411 Sports Zone Fact or Fiction 5.15.08: Shutting Down LeBron, Anthony Kim, and the Dreaded Closer by Committee Theory

Posted by Ken Schmidt on 05.15.2008

In the final exhibition before the summer tournament begins the Sports Kid brings two rookies to the plate when Brad Lovell shows down with B.L. Anderson, along with all the match-ups and dates for the Summer Showdown.

We are just one week away from the kick off of the first annual 411 Sports Zone Fact or Fiction Summer Showdown. It's a mouth full but it really is going to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to this summer for more reason than one, number one being this awesome heads up tournament featuring 411's best, with the best of the best being the official judge. Here is the official tournament bracket, all the names were drawn out of a hat for seeding.

First Round	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	FINALS
May 18 James Thomlinson vs. Porfirio Diaz	July 13 ??? vs. ???	August 10 ??? vs. ???	August 24 ??? vs. ???
May 25 Dan Schmidt vs. B.L. Anderson
June 1 Geoff Keller vs. Shawn Lealos	July 20 ??? vs. ???
June 8 Ron Martin vs. Jared Marcus
June 15 Sean Garmer vs. Bayani Domingo	July 27 ??? vs. ???	August 17 ??? vs. ???
June 22 Jerrome Cusson vs. Sat
June 29 Randy Isbelle vs. Jake Chambers	August 3 ??? vs. ???
July 6 Blake Lovell vs. Larry Csonka

Special thanks to the Rizz for setting up the brackets for me. I love to write for 411 but I am still HTML illiterate. I'll have to learn someday.

However, with one week left before the tournament it seems like the appropriate time to give two of the tournament underdogs a chance to get their names out there to the public and get a trial run in my final Sports Zone Fact or Fiction exhibition match. Let's introduce the fellows.

In the red corner we have one of our two newest basketball experts who give us a three the hard way, every other day while the NBA playoffs are really heating up. His most recent report Three Point Play talks about the newest man in charge of the disaster known as the Knicks. Making his Fact or Fiction debut it is Blake Lovell.

And in the blue corner is another man with a similar introduction as Blake. Hell his initials are even the same, well in his first name anyway. This man is attempting to catch my column count in his first month working at the website. You can read him almost everyday breaking down the nights NBA action at NBA Beatdown Fastbreak. It is B.L. Anderson.


1. Bringing in David Wells to help the Yankees injured/inconsistent pitching staff is a good idea.

Blake Lovell FICTION Ok, let me start by saying this. I know the Yankees are struggling in their rotation, and injuries continue to plague guys. But bringing back a soon to be 45 year old pitcher isn't going to solve matters. Wells had a 5.43 ERA with the Padres last year, and I think his best days are behind him at this point. If the Yankees are looking for consistency, I just don't think turning to Wells is the answer. The Yankees need to focus on getting younger, not older. They need to figure out ways to develop young pitchers, and stop trying to go for the quick fix by just bringing in a big name. Hell, Steinbrenner and Cashman don't seem to have problems spending money, so why not just trade for someone that is currently getting the job done in the league? It would make more sense than taking a guy that hasn't pitched this year, and bringing him into the mix, without knowing how effective he will be. Some people believe that Wells seems to play his best in a Yankee uniform, and that's all well and good, but I don't think there is some type of magic in the uniform. He's just not as great of a pitcher anymore. At one point, he was a great asset for the Yankees and their pitching staff. But now, not so much. Sooner or later, maybe the organization will realize that bringing in big bats is only part of the game, and that pitching is pretty important too.

BL Anderson FICTION Traditionally bringing in folks who have seen better days to try to shore up a glaring issue is not a good idea, and I think that this move fits into that category. Sometimes this type of thing works in the short term, but as a long term thing, even throughout one season, it could prove to be an unwise move. Veteran leadership is always good, and Wells has a familiarity with the Yankees organization and the fans, but with an ERA over 5...not looking like it's going to turn out for the best.

