|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| The Recliner GM Sports Blog |
| The Recliner GM Sports Blog - where you get basketball, baseball and football insights, predictions, wild speculation and idle conjecture from two Philadelphia guys who probably know less than you. |
| Language: English |
| RSS Feeds for this Blog |
|
Statistics |
| Unique Visitors: 98 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 899108 |
| Visitors Out: 534 |
| Total Visitors Out: 534 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| Joe Blanton to the Phillies! Phillies fans react with negativity! |
| 2008-07-17 23:16:42 |
I think this is a very good move by the Phillies. I got about 5 texts from excited friends that loved this move. I figured everyone had to love this move. Then I turn on Radio-950 to try to find out who the other 2 prospects were and I’m greeted with the host saying “I think [...]...
|
| |
|
| The Andre Iguodala Contract Situation |
| 2008-07-17 19:01:44 |
What's taking so long to sign Andre Iguodala? His take...
I'm sure everyone wants to know what's going on with my contract situation. Everything is kinda in slow motion right now, which is for the most part normal for all restricted free agents. Teams come in and out of play each day and my agent and I are taking our time to see how things develop with the Sixers and around the league. The Elton Brand deal was huge and I feel he will be a huge addition. The opportunity to play with a dominant low post player still in his prime will be exciting. - Iguodala9.com...
|
| |
|
| Phillies Rumors: Phils Turning Attention to Blanton |
| 2008-07-17 08:44:25 |
Clearly Pat Gillick has been a frequent visitor to ReclinerGM and saw that the public didn't think that A.J. Burnett was a very good idea. In response, he has turned his attention to a different target, A's pitcher Joe Blanton.
According to ESPN.com, talks on Blanton have "accelerated," possibly by the realization that Adam Eaton, as mentioned in the Phillies mid-season review, is literally the WORST starting pitcher in baseball....
|
| |
|
| Samuel Dalembert Dropped from Canadian National Team |
| 2008-07-16 15:04:47 |
Here is a bit of Sixers-related news…
Samuel Dalembert has apparently been booted from the Canadian National Team.
Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert was released from the team after Tuesday’s defeat to Slovenia.
“Without going into too much detail, it’s a situation that we decided to move forward with the players who have the passion and desire to [...]...
|
| |
|
| Phillies Mid-Season Review |
| 2008-07-15 14:50:40 |
Last year, at this point in the season, the Phillies were 48-48. This year, they are 52-44 and sitting in first place. So why is it that I, and many other Phillies fans, feel almost the same as we did at this point last year? There might be a four-game difference, but this team is still inconsistent, occasionally maddening and not entirely playing up to its potential. At its current pace, the Phils are on course to win, you guessed it, 88 games. If you are keeping track at home, the last 7 Phillies seasons have yielded the following win totals: 89, 85, 88, 86, 86, 80 and 86. Hooray, mediocrity!
The Phillies showed signs early of breaking that trend, and doing what the Cubs, Red Sox and Angels are doing this year, and consistently winning. But then, in typical Philadelphia fashion, they spectacularly crashed down to earth, losing 6 straight series, and hitting so poorly that despite their May tear, they currently sit 18th in the MLB in BA (.257).
The bright side is...
|
| |
|
| Who Will the Sixers’ Sharpshooter Be? |
| 2008-07-13 12:43:59 |
We need 5 more players (2 active) to fill out the rest of the roster. Most importantly, everyone agrees we need to bring in a shooter to create the well-rounded team needed to compete for a championship. Preferably a guy that can both shoot the three and maintain the defensive level we all expect. The problem: the 76ers have no more cap flexibility (2008 cap is $58.68M and the luxury tax threshold is $71.150M). To my understanding all the Sixers have in terms of exceptions or flexibility is the veterans minimum, which this season tops out at $1,262,275 for a player with 10+ years experience and decreases based on tenure in the league.
Potential Shooters for the Sixers...
|
| |
|
| Phillies Rumors: A.J. Burnett Deal In The Works? |
| 2008-07-10 20:59:34 |
CNNSI.com is reporting that the Phillies and Blue Jays are discussing an A.J. Burnett deal…
NEW YORK — Desperately looking to upgrade their rotation, the Phillies are talking to the Blue Jays about right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett.
