Sunday's Thoughts

It’s been awhile…I know.

Some thoughts follow.

Basketball
I like the Lakers today to hammer the Rockets in game #7. That’s why you play the regular season - to win home court in the post-season.

Remember, NBA role players play much better at home. That's why the home court is so important in this sport.

Regardless, congratulations to the Rockets' players and coaching staff. They play smart and play hard. Rick Adelman got the most out of that club – especially once Yao Ming went down.

By the way, if Phil Jackson is such a genius, how come his team has to go seven to beat an undermanned Rocket team when he (Phil) has Kobe Bryant on his roster?

The guy (Phil) is simply too smug for me.

Boston should also win game 7 as well. Why? The Celtics are at home and simply have a higher basketball IQ than Orlando, even thouhg the Magic have more talent without Garnett dressed in Celtic green.

It would be nice to see Orlando take away the right elbow when Paul Pierce has the ball today. Pierce has been able to go to his sweet spot, time and time again, in this series. Maybe forcing him left occasionally or doubling him when he’s on would help.

Look for Ray Allen to show up as well in game 7. He's far from the player he was several years ago but he can still occassionally shoot lights out. I don't see him going 4-for-14 tonight.

As for Dwight Howard, he may be the “least skilled” star I have ever seen. He’s all size, power and quickness, possessing no post moves whatsoever. He’s just more athletic and stronger than the guys who cover him.

Whoever advances will likely take one from Cleveland - two max. Cleveland is just much better. Period.

Yes, I still like the Cavaliers to take the Lakers in seven games. Nothing I've seen since November tells me otherwise.

Football
Eric Mangini hasn’t coached one game as the Browns’ new boss, but we at least know he looked at film and surmised the obvious – Cleveland had arguably the worst wide receiver group in the NFL in 2008.

Mangini drafted two receivers in round two of the ’09 draft and he’s also signed several veteran wide outs trying to add depth to an extremely weak position.

Recently, a local scribe wrote a piece that has gotten a lot of local attention with the theme that Brady Quinn has been “the most mismanaged player” since the franchise’s return in 1999.

You think?

Speaking of the media, don’t expect Mangini and company to get much of a honeymoon period. Mangini is from Mr. Bill’s school of “the less information divulged the better and expect minimal access to players and coaches.”

That will result in a very short honeymoon period if Mangini doesn’t win early. They’ll be all over him ASAP.

The Minnesota Vikings aren’t sold on the quarterbacks on their roster based on their latest pursuit of Brett Favre. No kidding.

I still don’t understand why they wouldn’t want DA taking snaps for them this coming season.

They have a decent offensive line, one of the best running backs in football (Adrian Peterson) to take pressure of the quarterback, and a solid defense. It seems like a good fit for Anderson, who is available, would come relatively cheap at this point (a #2 and #3 pick) and has had more success under center than anyone on that roster.

Baseball
The Indians have finally started playing Astrubal Cabrera at SS. Again, better late than never. We called for the switch two years ago – although this corner wanted Peralta playing second.

Regardless, the defense is now stronger up the middle – as it should be. That should help a pitching staff that needs all the help it can get.

Speaking of pitching – is it me or do the Indians have more soft tossing lefties than any organization is baseball?

As for their current black hole, otherwise known as their middle relief, I would try every quality arm I had in the farm system until I found two or three guys who can help.

Instead, they recently called up a 39 year old and continue to sign veteran cast offs from other organizations. Why?

Go to the kids and see who sinks and who can swim. If a youngster fails, send him back down. The experience will do him some good and make him less anxious the next time around.

I simply don’t believe you ruin a pitcher by bringing up too early if you are only asking him to give you 20-30 pitches per outing. It’s not like they are looking for their best young prospects to give them 200+ innings at the ML level.

Soft tossers especially, who depend on changing speeds and pitch location, could be more effective in middle relief if they are able to adapt.

Most of these guys get hit the second and third time around as starters. The reason – their stuff isn’t good enough to get them much past the fifth or six innings most nights.

So why not see if a couple of these guys aren’t better suited to go through the line-up just once two or three times a week?

A third option is to trade one or two of your better position player prospects for ML established set up men.

The point is- if you are the Tribe, you have to try everything at this point or the season will quickly be lost.

Calling up 39 year olds and signing cast offs doesn’t cut it with me.