(Site note: If you missed the set up to this debate, click here. If you missed why the Magic will win, click here. If you missed how the Cavaliers will win, click here. Read Loyal Homer’s argument for the Lakers, then vote!).
As it stands today, four teams are left in what has been one of the most entertaining playoffs in recent memory. All four teams have strong credentials and a superstar – which is good for ratings. We all know what matchup the NBA and ABC are hoping for. It’s what most fans are hoping for also. But, when all is said and done, no matter what the matchup is in the Finals, I believe the Los Angeles Lakers will come out on top, and win their first championship since 2003.
Sports Geek has given you his reasons why Orlando will win with all of his numbers and statistics. But, that’s what sports geeks do! Bleacher Fan has given his reasons why Cleveland will win. Let me tell you why the Lakers will win.
Kobe knows it’s his time. It’s not quite “now or never” time but it really isn’t that far off. Lebron is only getting better and Wade, Anthony, and Howard are on teams who are only going to get better in the coming years. Perhaps Kobe just isn’t ready to hand over the throne to King James just yet.
It’s been an ongoing debate amongst NBA fans about who the best player in the NBA is right now. The pendulum has swung to Lebron James’ favor in the past year. Heck, even former Laker player (and Kobe Bryant’s former boss) Jerry West agrees. Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard have had their moment in the spotlight, also. Meanwhile, there’s a guy that plays at the Staples Center. You may have heard of him.
I will say that Andrew Bynum is going to have to consistently step up his game for the Lakers to win. Bynum had an awful two first rounds against the Jazz and Rockets, respectively, but he has picked it up slightly against the Nuggets. To beat the Cavs or Magic, he will have to continue to pick it up.
Let’s not forget the Lakers are coming off an NBA Finals loss last year to the Celtics. Couple the taste of that recent loss with the loss to the Pistons in the 2004, and the Lakers are on what you might call a mini-championship slump. It’s time to right the ship. It’s time for Kobe to get his fourth ring and continue to climb the ladder of the all time greats.
Lakers over the Nuggets in 6. Lakers over The Sharply Dressed Coach Stan Van Gundy and his Orlando Magic team in 6!!!
(Site note: If you missed the set up to this debate, click here. If you missed why the Magic will win, click here. If you missed how the Cavaliers will win (below), click here. Read Loyal Homer’s argument for the Lakers, then vote!).
I can see it now… puppet LeBron hoisting a puppet O’Brien Trophy over his weeping puppet head, chugging a big ol’ bottle of puppet Vitamin Water, while Kobe Bryant officially joins the ranks of “We”, who are all Witnesses (by the way, it’s sad to watch a grown puppet cry). There will be much rejoicing on the shores of Lake Erie!
That’s right, I said it. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be the 2009 NBA Champions!
The formula is a simple one…
The best PLAYER in the NBA + the best TEAM in the NBA + the best COACH in the NBA = CHAMPIONSHIP!
Let’s break that down…
LeBron is undeniably the best player in the NBA. This year, he racked up career bests in field goals (48.9%), free-throws (78%), assists/game (7.2), turnovers (2.98), and blocks/game (1.1). He also saw his second-highest totals for points/game (27.5), rebounds/game (7.6), and 3-point field goals (34.4%). He was nearly a unanimous MVP winner, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive team. Most remarkably, though, is that he accomplished this with the lowest minutes-per-game average he’s ever had (37.7)!
He’s producing more, in less time… how can that be?!
It’s because of the elevated play of his supporting cast, who will ultimately allow LeBron to claim his first (of many) titles. More specifically, it boils down to the addition of Mo Williams.
It was evident that LeBron was missing something. He couldn’t take on the NBA powerhouses alone, no matter how hard he tried. A supporting cast which included guys like Ira Newble, Larry Hughes, and Drew Gooden just wasn’t cutting it. Mo, however, came to the team and turned in an All Star year of his own, totaling personal bests in 3-pointers (43.6%), free-throws (91.2%!!!), and points per game (17.8). His field goal percentage (46.7%) was the second highest of his career.
I hate to draw the comparison, but it sounds a lot like Jordan – Pippen to me…
So, why have they struggled against the Magic? People are quick to point out that the Cavs are only alive because of LeBron’s 3-pointer at the end of game 2. Yet, Orlando is only alive because of Rashard Lewis’ shots in the final seconds of games 1 and 4. Cleveland has carried a lead into the final 30 seconds of 4 out of the 5 games this series, and the Magic have relied on miraculous 3-pt shooting that CANNOT be sustained.
