Recent Comments by Howard_T

NBA Pickem Week 20: Crunch Time Edition

My picks:

76ers by 6
Nuggets by 11
Pelicans by 8
Lakers by 9
Mavericks by 4
Pelicans by 6
Bucks by 11 (slam dunk)

posted by Howard_T at 04:40 PM on March 27, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 19: Little Penny Edition

My picks:

Knicks by 6
Clippers by 9
Nuggets by 8
Lakers by 8
Celtics by 13 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 12 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 5
Bucks by 7
Nuggets by 11 (slam dunk)
Heat by 3
Warriors by 13 (slam dunk)

'Tis the time in the roundball association when strange things become the norm. Starters are being rested (oops, recovering from injury), officials are getting a bit short tempered (and trying to get enough creds to get some playoff assignments), and everyone is a little tired of the game. I blew 3 slam dunks last week and still won the week. Ill winds blow in March.

posted by Howard_T at 01:15 PM on March 12, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 18: Don't Miss Tipoff Edition

Celtics next 3:

Cleveland without Donovan Mitchell
Denver with no significant injuries
Phoenix possibly without Devin Booker

The Mean Green Team might have caught a break this week -- like we really need one.

posted by Howard_T at 06:35 PM on March 05, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 18: Don't Miss Tipoff Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 14 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 10 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 16 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 9
Mavericks by 7
Nuggets by 8
Timberwolves by 11
Lakers by 9
Celtics by 15 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 6
Timberwolves by 5

posted by Howard_T at 06:24 PM on March 05, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 17: Enough Basketball For You Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 11 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 9
Pelicans by 6
Clippers by 8
Warriors by 7
Nuggets by 13 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)
Bucks by 11
Nuggets by 6
Mavericks by 13
Celtics by 5
Warriors by 6
Thunder by 4

posted by Howard_T at 11:56 PM on February 26, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 16: Ufez Gets Results Edition

My picks:

Thunder by 7
Suns by 11 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 13 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 6
Grizzlies by 5

posted by Howard_T at 03:50 PM on February 12, 2024

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

posted by Howard_T at 01:40 PM on February 06, 2024

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

R I P, MeatSabre, your teams are always winners in your new place. Add prayers for his family. May the Lord help them deal with their loss.

posted by Howard_T at 01:40 PM on February 06, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 15: Blown Locks Edition

My picks:

Mavericks by 9
Suns by 8
Warriors by 11
Clippers by 13 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 7 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 4
Warriors by 3
Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)

posted by Howard_T at 11:41 AM on February 06, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 14: Luka Puts Up 73 Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 6
76ers by 9
Suns by 11
Trail Blazers by 8
Celtics by 7
Jazz by 4
Knicks by 10
Clippers by 11

posted by Howard_T at 07:08 PM on January 29, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 13: Saturday Tripleheader Edition

My picks:

Suns by 8
Thunder by 11 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 9
Warriors by 5
Knicks by 6
Nuggets by 9
Lakers by 3

posted by Howard_T at 03:52 PM on January 24, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 12: Jimmy Buckets Edition

My picks:

Bucks by 9
Mavericks by 6
Raptors by 11
Timberwolves by 10 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 6
Mavericks by 8

posted by Howard_T at 12:04 AM on January 17, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 11: MLK Day Edition

My picks:

Warriors by 6
Nuggets by 11 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 8
Suns by 7
Kings by 9
Nuggets by 13 (slam dunk)
Hawks by 4
Warriors by 10

2 trips into Boston this week. Wednesday to take in Cs vs T-wolves and Thursday for a watch party for season ticket members Cs vs Bucks. Should be a fun time.

posted by Howard_T at 09:21 PM on January 09, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 10: American Broadcasting Corporation Edition

My picks:

Knicks by 13 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 11 (slam dunk)
Bucks by 8
Nuggets by 9
76ers by 7
Lakers by 15 (slam dunk)

Per rcade's question: I don't see any difference in quality or intensity of play by the teams in nationally broadcast games. I do see that many such games tend to be closer than perhaps they should be. ESPN and TNT viewers will look for other things to watch if the game is a blowout early. Does the officiating have something to do with this?

posted by Howard_T at 03:03 PM on January 03, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 9: NBA TV Edition

My picks:

Rockets by 7
Clippers by 13 (slam dunk)
Raptors by 15 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 16 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 9
Cavaliers by 4
Clippers by 6

How could I have confused Warriors with Kings? I am rather gratified for the Celtics very good play at both ends of the floor. Keep it up, Green.

