T10B Busted: Simone Biles is not the GOAT (at least, not yet)

Like many Simone Biles fans, I looked forward to seeing her do superhuman acrobatics during the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympics. Despite tremendous physical skills, she unfortunately suffered a mental collapse at the most inopportune time. Like most, I supported her decision to pull out of multiple events to take care of her mental state and avoid serious injury. Unlike most, however, I believe her limited participation prevented her from being considered her sport’s unqualified GOAT. Fortunately, the last chapter of her career has not been written.

2023 T10B MOCK NBA DRAFT

Synopsis: No brainer at #1 with Victor Wembanyama, who might be the most hyped draft pick ever. At a minimum, he has generated the same draft buzz as LeBron James. The 2023 NBA Draft forever will be linked to the career of the 7’4″ Frenchman. Anything short of all-time great will be a letdown. At least he’ll start his career with a great mentor in Coach Pop.

2023 T10B Mock NFL Draft

In a return to normalcy, the 2023 NFL Draft should be front-end loaded with up to four QBs going as a top ten overall pick. In contrast, the 4th QB didn’t go off the board until late in the 3rd round last year. With stellar college careers, the most likely top two picks include Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis didn’t have the same success on the field, but their raw talent has been cited when including them high in the draft. In addition to these four prospects, I have rounded out the 2023 Mock NFL Draft with DE Will Anderson Jr., DL Jalen Carter, DE Tyree Wilson, CB Devon Witherspoon, OL Peter Skoronski, and RB Bijon Robinson. So who are the potential busts? Don’t worry, that’ll come later. 

T10B Busted: NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team

Prior to the 2021-22 season, the NBA announced it 75th Anniversary Team to honor the greatest 75 players in league history. In anticipation of that moment, my son and I developed an algorithm to create our own list of all-time greats. The NBA relied on a panel of “expert” voters who likely utilized the “eye test” while this site relied purely on objective measures such as stats, awards, and titles. There was significant overlap in the names on both lists, but this post provides a ranking to make the debate that much more interesting. Who’s the GOAT? Who got snubbed? Who didn’t quite deserve the honor? It’s all in here. Read and enjoy.

2022 T10B MOCK NFL DRAFT

Whether an accurate perception or not, it seems like interest the NFL draft varies directly with the number of quarterbacks mentioned as top prospects. Perhaps hoping to generate interest, the creator of the featured image for this post included two quarterbacks and one defensive end even though neither QB is likely to go with one of the top overall picks. For me, the 2022 NFL Draft lacks the same frenzy that often leads teams to go coo coo for Cocoa Pops scrambling to get a potential franchise quarterback on a cap-friendly contract. Regardless, I am excited to watch teams wheel and deal in their attempt to take advantage of a talented group of defensive ends, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, and wide receivers. With moments to spare, I offer the 2022 T10B Mock NFL Draft

2021 T10B MOCK NFL DRAFT

Prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, I predicted that four quarterbacks would go with the 1st four picks. The first four teams on the board didn’t need a new QB so I assumed some trades would occur. Apparently, I overestimated the desire/desperation for teams to trade-up because the 4th signal caller “only” went off the board with the 10th pick. I won’t make the same bold prediction this year, but I do believe that the 2021 NFL Draft will set a new standard with five QBs going with the first eight overall picks. Using history as a guide, I predict that one will be great, one will be good/very good, 1-2 will be OK, and 1-2 will bust. Let the fun begin!

#1 Box Office Bust: Heaven’s Gate

Whereas most film critics consider The Godfather (1972) or The Godfather Part II (1974) to be the best movie from the 1970s, I contend that The Dear Hunter (1978) deserves that honor. After winning Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for his epic Vietnam War drama, Michael Cimino certainly deserved praise. However, his ego arguably got the best of him because his follow-up film, Heaven’s Gate (1980) failed to resonate with critics or moviegoers. In addition to returning an abysmal 10% of its production budget at the box office, the film resulted in the sale of the studio and made it harder for directors to work without overbearing studio involvement. Based on the pedigree of its filmmaker and its financial demise, Heaven’s Gate ranks as the #1 Top 10 Box Office Bust. 

T10B Busted: Mike Clevinger

After an away game in July 2020, Cleveland pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger went out to dinner with a small group of friends. Their outing ordinarily would seem quite tame for professional athletes. However, in the Year of COVID, their actions violated team rules and MLB protocol. The Indians sent Plesac home by car after he fessed up to the violation. On the other hand, Clevinger boarded the team plane without letting anyone know that he may have been exposed to the deadly virus. Several weeks later, the club traded Clevinger to the San Diego Padres. Were the two events related? I think so, but at least one person disagrees.