Anyone else saying it and you scoff, because the reality of a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals is that after three months in the league’s quarantine bubble at Disney World this all could be over Friday night. But when Jimmy Butler says it, deride at your own risk, considering the unexpected heights he already…
Heat down, but Jimmy Butler insists not out in NBA Finals: ‘Our confidence ain’t going nowhere’ — Boston Herald
Game 3 of the ALDS saw three dramatic lead changes, but the A’s kept their season alive with a 9-7 win over the Houston Astros. Chad Pinder’s 360-foot blast in the seventh was the shortest of them all, but was by far the most impactful. The three-run homer erased an Astros’ 7-4 lead late and…
ALDS Game 3: Oakland A’s keep season alive with thrilling comeback victory — Times-Standard
By SHAYNA RUBIN |PUBLISHED: October 7, 2020 at 4:18 p.m. | UPDATED: October 7, 2020 at 4:18 p.m.
Game 3 of the ALDS saw three dramatic lead changes, but the A’s kept their season alive with a 9-7 win over the Houston Astros.
Chad Pinder’s 360-foot blast in the seventh was the shortest of them all, but was by far the most impactful. The three-run homer erased an Astros’ 7-4 lead late and shifted the momentum.
The offensive flow rode again on another Home Run Derby, with both sides upping the count to 18 total long balls at Dodger Stadium in these three games.
The A’s took an early lead with four solo blasts. Tommy La Stella got the A’s out to an early 1-0 lead in the first.
The Astros claimed the lead the following inning. José Altuve hit a solo home run and, with runners on the corners, La Stella’s weak throw on a potential double play turn scored Houston’s go-ahead run.
Oakland could feast a little on José Urquidy, who was hanging his breaking balls. Mark Canha, Matt Olson and Marcus Semien notched solo home runs to extend the A’s lead to 4-2.
The incremental lead gathered via solo home run was easily squashed with one big inning. Jesús Luzardo had been rolling. Getting ahead in counts, he held the Astros scoreless through three innings.
It started with a leadoff walk to Yuli Gurriel in the fifth inning. Aledmys Diaz worked back from an 0-2 count and nailed a fastball over the left field fence to tie the game 4-4. With reliever Yusmeiro Petit on the mound, Houston taught the A’s a lesson in hitting with runners in scoring position, stringing together four hits from the heart of the order for a 7-4 lead.
The comeback A’s, capable of reclaiming unlikely leads late, gave way to the comeback Astros. It was a snapshot for how this series has gone for the A’s: Petit allowed four earned runs in 21 2/3 innings during the regular season. Houston put up four against him in one inning this series, including three Wednesday.
The bullpen just couldn’t mask the offensive deficiencies much longer. The A’s had their opportunities to bust the game open in their favor.
After Semien’s home run in the fourth, Oakland loaded the bases with a walk and Chad Pinder’s single — the A’s first single of the game. Khris Davis, batting cleanup for the first time since July, couldn’t get all of a fastball in the zone and flied out. After Olson walked to load the bases, Canha popped out to extinguish a prime opportunity.
Pinder salvaged the mess. After back-to-back singles from Semien and La Stella to lead off the seventh, Pinder launched the opposite field three-run home run that just cleared the right field fence and missed Kyle Tucker’s outreached glove. It was the A’s first hit with runners in scoring position of the series — he also had the A’s key two-run single against the White Sox in Game 3 of the wild card series.
Liam Hendriks had to whip out his “Hercu-Liam” alter ego, tasked with shutting down the Astros in three innings.
After not throwing more than 30 pitches in any outing in the regular season, Hendriks threw 49 in Game 2 of the wild card series and got the save in Game 3. With a lead, he threw 25 through the seventh and eighth inning. He escaped a game-tying threat in the eighth by striking out pinch hitter Josh Reddick on a 98 mph heater — Reddick broke his bat in frustration.
Hendriks finished off the game by retiring Springer, Altuve and Brantley in order in the ninth.
James will allegedly not sleep until the Lakers clinch the championship, and he’s been very online at night lately while he stays up.
