Archive for category Extra Content

ODC Pre-Madness Link Madness

We’re doing things a little differently at The ODC today. I was busy doing my bracket, so instead of an article, you’re getting three VoDs and a major link dump. This is that link dump, with a handful of non-Final Four articles I’ve thoroughly enjoyed lately.

What a study reveals about the optimal baseball lineup – I agree for the most part, although I’m of the opinion, personally, that your best three hitters should hit 1-2-3 in some order. The article’s reasoning to do otherwise is sound, I just feel your best players should have the most plate appearances, period.
An extremely interesting study showing losing leads to winning – okay, it’s not that simple, however, the results are astounding in that people (and teams, apparently) perform better when they are behind by a slight margin, compared to when they’re winning or being blown out.
Bullets can’t keep Carl Landry down – there’s no punchline here. They seriously can’t.
The top pro factories – that is, the college basketball programs that have produced the most/best NBA players.
A crazy look at the indecency involved with player agents – Mayo, Love, many more, I’m sure, have been victimized by a system with ass-backwards incentive schemes and evaluation methods.
The ultimate Pops Mensah-Bonsu scouting report – the full low-down on Notorious PMB aka King Daddy Bonsu aka Poppa Diddy Pop aka The Greatest Raptor Ever aka Whale Slayer.
Lesser known NBA nicknames – as submitted by other fans/blogs. There are some bad ones, and some misses (WoSo in Case Y’Aint Know So, all of my PMB nicknames, etc), but this is fun. I will eventually challenge myself to come up with a nickname for every player ever.
Some signs your favorite team sucks – like, Sign #1A: you cheer for the Toronto Raptors.
A review of the MIT Sports Analytics Conference – that is, the review of Dorkapalooza…I was absolutely drooling at the thought of how awesome it would be to attend this next year.
Roko Ukic is getting better – so we Raps fans have that. I guess.

Heavy Gold – Video of the Day 3

We’re doing things a little differently at The ODC today. I was busy doing my bracket, so instead of an article, you’re getting three VoDs and a major link dump.

Dwight did it! “I did it!”

Courtesy NESW again

Rollins Henderson – Video of the Day 2

We’re doing things a little differently at The ODC today. I was busy doing my bracket, so instead of an article, you’re getting three VoDs and a major link dump.

See, y’all know Ricky Henderson, but Jimmy Rollins knows Ricky Henderson.

Courtesy of NESW Sports

Cody's Box Jump – Video of the Day 1

We’re doing things a little differently at The ODC today. I was busy doing my bracket, so instead of an article, you’re getting three VoDs and a major link dump.

This is A-Rod’s replacement, Cody Ransom. I can’t speak for his ability but, uhh…this is sick.

Rise and Fire – Video of the Day

As if, with March Madness beginning tonight (technically, I guess…), the VoD could be anything but the obligatory annual hype machine that is a Gus Johnson mash-up!

Ridiculous Goal Calls – Video of the Day

So, this is the Florida Panthers play-by-play guy. Obviously, any announcer who quotes Vince Vaughn or Will Ferrell after most goals is awesome. One who also just yells random stuff unrelated to hockey after every goal is double-awesome. This guy is also on Off the Record today. Thanks to Vin Weasel for the tip, wacka wacka.

Ovechkin Commercial – Video of the Day

Hilarious. A Vin Weasel poster for the first person who can accurately transcribe this.

Why People Hate the Red Sox – Videos of the Day

It`s not Jimmy Fallon. It`s not even Dane Cook. People hate the Red Sox and their fans for stupid stuff like this. It`s just weird.

Pedroia Can Hit That Pitch – Video of the Day

You have to give it up to The World’s Smallest MVP for his self-deprecation in the new series of MLB The Show commercials. If his play hasn’t yet, these might win you over.

The Weekend Connect – March 6

PhotobucketThe Weekend Connect is a weekly round-up piece I’m going to be experimenting with, recapping the week past (ODC articles, links from around the internet, etc) and pointing you in the direction of the weekend ahead. Feedback on what you would like to see included would be appreciated.

First: I am terribly sorry for the lack of NHL trade deadline coverage here at The ODC this week. Luckily for you, every other website in Canada had nothing but. I just didn’t have the time to write anything about it, and nobody else did. I apologize, seriously, you can stop mentioning it. Below is the Connect, sans hockey, as usual. Enjoy.

Favorite Links (in no specific order)
The Best Possible World Baseball Classic Teams that countries could put out there. Unfortunately those aren’t quite the rosters, but this is as fun a WBC preview as you’ll find, Cascone.
Defense Improves with Age – I wonder the root cause of this (experience, physicality, basketball IQ, or youthful laziness, slower play by older teams skewing data), but a team’s average age accounts for a decent chunk of their defensive performance.
The Value in Keeping Joe Smith – too late now, but I agree wholeheartedly with keeping a talented veteran big in the mix with a bunch of young players.
Blogging the Copa del Ray with an eye towards European players whose rights are owned by NBA teams.
The Jays Get Lots of Wins for the Money They Spend but are the only team among their peers without a playoff appearance in the given time frame.
Basketball Stats Continue to Evolve and as a big fan of baseball’s statistical revolution, this is intriguing for me.
People are Sick of Shaq’s Attitude after yet another unprovoked tirade. He’s still a fun guy, but the free pass he gets is growing old.
Introducing The Magnificent Seven aka Brandon Roy, who has quietly become one of the league’s best all-around players.
Hell Yeah, I would Have Used Steroids says Darrly Strawberry. Go figure.
Passion and Sports in the Wake of Katrina - my boy Austin at TGP knocks this interesting piece out of the park.

What to Watch More after the jump!