Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
An Expert Weighs in on the Meaningless NBA
I hate being happy so I recently watched the Emoji Movie with my wife and three children. Thirty years from now, when main character T.J. Miller reveals that the Emoji Movie was, in fact, a cleverly veiled attack on the American Tween’s loss of autonomy as a result of widespread digital addiction, I may appreciate this film.
By Jared Wheeler8 years ago in Unbalanced
Brendan Mckay Could Excel as a Two-Way Player
It’s not too often you hear of a player being selected in the draft as a hitter and pitcher. Hunter Greene, the second overall pick by the Reds, was selected as a right handed pitcher thanks to a triple digit fastball. He could have also gone as a first round talent at shortstop, where he possesses a very strong arm and excellent bat speed at the plate.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Exploring the Possibility of the Warriors Failing to Reach the Finals
A week ago, the Golden State Warriors feared losing the No. 1 seed to the San Antonio Spurs. Now, they find themselves a full three and a half games ahead of the No. 2 seeded Spurs. This is in large part due to Wednesday night’s spectacle of a performance by both sides, where the Warriors opened the game down 15–0 and were down by as much as 22, only to come back and win the game by 7 points. This came only a night after a tough road win versus the Houston Rockets, who they face again on Friday at the Oracle Arena.
By Kenneth Wilson8 years ago in Unbalanced
Rafael Devers is the Future at Third Base for the Red Sox
Rafael Devers is young. Very young. But his age doesn’t reflect how great of a ballplayer he is. Signed out of the Dominican just three years ago at 17, it hasn’t taken long for Devers to reach the big leagues. Just three years later, he’s mashing baseballs at the major league level. In 2013, he was praised by scouts for his offensive ability. In fact, Devers was considered the best left handed bat in that international signing class of 2013.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Most Finalisty Final Four Breakdown on the Internet
Horrible things happened along the way, but here we are — four teams remain. The original bracket breakdown I wrote became an immediate cause for embarrassment. My wife left me. My daughter asked that I not attend her parent/teacher conference. One of my sons publicly disowned me through an article in the local paper; which was weird because 1) it isn’t 1823 and 2) he’s only four.
By Jared Wheeler8 years ago in Unbalanced
In a New NBA Frontier, the Portland Trail Blazers Provide a Cautionary Tale
Even in the new NBA, where positionless basketball and over-priced free agents are all the rage, not having a direction for your team is a very troubling forecast. Although it seems as though they are trending upwards with the young and promising duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in a sticky situation. Let’s dive a bit deeper.
By Kenneth Wilson8 years ago in Unbalanced
Your Racist Uncle’s Favorite NBA Team
The New Orleans Pelicans just became your racist uncle’s favorite NBA team. Obviously this isn’t true — his favorite NBA is the college team he roots for. Exploitation of a youthful workforce for the purpose of increasing anonymous white septuagenarians is as American as gerrymandering or government surveillance. Or your racist uncle loves the Celtics. Celtics fans are like squares. Every square is a rectangle, but every rectangle isn’t a square. Every racist basketball fan I know is a Celtics fan, but not every Celtics fan is a racist. The Celtics exist on a plane of historical “whiteness” that is truly rarefied air. In 2008, Joe Willett of Bleacher Report endeavored to make a list of the greatest white basketball players of all-time. Presumably, it was written on a stationary Confederate flag before being transposed digitally. The list is all Celtics. Squares and rectangles man, squares and rectangles.
By Jared Wheeler8 years ago in Unbalanced
Are the Chicago Cubs Back on Track?
It’s been one of the main topics in baseball this year — the horrendous start the Chicago Cubs endured in the first half of 2017. The Cubs were the first team ever to win a World Series and then have zero players on the All-Star team the following year. Well, they did have one. Wade Davis, who was not a part of the World Series squad last year. Kris Bryant was almost voted in with the last fan vote, but was snubbed by Dodgers 3B Justin Turner. The Cubs hit a dismal .239 before the break, which ranked them 3rd to last in the entire big leagues. It was a downright miserable first half.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
How Many Wins Can Vegas Get?
The addition of a new NHL franchise has generated some interest and excitement over this offseason. General Manager George McPhee and the Vegas Golden Knights staff have certainly been busy, overseeing an expansion draft, contract negotiations, and an absolute barrage of trades. While building a new franchise certainly isn’t easy, and Vegas hopes it can field a competitive team, the Golden Knights have an interesting set of expectations ahead of them and will hope to perform well in 2017–18.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Worst Mock Draft on the Internet: Part II
Lawyer on Retainer: Bad marriage tier two — a bad fit Pelicans, Pick 7: Malik Monk, Kentucky The Ringer How pissed do you believe Anthony Davis is on a regular basis? I had the worst series of thoughts about AD the other night. I worried that he was brooding concerning the plight of his franchise. Then I pictured him in some jazz spot in New Orleans; his body folded into a chair, willing himself to be invisible. What if his unibrow is no longer charming to fetching young women? I bet he doesn’t even shoot at nerf hoops with nephews. He probably drives around NOLA and smokes cigarettes as he idles next to a playground court. Oh God, he’s going to get into voodoo isn’t he? Davis is averaging 27 points and 12 rebounds, with over two blocks and one steal a game. His team is twelve games under .500. Lays eh lei wonton Kangaroo lay! Last year, the Pelis drafted Buddy Heild to space the floor for Davis. Hield had a terrible, no-good first third of the season. It appears he has righted the ship to a degree, but may never be a championship caliber running mate. Speaking of…
By Jared Wheeler8 years ago in Unbalanced
Dallas Keuchel Continues to Carve Up Hitters Despite Low Velocity
Watching Dallas Keuchel pitch is a treat. He’s a prime example of a control pitcher who relies on location and his off-speed pitches. This year he’s experiencing one of the best starts of his six-year big league career, leading the majors in both ERA and wins. According to statcast, Keuchel’s average fastball velocity this season is 88.6 mph. In an era where almost every pitcher in the big leagues throws 95 plus, how does the Astros ace endure so much success despite a lack of fastball velocity? Let’s examine.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