LeBron James Is Going To Incredible Lengths To Keep The Lakers Locked In For The Finals — UPROXX
As LeBron James nears his fourth NBA championship, it appears he is becoming nocturnal in an effort to remain vigilant about the task at hand of closing out the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Prior to a powerful Game 4 win, James reportedly shot his Lakers teammates a text message in the middle of the night with a simple message: That the following night’s game was a must-win.
“We see the message from our leader saying this is a must-win,” Anthony Davis told The Athletic. “and he just left it at that.”
As James would later explain it, the text was not only a byproduct of his fierce competitiveness, but also his inability to fall asleep lately. With Game 4 clinched and the Lakers on the cusp of a championship, James elaborated to reporters about his recent insomnia.
Here’s what he said:
“We understand what’s at stake,” James explained. “The job is not done. We get an opportunity to get our bodies back underneath us with an extra day of rest but also keep our minds sharp. I am looking forward, once again, to looking at the film tomorrow. Do all around the clock treatment and treating it like we play Thursday. I’m going to continue to get the work in and continue to not sleep until the job is done. So, I look forward to the next match.”
It may not seem like a great idea to play a deciding NBA Finals game having not slept in a few days, but at this point James’ judgment probably supersedes ours. If it pays off, he’ll have several months to get plenty of sleep before next season.
There are side effects to the no sleeping plan, as the King gets a little bored late at night in the Bubble. That much was clear when James posted a joking meme overnight following Game 4.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 7, 2020
Difficulty sleeping is understandable in James’ position, but it is admittedly pretty funny that he’s actively staying awake in order to keep his game face on.
Clippers center Montrezl Harrell won Sixth Man of the Year.
Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell wins NBA Hustle Award — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Clippers center Montrezl Harrell won Sixth Man of the Year.
Now, he adds more hardware to his collection.
NBA:
LA Clippers forward-center Montrezl Harrell has won the 2019-20 NBA Hustle Award, which honors the player that makes the energy and effort plays to help his team win throughout the season.
This is why it’s silly for the NBA to announce regular-season awards so long after the regular season (especially when there was a great opportunity to do so earlier). Though he deserves sympathy for the cause, Harrell just had a miserable playoffs, struggling on the court and feuding with teammates. It’s hard to get excited about honoring him right now.
Harrell definitely played with a lot of energy during the regular season. He relentlessly scrambled to find ways to score junk baskets inside, took charges, crashed the glass and set screens.
Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo should’ve drawn consideration. But, unfairly, it’s tough to see a star winning something called the Hustle Award.
Sub-stars Marcus Smart and Steven Adams also warranted consideration.
Doc Rivers and 76ers a high-profile matchReport: Tyronn Lue interviewing with Rockets and PelicansReport: Tyronn Lue ‘early favorite’ to become Clippers head …Leave a comment
Mere minutes after losing Game 4 and falling behind 3-1 against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the heavily favored Lakers, members of the Miami Heat got on Zoom and kept talking their talk. “We’ll respond, that’s not even – that’s academic at this point,” Coach Erik Spoelstra said after the 102-96 loss. “We’ll just rest…
Miami Heat, down 3-1 to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, embrace the challenge — Press Telegram
Mere minutes after losing Game 4 and falling behind 3-1 against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the heavily favored Lakers, members of the Miami Heat got on Zoom and kept talking their talk.
“We’ll respond, that’s not even – that’s academic at this point,” Coach Erik Spoelstra said after the 102-96 loss. “We’ll just rest up tomorrow and get back to work and get ready for the next one.”
It’s one thing to say all the right things; it’s another to believe it. And when Miami, with no more margin for error, claims to be undeterred, and perhaps even inspired by the obstacle in front of them, an opponent probably ought to take that seriously.
And the Lakers will. Over on the Lakers’ Zoom on Tuesday night, James responded to the Heat’s “stick-to-it-iveness” as if he were logged on, listening to what Miami personnel was saying over on the other stream.
“After the Game 3 win, that confidence they had, the confidence they still have even after tonight’s loss, they are just a gritty, so damn-well-coached team,” James said. “If we’re going to be a championship ballclub, if we want to really be a championship team, that we got to have that same grit and that same attitude.”