It isn’t known how far talks have progressed, but top Blue Jays executive Tony LaCava was spotted this week watching [...]...
|
| |
|
| Phillies Rumors: Pitcher In? Burrell Out? Happ Gone? |
| 2008-07-10 14:17:45 |
Lots of Phillies new to talk about today. First of all, if you listen to sports talk radio, you'll hear the people on air talk about how the Phillies didn't make enough of an effort to get Sabathia. They are being the same old Phillies, blah, blah, blah. Of course, these guys have exclusive access to the phone calls between the GMs, so there's no way it could have gone any different! However, if they did their research, they would know that the Indians wanted to Major League ready impact bat as part of the deal, and we don't have one in our system. On the good side, it looks like they went hard after him, and will continue to pursue a top starter....
|
| |
|
| How Good Will the Sixers be with Elton Brand? |
| 2008-07-09 21:54:54 |
Guys to keep the great conversation going while I research and write some other Sixers posts I figured I share this Elton Brand related link. Followed by a survey question.
How Good Will the Sixers be with Elton Brand Next Season?
The guys over at Accuscore put their vast statistical analysis tools to work to answer that exact question. Basically they estimate with the addition of Brand how the Sixers will fair against the top 4 teams in the Eastern Conference. While I don't really agree with everything that say in their analysis the data is quite interesting....
|
| |
|
| Quick Analysis: Sixers Get Elton Brand |
| 2008-07-09 21:52:58 |
It didn't really sink in until I saw him sitting at the Press Conference with a Sixers logo on his name tag: Elton Brand is a Sixer. A couple days ago, this seemed like an impossibility. Word was that Brand had told the Clippers he would take a pay-cut to allow them to sign, and team him up with, Baron Davis. His other offer, also in California, was for far more money than we could give him. Whether he stayed home, or took the money, we weren't an option. Yet, there he sat today, next to Ed Stefanski, looking positively menacing in his black suit. It's easy to see why many Sixers fans spent the day in delighted shock, something we haven't felt since we acquired Dikembe Mutumbo in 2001.
Not much hasn't been said about this deal in the comments section of our post below, but here are my thoughts as I know how to put them best, in bullet-point form....
|
| |
|
| 76ers Rumors: Elton Brand Agrees to go to the Sixers |
| 2008-07-08 20:17:38 |
Elton Brand agrees to go to the 76ers
Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement to sign a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to an NBA source who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on player movements. The deal is believed to be in the $80-million range and expected to span five years. - LA Times
Thanks Joe for posting this link in the comments!...
|
| |
|
| 76ers Rumors: Sixers Making a Strong Push for Elton Brand |
| 2008-07-08 10:46:31 |
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com on Monday night that the Philadelphia 76ers are again “actively involved” in the Brand hunt — and a very serious threat to tempt him away from L.A.
Sources say that the Sixers are growing increasingly confident in their ability to create additional salary-cap space by finding a new home via trade [...]...
|
| |
|
| 76ers Rumors: Add Nenad Krstic to the Sixers Free Agent List |
| 2008-07-06 16:24:07 |
The others on the Sixers’ radar, include Los Angeles Clippers’ unrestricted free agent Corey Maggette and two restricted free agents, Golden State’s Andris Biedrins and New Jersey’s Nenad Krstic. - Philly.com
Yet another name is now popping up on the Sixers free agent radar. I think this will continue to happen as the chances we [...]...
|
| |
|
|
| Is Curt Schilling a Hall of Famer? |
| 2008-07-03 14:49:42 |
Since the news of Curt Schilling's likely career-ending injury, many have speculated as to whether he has the credentials to make it to Cooperstown. Since he is one of the top pitchers in our team's history, it would make sense for us to make some discussion about it here.
Schilling is the definition of a borderline candidate. A couple dominant years, a couple so-so years. Great post-season success, many big starts, but not quite at the regular season marks that make you a shoo-in.
Here is the bottom line data for his career:...
|
| |
|
| Ed Stefanski’s Master Plan for the Sixers |
| 2008-07-02 07:49:29 |
So what is this big “plan” Ed Stefanski has to improve the Philadelphia 76ers going into the ‘08 - ‘09 season? These quotes will give you some insight into what he is thinking now that the NBA Draft has come and gone.
