Your panelists today:
Dry1313
Browntown653
Bwitty24
LJShorty89
Note: Giantsfan replaced me in the middle of the showdown, as Iron Man was calling my name. Special thanks to him.
Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:51 pm: Welcome to the Forums of semi-Competitive
Banter
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:52 pm: I'm your host, Koz. Joining me today... from the
New York STFU Chronicles, BROWNTOWN
[bwitty24] 4:52 pm: thank you kingdom, it's a pleasure to be on the forum today
[bwitty24] 4:52 pm: a bit early there
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:52 pm: you guys suck
[browntown653] 4:53 pm: Glad to be here, despite being interrupted be bwitty
and lew
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:55 pm: Also, from the New York Sun Post Times News,
DRY1313
[Dry1313] 4:55 pm: whats up my minions
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:55 pm: horrible
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:55 pm: From the Daily Whatever It's Called, BWITTY24
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:56 pm: who's apparently out to lunch
[bwitty24] 4:56 pm: ha...thanks, here from boston
[browntown653] 4:56 pm: lmfao
[Dry1313] 4:56 pm: boo
[bwitty24] 4:56 pm: pleasure to be on the show today
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:56 pm: And finally, from The Paper, LJSHORTY89
[ljshorty89] 4:57 pm: nice to be here guys.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:57 pm: Currently scores are brown- 0, dry- -1, bwitty -2,
shorty- -1
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:57 pm: FIRST WORD
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:58 pm: For those that were asleep by 9pm, the Atlanta
Hawks pulled off another upset in game six over the Boston Celtics,
10-3-100.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 4:59 pm: Quite possibly, we're heading down the road of
the biggest upset in NBA history. Is it possible the Atlanta Hawks will win
game 7, on the road.... LJSHORTY
[ljshorty89] 4:59 pm: I simply don't see it. The hawks are a good team, and they
have a lot of impressive youthful players, but especially if Marvin Williams' knee
sprain causes him to miss game 7, they will not win. I can't even understand how
you could CONSIDER missing a game 7 in the playoffs
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:00 pm: He did re enter the game late in game six, so
even if he's playing?
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:01 pm: So ESPN is the Bible now? Really.
[ljshorty89] 5:01 pm: even if he does play, i think boston will have enough talent
and desire to defeat the Hawks, but it should be an exciting game.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:01 pm: Where was this desire in the 3 games they lost,
DRY1313
[Dry1313] 5:03 pm: clearly not there...kevin garnett has been good, the three party
has been working well, but if you've noticed, in the games that they've won the deal
breaker has been the play of rajon rondo...if he can get it up and get the celtics
juices going, they should be unstoppable. But keep an eye out for the stellar d of
josh smith, who is single handedly shutting down some of the most prolific scorers
in the NBA
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:04 pm: Rondo being the key, even though they have the
big trio. Why's Kevin Garnett not the deal breaker?
[Dry1313] 5:06 pm: because they have kept him under control. He hasn't exploded
in any game yet.It comes back to point guards...look at the West, the hornets, the
spurs, the jazz, they all have the great fowards and scorers, but it' really up to the
guards to get things moving and shaking. Garnett can only do so much in a double
team anyway
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:06 pm: Garnett hasn't seemed to do much in playoffs
period. What's his deal, BROWNTOWN, why does KG shrink in crunch
time?
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:06 pm: by the way, shorty got 2 points, dry got 4
[browntown653] 5:09 pm: KG shrinking in crunch time?...I'm not sure I
comprehend here. He's averaging more points, assists, and rebounds per
game in the postseason than in the regular season over his career. The
fact is, look at the teams he was on! He never had a great supporting cast
in Minnesota and still managed to take them to one and nearly 2
conference finals. And he's not taking the big shots with the Celts because
he hasn't needed to, they've been giving it to Allen and Posey mainly for a
quick three at
[browntown653] 5:09 pm: the end of these games
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:10 pm: But KG is the best player on the team. He was
supposedly an MVP candidate, why's he not being the one, what's
happening here? I see Kobe and Lebron with the ball in their hands and
doing it for their teams, but not KG.
