Sports Talk 2018: Lebron to Brady and Everything in Between

[Town Heretic]

As a Warrior fan I'm glad LeBron went to the Lakers. Now instead of losing to the Warriors in the NBA Finals Lebron will now lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs. LeBron will never appear in another NBA Finals again.

You have enough to worry about with Houston on your plate.

[The Berean]

You have enough to worry about with Houston on your plate.

Boogie Cousins says hello.

I'm more worried about the Celtics. They can be powerhouse if everyone is healthy. I soooo want to see a Warriors/Celtics NBA Finals!

[Idolater]

Boogie Cousins says hello.

I'm more worried about the Celtics. They can be powerhouse if everyone is healthy. I soooo want to see a Warriors/Celtics NBA Finals!

Oh come off it. Boston even with Hayward and Irving at 100% each (and neither of those are gimmes, let alone both of them), Brown solid again and Tatum better---Golden State still wins, and I doubt it goes seven.

[Stripe]

BTW, the ABs won the third Test 45-14 with no sending offs. Played some sublime football, too.

Puts paid to the notion that the red card in the second Test was a factor.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Town Heretic]

Terrell Owens held his own, separate HOF induction ceremony today, ending forever the enshrinement delaying argument by many sports writers that the talented, mercurial wide-receiver had been a cancerous source of division among his teammates.

[Idolater]

Brady turned 41. More importantly, even the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who won 116 regular season games, didn't win the World Series that season. The Red Sox are only on pace for 112-113 right now.

[Town Heretic]

Brady turned 41.

It's a question of when the wheels come off now, not when...though seeing someone capable of playing into their 40s isn't without precedent of late. More, given the rules changes to promote longevity at the position, the state of medicine, and the year round maintenance athletes understand is a necessary part of their industry, I won't be surprised if the average exit of great ones doesn't look more like Brady's in the future, which means any number of records that once fell begrudgingly may begin to flip with more regularity, at least until that average settles into it.

[Idolater]

It's a question of when the wheels come off now, not [if]

A thing not in dispute.

...though seeing someone capable of playing into their 40s isn't without precedent of late.

I'm thinking Favre and Testaverde. Favre's wheels definitely had come off, and Testaverde . . . I never saw his wheels in the first place.

More, given the rules changes to promote longevity at the position, the state of medicine, and the year round maintenance athletes understand is a necessary part of their industry, I won't be surprised if the average exit of great ones doesn't look more like Brady's in the future, which means any number of records that once fell begrudgingly may begin to flip with more regularity, at least until that average settles into it.

In which case, if you're right (and that isn't granted), then Brady'll be seen as a pioneer.

Legend.

[Town Heretic]

A thing not in dispute.

Excellent.

I'm thinking Favre and Testaverde.

And Moon. He had one good year after 40 for the Seahawks.

Favre's wheels definitely had come off,

No, he had his best year after turning 40, but then the Saints gave him that one shot too many in the playoffs and it broke him, the way Peyton was broken the second time. But before that he was amazing. That's the worry with Brady. At his age he's one injury away from that wall.

and Testaverde . . . I never saw his wheels in the first place.

Vinny could ball. But he was streaky. He had two of his best statistical years coming in as relief after he turned 40.

Doug Flutie was effective that way after he hit 40.

In which case, if you're right (and that isn't granted)

Not sure what you mean there. The rules and medicine aren't a subjective evaluation. The rules have been altered since the 90s to protect the offensive skill positions and medicine and nutrition continue to become a more integral part of the athlete's life, especially at that position. So I won't be surprised or awed by a number of the best being effective at a point previously thought to be beyond reach.

In much the same way I wasn't surprised or overawed by seeing a number of people join Marino in the 5k plus yds per season category.

then Brady'll be seen as a pioneer.

No (see: Favre) for the great play after 40 bit, but he could be the standard bearer for longevity if he passes Favre with three solid years still under center. And I think, absent that injury no one can see coming, he should do it.

Legend.

Best system qb of all time and an all-time great. Even more impressive is his sustained level of play, approaching taking the Jabar mantle away from Favre...unless Brees does it. Depends on the fickle finger of fate.