“We’re trying to build like Detroit, meaning we’re not looking to have that one [...]...
|
| |
|
| That’s Quite Enough of That |
| 2008-07-01 10:55:30 |
OK, Phillies, that was nice, you got your slump out of your system (5-12 in the last 17) and now it's time to go back to playing real baseball like adults. There's no elaborate fix, or obvious plan to break out. The team just needs to hit, period. The hitters need to stop swinging at bad pitches, come up with some clutch hits, and pull us out of this. You can whine and moan about Brett Myers all day, but the starting pitching hasn't been HORRIBLE during this stretch. If we want to win a World Series, the pitching needs to be addressed, but right now (as in starting tonight) we need to be focused on not playing as though the baseball is the size of a golf ball....
|
| |
|
| 76ers Roster: Who Should Stay and Who Should Go? |
| 2008-06-30 16:45:34 |
I am working on a monster of a post entitled “Ed Stefanski’s Master Plan for the Sixers.” I can’t finish it until July 1st at the earliest when I have a better picture of who is in and out of free agency. In the meantime I figured I throw this question out to [...]...
|
| |
|
| So Who Are Players A and B? |
| 2008-06-30 09:40:59 |
Right before the NBA Draft I wrote a fun post called Put Your Draft ‘Eye’ to the Test. Basically giving you a limited description of two players and asking you to pick which one was the better prospect. Here are the results:
I cautioned everyone NOT to guess who the players because you would be wrong. [...]...
|
| |
|
| Philadelphia 76ers Draft Evaluation |
| 2008-06-27 17:11:45 |
I had to take a step back for a while before I reacted to the Sixers draft day. When the pick was made Pete and my reaction was “eh.” Nothing surprising and nothing special. I have to admit I am a little bit disappointed but not as much as I was last [...]...
|
| |
|
| 2008 NBA Draft Review |
| 2008-06-27 15:35:51 |
I'm not one to start giving out draft grades, so I'm going use a basic formula for each team's performance: How would I feel as a fan, today, if this was my favorite team (note: I have omitted the 2 teams without a pick, ATL and NO, and the 3 that only had a 2nd round pick, LAL, DEN and DAL). I'm going to put each team into 1 of 4 categories: Pumped, Ticked, Bored and Confused. I will also have the teams ordered from top to bottom ranging from how strong the emotion would be. Wow that last sentence sounds stupid. Oh well, I'm hungover, the Phillies are sucking, what do you want from me. Let's do this:
Pumped
Portland Trail Blazers - All they needed was a PG, but at the 13th pick, it didn't seem likely that one of the top prospects at that position would fall to them. Enter evil-genius Kevin Pritchard who managed to use the 13th pick to get the 4th best player on his draft board (Jerryd Bayless) without giving up anybody in particular. Now their opening night line-up will be Bayless, ...
|
| |
|
| NBA Draft 2008 Open Discussion |
| 2008-06-26 15:45:33 |
This is nothing more than a post for you guys to flood the comments with pre, during and post NBA Draft talk. Sixers or other. And keep it all in one central location.
I will lead off with my ideal scenario for the Sixers.
With all the recent shuffling and moves Chad Ford (and others) [...]...
|
| |
|
| Should We Really Trade Carlos Carrasco? |
| 2008-06-26 14:28:52 |
When the Phillies are playing this bad - I tend to not watch them. I decided a couple years ago that it was not worth the mental anguish of watching Carlos Ruiz hitting into a bases-loaded, one-out, double play. I get too mad. It’s only mid-way through the regular season. I can get mad in [...]...
|
| |
|
| Put Your Draft ‘Eye’ to the Test |
| 2008-06-26 12:36:44 |
Think you can spot talent and draft better than most NBA GMs and basketball player evaluators?
I know you do because you probably wouldn't be on this blog and other sports forums critiquing and criticizing the decisions of your favorite team's management. So with the 2008 NBA Draft today, I put together this fun little test for you.