posted by Howard_T at 04:00 PM on December 26, 2023

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Eric Montross came to the Celtics at a bad time for both him and the Celtics. He came with high hopes from the fans, but the team at the end of the Bird era was not good. I wonder how his career might have gone with a better Celtics team around him. Still, he was able to put together a decent time in the NBA. He's gone far too soon.

posted by Howard_T at 03:12 PM on December 19, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 8: Ja Morant Edition

My picks:

Pelicans by 9
Celtics by 8 (slam dunk)
Timberwolves by 7 (slam dunk)
Kings by 6
Nuggets by 11 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 14 (slam dunk)

Celtics were nearly unstoppable in their 5 game homestand. Went to all 5, and enjoyed them thoroughly. I look for the W streak to continue tonight, but with a road back-to-back (no Al Horford on the 2nd night) and a travel disadvantage, they will probably drop one to the former Rochester Royals.

posted by Howard_T at 03:04 PM on December 19, 2023

Shohei Ohtani signs record deal with the Los Angeles...Dodgers

Quite an interesting contract. The payments are to be made on July 1st of every year until 2043. In the mean time, Otani receives $2 million per year in salary, while the Dodgers are charged $46 million against the cap. MLB uses present value of money to calculate the cap hit in the case of deferred payments. It's the same concept that lotteries use when the payout for 20 annual payments is, for example, $100 million, but the lump sum payment is about $60 million. Even with all this money being spent, the Dodgers will still remain under the first level of luxury tax. Amazing!

posted by Howard_T at 03:39 PM on December 13, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 7: Same Old Season Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 8
Clippers by 11
Lakers by 10 (slam dunk)
Suns by 11 (slam dunk)

Missed Tuesday's games because I was doing 3 weeks worth of laundry and getting ready to go to Celtics vs Cavs. If there is such a thing as a defensive battle in the NBA, that was it. I'm looking forward to Thursday night.

posted by Howard_T at 03:11 PM on December 13, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 6 Part 2: In-Season Semifinals Edition

Revised picks:

Lakers by 8

posted by Howard_T at 12:10 AM on December 09, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 6 Part 2: In-Season Semifinals Edition

In the meantime I will be at the 9th place game between the Celtics and the Knicks.

posted by Howard_T at 05:10 PM on December 07, 2023

Jon Rahm is Joining LIV Golf

Ummm...these are some fantastic comments for the golf story.

Trying to play football on the golf links.

posted by Howard_T at 05:07 PM on December 07, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 6 Part 2: In-Season Semifinals Edition

Revised picks:

Bucks by 7
Lakers by 9
Clippers by 11 (slam dunk)

posted by Howard_T at 12:45 PM on December 07, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 6: In-Season Knockout Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 8
Kings by 11
Bucks by 12 (slam dunk)
Suns by 4
Timberwolves by 9 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 5

The explanation of what would happen with the regular season games on the Celtics schedule marked 'TBD' ran about 3 paragraphs. These were marked for December 6 and 8, and are contingent on the In Season Tournament. If the Celtics continue to the final, there are 2 games that will need to be made up. The explanation told me only that I won't have to pay anything extra, and that's all that counts.

posted by Howard_T at 07:48 PM on December 03, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 12: Tryptophan Edition

Due to a crazy schedule in the last half of November (and it gets worse until the New Year), I have been unable to keep up with my NFL picks. Please consider me as officially withdrawn. No problems here. We have a new priest at church who is filling a job that in the past had required 2 assistants. We do have an ordained Deacon, but she is limited in what she can do. I now find myself with a new ministry, bringing the Eucharist to a group at a local nursing home. While the actual service is simple, I have to do a few remarks on the Scripture readings as well. That's about 6 to 8 hours of preparation. I still have my duties on the Vestry, I still work as a Verger, reader, and lay Chalicer, and now I'm part of a committee planning the adult Christian Education program for the coming year. Oh yeah, I also worship the Green Gods at TD Garden at nearly every home game. Who says that old people don't have enough to do?

posted by Howard_T at 01:31 PM on November 28, 2023

Sports Illustrated accused of publishing articles written by non-existent, AI-generated authors.

I read this in another source. SI's parent company claims that AdVon has allowed authors to use aliases in order to protect themselves. SI claims that this is the reason for terminating the AdVon contract.

This entry has been written by "an old white guy with white hair and a white mustache and goatee". This author is not the product of AI. In fact, he has little to no natural intelligence.

posted by Howard_T at 01:09 PM on November 28, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 5: Group Stage Edition

My picks:

Bucks by 5
Kings by 8
Kings by 6
Heat by 9
Clippers by 7
Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)
Suns by 14 (slam dunk)

posted by Howard_T at 08:41 PM on November 27, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 11: Joshua Unitas Edition

My picks:

Bengals by 3

posted by Howard_T at 04:55 PM on November 16, 2023

Draymond Green Chokes Rudy Gobert During Game

Green is now entitled to a 5-game unpaid vacation. The other 3 in the tag team match are out $25K each.

posted by Howard_T at 09:35 PM on November 15, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 4: Too Small Edition

My picks:

Spurs by 8
Nuggets by 10 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 7
Lakers by 9 (slam dunk)
Kings by 11 (slam dunk)
Suns by 8

posted by Howard_T at 09:23 AM on November 14, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 3: In-Season Tournament Edition

Contingency change of Friday's early game: Celtics by 13.

posted by Howard_T at 12:44 PM on November 09, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 10: Stroud Like Colossus Edition

My picks:

Bears by 9
Patriots by 7
Bengals by 16 (lock)
Saints by 6
Steelers by 8
Titans by 12 (lock)
Jaguars by 4
Browns by 7
Cardinals by 9
Lions by 8
Cowboys by 14 (lock)
Seahawks by 6
Raiders by 12 (lock)
Bills by 15 (lock)

I have no comment at this time, your honor.

posted by Howard_T at 12:39 PM on November 09, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 3: In-Season Tournament Edition

My picks:

Knicks by 8
Warriors by 7
Pacers by 3
Magic by 9
Knicks by 6
Suns by 11

posted by Howard_T at 01:59 AM on November 07, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 9: Trade Deadline Edition

My picks:

Titans by 11
Chiefs by 6
Falcons by 3
Browns by 7
Rams by 8
Patriots by 6
Saints by 9
Ravens by 14
Texans by 9
Panthers by 3
Raiders by 6
Cowboys by 10
Bengals by 7
Chargers by 3

Had I gone for broke and locked everything last week, I would now be in or near the lead in this. 'Twas not to be; no guts, no glory. No locks this week because I have finally figured out that I don't have a clue.

posted by Howard_T at 01:38 PM on November 02, 2023

NBA Pickem Week 2: Harden to Clippers Edition

My picks:

Thunder by 4
Lakers by 8
Bucks by 9
Nuggets by 5

Didn't get your email until this morning, so I missed the Tuesday games. Probably would have gotten them wrong anyway.

posted by Howard_T at 02:31 PM on November 01, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 8: Bill is Back Edition

My picks:

Bills by 16 (lock)
Cowboys by 9
Vikings by 6
Titans by 8
Saints by 7
Dolphins by 10
Jets by 3
Jaguars by 6
Eagles by 5
Texans by 11
Browns by 9
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Ravens by 14 (lock)
Bengals by 6
Chargers by 3
Lions by 12 (lock)

posted by Howard_T at 02:50 PM on October 26, 2023

Enter the SportsFilter NBA Pickem

Revised picks:

Celtics by 8
Spurs by 11
Bucks by 013 (slam dunk)
Suns by 9
Celtics by 12
Warriors by 7

posted by Howard_T at 05:28 PM on October 25, 2023

Enter the SportsFilter NBA Pickem

My picks:

Nuggets by 8
Warriors by 11

posted by Howard_T at 06:55 PM on October 24, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 7: Caleb Wants Equity Edition

My picks:

Jaguars by 8
Raiders by 9
Browns by 14 (lock)
Bills by 11
Commanders by 7
Buccaneers by 10
Ravens by 13 (lock)
Rams by 9
Seahawks by 14 (lock)
Packers by 3
Chiefs by 16 (lock)
Eagles by 9 (lock)
49ers by 21 (lock)

posted by Howard_T at 05:24 PM on October 19, 2023

3 Sought for Charges in Death of Fan at Patriots Game

In over a dozen years of Boston Celtics season tickets membership, I have yet to see the first serious altercation in the stands. At worst there have been some pushing and shoving bouts, but those broke up on their own and security responded quickly. My season tickets are in a section that is mostly populated with other season ticket holders. It's more a group of friends than just attendees. The only problem I ever had was with a young (late teens or early 20s) man, also a Celtics fan, who was somewhat overly excited about being at the game. He insisted on standing directly in front of me most of the time regardless of the action or lack thereof in the game. I finally tapped him on the shoulder and asked him politely if he could please sit down. He went ballistic, started screaming at me, and threatened me. My son, the former offensive tackle, stood up, did not make a move, and quietly said, "are you mad?" The young man's girlfriend immediately grabbed him, pulled him down, and told him to shut up. The rest of the game went well. As large and as strong as my son is, I know he would not have taken a swing and jeopardized our season tickets. I later found out that several of the people around us had their 'phones out ready to call security.

At another game, vs Minnesota if I remember correctly, a few Timberwolves fans were sitting behind us. We were going back and forth all game, but it never got personal or nasty. At the end of the game we stood up and shook hands all around, telling each other how the interchange had added to the experience. Trash talk done right can actually make friends and not enemies.

posted by Howard_T at 04:46 PM on October 14, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 6: Al's Lousy Diet Edition

My picks:

Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Ravens by 6
Commanders by 9
Bears by 8
Bengals by 7
49ers by 13 (lock)
Dolphins by 21 (lock)
Lions by 9
Jaguars by 4
Saints by 3
Raiders by 7
Rams by 9
Eagles by 18 (lock)
Bills by 13 (lock)
Cowboys by 10 (lock)

posted by Howard_T at 02:57 PM on October 12, 2023

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

The beard went to your lovely state and took on a 5 lb poutine eating challenge

I really regret not having seen this earlier. Poutine is a part of life here in the Granite State where fully 1/3 of the surnames in the 'phone book (when there was one) were Francophonic. I am proud to announce that New Hampshire PuotineFest 2023 is scheduled to be held this coming Saturday, October 14, at the Anheuser Busch Brewery in Merrimack, NH. We are poutine fans in our household, and if the weather is decent, we will make the 15 minute drive to enjoy it. See you there?

posted by Howard_T at 03:32 PM on October 11, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 5: Eberflus, Eberflus Edition

My picks:

Commanders by 12
Bills by 6
Falcons by 3
Lions by 15 (lock)
Titans by 17 (lock)
Dolphins by 14 (lock)
Patriots by 6
Ravens by 5
Eagles by 9
Cardinals by 7
Broncos by 6
Chiefs by 13 (lock)
49ers by 11
Packers by 12 (lock)

Babylon Bee satire site claims that Taylor Swift has been traded to the Jets for 3 starters. Travis Kelce is upset, but is comforted by his enormous number of jersey sales. Jets players are investigating ways to hook up with their own pop star, but nobody wants to end up with Lizzo.

posted by Howard_T at 02:18 PM on October 05, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 4: 70 Point Edition

My picks:

Packers by 6
Jaguars by 12
Dolphins by 7
Bears by 11 (lock)
Ravens by 9
Bengals by 5
Rams by 8
Saints by 10
Eagles by 16 (lock)
Vikings by 4
Texans by 3
Chargers by 10 (lock)
Cowboys by 6
49ers by 11 (lock)
Chiefs by 6
Giants by 3

posted by Howard_T at 02:19 PM on September 28, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 3: Season-Ending Injury Edition

My picks:

Browns by 11
Lions by 9
Packers by 7
Dolphins by 13 (lock)
Vikings by 4
Patriots by 3
Commanders by 6
Jaguars by 9
Ravens by 16 (lock)
Seahawks by 5 (lock)
Chiefs by 18 (lock)
Cowboys by 12 (lock)
Steelers by 8
Eagles by 10 (lock)
Rams by 4

Wait, what? There was an NFL game Thursday night? Sure could have fooled me. There was nothing in the TV schedule about it. I guess the NFL wants to keep it all a secret.

posted by Howard_T at 11:43 AM on September 24, 2023

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Ronald Acuña stands alone in the list of MLB accomplishments. With his 40th home run of the season, Acuna became the first 40/60 hitter in MLB history. Just 2 more steals will make him a 40/70 player.

posted by Howard_T at 04:06 PM on September 23, 2023

NFL Pickem Week 2: David After Dentist Edition

My picks:

Eagles by 8
Packers by 9
Bills by 13 (lock)
Ravens by 6
Lions by 12 (lock)
Titans by 3
Buccaneers by 6
Jaguars by 7
Colts by 8
49ers by 10 (lock)
Giants by 9
Cowboys by 13 (lock)
Broncos by 3
Dolphins by 6
Saints by 5
Browns by 2

posted by Howard_T at 03:50 PM on September 14, 2023

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Coincidentally I happened to watch "Money Ball" on TV last night. The film ends with Billy Beane turning down John Henry's offer of the Boston Red Sox GM position. Was HBO a bit prescient?

posted by Howard_T at 03:35 PM on September 14, 2023

Max Scherzer Likely to Miss Playoffs Too

Teres Major is the larger of 2 adjacent islands in the scapulohumeral atoll. It can be damaged by too much activity in Glen O'Humeral's joint. I looked it up, and that's what I understood.

posted by Howard_T at 03:26 PM on September 14, 2023

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

This corner of Southern New Hampshire is populated with people of varying ethnicity. Canadian Francophonic, Greek, Lebanese, Polish, Portuguese (there's a great Portuguese bakery in Nashua), and (of late) Indian are the most common. Italian heritage is not as common, so most of the Pizza places are local and Greek owned. Some have thinner crust, some use more oil, and some use more sauce or cheese. Variety we have, and while a few of the national chains survive, they are not the choice.