After the first 4 games, the Magic averaged 43% from 3-pt land, compared to 36% during the season. They lived by the sword, and will surely die by that same sword. In game 5, the Magic shot their second-highest number of 3-pointers in the series but suddenly couldn’t hit anymore, sinking only 8 of 25. The result was their worst defeat of the series. Is this a sign that the hot-streak has ended? I think so.
Looking ahead to the Finals, then, it comes down to a question of whether or not the LeBron-aliers continue to struggle as they did against Orlando, or will they return to the level of domination demonstrated during the first two rounds? My answer (obviously) is a return to the form they have sustained through the ENTIRE season!
Cavs over Orlando in 7, Cavs over the West Champs in 5!
(Site note: If you missed the set up to this debate, click here. If you missed why the Magic will win (below), click here. If you missed how the Cavaliers will win, click here. Read Loyal Homer’s argument for the Lakers, then vote!).
The Orlando Magic will hoist this year’s Davey O’Brien trophy in their champagne soaked home locker room. Bold statement? Not when you consider how good this team really is.
First is their impressive offense, which has only picked up since the post-season started. For starters, their field goal percentage has gone up in the playoffs compared to the regular season. As a team the Magic shot 46% in the regular season to an improved 47% in the playoffs, and nearly 50% in the Eastern Conference finals. The Magic get better each game, so let’s compare regular season stats to the Eastern Conference finals stats and gauge how this team keeps improving.
Their defensive star, center Dwight Howard, is a big reason why they’ve improved so much. He shot 57% in the regular season, but has improved to 62% from the field in the conference finals. Orlando’s version of Mr. Big Shot, Rashard Lewis, (sorry, Chauncey) shot 44% in the regular season, but is now shooting 56% in the conference finals. The list of improved performance goes right down the line, Rafer Alston shot 41% in the regular season, but is shooting 45% now. Supposed backup and defensive specialist Mickael Pietrus knocked in 41% of his shots in the regular season, and is now money 49% of the time. These are not statistical anomalies – these are trends. The team’s ball movement and ability to spread the floor on offense with great 3-point shooters make it impossible to double Howard and prevent a 3-point shot. Keep in mind that it’s not little guard that are hitting these 3s and driving the lane – it’s a bunch of 6’10″ match up nightmares.
There is no team left in the playoffs good enough to play Howard straight up on defense and not foul out in the first 5 minutes of the game. Therefore, the double team will come, Howard will pass, and the Magic will connect on a wide-open 3-point shot more times than not.
On defense, Howard, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year has been good enough in protecting the paint that the Cavs, and every other team the Magic have played this post-season, are settling for low-percentage outside jump shots. Not even great players (or puppets?) like Kobe or LeBron can connect every time. No remaining team in the playoffs can outshoot the Magic. Period.
Playing against the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals was a stroke of good luck for them, having gone 2-1 against them in the 2009 regular season, plus winning 9 of their last 12 against them going into the series. I’m sure Cavs fans were thinking this was the ONE team they did NOT want to play come late May. The Magic will end this series at home and move on to the West.
The Magic were great against the West this year. They went 2-0 versus the Lakers and 1-1 against the Nuggets. They actually beat the Nuggets in Denver, but lost to them at home in a dismal game on February 11, 2009 where they scored just 12 points in the second quarter just 9-days after losing All-Star Jameer Nelson for the season. They also shot a very uncharacteristic 30% in that game. Basically, everything had to go wrong for the Magic, and they still only lost by 9.
It’s easy to see that when the Magic get behind in games early, it’s because they aren’t trying yet. When they concentrate, work for open shots, dominate inside on defense and listen to their talented coach Stan Van Gundy (what’s with the short-sleeves under the suit coat, man – is it THAT hot in Orlando?), there is not a team in the NBA that can stop them.
Orlando over the Cavs in 6. Orlando over the Western champs in 5.
(Site note: If you missed the set up to this debate (below), click here. If you missed why the Magic will win, click here. If you missed how the Cavaliers will win, click here. Read Loyal Homer’s argument for the Lakers, then vote!).
As of this morning, 4 teams still remain in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy. So, which of the 4 will take it? Sports Geek will argue that the trophy is being shined for the Orlando Magic, Bleacher Fan will argue for their opponent the Cleveland Cavaliers, and yesterday’s “not winner” – Loyal Homer – will argue for Jack Nicholson’s favorite team the LA Lakers. The abundantly tattooed Denver Nuggets are on the outside looking in.
Check back all day, as we’ll be posting each argument at different times throughout the day today (mostly because our real jobs are boring).
