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Avery Johnson led the Dallas Mavericks to 60 wins this season, tied for the highest most in franchise history, and the defense improved to a franchise low 93.1 PPG. For these accomplishments, a panel of 124 sports writers and broadcasters deemed Johnson the best coach of the ‘05-‘06 season. Johnson received 63 first place votes followed by Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni with 27 first-place votes. Johnson has been a like-able personality since his playing days with the San Antonio Spurs, which probably swayed some of the voters. Hopefully Johnson will continue to have a good career as a coach, but don’t think too much of the award as previous winners have been coaches with dubious careers such as: Don Chaney and Doc Rivers.
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The Tuesday Interview will appear, well, every Tuesday. I will ask as many questions as I can get away with to various people who work in sports in various capacities. Since I just thought of this idea last week, I don’t have anyone slated to appear in this week’s edition. And since I’ve already started rolling out my regular weekly features (check out yesterday’s Just Another Metric Monday), I’ve decided to do the whole EGO thing and interview myself. I promise you, it’ll be a waste of your time to read. But, since I know curiosity is a powerful thing, you’ll probably read this now, anyway. Don’t blame me if this week’s self-interview blows… I warned you.
DENNIS: So, how did you get into sports?
ME: Back in the late 70’s, Reggie Jackson had his own candy bar, which I remember being exactly like a Baby Ruth (yeah, go figure) candy bar. Since I was a fat kid and loved the Reggie Bar, I thought I may as well watch the player I was eating. So, I did and thus started my Yankees love as a six-year-old kid.
DENNIS: So, it was peanuts dipped in caramel and covered in chocolate that introduced you to sports?
ME: Ironic, isn’t it?
DENNIS:Actually, I was thinking more pathetic, but whatever… so, what makes you an authority to write about sports?
ME: Umm… hmm. I’m stumped.
DENNIS: Oh, geez.
ME: Okay, well, I do have a fantasy basketball column on SI.com. Of course with the fantasy basketball season over, my run there is over as well.
DENNIS: How in the heck did you get that gig?
ME: Uhm… hmm. I’m stumped.
DENNIS: Okay, nevermind. For the sake of NOT shamelessly plugging yourself, what do you have planned with Endscore?
ME: Well, a lot of things, actually. IF Andru, the master surpreme overlord here at Endscore, let’s me, that is. I plan on having some weekly features such as the aforementioned sabermetric propoganda, this interview feature (NOTE: Next week, I’ll have an interview with a MLB scout up for all of you Endscore readers), my take on sports for the week, and a fantasy sports column amongst other things.
DENNIS: How patient do you think the readers have been thus far in this display of ego, schizophrenia, boredom, and form of playing with one’s self?
ME: Very patient.
DENNIS: Okay, let’s have mercy on them and end this off with the Lipton Questions.
ME: Okay, sure. But isn’t that kind of UN-original?
DENNIS: Hey, it’s a new feature, I’m working out the kinks. Amuse me.
ME: Don’t you mean amuse ME?
DENNIS: Stop right there. THAT gag would have been UN-funny.
ME: Touche.
DENNIS: Okay, the Lipton Questions. What puts a smile on your face?
ME: Well, several things and I’ll get the sentimental stuff out of the way - my wife sleeping peacefully, my son doing anything with pure unadulterated joy on his face, Albert Pujols batting, a positive bank statement, and people tripping.
DENNIS: What is your worst sports moment?
ME: Anytime the New York Jets draft. I’m not saying I can do any better, but they are absolutely HORRIBLE.
DENNIS: What is your favorite curse word?
ME: “F@!$%&*K” because it’s so versatile. As in - “Can you F@!$%&*K’in believe this F@!$%&*K? He’s actually F@!$%&*K’in interviewing his F@!$%&*K’in self. F@!$%&*K’in F@!$%&*K.
DENNIS: Anything else you’d like to say to the two people reading this post?
ME: Hi mom and dad!
DENNIS: Thank you for your time.
Next week, I’ll have an actual “guest,” who will be tons more enlightening than me. So, keep coming back!
Nomar Garciaparra helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the game in the ninth inning with a grand slam against Houston Astros closer Brad Lidge. This was Nomar’s second game played this season after coming off the disabled list. We will keep an eye out for closer Brad Lidge and make sure this blown save doesn’t shake his confidence. Lidge famously blew a save in last year’s NLCS by serving up a homer to Albert Pujols against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hopefully for Astro fans, Lidge doesn’t succumb to the dreaded Mark Wolhers disease. Wohlers is a former Atlanta Braves closer who gave up a dramatic homer in the late innings versus the New York Yankees in the 1996 World Series, and he wasn’t never the same player after that.
