Hey all, sorry about the relative lack of writing this week but it was graduation, whoooo! You can probably expect the volume of articles to decline to about once per day for the summer instead of 2-3, unless some of our writers actually start writing.
Regardless, I did put in some work for Hoops Addict, taking a look at the top European players available for teams this offseason, whether they be free agents or have their draft rights owned by a team. Thorough stuff.
Check it out!
Stu is unable to present a GRW today. Thus, in his absence, I’ll be taking over for the second time. Stu will return next week with a live report from Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sick with it, for sure.
Anyways, last time I subbed in for GRW, I highlighted Eric Hinske. Some people didn’t take it seriously, but allow me to remind you that he’s a solid contributor on a winning team – the D-Rays are winning the AL East right now, and Hinske has put up a dandy .257/.342/.542 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 4 stolen bases, and a 141 OPS+ (meaning he’s 41% ahead of an average player at this point). Pretty sick, right?
Today…I have to concede something. I show a lot of disrespect and negligence towards this particular player, despite everyone constantly showering him with hugs and kisses and proverbial handjobs. His spectacular defense, grit, hustle, facial hair, pretty eyes, and better-than-they-seem offensive numbers make this man a serious piece of any potential championship puzzle.
I’m talking, of course, about Reed Johnson.
More after the jump!
This article has been submitted by Chris Pope.
During the week leading up to the eventual start of the Stanley Cup Finals, this year’s championship series was being touted as the dream final for the NHL. A final that may actually be able to get viewers in the United States – that is, until the NHL scheduled the Wings home games the same nights as the Pistons. Drawing comparisons to the Gretzky-led Oilers versus the defending champion Islanders, the series pinned the ageless, experienced powerhouse, Detroit Red Wings, against the young, skill-filled, up and coming Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sid and Co. vs. Hank and friends.
A captain trying to become the youngest player to lead his team to the Cup vs. a captain trying to become the first European captain to ever win a Cup.
Kids vs. veterans.
The old guys vs. the new guys.
The past vs. the present.
More after the jump!
It’s been a while since I threw up a VoD. Sue me. Stu sent this one, showing that even down 2-0, the Penguins remain better, faster, stronger…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiIyH8QQbHw&hl=en]
The Toronto Blue Jays appear to finally have arrived. The team’s left field situation seems, at least temporarily, solved by the stellar play of Shannon Stewart. Scott Rolen is buoying the middle of the order as the Best Blue Jay Ever. Alex Rios and Aaron Hill appear to be heading north out of their slumps. The catching platoon is finally hitting, a bit. And now David Eckstein is slated to return, upgrading on the ‘how do I get so many RBI hitting a bad average?’ Marco Scutaro.
And of course, there’s the pitching.
But are the Jays back for real, after a five game winning streak that sits them at 10-3 over their past 13? Well, we’ll certainly know a lot more about the present status of this team in 10 days time.
More after the jump!
Trevor Smith is an absolute machine…in the weight room, on MS Word, in the…anyways, his Lakers lost a game. Is he upset? Probably.
But he doesn’t show it in the latest article, a look at the Spurs waking back up.
Don’t forget you can check out pictures, archives, our game log, and the full-season statistics on the Slammin’ Hoes main page. Just click the tables to enlarge.
Slammin’ Hoes First Tournament – London and Dorchester
The Hoes were without a few key pieces to begin the SPO season. Pitcher Adam Millen was absent on Saturday, forcing usual bench boss Blake Murphy into a Saturday spot. The team also had the task of meshing with new players Greg Crane and Danny Matijiw. With a first-game bye and a generous seeding, the Slammin’ Hoes season got under way.
More after the jump!
This article has been submitted by Trevor Smith.
June, that tantalizing mistress for NBA players, is just around the corner. For two prosperous teams, the change of the calendar means destiny and potential immortality awaits them on that grand stage we laymen call the Finals. For the other 28 squads, it means another summer thinking about what might have been as they retool and rebuild in the offseason. Of course, some teams have more work to do than others; perennial playoff squads may need only a few tweaks to refine their rosters for another run at the Larry O’Brien. They are not in the position of, say, the Knicks. But while teams already eliminated from postseason play might not need an extreme overhaul, they should not think themselves sheltered from summer renovations. As the Bulls displayed this year, previous success means nothing when the ball is tipped again in November. With the L’s version of the Final Four now in full swing, I felt it was appropriate to analyze the state of the other 12 squads from this season’s Playoffs as they head into the offseason, with an eye to what should be done compared to what will probably happen. Friday we examined the East. Today, we go West, young man.
More after the jump!
Literally and figuratively, Trev says. With the Lakers up 2-0, the series heads to Texas with the Spurs’ backs against the wall.
Of course, Trev has this series covered over at Hoops Addict. Check it out.
This article has been submitted by Trevor Smith.
June, that tantalizing mistress for NBA players, is just around the corner. For two prosperous teams, the change of the calendar means destiny and potential immortality awaits them on that grand stage we laymen call the Finals. For the other 28 squads, it means another summer thinking about what might have been as they retool and rebuild in the offseason. Of course, some teams have more work to do than others; perennial playoff squads may need only a few tweaks to refine their rosters for another run at the Larry O’Brien. They are not in the position of, say, the Knicks. But while teams already eliminated from postseason play might not need an extreme overhaul, they should not think themselves sheltered from summer renovations. As the Bulls displayed this year, previous success means nothing when the ball is tipped again in November. With the L’s version of the Final Four now in full swing, I felt it was appropriate to analyze the state of other 12 squads from this season’s Playoffs as they head into the offseason, with an eye to what should be done compared to what will probably happen. Today, we examine the East.
More after the jump!
