The Ups and Downs of the NBA Bubble.

We are now two weeks removed from the end of the NBA Finals where we saw the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Lebron James, capture their 17th title over a very game Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. The conclusion of Game 6 not only brought an end to the 2019-20 NBA season (finally), but it also saw the end of the Orlando Bubble. So I thought I would share my thoughts on the entire operation that the league put together. 

Things that I loved about The NBA Bubble:

1. It brought basketball back into our lives, something that looked impossible after the league’s suspension in March. My biggest concern about the bubble was the health and safety of the players and staff; originally I didn’t even want the season to resume. I didn’t feel right that people would be risking their lives in a pandemic for my entertainment - I know it’s their job but still. However thanks to the league’s strict rules and guidelines, they were able to provide players and staff a safe space for three months.

2. It allowed players to express their social justice views specifically, it allowed them to amplify the Black Lives Matter movement. Players and coaches advocated for numerous causes like raising awareness for the movement and for seeking justice for Breonna Taylor. I was very proud that the league allowed players to use their voices and speak on social injustices. Adam Silver continues to show that he’s willing to listen to the concerns of the players and will do his best to try and support their actions for change in society.

3. It was like hanging out with a friend you haven’t seen in a very long time.  I honestly believed that the play would be sloppy but thanks to a few warm-up games, most of the rust was shaken off and players were roughly back to their former selves; from the minute that the first regular-season game started, it was like they never left. The excitement, the drama, the shocking moments - it was truly missed. 

4. Allowing teams that weren’t technically eliminated to participate in The Bubble added much-needed drama to regular-season games, especially in the West.  This revision to the schedule came in handy since the NBA had to play at least 70 regular season games or they would risk losing out on millions (*in the Rock’s promo voice*) ANDDDDDD MILLLIONSSSSSS of dollars. Read more about it right here ---------> https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/05/15/report-nba-would-lose-900-million-in-television-money-if-playoffs-are-canceled/ 

The fact that each game was literally a must-win for the teams was the biggest reason for The Bubble’s positive reception. Sure they weren’t playing for homecourt but it just meant that seeding mattered more than ever, especially for teams who didn’t have a seat at the “Playoff Table.”

5. The 8th vs 9th seed matchup forced the 8th seed to move forward while looking backward. They didn't have the luxury of a “cushion” to fall back on, which meant every win or loss meant more than it would’ve at the end of a non-pandemic season. The new dynamic provided some extra drama throughout the entire eight-game regular season but I don't think it can work when things go back to normal.

6. The multiple little adjustments that the NBA made to have it live up to its campaign of, “It’s a Whole New Game.” I.e. the different camera angles and the fact that when plays were reviewed and challenged, we were able to hear the referees speak instead of having the commentators speak to us. The virtual fans were a nice touch, especially when celebrities were in attendance. 

7. The fact that the bubble had 0 positive COVID cases proves once and for all that quarantining works, so hooray. 

Finally, the primary reason I think The bubble was such a huge success occurred during the playoffs: It completely erased home-court advantage, thus making it the great equalizer! The league did their best to try to give teams the feel of a home-court but there wasn't much they could do. There was no home-court advantage, no cheers or boos, no screaming chants for “DEFENSE.” It was just mano y mano -  who wanted it more. 

I used to think that home-court advantage wasn’t that important, but after witnessing some shocking upsets these playoffs (e.g. Heat over Bucks and Nuggets over Clippers), I think my opinion might change. 

Things that I didn’t like about the NBA Bubble: 

1. The fake audio noise that they tried to pump didn't do much for me. On a whole, I thought there were some audio problems but maybe it could have just been my cable provider. Some of the fake audio seemed to pause after a bucket was scored. 

2. The fact that coaches weren’t allowed to bring family members into The Bubble was whack. I know it was corrected after Mike Malone brought it up but still, they have every right to want at least one guest after spending so long in there. I understand the risk factor involved with it but they should’ve been given the option from the beginning. 

3. A lot of the refereeing was subpar. Several games had poor calls and the decisions really affected the outcome and flow of the game. The Tony brothers shouldn’t be allowed to even THINK about refereeing another NBA game and that’s on god. Scott Foster should be banned from officiating any Rockets game for the rest of his life. Bad calls happen and it’s a part of life but they seem more frequent with the aforementioned refs. 

For three months the Orlando Bubble gave fans some truly amazing and memorable moments and oh and how we needed them. From buzzer-beaters to 3-1 comebacks, you name it the Orlando Bubble had it all in spades. It made the basketball feel as normal as basketball could feel in a bubble with no fans in a worldwide pandemic. Sure circumstances were different but that doesn't take away from the fact that the journey and goal were the same for each team as it is every year - to win an NBA Championship. So contrary to what “Lebron Haters” say on Twitter - this ring does count. It isn’t a Mickey Mouse ring and you wouldn't be saying that if your team won it, so let’s not downplay the validity of the 2020 NBA Championship. *rant over*

As we say goodbye to the Orlando Bubble we are faced with numerous uncertainties regarding the next season. We don't know when the draft will be; when free agency will start; how much cap space will teams have and we don’t even know when the damn season is starting. But let’s just appreciate the fact that we were able to see the season through and we will face unknowns in the future. As Drake said, “Laugh now, cry later.” 

Andrew’s Favourite Bubble Memories 

• Caris LeVert leading the scrap heap Brooklyn Nets to 5 wins in the regular season.

• T.J. Warren becoming M.J. Warren (for like 5 games)

• The 8-0 Phoenix Suns (I’m still mad it wasn't them vs Blazers in the 8th matchup)

• The Miami Heat upsetting the Bucks in 5 games and eventually making the NBA Finals.

• The Raptors vs Celtics series

• The Thunder vs Rockets series

• Jamal Murray vs Donovan Mitchell

• The Nuggets coming back from 3-1 down…. Twice.

• Luka’s game-winner against the Clippers

• OG Anunoby’s game-winner against the Celtics in game 3.

• Lebron’s 4th ring and finals MVP.

• The Clippers still are not able to get out of the 2nd round. 

• Westbrook getting angry at Rondo’s brother in the stands, which was hilarious. 

• The 76ers firing Brett Brown before he even left the bubble, I mean that was just savage. 

• The players taking a stand and boycotting games after the murder of Jacob Blake.

• Danuel House getting kicking out for having an unauthorized female in his room, during the Rockets playoff series against the Lakers. LMAOOOOOOO!! My boy was starving.

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A look back at Bill O’Brien’s time with the Houston Texans.

On the 5^th of October 2020, the 0-4 Houston Texans fired their head coach, general manager, offensive play-caller, and probably team chef Bill O’Brien. My immediate reaction to this was to scream out “yessssirrrrrrrrrrr!!! It’s about damn time.” The fact that he had a job for as long as he did prove not only how weak the AFC South was, but also his ability to shift blame and avoid accountability. Let’s dive into his reign of ineptitude and mediocrity, shall we?

 

O’Brien was with the team since 2014 and posted an overall record of 52-48 in the regular season which included four AFC South Divisional Titles and a 2-4 playoff record.  During the early parts of his career, the only experience he had with the NFL was being on the New England Patriots staff from 2007-2011. He held many titles there during his four-year period. His highlight during that time was getting into a screaming match with the goat Tom Brady after he threw an interception against the Washington Redsk…... I mean Football Team on December 11^th, 2011.

 

From 2012 he then spent two seasons trying to revive the dead corpse of what was once called the Penn State football program. He was hired after the child sex abuse scandals involving their former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Because of this scandal, the Penn State program was faced with punishments like a five-year probation, a four-year postseason ban, losing forty scholarships from 2013 to 2017, and many others. 

 

So, Bill was taking over a team made up of scraps for lack of a better term. But the team was able to be much better than expected posting an 8-4 and 7-5 record in 2012 and 2013 respectively. He was then hired by the Texans on January 2^nd, 2014 after they fired Gary Kubiak and had the worst record in the league with 2-14. Subsequently, with the 1^st overall pick in the 2014 draft, the Texans selected defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney.

 

Texans’ Tenure Summary.

 

He went 9-7 with the team in his first three seasons, winning two AFC South titles in 2015 & 2016. In the 2015 postseason, they got blown out the water by the Kansas City Chiefs 30-0. In 2016 they did manage to beat the Derek Carr-less Oakland Raiders (back when he was an MVP candidate) to advance to the Divisional Round for the first time since 2012. They then fell to O’Brien’s former team, the Patriots 34-16.

 

What’s interesting is that in those three seasons, O’Brien had a revolving door of QBs. From 2014-2016 the Houston Texans had a total of 8 starting quarterbacks: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett (2014 & 2015), Case Keenum, Brian Hoyer, T.J. Yates, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, and Tom Savage. And apart from Ftizmagic, all those guys were trash.

 

Oh yeah Brock Osweiler, remember him? Remember when they signed him to a 4-year $72 million deal in 2016? Good times.

 

Now in the 2017 Draft, the Texans traded their 25^th pick and their 2018 1^st round pick to the Browns to move up to 12^th and grab Deshaun Watson. Now finally for the first time, O’Brien had a decent young quarterback to build around.

