Quick hitters

Friday 5/17/24

Patriots prediction in mid-May: They will be the worst team in the NFL next year.

The Patriots' dynasty was a twenty-year aberration, which Robert Kraft (who I consider clueless, brainless, disingenuous) erroneously believed--and perhaps still believes--put his team among the NFL's model and most desirable franchises, one of historical, longstanding repute, like the Cowboys, Packers, and Steelers (the Steelers most of all). Other teams on that level, or close to it, or the next one down: Vikings, Giants, Bears (primarily because of history/former mystique/prevailing identity), Broncos, Forty-Niners, Chiefs, Raiders (who would be in that first group if they'd stop moving around).

Where are the Patriots? They're with teams like the Cardinals, Titans, Buccaneers, Panthers. I think they're lower than the Jets, because at least the Jets have New York. The Patriots are not a team anyone is going to want to go to if they don't have to. I love Foxborough, I grew up there, and it's only thirty miles or whatever it is from Boston, but it can feel like an outpost compared to LA or Miami. (But if you like leafy New England lanes, then you'll love it.)

I put the Patriots on the lowest rung of NFL franchises. It's almost like they're two franchises. The one that did that, and then this completely different thing. There was no carryover or rub-off. When Brady left, the (extended) aberration ended.

This Denver-Minnesota series in the NBA is odd. Timberwolves annihilated the Nuggets last night, holding Denver to 70 points. Series very rarely--if ever--go the way this one has. I wonder if one has. Higher seed loses first two at home, wins two on the road, wins at home, gets crushed on the road, and we'll see with Game 7 at home. I think Denver will win. They have champion moxie and the best player in the world. But it's not going to surprise me if they don't.

The Red Sox' team ERA is 2.79, which is outstanding. It's the best in baseball. The Red Sox, though, are 22-22.

Do you know how difficult it is to have 1. A team ERA of 2.79 after almost 1/3 of the season and 2. Not be above .500 with a team ERA of 2.79 after almost 1/3 of the season?

If your team ERA is 2.79, your winning percentage should be like .700. Okay, maybe not that high, but not far off. And it could definitely be that high.

Here is some reality: Rafael Devers is a minor star. He'll only be a minor star. He may not be a minor star for that long when all is said and done because he's out of shape, doesn't take things seriously enough, and got way, way overrated by his organization, his city, and his manager. The way Alex Cora talks about Devers you'd think he was Mike Schmidt.

Lastly, the Bruins: You cannot have your season end, for the second year in a row, on home ice to the Florida Panthers. Whatever you need to do, you must do it to prevent that from happening, because if you have any pride, it can't go like that again.

The Bruins have their season end on home ice a lot. I don't know if it's more than anyone else in hockey and basketball, but it seems that way to me. They lose elimination games at home to be sent home. Does not matter the round: They lose at home when it matters most.

Have to win this one tonight. Florida is the better team, but by not so big a margin that you can't make up the difference in guts.