[browntown653] 5:12 pm: because being the best player doesn't mean being
the best scorer. Kobe and LeBron are clearly the best scorers on their
respective teams. KG's a great scorer, but do you want him or Pierce or
Allen taking the last shot?...there's no clear answer. They are all
legitimate threats to take and hit that last shot. Sure the Lakers have Gasol
but he hasnt been in many big game big shot situations, and who do the
Cavs have besides LeBron?
[Dry1313] 5:12 pm: delonte west
[bwitty24] 5:12 pm: wally!!
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:12 pm: Lebron plays by himself. BWITTY, if Atlanta had
drafted Chris Paul, are we even having this conversation?
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:13 pm: -1's
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:13 pm: to bwitty
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:13 pm: Wally?... sigh
[bwitty24] 5:15 pm: If Atlanta drafted Chris Paul then this would be a different
conversation most definitely. However, the fact is that the Celtics are 35-6 at
home and Atlanta is 12-29 on the road. The Celtics ARE GOING TO WIN THIS
GAME. They play much stronger defense at home and the crowd is most
definitely going to pump that team up. If the Celtics lose tomorrow I will be very
surprised. Although Atlanta has played well in the playoffs, they have yet to beat
the Celtics at home and I believe the story
[bwitty24] 5:15 pm: will be the same tomorrow.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:17 pm: So much for talking Chris Paul. Next question
[bwitty24] 5:17 pm: Also, if I may say something regarding the KG issue. He is a
different MVP. He has changed that team through his leadership this year.
Although you may not want him to take the final shot he is the leader of that team.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:17 pm: No you may not say something. -1
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:18 pm: Troy Tulowitzki recently was injuried fielding a
ball, the rockies say he's out till at least the allstar game, many feel he's
gone longer. What's the bigger loss, Troy Tulowitzki or New York having a
broken Jorge Posada?
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:18 pm: BROWNTOWN
[browntown653] 5:21 pm: Troy Tulowitzki without a doubt. First of all he's
probably out longer than Posada. Second of all the Rockies are in a much
worse position than the Yankees right now...the Yanks are 2.5 back in their
division and the Rockies are NINE back already in the NL West. Now I
know Tulo was having a rough season, absolutely brutal but he's too good
a player to hit under .200 for a full season. the Yankees have a better
lineup overall and can replace Posada with a pretty effective Jose Molina
for the
[browntown653] 5:21 pm: time being
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:22 pm: Seems like both have their share of problems,
yankees keep losing players to injury and rockies keep demoting people...
not a good time to be a fan of either. So, do you agree Tulo is a bigger
loss, BWITTY
[bwitty24] 5:25 pm: I do agree with what Browntown said. Before the season there
were rumors going around that Tulo would have an MVP season this year.
Although there are still good players on that team such as Holliday, Helton, and
Atkins, Tulo's injury is still a major hit to that team. Posada is a good player, but I
don't see him performing the same way he did last year. He is getting old right
now and I don't think he is as valuable to the Yankees. Plus, Posada shouldn't be
out too long as he doesn't even
[bwitty24] 5:25 pm: need surgery
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:27 pm: So the rockies replace Tulo with Clint Barmes,
the yankees have Jose Molina, the... "that other Molina", does that worry
you DRY1313
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:31 pm: Well said
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:31 pm: +5
[bwitty24] 5:31 pm: they seemed to be pitching great with posada behind the plate
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:32 pm: SHORTY, I'm wondering though, who had more
hype for this season.. yankees or rockies? One coming off a world series,
the other being the Empire..
[ljshorty89] 5:34 pm: I think its clear that the Rockies had more hype. The
yankees had the same coverage they always get, but websters defines hype as
to create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods. The rockies had the
hype on their side. They have not lived up to it, and I honestly didn't think they
would. The Yankees have a history of stinking it up in April, so they will very likely
recover and right the ship. I think this injury is a huge loss to the Rockies, but if
the other teams in the NL....
[ljshorty89] 5:34 pm: ...West continue to stumble, they'll be competitive as well
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:36 pm: Some say they were lucky to be in the world
series, lucky to even make the playoffs. Aren't the yankees the definition of
drama?