Here’s the best part (that sounds like a line from an infomercial… ShamWow anyone?) – the winner is decided by you, our quickly growing population of Sports Debaters. After the final argument we’ll put up the poll. Vote all weekend, get your friends to vote, your Grandma, even that Aunt you hardly talk to and the Uncle who’s lap you weren’t allowed to sit on when you were a kid. We’ll see who won the debate first thing Monday morning, before the next judge (Sports Geek) posts the first debate topic of next week. You won’t want to miss that debate – it promises to be full of controversy.
Also, post your own comments and try to sway the votes of other visitors – this only works if you bums readers participate! Vote early, vote often. Vote for the best argument, or your favorite team, or because you like Lakes, Nuggets of things, Cavalier attitudes or Magic (who doesn’t like Magic?).
I want to begin with a big thank you to everyone who has visited us during our kickoff debate, and to everyone who added their comments, either directly on the site, or on our Twitter feed!
I also want to say thank you to Sports Geek and Loyal Homer for ensuring our inaugural debate was one worth checking out (and one worthy of being the first debate)!
And now, the Verdict is in.
Allow me to be the first to congratulate the winner of the inaugural Sports Debate…
SPORTS GEEK!!!
To recap, Jake Peavy recently made a decision to block a trade that would send him from San Diego over to the American League with the Chicago White Sox. While he has publicly given some explanation behind his decision, many people are still questioning what his real motivation was, and also whether or not he made the right choice.
Both sides made very convincing arguments. Loyal Homer, arguing that Peavy made the wrong choice, started the debate off strong when he pointed out that Peavy had expressed a desire to play for a contender, and then posed his position that the Padres were certainly not in a position of contention. Loyal Homer raised valid points regarding the White Sox and the fact that they have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the AL Central Title. He criticized Peavy for then passing on opportunities to play in Atlanta and Chicago for both the Cubs and the White Sox. Ultimately, he said Peavy is a Prima Donna, and that he would regret his decision to remain in San Diego.
In response, Sports Geek, arguing that Peavy made the right decision, called into question the White Sox ability to really compete for the World Series. His notes on some recent injuries, as well as some pitching and hitting problems for the ChiSox raised some questions about whether or not Chicago really would be a good place for Jake to call home. In his final comments, Sports Geek concluded by considering Peavy’s trade value, and a lack of any compelling reason for him to go to Chicago.
There was one more point raised, though, which I felt really cut to the heart of this debate, and ultimately which tipped the scales in favor of the Sports Geek. That was the point he raised regarding the present AND FUTURE trade value of Jake Peavy. With 10 weeks remaining until the trade deadline, Peavy still has plenty of time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. While the White Sox may be a contender right now, a lot can happen over a 10-week period.
That point, raised by Sports Geek during his initial comments, ultimately carried the day, and earned him the first victory in TSD! Congratulations Sports Geek!
WHILE THE FINAL VERDICT IS IN, THE DEBATE DOESN’T HAVE TO END…
Visit our Overtime blog for follow-up commentary by our contributors. See their reactions to the judge’s verdict, and weigh in yourself with more thoughts on the Peavy Trade, as well as your own reactions to the judge’s decision.
Once again, I want to thank you all for making our launch a successful one. Make sure to stop by later today and find out what our next debate will be! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to TSD’s RSS feed (it’s free), and make sure to follow us on Twitter!
At a time when most geek’s everywhere are “having a moment” due to the fact that the new 2010 Madden Player ratings are out, I’m pulled back into this debate about Jake Peavy rightly spurning the White Sox trade proposal.
I can see the tendency to make the debate about Peavy being a prima donna, Loyal Homer. In fact, it seems that the very topic of a player exercising their rightfully earned no trade clause is your Pet Peavy (yes folks, I write my own jokes).
But, if you want to argue Peavy is a prima donna, what would you have him do when put in this precarious situation by his employer? Accept the trade terms that his idiot organization agreed to (when his trade value is lowest), and find himself in a situation not to his liking, while simultaneously having slammed the door on a possible return to San Diego? That doesn’t sound too smart for a pitcher that is smart.
So, let’s bring the debate back to the original topic our esteemed judge will deliver a verdict on: Jake Peavy should not have accepted the trade to the White Sox. It’s not a referendum on every historical Peavy trade possibility; it’s a debate about this specific trade. a trade whose outcome we all know for certain Peavy had 100% control over.
Jake Peavy has no compelling reason to go to the White Sox. He has no desire to play there. He’s mentioned the teams he would be willing to waive his no trade clause for, and various circumstances other than Jake Peavy’s opinion have prevented those trades from getting consummated (see the pending Chicago Cubs sale, for one). This trade proposal with the White Sox is the first one with an outcome we all know for certain Peavy had 100% control over with his well-earned no trade clause. I’m all for having a debate about the merits of the no-trade clause (comments, please?) but that’s for another time.