The Challenge
It's quite simple actually. Pick the the player that you think is the better overall prospect based on the information provided....
|
| |
|
| Dannie’s NBA Mock Draft |
| 2008-06-25 09:25:43 |
Here is my first and only NBA Mock Draft. I am going to change it up slightly though. Rather than attempting to predict where players will be drafted (Pete had done a great job of keeping up with all the news and rumors flying around about what teams will actually do in his NBA Mock Drafts), in Recliner GM fashion I will make the picks entirely as if I was the general manager for each of the teams. We all know who the fans think should be selected will vary significantly from who their team will actually pick. So here I go playing GM. (Warning: it's long since this will be my only NBA Mock Draft)...
|
| |
|
| Pete’s NBA Mock Draft 6.0 |
| 2008-06-24 09:49:11 |
OK - so this is clearly the most confusing draft of all time. Chad Ford said it best, so I’m not going to try to say it better:
Every team I speak with says the same thing: This is one of the most difficult drafts ever to predict. Different teams are coming to wildly different conclusions [...]...
|
| |
|
| You are the Sixers’ GM: Who Do You Take? |
| 2008-06-23 14:14:47 |
Eddie Stefanski said recently that the Sixers have a list of about “8 guys” they are looking at with the 16th pick. Based on what he’s said about wanting a big man, and who they’ve brought in for workouts, I’m pretty confident that our pick will be from one of the 9 players listed below [...]...
|
| |
|
| 76ers Rumors: Josh Smith Ready for the Taking by the Sixers |
| 2008-06-22 16:02:22 |
Looks like the Sixers best power forward option might be Josh Smith.
"Some say Atlanta doesn't want to go above $11 million per year to sign restricted free agent Josh Smith. If that's the case, look for Smith to end up in Philadelphia.
The Sixers would love to get Elton Brand, but word is that he doesn't want to take a pay cut from the $16 million-plus he's due next season -- except to go to Miami.
So with Brand pretty much out of the question, Philly will look at Smith and Antawn Jamison. The Sixers can start either one at $11 million with 8 percent annual increases." - Chris Broussard's Blog, ESPN...
|
| |
|
| Sabathia, Bedard and the Phillies |
| 2008-06-20 13:55:24 |
The Phillies need another starting pitcher. This past 9-game stretch, where we've gone 3-6 against 3 of top teams in the MLB, has shown that come playoff time, you cannot rely on a streaky offense and one good pitcher to win you 7-game series. Up until yesterday, I figured that the starter we need could either come from within the organization (i.e. Brett Myers pulling a Gavin Floyd and finally pitching to his potential 6 years after the fact) or from a low-cost starter outside the organization (Randy Wolf, Dave Bush etc...). But then, I read this in Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings:...
|
| |
|
| The Best and Worst of the NBA Draft |
| 2008-06-19 14:14:56 |
With the draft fast approaching, many fans are wondering what caliber player they can pick up at their slot. Well, I've compiled a list of 1-30, of the best, and worst picks since 2000.
1. Best: LeBron James Worst: Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown is a case-study in dealing with players with fragile mental states. He looked dominant in every pre-draft event I saw, and I didn't disagree with taking him #1. Then Michael Jordan and Doug Collins forced him into the fetal position for several years....
|
| |
|
| Pete’s NBA Mock Draft 5.0 |
| 2008-06-18 15:27:39 |
- The biggest change I've made is that I now have Michael Beasley going to the Heat instead of O.J. Mayo. There have been rumblings that Pat Riley thinks that Mayo and Dwyane Wade are too similar, and unless they can trade down to get him and pick up some more assets, they won't take him at 2. It's also been written that the Wolves are going to work out Mayo, and my gut feeling is that he will impress them to the point that they don't feel like they need Beasley....
|
| |
|
| Would you rather… |
| 2008-06-14 19:32:02 |
Here is my dream scenario for the Sixers off-season - Land 2 impact players, preferably at SG and PF, one through free agency and one through trading up in the draft. There are several different scenarios that could land the Sixers these two players, but for the purpose of this article, I’ll present my 2 [...]...
