It wasn’t as easy as it might have been, but Spurs won the Carling Cup Sunday, so no matter how much goes wrong this week, it’s been a good one.
To the left is man of the match Jonathan Woodgate, who anchored the defense and scored the game-winner.
Anyway, here's some stuff Gravette and I wrote about.
Do GMs and others put too much stock in the NFL Combine?
Gravette: There is no doubt in my mind that the NFL Combine is rubbish.
Three full days of running 40’s, vertical leaps and bench presses in the weight room. How is that supposed to prove how good of a football player you could be?
I don’t even see any reason for holding the combine. All this talk about whose stock is rising and whose stock is falling. Who cares?
I guess the ‘Golden Boy’, Tom Brady, didn’t do so hot at the combine and look where he is at. Akili Smith must have had a great showing and look where he’s at now.
These people should forget about how fast these kids can run and look at their performance on the field. That is all that should matter.
Staubs: While I fully support the use of the word rubbish, I find it hard to agree with Mr. Gravette on this issue. The importance of the combine might be a bit overstated, but for the relevant teams, the combine can make all the difference.
Impact players can be found at the combine. Good teams find these guys that can help their team right away.
Antonio Cromartie was never going to be a first-round pick until he impressed at the combine last year, and he ended up leading the Chargers to the AFC Championship game despite the numerous injuries the team suffered. The guy will be an elite corner for years to come, and if not for the combine he would have been a late second-round or early third-round pick.
For every major bust, there are plenty of success stories that don’t get as much play from the media or the common fan. The combine works.
Will Mike Bibby take the Hawks to the playoffs?
Staubs: The Hawks now have the players to not only make the playoffs, but to win a series. The problem is that they have a true buffoon on the sidelines.
Down the stretch and (potentially) in the playoffs, Woodson will cost them games. He already has, but because the expectations for the Hawks are so low, he isn’t yet on the hot seat.
The other night, the Hawks were playing a close game against my favorite team, the Utah Jazz (I always loved Stockton, Hornacek, Malone, and Sloan, and have continued to follow the young team currently in place). While sweating the end of the game, there was simply no doubt that the well-coached Jazz would make the plays to win and the poorly-coached Hawks would not.
The Jazz, after trailing most of the game, scored 10 points on their final five possessions – on two lay-ups and six free throws – while the Hawks forced shots and ended up losing by six. If the coaches were reversed … I don’t know that the outcome is the same.
Despite Woodson, the Hawks will probably sneak in to the playoffs, but will be swept by the seasoned Pistons or Cavs in the first round.
Gravette: I’ve always thought the Hawks needed a point guard to do some damage, and they finally got one.
After years of drafting big men over point guards, they settled on Mike Bibby. In my opinion, this would have been a good trade about three years ago when Bibby was considered one of the best in the league, but I haven’t even heard about him this year.
I know he has been hurt and all, but I’m not sure he can play anymore. If the Hawks get to the playoffs, it’s all because of my boy J-Smooth. That kid can play.
Bibby can only help the Hawks, but I don’t see him having a huge impact simply because he can’t stay healthy. So no, the Hawks aren’t going to the playoffs because of Bibby.
Was there a better decision than Keith Van Horn’s to go to New Jersey for over four million dollars?
Gravette: Of course not. This guy may be the smartest person I know. He is going to make over four million dollars by sitting on a bench for a month. Does it get any better than that? Nope. Enough said.
Staubs: Yeah, what a coup he’s pulled here. These Mormon guys are pretty smart. I probably should have supported Romney after all.
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