Scoring: Yeah this move was a far fetched rumor but I can honestly see the Yanks doing it, even if it is just for Phil Hughes stint on the D.L., I mean anything is better than Kei Igawa right? Anyway point goes to Lovell in this one for the stats and the fact that there are some names out there they can overpay for. However right now no one is out of the race so I doubt anyone is ready to sell players quite yet. Especially because the normal sellers (Marlines, Athletics, etc.) are all in first place right now!


2. The Seattle Mariners slow start is an aberration and they will be back in the hunt by June.

Blake Lovell FICTION I had high hopes for the Mariners coming into this season, but this bad start will not allow them to get back into the A.L. playoff picture any time in the near future. These guys are near the bottom half of every major statistical category in the American League, with the exception of stolen bases. And you can't steal bases if you can get anybody on base, which is what they are struggling with right now. Their bats just are nowhere to be found right now. They lack consistency, and most importantly, they don't seem to have a veteran leader that is gonna step up and rally the troops so-to-speak. Oh yeah, and there's one more large matter going against them right now. Here's a look at there schedule from May 20 through June 11: 3 games at Detroit, 3 games at NY Yankees, 3 games at home against Boston, 3 games at home against Detroit, 3 games at home against LA Angels, 3 games at Boston, and 3 games at Toronto. That my friends; is what you call a difficult schedule. While Detroit has been disappointing, they are still a better ball club right now. Toronto hasn't been great but they haven't been terrible either. Plus those three games are in Toronto. If the M's want to get back in the postseason chase, they'll have to try to make up ground towards the end of June and the start of July. It could be a rocky road for them for the next little while though.

BL Anderson FICTION Mr. Lovell is absolutely correct on this one, as well. The Mariners are too far out of the picture now, and would have to undertake a monumental run, starting...well...now, in order to get back into the thick of things. Additionally, they have a pretty tough schedule ahead of them, so saying that they will be back in the hunt would nearly be irresponsible. Much like every other year for the Mariners, there is always next year...

Scoring: Another rookie mistake, you hate to see that happen. I really am not ready to count out the Mariners, this lineup will get back on track. Ibanez is hitting like a madman recently and that is the biggest, most important piece for them. By the end of the year Ichiro will be well over .300 and even a guy like Kenji Johjima is going to come around and get that average from abysmal to solid. Anyway I am going to surprise here and give a point to B.L. Anderson for not putting me to sleep with a list of games in the future. Saying they have a tough schedule would suffice.


3. LeBron James is not to blame for his poor offensive performance, but the Celtics defense is proving to be almost unbreakable.

Blake Lovell FACT The Celtics had the best defense in the league this season for a reason. And they secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs for a reason. Their incredible defense. The Celtics held the Cavs to 72 and 73 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively. Sure, Lebron has to have some of the blame for having an inconsistent jumpshot, but the Celtics get a lot of the credit for stopping him. Lebron is one of the best players in the game right now, but he's not anywhere close to being the best shooter. The key to stopping Lebron is to keep him out of the paint, because that is his bread and butter. He has a quick first step that allows him to get to the basket, and soar over everyone else. But the Celtics have figured out how to stop that. They are pretty much daring him to shoot from outside, because he's not gonna hurt you out there like he would if he's three feet from the bucket. Although the Celts have been a different team on the road in the playoffs thus far, their defensive scheme is certainly causing problems for Lebron in his quest to get to the basket.

BL Anderson FICTION I have to disagree on this one, for the sole basis that, while the Celtics have been playing great defense, there is something about TD Banknorth Garden thanks makes LeBron not play very well. If you look at how he played at home Vs. the way that he played at the Garden, you'll find that the Celtics defense didn't really change, it was his comfort level that rose as he regained his confidence at the Q. LeBron can dominate whenever he wants mostly, and you can credit the Celtics defense for some of LeBron's faultering in this series...but I think the rest is mental for LeBron, as I think the Celtics veteran leadership and the "Big Three" effect of having to face all of these guys every night has been getting to him.