Also, unless Seezy is a die-hard Padres fan, I think it’s safe to say that casual fans can name other Padres.
None of your argument acknowledges the facts of the situation. The current Padres offer him a chance at success (and continued large contracts, though not with the Padres, it seems) because Petco Park plays to the pitcher’s advantage. Why leave a situation where the closer, Heath Bell, was good enough to oust shoe-in Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman? Why leave a park notorious for preventing homers? Why forgo control of your contract for a situation with another team where you don’t have control? Answer my rhetorical questions!!
Loyal Homer said, “the Padres obviously don’t want…” Jake Peavy. I completely disagree with that notion. It’s not that they don’t want him, it’s that they can’t afford to keep him. For this trade with the White Sox, Peavy had control and killed the trade because he doesn’t see the White Sox as a contender – and he’s right.
The judge’s verdict is next! Leave some comments to sway his opinion!
Is it just me, or is Jake Peavy starting to gain the reputation of being a prima donna? Yes, I know he has a no-trade clause in his contract, and I know he has it in there for a reason – it’s to prevent the Padres from trading him to a team like the Nationals.
But, the White Sox are at least the third team that has tried to acquire Peavy. First, the Braves tried to acquire Peavy by trading Yunel Escobar and prospects to the Padres. Peavy privately told friends he no longer wanted to go to Atlanta. This, is after stating in the past that he would love to play for the Braves, as pointed out by Seezy in a comment on my previous post.
After that trade fell through, a proposed trade with the Cubs never materialized. This past winter, it seemed like everyday we would turn on our television or log on to our computer and read about the ‘Chronicles of Jake Peavy’. “Where will Jake go? Atlanta? Chicago? New York? Stay in San Diego?” It was like a mini-Brett Favre saga for much of the winter!
Now, he vetoes a trade to the White Sox. He says he just felt the timing wasn’t right. He wants to stay in San Diego right now. Blah blah blah! But, hasn’t he been saying all along that he wants to play for a contender and win a championship? Is San Diego that place? Let’s not kid ourselves, folks!
Despite the recent 10-game winning streak, the Padres are not a serious threat in the National League, or in the NL West, for that matter. Outside of Adrian Gonzalez, how many players of value are on that team? How many players on the Padres can the average baseball fan name? Trevor Hoffman? No sir, he is in Milwaukee. Greg Maddux? He is retired and in the midst of having his jersey retired by two other teams this year. Tony Gwynn? Sorry, where have you been the past decade? He retired years ago and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2007. He is now actually coaching the San Diego State Aztecs. In fact, they are actually playing in the NCAA regionals this weekend.
How many times in the past have we heard athletes say, “All I want to do is win” or ‘It’s not about me. It’s about the team.” Well, this time, Jake, it is all about you! The Padres obviously don’t want you and are trying to rebuild, but they can’t do that with you putting the brakes on every trade they manufacture!
Jake Peavy is a smart pitcher. Take, for example, that he’s a pitcher, not a thrower. You need to be athletic to throw, but smart to pitch. Good pitching comes down to decision-making – like his smart decision to avoid leaving the Padres for a team like the White Sox.
Let’s examine the Pale Hose as an organization right now. Sure, it’s tough to count anyone out in the AL Central right now. But, luck (like youth) isn’t on the White Sox side right now. Carlos Quentin just felt something pop in his foot, Jermaine Dye is in a contract year (and the Sox aren’t likely to resign him), the young hitting is inconsistent, in fact the entire lineup is inconsistent, and the bullpen is mediocre (with Jenks having blown 2 of his 13 chances this year. And, his beard is ugly). Oh, and he’s spent his entire career in the NL. Why, in the midst of a 10-game winning streak for the suddenly competent Padres, would he want to so dramatically change his situation? It’s simple – he doesn’t.
This was another bold attempt by Ken Williams to make a splash, without considering if he could actually pull it off. The bold move put Peavy in an awkward situation where he is publically forced to choose between the team he’s called home for 8 years and a new, unfamiliar, uncertain circumstance. It’s hard to understand how you can argue to accept the trade on these terms! If Peavy goes to the Sox, he is publically vilified for all eternity (see Jim Thome and Northeast Ohio). If he stays, he’s considered loyal (for now). For me, it’s neither – he’s prudent.
Would this trade have made business sense? No. Why would Peavy say yes to a trade 10-weeks before the trade deadline? If he wants to go to a contender, have all of the contenders started to separate themselves at this point in the season? Uh, no. Not even close. Plus, the closer he gets to the trade deadline pitching in those ugly camo-green Padre uniforms, the higher his value skyrockets.
Okay, now, does this trade make baseball sense for Peavy? No – he’s pitching in a park that is a pitcher’s paradise. It’s 402 feet to the power allies in right and left field. His closer, Heath Bell, has a 0.47 ERA and is 13 for 13 in save chances as the marquee talent in a solid bullpen. That guarantees a win for him if he goes 8 innings.
Not only all of that, but this is right in line with Padres history. Brian Giles turned down a different shade of sock last year, and back in the Padres hey-day (hey, that rhymes) the great Phil Nevin spurned trades to the Reds and Orioles respectively. What does all of that mean? Probably that living in San Diego, in that beautiful, pitcher-stat-padding park, is a good thing for Peavy.
Late last Thursday, San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy vetoed a potential trade that would have sent him to the Chicago White Sox. Is this a mistake? Should have he accepted the trade? The Loyal Homer says yes!
Peavy has been saying for months that he wants to be traded to a contender. Not only does he want to play for a team that will contend this year, but for a team that will be contending for years to come. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has stated that he feels that Peavy is not wearing a Brave uniform this year because Peavy felt the Braves were not likely to be a contender in 2009 and beyond.
The White Sox entered Tuesday’s action at 20-24 and 5.5 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central. With Peavy, the White Sox truly felt they could make a push towards the top. Nobody expects the Tigers to continue their recent hot play. By most accounts, that division is still up for grabs. With Peavy in the rotation, a decent White Sox rotation becomes a lot better. Mark Buerhle (6-1 with a 2.59 ERA) is pitching like he did earlier this decade. But after that, the rotation is sketchy. Gavin Floyd is hit or miss and it’s been more miss of late. Bartolo Colon has 13 wins since his 21 win season in 2005. John Danks is a 3rd starter at best. And Jose Contreras is currently in the minor leagues. With Peavy, the White Sox have two aces in Buerhle and Peavy.
The offense is underachieving slightly but they have the talent to turn it around. Paul Konerko is having somewhat of a bounce back year. Carlos Quentin isn’t hitting for average but is still showing some pop. When healthy, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome are still legitimate power threats. Alexei Ramirez got off to a terrible start, but he is showing signs of life, having improved his batting average 30 points in the past two weeks. Nowhere to go but up for Ramirez.
If Peavy really wants to go to a contender, then I think he missed the boat on this one. He could live to regret it.
After months of planning, preparation, and slacking off at our real jobs, it’s finally time to kick off the inaugural matchup of “The Sports Debates!”
I am the Bleacher Fan, and it is my esteemed privilege and honor to be your host and guide as we launch the maiden voyage of this beautiful vessel of information sharing, which I will affectionately refer to henceforth as “TSD.”
There are a lot of celebrities on hand ringside for tonight’s main event, which is about to get underway. So, without any further ado (I always wanted to say that!!!), it is my pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time ever…
THIS WEEK’S SPORTS DEBATE!!!!
The Chicago White Sox have been working very diligently in recent weeks to try and add to their roster some talent which they feel will make them a contender for the 2009 World Series. Much of that effort has been spent in negotiations with the San Diego Padres, in an effort to bring the 2007 NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy over to their organization.
Despite those efforts, it appears that the White Sox and Padres will not be able to finalize the deal. Jake Peavy has made the decision not to waive his no-trade clause, thereby blocking the trade, and ensuring that he stays in San Diego (for now).
For this first debate, I will be asking my esteemed colleagues – Sports Geek and Loyal Homer – to consider the situation and weigh in on why Peavy should or should not have accepted this trade.
Loyal Homer will be arguing the position that Peavy should have accepted the trade, while Sports Geek will be arguing the position that he should not have accepted the trade.
Following a coin-toss to determine honors for this debate, it was decided that Loyal Homer would start things off.
After the Loyal Homer provides his initial position in this debate, the Sports Geek will then provide a response/position statement. Once both sides have made their initial arguments, each will be given one additional opportunity to argue for their position. Upon completion of the second round of debate, I, as judge for this first contest, will weigh in with my final verdict as to who the winner will be.
I will also act as moderator throughout this first debate to ensure that all arguments remain on topic.
Now that the formalities have been dispensed, there is nothing left for us but to sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle that is…
And we're back... Should college coaches look into criminal and juvenile records when recruiting? The verdict says YES! http://bit.ly/dZ5LF310 months ago
Posted by Loyal Homer 