Because, no, the Heat don’t plan to go quietly in Game 5.
“I’m sure on Friday night, it will be James and Davis on (Jimmy Butler) quite a bit and Jimmy’s not running from that,” said Spoelstra of his star, who couldn’t escape Davis’ shadow Tuesday, when he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but had to work hard for it two days after he posted just the third 40-point triple-double in NBA Finals history.
Spoelstra acknowledged the Heat would work on strategy to try to create additional space for their star to perform, but overall, he like the idea of the ensuing knock-down, drag-out battle.
“These games may just end up being in the mud,” Spoelstra said. “You have two competitive groups and you just have to figure out how to make some plays at the end, and that’s usually where we figure it out and usually where our group thrives.”
Butler maintained that Miami will have to play “damn near perfect” to beat the Lakers, but suggested if the Heat can screen better and make a few more tough shots, another victory is there for the taking.
Rookie Tyler Herro said he’s learning he has to resist letting the Lakers speed him up. Bam Adebayo – who Tuesday played 33 minutes and had 15 points and seven rebounds in his first action since missing two games with a strained neck – said the Heat need to be more disciplined, avoid putting up shots too early. Spoelstra suggested his team missed a few reads and let some fleeting windows of opportunity close.
In other words, the Heat recognize ways they can improve. Whether they can solve the puzzle is to be determined, but Miami means it when its players say they enjoy this sort of thing.
“Our guys love competition and love the challenge,” Spoelstra said. “We are here for a purpose. We never expected this to be easy. We’ll just rest and recover (Wednesday). Recalibrate, get back to work on Thursday. I know our group’s going to be ready.”
Fact. Nowhere. #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/puTIt8uJTq
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 7, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee will not be returning to the team’s facility Wednesday after two more players tested positive amid the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. In Foxborough, Massachusetts, the New England Patriots have canceled their Wednesday practice amid that a third player – reigning NFL…
NFL hit with more COVID positives in Tennessee, New England — Press Telegram
File it under sports science. “The law of averages will come back around: If you have a bad night, typically you’ll have a good night the next night,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel hypothesized when asked Tuesday what he expected from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green before the Lakers’ 102-96 victory in Game 4 of the…
Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rebounds, displays ‘big guts’ with big shots in Game 4 — Daily News
Heat center Bam Adebayo plans to play. Take 2.
Report: Bam Adebayo plans to play Heat-Lakers Game 4 of NBA Finals — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
eat center Bam Adebayo plans to play.
Take 2.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo is planning to return for Game 4 vs. the Lakers tonight, sources tell ESPN. Lakers lead series, 2-1.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 6, 2020
Adebayo planned to play Game 3, and that didn’t happen. But the Heat listed him as doubtful for that game. He’s listed as questionable for Game 4 – which indicates a significantly different situation.
At this point, I’d be shocked if Adebayo doesn’t play tonight.
The bigger question: How much will he help?
Though lesser players than Adebayo overall, Meyers Leonard and Kelly Olynyk are better 3-point shooters. That proved highly effective against the big Lakers in Game 3. Leonard and Olynyk dragging a Los Angeles center to the perimeter gave Jimmy Butler room to attack the basket.
Expect the Lakers to defend Butler more aggressively in Game 4. So, it’s not as if Miami could simply repeat its Game 3 strategy. But Adebayo – better on elbow passing and finishing at the rim – also requires the Heat to adjust.
Ideally for Miami, the upside will come defensively. Adebayo should especially help on the defensive glass.
But the Heat’s Game 3 success against Anthony Davis and LeBron James came with collectively walling off the paint. A single individual defender – even one as good Adebayo – is less important with that team-wide tactic.
Again, though, expect the Lakers to adjust after seeing that paint-protection look. Adebayo is definitely the Miami player best-equipped to defend Davis individually.
Undoubtedly, the Heat will take all the complications that come with Adebayo’s return. But this isn’t a straight case of Miami improving by the amount of Adebayo’s ability. There are tradeoffs with deploying him in this series.
