Yours truly, Jacob Anstey, back for another IAH! Weekend Edition update. Enjoy.
STARTING FIVE
Not three or four — “only” two.
1. Potential Breakup Looms
In this day and age of social media and interconnectivity, we follow athletes with aggression. Their decisions may befuddle us (out of fandom or rationality) or enthrall us. Case and point: The Decision.
We are coming up on Lebron’s four-year anniversary of the infamous decision and the trio formation of James, Bosh and Wade. Some expected a dynasty and others wanted misery to fall upon the team in South Beach. What we got was four straight title appearances and two NBA championship rings. And a lot of media conjecture in-between.
With one year remaining on all three players’ respective contracts, each player has the option to opt-out of his final year and enter free agency. The real question is, will anyone do so?
Lebron’s decision this offseason has the potential to inflict a domino effect on the league. If he stays, all remains relatively calm: Bosh and Wade return, take a pay cut, and the Heat sign two middle-of-the-pack NBA players and one NBA veteran (I’m throwing curves blindfolded; the Heat could, if Wade and Bosh take a big enough pay cut, sign a solid NBA player.) Or, if Lebron decides to opt-out and leave, all bets are off. He could return to Cleveland, but this happened. Or he could team up with a healthy Rose in Chicago. One or the other, he’s not leaving the East.
Reminder: The Suns, who finished 9th in the Western Conference standings, could make an argument that they would have been the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Think about that…
The Decision 2.0 will not occur. A big NBA free agency period may, however.
2. The End of an Era
One customer too many.
The Staples of technology retailers, RadioShack closed Friday on the NYSE at an all-time low, 92 cents. Or, roughly a 98.84% decrease in stock price since reaching its all-time high in December of 1999, $79.50.
I’m frightened to read their financial statements, but they are treading water — fast. As a kid, RadioShack was the cool place to be. Now, kids under the age of eleven may not even know what RadioShack is. Before RadioShack disappears forever, let’s give “The Shack” its deserved farewell.
It was fun while it lasted.
3. Dr. Dumb
“Come on down…you’ve won a new CAR!”
Granted, this is old news. But, with that said, something about the insensitivity of these television doctor shows irk me.
I’m all for people wanting help to lose weight and make their life more eventful. These doctors – even with their P.h.Ds – still insist on quick cure-all supplements. When it comes to being healthy and fit, there’s only one real solution: exercise.
Dr. Mehmet Oz could simply suggest exercise for the short-term and long-term, instead of creating the illusion that a drink can solve all your problems. I’m no doctor, nor am I pursuing a medical degree. But, I am very well-versed in this subject, and the idea of someone suggesting a cure-all is stupid. That’s for infomercials, not televised shows.
4. Risk Tolerance
Joel Embiid has the potential to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon.
On Thursday, it was announced that the venerable 7-foot center Joel Embiid was to have surgery on his foot, after doctors detected a stress fracture in his navicular bone. After having surgery on Friday, his timetable to return is between 4-6 months.
Jeff Goodman, who covers basketball for ESPN Insider, has written that Embiid has the potential to be Hakeem Olajuwon at his best and Bismack Biyombo at his worst. A variation that cannot become any more polar.
As a friendly reminder, Embiid missed the Big 12 tournament and NCAA tournament because of a back problem. He is, after all, a 7-foot center.
It is undeniable that Embiid will now drop in the draft. To me, it now comes down to a GM’s risk tolerance to draft the Kansas star. History shows that big men that have suffered either a stress fracture or have experienced a navicular foot injury miss time (see below, courtesy of ESPN). The risk of being injury prone is no joke; he has suffered two major injuries in less than a year. I’d be wary of drafting him in the top 10. The NBA is a league of hit and miss players and Embiid could potentially be the latter of the two.
| Year(s) | Player | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Joel Embiid | ? |
| 2013-14 | Brendan Haywood | 97 |
| 2009-11 | Yao Ming | 159* |
| 2006 | Kurt Thomas | 29 |
| 2002-03 | Eric Montross | 82* |
| 2002-03 | Jerome James | 27 |
| 96-97/99-01 | Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 202 |
| 1987-88 | Bill Walton | 82* |
| 1987 | Kevin McHale | 14 |
| *- Did Not Play Again After Injury –ESPN Stats & Information |
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5. The Greatness of Futbol
Thomas Muller and Germany look to eliminate Ghana in the group stage.
There’s a ton of good World Cup matches this weekend, and it all begins at 12 pm on ESPN with Argentina versus Iran. The match that follows, however, is a Group G dual that has ramifications for the U.S. team. With a German win today and a United States win tomorrow, the U.S. would advance to the Round of 16. Noted, it is much easier said than done.
The Germans humiliated Portugal in their previous match, 4-0. In the 2010 World Cup, the Germans had to fight for group stage win versus Ghana, coming away with a 1-0 victory. United States fans should root for Germany. I, on the other hand, think Ghana can pull off the upset to stay alive.
The Germans are tough, the Black Stars desperate. Upsets have been the norm in this World Cup.
Watch out.
With it being the summer, I won’t bore you with a redundant Remote Patrol posting. When I think of an adequate substitute, this spot will be filled. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy your Saturday!