The Dugout – Farewell Troy, Hello NBA Playoffs
So Long Troy, In Hair and in Farewell
The NFL has slightly less character these days for the retirement of Steelers legend Troy Polamalu (and Ike Taylor). The always recognisable safety (of American Samoan descent) hung up the cleats after twelve years, eight Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl championships. Seeing Polamalu sprinting towards the ball carrier from his safety position was one of the most thrilling – and terrifying – sights in football. You could argue that he helped revolutionise his position and he’s sure to find his way into the Hall of Fame.
“It actually hit me today in church that, ‘Man, you know what? You’re done. You’re done. Your training is done. Your getting in your stance in football is done.’ It actually hit me in the middle of church. I was like, all right, man, it’s time to start living.” – Troy Polamalu
Side note: As explored by Pete King this week, only one safety has been voted into the Hall of Fame in the last 26 years. ONE! Polamalu should have his old rival from the Ravens Ed Reed to accompany him in snapping that streak.
And as hinted, Ike Taylor has also finished playing. A fellow 2003 draft pick by the Steelers, he and Polamalu spent their entire careers together in the Steelers backfield. With veteran Defensive Coordinator (one of the all-time greats) Dick LeBeau also leaving (leaving, but not retiring) things are gonna look pretty different for the Steelers next season.
It was actually a pretty stink situation that led to the retirements, the Steelers exploiting the loyalty of the guys in encouraging them to hang it up to save them financially, but you can expect nothing less from the NFL these days. Too much money and not enough Polamalu.
Stuff That Happened in the NBA
Well, Russell Westbrook went off against the Pacers, putting up a mental stat line, except people got a little distracted. Lucky he had a certain Kobe Bryant to leap to his rescue.
The fact is, those 43 shots are gonna all be shot by someone, and who would you rather take them? If Westbrook passes it out, and the next dude misses, nothing has changed. And you’ll probably find that not too many guards score and efficient 54 points without getting to the line 25 times. The real problem with the game was Rusty picking up his 16th technical foul and an automatic suspension for the Thunder’s crucial game against the Portland Trailblazers, though that was rescinded in time for him to show.
Klay Thompson did his best to did it all again, he didn’t quite break records but he scored 26 in the second against Memphis (he had 42 in total), helping his side to yet another convincing win. With one game to play, the Warriors have 66 wins. That makes them one of 14 teams in history to win 66 games in a season, and if they beat the Denver Nuggets (if!?) then they’ll be the 10th team ever with 67 wins, and the first since Dallas in 2006-07. Funny story, that Dallas team was led by MVP Dirk Nowitzki, this Golden State team by probable-MVP Steph Curry. Yet that Dallas team was shockingly bundled out in the first round. The team they lost to? The Golden State Warriors.
Speaking of Steph, there’s this:
It’s absolutely crazy that with a single day left in the regular season, so many seedings are still up for grabs. The Pelicans and Thunder are fighting for the last spot in the West, the Pacers and Nets for the final spot in the East. We know that Golden State and Cleveland are the top seeds, Dallas and Boston seventh seeds. The rest is unknown, it’s gonna be an incredible Thursday afternoon (NZT) of basketball.
Leading into the playoffs, some teams try to time their runs, others hope to step up for the occasion. The San Antonio Spurs are riding a devastating 11 game win streak, the Clippers closed out their regular season with 6 on the trot, while Boston and Indiana surged their way down the stretch, winning a few thrillers. Guts for Boston, they’re rewarded with a series against the Cavaliers. (The Pacers will get the Hawks so long as they win their final game against Memphis or Brooklyn loses to Orlando – no small ask).
The Thunder may have stumbled their way towards the finish, but that’s no slight on Russell Westbrook, he’s still up to his usual tricks.
Oh, yo, but he took 43 shots to get there, that’s UNEFFICIENT!!! Take it away, Kobe:
Power Rankings:
(Last Week)
- Golden State Warriors (1)
- San Antonio Spurs (2)
- LA Clippers (4)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (3)
- Houston Rockets (5)
- Atlanta Hawks (6)
- New Orleans Pelicans (NR)
- Memphis Grizzlies (7)
- Chicago Bulls (9)
- Boston Celtics (NR)
Catch Of The Week
To rob a game-winning grand slam away from home, no less.
SPURS!
J.J. WHAT!?!?
Remember when J.J Watt posted those pics of him almost box jumping 61 inches? Well, he tried again.
New Browns Unis, Looking Flash
This follows hot on the heels of their drastically redesigned team logo…
The Milwaukee Bucks Joined the Redesign Game Too
Up To, Steve?
Quote of the Week:
"I never want to kill the dream of playing two sports. I would honestly play two sports."
Russell Wilson really wants to play a lil pro baseball. He was ceremoniously picked up by the Texas Rangers a couple years ago, eligible for the rule 5 draft after being spending a couple years in the Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies systems out of high school. He was a half decent position player for two years in Class A, before going all in on his football. Yet he has still managed to show up to spring training with the Rangers the last couple years. Fella’s pretty keen.
"I don't know, I may push the envelope a little bit one of these days."
Good Week:
Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) – MIGGY! The perennial superstar slugger has begun 2015 on a tear, with 16 hits already and 9 RBI. In particular he slaughtered some quality pitching in Cleveland, going 11-14 against the Indians. Eleven of fourteen!
Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics) – Most people thought he was gonna be a great coach in the NBA, but a few wondered if his competitive nature could survive in a rebuilding Celtics environment. Rebuilding? Pfft. The Celts are off to Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs and Isaiah Thomas is a Sixth Man candidate. No actual worries.
Kansas City Royals – One of the big questions of the pre-season: Who’ll be this year’s Royals? The underdog side that goes on a huge run. Well… how about the Royals? Undefeated through their first 7 games, the only side yet to lose. And what’s more, while last year they excelled in tight games, this year so far it’s been a runaway.
Bad Week:
New York Knicks – Oh, the Knicks have been bad, believe it. The other day they and the Magic combined for a total of 15 points (8-7 to NYK), the lowest quarter total in the shot clock era. The Knicks shot 3-20, the Magic 3-19. But then they bounced back with a 112-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks… only to get booed even more for the implications it might have on their draft lottery. Even when they win they still lose.
Jennry Mejia (NY Mets) – Injured warming up for the season opener, then banned 80 days for testing positive for PEDs. Rough start for the Mets reliever, who denied an intentional juicing. He’s the fourth player in less than three weeks to test positive for the steroid Stanozolol, which is popular among body builders.
Player of the Week:
Adrian Gonzalez (LA Dodgers) – Quite the way to start the new season, hitting 16 for 30 with 10 extra base hits, 5 of them home runs. An incredible start from a guy who’s sure to play a massive part in the Dodgers’ season. They ain’t playing for second place, that’s for sure.