As for the other injured Heat starter, Goran Dragic will likely miss the rest of the series. Miami will continue to rely on Butler, Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn playing expanded roles in the backcourt.
Follow Southern California Newspaper Group’s Kyle Goon as he covers the Lakers during the NBA Finals inside the bubble in Orlando. Read today’s previews and what pundits are saying about tonight’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Heat, which starts at 6 p.m. The Lakers lead the series 2-1, but the…
Previews and what they’re saying before Lakers vs. Heat, Game 4. Tip-off at 6 p.m., follow for updates — Daily News
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Over the course of their time in the NBA bubble, some Lakers have mentioned how hard it is to get away from a bad game. Of all the Lakers who had a disappointing night Sunday in their Game 3 loss to the Heat, Anthony Davis is up there with 15…
Lakers look for a return to form against Heat in NBA Finals Game 4 — Press Telegram
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Over the course of their time in the NBA bubble, some Lakers have mentioned how hard it is to get away from a bad game.
Of all the Lakers who had a disappointing night Sunday in their Game 3 loss to the Heat, Anthony Davis is up there with 15 points in an unassertive offensive performance. But to an extent, he’s been able to block out the noise.
“Well, the good thing for me I’m not a big social media guy, so I have it but I don’t really be on it,” he said. “A lot of people get caught up in the news and the social media and what everybody is saying. But I don’t really care about it too much.”
Inside their locker room, however, the Lakers took a long look at film on Monday morning. They cost themselves a chance at a sweep, a chance at leaving the Disney campus as early as Wednesday morning, and a chance to crush Miami’s spirit. Instead, their lead is down to 2-1, and the Heat have a chance to bring back the injured Bam Adebayo in Tuesday’s Game 4 depending on the status of his neck strain.
It’s an opportunity missed for the Lakers, who now are staring down the challenge of extending their lead in the Finals or else tie it up. But in their favor is that the Lakers have yet to lose back-to-back games in these playoffs.
LeBron James, who walked off the court early Sunday night in frustration, said having lost once wasn’t exactly a call to urgency for the Lakers — he’s tried to stay in that mode for the entire series.
“Until the series is completed, I kind of stay on edge, stay locked in on the job at hand,” he said. “Obviously, no one wants to ever lose. You hate that feeling, especially when you know you didn’t play your best, and I definitely wasn’t at my best last night from an individual standpoint.”
The mistake James highlighted was 20 team turnovers, eight he gave up himself. Miami scored 17 points off those giveaways. While James called them “careless,” Coach Frank Vogel was careful to give credit to the Heat for making the Lakers work on their ball movement.
“We were careless in some situations, but I think they took four charges throughout the game, they fronted the post, forced us to make difficult post entry passes,” he said. “So a lot of it was their defense, them being active with their hands. This is what they’re great at, and we didn’t handle it well enough.”
The problem for the Lakers is that Adebayo, the All-Star center that Miami has missed for the last two-and-a-half games, could return at any moment. While Adebayo told media that he couldn’t be sure that he will come back for Tuesday’s Game 4, he said he’s been feeling better since the strain in Game 1.
The Lakers have struggled especially with Kelly Olynyk, who scored 24 points in Game 2 and 17 points in Game 3. The Heat look different with Adebayo in the game, particularly allowing them to switch more with Adebayo’s ability to guard every position. But the flip side is that it will give the Lakers a more conventional look to play against, Kyle Kuzma said.
“Obviously when they have him not in there they’re five out, five space shooters, cutters, movement, and it’s challenging to guard,” Kuzma said. “Obviously, he presents his own challenges as well because he’s a great player and an All-Star. But they’re just two different teams when they’re on and off.”
Internally, the Lakers want to focus on their defense. Davis hit upon how there was little communication on screens and switches that allowed the Heat’s frenetic motion — especially when Butler drove — to take advantage of their mix-ups.
“They were setting screens and slipping to the rim without no one guarding them,” he said. “We were over-helping. We were having blown coverages. There was a lot of space on the floor for guys to drive to the basket with no resistance, no help. Guys were hung up on their man. You could tell that we weren’t ourselves defensively.”