Scoring: These guys sure do love their basketball this is the hardest to score because both men answered different, but both seem right. Sure the Celtics defense is absolutely smothering LeBron and forcing him into jumpers which he has no business taking. P.S. LeBron James leads the list of star players that need to stop shooting the 3 because they just can't do it (joining him on this list is McGrady, Tracy). Anyway I read over both answers three times and I decided I have to give this to Lovell. I mean, I watched these games and everytime LeBron looks to drive there is always a second man to get in his way with the help defense.


After that buzzer beater, it's half time with Blake leading 2-1


4. The Brewers closer by committee is a bad idea, it has never worked for any other team in the past.

B.L. Anderson FACT Many sports teams from different leagues try things that look really good on paper, but are either poorly executed and just don't work, especially doing anything by committee. If the Brewers expect for 'closer by committee' to work this time around, they will need to conduct business in a manner that is more effective than it has been by past teams. Hopefully they won't have to do this for long, while Eric Gagne takes his 'mental break', and hopefully when Gagne comes back, he'll be the 'old' Eric Gagne who was the best closer in baseball when he played for the Dodgers, and not 'pod person' Gagne, who hasn't been that good over the past few seasons.

Blake Lovell FACT I'd say the Brewers are trying to figure out what the heck happened with Eric Gagne, and why he's been so inconsistent since he came to the organization. While there is obviously no rule in baseball that says you have to one closer, the closer by committe just doesn't cut it if you want to make a run at a world championship. Look at past champions. Jonathan Papelbon for the Red Sox in 2007. Bobby Jenks for the White Sox in 2005. Mariano Rivera for the Yankees when they won their championships in the late 90s. You really need someone who can come in and give you the feeling that the game is in the bag. If it's close in a late-game situation, you want to know that you have one guy who can protect the lead for your team. You don't want to have to sort between three or four guys, and not really know what you're gonna get with them on a given night. If Gagne doesn't return to original form, the Brewers need to go in search of a one true closer if they want to make a deep run in the postseason. Having several relief pitchers to fill that role will not get it done come playoff time.

Scoring Let's face it Blake is right when he says all the championship teams in the past didn't need a great closer, though the ones he mentioned were great, every team at least at one closer. I am giving the point to Blake Lovell here because he focused on the Brewers, who have the goal of being a serious championship contender this season, they need to pack up both the Gagne and the committee plan and go find someone. He doesn't have to be Mariano Rivera or Takashi Saito but they do need to find a body that is going to close EVERYNIGHT.


5. Larry Brown is not a good fit in Charlotte because he and MJ will butt heads.

B.L. Anderson FICTION I actually believe that Larry Brown is a great fit for the Bobcats, and while I do think that he and MJ may butt heads at some point, Brown is more of a veteran talent evaluator, and I am certain that the discussion took place between Jordan and Brown to where Brown has more control than just being Head Coach, because that has always been what Brown needed to be successful in the NBA. Jordan will realize, and sooner rather than later, that deferring to Brown on some of the things that he used to control with Sam Vincent as coach would be wiser than vetoing, and the Bobcats not getting into the playoffs next season. Brown's got this on lock, yo.

Blake Lovell FICTION Even though Brown and #23 may eventually butt heads, I don't think that is a major concern. Jordan is a competitor and so is Brown, but they'll eventually work things out if it ever gets heated. Also, this is the kind of team Brown needs to coach. This is a young basketball team in need of leadership from their head coach. And what better guy to get that from than a coach that has been around the league for what seems like forever. It's also important to note this: The Bobcats do have talent. Raymond Felton is an up-and-coming point guard in this league that has had turnover problems in the past, but he's a solid player overall. Gerald Wallace is a highly talented guy who can pretty much do it all on the floor, whether it be shooting or blocking shots. Brown can allow these guys to reach their potential, and this was the kind of team he needs to be coaching. Yes, he led the Sixers to the NBA Finals while he was in Philly, but he had Allen Iverson's ego to deal with, and Iverson never really seemed to like him from the start. Then in Detroit, he had veterans who already knew how to play at the NBA level consistently, so he really didn't get a chance to teach a whole lot. Then in New York.....well they were just beyond awful. My point here is that Brown is one of the best coaches/teachers that the NBA has. I think he'll do well in Charlotte, as they have the young talent that could make a run for the playoffs in a less-powerful Eastern Conference.

