* The Sixers decided not to pick up the 2018 option of Jahill Okafor . They continue not to play him. He is 21 and healthy. They should admit they made a mistake in drafting him with the overall No. 3 pick in the NFL draft several years ago. Cut ties and let the guy go on and play somewhere else. It's stupid just to deactivate him every game.
Okafor can score and he can't play defense. The Sixers aren't going to get a No. 1 pick for him now, especially when he doesn't play. Move on form Okafor already.
The 76'ers play at home tonight against Indiana before going on a 5-game west coast swing.
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The Flyers showed some grit last night by shutting-out the Blues in St,.Louis last night, 2-0. Defense man Ivan Provonov tied a team record by blocking 10 shots. After getting blanked by the Blackhawks, the Flyers beat the 10-3-1 Blues on their home ice.
Philadelphia returns home for a Saturday night match-up with Colorado.
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I posted yesterday about the Gabe Kapler press conference and how weird I think the new Phillies manager seems to be. But, as I also wrote, we need to give the guy a chance. Maybe his "forward"way of thinking out of the box, and his ability to communicate with young players and his excellent player evaluation will pay off and off-set his lack of managerial experience.
I was at my monthly Hot Stove baseball discussion last evening. A local scout from the Red as a guest. Very interesting talk about what scouts look for in prospects and how many eyes view each player.
One thing I did learn, like it or not, analytics are here to stay. Scouts are evaluating players more than ever by stats and numbers.GM Klentak is big into analytics and wanting his own guy as manager, He will sink or swim with Kapler.
But, as the scout noted, one thing you can't define by analytics is if a guy has "baseball smarts" and the desire to be great. Does he hold up to pressure? Does he take care of his body- both physically and mentally, to the rigors of a long season? How does he handle the ups and downs of a baseball season?
Baseball is a game of failure. Even the best hitters fail 7 out of 10 times. Analytics can't measure what in a player's head and heart, and how he deals it the emotions of the game.
Analytics are here to stay, and we need to live with it. The perfect marriage is blending analytics with common sense and logic, and judging a player with the eye. Hopefully Kapler finds this perfect combination with the Phillies.
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Phil Martelli, the St. Joseph's overrated basketball coach ( I love the Hawks, and Martelli seems like a really nice guy- I just think he's a lousy recruiter and coach) picks the Broncos to beat the Eagles this Sunday, 21-20. Dick Vermeil picks the birds, but admits the game will be close. Most so-called football experts agree that Denver should cover the 8 point spread.
The Eagles continue to get little respect. I picked Philly to win this week, 23-17. Denver's defense is good, starring Von Miller. I don't like their quarterback situation. Plus the Eagles are playing too good to let up now. They don't want to go into their bye week with a bad taste in their mouth before heading to Dallas.
Denver is playing the third of three consecutive road games. They are coming off a short week, after losing to Kansas City on Monday night.Certainly, the Broncos are the more desperate team, and an Eagle loss wouldn't be devastating.
I just can't see the Broncs winning on Sunday. Lighting up the vaunted Denver defense may finally get the Birds even more respect and attention from the national media.
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