Draft Algebra

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Goodbye #37

In the face of injuries to Tank Williams and Mike Doss, we were forced to make a bold waiver decision around week 11 last year. Ladies and gentlemen, Eric Frampton - the final piece of our dominant special teams triumvirate - now, he waits with a printed Vikings roster for 2009, pondering the implications.

Sure, when we signed Madieu, it was ok, we needed a starter, and Eric knew there was another role for him.

When we signed Boulware, Eric was still ok because he knew that we usually carry two backups, and Bouleware's a prototypical SS, while Eric assesses his ball-hawking abilities as more of a fit to backup Darren.

Then, on draft day, the Vikings traded up a few spots. Brian Brohm? Malcolm Kelly?

No, Tyrell Johnson.

As Eric crumbled to the floor, I sent a little bit of my cold one down there with him.

The NBA Playoffs

...where playing with urgency for the first time in a must win game down 19 in the 4th quarter happens...

Congratulations Suns. Way to really lay it all on the line for your fans.

I can't wait for a witty Shaq "there's always has to be a first to make history" type of comment after this one - your season is over in the first round of the playoffs - you have no salary cap space, an aging point guard and an over the hill former great.

The Spurs just ran a basketball clinic, boring? Affective.

You may know me as a former coach of the year...

There could be many captions for this photograph, but I can't think of one that could comprehensively assess it.

Van Gundy and Marc Jackson discussed how he is one of the top coaches in the league...based on this idea that he is an "offensive genius."

What is genius about a stagnant, isolation on the block based half court offense? Not only is Shaq isolated on the block, but when Shaq comes out, Diaw is isolated on the other side.

What happened to the pick and roll with Amare? What happened to the drive and kick? Why is Raja Bell not shooting the ball EVER?

Answer: I dunno, geez

BUT, I will say that Mike D'antoni is not coaching this offense well, and I don't really know whom to attribute this hybrid 3-2 zone to, but THAT DOESN'T WORK EITHER WHEN THEY ATTACK THE MIDDLE AND SHOOT OPEN THREES

Most importantly, the Phoenix Suns have the absolute worst out-of-timeout offense/defense I have ever witnessed. If the stats can be recovered for the first play out of a timeout for the Suns on each side of the ball, I am willing to guarantee that over 75% of the time we...
on offense: turn the ball over and/or draw up an mid-range isolation and miss the shot
on defense: allow the other team to place the ball into the basket, resulting in 2 to 3 points for their cause

Why does this go unnoticed by so many? Ohhhhhhh I forgot that he was coach of the year WITH AN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE SCHEME THAT WE DONT USE AT ALL ANYMORE!!!!!!!

It is halftime, and I have become a Spurs fan. SWEAR