It's hard to argue with the NBA picking Denver's Nikola Jokic, Golden State's Stephen Curry and Philadelphia's Joel Embid as its three MVP finalists. Especially since Jokic seems a shoo-in to win. Jokic easily leads the NBA in all the sabermetric categories, such as Value Over Replacement Player, Box Plus Minus and Win Shares. Curry is third in both VORP and Box Plus Minus. Still, I will quibble. Giannis Antetokounmpo, second in both of those stats, should have been a finalist instead of Embid, who only played in 51 games. And I'd take 6-foot-7 Dallas guard Luka Doncic, still only 22, over any player in the league to start a team.
Payroll not driving baseball wins
Baseball is the one major sport with the least salary cap restraints, yet once again small-market teams seem to be doing fine. Four teams outside of the top 10 in salary this year currently lead their division: The No. 26 Rays, No. 23 A's, No. 15 White Sox and No. 12 Cubs. The Padres, usually considered a smaller market, are also in first with a No. 8 payroll. Only the No. 3 Mets are a big-market, big-payroll division leader.
Quick Shots: Even when the Chicago Cubs' Rizzo, Bryant, Baez get hot, there is a downside
Baez smart, but not about strike zone
It's easy to see why Cubs fans love Javier Baez. He is a terrific defensive shortstop, with 9.4 defensive WAR to go along with his 14.6 career offensive WAR. And he's also simply fun. His recent play against Pittsburgh, when he quit running to first and retreated toward home to help a run score on what should have been an inning-ending ground out, is a perfect example. It never should have worked. Pittsburgh simply had to tag him or throw the ball to first for the out. But with Willson Contreras running home, the Pirates panicked. But if Baez is that baseball savvy, why can't he learn the strike zone? He has 138 strikeouts vs. 13 walks the last two seasons. It doesn't matter how many spectacular plays he makes; those two numbers alone should stop Chicago from signing him to a long-time, mega-million dollar contract.
NFL's glut of QBs
FiveThirtyEight writes that a record 17 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round the last four years. And also that a record 60 games were started by quarterbacks 38 years or older last year. That means there should be fewer QB openings than ever in the next couple of years. And maybe that will make it easier to find a new QB.
More: Quick Shots: Steph Curry makes NBA more fun by dominating without otherworldly physical traits
Matt Trowbridge: mtrowbridge@rrstar.com; @matttrowbridge
The Link LonkMay 30, 2021 at 06:37AM
https://www.rrstar.com/story/sports/2021/05/29/nba-mvp-easy-choice-but-why-wasnt-giannis-finalist/7446118002/
Quick Shots: Jokic easy choice for NBA MVP, but why wasn't Giannis a finalist? - Rockford Register Star
https://news.google.com/search?q=easy&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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