Monday, July 03, 2023

Bird > Fournier

In an effort to generate clicks, ESPN tweeted that some guy named Evan Fournier has three times more 3 pointers than Larry Bird. The twitterverse immediately took offense, for the most part. Generated all kinds of debates. The rest of the story: it’s a different game now. Fournier takes three times the number of 3 point shots than Bird. Has he ever won a 3 point contest? League MVP?

Bird averaged more than ten points a game more than the Frenchman. More than 3 times the more rebounds. More than double the assists. Made a higher percentage of shots and free throws. Their 3 point shooting percentage was equal.

To say Larry Bird couldn’t excel in today’s NBA is absurd. His competitiveness, his court awareness, and his passing ability would be unmatched even today.

total.made.att per game three pointers

1326 2.0 5.2 Evan Fournier

0649 0.7 1.9 Larry Bird

.G…PT…RB.AST.FG%.3PT%.FT%

672 14.0 02.7 2.5  44.3  37.9  79.9

897 24.3 10.0 6.3  49.6  37.6  88.6

I will be running the Peachtree Road Race, but I am in group T – way in the back. Unless Will trades with me. Also taking off work on Monday and maybe next Friday.

Thursday: C had her summer book club. I ate leftover homemade pizza and crashed on the couch with Winnie. Flipped on the TV and saw “The Match” was on – Steph Curry & Klay Thompson vs Patrick Mahomes & Travis Kelse. The football players won all but one hole, which was a tie. Curry is a good golfer but didn’t get much help from Thompson. Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley calling the action.

I just didn’t feel like searching for something to watch, or changing the channel to Jeopardy. I was on my phone and laptop the whole time.

Up early Friday AM to lift weights. Went to Longhorn at lunch. Brad’s salad came out first so he got a head start. Then he woofed down his chicken and mashed potato. Rodney only ate half his meal. My burger was good, but it was falling apart so I had to eat wife a fork and knife. B was finished and I hadn’t started on my baked potato. B and R were talking (as was I) so there was plenty of conversation while I “finished” – though I left part of the potato on my plate. We left work for lunch at 11:45 and didn’t get back until 1:30. 

L&I have been married for 20 years? Goodness.  

Not sure what Drew Kelly is doing in retirement. I know he is on the SPdL funeral committee. Should’ve told you he likes pirates and donuts. He used to ride his bike a lot but not sure about any more. At this point in my life I’m scared to ride a bike, fearing cars, etc. We did take the bikes to Destin and rode once al week, but it was fun. A long way to haul the bikes.

Zig Ziglar: “It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that will determine your altitude.”

DENISON: studies are demonstrating the danger of recreational marijuana use to public health, especially threatening the mental health of young men and the safety of those in the workplace.

VLAD GUERRERO  [SABR Bio] was the first Expos player to compile a 30/30 season. In 2001 for MON, Guerrero had 34 HR & 37 SB. He got at least one hit in each of the first 42 games he played against the Texas Rangers, from 09-Apr-2004 to 04-Aug-2006, he never had a hitless game. in 108 career games against Texas, Vlad slashed .395/.461/.661 (OPS 1.122). His nephew homered for the Cubs. Among his three MLB hits, Gabriel Guerrero had, in Miami on 22-Sep-2018, his lone home run in the Bigs. Vlad’s manager proclaimed, “No pitcher can ever feel safe or comfortable releasing the ball toward him. He doesn't take a back seat to anyone I've ever seen play this game. Ever." Frank Robinson completed his thought with, “Every day I find myself saying, 'I can't believe he just did that.' He hits balls harder than anyone I've ever seen." All-Star relief pitcher Jose Mesa added, “You can throw it in the dirt & he'll hit it hard.  You can roll it up there or throw it over his head and he'll hit it hard. Every hitter has a hole [in his swing] but that guy. There's nobody like him in this game. I'm telling you, the Devil himself would be afraid to pitch to that guy.”

No comments: