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Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Cleveland Browns Did It Right
Whew! The NFL Draft has finally begun. The drama filled soap opera that has been the Cleveland Brown’s lead up to the draft has finally climaxed. Analysts and fans alike knew the Browns were in the best position to take a step forward in the 2017–18 NFL season. However in the back of our minds, we all worried the Browns would mess up again. But after declaring they would choose Myles Garrett as the No. 1 pick, the story was clearer: the Browns can do it right.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe End of an Era: Detroit Out of the Playoffs
For the first time in 25 seasons, the Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs. With a lockout season thrown in the timeline, that means this is the first time since the 1989–90 season that the NHL Playoffs will begin without Detroit.
Kyle VandenbergPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedBut How Will They Look in the Jersey?
Advanced stats are fine. WAR, VORP, +RC, HPV, WWII — all helpful as means by which we can view sports through a more precise and insightful lens. It also helps those of us who could never hit a step-back jumper over a human with go-go-gadget arms feel as though we have special access to the impossible. Analytics offer fans the comfort of science in the midst of mythology. Thus new analytic acumen must figure heavily into asset swaps. An analytically driven investigation of each NBA trade made during the past ten days would be extremely interesting…
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedSomeone, Anyone Trade for Richard Sherman
The saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But apparently the Seattle Seahawks didn’t get that memo. The last few weeks of the offseason have been littered with talk that the Seahawks are fielding offers for their All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.
Kenan GoyettePublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Worst Mock Draft On the Internet: Part III
Headed for a WASPISH 40 years of barely speaking: Bad marriage tier three — a poor fit Trailblazers, Pick 13: T.J. Leaf, Ore…err…UCLA
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedFrom South Carolina to South Beach: Why SC’s Sindarius Thornwell Is Perfect for the Miami Heat
By now, the world is familiar with the man they call Sindarius — Sindarius Thornwell to be exact. Thornwell is one of the biggest stars of this year’s edition of March Madness, the reigning SEC Basketball POY, and the emotional and on court leader of not only one of the feistiest teams the NCAA tournament has ever seen but also probably one of the greatest “Cinderella” stories. Finishing their regular season and not knowing if they would be invited to the big dance, South Carolina would go on to demolish their first round opponent before crushing one of the favorites of the tournament — the Duke Blue Devils. Fast forward to their next game against Baylor, and let’s just say it wasn’t even close. This is all before Thornwell would finally lead the South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball program to frontiers it had never seen before — the Final Four.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Worst Mock Draft on the Internet: Part I
Mock drafts are delightful. Analysts try to discern the best possible location for various prospects to land. Mock drafts are also boring. For the millionth time, I know Markel Fultz is good.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedAn Expert Weighs in on the Meaningless NBA
I hate being happy so I recently watched the Emoji Movie with my wife and three children. Thirty years from now, when main character T.J. Miller reveals that the Emoji Movie was, in fact, a cleverly veiled attack on the American Tween’s loss of autonomy as a result of widespread digital addiction, I may appreciate this film.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedBrendan Mckay Could Excel as a Two-Way Player
It’s not too often you hear of a player being selected in the draft as a hitter and pitcher. Hunter Greene, the second overall pick by the Reds, was selected as a right handed pitcher thanks to a triple digit fastball. He could have also gone as a first round talent at shortstop, where he possesses a very strong arm and excellent bat speed at the plate.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedExploring the Possibility of the Warriors Failing to Reach the Finals
A week ago, the Golden State Warriors feared losing the No. 1 seed to the San Antonio Spurs. Now, they find themselves a full three and a half games ahead of the No. 2 seeded Spurs. This is in large part due to Wednesday night’s spectacle of a performance by both sides, where the Warriors opened the game down 15–0 and were down by as much as 22, only to come back and win the game by 7 points. This came only a night after a tough road win versus the Houston Rockets, who they face again on Friday at the Oracle Arena.
Kenneth WilsonPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedRafael Devers is the Future at Third Base for the Red Sox
Rafael Devers is young. Very young. But his age doesn’t reflect how great of a ballplayer he is. Signed out of the Dominican just three years ago at 17, it hasn’t taken long for Devers to reach the big leagues. Just three years later, he’s mashing baseballs at the major league level. In 2013, he was praised by scouts for his offensive ability. In fact, Devers was considered the best left handed bat in that international signing class of 2013.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Most Finalisty Final Four Breakdown on the Internet
Horrible things happened along the way, but here we are — four teams remain. The original bracket breakdown I wrote became an immediate cause for embarrassment. My wife left me. My daughter asked that I not attend her parent/teacher conference. One of my sons publicly disowned me through an article in the local paper; which was weird because 1) it isn’t 1823 and 2) he’s only four.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced