04/19/24
January 13, 2012
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Bill O'Brien is dumping most of the staff at Penn State, but to my surprise he's keeping two coaches who have been around since 2000: linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
They're considered two of Paterno's top recruiters, so I guess the cost of losing them is higher than the risk it might be shown later that they knew something about Sandusky.
posted by rcade at 10:37 AM on January 13, 2012
Dwight Howard broke Wilt Chamberlain's nearly 50-year-old record last night with 39 free throws attempted in a Magic win over the Golden State Warriors. I guess this is new Warriors Coach Mark Jackson's idea of instituting a defensive mindset?
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:58 AM on January 13, 2012
In related news the Bucks and Pistons hit 41 of 41 free throws. The teams combine for 76% FT shooting which means the odds of hitting 41 in a row are about 1 in a hundred thousand. With 1230 games in NBA season this event is likely to occur about once every Halley's comet.
posted by tron7 at 12:30 PM on January 13, 2012
Besides the recruiting, I think Larry Johnson is considered a high character guy who adds valuable presence to the program.
I think he has also been a reliable and steady rock for the players on the current roster once all hell started breaking loose.
Plus, in his spare time, he's faced with the daunting task of trying to help keep his son the NFL RB from making a complete, irrevocable lifetime fool of himself.
So Coach Johnson is no stranger to a challenge. Which is an attribute that any coach on the new PSU staff ought to have.
posted by beaverboard at 01:18 PM on January 13, 2012
With 1230 games in NBA season this event is likely to occur about once every Halley's comet.
The odds of it happening in a specific match, yes. The odds of it happening throughout the season, not as unlikely. Over the course of 12 years or so, not really that odd.
posted by yerfatma at 01:22 PM on January 13, 2012
All I took from that is that Dwight Howard attempted 2 fewer free-throws than 2 entire teams...
posted by MeatSaber at 07:32 PM on January 13, 2012
Chicago radio host Dan Bernstein has written a blistering response to the 400-plus former Penn State athletes who wrote a letter lamenting the treatment of Joe Paterno. "Paterno is almost dead, thankfully," writes Bernstein.
posted by rcade at 08:22 PM on January 13, 2012
Mariners & Yankees do 4 player deal Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero is the centerpiece
posted by tommybiden at 08:22 PM on January 13, 2012
Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero is the centerpiece
Aaaaugh. Idjits.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:01 PM on January 13, 2012
Why? Montero projects as a good-to-great offensive player, but not as a catcher, long-term. Unless his defense improves to stick as a catcher, he's a replaceable part. Additionally, the Yankees have another catching prospect. Pineda is already a good major league pitcher, and the Yankees need one of those.
posted by yerfatma at 01:22 PM on January 14, 2012
Arrest made in Geno's Steaks attack.