Scoring: Both guys got to the point that I wanted to talk about, Brown being the number one guy out there for teaching the youngsters to grow into solid NBA players. B.L. Anderson gets the point here for the key word ‘veteran talent evaluator' because it will be Larry Brown that makes the decision whether guys like Earl Boykins, Nazi Mohammed, Sean May, Othella Harrington will be the right fit to play role players to Felton and Dudley, while still teaching these young stars to grow into players. Also, hopefully he decides that ‘dirtstache' was a bad pick and bench Morrison like he benched Darko, another horrible lottery choice.


6. Anthony Kim is just the next name in golf that will be over-hyped and never succeed at the highest level.

B.L. Anderson FACT Tiger Woods is golf. They overhype the next big thing quite a bit in this sport, and usually the player never lives up to the hype. Kim will have to be near Tiger's level if he is to live up to the hype, but to say that unreasonable expectations are being places on him, and many other well-hyped new golfers, is an understatement. And while he did win the Wachovia Championship over the weekend, and did beat Tiger's tournament record by three strokes, it is another thing entirely to sustain that type of thing, and I think that is what separates the good from the great; prolonging your success with superb talent and consistency. Players have beaten Tiger before, but beat Tiger consistently, win consistently, and that is a different ballgame, so to speak.

Blake Lovell FICTION While I agree with BL (wait a second, I'm BL too, right? Just so no one is confused, I mean the other BL) that Tiger Woods is golf, I on the other hand think Kim will ultimately succeed as a professional golfer. And before I tell you why, let me first clearly say: In no way am I saying Kim will be the next Tiger Woods. Because that simply is not going to happen. So if the question is whether he will be the next Tiger Woods, then a big fat no is my answer. But, Kim has proven early on that he has the potential to be an excellent pro golfer. Yes, he's still young, and it will be a while before we actually know just how good he is going to be, but right now he's making quite a large statement with his play recently. While Kim won't ever be Tiger, whose to say he can't be a great professional golfer, and even push Tiger to the limits at times? He's young and he certainly has a high skill level. At this time, we don't really know how Kim will turn out. But I think we need to realize that there is a possibility that another young phenomenon may come along, and have a great career. And this just may be that guy. We have to go with what we know right now, and right now, he looks like the next big thing. He tied for second at the Verizon Heritage Classic. He won the Wachovia Championship and became the youngest winner in 6 years on the tour. The PGA Tour is the highest level of golf, and at a young age, he is succeeding right now. He won't be the next Tiger, but the kid certainly has some potential that we haven't seen in a while.

Scoring Geez I tried to get a non-Tiger Woods golf question out there but everyone wants to talk about Tiger, but than again I guess B.L. is right when he said ‘Tiger Woods is golf.' I agree with B.L. on this one but my opinion is not what the scoring is on. Blake Lovell made a very convincing argument about Kim playing at such a high level when he still can't grow facial hair. But than again most Asians don't grow facial hair. It should be interesting to see what happens when Tiger comes back because people have been known to be off their game with Tiger breathing down their necks. Kim is younger than me and the point goes to Brad Lovell here because he said that the kid has the potential to be someone to keep Tiger honest and make him be on his game. Maybe not this year but in the years to come.


Final Score This was a solid first showing for the two rookies who both have incredibly tough first round draws in the tournament. Lovell picks up the 4-2 win here but in the final first round match up the rookie runs into the 411 legend himself, Larry "I'm All of a Sudden a Penguins fan" Csonka, while B.L. will face my brother, who eats, sleeps, and breaths sports like his little brother does. However, great showing by both men here. Check back next week for Round 1, Match-up 1 of the Summer Showdown between JT and Porfirio Diaz.

Until than LET THE DEBATES BEGIN