It was a rare night when all four pro sports were in action. First time since November 1, 2009 when all four sports- plus soccer and college football- were in play on the same night..Some highlights..
- The Sixers won their home opener over the Bulls. No surprise. Philly will beat up on the lesser teams in the Eastern Conference and will be near 50 wins this season. But I still have the feeling the Sixers aren't as good as last season, certainly not as deep, unless the front office makes some moves and adds depth as the season progresses.
It's stupid to be coddling No. 1 overall draft pick Markelle Fultz. I get it that booing him would hurt his confidence, etc... If Fultz plays up to his ability, as the overall top pick in the draft, it will make Jayson Tatum in Boston a little easier to swallow. Right now it looks like a one-sided deal.
Fultz is what he is, and if he turns out to be a bust that's the Sixers fault for poor evaluation. I agree that you have to play Fultz. Sitting him on the bench does no good for his ability and confidence. Find out if he can play. If not, cut your losses and move on.
Fultz is getting paid and is a professional. Maybe he has more, with better shooting technique and growing confidence, or maybe we have seen the best already of Fultz. For better or for worse we will know soon if the Sixers made a mistake selecting Fultz.
- The Flyers lost in Columbus last night. Again they give up six goals. Their defense is bad. The goaltending is bad. They need a kick-start. When is Carter Hart coming up from the minors?
Blue Jacket goalie Bobrovsky, a former Flyer, won again. The Orange and Black made a big mistake in letting him go years ago.
The team plays at home Saturday afternoon against the Devils.
- Denver destroyed Arizona in Thursday night football, 45-10. The great thing about this meaningless game is, with the Cards continuing to lose and the trade deadline coming up, could a few Arizona players interest the Eagles? Corner back Patrick Peterson/ Running back David Johnson? Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald?
- The Red Sox, winners of 108 games this season, reached the World Series last night, winning all three games in Houston and taking the series in 5 games( I had the Sox winning in 6).The Astros, defending world champs, had a great team as well, winning over 100 games, but didn't seem as hungry. To lose all three games at homewas embarrassing. The controversial fan interference no-home run call in Game 4 had to be deflating. Houston has a good, young club and will be back in 2019.
Boston will wait for the Dodgers-Brewers winner, with LA going back to Milwaukee up 3-2. Whoever makes it out of the national league will have a tough task against the Red Sox, who will have home field advantage in the World Series.
- Thinking about Manny Machado's recent comments about not hustling, I'm hoping the Phillies get outfielder Bryce Harper instead. Harper and Hoskins in the middle of the line-up would be lethal for the opposition. Who needs a guy who openly proclaims he doesn't always hustle ? How bright is he to admit that "hustling isn't my cup of tea" before someone gives him $300-400 million? What message would that send to the younger players? The Phils should try to trade the moody Odubel Herrera and his bad attitude. Why bring another malcontent on board?
I think Machado may be a bit of a diva anyway. He is a superb third baseman yet insists on playing shortstop, a position he is no where as good at. The Phillies need both a third baseman ( looks like Franco will be trade bait) and shortstop ( will Kingery return to second base if Hernandez is dealt? But getting Harper, who is an outfielder, would force Hoskins to play first base again ( his natural position).
The Phillies management stresses that their poor defense must improve next season yet there is talk of playing Carlos Santana at third?Santana is another mistake that needs to go.
Anyway, Machado, talent-wise, is a huge step-up over what the Phillies have now, anywhere on the field. And maybe his attitude would change, especially if Phillie fans get on his case every night. Still, I'd rather see Harper in red pinstripes next spring.
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