[ljshorty89] 5:37 pm: I wouldn't quite say drama. The yankees are the definition of
rebounding from adversity. Drama is the definintion of what happened for Colorado
last year. I think the Yankees will be fine, assuming A-rod and Posada's injuries
aren't worse than they are letting on.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:38 pm: Sounds like you've jumped from the mets to the
yankees ship.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:38 pm: End of round
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:39 pm: BUY...OR SELL...
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:39 pm: Currently Dry1313 is in front, with 8
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:39 pm: Brownie behind with 5
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:39 pm: LJ and Bwitty bringing up the rear with 2
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:40 pm: The Colts' Marvin Harrison appears to be caught
up in a shooting near his Car Wash. The gun used seems to belong to
him. Buy or Sell the colts distancing themselves from Harrison... SHORTY
[ljshorty89] 5:42 pm: Well, first off the shooting occurred outside of a club he
owned. He did admit to owning the type of gun, but denies his involvement. I think
that the Colts will stand by him for a while, unless some hard evidence comes
through, because that organization is one that actually holds some regard for
loyalty. Marvin has been there for that organization from the darker days through
the super bowl win, and has been a leader. If they are smart, they will stand by
him for the time being.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:42 pm: sounds like a sell, what are you doing DRY1313
[Dry1313] 5:45 pm: totally buying. Marvin is past his glory days, and while we all
agree he has put in his time for the Colts the last thing anyone wants is a gun
controversy or any player mishaps with Fuhrer Goddell in office. Unless he is
cleared, look for the Colts to start the process this year, and watch for the signing
bonus cut after he fails to produce because of injury or off the field issues next
year. There are too many good recievers on that roster vieing for time. Anthony
Gonzalez won't be held off
[Dry1313] 5:45 pm: for much longer
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:46 pm: Bold. Browntown, what say you?
[browntown653] 5:49 pm: SELL, of course theyre not going to distance
themselves from one of the 10 best WRs in history. Of course its not right
that hes involved in a gun shooting, but there has been nothing that says
he fired the gun. Bottom line is Harrison's been a class act and loyal to the
Colts his whole career, and now because of one incident that we don't
know how deeply involved he was we're going to cut ties with him? Of
course not, and whether or not he's "past his glory days" he's still one of
the most
[browntown653] 5:49 pm: productive WRS in the league when healthy. of
course theyre not going to distance themselves from him
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:49 pm: Bloody good times. Buying or selling, BWITTY
[bwitty24] 5:52 pm: I am selling this one bigtime. There is no reason for the Colts
to abandon ship on Harrison. He is innocent until proven guilty and he should be
treated like that. Harrison has been in the league for many years and has never
had something like this come up. It is a little suspicious that it was his gun and
that he did get into an altercation with the victim just before the shooting, but I
think the Colts need to take their time on this one. Harrison has given so much to
the Colts. The
[bwitty24] 5:52 pm: least they could do is to stand by him until he is proven guily
(if that is the case).
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:54 pm: On a scale between 1 and 10, how surprised are
you by this?
[bwitty24] 5:55 pm: I would have to say that I am very surprised by the whole thing,
9. As I said, nothing like this has come up throughout his entire career. It is a
little odd that something would come up now.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:55 pm: Very well.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:56 pm: End of this round
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:56 pm: Our first cut
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:56 pm: Won't be the leader, Dry.. who has 11.
Browntown is second with 7 and LJ follows with 6. Bwitty, the low man
with 4.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:56 pm: Seeya Bwitty
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:57 pm: Be sure to spread the good word that Wally still
plays basketball
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:57 pm: OUT OF BOUNDS...
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:58 pm: (you guys can pre plan answers on this one)
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 5:59 pm: I'm in an OOTP league. I have a 27 year old
pitcher, lefty, throws 98-100mph, has four good pitches, and is 10-10-10. I'm
offered a 27 year old hitter with 10's across the board, with 10 speed.
Which guy am I building around? .....BROWNTOWN
[browntown653] 6:02 pm: you absolutely have to build around the
pitcher...what's the one thing EVERYONE wants in OOTP, good young
pitching. everyone and their mother is looking for good young pitching
and there's so little of it. sure a 10s hitter is great but you can build a team
around other high contact, power, or eye hitters...a 10-10-10 pitcher
practically guarantees your team a win 80% of the time
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:04 pm: Do you agree SHORTY?