My wife and adult son and I returned yesterday (Friday) from 2 weeks in Nova Scotia. We were here, there, and everywhere, from visiting my cousins in the Digby area of western Nova Scotia to the beautiful Cape Breton Island. We were a bit late arriving at our inn on CBI, and that left us with little choice of restaurants. (Baddeck closes early.) One of the few choices available was a Pizza place called Tom's. Expecting the worst, we ran into something good. Standard crust (neither thick nor thin), good sau0ce in a decent, not excessive, amount, good cheese, and plentiful toppings. Who would expect high quality Pizza in a far corner of Nova Scotia.

posted by Howard_T at 02:24 PM on September 09, 2023

Enter the SportsFilter NFL Pickem

My picks:

Chiefs by 8
Falcons by 3
Bengals by 9
Jaguars by 7
Vikings by 13
Saints by 6
Steelers by 3
Commanders by 10 (lock)
Ravens by 11 (lock)
Packers by 6
Broncos by 9
Eagles by 4
Chargers by 7
Seahawks by 6
Cowboys by 8
Bills by 6

I'm just now in Moncton, NB, returning from a vacation in Canada. The coinage here flips differently from that of the US, so my picks will be all over the place.

posted by Howard_T at 04:47 PM on September 07, 2023

Shohei Ohtani is very, very good at baseball.

a vast conspiracy

I plead guilty to the charge, your honor. I had thought many times about Siebert whenever I heard about another of Otani's feats. My reason for silence is a reluctance to reveal my advancing years. I don't remember the specific incident of a shutout and 2 home runs, but I do remember Siebert frequently having been used as a pinch hitter by the Red Sox. I find it odd that the current announcing crew and public relations people seem to have forgotten him.

posted by Howard_T at 02:17 PM on July 28, 2023

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

Bronny James has suffered cardiac arrest. He was working out at USC, and evidently received some good emergency care. Older Celtics fans remember the tragedy of Reggie Lewis who passed away from cardiac problems suffered during a game. We pray for Bronny's return to good health. We hope that he can return to the court, but not at the expense of his life.

posted by Howard_T at 11:25 AM on July 25, 2023

Peter Gammons: Diamond Vision

Gammons is possibly the last of the breed of sportswriters that are actually writers. It's a shame that the profession has become a tribe of keyboard killers and mouse manipulators who propose outlandish trade scenarios just to generate clicks. I cannot think of a name of a legitimate expert on a single sport who can also write.

posted by Howard_T at 05:02 PM on July 14, 2023

NBA to test in-game flopping penalty at summer league

Placing the decision on flop or not flop in the hands of the officials opens league wide integrity to unwanted scrutiny. Since no stoppage of play is involved, I suggest that a panel of 3 judges be employed. They will sit at courtside, and at the next neutral opportunity they will render their judgment in the form of numbered cards held aloft. The severity of the flop will be determined by the scores rendered, with the high scores indicating a more severe flop. A certain baseline total score will determine whether or not the free throw is granted. Since this method of judging works so well in the slam dunk contest, it is the natural solution for flopping.

posted by Howard_T at 02:54 PM on July 06, 2023

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

Howard finally breaking through

No hot dogs for this family. Burgers with a pasta salad out on the 3-season porch for us. 2 burgers, 6.5 ounces each, a full helping of the salad, and a Post Shift lager from Jack's Abbey was more than enough to fill me. A nice family dinner for the 4th.

posted by Howard_T at 09:30 PM on July 04, 2023

NHL Playoff Pickem Champion: Ic23b

Well done, ic23b, it's a well-earned win. I had no idea that I would finish in 2nd place, so I think I might have overachieved a bit.

posted by Howard_T at 08:35 PM on June 29, 2023

CFL Pickem Week 3: I Miss Games on ESPN+ Edition

My picks:

Blue Bombers by 8
Tiger-Cats by 12
Stampeders by 17 (lock)
Argonauts by 9

posted by Howard_T at 12:57 PM on June 22, 2023

NBA Playoff Pickem Champion: NoMich

Well done, NoMich.

posted by Howard_T at 02:07 PM on June 15, 2023

CFL Pickem Week 2: That Had to Hurt, Trevor Edition

My picks:

Stampeders by 16 (lock)
Blue Bombers by 9
Lions by 7
Tiger-Cats by 3

posted by Howard_T at 02:03 PM on June 15, 2023