SB Nation User Blog: Yoyo

In Oklahoma City ?????'s Day 4 Summer League game against the Miami Heat, Russell Westbrook torched...

Yoyo — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:55:07 -0000

In Oklahoma City ?????'s Day 4 Summer League game against the Miami Heat, Russell Westbrook torched Mario Chalmers for 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals...in just 24 minutes of play! A NBA scout considers him the best player in the Summer League, of which only plays young players in their first two years as well as undrafted rookies, outside of Kevin Durant himself.

ESPN link here.

A comparison of Cal and UCLA football

Yoyo — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 08:56:48 -0000

Cal Football from 2001-2006

2001: 1-10 (one of the worst years for Cal football)

Tedford hired after 2001 season

7-5
8-6
10-2
8-4
9-3

Cal had one of their worst seasons in 2001, a dismal 1-10 team. Struggling head coach Holmoe was quickly replaced by Tedford. While his paycheck is big, he has been a solid coach, turning the Cal program from a Pac-10 bottom dweller to a top Pac-10 team. Every year in the Tedford era has been a winning season, and the last three have been well over .500. What he started with, a 1-10 team, has turned into a Rose Bowl contender year in and year out.

In sharp contrast is Dorrell's impact on Bruin football, which we know very well.

UCLA Football from 2001-2006

Dorrell hired after 2002 season

6-7
6-6
10-2
7-6

While Dorrell has not yet coached for five years, we can see that there is a discrepancy. There has been no improvement on Toledo's program. Contrast this with Cal's program.

Keep all of this in mind when KD apologists mention that we have unrealistic expectations. I am sure there are many more examples of this; if you can think of any good ones, please share it with the rest of us.

Cowan gets start in Emerald Bowl

Yoyo — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:27:46 -0000

Cowan to start per the LA Times:

Patrick Cowan will start at quarterback against Florida State in the Emerald Bowl, Coach Karl Dorrell said Friday, ending speculation that Ben Olson might take back the job.

"We think that he's deserving of that at this time," Dorrell said of Cowan. "He finished the season 3-0 and he was the most valuable player in our last game."

Cowan took over as the starter when Olson tore a knee ligament Oct. 7 against Arizona. He has started the last seven games and was instrumental in UCLA's upset over No. 2 USC on Dec. 2, when he rushed for a team-high 72 yards and a touchdown.

...

As for being named the starter in the Dec. 27 Emerald Bowl, Cowan said he would have practiced the same way no matter who was starting.

"It's nice to know, but it wouldn't have changed any work I put into the game," he said.

Dorrell said that Cowan and Olson, both sophomores, would compete for the starting job again next season.

The speculation ends here as St. Patrick gets the start against Florida State in the Emerald Bowl. It also looks like KD will make it an open competition for the starting spot next year, which can only be a good thing.

GO BRUINS!

Pete Carroll wants to go to the Rose Bowl

Yoyo — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:45:54 -0000

Emphasis bolded by me.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers28nov28,1,6032793.column?coll=la-utilities-sports

It's the job of a reporter, of course, to challenge everything, remaining skeptical when everyone else is buying into all the propaganda and hoopla. But I've got to say -- when I hear Pete Carroll talk, I now consider it the gospel.

So the other day when he mentioned for the umpteenth time that USC's No. 1 goal every year is to make it to the Rose Bowl and he doesn't even give a thought to the Bowl Championship Series title game in Glendale, Ariz., I can't imagine him not telling the truth.

In fact I've heard him repeatedly talk about how much the Rose Bowl means to him, how quickly he dismisses any BCS talk, while steering the conversation back to the Rose Bowl and what it means for USC to play in the granddaddy of them all.

I mentioned this Monday to Karl Dorrell, and I've got to tell you, UCLA's coach could not have been any more agreeable when I suggested, "Then let's give Pete what he really wants, and send him to the Rose Bowl."

"I'd love it," said Dorrell, and I think that's pretty darn thoughtful of the guy.

"If that happens, I'll hug you," Dorrell added, which makes me wonder what Carroll might do if Dorrell and I can make his dream come true and send the Trojans to the Rose Bowl.

Let's give him and the Ttrojans what they want by beating $C this Saturday.

GO BRUINS.

November Prediction time

Yoyo — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:38:43 -0000

Warriors, November 2006!

Nov 1 vs LA Lakers - W
Nov 3 vs Portland - W
Nov 4 at Utah - W
Nov 6 at Dallas - L (I know we won twice last year)
Nov 7 at New Orl/OKC - L
Nov 9 vs New Orl/OKC - W
Nov 11 vs Detroit - L
Nov 14 vs Toronto - W
Nov 16 vs Sacramento - L
Nov 18 vs Seattle - W
Nov 20 vs Phoenix - L
Nov 22 vs Denver - W
Nov 24 at Denver - L
Nov 25 vs Utah - W
Nov 27 vs San Antonio - L
Nov 29 vs Indiana - W

Warriors 9-7.

Your turn!

Dunleavy is our new leader!

Yoyo — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 06:14:06 -0000

Haha, just joking with you. However, there's some intriguing news from training camp:

One of the most impressive performances in training camp thus far took place late on Thursday, when Mike Dunleavy stepped to the free throw line. Dunleavy, as with all 18 players on the roster, must shoot 100 free throws at the end of every practice. Each player is required to pair up with a teammate and chart the other's progress in increments of 10 (10 x 10). Last season, Mike D. shot a respectable 78% from the charity stripe. On this night, however, he nailed a perfect 100%. Yes, he actually made 100 out of 100 free throws, enough to put a smile on the face of Hal Wissel, who was hired by Coach Nelson to help address the team's free throw problems. As an indication of some of the success enjoyed in camp to date, many players have shot the ball well from the line, including Troy Murphy (98% tonight), Dajuan Wagner (93% tonight), Adonal Foyle (90% tonight) and Andris Biedrins (85% tonight). Wissel indicates that most players will shoot about 10% better in practice then in a game situation. So, we'll expect to see Mike D. shoot 90% from the line this season.

Foyle shooting 90%? Biedrins shooting 85%? And tonight, Dunleavy shot 96% from the line. I sense good things to come...at least from the charity stripe. By the way, the link to the article is here.

The Warriors NBA Live 07 Ratings

Yoyo — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:17:13 -0000

NBA Live 06 ratings have also been released.

http://sports.ign.com/nbalive07/goldenstate.html

For those of you too lazy to click:

J-Rich!!! 85
Boom Dizzle 84
Murph 75
Dun-Dun 74
Air France 72
Brown 69
Ike 69
Zarko 66 (higher than Biedrins and Ellis?!)
1-Minute Man 65
Owens 65
McLeod 63
Foyled 63
MONTA!!! 61 (61?!? I was expecting something more like high 60's)
The Chef 58
Taft 55

Last year, they overhyped the Warriors in ratings. This year, it looks like they have underhyped us.

That said, I'm totally outraged at the underrating of Monta. 77 max speed, 67 agility, 73 quickness, and 74 acceleration?!?