If you walk Barry Bonds, this guy will make you pay. Moises Alou has that crazy look in his eye in the on-deck circle and in the batters box. Bonds continues to instill fear into opposing managers (even if the pitchers might not agree), and will keep giving the sign for the intentional walk. Alou still has some pop left in his bat even at the age of 39. Not only is Alou great at throwing a temper tantrum at Steve Bartman, but Alou can also knock in RBI’s. I still have questions about the San Fransisco Giants outfield defense, but if Alou continues to give good protection in the fifth spot, the Giants should be in the race come October.
Just Another Metric Monday: On Base Percentage (OBP)
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, MLB,
A few years ago, Michael Lewis’ Moneyball became one of the most talked about books about baseball and seemed to divide the way people in baseball looked at players into two factions. On one side, you had the old school scouts who looked at physical attributes, broken down into the golden five tools - hit for average, hit for power, running speed, arm strength, and fielding ability.
On the other side, you have the statheads AKA sabermetricians. I must say that I put myself in this group, although I personally do not assess players strictly on numbers. I like to look at things such as movement on a pitcher’s fastball, the angle or a batter’s swing, and other physical tools outside of the basic five tools listed above.
That all said, I’d like to spread the word of sabermetrics and provide the readers of Endscore a glossary of terms and concepts used by us statheads when looking at the numbers. Each Monday, I’ll provide a definition to a sabermetric term or two and hopefully allay any fear of all those acronyms and formulas to the casual baseball fan.
For the first edition of It’s Just Another Metric Monday, I’ll take a look at the concept made popular by Lewis’ Moneyball - On Base Percentage (OBP). On Base Percentage is basically the percentage of time a batter gets… well… on base. Batting Average (BA) gives you the percentage of time a batter reaches base safely by getting a hit. On Base Percentage adds into the formula the number walks or bases on balls (BB) and hit by pitch(es)(HBP) in addition to the normal BA formula.
So, here’s the OBP formula: Hits+BB+HBP/At Bats+BB+HBP+SF (Sacrafice Fly).
Why is this stat so important? Well, it’s a better indicator to the potential of a batter getting on base and scoring a run, which we all know, is the ultimate stat in determining who wins a game – score more than the other team and you win! So, ideally, teams will want to get as many people to reach base safely.
Here’s a strict hypothetical. Ichiro Suzuki and Adam Dunn both step up to the plate 650 times. Ichiro gets 200 hits and 50 walks while Dunn gets 170 hits and 120 walks. Neither gets hit by a pitch and for the sake of this argument, neither have a sacrifice fly eitehr. Since most people readily recognize batting average, let’s look at them – Ichiro is hitting .308, while Dunn is hitting .257. Obviously, Ichiro’s average looks a lot better. But, now let’s check their OBP. Ichiro has a .357 OBP and therefore a 35.7% chance of reaching base safely and potentially scoring a run. Dunn has a .376 OBP and therefore a 37.6% chance of reaching base safely and potentially scoring a run. That’s a significant increase in percentage for Dunn when you add in the walks.
So, if someone asks you if you’d rather have the .308 BA hitter or the .257 BA hitter, remember the answer isn’t always so cut and dry.
Next week, I’ll tackle the new stat darling – OPS, which is On Base Percentage (defined above) Plus Slugging Percentage (which I’ll define next time as well to give you an overall understanding). Catch you all next week… I am now taking off my SABR hat.
Jordan All-American Classic Features the Top High School Players
Posted by Jeff Chan Categories: Athletes, NBA, NCAA, College Basketball,
The Jordan All-American Classic took place this past Saturday in Madison Square Garden, the yearly event features the top high school basketball players in the nation. In years past, the event has included future and current stars such as Amare Stoudemire, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and others. I was able to attend both this years event as well as last year’s. Last year, I had a sneak peak at Pittsburgh’s Levance Fields, and 2005 draft picks Martell Webster, Andrew Bynum, Monta Ellis, Louis Williams and Andray Blatche. This year I didn’t pay as much attention after knowing it was just going to be an exhibition game with no defense. On the positive side, I was able to get into the VIP room and get an up-close look at Michael Jordan himself, Vince Carter, Danny Granger, Al Harrington and football DT Warren Sapp. I got to tell Al Harrington to avoid the aggravation and not to bother signing with the New York Knicks as he heads to free agency this summer.
Currently at Duke University’s bookstore, Lacrosse apparel is still being sold. Duke spokesman, Keith Lawrence realizes whether the merchandise is pulled from the shelves or continued to be displayed, they would be criticized either way. One retailer who caved into the pressure was Dick’s Sporting Good store, who pulled it’s merchandise after receiving complaints from customers. There are some who will continue to support the team and others that still have a vested interest in the #1 ranked women’s team. Hopefully there aren’t too many idiots on campus, wearing Lacrosse gear just to grab attention to themselves.
Read More | Darren Rovell
2005-2006 NBA Playoffs – Denver Nuggets (44-38) @ Los Angeles Clippers (47-35), Game One
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, NBA, Playoffs,
What the Nuggets Need to Do to Win: There is no question here… Carmelo Anthony will need to step his game up even more in the playoffs if he wants the respect he craves. I don’t think there will be anyone on the Clippers that will be able to stop Anthony from scoring a ton, but that won’t be enough for the Nuggets. Andre Miller needs to penetrate, pass, and steal the pill the way we all know he can do. Marcus Camby will need to establish a defensive presence and swat any shots within the vicinity of the paint and nullify Chris Kaman as a rebounding and scoring force in the box for the Clippers. Greg Buckner needs to continue to do all the small things that add up. Ruben Patterson needs to do his thing and get his name called out a lot by the announcer for making buckets. And, getting a Kenyon Martin sighting will be gravy on the meat.
What the Clippers Need to Do to Win: Dump it in to Elton Brand all day and wear down Camby, Elson, and whomever else they want to try to defend Brand and Kaman. Sam Cassell will need to be on his game and not get lax on Miller. Cuttino Mobley needs to be a perimeter threat, a three-ball threat even, in order for the perimeter defenders not to double down when Brand or Kaman have the ball. The Clippers haven’t won a playoff series and if this band of players can do that, it will go a long way in establishing the Clippers as a legitimate team.
My Prediction: Clippers 95, Nuggets 80; Brand shows off down in the post, Mobley hits five three-pointers, Anthony doesn’t do so well, and Shaun Livingston just plain puts on a show in garbage time.
2005-2006 NBA Playoffs – Sacramento Kings (44-38) @ San Antonio Spurs (63-19), Game One
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, NBA, Playoffs,
What the Kings Need to Do to Win: The Kings need to establish themselves early in the game and maintain the pace that they want to play and never allow the Spurs to get into their game and control the tempo. The interior defense of Kenny Thomas, Brad Milller, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim will need to bear down on Tim Duncan and Nazr Mohammed. Mike Bibby and Bonzi Wells will need to wear out Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili by making them defend hard and not have as much energy on the offensive side. And, of course, the biggest difference-maker for the Kings, Ron Artest will need to step up his game and dominate the way he can – whether it’s through his on-ball defense, post-up offense, or the perimeter, Artest will need to control this game, especially down the stretch in order for the Kings to pull an upset in San Antonio.
What the Spurs Need to Do to Win: Even though the Kings are the eighth seed, they really came on after Artest came over from the Pacers. However, they’ll need to get going from the jump ball and not give the upstart Kings any hope of winning the game because the Kings new tenacity on defense and the bullishness of Artest can and has really brought them a long way. Parker and Ginobili will need to penetrate into the paint and either take it to the rack or pass it off, converting for the score and keep the Sacramento guards off-balance and not get set into their offense. It seems as if Duncan was sleeping all year; he’ll need to wake up and begin to dominate the way he used to. Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry will have to keep the Spurs in the game when the stars get some blow. If Mohammed can be a presence, all the better for Duncan to establish his game.
My Prediction: Kings 87, Spurs 84; I believe the Kings will pull an upset win, thanks to a late-game steal by Francisco Garcia that the Spurs never recover from.
2005-2006 NBA Playoffs – Washington Wizards (42-40) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32), Game One
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, NBA, Playoffs,
What the Wizards Need to Do to Win: They’re going to have to be doing a lot of praying that LeBron James decides not to play. But, considering this is James’ first NBA playoffs, I doubt that will happen. The Wizards need to take the ball out of James’ hands as he is an incredible creator for either himself or his teammates to score. Caron Butler would be the most capable player in trying to do this for the Wizards, but it won’t matter much as I expect this to be a high scoring affair. The trio of Butler, Gilbert Arenas, and Antawn Jamison should get their points in, but it won’t be enough to simply outgun and outscore the Cavs as they have some offensive weapons not named James as well. The Wizards cannot forget about the role players on the Cavs.
What the Cavaliers Need to Do to Win: James will need to lead his team as he has all season and try not to succumb to the pressure of having to put forth a great game because of being the Chosen One. It’ll be a tough thing to do all things considered – James is from Cleveland, the game is being played in Cleveland, this is the first time the Cavs have made the playoffs in a long time, and the NBA offices really want James to succeed and take over that mantle Jordan left behind. In any case, Zyrunas Ilgauskus will need to establish an offensive presence down in the box and help execute the half-court offense, as well as rebound and block shots. Larry Hughes will need to play like he didn’t miss a significant amount of time during the regular season and defensively help lock down Arenas, which will be hard to do, but worth the effort to try. Flip Murray needs to make us continue to say, “How did he get 14 points?” at the end of the game and Eric Snow should be a calming force and help the inexperienced Cavs when things don’t go their way during the game.
My Prediction: Cavaliers 111, Wizards 106; Both Arenas and James score close to 40 points each, but it will be the play of Hughes against his former team that will be the difference.
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