 

Watson missed nine games in the 2017 season and that combined with their defense finally falling apart caused the Texans to slip to a 4-12 record. He did bounce back in both the 2018 & 2019 season winning the division twice with a record of 11-5 and 10-6 respectively. In the playoffs both years, they managed a 1-2 record, advancing to the Divisional round in 2019.

 

So, if just looked at his record and his accomplishments you’ll be thinking, “gee-whiz this guy isn’t half bad,” but my friend you would be dead wrong. You see we need to look a little deeper into what else transpired during his tenure for us to get the full picture.

 

Helping Circumstances.

 

Firstly, the AFC South was a trash division during his time. Besides the Colts in the early 2000s, this division has been a breeding ground for disappointment and mediocrity. From 2014-2019, only the Texans have a winning percentage over 50% at 54.1%, Colts = 50%, Titans = 42.7% and Jags = 33.3%. 

 

Secondly, in his first three seasons, they only reason that they were able to stay above 500 was that their defense lead by J.J. Watt. Watt won two DPOYs during O’Brien’s tenure and helped anchor their defense to top 10 finishes in most statistical categories in both 2014 & 2015. Without Watt and the other defensive studs that the Texans had, it’s safe to say that O’Brien’s record wouldn’t be what it was.

 

Finally, let's discuss some of the moves he made during his time there, as this will highlight his biggest flaw which isn’t his mediocre coaching, but it’s his ego.

 

PS – I’m not counting the Duane Brown trade because that was more between Brown and the Texan’s owner.

 

Firing up the Trade Machine.

 

After the Texans fired Brian Gaine after only one season with them on June 7^th, 2019, they soon appointed executive VP Chris Olsen as the interim GM. This was the beginning of the year-long quest for power that O’Brien set out on. Let me highlight some of his “best moves.”

 

September 1^st – He ships Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo, and a 2020 3^rd round pick. Clowney was reluctant to play for the Texans because the team didn’t want to pay him as it would’ve taken them over the cap limit.

 

September 1^st – He acquires Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, a 2020 4^th rounder and a 2021 6^th rounder from the Dolphins in exchange for a 2020 & 2021 1^st round pick, a 2021 2^nd round pick, Johnson Bademosi and Julien Davenport. Now to me, isn’t even that bad. Giving up two 1^st rounders wasn’t ideal but Tunsil is a great lineman, so I find this was a decent enough trade.

January 28^th – A few weeks after blowing a 21-point lead to the Chiefs, Bill O’Brien was appointed the general manager of the Texans. For what reason, I still do not know.

 

March 16^th – He sends four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a 2020 4th round pick to the Cardinals and got back a 2020 2^nd round pick, a 2021 4^th rounder, and David Johnson. Just WTF man. It is alleged that O’Brien compared him to Aaron Hernandez and that he didn’t like, “all his baby mommas around.”  Yes, that Aaron Hernandez, the murderer.

 

In the span of fewer than 2 years, the Texans traded away three All-Pros and didn’t even receive a single 1^st round pick in return. If this isn’t the height of incompetence and ineptitude, then I don’t know what is.

 

After presenting this evidence I am here to tell you that Texans ownership didn’t screw Bill O’Brien, Bill O’Brien screwed Bill O’Brien. Due to his own egotistical and megalomaniac behavior, he failed to separate business reasons from personal ones and with that effectively doomed not only himself but the Texans organization. He leaves the Texans with the highest payroll this season at $248 million (I couldn’t find a website to confirm this but since these reporters know more than me let’s just take their word for it), no 1^st or 2^nd round picks in the 2021 draft and with 17 players to resign next season.

 

There’s a quote from Frank Herbert and it says, “Power tends to isolate those that have too much of it. Eventually, they lose touch with reality and fall.” After years of blame-shifting and finger-pointing, Bill O’Brien’s quest for more power finally paid off. He was “the man.” However, when s**t this the fan and he looked around for people to blame, he found himself alone at Mount Rushmore, unable to hide from the consequences of his actions.

 

If any of you Texans’ fans out there want to celebrate this new era, why not do it with some Texans’ merchandise from Fanatics.com. They offer the widest selection of all apparel and other items from all major US sports leagues like the NFL and NBA. So click the link below, head on over to Fantics.com, and remember, in the words of Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle, “treat yo self.”

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Why do the Minnesota Vikings suck?

 

Welcome to my new blog series guys, before we dive into it, I just want to go over two things. Firstly, I won’t focus on the pandemic as every team had to deal with the same challenges it brought. Secondly, I will only be doing teams that have surprised me with their poor performance, teams who I had either making the playoffs or being at least respectable, so no Jets or Giants in this series. So now let’s investigate why the Vikings suck so much after the first three weeks.