There's no way to disagree. A hitter like that is nice. But
you can make a lineup of a couple high contact high speed hitters and a few big
power hitters. In the starting rotation, if you can add a 10-10-10 guy, then you
automatically move a rotation that may have been average to what is now
outstanding. Yes, he will only pitch once every 4-5 days, but he has a bigger
impact. Additionally, few hitters have any incredibly unreasonable years, whereas
pitchers tend to dominate more easily....
[ljshorty89] 6:05 pm: ....hence Joba Chamberlain in SBSL
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:06 pm: Joba had to be mentioned in this episode
somehow obviously, DRY, what's your take?
[Dry1313] 6:07 pm: They’re right, it HAS to be the pitcher. I mean, look at it this
way; there are routinely teams in the playoffs with poor hitting at the bottom of the
order. But even just the one pitcher, the Wayne Hage or the Bill Hamburg always
seems to vault teams into the playoffs that much faster. Plus, if you do end up with
that pitcher, it always seems teams are dealing away high priced All Star hitters
(Milo Kotter, Tim LaChance) for a few good prospects, but one always has to
mortgage their farm for
[Dry1313] 6:07 pm: that Ace (Mike McCullough). You want to be adding role
players down the stretch to win, not picking up the integral pieces that lead to a
championship. Discovering how stars produce in the playoffs is the first step, then
afterwards you add the role players that always seem to get that clutch hit…the
guys mission has a monopoly on.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:08 pm: So even if this hitter is in the top five on just
about every statistical category, the pitcher is still the way to go?
[Dry1313] 6:09 pm: If it's like a Wayne Hage yes...I mean obviously gradations
matter, you don't want to hold onto a Lance Uppercut if you're getting offered the
monster SS on the Dodgers or Corky Miller, but if they're even, it's always got to
be pitching.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:10 pm: Better to have the Cy Young than the MVP,
SHORTY?
[ljshorty89] 6:11 pm: in the case of OOTP, yes. Because that one dominant
pitcher can be the difference between last place and the playoffs (and trust me, i'm
always the one in last, lacking a dominant pitcher)
Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:12 pm: So, BROWNTOWN, you still taking that 10-10-10
pitcher over the 10 hitter.. if you played at Coors or Arlington?
[browntown653] 6:14 pm: yes, it doesnt change. Sure a 10-10-10 pitcher's stats
will be inflated at Arlington, but other non 10-10-10 hitters will have their stats
inflated at Coors or Arlington. The key there is the movement. If I'm playing at
Coors or Arlington, the first thing I'm looking for is HIGH MOVEMENT because of
the fly ball HR tendencies of the parks.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:14 pm: Clever
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:14 pm: Cut time
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:14 pm: Dry's looking safe with 16
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:15 pm: but shorty managed to close in on brown and
...well, he still came up short with 9. Brown finished with 11. Sorry
SHORTY, any last words?
[ljshorty89] 6:15 pm: thanks for the opportunity, watch out next time, I'mma pick it
up
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:18 pm: Arizona was recently ranked first in ESPN.com's
power rankings. Is Arizona going to be the world series favorite? ....let's
start with DRY
[Dry1313] 6:20 pm: No, no no....I hate to go against what ESPN says...but
seriously, let's look at this objectively. The AL has dominated the World Series as
of late, simply because the pitching has caught up. Yes, Webb and Haren are
filthy, but there are great tandems all over the AL (Indians, Tigers, Red Sox) not to
mention no way their torrid hitting keeps up. No way Justin Upton finishes with 40
homers, no way Mark Reynolds is at the top of the league in RBI...and most
importantly, does anyone trust thier
[Dry1313] 6:21 pm: bullpen? I mean, Brandon Lyon is their closer!
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:21 pm: Brown?
[browntown653] 6:24 pm: Arizona IS the World Series favorite right now and will
be. And does it help that the AL is so much more dominant than the NL?...of
course! Arizona will have a much easier road to the Series, and a 1-2 punch of
Webb and Haren would dominate in either league. And if you're talking about the
same Brandon Lyon with a 2.57 ERA then yes, he is there closer now, but Chad
Qualls has a ZERO ERA in 15.2 innings and will be the closer by the end of the
year.
[Kingdom_of_Zito] 6:24 pm: I love statistics. Point to brown