Jeff Dufour's New York Yankees fan blog archive for 04/2008

April 2008

April 09, 2008

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Jeff Dufour

Very rarely does an MVP race turn out the way last year’s American League race did.  A no-brainer.  It was obvious to see that Alex Rodriguez would win and by a large margin.  Usually there are two or three candidates and you can make a case for all of them.  This years MVP race in the National Basketball Association is no different then the AL race last season though, it’s just no one sees it.  There are seven or eight people who you could make a strong case for but picking the winner is easier then people think.  That’s only if you use my way of finding the true MVP.

It is often debated by people around the game; players, coaches, owners and media, what exactly does the MVP stand for?  Is the award given to the player who had the best individual season?  Does the team someone plays for have to be competitive?  Is it all about the numbers or do other factors such as being a team leader or playing everyday, account for something.  To me, being an MVP is exactly what it is.  It means that you were the Most Valuable Player in the league.  Take a certain player off the team and replace that player with someone average around the league, what kind of impact would that have on the team.  If you can be replaced and it wouldn’t cripple your team then I am sorry, you are not THAT valuable.  It is about the best stats or being the most skilled player and it is definitely not about having the best season, it is about your value to your team.  Winning does play a part of this though because if you can’t get your team to the playoffs, nothing else matters.  If you were replaced by someone worse, your team still isn’t going to make the playoffs.

Continue reading "Tight NBA MVP Race? Not In My Eyes"

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April 15, 2008

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Jeff Dufour

I was hoping to get this up yesterday with the Yankees-Red Sox series fresh in everyone’s mind but I didn’t have the time.  After a few weeks of the baseball season and watching almost every Red Sox and Yankee game I have a few observations on these two teams so far.  You may not agree with them all, this is just what I have noticed this season.

-Both of these teams are very flawed teams, but then again, so is everyone in baseball this year.  I wouldn’t worry if I were a fan of either team yet because no AL team has gotten off to a very good start.

-The Red Sox need to fill the problems in the middle relief and the back end of the rotation.  Lester hasn’t been good at all (walks way too many people) and outside of Okajima and Papelbon I don’t tend to trust any of their bullpen arms (Delcarmen is far to inconsistent).

Continue reading "Early Season Observations of Yanks and Sox"

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April 17, 2008

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Jeff Dufour

They are finally here.  After months of riveting basketball and a Western Conference race that went down to the last night of the season, they are here.  Of course, I would be talking about the 2008 NBA Playoffs.  The playoffs that have a chance to be the best in a long time.  When was the last time a 50-win team is an 8 seed and has basically no chance of winning their first round season?  When was the last time 2 of the best teams in the lead and 2 of the 5 teams that have a chance at winning it all, met in the first round?  Forget all of that, when was the last time people were excited to begin the 2 month stretch for the title?  Before any of this can begin we must take a look at each series and make some (gulp!!!) predictions.

East

Continue reading "NBA PLayoff Preview: EAST"

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April 18, 2008

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Jeff Dufour

            Yesterday I chose the Detroit Pistons to come out of the East.  It was a very difficult call between then and the Boston Celtics and I do believe the Celtics are the better team but as I said I think their energy will run out.  The Celtics played every game like it was the NBA Finals this season and like the Mavericks last year it will cost them in the playoffs.  Today I discuss the other side of the bracket and tell you how the West will be won and who will win it.

WEST

         Lakers-Nuggets: Can an 8 seed upset a 1 seed out west again this year?  I don’t think so but I do believe they will give them a better series then most people think.  I think the Nuggets will be able to score with the Lakers and win a few games.  The Nuggets have stars in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to counter Kobe Bryant and the depth of the Lakers.  In the end, the Lakers are the better team and will find a way to win this series.  Lakers in 6.

Continue reading "NBA Playoff Preview: WEST"

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