Some Random Thoughts

Baseball

-On Wednesday night's Yankees/Braves game, in the top of the eighth inning in a 3-2 game with Dewayne Wise in scoring position and one out, Alex Rodriguez drew his first intentional walk of the season. Beginning in 2010, A-Rod has received just one intentional walk each season.  There's a multitude of explanations for this; he's getting older, losing his power, and typically has a potent RBI machine batting behind him in Robinson Cano or Mark Teixeira.  Still, it's mind-boggling.  You think one of the best hitters of all time would receive a little more respect.  After a slow start to the season he's been more productive of late, and if he stays healthy he should threaten 30 home runs and 100 RBI.  Traditionally August is his best power month, and since coming to New York he's had a knack for hitting well in September.

-Is Todd Helton Hall-worthy? I think so.  For the first half of the last decade he was probably the best hitter in baseball not named Barry Bonds.  The counting numbers don't blow anyone away, but his rate stats are elite, even if they are somewhat inflated by Coors Field.

-Congrats to Matt Cain for tossing the first perfect game in Giants history.  The 27 year old has quietly made the leap from great starting pitcher to an elite, Cy Young caliber hurler (reminiscent of Cole Hamels last season).  Unfortunately for him, two-time winner Tim Lincecum's struggles have dominated the headlines in San Fran.  No matter what Cain does, he just can't seem to escape Lincecum's shadow; his entire career he's been the Don Drysdale to Lincecum's Sandy Koufax.  Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong and even Barry Zito have all picked up the slack for their slumping ace.

-Feel like Mark Trumbo is this year's Mike Napoli.

-Can Adam Dunn hit 50 homers?  His career high is 46, set in 2004.  He has never hit more than 40 in any other season, but I think he could do it, especially in that ballpark.

-Albert Pujols is back, baby.  Still waiting on Adrian Gonzalez to turn it around.

-Joey Votto, not Josh Hamilton, is the best hitter in baseball right now.


-Derek Jeter really cooled off after that hot start.  His numbers still look good because of that torrid April, but I'd bet he finishes the season batting below .300.


Basketball


-Kevin Durant doesn't miss in the fourth quarter.  Period.


-Which beard has more character? Brian Wilson's or James Harden's?

-Can't decide which point guard is the fastest/most explosive; Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose or Ty Lawson. 

-Knew with absolute certainty LeBron James' potential dagger three late in Game 2 had zero chance of going in.  I know he was letting the clock wind down, but too often he seems to settle for those shots.  He should be like Paul Pierce or Kobe Bryant, who at least make a move toward the basket and pull-up at the elbow if they can't get to the rim.  Otherwise, King James enjoyed another monster performance, and finally got some help from Dwyane Wade.


-Speaking of LBJ, can't believe he played all 48 minutes but didn't get called for a single foul in Game 7 of the Celtics series.  I can't stand the officiating, especially all the offensive fouls.  In my mind, you should only call an offensive foul if it's blatant.  Stop rewarding floppers for diving on the court after minor contact.


-Originally I had Thunder winning in six, but now believe the series will stretch over the full seven games.  These teams are just too evenly matched.


-As far as Big Threes go, give me Durant, Westbrook and Harden over James, Wade and Chris Bosh

-Brandon Bass opted out of his contract and became a free agent.  I want him to come back, but if he wants to move on then let him go.  Rather use that money to try to keep Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen.