

11/26/09 Football

2009-11-25T23:45:00.000-08:00

I'll be back tomorrow with the weekend picks. Today, just one.

NYG -6 @ DEN

11/26/09 Basketball

2009-11-25T23:44:00.000-08:00

Minnesota +3 @ Butler

11/25/09 Basketball

2009-11-24T23:20:00.000-08:00

Kent St. +8 @ USF
ASU +9 v. Duke
USD +9 v. OU

TOR +2.5 @ CHA
CLE -5 @ DET
MIL +4 @ NOH

Here’s to hoping for a good start.

11/20

2009-11-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Purdue -3 @ IU................

UNC +3.5 @ BC.................

Temple -10.5 v. Kent........

Arkansas -11 v. MSU.........

PSU -3 @ MSU................

SMU +3.5 @ Marshall............

UT -27.5 v. KU....................

Miami -18.5 v. Duke..........

TEN +4.5 @ HOU.............

PHI -3 @ CHI....................

NE -10.5 v. NYJ...............

ARI -9 @ STL...................

NOS -11 @ TB...................

GB -6.5 v. SF....................

BAL +2 v. IND...................

PIT -10 @ KC....................

11/15

2009-11-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

DEN -3.5 @ WAS

ATL -1.5 @ CAR

KC +2 @ OAK

11/7

2009-11-07T04:28:00.001-08:00

UH -1.5 @ Tulsa

Wisconsin -10.5 @ IU

UCLA -5 v. UW

BAL -3 @ CIN

GB -9.5 @ TB

PIT -2.5 @ DEN

11/2

2009-11-02T10:06:00.001-08:00

I'm not a big fan of adding games, but I've come around on this one:

NO -11.5 v. ATL

10/30

2009-10-30T23:01:00.001-07:00

Not many games I like this weekend.

BC -5.5 v. CMU

Arkansas -36.5 v. EMU

JAX +3 @ TEN

10/22

2009-10-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

Picking early this week. A lot of games. Probably too many. We'll see.

...............................................................

MTSU -18 v. WKU.............................

TCU -2.5 @ BYU................................

CU +4.5 @ K. St..................................

OU -7.5 @ KU.....................................

EMU +3 v. Ball St...............................

Ohio -9.5 v. Kent St............................

Duke -5 v. Maryland...........................

Syracuse -10 v. Akron........................

GB -7 @ CLE........................................

IND -13 @ STL....................................

NE -14 @ TB.........................................

NO -6.5 @ MIA.....................................

SD -4 @ KC............................................

10/16

2009-10-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

I'm already hitting .500 this week! :).......

VT -3 @ GT........................

Utah -16.5 @ UNLV..........

Miss. St. -4.5 @ MTSU......

KC +6.5 @ WAS...................

PHI -14 @ OAK..................

NYJ -9.5 v. BUF...............

10/14

2009-10-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

I'll be back in a couple days with my weekend picks, but wanted to let you in on:.....

Boise St. -9 @ Tulsa...............

Cincy -1.5 @ USF

10/8

2009-10-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

Nebraska -3.5 @ Mizzou...............

VT -13.5 v. BC................................

'Bama -5 @ Miss............................

USM -1.5 @ Louisville..................

Hawaii +10 v. Fresno....................

Temple -13.5 v. Ball St.................

MIN -10 @ STL............................

CAR -3 v. WAS..............................

CLE +6 @ BUF..............................

NE -3 @ DEN.................................

10/2

2009-10-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

Lots of favorites this week.........

ISU -2.5 v. KSU......................

UNR - 4.5 v. UNLV................

CSU -3.5 @ Idaho..................

OU -7.5 @ Miami...................

Army -6 v. Tulane.................

HOU -8.5 v. OAK...................

CHI -10 v. DET......................

MIA +2.5 v. BUF....................

SF -9.5 v. STL.........................

9/25

2009-09-25T02:14:00.000-07:00

Ohio State -14 v. Illinois.....

LSU -12.5 @ Miss. St..........

FSU -13.5 v. USF.................

HOU -3.5 v. JAX..................

NYG -6.5 @ TB....................

DET +6 v. WAS....................

CHI -1 v. SEA.......................

9/19

2009-09-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

Clemson -6.5 v. BC

Syracuse +7.5 v. NW

USM -14 v. UVa.

UCLA -12 v. K. St.

SEA +1 @ SF

GB -9.5 v. CIN

CLE +3 @ DEN

IND -3 @ MIA

9/17

2009-09-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

GT +5.5 @ UMiami