 

Last Season Summary

 

This team went 10-6 and in the postseason that went to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and got the W over the Saints. Just going off last year, their defence was borderline top ten in the league and the most disciplined as they were only penalised 83 times. Their offence was also impressive as they relied more on their running game with Dalvin Cook, which allowed Kirk Cousins to be more effective through the air. Sure, his stats took a hit with him posting career lows in yards, completions and attempts however this also led him to be arguably more effective, throwing a career-low six interceptions and only being sacked 28 times (tied 5^th best in the league). He posted his best quarterback rating ever of 107.4 and had his best QBR since his 2016 season with 61.7.

 

Fun Fact #1 – One stat that was insane to me was that last season, the Vikings defence was tied for 5th in total sacks with 48, yet they did that on only 21.7% of quarterback pressures per drop back, which was by far the lowest out of the teams in the top 10.

 

So, what’s going on?

 

The Vikings are a dismal 0-3, losing games to the Packers, Colts and Titans as the team is a shell of its former self. Kirk Cousins is allergic to making good passes and their defence is staying six feet away from their opponents. Let’s exam the three major factors that are contributing to their poor performance.:

 

First, I’ll start with the defence and I’m going be real with you guys, I’m not too mad at them. They lost a lot of their key starters this offseason like Xavier Rhodes, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Trae Waynes and Stephen Weatherly. Losing most of your veteran starters will likely cause any defence to fall off so it would make sense why they’re the 3^rd worst defence in the league in terms of total yards allowed. Out of their 25 players on defence only six of those players have been in the league for more than four years. So, the defence is young and inexperienced, and I can only assume it will get better over time, so I shall give them a bligh.

 

Fun Fact #2 – The average years in the league for their entire 52-man roster is only 3, which goes to show you how young this team is on both sides of the ball.

 

The 2^nd reason for the team’s struggles is their horrible offensive line. Last season their o-line wasn’t anything too special, but they did their job well enough, but their line went through some changes last offseason. They released Josh Kline (G), Pat Elflein (LG/C) injured his thumb week 1 while their replacements Dakota Dozier and Dru Samia are playing terribly. This has caused Kirk to feel more pressure than he’s felt in a while. In just three games, he’s been sacked seven times and he’s been pressured on 34.4% of dropbacks which is way up from last year’s 22%.

 

Although both problems mentioned above are valid “excuses” for Vikings fans to blame their winless start on, there’s one far greater problem. The man I am giving the biggest piece of the blame pie to is Captain Kirk himself.

 

Is he good quarterback? For real somebody needs to tell me, because I can never decide, my answer changes every year.  If you just look at his stats then you’ll probably assume he is and that’s fair, he does have truly amazing numbers, but does he contribute to winning football? He’s like the Russell Westbrook of the NFL because you watch his numbers and you think, “he’s great,” but when you watch him play you constantly question the decisions that he makes. I don’t think he’s stat-padding, but it kind of seems like it.

 

I wouldn’t have a problem with him if he was being paid like an average quarterback, but he isn’t. He's the 7^th highest paid QB in the league in terms of average money ($33 million a year) and I don’t think he makes the team better. He found success with the Vikings last year because he was handing it off to Cook, thus lightening his load. But when he had to carry the team on his back, he has fallen short more times than he found success. He’s being paid elite quarterback money but he’s not. He’s not bad, I mean he’s only behind Drew Brees in terms of career completion % so he can make throws with accuracy. To me, he can’t consistently elevate his game and lead them to victory in big moments.

 

The 6 QBs that are paid more than him (Mahomes, Watson, Wilson, Roethlisberger, Rodgers and Goff) are a combined 15-4 (Watson had to face three of the best teams to start, so I’ll let him off the hook.) These quarterbacks are all paid the big bucks for a reason because they’re the best in the league and have and can lead their team to a victory almost singlehandedly (Goff may be an exception but this isn’t his roast.) Did you really have to pay him $66 million over the next two years if your team is most successful when they’re relying on the run game?

 

So, my answer to the age-old question, “is Kirk Cousins good?” is not really. Now that I say that he’ll probably go on a tear and I’ll have to change my answer once again thus continuing this never-ending cycle.

 

Final Thoughts

 

On the defensive side, I trust that Zimmer can whip his defence into shape, so I hope they’ll be middle of the pack by season’s end. On offence, you just hope that Pat Elflein comes back soon, and their guard play improves even if it’s only by a bit. Finally, just give the damn ball to Dalvin Cook, the less Kirk throws it, the better.

 

PS – Remember when Steffon Diggs wanted a trade in the middle of last season, I thought he was crazy. I mean he was balling on the Vikings why would he want to leave. He seemed to be the smartest man in that locker room because he got out at the right time.

 

PPS – I started writing this before Week 4 and they ended up beating the Texans, so congratulations on doing your jobs guys.

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