|
| |
|
| Phillies Ramblings |
| 2008-06-12 12:39:14 |
I haven't done nearly as much writing about the Phillies as I had planned to - mostly because I didn't expect to have so little to complain about. It's much easier, as a long-suffering Philadelphia fan, to write about the frustrations of watching a baseball team day in and day out. There is also a part of me that is hesistant to write too much positive stuff about a team because I'm so used to Philly teams dissapointing that I'm almost numb to success because I expect the downfall. OK - well, enough about my crooked, clearly damaged psyche - let's talk about the Phillies through the first 67 games....
|
| |
|
| Pete’s NBA Mock Draft 4.0 |
| 2008-06-10 10:32:28 |
OK - here’s my 4th mock draft. Once again, very few changes, but you change one pick, you change them all. I’ll explain the adjustments I made below.
- The top 6 are unchanged. Also unchanged is my desire for the Sixers to move into the 5 or 6 spot to grab Gordon or Love.
- I [...]...
|
| |
|
| Evaluating the ‘07-’08 76ers: Louis Williams |
| 2008-06-09 07:49:57 |
Louis Williams 2007 Season Review
Stats: 23.2 MPG / 11.5 PPG / 42.4% FG / 35.9% 3PT / 77.2% FT / 2.1 RPG / 3.2 APG / 1.0 SPG / 0.2 BPG / 1.6 TOV
Louis Williams is the Sixers 6th man of the year and I think he could be an NBA 6th man of the year in time as well. He is the definition of a tweener, combo guard. A guy with tremendous scoring ability, some point guard skills and small. He hit some big shots late in the year this season and showed continued improvement in his overall scoring ability off the bench....
|
| |
|
| Should the Sixers Go After Rasheed Wallace? |
| 2008-06-08 11:15:37 |
There has been much clamoring in Sixertown about a particular native son, Rasheed Wallace. With the Detroit Pistons losing in yet another Eastern Conference Finals and head coach Flip Saunders getting the axe does that mean the Pistons are finally disbanding and major changes are coming? Maybe not a complete dismantling but Joe Dumars certainly will make a move this off-season and put the entire roster on notice......
|
| |
|
| Utley’s Historic Pace |
| 2008-06-06 15:17:17 |
Chase Utley has officially broken out. What many Philadelphia fans have known for a couple years is now spreading all around the league - Utley is one of, if not the, best all-around talents in baseball. He hits for power and average and is a phenomenal base-runner and defensive player. He hustles, and his (and J-Roll's) competitive spirit makes him one of the leaders of the reigning NL East champions and current NL East front-runners. Joe Morgan recently said that he has a chance to be "the best 2nd baseman ever."
But just HOW good has Utley been this year? In this day in age where sports media is around us 24/7 in 100 different forms, everyone is looking for someone to hype up. So are the people already paving Utley's path to Cooperstown justified? Let's take a look....
|
| |
|
| 76ers Rumors: The #6 Pick + Zach Randolph for Reggie Evans and #16 |
| 2008-06-05 09:54:01 |
We’ve had tons of Sixers draft discussion on the blog lately, and people have been asking about insider information and rumors about whether or not the team will trade up or down in the draft. Here is a 76ers draft+trade rumor hot off the presses that should be of interest for you guys (and gals).
One [...]...
|
| |
|
| Pete’s Mock Draft 3.0 |
| 2008-06-04 14:47:06 |
Alright, here is my updated mock draft. Of course, when you change even 1 pick, there is a trickle down effect and the whole thing gets turned around. No huge changes, but I will explain the changes below, many of which came from the information at the Orlando pre-draft camp.
Notes:...
|
| |
|
| Hope You Enjoyed First Place, Florida |
| 2008-05-30 23:19:40 |
I was at the Park tonight, and when the Marlins had the bases loaded in the first, I was trying to get Charlie's attention and let him know it was time to cut the cord on Brett Myers. He was done. He was throwing 88mph straight fastballs, his ERA was about to go over 6.00. Send him to the bullpen, put Chad Durbin in the rotation and just end our suffering. 55-year old Luis Gonzalez backed me up with a 2-run basehit to right field. Surely Myers was done now. He had to be. He left the inning to a sarcastic cheer from the crowd, and I would have completely supported the manager if he didn't return in the second. Then, somehow, this......
|
| |
|
| |
 |