After the first two games when James and Davis ran over the Heat with their scoring, the Lakers are looking to get back to that. But James said he didn’t want to go in with a score-first mentality — he tries not to figure out his hand before he has to play it.
“I’ve never gone into a game saying, ‘OK, I need to score 40 tonight, I need to dominate in the scoring facet, things of that nature, I need to make big shots,’” he said. “One thing I’ve always been, I’ve always been prepared. If you’re prepared, then whatever the game — however the course happens, you’re able to make adjustments throughout the game and you’re able to impact the game because you’re prepared and you’ve put in the work. It’s just that simple for me.”
Follow the LABron-era.
Sign up for our Purple and Bold newsletter for the best local insight on the LakersSUBSCRIBE
Get the latest news delivered daily!SUBSCRIBEFollow Us
Some years, there is suspense surrounding the top-end selection of the NHL Entry Draft. Read More
Traikos: NHL Entry Draft should be full of surprises — Toronto Sun
Author of the article:Michael TraikosPublishing date:Oct 06, 2020 • Last Updated 3 hours ago • 6 minute read
Some years, there is suspense surrounding the top-end selection of the NHL Entry Draft.
But this is not a Taylor vs. Tyler type of year.
The New York Rangers have the No. 1 pick and it’s no secret that they are going to use it on Quebec-born winger Alexis Lafreniere. Of course, that’s where the predictability ends.
The virtual draft, which takes place with Round 1 on Tuesday and Rounds 2-7 on Wednesday, will rob players of the experience of walking on stage and meeting their new team. And it will also rob viewers of getting to see players sweating in their suits while waiting to get picked.
But we won’t be robbed of drama.
Who is going No. 2?
This is where it always gets interesting. As much as the No. 1 pick is an easy tap-in, selecting second is not as simple as taking the next-best player. From Jonathan Toews and Leon Draisaitl to Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar, there are plenty of examples where the best player in the draft went No. 3. This year could be more of the same. Talk to 10 scouts and half will prefer the size and strength of Quinton Byfield and the other half will want Tim Stuetzle’s skill and creativity. The only consensus is that both have the potential to be franchise centres.
Will anyone waste a first-round pick on a goalie?
Carey Price was the last goalie to get picked in the top-5. Since then, only Spencer Knight (13th, 2019), Jack Campbell (11th, 2010) and Jonathan Bernier (11th, 2006) have gone in the top-15 — and with good reason. You are just as likely to find a No. 1 goalie in the fifth (Connor Hellebuyck), sixth (Darcy Kuemper) or seventh rounds (Henrik Lundqvist) than you are in the first round. That doesn’t mean Yaroslav Askarov will fall past the top-15. After all, if you’re a team with two or more first-round picks — Ottawa and New Jersey have three each, while the Rangers and Ducks have two each — why not use one on a goalie who could be the next Price?
Is Taylor Hall heading back to Canada?
The Arizona Coyotes are reportedly shopping the rights to the pending unrestricted agent. And, further to those reports, Hall may be willing to accept a one- to two-year deal while the salary cap stays flat. That’s good news to anyone looking to add a Hart Trophy-winning winger on a short-term deal. But before we start penciling in Hall on a line with Connor McDavid, keep in mind that the 28-year-old is probably looking at somewhere around $8-million per year. That’s too pricey for Edmonton’s cap situation. A more affordable option might be Boston’s Jake DeBrusk. Unfortunately for the rest of the Western Conference, Colorado can more than afford it.
Are Patrik Laine, Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau really on the trade market?
While it is rare that a team would trade its franchise star, it’s even more rare for the team not to regret the deal immediately after it happens. Just ask Peter Chiarelli, who basically lost his job in Boston and then Edmonton after trading Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall. That doesn’t mean Laine, Eichel or Gaudreau won’t get moved in the next couple of days. But the return will have to be massive. And the GM pulling the trigger better negotiate a contract extension for himself before pulling the trigger.
Will the Canucks try and trade for Oliver Ekman-Larsson?
