We all do it. We read sports articles, listen to sports radio, and watch sports on television everyday; and I'm no different.
We also always have our own reactions to these articles, radio clips, and television shows. We usually just discuss these reactions with our friends and family, have a great time doing it, then forget it. Well, I'm here to put my reactions out there for the world to read.
Everyday or so I will choose one sports article that I've read, or one sports radio show segment I've heard, or one sports television show I've watched and post my reaction right here on SportsReactions.blogspot.com.
You can also find an article you'd like me to react to. If you let me know of it, I'll read it and post my reaction. It's about time this world found how what goes on in my crazy mind.
One thing to keep in mind, I focus all of my "SportsReactions" on baseball (MLB), football (College and Pro), and basketball (College and Pro).
So, feel free to let me know what you want me to react to, or just read my reactions and make a comment. Either way, we'll have a great time.
Reactions to the biggest stories in sports. Don't miss the next SportsReaction!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Does Zdeno Chara Deserve a Suspension?
On Tuesday night, I watched Zdeno Chara check Max Pacioretty into a stantion, and then I witnessed the poor guy lying lifeless on the ice. Nobody really went after Chara, but was it that bad of a hit?
I've already debated this with some people, but I believe he does deserve a suspension. I'll admit that it wasn't that hard of a hit and it was legal. The only problems with it was that (1) it was late, and (2) it was an intent to injur.
“Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty laid motionless on the ice for several minutes before being taken off the ice on a stretcher after taking a hit from Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and being driven into the corner of the glass that separates the two benches.
The Canadiens announced just after the start of the third period that Pacioretty was conscious and able to move his arms and legs, but was being taken to a hospital for further tests.
Chara was given a five-minute major for interference — Pacioretty had gotten rid of the puck long before the hit — and also a game misconduct with 16 seconds to play in the second period of a game the Canadiens were leading 4-0.”
I've already debated this with some people, but I believe he does deserve a suspension. I'll admit that it wasn't that hard of a hit and it was legal. The only problems with it was that (1) it was late, and (2) it was an intent to injur.
If you watch the video, Chara and Pacioretty took three strides together AFTER Pacioretty got rid of the puck. After those three strides is when Chara hit the guy. It was clearly a late hit.
The hit was late and unnecessary. Chara knew where he was on the ice. He should have been smarter than deciding to check Pacioretty into the stantion.
If the hit was anywhere else on the ice, it obviously wouldn't have been as bad. However, it was still way after he got rid of the puck.
Pacioretty and Chara do have a bit or history as well. Check this out.
I hope the NHL does give Chara a suspension of at least 5 games. What do you think?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Great Pujols Post
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| Pujols hitting the ball a loonngg way (Wikimedia Commons) |
The above link takes you to a story written by Jayson Stark about the arrival of Albert Pujols to St. Louis Cardinals camp and the cessation of contract talks between his agents and the team.
SportsReaction
As I’m sure you know, Albert Pujols’ agents are reportedly asking for a 10 year, $300 MM contract from the Cardinals which would make him the highest paid player ever.
I'm not going to beat around the bush, this is definitely way too much and way to long. Think about it; Pujols is entering his age 31 season and is in the midst of a three year decline in wOBA (.458 in 2008, .449 in 2009, .420 in 2010) and WAR (9.3, 8.7. 7.3).
Let’s not look at the past though, let’s try to predict Pujols' future. According to Baseball-Reference.com here is a list of the 10 batters most similar to Pujols through their first 10 seasons:
1. 1. Jimmie Foxx
2. 2. Frank Robinson
3. 3. Ken Griffey
4. 4. Lou Gehrig
5. 5. Hank Aaron
6. 6. Mickey Mantle
7. 7. Mel Ott
8. 8. Juan Gonzalez
9. 9. Eddie Mathews
10. 10. Manny Ramirez
There are some great players listed there no question. The average career stat line of those players through their first 10 seasons is .311/.404./.580. 374 HR. 1222 RBI, 156 OPS+…impressive company indeed.
Now let’s have a look at the collective stat line of those same ten players after their tenth season and through age 40…the very age that Pujols’ agents want the Cardinals to sign him through:
.238/.327/.384, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 100 OPS+
WHAT? Those ten players can’t be that bad you say? Well, you’re right…kind of. The reason that line is so bad is because seven of those ten players most similar to Pujols WEREN’T EVEN PLAYING AT THE AGE OF 40.
The agents of Albert Pujols want the Cardinals to pay him $30 MM a year through his age 40 season when odds are he won’t even be playing by then. And if he is, he’ll probably be putting up a stat line similar to the one above.
I think I’d rather let the Chicago Cubs make this investment if I were the Cardinals.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Cavs end streak of futulity
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| NBA.com |
The above link takes you to a recap of the Cleveland Cavaliers victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. A win that snapped their NBA record 26 game losing streak.
SportsReaction
By beating the Clips in overtime last night the Cleveland Cavaliers can now turn the page and just forget the previous two months. Is this all LeBron's doing though? That is a question that begs to be asked after he "took his talents to South Beach" this past offseason.
Through 54 games this year Cleveland's record stands at 9-45...which prorates out to a final win total of fourteen. Last season, with "The King," the Cavs finished with 61 wins. Was LeBron worth 47 wins?
While shooting 50% from the field and averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists and posting a league leading PER of 31.1 doesn't hurt his case; it's hard to believe he was actually worth 45+ victories.
As per Wins Shares, as calculated on Basketball-reference.com, he was worth only 18.5 wins. Even if that number is low and he was actually worth 25 wins, that still leaves a large difference unexplained. To try and find an answer, let's have a look at last year's Cavs team versus this years Holdover players are highlighted in red if they are perfoming better this season, blue if they are performing worse, and gray if they are perfoming just as well as per P.E.R. (players in 2010 scaled to 54 game perfomance):
2011 | 2010 | |||||
Player | G | PER | Player | 54 gm | PER | |
53 | 18.3 | 50 | 31.1 | |||
31 | 15.1 | 50 | 15.8 | |||
51 | 16.4 | 45 | 16.1 | |||
43 | 13.8 | 53 | 9.9 | |||
44 | 10.5 | 53 | 15.2 | |||
45 | 10.8 | 40 | 13.8 | |||
37 | 9.9 | 35 | 17.9 | |||
14 | 12.9 | 40 | 12.6 | |||
15 | 8.9 | 37 | 11.3 | |||
33 | 11.1 | 42 | 11.9 | |||
19 | 10 | 16 | 16.7 | |||
25 | 8.4 | 36 | 8.2 | |||
34 | 14.1 | |||||
52 | 13.6 |
While some players from last year's Cavs squad are performing better this season, and some worse, as a whole it doesn't seem the holdovers are costing the Cavs victories. It seems the explanation lies with the players no longer in Cleveland not named LeBron James (any player not highlighted in the two tables above).
Losing Shaquille O'Neal, Delonte West, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas--all decent players in their own right--seems to be hurting the Cavs just as much as losing James. When you combine the two we can explain the devestating drop in the number of wins.
So when you're laying in bed late at night and wondering "Why are the Cavs so bad this season? LeBron can't be the only reason." I refer to you to this article. As in all things in life, it isn't just one thing contributing to a disaster, it's a combination of things. Not just losing LeBron...but losing LeBron & company.
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