When Arizona’s captain put Vancouver and Boston on the short list of teams he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause for, it was a sign of how far the Canucks had come. But it also provided a glimpse of where they are going. Vancouver does not have a cap problem. Not yet, at least. But next year, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko will require new contracts. Toss in Ekman-Larsson’s $8.25-million cap hit and Vancouver’s financial situation will look a lot like Toronto’s.
Will Montreal GM Marc Bergevin go all in?
The best part about Montreal’s qualification round win against Pittsburgh was that it proved to management that the team is a playoff contender. The worst part about Montreal’s playoff run was that it may have fooled management into thinking the team is a Stanley Cup contender. And so, rather than continue with the rebuild, GM Marc Bergevin is already talking about potentially moving the No. 16 pick for a top-six forward. That’s not a bad move if the player is Patrik Laine. But if it’s Tampa Bay’s Alex Killorn, the Habs may be moving fast, too soon.
Will a goalie get moved?
Matt Murray? Elvis Merzlikins? Devan Dubnyk? Take your pick. One — or more — of them could get traded in the next couple of days. At the same time, with a free agency crop that includes Stanley Cup finalists’ Jacob Markstrom and Anton Khudobin, as well as Braden Holtby, Cam Talbot, Henrik Lundqvist and more, the market has never been this flooded with potential No. 1 goalies. That should affect the prices. In other words, if you need a goalie and you aren’t picky, then you might be able to get one for next to nothing.
TOP 10 AND WHERE THEY’LL LIKELY GO
1. NY Rangers: Alexis Lafreniere, LW (Rimouski, QMJHL)
With Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider on the left side, New York would be better off with a centre. But there’s no way they are passing on a winger as talented as Lafreniere.
2. Los Angeles: Tim Stuetzle, C/LW (Mannheim, Ger.)
Slotting the offensively skilled centre behind Anze Kopitar gives L.A. the kind of one-two punch that could make them a Stanley Cup threat again.
3. Ottawa: Quinton Byfield, C, (Sudbury, OHL)
The 6-foot-4 and 215-pound centre, who has drawn comparisons to Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Getzlaf, is everything that the Senators need in order to progress into the final stages of their rebuild.
4. Detroit: Cole Perfetti, C (Saginaw, OHL)
GM Steve Yzerman will be seeing a lot of himself in Perfetti’s game, which is built around a Mensa-level hockey I.Q. and maturity level that should make him a future captain.
5. Ottawa: Jamie Drysdale, D (Erie, OHL)
Putting Drysdale, who scored 47 points in 49 games this season, on a defence pairing with Thomas Chabot should make life easier on whoever is in net for the Senators.
6. Anaheim: Marco Rossi, C (Ottawa, OHL)
The CHL’s leading scorer would be a welcome addition to a team that didn’t have a 30-goal scorer or anyone who cracked the top-100 in points.
7. New Jersey: Yaroslav Askarov, G (SKA-St. Petersburg, KHL)
Thirty years ago, the Devils selected Martin Brodeur with the 20th overall selection. It worked out pretty well. So why not take another goalie who has Vezina Trophy winner written all over him?
8. Buffalo: Jake Sanderson, D (USA-U18)
The Sabres could use a top-line winger to play with Eichel. But the team just as badly needs a top-pairing defenceman to play alongside Rasmus Dahlin.
9. Minnesota: Lucas Raymond, LW, (Frolunda, Swe.)
Very few — if any — have Raymond going lower than eighth overall. But if the winger, who battled injury this season, is still there, the Wild will be very happy.
10. Winnipeg: Alex Holtz, RW (Djurgarden, Swe.)
If the Jets are going to trade Patrik Laine (and they probably shouldn’t), then they better draft someone who can put the puck in the net.
— Michael Traikos
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dodgers were cruising through their abbreviated schedule in mid-September when they went to San Diego to start their final road trip of the regular season. Invigorated by their GM’s shopping spree at the trade deadline, the Padres had closed to within 2 1/2 games of the Dodgers. It was only 1…
Dodgers and Padres ready to exchange punches again — Press Telegram
The view from left field 